Chapter Three- Eris Woodtrail
"A letter from Navitek? That's very odd," Remigius said the next day. He was holding Harry's letter and he was scanning it over and over.
"I know," Harry said. "She's enjoying it."
Raven entered the office, her hair looking windswept. Her cheeks were very red, and she seemed out of breath. "I know I'm late, sorry," she gasped and closed the door.
"Potter received a threat letter," Remigius said, handing it to Raven. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Remigius shook his head at him.
Raven read the letter, and Harry noticed that the color on her cheeks subdued a little. "Big deal," Raven said in an indifferent tone. "So she'll try to kill me again… Mean people have a serious lack of new ideas."
Harry stared at her, and Raven turned to look at him. "Look, I can take care of myself," Raven said impatiently. "Avoid playing the hero."
"Sure, it will like last time," Harry said sarcastically. "Raven, you've got to be very careful."
Raven said nothing and walked down the hallway. They heard a door slam and Remigius sighed loudly. "I have to admit that that girl has attitude," Remigius said. "I would be a nervous wreck after everything that has happened to her."
"Yeah," Harry said thoughtfully.
"It must have been a surprise for you, eh?" Remigius said cheerfully. "I heard that you were dating her when… you know."
"No offense, but… Talking about my personal life makes me feel a bit awkward," Harry said unenthusiastically.
"Of course, of course," Remigius nodded. "Anyway, I got some Ministry information that they have sighted both Navitek and Remarque near Loch Ness. Maybe you and Verlaine should go over there."
"Okay, I'll go and tell her," Harry said as turned to face the hallway.
"Be careful," Remigius said, trying to hide his nervousness. "Remember that it doesn't matter about getting free from the Ministry, you must return alive."
"No problem," Harry grinned and walked over to Raven's office. Suddenly, a very cross-looking witch emerged from one of the doors in the hallway. She collided into Harry, and glared at him.
She had short, curly brown hair and she was wearing glasses. "You must be Potter," she grunted.
"And you are…?" Harry mused.
Her blue eyes surveyed him and she bit her lip. "Eris Woodtrail, Head of the Department of Files in this Office," she said quickly. "Bookworm Loser, for short."
"Eris, that's a nice name," Harry grinned, and Eris frowned.
"Are you flirting with me? Because I don't have time for this sort of things," Eris said impatiently. "And if you're not, MOVE!"
Harry stepped aside and Eris left, muttering under her breath. Harry blinked and remembered he had to go and tell Raven about the sightings.
He opened the door and saw Raven lying in the floor, her eyes closed. Harry kneeled next to her and Raven opened her eyes.
"Hi, Potter," she said weakly.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked in concern.
"I heard Eris cursing down the hallway," Raven said, closing her eyes again. "Did you meet her, or did she say something about me?"
"I met her," Harry said. "Raven, what's going on?"
"Have you ever got the feeling that maybe you should have stayed dead instead of living again?" Raven asked.
"No," Harry admitted.
"Then you can't help me," Raven sighed. She opened her eyes and Harry saw that they were filled with tears. "Now, stop staring at me like you care," Raven snapped. She stood up and stared at Harry.
"How's things with Granger?" Raven blurted.
"They're great… I mean, I'm really happy with her," Harry said.
"Oh no, the whole I-should-be-dead-not-alive-damn-Dionysus-maybe-I should-let-Navitek-kill-me-again feeling is returning," Raven said, blinking.
"What?" Harry frowned.
"I guess that it's not easy for me to see you together," Raven said shortly and walked over to her desk
"I love her," Harry stated. "I'm sure of that."
"I know," Raven sighed, clutching an envelope in her hand. "Here's the Ministry information. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Aurors at Loch Ness."
Harry said nothing and Raven cleared her throat. "Let's go."
Later, at Loch Ness
Harry opened his eyes, trying to get rid of the sensation of apparating. He looked around and saw nothing but trees, and there was no sign of Raven.
"Verlaine!" Harry yelled. "Raven, where are you?"
Nobody answered, and Harry's heart started beating very fast. "Raven!" He started walking fast, parting bushes and looking behind trees. He put his hand on his forehead and saw that it was drenched in cold sweat.
"RAVEN!" He yelled and he heard a rustle on the bushes behind him. Harry turned around and drew out his wand, ready to attack.
"Potter?" A young woman with long, sleek brown hair was staring a him, a look of curiosity in her face.
"Muller," Harry said, lowering his wand. "You gave me quite a scare."
"Are you okay?" Kat asked, frowning.
"He's mental." Draco Malfoy emerged from the bushes, his face very red and his blond hair disheveled.
"What are you two doing here?" Harry asked, ignoring Malfoy.
"We were, er," Kat blushed.
"The other Aurors are near the shore," Malfoy said quickly. "So Muller and I decided to come into the forest while the others get wet."
"Sure, yeah, whatever," Kat said quite nervously.
"We were doing fine until we heard you yelling," Malfoy sneered. "Potter, have you lost your mind? I heard you calling for Raven."
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. Malfoy had turned suddenly very pale and Kat gasped loudly.
"What the…?" Malfoy breathed. Harry turned around and saw Raven, her hair full of twigs and leaves.
"I guess I got lost," Raven said, as she brushed leaves of her cloak. She raised her head and stiffened at the sight of Malfoy and Kat.
"Damn it," Raven muttered angrily.
"But you… You died…" Malfoy said in disbelief. Kat eyes went blank and she fainted.
Raven looked at Harry and rolled her eyes. "This is what I call a nice warm welcome. It's nice to see you, too."