Chapter 9: Twice at the Door

He checked the door twice.

Draconia had known that since the second week, and had been keeping it in reserve.

Every night at ten, when he came into the Boundary Gallery, he shut the door behind him and tried the latch.

Then he stood for a moment, and tried it again.

Then he came and sat.

Tonight it was raining on the hill, and the lamps were low.

She had planned the line all through supper, and it was a good one, the best she had made in weeks.

"Are you expecting someone, Peverell? Or is it the draught again?"

He sat down and put his hand on his wand.

"You've been counting," he said.

"I notice everything," said Draconia.

"You said that to Georgina. She didn't believe you," said Harry.

"I'll thank you not to listen at doors."

"That's a family talent," said Harry, and for a moment she thought he would leave it there.

The lines on the hill hummed silver and steady.

Draconia put her hand on the ash wand and waited for him to win the exchange, because he usually did now.

"I lived with my great-aunt, when I was small," he said instead, to the table. "In a cottage over the cliff."

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Wards Don't Lie, and Neither Do We from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.