AUTOPHOBIA - G. WEASLEY

Summer, 1993: Mysterious Dog

✯ CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ✯

August 31st, 1993.

"DAD? CAN I go to Diagon Alley today?" Estella asked as she ate her breakfast late one morning. It was the final day of the summer holidays, and Hermione had sent an owl asking if she wanted to go shopping with her.

Remus, who was sitting opposite her reading the newspaper with a hot cup of coffee, looked up. "Why? We got all of your stuff the other week."

"I know, but I realised yesterday I ran out of parchment," Estella explained. "Plus, Hermione owled me wondering if I wanted to go shopping with her. We literally haven't seen eachother all summer, Dad."

"You'll see her tomorrow," stated Remus, his eyes now back on the newspaper.

"I know, but we'd like to do something fun before returning to school. I mean, I know we can go to Hogsmeade this year, but the first visit could be months away --"

At hearing these words, the Lupin man cut his goddaughter off, placing his newspaper down on the table. "You won't be going to Hogsmeade this year, Stell."

"What?" Estella's eyes went wide. "But Dad, that's not fair! All third years go to Hogsmeade, I can't be the only one who doesn't. Why can't I go?"

Remus sighed, running a hand through his sandy hair. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but I think you know why. It's not safe. I have a feeling Hogsmeade might be his go to place as of tomorrow."

Estella groaned, but decided it was best not to argue. Perhaps she could try again when it came to the first trip and he would change his mind, if there was no reports of her Father being seen around that area or if finally he'd been caught. The first trip to Hogsmeade normally didn't happen until around two months after term started -- there was every chance.

She looked at the newspaper now lying on the table in front of them. "Any updates...you know, about him?"

Her godfather shook his head. "Nothing. Still no sightings or anything," he sighed, "you would think by now they would be a little bit closer to finding him, it's been basically a month, but no, the hunt is still going on. The reward for if you do find him seems to be going up everyday."

Estella let out a sharp breath. "You have no idea where he could be, Dad?"

"Sweetheart, you know the answer to that already," said Remus. "He could be anywhere. I shouldn't even be discussing this with you, you're thirteen and all you do is worry, you deserve to just live life like a normal teenager."

Estella rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well it's hard to do that when your father is a well known mass marauder and on the loose, isn't it?"

"Oh Stell..." Remus sighed, "I'm sorry, Cub."

"It's not your fault, Dad. Just the way life is I guess. Neither of us can control that."

"I love you very much, Estella Lily. I promise I won't ever let him hurt you."

"I know. I love you."

"Now," Remus stood from the table, picking up his empty mug and Estella's finished plate and leaving them at the sink to be washed, "as for Diagon Alley, I'm going to let you go, so long as you are home by three and don't wander of alone anywhere. Use floo to get there and back. Promise me you'll be careful?"

"I'll be careful, don't worry," Estella assured him, "but three? Merlin Dad, I know you've never been one for letting me stay out late, but I could swear when I was younger it used to be six."

Remus shook his head at her attitude, knowing she was only having a laugh. "Normally it would be six, you're right, but I'm perfectly aware that you haven't packed, so it's gonna have to be three this time I'm afraid. Plus, I want us both to have an early night. You haven't been getting up until ten recently. If that happens tomorrow, we'll miss the train."