Journey

~~~~~

"So you know how to get to the Manor?"

I adjust the strap of my satchel and keep walking. "I think so."

"You think so?"

"I know the way there from London."

"Well you're lucky I know the way to London from here," Harry smiles. "If we follow the train line from Hogsmeade we'll be fine."

"If anyone sees us we'll be recognised."

"We'll avoid people. I brought my cloak, even if you didn't think to find the one Dobby leant you."

"If I had, then Dobby wouldn't have let me leave," I glare at him briefly. I'm glad he chose to come with me, even though he shouldn't have. It's a very good feeling to know I'm not alone.

But of course I'm not about to tell him that.

~~~~~

Harry has fire in a jar. We sit on the ground in the forest, facing each other over this bottle of blue flames.

"Drink?"

"Thankyou," I take the flask of pumpkin juice. Somehow he managed to filch 'supplies' from the kitchens before we left without being caught in the halls. We eat a slice of bread each, and a chocolate frog, then put the fire back in Harry's bag and lie down to sleep, his cloak covering us both.

"Harry?" I murmur.

"Yes?" his voice is muffled in my shoulder.

"I think it is a good thing that you are, how you are."

"Why?"

"This would be unbearably awkward if you weren't."

One arm is wrapped around my waist, and he gives me a half-hug. "Leila, you're the twin I never had."

I shut my eyes, my head pillowed on my bag. And I'm glad he does not expect a reply, because for the life of me I cannot think of one.

~~~~~

Dawn sees us walking along beside the rails. In the trees I can hear birds singing with voices like silver and gold. If birdsong had a physical form, it would be long fine chains and delicate jewellery.

The sheer wideness of the world amazes me. It's so big. To either side the ground falls away, we walk along a ridge. I look around, seeing trees and rolling hills and flowers and long grass rippling with the wind. Fences here and there, with animals lazily cropping grass.

If we weren't on our way to Father I could enjoy this. If my brother weren't in danger I could laugh at the birds swooping and diving and turning like Quidditch players.

But as it is . . .

"How much farther to London?"

"I don't know really. The train only takes a few hours, but this is our second day walking. I didn't think it would take so long."

I hear a pop behind me.

"Was that you Harry?"

"Was what me?"

I turn.

Standing in the middle of the train tracks, his bright red and yellow socks clashing with the grass growing through the rails, is a distraught house elf.

"Miss Leila must not go back to Malfoy Manor!"

"That sounds horribly familiar," Harry comments, coming to stop beside me.

"Dobby." I really should have known. Of course they'd realise we were missing and come after us.

"Miss Leila must come back with Dobby."

"No. I have to help my brother."
"But - "

"No Dobby. Just go and tell Dumbledore that I have to do this myself." I turn on my heel and continue walking.

"M-Master Dumbledore does not know that Dobby is here."

What?

"If Miss Leila will not return straight away to Hogwarts, then Dobby will help her find young Mister Malfoy so then she can return to Hogwarts."

"Did he just say what I think he said?" Harry asks quietly.

I look back. The elf looks up at me with bulging eyes, his ears flat against his head.

This elf is the first friend I ever had. This elf saved my life.

"You're serious Dobby?"

"Yes, Miss Leila."

I turn away, "Come on then."

"Miss Leila?"

"What?"

"Dobby can take you immediately to Malfoy Manor."

Harry and I exchange a look. "How?" he asks.

Dobby pops to my side and takes my hand. "Come Mister Potter," he waves to Harry.

"Will this hurt?" he cautiously allows the elf to grip his wrist.

"Not much."

POP!!

~~~~~

*Crazy Dance* Cliffhanger! Don't worry, I'll be quick.