Symphonies in E Minor

Chapter Twenty Seven: The First Time*

You all have been so patient. Enjoy.

**

"You're still wobbling," Aaliyah says, looking down at Harry's boot. He's managed to shove his foot in.

One of his arms is slung over Faiz's shoulder. And he's so bloody cold.

"Wobbling, but it's not so painful anymore," Harry corrects.

She's still frowning. "I dinna feel good about it."

"Nothing was torn or broken." He gives his foot a little wiggle, grimacing.

She points at his face. "Liar!"

"It's really not that bad," he insists, gritting his teeth in pain. "Wobbling is better than becoming immobile."

"I won't drop him," Faiz promises. "Don't worry."

"I might kill you if you do," Harry says.

The staff around them are finishing loading the carriage with their belongings. Harry is positive his friends are eager to be heading back home, though they can't be looking forward to the actual carriage ride.

"Maybe we can find you a walking cane," Aaliyah suggests.

"Yes," Faiz says brightly. "We can ma–"

"No, I do not need one," Harry says, looking over Aaliyah's shoulder at her family who is watching them from the entrance of the castle. Aaliyah, Faiz, Ruhina, and Harry stand by the gate, waiting for the staff to finish.

Snow still falls down gracefully, albeit less harsher and less blizzard-like than three days ago. Harry, with his injury, was not able to get out of bed, much less travel for hours with the pain he had to bear. But after a dose of laudanum, he's been able to move some more.

Or wobble, as Aaliyah claims.

They've all said their goodbyes. Aaliyah's hood is up, rimmed with fur to keep her warm. Her gloved hands are in her pockets, and she seemingly refuses to sweep off the snowflakes that land on her face. Harry likes how they look on her face anyways, especially her eyelashes.

Once the staff are done, Aaliyah turns back to her parents, giving them another wave. He swears he sees Mistress Kincaid's eyes harden when meeting Harry's. He shivers.

Harry slides into the carriage first.

"I'm ducking my head," Aaliyah announces before sliding in front of him. "See?"

He smiles when she raises her eyebrows at him. "Good," he praises her softly. "Is that what you want to hear?"

"Aye," she replies, satisfied.

Once the door is shut behind the other two, Aaliyah tosses her hood off, shivering with her arms around her. "I hope it willna be snowing in England."

"We'll likely have to stop at a hotel for the night," Faiz says.

"Aye. I'm just relieved it us four and not a fifth one."

When she gets confused looks back, Aaliyah clarifies, "Because of a chaperone."

The carriage lurches to a start and Aaliyah looks over her shoulder once more to peer at her family. Harry honestly was expecting some tears, but she looks happy, not sad. Like she's made peace with her decision to leave.

"I overhead once that Alistair would be the one returning with us," Ruhina says, leaning her head onto Faiz's shoulder. "But of course now..."

"He's doing well," Aaliyah says, though it sounds like she's trying to make herself feel better more than anything. She turns and looks at Harry, who gives her a slight nod. "We're all doing well." She takes a breath. "Besides, nobody wants to journey all the way to Manchester just to ride back alone. I think we'll be alright as long as we stay in one carriage together, so there arena any risks for the wrong word getting out."