The Healer | Part 2: The War

Diagon Alley

Edith

The following week, on the morning of the first of August, I double and triple checked my leather clutch and my bedroom to make absolutely sure I had everything I needed. My heart was pounding with nerves, both because I would be leaving the house, possibly forever, and because I would be seeing George Weasley again for the first time in over a year, all in the next couple of hours. He would no doubt be helping out with the wedding preparations currently. I wondered again for the thousandth time if he was expecting me to be there. Surely he must, I could think of no other reason for me to have received an invitation in the first place if he'd had nothing to do with it. It must be his way of arranging for us to meet again.

My plan was to go to Diagon Alley first to collect my new books as well as some fresh potions ingredients. I had already sent a letter containing the rejection for my offer of admission to St Mungo's School of Healing. It broke my heart to do it, but I knew it wasn't the right choice to go. I just hoped I would be given another chance in the future.

I dressed in jeans and a t-shirt to avoid drawing attention to myself. I had a dress packed in my leather clutch to change into before the wedding along with a wedding gift. I hadn't been to Diagon Alley for a year, I didn't know what to expect. Would it be the same as always, or would the subtle destruction of both the wizarding and muggle worlds have affected it too?

'Well, I'm off,' I said, pulling on a jacket in the front hall. I was holding only my small leather clutch and had my wand in my pocket. I certainly didn't look like I was moving out. But if my parents thought it odd, they didn't say anything.

'Call us when you get in,' my mum stood up from the sofa and gave me a hug.

'Safe flight, enjoy the wedding,' my dad stood as well and hugged me awkwardly.

'See you,' Sophie hugged me a little tighter than my parents had.

'Alright, stay safe,' I told them all firmly. I didn't miss my mother's eye roll. I decided to ignore it. There wasn't anything more I could do at this point to convince them to leave the country. That was their decision, I had done all that I could.

At that, I walked out of the front door and turned to take one last look at the house that had been my home for the past eighteen years. I didn't feel particularly sad knowing I didn't live there anymore, but it was still a sentimental moment, this was the only home I knew. I was a grown up now, it was time for me to be on my own.

I turned towards the loch in front of the house. I didn't even know when I would be able to return to Scotland. I loved my country, I wasn't a city girl by any means, so in one way it was a relief to be delaying Healing school for this year at least. The late morning sun glittered off the still waters, blinding me slightly.

I found my resolve again, took a deep breath, turned on the spot, and Disapparated.

I gasped out loud when I opened my eyes again. Diagon Alley was nothing like I remembered it. Compared to the glittering loch I had just left, the alley was incredibly dark and gloomy.

A quick glance around told me that at least half of the shops were either vandalized or out of business. There were also several shady looking stalls that had popped up throughout the Alley and appeared to be selling black market goods advertised to protect against the dark arts. It wasn't nearly as crowded as it usually was, people visiting the shops were in groups of at least two. I felt suddenly vulnerable being on my own, but it couldn't be helped for the moment.

One shop stood out in a bright display of colour against the dull grey of the rest of the Alley. Of course Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was still prospering even in these difficult times. I had known George and Fred would do well with their business. My heart leapt as I looked at the shop, even though I knew they wouldn't be in today. I could hardly wait to see George again in just a couple short hours.