Veronica led Harry to a quiet corner of the garden, away from prying eyes and echoing laughter. The space was shaded by a large willow tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. A curved stone bench with flowers covered the sides sat beneath the tree, and Veronica gestured for Harry to sit while she settled beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sounds of nature surrounded them: the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, the faint hum of bees flitting between flowers. It was peaceful, almost enough to make them forget the chaos of earlier.
Harry sat stiffly, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. Veronica noticed the way his shoulders were hunched, as though he were bracing for the worst.
“So,” she began, keeping her tone light, “do you live nearby?”
Harry hesitated before nodding. “With my aunt and uncle.”
Veronica tilted her head. “And they let you wander this far alone?”
He avoided her gaze, staring down at his scuffed trainers. “They don’t really care where I go,” he muttered.
Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t press. Instead, she shifted the conversation. “Are you hungry?” she asked, glancing at him with a knowing look.
Before Harry could answer, his stomach gave a loud, unmistakable growl. His cheeks flushed crimson, and he ducked his head in embarrassment.
Veronica bit back a smile, though her eyes softened. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, standing up. She turned to face him, hands on her hips. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Harry blinked up at her. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” she interrupted gently. “And besides, you can’t go around saving the world on an empty stomach.”
He gave her a puzzled look, but before he could question her, she was already walking toward the manor.
---
It didn’t take long for Veronica to return, a small tray in hand. On it was a plate of sandwiches, a couple of apples, and a bottle of pumpkin juice. She set the tray on the bench between them, sitting down with an air of satisfaction.
“Here,” she said, handing him a sandwich. “Eat.”
Harry hesitated, his fingers brushing the edge of the bread. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Of course it is,” Veronica said firmly. “No one should go hungry, Harry.”
At her reassurance, he took a cautious bite. The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his eyes widened, and he quickly took another, then another.
Veronica watched him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You act like you’ve never had a proper meal before.”
Harry paused mid-bite, glancing at her nervously. “It’s just... not like this at home,” he said softly.
Her heart ached at his words, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she handed him the bottle of pumpkin juice. “Well, you’re here now. So eat as much as you want.”
As he devoured the sandwiches, she began to ask him gentle questions. Where he went to school, what his favorite subjects were, if he had any friends. His answers were brief at first, but as he relaxed, he began to open up.
“You’re not like other people,” Harry said suddenly, looking at her with those piercing green eyes.
Veronica raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“You’re... kind,” he said simply, as though it were the rarest thing in the world.
For a moment, Veronica didn’t know how to respond. She reached up, her fingers brushing against the Phoenix pendant around her neck.
“Kindness doesn’t cost anything, Harry,” she said softly. “And sometimes, it can change everything.”
Harry considered her words, his expression thoughtful. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope.
As the sun began to set, casting the garden in a warm golden glow, Veronica made a silent promise to herself. Harry wouldn’t face the world alone anymore.
