Icy rainwater dripped down from her matted fur, spreading a small puddle on the filthy ground.
Lia was curled up in the shadows of a street corner, her body trembling slightly from the cold and weakness.
As her hazy consciousness began to clear, a familiar magical fluctuation, like a faint ray of sunlight, pierced through the layers of rain.
Lia slowly opened her eyes.
At the end of the nearby alley, a woman with short, bubblegum-pink hair stood looking somewhat helpless in front of a tightly shut back door.
The tip of her wand flickered with a faint light, seemingly attempting some kind of unlocking spell, but the door remained completely still.
"Damn Muggle lock..." The woman irritably ran a hand through her hair, and in the next second, her hair turned an ugly dull yellow. "Damn Sirius, he's never around when I need him..."
It was Tonks.
A member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Lia's memories were awakened. She remembered this woman, remembering the golden threads woven from 'oaths' and 'resistance' that surrounded her.
Tonks seemed to give up on the back door, muttering curses as she turned to leave.
Lia slowly closed her eyes, lacking the energy to care about anything.
Unexpectedly, as Tonks passed by, the corner of her eye caught sight of the small white lump in the shadows.
"Oh? Where did this poor little thing come from?" Tonks stopped and crouched down. When she clearly saw Lia's appearance, she couldn't help but freeze.
The cat was pure white. Although it was wet and dirty now, one could still discern its originally gorgeous and beautiful foundation.
The most special feature was its eyes; even in the dim light, they were as pure as two sky-blue jewels washed clean by the rain.
"You look terrible." Tonks reached out a hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently stroked Lia's wet head.
Familiar kindness.
Lia was awakened to a sliver of consciousness by that long-absent warm touch. She opened her mouth and let out a cry so weak it was almost inaudible.
"Alright, alright, I can't leave you here to soak in the rain." Tonks's heart softened. She took off her waterproof coat, carefully wrapped the kitten, which was as cold as ice, and held it tightly against her chest. "Come with me, little one. At least you can have some warm milk and get dried off."
Tonks carried Lia and turned into another, more secluded alley.
After confirming no one was around, she spun in place, and with a faint popping sound, the two instantly vanished.
After the dizziness of Apparition passed, Lia found herself in a familiar, cluttered kitchen.
12 Grimmauld Place.
Mrs. Weasley, wearing an apron, was busy by the stove. She jumped when she saw Tonks appear out of thin air. "Oh! Tonks, you're back... merlins beard! What do you have in your arms?"
"Picked it up on the way; it was freezing to death," Tonks said, placing Lia on a chair before going to find milk and a towel.
Lia looked around.
Mrs. Weasley was not the only one in the kitchen; Remus Lupin was sitting nearby reading a newspaper, while Kingsley Shacklebolt leaned against the wall with a serious expression.
A strong scent, mixed with anxiety, anger, and secrets, permeated the entire space.
Ten times stronger than the last time she was here.
Lupin lowered his newspaper, his keen eyes, characteristic of a Werewolf, falling upon Lia.
He looked at the seemingly ordinary white cat, frowning slightly, feeling that something was amiss.
"Tonks, this cat..."
"What? Isn't she cute?" Tonks walked over carrying a small saucer of warm milk and placed it in front of Lia.
Lia did not move. Her gaze passed over the others and landed on the staircase leading upstairs.
Hermione's scent lingered there. As well as Harry's, Ron's... they had been here not long ago.
Moreover, that scent carried panic and resolve.
"Where is Harry?" A thought flashed through her mind. She raised her head, looked at Lupin, and asked two words in a hoarse voice unused for a long time.
"Harry?"
The air in the kitchen instantly solidified.
The towel in Tonks's hand dropped to the floor. Mrs. Weasley covered her mouth.
Kingsley straightened up abruptly, his hand instinctively reaching for the wand at his waist.
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