Leya sat mournfully at the kitchen table, lazily prodding her food with her fork. In just 2 hours, Terence would leave for Hogwarts and Leya was devastated. Terence was her best friend. True, it would be nice not to have Marcus around for the next two years, even though she did enjoy torturing him so, but Terence was her best friend. She sighed sadly, not having much of an appetite. Remus slowly came out of the bedroom, taking a seat next to his daughter.
"Ley." Leya looked up, a sad expression on her face. Remus sighed. "Leya, sweetie. You need to eat so we can go with Terence to the station."
"I don't want him to go!" Leya cried.
"You'll see him again at Christmas, honey. And you'll join him at Hogwarts in two years." Remus really had no idea what to say to his daughter. He knew this was hard for her. Tears built in Leya's eyes.
"That's too long!" She jumped out of her chair, her food untouched, running to her room, crying. Remus tried to open the door, but Leya had locked it.
"Leya?" Remus asked gently.
"I want Rency!" Leya cried. She refused to open the door.
Remus sighed. "Alhomora." The door swung open. Leya was laying face-down on her bed, sobbing miserably. "Oh honey," Remus sighed, lifting up his daughter and sitting her on his lap. Leya promptly buried her head against his chest. Remus rocked her back and forth, gently whispering soothing words.
"I don't want him to go," she mumbled tearfully.
Remus sighed, kissing the top of her head as she wiped away her tears. "Leya. You want Terence to begin his training, yes? And don't you want to Hogwarts?"Leya mutely nodded. "Then. You must be strong. It's time for him to start school. You'll join him in two years. Justin is still here. Now where's that adorable smile?" Leya smiled weakly. Remus laughed. "Come on Ley. Where is it hiding?" He began to tickle her. Leya squealed giggling and smiled cutely when Remus pulled away. "There it is." Leya grinned as Remus pulled her to her feet. "Let's finish breakfast. Terence should be over any moment." Leya nodded and allowed herself to be pulled back to the table.
Leya slowly ate her breakfast when the doorbell rang. She looked sadly at the door, knowing it was Terence. Remus went to answer the door. Leya slowly got up, walking to the sink, and put her dishes in the sink. She finished her pumpkin juice before standing on her tiptoes to wash her face . She grabbed a napkin and wiped it before sliding into the living room. She looked at Terence with a sad expression on her face. Terence looked at her, smiling sadly. He knew he had to be strong…for Leya. Terence opened up his arms and Leya ran into them, burying her head against his chest, letting tears fall. Terence held her close, gently stroking her hair.
"Shhhh. Ley. It's going to be ok. I'm always here and here." He pointed to his heart and then to hers.
"I'm going to miss you."
"And I'm going to miss you, but I'll send you owls all the time. Come now. Where's that mischievous smile? You still have classmates to mess with and who's going to torture my kid sister?"
Leya sniffled, looking up at him. "Me?"
Terence grinned. "I knew I could count on you!" He kissed her lightly on the head. Leya smiled weakly at him as he held her tightly. Remus sighed, smiling at the two,.
"Come you two. Let's get to the train station. Terence, are your parents and sister coming along?"
Terence shook his head. "We said goodbye this morning. There was a bit of an emergency. Georgia managed to fly in broad daylight, so mum and dad are trying to sort out the whole mess." Remus chuckled. "Almost as bad as Leya."
Terence laughed. "No one is as mischievous as Leya." He smirked, looking at Leya. Leya giggled.
Remus just shook his head, chuckling. "Alright, you two… Let's go!" He lifted up Terence's trunk and walked to a secluded corner. Terence too Leya's hand, following. Slowly Remus, embraced the two, and they apparated to a secluded corner in King's Cross. "Stay here," Remus said quietly to the two, before running off to get a trolley for Terence. Leya looked at Terence sadly. He held her hand.
"Owl me when you get sorted?"
"I promise."
"Owl me every week?"
"On my word."
Remus hurried back with a trolley, heaving Terence's trunk onto it. He pushed it towards the platform while Leya and Terence held hands, following silently. It was painful for the both of them, but Terence knew he had to be strong for Leya. He was the older one, the more mature one. Leya was just a child. Students, quickly one-by-one ran through the barrier. Leya could see Flint up ahead. There were 5 minutes remaining till the train would leave. Tears rolled down Leya's face. Terence pulled her into a hug, not bothering to wipe away the tears that were rolling down his own and falling onto Leya's hair. He kissed her gently on the head. "You'll be ok. I'll write you," he whispered.
Leya rubbed her eyes, looking up at him. 'I'll miss you."
"And I you, but we'll be together again soon." He turned to Remus. "Thank you sir. Take care of her. I'll see you in December."
"Have a good year Terence."
"Thank you Remus." Terence gave Leya one more squeeze and kissed her on the cheek before taking hold of the trolley and running through the barrier.