Lonely

Chapter Three

The rest of July passed quickly. Near the end of the month, Leo's mother had apparated with Leo to Diagon Alley, where they purchased her supplies for the upcoming school year. Andromeda had rushed from shop to shop, practically dragging Leo along. Not that she had wanted to dawdle, Diagon Alley was nothing like its former glory, with people hurrying about silently, their heads down, and shady street vendors attempting to con people into buying various "protective items."

Other than that, Leo returned to her daily routine of reading, wandering the garden, and painting, with the occasional visit to her sister's.

It was at Remus and Dora's small cottage that Leo would sit, nervously picking at her fingernails, and listen for any news of Harry, or what was going on in the outside world. It's not that her mum or dad wouldn't tell her, but she felt they always tried to sugarcoat the truth, or hide the true danger of what was coming. She couldn't blame them though, she was their youngest daughter, and she knew they were only trying to spare her the worry.

On the first of August, Leo sat on her sister's couch, as Dora paraded into the living room in a fine gown. "What do you think?" She said, shaking her head and changing her hair to a light pink that matched her gown perfectly. Leo smiled brightly. "You look stunning!" She said, clapping her hands for her sister to spin and show off her dress. "I have to agree, Leo." Remus said from where he was leaning against the door frame. Leo glanced over and saw that he was dressed as well, not surprisingly, though dressed nicely, he was wearing suspenders.

Dora and Remus were getting ready for Bill Weasley's wedding. She only knew of Bill and Fleur, seeing them at the castle last year but not actually been introduced, so she wasn't invited. Dora had promised to bring back updates about how everyone was doing. "Is there anyone you want me to talk to in particular?" She said, while side-eyeing Leo. Leo shot her a glare. "No one I can think of, Nymphadora." She grumbled. Leo hadn't told Dora about the kiss she and Harry had shared on the night he was transferred to the Burrow and wasn't planning to. She was still confused about what it meant.

When it was time to head back Remus stuck out his arm to take Leo home via side-along apparition. Leo would be able to take her apparition test in the fall, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway, as Leo's parents would only let her visit if one of them came and collected her and brought her back home. "You ready?" Remus asked her with a kind smile. Leo nodded. Dora had been planning to take her but had been feeling very tired recently.

Leo took hold of Lupin's arm tightly and felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of being pulled through a dark tube. Only a second later they landed firmly outside the Tonk's family home. Lupin patted her shoulder and smiled down at her. "Thanks for coming over Leo, you're always a welcome visitor. Tell your mum and dad hello for me, sorry I've got to hurry off to make it to the wedding." Leo smiled back at her brother-in-law saying, "Of course, no worry! I hope you and Dora enjoy the wedding!" Remus nodded and with a crack apparated.

After dinner, Leo and her parents sat at the kitchen table playing one of their favorite games. Each player selected a famous witch or wizard figurine and completed different challenges, ranging anywhere from singing to spell casting, in a race across the board. Leo was having an outstanding game and was just about to complete her challenge, listing as many famous healers that she could manage in thirty seconds when there were several cracks outside the house. Andromeda shot her husband a glance as he stood and cautiously took a step toward the front door. "Ted. The enchantments, you don't think-" She was interrupted by a bang, as their front door flew open to reveal four wizards standing on their doorstep, wands drawn.

She recognized two of the wizard's outfits, they were the same as what Dora wore for her work at the ministry. The other two wizards wore dark robes. All four of them glowered from the doorstep at the three Tonks.