Chapter Seventy-One - Apprehension
"What are you talking about, Souta? They are nothing alike," Kagome tried to dissuade him. "Shall we go? My feet are killing me."
"Wait, actually…" Souta ignored his sister. A hand on his chin, he made his best Sherlock Holmes pose. "Hmm, this is fox magic. There's something ancient about how this body is held together." He poked Fred's exposed skin. "Dark magic without malicious intentions, very impressive. Who did this? I know there aren't many kitsune still around."
George was cold sweating. Everything was ruined and he couldn't really blame his brother-in-law for seeing beyond the illusion. Yet he couldn't prevent the murderous thoughts that filled his mind. Fred looked like he already accepted his impending doom and was answering the boy with resignation, waiting for when the last spark of life would leave him.
It didn't happen on their way home. The trip was silent after George explained to Mother Higurashi what was going on but asked her not to tell Souta, he didn't want to make the boy feel guilty. Kagome spent the entire time biting her lower lip, holding back the traitorous tears that threatened to fall. The hormones making her even more emotional. George kept her in a tight embrace, letting his own emotions flow through her eyes.
On the other hand, Fred was enjoying his last moments chatting with the young Priest. Souta had a loose mouth and talked about everything and anything. He shared things about his family, friends, his training. The Wizarding society in Japan and how they count on holy families to bless their events. Fred couldn't suppress a laugh when told about how clueless George was when trying to mingle with the guests of Hojo and Ayumi's wedding pretending to be a muggle and failing miserably. Kagome and Mrs. Higurashi soon joined the Roast George session and he forgot for a moment about his distress.
"Ne, Johji-no-Nii-chan, why is there a kekkai, a barrier, down the street?" asked Souta, leaning against the balcony while Kagome and her mother organized their things in the guest room. Fred locked himself in the spare room right after they got home.
"Barrier? Oh, must be the Leaky Cauldron. There you can get to Diagon Alley, the most magical place in London, mate. Every first year will go there to get their school supplies. There's an Owlery, quidditch supplies, the best for ice cream too! That's also where your sister and I work, less than a ten minutes walk from here. Brilliant, isn't it?"
"And the view is spectacular too," a new voice added. George and Souta turned and saw, floating in lotus position a few feet from the balcony, a humanoid red fox. For some unexplainable reason, George knew it was Mrs. Hallewell and knew what it meant.
Thank you so much for all of your support!
I planned to post this a long time ago but life had other plans! I got sick and had an emergency surgery, followed by a side effect of the anesthesia that made me not able to sit or stand without having a killer headache. I'm much better now and can go back to writing!
To the guest review: I wish I could reply you properly! Why don't you create an account? ;) I haven't watched IY in forever too, only recently I decided to check the Final Act but I'm still in Episode 10 (I'm still recovering from Kagura!) I'm not giving up anytime soon!
Thank you again for all the reviews! They are my food! You don't want to leave a recovering person to starve, do you? Please, review!
See you soon!