“The cat.”

Uncle Lawrence seemed surprised that Hannah had so quickly offered for him to stay with her. Little did her know it wouldn’t exactly be in luxury. She had still not fixed the small flat up since the fire had engulfed it, taking Clifford the boa constrictor with it. Her home was still charcoal yet he was welcome to spend a night or two there while he tried to find more suitable accommodation than a wizarding hostel.

“Well I doubt the ministry are going to bother anyone trying to break into my flat.” She glanced over him. “You’ll understand.”

The quill she’d been using was tucked behind her ear and Hannah stepped to the curtain to pull it open.

“Yes, seven. Make yourself comfortable, obviously.” Her eyes wandered over his slightly bedraggled appearance. “Perhaps take a bath if you get there early.” And with that the witch turned on her heel and left him alone in the cubicle.

"I owe you for this, Hannah, thank you," her uncle replied, genuinely touched by her willingness to help him out after all these years.

He turned to go, and paused, looking back at her beside the bed,

"I'll see you later then?" He asked rhetorically, bowled over by the fact he had not only somewhere to go but also someone who felt they could trust him enough to break wards and be there when they got back.

With a nod he pulled back the curtain and was gone. He hadn't left with entirely what he wanted, but he had left with something much more.

End