A/N I modified the last chapter so hopefully it flows a bit better. Cheers.
Chapter 21
...
Harry schooled his face, appearing impassive to everyone around him. It was his job to make sure the students got safely onto the Hogwarts Express. They were going home for the holidays but they needed a chaperone to accompany them to the train station. Luckily, word hadn't gotten out to the populace in Hogsmede or else the whole town would be upon them. As it is, Harry was anticipating his escape onto school grounds, nervously glancing down the street.
The students were rowdy from excitement about the holidays. Harry had already received six gifts from well wishing students. He tried to remember if he or anyone else ever gave his professors presents and failed. The gifts were not terribly spectacular and the majority were books on defense. Harry had no interest in them so he forwarded them on to Hermione. She was always looking for more books.
He stopped brooding long enough to break up a group of students throwing exploding snap cards at each other. It didn't take much to send them running. Harry wondered how afraid of him the students really were before he dismissed it. If his calm and collected demeanor in class wasn't enough to convince them that he wasn't going to blow them up, nothing would.
"All aboard?" Harry called, letting his voice travel down the platform.
If there were any students left, they would hear him. He had become good at shouting out orders over long distances and knew how to carry his voice.
Harry tapped the train lightly, signaling that it was set to go. The large vehicle began to move. Students poked their heads out the windows and shouted out goodbyes to their professor.
"Happy Holidays!"
"See you soon!"
"Have a good one, Professor!"
Harry only waved them off. He wasn't feeling very jolly about the encroaching holidays. He anticipated getting back to work in two weeks. He wasn't sure what he would do until then. He didn't really want to think about it. As he walked back up to the castle, Harry tried to think of what he would give his friends. Fate wasn't planning on returning from his stay with Remus for another two months. Remus wasn't planning on leaving either. Harry didn't know if they would appreciate Christmas gifts from him without him physically there to give them away. He decided they would have to deal with it. He didn't want to return to that world. They would understand.
Draco and Hermione were easy to please. Another five shirts in colors that went well with his eyes and hair were Harry's gift to Draco. Hermione would receive a packet of massage oils and aromatherapy candles. She was far too stressed from her job. She could use a break. Harry briefly wondered if her new boyfriend, Jason would be helping her use that particular gift. He also wondered if she would tell him that the relaxing and tingling feeling that the ointment gave off was magical.
Probably they weren't at that stage yet. He and Hermione had only just gone on a first date. Draco and Harry's new acquaintance had accompanied them. Just that morning Draco had been gushing about his new love interest. He didn't seem to stop nattering. It was all David this and David that. Harry took pleasure in watching Draco be less than condescending for once.
Harry had a very Slytherin idea regarding the couples. He wanted to wait until everything was more serious before he suggested it, but Harry thought it would be the perfect way to get wizards to accept muggles. If both the minister of magic and the general of DON were dating muggles, the scandal would be like a cold shower for the wizarding populace. Harry himself would have started dating a muggle if he knew it wouldn't be a lie. He didn't want to lead anyone on like that and he knew his heart wouldn't be in it.
Harry knew with a shocking clarity that he would never love anyone again. He knew he would never be able to enjoy someone else's presence and he couldn't even feel attracted to anyone at all. He was slowly resigning himself to solitude.
...
Astyr nodded eagerly to the woman behind the counter. She began to scoop the strange food into a cone shaped wafer. Astyr was ecstatic about the interesting desert. A little boy in the street was begging to come in and have some so he knew it must be very good. He happily paid for it by handing over a gold coin. The woman looked surprised before shaking her head and smiling.
"Muggleborn, dear?"
Astyr shook his head.
"I'm an American."
He didn't know what an American was but the lie seemed to be universally helpful. He didn't know why he even had to lie here. Even pretending to be a normal guy wasn't enough of a lie for these people.
"Oh. Well welcome to Diagon Alley. This is a galleon. I need two sickles. Sickles are the silver ones, dear."
He grabbed two silver coins and held them out, exchanging them for the galleon.
"You must really like ice cream. It's the middle of the winter, you know?"
Astyr could only nod. He hadn't ever had it before but he didn't doubt that he loved it. He didn't know why the season had anything to do with it.
The goblins had been cordial after his demonstration and surprisingly, Astyr and the Goblin King hit it off right away. In one of the most bizarre moments of Asty's life, he made friends with the little green goblin and told him his story. The king had been a bit surprised at how close Astyr was to Harry but he didn't disbelieve the prince. After he was done, they both speculated about what he would do. Astyr was surprised when the goblin told him that Harry was working at Hogwarts. He was only just realizing how close he was to his love. He'd asked for details, which the goblins happily provided. Unfortunately, since the train was restricted and all other forms of transport were carefully monitored, there was no way Astyr could get into the school and he left the bank with a bag full of money but without any solutions.
Astyr took the cone out of the woman's hands and walked out into the alley. He looked around and wondered where to go from there. He would need a place for the night and some time to think as he tried to figure out how to get into the school. Deciding that the Leaky Cauldron was his best bet, Astyr took a bite of his ice cream.
He didn't realize how cold it was until his teeth were already deep into the stuff. He drew away, trying to swallow as fast as possible. His eyes winced shut and his shoulders drew up as he tried not to spit it out. When the pain went away, he eyed his dissert warily. Carefully he licked it and smiled at the taste. He liked ice cream, however slowly he must eat it.
Once he was finished and cleaned up, Astyr walked the length of the alley, intent on the pub at the end. As he passed two women, he slowed at their conversation. They were talking about Hogwarts.
"Oh yes, my daughter came home for Christmas a few days ago. She just would not stop talking about Professor Potter! I don't really blame her. He is the most qualified teacher of the lot."
"Well of course he's qualified. There isn't a soul more qualified. We should have him teaching our aurors, not our children."
"Oh come off it, Matilda. You're just jealous because your son is training to be an auror and isn't getting instruction from the Boy Who Defeated The Dark Lord."
"Maybe. Well, when does she go back to school? Maybe I can ride along and meet him, eh?"
"Goodness, no. I would have done it already if I could. They don't let anyone on the express without a Hogwarts letter or uniform. I don't think either of us could pass off as seventeen year olds, do you? Anyway, the train leaves on the second. You'll be there to see her off, wont you?"
Astyr didn't wait to hear the rest of the conversation. He knew how he was going to get to Hogwarts.
...
"I've been doing some research."
Draco started laughing. Hermione was startled into looking up at the blonde. His feet were back up on her desk and his head was thrown back. He was clutching at the arms of his chair and his chest shook from his glee.
"I fail to see what's so funny."
Draco shook his head, sighing as his chuckles ran out.
"I think I'm a little moody. But that was still hilarious. Honestly, Mione. The day you don't research something is the day after you die. And, I suppose, everyday after that until you're reincarnated or come back as a ghost. Or maybe they have libraries in the underworld."
Hermione waited for him to finish. He noticed her expression and shrugged.
"I went a little far on that one, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did. What's got you in a twist?"
"Oh, I'm just a little high on life. I also have a date with David tonight and I'm really nervous."
"It's Christmas eve. Shouldn't you be spending that time on something other than a second date? Shouldn't he?"
Draco frowned and gestured around the room.
"Well I don't see your family around anywhere. Let me guess, going out with Jason again, right?"
Hermione blushed. "Well, we have known each other longer. Besides, you didn't answer my question."
"Neither of us really have anywhere else to be. Forgive me if I don't visit my father in Azkaban. The only other person I would be celebrating with (discounting you of course) is currently not in any place to be enjoying himself or anyone else for that matter. I think that the less pomp to Harry's holiday, the better off he'll be."
"I guess I'll agree with you there." She tilted her head as a thought came to her. "Did you and Harry ever, well, you know, hook up?"
Draco looked amused and nodded. Hermione widened her eyes and demanded, "Spill."
"Ok but don't tell Harry I told you. It was right after Ron died. You were kind of out of it."
Hermione nodded, listening.
"He just wanted a release from it all, you know? I was trying to get back at my father. We were drinking since noon and come nighttime, we were still going strong. And then, you know…" Hermione laughed and waved him on, "The next morning, we woke up completely entwined. We started shrieking at each other. Well…I was shrieking and he was laughing. But I could tell he was as horrified as I was. I mean, ew. Potter was my piece of ass for the night. It was disturbing. The thing is, neither of us remembers it clearly. I wish I could make fun of him for it but I'm about as embarrassed as he is."
Hermione didn't look like she was going to stop laughing. Draco decided to steer her out of it.
"So what were you researching?"
She was really easily distracted by that kind of thing.
"Oh. Well. You know that statue you talked about? He said it disintegrated when Astyr died, right?"
"Right."
"Well I think that was a physical manifestation of the bond. I did some research and I came up with a really peculiar thing called a heartbond."
Draco nodded, interested.
"When a heart bond is created, the initiator creates a ruby which sort of represents all of the love the two have for each other. That is the most interesting part, actually. Though the initiator creates it, the other has to love or have loved the initiator in order for it to work. There's actually a really interesting example of it in mythology involving the Lady of Death…"
"So this caused the dreams?" Draco cut in before she could start nattering.
"Yes it did. The heartbond draws the two hearts together and literally gives control of each to the other."
"Wait, back up. Rewind, repeat."
"Harry and Astyr loved each other so much, they traded hearts."
Draco drew his feet off the desk. He looked very sad all of a sudden.
"Oh Merlin. This is worse than we thought."
Hermione nodded.
"He lost his heart."
...
Harry slept in on Christmas morning. He didn't open his presents until mid-afternoon. He took a new bottle of scotch to his office where he started creating a syllabus for next year. He didn't finish that project, though he did finish the bottle.
Draco woke to find himself in a muggle apartment. He was disappointed that he was sleeping on the couch but not as much as he thought he would be. They had agreed to take it slow. He thought he was in it for the long haul. The concept was scary but the aroma of newly made pancakes was not.
Hermione opened her presents quietly, alone in her own apartment. She twisted the silver chain Jason had given her the night before. Feeling a bit lonely, Hermione grabbed her telephone. Her parents would be happy to hear from her. It was Christmas after all.
The New Year passed without much fanfare. Draco kept Harry company and Hermione worked late into the night on an urgent problem that the ministry had to address. Michael Evans sent out a flier illustrating the different festivities muggles were participating all around the world. The New Year ball in New York descended a thousand times in each and every European wizarding home that night.
The students returned on the second.
...
Astyr felt lost in his bulky robes. He had easily acquired Hogwarts standard issue from Madam Malkin's. The Gryffindor badge on his chest was itchy from the inside and, all in all, he felt very stupid. He had arrived at King's Cross station thinking that the Hogwart's Express would be on one of the normal platforms. Obviously he hadn't been thinking clearly. Now that he was here, he was beginning to panic. He knew the train was scheduled to leave at eleven but if he couldn't even find it, he didn't think he would be going anywhere.
It was ten thirty and he still had to steal someone's Hogwarts letter and duplicate it. He scratched anxiously at his chest. Looking around, Astyr finally spotted a young man putting on a black robe. He followed the man as he headed for platform nine. Astyr was surprised when the man very suddenly disappeared. He ran over to the spot, carefully looking at the ground and benches nearby.
He allowed his animagus eyes to come forward and took a step back in shock. He wasn't a Rune Master for nothing and his animagus animal reflected that. Libras were especially good at finding and focusing in on rune magic. They naturally had runic patterns in their fur and feathers. The brightness of the runes in front of him hurt his libra's eyes and he had to retract them. Looking closely with a less magically powered sight, Astyr saw the runes that made up the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
He quickly drew a diagnostic rune, asking for activation of the runic equation on the wall. The power slid through its series and Astyr discovered what it was. It was very simply designed and almost primitive in style but the result was decent and worked well enough. He happily stepped through the gate and onto the platform. A huge purple steam engine waited to his right. Up and down the platform black robed children scurried about, laughing and saying goodbye to their families.
Astyr was impressed. There are so many wizards, he thought as he gazed on them. There are so many all in one place. Each one of them can perform a million miracles. Each one is precious. Astyr walked in and among the students. No one noticed him. He was trying to blend in. Harry had been right; he was very good at this sort of thing.
Astyr saw some official looking wizards standing at each entrance to the train. As each child hugged their parents goodbye, he or she stepped up and handed a piece of paper to the blue-clad wizards. They looked the paper over, passed it back, and let the child by. Astyr watched as lines were forming at each entrance. He looked around for someone who wasn't holding the documents in hand. He needed to steal them in order to make a copy.
Spotting a very chatty woman towards the back of the crowd, Astyr crept over.
"I can't even believe he got a broom for Christmas. I mean, how stupid do you have to be to give a Crabbe a broom? He will likely lose it, the klutz."
She was waving her arms at each point emphasizing her statements to her companions. She didn't notice when her pockets were searched and she lost her ticket onto the train.
Astyr quickly took the papers over to the far wall, hoping no one would see. He drew a duplicating rune and was satisfied to see the paper shiver apart into two identical pieces. He didn't even read the letter as he dashed back to the young girl. Amazingly, she hadn't noticed his slip and he returned her copy to where he'd found it.
Approaching the officials, Astyr began to feel nervous for the first time. Would they stop him? Were his duplications up to par? He handed over his letter with baited breath, waiting for the man to call him out. The official frowned as he looked down at the papers. He was just about to hand them back when he drew up short.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, Ms. Greene." He said pointedly.
Astyr internally winced. Time for some improvisation.
"That's Mr. Greene, idiot."
He was taking a chance. The girl he'd stolen the documents had been very full of herself. It only stands to reason that her impersonator be the same.
"Then why is this letter addressed to a Ms. Delilah Greene?" the man waved the paper in Astyr's face.
Astyr took it back, frowning. He looked it over and then glanced up.
"This is my sister's. She must have mine. I can't believe her! I mean, I know she wants to be me but you'd think she had a little class."
"I'm sorry sir but you can't get on the train without your letter."
Astyr drew himself up, taking a deep breath and glowering angrily.
"Do you know who I am? Do you know to whom you are speaking?"
The man stuttered.
"You must be a mudblood, then. You can't possibly not know."
Astyr didn't know what a mudblood was. He'd been called that a lot over the last week. He usually went for his American excuse when that happened.
"I…I…"
The man looked a little frightened. He obviously had no idea who Astyr was and how much power he held. Unfortunately, neither did Astyr. He barely made it through the next sentence convincingly as he was making it up on the spot.
"I could have my father dismiss you in a word. If you don't let me and my sister onto this train because we've bloody switched papers, I'll have you arrested."
That seemed general enough. Apparently the official thought so too because he let Astyr on without another word.
Triumphant, Astyr grabbed a compartment and sat down. He'd heard it was a long journey.
...
"Hello. Can we sit here? The rest is full."
Astyr nodded to the young girl who asked. She smiled and walked in, trailed by two boys. After them, three large pieces of floating luggage entered and settled themselves on the racks. Astyr contained his shock well. He still wasn't used to such displays of power.
"I'm Candy. This is Josh and Eric. We're sixth years. I've never seen you around."
"I don't like attention." Astyr said quietly.
"Oh. Well then, what's your name?"
"Astyr. I'm a seventh year."
"Did you have a good holiday?"
"Holiday?"
The girl smiled slowly, "Yea."
Astyr nodded mutely. Apparently that was what 'Christmas' was, a holiday. Other worlds are weird, he decided.
Eric and Josh took out some paper and began talking quietly in the corner. Candy flashed them a longing look before turning back to Astyr.
"So. Astyr. That's an unusual name."
Astyr wondered why his name was so often the topic of idle conversation. He looked at Candy closely, unsure of what to say. He didn't care about his name anymore, truly he didn't.
"So is Candy."
He finally settled it. If he had to talk, it wouldn't be about his name.
"So it is." She agreed, looking back at her friends. They ignored her plight.
"What do you think of Professor Potter?" She asked suddenly.
She was looking at him in interest. Apparently Harry is a popular conversational topic as well. Astyr didn't have anything against that, though. He was in love with him after all.
"He's nice. He's funny and nice."
Candy laughed, "Funny? Maybe he is in an ironic sense. I can't think of anyone with a worse sense of humor."
"Really?" Astyr asked in confusion. Maybe they weren't talking about the same person.
"He has to be the most calm and polite person I've ever met. I guess war will do that to you, right? My mom still shivers at his name you know. Professor Potter said to use his name but my mother wont let me."
Astyr ignored half of that statement. It didn't make any sense to him. The first part was worrying. Harry wasn't calm or polite. He was devious and tricky. He was mischievous and fun loving. He was in your face and laugh out loud funny. Astyr's mood descended as he heard more about him from Candy. She had a crush on him and enjoyed prattling on about it. From the looks her friends shot her, they were sick of it and ready to mutiny. Astyr let her say what she liked, hoping that Harry was ok.
...
"If you're so interested, why don't you talk to Gary? He was there for most of it, remember."
Hermione nodded, playing with a quill.
"It's just, heartbonds are rare. This is a great opportunity to research one. I mean, the dreams are never adequately described in the books. Some don't even mention it at all. I want to know how he died so I can determine exactly when the bond cut off."
"He fell down a volcano shaft. What more is there to know?"
Hermione shot him a dirty look. And shoved his newly situated boots off her desk.
"Maybe there's something Harry didn't mention. A bright white flash or something might have accompanied the break."
Draco shrugged.
"Just don't go asking Harry about it. He has his emotions low enough on a daily basis without us reminding him why."
"Us?"
Hermione looked at him over the quill end, eyes crinkling.
"Well yes, us. I have a right to be interested don't I?
Hermione agreed. She sat up in her chair and took out a fresh piece of parchment.
"Help me write a letter to Gary. It has to be as accurate as possible so we need to phrase the right questions."
Draco sighed and put his legs up again. He hadn't realized he would have to work for it.
...
Ok So I realize that the whole Draco and Hermione conversation thing makes the whole story look a little more clichéd than it might otherwise look. I just wanted to make the whole thing BLATANTLY CLEAR and not confuse anyone. I also didn't want to explain the heartbond in an author's note because that seems a little tacky in this particular instance. I feel like the story wouldn't be adequate if I have to explain it away. I may as well make my authors notes into the story instead.
Is it just me or am I really beginning to rely on conversations?