Leo glanced at me from his comfortable-looking stance on the couch.
"That's ... probably enough for one night, Annie."
My head shot up again and I shook it vigorously. "No, no, please tell me more!" My expression dropped when he shook his head stubbornly.
"It's so much to take in in one night, not to mention it's almost midnight." He waved his wrist, the watch face catching the light and flashing.
"It's a Friday, though." I protested half-heartedly, knowing I was fighting a losing battle.
"That doesn't mean anything." Leo helped me off the floor. "You know how I feel about sleep ins, not to mention we have to face Victoria's wrath at some point. " His eyes hardened as he said her name and I stared at him for a moment too long.
"Alright." I muttered eventually. He hugged me. "But you tell me more in the morning!"
"Wait, you still have to write to Professor Dumbledore!"
"Technically, he's not your professor anymore."
"Shush. If you leave it any later, your writing will be worse than coherent. Not to mention Archie should get back to him soon." Archeon hooted softly in agreement and I glanced at the two birds. "What about Aries?"
The kite fixed a lukewarm stare at me with his head tilted sideways.
"Something tells me he's not leaving anytime soon." Leo smiled and ruffled my hair likes five year old, sending me off to find a piece of paper- or parchment if you will- and a pen.
I returned with both and slumped at the coffee table, pen poised in my hand and an eyebrow raised as I waited for Leo to speak.
"Oh no, you'll be writing this entirely on your own. I need coffee." With that, the unhelpful man left for the kitchen.
The rain slowly got louder and I cringed at the thunder rumbling towards us. I never did like thunder much.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I paused and glanced helplessly at Leo. Was I supposed to be formal with this professor guy or what?
"Oh come on, Annie. You're good with a pen, write whatever comes out of it!" Leo shrugged at my less-than-enthusiastic glare.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
As unclear and confused about this as I am, I've decided to give this a try- thanks to Leo. He and his adventures intrigued me; he's an avidly enthusiastic story teller, I can say that much.
This Hogwarts is in Scotland, correct? If I do go, it's going to be difficult to get to you, even if what Leo said about the Express in London and such is true. That's still the other side of the world.
Leo ( he's going to pop up frequently, as he's my only source of wizard-y info) also mentioned something about it being almost the end of the fourth year for my age group and needing tutors for the year to help me catch up, even mentioning pen pals- I suspect he's right, seeing as I only found wizards and witches existed today, about two hours ago. I'm a fast learner though, so I should be alright.
I have a feeling you're an important person and important people are usually quite busy, so this is where I bid my farewell. I'll send this with Archeon when the storm ends, but Aries doesn't seem to want to leave.
Kindest Regards,
Aria North
P.S Thank you so much for the cloak; it means a lot to me that you would go to such lengths to find any of my parents' possessions and it's incredibly beautiful. Thank you.
I folded the letter up and Archeon landed back on the table, skidding and chittering excitedly.
"Patience, honey. You can go with the storm's over." I chuckled. She nipped at my finger angrily and I scowled. Leo laughed.
"It's probable that there's a charm on her to stop her or the letter getting wet during the flight, so I think she wants to get back to the Owlery as soon as possible." He explained.
Archeon stuck her leg out and I laughed, tying the letter to the leather straps quickly. Leo walked over to the door and threw it open, smiling softly as the Great Grey owl flew away and closing it gently behind her.
"I hope she'll be alright." I frowned slightly and Leo checked his watch.
"There's been enough excitement for today, you should go up and get some sleep. I'll fire-call Dumbledore later on for you."
I let out a small whine of protest. "But I wanna see this fire-calling stuff myself!"
"You will eventually- but it's almost ten o'clock and you look like crap. Go to bed." I scowled at his blunt words and walked over to him "Fine, but I get a hug in return."
Leo bent down slightly and hugged me, pressing my face in to his warm chest.
"This is all so confusing." My voice was muffled by his shirt and he rubbed his thumb in small circles on my back.
"I know, sweetheart, I know. I just wish it was Emma and Eugene in this position, not me. That's not fair on you. " He sounded like he was about to cry and I pulled back.
"Well that's not your fault, nor mine! There's nothing we can do about it." I wasn't sure if I was talking about the situation or the fact that my parents were gone and we wouldn't get them back, and Leo looked like he didn't either. The wind howled around the house as we stood in silence for a few moments.
"I know. Goodnight, Annie. Sweet dreams. " He murmured as I turned and headed to my bedroom, listening to Jamie's soft snores as I walked past the room the two boys were fast asleep in. I paused and peeked through the doorway, smiling as I saw Jack spooning Jamie in the soft moonlight peering through the crack in the curtains. Those two would sleep through a stampede of elephants- they didn't even seemed perturbed by the wind and the hammering rain.
Reaching my room, I took three lunging steps and collapsed face-first on my bed, biting my lip and squeezing my eyes shut. Leo was right- it should be Mum and Dad here; but Leo was the only family I had left. Excluding Mike, of course, but technically he was only my step brother. Vicky certainly didn't count, that foul-mouthed cow.
I slowly got back up again to wash my face and take out my piercings- my three lip rings, my septum and my industrial bar. The four in my lobes would be fine.
I set them back in their boxes and unclipped my mother's necklace, staring at it forlornly. The tiny opal dragon set in its black gold frame sparkled optimistically back at me, the bathroom light catching on the colours and making the prominent greens and oranges tiny flashes of purple made me smile softly and I rested the necklace on its stand gently. I refused to sleep in it for the fear it would break, and I would be devastated.
I peeled the hairband from my ponytail and shook my head, my gleaming purple hair cascading gently over my shoulders. My tired green eyes stared dully back at me in my mirror, making me realize just how tired I really was.
"Goodnight, Leo!" I called as I slipped my pajama bottoms on and switched the light off, sliding under my bed covers. I heard him call back faintly and closed my eyes.
Not long afterwards, footsteps echoed down the hallway and he stepped into my room, trying to be quiet, I heard the rustle of soft fabric and realized I'd forgotten about the Cloak.
"Leo?" I caught his wrist as he was about to turn and leave and he startled, huffing. "I thought you were asleep." He complained quietly, avoiding my eyes.
"Remember what I said, Leo. There's nothing we can do to change what happened." I ignored him.
"I know, honey, I just ... I feel so guilty. You're so strong and you're coping with this so much better than I and even though it's been five years, I can't get it out of my head. I should be the strong one, helping you, but instead it's reversed and I feel so horrible for not being there for you, with Vicky dragging me all over the place and leaving you and Mike to your own devices." He looked miserable.
"Leo, You're doing fine. It's hurts more than you know, but we'll both get through it. We won't forget, but we'll move on. I promise. " My voice cracked and he knelt beside my bed, kissing my forehead gently. Like a father should. Like Leo.
"I swear it'll get better." My voice strained slightly and he shook his head.
"I know it will, but it doesn't feel like it. " He looked up and gave me an uncertain smile. "We both need sleep. I'll contact Dumbledore tomorrow instead. Do you want me to leave the pills out for you?"
Oh. My antidepressants and the sleeping pills. Of course. "Thank you Leo. I don't think I'll need them, though."
"Better safe than sorry. " He ran his thumb over my forehead like he would a small child and stood up, pausing in the doorway.
"Good night, Aria."
My voice barely rose above a whisper. "Good night."
