The Way We Fall | Book 3

Chapter 2: Secrets

I woke up the next morning to the smell of my dad's bacon. Harry was asleep beside me, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

Smiling a little, I attempted to get up. But, his grip around me tightened, as he groaned in protest. 

"Harry, wake up." I said softly, brushing my thumb over his cheek. His brilliant green eyes slowly peeked open, and looked at me. 

I grinned, and kissed him. "Good morning."

He smiled at me, hugging me closer to him. I yawned, and cuddled into him.

"Good morning you little lovebirds!" My dad chirped, leaning over us.

"Morning dad." I mumbled with embarrassment, as we sat up.

"Breakfast is almost ready, so you better get up. Harry, I'm gonna have to kick you out afterwards. Riley and I have things to do,"

"Oh, that's fine." He said.

Ugh, what did we have to do that was so important Harry had to go home? Probably another 'always use protection' talk. NOT AGAIN!

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"Riley, we need to talk." Dad told me. "It's very important."

"Dad, I already know what you're about to tell me. I promise, we're not doing anything." I said, rolling my eyes.

He chuckled, and shook his head. "It's not about that. I just thought you'd like to know that we'll be leaving soon."

I frowned. "Leaving? You don't mean moving, right?"

He sighed. "Not necessarily. I have some business I need to take care of, and I can't do it from here."

"So, where are we going?"

"Well, for the rest of the summer, we'll be staying with Sirius and the Weasleys somewhere. It's only temporary. We'll be back by next summer."

I groaned, and threw myself onto the couch. "Is Harry coming?"

"No, and he isn't to know where we're going. Dumbledore's orders. Riley, if you tell, we're all in big trouble."

"It's not fair, dad! We're going to stay with his Godfather, while he's locked in his room hungry. I'm not going without him."

He sat beside me, and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know you love him, little champ. He'll understand."

I shook my head. "Why dad? Why do I have to lie to him?"

"You're not lying to him, you're lying for him. Remember that." Then, he got up and left. 

I hated it. He promised me we wouldn't move, and we were already leaving. I didn't want to sneak behind Harry's back. He never did that to me, so why was it right to do that to him?

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"I thought your dad said you weren't leaving." Harry said sadly, after I finished explaining to him what was going to happen in just a few days.

"I thought so too. He's got some weird 'business' to handle. Apparently it's only temporary. So, at least we can hopefully spend next summer together." I replied, sighing.

"Yeah. Where are you going?"

"I don't know, he didn't say. It shouldn't be too far, considering I'll still be going to Hogwarts."

"Maybe it's not. But, no matter how far away you are, you'll always be on my mind." 

My face grew hot as I placed a kiss on his lips. "You're sweet,"

"You're sweeter."

"I'll miss you a lot, Harry."

"I'll miss you too, love. But, I promise I'll write to you every day."

"You better."

We left the playground we were at, and walked back home together, hand in hand. I was going to miss this so much. Walking to the park every day, holding Harry's hand. I'd miss everything about him.

When we got to my front door, he gave me a kiss, and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll see you soon, love. Don't be upset, alright?"

I nodded, and pulled him in for a hug. He hugged me back, stroking my hair, and telling me soothing things. I couldn't leave him, I really couldn't. It's hard for me to think of myself enjoying a day without him right beside me.

As soon as I walked inside, I went to my room, and curled up in bed. There, I cried myself to sleep.

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"Alright, Riley, are you ready?" Dad asked. Today was the day we left for wherever we were going. I nodded, gripping my trunk tightly in my hand.

Amber was wearing her purple backpack, and a stuffed cat, while Lauren was asleep in her carseat with a pacifier in her mouth. We headed outside, where dad's shiny car was waiting. I opened the trunk, and helped him load all of our luggage into it.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned, and my eyes met a pair of green ones, staring softly at me. Today would be the last day I saw those eyes for weeks. He embraced me into a death hug, kissing the top of my head. "I love you so much, Riley."

"I love you too. You better write everyday, Harry Potter. I want a big, long letter every single day. No less than 500 words." I told him.

"And I better get one back. No less than 800 words."

We laughed a little, before giving each other one last kiss, and parting. I sat in the front seat beside my dad, who squeezed my hand, and gave me a gentle look. 

We pulled out of our driveway, and with that, we turned a corner, and the sight of the boy I loved was gone.