Harry Potter continued to stare at the ceiling of his room, blinking once in a while to try to readjust his thoughts and soothe his drying eyes. He wondered.. how was it that he felt so restless yet blank at the same time?

He tipped his gaze sideways, past the lone piece of parchment and quill, and towards the clock on his desk.

5:47 in the evening..

He looked up again, aimlessly, his legs rested on and pushing against the bed so the chair he sat on balanced on its hind-legs.

That was how most of Harry Potter's summer vacation had gone by in the house of Dursley; emphasis on the 'summer' since it was rather chilly than hot, quite the opposite case if compared to last year.

He could only do so many things, really, with the world being attacked by dark forces; with terror filling everyone because of Voldemort's return..

With nightmares creeping up every night, showing Isabella's sunken face and making his body tremble with cold sweat as he woke up.

There was only so much he could do.

He couldn't go out. He didn't want to spend his time with Dursleys. Only thing he did, without fail, was spend time with Hedwig and write to his friends and Sirius.

But that wasn't enough to keep him occupied, of course.

He could do his homework. Or some other study. Or think about things that were important.

Without any thought to it, his hand raised up to rest on his chest, feeling the outline of the metal pick that rested right against his heart.

..or he could let go of his grudge and finally write to Asteria.. instead of keeping that parchment on his desk blank again, for the ninth day in a row.

The ceiling of his room reminded him of the blank hospital wall when he had burst in from the door to talk to her, around a month ago.

And sometimes when he took the metal pick locket out of his t-shirt, the light from the window reflected from it and fell on the ceiling, like the fiery feather that had floated down on the bed.

The memory would make him thoughtlessly put the locket back inside his t-shirt, but never take it off.

She probably hasn't written to anyone else either. He had concluded before he even got the word from his friends and his godfather.

So, it shouldn't matter if I write to her. She won't open it anyway.

It was his only reason, obviously, keeping aside the undeniable amount of hurt he'd felt.

But still he always thought and kept thinking..

Her nights must be worse than before. Her nightmares too..

She must be working her arse off to find out whatever she can.. maybe scour through whatever she has to find bits and pieces, like she always does.

His eyes wandered sideways, past the parchment again, this time towards the pile of newspapers and on that one letter from Dumbledore that lay on top, that had arrived two days ago.

'Dear Harry,

If it is convenient to you, I shall call at number four, Privet Drive this coming Friday at eleven p.m. to escort you to the Burrow, where you have been invited to spend the remainder of your school holidays.

If you are agreeable, I should also be glad of your assistance in a matter to which I hope to attend on the way to the Burrow. I shall explain this more fully when I see you.

Kindly send your answer by return of this owl. Hoping to see you this Friday,

I am, yours most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.'

He didn't know how genuine Dumbledore's words were, but he had sent back a positive response anyway.

Harry stared at the wall in front of his desk now, exhaling. Even a letter from Dumbledore with the prospect of leaving this house couldn't keep his attention for long.

Does she play her guitar nowadays? Or does she refuse to even keep it in her room with the fear that she might damage it?

She must still read books. He'd remember how the words from a novel that engrossed her too much rolled off her tongue like honey. It might be one of the only things giving her peace.

Does she bake nowadays, though? She loves baking.

She probably doesn't even allow Cassie and Jude in her room anymore..

With a thud, Harry settled his chair down properly. He turned towards the desk, staring at the piece of parchment.

Does she think about writing to me too?

G̶o̶d̶,̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶i̶s̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶.

And he sighed softly as he left the chair and laid down on his bed, leaving the parchment blank for one more day.

Asteria Edwards was drowning again, like all the days before.

She drowned in nightmares and visions, most of her nights. But this time, it was different.

Her nightmare had vanished all of a sudden.. like a complete blackout, only to be replaced by a feeling that made her chest heavy.

She shuffled in her bed.. continued shuffling God knows how many more times as she tried to get rid of her discomfort. Her body felt too hot, definitely, despite the cold atmosphere.

Maybe it was the blanket.. she tossed it aside. It did not help.

The nightmare was replaced by cold, crushing water. Her lungs were failing to function. Was she actually drowning?

Ria woke up with her own hand around her throat, trying to ease the choking as she sat up while another gripped at her bed sheet. She couldn't breathe. Her vision was blurred with tears. What was going on?

She could hear soft footsteps outside her door, then the sounds of scratching so loud in her ear that it made her eyes squint. It was Cassie, and her loud meow almost made slip off from her bed.

Then it came.. the dreadful blood rush that started at her fingertips and climbed up her hands and arms, making her heart burn. With horror, her eyes widened. Was she transforming again?

"Es— Es— ther—" She tried to call her. Her vision was whitening, she couldn't see anymore. "Es— ther!"

For a moment, everything was white. Everything was blank. Everything was numb.

And then she felt them— two hands around her own, trying to warm them. A muffled sound in her ears that repeated over and over again until it began to sound like her name. A weight on her lap that she was sure was her cat's. Her lungs weren't heavy anymore but her eyelids, with tears.

"Here.. Here, take some water."

She was sitting up now, with her head being cradled by a hand and a glass of water being held to her mouth by another. She slowly drank up.

"I woke up because of Cassie. She couldn't stop crying."

Ria scratched behind her ear, trying to even her breathing as the tabby looked at her with her wide eyes. "It's okay, Cass. I'm okay."

Once she felt somewhat normal again, she looked up at the person, and her eyes squinted a little in confusion.

"It's almost midnight, Ria." said Sirius with a small sigh of relief. "Esther's gone to her home."

Ria nodded slowly. It had been around a month since she had last talked to him, even though he slept in the same house every night.

They took turns to take care of her; Esther and Sirius. And kept a watch on her too.

Asteria had been staying at her uncle's house in Ottery St Catchpole, with magical enchantments all around her, just like everyone else in the Wizarding world at that moment. The only difference was that the protection provided to her didn't come from the Ministry; it came from the Order.

The only people who knew where she was and who visited her except Esther and Sirius, were McGonagall and Dumbledore.

Esther was here most of the day, while Sirius's turn was when she went to work, and then he stayed the night. He also made sure to check all of Ria's mails before they reached her.

Esther's duty had been the most straight-forward; take care of the Obscurus situation. She was supposed to guide Ria with regulating her emotions as well as her Obscurus.

Though her problem was that Ria didn't seem to talk about it as much with her. And Ria also couldn't differentiate between her normal emotions, feelings and reactions from her Obscurus.

But Esther accepted that she needed time, like any other person would.

But Merlin, had Ria been tougher than anyone else she had heard about..

"Did.. Did I—"

"No, you didn't transform." Sirius answered as he offered her more water which she shook her head to.

"I didn't?" It was a mixture of disbelief and ease in her voice, and then terror. "Don't lie to me."

"No." He assured her. "I'm not lying."

A small, humourless chuckle left her mouth. "Then, what..?"

"Your eyes glowed."

The smile slowly disappeared. Right.. it slipped her mind sometimes.

She wasn't just an Obscurial, but an Azrael too. And she had something from Azrael.. something no one had an actual clue to what it was.

It was terrifying to think about.

"Go to sleep, Sirius." She muttered, pushing herself off the ground, making Cassie jump off her lap. "And please take Cassie out of the room."

Sirius didn't answer, instead only mumbled, "Ria, do you want to talk?"

"No." She shut him down. "Now please, leave."

He bent down to pick Cassie up, but as he walked out the door, Ria called out to him. "Yes?"

"The accidents I saw.. the ones I told you about.. Did someone try to stop them?" She asked, and he could hear the desperate tone of her voice that prayed for a kinder response.

He gulped. Unfortunately, the answer wasn't comforting. "We tried.. but they couldn't be prevented."

She cast her gaze down on the floor, fist clenching as she gave what was supposed to be a nod. "Okay.. good night."

She began to close the door, but Sirius stopped it halfway with one hand. She gave him a questioning look.

"I.. erm.. I know it's supposed to help you, but can you try not to take the potion so often?" he asked softly.

"You don't wanna be dependent on it." "It won't be good." "Taking that much isn't the best." She had heard it so many times now.

She offered him a small nod in response.

Sirius half-smiled, letting her close the door even though Cassie's little meow begged for her owner's company. "Good night."

Ria stood there for a moment, her hand gripping the doorknob so hard that her knuckles had turned white.

Of course it wasn't good to be dependent on a potion. As an outstanding Potions student, she knew it as well as anybody.. maybe better. But..

But they didn't know.. how it felt.

Of course it wasn't good to be dependent on a potion.. but of course.. she took it that night too.

By the time it was morning, Sirius had already had his breakfast and was ready to leave. He had been waiting for Esther to arrive while he sat at the dining table, with Cassie purring on his lap as he read a book.

The knock at the front door made the tabby's head perk up, and she bounced away to greet the person. Sirius followed after the cat.

"My favourite snack?" he asked, his hand on the doorknob.

"Er— Dog food?" He rolled his eyes at her response, making her chuckle. "Chocolate frogs."

"Good morning, Esther." He greeted her as he opened the door.

"Good morning." She smiled with a small nod.

Both of them walked inside. And Sirius only went back to the book as the woman walked in the kitchen, pausing only a moment to scratch Jude's head before stopping right at the dining table.

"Ooh.. Enjoying your book, sir?" She asked, placing her bag on the table and taking out the big tiffin Molly had packed for lunch.

"How do you understand even half of this?" He asked with disbelief as he closed the book, making her smile with amusement.

She picked it up, reading the cover. It was one of hers that she read in her free time. "'Mind, Body, and Magic'. Oh.. of course you won't get it. It's most useful for students in the Healers Programme. I got it like.. fifteen years ago, from Aunt Queenie."

"Hmm.. so, a trip down memory lane?" he asked.

Esther had a faint smile on her face. "Trying to find solutions, more like.." she answered with a sigh. "Thought taking some steps back might help."

Sirius only watched her tired face. She really was working very hard.

"Hey.. I just made tea. Care for some?"

Esther's smile widened just a bit. "Thanks. I'll get it." She said as she walked towards the counter.

"I'll get going then.." he left his seat with a sigh. "I've fed Cass and Jude, by the way."

"Hmm.. How's Ria this morning?" She asked after a sip.

"Hasn't woken up yet." He answered, knowing well she had taken the Draught of Peace after what happened. He wasn't mad though.

"Something.. Something happened last night. I couldn't really figure out what.." he trailed off. He needed to talk to Dumbledore and McGonagall about this. "Could you check on her?"

"Sure."

"And give her breakfast later." He gestured towards the covered tray on the counter, and she nodded.

"Okay.. Hey! About taking Ria to Godric's Hollow.. What did Dumbledore say?" She asked, a bit nervous.

Asteria hardly asked people for anything, nowadays. So for her to make a request to Esther had been a little surprising.

"He said if she really wants to go, we can't help it. So.. if she's feeling alright, there's no problem." At his answer, a smile dawned on Esther's face. "But be—"

"We'll be careful."

The pleasant expression on her face made him smile too. He shook his head. "Right. See you—"

"Sirius— wait!" She had almost forgotten. "Uhm— I assume, you must be familiar with Sophie Scamander?"

Sirius nodded. "Ria's friend, right? Newt Scamander's granddaughter?"

"Yeah. She was wondering if she could get to meet you."

He raised an eyebrow up in disbelief. "Me?"

Sophie Scamander had probably never felt that anxious in her entire life. Maybe when Asteria had run off to the Ministry of magic along with the Gryffindors? Yes. But this moment felt so much worse, somehow.

She sat in the living room of Sirius Black's house, out of all people. Yeah.. Sirius Black, who, not even a month ago, had been the most notorious criminal in the Wizarding World.. and who was now proved and declared innocent. He was falsely convicted, apparently.

I mean, good for him, really. But I think it'll take me a while to get used to it.

The realisation that he had been Snuffles all along had also been painfully embarrassing. She remembered giving the dog lots of belly rubs back when they had met. And now her face always burned red whenever she saw him.

"Your tea, Miss. Scamander."

"Thank you, Kreacher— oh—" He bowed low in front of her. "No— No need to do that, really."

"No, no!" He croaked out, going so low that his nose almost touched the floor. "Kreacher must treat all the guests nicely!"

Sophie sighed out, not knowing what to say. She had heard about him from Hermione. And well.. he seemed like an interesting case.

"Kreacher!" Sirius emerged from upstairs, Harry trailing behind him.

He still lived with the Dursleys, unfortunately. Apparently, Sirius had almost fought Dumbledore when he had suggested that Harry continued staying with the Dursleys.

"I don't care about some bullshit blood protection!" He had said, from what she'd heard from Hermione. "I'll protect my godson! I just don't want him living with those pigs anymore!"

Sophie agreed with him; From what she knew about the Dursleys, she agreed that Harry did not deserve their horrible company. But Dumbledore's standing firmly by his decision had been Sirius's ultimate defeat.

And although he still continued living in his house, he made sure to visit Harry almost every week. Even threatened the Dursleys once he was declared innocent amongst wizards and non-wizards alike, taking advantage of the fact that he was just as equally terrifying in their eyes if he'd been guilty.

Sophie stood up from her seat, but one kind gesture from the man of the house made her sit back down. "Not troubling our guests, are we?" He asked the Kreacher.

"Of course not, master!" He faced him now, still bowing, but Sophie could smell the venom behind his sweet tone.

"Right.. get going, then."

The house-elf scurried out the room while Sirius watched him leave. "I really hope he didn't say anything that—"

"No.. No, Mr. Black. He didn't." She smiled, and then averted her eyes towards the boy. Merlin, has he grown taller? He was like a tower.

Maybe Sirius's threats actually got the Dursleys to feed him better. She thought with amusement.

"Hey, Harry!"

He nodded back at her. "Hey." He said, although a bit confused.

"You're wondering why I'm here?" She asked with a small chuckle.

He nodded. "Yeah.. Sorry, I didn't wanna come off as rude."

She shook her head. "I just.. I wanted to see Ria."

Harry certainly was surprised by that answer, but didn't show it on his face. "Huh.. she isn't here."

Sophie scrunched her eyebrows, taken aback by the monotone of his voice. "I— I know." She answered, glancing at Sirius once before looking back at him again. "And.. honestly, I don't know where she's been all this time."

"I— I wrote her letters.. tried to get to her a few times, but she wouldn't.. you know how she is." She sighed out of worry, and Harry nodded. "I know, Isabella's death must've been very hard on her. But I also know how her stupid brain works and so—"

"You just wanted to be there for her, but she didn't reach out." Harry nodded as he said those words.

"Exactly!" Sophie's tone was frustrated. She knew he'd understand. He knew Ria just as good as she did. "The last thing I heard from her was that she was going to the damn Ministry! Nothing after that— not a word— not a letter— nothing, but I—" She exhaled to calm herself. "I'm not blaming her. I just want to check on her."

Harry gave another nod. "Okay. Fair."

Her frustration was rising. Why was he being cold to her? Had she done something wrong?

"Harry.." Sirius said in a scolding tone. "I'm sorry about his crankiness, Sophie." He ignored the glare that his godson sent him. "Well.. what is it that you need?"

"I wanted to know if she's written to you." She hopefully looked at Harry. "Anything.. about how she's doing, where she is.. I need to know if she's alright." 

Her eyes, her tone, her body language.. Everything about her spelled concern.

Though he only shrugged. "Beats me. I know nothing."

Her eyes widened a little. "She didn't answer your letters, Harry?" This was bad.

He sighed out. "Uh, no. That's not it; I wouldn't know, because I haven't written to her in the first place."

Sophie didn't realise that her mouth was wide agape. She looked at Sirius, confused out of her poor mind, and he only pursed his lips before walking out of the room. 

He did not want to be a part of that conversation.

Harry Potter? Hadn't written to her?

The same Harry Potter that Sophie was so sure.. was madly in love with her best friend?

"I'm— I'm sorry— Wait.. Did you.. Did you have a fight?" She asked, genuinely concerned for the two of them. "Is everything okay?"

"Perfectly fine." He answered, his monotone returning. "It's just a dead end, really. There's no fight. None at all."

And that's what pisses me the fuck off. He didn't say, but his expression said enough.

There was no fight, no discussion.. He would've done anything for one.

Sophie squinted her eyes. "What in the ever-loving.. You're— You're serious? This isn't a joke? Or— Or some misunderstanding?"

He only nodded.

"Are you su—"

"Yes, Sophie! For—" He groaned with annoyance. "For Merlin's sake, yes, I'm sure. This isn't a joke. Not a misunderstanding, at all. Happy?"

She stared at him incredulously. "Happy? What's there to be happy about?" She chuckled with disbelief. "What— What happened? How?!"

"I don't know!" He threw his hands in the air. "Why don't you go ask your dear best friend? Surely, she'd give you an answer. Oh— but only if she agreed to talk in the first place, and not fucking disappear from the place without a trace or a notice!"

Sophie stood in silence as she watched Harry storm out of the room. With a huff, she strolled around her spot. 

Why did this entire conversation feel like a fever dream?

And why's he mad at me?!

Only a few moments later, Sirius entered the room again. It seemed pretty obvious that he had heard them screaming. He contemplated for a moment whether he'd go talk to Harry or stay. But then, he just gave up with a shake of his head.

"I'm very, very sorry." He said, his eyes closed for a brief moment. "You're not at fault. He's been like that for the past month."

She slowly nodded in response. "It's.. It's okay." She said with honesty. "I get it. He must still be in some kind of shock because of Isabella's death. And he's angry with Ria." Just like I am, if we're being honest.

Sophie, Theodore and Blaise had already had this talk with Asteria.. that nothing— absolutely nothing about her existence, her powers, her blood or anything would ever make them hate her. And they stood by that.

What part of that conversation did Ria not get? Sophie had no idea.

"I don't know if it's possible or not." She started with a shake of her head. "I know all of you are probably keeping her safe, somewhere.. But.. but can I meet her? Please?"

Sirius's gaze softened a little. He gave her an apologetic look. "I.. I don't know, dear.."

"Mr. Black.." Sophie started with a pleading tone.

"We don't even know if she'd agree to meet you." He said in all honesty. "In fact, I go there everyday, but I haven't talked to her for more than an hour. Even the person she's been living with rarely gets to—"

"Please— I need to.." She continued, her voice desperate. "I need to see her before I leave."

A pair of arms wrapped around Asteria's curled up body, and she would've been startled if she hadn't recognised the person the moment they had embraced her.

Her hunched shoulders eased down by her sides, and she leaned onto her shoulder, eyes still closed as her lips curled up into the smallest of smiles.

"I knew you wouldn't leave me like that." She said as she looked up at her. Her face was a blur, because of the tears welling up in her eyes, Ria speculated. Though that warm, dazzling smile.. she could recognise it no matter what.

"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scare you like that." Her voice was slightly different as well. But that was because Ria's ear was pressing right against her shoulder. It wasn't different, just muffled.. right?

"You'll never do that again, right, Mum?" asked Ria, her voice timid. "You'll never pretend to leave me all by myself again?"

"Of course, sweetheart.." she could feel her mother's hand threading through her hair, making her feel more at peace than anything else had in a while.

"Only if you promise you'd reach me, this time."

Ria's smile faltered. When she separated from her mother and looked back up at her face, darkness evaded her vision.

"Mum?" She called out, her voice shaking. "Mum!" Not again. Not again. Please, not again!

A dim light erupted somewhere, and beneath it, from the veil of the stone arch emerged only one hand.

Ria was almost grabbing at the dull floor under her as she tried to get up and reach there as she could. But it was only a brush against her finger she managed before it all turned to smoke.

Tears blurred her vision as she stared at the ground. And all she saw were webs of black crawling from her fingertips before a string of 'no's were rushing out of her mouth in form of shrill screams—

"Asteria!"

The yell in her ear made her snap out with a gasp. She looked up, finding Esther looking down at her with a look of sheer concern.

Her eyes moved around as her heart still paced. The darkness she saw creeping down her fingertips had vanished. She was still at the cemetery.. still sitting beside her parents' grave with her knees tucked close to her chest.

"Are you okay?" Esther's soft voice brought her back.

Ria nodded. "I think so.."

She offered the girl a pursed smile. "Was it the dream again?"

The one where Mum shows up and reminds me of how close I was to saving her from vanishing into some veil? "Yes."

For some reason, she couldn't seem to bring herself to lie to Esther.

The poor Healer looked like she had been doing double the work than anyone else in the Order did. She carried out her normal Order missions, she took care of Ria and she still worked her share of hours at St. Mungo's.

To be fair, at the moment, she was a better company than anyone else Ria knew. 

Not someone she was friends with.. not someone she was close to.. but just an acquaintance who had been given a duty to look over her.

But Merlin, the way her eyes looked much more tired than a few days ago.. Ria really wondered why she was doing all of this.

She shook her head with a sigh, looking down at her mother's grave. It wasn't really one, though. How could there be a grave without a body? Her mother's name was just carved up on a tombstone and placed right beside her father's.

It had taken about a month for that to happen.. for Sirius, Remus, Tonks and McGonagall to convince Asteria to come out of her room. They had refused to place Isabella's tombstone until she was with them.

What was the point? Ria had thought. There's no body to bury.. no body to mourn or cry over. What's the point?

But then a little voice prodded at her. Her mother deserved her memory to be preserved. She deserved all those who'd come to mourn for her out of longing..

She deserved to know about all those that held her in their hearts.

So what if she was an Azrael? She was better than most unworthy people that hid from Death's prowling eyes and escaped their deserved fates.

Asteria moved her eyes over her father's name too. Daniel Edwards. Born 7th April, 1958. Died 31st October, 1981. Emptiness carved at her chest.

How many.. how many nights had she cursed him for abandoning her? Not answering her letters? Not knowing that if he could, he would write to her until words ran out. That if he could, he'd find a way of returning to her and keep her safe in his arms..

That if he'd been alive, he'd never leave her on her own no matter what it would cost him.

And her heart sank a little more.

Just like Mum..

Ria cleared her throat. Staying there for long wouldn't be good for her. She couldn't afford her thoughts going as astray as her self-control. "We should leave." She said to Esther.

She finally dug into the bag laying by her side and brought out a bouquet of white roses. She placed it right between their names, and then brought her fingers to her lips.

I know you'll be doing it anyway but.. take care of her for me, Dad. Her eyes brushed over his name with the softest of glances. I'll be just fine. She hoped.

With a sigh, she tore her eyes away and towards Esther. "Did you find their graves?" The Healer nodded with a small smile before leading the way.

Only two turns and a few steps away from her parents' graves were James and Lily Potter's graves. She brushed off some of the dust that had gathered since she had last visited.. when they had all gathered for her mother.

That had also been the day she had seen Harry again.

They hadn't talked, they hadn't exchanged letters that summer either.. only quick glances at each other during the supposed funeral of Isabella Diggory.

He's mad at me. Ria knew. Good.

For both of them, it had been the first visit to Godric's Hollow, where the Potter's used to live.

Ria had expected Harry to wander around a little.. maybe visit his parents, find his old home.

But he hadn't. He had left as soon as he had paid his respect to Isabella and Daniel.

And for the first time in a month, something else had evaded Ria's thoughts other than her mother's death and her Obscurus.

Maybe, it's guilt. She suspected. He somehow feels guilty for their deaths. I'm sure.

She knew because she was the same. Just like him, she let guilt blossom at her heart and mind.

The only difference was.. Harry let his guilt eat him out, while Ria's made her run away and keep running until she'd find a way to bury it.

And she had already decided a while ago how she was going to bury her guilt.

"I want to kill Carrow."

"Help me. Make sure I do it."

At first, she'd thought it had been her restless fury that had made her say that. That the words had left her mouth in the spur of the moment.

She had been wrong.

All those days locked up in her room, feeling the parasite crawl beneath her skin, beating her knuckles bloody to forcefully focus on something else.. while eating, getting half-arsed sleeps, dreaming about her mother and everything else that could go on in her mind.. the hatred was always there..

Always waiting in the shadows, looking for that one moment Carrow would enter her mind so that it could grab them by the throat even if it weren't possible.

Her guard had been up ever since that day, and she didn't intend to let it down anytime soon.

"Do you think Harry would come and visit anytime soon?" Esther's question broke her train of thoughts.

"Hmm? I.. I don't know." Ria shrugged.

Esther always had great timing, somehow. Ria wondered if she could sense her thoughts wandering away.

Or maybe she just senses the change in the air when I start thinking like this. Ria picked at the hem of her jacket, fiddling with the stitch that had come undone. Yet she always offers me company. The familiar feeling of anxiety brewed in her stomach.

"Here." Esther handed her another bouquet of white roses, and Ria crouched down to keep it in front of the Potters' tombstone.

Once they apparated outside her home, Ria looked at Esther with a timid sigh. "I'm sorry for dragging you with me.." She said, her tone apologetic. "I know how busy you usually are.."

"No worries." The lady smiled at her as they both walked inside the house. "I had a free day anyway. It was refreshing though. It's been days since I've been outside of work and home."

"I was thinking.. wait—" She gently pulled her behind her, wand at guard. "Stay behind me."

Esther could hear faint noises coming from the living room. "Who is it?" she demanded.

A head full of luscious black hair peeked at them, but Esther didn't drop her guard. "The first question Sirius Black asked me when we met?"

Ria didn't understand all that caution, really. She did that every time, when someone came to visit without any notice beforehand. For God's sake, no one is going to abduct me and disappear into thin air.

"Do we know each other?" Sirius recalled, and Esther finally lowered her wand with a nod. "Hey. Where were you?" He asked, looking at the two. "Godric's Hollow?"

"Yeah.." Esther nodded.

"You two continue. I.. uh.. I'll get going." Ria muttered before turning to go to her room, but a call of her name made her stop dead in her tracks.

No.. no, no.

She continued her way, and she heard her follow behind. But Ria was quicker. She entered her room and slammed the door behind, locking it. 

She exhaled slowly, looking down at her hands while the girl outside knocked on her door. Why were her hands shaking?

"Ria.. please, open the door. Please! I just want to talk!" Sophie bellowed, trying to turn the doorknob. "What the hell goes on in your damn head, Edwards?"

Go away, please, just go away. She chanted to herself as she sat down with her back to the door. She knew damn well she would cry if Sophie talked to her.

Why is it so hard for people to leave me alone? I just ignored you for so damn long, can't you take some offence? Show some pettiness, maybe?

But sweet Sophie Scamander would never, obviously..

"Fine. But you're listening to me, alright?"

"Twelve letters I wrote you, Ria.. Twelve!" She exclaimed. "You don't write me back even once!"

Ria gulped, her gaze fixed on the floor as her fingers picked at a dead piece of cuticle on her nail. She was angry. She was definitely angry. 

Good. Good. It should stay that way.

But Sophie..

"Tell me, honestly. Did you even read them?"

I don't wanna read them. I don't wanna relive any memories. Whatever I remember on my own is torment enough. I don't want any more of it.

Her silence gave away her answer, and Sophie sighed out of disbelief. Ria could almost imagine her pinching at the bridge of her nose. "For Helga's sake.. why do you do that, Ria?"

What was she going to say? This was the only way? That this way.. she could make sure that she or none of the rest of them end up like her family?

She had vivid dreams of them. Her Mum was already haunting her. Cedric's voice was back. It was painful not to keep contact with her uncle when he had just started to respond back to her.. when he had just started to get better. She had already forgotten her Aunt Kora's voice, and now her father's voice was beginning to fade from her memories too. The coffin bearing their names that she had seen through the boggart invaded her thoughts almost everyday.

A sharp intake of breath made her look back at the door, and when she heard a sniffle from Sophie, the rest of her thoughts almost vanished.

"I just.. I'm worried about you, yeah?" She said softly. And Ria would've opened the door and cried in her arms already if she didn't know the consequences. "And I know it's not easy.. or quick.. but I just want you to be okay."

"I know.. what happened to Isabella wasn't fair.. not to her, not to you." After being alone with her thoughts for so long, Sophie's voice seemed like a lullaby to Ria's ears. "But it.. it happened, and we can't do anything about it."

She gently leaned her head against the door, chewing at her nails. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't you dare fucking cry.

"Ria, it wasn't your fault—"

"Sophie, please." Her voice came out rushed, and the girl outside stood in silence. "I don't wanna talk, okay? I just don't want to."

She quickly wiped a tear that escaped, breathing out slowly. Stop, stop, stop. Her hand was already reaching at the cupboard beside the door, sliding out the drawer and searching for the bottle.

"I want to be left alone. That's it. There's nothing more, nothing less."

She didn't know how her voice wasn't shaking, though she was glad for that. She was glad that, for once, she wasn't complaining and whining to people. She was glad that she was finally going to fight it the way she was supposed to: alone.

After a moment of silence, Sophie's response came. "Okay."

"Good." Her tears had disappeared, but she still clutched the bottle close to her chest.

"You.. You're not even coming outside to say goodbye?"

Whatever kind of false relief that had filled Ria simmered down with doubt again. 

From her lack of answer, Sophie chuckled in defeat. "Right.. You didn't read my letters."

Her heart began picking up pace. What do you mean? She wanted to ask. What do you mean by goodbye?

"Mum and Dad.." No one could've missed the quiver in her voice. "They want me back home."

The girl sitting against the door blanked. 

They wanted her.. back home? Back to New York?

"Uhm.. It was very sudden. They said it wasn't safe for me.. to stay here, with everything that's been going on." She continued. "I told them I wanted to stay.. I asked Grandpa to talk to them too, but— er— but they wouldn't listen. They want me to return as soon as I can. So.."

"I'm leaving tonight. And I don't know.. when I'll be back."

For a moment, Ria had to remind herself to breathe again. And when she did, she felt a familiar tingle in the back of her throat.

"I've already tried talking to Blaise.. to send him letters.. didn't work because he's gone into hiding too, just like everyone else. I tried to talk to Theo, but couldn't get a hold of him either. And I.. I wanted to meet you, before I left." She said with another sniffle. "I'll miss you, Ri. I'll miss all of you."

Maybe if she told her not to go, she wouldn't. Would she?

But she'll be far away.. in another continent. Being that far away from me would keep her safe, right? 

Ria pulled off the stopper and lifted the bottle to her lips, taking a small sip.

"Right.." She took a huge gulp of air. "Bye then, Ria. I'll see you later, for sure, whether you like it or not."

Ria stayed there even though she heard Sophie's footsteps fade away.. even though she heard Sirius downstairs ask her what had happened.. even though she heard the thud of the front door and the cracking sound of disapparation outside the house..

Even though she heard someone climb up the stairs and knock at her door. "Asteria? Do you need anything, dear?" It was Esther.

"No." Ria answered, taking another small sip to stop her quivering bottom lip.

"Sure?"

She nodded. "Yeah." She said rather loudly as she gently placed the bottle of Draught back in the drawer.

Good.. there'll be peace for a while.

As if it had been written in her reflexes, her hand immediately shot up to close around her pendant.. only that this time, it wasn't the onyx that Snape had gifted her. It was still with Carrow, probably, back when it had been snatched off from around her neck.

Now it was a silver chain with Harry's ring dangling from it.

She didn't want to keep it on, but God, she couldn't part from it. So she kept it hidden under whatever clothes she wore.

Ria sighed. She should be relieved. 

For Merlin's sake, she should be relieved out of her mind that Sophie would now be safe from the clutches of her curse. But for some reason, her grip on the ring only tightened, so much that it began to dent her palm.

She didn't want her to go.

She didn't want to be alone.

Esther climbed down the stairs and made her way to the kitchen, feeling the need for another strong cup of tea. Somehow she felt even more tensed than she was when Dumbledore had first approached her.

She isn't talking to Harry.. She doesn't respond to any letters from her friends.. Now, her best friend is leaving the damn continent. This isn't good. This isn't good for her. Her mind ranted on as she placed the kettle on the stove.

She spent most of her time in that house by herself. Not that she minded. She spent her time working through her research papers, taking a walk outside in the big empty field, reading some of the books she brought from her house.. trying to knit even though she didn't know how to..

Worrying about the girl.

But the loneliness felt loud sometimes. So loud that it caused her to hurry outside Ria's door yet knock very gently, as if she was just casually going to ask her for tea or snacks.

And when her reply came, which was mostly a 'no', Esther would feel a wave of relief wash over her.

She's too ambitious to do anything rash. She'd remind herself. And if anything happens because of her Obscurus, I'd know. I'd hear it. Obscuruses aren't silent.

Others had asked Ria to stay with them too; the Weasleys, Sirius, Remus.. even McGonagall. But with everything that had happened at the Department of Mysteries, Asteria had decided the Diggory house was the better option. 

She needed space.. and peace.

They still showed up once in a while to meet her, although she refused to come out of her room or talk to them. In fact, Sophie had been the first one to make her talk to someone other than Esther and Sirius..

She knew the strength of close friendships like theirs, what they resulted in, what they made happen. And losing one of them just wasn't good for Asteria.

Esther knew. She knew how desperate Ria felt to control her Obscurus. The fact that she was an Azrael didn't make it easy either.

But in this case, especially in cases with Obscuruses, desperation wasn't good.

And she'd tell it all to Ria, but she just wouldn't listen.

So all that Esther could do was be patient.

Be patient. Show Asteria that she could trust her enough to reach out for help.

It would take long, but it would be worth it.

A silvery light from the corner of her eye made her jump and turn around. She knew it was a Patronus from the first look, but the fact that it appear out of nowhere had scared the daylights out of her.

"Dumbledore.. of course." She huffed once the ball of light took the form of a Phoenix.

"Esther.. I apologise for the unexpected message. But it was quite urgent." His voice sounded tired.

And as the Patronus further proceeded to recite Dumbledore's message, Esther didn't know if she wanted to panic.. or cry out of relief.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

[word count: 6901]

a/n: Hey ya'll how's it going??

Also how was New Year's for you?
I spent mine giving my economics exam :') I fkin hate that subject

Anyway, hopefully we get back on our regular updating track cuz I'm vv excited for HBP

Anddd how's the new cover? I've used so many covers with Ria only so I wanted something with both of them :)