XI. Interlude of Dreams

After all had left from the celebration, Harry and Hermione were left alone with Remus and Tonks.

"What do you think of our new friend?" asked Harry.

"He seems like a nice person. There's something else about him though, almost like he's…"

"Hiding something?" asked Harry.

"Yes… I don't really know how to describe it. He felt, different somehow, which makes little sense since he is a boy just like us", she replied.

"I didn't really feel anything. He seems to be nice enough. I think that he could become a good friend, if we give him the chance."
"I get that feeling to. Anyways, now that we are alone, I wanted to give you this", she said as she withdrew a package from her robes. "Happy Birthday Harry", she said softly.

Harry smiled at her as he gently took the package in his hands. Slowly ripping he paper it was wrapped in, he uncovered a small wooden box. The contents of it took his breath away, and he felt a warm feeling spread from his chest. Inside the box was a figurine made of silver. Standing proudly on a silvery plane of grass, stood a stag. To his right was a large Grim, and to his left was a wolf. In front of them was a single exquisite flower: a lily. Words failed Harry. It was the most beautiful gift that anyone could have given him, on par with the album that Hagrid had given him and the Firebolt he had received from Sirius.

"T-Thank you", he whispered softly. Hermione lunged forward and hugged him tightly.

"You're welcome Harry", she said in reply.

Later that night, Harry walked the silent halls of Grimmauld Place. He missed the Burrow's openness. He could walk outside, feel the soft night breeze sift through his hair and kiss his cheeks. He missed being able to watch the fading stars at dawn. It gave him a rare sense of peace that he seldom had in his life. It was as if he could see the smiling faces of his parents looking down at him, expressing their love for their only child. He sometimes imagined the moon being his godfather's smile after he had done something mischievous. But far from filling him with sorrow, it filled him with love and hope. He almost felt like he was not alone those nights. Almost. The walks with Hedwig were primarily for the purpose of reviewing the material that he was covering with Hermione and helping with the previous things, but there were times in which they simply walked in companionable silence. It allowed Harry the time to think about his feelings and, if he should want to, share them with someone who knew him better than he knew himself.

So it was that as he approached the library, he saw Hedwig swoop in from an open window and change. As soon as they both entered the library, Harry closed the door and sat down on a nearby chair, slowly rubbing his temples.

"What is it Harry?" asked Hedwig.

"I don't know. I have this feeling that I can't really explain. It's been bugging me since Diagon Alley", he replied.

"Something about the new boy you met? Galdir, was it?" she asked.

"Yes. Well, partly. He seems like a really good guy, and definitely seems trustworthy…"

"Are you considering him as a third member of your little group?"

"More like a fourth. Neville is going to join us first. I really should have included him more in the past. He is such a good friend. So much better than him", he said bitterly.

"It does you no good to dwell in the past. In a way, perhaps it is a good thing that it happened. You may gain an even better friend in Neville. Possibly even something like a brother."

"That's just it Hedwig. There's just so much happening. So many good things…" his voice trailed off.

"And you think that something bad will happen?"

"I just can't shake the feeling that it will all be taken away. Just like my parents and Sirius. Who's to say Voldemort won't come along and take them from me? I just got something that I never had before Hedwig. I can't lose it… I am not strong enough…" his eyes began to fill with tears.

"Harry. You are a good person to whom bad things have happened to. But that does not mean that all in your life is gloom and sorrow. Good things are bound to happen Harry, and you shouldn't spend your time wondering whether they will end and not enjoy them. Enjoy life Harry. That is what Sirius would have wanted. Not for you to live in a prison of fear. Live Harry. Give yourself the chance to feel. To love and to be loved", she said softly.

Harry stared into space as he contemplated the words that she had told him. He knew she was right. The quip that Sirius had left in his letter about the bed was proof enough of this. Granted, the style was far too forward for Harry, but then again, it was Sirius who had written that letter. He reflected on the one pitiful attempt that he had of a relationship. Yes, Cho was very pretty and attractive, but he did not love her. Upon retrospective, he realized one very important thing: the only reason why they had even gone out was because they both shared only one thing in common: the death of Cedric Diggory. Cho had gone with Harry in a misguided attempt to be closer to her deceased boyfriend, and Harry had gone with her out of his 'saving people thing', as Hermione called it. He had felt bad for her, and had believed that somehow Cedric's death was his fault. Of course, he knew better now, but at the time he was drowning in his grief and self-loathing and he had been too blind to realize this. Maybe she is right, he thought. Maybe I should try dating. With those thoughts, he bid her a good night and retreated to his warm bed as he slowly felt his eyelids dropping from exhaustion. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Harry appeared in a forest meadow, surrounded by a wall of trees almost as thick as the Forbidden Forest. He realized that he was barefoot, and that the grass beneath him was soft. Almost impossibly so. He looked at the sky and saw its usual blue hue tainted with aureate tones. The light gave the illusion that the trees were crafted of a gold of such beauty that goblins would kill to get their hands on them. Turning his gaze downwards, he saw a pool of icy blue water that shimmered in the ethereal light. He walked closer and kneeled next to it. Leaning in, he was startled at what he saw. Instead of his reflection, there was a pair of eyes looking straight back at him. Being the same shade as the water that surrounded them, they seemed to simply fade into the water, giving them an eerie look. Harry was so entranced by the intensity behind those eyes that he did not notice as the light faded into shadow. A shiver descended his spine and broke Harry from his trance. The forest that had once surrounded him turned into a barren wasteland covered in a bone-white powder. Harry frantically turned his gaze back to the pool of water, and he felt cold fear grip his heart as a red liquid slowly seeped in. It was blood, he realized. The eyes suddenly constricted into snake-like slits as crimson surrounded them. A cruel laugh was heard in the distance.

You are a fool, Harry Potter; and you will lose everything, said the cold voice of Lord Voldemort. Tears stinging his eyes, Harry raised his eyes from the pools and was faced with the ruins of Hogwarts castle. The river of crimson came from the seemingly endless field of corpses that was amidst the rubble. Harry tried desperately to wake up but not before he saw the two nearest ones. Hermione and Hedwig stared at him with cold, lifeless eyes, a shadow of fear still noticeable…

Harry woke with a scream caught in his throat. His chest was covered in a thin sheen of cold sweat and he was panting heavily. His eyes frantically sought the pale figure of Hedwig, who had returned to her snowy owl form and was perched happily sleeping. Attempting to slow down his frantic heartbeat, Harry rose as quietly as he could from his bed and headed for Hermione's room. He silently opened the door and ensured that she was still asleep in her bed. Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry headed back to his room. It was just a dream, he thought. Just a dream…

Bedrager smiled cruelly as he stood near a shaft bathed in the silver moonlight. His mind shifted from the success of his assignment as he assessed his current surroundings. He wished his master would pick a better place to live, but this was the Hall of his ancestors, and so he remained there. Concealed in the dark, his master rose from his black throne.

"Is it done?" asked the cold voice that made Bedrager cringe in fear.

"Yes my Master", he replied.

"Good. If that boy is the one the Prophecy refers to, then we must work to ensure he cannot fulfil his role", said the voice.

"I will do as you ask Master. Anything else I should know before I depart for Voldemort's lair?"

"No. Make sure you stick to the plan. Any failures will be dealt with… unpleasantly." Bedrager could hear the cruel smirk that formed in his Master's lips as he spoke. He bowed his head.

"Master, if I may ask, what of the other?"

"He is not of your concern Apprentice. When the time comes, I will personally deal with him." The room was quite cold, but the temperature seemed to drop even further as he spoke.

"My apologies Master. I was merely curious."

"Save your curiosity for when it is needed."

Bedrager recognized his dismissal and left the room, a bit relieved to exit his Master's presence. He quickly navigated the maze of tunnels that was his Master's home. As soon as he had exited the cave, he disappeared to prepare the things that he would need for the training of Voldemort's minions.

Galdir paced restlessly amongst the halls of Aglaron. Why did I ever think that this was a good idea? What do I know of being a teenager? The questions seemed to loop endlessly in his mind. Each word that had been interchanged with Harry and his friends was analysed, every conversation dissected. He was far too stiff and formal, he noted.

Almost like an adult, he thought.

And yet, that is what you are old friend, replied the voice that had appeared when he had returned.

Yes, but they cannot know that. More importantly, what would the adults think? asked Galdir.

You justified it by being scion of Aglaron. Why do you fret so? replied the voice.

Because there is too much at stake here. If I am found, the ramifications would be…

I live inside your mind Galdir. I think that we can stop lying to each other. We both know that is not the reason why you are afraid, replied the voice softly.

Galdir shook his head. He knew that the voice was correct. He was scared because this meant experiencing something that he had never felt before. Just like when he had fallen in love with Inwen. He absentmindedly stroked the pendant that he now wore around his neck. A beautiful chain of silver was draped around his neck, ending in a single tear-shaped crystal. To any observer, this would look like an ordinary diamond. This assessment could not be any further from the truth. In reality, this gem; the parting gift that Inwen had left Galdir, was a piece of her essence. Since time immemorial, the weddings of the Elves were both the cause of great joy and despair for the immortal race. While life with their significant other could only be described as blissful, should Death separate them, the remaining Elf was left to live the rest of their lives in a state as close to hell as they could get. This became a problem, especially during the Great Wars of the Elves. Not only did these conflicts produce immense damage to their population, but the aftermath was every bit, if not worse, than the war itself. In order to prevent the high degree of suicides that resulted from this, the scholars developed a way to provide the mourning spouse with some relief. Harnessing the power of soul magic, they managed to make a shade of the Elves presence. One that would remain in the living world as long as was needed, while allowing the passing Elf to move on to the grassy plains of the Aethereum. Those that chose to do this left their partners with some solace that could carry them over the dark years that loomed ahead.

Predictably, this did not have the appeal that they had hoped it would. Only one that had lost their bonded mate could understand just how deep the wound went, and how much it hurt. In their agony, any reminder of their loved one was nothing more than sheer torture, and many died in seek of a reprieve of the pain of living. Those few that subsisted, usually wore them all the time, as a reminder of what they had once had, and as a way of providing themselves with a small measure of comfort.

Galdir was scared. He was well aware of it. The last time that he had allowed himself to feel resulted in an intricate game of lies and deceit in order to prevent Inwen from learning the reality of who he was. In the end, Galdir was left to endure the pain of having his soul ripped apart, never to be whole again. And so, in spite of the assurances of the voice that this would be a good experience for him, one that might remove the dark cloud that would forever hang over his heart, Galdir paced restlessly, wondering what the upcoming year at Hogwarts would bring.

What are your thoughts on the two? asked the voice.

I believe that they will find what they seek in each other, answered Galdir.

Before or after?

Hopefully after, but more than likely before. He is growing far too fast, and she is looking for what he will eventually offer.

And what about him?

I do not know. Too much depends on things that we have no way of predicting the outcome of.

Is there a suitor at least? asked the voice.

I do not believe so. Either way, I will not intervene in any form or way. It is a slippery slope that the path leads to, and I have no wish of falling, replied Galdir. With a sigh, he retreated back to his quarters to continue preparing the affairs of his House for his departure to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.