…clatter of feathers…

Harry was alone in the room when he woke, and for a moment that surprised him. He hadn't been alone since Severus - strange that the name came so easily to him now instead of Snape - had rescued him from Voldemort. Harry decided it was a good sign, that he was well enough to be without constant supervision, and pushed up cautiously in the soft bed.

He could hear a breeze blowing in nearby trees and feel the sun shining through multiple windows. Hedwig was outside, he had sensed her when she'd arrived two days after he had, and his faithful pet had been living wild in the forest out there since. His owl was a perfectly capable hunter, but he hated the thought of her being alone out there - unlike Hogwarts, there were no other owls nearby for her to chat to and Hedwig was a very sociable bird.

He didn't want to call someone just to open a window for him to let her in, and it only took a moment to think of a way to locate the windows. The warmth from the sun was a good beacon to aim for, and Harry got up carefully, his feet touching old wood. Moving was disorienting, but the blindness had not let up once since the darkness had first encroached on his vision, and he had a feeling that he'd be stuck in the dark for a while. That meant that he had to get used to moving around independently because there was no way he was going to be dependent and helpless.

It seemed safer to take small, slow steps, and a cautious hand found the wall for a guide. He put his other hand out in front to warn him of obstacles and moved carefully, eventually locating the window. Cautious pats and touches led him to the catch and he undid it, opening the window out into space. Warm air, scented with living things stole over the windowsill and he breathed it in gratefully while he waited, confident that she would know he was waiting for her to come in. Sure enough it was only a matter of a minute before Hedwig arrived with a clatter of feathers and hooted at him anxiously.

"Hello girl," Harry grinned affectionately and careful fingers located her, petting her wings lightly, not wanting to poke or unbalance her with clumsy movements, "Are you ok?"

She turned her head and nibbled his fingers in confirmation before clicking her beak and hopping onto his wrist, walking up his arm to his shoulder. Her weight was a comfort and she nibbled on his hair as well, a trick that tickled a little. Footsteps climbed the stairs, and Harry turned carefully towards the sound.

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, and Harry grinned proudly at his friend. It may not seem like much to have found the window and let Hedwig in, but it was important to him that he took these first steps towards independence. The fact that there hadn't been any witnesses as he'd groped and inched his way across the room also helped, though he supposed he'd have to get used to it until he learnt the layout of the house and the rooms.

"Hello," Harry forsook the warmth of the window and sought out the bed again, looking for the dressing gown that Ron would have draped over the end. He could almost hear Ron gritting his teeth from the doorway and arrived at the bed flushed with triumph, locating the gown with patting hands and putting it on carefully, giving Hedwig time to move from one shoulder to another.

"I suppose if I offered to help you'd just bite my head off," Ron muttered and Harry frowned.

"I suppose if I let you, you'd keep me wrapped in cotton wool. I have to learn Ron. I won't be dependent!" he snapped at his friend, good mood vanishing in a flash. He'd have thought that Ron at least would understand that Harry didn't want to be at the mercy of others.

"Harry, you were nearly dead two days ago," Ron retorted, his voice strained with memory, "But no, you just have to get up and leap into the unknown again!"

Harry paused, hearing the stress and upset in the red heads voice. His words were accurate, but it was hard to explain. He'd relied on the Dursley's and look where that had got him. A moment later he was berating himself for the thought. Ron was nothing like the Dursley's, Ron would back him up to the very end.

"Look, I'll make a deal with you," Ron's voice startled him, "You promise to let us help you out; learn the layout of the house and some spells and skills to get around with, and I promise not to wrap you in cotton wool, whatever that is."

"Deal," Harry said quickly, "Thanks Ron."

"Oh no, thank you Harry," the retort was sarcastic, but that was all right. Ron's footsteps sounded and the red head retrieved something from the floor.

"Slippers," his friend explained, "In front of each foot. And before you start on how it's summer and not cold, I think Albus would prefer you to be properly protected against the chance of splinters, stubbed toes and unexpected rough surfaces."

Harry couldn't argue with that and slipped his feet in obediently. He found Ron's hand near his and took it, getting a small squeeze in response. His friend led him slowly out of the room, explaining the layout of the house as they went and warning him about the stairs. At the bottom of the seventeen steps they turned left, away from the outer wall of the house and into the main area of the downstairs. There was a group of couches facing a set of French windows and Ron sat him down on that. Hedwig instantly fluttered to his lap and settled down with a hoot for the duration, earning a snort from Ron.

"Something to eat, I think," Ron muttered, "Sandwiches ok?"

"Great," Harry agreed hungrily, "And some water please."

"You got it," Ron stepped away and moments later there was rummaging and fixing sounds.

"Where is everyone?" Harry called lightly, basking in the sun coming through the windows. It felt good to have light on his face after so many weeks in the dark, even if he couldn't actually see it, and he waved his hand, incanting alohamora at the glass doors to open them. The scents from the garden were stronger at ground level and he took an appreciative breath.

"Um, there's been a bit of a problem with the Daily Prophet and Albus and Severus have gone to deal with it," Ron called from the kitchen, "The paper is planning to defy the gag order the Ministry put on your abduction and announce to the world at large that you're dead."

"Bloody hell," Harry borrowed Ron's usual reaction to bad news and stroked Hedwig gently, getting a sleepy hoot in reply, "They'll start a panic!"

"Looks like they already have," Ron muttered and there was a clunk as the tray he was carrying hit the table in front of Harry's couch. Harry shot his best glare into the darkness and Ron sighed, settling onto the cushions next to him.

"Look mate, Albus and Severus will deal with it," Ron pushed a sandwich into his hand, "You know they will. You don't think the Daily Prophet will be able to stand up the Headmaster and the Head of Slytherin do you?"

"Not when you put it like that," Harry conceded, "Sorry, Ron. I guess I'm not thinking clearly."

"Wonder why?"

"Ok, now you're abusing sarcasm," Harry warned his friend and took a bite of cheese and pickle sandwich, made just the way he liked it. Ron chuckled and they sat in comfortable silence to demolish their lunch.

The smothering feeling of the little stone room faded even further into memory.

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