A/N: Ok, let's just say that I am floored that so many people are favoriting and following this story. It is truly touching that someone is enjoying seeing this story unfold just as much as I am. Again, from an author to her beloved readers, thank you.
Disclaimer: I am going to drown my sorrows in cider and salmon tonight with my husband and mentor because I'm not J. K. Rowling. Wait…or is it just because I love cider and salmon? Who knows?
Harry and Cori were still hugging when Uncle Vernon entered the room. The two teenagers quickly pulled apart and flushed scarlet.
"Oh you're here again," said Uncle Vernon very rudely.
Harry felt a fresh new wave of hatred for his uncle. The Dursleys had never been, to put it kindly, too fond of Cori. The fact that she was an American and friends with Harry made her unwanted in their home. This had never stopped Dudley however; every chance he got he tried and failed to sweep her off her feet.
"Your aunt, Dudley, and I are leaving," Uncle Vernon informed his nephew, "And you know the rules. No visitors over while we are gone."
Cori sighed, knowing there was no arguing with Mr. Dursley, and left.
Harry focused on his uncle after she left. He felt frustrated and angry at the blatant rude behavior exhibited by his relatives towards his dearest friend.
"Do not steal food from our refrigerator," said Uncle Vernon.
"Sure," said Harry, not giving a damn.
"Do not touch or use any of our things," said Uncle Vernon.
"Fine," spat out Harry.
"I am going to lock your door," he informed Harry.
"You do that," replied Harry.
And without further ado the Dursleys were gone. Harry heard Uncle Vernon's expensive sport car pulling out of the driveway, and at the same time he heard a soft knock on his window.
"Hey," said Cori after Harry had opened his bedroom window.
And Harry was, for the second time that day, stunned by Cori's beauty. Her dark hair was blowing in her face from a light breeze and the moonlight was lighting up her rosy cheeks. She looked, Harry thought, like something out of a fairytale.
"Harry, um, are you going to let me in?" asked Cori.
"Sorry," mumbled Harry, "I just spaced out there for a minute."
Harry took her hand and helped her into his somewhat messy room. Cori completely lost her footing, and stumbled into him. Their faces were inches apart, and Harry's mind just registered the fact that he was two inches away from kissing her lips. His hands were firmly around her waist, and he leaned in until their noises were touching. Then a noise from downstairs caused them to look up and pull slightly apart.
It sounded as if at least a dozen people were going about their business. Harry heard talking and someone laughing. Cori and him exchanged a look and Harry cautiously pulled out his wand.
"What are you doing?" said Cori in an urgent whisper. She had her hand tightly enclosed around his right wrist. "Do you want to get expelled from Hogwarts again?"
Just as Harry was going to protest, his bedroom door opened magically. Cori threw him an accusing look.
"I didn't do it," Harry said indignantly.
With his left arm still around Katie's waist, he led them out of his room and onto the landing.
"Put your wand away boy, before you poke someone's eye out," growled someone from the bottom of the stairs.
"Professor Moody?" Harry asked uncertainly. The last time he had come into contact with Moody, or someone he had thought was Moody, he had tried to kill Harry. So it was quite logical to keep his wand at the ready.
"It's alright Harry," said a gentler voice.
"Professor Lupin," Harry said with more confidence.
"Yes Harry, it's me, and we're here..," Lupin paused, "Harry, who is your friend?"
"Oh," said Harry glancing at Cori, "This is Cori Rawson. She lives on Privet Drive too," he added, trying to make a clear point.
"But you're the only, the only you know what, in the area Harry," said Lupin, also trying to imply something.
"Oh, yeah I'm a muggle," said Cori nonchalantly, "you must be Professor Lupin," she said sticking out her right hand and stepping forward, "Harry's told me so much about you."
Lupin took Cori's hand, shook it, and gave her a warm smile, which she returned. Moody however, was acting quite differently. He was throwing suspicious looks over at Cori and Harry.
"Are we really sure that this is the real Potter? And this girl too?" sneered Moody at Lupin.
"Harry, what form does your Patronus take?" asked Lupin from the bottom of the stairs.
"A stag," Harry said.
"That's him Moody," assured Lupin.
"What about your friend, then Potter?" inquired Moody.
"Cori," said Harry thinking fast, "what did I get you for your birthday?"
Cori smiled and said, "A beautiful new journal."
"That's Cori alright," said Harry to Lupin and Moody.
"Alright then," replied Moody gruffly.
"Um, Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, not able to contain his puzzlement. A few people from the bottom of the stairs laughed.
"We have come to take you away; somewhere safe," said Lupin smiling, "We'll give you a few minutes to pack," he added.
"Right," said Harry, grabbing Cori's hand and pulling her up to his bedroom.
Once the pair entered Harry's room, he immediately started throwing textbooks, clothes, and other stuff into his trunk. Harry glanced at Cori. She was standing exactly where he had left her, and she was crying.
"What's wrong?" Harry was appalled. He immediately dropped what he was holding and went to put his arms around her.
"I'm sorry," Cori said finally, "I'm happy that you're going to go be able to be yourself; with people that truly understand and love you, but I don't want you to go. I'm going to miss you so much."
She totally lost it after that and started to sob into his shoulder.
"Shhhhhhh," Harry shushed her, "It's okay. We can stay in touch through owl post. I'll miss you too," he confessed.
They stayed like that for a while, and Harry breathed in her lavender scent. He was going to miss this.
"We're suppose to be packing Harry," Cori reminded him.
"Oh right," and with great difficulty, Harry removed his arms around the person that he without a doubt loved the most.