Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Jo's characters, places, things, etc. Obviously.
… … … …
Leila brushed her skirt off as she stepped out of the fireplace she had just used the Floo network to from the Ministry of Magic. She looked around the all-too-familiar room. The last time she had been in here, she was with her brother. Leila then looked to the portraits of the former Hogwarts Headmasters and she chuckled to herself at the sight of Dumbledore softly snoring from his portrait. Even as a painting, Leila found the old man to be quite peculiar. She took a few more steps into the office when she noticed Professor McGonagall furiously writing at the Headmaster's, or in her case, Headmistress's desk.
"One moment please, Miss Potter," Professor McGonagall said without even looking up.
"Take your time," Leila said.
"Have a biscuit while you wait," Professor McGonagall continued.
Leila walked to Professor McGonagall's desk and took a sweet biscuit from the tin. She began to nibble on it as she took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Professor McGonagall folded up the letter she was writing before placing it into an envelope and putting an official Hogwarts seal on it. The older woman then placed the envelope on a pile of other envelopes before she looked up to Leila. Leila offered her former teacher a half-smile as the woman pulled her spectacles off her face.
"You're probably wondering why I asked for this meeting," Professor McGonagall began.
"I've learned kinda just to go with it and not question it too much after Professor Dumbledore," Leila responded.
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh all right, I'm curious; happy?" Leila retorted.
"I was hoping that we might have a word about the upcoming school year," Professor McGonagall said.
"I'm sorry I haven't responded to your letter yet. I'm just weighing my options," Leila explained.
Two weeks ago, Leila had received a letter about finishing Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall and the school governors had laid out several options for those who weren't given the opportunity to finish their seventh years. First, they could attend Hogwarts for the entire year just as if they were in their seventh year. Second, they could continue their classes by correspondence and sit their N.E.W.T.S in the spring. Third, they could simply sit their N.E.W.T.S in the spring. And finally, they could opt to not finish their schooling. Leila knew that Harry was choosing not to finish his schooling because the Auror department was just accepting those who had fighting experience from the Battle of Hogwarts. She knew that Harry was itching to join the program; but he had been refraining because he had promised Leila that they would have a normal life for a while, not to mention that Remus needed help with Teddy. Leila on the other hand knew that she'd need her N.E.W.T.S to have a career as an educator; but which option she was going to choose, she didn't know.
"Then I have another option for you to weigh," Professor McGonagall stated. "Miss Potter, is it still your ambition to be a teacher?"
"It's what I've dreamed of being since I came to Hogwarts," Leila said. "Nothing else really strikes my fancy."
"As you very well know, I was made Headmistress of Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall started. "But that also put me in the predicament of trying to find someone to teach Transfiguration. So far, my quest to find a suitable teacher has proved unsuccessful. Seeing as Hogwarts is still rebuilding since the battle, there have not been many applicants and those who have applied would hardly be capable teachers. Not to mention that I've had to find three teachers for the upcoming school year."
"I'm failing to see how this concerns me," Leila interrupted.
"I'm getting there, Miss Potter. If I don't find someone soon, the Ministry will be forced to appoint a teacher and we both know how that worked last time," Professor McGonagall said.
Leila shuddered at the very thought of Delores Umbridge. That ugly toad woman who made everyone's lives miserable.
"I have come up with a temporary solution," Professor McGonagall said. "Seeing as it is your ambition to become a teacher, you have a gift in the art of Transfiguration, and you have experience with tutoring; you were my first choice."
"For what?" Leila asked.
"The Muggles call them student teachers; but I would like you to be my apprentice here at Hogwarts. I think I've managed to figure out a schedule that will allow me to free up some time for teaching, while allowing you to teach some classes and I can deal with the responsibilities of the school," Professor McGonagall said.
"What? Me teach? Here at Hogwarts? But what about my schooling?" Leila asked.
"It would be a temporary thing for now and you wouldn't have all the classes. I would keep the first years, third years, fifth years, and seventh years giving you the second, fourth, and sixth years. I would start them for you, giving you a chance to observe before I would hand them over, so to speak. Ideally, I would hope that you would be able to take those classes on your own my Halloween. As far as your classes, you can continue them by correspondence but you'd be allowed to sit in on any class that you chose to," Professor McGonagall explained. "As far as living arrangements, when you walked in I was writing the Ministry to connect one of the fireplaces at Grimmauld Place to Hogwarts."
Professor McGonagall held up the letter she had been writing which she had placed at the top of her stack of letters. For once, Leila didn't know what to say. There weren't any foreseeable drawbacks for her. She would be allowed to finish up her classes while gaining teaching experience at the same time. If teaching wasn't for her, she would be able to find out now, instead of wasting her time. Not to mention that she'd be working with probably one of the best teachers Hogwarts had to offer. McGonagall was probably the best person to learn from. Normally, she would say that she needed time to think on it; but after the Battle of Hogwarts, something in her had changed. She became braver and much more willing to take risks. She already knew that she was going to accept Professor McGonagall's offer, so why wait?
"I'll do it," Leila said confidently.
"I'm glad to hear it," Professor McGonagall responded. "The upcoming school year is certainly going to be an interesting one."
Leila nodded her head in response. There were going to be plenty of extra students running around Hogwarts this year: those who didn't finish their seventh year last year and those who should have been admitted to Hogwarts last year. Leila couldn't help but be somewhat proud of herself. Professor McGonagall had chosen her, of all people, to do this. Sure, it may have been somewhat of a last resort in order to ditch Ministry interference; but all the same, she was still proud. Besides, if she remembered correctly, Tom Riddle was turned down from Hogwarts after his graduation from Hogwarts and here she was, not even graduated yet and offered an apprenticeship. Professor McGonagall stood up and reached for her letters.
"These aren't going to mail themselves. Walk with me, please," Professor McGonagall said.
"Yes ma'am," Leila responded.
Professor McGonagall ushered Leila to the door as they walked down the spiraling stone staircase. Leila slid her hand against the cool walls as she descended until they came to the Grand Staircase. She moved toward the direction of the owlery when Professor McGonagall called for her to follow a different direction.
"But the owlery is this way," Leila said.
"I think I know my way around my own school," Professor McGonagall said. "There's something I think you'd like to see."
Leila sighed as Professor McGonagall kept walking toward the Grand Entrance of the school. Walking in this direction made Leila somewhat nervous. She hadn't been in the castle since the Battle of Hogwarts and the upcoming area was the part of the castle that had probably taken the hardest hits. As they took the last few steps into the Grand Entrance, Leila couldn't help but notice that the place looked like nothing had ever happened here. There was no evidence of the explosions or blood spilled. Is that how it was going to be, as if nothing had ever happened? But when Leila stepped outside she found herself proved wrong. In the courtyard, where the wall that had been destroyed once stood now stood something beautiful: a memorial to the fallen. There were four walls of colored water: one red, one yellow, one blue, and one green. Each wall of water poured into a fountain where the water turned back to normal and bubbled up in the middle. Between each fountain was a wall of stone with the names of all the fallen, not just those from the Battle of Hogwarts, but the entire war, etched into the stone.
"It's beautiful," Leila whispered.
"Not one color is above the rest and together they make something beautiful," Professor McGonagall said.
Leila walked closer to get a better look at the names. Her heart nearly burst as she spotted Fred's name. That memory of his death was still all-too-engrained in her head. She could feel the tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"It includes those lost in both wars," Professor McGonagall said softly.
Leila turned around and looked at Professor McGonagall whose fingers pointed to another section. Leila took a few steps over before her eyes scanned the names…James Potter, Lily Potter (nee Evans)…She placed her hand over her heart. This was such a lovely tribute to the fallen. There were even names Leila didn't recognize; but Professor McGonagall explained that even the Muggles who had lost their lives because of Voldemort had their names engraved in the memorial. Her eyes scanned over the rest of the names, she noticed that the Death Eaters names were absent from the memorial; but there were two defected Death Eaters names that were absent: Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. Professor McGonagall must have noticed her quizzical look.
"There were several school governors who were opposed to certain names on the memorial," Professor McGonagall said.
"They still lost their lives in opposition to Lord Voldemort," Leila responded.
Professor McGonagall simply nodded her head in response. While Leila could understand the opposition, she hadn't been entirely fond of Snape or Lucius while they had been alive; but they had made a contribution to seeing Lord Voldemort destroyed, whatever their motives may have been. But some didn't see it that way; probably most people actually. Leila dipped her hand into the cool water and softly splashed it before she walked toward the grounds with Professor McGonagall. The two chatted about more details about the position Leila would be taking as they strolled about the grounds. Professor McGonagall opened the main gate to the school which Leila walked out. The older woman shut the gate behind her as Leila took a few steps before she Disapparated.
Leila's feet landed on the firmly on the ground. She poked her head out of the alley making sure that no Muggles had witnessed anything before she started walking down the cobbled street. Even though it was her birthday, there was one place she wanted to go more than any place else. A place which most people might find somewhat odd; but in her heart it was where she needed to go. She looked around at the buildings she passed. The place seemed so much different without all the snow and in the daylight. Godric's Hollow really was a quaint little village. She could see why her parents had decided to settle here. As Leila rounded the corner, she spotted the church she and Draco had visited on Christmas Eve; but she wasn't here to see the church. She was here for what stood beside the church: the cemetery. She found her parents' graves right where she remembered them. Slowly, she fell to her knees and sighed as she looked at her parents' headstone.
"Hey," Leila whispered. "I know it's been a while since I've been here; but everything has been so crazy. Well, I guess you probably already know that. Hard to believe Harry and I are eighteen, huh? I suppose this is probably an odd sort of place to be on one's birthday. I guess I just miss you. Every year older I get is another year without you both. I know that you're both proud of me; but it's just hard sometimes, you know? But I don't suppose it will ever go away. I think there's always going to be a hole in my heart without you two…or Cedric…Fred…but I think life's about not letting that hole run my life. It's about love. Merlin, I know that I have so many people who love me and I love them. I'm so lucky, I really am. McGonagall offered me an apprenticeship at Hogwarts, Draco was cleared in front of the Wizengamot, and Remus is planning a surprise party. Speaking of which…I should probably get going before I miss my own surprise party."
Leila sniffled before she pulled her wand out. She pulled off a button from her blouse and placed it on the headstone before pointing her wand at it. The button then became a beautiful bouquet of white lilies. Leila placed a kiss on her fingers before she pressed her hand to the headstone.
"I love you both so much. We'll talk again soon, I promise," Leila finished.
She slowly rose to her feet and meandered out of the cemetery. Walking down the cobbled walkway, Leila made her way past the statue to the Potter family until she found herself standing outside her first home. She knew that she really should be going back to Grimmauld Place; but something drew her here. She gently pressed her hand against the gate as the ruins of the cottage appeared as well as all the sentiments and tokens left behind. Leila suddenly felt a hand press against her shoulder which caused her to jump. She turned around to find her brother standing behind her.
"Thought I might find you here," Harry said.
"Really?" Leila questioned.
"All right, Hermione said you would probably be here. Something about emotions and you being a girl," Harry grinned.
"Well, Hermione was right. I just had a lot of things to think about and I wanted someone to talk to," Leila responded.
"You have plenty of people you could talk to that are…you know…alive," Harry furthered.
"Mum and Dad are better listeners. They don't interrupt me, like someone I know," Leila said softly smiling.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry muttered.
"Nothing new there," Leila retorted.
Harry shook his head at his sister as they both looked to their former residence.
"Do you ever wonder what it would have been like?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Like what would have been like?" Leila asked.
"If Voldemort hadn't gone after us…what our family would have been like," Harry said.
"Of course; I've even had dreams about it. We'd have annoying little brothers and sisters, a loving mother, a prankster father, godfathers over all the time…" Leila began.
"You've clearly given this some thought," Harry chuckled.
"I have, but we have family who loves us…no matter how complicated it may be," Leila sighed.
"That we do, Leila, that we do," Harry smiled. "Now, how about that surprise party we're not supposed to know anything about?"
"What surprise party?" Leila grinned.
"Exactly," Harry said.
Harry and Leila walked together until they reached an abandoned alley. They joined hands and Leila Apparated them to the doorstep of Grimmauld Place. Leila winked at her brother before she slowly opened the door, expecting their friends to be waiting to surprise them. But when they got in the house, the only thing that greeted them was Mrs. Black's portrait. Harry and Leila looked to each other confusedly. Maybe everyone was back in the kitchen? Leila led Harry down the corridor before she pushed open the kitchen door. Once again, they were met with disappointment when the only living thing in the room was Kreacher who was cleaning the table with the fake Horcrux locket swinging from his neck.
"I thought for sure they'd be here," Harry commented.
"You weren't the only one," Leila responded.
"Just like old times then. You and me, alone on our birthday," Harry sighed.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Leila chuckled.
"Oh it was," Harry smirked.
"Prat!" Leila retorted.
"Harry! Leila! Are you here!" a frantic voice called.
Harry looked to his sister.
"In the kitchen," Harry shouted.
Ron pushed through the kitchen door with a look of panic written on his face.
"Merlin, I'm glad to see you two. There's been an attack," Ron panted.
"What?" Harry and Leila questioned simultaneously.
"Where?" Leila choked out on her own.
"The Burrow. It's bad, real bad…" Ron struggled to say.
Harry pulled his wand out of his pocket and just like their days on the run, he held out his hands for Leila and Ron to grab. Both joined hands with Harry as he Apparated them to the Burrow. They landed roughly on the ground as Leila went crashing into Ron. Ron pushed Leila back onto her feet before he started running toward the house. From what she could see, it didn't look like anything had happened; but Ron was worried. Harry and Leila chased after Ron with their wands drawn. The Potter twins watched as Ron ran into the house with his wand drawn. He didn't even stop to wait for them, it had to be bad. As they approached the back stairs of the Burrow, they noticed that there were no lights on and the place seemed eerily quiet. Leila looked to her brother before she twisted the door handle open. The old Leila never would have taken the lead on something like this; but the war had changed her. She just hoped that she didn't have to see anymore blood. The door flung open as Harry and Leila took a few steps inside.
"Ron? Ron?" Leila called.
There was no immediate response.
"Upstairs?" Harry suggested.
Leila nodded her head. Then suddenly, there was a gentle roar of popping noises as people began to surround them.
"SURPRISE! Happy Birthday!"
Leila started to laugh as she looked around at the friends and family surrounding them: Ron, Hermione, Remus, Teddy, Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, George, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Professor McGonagall, Andromeda, Narcissa, Daphne…But there was still one face Leila didn't see. Leila didn't have time to ask where he was as Mrs. Weasley began ushering them out of her full house. The group walked out into the garden where tables, cake, and presents were already set up. Hermione began conjuring her famous little flames to light the garden.
"Sorry 'm late," a gravelly voice spoke.
Leila turned around to see Hagrid walking toward the group and smiled. Could it really be seven years ago today that Hagrid had found her and Harry? Seemed hard to believe. She looked around the group seeing that the boys were grouped together, the older adults were fawning over Teddy, and Daphne was looking rather uncomfortable with Luna. She chuckled to herself before she walked over and politely stole Daphne away.
"Thank Merlin," Daphne whispered. "I understand that you're friends with her; but she's just so…strange."
"And you're not?" Leila teased.
"Where's Draco?" Daphne asked changing the subject.
"I was going to ask you," Leila responded.
"I'm sure if he's late; he has a good reason to be," Daphne said.
"I know; it's just that I was looking forward to seeing him. Things have been so crazy lately that I really haven't seen him much," Leila said.
"Just don't push him away," Daphne added.
"I'm not," Leila groaned.
"Good, because you two are good for each other. There's always talk about how you changed Draco; but he changed you too, you know," Daphne explained.
"I do know that," Leila said.
"Besides sometimes you two are so adorable it makes me want to vomit," Daphne teased.
"And that's a good thing, how?" Leila questioned.
Just then, Leila could feel a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist and without even looking back at who it was, she melted back against him because she didn't have to look back to know that the arms belonged to Draco. Draco pulled her a little closer to him as he moved his mouth closer to her ear.
"Thought I wasn't going to make it?" Draco asked lowly.
"Would I think something like that?" Leila questioned back.
"Yes, yes would," Draco whispered in her ear which caused shivers to shoot down her spine.
"Only a little," Leila said.
"And this would be one of those times we were discussing before," Daphne muttered.
Turning around to face him, Leila bit her bottom lip somewhat nervously which caused Draco to chuckle. Daphne shook her head and walked away.
"Nothing could stop me from coming to the first Leila Potter birthday party I was actually invited to," Draco smirked.
Leila started a chuckle before she thought about the truth of Draco's words. She and Draco had never been on the same page so to speak, for any of her birthdays. Granted, for most of them she had simply found him an annoying prat; but last year's birthday was different. Last year's birthday they were broken up and not only that; but she was with Fred. Leila closed her and eyes and tried to focus on breathing; but the memories of Fred rushed through her mind which made her heart hurt. Fred had been so kind to her and where had that gotten him? He was dead. A feeling that resembled guilt settled in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to enjoy her time with Draco, she did; but it seemed like the past always found a way of haunting her when she was with him. So, she did what she was good at and buried those emotions for the time being. Leila looked back up to Draco who knew something was wrong, but she put on a smile for him.
"That's not going to fool me this time," Draco said.
"It's nothing," Leila said.
"No, it's something. Something that we probably should talk about," Draco furthered.
"Now isn't the time, Draco," Leila responded. "I'm sure between the two of us we'd have plenty of 'somethings' to talk about and I don't want to do this in front of everyone."
"There it is again, the old Leila dodge the confrontation move," Draco scoffed.
"Because you're clearly innocent of doing the same? I don't think so," Leila scoffed back.
"You know what? You're right, now isn't the time. It's your birthday and I'm not going to be the reason you didn't enjoy it," Draco said ending the conversation.
"Dinner's ready!" Mrs. Weasley called.
Leila looked up to Draco who nodded his head toward the long line of tables that were weighed down by all the food. She followed after Draco in silence. The two spots across from each other in the middle of the line of tables were reserved for Leila and Harry. Even if Draco wasn't too happy with her, he still did the chivalrous thing and pulled her chair out for her. Leila sat down on the chair as Draco took the seat to her right. She looked over to him, but he only looked straight ahead at the birthday cake. Leila reached her hand underneath the table and grasped his somewhat shaking hand, which caused him to look at her with his peripheral vision. She knew something was making him nervous; but it couldn't be that tiny little spat, could it? Fighting was just a part of who they were as a couple and Draco knew that. But as she replayed the conversation over in her head, it wasn't anywhere close to being one of their blow-out fights. No, it was just a little bump in the road as far as their fights went; but why was Draco acting so strangely now?
Remus sat down on Leila's other side with Teddy in his arms. At almost four months old, Teddy demanded his father's utmost attention. Remus bounced Teddy on his knee as the food began to be passed around the table. Leila dished out food for her godfather and herself before she looked around the tables at the people she loved. From across the table, she caught her brother's eye and she could tell that he was "feeling the love" as well. There was good food, laughter, good conversation, and people whom they loved. Leila caught a glimpse of Daphne talking with Fleur, Narcissa talking with Molly, Draco talking across the table with Ron and Charlie…years ago she never would have thought this was possible. Leila remained rather silent as she began to eat, opting to listen in on other conversations instead.
"If you're that curious, Draco, you're more than welcome to come spend some time in Romania with me," Charlie said.
"I don't know. It's just that after getting that letter from McGonagall, I've been trying to somewhat sort out my future and now especially, since I don't have to go to Azkaban," Draco said.
"I think I'd prefer Azkaban than going back to school for another year, you know?" Ron began. "I mean, we kinda already learned what we need to know. We've had that real life experience they were always telling us we needed. Besides, if it's something I'd learn in a book; I'd be better off asking Hermione to explain it to me."
"So you're not going back then?" Leila asked Ron.
"Hell no," Ron said. "Are you?"
"Well, I…" Leila began.
"Leila, can you please hold Teddy so I can eat?" Remus asked.
Leila willingly took her godson into her arms with a big smile on her face. Teddy smiled a toothless grin up at her which caused her to giggle. While Harry would never admit it, Teddy liked her better or at least that's what she liked to think. Leila scrunched her nose to make a funny face before she swooped in and pressed a kiss against Teddy's chubby cheek. She pulled her face back and smiled at the little guy again. She didn't even realize the boy seated beside her was watching her with a hopeful and amused look on his face. At the moment, Leila only had eyes for her godson who yawned before he blinked slowly.
"It's about time he tired out," Remus sighed. "He didn't nap today."
"You just don't have the magic touch," Leila winked.
Leila pushed her chair back and stood up with her godson in her arms. She walked around the garden singing to Teddy. It was the one thing she had found that calmed him: being sung to. Leila sang the melody that her mother had sung to her when she was a baby, the same melody as…the music box. For a minute, Leila's eyes began to well with tears. Why was everything seemingly coming back to Fred today? She knew that he was gone and that there was no bringing him back; but sometimes that hole in her heart seemed to grow bigger every passing day without him. She missed him, but sometimes she felt guilty about missing Fred because of Draco. She knew that it was weird and somewhat wrong; but sometimes, she wondered what would have happened if it had been Draco that died and Fred had lived. Things probably wouldn't be any easier; but somehow her mind couldn't help but wonder. Romantically, she had tangled quite a web last year and her heart was at the middle of it. She loved Draco dearly; but sometimes, you just don't realize how much you cared for people until they're gone and that was the case with Fred. He was gone and with him went a piece of her heart; a piece she would probably never get back.
In all her confusion, she didn't even realize that Teddy had fallen asleep in her arms. She hoped that he would never have to know the pain and devastating heartbreak caused by the war. Not to mention that if she, Remus, and Harry had their way, Teddy wouldn't start dating until after he was married. But just looking at the kid, being a heartbreaker seemed inevitable. Leila placed a gentle kiss on Teddy's forehead as she rocked the sleeping baby in her arms. Taking care of him almost seemed natural. Granted, the first few weeks she seemed to do everything wrong; but now that she had the hang of things, she enjoyed taking care of him...most of the time. Diapers were still not her strong suit. Remus walked over to her and offered to take Teddy in the house; but Leila insisted that she would do it. So, Leila walked Leila into the Burrow where a Moses basket stood in the living room. They had weekly dinners, sometimes three or four times a week, over at the Weasleys and Mrs. Weasley made sure there was a bed for Teddy so that there was no excuse for them not to come over. Sometimes it seemed between the Burrow and Andromeda's house, they were hardly ever home at Grimmauld Place. Leila carefully laid Teddy in the Moses basket before she gently rocked it to make sure that he was asleep.
"Leila, it's time for cake and presents," Ginny said softly.
"I don't know that I can leave him," Leila sighed as she rocked the Moses basket. "He's just so adorable. What if he wakes up?"
"Teddy will be just fine. He's sleeping and we're right in the garden where we'll be able to hear him if he wakes up," Ginny argued. "Besides, we could hardly sing happy birthday to you if you aren't here."
"I suppose you're right," Leila agreed.
"The way you dote over Teddy…" Ginny teased.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leila questioned.
"Nothing, you'll probably make a great mother someday," Ginny smiled.
"Well, I don't plan on being a mother for a long time yet," Leila retorted.
Ginny didn't respond with words, but the look on her face spoke volumes. Clearly, she wasn't convinced by Leila's words. Leila rolled her eyes at Ginny before she stood up and walked out of the house toward the garden. The place looked breathtaking in the fading twilight with the twinkling candles and loved ones. As she approached the entrance to the garden, Mrs. Weasley grabbed her by the arm and dragged her over to where her brother stood before she levitated one giant cake onto the table. The cake was in the shape of a Firebolt. Mrs. Weasley was always able to impress them with her cooking and baking. Leila couldn't remember the last time she got to fly her Firebolt, she had been under a Quidditch ban last year; but when they had to escape the fiery inferno that was the Room of Requirement, they used some rickety old brooms. Hermione placed candles on the cake and then the singing began. It always embarrassed her to no end when people sang to her like this. She much preferred to do the singing; but thankfully, this sort of embarrassment only happened once a year. Leila stood beside her brother, her face flushed, as the singing finally came to an end. The twins looked to each other before they blew out the candles together and the group began to clap.
Mrs. Weasley shooed the Potter twins away from the table so that she could dish up the cake for the guests. Leila looked up at Draco and smiled at him before he was engaged in a conversation with Ron, Harry, and Neville. Hermione handed her a piece of cake, an outside edge piece with lots of frosting, which she began to eat before she walked over to Draco's side.
"Gran wants me to go back. Says I didn't get a proper education last year and that my parents would have wanted me to finish up Hogwarts," Neville said.
"Are you still scared of your Gran, Neville?" Ron asked.
"Nah, but she does have a point. I do want to make my parents proud and it's only a year of my life," Neville said.
"What about becoming an Auror like them?" Harry asked. "I'm joining up as soon as Leila will let me."
"I never said…" Leila began.
"Was only joking, Leila," Harry chuckled.
"The way I see it, the Auror department will still be around after graduating Hogwarts. I don't think you're going to catch all the Dark wizards in one year," Neville said.
"Care to bet on it?" Harry smirked.
"You're good…but not that good," Draco responded.
"Well, Professor Sprout says…" Neville began.
"Mate, when are you going to catch on that we don't give a damn about plants?" Ron asked.
The group laughed as Neville shook his head. Finally, when everyone had finished their cake, Mrs. Weasley ushered the twins back to the table so that they could open their gifts. Leila wasn't sure what to expect, seeing as she already had everything she could possibly ask for. The twins both opened their presents at the same time. Leila received books, sweets, and clothes. She had to admit that she was somewhat disappointed by Draco's gift of Pumpkin Pasties and a book. Granted, she had once told him that she wanted the book; but for some reason she expected more from him. The twins thanked everyone for their gifts as the mingling began once more.
Leila stood up to find Draco only to find that he had disappeared. She wanted to go find him; but she was interrupted by Professor McGonagall and several other guests preparing to leave. They said their goodbyes and Professor McGonagall said that they would be in touch soon before they Disapparated away. Daphne walked up to her and hugged her.
"Don't tell me you're leaving too?" Leila said.
"Not yet, soon though; but I think the person you're looking for is pacing himself into a hole in the ground," Daphne said.
Daphne turned Leila around so that she was facing the back door of the Burrow, where just as Daphne said, Draco was pacing. Leila turned back to look at Daphne.
"Go on," Daphne said.
"Are you sure?" Leila asked.
"Yes; but I swear if I have to have another conversation about Nargles, Wrackspurts, and whatever else the hell she makes up; you're going to owe me," Daphne said.
"Aw, I'm so proud of you making friends," Leila teased.
"You better watch it, Lovegood just might be taking your place," Daphne teased back.
"I'm sure your mother would absolutely love her," Leila laughed.
"That would be entertaining," Daphne agreed. "Now go."
"I'm going, I'm going," Leila said.
Leila walked across the grass to where Draco paced. She chuckled as she stopped him, but he found it hard to look down at her. She was more surprised to find him breathing rather raggedly as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Leila wrapped her arms around his midsection and attempted to look up at him.
"It's so hard to get a moment alone with you," Draco said.
"Draco, you're acting rather odd," Leila chuckled. "Did Harry spike your Butterbeer with Firewhisky?"
"Can't a bloke just want a minute alone with his girl?" Draco asked.
"All right," Leila smiled. "Teddy's asleep, so we should be safe inside."
Leila slipped her fingers through his as she led Draco into the house. Once inside, Draco looked once to make sure no one was watching them before he pushed Leila up against a wall.
"Draco," Leila gasped.
But Draco didn't say anything. Instead he swooped in and crashed his lips onto Leila's. Her eyes widened in surprise as she was soon returning Draco's kisses. Merlin, it had been a long time since they had been like this. It reminded her of their days sneaking around Hogwarts for abandoned classrooms during their sixth year, only this time Harry knew about them and he approved. When the couple broke for air, Leila placed her hands on Draco's chest and chuckled.
"What we're best at: sneaking around," Leila said shaking her head.
"Do you disapprove?" Draco asked.
"No," Leila said a little out of breath. "But you've still never taken me on a proper date."
"Have too," Draco responded.
"I hardly think sneaking off to the Hogwarts kitchens counts as a date," Leila smirked.
"Well, maybe if someone wasn't so stubborn we could have had plenty of them," Draco smirked back.
"And miss seeing Parkinson drag your sorry arse into Madam Puddifoots? I don't think so. I had quite a laugh at your expense," Leila teased.
"Horrible place," Draco reminisced. "The entire time I thought the only thing that could've made that place more tolerable was you."
"Liar, I'm sure Parkinson kept you occupied," Leila furthered.
At the second mention of Pansy, Draco looked rather uncomfortable. Leila looked at him in confusion as Draco rested his hands on her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes.
"You know that I never loved Pansy right? Only you," Draco said.
"I know," Leila answered.
"And I plan on only loving you," Draco continued.
"Well, I'd hope so," Leila responded.
"You see, I've been thinking a lot about the future, we all have. But I mean, I've really been thinking about what's important to me and what matters; and I know that for me, that's you…" Draco began.
Suddenly, Teddy's cries filled the room. Leila told Draco to hold his thought as she walked over to the Moses basket. Tears were streaming down Teddy's face as he continued to wail. Leila bent over and picked him before she began to bounce him in her arms.
"Poor thing probably had a nightmare," Leila muttered.
From the look on Draco's face it was hard to distinguish if he was amused or flustered. But Leila offered him a smile as she continued to gently bounce Teddy as she walked. Teddy's shrill screams soon turned into silent sobs. His big light brown eyes, with flecks of grey looked up at his godmother trustingly. Leila pressed a kiss against the child's forehead before she walked over to Draco.
"Hold him for a minute, will you?" Leila asked.
"Me? Hold him? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Draco questioned.
"Only for a minute while I get him some warm milk. It'll help him go back to sleep," Leila responded.
Rather reluctantly, Draco agreed as he held his arms out awkwardly to take Teddy.
"Really? In all the time's he's been over to Andromeda's, when I know you've been there, you haven't held him yet?" Leila asked.
"With Mother and Aunt Andie fussing over him, there was no reason for me to," Draco answered.
Leila instructed Draco on how to properly hold Teddy. Draco held onto Teddy awkwardly for a few moments, before the baby somewhat relaxed in his arms. Leila stayed beside Draco for a few more moments to make sure that he would be fine with Teddy, before she walked to the kitchen to get some milk. Then Remus came bursting through the door and his eyes widened at the sight of the couple.
"I didn't realize you two were in here," Remus said.
"Teddy woke up," Leila said.
"I heard him. That's why I came," Remus responded.
"Just warming up some milk to get him back to sleep," Leila smiled.
"Well, I'll take it from here," Remus smiled.
Remus took his son from Draco as Leila handed him the warmed up bottle of milk.
"We'll leave you two alone," Remus said
But no sooner than Remus left did Mrs. Weasley come bustling into the kitchen. Draco looked to Leila and sighed. This wasn't going as he had planned. He then reached for Leila's hand before he led her out of the house to find a place with a little more privacy. He led her around the house and Leila willingly followed. They rounded the corner to find that their secluded place wasn't so secluded after all. In fact, they came upon Harry snogging Ginny. Draco and Leila came to a sudden halt with their eyes wide at the couple.
"Draco!" Ginny said pushing Harry away upon noticing the others.
"Harry?" Draco asked
"Leila!" Harry gasped.
"My eyes!" Leila cringed as she turned into Draco. "Please tell me it's over!"
"Very funny Leila, after everything I had to put up with because of you two…" Harry began.
"We'll—erm—we'll just be going then," Draco said.
With all four of them blushing furiously, Draco ushered Leila away.
"Now that's a mental image I wish I could erase," Leila commented.
"It's not like we didn't do the same thing to him on multiple occasions," Draco argued.
"Well, this isn't the first time he's done this to me either," Leila retorted.
"I think the only place left for us to have any privacy is that old tree swing I saw a ways out," Draco responded.
"No, not there," Leila gasped.
Draco looked at Leila quizzically; but Leila couldn't bear to go to that swing with Draco. Not, when the place had memories of Fred haunting it. She couldn't desecrate the place like that, especially not when it had only been a year. A year since she and Fred had a heart to heart on that swing. She wasn't ready to let go of that memory, not yet.
"Then, I'm all out of ideas," Draco sighed.
"I think I know a place where we can go to be alone," Leila smirked.
Leila took Draco's hand before pulling her wand out before they Disapparated. They landed on the front steps of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and then Leila opened the door for them to go inside. Still leading him by the hand, Leila pulled Draco up the stairs. They went up as far as the stairs did before Leila pointed her wand up at the ceiling. Suddenly, a door appeared on the ceiling and a ladder slowly descended toward them. Leila began to climb the ladder and told Draco to follow after her. When she came to the top of the ladder, she thrust open the door and pulled herself outside. Draco followed after her to find that they were on the roof. It wasn't much, but there was a small flat area and an old telescope.
"Sirius showed me this place fifth year," Leila said lightly. "I don't think he told Harry or anyone else; said he came here to think and that he knew I needed to do some thinking, alone. The Muggles can't see us; but we get this great view of the city. It's a nice place, as long as it isn't down pouring."
"And no one to interrupt us?" Draco asked.
"No one alive at least," Leila chuckled.
Leila sat down on the roof and motioned for Draco to do the same. He obliged and sat down beside Leila. He looked over the city's lights as Leila snuggled closer to him. Looking down at her caused him to sigh; this was probably his chance, so he needed to take it.
"Leila, I've missed you," Draco whispered.
"I've missed you too," Leila whispered back.
"I miss us," Draco furthered.
"I'm sorry I haven't always been there as I should. I just didn't know what with you losing your father and…" Leila began.
"Please stop talking for a moment. I need you to hear what I have to say," Draco interrupted.
"I'm listening," Leila said straightening up.
"For months now, I think we've both been waiting for the other to figure things out; but Leila, I'm tired of waiting," Draco began. "What I was trying to tell you before, was that I've been thinking about my life and every time I do, it always comes back to one thing: you. Leila I still want to spend my life with you; that is something that has never changed. I hate that we let weeks go by without seeing each other and that is something that I want to change. Sweetheart, I know we're ready for the next step for us. I've already asked you once and I still have the ring and everything. So what do you say?"
Draco nervously reached into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring he had given her last year. He placed the ring into Leila's hands as she sat there silently staring at it, a million different things running through her head.
"Well, aren't you going to say anything?" Draco asked.
Leila opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. She then bit her lip before looking up to him. How was she supposed to make the right words come out? A year ago, she had been forced into an engagement. She had fooled herself into thinking that she was ready at the time; but she wasn't and right now she couldn't fool herself into thinking that she was once again ready.
"Draco now's not really a good time," Leila sighed before biting her lip again.
"Not a good time?" Draco questioned, clearly surprised by her response.
"I probably should have gone first," Leila muttered. "Professor McGonagall's offered to let me be an apprentice at Hogwarts this year while continuing to finish up my studies. I told her that I'd do it."
This time it was Draco who couldn't find the words. He somewhat pushed Leila away from him as he turned the opposite direction to look over the city. Leila groaned as she tugged at his shirt so that he would face her.
"Draco," Leila groaned.
Draco's chest moved as Leila tugged at his shirt but he still continued to look away. He couldn't fully comprehend what she was saying right now and if it was something this important why hadn't she told him about it until now? This changed everything; but he needed to be sure.
"So you're saying no?" Draco asked his voice sounding thick.
"No, I'm not saying no," Leila said reaching for Draco's hand. "I'm just saying, not right now; I want to marry you someday, Draco. Someday, but not right now. I have so many things I still want to do with my life before I start settling down. For Merlin's sake Draco, we're both barely eighteen."
"Sorry for such a silly idea as marriage," Draco scoffed.
"It wasn't silly, Draco," Leila sighed. "It's just that the timing isn't right."
"Never is," Draco muttered.
"Draco, I love you. You have to realize that; but the war consumed so much of our lives that we never really got a chance to live them. I think we both deserve to have that chance for a little while and maybe in a year or two we'll both be ready," Leila said.
"We've already grown so far apart these past few months, who knows what's going to happen in a couple of years, hell, even a year from now?" Draco furthered.
"How can you be talking about our love lasting forever if you won't even give it a year?" Leila said.
"Because I know how much things can change in a year. Look at the past year of your life Leila and tell me, was it anything like you imagined it would be?" Draco argued.
"You know it isn't," Leila responded. "But one thing that hasn't changed is that I still love you. Sure, I tried to deny it for the longest time; but it was always there. I never stopped. I loved you then and I still do."
"Just not enough," Draco sighed.
"Draco, why are you making this now or never?" Leila groaned.
"I'm done talking about this," Draco hissed.
"Draco, don't be mad," Leila begged.
"I'm not mad, Leila; just disappointed. This just didn't go anything like I planned it to," Draco groaned pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Then let's just forget this conversation happened," Leila whispered.
Leila and cuddled in close to Draco who looked to her and sighed. As much as he wanted to, there was no way he was going to be able to "forget" this conversation. Feeling rather numb, he let Leila melt against him as he wrapped his arms around her. Just wanting to forget, they both fell asleep outside under the city lights and stars. For awhile they slept there until Draco awoke to raindrops beginning to fall on them. After performing a rain shield, he somehow maneuvered Leila back downstairs and into her own bed. He gently pried the ring from Leila's clutched hand and placed it in his pocket. Draco placed one more soft kiss against her cheek before he left in retreat.