Wednesday 31 July
Wednesday morning at five, Susan showered and got dressed. She opened the door to Harry's room and saw him sleeping fitfully. Hoping to calm his bad dreams, she walked over to Harry and kissed him on the forehead. Instantly, whatever bad dream that he'd been having stopped and his eyes fluttered open. She kissed him again and said, "Wake up, birthday boy. We're going up to Long Mountain to watch the sun rise."
Ten minutes later they were back up at their spot. Susan had left a note and Harry had showered. The scenery was beautiful as the sky turned from gray to pink to orange to blue. Susan sat in front of Harry and he had his arms covered around her. Remembering her talk with Hannah, she pulled his quidditch jersey that she was wearing up a bit so that his hands, which were wrapped around her stomach, were now wrapped around her smooth skin. She snuggled back into him and said, "That feels nice."
A minute later she nudged his arms upward and purred, "That's better."
Harry gulped, and asked, "Are you sure?"
She wiggled back into him and placed her hands on top of his and declared, "This is a nice way to start a day. I like this, Harry."
Too soon, it was time to go back to their house to get breakfast. Each of them knew that they had a new Patronus memory to work with.
… --- …
While Susan was trying to get Harry to unwrap her first birthday present, Hermione was just starting to read three and a half weeks of the Daily Prophet. She had returned home with her parents the night before and had found the invitation to Hannah's party for Harry. She had been surprised to see it, not believing that Hannah had known Harry well enough to go to a party for Harry, let alone host one for him. She wondered why it wasn't being held at the Weasleys or Grimmauld place. Then she started looking through the headlines.
Boy-Who-Lived and MLE Director Amelia Bones Killed in Separate Attacks
Harry Potter (Chosen One) Kills Two Death Eaters - Saves MLE Director Amelia Bones
Lucius Malfoy Pardoned, Then Killed Attempting to Murder Aurors
Harry Potter and Another Student Foil Ollivander Abduction – Snape's a (Dead) Death Eater. Draco Malfoy is Arrested
Harry Potter and Four Others Receive Bounty Rewards from Ministry
Harry Potter Assumes Family Seat in Wizengamot
She put the papers down; shocked at what she'd just read and told her parents that they'd be going for a drive to Folkestone for the day.
… --- …
Smidgen had made breakfast by the time that Susan and Harry returned. Amelia was just getting up. She got to the table, and gave him a birthday hug then said, "Happy birthday, Harry. Did you sleep all right?"
Harry replied, "My scar hurt off and on throughout the night. He was happy about something."
Concerned, she asked, "Does it hurt now?"
He answered, "No. Susan came in and kissed it and the pain went away."
"Maybe it gave him a headache," replied Susan. "I need to get to Hannah's about eight. Harry, you should come about nine. Auntie, what time can you come?"
She answered, "I'll do my firecalls and come with Harry. I'll test my Apparition skills tomorrow."
Harry asked, "Can Michelle come too? Otherwise, she'd be stuck here all day."
Amelia replied, "That's very thoughtful of you to think of her, Harry. Most people wouldn't give a protection detail a second thought. I'll ask her." She frowned as she thought of all of the times that little Harry must have been left home alone.
… --- …
At nine, Freedom fireflashed Harry and Amelia to the back yard at the Abbotts. Becky saw them and said, "Happy birthday, Harry. Good morning, Amelia. You're looking like you feel better."
She answered, "I feel much better, thank you. I'm told that I can return to work tomorrow."
Becky replied, "Based on what I've read in the Daily Prophet lately, you'll be quite busy."
She observed, "There are a number of trials to proceed over."
Becky smiled and commented, "Let's hope there are more. Harry, this is my husband, Ben. Ben, this is Harry Potter."
Ben shook Harry's hand and replied, "I'm pleased to meet you, Harry. Becky and Hannah have said nothing but nice things about you and I wanted to thank you for saving Hannah's life. I also want to be among the first to welcome you to the Wizengamot."
Harry replied, "Thank you, Sir. "I'll do my best."
Becky said, "The girls are out back, Harry. You should go outside and say hi."
Harry went outside and found the two witches walking together by the surf line. They both were wearing matching bikinis with little white bandeau tops and cobolt blue boy-short bottoms. Hannah walked a step over to Harry and gave him a kiss in the cheek and announced, "Hello, birthday boy."
Harry replied "Hi, Hannah. Matching suits? Very nice."
Susan said, "We went shopping for them yesterday. Do you like them?"
Harry replied, "They're great. They look nice… You look nice… Oh, Hell. Good morning." In truth, they both looked fabulous. Toned from the hours of training that she'd done with the hit witch, Susan looked fantastic.
They laughed and each gave him a hug. Hannah said, "Help us put these butterbeers and cokes in the ice cooler. We'll put it under the umbrella over there. We'll have volleyball over there and later we'll have a bonfire back by the rocks."
"Who did you invite?" asked Harry.
"Loads of people," said Hannah. "The Queen should be here at one." They started laughing.
Susan answered, "Our friends, a few of the teachers, most of the DA group, a few of Auntie's friends from work and Ron and Hermione's parents."
Hannah said, "No Death Eaters Harry; you'll have to find something else to do with your wand." She and Susan began giggling uncontrollably as Harry turned beet red. Hannah said, "It looks like you could use some suntan lotion, Harry. Susan, you should help him out."
Always willing to lend a hand, Susan said, "Slip off your shirt, Harry. I'll put some on you real quick."
"Okay," replied Harry. "But I'll want to return the favor."
… --- …
Professor Dumbledore and another wizard were there first. They found Harry and the girls. The two wizards looked like complete opposites. Tall and thin, Dumbledore had worn tropical weight khaki trousers, a Panama hat, sunglasses and a tan and blue Hawaiian shirt. His long beard gleamed in the bright sunlight. The other man was five feet high, almost as wide and wore a purple velvet suit with a vest. He had thick white hair and wore a red parsons hat, giving him the overall appearance of an enormous plum topped with whip cream and a cherry.
Harry greeted them saying, "Hello Professor, hello Sir."
"Good morning, Harry and I would like to say, happy birthday. Good morning, Miss Bones, and to you, Miss Abbott. I would like to introduce Professor Horace Slughorn. He will resume teaching potions this term."
Hannah said, "Good morning, Professor. Thanks for coming. Harry speaks of you a lot. Professor Slughorn, my mum took potions classes from you. She said that you're an excellent instructor."
"Did she?" In truth, Slughorn had absolutely no recognition of the person Hannah was referring to.
"Becky McDonald, class of 77," coached Dumbledore.
"Ah yes," recalled Slughorn. "She would have been in Lily Evans' year. And you must be Amelia Bones' Niece. Splendid woman. It must have been a dreadful experience. I read about it in the paper."
Dumbledore said, "Excuse me for a few minutes, Horace. Harry, I was hoping that we might have a word. They sat on two chairs under one of the big umbrellas and Harry handed Dumbledore a bottle of butterbeer.
Dumbledore took it and said, "Thank you, Harry. This is a splendid view. I find the sound of the surf to be a calming experience, like the Earth's own heartbeat. Thank you for inviting Minerva, the others and myself today. Poppy and Minerva could talk of nothing else since they received their letters."
"Susan, Hannah and her mum planned the whole thing, Professor. I hadn't paid much thought to the day, until I got up this morning."
Dumbledore knew that birthdays at the Dursleys wouldn't have been great, but wanted to talk about something else. He said, "When you come back to the castle, I would like you to consider a modified curriculum consisting of transfiguration, charms, estate management and a number of other individual lessons. I regret to say that your schedule might not leave you adequate time to resume your role on the quidditch team, but the special lessons would be of significant benefit to you."
Harry was slightly disappointed at the last part, but not really surprised. He asked, "What would I be learning, Sir?"
Dumbledore replied, "I have compiled a rather large collection of advanced spells and techniques which you might find useful in the fight against Tom. As they really don't lend themselves to a textbook and you seem to learn best by seeing and doing, I have taken the liberty of depositing memories of them into a collection of individual crystal vials. They are in a large wooden box next to my other penseive that I am giving to you as a birthday gift. I ask only that you keep them safe and out of inappropriate hands."
Harry vowed, "I will, Professor."
Dumbledore replied, "I know that you will, Harry. I can't stay, as I promised the others that I would remain in the castle, but I wanted to tell you that I'm proud of the man that you have become, Harry. As a person and as a friend, you have my deepest respect and love."
Harry replied, "Thank you, Professor, and I wanted to apologize again for trashing your office that night. It didn't accomplish anything and I'm sorry."
Dumbledore laughed, and replied, "Harry, there is nothing to forgive. In truth, you needed to say what you did and I needed to hear it. Of course, you were right about Severus. My continued trust in him was badly misplaced and for the damage that I caused, I apologize. Let us look to the future. I am delighted at the prospect of tutoring such a remarkable student as yourself and hope to learn a few things myself in the process. On those lines, I have made other living arrangements for you, as many of the materials that you will be studying would not be appropriate for the Gryffindor common room. To accommodate that, I asked Filius to sponsor you as the club leader of the practical defense club, really a continuation of the club that you so ably ran last year. He will come and visit with you later next week to discuss the arrangements if you are willing?"
"Of course professor. I… thank you. I wasn't certain how learning even more about goblin rebellions was going to help me."
Dumbledore gave a laugh and said, "Splendid. With your permission, I will come by tomorrow evening and continue our discussion?"
"Thank you, Professor."
"My pleasure Harry. Please enjoy your day, and continue taking care of those around you."
"I will, Professor. Bye."
… --- …
After Dumbledore left and Slughorn went on to bother someone else, Hermione came up to Harry and introduced him to her parents. "Hello Sir," greeted Harry. "I'm pleased to meet you, the same for you, Ma'am."
"Hi Harry. I'm Dan. This is Emma. We've heard a lot about you in the last few years."
Harry wasn't sure what to say, and replied, "Hermione's been a great friend since we were eleven."
Emma commented, "We were sorry to hear about the loss of your aunt and uncle."
Harry replied, "Thanks. I'm really in a much better place now. Susan's aunt took me in and I feel like I'm part of a family now."
Hermione asked, "Where are you living now?"
Harry replied, "Welshpool about a mile away from Long Mountain. It's a nice home and I'm really happy. Susan and I are dating, and we're good for each other." Becky called Hermione's parents over and they excused themselves leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
Even though she wasn't intentionally eavesdropping, Susan overheard harry talking and her heart swelled with happiness. A moment later her eyes welled with tears. She realized what her feelings were for Harry and she had to go tell Hannah.
Hermione said, "I'm happy for you Harry."
There was something in Hermione's voice that Harry couldn't pick out, but he took her words at face value and replied, "Thanks. How was your holiday in Serbia?"
"Dreadful! I don't know what dad and mum were thinking. Usually we go on some recreational trip like skiing or to a resort that has a golf course, but this was horrible. Dad claimed that it was to be an 'educational experience.' They could have gotten us killed a dozen times. Speaking of which, can we visit sometime in the next few days? I'd like to catch up properly, but this isn't the right spot."
Harry replied, "Susan and I will pick you up tomorrow at eight. Bring a swimsuit and some workout gear."
"Harry, Folkstone is pretty far from Crawley. My parents house isn't connected to the floo network."
He replied, "Just be ready."
… --- …
Hannah and Neville came by a minute later. Harry saw him and at the same time, they said, "Happy birthday." Harry noticed that they were holding hands and stammered, "I… Congratulations. Embarrassed to ask, Harry inquired, "Have you been dating long?"
Neville said "About five minutes. So far it's great. Hannah has come over a time or two to help with my greenhouse, and we just sort of…"
"Brilliant," declared Harry.
"Excuse me," said Hannah. "I need to help mum for a minute."
Neville and Harry walked over to get another butterbeer and Harry observed, "She seems like a great witch, Neville. Good on you."
Neville replied, "Thanks. She asked me to come over tomorrow to go swimming and hang around the beach."
Harry nodded and replied, "I'd highly recommend it."
… --- …
Madam Pomfrey and Professors Flitwick and McGonagall came by a few minutes later and found Harry, Becky, Emma and Susan playing four man volleyball with Hermione, Dan, Hannah and Neville. They enjoyed watching them play. A minute later, Ben Abbott rotated in Harry's place and they greeted him.
"Good morning, Harry and happy birthday," said Pomfrey. Seeing that he was tanned and had added size and muscle in the last month she added, "I must say, the summer seems to be agreeing with you."
"Thank you," replied Harry. "It's a lot better at the Bones."
"Harry," greeted Flitwick, "Professor Dumbledore told us that he'd talk with you before we got here. We thought that one of us could spend a few hours each afternoon with you helping you with our particular fields. The times would vary from day to day, but they would either be from one to three or three to five. This would reach far outside the NEWT prep area and would tend to be more practical than theory, but we want to help you as much as we can."
"Did he tell you the prophecy?" asked Harry.
"He told us the first part and said that Tom Riddle would already know that part," replied Flitwick. "He said the remaining was tactical in nature and yours to share as you saw fit."
Harry asked, "Will this be in addition to sixth year charms and transfiguration?"
McGonagall replied, "Heavens no, Harry. By Christmas you would be completely bored with the other classes."
"What will I have in the mornings?"
Poppy replied, "Self study and physical conditioning as I understand it. Albus told us your schedule would be as follows:"
Monday – transfiguration
Tuesday – hit-wizard level defense and healing after dinner
Wednesday – charms and estate management
Thursday – defense and healing after dinner
Friday – defense and field trips
Saturday – Wizengamot in the mornings, free time in the afternoons
Sunday – free time
"Harry, did Dumbledore mention Quidditch?" asked Minerva. She didn't want to be the one to take away the thing that she knew he loved so much.
Harry nodded and replied, "I told him that I really wouldn't have time this year."
"Perhaps you would consider being the announcer," suggested Pomfrey. "You certainly know the game."
"True, but half the fun is watching Professor McGonagall tussle with the announcer," said Harry with a surprisingly straight face. Flitwick chuckled while Poppy bit her lip to avoid laughing at her friend's long running feuds with each and every quidditch announcer.
"It has been my lot in life to have a nearly unending string of excessively colorful announcers," admitted Minerva.
"Who picks them?" asked Harry
"I do," admitted Flitwick, who had a twisted smirk on his face. "It does tend to balance things out a bit."
Poppy declared, "You have many other guests to greet, Harry. Thank you again for inviting us."
"Thank you for coming."
… --- …
Harry went inside for a moment and came out just as the Weasleys arrived. Fortunately they didn't see him and he wasn't mobbed. He found Susan and asked, "Did you know that it's Neville's birthday too?"
She replied, "Of course. Hannah had the whole thing planned out."
"Did we, did you get him something?"
"Naturally. We got him a wrist wand holder just like the one that Mr. Ollivander gave us and also a cute little miniature banana plant." She kissed his cheek and reminded him, "We work as a team. Besides, Hannah's had her eye on him for a while now."
Harry replied, "I think it worked. They were holding hands a minute ago."
… --- …
While Harry and Susan were inside, Ron was outside waiting his turn to join the volleyball game. Bill and Daily were talking nearby. Bill said, "Congratulations on your bounty money, Anna. I was there when the goblins deposited the gold in your vault."
She said, "Thanks, Bill. I'd never even seen fifty thousand Galleons let alone had it. Really it was mostly Mr. Potter's doing, but I'm grateful that he arranged it. My partner, Connie was really surprised too. Tonks was so excited at the award ceremony that her hair stuck straight out, purple. It was a but shocking to see. Do you know Mr. Potter?"
Bill replied, "Not well. He's a friend of the family. My youngest brother and the twins know him pretty well. He saved my sister Ginny's life when she was eleven."
Anna said, "He saved me a week ago. I nearly stepped onto a Death Eater's portkey at Ollivander's. He stopped me when I was going in to check on that Death Eater that he'd blasted. He stopped three Death Eaters in a week, two of em dead. That makes him a hero in my book."
Ron looked at the beautiful investigator and wondered just what the hell had happened while he'd been gone. He went to talk with Hermione.
… --- …
Susan and Harry were resting under one of the umbrella tables after lunch when Fred and George sat down beside them. Fred said, "Hiya Harry. Hello Ms Bones. Are the two of you taking a break from saving the world today, or plotting about who to go after next?"
George said, "Seriously, we saw Snape crash through the plate glass at Ollivander's. That was an inspired move. Congratulations, you two."
Harry didn't say anything for a moment, but Susan did. In a low, but crystal clear voice she admonished, "Do the two of you think that is really something that we want to talk about? That greasy arsewipe tried to murder us twice within five seconds. I can't speak for Harry, but I was scared witless."
George replied, "True, but beside rescuing Mr. Ollivander, the two of you have saved an entire generation of witches and wizards from having to suffer under the wrath of that evil greasy git."
Fred observed, "Think about it Susan. The first years coming to the castle this fall will have a decent chance at not having nightmares."
Harry and Susan smiled at that thought. Susan appologized, "I'm sorry for going off on you two about that. It will just take us some time to get used to it, I suppose. It's been a pretty intense summer."
George replied, "No worries. We were hoping that the next time the two of you had a chance, you would stop out and see our shop. We wouldn't be there except for Harry."
Susan, looked at Harry, realized there was yet another story to be told and said, "We'll stop by sometime next week."
… --- …
Michelle Wood sat down and declared, "This is a great party Susan. Thank you two for inviting me."
"You're welcome, Michelle. The weather turned out really nice. It would have been a lot harder to have if it had rained."
"Harry, I don't know if you heard, but Narcissa Malfoy bought that nasty brat Draco a partial pardon. He wasn't out a minute and he tried to kill my brother."
"What happened?" gasped Susan. "Is he okay?"
"He's fine," she replied. "Minister Scrimgeour bought all of the aurors Hungarian Horntail body armor. It saved his life."
"That's great," replied Susan.
"I won't keep you. I just wanted to say thanks and happy birthday." She gave them both hugs and walked over to sit by Lee Jordan who was strumming on his guitar, humming different songs.
… --- …
Bob Sunset came by a minute later. He said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter, Miss Bones. I'm Bob Sunset. Happy birthday."
Harry replied, "Thank you. I saw you outside Ollivander's the other day."
Sunset admitted, "I was there, mostly calling for more backup and keeping the gawkers back a bit. Strange thing, no one's seen Ollivander since."
"Maybe he went on holiday for a while," suggested Susan. "Voldemort had obviously sent those two to abduct him. Why would they stop after one try?"
Harry silently related her words to Crabbe and Goyle attempted murder of Amelia.
… --- …
Moody and Lupin met Harry right before dinner. Remus observed, "It's looks like you've been having a busy summer, Harry. How are things going, staying with Director Bones and Susan?"
"Great," replied Harry. "I saw that you were able to sell the house."
Remus, agreed, "Yes, Dedalus did fetch a greater than promised price for it. Honestly, I'm glad to be rid of it."
Moody observed, "Good work at Ollivander's. Constant vigilance."
Harry nodded and asked, "He didn't mention where he was going, did he?"
Moody replied, "No, but he must be around somewhere. Thanks for inviting us. It's good to get out for fun once in a while."
Remus said, "Happy birthday, Harry. We'd better get our plates and get in line. No testing the food until after you have sat down this time, Moody," admonished Lupin.
… --- …
As they were finishing dinner, Harry overheard Amos Diggory and Amelia having a discussion. Amos declared, "I'm certain that every side in every conflict in history has believed that they were right. A lot of the conservatives don't like the changes that they see coming. What gives us the moral high ground?"
"I like to believe it's largely a matter of methods," replied Amelia. "The Ministry doesn't break into people's homes and businesses and torture them or drag them off."
"True, but for enough gold, Rufus seems pretty willing to issue get-out-of jail cards."
"Maybe, but he had to do something. Fudge bankrupted us. We were within a few weeks of withholding paychecks. He had the choice of selling a few pardons or doubling the shop tax and business is already down the way it is. You had your hat in the ring Amos, what would you have done?"
"I wouldn't be giving it away as bounties and paying better than a half million galleons to buy some armor that can't even block a killing curse, slurred Diggory"
Amelia replied, "It's better than eighteen million in found money. She could have used that gold to raise an army against us. You're potted Amos. Take a portkey home and sleep it off."
… --- …
At eight, Ben Abbott lit the bonfire and transfigured thirty matchsticks into stumps and low chairs for people to sit on. Soon people gathered round the fire and began telling stories. Susan told of the time that Snape 'accidentally' overheard Michael Corner telling Ginny about one of the broom closets where they would be meeting up in ten minutes.
Harry asked, "What happened?"
Susan replied, "Snape sneaks up to the closet and hears that the two people inside are getting pretty involved."
Neville inquired, "Then what happened?" Everyone quieted down to hear the story.
Susan continued, "Snape vanished the door apparently expecting someone else, but it turned out that Pansy Parkinson and Draco were in there, more than half undressed. Naturally, he let them go without a word. Draco was in such a hurry to get dressed and leave that he had Pansy's bra half tucked into the back of his trousers, and for some reason he decided that he needed to go to the library. Madam Pince gave him a weeks detention for disrupting the entire library with his inappropriate dress." Everyone laughed; Flitwick the loudest. He had endured years of snide remarks from the blonde, arrogant brat.
Lee began strumming on his guitar again and Fred announced, "George and I have a little ditty for you. It goes like this."
There was a git named Severus SnapeHe was a greasy scum
He's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And Neville, he sure was one
As George was singing, Hannah wrapped her arms around Neville from behind and whispered something into his ear. She kissed his neck and gave him a hug.
Now the only thing that the greasy git had
Were grey pants and his hand on his gun
And the only time that he was satisfied
Was when he made the firsties run
Fred did a rude little pantomime and George finished with the last verse. Flitwick fell off his chair he was laughing so hard.
There was a git named Severus Snape
He never was much fun
I know one thing and it is great
His teaching days are done!
There were hoots and clapping from everyone. Lee, Fred and George did a little bow.
"Seriously," declared Neville, "He was the worst part of school."
"I don't know," replied Fred.
"There was Umbridge," finished George.
"And Filch," said Hannah.
"And the three-headed dog," added Ron.
"The dog wasn't so bad," replied Harry. "At least it tried to bite Snape's leg off."
"Fluffy wouldn't hurt a fly," protested Hagrid.
"Of course Snape was more like a bat than a fly," replied Lee laughing. "How about when Ron's rat bit Crabbe."
Susan, Harry and a number of the others suddenly grew quiet. Salvaging the mood, Amelia conjured a dozen rat traps and handed them to Harry and Susan. She suggested, "We could set some of these out. We might get lucky."
Harry, smiled and winked at her mouthing, "Thanks."
… --- …
As Fred and George led the singing of yet another ribald song dishonoring Umbridge, Albus was walking up the stairway to the corridor where his office was. Two steps from the top, the carotid artery in his brain burst. He felt a blinding headache, then lost his balance on the top step, and fell the sixteen steps to the landing below.
By the time that their song was over, the greatest wizard of the twentieth century had passed on to the next great adventure. His last conscious thought was the hope that he had done enough to help Harry fulfill his destiny.
… --- …
Five hundred miles to the north; the dementors collectively left the posts they had held for some three hundred and ninety years. Only someone like Professor Binns could recall the origin of their arrangement with the ministry, but like a flock of geese, they drifted away from the island in an unholy formation, two hundred and two in number.
Minutes later, Voldemort and a handful of Death Eaters stormed the island and effectively came up empty handed. Voldemort wanted his Death Eaters back, not a rag-tag army of pickpockets and shoplifters. He gave the inmates the option of leaving the island or joining him. All but a small handful had taken the option to leave the island.
Bellatrix obliged them by banishing them into the North Sea still wearing their anti-apparation bracelets. The prisoners died of hypothermia within a dozen minutes. The four others were portkeyed back to Riddle Manor.
… --- …
Back at the beach, Harry's scar burst into a wave of pain. He slumped out of his chair clutching his forehead.
Susan saw him and cried, "Oh no."
He crumpled to the floor and began shaking for almost two minutes. A chill passed from Harry's body as she kissed his forehead and helped him back into the chair. Amelia bent over him and in a low voice, asked, "Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry held both hands to his head and pressed his forehead to stop the spinning sensation. He declared, "Riddle's storming Azkaban. The guards are all dead. The dementors quit."
… --- …
"Mr. Crow," began McGonagall without a hint of a smile on her face. "Just because she felt the need to take Albus away from us doesn't mean that you needed to follow suit. Surely you recognize the need…"
He unrolled an old parchment and showed it to her. She picked it up and read, …And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have powers that the Dark Lord knows not…
McGonagall was not impressed. In as angry a voice as the old scribe had ever heard, she exclaimed, "You must be joking, Mr. Crow. Is this supposed to mean that Harry can do something that he who-must-not-be-named can not, or that Harry can do something that V, Voldemort doesn't know that Harry can do? What kind of drunken seer dreamed this one up?"
But the old storyteller had already left. She saw another scrap on the floor where she had been standing. It read, Volans - Honks
… --- …