To Hurt and To Heal

Becoming the Shadows

I gazed out of the window as we drove past the ocean and into the town. I guess I haven't really been to London before, and I was amazed by the hundreds of tall, uniform buildings spread out before me. As we circled the large half-moon-shaped-railway, I haven't been on a train in years and yet I don't miss it. The train's wheels drop in preparation for boarding.

The train bounced twice and settled down to hug the tracks. I whirled in my seat to see how Padfoot was doing. He was nearly standing up but, other than that, he seemed alright. I felt a rush of energy as we pulled into the car park and came to a stop.

"Are you ready?" He asks me and for the first of many, I really don't know.

"Yes. Let me just grab my bag."

I slung it over my shoulder, stepped out of the car, and skipped quickly down the steps to the ground. Deeply inhaling the wet, sultry air, I was surprised to see a grey sky. It was warm and humid but tolerable.

"It's almost never warm here, but we do get rain in July and August and, on occasion, May."

I handed him my bag and strolled over to watch some workers attempt to construct a building.

This was much different than how I remember London when I was little.

Two men attached long chains to planks of wood while another man affixed a ramp onto the back of his truck. They unloaded the rest of their tools, but then ran to catch a pane of glass as it fell from the building as I heard one of them say, "Well, there goes today's work."

I knew it was too dangerous for me to approach, but something pushed me forward. Soon behind me, Padfoot follows, walking beside me. "Remember-"

"Don't worry, no one is going to see me." I reassure him.

He seems grateful to be relieved of the responsibility.

I pull my legs over the bench, and slump backwards as I watch the sky again. I murmur to myself softly, something along the lines of, "what if someone does see me?" But I think that's just the anxiety talking.

Padfoot looks over at the men who are still unloading their trucks, with confused faces as they scratch their heads. They began moving around the area again, making sure to give the other workers a heads up about the broken glass. They swiftly rounded up equipment and moved the truck around to the back.

After they were finished cleaning up the glass, Padfoot walked over to ask what they were building. Who seemed nice but very young, even younger than me.

Showing me the blueprint, Padfoot asked where we could get something to eat as he recommended a place called Brawn, which looks rated well enough.

"Thanks," I say as he passes my bag back to me. "Ready?" He asks again.

More confident this time, I say, "Yes."

I suddenly felt not confused, or sad, or lost, but right where I'm supposed to be. Continuing a journey without Rodolphus and Euphemia was a dream come true. It felt like the first time she ran away all over again- Well, I'm on my own now. Time to act like a grown-up. I tried to reassure myself, but the fear of the unknown was slowly catching up to me, chomping away inside me, and chewing a hole through my stomach.

"Are you sure no one knows me here?"

"That's the magic of muggles." He smiled reassuringly.

"Don't fret, Delphi. You are just as invisible as you want to be and I have miraculously made sure of that. Nothing will go wrong."

I gave him a weak smile as he opened the door for me. "Trust me, Delphi. All will work out."

"Well, I guess it's just you and me."