The House-Whisperer

Waifs and Strays, pt. 4

'You're actually laying on top of me!'

'I'm cold!'

'Try wearing a jumper.'

'But you're like my own personal hot water bottle.'

'I was actually trying to read.'

'But I want more story.'

'Merlin, you're demanding! Alright, but you have to get off me, I can't breathe. Okay. So, I'd got to the end of the first year of collections here after the Battle. But there have been others along the way. The house is barely empty sometimes. Ginny's stayed twice. She got herself a girlfriend at some moment and was too scared to tell Molly. She asked if they could rent for a while. They didn't last and then Ginny started to go out with Dean again. Those two are like yoyos. Bill stayed for a few weeks because he and Fleur were having problems and he didn't want to tell Molly but that's all sorted now. Neville stayed for nearly a year, he needed somewhere while we were training. Ron and Hermione lived here for a while before they found their own place. Ernie MacMillan was here for a few weeks, even Millie Bulstrode stayed...'

'What, Slytherin Millicent!'

'Yep, trouble at home over jobs. She went into journalism. Her father wasn't very happy about it and we bumped into each other at the Leaky Cauldron where Tom was giving her a bit of a hard time. Oh, and Oliver Wood too...'

'As in...'

'Yes, Quidditch, Hogwarts...'

'Should I be jealous?'

'No. Do you get jealous easily? I'm not sure I can cope with clingy boyfriends.'

'Who said we were boyfriends?'

'After last night, we're boyfriends.'

'We only kissed.'

'I don't go around just kissing anybody.'

'Okay. Does that mean we get to kiss again?'

'Yes.'

'Now?'

'I thought you'd never ask...

'... So, Oliver Wood.'

'...was between houses. Had just sold his and was waiting for the deeds to be signed off on the new one. Of course, Andy and Teddy are regular visitors. In fact, they were meant to be coming the night I rescued you but I put them off. I think they are the only ones that you know. There's been the odd person from work too. And then there's Catherine and Rufus. And that is, of course, a long story but perhaps the most important. I should kick off by saying that despite already having the cats, I've always loved dogs, then Sirius kind of made it obligatory. So, homing Rufus was a no-brainer. Besides, as you've probably noticed, him and Siri are inseparable.'

'What do you mean "Sirius made it obligatory"? Oh, don't tell me, a different long story...'

'Yes. This story starts with the fact that I usually walk to work. Its not that far and I like the fresh air. Its good to start the day with a clear head. I always walk over Westminster Bridge. And there was always this homeless woman at the top of the westside steps that came up from the Thames. She wasn't very old, I thought maybe in her late-twenties or early-thirties. She would sit in the corner because it was invariably a bit sheltered there and she had this mangy mongrel dog with her. I started buying her cups of coffee and bottles of water. I used to worry about her. It's a vulnerable place to be, on the streets, especially for a woman. In the early days, I would offer to take her the local café for breakfast but she always refused because of Rufus. So, I started buying her sandwiches and dog food for Rufus. Or if I had leftover meals, I would bring them in and collect the Tupperware on the way home.'