AUTOPHOBIA - G. WEASLEY

Summer, 1992: Diagon Alley

✯ CHAPTER NINETEEN ✯

❝What a bloody loser!❞

August 11th, 1992.

REMUS ENDED UP grounding Estella for a week, which she spent mostly reading or catching up on all of the homework she had been putting off doing all summer.

She didn't mind being grounded -- especially because she knew she deserved it, although when Harry and Ron got in touch with her asking if she wanted to come to Diagon Alley with them and Hermione, she was quick to rush to her Father and beg him to let her go.

"Why should I let you?" Remus had argued. "After last time, why should I let you go anywhere with your friends?"

Estella gave him a pleading look, one she knew would always work on her Father in these situations. "I understand your concern, Dad, but I promise to behave. I've learned my lesson."

Remus sighed. He had clearly fell for her plan.

"I'll let you go," he said, "but I promise you, Stella, if you get yourself into even the slightest bit of trouble, you won't ever be allowed out anywhere again."

Estella wrapped him in a hug, grinning. "Thank you, Dad, I love you."

"I love you too. Now quit it with the puppy eyes, they aren't going to work forever."

"Oh, I think we both know they will."

So, on Wednesday morning, Estella set off to the Burrow to meet Ron and Harry and get ready for Diagon Alley. The first thing she did upon arriving there was apologise to Mr and Mrs Weasley.

"I'm really sorry," she said, very seriously. "I understand that what I did with the car was wrong. There's several ways to approach things and we chose the most immature way possible. I hope everything is alright with the car -- and with your work, Mr Weasley."

Mrs Weasley simply brushed her off. "It's alright, dear, you were more than likely pressured by my boys, I know what they're like. The cars fine, Arthur's fine, everything's alright now."

"I know, but I still owe you an apology. What I did was wrong --"

"Yes, yes, but you've given us that now. And I'm sure Remus has given you a suitable punishment for your actions. We've forgiven you, dear."

"Thank you," Estella smiled. "Nothing like it will ever happen again, I promise."

An hour later, the Weasleys, Harry and Estella were all stood in front of the fireplace, ready to go. Mrs Weasley pulled a flowerpot off the kitchen counter and peered inside it.

"We're running low, Arthur," she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today...ah well, guests first! After you, Harry dear!"

And she offered him the flowerpot.

Harry stared at them all.

"W-what am I supposed to do?" he stammered.

"He's never traveled by floo powder before," said Estella suddenly, while Ron nodded his head.

"Sorry, Harry, we forgot."