WARNING: This chapter may contain excessive weirdness. For this, I apologize.
Chapter 33: A Whole New Summer
"Okay, Harry, you ready?"
He nodded, gulping slightly. It was all Azar could do to hold back a smile. She took his hand, gave it a squeeze, and then opened the Entrance Hall door. Azar stepped onto the stairs, but Harry didn't follow.
"Oh, come on, Harry. You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"
"You said you'd be supportive," Harry said, his face pained.
"I'm sorry… It's just, you…afraid. Not something I'm used to."
"Will you hold my hand?"
"Of course," she said gently, slowly guiding him down the stairs.
The full moon bathed the Hogwarts grounds in a silver light, the two students' shadows slowly following them along the grass. Weeks had passed since that night they had walked out here alone, but only the temperature was different. They walked in silence, though Azar kept glancing up at Harry. He stared straight ahead, looking as though he were trying to hold something back. It gave her an odd feeling. When he had first asked her to walk with him on the grounds at night to "get over his fear", she had laughed. But the seriousness on his face had stopped her. After all he had been through it was understandable, but still unbelievable.
"You okay?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah. But you know what would make me feel better?"
"What?"
"If you put your arm around my shoulder."
She looked at him almost suspiciously, trying to discern any hint of humor in his face. Seeing that he was as scared and serious as ever, she put her arm around his shoulder.
"Now how's that?"
"Much better, thank you. But you know what would really make me feel better?"
She looked at him questioningly.
"A kiss," he said, unable to stop a huge grin from breaking onto his face.
"You scamp!" Azar laughed, shoving him away, "I knew you were pretending! I should kick you for that!"
"That'd make me feel better, too," he said, grinning broader.
"Ooh, you're in for it now, Harry legs!"
She ran at him but, with the reflexes that made him a seeker, Harry dodged out of her reach, running for the castle. He sped around the nearest corner, Azar not too far behind. However, after she passed the corner, two hands flew out from behind her and grabbed her around the waist. She screamed as she was spun around in the air.
"Let me go!"
"Nope. You have to heap on the compliments first."
"Never!" she smiled.
"Ah, then I'm afraid you'll have to be tortured."
Keeping her arms tightly pinned to her sides by one of his, Harry used his free hand to tickle her. She gasped, laughing, and struggled against him, but he held her tight.
"Bah, stop!" she laughed.
"You gotta give in first."
"I'll never say a thing!"
"I'm sorry to hear that. Now you must face my wrath!"
He was about to set into another barrage of "torture", when she quickly bent over, flipping him over her head. The impact took his breath away, especially when she hopped on him, pinning his arms to his sides by her knees.
"You were saying?" she smiled, folding her arms.
"Did you know you're beautiful when you're triumphant?" he offered.
"Too little, too late," she laughed, "Now you must face my wrath. What do five-year-old boys hate more than anything?"
He thought a moment, then shrugged as best he could in that position.
"I'll give you a hint," she said, leaning down so her forehead touched his.
He smiled. "Not the dreaded Kiss of Death!"
"'Fraid so."
"Just hurry and get it over with."
Azar dished out her kiss, though there was definitely no "hurry" about it. Harry didn't seem to mind, though. Then she got off him and helped him up, dusting off his robes a bit. They started walking again, as though nothing had interrupted it in the first place.
"You know, I never thanked you for saving my life," he said suddenly, "That's twice now."
"Three times," she corrected.
"Oh really? What was the third time?"
"When I pulled you from the clutches of Paravati Patil, of course."
He laughed. "Okay, so that's three times."
"And it won't be the last. I expect I'll have my hands full keeping you out of trouble, Harry legs," she said as they stopped by the lake's edge.
"Well that means I have a lot of life-saving to catch up on."
"Nah," she smiled, "I'm a big girl. I can get myself out of trouble. So, think you're fear of walking on the ground at night with a girl is over?"
"We're not safe in the castle yet," he smiled, "You never know what horrible things could happen."
Azar laughed, leaning her head on Harry's shoulder and gazing up at the moon. He slipped his hand onto her shoulder, and she put her hand around his waist.
"I can't believe we have to leave all this tomorrow," she sighed.
"Neither can I."
"You will come and stay at my house, won't you? My family's dying to meet you."
Harry felt the heat rise in his cheeks. "Er… Well, I wouldn't want to infringe on your time with them—"
"Oh, it'd be no trouble at all. We'd love to have you."
"Um, well, I really wouldn't feel… an inconvenience…and…"
"You're afraid of them, aren't you?"
"Terrified," he laughed.
"Well, you'll have to meet them sooner or later."
"Later."
"Okay, okay," she relented, "But could I come over to your place then? I'm not afraid of your godfather, even if he is a convicted murderer."
"I don't even know if I have "a place" yet. And besides, he's an ex-convicted murderer."
"Ah, c'mon. "Ex" takes all the fun out of it. I want to see the horrified looks on my parents' faces."
He smiled, looking down at her. She smiled back and then, using the hand she had around his waist, shoved him into the lake. Harry came up gasping and sputtering, the water up to his middle.
"What was that for?!" he asked, water running streams down his face.
"You had that goofy grin on your face again. I just decided to wipe it clean."
"That's no excuse! Can you at least give me a hand up?"
"And have you pull me in?" she laughed, "Nice try."
Sighing, he waded back to the side and moved to pull himself up. Suddenly, he grabbed Azar around the waist and flung her in with all his might. A scream echoed over the lake, followed by a loud splash. She came up spluttering just as Harry had.
"Oh, now that was mean! It's freezing!"
"Now you know how I felt," Harry laughed, plodding over to her.
They stared at each other a moment, then burst out laughing.
"You look ridiculous!" she chuckled.
"Speak for yourself," he grinned back.
"I love you, Harry legs," she smiled, embracing him.
"I love you, too, Zarina," he smiled back.
They kissed, shivering slightly in a passing breeze. Smiling to herself, Azar leaned forward, causing them to tip over into the water.
"Will you stop doing that?" Harry laughed, coming up once more.
"No," she answered, dunking his head underwater.
He quickly pulled out of her grasp, resurfacing again with a Weasley-twin grin. "You know what this means, don't you?"
Azar put her hands on her hips, a drop of water falling from the tip of her nose. "What?"
"Revenge!" he yelled, launching himself at her and plowing them both back into the lake.
Laughter and splashing filled the air, making their way up the hill. There sat a black dog, watching the water fight. His mouth seemed to turn up in a smile as he silently made his way back to the dark castle. For just a moment, it seemed as though those twenty years had failed to pass and he was back at school, where everything was right…
****
"Another year come and gone," Azar sighed after she and Harry had passed through platform 9 ¾, "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to be going home and all, but I'll just miss that place."
"Probably not half as much as I will."
"Did you talk with your godfather? Where are you staying for the summer?" Azar asked quickly, suddenly worrying about the answer.
"Yeah, we talked about it, and came to a decision…" Harry said, his voice a little listless.
Ron and Hermione suddenly came through the barrier, pushing their carts right up to Harry and Azar.
"Race ya there," Ron grinned, taking off before anyone could answer.
The four sped down the platforms, people jumping out of their way and giving them dirty looks. Ron was first to the station entrance, followed closely by Azar, then Harry, and then Hermione a long while later.
"No…fair…" Hermione panted, "Crookshanks' cage…fell off… I demand a rematch!"
"Herm," Azar said, shaking her head, "I don't think you'd do much better even if-"
"We haven't got all day, boy!" a voice boomed.
Harry knew right away the statement was directed at him. His Uncle Vernon was standing by his car, a look on his face that clearly showed he was disgusted to be picking up someone who had just ran out of the station. Petunia was turned in her seat, comforting Dudley about something or other. Apparently at seventeen, Dudley still didn't mind crying to get his way.
"Quite the charmer," Azar muttered bitterly.
"I wish you could come to my house for the summer, Harry," Ron said mournfully.
"Oh, there'll be no need for that, Ron," he smiled.
"What?"
"You'll see," Harry said, going about halfway between his friends and the car and then stopping.
"C'mon then, boy," Uncle Vernon grumbled from beside the car.
"No," Harry said calmly, folding his arms.
"I'm not joking. Get in the car."
"I'm a grown man. I don't have to go with you."
"Oh yeah? Where are you going to go then?" Vernon asked mockingly.
"To live with my godfather," Harry said, a smile creeping onto his face.
Vernon's eyes went wide and he made a gulping sound a bit like a fish out of water. "B-b-but, he's a murderer…he's on the run…"
"Oh, did I mention?" Harry asked, as though it had slipped his mind, "He never committed the crime. He was simply falsely accused. And so now his name has been cleared."
"You mean to tell me," Vernon said, his face going violet with anger, "that you've terrified me and my family for the past three years, and he was INNOCENT?! YOU WON'T SURVIVE THE FLOGGING I'M GONNA GIVE YOU, BOY!!!"
Vernon came at him like a raging bull, and Harry felt more than a little frightened. As his uncle grabbed hold of the neck of his shirt and raised a fist to strike him, Harry closed his eyes, preparing for the strong blow. But it didn't come. He opened his eyes to see someone had stopped Vernon's fist: Sirius.
"I wouldn't do that, sir," Sirius said stiffly, having literally appeared out of thin air, "I most certainly did not commit those murders, but I assure you, I am more than capable of doing so."
Vernon was staring in horror at the man, and he looked as though he were in a great deal of pain. The knuckles of Sirius' hand, still holding Vernon's fist, were a strained white.
"Harry's suffering with you is thankfully over, and if you touch a hair on his head, if you so much as look at him wrong, I shall personally see to it that it will be impossible for you to do so again," Sirius said, clouds in his eyes, "Do you understand?"
Vernon nodded, fighting back tears and being brought to his knees because of the pain.
"Good," Sirius said, finally releasing the man's fist.
Clutching his hand, Vernon rushed back to his car. In a fraction of a second, the Dursley family drove out of Harry's life, tires screeching.
"Well, that's done," Sirius beamed, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Let's get going, shall we?"
They started walking off, but Harry glanced over his shoulder, seeing Ron, Hermione, and Azar gaping.
"I'll see you this summer!" Harry called, smiling and waving with the knowledge that this was probably going to be the best summer of his life.
~*~*~
A/N: Well, this is the end. ^_^ *sigh* There was just no flow to that ending. Sorry.
I'm such in an…angsty mood. I've been writing a couple of the more depressing parts of year 7. *giggles* Whoa, where'd that come from?
Thank you, my reviewers!
Naralina: Thanks. Ah, speechlessness… A feeling I know only too well, especially when reading your work. But wait… You haven't posted in AGES. *scowls* I'm very peeved w/ you! *screams in Allison's ear "WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, POST, POST, POST!"*
Sandrine Black: Thanks!
Jeanne: Ooh, but I don't *quite* sneak 'em in. There were quite a few hints of Azar's "powers". And, in fact, if you look carefully at some chapter or other (not telling which), you'll find out how year 7 will end. (At least the main happening.) ^_^ Heehee, thanks!
Super saya-jin Gotan: Thanks! Oh, Ron could very well go to the dark side. When I first heard that theory, I was flabbergasted that anyone could even THINK that of dear Ronniekins! But then I thought about it, and shuddered. *mouth drops open* I didn't even think about Cedric and Ron book having unicorn hair wands! Crikey…
Moon Warrior: *slaps hand over mouth to keep from blurting something out* Mamph mu! Ooh, history homework. The bane (npi) of my existence.
Paul9: Thanks! And I'll have no focusing hate only on Moldy-Voldy! Hopefully. ^_^ Draco's w/ the good guy, but he's always gonna be Draco, and will (hopefully) draw a few glares now and then. ^-^
Krissie: *wags finger* I warned you to read year 5 first. I know the prospect, though, is definitely not the most inviting. Well, thanks for the reviews!
Raven of Death: Thanks! And no, it could never be too long! I love long, rambling posts, even (sometimes especially) the ones that go on about nothing. ^-^ Not that yours was one of those, oc. I do love torturing the poor boy, and I've so much planned for him in year 7. *giggles* I swear, if anyone from my school was reading this, they wouldn't know it was me. And yes, I'm working on year 7, but the beginning is kinda slow. There are 3 or 4 pivotal points in the story, and ideas for those keep flowing through my fingers. Urg, my art. *sigh*
Harry's girl: Thanks!
yerbroham: Thanks! Since I've already emailed you 'bout this, guess there's no need to repeat it.
Minerva401: I agree. ^_^
abbey: Thanks!
Erin: Yeah, definitely not my best work. I so lagged on the end here… *sigh* Thanks!
Gemini: Thanks!
Well, by the time you read this, year 7 should be up. It's called Harry Potter and the Seer's Prophecy. I'm really looking forward to it. And I already have the ending written, and I'm pretty sure it's not a flop! In fact, I like the ending. *grins* Ooh, it should be a long one. ^_^ I'm REALLY looking forward to it!
Be excellent to each other!
-Ady
