Chapter 4: Tomorrow's Adults
The clouds had turned a creamy white by the time Sakura landed their mode of transportation outside a large public zoo not two hours after they had set out. After they'd dismounted the staff resumed its key form so that Sakura could squeeze in through the bushes next to the entrance where one bought tickets. Indicating for Harry to follow her she parted the stinging nettle and poison ivy with the Wood Card, allowing them entrance into a beautiful garden.
Everywhere he looked Harry saw peonies, roses, marigolds and flowers he didn't even know the name of. A little pebbled path led around the beds and a tall fountain that rested in the center of the small garden display. Ivy clung to the rought-iron fence that led further into the attraction and on every side large hedges stood guard against the outside world. It had an unearthly presence that something like this could exist on the edge of a busy human world.
"Come Harry." Sakura told him as she drew to the side of the fountain's pool.
Harry followed, peering at his reflection in the crystal depths where coins were scattered along the bottom. For a moment he was shocked to see the seriousness that always lingered upon his face these days, as well as the stubble that was beginning to darken his maturing features. It suddenly hit him as if the very comprehension of such a thought had never quite hit him before. He was growing up!
"Sacred places such as these always require an offering." Sakura took a silver sickle from her pocket and tossed it into the fountain before clapping her hands together and bowing in thanks.
Harry out of courtesy took a bronze knut from his pocket and threw it in as well, following Sakura's lead. Then, to his slight bafflement Sakura pulled up the hem of her dress and stepped into the pool, approaching the fountain with purpose. It occurred to Harry that this was probably the entrance to the safe house so he rolled up his pant legs and stepped in after her. Together they entered the fountain.
Eyes closed Harry stumbled through the cascading water before he felt Sakura's hand grasp his own to show him the way and they emerged from the picturesque waterfall sopping wet but at their destination.
Blinking the droplets from his lashes he stepped into a dimly lit corridor with red coverlets hiding dozens of furnished oak doors. The design reminded Harry of the castles of Britain's noble past when knights and wizards hadn't been so much a legend.
"Really, I should have brought an umbrella!" Sakura exclaimed, shaking her head so that her hair sprayed water all over Harry, drenching him all over again!
"Really, the Card Mistress should remember these things!" Harry teased, taking the Maurauder's Map from his pocket to check its condition.
Giving him a "ya sure" expression she began their trek up the corridor, drying Harry's broom with her skirt.
"Now Dumbledore said I would know which door to take." Sakura's eyes dashed from one door to the other, frustration narrowing her brows. "O sure! Leave it to him to trust my sense of direction. I don't even know if I have one!"
Harry had just finished drying his wand when she let out a cry of triumph.
"Of course!" she ran to door off to the right and tapped it with her key. Immediately the coverlet rolled to the top and the door opened with a loud creak. Inside Harry couldn't make out a thing.
"What's so special about this door?" Harry asked, peering at it closely as they passed to enter the darkened chamber.
"Oh its, Harry can you use your wand to give us a little light. If I use my magic I would disturb the spirits. That's one downside to being Mistress of the Star Cards, everything happens in large portions. If I want light it gives me too much!"
Holding his wand before him he muttered "Lumos" and scanned the damp cavern of large, stone blocks. Some had statues resting upon the tops of their gray surfaces and some had objects such as wands and mummified pets. All had names and dates engraved into their faces.
"This is a burial chamber where the Malfoy family buries their greatest." She indicated the coiled snake on the wall. "Most of the Malfoys have fallen into the house of Slythern since their creation. A powerful family they are!"
Suddenly Harry was very uneasy.
"And why are we in the Malfoy's burial chamber? The Malfoy's have always been supporters of Voldemort!"
"Perhaps," Sakura continued at a leisurely walk the hall of diseased Malfoy although Harry felt very trapped by the dank air and the restless spirits. It always had to be like this didn't it.
"This place is full of strong energy and the dead no longer care of mortals problems. They will, however aid those who ask of their assistance for a purpose they see fit to aid in. Even though the Malfoys are our enemies at the moment Harry doesn't mean they'll always be that way."
These words had come from a girl yet so young Harry wasn't quite sure whether or not to heed them but the Sakura was wise beyond her years and no less powerful! And as he watched the flickering shadows over the caskets he found himself stashing her words, ready to call upon later if indeed the need arose.
Then they had passed through the burial chamber and were panting up a flight of steep rock steps to a balcony over looking a great garden of aspen and ivy, with water-lilies growing upon a floor of pond water. Flying them across the pond room Harry soon found himself in a larger version of the Gryffindor common room where they all sat.
Hermione with her hair done up in a busy ponytail, Ron a smug look on his face as he showed off his latest successful spell, the Weasley twins who were showing Neville their newest invention for their Joke Shop, Luna Lovegood who was staring blankly into space at that moment, Justin and Terry who were discussing disarming spells, Ginny and Dean Tomas were pouring over a book of charms and Ernie who was pacing while practicing a complicated wand movement. A young man was standing against the back wall beside an open doorway leading to a kitchen. Harry was shocked to recognize the star Quidditch player, Victor Krum.
Victor spotted them and called in suppressed surprise over the chattering voices and crazy movements.
"Look everr-y one! It's 'Arry Potter!"
The many heads turned towards them and all through the room smiles ignited like newly lit torches.
"Harry!" they cried, practically leaping from their seats to embrace him. Harry was knocked to the floor by all the bodies pushing to greet him.
Sakura stepped aside, a warm smile on her lips as she went to talk to Neville's grandmother who had appeared from the kitchen.
"Oh Harry we've been so worried that something would happen before you got here!" Hermione told him as Ron helped him to his feet.
"Yah, but now that you're here we'll protect you!" Terry said, as he took up a fighting pose.
"You bet! I've been practicing a new spell that will enable me to make an opponent's limbs start doing funny jigs! Can't remember the name but..."
"Oh Harry! Dean and I have come up with a whole list of useful charms!" exclaimed Ginny, jumping excitedly.
"And Harry..."
"Ok guys back up! Give the poor guy some breathing room!" Neville's grandmother commanded, swinging her cane at them as she crossed to the happy bounce.
"Thanks." Harry muttered to the woman as he was led to a chair by the fire but for some odd reason he couldn't seem to stop smiling!
"Well what's the news from the outside!" Dean asked as they all resumed their seats.
"Nothing much at the moment." Sakura told them from her stance at the open doorway. "I haven't been in touch with Dumbladore since I went to pick up Harry. I have heard that they're tracking Voldemort's movements from Berstrang castle though. Voldemort's taking this whole revenge thing world wide!"
"Well he won't regain the power he had before that's for sure!" Ernie was grinning confidently. "Harry defeated him once, he'll do it again! And with all of us with him..."
"Voldemort is very dangerous Ernie! If you neglect to remember that fact you are as good as dead!"
Ernie went quiet.
"So are you guys all staying here until school?" Harry asked watching as Krum sat down on the armrest of the couch so he could drape his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Yeah." she answered, blushing slightly. "We're expecting a few others fist though. I believe Seamus is coming..."
"Cho isn't though." announced a fuming Ron. "Had to take care of her relatives in the States, case Voldemort's decides to show up!"
Silence followed the broaching of this sensitive subject until Sakura, who was as yet oblivious to this comments' reasoning began to talk of the others who were coming to aid them.
"Richard Forester from South America, Cathrine Monue from Russia, Greg Smertcian from Scotland and a good friend of mine, Amilian Maston from Canada."
" 'ounds like ve've got all vee need!" Krum put in emphatically as Ron continued to growl in disapproval.
"Well now children, I believe it's high time we all went to bed!" Neville's grandmother announced to groans of displeasure. "Now come come, you all need your rest if you are to take on anyone so hop hop!"
The group slowly streamed from the room, each one pausing to say good night to Harry ( apparently Fred and George had something to show him tomorrow). When the main bounce had filed out Sakura guided Harry to his bedroom where he had a very much appreciated shower and slipped into some of Neville's old PJs, which were a little small but they'd do until Sakura brought his trunk tomorrow.
As he lay staring up at the gray ceiling he smiled yet again at the memory of his friends' happy expressions when they'd seen him. It meant a lot! He had nearly killed them all when he'd led them on the wild goose chase to find Sirius and yet they had forgiven him and stuck by his side. It was that he was most grateful for!
To be continued...
The clouds had turned a creamy white by the time Sakura landed their mode of transportation outside a large public zoo not two hours after they had set out. After they'd dismounted the staff resumed its key form so that Sakura could squeeze in through the bushes next to the entrance where one bought tickets. Indicating for Harry to follow her she parted the stinging nettle and poison ivy with the Wood Card, allowing them entrance into a beautiful garden.
Everywhere he looked Harry saw peonies, roses, marigolds and flowers he didn't even know the name of. A little pebbled path led around the beds and a tall fountain that rested in the center of the small garden display. Ivy clung to the rought-iron fence that led further into the attraction and on every side large hedges stood guard against the outside world. It had an unearthly presence that something like this could exist on the edge of a busy human world.
"Come Harry." Sakura told him as she drew to the side of the fountain's pool.
Harry followed, peering at his reflection in the crystal depths where coins were scattered along the bottom. For a moment he was shocked to see the seriousness that always lingered upon his face these days, as well as the stubble that was beginning to darken his maturing features. It suddenly hit him as if the very comprehension of such a thought had never quite hit him before. He was growing up!
"Sacred places such as these always require an offering." Sakura took a silver sickle from her pocket and tossed it into the fountain before clapping her hands together and bowing in thanks.
Harry out of courtesy took a bronze knut from his pocket and threw it in as well, following Sakura's lead. Then, to his slight bafflement Sakura pulled up the hem of her dress and stepped into the pool, approaching the fountain with purpose. It occurred to Harry that this was probably the entrance to the safe house so he rolled up his pant legs and stepped in after her. Together they entered the fountain.
Eyes closed Harry stumbled through the cascading water before he felt Sakura's hand grasp his own to show him the way and they emerged from the picturesque waterfall sopping wet but at their destination.
Blinking the droplets from his lashes he stepped into a dimly lit corridor with red coverlets hiding dozens of furnished oak doors. The design reminded Harry of the castles of Britain's noble past when knights and wizards hadn't been so much a legend.
"Really, I should have brought an umbrella!" Sakura exclaimed, shaking her head so that her hair sprayed water all over Harry, drenching him all over again!
"Really, the Card Mistress should remember these things!" Harry teased, taking the Maurauder's Map from his pocket to check its condition.
Giving him a "ya sure" expression she began their trek up the corridor, drying Harry's broom with her skirt.
"Now Dumbledore said I would know which door to take." Sakura's eyes dashed from one door to the other, frustration narrowing her brows. "O sure! Leave it to him to trust my sense of direction. I don't even know if I have one!"
Harry had just finished drying his wand when she let out a cry of triumph.
"Of course!" she ran to door off to the right and tapped it with her key. Immediately the coverlet rolled to the top and the door opened with a loud creak. Inside Harry couldn't make out a thing.
"What's so special about this door?" Harry asked, peering at it closely as they passed to enter the darkened chamber.
"Oh its, Harry can you use your wand to give us a little light. If I use my magic I would disturb the spirits. That's one downside to being Mistress of the Star Cards, everything happens in large portions. If I want light it gives me too much!"
Holding his wand before him he muttered "Lumos" and scanned the damp cavern of large, stone blocks. Some had statues resting upon the tops of their gray surfaces and some had objects such as wands and mummified pets. All had names and dates engraved into their faces.
"This is a burial chamber where the Malfoy family buries their greatest." She indicated the coiled snake on the wall. "Most of the Malfoys have fallen into the house of Slythern since their creation. A powerful family they are!"
Suddenly Harry was very uneasy.
"And why are we in the Malfoy's burial chamber? The Malfoy's have always been supporters of Voldemort!"
"Perhaps," Sakura continued at a leisurely walk the hall of diseased Malfoy although Harry felt very trapped by the dank air and the restless spirits. It always had to be like this didn't it.
"This place is full of strong energy and the dead no longer care of mortals problems. They will, however aid those who ask of their assistance for a purpose they see fit to aid in. Even though the Malfoys are our enemies at the moment Harry doesn't mean they'll always be that way."
These words had come from a girl yet so young Harry wasn't quite sure whether or not to heed them but the Sakura was wise beyond her years and no less powerful! And as he watched the flickering shadows over the caskets he found himself stashing her words, ready to call upon later if indeed the need arose.
Then they had passed through the burial chamber and were panting up a flight of steep rock steps to a balcony over looking a great garden of aspen and ivy, with water-lilies growing upon a floor of pond water. Flying them across the pond room Harry soon found himself in a larger version of the Gryffindor common room where they all sat.
Hermione with her hair done up in a busy ponytail, Ron a smug look on his face as he showed off his latest successful spell, the Weasley twins who were showing Neville their newest invention for their Joke Shop, Luna Lovegood who was staring blankly into space at that moment, Justin and Terry who were discussing disarming spells, Ginny and Dean Tomas were pouring over a book of charms and Ernie who was pacing while practicing a complicated wand movement. A young man was standing against the back wall beside an open doorway leading to a kitchen. Harry was shocked to recognize the star Quidditch player, Victor Krum.
Victor spotted them and called in suppressed surprise over the chattering voices and crazy movements.
"Look everr-y one! It's 'Arry Potter!"
The many heads turned towards them and all through the room smiles ignited like newly lit torches.
"Harry!" they cried, practically leaping from their seats to embrace him. Harry was knocked to the floor by all the bodies pushing to greet him.
Sakura stepped aside, a warm smile on her lips as she went to talk to Neville's grandmother who had appeared from the kitchen.
"Oh Harry we've been so worried that something would happen before you got here!" Hermione told him as Ron helped him to his feet.
"Yah, but now that you're here we'll protect you!" Terry said, as he took up a fighting pose.
"You bet! I've been practicing a new spell that will enable me to make an opponent's limbs start doing funny jigs! Can't remember the name but..."
"Oh Harry! Dean and I have come up with a whole list of useful charms!" exclaimed Ginny, jumping excitedly.
"And Harry..."
"Ok guys back up! Give the poor guy some breathing room!" Neville's grandmother commanded, swinging her cane at them as she crossed to the happy bounce.
"Thanks." Harry muttered to the woman as he was led to a chair by the fire but for some odd reason he couldn't seem to stop smiling!
"Well what's the news from the outside!" Dean asked as they all resumed their seats.
"Nothing much at the moment." Sakura told them from her stance at the open doorway. "I haven't been in touch with Dumbladore since I went to pick up Harry. I have heard that they're tracking Voldemort's movements from Berstrang castle though. Voldemort's taking this whole revenge thing world wide!"
"Well he won't regain the power he had before that's for sure!" Ernie was grinning confidently. "Harry defeated him once, he'll do it again! And with all of us with him..."
"Voldemort is very dangerous Ernie! If you neglect to remember that fact you are as good as dead!"
Ernie went quiet.
"So are you guys all staying here until school?" Harry asked watching as Krum sat down on the armrest of the couch so he could drape his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Yeah." she answered, blushing slightly. "We're expecting a few others fist though. I believe Seamus is coming..."
"Cho isn't though." announced a fuming Ron. "Had to take care of her relatives in the States, case Voldemort's decides to show up!"
Silence followed the broaching of this sensitive subject until Sakura, who was as yet oblivious to this comments' reasoning began to talk of the others who were coming to aid them.
"Richard Forester from South America, Cathrine Monue from Russia, Greg Smertcian from Scotland and a good friend of mine, Amilian Maston from Canada."
" 'ounds like ve've got all vee need!" Krum put in emphatically as Ron continued to growl in disapproval.
"Well now children, I believe it's high time we all went to bed!" Neville's grandmother announced to groans of displeasure. "Now come come, you all need your rest if you are to take on anyone so hop hop!"
The group slowly streamed from the room, each one pausing to say good night to Harry ( apparently Fred and George had something to show him tomorrow). When the main bounce had filed out Sakura guided Harry to his bedroom where he had a very much appreciated shower and slipped into some of Neville's old PJs, which were a little small but they'd do until Sakura brought his trunk tomorrow.
As he lay staring up at the gray ceiling he smiled yet again at the memory of his friends' happy expressions when they'd seen him. It meant a lot! He had nearly killed them all when he'd led them on the wild goose chase to find Sirius and yet they had forgiven him and stuck by his side. It was that he was most grateful for!
To be continued...