Chapter 20

Everyone looked up as we re-entered the kitchen, but no one spoke, waiting for us to come forward with information. Instead, I took the lead in eating my breakfast and everyone followed suit, confining the conversation to pleasant generalities. When we were done and the dishes cleared away, I suggested, "Maybe we should go into the living room to talk."

Dad, not one to beat around the bush, began, "What's going on sweetheart? Is this about Voldemort?" Dad's always been pretty perceptive. I nodded affirmation and Cassandra swept a worried glance at Remus, who was avoiding looking at her.

I took a deep breath and told them, "It looks like the war has begun. Voldemort has begun attacking non-magicals, and some wizarding families who oppose him. I've told you that Harry is a key player in the fight against him. The three of us need to return to Hogwarts at once. It will be safer for us, and you, if we are not here."

Mum was looking frightened and alarmed, but stood and folded her arms around me, "We always rather hoped he was gone for good and that you would never have to go through this. From what you've told us of Harry, and the rumors of Voldemort's return, I think we knew that was an unrealistic hope. You do what you have to do, Deandra, but by darn you stay alive!" She smiled shakily at me, trying to look threatening but completely failing at it.

Cassandra found her voice, and croaked out, "How soon do you leave?"

"As soon as we get packed," I answered softly. Mum and Dad stepped back and nodded their understanding, exuding support for me. I flung my arms around each of them and kissed them on the cheek, insisting, "I WILL see you again!"

The three of us started up the stairs and a moment later, Cass raced up behind me and followed me to my room. Helping me pack, she demanded, "Talk to me, girlfriend! What's really going on here? There's a lot more to it than you said downstairs."

I stopped putting things in my bag and faced her, "There is Cass, but I'm not at liberty to tell you." I raised a hand to halt her objection, "NOT because I don't trust you, but the decision isn't mine to make."

She suddenly collapsed on my bed, her hands to her face, choking back sobs. I could tell this was something more than concern over my well-being, so I sat down next to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders, "Sandy? What is it?"

She regained some slight control, and gasped, "I can't believe I just found him and now I'm losing him so soon." In a flash, I realized what she was talking about, "Remus?"

She nodded miserably and sat staring blindly at the floor. Then her head jerked up, "Let me come with you! Talk to whoever you have to and get them to let me come! Surely they can use a Healer in a war..."

I sighed, "Sandy, I can ask, but I can't promise what they'll say. But I'll try, I promise I'll try - though it may take a little while..."

She nodded and her jaw tightened with determination. A sound near the door drew our attention there. Remus and Harry were standing watching us; I don't know how long they had been there or how much they had heard. Hastily I stood and resumed my packing, finishing a moment later. Just as we were preparing to take our things downstairs, Dumbledore Apparated into the room. Even Moony seemed surprised to see him.

He turned to me and said quietly, "Miss Alleyan, I must speak with your parents. Under the circumstances, I think it wise to place some wards and protections on their home lest someone try to get to you and Harry through them." A chill ran down my spine, but I merely nodded and led the way back to the living room. Mum and Dad had remained there, possibly not even daring to discuss what was taking place.

They were startled to look up and see us accompanied by a man who was so clearly a wizard. I made introductions and he explained his purpose to them. They nodded understandingly; this, unfortunately, was all too familiar to them. When he had finished the charms and spells and we were preparing to depart, I stopped him for a moment and said, "Professor, this is my friend, Cassandra Wilson, who works as a Healer. Er...she would like to help us, if that is possible, sir."

He smiled benignly at me, glancing briefly at Cass and then asking, "Do you trust her, Miss Alleyan?"

Without hesitation, I told him, "Implicitly, sir. I'd trust her with my life."

There was a brief pause and then he said, "It is best that we get the three of you back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. I will consider your request and let you know." It wasn't what Cass and I, and probably Remus also, had hoped for, but it was better than nothing. We gathered in a circle and Professor Dumbledore placed the portkey spell on Harry's broom once again. We each grabbed something to carry and seized hold of the broom. A moment later, the four of us were gone from the living room.

We set down in the entry hall of the castle. Moony pushed his trunk out of the way and left with Dumbledore. Harry and I carried our belongings to Gryffindor tower. We returned to the entry hall and as there was no sign of Moony, we left him a note and headed off to headquarters with his trunk. We found other members of the Order were already gathered, so we remained there talking to them until Dumbledore and Moony showed up half an hour later.

Kingsley Shacklebolt outlined what little they knew already. The Ministry of Magic was trying to do containment, but clearly they were in over their heads, whether they realized it or not. There still seemed to be reluctance to accept the attacks for what they were, despite their grudging belief that Voldemort had returned. Dumbledore gave instructions to various members and they quickly departed. "I have a few matters to attend to as well," Dumbledore advised Harry, Moony and me, as he headed for the tunnel also. Apparating wasn't possible inside the shack itself due to the wards and charms on it, but a short distance along the tunnel it could be accomplished, as it was still outside the Hogwarts school grounds.

The three of us were left alone, uncertain what to do with ourselves. I looked at Moony, trying to determine what he was thinking and feeling, but he had his defenses up and it was hard to read him. He hadn't made any comment about leaving Cassie to return to Hogwarts, and I wondered if he felt the separation as keenly as she indicated she would. Tentatively I suggested, "Moony, feel like going for a walk around the grounds with us?"

He shook his head and said, "I think I'll just read for a bit. Dumbledore may return and need me to do something so I ought to stay available." I hated that he seemed resigned to going back to his lonely existence without complaint. I wanted him to fight for his right to be happy just like anyone else, but clearly he wasn't going to do it. I walked over and kissed his cheek before we left, hoping it would be some small comfort to him.

Harry and I wandered aimlessly, hand in hand, not even talking. There didn't seem to be anything to say at that point. What was going to happen was going to happen. We could only deal with it as it came.

Some time later as we strolled along the lake, I was surprised to see someone walking in our direction on the opposite shore. I idly wondered who was out on the school grounds when suddenly I stiffened with recognition and let out a 'whoop'. Harry snapped out of his thoughts to turn to me with some alarm, but seeing the grin on my face he looked in the direction I was wildly waving my arm. It took him a moment to recognize the person as well and then he broke into a grin as well. We both took off running around the lake, and I flung myself into Cassie's arms when I reached her. We just stood hugging and laughing for several minutes, and Harry let us enjoy our reunion.

"What happened? How did you get here?" I demanded to know when finally we broke apart.

"Dumbledore. He popped into my living room a while ago - nearly scared the life out of me. I would have hexed him if I hadn't recognized him!" she laughed. I waited impatiently for her to continue her explanation and she added, "I think maybe he wanted to talk to me privately and figure out if you were right about me. Guess I convinced him, because he had me pack some things, take care of matters at home and told me where to Apparate to. He took me to the headquarters but you two had already left. He turned me over to Remus to help me find you and give you the good news."

I hugged her again with delight. "I'm so glad he let you come!"

"Well, I'm not much of a fighter, but I hope I can be helpful." She glanced at Harry, to see his reaction and he came forward and gave her a hug as well.

"Glad to have you, Cassie," he told her warmly. And then teasingly added, "And I'm sure Moony is even happier to have you here." She swatted his arm in mock reproof, but she blushed all the same.

It was nearing dinnertime, so we returned to collect Moony and we all headed up to the castle. Since there were no students around it seemed safe to let Moony eat with us in the Great Hall.

After dinner, Dumbledore reappeared and took Cassie to meet Madam Pomfrey and explain the situation to her. They gave her a room in the hospital wing and we went to fetch her belongings from headquarters.