Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

30. Owlpost

Chapter 30: Owlpost

The flat immediately started to feel empty when Leigh had decided to leave later that evening and was currently collecting her things. Fred would've rather liked her to stay a bit longer, but it was Monday tomorrow, and he understood there was a lot for her to prepare before tomorrow's classes.

Somehow something felt unfinished after their earlier conversation, and he found himself pondering it as he stood leaning against the wall in the flat, waiting for the moment to say goodbye. His mind went back to earlier; her light touches, the way she fiddled with the sleeve of his shirt while leaning against him.

He chewed on his lip and glanced towards one of the rooms further inside the flat, where George had just entered. He gave Leigh a polite smile before moving towards the room, coming face to face with his brother, who was looking through some drawers.

Fred spoke quietly once he knew he was out of sound. "Do you think it was a good idea to talk about that?"

George's brows furrowed together as a look of confusion overtook his features. "That? What do you mean 'that'?"

Fred glanced out the door and towards Leigh before his gaze moved up to look at his brother.

"About the battle. About...everything."

George thought back to their conversation and seemed to contemplate it for a moment, peeking out through the door to take a look at Leigh. "She seemed alright. I think it's good for her to know she's not alone, you know? That others have also struggled," he replied finally.

Fred nodded at his brother's words. "Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right."

Moments later Leigh bid her goodbye and stepped into the cold air of Hogsmeade.

-

"Hi guys, what are you up to?" Leigh spoke once she was faced with a few of her friends in the great hall. The days had rushed past, and Wednesday had already came knocking at the door.

"Oh hey! Just chatting," Ron replied. "Except for Hermione who'd rather sit with her nose in a book than be social."

Hermione rolled her eyes beside him. "Just taking a few extra notes for Arithmancy," she replied, looking up. "Leigh gets it."

Ron shook his head, instead spearing his fork through a sausage and shoving it into his mouth. "I'll never get it," he mumbled, instead directing his gaze towards the ceiling, where a crowd of owls were approaching.

"Oh post!" Hermione exclaimed, abruptly shutting her book and looking up with a wide smile.

Harry leaned towards Leigh beside him, lowering his voice while his eyes were set on Hermione's grinning form. "She's been so excited for her parents to write, sweet isn't it?"

"Yeah." Leigh agreed. The corners of her lips tipped upwards at the view.

The owls dived, sweeping down across the tables to deliver letters, more letters than expected, along with some smaller packages. Both Ron and Hermione received a letter, while Harry received a small package with an accompanying parchment.

"Ginny?" Leigh asked with a raised grow and small smile.

"Yeah," Harry said in a breath, diligently working on opening his letter and reading through its contents.

She smiled faintly at the view and reached forward to grab a piece of bread from the table.

Her eyes trailed back to Hermione, who was reading her letter from her parents with big, excited eyes, fiddling with a strand of her hair.