48. Just a little slower
It was with heavy thoughts that Harry returned to Hogwarts. Harry supposed that a year without a direct assault by Voldemort had made him complacent. Voldemort was a very real issue that needed resolution. While official channels were treating the terror attack as remnants of the Dark Lord, he knew that the man was alive.
With that megalomaniacal wizard, very little was sacred.
Separating from the new students, Harry followed the crowd to the Thestral carriages. Typically, he would've rode with his two best friends, but they had been directed to different carriages. After convincing them that he was capable of taking care of himself, he went to his own seat.
As the well trained Thestral walked its route, he took a moment to appreciate how utterly lonesome he was. His only companion was the steady sound of hooves smashing against the ground.
Coming to an idea he found most pleasing, he waved a single finger in the air and chanted the spell, "I bear messages which will make both your ears tingle (Memorandum)." Magic flowed into his finger and took the shape of a sphere. Gentle words were whispered into it as its shape transitioned to that of a miniature owl. With flapping wings, it flew out of the sights of those unattuned.
Now Harry prepared. Focusing intently, his essence laced the confines of his mobile room until its very dimensions expanded. Harry daren't get too outrageous for such manipulation, especially without the guidance of a spell, was at best strenuous. Slowing his breathing the area held firm. Feeling a bit of daring, he took the surrounding magic and solidified it.
Between the cushioned seats was a table with a couple of teacups, the fragrance of pear tree billowing through the coach. In the matter of an eye blink, the Pale Lady had arrived, having accepted his invitation.
She looked upon the setting with an inspecting eye and hummed accordingly as she picked up her tea cup. "Your skills have advanced once again. You'll outstrip me at this pace."
Harry felt his heart warm at the statement. Kind as it was, he was hesitant to believe it. But, the honesty of the words meant little in the face of the sentiment nestled within.
"So did you require anything? Or is this simply pleasure?" She asked in him coyly.
Harry coughed to prevent himself from spilling his drink. Pleasure, a simple word that could be the pinnacle of obscene. Suddenly, the carriage didn't seem quite that large. "You're teasing", he stated, though it sounded weak.
"Yes, I am", she said with no guilt, a bit of her impish nature showing.
That was an interesting change he noted from the Pale Lady. This past year something had shifted. She was no doubt that wise being that he grew with, but now he could see just how… quirky she could be. Instead of detracting, Harry felt that it added further merit to her character. Perhaps she had always been that way and he simply been too awed and mesmerized to realize.
Past her bantering, he noticed that she looked frazzled. A fact that did little to diminish her grace. Though by now, Harry was assured that he was indeed emotionally compromised.
It did not mean he was wrong.
"I'm more interested in what has gotten you so worked up. Has things been going poorly on your end?" Harry questioned in concern, thoughts about Voldemort taking a reprieve. A moment to elevate the Pale Lady took precedence. It was such an unusual occurrence after all.
The Pale Lady didn't answer right away. Instead, she took a bit of a drink and said her thanks as Harry conjured a plate with honey cake on top. Steadily, her mood seemed to improve. "Recall my brother, Harry? It appears stubbornness runs in the family. A fickle bunch we are."
She didn't elaborate nor did he wish for her to. Welling up his courage, he reached out and placed his hand over hers in sympathy. Harry squeezed lightly.
And slowly did they ride, there was no need for haste. Their concern was put away. Within the carriage was a place of civility. He was with her and he was pleased, clearly so. Never turning away, her fingers intertwined with his and held tenderly.
"You really love your family, huh? I suppose that is the normal thing, but I wasn't ever very normal was I?" Harry questioned in a lull. Then his mind wandered to the Weasley family and what he had learned in the burrow, "Family is a very odd thing. I've seen it be a person's strength and struggle."
The Pale Lady made no sound as she leaned towards him and rested her head against his scar and whispered evenly as she stared into his eyes, "Don't dwell on things you can't have. But, thank you all the same."
Her smile was a delight that filled Harry more than any magical discovery. Perhaps it was his earliest discovery of such. The ride was sustained by the warm atmosphere between them. There was still an air of mystery that he wanted to solve. Her name was one such thing he wanted to clear. But times like this, caused him to push it aside. That could wait.
Harry was in bliss.
Where he could not stop, she kindly did. In the carriage was naught but themselves and a moment of eternity.
Too soon did Hogwarts come into view.
