37

Leah readjusted the scarf around her neck before exiting the transport. Her handbag hung over one shoulder, and in the other a bag of snacks—Seth's snacks.

"All set, let's go." Jacob announced as he took the last luggage from the back of the car and thanked the driver with a generous tip. The pack moved leisurely into the airport.

Olivia hadn't said a word since they left the hotel. Lyle didn't dare talk to her to spare himself of her sudden emotional outbursts, especially that she had just started phasing. Although only he knew. Renesmee and Jacob knew why too, save for the phasing part, but left her to her emotions understanding that her heart was breaking in desperation for her father.

"Did you do it?" Jacob whispered to his wife. They were at the back of the group and out of earshot. Rensemee nodded, "I did. This morning. But I didn't get anything back. It's highly unlikely he'll believe it."

"You gave him the idea, you mentioned the wolf in his dreams. He has got to be curious. I hope."

"Yeah, that's about all we can do, really."

"What else did you say?"

"I told him our flight's tonight. I gave him details. Hotel number, room number, everything."

They stopped at their check in counter and waited in line. Lyle and Seth kept entertained by playing with their gadgets. Olivia stood ahead of everyone else silent and arms crossed.

"Liv, honey, what's the matter? Talk to me" Leah asked, moving next to her daughter.

"I'd rather not, mom. I'm really not in the mood." Olivia replied tiredly. Leah combed through her daughter's hair with her fingers. "You don't wanna leave, huh? Enjoying England, are you?"

Olivia didn't respond. In many ways she was going to miss England, but most of all the very thing she had set out to complete during the trip. Tears formed in her eyes which she quickly wiped away.

Seeing the tears, Leah planted a kiss on her head. "It's alright, dear. We'll come back someday."

It didn't take long for them to get checked in and settled in to wait for their flight, but it did take a while for Leah and Renesmee to shop around while the others waited.

"You think I should get something for Olivia?" Leah asked. They were at shoes and accessories and she was watching Renesmee try on a pair of sleek, blue heels. Renesmee looked at Leah through the reflection of the mirror. "Why?"

"She's pretty sad about leaving. I think I should get her something nice before leaving. You know, to make her feel better."

Renesmee thought for a moment and turned to look at her best friend. Throughout the years, Leah had been everything she was not, even though Leah had not liked her in the beginning. For both of them a strange platonic relationship had grown over the years that they raised kids together. And although Leah had been a single parent, she was the best single mom Renesmee had ever known.

Neither had her beauty fade after her memories with Draco. But even then she was incomplete for Olivia. She needed her father, and everyone except Leah knew that.

"Sure, Ley. Go ahead. I think she'll love it."

Leah smiled and stood on her feet. "Alright. Let me go look for something." She hurried away.

"Don't take too long though. We're boarding soon!"

"Merlins! Pick up the phone, Leah." Draco stood in the phone booth for a few minutes, redialing Leah's number. His pockets were heavy with lose change, some dropping onto the floor like a full cup. If I had just kept that bloody mobile phone. The dial tone went off again and Draco fumbled in his pockets, allowing more change to scatter all over the booth floor.

He called twice more, but both times unsuccessful. Draco groaned and slammed the phone down on the receiver. From his coat pocket he pulled out a golden coin and slipped it into the red box. This time a voice in the booth spoke to him.

"Ministry of Magic. Office of the Aurors. Draco Lucius Malfoy." And with that, the booth descended bringing him down into a busy hallway. Draco jumped out of the booth without allowing it to fully touch the ground and rushed toward his office. Once again startling Herbert out of his seat as he entered.

"Sir! I thought you—!"

"Not now, Herbert. I'm in a rush." Draco said going through his drawers again hoping somehow there was some saving grace he could find on information about the Blacks.

"But sir, may I just inform you…"

"I said not now Herbert!"

"B—but sir…a peculiar letter arrived this morning. From an owl."

Draco stopped to gape at him. "An owl? Where is it?"

"It is rather peculiar, isn't it?" Herbert chuckled and moved around his own desk. "You see sir, the last owl to have been in here was about years ago. The letter was written by a muggle as of course they have no idea how to send mail to the Ministry—" He explained while moving a snail's pace through the shelves.

"Herbert, not now!" Draco nearly shouted and jumped over his desk. "Where is the letter? Why haven't you told me about it this morning!"

"But I did sir. I told you about an appointment… Hold on sir, I did leave it here somewhere…" Herbert said with a hum. "Ah, here it is."

Draco snatched it out before Herbert could completely pull it out from the shelf. Draco tore it open and read through it in seconds.

"Thank you, Herbert, thank you so much. Sloppy work, but thank you!" And just like that, he was gone before Herbert could turn around to look at him.

Draco ran to the portals, apologizing as he cut through those waiting in line for their turn. He appeared in an alley that led to the main street. The letter said their flight was at 10pm. Draco ran to the closest store for the time. He was running out of it and fast. 8:20. He hurried back into the alley where he apparated, breaking the silence with the sound of a crack.

"Where's Leah?" Jacob took Renesmee's hand as they met at the foot of the stairs. They were panting from running to meet each other.

"She went looking for Olivia's gift. I told her to hurry. Are you sure she isn't back yet?" Renesmee said in breaths as they both hurried down the long way to the boarding area.

"I'm not sure. When I left she wasn't there, but she might be. Try calling her, quick!"

Renesmee reached in her bag for her phone.

Leah opened the curtain to the dressing room with a grin on her face. "This is it. This is the one."

"Miss, I think it's your phone that's been vibrating awhile now." The sales lady said worriedly. "Are you sure your flight isn't boarding yet?"

"Probably not. What time is it? Let me just take this off for you to ring in." Leah closed the curtain again.

"It's 9:32."

Leah had never cursed so much in one breath. She threw the garment over the curtain to which the lady caught and hurriedly bagged. Leah's phone went off again and this time she picked it up knowing Renesmee would be screaming at her in the other end.

"Ness, I'm coming!" Leah had her phone pinned between her ear and shoulder to pull her boots on.

"Leah, finally. Where are you?"

"Who is this?"

"It's Draco."