Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry this update took a little awhile.. Just to let you know, I'm sort of guessing on the layout of Diagon Alley - I couldn't really find any definitive information on the locations of the some places in relation to others. I hope you enjoy this chapter - I brought in one of my personal favorite characters to sort of mix it up a bit. Please review :D

Thirteen

Angelina walked swiftly through the throngs of people in Diagon Alley, a light breeze flowing though her braids.

"Angelina!"

She turned at the sound of her name, quickly spotting a familiar face to her left.

"Lee!" Angelina quickly made her way past the young families and lovebird couples gathered at the tables outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, which was in the midst of celebrating its grand re-opening. She pulled her friend into a long hug.

"It's great to see you," she said softly, finally pulling away.

"You too," he replied with a small smile. "What brings you to Diagon Alley today?"

"Oh, you know, my mum has me running errands all the other place." Angelina sighed. "I'm pretty sure it's just to get me out of the house." She paused for a moment. "But anyway, what brings you here?"

His face darkened slightly. "Well, I ha- actually, I'll just show you." He took her hand and began leading her down the street.

"Lee, wh-"

He continued walking, wordlessly.

"Lee, come on!" She gave a small laugh. "You know I don't like surprises.. and I still have a bunch of errands-"

Angelina suddenly stopped talking as she realized where they were.

In so many ways, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes looked exactly as she remembered. The same distinctive purple awning, the flashy window displays. There was even the same handwritten sign that had been stuck haphazardly on the door weeks before – "Closed until further notice" it began, written in George's familiar handwriting, and then scribbled beneath it– "Or whenever this bloody war decides to end" – clearly added in Fred's similarly recognizable scrawl. Angelina felt her stomach flip-flop as she read the sign, and slowly took in the rest of her surroundings. The biggest difference to WWW was the lack of people- no bustling crowd of customers, interspersed with energetic salespeople, especially the two distinct redheads that were always present. Instead, they had all been replaced by a gathering of more inanimate things.

The sidewalk surrounding the store had been almost completely blockaded by a various assortment of objects - pictures, candles, flowers, and more WWW products than Angelina could count. She stepped closer to look, and found herself choking up as she noticed the Gryffindor quidditch robes and beater bat placed near a large stack of fake wands. She recognized Oliver's handwriting on a nearby card; it was just one of many various messages that people had left behind. They surrounded her, all displaying variations of the same sentiment: "We love you, Fred" - "Rest in Peace Fred Weasley" – "We'll miss you, mate". She bit her lip, trying to keep the tears from falling.

Lee put his hand on her shoulder.

"It's hard to believe," he said, voice cracking. "A week ago – he wasn't- he was still here.."

Angelina swallowed hard. "I know. And this whole memorial, I- I had no idea..." she said, gesturing around her.

Lee sat down on a rare empty section of curb. "The day after, I came by and left a Skiving Snackbox, with some flowers. And then Ron asked me to come by today and get some things for George, and I found all this..." He smiled softly, examining a large teddy bear that someone had left.

Angelina took a seat next to him. "It's- it's so nice. George hasn't mentioned it at all when we've talked. I'll have to tell him.."

"You guys have talked?" Lee looked up at her suddenly.

Angelina gave him a confused look. "Well, yeah, I mean- we talked for a while at the Burrow after the funeral. And then I ran into him a few days ago and we ended up spending most of the afternoon together... But why-"

"Angelina, he hasn't been talking to anyone." Lee said forcefully. "Ron and Bill keep telling me how he's completely shutting out the family-"

"Well I hope he opens up to them soon," she replied, taking his hand. "But at least for now he has us to talk to-"

Lee ripped his hand away, looking down. "It's not just his family," he forced out, turning to face her. "Did you know he's said thirteen words to me since Fred died? Thirteen words."

"Wh-What?" Angelina asked, a slight tone of disbelief in her voice.

Lee blinked back tears angrily. "I've been at his house every day since the funeral. Every day. And the longest thing he's said to me the whole time," he said in a shaky voice, "was 'Go away." Lee started crying for real, almost in sobs. "We're supposed to be best friends. And he can't even talk to me? Do you know how much that hurts?"

"Lee, I- I had no idea-" She replied, her own voice shaking now.

He stared silently straight ahead for a moment, an angry expression on his face. Then he wiped his eyes and quickly stood from the curb.

"You know what," he began. "I should really get going-"

Angelina stood up as well.

"Lee- please, no... Stay- stay here," she said, a pleading look on her face.

"I really have to go."

He began to walk away and then paused for a moment, saying a bit harshly - "Though considering things, it's really no surprise he chose you to talk to."

And with that, Lee turned and continued past the various shops of Diagon Alley.

Angelina stood by the curb in a shocked silence.

Lee's own thirteen words had just left her completely speechless.