1.9 Not So Lonely.
Boris used flue powder to transfer himself and Lorna to the Hog's Head Inn. This allowed Lorna to sleep in on her last morning at home. Once Boris gave his regards to the owner, Aberforth Dumbledore, he and Lorna stepped out into the main street. Hunched under the eaves of a building, the wind blew cold around them and the heavy fall of snow overnight blanketed everything.
"You'll keep your head down and study hard."
Once more the concern in Boris' voice and the anxious look in his eye told Lorna he'd never have considered heading back on the road if he didn't know Lorna was safe at Hogwarts.
"I'll be fine, father. I'm more worried about you. Are you confident you'll be safe?"
"Yes. Don't worry. I'll write you the places I visit."
Boris held out an awkward hand, his stooped stance made him look uncomfortable. Lorna took his scarred, arthritic hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.
"I'll look forward to your letters. Take care."
Boris gave a slight squeeze of Lorna's hand before letting go. Lorna understood any other form of affection in a public place would draw more attention to them; attention her father made to avoid. Boris picked up his leather-traveling bag at his feet and shuffled away, making his retreat out of town.
With her satchel held tight against her chest, Lorna made her reluctant return to Hogwarts. She'd have loved nothing more than to be with her father and she was sure she might have been able to talk him into taking her but he didn't want to attract the attention of the Ministry of Magic. Better Lorna be at Hogwarts until such a time the Ministry were no longer interested in Borgin and Burkes.
At the gates of Hogwarts the snow began to fall. Several other students slowly made their way up towards the school, huddled together against the wind. Lorna pulled her cloak close around her, picking up her pace. At the entrance of Hogwarts Lorna glanced at the splintered doors. They had been told in their History of Hogwarts class several witches and wizard from the Ministry of Magic had attempted to replace the doors; however the school itself would not allow them to be removed no matter how strong the magic was. So although they looked like the doors may collapse at any time they were told the magic within the school would never allow this to happen. It still left many students fearful the doors wouldn't hold up and collapse.
Much like the doors, the marble staircase also showed signs of damage created by dark magic that seemed beyond repair. Spider web cracks fragmented the marble stairs like lightning through the sky. Sections were missing large chunks and students had to either walk around them or jump over them.
Lorna approached the great hall and warmth encased her and the smell of food welcomed her. She dropped the hood of her cloak as she entered the Great Hall and approached the Slytherin table. A handful of student sat at the table and upon seeing Leroy sitting on his own, Lorna decided to join him.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Lorna asked as she stood beside Leroy.
He had an extremely large book on the table and didn't appear to be half way through.
Without looking up, he said, "You don't need to ask. You're welcome to join me anytime."
"Thank you." Lorna replied and sat down beside him.
There was silence between them and Lorna was reluctant to interrupt Leroy again.
"Did you have an enjoyable Christmas?" Leroy asked, his head still facing the book.
"Yes. I did. And you."
"We don't celebrate Christmas but the break was enjoyable."
"Do you follow a different religion?" Lorna tentatively asked, hoping not to offend.
"No. My family are of no religion. Yours?"
"Oh, no. No religion. We don't really celebrate Christmas but we observe the holiday."
"As we all do. It's as nice opportunity to take a break."
Lorna gave a small chuckle. "Not much of a break for me. I worked while home."
"Does that bother you?"
"No. I didn't want to leave. I love the shop and everything in it."
Leroy only then turned to look at Lorna and as she caught his eyes she once more experienced a pulling of her senses. As though she were frozen where she sat, Lorna couldn't understand why Leroy had that power over her. He looked away and whatever spell over her vanished.
"I must visit one day."
"I'd like that." Lorna replied, still questioning the strange occurrence over her body.
At that moment Neema appeared.
"So glad my parents brought me back here. If I had to spend the entire afternoon on the train, I'd have died. Hello Lorna, did you get dropped off at Hogsmeade early too?"
"Yes, my father brought me. Actually, he's closed Borgin and Burkes for the next six months. He'll be travelling around during that time."
"Is everything fine?" Neema asked.
"The Ministry raided the shop twice in as many months, and they won't stop harassing him about his connections. He thinks while I'm here, he should make himself scarce for a while until thing settle."
"That's a good idea." Leroy replied. "My father had to take time off from the Ministry because of his connections."
"What does your father do?" Lorna asked, noting Leroy talked with his head down, refusing to look at either of them.
"He works in the Departments of Mysteries."
"Sounds mysterious." Neema joked.
She received a glaring response from Leroy and Neema held her hands up as an apology. As Lorna watch the exchange, she realised Neema did not look directly at Leroy but rather to the side or above his face. This triggered the memory of this happening often when they talked to Leroy. Not confident enough to raise her observation, Lorna thought to speak to Gannon at a later date.
By evening, all students had arrived back at Hogwarts in time for dinner. Lorna remained with the second years, and when Vivian arrived Lorna made room for her to join them. Without a word, Vivian sat beside her. The other four first years sat down from them, leaving a large gap between the two groups. Lorna glanced at Robin and Conrad on the other side of the table. Both boys gave Lorna awkward smiles as Conrad stole a glance towards Bree and Regina before going back to his dinner. Lorna leaned back slightly in her seat to spy both girls. Both sat rigidly, their expression sour. Relieved not to be sitting with them, Lorna enjoyed her meal, while listening the Matilda tell them all about her Christmas in Australia.
"If my parents didn't insist I come home, I wouldn't bother." Matilda told them. "The Ministry has to arrange a portkey for me to return home. Have you ever travelled by one them then, it's awful. And the heat. You know it's summer in Australia right now. Surprised I'm not sick yet."
"She got sick last year." Gannon, seated across from Lorna and next to Matilda, told her.
"And Madam Pomfrey wouldn't give me anything for it. No one else has to travel as far. You'd think they'd give me special treatment given I'm likely the first Aussie here. But no. Who cares I'm not accustomed to snow and freezing cold conditions."
"You poor thing. I'll look after you." Jackson told her.
Matilda laid her head against Jackson's shoulder. "You always look after me."
"Not in front of the children." Gannon told them and Lorna laughed.
"Is it really that hot?" Lorna asked.
"Bloody better believe it. You wouldn't know what hot is until you've visited Australia. The soles of your shoes melt to the ground. You can cook eggs on the bonnets of cars. I've seen the guts of sheep explode out of their bodies."
"Ew, gross. Why did you say that?" Neema cringed beside Jackson.
Matilda leaned over the table and laughing, said. "You should come visit one year."
"No thank you." Neema replied in disgust.
After dinner the students all returned to their houses. Lorna was walking out with Vivian when Jasper appeared beside her.
"Jasper." Lorna jumped in fright.
Jasper beamed, let out a delightful laugh, and said, "Did I scare you. Sorry. I wanted to catch you before you made your way to your dormitory. How was your Christmas?"
Lorna couldn't be mad at Jasper, he made it almost impossible.
"I had a lovely Christmas. And you?"
"Great. We had all the family at our house. It was so crowded and I had to share my room with my cousins. They were noisy and smelly. It didn't matter how many times I hinted to them about cleanliness; I'm sure they deliberately didn't bath the whole time to irritate me more."
Lorna laughed.
"I don't have cousins but I'm sure if I did they'd annoyed me."
"I'll share mine with you."
"Um, no thanks."
From beyond the great hall several Hufflepuff first years stood around throwing glances towards Lorna and Jasper.
"Your friends seem to be eager to move on."
Jasper gave a shrug before replying, "I guess I should go. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"Yes. You will."
Lorna watched Jasper walk away. When he reached his friends, he turned back towards Lorna, gave a big cheesy smile and waved. Lorna waved back ignoring the looks of hatred and contempt from the Hufflepuff students around Jasper. When Jasper turned his friends claimed his attention and dragged him away. When Lorna turned back, she found Vivian waiting for her.
"He likes you." She told Lorna.
"Of course he does, he's my friend."
"I don't mean like that." Vivian told her.
As it dawned on Lorna what Vivian meant she immediately denied the accusation.
"No. It's not like that. I can't explain it but Jasper's not interested in anyone in that way. It's a vibe I get from him. He's genuinely happy being friends."
"He's weird then."
"That we can agree on. He is weird."
Lorna took the opportunity to speak with Vivian. Perhaps the new semester meant they would become better acquainted.
"Did you have a good Christmas?"
Vivian shrugged, and that was where the conversation ended. Cross with herself for being unable to come up with anything more to ask, they returned silently to the Slytherin common room.
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Useless end note: Wrote books 1 - 4 for NaNoWriMo 2016.