Chapter 2
When Ellie finally arrived in London, the sun was already beginning to rise and the Leaky Cauldron was completely empty, except for the sleepy witch at the night desk.
“Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron. How can I help you.”
Her voice was dragging and husky, sounding like she was barely awake, something Ellie couldn’t blame her for.
“I need a room.”
“For how long?”
“Three weeks.”
“Room 12.”, pushing the room key towards her lazily, the witch didn’t even really bother looking at her, had she, she’d probably not look quite as bored, “Need any help with your language?”
“No thank you.”
Heading towards the stairs, Ellie could hardly wait for a shower. The last week had been a lot rougher than she’d anticipated. Things had gone drastically wrong, and not only for her, as it seemed.
Once Ellie had showered, she headed back down, where Tom, the owner of the pub, was beginning the day’s business.
“Morning Tom.”
“Ah, Miss Potter, long time no see. Want some breakfast?”
“Not quite yet, Tom, thanks. I’m waiting for someone. But I’ll take some tea, please.”
It took about an hour before Harry came heading into the parlour, where he immediately spotted Ellie.
“Ellie!”
“Hey there, Harry.”
As soon as she turned to the light and he got to see her face properly, his eyes widened.
“What happened?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your birthday.”
“It’s alright. You look like you’ve been through hell!”
“Pretty, aren’t they?”, looking down on her hands, Ellie could see a little of what Harry saw over her face, neck and arms. Cuts, deep and shallow, burns and bruises were covering nearly every inch of her skin.
“Got myself into a bit of a pickle, I’m afraid. But, well, I got out, just took me a little longer than I hoped. I’m really sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. Come, sit down, sweety, tell me what happened.”
As Harry rounded the table, Tom brought them their breakfast, and once he had left again, Ellie looked at Harry expectantly.
“I heard rumours that you had blown up your aunt. What did Petunia do?”
“Not Petunia. Marge.”
Ah. That explained it. Ellie had met Vernon’s sister only once when Harry had still been little, but she thoroughly despised that woman. She was worse than Vernon, and she enjoyed torturing Harry.
“She said some horrible things about my parents. I… I just got so angry. Next thing I know she’s swelling and starts floating around like a human balloon.”
“Oh Harry. You lost control of your magic?”
“I’m sorry. But you should have heard some of the things she said about Dad!”
Sighing, Ellie tried to decide whether to scold him or reassure him. The older Harry got, the more she felt for her parents, who had to deal with James’ shenanigans and after some point with Sirius’ too. Both of them would have found this absolutely hilarious. And if she was being honest with herself, so did she.
“I know, sweety. I know it’s hard for you to hear someone insult their memory, I understand that. I don’t condone you blowing up your aunt, but I also think you already know it wasn’t okay, don’t you?”
The nod Harry now gave her clearly told her that, although he didn’t regret it, he knew it had been wrong.
“Good. Then lets not dwell on that. We’ve got a whole three weeks before school starts again and I think we should enjoy ourselves, don’t you?”
The three weeks were over in a blink, and soon the end of August had arrived.
“Harry, sweety, the Weasleys will come later in the day and they’re going to take you to King’s Cross with them.”
“You’re going back to your secret job?”
“One of those days I’ll tell you, promise.”
“Just be careful, okay?”
“Oh, my sweet boy, I’ll be perfectly safe. But you, you promise me you don’t go, getting yourself into trouble this year. No hunting for the philosopher’s stone, no exploring the chamber of secrets, okay?”
“I’ve already done that anyways.”
“Yeah, well, try not adding to the list, then, eh? And I’ll know if you do!”
Smiling, Harry hugged her tightly, promising to write her regularly, and receiving a similar promise, before Ellie returned to Little Whinging.