Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Jo's characters, places, things, etc. Obviously.
… … … …
Leila awoke the next morning slightly confused. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the roof in Draco's arms after…after that horrendous fight and now here she was in her bedroom. She knew she was being somewhat selfish wanting to live her own life for a while; but Draco deserved the same thing. Maybe with a bit of clarity, he would understand what she had been talking about. Speaking of Draco, where was he? Had he really left without saying goodbye? It wasn't like Draco just to leave. She patted the bed beside her, but there was no Draco. She got out of bed only to find that she was still dressed in her outfit from the day before. Not wanting to draw suspicion, she wrapped her bathrobe around her body and headed downstairs. Maybe Draco had gotten hungry? She made her way to the kitchen looked to be empty.
"This isn't funny, Draco," Leila whispered.
She bent over and looked under the table.
"What are you doing?" Harry yawned.
"I—I'm not looking for anyone, if that's what you're thinking," Leila retorted standing straight.
"Well now I am. Who are you looking for?" Harry asked.
"I—erm—you know—Teddy?" Leila fumbled for words.
At that moment, Remus walked into the kitchen holding Teddy. Harry looked suspiciously at Leila as Leila walked toward Remus and Teddy.
"And there he is. Remus found him; so glad he's safe," Leila said.
"Because he can get so far in his crib," Remus said, looking at Leila oddly.
"Leila," Harry said.
Leila purposely avoided looking at her brother. She knew that this wasn't over with him as she attempted to bolt from the kitchen; but Harry had anticipated her move. He quickly ran after her as she maneuvered through the house when out of nowhere Harry appeared after a popping noise and he firmly grabbed Leila. Leila muttered an obscenity at her brother as she tried to remove his grip on her; but she couldn't move away from him. Her robe came untied, revealing the clothes she had been wearing yesterday. Harry looked very focused as he held his sister.
"What are you hiding?" Harry asked.
"Nothing," Leila groaned.
"You're lying. You left the party early last night and I assume with Draco," Harry said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leila retorted.
"Did Draco spend the night?" Harry furthered.
"That's a question I can't answer," Leila said.
"Can't or won't?" Harry asked.
"Can't; I fell asleep on him when we were on the roof and next thing I know I'm waking up in my room. Honest," Leila said.
"Why were you on the roof last night?" Harry asked.
Leila thought for a moment about last night: a memory she would much rather forget. Seeing the pain it had brought to Draco's face, the look of utter betrayal, in no way brought back pleasant memories. No, they would both do well just to move past last night. Everything was just happening too soon. For so long they had to live their lives with a now or never mentality but there was no reason to live that way anymore. They had their whole lives ahead of them, with no threat of Voldemort to crush their hopes and dreams. For so long their lives had to revolve around the Dark Lord, but now was their chance to live the lives they had always wanted to live. Harry continued to look at her, demanding an answer to which Leila's initial response was a sigh.
"Harry, I really don't want to talk about it," Leila said.
"Leila…" Harry began.
"What don't you understand about 'I don't want to talk about it'?" Leila hissed.
After giving Harry a look of disgust she stomped away from him toward the kitchen. Harry, knowing that he wasn't going to get anywhere with her like this, simply followed her to the kitchen in hopes of breakfast and that she would talk later. When Leila entered the kitchen, she found Remus walking around the kitchen feeding Teddy his bottle. Seconds later, Harry followed her into the kitchen and Remus looked at them both for an explanation, but neither twin offered one.
"Where's Kreacher?" Harry asked. "I was hoping for some breakfast."
"I can make something," Leila offered.
"NO!" Remus and Harry responded simultaneously.
"I think I can handle cereal," Leila muttered.
"After your attempt at making a cake, I don't think Kreacher wants you anywhere near his kitchen," Harry grinned.
"It wasn't that bad," Leila groaned.
"Burned on the outside and runny in the middle. I suppose it does take talent to mess it up that bad," Harry furthered.
"Uncle Remus," Leila pleaded.
"I have to agree with Harry on this one, Leila," Remus chuckled.
"Well…I have to practice somehow to get any good at it," Leila retorted.
"You're not practicing on my stomach," Harry said. "Kreacher!"
Kreacher immediately appeared before Harry. He bowed low with his Master Regulus's locket thumping against his chest when Harry surprisingly kindly asked Kreacher to cook them some breakfast. Leila wasn't sure what the house-elf's response was but she was pretty sure it involved her name and a glance at her. Honestly, it wasn't like she had gotten much of a chance to cook in her life. At the Dursleys' that job had almost always been delegated to Harry if Aunt Petunia didn't do it herself. And last year when they had been on the run, Hermione had done the cooking if they had any. Leila was perfectly capable of making things that didn't require cooking; like cereal or a salad. She also made a mean cup of tea; but other than that, she had no experience.
While Kreacher was preparing breakfast, Leila quickly ran upstairs and changed into more comfortable clothes than the skirt and blouse she had put on before Draco's trial. She dressed herself in one of her old Slytherin shirts and a pair of jeans before she returned to the kitchen. Upon her return to the kitchen, she found bowls of porridge already on the table and Remus and Harry already eating heartily. Leila took a seat on the wooden bench beside her brother and was about to bring her spoon to her mouth when Ron walked through the doorway into the kitchen. He looked at the table and patted his stomach.
"Second breakfast? Don't mind if I do," Ron said.
"Good morning to you too," Leila said rolling her eyes.
Ron just slid on the bench beside Remus as Harry asked Kreacher for another bowl. Kreacher obliged and roughly pushed a bowl across the table toward Ron. Ron began to shovel the porridge into his mouth while Leila watched in disgust. Harry chuckled as Leila pushed her bowl away from her.
"I don't think I can eat anymore," Leila said.
"I'll eat it," Ron mumbled between bites.
"Of course you will," Leila retorted.
"At least it won't go to waste like the bowl Mrs. Weasley gave you before we left for the World Cup," Harry joked.
"Shut up, Harry," Leila muttered.
"Face first into your bowl of porridge; priceless," Harry laughed.
"And of course I missed it," Ron said after pulling Leila's bowl toward him. "Speaking of missing things; Leila where were you this morning?"
"I was sleeping; why?" Leila asked.
"Just thought you would've been by to see Draco off," Ron shrugged.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leila furthered.
"Draco's gone to Romania with Charlie," Ron said scooping a bite of porridge.
"He what?" Leila shrieked.
By this point Leila was standing on her feet practically leaning across the table as Ron looked at Leila in confusion.
"You didn't know?" Ron asked.
"Do you think I'd be acting like this if I had already known?" Leila hissed.
"Leila, settle down, I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation to all this," Remus said.
"He came back over last night; after you two had disappeared. He seemed bothered about something; but he insisted that this was something he had been considering since his first plan backfired," Ron continued.
"D—Did he tell you about the plan that backfired?" Leila asked barely above a whisper.
"No, just assumed it was the whole Death Eater thing," Ron shrugged. "You really didn't know about him leaving?"
"He might have just said something and it slipped my mind. I mean we've both been so busy lately," Leila lied attempting to fight off the tears that threatened to spill.
Leila couldn't concentrate on Harry and Ron's conversation as her head began to swim. Draco had actually left her. He hadn't just left her last night, but he actually left the country without telling her. She knew she had been selfish in asking to wait; but at least she had told him. Ron had to tell her that he had left. Leila couldn't sit there any longer without breaking down in front of those at the table, so she quietly excused herself and fled for sanctuary in her bedroom. She wasn't even to her room yet when the tears began to flow freely. What did this mean for the two of them? And why didn't he tell her? Now wasn't the time when everything was supposed to fall apart. Now was the time for healing and growing together. She knew that she had been pulling away from him lately; but with all her emotions, it didn't seem fair to lay it all on him when he had his own to deal with. Not to mention that she didn't know where to begin to approach the subject of Fred with him.
Was this her fault because she wasn't ready to make a life-long commitment to him? Should she have said yes? While part of her did regret it, because she had once promised him that she would marry him; deep down, she knew that it wasn't fair to either of them. They both had dreams and ambitions and were so young. Granted, her parents married young. They couldn't have been much older than she was when they married if they had her and Harry by the time they were twenty. But part of her rationalized that was the thing to do in the middle of the war. People wanted to make sure that they had families to go home to at night; but the thing was, the war was over. Besides, no matter how selfish it sounded, Leila wanted to hold on to her childhood while she still could. For so many years she had been forced to grow up faster than she should have; she just wanted to be a normal eighteen year old. Leila sat on her bed with her knees curled up to her chest, crying when a knock came at the door. After she wiped away the tears that were blinding her, she looked up to see Hermione standing in her doorway. Noticing the tears streaming down Leila's face, Hermione rushed over to her friend's side.
"Leila are you okay?" Hermione asked.
"I will be," Leila sniffled.
"What happened?" Hermione questioned.
"I—I said I'll be fine," Leila whimpered.
"Well, you look to be physically fine; so that leads me to assume that it's something emotional," Hermione deduced.
"Hermione, I appreciate this, I do; but it's still all too new to me to even begin to try to figure it out with you," Leila whispered.
"If you're sure," Hermione said. "I suppose this would be a bad time to remind you that you promised to go to Diagon Alley with me to pick up my school supplies?"
"I completely forgot," Leila groaned.
"If you don't want to go…" Hermione started.
"No, no; I made you a promise and I'm going to keep that promise," Leila said.
"But if you're not up to it…" Hermione began.
"If anything, maybe it will help me clear my head," Leila interrupted. "But I'm going to need some time to get ready."
"Take all the time you need," Hermione said gently squeezing Leila's hand. "I'll just be downstairs."
Leila nodded her head as Hermione offered her a reassuring smile before she left the room. For a few minutes she just sat there staring blankly ahead at the wall, almost paralyzed and unable to move. She really wouldn't have minded about Draco leaving as much if he would have told her about it, left her a note or something, or if they hadn't been on such fragile terms the last time they had been together. Or there could always be the possibility that she was blowing this completely out of proportion. Technically, she didn't tell Draco about McGonagall's job offer until after she had already accepted. So maybe this was his way of doing the same. Maybe they just needed some time and everything would blow right over. But right now she needed to clear her head and shopping was her self-prescribed antidote. Slowly, she walked to her bathroom down the corridor. She splashed her face with warm water, trying to soften any blotches her tears had left on her cheeks. After running a brush through her hair she headed downstairs. She stopped just outside the kitchen where she could eavesdrop on Harry, Hermione, and Ron's conversation.
"Are Draco and Leila having a spat?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno, they seemed fine yesterday," Harry responded.
"But if there's one thing Draco and Leila know how to do, it's fight," Hermione said.
"What could be so bad that it would cause Draco to go to Romania?" Ron asked.
"We don't even know that it has anything to do with Leila," Hermione commented.
"But you just said…" Ron began.
"I'm entitled to change my opinion, Ronald," Hermione groaned.
"Now that I think about it more…and as much as I hate to say it, I think it does have to do with her," Harry said.
"What aren't you telling us?" Hermione asked.
"I need to talk to Leila first," Harry said. "If she'll actually talk to me about it. I tried earlier; but she was very dodgy."
"Sounds like Leila," Ron said.
Leila exhaled slowly before stepping into the kitchen.
"What sounds like me?" Leila asked.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat there staring at Leila, not vocalizing a response. Leila shook her head before she straightened her shoulders.
"For the record, I'm fine," Leila said more for her own benefit than to convince them. "Hermione, let's go."
"Leila, are you leaving?" Remus called from another room.
"We're going to Diagon Alley," Leila called back.
Remus walked into the kitchen, surprisingly without Teddy and leaned against the doorframe.
"Looks like I'll just have to drop Teddy off at Andromeda's," Remus said.
"Why can't Harry watch him?" Leila asked.
"Because Harry has tickets to the Chudley Cannons match today," Harry responded. "And Harry is taking Ron and Remus with him."
"You don't have to talk in third person, you prat," Leila responded.
"Well, Harry just wanted to make sure that Leila knew that Harry was unavailable," Harry continued.
"I don't know how long the match will last; so can you stop by Andromeda's on your way home? If Teddy's there could you pick him up please?" Remus asked.
"I suppose I can do that," Leila sighed.
"Also, don't make any plans for tomorrow night, Harry and Leila. I want to have a family dinner here," Remus added.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"You'll find out tomorrow," Remus said.
With that, Remus left the kitchen and Leila looked over to Hermione who stood up from her spot at the table. From the pitter patter on the roof, Leila knew that it was raining outside, so she grabbed one of her cloaks that was hanging in the entryway and wrapped it around her body. Hermione also put her cloak on before they walked out the front door. The girls Disapparated from Grimmauld Place and appeared firmly on the ground outside of Gringotts. Leila's breath hitched at the thought of the last time she had been here. She had been with Draco. That seemed much like a distant memory now compared to the nightmare she was going through right now.
"I need to exchange some of my Muggle money," Hermione said.
Leila nodded her head, attempting to keep her tears in check, before she followed Hermione into the bank. She was somewhat surprised that they didn't have a lifetime ban from the bank; but that didn't mean going into the bank was a piece of cake either. The goblins were severely distrustful of them. Breaking in and out of their bank probably wasn't the best idea to help them begin to trust witches and wizards; but the situation was dire and at the time it was their only option. They moment they entered the bank, they were escorted by two goblins…one for each of them. Hermione and Leila both insisted that they had no desire to make a repeat performance; but the goblins didn't seem to believe them. Hermione led them over to one of them goblin tellers and explained to him that she wanted to exchange her money. The goblin teller looked at her as if he didn't believe her before she handed him her Muggle money. Even then, the goblin snatched the money from Hermione so that she couldn't take it back.
"This is ridiculous," Leila muttered. "We did them a favor by getting rid of that Horcrux."
"But our methods weren't exactly subtle," Hermione said diplomatically. "I mean, we did destroy some of the bank."
"What were we supposed to do, ask nicely?" Leila scoffed. "Hey, by the way, you have one of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes in one of your vaults. Mind if we take it?"
"I'm just saying that I don't blame them for not trusting us. I'm sure it's something that we'll eventually gain back," Hermione said.
"I don't think what we did is something they'll forget," Leila said.
"Then we'll just have to show them that it was a onetime thing," Hermione said.
The goblin teller cleared his throat and handed Hermione back her money in Wizarding currency. Hermione started to count her money when an odd look came over her face.
"I'm sorry; but I think you've made a mistake. I'm short..." Hermione began.
"No you're not," the goblin said.
"Yes, I am," Hermione insisted.
"Think of it as reparation," the goblin sneered.
Hermione's eyes widened at the goblin.
"You—you can't do that," Hermione responded.
"Already have," the goblin hissed.
"But according to…" Hermione began.
"Hermione, let's just go. I can lend you some money if you need it," Leila said.
"That's not the point," Hermione muttered.
Leila yanked Hermione by the arm and escorted her from the bank. The goblins walked with them much to Leila's dismay. She could only think of one other time she had been more thankful to be out of that bank and that was after she had been trapped below. Hermione stopped them on the bank's steps and exhaled deeply before she ran her fingers through her hair.
"I completely overreacted in there," Hermione sighed.
"I'm sure most people would have thought that was calm," Leila commented.
"It is our own faults that they're treating us the way they are," Hermione rationalized.
"But do you really think that you can go through life with them continually short-changing you?" Leila asked..
"Maybe if we could just show them that we're on their side. Let them know that we're on their side," Hermione said.
Leila didn't respond. She knew that once a goblin's trust was lost, it was damn near impossible to gain it back. They took a few steps down the alley when more thoughts of Draco began to rush through her head. It seemed as if almost all of her more recent memories in Diagon Alley somehow involved Draco. Before sixth year, they had followed him into Knockturn Alley and they had witnessed him inspecting the Vanishing Cabinet in Borgin and Burke as part of his new position in Voldemort's Death Eaters. Before seventh year, she had been forced to go as some sort of plot to convince Harry that she had betrayed him by accepting Draco's proposal of marriage. Granted, that time hadn't actually been a proposal, but the pictures in the Prophet clearly painted another picture. Then, the last time they had been here was when they broke in and out of Gringotts. Leila began to breathe heavily as the thoughts of Draco continued to flood her mind.
"Leila, tell me what's going on," Hermione sighed.
"It might be nothing," Leila said.
"You can tell me anything," Hermione furthered.
"I—I know that," Leila sighed.
Leila put on a brave face and attempted to take a few more steps forward when the bright spot of Diagon Alley came into view: Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. She muttered an obscenity under her breath. It seemed that now she was on edge because of Draco that any and every emotion decided to plague her. Fred. Draco. She really just needed some fresh air, which was odd considering she was standing outside; but it felt like the walls of Diagon Alley were growing closer together, ready to swallow her whole. Feeling like she was going to lose her balance, she grabbed onto Hermione's arm and closed her eyes.
"You don't act like this over nothing," Hermione scoffed.
Leila took a moment to steady her breathing. She needed to calm her emotions and not let them control her. She needed to stay level-headed; but anytime Draco was concerned her level-headedness was thrown out the window. She really needed to just act normal. When Leila opened her eyes, she found Hermione staring at her, demanding an answer.
"If there's one thing I know about you, Leila, it's when you're keeping something from someone. Granted, usually you let me know what that is and we're both keeping that secret from Harry; but I know you're keeping something," Hermione responded.
"I'm fine. Flourish and Blotts?" Leila suggested ignoring Hermione.
"Would you quit being so stubborn?" Hermione groaned.
"Just a lot of memories here," Leila said somewhat truthfully. "I have to deal with them eventually, so why not now?"
"You're impossible sometimes," Hermione said shaking her head.
Leila still holding onto Hermione's arm, led her down the Alley to Flourish and Blotts. She briefly remembered her encounter with Draco in the store before second year; but she needed to stop obsessing over something that probably meant nothing. So, she began to search for some of Hermione's school books. Leila didn't really need to shop because except for her Defense textbook, the rest of the books were the same. She really hoped that Muggle Studies was no longer compulsory; although it wouldn't hurt the younger students to be a little more educated properly on Muggles, she didn't want to take an extra class by correspondence. Leila could tell that Hermione was still a bit perturbed with her, so she decided to break the ice.
"So will you be staying in the dormitories?" Leila asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "It would be kind of strange."
"Would you stay with your parents?" Leila questioned curiously.
"Well…I overheard Professor McGonagall talking to Remus at the party about the Floo connection being reconnected at Grimmauld Place with a connection to Hogwarts and I started thinking…I'm assuming that you'll be heading back and you can say no and I know that you'll have to talk with Remus and Harry about it…" Hermione rushed.
"Spit it out already, Hermione," Leila said.
"I was thinking that maybe I could live with you," Hermione said. "But I'd completely understand if you didn't want…"
"I'd be fine with it. I'll talk about with Remus and Harry during our family dinner tomorrow or you could come too," Leila said.
"I'm assuming since you didn't deny it that you are going back to Hogwarts?" Hermione furthered.
"Yeah, but I'm not staying in the dormitories and McGonagall's going to let me do some teaching," Leila said nonchalantly.
"That's huge news, Leila! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Wait a minute, is that what's been bothering you?" Hermione gushed.
"Erm—yeah," Leila shrugged.
"So how will it work out with classes and teaching? What will you be teaching?" Hermione asked.
"I suppose it will be somewhat a hybrid of correspondence and going to classes. Right now, McGonagall wants me to take over second, fourth, and sixth years' Transfiguration," Leila explained.
"That's really wonderful. I'm so happy for you Leila. I'm sure everyone will be really proud of you," Hermione smiled.
"Not everyone," Leila muttered.
"Is that why this Draco going to Romania thing is bothering you so much? The fact that he's not going to be at Hogwarts and you are?" Hermione pushed.
"Something like that," Leila answered.
Hermione seemed satisfied with that answer as she nodded her head and reached for the Defense against the Dark Arts textbook. Leila breathed a slight sigh of relief that Hermione hopefully wasn't going to push any farther on a subject she wasn't ready to disclose on. She too grabbed for a copy of the Defense text. At least there wasn't going to be anymore Dark Arts class. It did make her wonder whom Professor McGonagall had found to fill that position and was the jinx on the position gone? But Leila finally concluded that as long as Umbridge wasn't teaching again, Hogwarts should be fine. Although she didn't have a clue whom McGonagall could tap for that position. If the woman was having a hard enough time finding a part time person for Transfiguration, she doubted someone would want to take a jinxed position. In the moment of silence between the two girls, Leila noticed a young girl begging her mother for a book; but the mother said that they couldn't afford the one she wanted. The little girl looked tearful until she spotted Leila and then she began pointing at her enthusiastically.
"Mummy, look! Look!" the little girl shouted. "It's the Girl Who Lived!"
"Sweetheart, it's not nice to point," the mother reprimanded.
"But Mummy it's her!" the little girl continued to shout. "I know it is!"
Leila blushed and awkwardly waved before walking away. This was something she was going to have to get used to even more than before. After saving the Wizarding world…for what some thought to be the second time…her popularity was on the rise, again. Granted, she had always been somewhat the center of attention; but normally, the brunt of it rested on Harry's shoulders. She had always kind of lived in Harry's shadow and been fine with it; but that was no longer an option. If there had been one thing that Lockhart had been truthful about it was that fame was fickle. Leila didn't really want any of it. She just wanted to be normal, was that too much to ask for? After Hermione gathered a few more textbooks, they stood in line to pay for their books and much to her surprise, the little girl, her mother, and another boy whom Leila assumed to be a brother stood behind them in line. As Leila conversed with Hermione, the girl pulled on Leila's sleeve. Leila turned around as the little girl looked up to her with wide eyes.
"Are you really Leila Potter?" the little girl asked bluntly.
"I'm sorry about her," the mother apologized, clearly embarrassed.
"It's fine," Leila said gently.
Leila handed her Defense textbook to Hermione before she bent down to the girl's level. She put her right hand in front of herself and the little girl immediately grabbed Leila's hand.
"Hello there, it's certainly a pleasure to meet you," Leila said.
"Are you Leila Potter?" the girl insisted.
"I am Leila…" Leila began.
"I told you, Mummy!" the little girl said turning around toward her mother.
"Allie," the mother reprimanded.
Leila couldn't help but chuckle. The little girl intrigued her and for a moment, the girl made her forget her troubles. She wanted to do something for the young girl.
"Allie is it?" Leila asked.
"Yeah," the little girl said with her hands on her hips.
"Why don't you go get that book you wanted, my treat," Leila said.
"Miss Potter, you don't have to.." the woman began.
"Please, I want to," Leila said looking up at the mother.
"Allie go on, but take your brother with you," the woman sighed.
The little brunette girl grabbed her brother's hand and ran for the shelf where the book she wanted was. The mother looked to Leila with mixed emotions. Leila could tell that the woman was grateful but also torn with accepting Leila's generosity.
"You have no idea how much this will mean to her," the woman said holding back her tears.
"It's my pleasure," Leila said.
As Leila stood back up, the little girl came bounding back toward her with a book in her hands. Leila held her hands out for Allie to place the book in them. Allie happily placed the book in Leila's hands. Leila examined the title of the book and chuckled.
"The Tales of Beedle the Bard?" Leila chuckled. "Good choice."
"You've read it?" Allie asked with eyes wide.
"Yeah," Leila said. "Just…promise me that you won't go getting any crazy ideas about the stories. That's all they are: stories. Got that?"
"Got it," Allie beamed.
Leila smiled back as Hermione paid for her own stack of books. She didn't want the girl to find out about the Hallows and waste her life trying to find them; especially considering she and Harry tossed the Elder Wand into the chasm at Hogwarts and they dropped the Resurrection Stone somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. The only one that was somewhat traceable was the Invisibility Cloak. It was better that the Deathly Hallows obsession just die because it wouldn't be worth anyone's time to search for them. Leila then paid for her Defense book and The Tales of Beedle the Bard before she handed the children's book back to the little girl.
"Enjoy," Leila said.
"I will!" Allie said enthusiastically.
"Allie what do you tell Miss Potter?" the girl's mother sighed.
Allie threw her arms around Leila's midsection and hugged her.
"Thank you," the little girl squealed.
"You're welcome," Leila smiled.
Leila had to pry the little girl's arms from around her so that she could leave; but doing something nice like that put a bit of hope in her heart. She really liked doing nice things for others, even if inwardly she didn't feel like the most cheerful person. As Leila and Hermione walked out of Flourish and Blotts, Leila noticed that Allie was staring at her walking away. Leila shook her head and chuckled to herself before wondering how many other people had an obsession with her like that. Granted, Draco had always…damnit, she wasn't doing too well avoiding thinking about Draco. Everything seemed to come back to him…or at least now that she didn't want it to. She really wanted to be mad at him for leaving and she was; but she wasn't as mad at him as she was herself. Why was it that when things were finally somewhat starting to look up for the two of them that some complication always stepped in and tried to drive them apart?
Hermione and Leila finished up their shopping in Diagon Alley with a Butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron after going to Madam Malkins, Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, Amanuensis Quills, Magical Menagerie, Potage's Cauldron Shop, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment and a quick stop at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. After the hours of shopping, Leila listened as Hermione talked about her relationship with Ron while drinking her Butterbeer. Hermione kept bringing up the four of them getting together when Draco got back from Romania and while Leila agreed, her insides were screaming that she probably shouldn't be doing so. Leila was thankful when Hermione finally decided it was time to head home. She loved her friend; but she didn't know how much longer she could hold all her feelings in about her situation. She wanted to tell someone about what had happened; but she didn't want anyone to think poorly of Draco or her. Honestly, she just wanted things to go back to the way they were at the party when she and Draco had been sneaking around snogging. What she would give to relive that moment again. To lose this sense of loss and guilt.
Leila disapparated to Andromeda's house while Hermione went home. Leila walked up a few steps before knocking on the door. She waited a few seconds and then Andromeda answered the door. Andromeda smiled softly at her and invited her inside. Leila was still sometimes caught off guard by the woman's uncanny appearance to her sister Bellatrix.
"You just missed Remus. He picked Teddy up maybe five minutes ago," Andromeda said.
"Must have been a bloody terrible match," Leila said.
"Remus said the score was 230-10 and it was over in no more than forty minutes. Said it took longer to get in and find their seats than the entire match," Andromeda laughed.
"Well, if Teddy's not here then I should probably be going…" Leila started.
"Why don't you wait a few minutes and then the biscuits should be done and you can take some home to those boys with bottomless pits for stomachs you have," Andromeda smiled.
"I suppose it can't hurt to bring them food," Leila attempted to smile back.
Leila followed Andromeda into the kitchen only to find Narcissa Malfoy sitting at the table with an apron on covered in flour. Leila's eyes widened at the sight of Draco's mother. Draco had to have told his mother about what had happened. Besides herself, his mother was probably the only person closer to him. She had to know that Draco was planning to propose and that she had told him she wasn't ready. Leila's heart began to speed up until Narcissa smiled at her.
"Andie's trying to teach me to bake. Can you believe that in all my years I've never had to do it before?" Narcissa said.
"I—I made a cake once for Harry and Remus," Leila said awkwardly.
"Did they like it?" Narcissa asked.
"It was burned on the outside and runny in the middle," Leila muttered.
"Looks like someone else could be using some lessons," Andromeda chuckled. "Have a seat, Leila. They'll be done in a minute or two."
Leila awkwardly slid into one of the kitchen table chairs and pretended to busy herself with the cookbooks on the table. To her, it felt like Narcissa gaze was burning holes into her; but every time she tried to see if Narcissa was looking at her, she wasn't. Narcissa wasn't acting cold toward her at all. Maybe Draco hadn't told her? But that seemed impossible because Draco was close with his mother and Narcissa was able to pick up on things whether Draco wanted her to or not. Honestly, it was the not knowing that was killing her the most. She wasn't sure what to say to the woman. The mother of the boy that she loved, the woman who had lied to Voldemort on her behalf, the woman who had seen to her well-being…Over the past year, Leila had grown somewhat fond of Draco's mother and she'd hate for the woman to hate her over a stupid spat. The timer dinged and Andromeda had Narcissa pull the baking sheet from the oven. Now, to wait for them to cool…this was going to take more than just the few minutes that Andromeda had initially insisted.
"Draco tells me that you're heading back to Hogwarts this year," Narcissa said from beside the oven.
"Did he?" Leila squeaked.
"He did. I do have to say that it came somewhat of a shock to me that Draco decided against going back; especially if you'll be there," Narcissa said lightly.
Leila's heart began to beat harder.
"M—Must be a boy thing. Neither Harry nor Ron are going back after everything that happened last year," Leila said.
"Must be; but I told him that I expect him to sit his N.E.W.T.S come spring," Narcissa said.
"I don't think Harry is going to sit his. I have a feeling he's going straight to the Auror department as soon as I give him my blessing," Leila said.
"I do wish they'd pick something safer," Narcissa sighed.
"It's hard to change their minds once they're made," Leila commented.
"How much did Draco tell you about Romania?" Narcissa asked.
"I—erm—well," Leila fumbled for words.
"Leila how many do you want?" Andromeda interrupted.
Leila breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to where Andromeda stood with an empty tin.
"However many you're willing to part with," Leila said.
Andromeda smiled softly before she put all but two biscuits in the tin before handing the tin over to Leila.
"I'm afraid that many biscuits would be wasted on the two of us and Cissy and I can always make more," Andromeda said.
"Thank you," Leila said. "I'm sure Remus and Harry will thank you as well."
"You're most certainly welcome," Andromeda smiled.
"And on that note, I should probably be going," Leila said trying to avoid looking at Narcissa.
Andromeda nodded her head as Leila quickly turned on her heel to escape from the kitchen. Leila was surprised to hear Narcissa calling after her as she walked into the entryway. She really wanted nothing more than to get out of there and avoid Narcissa at all costs; but after everything the woman had done for her, she couldn't simply ignore her. This was one of those times when Leila wished she didn't have a damn conscience. She stopped in the hall and waited for Narcissa to catch up to her. Narcissa reached into the pocket on her skirt and pulled out a folded piece of parchment.
"Draco asked me to give this to you," Narcissa said.
Leila's arm seemed heavy as she extended it for Narcissa to place the note in her hand.
"I don't know the contents of this note nor would Draco tell me the situation between you two; but I do know that you were the best thing that ever happened to him," Narcissa said somewhat stiffly. "So, I'm sure that whatever it is, you two will figure out a way to fix it."
Leila nodded her head as her fingers clasped around the note. Without warning, Narcissa quickly enveloped Leila in a hug and quickly released the young girl. The interaction was so fast that Leila almost wondered if it had actually happened at all. But then Narcissa stiffly nodded before she walked back toward Andromeda's kitchen leaving Leila to quietly exit the house. Leila then apparated outside of Grimmuald Place, forcing herself to wait until she was home before she read Draco's note to her…the words she had longed to hear from him. She opened the door and quickly stepped inside before she shut the door with her back. Leaning against the door with Mrs. Black shouting, Leila opened the note from Draco.
Leila,
I know that my departure must come as a surprise to you; but this was the only way I could think of going about this. You said that you wanted time to figure out whatever it is you need to figure out and honestly, it would be too hard to be in the same place as you knowing that you didn't want to figure it out with me. I'll be in Romania until at least Christmas, maybe longer. I think it best if we give each other our space and we'll see what time brings.
Draco
And that was all he wrote. She knew better than to expect a novel from him; but this hardly seemed long enough especially with how they left things. It somewhat panged at her heart that he didn't put a "love" at the end. Was he really doubting that? After all these years was he beginning to doubt his feelings toward her? Did he really think that running away was the option? That they were better apart than together? Hadn't he learned anything when they had broken up? But what concerned Leila was that this was more than one of her and Draco's spats. Her deepest fears over the incident had been confirmed in this note. As Leila could feel a sharp pain in her heart, the tin of biscuits fell out of her hand and landed with a loud clatter on the floor.
"Leila, is that you?" Harry asked poking his head into the hall.
Leila caught a glimpse of her brother before she ran past him and to the stairs practically blinded by her tears. She didn't even realize that her note from Draco had slipped from her hands as she thundered up the stairs. As Leila ran into her room, Harry followed after her. He picked up the fallen piece of parchment from the stairs and opened it up to read it. He groaned at Draco's words, which he knew had cut right through Leila's heart. He felt like he was put into an awkward situation; but he continued up the stairs and walked down the hall until he came to Leila's closed door. Harry knocked gently on the door but got no response other than Leila's stifled sobs. Harry jiggled the door handle to find that Leila hadn't locked it, so he twisted it and the door opened. He found Leila curled up with her pillow sobbing, with her back to him.
"Just go away, Harry," Leila cried.
"What kind of brother would I be if I did that?" Harry asked.
"One who listens," Leila groaned through her tears.
"I—erm—I found this," Harry said.
Leila turned around to find Harry holding up her note. She rolled her eyes at her brother.
"And let me guess; you couldn't help but read it?" Leila sneered.
"Well—I—erm—yeah," Harry stumbled for words.
"Then you've confirmed your suspicions that it's my fault that Draco's gone to Romania," Leila said bitterly. "Now leave me alone."
Leila turned her back once more to her brother and burrowed under her blankets. Harry sighed and walked across Leila's plush carpeting before he sat on her bed. He sat there for a few minutes silently unsure of what exactly to say to his sister. He knew that she was hurting, but she needed to know that he was on her side…no matter how much of an awkward situation it put him in. Especially, since he had grown to enjoy Draco's friendship; but Leila was his sister. Always had been, always would be…and they did things together. Harry repositioned himself on Leila's bed so that he sat right beside her and his back rested on her headboard.
"He asked me, you know," Harry sighed.
"Asked you what?" Leila sniffled.
"He asked me if he could propose to you…again. I gave him my blessing," Harry said.
"Well, it looks like he doesn't really need it anymore. He left for Romania," Leila scoffed.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
Leila looked to her brother with tears shining in her eyes.
"I—I told him that I wasn't ready to be married," Leila whispered. "And then it went downhill from there."
"Why aren't you ready?" Harry asked.
"Professor McGonagall's offered me an apprenticeship at Hogwarts. I asked him to give me one year Harry and he couldn't do that. One bloody year! That's all I asked for! I mean our entire lives have been dictated by the war and I just wanted a chance to be me. A year not to be known as Harry Potter's little sister or Draco Malfoy's fiancée. I just wanted one year to be Leila Potter," Leila explained.
"To the world, you're the Girl Who Lived. Nothing about you has been normal and I don't think that you can just expect things to be normal because you want them to be," Harry said. "Being an apprentice at Hogwarts without even graduating isn't normal, Leila. I don't think you're ever going to find that normal you're looking for."
"So you're taking his side then?" Leila scoffed.
"I'm on your side Leila. I just want you to see things clearly," Harry furthered.
"I don't think I'm the one you should be giving a talk to about seeing things clearly considering it's someone's decision to run away because he's a stubborn arse and things didn't go his way," Leila sneered.
"I think part of the problem could be that you're just as stubborn as he is," Harry muttered.
"Are you sure you're on my side?" Leila questioned.
"After everything we've been through, you really think I wouldn't be?" Harry asked.
"The way I've been screwing things up, it wouldn't surprise me," Leila sighed.
Leila sat up in her bed and stared straight ahead at the wall.
"I can go back to hating him, if you want me to. I'd do that for you," Harry said.
"No," Leila chuckled with a lump in her throat. "I'm sure he's going to need a friend and you're probably one of his better ones. Besides, he's grown quite fond of you as well."
"If it makes you feel better, he didn't tell me he was going to Romania either," Harry said trying to lighten the mood.
"But you're not the one he proposed to," Leila groaned.
"I'd certainly hope not," Harry said taken aback.
A slight smile broke across Leila's face; but she quickly removed it from her face.
"What am I supposed to do now?" Leila whispered.
"I guess you wait," Harry sighed. "It sounds like you both are going to be pretty busy anyway; what with you at Hogwarts and Draco in Romania."
"I don't know that I can completely cut him out of my life though," Leila said.
"You don't have to," Harry responded. "You could write him."
"What if he doesn't respond?" Leila asked.
"Give him some time to cool down and then write him; from what Charlie says, it can get lonely being that far away from home. So I'm sure he'd look forward to getting some mail," Harry said.
"You know, this is probably one of the strangest brother and sister moments we've had," Leila said with a slight smile. "You giving me advice on Draco that doesn't involve me hexing him."
"What can I say, the ferret's grown on me," Harry smiled back.
"C—Can I be alone now?" Leila asked.
"Yeah, just know that if you need to talk…" Harry began.
"Harry, I know where you sleep. It's not going to be that hard to find you," Leila groaned.
"Right," Harry said. "I'll just be leaving then."
Harry stood up and walked for Leila's door.
"Harry," Leila said.
"Yeah?" Harry asked.
"I know you're waiting for my blessing to join the Auror department and if that's really what you want to do right now, then I think you should do it," Leila said.
"Are you sure?" Harry questioned.
"Just promise me that you'll be careful," Leila answered.
Harry responded with a nod of his head before he left Leila's room. Leila didn't leave her room except to use the bathroom the next day. She had Kreacher bring her breakfast and lunch in her room. She just didn't have any motivation to do anything. Trapping herself in her room probably wasn't her smartest decision; but she really didn't want to interact with anyone lest she break into tears over Draco. No, she preferred to do that in the comforts of her own room, where there was no one but herself to judge. She really had no motivation to attend the family dinner that Remus had requested; but she couldn't refuse him after he had knocked on her door and asked for her presence. Leila then put her greasy hair up into a messy bun before she followed Remus downstairs. Harry and Hermione were both seated at the table as Harry was holding Teddy close to him. Leila sat down beside Hermione and Remus slid on the bench beside Harry. They began to eat the dinner Kreacher had prepared for them when Remus decided to make his announcement.
"Professor McGonagall has asked me to return to Hogwarts as a professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Remus said.
"What did you tell her?" Harry asked.
"After talking with the governors of the school and making sure that everything should be able to run smoothly, I accepted the position until McGonagall can find someone else," Remus answered. "Teddy will stay with Andromeda during the day and then I'll come back here to Grimmauld Place rather than living at Hogwarts. That will also cause less concern of something happening on a full moon."
"You won't be the only one using the Floo to Hogwarts," Leila said. "I'm going back too and helping McGonagall with Transfiguration."
"So that's what your meeting was about," Remus smiled. "I'm very proud of you, Leila. James and Lily would be too. Although I would say that James would want you to keep Professor McGonagall on her toes; but I wouldn't suggest doing so."
"Speaking of using the Floo to Hogwarts…" Hermione began. "I was wondering if anyone would object to me moving in here so I can also attend Hogwarts; but only as a student."
"It's fine by me," Remus said. "But it's Harry's house."
"I approve; besides, it will keep Leila and Remus company when I'm out on raids," Harry said. "I told Kingsley that starting September 1st I will be joining the Auror department and he said that I don't even need to go through the training. I can just join after all the experience I've had."
"So many changes," Leila said.
"But we're moving on with our lives," Remus nodded. "And that's a good thing."
Leila couldn't help but wonder if Draco moving on with his life to Romania, for who knew how long, was actually a good thing. Would this situation really all work out for the best? But despite any attempt she made, the world would still keep spinning madly on. There was no stopping life. There was only living it and that's exactly what she was what she had to do. She couldn't change what had happened, she just had to live with the fallout.