Chapter 10

Hermione and the boys were lounging around the living area when something began lightly tapping a nearby window. Their eyes met and it wasn't long before Hermione was sighing and standing up. She made her way to the nearby window to discover an owl sitting snootily on the window sill. Hermione perked up recognizing the owl as belonging to her friend's family.

"Guys it's from Fluer!"

She opened the window and relieved the snooty looking owl of its message. Once it was free of her hands it took off. Not bothering to watch the moody bird fly off Hermione began opening the message. She took her former seat by Harry who lazily looked up at her from his comic. Hermione silently read to herself as the boys watched her. It was after a particularly scandalized gasp Harry stretched out a leg and poked her. Dudley watched them both from the other couch where he had pretty much claimed the area in his own way, blankets and pillows littered his immediate space.

She shook excitedly and crumpled the letter to her chest slightly. Her mind whirled with a million thoughts as she thought about what this news meant for her friend. She came back to reality to find both boys looking at her with a mix of curiosity and caution. Harry being closer in proximity had gotten up and was staring her in the face. Dudley just observed from his comfy place on the other sofa, he liked to think of himself as the smarter boy and waited for Hermione to react. Hermione shot up quickly and bumped her head into Harry's. Harry backed away immediately clutching his wounded chin. "Ow!", he cried out.

Dudley watched from his place as Hermione began swatting Harry away while clutching her own head. He knew it had been smart of him to stay away.

"Honestly Harry don't you know, curiosity killed the cat. If you had just waited for me finish thinking I would've shared the happy news with you both."

Harry continued to rub his chin looking every bit like the chastised child he was.

"Didn't you know Hermione? He is the cat from that story, he will never learn."

Dudley laughed at his own cleverness completely pleased with himself until a stray pillow sailed towards him and smacked him right in the face.

The giggles subsided and Hermione rubbed her chin again and smiled slightly.

"I guess you didn't want to know what Fluer has told me.", she said.

Harry quickly threw another pillow at Dudley and sat up straight, Dudley fell over.

"I'm good, I'm good I promise.", Harry said as he righted himself.

Hermione gave them both an odd look before deciding to move forward.

"Well, she says things are going well academically but she is having some family issues I won't comment further on that as its her business. Her element is causing quite the stir.", she clutched the letter to her chest excitedly and hopped a bit in her spot on the sofa.

"Oh, I can't wait till I start to show my element."

Both boys smiled at her. She was always eager to learn something new. Though the idea of acquiring an elemental power was quite alluring, almost enough to make them study.

Dudley looked over at the clock and realized his time with his brother and the girl who was like a sister to him was almost at an end. Tomorrow they would both leave him to attend that wizarding school their mother talked about. He was kind of glad to have the time away. He loved them both but maybe some time away would be good for all of them. Its not like he was just going to lay around at home oh no. His mother had 3 months' worth of lessons and training plans waiting for him.

He sighed.

Harry looked over at him and noticed him staring at the clock. He was going to miss his brother while he was gone.

"Looks like it's getting late guys.", Harry said.

Hermione sighed and said," I wish we didn't have to split up."

Her gaze moved to rest on Dudley, and he knew she meant she wished that they did not have to leave him behind.

"You two have a big day tomorrow we might as well get some rest.", Dudley said as he rose from his sofa to blow out the candles.

His cat like eyes adjusted to the darkness and he made his way back to his chosen sofa. Hermione and Harry adjusted themselves into better sleeping positions on their larger sofa. The three children had never been apart from each other and these next few months would be a great test for them. Life moves forward and they could only float wherever it took them.

Harry opened his eyes in the dark. Something out there was calling him. He glanced over at his companions to see them sleeping soundly. Again, something pulled on his core and he threw the blankets back. Standing up he made his way to the closest window and peered outside. The outside looked fine if a little dark.

There was nothing out there.

He turned away from the window and began to pace around the room. The feel of this thing pulling on him didn't feel dangerous but then again one could never be too sure. Harry made his way back to the sofa and laid himself down. He closed his eyes and tried meditating. Falling into himself he was better able to see what was calling him.

In his mindscape he saw two familiar lights.

The closest light burned brightly and happily while the other light in the distance sputtered chaotically. Not thinking of what could go wrong, Harry sent a soothing energy towards the far away light. The distant light stilled as the energy hit it. It rippled then stilled again before pulling towards Harry's energy. It didn't charge forward but inched towards him tentatively.

Harry sent another wave of energy towards the distant light. Like before it stilled when his energy hit it. The light seemed to purr contentedly this time not sending out a pull toward Harry.

For as long as he could remember those lights had always been in his mindscape. Though they had never bothered him before. The distant light seems to be very chaotic now. Harry had many questions, but it was time to sleep. He released his mindscape and settled into sleep. Tomorrow was a big day for them and Hermione would be displeased if he wasn't well rested.