Chapter Two
It's All About Connections
"Are you sure about this?" Remus asked me for the 10th time in as many minutes. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and sighed.
"Yes I am sure Remus." I replied exasperated. "I know it, just trust me, for once" I muttered, shoving handfuls of clothes into my bag. I whirled around my room grabbing handfuls of my possessions and hastily depositing them into the bag. The bag in question I magically expanded in my first year. It could now hold all of my possessions and then some, while still being light enough to carry. That bag may have been the best piece of magic that I have ever cast. It goes everywhere with me. I pause and look around my little bedroom. The room is tiny. The whole space is taken up by a small double bed. A large window sits above the headboard, with a deep sill. Built in cupboards line the wall over the bed and window, dropping down onto either side of it, a desk sat to the right of the bed. There was no space for a chair; I had to sit on the bed. The desk itself was cluttered with all sorts of odds and ends. Scraps of parchment littered the desk, quills lay haphazardly upon it and an empty inkpot sat upturned, slowly leaking its last drop onto the wood. A wardrobe stood at the end of the bed, next to the door, its contents currently strew all over the bed. I leapt suddenly over the bed, grabbing the three photo frames off the window sill, one contained a picture of myself and my muggle friends, one a photo of myself and my wizard friends and the last one the only picture I have of family. I quickly shove them into my bag and seal it. I grab my jacket off the bed, and shrug it on, before swinging the bag onto my shoulder and heading for the door.
Remus is still standing in the doorway, watching me. I scowl at him when he doesn't step aside to let me pass. He suddenly grabs me, and pulls me into a bone crushing hug, I freeze in shock
"I am not going to try and stop you from going. I trust your instincts Kayleigh. They are yet to be wrong" he said softly, pulling back to look at my face. He holds me at arm's length, his hands still gripping my upper arms. I craned my neck to look at him face; it wasn't easy with close to him. "But you have to promise me that you will-"
"Be careful. Don't talk to any strange men, stay away from dark ally's, don't takes sweets from strangers, etc, etc. I know the drill Lup, I'm not stupid" I interrupt him "and, I also know to run like hell if I see Black. You can trust me"
"This isn't a joke Kay!" he scolds, clearly not appreciating my light tone. "Black wants you-"
"Dead, I know" I say, interrupting him again. "I know how to take care of myself Remus. And I have to go. Now", my voice rising with concern for my brother. Remus sighed, clearly not at all happy, but reluctantly let go of me and stepped aside. "thank you" I say passing him, I pause and stretch up to plant a swift kiss on his check, before taking the stairs two at a time.
"Send a letter with R the moment he gets back" Remus ordered, following me downstairs, where I was hastily searching for my house keys.
"I will do you one better, if he isn't back by morning, I'll borrow Hedwig" I promise, finally locating my keys. "Right, I'll see you at Christmas" I give him a swift hug and am surprised to see that smug look on his face again when I pull away. I raise an eyebrow in question but my concern for Harry wins out over my curiosity, and I bolt out of the front door, sprinting towards the train station.
I sit back, watching the world fly past the window, a blur in the gathering darkness. I try to relax. There is nothing more I can do for now. The near empty train speeds towards London Victoria. My eyes dart everywhere, expecting Black to jump out from behind a chair or something. I roll my eyes at my own stupidity
Get a grip, Potter I think to myself, annoyed. I put all thoughts of Black out of my mind on focus on Harry. I lean back and close my eyes, feeling inside myself for him. I can't explain the connection between us, I've tried, but I just can't. It's like my whole life, for as long as I can remember, I have sometimes just got this feeling that doesn't belong to me. I never understood it growing up, not until I met Harry. Meeting him seemed to ignite the connection once and for all. Ever since that first day in Diagon Ally, I have always known if Harry is in trouble. I just do. I can always feel it. It's like this, I don't know, fluttering in my chest, this whispering in my head, it's impossible to explain right, it just is. And it's more than just that. I always know where he is. Subconsciously. Like, right now, I know that he is heading to the 'Leaky Cauldron'. I don't know how, I just do. I know that that is where I will find him. I used to think that maybe it was just a sibling thing, but I know it's not. I am sure it is to do with Voldemort. To do with the killing curse, our twin scars. I don't know. I will figure it out one day. Soon I hope. I sigh and roll my neck, turning to stare out at the darkening world again.
The train arrives at Victoria after what feels like a lifetime. I think that I have aged at least ten years in the last hour. I hurry through the station, darting in and out of the crowd. Why is this station always so bloody busy? I rush out of the main entrance and am about to hail a cab, when I realize that although I know the way to 'The Leaky Cauldron' I haven't got the faintest bloody clue where it actually is. I sigh in resignation. Looks like I'm on foot after all. I quickly slip my backpack onto both arms, instead of one, and secure it tightly. Next second, I'm running.
Running has never bothered me. I run every day. It helps to clear my head. Keeps me calm. But running through London? That I hate. You have to run twice as far, ducking around people, and down side streets to avoid bloody dead ends. It's a nightmare. Luckily, I am fast. Very fast. I can run a mile in about six minutes; I can sprint for about fifteen before needing to slow.
As I run my eyes dart everywhere. Scanning the world for anything unusual. As stupid as it sounds, I still keep half expecting Black to pop up out of nowhere. I roll my eyes at myself. This is all Remus' fault. He's got me all superstitious over nothing. I push the thought from my mind and force myself forward. The air burns in my lungs, and my heart is pounding so hard I can actually hear it.
I reach 'The Leaky Cauldron' in just 20 minutes. I halt at the end of the street and double over, hands on knees, dragging precious air into my lungs. Feeling the satisfying burn and it goes down. My back aches and my legs are searing with pain. Suddenly the hair on the back of my neck prickles, and I stand upright. I'm being watched. My eyes dart around the street. It's completely deserted. But there is defiantly someone watching me, I can feel it. I slowly advance towards the pub, my eyes darting everywhere. I have only taken 4 steps when I feel them. There! And ally stands opposite the entrance to the pub. A dark looming ally. And in its mouth stands a dog. But not a dog. It's huge. Big and black, with matted, shaggy black fur. There is something strangely familiar about the dog, but I can't quiet put my finger on that it is. It's standing, dead still, staring at me. Neither of us moves, neither of us blink. Slowly it raises one paw, as if to take a step towards me, but at that exact moment there is an ear splitting BANG!
The massive form of 'The Knight Bus' comes looming around the corner, barreling down the street. The dog turns on its heels and disappears up the ally. I frown after it. The bus comes to a halt outside the pub, and I sprint towards it. There on the steps is my little brother. But someone reaches him before I do. The minister of magic. Fuck. This can't be good.