"Well, I think we have everything," I comment, glancing at Parvati. "Not that we had a lot of time to unpack."

"I know I have everything," she says with a half smile. "I triple checked."

"So just time to say goodbye." Dad is going to be okay, as long as he takes it easy for a little while so I think we should go back like planned and not stay any longer. It was nice to see my family again, though I wish it hadn't been under these circumstances.
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I tossed and turned all night, though I tried not to wake Parvati who was next to me. Mum insisted we stay at the house instead of a hotel. She seemed a bit at a loss and Laura agreed to stay too. Brian and Shawn are going to their own homes, though the two of them and Deanna joined us at the hospital, then at the house. We all had dinner together before everyone split up to go to their respective places.

Mom didn't say anything about Parvati and I being in the same room and didn't even offer another room so either she is stressed or thought we could handle it. So, we stayed together. Just sleeping. Or at least, I tried to, but failed and woke up early in the morning.
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I wake with a start when I hear a familiar ringing. I groan and open my eyes a slit and see there is no sunlight in the room and my eyes fall on the digital clock on my nightstand. Who is calling me before five o'clock in the morning? Merlin, this is too early for anything.

Rolling over, trying not to wake Parvati, my hand reaches for the phone that is ringing, fumbling to find it in the dark. Where is it? My hand knocks into it and it almost falls off the nightstand. I manage to grab it and see that the number is one from U.S., due to how the information doesn't properly transfer. Why are they calling at this hour? I push the talk button then speak. "Hello?" I whisper.
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I pull up the collar of my jacket, wishing I had remembered to bring an umbrella or hat with me, since the light rain falling is a cold one, making me shiver. I frown as I pick up the pace and hurry the last block to my apartment building. I apparated as close as I dared, which was still a few blocks away. I really should work out blood wards so I can just apparate into my apartment. Right now, no one can, but that is how I like it. I don't want anyone just showing up at my door.
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Though Lisa is still gone, I took the weekend off like usual. We don’t usually have Saturday office hours, so there is no reason to go in. Besides, I had a few things to take care of and then my plans to get a drink with Kevin. We don’t really see each other much, but it’ll be nice to get together with another American after all this. In some ways, being far away from everyone there makes it harder. At least I know everyone in my family is alright.

I glance at my watch as I approach the bookstore and get there at the same time we agreed to meet. Kevin is probably just getting off work, so I just lean against the outside of the building to wait.
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I look at the letter I received and frown. Lisa asked me to watch the office and now she sends this? It is her handwriting, that's sure, but why would she send me two of these notes with two different messages? Perhaps she thought she would be gone and isn't. She mentions a job in this letter and I wonder why she didn't mention it in her other one. A hoot from the owl that is looking at me in a very odd, unfriendly way pulls me from my thoughts. I read the latest letter one more time.
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I stand outside Buckingham Palace with many others. The Changing of the Guard draws attention, but this time, it is different. There are more people than usual and I hear more American accents than I have heard in a long time. I would usually be happy, but there are many tears. Many are tourists who are unable to go home due to no fly orders. Some are like me, people who live here.
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I am working on parchment work with Lisa and I hear a ringing sound. Lisa looks up at me and I realize that is my phone. Who would call me though? Parvati might, but she never calls me at work. The number isn't showing, so that means it must be from one of my family members. Their numbers never show up on my cell phone. "Hello?" I answer. They know when I work, so I have a feeling this must be important.

"Connor?" It is my sister's voice and she sounds upset.
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I look over the items in the basket I am holding. What else do I need? I should have made a list, but I need a bit of everything. Shrugging to myself, I walk over to get eggs. I use those often, especially when I make breakfast, which is good for dinner too.

While I liked the trip to India, I know it will take me some time to pay back Justin, even with two jobs. Though, from how things sound, I am going to be busy at those.
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"It's called Brohman's Way, loosely translated from the Hindi name," Parvati explains as she slips on a bracelet. "A small magical community, like Diagon Alley sort of, that you can only get to through a stop in Dehli's Market, the one we were in for the carpet ride. It's a bit isolated, as it's basically on the border and there hasn't been anything Muggle near it for miles in about four hundred years. It's named after the Hindu god, Brohman, considered the one source. It has got the most fantastic, little not well known places to eat and shop in, and I think you'll like it." She stops, finally taking a breath.

"We can go," I answer. "Though you know I am not a person who shops a lot," I remind her.
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