The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

03. Leaky Cauldron? Leaky Hell.

So Lottie didn't let me go until she'd heard the whole story- and every small detail- twice over, which basically allowed my lovely younger sister to laugh at my misfortune.
Eventually we had to go back home since we'd be leaving for London (we are rather far from the city, and we're going to stay at a hotel place thingy).

I'm now officially banned from the floo network alone by my mother, who constantly fusses about the dangers of magic to the family. Miriam thought it was funny, until mum interrupted her rant last night to tell her that she was now banned as well.
Call me a narcissist but the look of horror on Miriam's face was priceless.

I started reading Quidditch Through The Ages last night, after I packed my suitcase (half of which contains books) to drown out the sound of Miriam fangirling about her classes. I'm pretty sure she slept with her acceptance letter underneath her pillow.

*

I wake up with my sister's face just centimetres from mine, "WHAT THE- mmf!"

She clasps a hand over my mouth, "It's six thirty, Ma says it's too early but I can't sleep."

"What do you want me to do?" I hiss, turning my back. I hear the bunk bed ladder creak as she pulls herself up and lifts my duvet, "God, why me?"

Miriam lies still for a few moments before huffing and turning towards my back, "Lin?"

I shuffle onto my left shoulder, "Yeah?"

"I'm scared."

Her words stun me. As much as we bicker, she's still my younger sister and its my responsibility to protect her, "Why?"

she avoids my eyes, "I dunno... school... the war."

I brush a curl from her face, I don't know what to say. I can't lie to her, we're not rich, we've been called blood traitors many times, "You've got me to protect you, I did get an O in Defence Against the Dark Arts last year y'know." she smiles, "And as for school, you're gonna be fine. You're good at making friends- unlike me. If anyone tries to annoy you, I'll avenge you."

"Avenge me?" She smirks, "If the school finds out about the little accident, you'll be a laughing stock."

I hit her with my pillow, "shut up!"

*

Eventually we had to get up as mum had arranged a fixed time to get to the Leaky Cauldron by floo. By eight we were by the fireplace, suitcases in hand and a handful of powder in the other. I had put on my cloak with my house scarf wrapped tightly around my throat ten minutes ago, and now i'm rather sweaty.
Oops.

"Do you have your books?" Mum.

"Yes."

"Cauldron? Vials?" Dad.

"Yes."

"Winter cloak?" Dad again.

"Yes."

"Tie?" Mum.

"Everything is packed." I sigh. Miriam doesn't get this interrogation since mum packed her stuff.

My dad takes Miriam first, "Leaky Cauldron."

They're gone in a flash of green flames. Merlin, why does he make everything seem effortless?
I mean, all I inherited from dad is the inability to be tidy and straight dark hair. Miriam's got all the luck, curly hair and mum's green eyes, carbon copy I tell you!
And then there's me, short, spectacle-bound and-

"Earth to Aylin."

"What?" I must've got distracted. It's a habit.

"Stop zoning out like that." Mum ushers me into the fireplace, and I latch onto her with one hand, and my suitcase with the other. A few moments of shuffling later, and we're ready, "Leaky Cauldron."