Chapter 13: Hogsmeade

Nora had travelled to her aunt's place by Floo Network. In their neighbourhood had lived a wizarding family, who had agreed with Professor Dumbledore that Nora could use their fireplace to transport herself in Watford. She had been informed via letter that someone would pick her up around 2 pm from front of her house. Nora wondered how and with whom she'd be traveling back to.

Nora heard a loud crack. She got startled, and as reflex pulled out her wand to duel.

"Hope you won't be using that on me," cheerful voice said.

"L… Leyla? W… what are y… you doing i… in here?" Nora asked, looking at the young woman with eyes wide open.

"I came to pick you up of course! After speaking with you on the telephone yesterday, I was in contact with the school and managed to agree with Professor Sprouts that I'll be the one to pick you up and bring you back to Hogwarts." Leyla explained and hugged the younger girl. "So, are you good to go?"

"S… sure," Nora answered uncertainly.

"Good! Now take my arm," Leyla ordered, and Nora did as she was told. "I'm going to apparate us into Hogsmeade, where we are going to catch up." Before Nora could ask anything, a loud cracking voice played in her ears and the world spined around her. When the world stopped Nora vomited.

"Sorry about that," Leyla apologized and cleaned the vomit away with her wand. "That is very common reaction when a person apparates for the first time. Some even pass out." She took a pill from her pocket: "Here take this, it helps with the nausea."

"Th… thank you," Nora said as she took the pill and swallowed it.

"This must be your first time in Hogsmeade?" Leyla asked and Nora nodded. "Great, you'll love this place. It's the only town in Britain where all inhabitants are wizards. From third year onwards students get to come here, but I got a permission from Professor Sprouts to take you here."

"T… that sounds a… amazing. Where s… should we v… visit."

"At least Honeydukes and Three Broomsticks. Do you need any school equipment? They have stores for cauldrons and quills."

"I'm good, n… no need."

"Okay, then let's go to the Honeydukes! There are so many candies that you have not tried yet!" Leyla said, feeling excited.

Nora looked around as they walked around the village. The place was as pretty as a picture with all the small stores and cottages. It was the kind of place, where Nora could image herself living in. People greeted one and other, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly.

"What do you think?" Leyla asked smiling. She had seen the wonder in Nora's eyes.

"It's l… lovely," Nora returned the smile.

"Yes, it is. I had the same reaction on the day I first came here. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was winter, and it was snowing. The village looked like one of those in the Christmas cards. I had my first date ever with a senior student: Mitchell Smith. He was a year older than me. Going on a date with him was a huge mistake though," Leyla recalled, smiling. "He was such a flirt. He took me into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Worst. Date. Ever. The place was overly flirty and girly with all the hearts and the pink walls and over the top mugs. If anyone asks you for the date there, run. The person is not the one."

Nora chuckled, and Leyla continued talking about her first date: "During the whole date he spoke about his ex-girlfriend. Compared me to him constantly. On the moments that he wasn't talking about his ex he was bragging about himself and flirted with his classmate who sat on the table next to ours. Towards the end of the date, he kissed me, and I quote: 'Hmm. Mindy used more of her tongue. Can you try doing that for me?'" Leyla was quiet for a moment, reminiscing. "I was so angry. I mean it was my first kiss and all. After those words I told him to fuck off and said to him if he dared to compare me to his ex one more time, I'd hex him. Lucky for him, he realized not to mess up with me."

"H… he sounded l… like a piece of w… work."

"He was. Lucky for him, he managed to calm and settle down and got married right after the graduation. He works in Gringotts now-a-days if I'm correct."

"Wh… why did you g… go out with h… him in the b… beginning?"

"Oh, he asked me out. It was the first time that anyone wanted to date me, and I was thirteen. I wanted to know what the fuss was all about. After him I dated few guys for short period of time. One of them was Charlie Weasley, you know the second oldest of the Weasleys, but we had nothing in common. I heard that he's in Romania, working with dragons."

"Th.. that sounds i… interesting."

"Yeah, dragons were always his passion. We actually met in the library, when we both wanted to borrow the same book about them. He for fun, me for homework. He thought I was interested in them as well, boy, how wrong he was." Leyla smirked to herself. "Do you have anyone that you're interested in Nora?"

Nora blushed. Picture of Ron Weasley came to her mind. "N… no," Nora lied.

"Oh, I know that face! You do! Come on and tell me!" Leyla teased, feeling even more cheerful.

"Ro… Ron W… Weasley."

"Who?"

"R… Ron Weasley." Nora felt mortified.

"Really, him?" Leyla asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Nora blushed even more.

"Not Potter, or the twins?"

"N… no."

"Why, out of all the people, you like him?" Leyla asked, puzzled. "What do you see in him?"

"H… he is c… cute! With h… his freckles a… and all!" Nora defended the boy. "H… he is t… talented and f… funny, though h… he is often o… overlooked by p… people, because h… his family and friends a… are famous a… and talented, but he's j… just being w… who he is, and he's a… also brave and s… strong a… and smart. He j… just d… doesn't s… see it himself!"

"Perhaps," Leyla said thoughtfully, thinking about the thirteen years old boy. "I just wish you won't end up being heart broken."

"I'm n… not g… going to a… act on it! P… plus H… Hermione Granger i… is having f… feelings for h… him I think," Nora told Leyla, recalling Hermione's face when she spoke with her friends. Nora had seen the small extra sparkle on the girl's face when she bickered with the boy.

"For Ron? I always thought she'd like Harry if she liked anyone," Leyla said.

"N… no, I'm p… positive if s… she likes so… someone then it's R… Ron," Nora answered sternly.

"Wanna make a bet?" Leyla asked mischievously.

Nora was little taken back by the question. She didn't do bets. Her friends did, but she wanted to prove Leyla that she was wrong about the matter. "S… sure, what d… do you su… suggest?"

"Whichever she dates by the end of her last year, gets 10 Galleons. If she's dating neither, no one gets any money, sounds good?"

"Y… yes."

"It's a bet then. Oh, there is the Honeydukes."

Nora looked at the shop. On the door was a written note:

'BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Customers are reminded that until further notice, Dementors will be patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade every night after sundown. This measure has been put in place for the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will be lifted upon the recapture of Sirius Black. It is therefore advisable that you complete your shopping well before nightfall.'

"I wonder if the ministry is over-reacting. I can't understand why they'd think that Black is hiding around this area? And since he managed to escape from the dementors in Azkaban, then why would they be able to catch him from here? Why haven't they sent any Aurors here? You'd think they'd have better change with catching him."

"I ha… have no idea," Nora answered as they entered the store. Nora's eyes opened wide, as she saw all the products around her. The room was filled from top to the bottom from all the different kinds of sweets. Some Nora recognized immediately, like Bertie Bott's every flavour beans and chocolate frogs.

"Leyla, long time no see my dear. I heard you graduated last year!" Elder woman greeted the two, eyes shining with warmth.

"Mrs. Flume. It's lovely to see you, and yes, I did. I came to return Nora to Hogwarts, but before that I thought she must see your amazing shop and go get some butterbeer from Madam Rosmerta," Leyla answered to the lady. "How're Emily and Isabella?"

"Oh, they're good. Emily just got promoted in her company. Isabella is about to have her second baby with her husband." The two ladies kept chatting and Nora looked at the products. She picked up to try some chocoballs, no-melt ice cream, chocolate cauldrons, pixie puffs and toffee.

"Oh, those are good things to try on dear, here also try this, it's on the house," Mrs. Flume said as she saw the products that Nora was buying and gave the girl a sample of Honeydukes best chocolate.

"Tha… thank you," Nora smiled and gave the lady the money.

Leyla also bought few things and hugged the lady before they left.

"That was Mrs. Flume. She owns the shop with her husband. They have two girls. Isabella is witch like us, but Emily is actually a squid. It was quite painful for her to be raised in here. She lives among the muggles now-a-days and works in London as an accountant."

"She so… sounds like a b… brave person."

"Yes, she helped with the store when I first came here. She's super nice girl."

Nora smiled and Leyla led them into Three Broomsticks. Smell of flaming fireplace filled Nora's nose as she entered the inn. The place was crowded, chatter and laughter filled the room. Nora could immediately understand why Leyla had wanted to come there.

On their way to the bar Leyla was stopped by couple of times by the villagers, and each time Leyla greeted them cheerfully back.

"I… is it common f… for them to k… know all the s… students?" Nora wondered.

Leyla laughed: "Oh no. We had a protect by the Prefects here in my fifth year. Also, my friend's family lives here so I used to visit her in summers. I'm also friends with Emily. I helped her to adjust in the muggle world."

"Th… that's lovely."

"Leyla, is that you? Didn't you graduate last year?" The bartender cried out and came to hug Leyla.

"It's good to see you Madam Rosmerta," Leyla said as she returned the hug. "I came to bring Nora back to Hogwarts. She was in her cousin's Christenings. Nora, this is Madam Rosmerta, she runs this inn."

"Ni… nice to m… meet you. This p… place is l… lovely and ho… homely," Nora greeted the lady earnestly.

"Nice to meet you too Nora," Madam Rosmerta answered with a smirk. "Would you like to have something to eat or drink?"

"I'll have chicken and butterbeer please," Leyla answered.

"S… same for m… me," Nora said shyly. She didn't know the drinks and some of the foods from the menu, so the ordered seemed the safest.

"Coming right up, and Leyla", Madam Rosmerta said when they were about to leave and look for a table: "Let's catch up after you come back."

"Of course," Leyla joyed.

The two girls sat down on the window side of the room. People around them were laughing and roaring. Leyla muttered few words with her wand and their voices became quieter. "I hate it when it gets so noisy. But I have completely forgotten to ask you, that how are you? You sounded quite stressed on your last letter, and on the phone we mostly spoke about the up-coming Christening. How did it go by the way? What name did your cousin get?"

"S… She became D… Diane Roselyn Knight," Nora answered.

"Like the Princess," Leyla answered with a smile.

"Y… yes, sort o… of," Nora returned the smile: "My a… aunt's hu… husband's grandmother w… was also D... Diane."

"Oh, how lovely. How is the situation between you and your friends going?" Leyla asked with even voice.

"I'm s… still a… angry w… with them. I m… mean they l… lied to me! They k… kept away a k… keen factor a… about my f… family f… for almost a y… year! I d… don't think they'd have t… told me about h... him if he h… hadn't escaped," Nora felt bitter.

"Hmm… that sounds awful, and Nora you have every right to be upset, and you can be upset on the matter as long as you like," Leyla started. "But you should look about this from their point of view as well. Think about last year. Right after the feast Mrs. Norris was petrified. About a week later the same happened to Colin Creevey. About a month and Justin and Nearly Headless Nick were found. I remember the fear. I was so scared for myself, but also for you and Daisy and for the rest of the muggle-born students. You should have seen your friends after it happened to you. They didn't know how to function. For the matter neither did Daisy, and Sinead was also being lost. I felt that I had failed you as a fellow muggle-born but also as a Head-Girl and your mentor. I've always had a soft spot for you. I don't know why."

Memories of the previous school year ran through Nora's mind. She remembered the fear, that she still felt time to time when she walked inside of the castle. Ever since the petrification she had avoided the route that she had used to get to the library that day. Before Nora could answer, Leyla continued her speech: "All that I am trying to say Nora, is that it's okay if you don't forgive them, or if you take your time. But I also understand why it took them so long to tell you."

"Okay," Nora said. "T… thank you for l… listening to me."

"You're welcome," Leyla smiled gently.

"B… but tell me a… about Germany," Nora said, desperately wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, it was interesting. I went there with my family. We went to Berlin. It's so interesting to see the city after the wall was broken down. I can't believe it has been already two years."

"Y… yes, time f… flies."

"It truly does. The city seemed happy and somehow so free. The change has treated them well. At least so it seemed in my eyes."

"Y… yes. You m… mentioned some i… interesting p… people you m… met in there?"

Before Leyla could answer Madam Rosmerta brought two portions of chicken and butterbeer to the table. "Here you are darlings, enjoy."

Leyla and Nora thanked the woman and started to eat. Nora tasted butterbeer for the first time in her life: "W… wow, this is r… really good."

"Yeah, it is. Too bad they don't sell it in muggle world," Leyla said. "I'd love to take my parents here one day, so they could try it out." Before Nora could answer, Leyla spoke: "But to answer your question: yes, I did. I met an Italian witch, Lucianna. She went to Beauxbâtons and we exchanged experiences. We are pen pals now." Leyla grinned. "I also met this one man, Klaus. I'm not certain if he's a muggle or wizard. It's not something that I could just ask from him. I mean…" Leyla just shook her head: "But he's just lovely human being. He came to visit me here in Britain, and I'm planning to visit him when I have time off from work. I actually think that I might be in love with him."

"I… isn't that o… only a good thing?" Nora wondered.

"I don't know. I don't have very good experiences from boys or from dating in general. I don't really have any guy-friends, and all my past relationships have been huge disasters. One guy once told me, that I turned him gay. I know it's a lie, but I can't help but wonder what I did wrong."

"N… nothing. And my a… aunt was in a s… similar kind of s… situation when s… she met her h… husband. She f… felt afraid, but s… she was b… brave enough to f… fall in love i… in the end, and I've n… never seen h… her being s… so happy."

"Mm. Maybe," Leyla sounded sceptical. They sat in a silence for moment before Leyla said: "But what if this is just another failure? What if he can't accept me being a witch? What if he'll end up hating me?"

"Y… you can never k… know unless you t… try and s… see. B… because there's always a p… possibility for e… everything working out w… well."

"That's also true," Leyla sighed and returned to her food. "Sometimes it's hard to believe that you're only 12 with your ability to read people."

Nora blushed. She was taken back by the comment. "Y… yeah."

"I mean it, as a compliment. I know that you were in a situation where you had to grow up fast, but remember, that it's okay if you act like a child from time to time, because I mean you're only 12. You are allowed to pout, and play with toys and dolls, to be silly and childish," Leyla said with sad smile on her face.

Nora didn't know what to say on the matter. She recalled her uncle, who always referred her as a Kiddo. Nora had always loved the nickname, because with Uncle Bill, she could still be a normal kid. "I… I… I'll try t… to remember that." She finally whispered.

Leyla nodded, keeping the sad smile on her face, changing the conversation towards Hogwarts. The two girl sat on Three Broomstick till the late evening chatting and laughing, before Leyla took Nora back to school. Nora went straight to her dormitory and bed, where she immediately fell asleep with Teeny the Tiger in her embrace.