Throughout the rest of the year, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Mara went through their classes and holidays, enjoying their times at Hogsmeade, and staying at Hogwarts for the holidays.
By the time summer had arrived, Mara was reminded by Dumbledore that she did need a home to go to.
"You may go to stay with Harry at the Dursleys, with the Grangers, or the Weasleys—any family you choose. Though," he added, "they all end up at the Burrow anyway."
Thinking about what she had heard from each about their parents, and what she had done at the Burrow, she said decidedly, "I want to go with Harry." She was grinning and her eyes were sparkling.
Harry and she were thinking the same thing. The fun they could have with the uptight Muggles…
Harry was grinning at the look he knew would be plastered on all three of their faces. Dudley would look like a stunned tub of lard, Uncle Vernon would be purple – again – and Aunt Petunia would look shocked and pinched.
On the train ride home, Harry pulled her closer to him and whispered something in her ear.
"Will you sing for us?"
She turned around and whispered, "Of course," just before kissing him lightly. Then she got up. "Alright, guys, Harry has asked me to do something—for all of you."
As her friends watched curiously, she said a quick spell, and suddenly, her wand was producing music.
"You – you're always there for me
When I need you most
Day and night, you're by my side
Protecting me," she began singing, and threw a glance toward Harry.
"When I feel like crashing down
You seem to be around
There you are, you're not that far
'Cause…
Whenever, wherever, baby
You'll protect me no matter what
Hold me tight, with all your might
And…
You'll never let me go
Protecting me
You – listen to me when
I speak out loud and you
You know right when my heart's been bent
When my life's tumbling around
You take me off the ground
You tell me everything's okay
Whenever, wherever, baby
You'll protect me no matter what
Hold me tight, with all your might
You'll never let me go
You'll never let me go
You'll never let me go
When it's my turn
To help you out
I'll gladly lift you up
Without a doubt
Whenever…
Whenever, wherever, baby
I'll protect you, no matter what
Hold you tight, with all my might
And I'll never let you go
You – you're always there for me
When I need you most
Day and night, you're by my side
Protecting me
Protecting me."
A warm feeling rushed through Harry. He knew that she had picked that song because it was, to her, about him. Okay, so it was a stupid thing – but love makes everyone idiots.
A burning sensation flashed through Mara. She hadn't even thought about singing that… she just sang what music her wand had played. As soon as she started singing, she realized why her wand had "chosen" it… her wand had always seemed like it knew her heart better than she did, anyway.
Once they got off the train, Mara let herself be led by Harry to meet the Dursleys.
"Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, this is my friend Mara. She's an orphan and her mum and dad were friends with mine. She's staying with us." Harry's voice had started out pleading, but by the time he had said "friend", his voice had become firm.
"Fine, she can sleep in your old bedroom – the cupboard."
"No, she won't," Harry said to his uncle. "We can make her a makeshift bed in my room, but I won't let you stuff her into that cramped space like you did me."
"What will the neighbors think?" Aunt Petunia cried.
"Tell them some story – I don't care, never have." He pushed past them and they sat in the backseat of the car with Dudley. Harry put himself in the middle, so she wouldn't be forced to sit with the Great Flab.
"Oh, Harry's got a new girlfriend!"
At this, Mara spoke. "Yes, and I'd like to see a ton of bacon as yourself get one. So shut up, you're just proving your jealousy. Besides," she whispered, "I'm a witch, too, you know."
Harry leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, "This is going to be a fun summer."
Mara whispered back, "Oh, I knew that from the moment I saw them."