The Phoenix's Prophesy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter. 4.
~*~*~*~
//Dear Neville:
Hello from England! Isn't it ironic that I should be here, while you are back in America? Funny. Anyway, I am sure that Jackson has told you why I am here, and who I am with, by now. Yes, I am staying with Harry Potter, and no, it is not as bad as Jackson will probably make it seem.
How are you? How is your grandma? How is Rayana? Has Jackson dragged you into any pranks, yet? Have you gotten in trouble? Or did you manage to escape it, like you always do? Hehehehehe! ^__^
Sorry. I'm sort of hyper, these days. Harry's relatives took us to Stonehenge, and it was simply lovely! Have you ever been there?
Anyhow, I hope to see you when I get home. Jackson said that you were going to be there until the end of summer, is that true? If it is, I can't wait to see you!!!
Well, I had better go. Tell your gram that I send my regards!
Miss you much,
*Rose*//
~*~*~*~
"WAIT! *Who* are you writing to?" Harry exclaimed, after reading Rose's letter over her shoulder. Rose looked up, startled, then back down at her letter.
"His name is Neville Longbottom. He is a friend of mine..."
"How did you ever meet Neville?!"
"You know him?" Rose asked in an eager voice. Harry nodded.
"He goes to my school. He helped me in the...Ministry incident." Harry stumbled over these last few words, the memory of the event still fresh and new in his mind. Rose let out a small gasp.
"Oh! Well, I've known him since I was three. His cousin, Rayana Moore, lived nearby the school at the time, and I met them both one day at the playground. Then, when Rayana (or Raya, as we call her) started going to our school, Jackson and I made friends with her, along with two other students, Shane and Shirah. Neville would occasionally visit Raya during the summers, to give his gram a break, and we made friends with him." Rose explained, rolling up the parchment, securing it, and writing Neville's name on it.
"So...Neville goes to America sometimes? How come he's never told us?" Harry asked offhandedly. Rose smiled and gave the parchment to her owl, Kaya, who promptly flew out the window and disappeared.
"Probably for the same reason he didn't want his parents'...situation to be known at his school. Americans are considered...arrogant to other countries, and the knowledge that Neville was not only related to one, but also friends with some, would leave him open to more attacks from the Slytherins." Rose explained. Harry nodded, seeing the logic there.
"So you have your own group of friends, at this school?" Harry asked curiously. Rose grinned.
"Uh-huh. We are known as the 'family', at our school. There are six of us in all, but only five of us attend the school. Neville, of course, is one of the 'family'. His cousin, Raya, is another, and one of my two best friends. Jackson is a third, and he is actually the founder of the 'family'. Shane Biederon is the fourth member. His mother is actually an Arabian princess (making Shane a prince), but his father is an American, and he goes to our school." Rose explained. Harry's eyes twinkled.
"So, you know royalty, do you?" He teased. Rose giggled.
"I suppose. But he doesn't act like it, sometimes. Anyway, finally, there is Shirah Wilcox, my other best friend. She is Shane's cousin from his mother's side, therefore making her a princess, as well. Her father is Shane's mother's brother." Rose grinned at Harry as he tried to process this.
"So..." He said slowly.
"So, you know and are friends with, two royals, the son of an escaped convict, and a Hogwarts student. Oh, and me, who would happen to be your brother." Harry reminded her jokingly. Rose laughed and nodded.
"May is like a mother to all of us. But she is also like a sister, because we can go to her for help, and trust her not to tell anyone. She also likes a good joke." Rose's eyes sparkled as she said this, and Harry got the feeling 'joke' meant 'prank'.
"And I thought my friends were strange." He groaned, laying back on her bed. It was after dinner, and Dudley had gone out to terrorize younger children with his gang, while Petunia and Vernon had taken the time to call on a neighbor. Thus, leaving the two in question, alone with plenty of time to talk about their own 'world'.
"What are your friends like?" Rose asked suddenly, looking curious. She may have had visions, but that didn't mean she knew exactly what the people in them were like.
"Well, there's Ron Weasley. We were friends from the very start, though we've had our rocky places. Then there's Hermione Granger, who is the book- worm and study-holic of our school. But she is really nice and helpful in a jam...unless she is dealing with Ron, who always seems to bring out the worst in her." Harry laughed at this, and then proceeded to explain about his friends arguments.
"Then there is Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister. She is nice and is quite...sympathetic towards my dealings with Ron and 'Mione. Hell, she is the one who has to deal with them twenty-four-seven this summer!" He chuckled.
"They sound like a wonderful group." Rose murmured, looking thoughtful. Harry nodded, and went on to tell her about the other students his age at Hogwarts, plus some about the 'Order', and the people in it. When he was through telling her about Tonk's latest letter, they sat in silence, thinking over their conversation.
"We really are lucky, Harry." Rose whispered finally. Harry looked up and glanced at her.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because so many people have died. Because so many people have lost loved ones that they will never get back, including us. And yet, we have hope. We have friends and...family who love us, and who would sacrifice everything for us. We have each other." She stated. Harry smiled.
"Yeah, we do. And I'm never going to let any of that go." He promised. Rose smiled and hugged him gently, a gesture which he gladly returned.
~*~*~*~
"Oh my gosh! I didn't even see that!" Rose laughed several weeks later, after her film had been developed. She and Harry were in Harry's room, looking through the photo album that she were putting together. Rose was scheduled to leave the next week, and she and Harry were doing anything possible to spend time together.
"Yeah, I don't remember anyone taking that!" Harry agreed, looking confused. They had just come across a picture of Harry and Rose sitting side-by-side in Rose's inn-room. They were sitting on her bed, staring out the window at the brilliant sunset. Their backs were turned towards the camera, and neither seemed aware that the picture was being taken, as they continued to converse about this and that. Occasionally, Rose would look at Harry and laugh at something he was saying, but their attention would soon be drawn to the sunset again.
"I suppose Aunt Petunia took this when we weren't looking." Harry murmured. Rose smiled and nodded, remembering the exact time this picture was taken. She and Harry had been laughing over what had happened to Dudley that day at a farm they visited. Dudley had gotten up enough courage to climb into a pen full of huge, pink pigs, to get his picture taken. Unfortunately, he bumped into a rather large one and was soon sprawled out on his face, with the pig looking smug behind him.
"Did you see Dudley's face when he got up?" Harry chuckled over this for the umpteenth time, not able to get enough of his cousin's shocked and humiliated face. Rose grimaced.
"Actually, no. His face was too covered in mud to see much of anything at all." She giggled, pointing to a picture of Uncle Vernon helping Dudley out of the pen. Indeed, Dudley's disgruntled face was covered in a thick layer of brown/green mud.
"True..." He murmured, but was cut off as a soft tapping sound filled the room. The two glanced up to see a small, dainty pigmy owl waiting patiently outside.
"That looks like Pig!" Harry exclaimed, getting up and opening his window. The owl flew in, but instead of flying around erratically like Pig would do, it calmly flew directly to Rose and dropped a letter into her lap. She smiled and gently stroked the animal's soft feathers.
"But it isn't. This is Kaya, Harry. May got her for me before I left. She is only a young owl, but she is very intelligent." Rose explained, handing the willing little animal to Harry, who grinned.
"So...she's basically the exact opposite of Pig." He joked, going over to Hedwig's cage and offering the tiny thing some water. Unlike Pig, Hedwig seemed to take an immediate liking to Kaya, calmly allowing the smaller bird to drink the water, and even allowing her to take a few bites of her food.
"Hmmm. It's from Neville." Rose murmured, opening the letter and reading it quickly. A smile grew on her lips as she read, and her eyes became excited.
"Harry, listen to this!" She exclaimed, then began to read aloud.
//Dear Rose:
I am going back to America with you! I even get to ride on that muggle contraption, an areoplaine, or whatever they are called. Tonks, who is half- muggle born, is going to take me and Gram there. How about you meet us, so we can get on that thing together? I admit, I'm a little nervous about flying in a muggle-made contraption. Are you sure they are safe?
Anyway, everything is fine here, so far. Raya has dragged me to almost every social ball that her parents throw, and for some strange reason, everyone seems to stare at me a lot, especially the girls. Do you think I'm doing something wrong? Or are they just intimidating me for fun? -__-; (Jackson showed me how to do those face, things. They are strange, but...interesting.)
So, how is Harry? Jackson told me you were staying with him. Is it true how horrible the muggles he lives with are? Are they nice to you? They'd better be!!! Although, Shirah just looked over my shoulder, read this letter, and told me that if you are being treated badly, you would have told Jackson by now. Sorry!
Well, I'd better go. Tell Harry I say 'hello'!
Your friend forever,
-Neville//
Harry grinned as he read this, but his face fell at the part about her leaving.
"So...I suppose a car is going to come and pick you up?" He asked. Rose nodded.
"It is going to take me to the airport, where I will meet Neville, apparently. We will be flying to Salem from there. Perhaps you could come with me, to see me off." Rose suggested. Harry's face darkened even more and he shook his head.
"Uncle Vernon would never let me." He mumbled, kicking the side of his bed. Rose sighed and looked as if she were about to say something...that is, until another small owl came swooping into the room from the still-open window.
"PIG!" Harry shouted, trying to catch the tiny bird. Pig twittered delightedly, until he caught sight of Kaya. Then the tiny bird flew down and landed beside her, looking thoroughly confused. Harry rolled his eyes and took the letter Pig had tied to his leg. Meanwhile, Pig and Kaya continued to stare at each other in apparent interest.
"Who is it from?" Rose asked softly, looking over Harry's shoulder. Harry grinned.
"Ron. He probably wrote to complain about Hermione again." He laughed. But to his surprise, he was wrong.
//Dear Harry: (He read aloud)
DUMBLEDORE SAYS YOU CAN COME!!! He told mum and dad the last time they saw him (You know where!). You get to come over next week, but for some reason, you are not allowed to come to us directly. You have to go to that arioplaine place with the Dursley's exchange student, and you will meet someone there, who will bring you to the Burrow. Kind of confusing, I know.
When Ginny found out you were coming, she got this strange, triumphant glint in her eyes (at least, that's what 'Mione said, I wasn't watching). Ever since Ginny found out about your exchange student, she has been stomping around like a five-year-old, who has been denied a chocolate bar! Man, I have never seen her more cranky. I wonder what brought this on.
Anyway, can't wait to see you, mate! I need another sane person around the house! Ginny doesn't seem to be cutting it, lately, and 'Mione is more concerned with her books, than being sane!
See you next week, Harry!
-Ron//
Rose began to laugh at this last part, and Harry grinned.
"No offense to Ron, but Hermione seems a *little* bit more sane then him, at the moment." He commented, trying not to laugh.
"Oh, Harry! You get to see me off, then! You'll be there to see me and Neville off!" Rose said, as she suddenly remembered what the earlier part of the letter had said. Harry nodded, reading the letter over once more.
"Well, as soon as the Dursley's come home, I will have to tell them about this. And don't think they are going to let me off easily...though...they don't know that Sirius is...dead..." Harry trailed off, his face falling slightly. Rose gently patted his shoulder and smiled softly.
"Harry, I can make an excuse for you..."
"No. I'll do it myself." Harry assured her, a smile re-appearing on his face. Then, the smile became a grin as he heard the front door open and his uncle and aunt's voices.
"They're ba-Ack!!!" Rose stated in a suspenseful voice. Harry chuckled and then he led her out of his room.
~*~*~*~
"Here we are."
Harry looked up from his 'Quidditch Through the Ages' book, to see the driver of the taxi standing at his door. Rose giggled as he quickly stuffed his book into his bag and then got out of the car, looking up at the large airport before him.
"I've never been here." He murmured, causing Rose to raise an eyebrow. During their journey to the airport, the two of them had been strangely quiet, finding it easier to read then to talk. All this week, Harry had had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, every time he thought of Rose's leaving. But now that the day had come, that sinking feeling had elevated into a full-on stomach/heart ache.
Seeming to sense Harry's feelings, Rose slipped her hand into his as they walked into the huge building. Muggles swarmed around them in droves, causing Harry to flinch slightly, every time one of them stared at him strangely.
"All right...my plane is in A-12, down that way." Rose stated, staring at a monitor that showed many flights and where they were stationed. Harry followed her as she walked confidently towards her terminal, looking pensive. Apparently, she had done this before. When they finally reached their destination, Harry greatfully sat down in the seat she indicated.
"Now all we have to do, is wait for Neville!" Rose's voice was close to a squeal as she said this. Obviously, she was happy to be seeing Neville again. Harry grinned at her enthusiasm, but it didn't make the burning in his stomach, any better.
"Harry? Are you all right?" Rose asked softly. Harry turned to see her bright emerald eyes, filled with worry.
"I'm fine...I just...I am going to miss you. I only just found you...and now you're leaving." He finally managed. Rose's face crumpled slightly, and her eyes filled with tears.
"I know. But we'll see each other again, and we can always owl each other." Rose tried to comfort. Harry shot her a weak smile, and then they both lapsed back into silence. That is, until:
"ROSE!!!"
Rose and Harry turned around in surprise, only to have Rose let out a soft cry as she got up and flew into the arms of a tall young man who had just come running up behind them.
"Neville! I missed you so much!" Rose exclaimed, still hugging the boy tightly. The boy was holding her tightly as well, as if afraid she would disappear. Harry stood up quickly as Rose said Neville's name, his mouth falling open.
In just the past two months, Neville had changed in more ways that Harry had ever known possible. His mousy brown hair had darkened slightly, into a rich golden color. He had reached roughly Harry's height, and his body had become surprisingly leaner. More surprising then his appearance, perhaps, was Neville's apparent new attitude. He seemed more confident, and more willing to speak his mind then ever before. A fact which was made clearer to Harry, when Neville looked up and spotted him.
"Harry! How are you, mate?" Neville asked, a sparkle coming to his deep amber eyes. Harry stood for a moment, still a bit stunned, but then he managed to grin.
"Better then I was when I last saw you. How are you?" He asked, trying to take in Neville's new level of confidence. Neville, who seemed un-aware of Harry's surprise, simply grinned again.
"Never better, now that my Rose is here!" He laughed, squeezing Rose's shoulder. Rose looked up at him with a smile, then looked around.
"Lee, where's your Gram?" She asked softly. Neville grinned.
"She's still with Tonks. They'll be here in a moment." He assured her. Harry, however, had his eyebrow raised.
"Lee?"
"Oh, it's my nickname for Neville..." Rose trailed off, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. Neville grinned.
"When we first met, I was four and Rose was three, and she couldn't say my name. So she said 'Lee' instead. And it has been 'Lee' to her, ever since." Neville chuckled, and again, Harry had to stop and stare at this 'new' Neville.
"I was only three." Rose tried to explain, but it made Neville laugh even harder.
"Well, I can see you are having a good time." Called a cheerful voice. Harry grinned and turned to see a girl with bubble-gum colored hair, standing behind them with Neville's grandmother.
"'Lo, Tonks." Harry said, as the young woman shot him a grin. Harry saw Rose, out of the corner of his eye, staring at the new girl with a look of utmost awe.
"Pink hair?" He saw her mouth to Neville, who grinned and shrugged, putting his hands into the pockets of his muggle jeans. In fact, Harry noticed, Neville was completely garbed in muggle clothes, and they actually seemed to...fit in with what people were wearing around him, unlike many other attempts by other wizards, that Harry had seen.
"You should see her with purple hair." Harry mumbled to Neville and Rose, causing them to laugh softly. They stopped abruptly, however, when Tonks turned to them with a grin.
"All set there, Harry?" She asked, eyeing the boy. Harry nodded, motioning to the bag he was carrying. Tonks smirked.
"I suppose Rose did a shrinking spell on your trunk." This was a statement, not a question. Rose blushed a little and nodded. Being a foreign witch in a strange new country, the division of the Ministry that handled underage magic-users had allowed Rose and other exchange students like her, to use magic temporarily outside of school, but only for small things. Thus, why Rose and Harry's trunks were not in sight. They were actually in the bags that the two had carried to the airport.
"Neville, you be good. I don't want to hear that you, Shane, and Jackson overturned another hot-dog stand, do you understand?" Neville's grandmother said sternly, eyeing her grandson sharply. A slight blush rose on Neville's face as Rose began to giggle.
"That was an accident, Gram!" He exclaimed, frowning at Rose, who's giggles had risen in volume. Harry grinned. He wasn't going to ask, but he had a feeling that this was an inside joke between Rose, Neville, and Neville's grandmother.
"Well, time to go, you two. Your plane is boarding." Tonks stated, just as the announcer began to call seat-numbers over the intercom. Rose's laughter disappeared and her face grew sad.
"Promise to write me every day." She whispered, pulling Harry into a big hug. Harry hugged back, not caring that Neville and everyone else could see him.
"I will. The same goes for you." He murmured, pulling away. Rose shot him a watery smile and then turned to Neville, who looked strangely put-out, but Harry saw him hide it with a smile as soon as Rose's eyes were turned towards him.
"Ready to go?" She asked, a bit shakily. Neville grinned and nodded, picking up the bags that he had unceremoniously dropped to the floor when hugging her.
"Ready. Thanks a lot, Tonks. See you at the end of the month, Gram. Bye Harry." Was Neville's farewell, as the two of them moved towards the gate. Harry felt a bit confused at Neville's slightly cold farewell, but he shook it off as Rose turned with a smile, and waved one last time at him. Then the two of them disappeared into the plane.
"And that's that." Tonks stated in a cheerful voice, causing Harry to turn and look at her. She was grinning at him.
"I am going to take you to the Weasley's, Harry. But we have to drop her off, first." Tonks whispered confidentially to Harry, pointing at Neville's grandmother, who now had her face plastered to the window in one last attempt to see her grandson. Harry grinned and nodded.
Yes, the summer was going a lot better than he had ever dreamed it might...and it wasn't over yet!
~*~*~*~
by: Daphne Li
Chapter. 4.
~*~*~*~
//Dear Neville:
Hello from England! Isn't it ironic that I should be here, while you are back in America? Funny. Anyway, I am sure that Jackson has told you why I am here, and who I am with, by now. Yes, I am staying with Harry Potter, and no, it is not as bad as Jackson will probably make it seem.
How are you? How is your grandma? How is Rayana? Has Jackson dragged you into any pranks, yet? Have you gotten in trouble? Or did you manage to escape it, like you always do? Hehehehehe! ^__^
Sorry. I'm sort of hyper, these days. Harry's relatives took us to Stonehenge, and it was simply lovely! Have you ever been there?
Anyhow, I hope to see you when I get home. Jackson said that you were going to be there until the end of summer, is that true? If it is, I can't wait to see you!!!
Well, I had better go. Tell your gram that I send my regards!
Miss you much,
*Rose*//
~*~*~*~
"WAIT! *Who* are you writing to?" Harry exclaimed, after reading Rose's letter over her shoulder. Rose looked up, startled, then back down at her letter.
"His name is Neville Longbottom. He is a friend of mine..."
"How did you ever meet Neville?!"
"You know him?" Rose asked in an eager voice. Harry nodded.
"He goes to my school. He helped me in the...Ministry incident." Harry stumbled over these last few words, the memory of the event still fresh and new in his mind. Rose let out a small gasp.
"Oh! Well, I've known him since I was three. His cousin, Rayana Moore, lived nearby the school at the time, and I met them both one day at the playground. Then, when Rayana (or Raya, as we call her) started going to our school, Jackson and I made friends with her, along with two other students, Shane and Shirah. Neville would occasionally visit Raya during the summers, to give his gram a break, and we made friends with him." Rose explained, rolling up the parchment, securing it, and writing Neville's name on it.
"So...Neville goes to America sometimes? How come he's never told us?" Harry asked offhandedly. Rose smiled and gave the parchment to her owl, Kaya, who promptly flew out the window and disappeared.
"Probably for the same reason he didn't want his parents'...situation to be known at his school. Americans are considered...arrogant to other countries, and the knowledge that Neville was not only related to one, but also friends with some, would leave him open to more attacks from the Slytherins." Rose explained. Harry nodded, seeing the logic there.
"So you have your own group of friends, at this school?" Harry asked curiously. Rose grinned.
"Uh-huh. We are known as the 'family', at our school. There are six of us in all, but only five of us attend the school. Neville, of course, is one of the 'family'. His cousin, Raya, is another, and one of my two best friends. Jackson is a third, and he is actually the founder of the 'family'. Shane Biederon is the fourth member. His mother is actually an Arabian princess (making Shane a prince), but his father is an American, and he goes to our school." Rose explained. Harry's eyes twinkled.
"So, you know royalty, do you?" He teased. Rose giggled.
"I suppose. But he doesn't act like it, sometimes. Anyway, finally, there is Shirah Wilcox, my other best friend. She is Shane's cousin from his mother's side, therefore making her a princess, as well. Her father is Shane's mother's brother." Rose grinned at Harry as he tried to process this.
"So..." He said slowly.
"So, you know and are friends with, two royals, the son of an escaped convict, and a Hogwarts student. Oh, and me, who would happen to be your brother." Harry reminded her jokingly. Rose laughed and nodded.
"May is like a mother to all of us. But she is also like a sister, because we can go to her for help, and trust her not to tell anyone. She also likes a good joke." Rose's eyes sparkled as she said this, and Harry got the feeling 'joke' meant 'prank'.
"And I thought my friends were strange." He groaned, laying back on her bed. It was after dinner, and Dudley had gone out to terrorize younger children with his gang, while Petunia and Vernon had taken the time to call on a neighbor. Thus, leaving the two in question, alone with plenty of time to talk about their own 'world'.
"What are your friends like?" Rose asked suddenly, looking curious. She may have had visions, but that didn't mean she knew exactly what the people in them were like.
"Well, there's Ron Weasley. We were friends from the very start, though we've had our rocky places. Then there's Hermione Granger, who is the book- worm and study-holic of our school. But she is really nice and helpful in a jam...unless she is dealing with Ron, who always seems to bring out the worst in her." Harry laughed at this, and then proceeded to explain about his friends arguments.
"Then there is Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister. She is nice and is quite...sympathetic towards my dealings with Ron and 'Mione. Hell, she is the one who has to deal with them twenty-four-seven this summer!" He chuckled.
"They sound like a wonderful group." Rose murmured, looking thoughtful. Harry nodded, and went on to tell her about the other students his age at Hogwarts, plus some about the 'Order', and the people in it. When he was through telling her about Tonk's latest letter, they sat in silence, thinking over their conversation.
"We really are lucky, Harry." Rose whispered finally. Harry looked up and glanced at her.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because so many people have died. Because so many people have lost loved ones that they will never get back, including us. And yet, we have hope. We have friends and...family who love us, and who would sacrifice everything for us. We have each other." She stated. Harry smiled.
"Yeah, we do. And I'm never going to let any of that go." He promised. Rose smiled and hugged him gently, a gesture which he gladly returned.
~*~*~*~
"Oh my gosh! I didn't even see that!" Rose laughed several weeks later, after her film had been developed. She and Harry were in Harry's room, looking through the photo album that she were putting together. Rose was scheduled to leave the next week, and she and Harry were doing anything possible to spend time together.
"Yeah, I don't remember anyone taking that!" Harry agreed, looking confused. They had just come across a picture of Harry and Rose sitting side-by-side in Rose's inn-room. They were sitting on her bed, staring out the window at the brilliant sunset. Their backs were turned towards the camera, and neither seemed aware that the picture was being taken, as they continued to converse about this and that. Occasionally, Rose would look at Harry and laugh at something he was saying, but their attention would soon be drawn to the sunset again.
"I suppose Aunt Petunia took this when we weren't looking." Harry murmured. Rose smiled and nodded, remembering the exact time this picture was taken. She and Harry had been laughing over what had happened to Dudley that day at a farm they visited. Dudley had gotten up enough courage to climb into a pen full of huge, pink pigs, to get his picture taken. Unfortunately, he bumped into a rather large one and was soon sprawled out on his face, with the pig looking smug behind him.
"Did you see Dudley's face when he got up?" Harry chuckled over this for the umpteenth time, not able to get enough of his cousin's shocked and humiliated face. Rose grimaced.
"Actually, no. His face was too covered in mud to see much of anything at all." She giggled, pointing to a picture of Uncle Vernon helping Dudley out of the pen. Indeed, Dudley's disgruntled face was covered in a thick layer of brown/green mud.
"True..." He murmured, but was cut off as a soft tapping sound filled the room. The two glanced up to see a small, dainty pigmy owl waiting patiently outside.
"That looks like Pig!" Harry exclaimed, getting up and opening his window. The owl flew in, but instead of flying around erratically like Pig would do, it calmly flew directly to Rose and dropped a letter into her lap. She smiled and gently stroked the animal's soft feathers.
"But it isn't. This is Kaya, Harry. May got her for me before I left. She is only a young owl, but she is very intelligent." Rose explained, handing the willing little animal to Harry, who grinned.
"So...she's basically the exact opposite of Pig." He joked, going over to Hedwig's cage and offering the tiny thing some water. Unlike Pig, Hedwig seemed to take an immediate liking to Kaya, calmly allowing the smaller bird to drink the water, and even allowing her to take a few bites of her food.
"Hmmm. It's from Neville." Rose murmured, opening the letter and reading it quickly. A smile grew on her lips as she read, and her eyes became excited.
"Harry, listen to this!" She exclaimed, then began to read aloud.
//Dear Rose:
I am going back to America with you! I even get to ride on that muggle contraption, an areoplaine, or whatever they are called. Tonks, who is half- muggle born, is going to take me and Gram there. How about you meet us, so we can get on that thing together? I admit, I'm a little nervous about flying in a muggle-made contraption. Are you sure they are safe?
Anyway, everything is fine here, so far. Raya has dragged me to almost every social ball that her parents throw, and for some strange reason, everyone seems to stare at me a lot, especially the girls. Do you think I'm doing something wrong? Or are they just intimidating me for fun? -__-; (Jackson showed me how to do those face, things. They are strange, but...interesting.)
So, how is Harry? Jackson told me you were staying with him. Is it true how horrible the muggles he lives with are? Are they nice to you? They'd better be!!! Although, Shirah just looked over my shoulder, read this letter, and told me that if you are being treated badly, you would have told Jackson by now. Sorry!
Well, I'd better go. Tell Harry I say 'hello'!
Your friend forever,
-Neville//
Harry grinned as he read this, but his face fell at the part about her leaving.
"So...I suppose a car is going to come and pick you up?" He asked. Rose nodded.
"It is going to take me to the airport, where I will meet Neville, apparently. We will be flying to Salem from there. Perhaps you could come with me, to see me off." Rose suggested. Harry's face darkened even more and he shook his head.
"Uncle Vernon would never let me." He mumbled, kicking the side of his bed. Rose sighed and looked as if she were about to say something...that is, until another small owl came swooping into the room from the still-open window.
"PIG!" Harry shouted, trying to catch the tiny bird. Pig twittered delightedly, until he caught sight of Kaya. Then the tiny bird flew down and landed beside her, looking thoroughly confused. Harry rolled his eyes and took the letter Pig had tied to his leg. Meanwhile, Pig and Kaya continued to stare at each other in apparent interest.
"Who is it from?" Rose asked softly, looking over Harry's shoulder. Harry grinned.
"Ron. He probably wrote to complain about Hermione again." He laughed. But to his surprise, he was wrong.
//Dear Harry: (He read aloud)
DUMBLEDORE SAYS YOU CAN COME!!! He told mum and dad the last time they saw him (You know where!). You get to come over next week, but for some reason, you are not allowed to come to us directly. You have to go to that arioplaine place with the Dursley's exchange student, and you will meet someone there, who will bring you to the Burrow. Kind of confusing, I know.
When Ginny found out you were coming, she got this strange, triumphant glint in her eyes (at least, that's what 'Mione said, I wasn't watching). Ever since Ginny found out about your exchange student, she has been stomping around like a five-year-old, who has been denied a chocolate bar! Man, I have never seen her more cranky. I wonder what brought this on.
Anyway, can't wait to see you, mate! I need another sane person around the house! Ginny doesn't seem to be cutting it, lately, and 'Mione is more concerned with her books, than being sane!
See you next week, Harry!
-Ron//
Rose began to laugh at this last part, and Harry grinned.
"No offense to Ron, but Hermione seems a *little* bit more sane then him, at the moment." He commented, trying not to laugh.
"Oh, Harry! You get to see me off, then! You'll be there to see me and Neville off!" Rose said, as she suddenly remembered what the earlier part of the letter had said. Harry nodded, reading the letter over once more.
"Well, as soon as the Dursley's come home, I will have to tell them about this. And don't think they are going to let me off easily...though...they don't know that Sirius is...dead..." Harry trailed off, his face falling slightly. Rose gently patted his shoulder and smiled softly.
"Harry, I can make an excuse for you..."
"No. I'll do it myself." Harry assured her, a smile re-appearing on his face. Then, the smile became a grin as he heard the front door open and his uncle and aunt's voices.
"They're ba-Ack!!!" Rose stated in a suspenseful voice. Harry chuckled and then he led her out of his room.
~*~*~*~
"Here we are."
Harry looked up from his 'Quidditch Through the Ages' book, to see the driver of the taxi standing at his door. Rose giggled as he quickly stuffed his book into his bag and then got out of the car, looking up at the large airport before him.
"I've never been here." He murmured, causing Rose to raise an eyebrow. During their journey to the airport, the two of them had been strangely quiet, finding it easier to read then to talk. All this week, Harry had had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, every time he thought of Rose's leaving. But now that the day had come, that sinking feeling had elevated into a full-on stomach/heart ache.
Seeming to sense Harry's feelings, Rose slipped her hand into his as they walked into the huge building. Muggles swarmed around them in droves, causing Harry to flinch slightly, every time one of them stared at him strangely.
"All right...my plane is in A-12, down that way." Rose stated, staring at a monitor that showed many flights and where they were stationed. Harry followed her as she walked confidently towards her terminal, looking pensive. Apparently, she had done this before. When they finally reached their destination, Harry greatfully sat down in the seat she indicated.
"Now all we have to do, is wait for Neville!" Rose's voice was close to a squeal as she said this. Obviously, she was happy to be seeing Neville again. Harry grinned at her enthusiasm, but it didn't make the burning in his stomach, any better.
"Harry? Are you all right?" Rose asked softly. Harry turned to see her bright emerald eyes, filled with worry.
"I'm fine...I just...I am going to miss you. I only just found you...and now you're leaving." He finally managed. Rose's face crumpled slightly, and her eyes filled with tears.
"I know. But we'll see each other again, and we can always owl each other." Rose tried to comfort. Harry shot her a weak smile, and then they both lapsed back into silence. That is, until:
"ROSE!!!"
Rose and Harry turned around in surprise, only to have Rose let out a soft cry as she got up and flew into the arms of a tall young man who had just come running up behind them.
"Neville! I missed you so much!" Rose exclaimed, still hugging the boy tightly. The boy was holding her tightly as well, as if afraid she would disappear. Harry stood up quickly as Rose said Neville's name, his mouth falling open.
In just the past two months, Neville had changed in more ways that Harry had ever known possible. His mousy brown hair had darkened slightly, into a rich golden color. He had reached roughly Harry's height, and his body had become surprisingly leaner. More surprising then his appearance, perhaps, was Neville's apparent new attitude. He seemed more confident, and more willing to speak his mind then ever before. A fact which was made clearer to Harry, when Neville looked up and spotted him.
"Harry! How are you, mate?" Neville asked, a sparkle coming to his deep amber eyes. Harry stood for a moment, still a bit stunned, but then he managed to grin.
"Better then I was when I last saw you. How are you?" He asked, trying to take in Neville's new level of confidence. Neville, who seemed un-aware of Harry's surprise, simply grinned again.
"Never better, now that my Rose is here!" He laughed, squeezing Rose's shoulder. Rose looked up at him with a smile, then looked around.
"Lee, where's your Gram?" She asked softly. Neville grinned.
"She's still with Tonks. They'll be here in a moment." He assured her. Harry, however, had his eyebrow raised.
"Lee?"
"Oh, it's my nickname for Neville..." Rose trailed off, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. Neville grinned.
"When we first met, I was four and Rose was three, and she couldn't say my name. So she said 'Lee' instead. And it has been 'Lee' to her, ever since." Neville chuckled, and again, Harry had to stop and stare at this 'new' Neville.
"I was only three." Rose tried to explain, but it made Neville laugh even harder.
"Well, I can see you are having a good time." Called a cheerful voice. Harry grinned and turned to see a girl with bubble-gum colored hair, standing behind them with Neville's grandmother.
"'Lo, Tonks." Harry said, as the young woman shot him a grin. Harry saw Rose, out of the corner of his eye, staring at the new girl with a look of utmost awe.
"Pink hair?" He saw her mouth to Neville, who grinned and shrugged, putting his hands into the pockets of his muggle jeans. In fact, Harry noticed, Neville was completely garbed in muggle clothes, and they actually seemed to...fit in with what people were wearing around him, unlike many other attempts by other wizards, that Harry had seen.
"You should see her with purple hair." Harry mumbled to Neville and Rose, causing them to laugh softly. They stopped abruptly, however, when Tonks turned to them with a grin.
"All set there, Harry?" She asked, eyeing the boy. Harry nodded, motioning to the bag he was carrying. Tonks smirked.
"I suppose Rose did a shrinking spell on your trunk." This was a statement, not a question. Rose blushed a little and nodded. Being a foreign witch in a strange new country, the division of the Ministry that handled underage magic-users had allowed Rose and other exchange students like her, to use magic temporarily outside of school, but only for small things. Thus, why Rose and Harry's trunks were not in sight. They were actually in the bags that the two had carried to the airport.
"Neville, you be good. I don't want to hear that you, Shane, and Jackson overturned another hot-dog stand, do you understand?" Neville's grandmother said sternly, eyeing her grandson sharply. A slight blush rose on Neville's face as Rose began to giggle.
"That was an accident, Gram!" He exclaimed, frowning at Rose, who's giggles had risen in volume. Harry grinned. He wasn't going to ask, but he had a feeling that this was an inside joke between Rose, Neville, and Neville's grandmother.
"Well, time to go, you two. Your plane is boarding." Tonks stated, just as the announcer began to call seat-numbers over the intercom. Rose's laughter disappeared and her face grew sad.
"Promise to write me every day." She whispered, pulling Harry into a big hug. Harry hugged back, not caring that Neville and everyone else could see him.
"I will. The same goes for you." He murmured, pulling away. Rose shot him a watery smile and then turned to Neville, who looked strangely put-out, but Harry saw him hide it with a smile as soon as Rose's eyes were turned towards him.
"Ready to go?" She asked, a bit shakily. Neville grinned and nodded, picking up the bags that he had unceremoniously dropped to the floor when hugging her.
"Ready. Thanks a lot, Tonks. See you at the end of the month, Gram. Bye Harry." Was Neville's farewell, as the two of them moved towards the gate. Harry felt a bit confused at Neville's slightly cold farewell, but he shook it off as Rose turned with a smile, and waved one last time at him. Then the two of them disappeared into the plane.
"And that's that." Tonks stated in a cheerful voice, causing Harry to turn and look at her. She was grinning at him.
"I am going to take you to the Weasley's, Harry. But we have to drop her off, first." Tonks whispered confidentially to Harry, pointing at Neville's grandmother, who now had her face plastered to the window in one last attempt to see her grandson. Harry grinned and nodded.
Yes, the summer was going a lot better than he had ever dreamed it might...and it wasn't over yet!
~*~*~*~