Episode Forty Nine

Part One

Harry had stopped speaking. Since Gwen's disappearance the entire school had grown quiet. Even Malfoy refused to comment on the situation. No one had seen where the girl had disappeared to in the midst of the death eaters. Some of them had escaped and it was believed that they had taken Gwen with them.

            Weeks passed and it was nearing time for Christmas break. People were packing to head home, but Ron had promised to stay with Harry. He didn't think it safe to leave his best-friend alone in such a state. The last day before the holidays had arrived and while people felt excited they were saddened by the loss of a fellow student.

            Harry was the last to stagger out of the great hall. He dragged his feet across the main hall and was about to start on the stairs when something inside told him to turn around. When he did his heart nearly leapt into his throat.

            "Hi Harry." Gwen said shyly.

            He looked at her and all the high strung emotions he had been holding inside snapped. His eyes washed with the tears he had held back every night lying in his bed. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest. If he had his way he never would have let her go.

            She held him tightly to her. She had no concept of the time she had spent in the mound with the Stag King, but as soon as she saw Harry she knew it had been too long.

Part Two

            Everyone had noticed the change in Gwen. She looked older in a way they couldn't explain and yet younger at the same time. The Stag King had given her some kind of magic and even she couldn't describe it. She felt different, more powerful and yet much less likely to use it.

            Her memory of the time with him was hazy, fogged and dreamlike. She could only recall his deep voice chanting softly over her and the feeling of solace penetrating every fiber of her being. She would often gaze off into the distance with a tiny smile on her face and no one had any doubt what she was smiling about.

            She used the holiday to catch up on any missed school work and had double Defense Against the Dark Arts tutoring sessions with Dumbledore. She didn't have much chance to spend time with Harry or Ron or her godmother for that matter. She felt the distance, but there was nothing to be done.

            Besides, something had changed and the solitude didn't bother her anymore.