Title: Lost and Found
Author Name: Urania Black
Rating: G
Spoilers: none
Summary: They thought he was lost. They always did. But he was not lost. He knew exactly where he was.
DISCLAIMER: All belongs to J.K. Rowling.
She sits and waits. They will be here soon enough. She knows this. Still, she has right to worry. They have all been gone for hours. She has watched them grow, seen the troubles that have been placed upon their shoulders. No one knew them quite like she did. Always silently watching, she protected them, watched over them, kept them safe from the outside world. But she was always taken for granted. She knew this, but it mattered very little to her. She would wonder sometimes what would happen when she was gone. Who would take her place? Surely no one would love them like she did. No one could. It was as simple as that. She could go nowhere until they were truly safe.
She remembered them as first years. They had been so small and excited, yet scared of the unknown world that lay before them. Theirs had been tested that year more than any friendship she had ever known. But there they were second year, still friends, despite it all. As the years flew by, enemies, other loves, school, family, and even each other tested their friendship relentlessly. Now as seventh years, they would soon leave her behind. Of course, they had never really known she was there, so what should it matter to them? It wouldn't. She knew this. She would move on as she always did, though they would always hold a special place in her heart. So she would continue to sit and wait. They would be here soon enough.
Others passed in and out, but she kept her eye open for them. She heard Seamus Finnigan telling Ginny Weasley that there had been an impromptu Quidditch practice. It would be a few more hours before they returned. She caught the sly wink Seamus gave Ginny before they scampered off together. She sighed. Young love. If only it could last forever. She had seen many couples form only to break. It seemed nowadays couples squabbled over the tiniest things. How would they make it in this world so full of hate and malice? The wizarding world wasn't half as bad as the muggle one. Still though, it was a dangerous place, especially if you were a half-breed or muggle born. And everyone knew that neither world would be completely safe until He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was defeated, if that was at all possible. Some believed that it wasn't. After all, He couldn't be human, could He? It was best not to think in those terms, however, for if she did then her little Harry would never be able to live his life fully. He would constantly be looking over her shoulder. That thought alone was almost too much to bear. She must think positively. Therefore, one day Harry would learn how to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and lead a normal life. Well, as normal as the Boy Who Lived could lead.
Wait. There, she could hear their laughter. It must be dreadfully late, and they still had homework to finish for class. She prepared herself as they approached her, a broad smile on her face.
"Hello," Hermione cried cheerfully her hand tightly intertwined with Harry's. She sighed again. Young love. Only, perhaps there's might make it. She hoped so.
"Good evening dears. Password?" she asked them.
"Lumos." Ron answered. She swung open gracefully and allowed them to climb through. Hermione first, her hand still clutched in Harry's, with Ron bringing up the rear. Lumos. Light. She had been told it was a mundane choice for a password. She chose it because even the simplest spells can help in a time of need. She only hoped they would remember that not everything in the world is so complex.
She would continue to sit and wait. They would be by again soon enough.