PRETENDING TO LIVE~ {The Lestrange Daughter #2}

𝟕𝟕. Dumbledore

Leah's hair was getting longer again, Valentine realised as she pulled the brush through smooth waves. It hadn't been cut since Blaze's father had done it for her over Christmas. Now it sat several inches past her shoulders. 

"Hmm." Leah hummed loudly to herself, textbook opened in her lap. "Hey, Val? What's excogitate mean?"

"Nothing to you." Valentine scoffed.

"Huh?"

"It's when you take the time to calmly think something through." 

"Oh." Leah nodded then seemed to pause. "Hey!"

Valentine scoffed again.

Leah returned to her book, grumbling under her breath.

For once Valentine wished she was louder, more rambunctious and unmanageable. Then maybe she might be able to think of something other than Dumbledore and Harry off alone, hunting down a Horcrux.

It couldn't be said that she didn't plead her case, but in the end, Dumbledore's mind had been set. She had confidence in Harry's skill and Dumbledore's wisdom, but neither of those things could protect them from everything. Even as smart as she was, she was still caught in danger after danger, after all. She was starting to think someone had taped a sign to her back reading, 'please cause me trouble! I have nothing better to do!'.

"Val?" Leah spoke up again.

"What is it?" Valentine sighed.

"I didn't thank you for letting me know my father was free, did I?"

Valentine almost stopped her brushing. 

"You did not."

"Well, uh. I guess I kind of already said it just now, but thanks." Leah glanced over her shoulder with a wide smile. "I cried for an hour."

"I know." Valentine frowned. "Blaze told me that you dropped a pitcher on your foot at breakfast."

"That was only half the reason I was crying though!" 

She stood up and turned around, long legs and torso seeming like she would keep stretching upwards forever. At least compared to Valentine's height.

"I was also crying because I was happy!" Leah pouted, hands on her hips.

"Fine. You were crying because you were happy." Valentine kicked at her shin. "There's no need to fucking scream about it."

"Ouch! Mr's Malfoy would be so mad if she heard you talking like that." Leah rubbed her leg, eyes glimmering mischievously. 

"Yes, well, she's not here, now is she?" Valentine tossed the brush back onto the bed behind her. 

Leah giggled and threw herself onto the bed beside her.

"So..."

"So?" 

"I've been thinking."

"That must hurt."

"Shut up!" Leah threw one of her many stuffed animals at her.

Valentine caught the purple tiger swiftly and threw it back at her.

Leah grabbed for it, tucking it under her chin.

"So." She said again.

"Just fucking spill it already, Leah."

"Blaze's house is super fun right?"

"Is it?"

"And his family is really great?"