No Hurry At All
Disclaimer: Since I'm not the owner of these characters, I will probably do things with them that you don't like or agree with. Sorry in advance but that's the nature of fan fiction. To do otherwise kind of defeats the purpose of writig fan fiction, and copying JKR word for word would certainly see a lawsuit heading in my direction. Who in their right mind would want to name a child Albus Severus?
A/N My thanks to Aealket for providing me with a workaround to the problem of FFN not allowing me to upload a new chapter. I will put the details at the end of this chapter.
Chapter 4
The girl sat on a tree stump, armed with her sketchbook, in the middle of an idyllic Devonshire countryside setting. Between the babbling brook, beautiful bird song and the abundance, not to mention diversity, of wild flowers, the meadow was a feast for all the senses. The boy silently watching the scene before him though was only interested in the girl, how peaceful and 'right' she appeared in this setting. He was disturbed from his musings by the girl speaking to him. That he was currently invisible while Luna had her back to him made this action all the stranger.
"Are you here to say goodbye Harry, or are you just going to stand there and watch me all day?"
Harry made himself visible before answering his friend. "I could quite easily stand here all day and just watch you sketch Luna, that would be anything but a hardship. I definitely have no intention of saying goodbye. I don't have enough good friends that I can afford to say goodbye to them. You, Luna Lovegood, are certainly a good friend. I may be leaving Hogwarts and magic behind, my friends are more important than that. It might be hard to keep in touch for a while but I hope I'm worth the effort, I know you are."
Luna had now turned to face him, a lovely smile lighting up her face. "I'm glad to hear you say that Harry, very glad. I don't have many friends and can't afford to lose any of them. I seem to have gained one though, you wouldn't know why Cho Chang wrote to me? She apologised for her past behaviour and hoped we could be friends when I go back to Hogwarts."
Harry was pleased his idea had worked. "I wrote to her and apologised for our disaster of a date. I left her on Valentine's Day so I could meet with you and Hermione, I can't even remember if I told her Rita Skeeter was going to be there. No wonder she was pissed at us. I just wanted Cho to understand that you are one of my best friends and in no way responsible for what happened that day."
"Well I think she took it to heart so thank you. Cho did ask me a question though, what did you do to Snape and Dumbledore? Apparently the whole castle heard Snape scream your name in anger. Next time they were seen, Dumbledore had cut his hair while Snape had washed his."
Harry let out a loud whoop before grabbing Luna off her feet and dancing about the meadow in pure jubilation. "Both of them, I got both of them? Oh, that has so made my day, thank you Luna."
Luna found herself in Harry's arms, being twirled around in celebration with both feet off the ground. Not that she was complaining, Hermione was a lucky girl. Well, she was going to be soon.
"I'm glad you're happy Harry, perhaps you could tell me why?"
Harry was now embarrassed. "Well, have you ever had one of those urges that you knew was wrong but just couldn't resist?"
Luna was in Harry's arms, staring into his eyes from a distance of a few inches. By way of an answer, she closed the gap and kissed him. "Like that you mean? I'll tell myself that you're not Hermione's boyfriend yet, but I know it was still wrong."
Harry smiled at probably the only girl who could get away with that move on him. There was no malice or ulterior motive behind the kiss, she just wanted to kiss him and did it. "I would say exactly like that Luna. Even though I knew what I did was wrong, I still enjoyed it very much."
Harry then got to witness a new phenomenon, Luna was still smiling but now blushing like a Weasley. "Do you know what a pensieve is Luna?" Her nod allowed Harry to continue. "When I wrecked Dumbledore's office, I found his."
There then followed a lengthy pause, only being broken when Luna urged him to continue. "I had a pee in Dumbledore's pensieve!"
Harry still had his arms around Luna and it was probably just as well, she would have ended up on the grass as the laughter burst out of her. She was clinging to him as the laughter rolled off her. Just when he thought it might be under control, she would look at him and burst out laughing again. It took a while before both of them ended up sitting side by side in the spot where Harry had found her, her sketchpad lying on the grass.
Luna rested her head on Harry's shoulder, this was nice. Luna had a crush on Harry ever since she first met him, it soon became obvious though that those feelings weren't returned. Luna had the consolation of knowing that it was not because of her. Harry definitely liked her, might even love her, just not like that. Hermione was the one who owned his heart. Luna was ok with that, her friends deserved to be happy. At least she could say her first kiss was with Harry Potter, that meant a lot to her. That Harry appeared to understand her feelings helped enormously, it could have been very awkward if Harry had reacted differently. She'd taken a liberty and Harry had allowed it, as a friend. Luna liked the kiss, and sitting here now with him close, she would have to start looking for a boyfriend of her own. It was time to face why Harry was here.
"Harry, I understand what you said earlier but I'm worried. How can we stay friends if we don't see each other?"
Harry was also enjoying sitting here with Luna, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her. It was so peaceful, he almost didn't want to answer and break the spell. "I won't lie to you Luna and say it will be easy but, if it's something we both want, I think we'll manage. I have quite a lot going on at the moment and it will be later on in the summer before I know for definite what I'll be doing."
"Until you speak to Hermione?"
Harry didn't blush and answered his friend truthfully. "Yes Luna, that will play a big part. Can I ask you to contact Hermione and tell her that we spoke? I want to have all my ideas and options lined up before I speak to her, that's still a few weeks away."
"Is there anything specific you'd like me to tell her for you?"
Harry looked at his friend and remembered how she'd stood by him, fighting at his side. He knew more about Luna than she thought, it was again time to use his knowledge to help those he cared about. "If I know Hermione, she'll be worrying herself sick over me and won't stop until she can see I'm ok for herself. Tell her I'm not hiding away, grieving over Sirius. I'm trying to organise my life so I can live it in such a way as to make him proud of me. The people we love never truly leave us Luna, they watch over us and someday we'll get to see them again."
Luna was now gazing at her friend in wonder as he continued, she so hoped that Harry was right.
"Our mothers are watching over us Luna and are very happy with what they see. Please tell your dad that Sweden is a bust. Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland, is probably your best bet. Go with red onions to entice them out from their lairs, garlic is a tad on the strong side."
Luna's eyes were almost the size of Dobby's as she asked the question she really wanted the answer to. "Harry, did you cross over?"
"Only for an instant Luna, but what an instant. I was thinking of staying but my parents and godfather didn't want me there for at least another hundred years or so. My mum gave her life that I could live, neither of my parents regretted that decision. You sat with your mum as she died and it's tormented you ever since, blaming yourself for not helping her. Your mum was beyond help Luna but she got to spend her last moments having her hand held by the most precious thing in the world to her. You could do no more and it was more than enough."
Large tears were silently running down Luna's cheeks as the scene that had tortured her since that fateful day played over in her mind. Knowing that her mother didn't hold her to any blame lifted such a weight of her young shoulders. It was like being reborn.
"Luna, I plan on telling only one other person what happened to me. You needed to know so I could pass the message on from your mother. She wants her little girl to start living her life to the full."
Luna could barely speak and it took three attempts but Harry managed to figure it out. "You met my mum?"
"Maia is so like her daughter, very caring and very beautiful. She doesn't want you fretting for the rest of your life over something that was an unfortunate accident."
Luna held him tight for a moment before speaking. "Thank you Harry, you have no idea what this means to me."
He kissed her gently on the forehead, "Luna, I got to meet my mum and dad, I know exactly what this means to you. "Harry was thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "I think I might soon be the one getting labelled with the 'loony' tag when people discover I really am leaving magic behind. Please don't waste your time or energy trying to defend me. One thing magical Britain has taught me is that witches and wizards will believe whatever they want, regardless of what we say. I just hope that when that time comes, I don't need to be defended from anyone named Weasley. There's no way Ron will understand my decision, I can only hope he'll accept it."
"I think you may be right Harry, he does usually come around in the end. It might take Ginny and the twins hexing him for days but I'm sure he'll get there eventually."
Harry took out a small box and handed it to Luna. "This is a little present to remind you of our friendship."
Luna opened the box and stared at the gold chain and charm inside.
"It's a St Christopher Luna, the patron saint of travellers. It's to bring you luck and keep you safe." Harry didn't tell her there was enough magic infused into the necklace to offer protection from just about anything short of an unforgivable. He watched her place it around her neck and instantly felt better. Luna was now a target purely because she was a friend of his, at least he'd done something to protect her.
"Thank you Harry, it's beautiful and I'll never take it off. Can I offer you something in return?"
"Luna, there's no need..."
"It's just some advice Harry. Everyone around you and Hermione can see the situation for what it is but she's over-thinking it. Hermione needs to hear the words Harry, only then will she start to believe it's true."
This rocked Harry back on his heels for a moment before replying. "Thanks Luna, I thought I'd made my feelings quite clear in the limited time we had, I can see now that you're right. Hermione will be over-analysing everything, probably thinks she's not good enough for the 'chosen one'. She'd never believe quite the opposite is true. I didn't want to do this by letter but it's the only option I've got right now. When I see her next, I don't want it to be just for a stolen hour and then have to leave. I really miss her so much. Hermione will have far too many questions for that to work anyway."
"I'll take the knight bus over tomorrow and visit with her. I think I would be taking my life in my hands though if I told her I spent the afternoon with your arm around me."
This got Harry chucking, he never moved his arm though. He and Luna sat there and chatted for a while. It occurred to Harry that he was probably the first person in the world that Luna had told her hopes and dreams to. This made him feel very special. He felt as if he was witnessing his friend crawl from her cocoon and spread her wings as a beautiful butterfly was born. There is no way Harry would be giving up his friendship with Luna Lovegood.
-oOoOo-
The mood inside Hogwarts couldn't stay sombre for long. Harry Potter may be leaving but it was still the last week of term, exams were over and the summer holidays beckoned. The sudden hysterical laughter emanating from, of all places, the Ravenclaw table was still strange enough to stop conversation and have everyone looking around for the source.
From his raised position at the staff table, Severus Snape had already spotted the culprit. "Miss Chang, braying like a constipated donkey is not behaviour becoming of a young witch. Certainly not one who is a Hogwarts prefect! Clearly your association with Potter has had a detrimental effect on you."
As Severus expected, this silenced the hall. That was until the girl looked directly at him. If anything, her laughter intensified as she handed the letter she was reading to her friends. Soon they were in the same condition as Miss Chang. Severus turned to their head of house. "Professor Flitwick, Since I can no longer assign detentions to your house, and you undermined my authority the last time I removed points from the girl, can I assume you will deal with this matter?"
Filius made his way toward the Ravenclaw table, having no trouble following the progress of the offending letter. Those who had read it were all laughing like hyenas breathing nothing but nitrous oxide, the anticipation of those next in line was also unmistakable. Filius removed the note from a now hysterical Padma Patil.
The first thing that surprised him was that the note was from Miss Lovegood to Miss Chang. She was accepting the offer of friendship but was also offering some news she'd gotten from her recent meeting with Harry Potter. It was easy to see what part of the note had caused the commotion, Filius had to read it three times to confirm what his eyes were actually seeing.
It took every ounce of his self-control not to just collapse into laughter there and then, this was too good to be wasted like that. Filius never saw Padma heading toward the Gryffindor table to inform her sister of what the note said, he never even noticed he'd handed the note to Miss Bones of Hufflepuff by mistake. He was too busy wondering how to use this, oh Minerva would so be getting an owl from him today.
Word of mouth was faster than reading a letter, as such the news was spreading through the hall like a brush fire.
Filius sat down at the staff table and began to eat his breakfast slowly, he didn't want to choke when the laughter became impossible to hold back.
Severus could wait no longer as half the hall was now in stitches of laughter. "Well?"
"Oh sorry Severus, was there something you wanted?"
"I would like to know why this school is descending into chaos and you did nothing about it?"
"Oh that! It was just a note from Miss Lovegood to Miss Chang. She mentioned spending yesterday afternoon with Mr Potter."
This had everyone at the staff table hanging on his every word, time for Filius to deliver the blow. "Mr Potter just happened to tell her the reason you were so pissed off the other night, or should that be pissed on? Gives new meaning to the old axiom 'it's a wise man who doesn't eat yellow snow'. Give it a day or so and I'll bet there's a new one about golden memories. It would appear your rather jaundiced view of Mr Potter was returned to you tenfold."
Poppy had to explain what had happened to Hagrid and the gentle giant then gave new meaning to the phrase 'word of mouth'. The entire hall heard him.
"Peed in his pensieve? No wonder Snape washed his hair!"
The only people in the hall who were not laughing at Dumbledore and Snape were those who didn't know what a pensieve was, they would soon have this explained to them.
Snape stormed out the hall, even those blasted Weasley twins hadn't managed to turn him into a laughing stock.
Albus though was deep in thought, he'd have to increase the watchers around Weasley and Granger. Harry must be found, and soon.
-oOoOo-
Neville was working happily in his greenhouse when the voice saying his name startled him into action. He swung around and went into a crouch, his wand already in his hand, before recognition of the voice caught up with him.
"Wow Nev, new wand and a quick-release wrist holder? I'm guessing your gran liked the peace offering." Harry appeared from under his cloak.
"Harry! You just about scared the shit out of me." His new wand disappeared back up his sleeve as he then grabbed his friend in a one-armed hug. "Gran not only forgave me, she's taking the golden wand with her to St Mungo's so my mum and dad can see it." Neville tried to hide his embarrassment. "Gran refuses to give up on them, no matter what the healers' say."
This was the opening Harry was looking for, and he didn't even have to engineer it. "Neville, as you know, I can now heal people. I would like to try with your mum and dad but would hate to get your gran's hopes up in case it doesn't work."
Neville just stood there speechless, Harry understood exactly what he was offering his friend. The chance to actually talk to his parents was a treasure beyond measure. He casually waved his hand over Neville to transfigure his gardening clothes into something more appropriate for visiting a hospital. Harry then started to put his father's cloak back on.
"It's probably better if no one sees me."
This snapped Neville out of his stupor as the situation crashed home. He indicated his transfigured robes. "Harry, should I be insulted these don't say Potter on the back?"
This earned a chuckle from Harry before he was serious once more. "Nev, I can't make any promises here, other than to do my best."
"I can't ask for any more than that Harry. I would like to ask if this healing talent has anything to do with that arch thing in the ministry that killed your godfather?"
Harry was now worried, if Neville could figure this out then Dumbledore surly would. "Why do you ask Nev?"
"I'm pretty sure only Professor Lupin and me saw you run through that thing after your godfather. By the time he screamed 'stop' and everyone had turned around, you were racing after Lestrange. The look of terror on his face as you went through that arch told me that was not a good thing to do, he obviously didn't expect you to come out the other side. He also doesn't know you like the rest of us, Harry Potter doing the impossible is becoming commonplace." Neville could tell this was something his friend wasn't comfortable with, nor did he want anyone else to know. "Don't worry Harry, I won't say a word"
"Thanks Nev, Luna knows some of it and I plan on telling Hermione everything. I just don't know how our favourite redheads are going to take me leaving. Don't worry, I have no intentions of leaving my friends."
"Harry, I think I've proven that I'll follow you anywhere. If you can pull off another miracle today, I'll even put Potter on my back!"
Harry could only smile at his friend, "If Hermione gives me a knock-back I'll keep that in mind. I have to say though, Luna is ahead of you in the queue."
Neville theatrically wiped his brow in simulated relief, "Phew, no worries then!"
"There is one favour you could do for me though…"
Neville was always going to say yes. After hearing what Harry wanted, he couldn't wait.
Harry covered himself with his cloak and it was mere seconds later that Neville also disappeared from sight.
-oOoOo-
"Hermione! There's someone here to see you."
Her dad's shout had Hermione crashing down the stairs in record time, only to discover it wasn't Harry.
Luna couldn't miss the disappointment written all over her friend's face, it was time for Hermione to realise she was dealing with a different Luna now. The little blond marched straight up to her, took the brunette's head in her hands and kissed Hermione full on the lips. Hermione was totally shocked and ready to scream at Luna until her blond friend spoke. "That's from Harry!"
The change in Hermione was instantaneous. As far as she was concerned, Luna had just uttered the magic word. "Harry? You've seen him? Tell me when, tell me everything, now!"
Dan just stood there, he might be forgotten but he was every bit as shocked as his daughter at Luna's actions. The name Harry though had an entirely different effect on him. "Harry? Yes please tell us Luna how this boy can find time to visit you, yet my daughter is left moping about the house. Left with nothing more than a short note and a bloody flower."
"Oh, did you get flowers too Hermione? He sent some to Parvati and Cho, to apologise for being such a lousy date. Did you know when you asked Harry to meet us that Valentine's Day, he was actually on a date with Cho?"
Hermione's blushes were saved by her father's temper. "Parvati? Cho? Just how many girls is this Harry fellow stringing along? I suppose he brought you flowers too?"
"Oh no Mr Granger…"
"Well at least that's something!"
Luna continued with what she'd been saying before Dan interrupted. "Harry gave me this beautiful necklace. He also took flowers to Professor McGonagall in hospital, I don't think that counts though since he never took her on a date."
Hermione had caught the glint in Luna's eye. "Luna, please don't tease my father any more. He doesn't know you like I do." This was said more for her father's benefit as Hermione was quickly coming to realise she didn't know Luna Lovegood at all.
Her mother arrived to see what all the commotion was about, distracting her father long enough for Hermione to grab hold of Luna and drag her up the stairs to her room. When she had the door safely shut behind them, Hermione wanted answers.
"Luna, what the hell was that all about? Please don't play coy with me, you knew exactly what you were doing down there. I'm already getting more than enough grief without you adding to it. The house is being watched and dad wants to drag me off to France next week on holiday. I don't want to go in case I miss Harry and my dad is not happy at that."
"Is that what the problem is? I could feel the tension the second I entered your house. Don't worry Hermione, Harry will find you wherever you are, even if that's France."
Hermione sat on the bed beside Luna. "How come he could speak to you Luna and not me? And what the hell was that kissing business downstairs? In front of my father too!"
"Harry told me only what I needed to know. He intends to tell only one person everything and she's sitting right beside me. About the kissing thing? I kinda took advantage of Harry and was feeling really guilty about it. When I saw how disappointed you were that I wasn't Harry, passing the kiss on just seemed like the right thing to do."
"I'm sorry Luna, I really am pleased to see you but I'm desperate to see Harry. Do I want to know why you were kissing him?"
Luna pretended not to hear that last bit. "He asked me to tell you that he's fine and not to worry about him. He really looked better than fine to me, and promised to get in touch the moment he can tell you the full story. I got the impression that he has quite a lot going on at the moment though he appeared to have things under control."
"Harry's always saying he's fine, that doesn't mean that he is. Sirius being killed must have really affected him."
Luna had to smile at how well these two knew each other. "Hermione, Harry told me that our loved ones never really leave us. He really was fine and appeared more worried about you, I was asked to come over and convince you that he actually is ok." She tried to lighten the mood. "Harry also understands what not knowing everything must be doing to you."
It was now Hermione's turn to ignore the last remark. "I'll believe Harry's fine only when I see it for myself. Tell me everything he said Luna, word for word."
Luna figured the stuff about her mother was private but had no problems telling Hermione everything else. She half expected her friend to grab some parchment and start taking notes.
When Emma appeared an hour later, using tea and biscuits as her passport for entry into Hermione's room, Luna found herself telling the story all over again. This was her second afternoon spent chatting to friends and she was really beginning to enjoy it.
-oOoOo-
Augusta Longbottom was a witch on a mission, this was what happened when she cut her grandson some slack. He goes missing and then she gets an urgent summons to St Mungo's. Augusta was so busy fretting about Neville, she didn't realise her feet had taken her along the often trodden route to the room that held her son and daughter-in-law. She was surprised to see her grandson standing outside their door. He'd clearly been crying but wore a smile that illuminated the entire corridor. She intended to get to the bottom of this immediately.
"Neville!"
She never got to say anymore as he ran toward Augusta and swept her up in a bear hug. The prim and prudish grandmother found herself up in the air and being twirled around by her still crying grandson. Augusta had to use both hands to ensure she didn't lose her hat. "Neville, put me down this instant! What's the matter with you?"
Neville carefully put her down but that beaming smile was still there. "Nothing's the matter gran, everything in the world is just bloody wonderful!"
Augusta was beginning to think this was a delayed reaction to Neville fighting death eaters at the ministry, she'd always known he was too delicate and sensitive for that kind of thing. She allowed him to lead her into the unusually busy room, just about every healer in the hospital appeared to be there.
The Longbottom matriarch was about to start demanding answers when a voice Augusta never thought she would ever here again spoke to her. It was only two words and it was very faint but Augusta Longbottom thought it was easily the sweetest sound she'd ever heard.
"Hello mum!"
-oOoOo-
Dinner that evening in the Granger household was once more strained. Luna had returned home and now her dad was looking for answers, Hermione didn't have any answers to give him. The fruit salad was interrupted by a large bouquet of red and white roses arriving beside Hermione, there was also another note.
Dan was determined not to be impressed. "Flowers again? Perhaps he has shares in a florist's, he appears to hand them out willy-nilly."
Hermione was not going to sit there and let her father away with that. "Perhaps it's because Harry knows both my parents are dentists and would frown on him sending me chocolates. He doesn't know that my father actually frowns on everything. Anyway, they're for me and I happen to think they're beautiful!"
Dan reacted as if he'd been hit, that might have had something to do with Emma kicking him under the table.
Emma was now staring at him with an expression that clearly said 'shut it' before she spoke to their daughter. "Hermione, you may have heard the expression 'say it with flowers'. Harry is certainly sending his message across loud and clear. Since your father never buys me roses, he wouldn't know this. A single red rose means 'I love you!' That could have been a coincidence but there can be no mistake now. A mixture of red and white roses given together signifies just that, togetherness and unity. Even if he doesn't ask you to be his girlfriend in that note, the flowers are doing that for him."
"You're reading an awful lot into some flowers – ouch!" Dan was now rubbing his ankle.
"I never said anything because it could just have been a red rose. Red and white together tells me everything I need to know. A bouquet like that would have to be specially put together and any florist would know exactly what it meant. They would also make sure the customer sending them knew exactly what it meant too."
Dan was feeling sore, and not just from being kicked in the ankle. It was an unusual feeling for him to be the bad guy in the house and he didn't like it. "When we started going out, you said you hated flowers. You spent every weekend and holiday working in a florist to put yourself through university."
"Dan, that was nearly twenty years ago. Did it escape your attention I have a garden full of flowers and pick bunches for the house all summer?"
This was giving Hermione time to read her note, she was praying her mum was right. She was disappointed though, the note appeared to be some ramblings about things she already knew or that Luna had told her. She took some consolation I that he'd signed it 'Love Harry' but she was no further forward.
As she was sitting it down to inspect her flowers, some irregularities caught her eye. One of the sentences that had made no sense to Hermione appeared to have certain words highlighted. It was very subtle and it only appeared when she glanced at it from a certain angle. The twins were looking for some wartmap powder and he'd remembered passing some last summer in Sirius's house, could she get the word to the right people.
She had originally wondered what the hell he was talking about and assumed he'd spelt wartcap wrong, now it made perfect sense.
TWINS - MAP - PASS – WORD.
Mentioning Sirius in the same sentence sealed the deal for Hermione, there was a hidden message here that Harry didn't want anyone else to read. That, combined with her mother's interpretation of the flowers had her head spinning.
"What does it say darling?"
"Yes, are we going on holiday next week or not?" Dan had wisely moved his leg out of Emma's range, he got the distinct impression that he would be paying for it later though.
Hermione was desperate to get away and read the real note, she had also been told by Luna, and Harry, that he would find her anywhere. Time to cut her father a bit of slack. "Oh he says he's fine and will be in touch soon, France next week sounds lovely dad. Mum, can I get a vase to put these in my room."
Hermione made her way up to her room, carefully laying her flowers on her dresser before touching the note with her wand. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
All the letters in the note rearranged themselves into a totally different message.
My dearest Hermione
I knew you would figure it out. Even with this security though, I still can't tell you what happened or what I'm doing now. That's a conversation that must be face to face. I had also intended to do this next bit face to face too but now realise it's wrong to leave you hanging like this. Hermione, when you got injured in the ministry, my heart stopped. Imagining, even for a few seconds, what my life would be like without you in it terrified me. It forced me to confront the depth of my feelings for you, I'm just sorry you had to get seriously injured for me to see that, thick or what?
I now realise I have feelings for you that go way beyond those of a best friend. The next step is to ask if you will please be my girlfriend, that's where the flowers come into play. If your answer is yes, place them in your bedroom window and you'll make me the happiest boy in the country. If your answer is no then please enjoy the flowers and I hope we can always remain best friends.
I realise I'm just adding to the conversation we will be having when my tasks are complete, I promise to tell you everything no matter what your answer is. I also promise to ask you again in person once you know the full story and what my hopes and plans are.
All my love Hermione and I'll be hoping to see flowers in your window soon.
Harry.
Hermione jumping up and down on her bed while shouting yes, yes, yes was the sight that greeted Emma as she entered the bedroom with a vase in her hand. "Can I assume there was more to that letter than you originally thought?"
Hermione grabbed the vase out her mother's hand, replacing it with the modified note. "Harry had a private code hidden in the note, I used it and got the real message. I'm just about to answer him."
Emma read the note and smiled as her daughter lovingly arranged her roses on her windowsill. Their little girl was all grown up but, more importantly, was clearly very, very happy.
-oOoOo-
There was a distinct lack of happiness at Hogwarts as Albus once more found his potions professor in the infirmary, Severus looked terrible. The children might have left yesterday but it was beginning to look as if they were in for a very long, hard summer.
"How are you Severus?"
"Alive, for now! There were three death eaters there last night who were not so fortunate. Whatever Potter did to the dark lord is resisting any and all attempts to heal it. That the Prophet had Potter healing the Longbottoms on its front page sent the dark lord into a fury like none of us had ever seen before, and hope never to see again."
Poppy had to help him drink the post cruciatus potion as his hands wouldn't stop shaking long enough for Severus to do it himself. "Every time something appears to be working, the results prove to be only temporary. That lightning bolt scar bursts open and begins bleeding all over again. The dark lord has destroyed more of his followers in the last few days than the entire auror corps managed in the last war."
Albus was totally helpless as his friend suffered, he'd been unable to find any mention of this curse in any of his many books. "Is this wound life-threatening Severus?"
"Yes, to everyone but the dark lord. He won't die from it but a lot of his followers might. If we don't find Potter soon, I might have to declare myself for the light. It really isn't safe to be anywhere near the dark lord at the moment. I have no intention of losing my life because Potter got a lucky hit in with an unknown curse. Add to that, the death eaters with children at Hogwarts now know about the pensieve incident and what that filthy brat did to us. We have to find him, even if it's just so I can kill him myself."
Albus had the kindly grandfather persona performing at full power. "Severus, you know you don't mean that. I'm having the Weasley and Granger properties watched. Sooner or later he's bound to turn up at one of them, then we'll get some answers."
Albus was imagining Harry back under his control and Severus even closer to Tom after he healed the wound.
"It has to be soon Albus, continued exposure to the cruciatus curse and being a potions master are activities that do not go together."
"Oh, it will be Severus, Harry will be back amongst us soon. It's his destiny and even Mr Potter can't escape destiny!"
A/N Thanks for reading.
As promised, the workaround Aealket sent me.
For those of you who aren't aware, there's a site error on FF at the moment that's preventing people from updating stories in categories with over 40,000 or so stories (e.g. Harry Potter, Naruto, etc).
So if you haven't been getting many alerts for the past week, that's why! For you authors: this error can be bypassed by changing "property" to "content" in your address bar when you get the error.
