Summary: Annie is informed that she has to put her cat Onyx down. She visits Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes for the first time in years. Lee watches the cats while George and Annie have a quick meal and talk about her trauma.
sickness! warning
February 22nd, 2000
Chapter 3 - The Cat and the Ginger
About a week later, it was time for Opal and Onyx's veterinarian appointment in Diagon Alley. Annie shifted nervously in the uncomfortable chair waiting for the vet to come examine the cats. Both cats were nearly eleven years old so it wasn't surprising that they had to visit every few months. Though, Opal probably could live longer since she was part kneazle.
The door opened and the vet strolled in. "Hello Annie."
"Hello."
The vet slightly frowned as she sat down. "As you know, Onyx has cancer. He doesn't seem to be responding to treatment as well as we hoped."
"Is there anything else I can do?"
"Unfortunately not. The best option is to put him down."
"I was afraid of that. I don't want him to suffer anymore than he already has," Annie frowned trying not to cry.
The vet said sympathetically. "I know you've had him since you started Hogwarts."
"I have. He helped me with my homesickness."
The vet nodded. "These are the worst appointments I have to make. I might suggest you bring someone to comfort you but that's up to you."'
"Okay."
They finished making the appointment and she gathered the cats and both of them could sense something was wrong.
Instead of going home, she decided to do some window shopping. She saw the bright sign of 'Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. She had promised herself to stay away from the shop since George had messed with her heart too much but she needed a laugh so she strolled to the shop.
She walked in and noticed a dreadlocked boy. She recognized him as Lee Jordan. He had been the Gryffindor Prefect.
"Oi, McCartney!"
She turned to see George grinning at her. She had always liked his smile. Damn, that charm.
"What brings you to the shop?"
"I've had a hard few hours."
His brown eyes filled with concern. "Is everything alright?"
"Nothing I feel like divulging in public," she said, eying Lee.
Suddenly, Opal escaped from her crate and started to cause havoc in the shop as Onyx watched.
"Opal!" Annie shouted.
The two boys helped her wrangle the usually calm and collected cat.
"Thanks boys."
"No problem. Are these both your cats?"
"No, Onyx is mine but Opal is my roommate and best friend Lila's cat. She's busy travelling with the Falcons, she plays seeker."
"That's impressive. Did she get scouted right out of Hogwarts?"
"She did," Annie said proudly.
Onyx meowed. She looked up at George.
"Everything okay?"
She couldn't help but sniffle.
"How about we go get something to eat?" George suggested.
"I'd like that but I have to drop off Onyx and Opal back at home."
"Lee can watch them, right?" George asked his best friend.
"I can," Lee assured Annie.
She nodded suspiciously but she relented the minute she looked into George's brown eyes. George led her out of the shop and to the nearest restaurant. It wasn't too fancy.
The minute they sat down Annie started to sob uncontrollably.
"What is it?"
"Bloody stupid cancer. First my mum died from it and now my cat has to be put to sleep because of it!" she sobbed.
"Cancer, that's a muggle disease, isn't it?"
She nodded. "It is. My mum was diagnosed with it in October 1995 and she died in April 1998. Onyx was diagnosed around the same time last year. October isn't a good month for me. Also my Uncle George was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. Though he survived it."
"That's horrible."
She sniffled. "My mum's cancer spread a year later and I was devastated. At the time I was seeing a guy but he dumped me for crying so much."
"That massive git!"
"He was."
George asked. "So, you had to go on the run?"
"I did. I hid at my family's ranch in Arizona and that's where my mum died."
"You're a farm girl?" George asked.
She smiled. "I grew up on a farm in Sussex and I loved it."
"You have an uncle named George?"
"Not biological. He's one of my dad's best friends. He's my godfather and my friend Dhani's dad."
George nodded and changed the subject. "So, you have to put your cat down?"
"I do. The appointment is in a few days. I don't think Lila will be home that soon. My older siblings are probably busy."
He smirked. "Is this your way of asking me to be there for you, McCartney?"
"I mean, if you're not busy. The vet did suggest I ask someone to be there for me. And you're my last resort," she suggested nonchalantly.
"It's a deal, McCartney."
She stifled a sad smile. "Thanks, Weasley."
After their meal, they went back to the shop and Annie left back home. She couldn't believe he actually agreed to this.