It was the end of term. Danny had taken – and passed – all of her
exams. Training with Dumbledore had also wrapped up. He had taught her
defensive spells up to sixth year, and told her to practice as much as
possible at home. Danny just hoped she wouldn't need the training. She,
like so many others, hoped the war would be over soon.
Not that that seemed very likely. The Daily Prophet now had an entire page dedicated to casualties to the light everyday. Many of her fellow Gryffindors had lost family members and friends to Voldemort or his Death Eaters. Just last week Jessica Evans had gotten word that her brother had been killed.
Danny shivered involuntarily at the memory as they boarded the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade Station. Dumbledore's words from nearly a month before came back to her. He had said she would be safe at Hogwarts. She knew life in Godric's Hollow was nowhere near as safe as life at Hogwarts, but Dumbledore had put a number of protective spells and charms around the house. Still, as much as she missed Lily, James, and Harry, she found herself very uneasy leaving the safety of school.
They boarded the train, Danny, Katie, and Megan getting a compartment to themselves. Danny relaxed a bit once the train got on its way. The girls bought Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavor Beans from the trolley, and spent the ride home giggling, reminiscing, and gossiping.
"Remember when Thomas Shafer fell off his broom at the Ravenclaw- Hufflepuff game last year?" laughed Katie.
"How could we forget?" choked Danny. "He landed on Professor Flitwick!"
"Poor Filius. I thought he was squished to death," Megan added seriously.
Danny popped an Every Flavor Bean into her mouth and began laughing even harder.
"Ew! Gross!" she yelped, taking a swig of pumpkin juice. "Dirt flavored!"
"I like the dirt ones!" Megan said defensively.
The other girls stared at her for a moment before everyone dissolved into giggles again. For the remainder of the ride no one could keep a straight face. Danny was in a considerably better mood when they arrived at the station and stepped off the train, all three promising to keep in touch over the summer holidays. Dragging her trunk behind her, Danny set off across the platform in search of Lily and James.
"Hey, Danny! Over here!" she heard someone call.
She turned and saw Lily, James, and Harry standing a few feet away from her. Lily was beaming James and Harry were smiling and waving.
"Hey, kid. Have fun at school?" James asked.
"I guess," she replied.
"Hi, Danny!" Harry cried, reaching out his arms for her.
"Hi, peanut! Miss me?"
"Uh, huh! I liked the pictures you drew for me," he said.
"Well I liked the ones you drew for me, too," she replied, although she had been unable to identify most of Harry's drawings. It was the thought that counted anyway, right?
The ride back home was very noisy, due to the fact that everyone was trying to talk at once. Lily was just happy to have Danny home safe, Harry was glad his playmate was home again, and James was just generally glad Danny was home.
That night was a happy one in Godric's Hollow. Everyone seemed to put their worries aside for a night. Lily and James played Exploding Snap at the kitchen table while Harry and Danny played hide-and-go seek.
Just as they were about to start their fifth game an owl zoomed through the open kitchen window. Attached to its leg was a parchment envelope with an official looking seal. James ripped it open and took out the letter, which he began to read. His face broke into a huge grin.
"It's from the Ministry. All we have to do to finalize the adoption is get her health cleared at St. Mungo's tomorrow, then go sign the official papers at the Ministry," he said.
"That's terrific!" Lily exclaimed, kissing him.
The next morning was very busy and exciting. They stopped at St. Mungo's where Danny was given a clean bill of health, then walked over to the Ministry. Entering the Atrium, Lily felt as though her knees were shaking. All she could think about was the next time she walked through that hall she would have officially gained a daughter. They all got through security, then made their way up to the child services office.
It seemed like they waited forever to be called into the social worker's office, but in reality it was only about twenty minutes. They all filed into the small, cramped room, everyone watching the social worker intently. Harry didn't really understand what was going on, but he knew it was very important and that his sister's fate rested in that woman's hands.
"Well, Mr. And Mrs. Potter," she said. "It looks as if everything is in order. All you have to do is sign here and here and she's yours."
Lily picked up the quill in front of her, her hands shaking, and then signed her name to on the parchment. She handed it to James and he did the same.
"That's all. The adoption of Danielle Marie Potter is officially complete!"
Author's Notes: Yah! Danny's adopted! Review people!!!!
Not that that seemed very likely. The Daily Prophet now had an entire page dedicated to casualties to the light everyday. Many of her fellow Gryffindors had lost family members and friends to Voldemort or his Death Eaters. Just last week Jessica Evans had gotten word that her brother had been killed.
Danny shivered involuntarily at the memory as they boarded the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade Station. Dumbledore's words from nearly a month before came back to her. He had said she would be safe at Hogwarts. She knew life in Godric's Hollow was nowhere near as safe as life at Hogwarts, but Dumbledore had put a number of protective spells and charms around the house. Still, as much as she missed Lily, James, and Harry, she found herself very uneasy leaving the safety of school.
They boarded the train, Danny, Katie, and Megan getting a compartment to themselves. Danny relaxed a bit once the train got on its way. The girls bought Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavor Beans from the trolley, and spent the ride home giggling, reminiscing, and gossiping.
"Remember when Thomas Shafer fell off his broom at the Ravenclaw- Hufflepuff game last year?" laughed Katie.
"How could we forget?" choked Danny. "He landed on Professor Flitwick!"
"Poor Filius. I thought he was squished to death," Megan added seriously.
Danny popped an Every Flavor Bean into her mouth and began laughing even harder.
"Ew! Gross!" she yelped, taking a swig of pumpkin juice. "Dirt flavored!"
"I like the dirt ones!" Megan said defensively.
The other girls stared at her for a moment before everyone dissolved into giggles again. For the remainder of the ride no one could keep a straight face. Danny was in a considerably better mood when they arrived at the station and stepped off the train, all three promising to keep in touch over the summer holidays. Dragging her trunk behind her, Danny set off across the platform in search of Lily and James.
"Hey, Danny! Over here!" she heard someone call.
She turned and saw Lily, James, and Harry standing a few feet away from her. Lily was beaming James and Harry were smiling and waving.
"Hey, kid. Have fun at school?" James asked.
"I guess," she replied.
"Hi, Danny!" Harry cried, reaching out his arms for her.
"Hi, peanut! Miss me?"
"Uh, huh! I liked the pictures you drew for me," he said.
"Well I liked the ones you drew for me, too," she replied, although she had been unable to identify most of Harry's drawings. It was the thought that counted anyway, right?
The ride back home was very noisy, due to the fact that everyone was trying to talk at once. Lily was just happy to have Danny home safe, Harry was glad his playmate was home again, and James was just generally glad Danny was home.
That night was a happy one in Godric's Hollow. Everyone seemed to put their worries aside for a night. Lily and James played Exploding Snap at the kitchen table while Harry and Danny played hide-and-go seek.
Just as they were about to start their fifth game an owl zoomed through the open kitchen window. Attached to its leg was a parchment envelope with an official looking seal. James ripped it open and took out the letter, which he began to read. His face broke into a huge grin.
"It's from the Ministry. All we have to do to finalize the adoption is get her health cleared at St. Mungo's tomorrow, then go sign the official papers at the Ministry," he said.
"That's terrific!" Lily exclaimed, kissing him.
The next morning was very busy and exciting. They stopped at St. Mungo's where Danny was given a clean bill of health, then walked over to the Ministry. Entering the Atrium, Lily felt as though her knees were shaking. All she could think about was the next time she walked through that hall she would have officially gained a daughter. They all got through security, then made their way up to the child services office.
It seemed like they waited forever to be called into the social worker's office, but in reality it was only about twenty minutes. They all filed into the small, cramped room, everyone watching the social worker intently. Harry didn't really understand what was going on, but he knew it was very important and that his sister's fate rested in that woman's hands.
"Well, Mr. And Mrs. Potter," she said. "It looks as if everything is in order. All you have to do is sign here and here and she's yours."
Lily picked up the quill in front of her, her hands shaking, and then signed her name to on the parchment. She handed it to James and he did the same.
"That's all. The adoption of Danielle Marie Potter is officially complete!"
Author's Notes: Yah! Danny's adopted! Review people!!!!