Tears of Longing

By RicaSieg

Disclaimer: Whatever

Chapter 5: The Messenger

            Ron threw out his hands to catch his balance. He had only recently received his apparition license, having failed it three times, and still had a hard time keeping his balance when he landed. Hermione was leaning against the wall that turned into the archway for Diagon Alley.

            "Is he here, yet?" asked Ron.

            "No. I wonder…AAHHHHH!" Hermione screamed.

            "What?" asked Ron, stepping towards the frightened girl in concern.

            "Ss...sa...sa...Snake!" she stuttered while backing up.

            Ron pulled out his wand to stun it when Hermione finally came to her senses.

            "Wait, it has a note attached to its tail!"

            "What moron uses a snake to send letters?" grumbled Ron. "I'm not getting it!"

            "Oh, honestly, Ron! Accio Letter!" Hermione sighed in exasperation. The letter was written on a funny kind of parchment and was sealed with wax in the shape of a lightening bolt. Hermione unfolded it and read it out loud.

            "Dear Hermione and Ron,

                        Fallow the snake. It will take you to me. Do not provoke it or it will attack.

See you soon,

Harry"

          After she finished reading, the snake turned and slithered off into the forest that surrounded Diagon Alley. They walked for about ten minutes, each lost in thought.

            'I hope Harry isn't running anymore. He promised that he would stop that. This is a rather odd way to meet someone. I wonder how the snake knows were to go. I'm getting really hungry. Maybe we could talk with him over some sandwiches,' thought Ron as he ducked under a low branch.

            Hermione's thoughts were slightly more paranoid. 'I hope this isn't a trap. I don't think I can fight off all that many deatheaters with out help. I forgot to bring my communicator. Dam, we won't be able to get in touch with Dumbledore.'

            'I'm hungry. Master Harry better have some mice waiting for this,' were the snake's thoughts while it led them through the forest.

            Finally, they reached a clearing. In it was a large rock. The snake slid over and curled up next to the rock, leaving Ron and Hermione in the middle of the clearing.

            A rustling sound in the bushes led to another snake entering the clearing. It was exactly the same type of snake as their guide but smaller. It raised its head and stuck its forked tongue out at Ron and Hermione, causing Hermione to squeal, before curling up next to its mate. Snakes started entering the clearing through the bushes in a line. They were exactly the same, except in size. That gradually decreased. They all curled up next to the two original snakes. When the smallest snake finally entered, there were fourteen snakes in all. The smallest being only a few inches long.

            Hermione and Ron were so engrossed in watching the snakes that they didn't see a large white owl swoop down and land on the tree behind the rock. It hooted twice and all of the snakes stopped moving and hissing. Then, all of the animals turned their heads and looked behind Hermione and Ron.

            "Hello," said a quiet but firm voice from behind them.

A/N- I don't have much to say. I am thinking of changing the title. If you have any suggestions, e-mail me. I will update Sweet Tears this weekend or when I get 50 reviews, whatever comes first. This will be updated when I get ten reviews. Maybe sooner if I have time. If you know of any good after Hogwarts stories, tell me please in a review. (My e-mail isn't working) I can't think of anything witty to say. Go read my other stories; they are better than this is. This story has been completely written during homeroom.

I have 2 ides for a new story. Vote for witch one you like better.

Harry lives in New York. It is set after the war and Hogwarts. He teaches street fighting. He tries to deal with his losses in the war but is having trouble. In an alternate universe. Harry and James live, but Lily doesn't. Harry does not make Voldemort into the spirit thing, he only weakens him. James drinks away his sorrow at losing Lily (does not beat Harry). Harry trains to destroy Voldemort. Centers after Harry defeats Voldemort and is in his fifth year. He had never been to Hogwarts. He had just had private training with Sirius and Moody and Remus.