The Healer | Part 2: The War

Besurgio

Edith

'And now, on to our more popular segment, Pals of Potter! I'd like to welcome back Rapier and Regent here with more tips on how to stay safe and look out for our muggle and muggleborn neighbours. Now, Regent, I hear you've been doing your part for the muggleborns.'

George and Fred had been chomping at the bit to do something useful. Once the Snatchers had been gone from outside the shop for a week straight, they figured it was safe enough to sneak out. This was now the second Potterwatch broadcast they had both participated in together.

'Yes, well I find it comes quite naturally,' George's voice came through the wireless that was sitting on the kitchen table. I chuckled at his words and took a drink from the glass of wine sitting in front of me. I found I got quite anxious when the boys were away from the flat until they returned safely. The wine helped take the edge off a bit.

'What's that like?' Lee asked.

'It's been very culturally enlightening, River,' George answered.

I laughed out loud, thinking back to my dancing to the Spice Girls music and the other muggle music the boys claimed they couldn't stand. And then there were those French lessons which were quickly becoming less about actually learning anything useful and more of an excuse to drink and learn rude words in French.

'I think you'll find Regent has found this to be a very enlightening experience overall, if you catch my meaning,' Fred chuckled.

'Oi! You know Mum listens to this!' I could hear the brief scuffle through the radio and chuckled to myself.

'And what tips do you have for our listeners?' Lee carried on with the broadcast.

'As Romulus mentioned in a previous broadcast, a couple of simple protective enchantments go a long way. Obviously, it's not prudent to cast them everywhere you go, the poor muggles would never be able to find where they're going, bless them. But over their main residence is often sufficient enough,'

'I would also encourage everyone to carry a bag or rucksack equipped with an Undetectable Extension Charm packed with anything you may need. I hear there's a new line of Shield Clothing as well as Camouflage Cloaks, all of which will be available for owl order very shortly,' that was Fred's voice. I gave myself a mental pat on the back that I could tell them apart even through the crackly wireless.

'And what about the Snatchers, what tips do you have for handling them?'

'Well, as we already know, even the brightest Snatcher is only about as bright as a troll,' Fred replied. 'Our advice is if you're in a safe place, simply wait them out. They'll get bored when they aren't getting paid and will likely forget their original purpose before long.'

My attention was starting to fade when a stark realization was creeping into my mind. Fred's earlier words were repeating slowly in my mind, 'a very enlightening experience overall.' I wouldn't deny it was true. In fact, there hadn't been many days that hadn't been 'enlightening' in almost six weeks.

My heart rose to my throat. My period was never late, if anything, it would be early. And now, it was over three weeks late. The only change was that George and I were now doing far less sleeping when we went to bed.

No, it couldn't be! I had been so diligent with the Contraceptive Charm, I used it at least once a day, sometimes even twice. Unless I had the incantation wrong...

Subconsciously, I felt my hands drift to my abdomen. Was there a little life there? I felt like vomiting at the very thought. I couldn't be pregnant, I was only eighteen! I wanted to go back to school and do something useful with my life, I couldn't do that with a baby. I didn't have a job or any way of supporting myself, let alone a child. I knew George had money, but I couldn't put this on him, this was my fault. I had assured him that I had known a proper Contraception Charm.