George's P.O.V

The reopening had been a success. Even though the staff and I were busy running around the place the entire time not daring to take a break, we had more customers than we had estimated. It seems that everyone had forgotten about the Death Eaters and just continued on with their daily life. There weren't any new attacks so everyone just assumed that they had stopped. I was skeptical but I didn't press on the issue as it brought us customers.

By the end of the day we were all exhausted including Ron who had popped in to help for a bit after lunch but ended up staying until the store closed. We all helped clean up whatever mess was left over before I let them all go while I locked up. We were running low on Canary Creams and Wildfire Whiz-Bangs so once I needed to make more of those tonight.

"Hey do you need any more help?" Ron stood by the door, hands in his pockets.

"Nah it's alright. I got it from here," I replied, "You can go now. Thanks for coming in."

Ron shrugged and left the store, the door slamming behind him. I went out and locked the door before going around the back to the stairs that led to my apartment. Fred and I had bought this place together, thinking that all our dreams had come true. We were able to open a joke shop that was right near where we stayed and could go home any time we wanted. It all changed when he died. I never touched the topic of Fred around others as it would end up in me crying or the others giving me pity. I didn't need it. But alone Fred was usually what I thought about. What it would be like if he was still here with us. Running the shop together side by side. The few years we had together opening our joke shop seemed to good to be true. And it was as he died just like that.

The apartment was quiet now. Fred was the louder more outgoing one so he always brought livelihood everywhere he went even after a long tiring day at work. He was the one who came up with ideas on what to make and I'd grown used to the explosions that would come form his room. But now I didn't know what to do. I had no ideas on what new products to introduce let alone create them. So I had to stick with what we originally had. I just wondered how long business would boom before the public got tired of the same old things we sold nowadays.

Suddenly a peck on the window brought me out of my thoughts. I turned and spotted an owl perched on the windowsill, head tilted. I walked over confused as I had never owned an owl the closest one I had was the family owl Errol or Ron's one Pig. But they had both passed a while ago so what was this owl doing here? I opened the window and it didn't move. It's eyes just stared into mine.

It was midnight black and had large orange eyes that made it seem menacing. Its feathers weren't brushed and slightly messy. Wait. Orange Eyes. Does the mean its-

"Charcoal?"

The owl hooted as if replying in agreement. Charcoal twisted her head pointing away from the building. Was she trying to spot something for me? I leaned out the window to see what she was looking at but I saw nothing out of place.

She hooted once more and began flying away. What was Charcoal doing here? More importantly did this mean Elena was nearby? I sprinted downstairs and out into the streets to be met with silence. All shops were now closed and there was no one in sight. I sighed and turned back around cursing myself for getting my hopes up.

When I went to close the window that's when I saw Charcoal sitting on top of another building. It felt as if she was beckoning me to go somewhere. But I had other things to do such as making sure I had enough stock for the shop tomorrow. I focused my attention back on creating products and soon forgot the Charcoal was even there.

A/N updated for u guys a day earlier!! Also TYSM FOR 100 FOLLOWERS!! 💜 I LOVE U ALL SO MUCH! Just letting u know that there won't be any updates next week as I'll be going away. I'll try to get back to writing as soon as I can once I return!

Pls vote and/or comment if u enjoyed!

Thx again for 100 followers! 💞