You'll Be In My Heart
Betty visited Harry daily over the next week. He seemed happier every time and he wasn't quite as pale any longer. He even began to talk on the second day.
She'd brought him things to play with; a stuffed tiger, blank paper and colour pencils (borrowed from a very nice second year named Bill Weasley), three of Raphaela's picture books (she had no idea why those were in her trunk), and a small rubber ball (which Madame Pomfrey detested). She taught him how to fold paper planes and then charmed them to fly around the room so Harry could try to catch them. She taught him games like hide-and-seek and tag, and let him win more often than not.
All in all it was a wonderful week.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.
It was Saturday June 23, a beautiful sunny afternoon and Betty and Harry were sitting quietly side by side, he drawing, she reading, when his voice shattered the silence. "Why do Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon say I'm a freak?"
Well, fuck. That child could really turn the world upside down without even trying. He'd managed to get Betty to swear (not out loud, but still), which was quite the feat, with a terribly loaded question delivered in a tone of innocent curiosity.
Betty thought that might warrant swearing. Especially since she had no way of answering.
"I don't know, Harry. But I know they're wrong. You're maybe just a bit different and they don't like it." She shrugged. "I like you, though, and I think being different is a good thing. Just imagine if everybody were the same, the whole world would be boring."
"Okay, thanks." Then he returned to drawing.
Of course, Betty couldn't get their conversation out of her mind. That evening after supper Mike and Joanne cornered her to find out what was bothering her.
She told them she had to write to her parents and would not say another word.
It was even the truth but the reasons were quite different. Betty wanted to tell her parents what had happened in the past few days.
They might have advice for her, but more importantly, she had to tell someone. A diary might do the trick but Betty had never owned such a thing. Letters to her parents were much better anyway, if only because diaries couldn't answer.
By the time Wednesday came around she'd been waiting for three days for a letter from her parents, and her visits to Harry had become a rather gloomy affair. Her trunk was packed, her friends were looking forward to home and Betty was hoping the summer would pass quickly.
Therefore it was with great surprise that she followed Bill Weasley to the portrait hole where Snape was waiting for her. "What's wrong, Professor? Is it Harry? Has something happened to my parents?" She asked, trying to keep up with Snape's longer strides. Short legs had their downsides.
"Nothing has happened, Miss Gray." He sounded almost polite. "Yet." He added under his breath. Not polite then.
She huffed, but did not speak until they reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. "What-" but Snape cut her off.
"Cockroach Clusters." Snape stepped on the staircase but Betty didn't move. "Come along now, they're waiting."
She huffed again and followed him.
'They' turned out to be Betty's parents and cousin. Raphaela hugged her enthusiastically; nearly cutting off Betty's air supply, Mum kissed her cheek and Dad the top of her head. She held onto them in a kind of group hug, savouring the way it made her feel. She inhaled deeply gripping her parents shoulders tighter. Mum still smelled like books and ink, Dad smelled like a hospital and aftershave, Raphaela smelled of chocolate and snow. Together they smelled like home, all that was missing was Adso the cat winding himself around her legs, purring loudly.
Someone coughed behind Betty and she reluctantly let her parents go. Raphaela continued clinging to Betty.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling like blue stars; Betty couldn't decipher the expression on Snape's face. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?"
"We're going on vacation! We'll see Granny and Grandpa and Auntie Barbara and Uncle Josh and Nellie and Julie and Maggie! It's going to be sooooo much fun!" Raphaela was flushed now and Mama and Daddy were smiling.
"Ah," was all Betty could think to say. "Wait, you mean we're going now?" Mama nodded and Raphaela giggled. Daddy watched them with a faint smile. She bit her lip, thinking fast. Her trunk was packed, that was no problem. She'd have to say goodbye to her friends. And Harry still had Raphaela's-
Harry. Betty couldn't leave now. He'd only just begun to trust her, more than anyone else. She bit her lip harder and nearly drew blood.
With a deep breath she gently pushed her cousin off her lap. "I have to get my things and say goodbye to my friends. Give me an hour?" Mama and Daddy exchanged glances then looked at Dumbledore. He smiled, twinkling, and Betty's parents nodded at her.
Snape followed her as she left. She ignored him until they had nearly reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Did you want something, Professor?" She stopped but made no move to enter the Gryffindor common room.
"I wish to know two things. First, will you continue your acquaintance with Mr. Potter or do you intend to forget him?" Betty's mouth dropped open a little.
"How could you-" She cut herself off, breathed in deep. "I cannot refuse my family. They'll likely keep me for the whole summer, but I will write to Harry. I'd visit him if I could, or invite him to visit me."
Snape nodded, evidently satisfied with her answer. "I see. The second thing concerns Lily and James Potter, or to be more accurate the⦠Shadows you have seen around Mr. Potter. You have not explained what you make of them. I cannot help but wonder." He raised an eyebrow in question.
"I'm not certain what they are, though I have a theory. They are not the actual persons, in the way ghost are. I think they exist to guard Harry from what harm they can. Both of them died for their son, these might be manifestations of that sacrifice. They must have some relation to ordinary shadows, though, or I could not see them." She added, glancing behind Snape at Shadow-Lily. He half-turned then shook himself and shot Betty a glare.
"I shall wait for you here and escort you to Mr. Potter's quarters."
And with that the conversation was over.
Harry was disconcertingly calm when Betty told him she had to leave. He nodded through her assurances that she would write to him and expected decent answers, and that she would come back on September 1st.
He said goodbye very politely and walked her to the door, like a miniature gentleman.
She smiled at him and turned to the door. She heard something like a gasp behind her and whirled on her heels, school robe flying and engulfed Harry in her arms. "I'll miss you, my little one," she whispered in his ear, using her father's nickname for her. "I'll think of you and I'll count the days until I can come back. Don't forget me. Don't think I'll forget you." She tightened her arms heard his breath catch. Then she pushed away so she could look at him. "I'll write as soon as I get there. And you'll write back. Promise me." Harry nodded and managed a tiny smile. Betty smiled back and kissed both his cheeks. Then she got up and left, throwing Harry a last smile through the closing door.
That evening when Harry went to bed, cuddling his stuffed tiger, he found a parcel beneath the pillow. The card attached said in spidery handwriting:
From Miss Gray to Mr. Potter
Harry opened it carefully and found something large and soft, smelling of grass and dust and laughter. He shook it out and couldn't help the smile that spread on his face. The smile widened when he found a piece of parchment tumbling out onto his lap.
Now grinning, Harry pulled the large sweater over his head, inhaling deeply. He fell asleep clutching the parchment and the stuffed tiger, still smiling.
I borrowed your scarf and left my favourite sweater in its stead.
Love, Betty
Three days later the first letter arrived.
AN: So, what shall I do with Harry come September? Disguise him as Madame Pomfrey's nephew? Hide him in the school? Send him to live elsewhere? Have him go to kindergarten?
Vote on my profile!
Thanks and love, Annabeth
