Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Holding onto Hope
Much-anticipated sequel to "Face the World Fighting" and conclusion to the "Life of Lily" trilogy.
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Hope is the thing with feathers-
A man with twinkling blue eyes pulled a delicate silver strand from his temple, held by the tip of his wand. He dropped the flowing material into a large bowl. The colors swirled together before him. They rippled over each other, displaying the memory he had taken in. It eased his mind; it kept them safe.
He closed his eyes and he thought. He thought of the upcoming end to the school year. Flowers were only just beginning to bloom and yet preparations for the following year needed to be made. Meetings to go to, letters to send, and a whole world to save. He was a busy man. He decided the perhaps the top item on his list should be to find a Divination teacher. It would take quite some time after all. With a sigh that displayed his aging soul he sat upon his chair, quite intent on taking a nap.
That perches on the soul-
An old friend turned enemy without the knowledge of others scurried past those on the crowded street, his steps nervous. His watery eyes darted about, refusing to miss any one detail. He was a perfect fit for his animagus after all and was known to resemble the animal while in full form as well. Rat. Yes, it definitely fit. While the thought was certainly downgrading, he had other things to worry about. Important other things at that. Important other things that could end his life with no more than a few words. Daunting, yes, but perhaps it was his destiny. It lay on his mind every moment. The fear followed him constantly, but the fear of failing was far greater. It overruled nearly everything else, the loyalty, the trust, the belief, the friendship, all of it. It seemed he no longer had a choice.
And sings the tune without the words-
A girl with a mane of brown curls and equally warm eyes lay in the grass not too far away. Her arms were stretched behind her head and legs crossed atop each other. She basked in the meager rays of sun streaming towards her. The trees rustled pleasantly and the occasional bird could be heard singing its song. It seemed so peaceful, but she knew that somewhere in the world, somewhere close, lives were getting destroyed.
Another family member gone, this time a distant cousin. The letter had arrived at her home that morning. Why? She was one of the only ones left. One by one they were all disappearing. Who knew how long it would continue. Before long she'd be alone. She was lucky though, she didn't need blood relatives to have a family. She had all the family she could ask for.
She began to hum softly, calming herself. She was a Gryffindor; she shouldn't be getting scared. She was stronger than that. Twirling her ring absentmindedly around her finger she imagined a world of no fears and worries. She might even be married in that world. He would ask her one day, she was sure of it, but who knew when that would be. Her two best friends were already pregnant and she was left waiting for the man she loved to drop to one knee. Plucking a willowy dandelion from the ground she blew the small flower, sending it's pieces spiraling through the air. As she watched them float over the darkening sky she wished for happier sunsets.
And never stops-at all-
In the flat of a friend quite close to the girl a man picked through his mail tiredly, his hair flopping into his eyes. He needed a haircut. He shifted his patched coat before continuing. His eyes drooped, showing his tiredness and his numerous scars shown starkly on his face. It was a sight to see, never had he felt more drained of life. He flipped through them monotonously, grumbling at this and that as he imagined being in a different place at a different time.
Nothing out of the ordinary popped out at him until about halfway through the stack. It was addressed with his name and sent from a facility he was familiar with. A tremor ran through his body and his hands began to shake. He had been waiting for this letter.
He eagerly tore it open, anticipation swelling inside of him. The paper felt all too flimsy in his hands. The words seemed to jump off the page and his heat plummeted. Failed. It wasn't the first of these letters he had gotten. All the places he had gone to, all the experiments that had been tested on him and they still didn't have a cure.
He knew the chances were slim, he had always known, yet he couldn't help but wishing his agony would soon be over. How many more months must he endure? He'd suffer through it of course, he always did. His friends were the ones that helped him up, the ones that pushed him forward. Without them he'd surely be lost.
I've heard it in the chill'est land-
They stood close, protected against the common chill of spring. Though they both wished for far more sunlight, it appeared that it would grace them with its warmth later in the year. The few patches of sun that were showing seemed dull and lifeless. May and rendered the flowers gorgeous though, and that was a blessing at least. The yard smelt heavenly, just as spring should.
The women with the golden locks atop her head pointed to one of the blooms in her yard, causing the man to turn his head. They were a deep red color. He grinned. She placed a hand on her swelling stomach before kneeling down to look at the flower more closely. It was beautiful, the perfect shade really. It would fit the walls nicely she decided. It didn't hurt to introduce the boldness of Gryffindor early on in her boy's life. He would surely join her old house when he was grown, but they would never love him any less if he were to be sorted elsewhere.
Her blue eyes sparkled as she reached up, motioning for her husband to help her stand. He complied and pulled her in to a warm hearted hug. She was so short compared to him. He stepped back and placed a hand on her stomach, hoping for movement. Three months. They only had to wait three months. Three months and one of her best friends would be having her child as well. The days of nausea, painful kicks, and seemingly random tears would be worth it. She could feel it. This little boy in her stomach would be their light in a darkening world.
And on the strangest Sea-
Then man kneeling down besides his prized motorcycle was also admiring a familiar red. Having spent the past hour of his life rubbing down his bike it nearly sparkled. The golden accents swiped along the sides were bright and the leather seats pristine. The famed Gryffindor colors gleamed and pride found it's way inside of him. It was quite the ride and he thanked those who gave it to him every day. It had surely been the best Christmas present he had ever gotten.
Swiping his cloth across the surface one last time, he stood and sat atop it. Doing things the muggle way definitely took a load more effort than he was used to. Not that it was difficult, just rather annoying. His beauty deserved the best though and he had never been all that great at charms. Hand cleaning it was the only feasible option. His girlfriend, the girl he decided he loved, was constantly taunting him, waving her wand in his face and he worked.
"A few words and you'd be done, we could go down to Hogsmeade," she'd comment, her eyes glittering with mischief. He'd always respond with a small smile and promise that he'd take her on a ride as soon as he was finished.
He pressed the handy button set near the handlebars and revved the engine, closing his eyes in content at the sound and smell of motor oil. One of his best friends was constantly telling him he smelt like motor oil and peppermint, he didn't notice it, but apparently she did. Starting his bike off slow, he set off to said best friend's house. It was convenient because her husband was his other best friend. He glanced up at the stars and grinned, he was going to be the greatest godfather ever.
Yet, never, in Extremity,
At the destination of this man on his motorcycle was a young couple in their backyard, sitting in the grass. In front of them was a decent sized garden covered in thriving strawberry bushes. Obviously something was amiss for strawberries were a summer fruit. The wife had been set on growing them naturally, but unfortunately her friends were generally impatient people. They had felt the need to speed up the process and rather than being disappointed, she was quite amused. Strawberries were her favorite after all, what was getting them a few months early? By the time her boy was born the garden would be overflowed with the red fruit.
While the strawberries in front of her were a cheery red and the grass beneath her was vivid green, the sky above appeared smoky. Only the smallest patches of stars could be seen and it was slightly disheartening. Nevertheless, she was happy to be where she was, sitting in her yard with her husband in front of a patch of strawberries. Her troubles were behind her, yet she was still wise enough to understand that there would be more head. They just had to keep holding on.
It asked a crumb-of Me.
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The first chapter of the "Holding onto Hope". This time around will be hard, as we all know this period in the lives of our friends is laced with tragedy. I'm confident though and wish to give it justice. Thank you, everyone who has stayed by my side. We'll finish this together. A birthday shout out as well to one of my reviewers, I hope you had a wonderful day and this chapter met up to your expectations. Until next Saturday all, this journey is sure to be a great one :).
-Sweets5236