Inconsolable – adj.  Incapable of being consoled or comforted; despondent.

“Hermione. I know what it feels like to run away…to leave the ones you love…because of fear. Because you’ve lost faith. I knew as soon as I had gone it was the worst thing I’d ever done. And I wanted to take it back, but I couldn’t…it was too late. I don’t ever want to be without you again, my lover. Don’t lose faith in me, ‘Mione because I’ll never lose faith in you. And never fear, my darling…I’ll always be here to protect you.”

“Ron’s right. We’ve wasted enough time. The attack made that clear. We’ve lost a step and we need to get back to what we’re really good at. We’re ready to be Aurors.” Harry also was taking on a pinkish hue as his emotions ran higher. Kingsley noticed the effects that the attack had left with them. He wasn’t sure that plunging them headlong into Auror training would be best for them at the moment.

“Thanks, love. We solemnly swear we are up to no good!”, Harry incanted, reenacting the wand placement. Without delay the lines darkened and the flagstones began to shuffle themselves, much like the bricks behind The Leaky Cauldron moved when opening to gain access to Diagon Alley.

“Speaking of animal instincts…do you think the Centaurs would mind if me and Ginny tagged along tomorrow? I haven’t seen them since the battle at Hogwarts.”

“They’re very proud creatures and sticklers for protocol, Ron. Since they didn’t strictly invite you or Ginny, I would be worried that they might view you as intruders. However, if all four of us happened to be visiting with Hagrid when they arrived, I suppose it wouldn’t be out-of-the-way to ask their permission.”

“I see my words have brought a certain enlightenment. Would one of you like to explain?” Ron looked to Harry who looked to Ginny. They all were at a loss to explain what they had realized. Fuji waited patiently as the three tried to arrange their thoughts into some semblance of cohesive thought. Ginny was the first to give it a shot.

As Harry finished his conversation he saw Rita slinking across the street toward him. Taking a few deep breathes he calmed himself in preparation for…well, he wasn’t sure what for, but he knew Rita would have some ballocks to try and lambast him with.

“What’s up, Harry?”, George asked as Harry finally stopped.
“Well, some of us have noticed that you’ve been…uh…different lately. And, I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about it. To me. I’m here, if you want to.” George‘s face lost some of its color and his smile faded, slightly.
“I thought I was a better actor than that. You all saw through me, eh?”

“Well, I guess that’s that. I thought you’d be more help than old Fudge or Thicknesse, but I see you’re not. So, I guess we’ll have to do this on our own. Thanks for your time, but we have work to do. Would you please leave?”, Harry said as he motioned towards the hallway with his wand.

Kingsley’s face fell, as if something had gone horribly amiss and he had no way of stopping it. Gawain’s face, on the other hand, began to turn red.

“I think that’s the first time you’ve ever not called me ‘Malfoy’, Ron.”

“Seems we all can learn new tricks. Just don’t get used to it.”, Ron said with a smirk.

“What could be more dangerous than Tom Riddle’s Horcruxes?”, asked Headmistress McGonagall, her lips pursed tightly as she spoke.

“The Deathly Hallows, Minerva.”

          All four of the Golden Quartet’s heads snapped up at the sound of Professor Dumbledore’s voice coming from behind Minerva McGonagall. There, on the wall behind the Headmistress’ desk, was the portrait of Professor Dumbledore.

          Wands at the ready, they quickly and cautiously made their way down to Harry’s bedroom. They took up positions on either side of the door and peeked around the corner. Rabastan was propped up in a sitting position with left hand and rubbing his head with his right. Thorfin was moaning, but still prone. Harry, his wand in his right hand and pointed at Thorfin, touched his upper right arm plate with his left hand, thought Incarcerous and aimed his hand at Rabastan

The Golden Quartet decided to have their double wedding on Saturday, August 26th. As most of the bridesmaids and groomsmen had been participants in either George and Angelina’s wedding or Neville and Hannah’s (some had been in both), there was little to do in the clothing category.