Easy Mistake ; Harry Potter

N I N E T Y F O U R | Apparition

As Eleanor approached the front door, she saw the black silhouette of the person through the frosted glass. The ominous image only heightened her fear more.

Eleanor tried to shake the feeling away. She was being silly. It was only 9 o'clock in the evening on a Thursday night, anyone could be knocking on her door. It might not even have anything to do with Harry. 

Still the horrible feeling she had didn't get reassured, it only twisted more painfully still in her stomach.

Taking a deep breath, Eleanor opened the door.

It took a few moments for Eleanors eyes to adjust to the darkness of the night but eventually Eleanor was able to make out the persons features using the dull yellow street lights outside. This only seemed to twist and sharpen their features more grotesquely than if it had been morning.

But there was no mistaking that face.

A noise of surprise left Eleanor's lips when she realised who was standing on her doorstep. "Remus!"

Remus looked down at Eleanor but he didn't wear his usual kind smile. No, his face was grim. He seemed almost defeated and very, very tired.

"Good evening, Eleanor. Sorry to disturb you at such a time."

"No worries. It's lovely to see you again." Seeing Remus' familiar face settled some of the uneasiness in Eleanor. Maybe things are okay. Maybe she was just being paranoid.

"You too. I'm afraid I'm a bearer of bad news." Remus said, glancing behind him and taking a look up and down the street. The street was quiet as usual, the only sound was the dull rumble of faraway cars on the motorway.

Eleanors heart skipped a beat. "Bad news?"

"I'm afraid so." Remus sighed, not giving Eleanor the slightest clue on what it might be about.

A tinge of annoyance ran through Eleanor. "Well," she snapped. "What is it?"

After realising how rude she sounded, her face flushed. "I'm sorry. Er, would you like to come in?"

Eleanor expected Remus to be angry at her outburst, maybe even disappointed but she did not expect to look up and see a ghost of a smile playing on his thin lips. It's was barely even there but Eleanor caught it.

"No thank you, Eleanor. This must be quick, no time for pleasantries."

"Okay." Fear was creeping into Eleanor more and more and it didn't help matters when she saw Remus glance out at the street again, nor when she realised Remus had been gripping his wand inside his robes ever since he had gotten there.

When Eleanor spoke again, her voice trembled with fear. "Remus, what's going on?"

Remus devoted his attention back to the scared teenager in front of him. It pained him to do this, especially after realising she lived a perfectly safe and normal life. She should never have been dragged into any of this.

"Are your parents and brother home?" Remus asked, taking note of how quiet the house was.

Eleanor shook her head. "No, they all went to this fun fair thing this morning. They are staying over night in a hotel, and then coming home tomorrow. The fun fair is a one time thing, you see. They only do it once a year so my parents wanted to allow Josh to have both days there."

"Do you know the hotel they are staying in?"

Eleanor nodded. "It's-"

"Don't say it!" Remus interjected, making Eleanor jump in alarm. "Write it down for me, okay?"