A damp chill still clung to the early air as dawns first grey light hesitantly penetrated the silent earth. One alone sat in this peaceful world, and now it was time to put her heart to rest.

She'd been up half the night collecting twigs and wildflowers and weaving them carefully around each other. Wood anemones, bluebells, wild pansies, primroses, cowslips, cuckoo flowers and sweet violets all bound to the wooden frame with the vine-like stems of lesser periwinkle. She'd whispered a name with each flower placed before adding the final touch, the barred tailfeather of an adult peregrin standing proudly like a sail in the centre of the floral craft. She shed a single tear on her work before pushing it out onto the lake where it sailed onwards, propelled by the slightest breeze.

'Goodbye.'

She watched the raft for a while until it had drifted out of sight on the rose-hued water before giving vent to a shuddering sigh of grief.

'Goodbye.'

Harry hadn't been able to sleep. It happened sometimes when he had a lot on his mind and he found the confinement of the dormitory and common room oppressive, so he went outside where no one watched him and there was peace for once in his chaotic life. The first birds began to awaken and sing out their first chorus, along with something that was definitely not avian.

Harry stared at Storm sitting at the edge of the lake, hugging her knees and humming softly as she stared across the still water. He still couldn't believe that she'd tried to swim it back in October. She must've known she wouldn't make it, but perhaps that had been the point. Maybe she'd got out as far as she could and then, when she knew she wouldn't be able to go further, she had just let go.

As he listened harder Harry thought for the first time he could hear words in Storm's singing;

'And if life is a rough bed of brambles and nails And your spirit's a slave to man's whips and man's jails Where you thirst and you hunger for justice and right And your heart is a pure flame of man's constant night.

In your eyes faint as the singing of a lark...'

He watched her for a little while longer. There was something different about her, something stronger despite her tears, something that seemed more real. She seemed to sense his presence and turned to look at him, a watery smile on her face and gestured him to come over and sit with her.

He plonked himself down on the grassy sward, but neither said a word. Storm's eyes twinkled like someone who knew a secret and desperately wanted to let on but didn't dare. Harry thought he knew what it was.

'I know you can speak. Dobby told me, and you've spoken to me before. Remember?'

Storm's grin grew wider and Harry heard her speak properly for the first time, although her voice was husky from lack of use, 'Aye, I remember. Wish I didn't, but you do look like your dad.'

'You knew my dad?'

'In a manner of speaking. I knew of him, he was one of Enyana's friends, Sirius's best mate. I liked your dad, and your mum. She'd have been proud of you.'

Harry digested this. It was odd these words coming from Storm, not least because she was a wolf and wolves weren't supposed to talk, especially so expressively. But Harry chided himself that nothing should be unusual to him any more after all he'd seen in his years at Hogwarts.

'What are you doing here?'

'What am I doing here in general or what am I doing here in this spot this morning setting a raft of wildflowers out on the lake and grizzling?'

'This morning.'

Storm set here frighteningly bright blue eyes back to the horizon to the last place that she had seen her offering, 'My whole family died in one night. I was there and I saw everything. To this day it still haunts me. For the past fifteen years I have been cast adrift in a sea of confusion and only now can I see things by the clear light of the dawn. I was saying my goodbyes. I never got to go to their funerals. But on this morning I am here for it is a special day to say farewell.'

'It was the day they died.'

'No, Harry, no today is not the anniversary of their passing. One of those who died that day was not a member of my family, in fact many weren't, but to Enyana he was as close as. His name was Falco Shealey and he was Enyana's dearest friend. They grew up together, shared everything, were closer than brother and sister, and today would have been his thirty- third birthday. There's a falcon feather on that raft and that's for him, for all he did for Enyana, for all that his friendship meant to her.'

'That's really nice. But what about Enyana?'

'There's an early wild rose there for her.'

'What was she like, Enyana?'

'Proud, modest perhaps, even though everyone told her she was beautiful she never thought she was anything special. Until she fell in love.'

'With Falco?'

'Oh god no!' Storm laughed, 'Falco was gay! He came out of the closet to Enyana when they were about fifteen. No, with the one whose name was the last word she spoke – Sirius. Those two made each other laugh, they were each other's joy.'

'Sirius is my godfather.'

'I know. Do you think he was guilty?'

'Of course not!' Harry exclaimed, angry, 'My father's best friend wouldn't have killed him, it was that rat Wormtail...' Harry didn't know why he had blurted all that out to Storm, but she surveyed him with a slight nod of her head.

'I know Sirius didn't do it, Harry, I never said he did. I just wondered if you knew that. You don't have to worry about what you say to me. I assure you it will go no further, as long as the assurance is returned.'

'Of course.'

They sat in silence for a few moments longer before Harry came up straight with an accusation he'd wanted to make, 'I know it was you who put that rabbit through my letterbox.'

Storm looked at her black hind paws before turning to him with a sheepish grin, 'You worked it out then. I don't know what possessed me to do it, really. I had a bit of a wolf head on at that time and I wasn't thinking straight. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Sorry if it caused any trouble.'

'No, it's all right. Hedwig enjoyed it. I've still got the wolf.'

'That's nice, it took me ages huddled under bushes trying to find bits of tinfoil and sculpt them before I got caught.'

'And the dragon.'

'Peace, Hope and Freedom – the three things I wished for more than anything in the world. I'm glad you liked them, I wanted to thank you for all you did for me. I enjoyed my time here.'

'And after?'

Storm shuddered, 'I'd rather not speak of it if you don't mind. I survived and I don't have to bow to him any more. You're a smart bloke, Harry, I just hope it saves you.'

'I'm sorry?'

'Something big's boiling up, I can feel it, and you're right in the middle of it. I don't blame you if you run, just promise me you'll run the right way.'

'Sure. What about you?'

'Me?' A hard, coldness came to her eyes and they set like steel, 'I've had enough of running. Whatever comes I'm going to meet it head on and god help the fools that get in my way.'

'But what can you do?'

'I have ways and means, better connections than old snake-face who stole my blood and murdered my family. He'll pay for that one, and Lucius is mine – I'll take anyone who gets him before me.'

Harry didn't doubt one word of what the rith said as he dug a stone out of the bank and skimmed it across the still surface.

'You don't call him master.'

'Would you? You didn't see half the scars he gave me, the times he humiliated me, the times he locked me away during storms and the countless other things he did to me. He was a tyrant, but a tyrant under the heel of another and that's why I laughed at him, being the lowest of the low you see things that others can't because they're so obsessed with their own power. If I found out you were being treated like that, locked away, starved, punished for acts you didn't commit, I wouldn't be held responsible for my actions.'

Harry said nothing on that particular matter, but something else bothered him, 'Because I'm Lily and James's son?'

'A bit, perhaps, but mainly because I know what it likes to be in that position and its not one that I would wish upon any other. That's why I will fight to my dying breath the Snake Lord. All he stands for is slavery and death and that is no life for anyone. Don't be afraid of your destiny, Harry, it'll see you right. There's one hell of a destiny attached to you, and your friends. Stick together, no matter what, and you'll be all right.'

'I'd better get back to the castle before anyone misses me.'

'Likewise, I'll walk back with you.'

They talked as they walked, Harry quite taken about by Storm's determination and eloquence, he wouldn't have dreamed of having this conversation a few months ago as Storm's howls echoed through the Potions classroom. He walked her down to the dungeons, but before she entered she turned to him.

'Harry, I have three things to say to you. One: Do not be ashamed of the help given to you because of who you are. Be proud that your parents earned so much love and respect that people want to repay them by helping you. Two: If you are ever lost or need an impartial ear to talk to and I am not available then speak to Saiph. Ask any creature in the Dark Forest to take you to him and you will find him. Tell anyone you come up against that Elhaz sent you. And finally Three: There's a storm on its way. I don't know what I'm going to do, just make sure that Snape stays out of my way.'

'You really don't like him, do you?'

'I have my reasons, and not just because he put the Cruciatus on me. It wasn't the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last.'

'See you later, Storm.'

'Oh, Harry, one more thing.'

'What?'

'Can you lock the door. I'm not supposed to be able to get out.'

'Then how did you?'

'I picked the lock. Any more questions?'

Harry smiled at Storm, 'I don't think so. See you later.'

'See ya, mate.'