Chapter 25: The End Draws Near

The pair of them watched the stars glistening in the sky. Blythe had only been to the Astronomy tower once since she'd arrived, and the first time was on her first day at Hogwarts. Remus pointed out a few constellations and a couple of planets. She smiled up at the dark blanket watching each glittering orb with wonder and awe.

Remus walked her back to her room and stood at the door. "Are you sure you don't want to come in for some tea before you go?"

"No thank you, Blythe. It's getting late and we have classes in the morning. I'll see you tomorrow though. Good night." He leaned down, gave her a light kiss and walked off to his own room.

Blythe danced to her bed after closing the door and flopped down with a delighted sigh. "Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways..." She giggled to herself and gave her head a shake. "I could live forever in those eyes and arms of yours, Remus. Maybe someday we'll move beyond the point we're at now and say our 'I do's', but not yet. I'm not ready just yet." She moved about her room and made ready for bed. As she pulled back the covers, she noticed something fall to the floor. She picked up the parchment, unfolded it and read.

'Blythe,

I have warned you of what's to come, and still you remain. Do not be fooled by simple appearances and words. Take notice of that which surrounds you. Your choice is what you should be thinking of.'

Blythe frowned and tore up the letter. "I'm getting tired of these." She crawled into bed without another thought and fell asleep quickly.

When she woke the following morning, she thought it was still night. She looked out her window to see many storm clouds lining the sky. She sighed and smiled at the warm breeze floating through her window ahead of the dark clouds.

She dressed and went down for breakfast. Albus was there alone. She walked up, took her seat and smiled at him. She looked up at the enchanted ceiling with a small grin. "Looks like a storm's rolling in."

"Yes, it does." Albus glanced up then looked over at her. "You don't seem unhappy about it."

"I never am. I love the rain, especially on warm days. After a good storm everything just smells so fresh and clean. It's a wonderful scent."

Albus chuckled and nodded. "I can't argue with that, Blythe. It's as though everything is born anew after the rain is done."

"Exactly." Blythe looked around, then back to the Headmaster. "Where is everyone this morning?"

"Looking out their windows, no doubt. And probably not enjoying the view half as much as we are."

The Professors started filtering in shortly after that. The only two looking at all pleased were Remus Lupin and, surprisingly enough, Severus Snape. Remus sat next to Blythe, as usual, and smiled at her. "Good morning, m'dear.", he chuckled and winked.

"Well listen to you." She smiled back. "I take it you've decided to start calling me that instead of Blythe?"

"No, I just wanted to see what your reaction would be.", he jeered.

"It doesn't bother me, darling." She giggled and winked back.

Remus laughed quietly and shook his head. "Alright, alright, I can take a hint."

Blythe glanced down the table at Snape, then turned to Remus again. "I see someone else is in a good mood...for once."

He followed her eyes briefly and looked at her with a nod. "He usually is when it's a stormy day. I can't imagine why, but I suppose it's just the way he is."

"Hmm, I doubt his good spirits would remain in tact if I told him we share something in common."

"And what's that?"

"We both like storms." She smiled. "I love the feeling and smell that follows more so than the weather itself. That and there's almost always a rainbow to look forward to."

Remus chuckled again. "Yes, I suppose that would dampen his mood a bit." He plastered a hard look on his face, but his eyes danced with humour. "Me? Severus Snape have something in common with a Muggle? I cannot allow such a thing! What bloody foul weather we have.", he recited in a mockingly condescending tone.

Blythe cheered quietly but merrily at Remus' impersonation. "Yes, yes! That's him to a tee!" Her snickering only died down when the students began to enter the hall and take their seats. She smiled and waved at Hermione, Harry and Ron. They returned the gesture and started chatting amongst themselves.

"I wonder what those three are up to.", Blythe muttered to herself.

"What's that?", whispered Remus.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just pondering something, that's all." She smiled and started eating her breakfast.

She finished the day's classes and had the afternoon off. Since the day was warm, despite the rain, she opted to go for a stroll. She set off to her room, grabbed up her cloak and left again. She pulled the hood up over her head. Cold's at this time of year always seemed to be the worst, and she didn't feel like getting sick when the school year was coming to a close.

She walked along the grounds with a bright smile on her face. She stuck out her tongue and caught raindrops on the tip. After a few minutes, she sauntered over to the lake and stood and watched the drops hit the surface.

"Got somthin' on yer mind 'ave yeh, Blythe?"

"Hello, Hagrid. I'm just watching the rain on the lake." Blythe took a deep breath and smiled even more. "When I was small my father used to sit with me and watch the rain hit puddles outside. He said, 'It's just like watching little faeries dance in the puddles.'"

"Yer da' sounds like 'e was a good man."

"Oh he was. He was a small man, and so kind and gentle to everyone. So many people thought of him as a father."

Hagrid let out a sigh. "Wish I 'ad a dad like tha'."

"I wish he was still alive. I'd introduce you to him if he was. He never once took things for granted, and he didn't care what a person looked like. It was as though he could see through them, see right to their heart, and that's what he would judge. He was a fanciful sort like me." She giggled. "I suppose that's where I get my imagination from."

He looked down at her and grinned broadly. "Well yer da' musta been pretty special, Blythe. Sounds li' a stand up guy."

"Thanks, Hagrid. I wish there were more Muggles like my father. It'd make my world a nicer place to live in, but at the same time I'm thankful they're few and far between."

"Why's tha'?"

"Because it makes those like him stand out. It's like being out on a day like this and seeing a ray of sunshine beam through a break in the clouds. It's rare, but so beautiful."

A large hand clapped down on her shoulder. As gentle as Hagrid was for a giant of a man, his strength was still immense. "To hear you talk 'bout it makes life soun' more worth livin'."

Blythe looked up at him and smiled. "I'm glad so long as I can give people a little bit of hope, Hagrid. I might not be able to change the world, but if I can bring a little happiness to people's lives that's more than enough for me."

"Tha's more 'n mos' can ask fer."

"Blythe, there you are!" She turned to see Remus trotting up with a wide smile. "I've been looking all over for you."

"What for? I've been right here almost all afternoon."

"Shouldn't you be planning the final tests? There's only another three weeks or so left of the school year."

Blythe sighed. "I suppose I should." She looked up again and smiled brightly. "It was nice chatting with you again, Hagrid."

"Always a pleas're, Blythe. 'Ave a good day."

"You too." She took Remus' arm and walked back to the castle with him. "Is it time for dinner now?"

He chuckled. "Are you ever not hungry?"

"Not really.", she giggled as they went inside.