Chapter 31, Restless Peace.

A peacefulness frame of mind seemed to blanket Hogwarts as spring arrived. Things had begun to settle down again in all aspects of the wizarding world. The daily prophet was the news source to keep everyone informed on the actions of the dark lord and of the death eaters and there really wasn't much to report. At the school, the castle was safe and sound. Dumbledore had recovered from his illness, as the students had taken to calling it, and returned to his position as head master and teacher of defence against dark arts. The new fire and ice curse was being tested greatly by a team of professors at Hogwarts to prove its effectiveness and even though it had not yet been named an official counter curse Dumbledore had taken to teaching it in his Defence against the Dark Arts classes. Belinda and Snape had both returned to their normal teaching methods and the students had become caught up in all of the work that had been missed with the absence of their professors.

The snow had melted and new, fresh leaves sprouted from the trees and the grass was lush. The lake had thawed and the stream that fed the lake rushed on noisily over the rocks and roots to its final resting place in the deep crystal waters of the Hogwarts lake. Life had begun to return to the earth. The magic of the season once again taking its turn to spread wonder and awe at the beauty it possessed. It breathed in and accepted the renewed life that came with the warmth of the sun.

The students at hogwarts were also renewed. The loss of the snow aloud them more time about the grounds and the cabin fever that had taken over them was slowly being replaced with the wonderful energy that the earth provided. The excitement was coming for the summer months and the return of all the activities that the wonderful weather provided them with. Quiddich was back in the students times table and although the first game of the spring season had not yet taken place, the teams filled the pitch every afternoon as long as the sun was shining and talk of who would win the house cup was renewed.

Rain had come to Hogwarts. It seemed to signal an awakening. The moment that Amelia had opened her eyes the clouds rolled in, putting the sun to sleep and sending forth the wakening rains for the earth. Harry had rushed back to the Gryffindor common room to fetch his invisibility cloak and then made his way back to the hospital wing. Amelia had requested that her mother be the first to know, before anyone else, even Madame Pomfrey, that she was alright. Reluctantly Dominic and Harry agreed and they led the way, through the school, with Amelia under the cloak.

Belinda sat silently at her desk, the two remaining feather in both of her hands and a small note left by Dumbledore. In a basket beneath a light in her class room lay a bright fiery coloured egg and in the note from Dumbledore was the words 'a gift from a friend'. It was all that seemed left of what she had known and loved. Sure she still had Dominic but there was a great void in her life. Her daughter and the bird were gone from her and, even though, her friendship had been renewed with Snape, the void in her life seemed greater somehow. Dominic and Harry burst into her class room just in time to see her start to cry again. Dominic rushed to her side as Harry slowly shut the door behind Amelia and they walked slowly to the front of the room.

The windows had darkened with the oncoming cloud and the phoenix at the peak of the room seemed to fade into the sky. The glass around it seemed blue and pail and the brightness of its feathers was gone.

"Mum, please don't cry. I can't stand to see you cry anymore," Dominic said as he embraced his mother, "things will be alright in the end."

"I wish I could believe it as you do, Dominic," Belinda whispered as she cried into her sons shoulder.

"Please don't cry for me," Amelia said as she removed the invisibility cloak and handed it to Harry.

"Boys, I don't know how you are doing this but this is a terribly evil joke," Belinda cried, a look of horror on her face.

"Mum, its not a joke really," Amelia said as tears filled her eyes, "I'm here," she ran and embraced her mother, "I am safe," and with these words the rain started and the egg cracked.

It rained for days, washing away the snow more and more with every drop. All of the mould and dirt from the snow and the winter fell away to the streams and the lakes. Flowers began to pop up in the gardens and everything began to take on a new green hew. The trees on the ground began to push forth their spring colours. Trees began to bloom in blues and pinks and at times the breeze blew the petals in a fragrant spring snow.

The rains stopped the day that Dumbledore was fully revived. That evening after a day of thunder storms, the students were all called to dinner early. The great hall became packed with students and professors all wondering what would be so important to bring a halt to school life for a great banquet. Professor McGonagall had fought to gain control of the great mass of students but without success. The room only became quiet when Dumbledore stepped in through the main entrance. Silence fell as he walked the length of the room and took his place at the professors table in the front. With a wave of his hand, the sun came out and spring had awakened with him. A feast was spread for the school as it work in any new beginning at Hogwarts and cheerful chatter filled the hall again until a great flash of fiery light caught the attention of the students and with a great sweep of the crowd a beautiful young phoenix landed on the should of the care of magical creatures teacher. Who beamed with a smiled of happiness and renewal.

Now, with the sun high in the sky, chicks and young animals filling the grounds of Hogwarts, things were starting to feel normal. Or as normal as things could feel for Harry. Exams were nearing. Amelia and Hermione had fallen, easily, back into their old schedule of study time and free time. Harry had been running several, very successful, quiddich practices and his mind was clear and free of any distractions that may through off his studies. Things had returned to normal. However one thing had changed. Draco Malfoy was not permitted back on the school grounds. He was spotted, with his father and mother, in Hogsmade but, by orders from the ministry of magic and a spell placed on the school by Dumbledore, no Malfoy could enter school territory. Harry found it a relief and yet a bit of a burden to know that Malfoy could not come back. His final year at Hogwarts was coming to a close and now it was know throughout the school that Malfoy had joined the dark side, as his father and his father before him. Harry knew that someday the grudge between them would lead their paths to cross again and he feared what may have to happen should they meet again. Harry believed in his heart that Malfoy would never hesitate to try and curse Harry with an unforgivable curse. Harry, however, was worried that he would no be able to do the same.

For now Harry was content with what had been happening. School work was coming along well. He had received help from Snape, although Snape would never admit it to anyone, for his O.W.L exam in potions, which he needed to continue on in his field of expertise. Dominic and Amelia had, had a few little squabbles but they had become more relaxed with each other and their friends. Harry wasn't sure how, but Amelia had changed somehow after everything that had happened to her. Her hair remained in tight curls all the time and a look almost like fire could be seen if one looked deep into her eyes and her mind was a very strong place. She had been able to block out many things that Dominic was once able to break and she was able to break both Dominic and Harry down to the very core. But something seemed to always cause her pain. Her eyes, though they smiled all the time, bore a constant pain and even though they tried to get her to tell them, Dominic and Harry could not find the root of her sadness. All in all things were restful and safe for the time being.

One afternoon, only days before the start of the new Quiddich season, the weather outside beckoned the students to it. The Hogwarts grounds were filled with animals and students all out to enjoy the beauty of spring. Harry and his friends couldn't help but find themselves back by the lake, beneath the trees, with their brooms and books. It was in this same spot that many months before the whole thing had started and even Belinda and Severus had returned to the lake.

Amelia had turned a pile of leaves into a blanket with an advanced transfigurations McGonagall had taught her and she lay on it staring up as the light breeze blew, blue blossoms out of the flowering trees and down into the crystal clear water of the Hogwarts lake.

"We're going for a walk down by the waters edge," She had heard her mother said as she and Severus Snape walked away from the bunch of students.

"You've become a pretty good flyer Dominic, for someone who never flew before," she heard Ron said to her brother.

"Pretty good?" Dominic had said in retaliation, "I'm awesome."

"I could beat you no problem," Ginny joked.

"Wanna make a bet!" Dominic had taunted and the two of them disappeared and a chase of brooms around the school had commenced.

Hermione and Ron laughed as they watched Dominic and Ginny fly circles around each other. Diving and swerving around obstacles and soon the rivalry became a game of Taunt the walloping willow.

Harry had remained quiet for most of the afternoon as he sat close to Amelia, who stared dreamily up into the clouds, "what are you looking for?" she asked Harry softly as she felt him in her mind.

"I'm sorry," Harry said and withdrew, "here I go again invading your privacy, you would think I would learn."

"Its alright Harry," Amelia smiled, "how can I not trust you with all of my life and my soul? I owe my life to you and Dominic. If it weren't for the two of you I would have spent the rest of my natural life in a hospital for the mentally ill. But instead here I am, on the banks of the lake enjoying the incredible magic of the earth with you."

"It wasn't only us," Harry said as he blushed, "you're mind is stronger that anyone I know, we all should have known that the spell wouldn't effect you as it would most wizards."

"Please, Harry, tell me what you were looking for, maybe I can help you find it," She said as she sat up and tucked a handful of the blue tree flowers in her red hair.

"I was just looking for the root of your pain," Harry said shyly.

"What pain?" Amelia giggled, "I'm not in any pain."

"But its in your eyes," Harry said, "it has been since the moment you woke up."

"Walk with me Harry," Amelia said as she stood up and took Harry's hand.

"What is it?" He asked with a hint of concern.

"If there is pain in my eyes now, there has always been in yours," she said as they walked slowly along the edge of the water, in the opposite direction from Belinda and Severus, "I have never forced you to tell me but now I ask you, what is the root of yours?"

"I'm not sure," Harry said, "I thought at one time I knew but I don't anymore. My mind is so much clearer now."

"I think it is an after reaction to a curse from Voldimort," Amelia said as she looked deep into Harry's eyes, "I can see it there, everything you saw when you watched him kill your parents and to see the curse come upon yourself. I think that is the source of your pain."

"I think you are right," Harry said after a few moments of looking deep into Amelia's eyes, "I can see your encounter from a completely different point of view than what I had seen before."

"I guess its something I will have to learn to live with as you have Harry," Amelia sighed, "but we are lucky to be a live after a curse from the dark Lord."

"Don't call him that, he's nothing more than a man," Harry said with a scowl.

"But Harry, he is stronger than many people give him credit for, even you or I," Amelia said sadly, "people must realise that, but they also have to see that there are wizards out there that are just as strong if not stronger to fight the good fight."

"You'll forever be fighting him now," Harry said sadly, "you've survived him."

"Only with your help," She smiled.

They walked silently together back to the blanket were Ron and Hermione were. A strange restless peace seemed to come over Hogwarts. It was like a realisation that for now, but only for now, feeling safe and being safe were the same thing.

End.

I'd like to dedicate this story to Amelia and Allison. Amelia, your wonderful heart and your beautiful soul inspires me so much. You are an extremely beautiful person inside and out thank you so much for the encouragement. Allison your mind and your courage is amazing. You are so strong and intelligent. I can't tell you how much you inspire me. Thank you for all of your help on this story!