Hey everyone,
So while it took a bit, does it seem as if the poll regarding the Horcruxes is now gaining ground. I am going to keep it up until the Flourish And Blotts chapter. For now Harry telling the other Elves the locations of the Horcruxes has a clear lead, so if that wins, Harry will tell them the locations, but they will have trouble here and there.
Let's do this,
Venquine1990
PS. Inspiration comes from Leonette, check out their stories.
29th of December 1976
The Reading Room
Hari's POV
Lindilwen and I actually had a bit of a heart to heart the other night after we came back from her meeting with the other students as well as her friend and we discussed something that, in the end, makes me feel as if I got back more than just my mother. And Lindilwen herself agreed that we have really become friends.
Our talk was about her bond with Alice for her, who I told her she should talk to Neville about as he had more right to tell her what happened to the future Lady Longbottom than I felt I did, and about Hermione for me. I did tell her about how Hermione had a near-death experience in the following book, but no more.
Yet the fact that we both have a friend who will be endangered by that monster is something that made us able to connect with each other, even though Lindilwen only knows that something will happen to her friend but not what. Yet Lindilwen also went one step further and confided something important to me.
"Hari, the – the whole reason I'm still – so conflicted about the whole – the future thing with Po-Valivial – is because of his persona. I just – I don't know if he kept that persona up even after we married or not. If he ever confided the truth to me? Whether or not that was what made the other me give him a chance in the end.
If it was, then that makes me feel more sure about it all, about – about saying yes to Jaurion's deal and all. But if it wasn't, if – if he never told me, if he just made me accept his persona for his actual character –." Yet here I stopped her and said: "Then the marriage between the other you and Jaurion was based on lies.
I understand, but – I might have an idea. First, talk to Snuffles and ask him about this. Then, once you feel comfortable, maybe after he gave you some more pretty princess dresses, discuss this with him and see how he feels about that. And when you do, make sure you use whatever Snuffles tells you, whether good or bad, in your arguments."
The slightly younger girl had looked thoughtful at this and then smiled at me and said: "I will do that. I – I think I'll do that next time we break. Thank you, Hari." I had nodded at her and then decided to take a risk. "I know you're not ready to be my mother, but – could we pretend to be siblings – until you are?"
The girl had looked shocked at this and I felt I had gone too quick too soon, but then she suddenly overwhelmed me by giving me a warm hug and whispering: "I'd like that." Making me smile just as warmly as the sensation of her hugging me gives me and I whispered back: "Yeah, me too. Thank you, Lindilwen."
We had parted ways until dinner, shared a smile that actually reminded me of all the smiles that I often saw the twins share with each other and this made me feel even better and I went to bed, feeling warm, loved and accomplished. And somehow, my nighttime hadn't been disrupted by any nightmares like the last week.
By now everyone is back in the reading room, Lindilwen and Jaurion on either side of me, Snuffles on Jaurion's right and the other Marauders next to him while Draco is next to Lindilwen and has my grandparents on his left. The others are all on the other side of the circle and Lucius and Severus are smiling at Draco in pride.
Part of me feels bad for not spending any time with my new boyfriend the other day, but the fact that I got to spend time with my now new sister alleviates some of the guilt. Then suddenly Lindilwen asks: "Is it wrong of me to wish that this next book won't start the same way as the last?" Making me cringe in guilt at her.
She sighs and says: "Let's get this over with." And Lupin hands her the book as we decided to store them all in his room whenever we weren't all in here. Lindilwen takes it, but only with one hand and I feel her brushing the other over my own. This makes me want to send her another smile, but instead I just let her read.
The Worst Birthday
"Hari dear, when is your birthday again?" Grandma instantly asks and I smile at her as I say: "Not until July, grandma, but don't worry about it. You all made last Christmas the best I've had in years. Definitely in my Top 3 alongside the one in my Third and Fifth." At this Snuffles gives me a warm smile and Lindilwen reads on.
Not for … at night –"
"They're keeping that poor thing locked up?" Grandma asks shocked and I notice Mrs. Weasley's eyes widening as she turns to the twins and Ron. The three of them give her a solemn nod, but don't speak up. And because of this am I one of the few who notice this and I whisper: "Later." To Lupin as Lindilwen reads on.
"Do I … school food ..."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that woman is trying to kill off her entire family. Her husband and son by overeating and her nephew by starvation." Bill growls and Jaurion growls: "Either way, she's unfit to be a parent to anyone, let alone a guardian or a wife." And neither Lindilwen nor I disagree with him as she reads on.
"Nonsense, Petunia … THIS ROOF!"
"If you ask me, Hari, you have every right to threaten those Muggles, and I'm not even saying that because they're Muggles." Lucius tells me and I nod at him as I say: "I know, I just don't like the idea of stooping to their level – or being like them at all." The blonde smirks at me with quite a bit of respect as Lindilwen reads on.
Harry stared … to be.
"Though that doesn't exactly say much about the family he's living with either. That reminds me, how is it they are so accepted at that community anyway?" Peter asks and I answer: "They weren't. It was a community based on false niceties and a lot of social backstabbing and gossip." Peter rolls his eyes at this and Lindilwen reads on.
Harry Potter … all summer?
"Hari, Hari, Hari." The twins chorus and Fred says: "Wood wouldn't have kicked you off the team for that.""No, he would have drilled you until McGonagall and Pomfrey came after his hide for you missing and failing classes and getting ill." I think about this and then cringe, knowing that they're right before Lindilwen reads on.
What was … homework done?
"Did you really think you were going to spent the entire summer there? That you wouldn't come over to stay with us at all?" Ron asks shocked and I answer: "Yes, at the time I did. It was already the end of July and I'm sure the book will explain shortly." Ron looks shocked and concerned, but nods before Lindilwen reads on.
The Dursleys … deepest shame.
"Just a question, are we reading about Muggles or Death Eaters?" Sirius asks and Draco sighs as he says: "To be honest, I'm really not sure. Though I also see quite a lot of similarities between them and what I was like at that age." At this I instantly pull my lovely dragon close, comforting him as Lindilwen reads on.
Uncle Vernon … the family.
"Thank the heavens!" Draco shouts at this and there are several others who make similar exclamation. I turn red, but do happily run a hand through my new long hair, loving the fact that I no longer have my scar or my untamable hair. Draco spots this and smiles, pulling me close and joining me in this as Lindilwen continues reading.
Uncle Vernon … years before.
Here I stop running a hand through my hair as I remember what happened back in December when Hermione and I searched through Godric's Hollow. I shake my head, trying to push back the memory of watching that whole event play out through his eyes and feel Lindilwen give my hand a soft squeeze before she reads on.
At the … come out.
"I wish it had. Not the story of how you survived, dear, but the story of what you had gone through with those Muggles and what you had to do at Hogwarts. What the late Dumbledore put you through." Mrs. Weasley says and while I grimace, do I still feel like partially agreeing with her. Yet I don't say this as Lindilwen reads on.
Harry had … Mrs. Mason."
"I'm going to assume that the deal didn't go through?" Lucius asks, yet I cringe and say: "It indeed probably wouldn't have, but – it actually didn't because of reasons that didn't involve them and their horrible acting skills. The title is what it is for a reason." The teen looks at me in concern and yet Lindilwen just reads on.
"They'll love … Harry tonelessly.
"Is that supposed to be a punishment for something?" Sirius asks and I sigh as I say: "I would have considered it a birthday gift – if it hadn't been for what the month before it had been like. You'll probably see in a few paragraphs from now." Sirius nods, yet looks just as concerned as Lucius and Lindilwen reads on.
"Exactly," said … about you." '
"That is just doomed to fail. If this Mason guy has even 5% more brain than this lot has – which is something the majority of the world has – they'll ask what the kid wrote about exactly." The king mutters and the comment about the Dursleys and their intelligence makes a lot of those around us laugh before Lindilwen reads on.
This was … that way.
"If only he knew how much he was shooting himself in the foot with that. Hari is a natural speaker. As long as your interests align with his, he can convince you about anything and you'll respect for him for it to boot. Oh well, their loss." Ron shrugs, but then Ginny says: "You say that like it's a bad thing." And Lindilwen reads to more laughter.
When dinner's … to me …"
Grandma turns to me, but I say: "Everything changed the summer after. And I repeat, Top 3 best Christmases ever." The woman nods, yet I can tell by the look in her eyes that she has plans to make me put my next birthday in the top 3 as well. And while I fake resignation at this, do I hide my actual excitement as Lindilwen reads on.
No cards … and stay.
"And that was why I couldn't enjoy the gift the Dursleys gave me. I missed them so much I was craving any and all kind of company. It was why I was so accepting of mostly everything they said at that meal." I sigh and those of the present look at my friends in shocked confusion, yet then Lindilwen turns herself back to her reading.
Countless times … and broomstick.
"That'd be tame compared to what they deserve." The twins chorus, but I roll my eyes and say: "They're not worth it. Dudley is going to have a new father, he might turn out to be a completely new person and Vernon has been arrested. Just remember that." The two nod in grudging acceptance and I sigh relieved as Lindilwen reads on.
For the … a dream ...
"Trust me, you're not getting rid of me ever again, my Emerald Serenade." Draco whispers in my ear and it takes me everything not to sag down into his embrace as the feeling of his breath against my skin there leaves me with a sensation unlike any I have ever experienced. I try to steel my resolve and focus on Lindilwen's voice.
Not that … mad eyes.
"You didn't get any counseling afterwards, did you?" Grandma asks concerned and while I have always grown up being told that someone who needs a counsellor is just someone who is meant for the looney-house, do I try to fight this believe as I tentatively shake my head. The woman looks concerned and Lindilwen asks:
"And for any of the other adventures you went through?" Here I sigh and turn to Snuffles who says: "I can answer that best. When everything started going downhill, Hari had to report how it went that way before Albus let him head for the Hospital Wing and even then it was just to rest." Lindilwen growls at this and reads on.
Harry suddenly … the leaves.
This would have made me close my eyes in grieved pain, had it not been for Merden taking the precious little being's soul with him and for the fact that I got to see his new form a few days ago. I then silently decide to go seek him out sometime soon to see how he's doing and if he's still happy as Lindilwen reads on.
Harry jumped … frying pan.
At this grandpa turns to me and growls: "I will have Elves watch her and if either she or her new husband do such a thing to Dudley, I will see either of them arrested." And while I am grateful that he is willing to give her new life a chance, do I accept his statement with a nod and the others calm down at this as Lindilwen reads on.
Then she … at Hogwarts ...
I suddenly notice Sirius having turned to Draco and he asks: "Did you, at the time, know where Hari lived?" Draco looks startled, but shakes his head and Sirius hums before he says: "Strange. I thought maybe you had cursed his place to ward off owls or something." At this I bite my tongue to keep quiet as Lindilwen reads on.
Wish they … his face.
"It definitely would have been a wake-up call for a lot of people." Percy mutters and I know he is, sort of, talking about himself as well. And the look on his face and in his eyes, which conveys a deep sense of self-loathing, makes me smile at him, glad that he's seen the error of his ways before Lindilwen continues to read.
It was … salmon-pink cocktail dress.
At this Lindilwen shudders and she says: "Petunia looks good in a lot of colors, but pink is definitely not one of them." At which I roll my eyes and say: "It gets worse. You know how thin she was? The dress was supposed to accentuate that, only she kept it from doing so." This makes a lot of the others also shudder as Lindilwen reads on.
Harry washed …on it.
Instantly everyone is on sharp and some wands are even drawn, but then I say: "No one harmful. It was the one being who defines the statement Good intentions, bad execution. He had his heart in the right place, he just didn't quite know how to get his desires accomplished." This makes the ones with their wands drawn put them back.
The others also calm down and then, while happily cuddling closer into Draco's warm embrace and wanting to just enjoy the way that his hand goes through my hair, do I decide to be a little playful. I smirk at Sirius and quip: "You know, you were quite close on the spot before." And the younger Black looks at me confused.
Naughty, Hari, naughty.
Okay, so there wasn't as much bonding between Lindilwen and Hari as I first expected, but I still quite enjoyed this chapter. And personally, I would like to think I gave a few reactions that you won't usually find in stories like this. Though I guess that partially has to do with the changed timeline and all that.
Oh well,
Venquine1990