The Curse-Breaker

Diagon Alley

My door creaked open, I opened my eyes, squinting at the door to see if Harli was coming into my room. Nothing. I stood up and pushed my door closed, picking up the clock on my desk and reading it, five o'clock. I ran my hands over my face and walked back over to my bed, looking out over to the window to see the grey sky, slowly becoming lighter as the sun rose. Looking down over the shops I noticed a figure standing on the alley, facing our apartment. I furrowed my eyebrows and walked over to the window, looking down at the person, they were wearing dark clothing, their hood of their cloak pulled over their face. They stood completely still, staring into the window of the shop below us, I jumped as they turned their head up to my window. Their face was covered with black cloth, only their eyes were visible, they stared into the window and I backed away, hoping they couldn't see me. When I knew I was definitely out of their sight I bolted for the door, running down the hallway and into Harli's room. 

I nudged her shoulder and she grumbled, rolling over and pulling her cover over her shoulder. "Harli." I hissed, she didn't respond. "Harli." I said a little louder, pushing her shoulder again. She rolled back onto her back and squinted one eye open, "what." She said, glaring at me, clearly annoyed I'd woken her up. "There's someone outside, staring into the window." I said, resting my knee against her mattress. "What? Riley, it's probably a drunk, go back to bed." She said, closing her eye. "No, Harli, I'm serious, they're wearing a dark cloak and their face is covered." I said, a slight panic in my voice. She sighed and pulled herself out of bed, stuffing her feet into her slippers and taking hold of my hand. We walked back through the hallway and into my room, she creeped up to the window and stared out, looking up and down the alley. "Riley there's no one here." She said, turning round and looking at me, her arms crossed over her chest. "What?" I said, furrowing my eyebrows and walking up to the window, I looked up and down the street. She was right, nothing. "Harli I swear, there was someone here." I said, she must have registered the worried look on my face as her eyes softened. She put her arm around my shoulders and pulled me in to a hug, kissing my forehead, "I believe you, it's ok." She said. I let my head fall onto her shoulder and hugged her back. "You wanna come stay in my room?" She said, I lifted my head and nodded. We walked back over to Harli's room and both climbed into her bed, I rested my head onto her shoulder and we both went back to sleep.

I'd made her promise not to tell the twins that I'd seen someone that morning, only knowing they'd camp outside to catch them or something. The shop had been quiet that morning, only one or two people popping in to re-stock on their skiving snack-boxes. Harli came bounding over to me, her eyes wide and a cheeky smile on her face. "What's that look for." I said, looking between her and the shelves as I was waving my wand to organise them. "When's your date with Bill?" She said, I raised an eyebrow and looked around the floor for Fred and George. "Shush, it's Friday." I said, looking back at her. Harli grinned and bit down on her lip, "Why, what have you done?" I said, turning to her and stopping my organisation. "Don't you remember what Friday is?" She said, crossing her arms over her chest. I furrowed my eyebrows and widened my eyes. "Valentine's day!" She said, grabbing hold of my shoulders, she shook me, "Riles, you've got a date on Valentines day!" She said. I put my hands on top of hers and pushed them back over to her. "Oh, cool." I said, waving my wand at the shelves again. "Oh yeah, play it cool, I know inside you're screaming." She said, winking at me and walking away as I shook my head. She was, however, completely correct.

Lunchtime rolled around and I wandered out into Diagon Alley. I walked into the bakery, noticing a familiar face in the queue. "Jordan!" I shouted, the boy turned around and a grin leapt across his face, "Lupin!" he said, walking straight over to me and pulling me into a hug. "Man, I haven't seen you since-" I started, pulling back and looking up at him. "Since the boys opened up the shop" He finished, "Yeah! And now look at you, big ,famous radio presenter Lee Jordan!" I said, grinning and pulling on his tie. "Well, gotta stay humble" He said, rubbing the back of his neck as he laughed. "What are you up to now? Finally get out of Belby's grasp?" He said, as the woman behind the counter placed a takeaway cup onto the counter. Lee took it and thanked her, looking back over to me. I laughed and shook my head, "still behind the counter, it's easier to hide from him behind there." I said, giggling. "Man, I wish I could stay and chat but I gotta dash." He said, looking at his watch. "Oh, yeah, sure, no problem! Swing by the shop some time!" I said, turning my face as he kissed my cheek goodbye. "I absolutely will! Take care of yourself Lupin!" He said walking backwards and pushing the door open with his foot. I smiled and turned to order myself a pumpkin pasty and an oat milk coffee.