Your Grief is My Grief [DM] sequel to Beauty and the Beast

Chapter Fifteen

Lizzie's POV:

Grayson,

Please owl me as soon as possible. We need to talk, and not for the reason you might think. I need to explain some things. I miss you.

Love,

Lizzie

With a small flourish or my quill, I finished the letter that I had constructed and was about to send to Grayson. Ever since I had arrived home from Kings Cross (which was all of 20 minutes ago), something began to eat at me from the inside out. I had to talk to Grayson.

I rolled the parchment up and tied it with a small piece of twine I had found on my desk. Gray's owl had been at our home when we arrived as if she knew I would be in need of her.

"Here, Theo," I smiled kindly at the proud, eagle owl and handed her the letter. "To Grayson." She flapped her wings and was out the window in a blink of an eye.

Grayson, who absolutely hated learning about history, was a bit of an American history geek, so had named Theo after Theodosia Burr Alston, daughter of Aaron Burr, the man who had murdered Alexander Hamilton. Gray had always loved the name Theodosia and hadn't agreed with Hamilton (seeing as he had cheated on his wife), so he decided to name his owl after the daughter (and wife) of the man who had killed him.

I stared after the small, black spot that was quickly disappearing in the direction of Grayson's apartment. I figured I should get a response soon, since Gray lived so close to us, but only if he didn't choose to ignore me.

Naturally my mind went immediately to Draco. I wondered if he had made it home well and hoped that Theo returned quickly so I could write Draco before bed, just to be sure. Better safe than sorry.

I was to go to Malfoy Manor again this year a bit after opening gifts with my mum (and Grayson if he decided to show up) on Christmas morning. I faintly pondered about if his mum would have a Christmas ball this year as well.

Humming quietly to myself Suite For Solo Cello No. 1 In G Major, Bwv 1007 by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of my favorite classical pieces by one of my favorite musicians, I lay myself down on my bed. Before I knew it, I relaxed into the comforts of sleep.

-----

I awoke slowly to my mum calling to me from the front room. "Lizzie! Theo's here with a letter for you." I sat up quickly and regretted it. My head began to spin slightly, but I pushed through it. Stumbling slightly, I hurried down the stairs to my mum, who was standing by an open window where Theodosia was perched. "The bloody owl was trying to break the window."

"I'm sure she would if given the chance," I replied. Theo hated being cooped up, so Gray often just let her fly in and out as she wish.

"Is it from Gray?" mum asked quietly, wringing her hands.

"I assume so," I spoke, unrolling the parchment.

Leaky Cauldron. 8 pm. Don't let mum come.

G

This was all that was written on the parchment. It happened to be the same piece that I had sent initially.

"What time is it?" I looked up to my mum who was eyeing me peculiarly.

She glanced at the silver watch on her wrist. "It's about 7:35, why?"

"Gray wants me to meet him at the Leaky Cauldron at 8," I told her quickly, turning on my heel to head back to my room and grab my jacket and scarf.

"Great! I'll come too!" Mum started to walk towards the door, where her own jacket was hanging.

I stopped my journey and turned back around. "Mum," I began delicately, "he doesn't want you to come."