Refugee

Thursday, during breakfast, Mora received her Daily Prophet and saw tiny Pigwidgeon flying down to her. She tried to calm the hyper little bird as she untied the letter. Finally she got it free and offered him a bit of bacon. As he gobbled it up, Mora broke the seal of the letter and read:

iDearest Daughter,
We are glad to hear you are doing well. Even more so, we are proud to hear you got on the Quidditch team. Please send us a letter after your first game.
Your unicorn situation reminds us of the legend of Pegasus and Aquarius. I am sure you remember it, because it was your favorite bedtime story when you were young.
Also, that Pigwidgeon was a very polite owl. Though a bit energetic upon arrival, he was quiet and kind during his stay here. Tell Ron that he has raised a very wonderful owl and that we would welcome him again.
As the last thing, we see a possible boarder in our future. We welcome this refugee with open arms. We do not know his identity yet, but we have no doubt that you will soon know who it will be (if you do not already know).
Until next time, a well life is wished to you and your friends.
With love,
Kara and Nicolas Airs/i

Mora thought for a moment. iA refugee?/i An idea hit her and she picked up the iDaily Prophet. /i

What did your parents say? asked Ron.

Mora casually handed the letter over and continued to read. The others looked over Ron's shoulder and read her letter.

asked Hermione.

Ah! Harry, you should read this. Mora solemnly handed her paper over to him.

iAzkaban Guards On the Move
Sirius Black has been rumored to be closer to Hogsmeade than previously thought. This Sunday, they will begin patrolling Hogsmeade during the night, looking for Black. Until then, they will be combing the countryside to ensure that he is not there. All those in Hogsmeade are ordered to be inside by sunset, starting Sunday./i

Harry said, silently. But he's staying here to take care of me!

Harry, please, calm down. I have a plan. The refugee my parents are speaking of must be your godfather. We will have to wait till Saturday to move him, though. It would be unwise for him to be on the move now with the dementors scouring the area around us. We will go visit him and get him away from here. Do you know where he is hiding?

Harry handed a letter over. Mora hadn't even seen the school owl deliver it. She began to read.

iHarry,
It sounds like this year will be less exciting compared to last year. I'm grateful for that. Again, don't be alone on the grounds at night. I'm keeping up with the news so I'm staying a step ahead of everything. If you get a chance to come to Hogsmeade, I will be at the same place I was in last year. However, I'll try to meet you by the Shrieking Shack. Send an owl when you know when you can come.
With love,
Snuffles/i

Send him an owl tonight that we will meet him at the Shrieking Shack on Saturday afternoon. Warn him to not flee. I do have a plan to get him to my parents. I will tell him and you when we meet him. Mora's tone was commanding but gentle.

Harry nodded.

Classes during the rest of the day seemed even longer. Harry was anxious to get the owl out. Mora seemed to be in quasi-meditation during each class. Finally the day's last class was over and Harry ran back to the owlrey to send the letter he had written earlier.

The others were waiting in the common room when Harry returned. He collapsed into a chair next to them. He looked over to Mora and muttered, What is your plan?

Mora looked at him. Believe me, I will not put him in any danger. For now, though, I do not wish to tell you my secret plan. The time is not right. She went over and hugged Harry. I promise, on everything that is dear to me, he will be safe.

Harry smiled a little. iWhy does she care so much about Sirius? Maybe she does like me! But no. I'm going to give Ron a chance./i He turned to look to Ron, who was glaring at him in a hurt and angry manner.

 Hermione felt the tension in the room and changed the subject. What legend were your parents talking about in your letter?

Mora smiled shyly. It is a wonderful story. I shall tell it to you tonight, since it is more of a bedtime story. Besides, I need to check on Pearl right now. She got up and started for the Portrait Hole. Does anyone want to come with me?

Harry desperately wanted to say, but Ron beat him to it.

Hermione shook her head and said she'd stay with Harry. Ron and Mora walked out of the hole and down to the stable.

I have a question. Didn't you send the letter before the Quidditch trials had taken place? asked Ron

I did, didn't I? replied Mora, slightly amused.

Ron continued to think as they entered the stable.

Mora gave Pearl a bottle and a bundle of hay. So, how did your parents know you had gotten on the team? You didn't know yourself till Monday night. And I thought you said you mentioned that you were sending Hedwig. How'd they know that was Pig?

Mora turned her eyes from Ron to Pearl. Ron, right now is not the time to ask. You will figure it out on Saturday, if not before. She looked back at Ron, who looked crushed. I am sorry. It is just not the time now.

Ron was silent, but Mora heard Pearl say, You know he likes you, don't you?

iWhat?!/i

Ron likes you a lot. He's feeling bad because he's being rejected, in a way, by you.

Mora looked at Ron, who was kicking the straw on the floor. iAre you quite sure that he likes me?/i



She stood up and looked him in the eye. He turned away. How can you be sure you can save Snuffles? Ron asked.

Smiling, she replied, I do not know. I believe and belief is the biggest battle. As an old saying goes, If you plant the seeds of doubt, you will grow trees of failure. It goes the same with seeds of hope growing into success.' She took both of Ron's hands in hers. It would help my tree of success grow if you believe in me, too.

Ron nodded.

Please, do not think I am mean because I cannot answer questions that you want answered. I am walking a fine line between happiness and disaster right now. Very soon you will see what I mean.

Go back to your hall, said Pearl. I will be fine for tonight.

Mora and Ron said goodbye to Pearl and Mahshi before going back to the castle.

Once inside the main entrance, Mora saw Snape walking down the corridor, toward them, his robes billowing out behind him. His face held pure anger. Ron, who was just behind Mora, out of Snape's view, looked at her and saw her eyes half closed. Ron was whiter than a sheet. We should get out of his way, he hissed in her ear, but Snape had seen Mora.

What do we have here? A Gryffindor who should be in her hall. That's worth fifty points from your house, and a nice detention, he said. His lip curled back into a cruel smile.

I am on Dumbledore's orders that I may be here. It would be unfair to penalize my house for doing what I am told, Mora replied, cooly.

Indeed it would be, said Dumbledore, who was walking down on adjoining hall. Mora noticed the look of surprise come to his face and had to repress a smile. She has my permission to be here, Serveus.

I see, Professor. He glared at Mora. I'll wait for you in your office, he said to Dumbledore, before storming off.

Once out of earshot, Mora turned and looked at Ron who seemed frozen with fear and confusion.

Nice to see you, Mr. Weasley, Dumbledore said, after blinking a bit. You actually have five minutes before you are guilty of being here after hours. I recommend you get back to Gryffindor Tower as soon as possible.

Yes, sir, he answered, shakily.

Dumbledore winked at them both and walked away. Mora and Ron began to jog back to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

Wow! It was like Snape couldn't see me. We were sure lucky that Dumbledore came along, Ron panted.

Mora said to the Fat Lady. As she swung open, Mora looked at Ron, You will understand later.