Endless Sacrifice

Chapter 16

I stood in the kitchen mashing potatoes but my eyes were fixated on Harry. He stood at the front window of the cottage, he was scanning the surrounding area. Despite the impenetrable protection enchantments, Harry was still afraid of someone being able to infiltrate the forcefield. I knew there was no calming that anxiety, he had been through so much danger, he was constantly fearful.

The past two weeks since my dearest friends came here had been the most exhausting yet exhilarating time I had in months. I hardly slept because I dreaded any time apart from my friends. We spent most nights talking into the early morning. Some days were spent talking about their hunt for Horcruxes but I was actually surprised by how little we spoke of them. I often imagined myself mending their minds and making them stay with me, I hated knowing our time together was limited. They we would have to return to their hunt soon, I knew it was weighing heavily on each of their minds but especially Harry's. Hermione's voice interrupted my reverie. I smiled feebly at her.

"You okay Mel?" She whispered as she took the bowl from my hand, the potatoes were practically soup now.

I shrugged my shoulders and gestured towards Harry, as my best friend Hermione knew exactly what my troubles were.

"He's okay Mel. This has been hard for all of us." She whispered gently.

"I know. But at least you and Ron have each other for comfort. Harry is alone."

"And you'd be able to remedy that Mrs. Wood?" Hermione teased.

"Oh stifle it Granger." I spat.

"Shall we walk? I've missed the sun."

I looked upwards towards the bedroom I had resided in the past few months, where Eliza laid asleep in her crib. I nodded to Hermione knowing someone could tend to her while we were gone, even for a long period of time. I shook the thought from my mind as we walked towards the front door together. I squeezed Harry's tense shoulder as we passed him. My eyes traveled back towards the front window and were immediately met by Harry's wary gaze.

Hermione chuckled and linked her arm with mine as we walked along the shoreline. I didn't realize we hadn't had a single conversation alone since they arrived at the cottage, I was in complete disbelief at the thought.

"It really is beautiful here, it will be hard to leave." Hermione mused.

I held her arm tighter with mine as we walked. "Then don't Mione, stay here."

"I really wish I could. I hate the idea of leaving my niece. She really is incredible Mel."

"Thanks, she loves you too. You're one of the first people she wants to see in the morning. She'll miss you very much."

"Blimey Mel, how could I possibly leave after hearing that?"

"Good. At least you'll feel bad about it." I muttered begrudgingly.

"Is it really that terrible here? With Oliver?"

"Not really. It's not terrible at all actually, I'm indebted to Bill and Fleur forever. He doesn't say it aloud but Oliver is terrified of leaving. He felt so defenseless when those horrid people came for me back at his parents' house. Despite our own protective enchantments, he felt unprepared, and he doesn't feel that here. I still want to go with you though. I want to help."

"I don't understand why, it's not glamorous whatsoever. We hardly eat, that tent is spacious yet dreadfully cold, we've gotten so sick of each other, not to mention those impossible Horcruxes. I'm not sure what you find so appealing."

"Being with all of you of course. It's been the four of us through everything. I wouldn't have survived last term without you, I'm barely surviving now. I hate that I'm not with you. If I never had Eliza I'd--"