A Twist In Time

He's Just A Friend

As I stumbled my way home from Merry's grave, a sharp chilling pain spread over my chest. The breath fell from my lips and a trail of mist blew into the air.

These were all signs I should have noticed but I was too caught up in my grief to realise what was going on.

"Shit," I muttered, flicking my wand out and casting the Patronus Charm. As I rushed home, my wolf at my feet, I didn't care if any muggle caught a glimpse of my magic. How could I have forgotten about the dementor that attacked Polly?

I needed to report this to the Ministry.

Polly was in the hall when I barged into the house. I didn't spare her a look as I cast the charms my Papa and Hermione had gone over with me. It was the same list of charms that protected them while they were on the hunt for Horcruxes.

"Polly, I've been an idiot."

"Well, you didn't have to tell me that." She crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a disapproving look. "Where have you been?"

"Where's Thomas?"

"So you care about him now?" She was being snappy and I guess in some way I deserved it, but in others, I really didn't.

"I know what's been happening," I said, rushing past her and into the living room where Ada was cuddling with the baby. "That dementor that attacked you a couple of weeks ago, it's still here. It's been feeding off me."

"I thought you said it feeds off happiness."

"I was happy. I'm happy with Thomas. I love him and despite Merry being gone, I'm happy."

"Then why did you say you didn't want him!"

"Do you remember how you felt when it attacked you? That feeling of emptiness, of nothing. Can you understand now?" I knew she could understand now. The fear in her eyes as she remembered was enough for me to know that.

"How are you going to deal with it?"

"I've got to go to the Ministry."

"What's the Ministry?"

"I don't have time to explain at the moment, Ada, I've got to sort this problem out before it gets worse." I took Thomas from her, tucking him into the blanket and holding him against my chest as I walked over to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of flew-powder. "Ministry of Magic!"

I stumbled into the Ministry, no surprise really seeing as I always stumbled out of a flew network. I was thrown off a little by the entrance hall. This was not the Ministry I was used to seeing.

It was dull, full of dark tones and seriously reminded me of the dungeons at Hogwarts. It was like a potions master was in charge of the Ministry.

"Umm, can I help you, Miss?"

I turned to the voice, frowning at the man that came towards me with his wand out. Oh, yeah. Women weren't expected to do things for themselves in this time. I could remember Nanna Molly going on about the struggles of women being able to do things for themselves throughout her life.

"I've got a rogue dementor in Small Heath," I told him, not bothering to beat around the bush. "I need it dealt with. It's affecting my son." I rocked Thomas in my arms gently, hoping it would draw his attention to the baby.

"Oh, umm, well I can call someone for you. Err, just give me a—"

"No need, Jefferey, I've got it." A man with curly dark hair and a familiar face stepped forward waving the security guy off. "Dementor did you say?"

"Umm, yes. In Small Heath, Birmingham. It attacked a muggle and has been feeding off me for the last few days." I glanced down at Thomas and sighed deeply.