Roses and Riots | f. weasley

Chapter 67: Lionheart

A/N: Finally, a new chapter! I've been so busy with uni/exams the last couple of months so haven't been able to write much. This was a complicated chapter for me to write and I wanted to do it justice, and now it's yours at last! Thank you all for your continued patience and support <3

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"So where are we, exactly?" Ron asked as they walked through overgrown underbrush and thickets of trees.

Emilia looked down at the Muggle map in her hands, "we're in Somerset. Right about here, near the nature reserve."

She trailed her finger down the paper and pointed to their approximate location on the map, "and down here is Godric's Hollow."

She had Apparated them to the rural moors of the national park, where they could follow the road south until they got to the small village of Godric's Hollow.

"It should take us about two hours to walk the rest of the way, I just figured we'd be safer walking the rest of the way, to see if we're being followed and avoid getting Splinched."

Ron winced and his hand subconsciously went up to his opposite shoulder and arm, which was almost completely healed from being Splinched.

"Yup, don't want anyone else tagging along for the ride," he muttered.

Emilia led the way down the rural winding path, and she turned her head to look at Ron, putting her hand on his good arm.

"Thank you for coming with me. I know it wasn't easy saying goodbye to everyone again, and I know you'd probably rather be with your family."

Ron nodded, "well, at least I had a chance to say goodbye this time. And Emilia, you're family too, you know that."

She smiled at him and gave him a single nod, "thanks all the same."

Ron returned her smile, and then looked at the long road ahead of them, "you couldn't have Apparated us a little bit closer, no?"

Emilia chuckled, "shut up, Ronald."

They walked through fields until they came to a narrow road, and found a sign indicating that they were nearing the village of Godric's Hollow. Following the road for a bit longer, the village came into view, and they could already see down the street that the place was bustling with activity.

"Shit, everyone must be out to celebrate Christmas," Emilia muttered. "We should find somewhere to lay low until it gets dark, it'll be easier to stay out of sight that way."

Ron nodded, and they doubled back on themselves until they came to a wooded area, and after struggling through thick weeds and undergrowth, they found a clear spot under some trees.

Sitting at the base of a tree on a blanket that Emilia had pulled out of her bag, the two of them sat shoulder to shoulder, Emilia occupying herself by looking at a map of the village, using a pencil to mark potential escape routes, should they run into trouble.

Ron was flicking his Deluminator on and off, and nothing was happening.

"Does it not need nearby lights for it to work?" Emilia asked, growing slightly impatient by Ron's continuous clicking of the small tool.

Ron sighed and leaned back against the tree trunk, "yeah, it doesn't work unless there's lights to put on or off, I guess it's just a habit I got into. I keep waiting to hear the voices again, but nothing since last night."

"You sure it wasn't a dream?"

Ron fixed her with a withering look, "yes, I'm sure it wasn't a dream, Emilia. Thanks."