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Chapter 16 - A New Friend

She had finally escaped, for how long? She doesn't know. What she did know was that she needed to keep running. And she did. She had no clue where she was going but she knew she had to keep running if she wanted to stay free. That's when she came across a group of people walking down the street.

"So then Rose had the cheek to ask me about it." Hermione scoffed.

"Yes, very interesting." Erica nodded before whispering to Harry,"What was she talking about again? I fell asleep halfway through."

"Rose being Rose." Harry sighed.

"Ah, makes sense." Erica then turned forward, noticing a girl staring at them,"You okay?"

The girl went to say something but her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell to the ground.

"Oh- Oh f*ck." Parker quickly ran over and held the girl.

"No! She has a pulse." Parker sighed, "We need to get her somewhere."

"I think my house is free." Erica told them.

"Right. Someone help me?" Parker asked.

"I will." Hermione volunteered, walking over to Parker.

"Just hold her arms." She nodded before she looked at Erica, waiting for her to apparate.

Erica stood for a moment before she apparated them,"Sorry about that."

"It's alright." Parker shook her head, "Where do you want her?"

"Maybe the couch, probably a safe bet." Erica shrugged.

After they put the girl down, they all just stood, looking at her.

"She's young." Hermione sighed.

"She looks kinda like you when you were younger, Parker." Erica pointed out.

"A little. I don't see it really." Parker shrugged.

"I don't see much of anything anymore." Erica shrugged before walking off,"I'll get her some water."

"What do you thinks wrong with her? She's.. Hurt. Bruises, scratches." Ron looked at her.

"Maybe she... Ran out of a bad situation? Her family? A relationship?" Harry suggested.

"Poor thing." Parker tutted and stroked her hair.

Erica walked back in with a glass of water, announcing herself in a dramatic fashion,"I'm back!"

"Oh my god, really? I had no idea?" Ron chuckled.

"Another word and it's over your head." Erica warned him.

Ron quickly shut up, sitting back.

"Thanks Ron." Erica smiled.

"Should we wait to wake her up? Or should we wake her just now?" Harry tilted his head.

"Let her sleep, I don't think I have anything planned." Erica sat down.

"Right. This is interesting. Mind if we stay?" Ron asked.

"Might as well." Erica nodded.

They nodded before they all went to do their own things. After a while, the Herd heard some bangs from the living room.

"I think she's awake." Erica sighed and made her way to the living room.

When they walked through, they seen the girl trying to find a way out, she was panicking.

"I think she's awake." Erica sighed and made her way to the living room.

"Hey, calm down." Erica reached out to her.

"Look- I just want to go." The girl shook her head.

"But you're hurt." Erica pointed out.

"I'm.. I'm fine. Just stay back." She pointed.

"Look, you can leave my house after I've helped heal you." Erica told her.

"..Who are they?" She pointed at the Herd behind her.

"..Who are they?" She pointed at the Herd behind her.

"My friends." Erica informed her.

"They all say that." She scoffed.

"Well, they are." Erica stated,"They've truly been great people."

"Just sit down, hun. Let us help you and we can explain who we are." Parker smiled softly.

"Yeah, I think that'll calm us all down." Ron stated.

The girl was hesitant at first. They could all tell. It took her a minute before she slowly nodded. Erica sat down, making sure to keep some distance between her and the gorl.

"..Where am I?' The young girl looked around.

"My house." Erica told her.

"And where is that?" She rubbed her arms.

"London." Erica answered.

"London?" She cursed and shook her head.

"Mhm." Erica nodded.

"And where are you from? Are you from around here?" Hermione spoke.

"No, no. I'm not." She shook her head.

"Let's start with some basics instead." Erica changed topics,"My name is Erica, what's yours?"

"It's Kayleigh." She sighed.

There, they have a name.

"I like that name." Erica told her.

"Thank you." Kayleigh nodded, "What about them?"

"Go on, introduce yourself." Erica turned to them.

"Hi, I'm Harry." Harry smiled at her.

"I'm Hermione, Granger. It's nice to meet you." Hermione nodded.

"Ron." Ron spoke as he ate some cereal.

"I'm Parker. You're in safe hands here." She assured Kayleigh.

"Ron. Stop eating. This is important." Erica glared at him.

"I stress eat!" He pointed.

"At least let me have some then." Erica told him.

Ron held out the bowl.

"Thanks." Erica took a piece,"I mean, it's my food."

"Yeah, yeah." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Now, where were we?" Erica turned back to Kayleigh.

"..Can I go now? I know your names and you've all been kind." She shook her head.

"I have no reason to keep you here, it's your choice." Erica sighed.

"Thank you, for helping me." Kayleigh nodded before she left.

"She's just a kid." Parker sighed.

"I can't hold her against her will." Erica told her.

"I know." Parker nodded, "Alright. We best be off, see you tomorrow?"

"Right." Erica nodded.

"Bye Er." Harry waved as they all left.

**

During the night, Erica could swear she heard knocking.

"F*ck." She muttered as she got up wearily.

Who could be knocking at this time? It better not be Ron, she'd kill him. She was actually getting a nice sleep for once.

"Hello?" She heard a familiar voice.

Was that Kayleigh?

"Kayleigh?" Erica yawned as she opened the door.

"I'm sorry to bother you but i didn't know where else to go." Kayleigh looked at her, the rain pouring down around the streets.

"Get in, it's raining." Erica sighed, holding the door open.

Kayleigh sighed and walked in. Erica quickly shut the door, she was in pyjamas and she didn't want to let the cold air in.

"Could I.. Could I stay here tonight? I have nowhere to go. I don't even know where London is properly." Kayleigh shook her head.

How did she not know? Has she living under a rock?

"I see no problem with that." Erica shrugged,"I have a guest room upstairs."

"Thank you. I'm sorry, again." She sighed.

"I don't mind, I wasn't really sleeping anyway." Erica lied.

"You were yawning, you're in your pyjamas. I can see that your eyes aren't even half open and your voice has a small croak in it." She tilted her head, "I'm sorry for waking you up."

"I mean, maybe you woke me up but I run on no sleep all the time. I'll be fine." Erica assured her.

"I know how you feel. I hardly get sleep." Kayleigh chuckled.

Erica smiled softly,"Come on, let's go upstairs. Just be quiet, the kids are sleeping."

"You have children?" Kayleigh looked up at her.

"Mhm, two daughters." Erica nodded.

"What age are they? I'm great with kids." Kayleigh hummed.

"Ten and eleven." Erica answered.

"I'm sure they're as kind and sweet as you.' Kayleigh nodded.

"I raised them well." Erica told her.

She then instinctively using her wand to turn on the lights in the guest room, her tiredness blocking her rational thinking.

"You're a witch?" Kayleigh looked at her wand.

"Hm?" Erica looked at her and then at her wand,"Oh yeah, yeah I am."

"I've read about people like you. Ra- My uncle.. He.. He likes his stories." She lied.

Erica could tell something was off but she couldn't put her finger on it. That's when she had an idea. Legilimency. Wait, is it moral to read someone's mind without permission?

"Is something wrong?" Kayleigh tilted her head.

"Just.. Stand still for a moment." Erica closed her eyes,"Forgive me."

"Forgive you for what?" Kayleigh asked her.

Erica raised her wand and tapped it against Kayleigh's forehead. That's when Erica seen some flashes. Loads of men, weapons, training, Kayleigh in a suit, out in the streets, an old man talking to a young girl, a baby. Not to mention the more.. Gruesome and sad memories.

"Ow!" Kayleigh yelped.

Erica backed away,"F*cking hell. Why did I think that was a good idea? I'm stupid. I should mind my own business."

"What did you do?" Kayleigh held her head.

"Looked into your mind?" Erica admitted shyly.

"Why?" Kayleigh questioned.

"Well, I'm not sure. Curiousity? Worry?" Erica struggled for an answer.

"Why would you worry? I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." Kayleigh chuckled.

"I tell my friends that all the time, honey." Erica sighed.

Kayleigh bit her inner cheek, "Can I go to sleep now? I'll be quiet, I won't wake your kids."

Erica nodded and made her way back to her own room. She didn't feel like sleeping anymore..

**

"Who was at the door last night?" Cedar asked.

"A guest." Erica answered simply.

"Are they still here?" Cedar looked at Phoenix.

"Yes, she's still in the guest room as far I'm aware." Erica told her.

"Should I bring her breakfast?" Cedar held up her plate.

"If you want to." Erica smiled.

"Okay." Cedar nodded and grabbed another plate before she headed upstairs.

Erica watched her leave before taking a sip of her coffee. When Cedar got upstairs, she could see the guest room door was open slightly and a back was staring at her. Although, she could tell the person was looking out the window. Best to speak calmly as to not spook her.

"Hi!" Cedar spoke excitedly.

Goddamnit. Kayleigh jumped and turned around

"Oh hello." She smiled softly.

"I got you breakfast." Cedar told her, holding up the plate.

"You didn't need to do that." Kayleigh chuckled.

"Well, I wanted to so here you go." Cedar sat the plate on a small table.

"Thank you." She nodded, "You must be one of Erica's daughters."

"Mhm, that is correct." Cedar nodded happily.

"I'm Kayleigh." Kayleigh smiled.

"Cedar." She introduced herself.

"It's lovely to meet you, you have such a nice name." Kayleigh nodded.

"Thanks, I was actually named after one of my mum's old friends. His name was Cedric." Cedar informed her.

"I don't know where my name came from." She shook her head slowly.

"It's fine." Cedar told her,"I wish I could've met Cedric, he sounded really nice."

"Oh.. I'm sorry." Kayleigh sighed.

"It's okay. Mum says she's dealing with it better than before the War." Cedar explained.

"The War?" Kayleigh raised a brow as she sat down.

"The second Wizarding War. My mum fought in it with her friends." Cedar went on,"They did it though, they saved everyone!"

"Your mother must be very strong." Kayleigh ate the food, rather quickly.

"She is." Cedar nodded,"Physically, that is."

"Mentally?" Kayleigh raised a brow.

Cedar nodded,"Her and her friends went through so much at a young age, they never got to have a childhood. They sacrificed it unwillingly for us, for everyone."

Kayleigh and these people had so much in common.

"The War's over now, right?" Kayleigh asked her.

"Yeah, they stopped the bad guys." Cedar smiled before realizing everything she just told this girl, a complete stranger.

"It's alright. I won't tell anyone." Kayleigh hummed and handed her the empty plate.

Cedar quietly took the plate and began walking downstairs. Cedar walked through to the kitchen to see Erica.

"You okay, sweetie?" Erica asked her.

"Would you be mad or upset if I told a total stranger that's is in our guest room about how you and the others saved the whole Wizarding World?" Cedar quickly spoke.

Erica blinked slowly, she really had no words for this situation.

"I'm so sorry, it just blurted out." Cedar shook her head.

Erica took a few more seconds before she answered,"I know, things happen. It's fine."

Cedar sighed, "I'm sorry mum."

"Come here." Erica bent down slightly.

Cedar looked to the ground before she walked up to her. Erica wrapped her arms around her daughter, she wasn't angry.

Cedar hugged her mother back, "She said she wouldn't tell anyone."

Erica nodded, giving Cedar a small squeeze before letting go.

"We may need to give her some clothes." Cedar looked up at her.

"I'm sure mine will fit just fine." Erica told her.

Cedar nodded, "Okay.'

"How's your book, Phi?" Erica asked her other daughter as she stood back up.

"Good." Phoenix nodded, "You should sleep."

"But it's ten o'clock in the morning." Erica pointed out.

"You got like 2 hours of sleep last night." She pointed out.

"So?" Erica raised a brow.

"Go to sleep?" Phoenix suggested.

"No." Erica shook her head.

"Please?" Cedar helped her sister.

"Girls, I can't. I have to do work with Uncle George." Erica reminded them.

"I'm sure Uncle Ron can fill in. He sits and does nothing all day." Phoenix shrugged.

"But Uncle Ron doesn't do it as good as me." Erica crossed her arms,"He also has a job at the Ministry."

Phoenix just shrugged and began pushing Erica to her room.

"Phoenix, stop." Erica whined, she didn't want to sleep.

"You need your sleep, mum." Phoenix groaned.

"Nu-uh." Erica shook her head.

"Young lady." She warned.

"Don't start with that, you're turning into a mix of your Grandmother and Uncle Percy." Erica told her.

"Well?" She shrugged.

"Next you'll be reminding me when to eat." Erica rolled her eyes.

"When was the last time you ate, properly?" Phoenix questioned.

Erica went to answer but quickly stopped herself.

"Mum!" Cedar groaned.

"What? I'm busy." Erica stated.

"We'll make you some breakfast." Phoenix nodded.

"I don't need it." Erica assured them.

Her daughters gave her a look.

"Fine, I'll be in my room." Erica sighed.

"Good." Phoenix nodded before they went to the kitchen.

Erica shook her head and sat down in her room. The girls finally came up after a few minutes and handed Erica some breakfast.

"Thanks, girls." Erica patted their heads.

They smiled before they ran off. Erica sighed and sat the plate down. She knew that her girls made it for her but she just didn't feel like eating. After a while of sitting on the bed, Erica heard someone knocking on her door. 

"Who is it?" Erica asked, turning towards the door.

"It's Kayleigh, I need to ask something." Kayleigh spoke from outside the door.

"Uh, alright. You can come in." Erica told her.

Kayleigh walked in and closed the door, "I was wondering if you had any clothes that would fit me?"

"Yeah, just in there." Erica pointed.

"Just anything?" She looked at Erica.

"Yep." Erica nodded.

Kayleigh nodded before she began looking through Erica's closet. Erica laid back in her bed, occasionally glancing at the plate of uneaten food beside her.

Kayleigh raised a brow, "You should eat."

"But why?" Erica asked.

"Are you hungry?" Kayleigh questioned.

"No." Erica answered.

"Still. You should eat in case you ever can't." Kayleigh nodded.

"I think it's because I got used to eating next to nothing." Erica sighed

"How come?" Kayleigh took some clothes and sat on the chair in the room.

"Well, my family was quite poor so we never had a lot of anything and then I lived in the woods for a year with my friends." Erica explained.

Kayleigh nodded slowly, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Erica told her, she felt like that's all she'd been saying all morning.

"I.. know what it's like to not eat a lot. My uncle can't provide with us with much food sometimes." Kayleigh looked to her legs.

"Young people like you shouldn't have to go through things like that." Erica looked to the side.

"No, we shouldn't." Kayleigh sighed.

"Well, I can't change the past and I probably wouldn't if I could." Erica closed her eyes.

"Why not?" Kayleigh raised a brow.

"Memories, y'know? If I hadn't gone through what I did, I probably wouldn't have the best friends in the world." Erica shrugged.

Kayleigh nodded, "I agree. I've met some nice people."

"They were there when I needed support." Erica sighed, hearing a sound from downstairs.

Kayleigh jumped slightly and looked at her door, "What are the girls doing?"

"I'm just about to find out." Erica told her as she got up.

Kayleigh nodded and opened the door. Erica walked out and headed downstairs.

"Girls?" Kayleigh walked down after Erica.

Erica couldn't see them at first so she looked around,"Girls? What's going on?"

That's when they heard a goat.

"Bert?" Erica raised a brow.

"Bert?" Kayleigh tilted her head as they seen the girls running after Bert.

"He's the a*shole goat." Erica pointed.

"You have a goat?" She laughed.

"A few." Erica shrugged,"Bert's just a jerk."

"Lovely." Kayleigh hummed and walked to the living room, picking up a remote, "How do you work this?"

"You press the red button at the top." Erica explained.

"And that does..?" Kayleigh raised a brow.

"Turns it on so you can watch things." Erica told her.

"Why?" Kayleigh looked at her.

"Entertainment?" Erica answered.

Kayleigh scrunched up her face, shaking her head before she turned the TV on.

"It's Muggle technology, Harry told me about it." Erica sat down.

"Muggle? Like non-magic people?" Kayleigh asked.

"Exactly." Erica nodded.

"Right. Would you like to join me?" Kayleigh asked, gently patting the seat beside her.

"If you want." Erica shrugged and moved over to beside Kayleigh.

Kayleigh flipped through the channels, coming across the news.

"The League of Assassins have been spotted in Gotham, looking for one of Ra's Al Ghuls nieces. Although he hasn't given us much information, just that he wants her home safe." The newsperson spoke.

Kayleigh pressed the red button again to turn the TV off.

"The League of what now?" Erica blinked.

"Assassins." Kayleigh stood up, "I think I've overstepped my stay, I should go."

"Is something the matter?" Erica asked her, this was a sudden change.

"No, of course not. Why would there be the matter? I just think I should go." Kayleigh shook her head.

"Your panicked, I can tell." Erica sighed,"It's something to do with that League, isn't it?"

Kayleigh looked at her, "You mustn't tell anyone."

"Why would I?" Erica asked,"I don't gain anything from it."

"Let me explain." Kayleigh nodded slowly.

Erica stayed where she was sat, just looking at the girl in front of her.

"..Ra's isn't my uncle. He kidnapped me when I was a baby. He trains me and my best friend, to become assasins... That's why I have these scars and bruises. That's why I'm so scared." Kayleigh spoke.

Erica took a few moments to process what she just heard before speaking,"Is there anything I can do?"

"No. I need to get out of here. If he finds out where I am, he could hurt you and your little girls. I don't want that.' She shook her head.

"Right, here." Erica held out her hand and a map soon flew into it,"It's a map of London."

Kayleigh looked at her before the map.

"Take it, you'll need it I'd you're going to leave." Erica told her.

Kayleigh nodded, "Thank you."

"It's no problem." Erica smiled.

Kayleigh hesitated before she hugged her. Erica hugged back as the sound of a crash echoed through the house. Kayleigh jumped and pulled away, looking around.

"That can't be good." Erica muttered.

"Are the girls still out back?" Kayleigh asked.

"I think?" Erica raised a brow, going to check.

"Just be careful." Kayleigh quickly jogged to the kitchen, "Where's your knives?"

"Kitchen, first drawer." Erica answered.

Kayleigh got one out and held it close to her. Erica, meanwhile, got out her wand.

"You go to the girls." Kayleigh pointed.

Erica nodded and ran to the garden. When Erica looked around, she seem the girls still with Bert. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Everything okay, mum?" Cedar asked.

"Well, we think they're are some dangerous people about." Erica told her.

"Like.. The people you were fighting?" Phoenix looked at her.

"No, not them." Erica shook her head.

"Then who?" Cedar asked.

"I'm not very sure myself but they're bad, okay?" Erica answered.

"Should we bring Kayleigh out? She's alone in there." Cedar pointed out.

"She told me to check on you two first." Erica stated.

"She needs to be safe." Cedar went to run in but they seen the lights go off.

"Sh*t." Erica muttered,"You two stay here."

"But-" They began to protest.

"Stay." Erica ordered, running into the house.

When Erica ran in, she could see some blood.

"Not good." Erica shook her head.

She heard some bangs from upstairs. Erica looked around and quickly decided to run upstairs to see what was going on.

"Get off me!" Kayleigh yelped from the guest bedroom.

Erica took in a breath before rushing through the door. When Erica ran in, she saw a guy on top of Kayleigh.

"Hey!" Erica shouted, firing a spell at the man.

The man quickly dodged it while Kayleigh got up and stabbed him.

"Why are you in m-" Erica paused,"Well, I know why."

"..I can clean up the blood." Kayleigh panted while she held her chest.

"Eh, I'll clean it." Erica told her.

"I'm so sorry for everything. I need to get them away from here." Kayleigh shook her head.

"I have a plan." Erica whispered,"It's a bit dodgy, but it's a plan."

Kayleigh looked at her.

"Trust me." Erica sighed before she whistled.

"What's the whistling for?" She looked around as she grabbed a napkin, wiping the blood.

"You'll see." Erica winked

That's when they heard small footsteps.

"Here he comes. Erica smirked.

"Bert?" Kayleigh looked at the door as Belt ran through.

"Get him!" Erica pointed.

Bert belted before he ran. Erica stood with her arms crossed as Bert charged the man. The man grunted in pain before Kayleigh quickly left the room.

"Erica. You've truly been such a kind host, I can keep messaging you by letters." She nodded.

"Your welcome." Erica bowed slightly.

"..If I stop sending them. Just know I'm thinking of you." Kayleigh assured her.

"Alright." Erica smiled.

Kayleigh hesitated before she hugged her.

Erica patted her head,"Maybe I'll see you again."

"I'll make sure of it." Kayleigh nodded.

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