The Healer | Part 3: The Survivors

Graveyards

George

I let myself into the shop again. Diagon Alley had mostly cleared out of witches and wizards, most of the shops had closed for the day. I made a beeline for the back of the shop to the steps that led to the workshop.

'Bloody hell!'

I nearly jumped out of my skin and whirled around to find the source of the shout.

'Oh, my god,' I exclaimed. 'Lee? What are you still doing here?'

'I didn't know if I was every going to see you again,' he grinned and wrapped an arm tight around me while patting my back with the other. 'I had plans on taking over the shop and running away with all your money.'

'I've spoiled that for you,' I smirked.

'Bloody hell, it's good to see you again,' he slapped my back again and let me go. 'Have you just got back?'

'Thursday,' I told him.

'Right, I did hear Percy was getting married this weekend,' he nodded. 'Didn't think that would be enough to entice you to come home.'

'It was strategic,' I told him.

'It usually is,' he smirked.

'I figured the attention would be directed mostly at him and Audrey instead of me,' I explained.

'Right,' he nodded. 'And how did that work out?'

'Quite nicely, actually,' I told him. 'Listen, I really need some explosion therapy at the moment and possibly a drink. Actually, definitely a drink. Care to join me?'

'Definitely,' he replied and followed me up the steps to the workshop. 'It hasn't been the same without you here.'

I poured us each a drink first before I started rummaging around for ingredients.

'How've you been, then?' He asked.

'Don't ask,' I answered.

'Is that why you need explosives and alcohol?' He said.

'Something like that,' I told him.

I found some old dragon scales and snowdrop powder. They made better explosions than the Chimera scales.

'Brace yourself,' I warned him a half second before I set it off.

It was an impressive explosion if I did say so myself. The flame nearly hit the ceiling and the instruments I had left at the end of the table were blown onto the floor. I felt a lot of the tension leave my body as the bang nearly deafened me. I had to feel my face to make sure my eyebrows were still intact. Ron's shirt was now ruined, but I didn't care a bit. I'd buy him a new one.

I let out a slow breath as the dust settled on the work table and looked over at Lee.

'I feel a bit better now,' I told him.

'Why? Is it just being back here?' He asked. He had hardly jumped at the sudden explosion in the small space. 'Or has something else happened?'

I reached for my drink and downed it in a single swallow.

'Edith,' I told him. He groaned.

'No,' he said sympathetically. 'What's happened?'

'She's upset with me,' I told him. 'Turns out never writing to her for over a year wasn't such a good idea.'

'I could have told you that,' he groaned again. 'Have you seen her?'

'Yeah, I've just tried taking her out for supper,' I explained. 'It didn't go well. I just want to forget about it tonight and try to sort it out in the morning.'