He rolled over and opened one green eye, the morning sun splaying across
his fingers warmed him slightly. He groaned and rolled back to his original
position, allowing both now open eyes to spill over her features. They were
relaxed, her lips pink and full from sleep, her eyelashes laying on pale,
silken cheeks, her hair rumpled from her nocturnal movement. He smiled to
himself, allowing his gaze to flicker from feature to feature, reveling in
the fact that this woman, this apparition, was beside him, this morning,
and many more to come. At least if he had his way about it.
"BOY!" The voice that thundered through the house shook paintings from the walls, and rattled windows almost to the point of shattering. Her eyes shot open, and she squeaked. He smiled at her. Even his beastly uncle couldn't keep him from noticing how adorable she was when she made that sound. There was a loud rapping on the door, and his uncle bellowed, "BOY! GET OUT HERE IMMEDIATELY!"
Harry Potter calmly rolled from the bed, and wrapped a robe around his pajama clad body. Before him, on the bed, Kalli snuggled up with his abandoned pillow, and smiled at him. "I'll be right back," Harry whispered, bending down to drop a feather-light kiss on her pink lips. With that, he swung the door open and found himself face to face with his belligerent Uncle Vernon. (Well, considering Vernon's enormous size, and the fact that Harry Potter had only grown four inches since his last time home, it would more then likely be face to blubbery chest, but in the spin of things...) "Yes, Uncle Vernon?" Harry questioned, as if the wake-up call had been a normal occurrence.
Vernon's face was a deep scarlet, verging on a delightful shade of royal purple, as he replied, through his teeth, "I thought I told you that SHE was the only one of your kind allowed here this summer!"
With these unexpected words, Kalli too rose from the bed, wrapping a robe around her own pajama clad form. She stepped up behind Harry in the door, and said, "Which kind would that be, Mr. Dursley?" Her voice was sugar sweet, sweet enough, Harry noted in a bemused side thought, to rot Dudley's teeth to the point of decay. "Would that be teenaged, or..." she lingered for a second, then dropped her voice to a whisper, "Magic?"
Vernon inhaled sharply, his eyes widening as she said the word. Harry held back an amused laugh, almost allowing himself to smile at his uncle's obvious discomfort. He didn't respond to Kalli, for which Harry was glad. He would have hated having to go before the Wizengamot again to explain his use of magic on a Muggle. He didn't think Fudge would be lenient, but then, Fudge hadn't met Vernon Dursley either.
"Boy," Vernon said, through tightly clenched teeth. "Would you come down here and speak with your..." he paused, as he ground his teeth. "Visitor? Then REMOVE her from my house." His voice thundered as he spoke the word, threatening to shake the chandelier in the entry hall. Harry glanced to Kalli, who smiled brilliantly at him, then he strolled past the livid Vernon Dursley, and down the staircase to the front hall.
Standing in the door was a young witch, cloaked in a brilliant green cloak, that contrasted violently with the hot pink hair she sported. "Tonks!" Kalli said, grinning, and reaching to embrace the woman as they came off the final step. "We weren't expecting anyone from the Order until Harry's birthday!" Suddenly, she realized what she said. "Is something wrong?"
"If there was something wrong, they wouldn't have sent Tonks alone," Harry said logically. "They would have sent the Order, right?"
Tonks narrowed her eyes, and jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "They're waiting outside. Get your things." Harry's eyes widened, and he gave an obvious shudder before he glanced to Kalli, who had turned an unhealthy ash color.
She looked into his green eyes and saw reflected there the fear that she felt. But she knew that Harry felt no fear for his well bring. He cared only for hers. He of course believed that Voldemort's hatred for him would be her downfall. But Kalli was hellbent convinced that her link to Voldemort would be his. He reached out and took her hand in his, and she felt his warmth cascade over her like a waterfall. She was safe with him, she knew it.
As he packed their things safely in their trunks, Kalli made the bed. She fluffed the pillows, and tucked the sheets, and tried not to think about the way he had held her the night before. He had kissed her, and made love to her with his words, crooning softly in her ear about how he loved her, and loved kissing her, loved knowing she was there, with him. She had been swept away by Harry Potter, the way she was whenever he was around. But in the cool harshness of the day, she knew there was a war raging, and Harry was not hers and hers alone.
Until she felt the familiar warmth of Harry's flesh against her motionless hand, she hadn't realized that she was simply holding the comforter and staring at the stark white sheets. His lips pressed against the part of her neck that met her collar, the pale skin creamy against his wet lips. Unwittingly she tilted her head away, giving him access to more of her neck. He took advantage of the angle for a moment before wrapping his long, sinewy arms around her waist and pulling her close against him. His breath warmed her earlobe as he whispered, "I meant what I said last night, Kalinda Damia." She shivered at the purpose in his words. "I do love you."
There was a slight, non-obtrusive knock on the door, then Tonks pushed it open slightly. A moment later, her wild pink hair came into view, and she grinned sheepishly as she saw them, locked in their embrace. "Sorry, guys... But Moody's attracting attention..." she said, apologetically.
Harry grinned his brilliant grin, green eyes glittering under dark eyebrows. "Bet Uncle Vernon loves that," he replied, unwrapping his arms from Kalli's waist and reaching for a trunk. Kalli finished tossing the sheets onto the bed, just as Harry hoisted the two trunks onto his back. "Would you mind grabbing Hedwig?" Harry asked, smiling at her. Kalli nodded and reached for the owl's gilded cage.
"Actually, your uncle hasn't said much since he went out to speak with Moody..." Tonks trailed off, a faint smile on her lips. "Hasn't moved much either..."
Harry only had to wait a few moments to find out what it was that Tonks meant. Vernon Dursley stood just inside the door, his back straight as a board, his mouth clamped shut, his hands clenched at his sides, and his eyes darting back and forth as though he was chasing a fly with only his vision. He saw Harry and Kalli descend the stairs, but didn't move once. His eyes darted from one to the other, and then to the trunks. Aunt Petunia stood on the opposite side of the hall, whimpering softly as she watched her oversized husband stand motionless as his nephew stepped on his toes.
"Bye, Uncle Vernon!" Harry said gleefully, his smile broad as he waved ludicrously in front of Vernon's narrowed eyes. He slid a trunk to the floor for Remus Lupin to grab, then wrapped a long arm around Kalli's waist. Petunia whimpered again as Moody waved his wand, and Vernon fell to the floor.
The kitchen of number 12 Grimmauld Place was crowded to the brim with Order Members. Since Voldemort's obvious return in their fifth year, when he practically destroyed the Ministry of Magic, hundreds had come to join the Order. Now, only a select few were allowed at the meetings, then they held their own meetings to direct the other members. Even with the select few, the kitchen was still over crowded.
Long ago, this place had stopped being the House of Black. When Sirius vanished into the veil, it simply became Headquarters. All traces of the Black Family had been removed, save the portrait of Sirius' mother. But even she had fallen silent in the aftermath of Sirius' banishment. The downstairs rooms served as offices for those that worked directly under Dumbledore, those that had comprised the team that raged against Voldemort at the Ministry those two years ago. Upstairs rooms served as storage, or more offices, save the bedrooms, which remained that.
It was into one of these that Remus and Tonks deposited Harry and Kalli's trunks before escorting them to the kitchen, where everyone was waiting patiently. When the duo took seats beside Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore began to speak, his voice holding the same power as their years at Hogwarts.
"As we are all aware, the devastating blow to Diagon Alley has left us all bewildered. We can only speculate at how such a terrible occurrence was waylaid to a protected place, but we must keep our front powered with some of the most powerful witches and wizards to walk our world. To each separate House I am sending one of my officers. Together, we must find a way to protect the Wizarding community. First of all, we must protect Hogwarts. Nothing is safe, not even our children," he paused, meeting Harry's eyes. "Especially our children."
Kalli's hand found his in the cool dark of the kitchen, lit with torches. With the bodies pressing in around them, it almost seemed as if there was no illumination at all. He squeezed her hand lovingly, and rubbed his thumb tenderly over her palm. Sitting in this darkened kitchen, the members of the Order around her, Kalli knew they were at war. But when Harry brushed his hand against hers, she lost all thought of Voldemort, of Death Eaters, and even of the rubble that was Diagon Alley. When his hand brushed hers, they were alone in that semi-dark kitchen, Dumbledore's voice only a memory.
It wasn't until the meeting broke that Kalli brought herself back to the present. Ron and Hermione were standing beside them, talking jovially with Harry as if it were natural to be in Headquarters. Of course, Kalli had to remind herself, it was normal. War was a way of life now. Across the room, Kalli caught a glimpse of a shimmering sheet of blonde hair being tossed aside, and silvery laughter reached her ears. She knew instinctively that the hair and the laughter belonged to her cousin, and dearest friend, Willow Lupin.
The young woman was chatting with a newer member of the Order, his eyes dancing at Willow's inevitable flirting. Kalli smiled. Willow Lupin was a flirt, but she was faithful as the day was long, and to one man and one man alone. Draco Malfoy. Hard to believe that the daughter of a werewolf could win the heart of a Death-Eater's son, but it had happened, and it had happened quickly. But Draco was on the run for betraying Voldemort, and Willow was the only one who heard from him.
"Harry," spoke a grandfatherly voice, warm with love. Kalli turned with Harry to see Albus Dumbledore strolling toward them, his arms open. Harry embraced the man warmly, then stepped aside for Dumbledore to wrap his arms around Kalli. When she pulled away, Dumbledore turned to Harry and said, "I brought you here for a reason." He glanced around at the four. "All of you, actually." Ron and Hermione stepped closer. "I need you four to go back to Hogwarts, and make sure everything is safe there. Minerva is out of reach, on a task for me. Hagrid is there now, but if something were to happen, I would rather have the DA there to protect my school." His blue eyes twinkled with laughter, though he did not smile.
A smile in place on his own lips, Harry replied, "When would you like us to leave?" Kalli faced Dumbledore, expecting his usual indirect response.
"Tomorrow morning would be good," he replied, smiling at them, with those familiar twinkling eyes. "For tonight, the bedrooms upstairs are free. Molly and Arthur are returning to the Burrow, and Fred and George have business to attend to. Their shop was destroyed with the rest of Diagon Alley. But, naturally, as with everything, the twins will emerge profitable. They are already devising a plan." Ron nodded, having an inside view of the twin's plan. "But, I really should be going. Remus and I have to go to Bulgaria tonight. Dobby will make you at home, and feel free to use Floo Powder, or the Hogwarts' Express to get the school. Whichever makes you more comfortable." He leaned forward and embraced Kalli, then Hermione, shook Harry and Ron's hands, and vanished into the crowd.
The quartet was alone for perhaps three seconds before they heard a clearing of a throat, and they looked to their feet. "Mr. Harry Potter, sir," Dobby's squeaky voice said from down by their ankles. "I have been told to serve you until you leave Headquarters. Would you like anything, Mr. Harry Potter, sir?"
Kalli fought to keep a straight face, as Hermione sighed openly. Harry smiled down at Dobby, and replied, "No, Dobby. Right now all I would like is a bed." Dobby nodded, and bowed low before he backed out of the circle the quartet had formed by the fireplace. For a moment, a single thought fleeted through Harry's head. It had been right in this spot that Kreacher had lied to him, and he had raced off to the Ministry to save his ill-fated Godfather. It was only after Harry had raced off that Sirius was put in danger. In that moment, Harry felt rage fill him, boiling over, spilling from his ears, reddening his face, narrowing his eyes. He wanted Sirius back! With all of his heart and soul, he blamed himself, rage and sorrow and self hatred vying for prominence in his mind.
"Harry," Kalli said, her light, airy, delicate voice assuaging his raging temper. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to go to bed." Her touch on his arm was like cool water, and his green eyes cleared. Harry nodded, and excused himself from Ron and Hermione, telling them that they would see them in the morning.
Upstairs, Harry closed the door to their bedroom, and turned to look at Kalli. She was unfolding her nightgown, holding it up to look at it. The way the moonlight streamed through the window, lighting her skin with the silver afterglow made his heart stir. He watched her for a moment, his breath catching in his throat, and his heart racing against his chest.
She turned to look at him, her ice blue eyes alive with stars that flickered brighter then those outside the open window. Without actually moving, she beckoned him toward her. His feet were soundless on the carpet as he made his way across the room to her open arms. Whenever he was in Kalli's arms, he forgot the self loathing that he felt constantly, the ache in his heart subsided, and he felt whole once more.
The mattress was soft as he laid her down, his lips finding hers, his hands searching for the buttons on her blouse. She moaned his name against his neck, loving the feel of him. He made love to her with his words, his lips, and finally his body, pushing her over the edge of ecstasy to a world beyond them. And in the end, as they lay intertwined on the rumpled sheets, Kalli heard Harry whisper the words that years of the Dursleys had prevented him from expressing.
"I love you, Kalli," he whispered into her hair. Her heart raced against her chest as she brushed slender fingers along his jawline. His green eyes burned into hers, and flickered in the candle light around them. "I can't lose you," he continued, "Not like..."
Kalli's finger on his lips silenced him. "It's not your fault, my love," she whispered, replacing her finger with her lips. Again, his heart sped up as he wrapped his arms around her. The war could be banging on the door of Grimmauld Place, and Harry wouldn't care, as long as Kalli was in his arms.
"BOY!" The voice that thundered through the house shook paintings from the walls, and rattled windows almost to the point of shattering. Her eyes shot open, and she squeaked. He smiled at her. Even his beastly uncle couldn't keep him from noticing how adorable she was when she made that sound. There was a loud rapping on the door, and his uncle bellowed, "BOY! GET OUT HERE IMMEDIATELY!"
Harry Potter calmly rolled from the bed, and wrapped a robe around his pajama clad body. Before him, on the bed, Kalli snuggled up with his abandoned pillow, and smiled at him. "I'll be right back," Harry whispered, bending down to drop a feather-light kiss on her pink lips. With that, he swung the door open and found himself face to face with his belligerent Uncle Vernon. (Well, considering Vernon's enormous size, and the fact that Harry Potter had only grown four inches since his last time home, it would more then likely be face to blubbery chest, but in the spin of things...) "Yes, Uncle Vernon?" Harry questioned, as if the wake-up call had been a normal occurrence.
Vernon's face was a deep scarlet, verging on a delightful shade of royal purple, as he replied, through his teeth, "I thought I told you that SHE was the only one of your kind allowed here this summer!"
With these unexpected words, Kalli too rose from the bed, wrapping a robe around her own pajama clad form. She stepped up behind Harry in the door, and said, "Which kind would that be, Mr. Dursley?" Her voice was sugar sweet, sweet enough, Harry noted in a bemused side thought, to rot Dudley's teeth to the point of decay. "Would that be teenaged, or..." she lingered for a second, then dropped her voice to a whisper, "Magic?"
Vernon inhaled sharply, his eyes widening as she said the word. Harry held back an amused laugh, almost allowing himself to smile at his uncle's obvious discomfort. He didn't respond to Kalli, for which Harry was glad. He would have hated having to go before the Wizengamot again to explain his use of magic on a Muggle. He didn't think Fudge would be lenient, but then, Fudge hadn't met Vernon Dursley either.
"Boy," Vernon said, through tightly clenched teeth. "Would you come down here and speak with your..." he paused, as he ground his teeth. "Visitor? Then REMOVE her from my house." His voice thundered as he spoke the word, threatening to shake the chandelier in the entry hall. Harry glanced to Kalli, who smiled brilliantly at him, then he strolled past the livid Vernon Dursley, and down the staircase to the front hall.
Standing in the door was a young witch, cloaked in a brilliant green cloak, that contrasted violently with the hot pink hair she sported. "Tonks!" Kalli said, grinning, and reaching to embrace the woman as they came off the final step. "We weren't expecting anyone from the Order until Harry's birthday!" Suddenly, she realized what she said. "Is something wrong?"
"If there was something wrong, they wouldn't have sent Tonks alone," Harry said logically. "They would have sent the Order, right?"
Tonks narrowed her eyes, and jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "They're waiting outside. Get your things." Harry's eyes widened, and he gave an obvious shudder before he glanced to Kalli, who had turned an unhealthy ash color.
She looked into his green eyes and saw reflected there the fear that she felt. But she knew that Harry felt no fear for his well bring. He cared only for hers. He of course believed that Voldemort's hatred for him would be her downfall. But Kalli was hellbent convinced that her link to Voldemort would be his. He reached out and took her hand in his, and she felt his warmth cascade over her like a waterfall. She was safe with him, she knew it.
As he packed their things safely in their trunks, Kalli made the bed. She fluffed the pillows, and tucked the sheets, and tried not to think about the way he had held her the night before. He had kissed her, and made love to her with his words, crooning softly in her ear about how he loved her, and loved kissing her, loved knowing she was there, with him. She had been swept away by Harry Potter, the way she was whenever he was around. But in the cool harshness of the day, she knew there was a war raging, and Harry was not hers and hers alone.
Until she felt the familiar warmth of Harry's flesh against her motionless hand, she hadn't realized that she was simply holding the comforter and staring at the stark white sheets. His lips pressed against the part of her neck that met her collar, the pale skin creamy against his wet lips. Unwittingly she tilted her head away, giving him access to more of her neck. He took advantage of the angle for a moment before wrapping his long, sinewy arms around her waist and pulling her close against him. His breath warmed her earlobe as he whispered, "I meant what I said last night, Kalinda Damia." She shivered at the purpose in his words. "I do love you."
There was a slight, non-obtrusive knock on the door, then Tonks pushed it open slightly. A moment later, her wild pink hair came into view, and she grinned sheepishly as she saw them, locked in their embrace. "Sorry, guys... But Moody's attracting attention..." she said, apologetically.
Harry grinned his brilliant grin, green eyes glittering under dark eyebrows. "Bet Uncle Vernon loves that," he replied, unwrapping his arms from Kalli's waist and reaching for a trunk. Kalli finished tossing the sheets onto the bed, just as Harry hoisted the two trunks onto his back. "Would you mind grabbing Hedwig?" Harry asked, smiling at her. Kalli nodded and reached for the owl's gilded cage.
"Actually, your uncle hasn't said much since he went out to speak with Moody..." Tonks trailed off, a faint smile on her lips. "Hasn't moved much either..."
Harry only had to wait a few moments to find out what it was that Tonks meant. Vernon Dursley stood just inside the door, his back straight as a board, his mouth clamped shut, his hands clenched at his sides, and his eyes darting back and forth as though he was chasing a fly with only his vision. He saw Harry and Kalli descend the stairs, but didn't move once. His eyes darted from one to the other, and then to the trunks. Aunt Petunia stood on the opposite side of the hall, whimpering softly as she watched her oversized husband stand motionless as his nephew stepped on his toes.
"Bye, Uncle Vernon!" Harry said gleefully, his smile broad as he waved ludicrously in front of Vernon's narrowed eyes. He slid a trunk to the floor for Remus Lupin to grab, then wrapped a long arm around Kalli's waist. Petunia whimpered again as Moody waved his wand, and Vernon fell to the floor.
The kitchen of number 12 Grimmauld Place was crowded to the brim with Order Members. Since Voldemort's obvious return in their fifth year, when he practically destroyed the Ministry of Magic, hundreds had come to join the Order. Now, only a select few were allowed at the meetings, then they held their own meetings to direct the other members. Even with the select few, the kitchen was still over crowded.
Long ago, this place had stopped being the House of Black. When Sirius vanished into the veil, it simply became Headquarters. All traces of the Black Family had been removed, save the portrait of Sirius' mother. But even she had fallen silent in the aftermath of Sirius' banishment. The downstairs rooms served as offices for those that worked directly under Dumbledore, those that had comprised the team that raged against Voldemort at the Ministry those two years ago. Upstairs rooms served as storage, or more offices, save the bedrooms, which remained that.
It was into one of these that Remus and Tonks deposited Harry and Kalli's trunks before escorting them to the kitchen, where everyone was waiting patiently. When the duo took seats beside Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore began to speak, his voice holding the same power as their years at Hogwarts.
"As we are all aware, the devastating blow to Diagon Alley has left us all bewildered. We can only speculate at how such a terrible occurrence was waylaid to a protected place, but we must keep our front powered with some of the most powerful witches and wizards to walk our world. To each separate House I am sending one of my officers. Together, we must find a way to protect the Wizarding community. First of all, we must protect Hogwarts. Nothing is safe, not even our children," he paused, meeting Harry's eyes. "Especially our children."
Kalli's hand found his in the cool dark of the kitchen, lit with torches. With the bodies pressing in around them, it almost seemed as if there was no illumination at all. He squeezed her hand lovingly, and rubbed his thumb tenderly over her palm. Sitting in this darkened kitchen, the members of the Order around her, Kalli knew they were at war. But when Harry brushed his hand against hers, she lost all thought of Voldemort, of Death Eaters, and even of the rubble that was Diagon Alley. When his hand brushed hers, they were alone in that semi-dark kitchen, Dumbledore's voice only a memory.
It wasn't until the meeting broke that Kalli brought herself back to the present. Ron and Hermione were standing beside them, talking jovially with Harry as if it were natural to be in Headquarters. Of course, Kalli had to remind herself, it was normal. War was a way of life now. Across the room, Kalli caught a glimpse of a shimmering sheet of blonde hair being tossed aside, and silvery laughter reached her ears. She knew instinctively that the hair and the laughter belonged to her cousin, and dearest friend, Willow Lupin.
The young woman was chatting with a newer member of the Order, his eyes dancing at Willow's inevitable flirting. Kalli smiled. Willow Lupin was a flirt, but she was faithful as the day was long, and to one man and one man alone. Draco Malfoy. Hard to believe that the daughter of a werewolf could win the heart of a Death-Eater's son, but it had happened, and it had happened quickly. But Draco was on the run for betraying Voldemort, and Willow was the only one who heard from him.
"Harry," spoke a grandfatherly voice, warm with love. Kalli turned with Harry to see Albus Dumbledore strolling toward them, his arms open. Harry embraced the man warmly, then stepped aside for Dumbledore to wrap his arms around Kalli. When she pulled away, Dumbledore turned to Harry and said, "I brought you here for a reason." He glanced around at the four. "All of you, actually." Ron and Hermione stepped closer. "I need you four to go back to Hogwarts, and make sure everything is safe there. Minerva is out of reach, on a task for me. Hagrid is there now, but if something were to happen, I would rather have the DA there to protect my school." His blue eyes twinkled with laughter, though he did not smile.
A smile in place on his own lips, Harry replied, "When would you like us to leave?" Kalli faced Dumbledore, expecting his usual indirect response.
"Tomorrow morning would be good," he replied, smiling at them, with those familiar twinkling eyes. "For tonight, the bedrooms upstairs are free. Molly and Arthur are returning to the Burrow, and Fred and George have business to attend to. Their shop was destroyed with the rest of Diagon Alley. But, naturally, as with everything, the twins will emerge profitable. They are already devising a plan." Ron nodded, having an inside view of the twin's plan. "But, I really should be going. Remus and I have to go to Bulgaria tonight. Dobby will make you at home, and feel free to use Floo Powder, or the Hogwarts' Express to get the school. Whichever makes you more comfortable." He leaned forward and embraced Kalli, then Hermione, shook Harry and Ron's hands, and vanished into the crowd.
The quartet was alone for perhaps three seconds before they heard a clearing of a throat, and they looked to their feet. "Mr. Harry Potter, sir," Dobby's squeaky voice said from down by their ankles. "I have been told to serve you until you leave Headquarters. Would you like anything, Mr. Harry Potter, sir?"
Kalli fought to keep a straight face, as Hermione sighed openly. Harry smiled down at Dobby, and replied, "No, Dobby. Right now all I would like is a bed." Dobby nodded, and bowed low before he backed out of the circle the quartet had formed by the fireplace. For a moment, a single thought fleeted through Harry's head. It had been right in this spot that Kreacher had lied to him, and he had raced off to the Ministry to save his ill-fated Godfather. It was only after Harry had raced off that Sirius was put in danger. In that moment, Harry felt rage fill him, boiling over, spilling from his ears, reddening his face, narrowing his eyes. He wanted Sirius back! With all of his heart and soul, he blamed himself, rage and sorrow and self hatred vying for prominence in his mind.
"Harry," Kalli said, her light, airy, delicate voice assuaging his raging temper. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to go to bed." Her touch on his arm was like cool water, and his green eyes cleared. Harry nodded, and excused himself from Ron and Hermione, telling them that they would see them in the morning.
Upstairs, Harry closed the door to their bedroom, and turned to look at Kalli. She was unfolding her nightgown, holding it up to look at it. The way the moonlight streamed through the window, lighting her skin with the silver afterglow made his heart stir. He watched her for a moment, his breath catching in his throat, and his heart racing against his chest.
She turned to look at him, her ice blue eyes alive with stars that flickered brighter then those outside the open window. Without actually moving, she beckoned him toward her. His feet were soundless on the carpet as he made his way across the room to her open arms. Whenever he was in Kalli's arms, he forgot the self loathing that he felt constantly, the ache in his heart subsided, and he felt whole once more.
The mattress was soft as he laid her down, his lips finding hers, his hands searching for the buttons on her blouse. She moaned his name against his neck, loving the feel of him. He made love to her with his words, his lips, and finally his body, pushing her over the edge of ecstasy to a world beyond them. And in the end, as they lay intertwined on the rumpled sheets, Kalli heard Harry whisper the words that years of the Dursleys had prevented him from expressing.
"I love you, Kalli," he whispered into her hair. Her heart raced against her chest as she brushed slender fingers along his jawline. His green eyes burned into hers, and flickered in the candle light around them. "I can't lose you," he continued, "Not like..."
Kalli's finger on his lips silenced him. "It's not your fault, my love," she whispered, replacing her finger with her lips. Again, his heart sped up as he wrapped his arms around her. The war could be banging on the door of Grimmauld Place, and Harry wouldn't care, as long as Kalli was in his arms.