Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

65. Aardvark

Hi all!

Important!!: Free palestine 🍉, boycott israel, speak up and take a stance against genocide. Please get informed if you haven't already. Silence is compliance. Help protect the Madleen⛵️

Chapter 65: Aardvark

The evening turned out lovely. Nestled in the festive spirits and the warmth it brought, Leigh mostly witnessed the rest of the night's conversations. She occasionally joined in with a comment or question, but spent most of the time listening in from the sidelines, watching their voices all effortlessly intermingling. The comfy atmosphere was palpable, and it was clear all of them were enjoying their family members' company.

Although the siblings were different in many ways, they all clicked together so flawlessly, Harry included. It was a lovely thing to witness, and although Leigh did miss having a family like this herself, the faint feeling of jealousy quickly slipped away as she listened to their conversations, occasionally bursting out laughing.

Now back in his childhood home, Fred seemed even more childish than usual, the exuberance clear as day on every one of his facial expressions. Leigh caught herself gazing at him admiringly more than once, seeing his wide smile and enthuasiastic expression as he spoke and added onto his siblings' comments.

The evening started faring to its end, with Molly and Arthur already having excused themselves to disappear upstairs, soon followed by Percy, and after that Charlie.

Not long thereafter Leigh and Ginny made their way up the stairs together, one of the last ones to leave the living room. Leigh had seen her talking closely with Harry before climbing the stairs with a giggle, and she knew already what was going on.

After getting ready in the bathroom, Leigh joined Ginny in her room, swiftly taking a spot on her assigned extra-bed, crossing her legs as she waited for Ginny to speak. When she didn't do so immediately, Leigh couldn't wait any longer.

The corner of her lips showed a knowing smile, and Ginny turned to look at her as she spoke. "I know you'll go to Harry soon anyway, just go already," she grinned, watching as Ginny's face soon fell into a boisterous smile as her intentions were caught. 

Harry was staying in Ron's room, and although there was space in there for two Molly had been adamant about them not spending the night in the same room. Leigh couldn't blame her, really. She was her mother after all.

"You won't tell?" Ginny asked, making Leigh huff out a laugh.

"Of course not."

"I knew I was gonna like you," she said playfully as she started gathering some pieces of clothing from her wardrobe. Once everything was stowed in a pile in her arms she made her way to the door, disappearing out into the corridor before turning back to give Leigh an excited grin through the slit in the door. "Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Have fun," Leigh responded, to which Ginny raised her eyebrow with a growing smirk before quietly closing the door behind her. Leigh was left with a faint smile as she looked after her, a sigh escaping her lips once she came to terms with finally being alone. After a day of constant company it was nice to get a moment to herself.

She reached for her wand, placed upon her bag beside the bed, before uttering muffliato, relieved to have the night set out for her. She didn't know if she'd experience any nightmares tonight, but if she did then no one else would have to realize. Only being safe in that knowledge, which had kept her on edge for parts of the evening, was a relief.