Time, time, where aren't thou time? Well I don't have much of it, but I had enough to get this chapter out. Perhaps, if your lucky, another few will come out soon. So, authors notes real quick. In the middle of the chapter Harmony's thoughts seem really jumpy. They are supposed to be that way, there's supposed to be an absent mindedness about her and that's the best way I figured out how to do it. Also on a brighter note, I decided that Yule Ball attire will be much like it is in the movie because I felt that perhaps an exciting scene would come of it (besides the one the occurs in this chapter.) What that is, you'll have to see later. Anywho, Harry is no longer wearing bottle green robes and Hermione will not be in periwinkle blue dress robes. I hope that doesn't throw too much of a wrench into your lives. Anywho if your name is not Pathseekerme, you may move on to discover the next gripping/hilarious moments in Harmony's saga.
Pathseekerme- I wanted to thank you so much for your complementary review that you put on my other story. At that point I was really worried about my writing, but it's reviews like yours that make me feel a little more stability. So thank you and I know it sounds dumb, but I worry. I'm getting better about it though! Anyway, I also wanted to thank you for all the subsequent reviews as well, I appreciate it a lot. I hope you keep reading and keep loving the story!
The Decision and Other Antics
"Can we do it in the morning?" Harmony asked quietly watching people returning to their tents.
She hoped to not only avoid strange encounters with onlookers, but also to give her godfather some time to cool down before they began what was bound to be a rather heated argument.
"No, we cannot." Her godfather said tensely.
He too saw the possible onlookers and he grabbed Harmony's wrist firmly, but not roughly, and pulled her behind the tent.
"All right," he said harshly. "Satisfied?"
Harmony had never heard the cold and steely tone that now emanated from the man that she considered to have the most warmth and kindness. It made her cringe a little and squirm on the inside.
"What are you playing at?" He said quietly, but heatedly.
"Nothing." Harmony answered defensively.
"Oh really—"
"Yes, really."
They looked firmly into the other's eyes, neither of them willing to move an inch.
"Just thought you'd run off and get yourself killed after I specifically told you to be safe, to stay out of trouble!" Lupin said his voice rising with every word.
"It's not like that was the first thought on my mind! " Harmony fired back.
"Was it not?"
"No, it wasn't."
"You're lying to me."
"What do you mean?" Harmony asked exasperated.
"I mean," Lupin began. "You have a hero complex. You can never let the proper people handle anything. The stone, the basilisk, Sirius— anything. You can never let it be. You always have to stick your nose in everything—"
Harmony stood aghast. Did he really just say that? Did he honestly, truly, just say that? He sounded just like Snape, like all she wanted was more glory.
"Well then that's you opinion of me, is it!" Harmony screamed at him, not caring who heard now. "A glory seeker and that's all? Not a care in the world other than myself? You know what—you sound just like Snape! What, do you want to throw your lot with him, then? Believe that I'm only out to get attention? I thought better of you than that. I thought you knew me better than that!"
Harmony was yelling through tears now.
"I—" Lupin began, but Harmony cut him off.
"Well to fill you in, since you apparently didn't know all ready. I went to find the stone because the school and possibly the whole wizard world was in danger and I, along with the others, were the only ones that knew and could get there in time. Two, I went down to handle the basilisk because Riddle stole Ron's sister and everyone else was going to let her die. Three, Sirius found us first and then yes I did take advantage of it, but I did think he had murdered my parents. So perhaps only Sirius was possibly at all self—"
"Speaking of your parents? What about their sacrifice? They gave their lives for you. Would you make their sacrifice for nothing by giving up your life? I'm sure they'd appreciate that."
"I'm not sacrificing myself. I'm doing what is right and I know they would appreciate that. They died so I could make the world better, so I could live on and do good."
"Yes, I'm sure your father's last thoughts were, 'Gee I hope this keeps her alive another few years so she can do some good.'" Lupin said, bitterly.
"Well what do you know? You're not him. You're not my father!" Harmony yelled.
"No, I'm not," Lupin said quieter, but no less cold. "But him and your mother made me your godfather to protect you. I can't protect you if you're throwing yourself into danger every time I turn around!"
"I do not just "throw myself into danger." It's not like I wake up in the morning and plan out exactly how many near death situations I can get into that day."
"Then what do you call tonight?" Lupin said, raising his voice yet again. "What do you call throwing yourself into duels that you are in no way skilled enough to handle?"
"Apparently I was skilled enough to handle them because I'm still standing here."
"There is that cocky attitude. No you really weren't, you just got lucky." Lupin said. "Those wizards could duel circles around you. They know spells that you couldn't even imagine in your worst nightmares and why they didn't use them on you I'll never know. But that was all luck."
"Luck or not, I'm still standing here aren't I?"
"Yes," said Lupin. "But how many more times are you going to get that lucky? You need to stop relying on luck and start relying on instructions and protection! You need to do what you're told."
"I was only doing what was right." Harmony said.
"By whose standard is "doing what's right" going and getting yourself killed?"
"I wasn't going to get killed!"
"Maybe that wasn't your intention, but that could very well have been a consequence. Dumbledore put me in charge of you for your protection and well-being. I'm positive that taking you back to him in a casket would mean I failed."
"You wouldn't have taken me back in a casket." Harmony said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, really?" Lupin said. "Could you see what those wizards were doing? Did you perhaps see them torturing those Muggles? They are capable of much more than that, I promise you."
"Ugh," Harmony growled. "I'm not a child, I can handle myself."
"No you're not, but neither are any of the others and they had no problem going into the woods like they were told." Lupin said bitterly.
"They didn't have as much to lose." Harmony said, quieter.
"Really? Come on, Harmony." Lupin said shaking his head. "Ron's dad was fighting with me and I didn't see any of his children leave that wood. Maybe the problem is that you need someone with more authority watching over you? Or maybe someone you're less attached to?"
"What?" Harmony asked, confused.
"I know why you left the woods, Harmony. And while it was for a decent cause, it was not cause enough to lose your own life. If I hadn't let you stay with me—if you weren't so attached—you wouldn't have come out of the woods." Lupin said more quietly the steel gone. His voice was now as if he had just realized something very obvious.
"What are you saying?" Harmony asked, a little more timidly.
"I'm saying that you obviously can't handle being in the care of someone you care about." Lupin said, stern once more.
"What? Are you kidding me?" Harmony said.
"You won't listen to me and do what I ask, and therefore you have proven you cannot handle this."
"So what are just going to leave me? Like you did when I was little?" Harmony said, struggling to strike some nerve to invoke pity.
"Apparently that was best." Lupin said, coldly. "I will care for you until you are on the train back to school, then you will be back in Dumbledore's care."
"Fine," Harmony said, crying. "I don't need you anyway."
Harmony ran back into the tent to find everyone had gone to bed. She quickly scrambled up into her bunk, not even bothering to change. Then she lay there in the darkness, sobbing quietly.
So he would leave her again. Drop her off and disappear. Her dreams were shattered. All hopes she had of having a life of a normal girl; returning to a home each holiday, having fun normal summers, being part of her real family once again. All of these had been taken away from her, by one act—of love. She had only gone back to make sure he was all right and that he would not die. Why couldn't he understand? Why couldn't he see that? Why wouldn't he listen?
"Harmony," came a voice from below her. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Hermione." she replied trying to keep her voice even.
"That was really reckless what you did you know." Hermione said.
Harmony's temper flared.
"I all ready had that discussion, thank you."
"I'm sorry, I just think that he might have a point."
"Good night, Hermione." Harmony said coldly.
Then all was quiet. Harmony waited in the darkness to hear her godfather return to the tent, knowing that of course he would come and apologize. He couldn't have meant that, not after everything they'd been through. Not after all the promises he had made to her. He was just threatening out of anger.
She waited for what seemed like hours and then she finally heard him walk in. She waited as she heard his footsteps approaching the bed. He almost entered the curtains, she even heard his hand gently push them aside. She sat up a little to see, he was silhouetted against the curtain, and his head was hung down in an almost humble position. Then suddenly his head raised and he turned on his heel and walked briskly toward his room.
So he would wait until morning, but he would say it. He would apologize and say he didn't mean it. Harmony was absolutely sure of it. He couldn't be that heartless, not that gut wrenchingly heartless. He couldn't leave her, he knew they needed each other, he had said it himself. He couldn't let it all go . . . could he?
Mr. Weasley woke them up only after a few hours of sleep. For Harmony even less because she hadn't slept very well in the few precious hours they had. Though when he came in she jumped out of bed and quickly changed into another set of clothes. She was excited to see her godfather because she knew last night was nothing. He'd still be angry, but he'd take back all that nonsense about giving her back to Dumbledore and they would work things out.
"Morning Har," Harry said tentatively, looking at her with concern.
"Hey, what's that look for? And where's my godfather?" She asked, looking around for him.
"Umm, he's outside, but Har—I—"
"Thanks," Harmony said and rushed out.
She found him outside packing things up, looking as worn out as she felt. When she came out his head raised, then promptly fell back down to his work. His eyes darkened and her spirits fell. Harmony walked dejectedly back into the tent, now very worried.
"What happened? You know something, don't you?" Harmony asked Harry.
"Yeah," Harry replied. "I was half-way up when Mr. Weasley got up. Lupin was all ready up by that point. They started talking about what you did and what you fought about last night. Then Lupin said that he—Har maybe I shouldn't say anything, talking about it worked him up again . . . he probably didn't mean it . . . "
"Harry, just say it." Harmony said, cringing slightly as the words left her lips.
"He asked if he could borrow an owl to send to Dumbledore as soon as we got back. He's all ready written the letter."
Harry looked at the ground then back at his sister whose face was full of pure contained terror.
"What did Mr. Weasley say? Surely, he said no." Harmony said frantically.
"He told Lupin to think on it until we got back and if he still felt it needed to be sent—Harmony he's just angry he won't really do it." He said, trying to calm his clearly panicked sister.
"No you're right, he won't." Harmony said, a little nervously. "He's just—angry. It will all be fine. I just need to give it time."
Harry nodded, then Mr. Weasley approached them.
"Everybody out, we're collapsing the tent."
Harmony walked in silence out of the campsite. Lupin had placed himself behind her at a very uncomfortable distance. He was close enough to watch her, but far enough away for there to be an obvious gap between them. He had turned himself into her bodyguard and left the role of godfather.
"Merry Christmas." Mr. Roberts said as he waved them off.
"He'll be all right," said Mr. Weasley quietly as they marched off onto the moor. "Sometimes, when a person's memory's modified, it makes him a bit disorientated for a while . . . and that was a big thing they had to make him forget."
Harmony's mind was racing as they walked toward the urgent voices that were originating from the spot Harmony guessed the Portkeys lay. She had to talk to him. She had to make him see sense before he sent that letter to Dumbledore.
Before she had time to think anymore Mr. Weasley was leading them into the queue to the old rubber tire that would take them back to Stoatshead Hill. They all grabbed hold, Harry stood next to her with Lupin on her other side, his face rigid. She could see the offending piece of paper in sticking slightly out of his jacket pocket. All she really had to do was reach out and—
Before she had the chance, she found herself on the ground of Stoatshead Hill, her chance was lost, and they all began walking back through Ottery St. Catchpole toward the Burrow in the dawn light. The others talked very little, Harmony didn't talk at all. She could feel the knots in her stomach twisting. He had really written it, he was ready to send it. He was ready to end it all.
He had been ready to leave her prior to this, at the end of the school year he had ridden away—but Dumbledore's words had persuaded him—Dumbledore. Harmony could have almost jumped for joy. There was no way Dumbledore would let this dumb little thing get in the way of what was obviously best for her. He wouldn't let her godfather throw everything away. So, even if her speaking to him today didn't work, it wouldn't matter because Dumbledore would fix everything, but she would try regardless.
Harmony's countenance brightened considerably as the Burrow came into view and a cry echoed along the lane.
"Oh thank goodness, thank goodness!"
Mrs. Weasley, who had evidently been waiting for them in the front yard, came running toward them, still wearing her bedroom slippers, her face pale and strained, a rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in her hand.
"Arthur—I've been so worried—so worried—"
She flung her arms around Mr. Weasley's neck, and the Daily Prophet fell out of her limp hand onto the ground. Looking down Harmony saw the headline: SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP, complete with a twinkling black-and-white photograph of the Dark Mark over the treetops.
"You're all right," Mrs. Weasley muttered distractedly, releasing Mr. Weasley and staring around at them all with red eyes, "you're alive . . . Oh boys . . . "
And to everybody's surprise, she seized Fred and George and pulled them both into such a right hug that their heads banged together.
"Ouch! Mum—you're strangling us—"
"I shouted at you before you left!" Mrs. Weasley said, starting to sob. "It's all I've been thinking about! What if You-Know-Who had got you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn't get enough O.W.L's? Oh Fred . . . George . . ."
"Come on, now, Molly, we're all perfectly okay," said Mr. Weasley soothingly, prising her off the twins and leading her back toward the house. "Bill," he added in an undertone, "pick up that paper, I want to see what it says . . . "
As they all headed inside Harmony stopped, blocking Lupin's way. She reached out and shut the door in front of her then turned around.
"Okay, we need to talk."
Lupin said nothing, but raised his eyebrows. Harmony watched him fingering the letter with one hand.
"You're not going to send that." Harmony said in a stern tone.
"Oh?" Lupin asked defensively.
"We both know you're not going to send that." She repeated.
"Maybe one of us does, but the other is still not sure." Lupin replied, coldly.
"Ugh," Harmony growled again. "Why? Why do you want to do this to me? Why do you want to slam the door in my face and shut me out again? Why do you always want to take the easy way out?"
Lupin flinched and Harmony had a feeling she had struck a nerve.
"I am not taking the easy way out." Lupin said through gritted teeth. "Do you think that giving you back is going to be easy for me? Merlin's beard Harmony, I love you. I never want to let you go, but if you can't learn—"
"Why does it always have to be me? Why do I have to be the one to learn? Why can't you understand that I want to protect you the same way you want to protect me? What's wrong with that?" Harmony said exasperated.
"You're young, you're the one that is supposed to be protected."
"Says who? Where in the laws of nature does it say—"
"Harmony, stop." Lupin said quietly. "I am just going to come to the same conclusion I did last night. You cannot handle being in the care of someone you love. You will never be safe with me, you will never use good judgment, and therefore something has to give."
"So it's done then? That's it? You will just give me back and walk away, all in the name of "protecting" me?" Harmony said, bitterly. "No, why don't you just tell the truth? You've been looking for a way out ever since this started. You may say you love me, but you love me only when it's easy to. Be honest with me and yourself—when things get hard or scary you run away. You take off and go because it's easier than seeing things through."
"You're wrong." Lupin said defensively.
"Am I? That's what Dumbledore said to you, isn't it? That's what he said when you left the first time. He told you that you needed to face your fear, like the Gryffindor you are, instead of running away. He said you needed to take responsibility for the commitment you made and that meant doing something hard and scary. He told you that, didn't he?"
By his face Harmony knew she had got it exactly right. His breathing was heavier and he looked like he was ready to explode, but Harmony kept going.
"What do you think he will tell you when you send that to him? What do you think he'll say?"
"This had nothing to do with easy or hard, it has everything to do with you!' He yelled, clearly past breaking point. "You can't control yourself, you run off and try to save everything and everybody. You think he doesn't know that about you?"
It was Harmony's turn to get defensive.
"What?"
"You think he doesn't know that. You—"
"Well even if that's true, at least I don't run away! At least I face things head on!" Harmony yelled, wanting to retake control.
"You want me to face things head on? Do something scary? Fine!" He said and pulled the letter out of his pocket. "I've been fingering this all morning, scared to do what I know is right and send it. I'm going to send it right now—how's that?"
He turned on his heel and walked toward the house.
"Fine, go ahead, see if I care! I'm the one that got along fine without you to begin with." Harmony yelled, grudgingly.
She was blocking her true feelings and lying to herself and she knew it, but she just pushed the sadness and pain back and stormed inside the house up to Ron's room.
" . . . And she said the Dark Lord would rise again . . . greater and more terrible than ever before . . . and he'd manage it because his servant was going to go back to him . . . and that night Wormtail escaped." Harry was saying as she walked in.
"So you've told them?" Harmony asked.
"About our scars, yeah." Harmony said and Harmony knew that meant he probably hadn't mentioned Bertha Jorkins.
"Harmony, you don't think—You-Know-Who—could have been where you were?" Hermione asked.
"No way, if he was, I'd know."
"Just making absolutely sure."
"So—why were you asking if Hedwig had come, Harry?" Hermione asked. "Are you expecting a letter?"
"I told Sirius about my scar," said Harry, shrugging. "I'm waiting for his answer."
"Good thinking!" said Ron, his expression clearing. "I bet Sirius'll know what to do! Did you tell Lupin, Harmony?"
"Not everything, but some of it. I was going to write Sirius more about it because he would panic less, but Harry's all ready done that."
"I hoped he'd get back to me quickly," said Harry.
"But we don't know where Sirius is . . . .he could be in Africa or somewhere, couldn't he?" said Hermione reasonably. "Hedwig's not going to manage that journey in a few days."
"Yeah, I know," said Harry, looking out the window.
"Come and have a game of Quidditch in the orchard, Harry," said Ron. "You too Harmony. Bill, Charlie, Fred and George, and maybe Ginny will play . . . "
"Ron," said Hermione, in an I-don't-think-you're-being-very-sensitive sort of voice, "They don't want to play Quidditch right now . . . They're worried, and tired . . . We all need to go to bed . . . "
"Yeah I want to play." said Harry suddenly.
"I'm in." Harmony agreed, wanting to just clear her mind of everything.
Hermione left the room, muttering something that sounded very much like "Boys—and Harmony."
Neither Mr. Weasley nor Percy was at home much over the following week. Both left the house each morning before the rest of the family got up, and returned well after dinner every night.
"It's been an absolute uproar," Percy told them importantly the Sunday evening before they were due to return to Hogwarts. "I've been putting out fires all week. People keep sending Howlers, and of course, if you don't open a Howler straight away, it explodes. Scorch marks all over my desk and my best quill reduced to cinders."
"Why are they all sending Howlers?" asked Ginny.
Harmony wasn't paying much attention to the conversation as she was staring out the window watching the rain fall, lost in thought. She had hardly seen Lupin at all since the argument. He was in the room now, but far away from her. She didn't know what to say or do, she hadn't even had the courage to ask if he had really sent it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the mention of Voldemort.
"Your father hasn't had to go into the office on weekends since the days of You-Know-Who," she said. "They're working him far too hard. His dinner's going to be ruined if he doesn't come home soon."
"Well, Father feels he's got to make up for his mistake at the match, doesn't he?" said Percy. "If truth be told, he was a tad unwise to make a public statement without clearing it with his Head of Department first—"
"Don't you dare blame your father for what that wretched Skeeter woman wrote!" said Mrs. Weasley, flaring up at once.
"If Dad hadn't said anything, old Rita would just have said it was disgraceful that nobody form the Ministry had commented," said Bill who was playing chess with Ron. "Rita Skeeter never makes anyone look good. Remember, she interviewed all the Gringotts' Charm Breakers once, and called me 'a long-haired pillock'?"
Harmony laughed a little at that and then went back to staring out the window. The Cup had been on her mind as well. How should she feel? Her worst enemy's, for lack of better term, mark had appeared in the sky. Her scar had hurt just prior to that and she'd had a dream about a plan Voldemort had to get a hold of the two of them. One woman was dead and others would soon be killed . . .
"Now, Mum," said Fred, looking up at Mrs. Weasley, a pained look on his face. "If the Hogwarts Express crashed tomorrow, and George and I died, how would you feel to know that the last thing we ever heard from you was an unfounded accusation?"
Harmony laughed along with everyone else, taking a quick break from the thoughts that threatened to consume her.
"Oh your father's coming!" she said suddenly, looking up at the Weasley's magic clock.
Harmony dropped back into her own thoughts once more, too distracted to concentrate on what was happening in the room for very long. They were going back to Hogwarts tomorrow, at least there may be peace there. No worries about Lupin or the Cup, just school and normalcy, or at least she hoped so. She hoped that it wouldn't be like the past three years where danger was around every turn.
She wandered aimlessly through thoughts of normal things like Quidditch and the possibility of seeing Cedric Diggory again to keep her mind away from the frightening thoughts that kept looming. She smiled a little at the thought of seeing Cedric, perhaps he and Cho would have had another row by the time they got to school.
"I think you'd all better go upstairs and check that you've packed properly!" said Mrs. Weasley, breaking up the argument that had ensued between Percy and Hermione. "Come on now, all of you . . ."
Harmony went upstairs with the rest and began to go through the things Mrs. Weasley had picked up for her at Diagon Alley. She was just sorting all her potions ingredients alphabetically, when she heard a loud voice from Ron's room say, "What is that supposed to be?" She set down the bottle in her hand and headed to see what was going on.
Ron was holding up something that looked like a long maroon velvet dress. It had a moldy-looking lace frill at the collar and matching lace cuffs. Mrs. Weasley was in the room looking as if she had just set down freshly laundered Hogwarts robes.
"Mum, you've given my Ginny's new dress." Said Ron, handing it out to her.
"Of course I haven't," said Mrs. Weasley. "That's for you. Dress robes."
"What?" said Ron looking horror-struck.
"Dress robes!" repeated Mrs. Weasley. "It says on your school list that you're supposed to have dress robes this year . . . robes for formal occasions."
"You've got to be kidding," said Ron in disbelief. "I'm not wearing that, no way."
"Everyone wears them, Ron!" said Mrs. Weasley crossly. "They're all like that! Your father's got some for smart parties!"
"I'll go starkers before I put that on," said Ron stubbornly.
"Don't be silly," said Mrs. Weasley. "You've got to have dress robes, they're on your list! I got some for Harry too . . . show him, Harry . . ."
By this time Harmony had scooted into the room and sat on Harry's bed. She watched as he opened a parcel on his camp bed. His dress robes were almost the same as his school ones, just a little more formal and crisp.
"Well, they're okay!" said Ron angrily, looking at Harry's robes. "Why couldn't I have some like that?'
"Because . . . well, I had to get your secondhand, and there wasn't a lot of choice!" said Mrs. Weasley flushing.
"I'm never wearing them," Ron was saying stubbornly. "Never."
"Fine," snapped Mrs. Weasley. "Go naked. And, Harry, make sure you get a picture of him. Goodness knows I could do with a laugh."
Harmony was trying very hard to hold back laughter.
"Don't you dare laugh." Ron said and muttered as an afterthought. "Why is everything I own rubbish?"
"I'm sorry, Ron." Harmony said giggling. "I'm not really laughing at the robes, more at your stubbornness."
"Yeah and I bet your robes will look just like Harry's, go and get them and we'll see."
"All right I will." Harmony said and ran to Ginny's room.
When she got to her bed she noticed there wasn't a parcel for her. She pulled out her supplies list and saw a note on the side that read:
I thought you might want to pick out your own, dear. Besides, I don't really know what would fit you.
What? Dress robe size should be the same as her robe size, which she knew Mrs. Weasley could have gotten, but—
Her jaw dropped and her eyes grew wider. She blinked, hoping she would see something else, but it was still there. So she hung her head and headed back to Ron's room.
"Well where are they?" Ron asked.
"I don't have them." Harmony replied, her eyes still on the floor.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Because that's apparently not what we wear."
"What do you mean?" Both boys asked together.
Harmony looked up and took a deep breath. "The girls have to wear dresses to whatever it is."
Both boys started to laugh hysterically.
"Harmony, in a dress." Ron said, through tears. "This I've got to see."
Harmony flopped on Harry's bed and covered her face with her hands.
"I'm really praying there's a way out of this."
"Why?" Came a voice from the door.
Harmony looked up to see Hermione in the doorway.
"Because if you haven't noticed I am NOT the type of girl who does dresses. I'm pretty sure Ron would know more about dresses and look better in them than I would." Harmony said, burring her face back into the bed.
Everyone laughed again.
"Why me?" Harmony whined weakly through the pillow.