Disclaimer: I don't own HP, J.K Rowling is the author
Chapter 37: Victoria
The next morning, Victoria woke up beside ruffled blankets and an empty spot. She peeled her eyes open, rubbing them upon the sunlight leaking through the blinds of her window. She sat up, running her fingers along her messy black hair, trying to tame what was left of her bedhead. Reluctantly, she pulled the blinds from her window, allowing the sun full permission to beam inside her room. The outdoors here was nothing like the scenery from Hogwarts, but the muggles were interesting to see. There they were, the same group of teenagers leaning on the backs of cars and doing whatever boys do at that age. Which only gave her a sudden thought, of how Harry would have turned out if none of this happened to him.
She shook her head, remembering Harry was wondering around the house somewhere without waking her up. She hated that. She loved to wake up and see him lying beside her. His bangs folded over his forehead, the smile he tends to make when his lips move ever so slightly. The way he let out calm breaths, his chest falling slowly – as if there was nothing to worry about. As if being asleep took away all of this for just a few hours.
She unfolded the covers, getting out of bed and putting her hair up in a messy bun. Wearily shuffling to the door while tucking behind some loose strands of hair, she creaked it opened and immediately heard what sounded to be a cooking pot falling to the ground. It spiked through her ears, her eyes widening at the sudden loud noise.
"Fuck, I swear if it's Ron and Hermione again…" She cursed, aggravated if they moved their arguments to even mornings now.
She walked down the stairs slowly, when a thump was heard from a floor below. She could then hear Belle's wings flap against her as she flew around distressed by the noise as well, to Sirius' room.
The steps creaked underneath her heavy feet, her hand sliding down the railing as the noise got louder – then she heard Harry's voice.
"Harry?" She hung over the railing, looking down at the kitchen door that was closed. "Erm, Harry?"
No response.
She moved forward, facing the kitchen door and opening it slowly, peaking inside as she saw Harry holding his head with his hands, Ron arguing at the little ugly house elf standing on the table, and Hermione with a hand on her hips and fingers pinching at her nose irritably.
"Okay, listen big ears, we just need you to retrieve the item for us. Can't you do that, yeah?" Ron said, throwing his hand out at the house elf.
"No. I – I can't leave mistresses home. No, no I mustn't." Kreacher said, anxiously twisting at the rag he was wearing.
"Just leave it Ron. You can't get things out of others by forcing, can you?" Hermione said, obviously annoyed with the boys arguing with Kreacher, as if they've been at it all morning.
"It's not just things, Hermione. It's the bloody hor-" Victoria saw as Harry's eyes flashed towards hers. She opened the door, knowing her presence was known and Ron and Hermione immediately turned around.
"Vic?" Ron said, scratching the back of his head. "How ugh, how long-"
"Long enough to see you're torturing my house elf." Victoria joked, walking inside the kitchen and starting a pot of tea over the stove.
"It's not like that…"
"What is it then, because I have no idea," Victoria said, turning around and leaning against the counter, "what you're doing arguing with a house elf like Kreacher. He's bloody useless."
"We were just,"
"No, it's alright." Harry interrupted Hermione, standing up and walking towards the refrigerator.
Victoria crossed her arms, "It doesn't seem alright if you are all arguing with my house elf?"
Hermione grabbed onto Ron's hand, pulling him towards the door, "C'mon. Let them sort this out."
Ron sighed, "What about Kreacher?"
"We'll deal with that later, Ronald." The two exited the kitchen, closing the door behind them just before Kreacher snuck through the cracks.
Harry pulling some eggs from the fridge, placing them on the table while Victoria brought the pot over, pouring herself a cup.
"Tea?"
Harry looked up, "Yea. Sure."
"Okay," She began pouring his, putting the pot back on the stove and grabbing the food he placed on the table. "It's fine, Harry. I can make something."
"You sure?"
Victoria turned on the burner, cracking a few eggs onto the skillet. "Yeah. I'm not a master at this… like Sirius said, they don't teach culinary arts in Hogwarts… but uhm… I would cook for Remus mornings after he had transformation. So…"
Harry nodded, brushing his hands on his pants. "Right. So I guess I'll just…" He inched towards the door, but Victoria turned around, raising an eyebrow.
"Sit."
"Maybe I should check on Ron-"
"He's got Hermione." She gestured towards the chair with her spatula, turning back around to finish up the eggs and plated them. Once breakfast was done, she slid the plate in front of Harry so it rocked a little to the sides. She sat across from him, drinking her tea as she watched him eat.
"You're not having anything?" Harry asked, stuffing a fork full of eggs in his mouth.
Victoria waved a dismissive hand as she took another sip, "No. Besides I put Veritaserum in the batch so… I didn't want to eat that."
Harry's green eyes widened as he stopped mid-chew. He dropped his fork, spitting out whatever was inside his mouth onto the napkin as Victoria laughed in amusement.
"You really think I'd do that to you?" She grinned, cupping her hands to her tea.
Harry rolled his eyes, "don't do that…"
"Are you getting Snape flash-backs from fifth year?"
Harry winced at the name and Victoria took notice, her smile fading. He took another bite of his food, "The situation at hand is sensitive…"
"Oh come on, lighten up a bit." She watched as he continued eating his breakfast with his head low. She reached over, slowly placing a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. Rough morning?"
He was silent, and she couldn't help but feel left out.
"Whatever is it, you can tell me."
"I can't." He said exhaustedly.
She released her hand, sitting up straight, "All you have to do is open your mouth, and lets words come out."
Harry looked up at her, clearly unamused with her bit of sarcasm this morning. "I can't tell you because I know you'll go off and do something stupid."
Her eyebrows pushed together as her mouth dropped, her eyes trailing as he walked up to put his dishes away. "Hey! Rude."
"No offense… but I need you here. You know, safe."
"Yeah?" She crossed her arms, "Safe? Under surveillance?" She mocked.
Harry nodded as if she was spot on, "Yeah. Exactly."
He began walking for the exit but Victoria immediately stood up, slipping between the door and him, creating her own barrier so he couldn't leave.
"Nonnegotiable." He said, looking down into her grey eyes and softly kissing her lips.
"I agree."
"Don't do this," Harry said, bypassing her barrier and exiting the kitchen. She followed him down the hall to the living room where he sat down on the couch, peaking out the window through the thickened curtains. She sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, carefully analyzing his distressed features. He had a hand on her leg, and the other on the back of the couch, as he stared at the outside, watching as cars began to pool out of the driveway so people could get to work.
"What are you thinking of?" She asked, tilting her head and running her fingers along his hair, pushing them from his eyes.
He gave a light laugh, his smile nearly lasting, "What it's like to be normal. That sounded stupid didn't it?"
"Normal is boring."
He grinned, his emerald eyes meeting hers, "That's something you'd say."
"I'm trying to be more like me." She gave a half-smile, boring her gaze to her fingers that swept down the side of his head, trying to flatten the strands of his hair that wouldn't stay down. It was weird to think of it, but it was true; she was trying to be more like herself. For some reason, she felt she had something to prove; maybe to Harry, or Remus, or herself.
Watching Harry sit here, staring off into the window saddened her. Maybe she felt sorry for him. It's heartbreaking, even for her, knowing Harry wouldn't have that normal life he thinks about since birth. It just wasn't fair. Her life wasn't perfect either, of course… but she never slept in a broom closet… nor was she destined to destroy one of the most powerful dark wizards in their world.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" She asked, taking a shot in the dark.
"I would… but we can't."
Victoria dropped her hands from his hair, propping her elbow up on the back of the couch, "Sure you can. You can do whatever you want, Harry, no-one can stop us."
He gave her a knowing look, as if she couldn't be serious. "It's too dangerous outside, you know that."
"Since when do you follow the rules?"
He shook his head, "Says you."
"Right, because I don't think breaking a few rules could hurt anyone. They're just there to… restrict you. That's how you feel isn't it? Restricted? Like there's a heavy weight sitting on your chest of responsibility you never even asked for. You've spent all your years since you were 11 trying to decipher these events that led up to Voldemort's upcoming. Take a break, breathe."
Harry's expression softened, "You're probably right. I mean… I know you're right… What do you suggest we do, then?"
She shrugged, "Just a walk. We don't have to stray too far from the apartment, and we can keep our heads low."
Harry laughed, giving it another thought as he gazed into her grey eyes. "This is such a terrible idea."
"They're only terrible, because it's rule-breaking."
"You're such a bad influence on me." He admitted, running his fingers along her thighs.
She laughed, quite surprised to hear that considering how much her life changed when she met the boy. "Dare I mention things I've experienced since we've been together?"
"Dare I do the same?" He said, matching her expression mockingly, "I don't even smoke, nor have I ever punched a student unconscious."
"Then we're both equally fucked up," Victoria sat up, placing her lips on the side of his face, "that's why we work." She walked over towards the banister, grabbing Harry's jacket and throwing it at him. "Come on, Potter. Give me ten minutes – you'll enjoy it."
Harry grabbed his jacket, reluctantly throwing it on and exiting the apartment with her. The two stepped outside the complex, quietly closing the front door and making an 'escape'. Leaving behind whatever it was Harry had to deal with this morning; leaving all the chosen one bullshit for just a short period of time. The two hurried down the steps as Harry threw on his hood, pushing down his bangs in front of his scar. Victoria wrapped an arm around his, holding her wand with her free hand inside her pocket… just in case.
It was a beautiful morning, not too hot for the sun was shining down radiantly in London, but a cool breeze that pushed Victoria's long wavy black hair to the side. They walked along the sidewalk, crossing the street and turning a corner, walking a bit farther than expected.
Till it finally felt safe enough, and they took that with a grain of salt, Harry flipped his hood off and they continued to walk normally down the sidewalk, passing by other apartments of which looked quite similar to Victoria's. People were outside, sitting on the steps smoking, or children writing with chalk, some others watering their plants.
They smiled as they passed people. Completely normal people, muggles, who had absolutely no idea who Harry Potter was… and Victoria could tell by the look of newly found freedom on his face, that it felt good. No gawking eyes, no opened mouths, no whispers. She smiled, placing her hand in his and walking closer by his side.
"It's nice out here, isn't it?" She asked, stopping abruptly as a few bikers crossed their paths.
Harry nodded, "It's great. I've forgotten what this feels like…"
"I had no idea what this feels like, I lived in the middle of nowhere. I kind of like it though, people see us together without going directly for the whole 'chosen one' idea. No offense."
"No worries, I agree."
After a few more minutes of walking, they finally turned down a narrower alleyway. The walking space was small; small enough Harry had to turn his shoulders so he wouldn't bump into anybody coming from the opposite direction. The ground below them was covered in different variations of brick colours. Shopping signs were hung and sticking out from the tops of their doors; some more noticeable than others. There was a small café with two tables that sat outside the glass windows with the words, Café Mill written in large green letters. There sat a few people who looked up at the two, smiling.
"Oh! Want to go in here?" Victoria said, tugging down on his arm and pointing up at the large black and white sign that read The Alley above the door.
Harry walked over, pressing his thumb down to unlock the golden knob, and swinging open the large red door. They walked inside, instantly noticing the warm ambiance the store gave. The shelves and countertops were a dark woodened colour, and the light fixtures gave off a warm orange lustre. The tiles below them were off white and black; their feet clicking along as they moved forward; their eyes practically mesmerized by all the candy sitting on the shelves so magnificently. So many different variations, so many different colours. In jars sizes small to large, each handwritten with the name of the treat.
"Afternoon."
Victoria turned, noticing an older man standing behind the counter in uniform. He was bald with a long reddened beard, and large spectacles that rounded off his face. He gave quite an unimpressed look; maybe he was tired. Victoria forced a smile, giving a small wave with the tips of her fingers before turning down an isle with Harry.
"This place is bigger than Honey Dukes," Harry said, grabbing a jar and popping the top to get a better look inside.
"Yeah," Victoria popped the top of a jar, grabbing a small handful of a small colourful round treat, "It's weird looking at candy that doesn't jump at you," She said, smiling and throwing a few pieces at him. He covered his face, lifting his hand as Victoria threw them one by one.
"Hey, watch it!" Harry said, trying to grab onto one of the pieces that bounced off the palm of his hand. Succeeding, he began to throw them back as they quietly shuffled along the isle, trying to not attract too much noise.
"Hold up, hold up!" Victoria said, covering her face as she found an interesting jar of candy. "Fireballs?" She grabbed the jar, popping the lid and looking inside to see a large round candy painted in a vibrant red colour. "Do you think they, you know… make you breathe fire?"
Harry grabbed the jar, looking for himself. "Doubt it. Muggles don't do that sort of stuff."
"What do they do? For fun, I mean."
Harry replaced the jar, "Uhm, well once I went to the zoo with my cousin and his friend. He also had a pool party once, and the place was packed."
Victoria pouted, "There's none of that around here."
"We could go to the park?"
Victoria's expression brightened, and she thought that was a great idea.
After walking some ways in London, they reached a large park and to their relief, it wasn't that busy. The two walked down a narrow paved walkway, with trees hanging over on each side, giving them a proper amount of shade. The leaves bustled in the wind, and a few children off to the side were running about, chasing the runaway leaves.
"Do you want to sit over there?" Victoria asked, pointing over towards an empty bench that faced a large body of water.
Harry took her hand, and the two walked off the path, approaching the empty bench and taking a seat. They sat there, Victoria's head leaned on his shoulder as they gazed at the rippling water, listening to the fountain that sat in the middle, splash.
They were speechless, enjoying their surroundings and the sounds from around them. It was better than listening to arguments, screams; or watching things burn, or trying to dodge spells left and right. Actually, it seemed for only this short moment that they were sitting here, they had forgotten about all of that. They hadn't even touched their wands since their initial walk away from Grimmauld.
"Don't you love this?" Victoria asked in a small voice.
Harry moved his hand, holding hers on top of her leg. "Everything about it."
She sighed, "It sucks we'll have to go back soon."
"It was nice though," He glanced at her, "escaping for a little bit."
She grinned, lifting her head and lightly kissing his cheek, "I told you it would be fine." She paused, thinking of the right words to say; thinking if her hunch was correct. It most likely was, she knew this day would come anyhow. "Harry?"
"Hm?"
Victoria lifted off his shoulder, gaining his attention as he gazed at her. "It's about the horcrux's isn't it? This morning."
Harry looked down anxiously at his fingers, then began staring off into the water where the fountain stirred its waves. "Yeah, it is."
"Why didn't you want to tell me?"
"You know how I feel about you coming. Honestly, I'd rather do it alone-"
"But you know you can't right?" She interrupted, knowing that thought was completely ridiculous. "That you can't do it on your own. I mean… you're just, Harry. You know?"
He flashed a short-lived grin, fixing his glasses straight on the bridge of his nose. "The world seems to think differently."
"Not this world, Harry. Not the one we're in." She turned around, looking at the people walking behind them. "I mean, look. No one is stopping to take pictures, or whispering about you. They just see you, for who you really are, you know? I mean, opposed to the magic abilities we have, but what does that matter? You are who you are, not because people have labelled you. Let me help you, please."
Harry pondered it for a moment, exhaling deeply as if embracing what he feels might come of it. He turned his body, fully facing her. "You always have a way of getting to me. Alright. Uhm… Apparently… It-it's about the locket."
"What about it?" Victoria asked, fully attentive.
"He's got it."
She blinked up at him, "Who?"
He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, as if saying the name gave him an instantaneous headache. "Mundungus."
Victoria's eyes widened, "Mundungus… how… how did he…"
"He's stolen it…"
"From where exactly? Did he just waltz into You-Know-Who's house and nicked it?"
Harry crossed a look of disappointment on his face, "Actually, it was somewhere a lot closer than that."
Victoria shook her head, waiting impatiently, "So… are you going to tell me or what?"
Harry ran his fingers through his hair, "Grimmauld Place."
She looked at him as if he was mad for a moment, then let out a forced laugh because it had to be joke. Right? A horcrux… a valuable, powerful piece of magic sitting in her apartment? No way.
Harry looked at her, as if anything funny had completely left between them. He was serious, and it suddenly frightened her.
"No fucking way, you're saying a fragment of Vo- sorry, You-Know-Who's fucking soul was inside my father's apartment? The entire time? Next are you going to tell me it was Sirius who nicked it?"
She glared at him, as if warning him to not admit that was true, and to her relief, it wasn't.
"Remember the note inside the locket?"
Victoria looked around at the pond, trying to look innocent, "What note? I didn't see a note?"
"Oh come on, I know you got curious and looked at it."
"Alright fine. What about it?"
"Remember the initials, R.A.B?" Victoria nodded, "Well, it belonged to a Black."
"Not Sirius though, right? He didn't have some alias name or-"
"Actually, your uncle. Regulus. He had a room in the floor above you… I can't believe I overlooked that…" Harry groaned in disappointment, covering his face with his hands.
Victoria's eyes scanned around her surroundings as she leaned back on the bench, as if guilt began to weight down on her. She didn't know necessarily why, or if she should feel that way… but knowing she'd been living there… she could have known. When Sirius and her began redecorating the place, they never touched two rooms in particular, his brother's and his mother's. It never clicked; they never discussed their blood-line, because it simply didn't matter to them. Victoria didn't like her family connections as much as Sirius did anyhow – especially learning she was distantly related to Draco…
"It makes sense… Sirius told me his brother used to be a Death Eater… told me he used to be friends with Snape, though using that word lightly."
"Yeah, apparently, they were in the same recruitment."
Victoria tilted her head back, "So what do we do?"
"We have to find that locket somehow…" Harry said, as if it was impossible.
"Well, where's Mundungus?"
He shook his head, "I don't know."
"Well shit, Harry… he must be somewhere. He couldn't have gone far…" She couldn't help but think, that not only was the locket in Grimmauld Place, that it could have been an item he was trying to sell in the three broomsticks that day she found him with Sirius' belongings. Then she began to remember that Mundungus is a dodgy man… selling odds and ends and contributing to trading illegal items. It only seemed obvious that Mundungus would trade in a dodgy area… though hopefully her hunch was right. It seemed to be on point so far.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What if…" She turned, gazing at him as if afraid to propose this idea – knowing what feedback she would get, "What if I…"
He turned his neck, "What if you what?" His tone made it obvious he knew what she would ask.
"You know… go find Mundu-"
"Absolutely not." He said certainly, turning back to look at the pond.
She threw out her hands, "Come on, Harry."
"No."
"It only makes sense…"
"How on earth does that make sense to you?"
She pushed herself off the bench, standing in front of him so she felt she had more of his attention.
"You can't go out there, now can you? You're the most wanted wizard right now, Harry."
He laughed bitterly, "And you think you're not being looked for either? They know how close we are. Your bloody insane relative is practically kissing his feet, and she sure knows you exist." He argued caustically.
She threw her arms down to her side, looking up at the sky in irritation. "You're such a mind-fuck. You want me to do things like spy on Draco on your behalf… you practically left me to fend for myself at the wedding… then you turn around and tell me this and that is too dangerous, and how you don't even want me to help you find these bloody horcruxes! It doesn't make sense!"
Harry raised his eyebrows, his jaw clenching. "Says the girl who wouldn't think twice about sneaking out of Hogwarts or punching Malfoy in the face, then next thing I know you're in a corner cowering over doing anything related to fucking Vold-… him. Not to mention-"
Victoria froze, listening to the words spill out from his lips, hoping they'd be cut short but he just kept going. She snapped her lips closed, her fingers tightening by her sides as her vexation flared each second. Her widened grey eyes gave an easy interpretation of the patience she no longer had. Without a moment's thought, she raised her hand throwing it forward just to get him to finally stop. A loud strike echoed upon contact, and her hand began to burn at the palm; her fingers tingling shortly after. He raised his hand, smoothing over the newly reddened mark on his cheek and gaping at her speechlessly. She was unresponsive herself. She'd never done that to a friend before, let alone someone she loved; but what he said hurt. And she knew he didn't mean it to intentionally insult her, but it was still said and heard, and she grew angry over it.
She stared into his green eyes, her expression softening as he just sat there, unreciprocated. Her eyes moved up to the elderly couple standing up the hill by the paved walkway, just looking down at the two worriedly. Victoria grabbed her bag on the bench, quickly walking away before her rheumy eyes became noticeable. She refused to look back, all she wanted to do was go home now.
Later that night, Victoria spent a lot of time thinking. Thinking of what she did, and what he had said… especially the consequences of what could've happened when she left him there all alone at a time like this.
She didn't hear the end of that bit. Once she got home, Hermione immediately welcomed her at the front door with a million and one questions and her angry voice following Victoria all the way to her bedroom till she snapped the door shut. Then she waited, staring out her window to see when Harry would be home… eventually he showed up, hours later which worried Hermione even more at this point. Then her stern, angry voice continued like a record player when he walked through the door.
It just felt as if he was blaming her for retaliating over her father's death, and it seemed unfair…
Victoria jumped off her chair, running over to her dresser and pulling out a few items and laying them across her bed. Throwing her clothes off, she stood by her full body mirror, watching as she transformed into something she didn't expect to ever do.
She slipped on a green top with black lace, a dark grey plaid skirt and some lace tights underneath her boots. She fixed up her wavy black hair so it looked as if it took more effort to look presentable, then she hurried to her closet to grab a black robe that swayed just above the ground when she wore it.
She grabbed her bag, packing some things she felt she might need then carefully opening her bedroom door. Peeking out, she stepped out quietly and closed the door behind her.
The house seemed silent, as hoped. Lightly stepping down the stairs, she walked over to the living room where Harry was asleep on the couch. He was laying down, his hand tucked underneath a pillow; still in his clothes from the walk they took. She walked over, kneeling beside him as she watched over him. She ran her finger along the mark on his face; it was getting better… but she still felt remorse tighten in her gut.
As she stood up, she kicked off his shoes and threw a blanket over his body before kissing his forehead and sneaking out of the apartment completely unnoticed.
Maybe it wasn't her best of ideas, and it only required a few hours of thought… but she felt a bit useless… regardless of what Harry said to her that night before, maybe there was some truth in what he said to her earlier that day; well, of course there was.
Victoria stood beside the road by Grimmauld Place, directly under the street lamp that illuminated yellow above her. She looked around, grabbing her wand out and sticking it up in the air.
"Alright… I've never done this before… let's hope Sirius was right…" She waved her wand frantically, then dropped it to her side, waiting and listening for the Knight Bus that should have approached by now.
"Did I do this wrong?" She performed the gesture again; one Sirius said to use in times of distress when she needed transportation.
She waited again… her patience growing thin. She stared across the street at that same gas station with the flickering sign they never seem to care to fix. After feeling it was no use, she grabbed her bag and began walking into the street – that is until a large gust of wind nearly blew her over and in the blink of an eye a large purple bus came to a full stop in front of her path. She clutched at her chest as the doors screeched opened; a tall lanky man hopping down the steps to greet her.
"'Ello, names Gary." A young man, probably a few years older than Victoria, hopped down on both feet from the last step. He had a spring in his arm as he extended it for her to shake. He had crazy eyes that seemed wide awake even though they shouldn't be… and his short blonde hair sticking at odd ends. Victoria pressed her eyebrows, staring at him sceptically.
"I need to get to the Leaky Cauldron. Can you do that for me, Gary?" Victoria said, looking between his extended hand and his wild eyes.
Gary removed his hand, instead running his fingers through his spiky hair. "Er, yup. We do that, don't we Ern?" He said enthusiastically, looking back up the steps but no response was heard.
"Right… can I get on now?" Victoria said, as he shifted aside and she stepped onto the bus. He followed behind her, closing the doors as she took a spot by the front, leaning against the window.
"Next stop ey? Leaky Cauldron, for miss…"
"Uhm… McKinnon." Victoria said, feeling as if Black was more well known. It had to be of course, nobody didn't know about Sirius Black anyhow.
"Right. Miss McKinnon."
Just then, the Knight bus began to shift and move in full speed. Victoria relaxed against the window, pulling down her hood and clutching her bag on her lap. She could see from the window, Gary eyeing her curiously; frankly it made her uncomfortable.
"What is it?" Victoria said, looking at him through the reflection.
"Sorry?"
She turned her neck, looking directly at his brown eyes. "Is there a reason you're analysing me? Do I look familiar or something?"
"What? No. Jus' er, ya look interestin' thas all. Been a while since I've seen yer kind around here."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Gary lifted his hands defensively, "Jus noting as I see it. The whole look, the destination…"
Victoria narrowed her eyes, "You're not that bright, are you?"
He scratched the back of his head nervously, "I get tha' a lot."
"You don't start talking like that when you see others like me. I mean, not like me but… never mind."
The rest of the ride seemed shorter than it should have been; but she supposed that was due to how fast the Knight Bus went… she never had been on one before anyways.
As soon as the bus came to a stop, everything jolted forward and she hurriedly exited. Just before the doors closed behind her, Gary grabbed his hat from one of the hooks, placing it on top of his head and tipping it.
"Stay safe, yeah?"
Just like that, the Knight Bus left as fast as it had came.
She took a deep breath, looking up at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron… preparing herself for whatever plan she didn't thoroughly think through. But somewhere in her mind… Mundungus had to be here.
She popped up her hood, holding her robe tight to her chest and entering inside the pub. Upon stepping in, she noticed how dark and cold it was inside. The walls were covered in cracked stone; the tables were uncleaned with spills that smelled of strong alcohol… The area looked pretty vacant at first glance, but as she walked through and around the tables to get to the back of the pub, she noticed some cloaked figures standing in the corner, looking as if they were interrogating somebody sitting in a chair. They looked back at her, only momentarily before turning back around and continuing what they were doing. She took a deep breath, walking back as she kept her eyes on the two cloaked figures; making sure they didn't pull anything on her from behind. She felt the eyes from the bartender who was cleaning up cups with dirty rags giving her an ugly glare, with narrow eyes. Her heart starting racing. She hadn't been around here since the explosion at Diagon Alley; and she thought she'd never be back, honestly.
She felt her feet shuffle into the closest table, tipping the small wooden thing enough so the cups on top of it were clinking together and creating noise. Noise she didn't need right now. The cloaked men looked back at her again, and now they were all noticing each-other. She hurried away, as the cloaked men straightened up and watched her leave. She swung the back door open, slamming it shut behind her. Slowly backing away, she hurried to the brick wall and pulled out her wand; tapping three up and two across till the passageway from the Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley was created.
She stepped foot inside, listening to the bricks rebuild themselves behind her. The area was just as dead as she expected it to be. Nothing but a few people with their heads low walking the streets, a few fliers sweeping along the ground, and nearly all the shops had their lights off. As she walked along the street, she noticed Ollivander's shop was still destroyed; glass shattered along the inside of the shop, and it looked as if people had been nicking wands. An older woman who was sweeping outside a potions shop looked up at Victoria momentarily, then immediately back down. Even the Weasley's shop was closed today.
She kept going, keeping her head low as she walked the paved streets. Just before she turned into Knockturn Alley, she noticed the old ice-cream shop that was blown to bits the last time she came here. Rubble was left all over the street, and large chunks of rock and wood had fallen like a landslide and completely covered the interior of the building. It was obvious nobody had touched it since the accident…
She bit her lip, clutching tightly onto her robe and continuing down Knockturn Alley.
The walkways were even narrower, and the alleyway was even darker. Water was dripping from the roofs, and her boots splashed against the puddles they created. She felt for the most part unseen, especially with her robe considering how dark it was outside. Nearly all the shops were closed, and she swore she saw a pair of glowing green eyes follow her through one of the old musty windows in one of the second-hand shops.
Once she finally reached it – and it wasn't hard considering how big the building was compared to the others crammed in the alleyway, she stood in front of it. 13B Knockturn Alley, Borgin & Burkes Antique Shop.
It was the only idea she had… and she crossed her fingers hoping her hunch was correct. Where else would Mundungus go to sell all his useless crap no one else would buy? Especially something like that locket…
She prepared herself, reaching for the door and tightening her fingers around the knob.
'It will be over before you know it. Just go in, get the locket, get out." She breathed slowly, trying to remain calm. "Just go in, don't think about it… okay… 1…2…'
Victoria pushed open the door, listening to the wood around it crack and split as it creaked opened – triggering the bell above it, alerting whoever to anyone in the shop that she had arrived. She looked inside before stepping in. The store seemed empty, with small light fixtures barely giving off any light. The shop smelled of dust as well; and musty. Part of her wanted to turn back…
"Good evening, Miss?"
But there was no turning back.
Victoria looked up, above a few glass shelves to notice an old man standing behind the counter by the register. His dark hair was pulled back from his face, wrinkles etching out his features.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her and clearing her throat. "Black." The word came out a bit wobbly, for she was scared what knowledge he had of her family…
"Black, huh? Another. I see. Have you got anything for me?" He said, taking out a large dirty sack and slamming it down on the counter; a loud clash of what sounded to be coins smacking against the hard wood.
"No, sir." She said quietly, trying to move to the other side of the shop to avoid more contact.
"What'd you say?" He shouted, his chin raised.
She pressed her lips together. 'What would a Black do? How would they act?'
"No. If I had business with you I would say otherwise." Victoria snapped, keeping her body against the man. She could hear his grumpy mumbles as he walked away from his register; and she continued forward; weaving through the shelves containing so many antiques that there was barely any room for them.
She'd never seen a shop hold things so… mysterious, petrifying, and old. She was transfixed at the different number of items he has gathered through the years.
She walked over towards the jewellery section. There, laid old necklaces that were either rusted, or covered in a blanket of dust from never being touched. Some earrings that were placed sloppily along the shelves and hair pieces that looked ancient. But nothing of which she came here for.
As she moved further to the back of the room, she felt cold and began to feel uncomfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings. It was definitely not something she was used to seeing each and every day. She stepped towards the second half of the store; through was looked to be large curtains that surrounded her through a small tunnel entry way. She moved the curtains, one by one, walking faster as the room grew darker. The curtains swayed back and forth in front of her, and her heart began beating fast against her chest. She hated feeling as if she didn't have the upper hand; that she couldn't be aware of what was around her. She slipped her hand in her pocket, holding her wand tightly as she hurried along the curtains, her feet nearly getting caught with the fabric. Once she finally made it to the second half of the store, she turned around immediately, staring off into the darkness of the curtains… making sure no one was following her.
Then a cold chill ran down her spine and her heart took ten story leap as she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Immediately she turned around, pulling out her wand and roughly sticking it up against the man's neck. His dirty hands were raised in defence, his beady eyes looking down at her. He smiled, a dry laugh escaping his lips as he began to lower his hands.
"You again, huh? Miss Black." He coughed harshly between each laugh, his under eyes completely darkened. He mocked her, as if he'd been listening; as if he knew she was following him, and he was expecting it.
"Mundungus?" Victoria could barely recognize the man. He looked different – worse even. His face was pale, his eyes blood shot with large bags underneath them, his teeth were nearly as black as Bellatrix's… "The fuck happened to you?" She looked at him disgustingly, as if he had some disease she didn't want to catch.
He grinned, "You don wanna hear what happen'd ta me."
"You're right. I could care less. Where is it?" She said, poking him harder with her wand.
"Woah there, I can assure ya I don' know what yer talkin' bout sweetheart." He said, raising his hands a bit higher, moving backwards into a cabinet.
"I can assure you – you do. Now hand it over."
"What fun would that be then, huh? I like a lil' company."
Victoria rolled her eyes; Merlin did she hate Mundungus, but seeing him like this? It was saddening. "Look, if you hand it over I won't turn you into a beetle and stomp on you with the bottoms of my boots. Deal?"
"Sorry, sweetheart. I dun got what yer looking for."
"Where is it then?... Tell me!" She pressed her wand up his chin, unsure what she would do if the situation called for it.
"What's goin' on back there?"
Victoria turned her neck as the store owner called out to them from the other end of the shop.
"Tell me, Mundungus. Where did you fucking sell it? Was it here?"
Mundungus didn't answer, but gave her a torturing smiling that made her patience grow thin.
She could hear the store owner approaching, the curtains rattling as the old man appeared from the tunnel and looked at the two irascibly. "What is going on! None of this in my shop!"
Victoria kept her face covered in the hood as best she could, "I've got things to deal with."
"Deal with them outside of my shop! Get on!"
"I'm not leaving." Victoria's heart had never raced so fast, and Mundungus could tell this was completely out of her character as well.
"Sorry?"
Victoria turned around, lowering her head and pointing her wand at the shop owner. He backed away slowly, his eyes widening as he gazed at the tip of her wand.
"I said I'm not leaving. Did this man sell you something?" She asked, pointing to Mundungus who was still cowering by the cabinet. "Did you retrieve a necklace from him?"
"Tha-that's classified." He said, pointing a stern yet shaken finger at her.
"Fuck sakes…" Victoria extended her arm, placing her wand at her wrist and barely lifting her sleeve. The shop owner nearly whimpered at the action – as if he'd seen it many times before. She figured he had in a place like this. "That's right..." Words began racing along her mind, explanation after explanation… what seemed believable; and quick before he realised she didn't have the dark mark. "That necklace is a family air loom. It belonged to someone of the Black descent and this filthy tosser has nicked it from my own home. He had no right to sell that to you… and I'm here to take it back. And if you don't hand it over, then I suppose I'll have to persuade you otherwise. Will that be Ms. Bellatrix, or what lies beneath the fabrics of my sleeve?" She swallowed the biggest lump in her throat, her eyes darting between the shop owner and her own wand. If now was a time she could pass out, she would.
"Ohhh, you're so full of-" Victoria interrupted Mundungus from blowing her cover, immediately sparking a spell at his feet that snapped and caught his attention.
"That locket?"
The man shook his head, watching Victoria's wand as they made their way back to the register. He opened one of the drawers beneath it with a key, pulling out a glass case that kept the locket safely inside.
"Hurry up." Victoria pressed, waving her wand carelessly at the man; as if it became a new weapon she had no idea of using.
He held the case with this wrinkled fingers, placing it down carefully on the counter top, as if trying to buy time; and immediately Victoria grabbed onto the object. She slipped it inside her bag, looking back at Mundungus who had just emerged from the back curtains; a broadened smile on his face. Quickly, she ran out the front doors of the shop, bumping into the same two cloaked men whom she saw in the Leaky Cauldron.
She didn't look back, for she just wanted to get home as quick as possible.
Victoria stood in front of the apartment of Grimmauld Place. It had been raining; so the air felt murky and her boots were splashing in the puddles as she walked up to the front door. Quietly, she unlocked it and opened it – entering inside and noticing it seemed to be just how she left it. The lights were off, there was no noise… so many no one could have suspected anything; they were all probably in their rooms.
She peeked inside the living room; Harry was still sleeping on the couch. She walked inside, pulling the robe off her body and throwing it on one of the chairs in the room. She sat on the couch beside him, lifting up the blanket and laying down; fixing his arm so it folded over her torso. She wasn't going to wake him up just yet; besides if he saw the state she was in, it would only make things worse. She barely got her heartbeat to calm down since being inside the Leaky Cauldron; it just felt like a continuous pounding against her chest, so loud that it would even wake Harry up.
It took a while for her eyes to finally close, considering they'd been plastered on her bag that contained the horcrux the entire night. Finally, her hooded eyes were heavy enough so she couldn't resist, and she fell into a deep sleep, holding tightly onto Harry's hand.
The next morning, which only gave Victoria about five hours of sleep, she woke up as Harry shifted behind her, his arm tightening around her waist. She stretched out, rubbing at her eyes with the palms of her hands.
"You awake?" His voice vibrated behind her, it sounded as if he'd been up for a while.
"…Yeah. You?"
"No." Victoria grinned, turning over so she was facing him. He pulled her closer, placing his lips on her forehead. "You look beautiful in the mornings."
"Are you saying I don't look just as good during the day?"
Harry pulled her hair back, his fingers sweeping across her neck lightly, "Not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying I'm lucky to wake up to this beautiful face every morning… and you know, every morning after that." She felt her cheeks rise in temperature as she blushed just as much as he did.
"I'm sorry… for what I said-"
"It's fine, Harry."
"No, it's not. I didn't mean it-"
"But you did." She looked up at him, his eyes trailing down to the blanket. "That's why you said it. I get it though… you were right. I'm also sorry… for you know… hitting you."
Harry gave a half-grin, "Now that took me by surprise."
"Looks like I'm the one full of surprised now, huh?" She smiled, kissing him lightly on the lips. She could feel his lips turn up as his arm slid underneath her; pulling her up so her legs straddled his torso. She leaned over, feeling his lips slowly and softly, brush against hers. She cupped a hand to his face, feeling his light fingers run up her legs, slowly dragging the tights upward as he reached her inner thighs; and just then, her breath caught as heat pooled inside her. She moved her hands down his torso, tugging at the belt around his waist; and just before all scenery disappeared, he pushed against her shoulders, creating space between them. She looked at him blankly, replacing her hands on her thighs, "What is it?"
Harry raked his fingers through his hair, his eyes clouded as if trying to regain some sense he had lost.
"What are these?" He said, pulling at her tights. "And… these?" He gestured to her entire outfit; the green shirt and grey skirt. "You didn't go out like this when we walked?"
Victoria bit down on her lip; she didn't expect to tell him she snuck out in the middle of the night, went to Diagon Alley to threaten Mr. Burke for the locket… while pretending to be a Death Eater. Though that seemed to be her fault because she didn't think to change her attire… or that Harry would take notice. She inhaled deeply, tucking her hair behind her ears. "You're right… I didn't."
Harry tapped his hands on her thighs, "So? Why are you?"
She gazed down at him; he was awaiting an answer she didn't quite rehearse yet. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she leaned in, softly closing her lips on his neck; but he pushed her back once again. That was the only distraction she had.
"Victoria, don't do that."
"Can't we talk about it later?"
"Why though? What is it that you need time to talk about it? Did you… with someone-"
Victoria pressed a hand to her forehead, "No… Merlin, no. I wouldn't. I wouldn't." She emphasized, seeing the look Harry was giving her.
"Then go on…" He raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms as if he'd wait all day for an explanation.
Victoria rolled her eyes, "Fine. Last night… I went out."
"You went out? Alone?" He didn't sound too impressed with that idea.
"Yeah…"
"Where to?"
"Well I sort of took the Knight Bus…"
"Wait a minute… you what?"
"Yeah. I-"
"Why would you do that?" He exclaimed, throwing his arms forward.
"Because I-"
"Do you have any idea how stupid that was?"
"I know-"
"What if someone saw you? What if someone was there? Where could you have possibly gone?"
"HARRY!" Victoria yelled, feeling overwhelmed with the millions of questions she expected he would ask. His lips snapped shut, and he pushed up so he was sitting up on the couch; giving her his full attention. "I went to Charing Cross."
Harry's lips parted, but Victoria raised a finger trying to make sure he actually allowed her to speak.
"I went there… because…" The words came out slowly, and she took a minute to try to conjure up a sentence to the reason why she did what she did, whilst trying to minimalize the amount of anger Harry would lash back. But just as she was about to speak, a loud bang on the door caught their attention. She let out a deep breath, as if it was a distraction of a life-time and she couldn't be happier. She got off Harry, stepping off the couch to answer the door just as he grabbed onto her wrist.
She looked back, "You will tell me after." He demanded.
She nodded, walking towards the door as the banging grew louder and notably more aggressive.
"I'm coming, holy fuck." Victoria yelled, placing a hand on the doorknob.
"WAIT!" Victoria looked back; Hermione was standing at the top of the stairs.
"What is it?" She asked over the loud repeating knocks.
She slowly descended the steps, Ron catching up to her as it looked like he just woke up from the loud noise.
"What the bloody hell is going on?" He groaned, walking sluggishly to the bottom of the stairs.
"Someone is banging on our front door, but Hermione won't let me open it." Victoria said, standing beside the door.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked.
Victoria pointed to the living room as Harry emerged from the entry way. "I'm here. What's going on?"
The loud knocks grew louder and heavier. Victoria winced as the slamming echoed loudly in her ear, the wood of the door splintering from the top. She quickly moved away beside Harry, looking at the front door worriedly. "The fuck is happening? That can't be Remus…"
"Who else would come? Hagrid?" Ron asked, thinking Hagrid might be knocking a bit more aggressively than he intended.
"No. Hagrid knows how to knock…" Harry said, moving towards the window in the living room. He shifted the thick curtains aside, and Victoria watched as the cool blue light from outside fell onto his face; reflecting off his round spectacles.
"Who is it Harry?" Hermione asked.
"It's… I… I dunno…"
Victoria followed him, peeking out the window and looking around outside. Immediately upon seeing who was at the door, her eyes widened and she immediately backed away from the window, closing the curtains tightly.
"What is it? Do you know them?" Harry asked, going to take another look.
Victoria grabbed onto his arm, "Don't."
"Can somebody please fill me in?" Hermione cried out, standing at the entry way of the living room.
"We have to leave…" Victoria said, her breath shook as fear twisted at her gut.
The knocking seemed to have seized, and everything and everyone grew quiet. Victoria stood there as if fear paralyzed her, just listening as intensely as she could to the outside. She never – never – imagined this to happen. Technically, it was impossible – but apparently not.
Suddenly, a loud crash sounded from the entry way as the front door busted down and landed five feet from its spot, just missing Hermione and Ron.
Hermione screamed, and Ron wrapped an arm around her pushing her inside the living room. Victoria backed up, watching the entry way as two very tall cloaked men appeared. Harry took out his wand, as did everybody else who began swaying defensively – trying to remain as much distance as they could from these intruders.
It felt like forever; them standing there, waiting for someone to do something. A million things running through her mind as she listened to the footsteps around her shuffle along the hardwood floors. Finally, the cloaked figures flicked their wand and shot green sparks that the four jumped out of the way for. Hermione and Ron ducked as one of the blows smashed the bricks of the fireplace behind them; while Harry held Victoria down, another spell smashing a framed picture on the wall.
Harry glanced over Victoria, throwing his wand out and casting a spell at one of the figures that sent him back against the wall, revealing what looked to be tattoos all over the man's face. Hermione and Ron began to ran to the back of the apartment as Harry pulled on Victoria's arm to follow.
"We have to go! Now!" His words rang in her ears as another spark separated there grasp.
Victoria ran over towards the couch, grabbing her bag before dodging another spell and following Harry towards the back. As they passed through the entry towards the hallway, glass began to shatter as another spell missed and hit a vase sitting on a nightstand. She turned around, pointing her wand at the man, "Stupefy!" A red spark shot down the intruder but he had blocked it, allowing it to drill back and hit Victoria in the chest. She fell back against the wall of the narrow hallway, her breaths shallow as it felt she had a heavy foot stomping down on her chest. She tried moving her fingers along the wooden floor, trying to reach for her wand but she barely had the energy. Her eyes fell lazily to the man walking towards her. He kicked away the glass on the floor and pushed to the side the chairs in his pathway. She felt a pair of hands grab onto her as she ascended from the ground. Harry pulled her down the hallway as Hermione pointed her wand from the other end by the back-entry door.
"Confringo!" A massive blast of fire burst from the tip of her wand, as it spiralled above Harry and Victoria's heads as they ducked out the way, exploding upon contact at the end of the hallway while the man jumped back from the rupture of flames.
Ron pushed opened the door, holding it as everybody began pooling out. Victoria held her bag close to her chest, stepping out to the backyard. Harry closed the door, locking it behind them but felt unsure on how much that would help them considering what they did to the front door.
"Who are they?" Ron asked as Hermione began pacing in circles, shuffling along the tall uncut grass.
"I don't know… are they Death Eaters?" Harry asked.
"No. If they were Death Eaters there'd be more… and Vo-… him would be here already." Hermione reasoned, pacing so fast she could burn a path in the ground.
"What do we do?"
Victoria walked over the side of the building, leaning against it as she regained feeling in her fingertips, rubbing the back of her head that got hit from the blow. "Tell Remus?"
"How do we do that?" Ron cried out, feeling as though they couldn't do anything to stop them from coming out that back door.
"I-I don't know. Uhm…" Victoria thought hard… but didn't know a way… but there was a way, there had to be… then it hit her, "Patronus. We can use the patronus charm to send a message. He'd be at Tonks' house, right?" Victoria said, grabbing her wand from Harry who had picked it up for her.
"Expe-"
"STOP!" Hermione yelled, swiping Victoria's arm so her wand fell from her fingertips.
Victoria pushed back on Hermione, her annoyance flaring given the situation they were in. "The fuck Hermione?" She yelled, picking up her wand from the ground.
"You can't! You're still under aged. They can trace you, then we'll really have Death Eaters here."
"Well what do you suggest we do then, we're sitting targets out here."
"I know…" Hermione ran her fingers through her hair, then a loud bang continued at the back door.
"Any ideas, Hermione?" Harry asked, trying to act as calm as the situation could call for.
Each loud bang seemed to drive Hermione farther and farther towards the edge. "Fuck it." She grabbed onto Ron's arm, pulling him towards the group as she wrapped her free hand around Harry's wrist.
"What are you doing?" Victoria asked, as she was pulled into the circle by Harry.
"Relax." Hermione said, trying to calm herself down so she could concentrate.
"Relax?" Victoria gazed up at Harry, "Relax? What is she talking about?" Then suddenly she felt a harsh pull at her navel, listening to the loud thump of the backdoor disappear in the distance as the world around her twisted into different scenery.
Before she knew it, she landed flatly on the ground, her face covered in dirt and grass. She flipped over, feeling her joints ache as she sat up and took a gander at her surroundings. Above her, swaying branches that filled the air with the sounds of crippling leaves. Around her, trees that seemed to go on for miles, with tall swaying grass and dirt spots all around them. The sun shined through the spaces between the branches, giving her a bit of light in the darkened forest – at least it wasn't as dark as the Forbidden Forest.
She stood up, wiping the dirt that smudged down the side of her face with the back of her hand, then brushing off what was on her legs. He picked at her lace stockings, sticking her fingers through the massive holes were torn in them.
"Brilliant… this is just great." She said to herself, bending down to retie her boots. As she stood up straight, she surveyed around, not seeing anyone from the party she apparated here with. Grabbing her bag and her wand, she set off down a trail she wanted to believe was North; assuming that was the right direction to her friends anyhow.
"Harry?" She yelled, stepping over rocks and roots, "Hermione? Ron?" Her voice echoed as she continued farther, weaving around trunks and standing on top of large rocks trying to get more vision. "Anybody?" She cried out.
"Victoria?" She turned her neck upon hearing her voice.
"Ron? Is that you?" She set off, hurrying in the other direction towards her name. After a short distance, she found Ron sitting against a tree trunk, holding his knee.
"Ron? Are you alright?" She asked, hurrying towards the red-head and kneeling beside him.
He winced in pain, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just cut my leg on impact…"
"Here," Victoria took out her bag, shuffling through her items and taking out a bandage. She figured this would come in handy at some point. "Just, hold still okay?" She said, wrapping the bandage around his knee. Ron clenched his jaw, his hands tightening around his jeans as he felt pain pulse through his leg. "All better. Once we find Hermione she'll be able to fix it."
"You're not with her?" Ron looked at her worriedly.
Victoria sighed, "Unfortunately not. Looks like it's just you and me in the forest… again, huh mate?" She stood up, holding a hand out as Ron took hold of it and stood up. "Come on," She wrapped his arm around her neck, helping him walk as they searched for Hermione and Harry.
"So, who were those guys?" Ron asked, limping along the forest and dragging some fallen leaves along with him.
Victoria tried to maintain Ron's weight on her, swaying a bit as she started to lose balance. "I don't know."
"It's weird though, isn't it? Someone would've had to tell them about the hide-out. I bet it was Snape… I knew we couldn't trust him."
Victoria felt guilty, this entire disaster was her fault all because she wanted to prove something by finding the locket herself. She didn't know who those men were, but she'd seen them before. She just didn't know how they knew where she lived… It's only possible if the secret keeper told, but she never let that information out. She supposed it could have been Snape, but Snape wasn't there when she saw them. Unless it was... Mundungus?
"Oh, Fuck." Victoria yelled out in anger.
"What? What is it?"
She knew she couldn't trust him… but she never knew Mundungus would go behind The Order's back… Dumbledore's back, in fact. He was a dodgy guy, but he didn't seem like the type put them at risk… maybe he was.
"Nothing… sorry. I just… twisted my ankle." Victoria said, helping Ron walking faster.
After what felt like half an hour of walking, and in complete silence, Ron began to lose patience.
"Do you happen to know where Hermione brought us? Seems a bit odd she brought us here. A bloody forest in the middle of Merlin knows where."
"Dunno, Ron."
"Do you think we're in the Forbidden Forest?"
"No, Ron."
"Do you think we're still in England?"
"Of course, Ron." Her answers were becoming lazy, as Ron's persistent questions kept coming for what felt like hours, but was really another ten minutes.
"Do you think Ginny's okay?"
Victoria looked up at him, "What?"
He matched her gaze, "Ginny. My sister-"
"I know who Ginny is. Why wouldn't she be okay?"
"I worry you know… she's going back to Hogwarts, and with this shit show happening it can't be safe. Aren't you worried?"
Victoria gave out a dry laugh, "For who?"
"I dunno… your friends. Lavender… Luna… Ernie…"
"Well they're not exactly in our position, are they?" Victoria snapped, feeling stress build inside her from all the events that have been happening to them the past few months.
"Sorry."
Victoria shook her head, "Look, why don't we… why don't we just take a rest. Okay?" She stopped, removing Ron's arm from around her and helping him sit down so he was leaning against a large rock. She sat down beside him, tucking her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around her knees. She couldn't help but think they must've walked in a different direction from Harry and Hermione – it couldn't take this long for her to find them. On top of that, Ron was injured... She pressed her forehead to her knees, creating a dark cove by hiding her face around her arms; enjoying the darkness it gave her. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately wishing that when they opened she'd be back in Grimmauld Place, lying beside Harry on her round bed; being woken up by Sirius cursing at the stove because he had burnt himself again. There was no disappointment when they re-opened, because she knew she could never get that back. Her aunt is dead, her father is dead, Remus doesn't know where they are, Harry and Hermione are missing, and she was lost in some forest with an injured red-head that she couldn't help because she was under-aged and would have been tracked. Not to mention, the apparition Hermione performed on the group, would alert those in the Ministry of where she was… and the people working in the Ministry aren't exactly those she wished to encounter if they choose to follow her.
"Vic?"
Victoria pulled her head from her legs, resting it on her arms as she looked over at Ron. "Yes, Ron?" She responded tiredly.
"We'll find them, right? We'll find Hermione?"
Victoria reached over, rubbing her hand along Ron's arm comfortingly. "We'll find them, Ron. We'll find them."
A/N: I think this part of the story will be the biggest challenge for me, considering alllll the information that is pooled in as far as the main story line goes. But i'm going to try while making my own twists to it; but i think some information will be implied of course. :)
Hope you enjoy, and i hope you're having a wonderful week!
Thank you for your lovely reviews / support in this story, i really appreciate it guys!