Courage

-96-

Book: Courage
Chapter 96
Word Count: 3863

"But why can't I go?" Ginny complained as she stood with her father.

Layla leant against the wall, watching the father and daughter interact. She had grown an inch or two, her hair was longer and she had lost the pink in it, going back to her natural brown colour. She'd started thinking the pink highlights were a bit immature. Her skin was flawless and she'd started wearing makeup. Her style had greatly improved, too. She'd gone from wearing sweaters and jeans to being adorned in some black leggings, black ankle boots, a white short-sleeved top with a black leather jacket over it.

Layla had really grown into herself and she was more beautiful than before. If that was even possible.

"For the last time, Ginny, because you are underage!" replied Arthur Weasley, speaking low enough so that none of the fourteen witches and wizards inside the house would be able to hear them.

"I'm barely underage, and Ron, Lay, and Hermione--"

"You know as well as I do that we have no chance of keeping Ron, Layla, and Hermione from this," Arthur said shortly. "If I had my druthers, they wouldn't be going, and neither would Fleur."

"Or Mundungus," Layla spoke up dryly.

"Please, Layla," Mr Weasley sighed, glancing at the brunette. "Mundungus has his rough edges, of course, but Mad-Eye vouches for him well enough, and Dumbledore trusted him..."

"And we saw how far that got him with Snape, didn't we?" said Ginny.

"That is enough out of you, young lady," snapped Mr Weasley. "You'll stay here with your mother and that's final."

"I'm sorry, Gin," said Layla, "but it's what's best. No one wants you getting hurt. You're only sixteen."

"I'm only a year younger than you," Ginny shot back. Layla shot her a look, causing Ginny to sigh. "Fine."

Just, the rest of the Order of the Phoenix and their assorted allies began to emerge from within The Burrow, heading to their brooms and thestrals and (in one very large case) enchanted motorbikes. Mad-Eye was barking out last minute instructions, and Bill and Remus were casting Disillusionment Charms. Hermione, Layla, and Ron were the last two out of The Burrow, and they glanced at Ginny sympathetically as they passed.

"We'll see you soon, Gin," said Layla. She picked up her broom and mounted it.

"Everybody ready?" barked Mad-Eye. "Off you all go!"

The thestrals rose into the air first, flying off into the sunset, and brooms began to rise shortly after. Layla kicked off from the ground and raced to catch up with the thestrals, heading towards Surrey.

Layla couldn't wait to see Harry again.

The sky was darkening with each minute that passed, and Layla shivered as she grew colder the higher up she flew.

Eventually, as the sky grew impossibly dark and night had fallen, Layla was staring at the home of Harry Potter.

The summer had been long for Layla. The war was close, she could taste it in the air, but nothing she did could make her feel prepared for it.

Thoughts of war slowly slipped from her mind, however, and all she could think about was seeing Harry again after a long and quiet summer.

"Ready, Lay?" asked Hermione, dismounting the thestral she had ridden on. Layla glanced at her and shot her best friend a small smile, nodding.

As Mad Eye went to knock on the door, it swung open before he could and out strode Harry Potter himself. Layla grinned before he even lay his green eyes on her.