"You say that love is nonsense...I tell you it is no such thing. For weeks and months it is a steady physical pain, an ache about the heart, never leaving one, by night or by day; a long strain on one's nerves like toothache or rheumatism, not intolerable at any one instant, but exhausting by its steady drain on the strength." -Henry Brook Adams
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
A/N: I didn't really beta it that well so lease forgive me for bad grammar. Lol
A cool breeze past by as everyone try to digest what was said. It was a surprise that the druid didn't even crack a smile at the strange expressions. Remus looked like he was about to say something then would stop as his eyes glazed over. Hermione looked like she was trying to figure out if this was written in any book she read and WHY she had missed it. Sirius was the strangest; he was glaring at the druid like he said something totally horrible.
My face slowly broke in a smile with a mischievous glint in my eyes at that chaos that would ensue by this mere comment. Excitement dripped into my senses. Even though the tension could be cut with a knife I didn't really care at the moment. I took a deep breath,
"Road trip!" I said excitedly with humor dripping with the words. Ah, it was like watching your favorite movie with anticipation for your favorite part. The whole room fell into loud objections, intellectual reasoning, and excited comments.
"No! It's too dangerous-," Sirius exclaimed.
"Oh! We would get to go to the states, and travel all over and-," Hermione cried.
"Are you sure this would be wise?" Remus Replied.
It went on.
"Of course it wouldn't be wise look at Harry-,"
"I heard Egypt's beautiful at this time of year-,"
"I read that it may help his health for a change of atmosphere-,"
Oh yes, and on.
"Yeah, it would be a dark dungeon from Voldemort catching him!"
"I've wanted to see the statue of liberty for the longest of time!"
"You're always so cynical; this would be a very educational trip."
And on
"No, No and No! I'm the godfather and I say it's too dangerous!"
"And To go and see all the different magical communities!"
"Well by the looks of it, it's the only way to rid Voldemort."
And finally……..
"How do you know that 'Druid' isn't a deatheater trying to trick us!"
"That's impossible!" both Hermione and Remus said at the same time.
"QUIET!" a voice rumbled through the chaos, Hermione immediately shut up. Sirius turned almost growling at the druid; his eyes full of distrust. Remus gave me an exasperated look, seeing right through my innocent façade. I averted my eyes quickly.
"I'm not of Voldemort, and never will be for I would instantly die. It is impossible to fake being a druid!" at that point both Remus and Hermione both gave Sirius an "I told you so" look, only giving Sirius a darker look in his eyes. It was then I partially regretted what I had caused, whatever.
"If you want to defeat Voldemort it is mandatory to find these pieces that were made by the helpers." The druid said solemnly, "I believe it does involve what you guys would call a 'Road Trip'"
He paused for a second and waved his hand. A map that looked holographic floated in thin air. "The four places you'll have to go are Italy, Egypt or around the Middle Eastern area, and the United States. Harry will be able to locate the object. We will not know how until it happens. I admit there are some perils, but that is to be expected at this time. We will have to be discreet. I will help you throughout you're journey. Will you accept this quest that is a dire need?"
All three of us said yes quickly, Sirius just snorted and angrily and left the room. Remus sighed and looked at the druid. "Are you finished sir?" he asked, the druid nodded. "Would you like to stay the night, I'm sure there are a few people that may need to be involved."
"Yes, I will. Thank you for your hospitality." The druid then quietly sat down as Remus left the room quickly. Hermione hesitantly sat next to the druid with eager eyes. At this point the druid smiled, "Go ahead, and ask away." I left after this. One, because I didn't want to listen to all the million questions that Hermione is going to ask and two, I wanted to see if I could eavesdrop on Remus and Sirius' conversation. I was anxious to hear what exactly was bothering Sirius even though I had a nagging feeling on what it was.
I snuck into the kitchen and got a drink of water, just so I could have a viable excuse if I was caught. I listened by the stairs for the conversation. I could hear the voices pretty clearly; on the account their voices were a bit raised.
"Sirius it's not going to help if you ignore it!"
"Ignore what, that we're throwing him out into danger once again! It's like we're saying hello Voldemort kill him for us, will ya!" A voice boomed.
Okay, I lied; it was full blown out ear-ringing raised.
"It's not about that at all, why do you insist on sheltering him like this? You're in the prophecy! You know how big a role Harry plays in this war!"
"Yeah, I am the one who is supposed to guide him. I think this isn't a good idea!"
"Stop being selfish Sirius!"
"Selfish! Is that what you call trying to PROTECT Harry! You're the one who's selfish; you just want to go on this trip for your own knowledge!"
"No, that isn't true at all, you are the one who wants to hold on to him forever and let everyone else suffer under Voldemort's reign. This one thing that could end it all and you won't do it because YOU are too afraid and too SELFISH!" my eyes widened, it was a rare day indeed when Remus raised his voice.
There was a silence. I didn't know if Sirius was sulking, glaring, or, Merlin help us all, thinking over what Remus said. It lasted a while, a few minutes passed by before I heard Sirius clear his throat.
"You're right Remus, if this gets rid of Voldemort, less suffering for Harry."
"w-what, oh- um good." Remus sounded clearly taken aback, so was I as I dropped my glass cup on the floor. I yelled out in surprise and I quickly knelt down fumbling the glass pieces. I heard the door open abruptly and quick footsteps down the stairs. I slowly looked up to see my guardians looking down at me, not all too happy. I think they got the drift that I was listening on their conversation.
"Erm, hey! Heh-Heh, what's up with these cups, we're magical but we still can't make unbreakable glass cups. Eh-heh-eh-heh."
Remus gave me a dry look and Sirius gave me a condescending glare.
"May I ask why you were drinking a cup of water by the stairs, when the kitchen would've been much easier?"
"I was heading to the other room." I said half question, half statement.
"Funny how these mind-links work so well." Sirius mind spoke as I jumped into the air. Crap! I never get away from anything!
"Bloody Hell! Are you serious?"
We were sitting in the Weasley living room with my Trainers, Professor Dumbledore, All the Weasleys, my guardians, the druid, Hermione, and pretty much all the order. After everything was explained by the druid Ron opened his mouth and of course he didn't say anything the least bit intelligent. Hermione glared intensely, a lot of the order frowned, some with good humor quirked their lips slightly, Molly Weasley on the other hand,
"Ron! I will not see such language ever come out of that mouth of yours, In front of our guest even!" She yelled. Ron immediately quieted down, slumping in his seat. I could've sworn I saw the druid quirk his lips but blamed my imagination. Professor stood up regally with his familiar smile and twinkle.
"Well I'm sure we must get the plans started for this trip. I trust that you three are recovering properly?" We nodded in unison, I wondered what would become of all this, my heart filled with excitement for an adventure, an approved one at that.
"Plans must be made for there is a school to be handled, and this mission must be held in secret for as long as possible. The fewer setbacks the better. Do you have any suggestions?" Dumbledore asked the druid politely. The druid stood, with a slight nod.
"The amount of people to come must be small as possible. Harry of course should come, and his two guardians, which is to be expected. Hermione and Ron must come for they are apart of the prophecy."
"I do not think it wise for me to attend this trip-," Dumbledore was cut of by many objections, mainly Molly.
"You must go! How will the children be safe!"
"I'm NOT a child." Ron exclaimed vehemently.
"Ronald you have no say in this matter. I will not let my child go if you insist on throwing them into danger." She screeched.
"Molly, be reasonable." Remus started.
"Reasonable! You expect me to be reasonable during this war! Dumbledore should go to protect them, yet he has his own agenda in mind!"
"Molly." Dumbledore interrupted her tirade; He gave her a pointed look, his serene manner thrown out the window. She immediately quieted, "I don't believe it would be wise for me to go because it would make it obvious during the school year that I am missing. Suspicions would be raised and the travelers would be in more danger than if I was not to come." Dumbledore said solemnly.
"But the kids." She pleaded meekly.
"Molly we've seen their power, they're very strong, they aren't children anymore" Sirius said, I smiled with pride at the mere thought that Sirius did not think of me as a child. Molly quieted and sat down, shooting Ron worried looks from time to time.
"Sir, I do have a question." I said politely, slightly raising my hand to professor Dumbledore. He looked at me with a smile.
"Are you wondering about your new addition to your training we were going to start, Mr. Potter?" I looked perplexed for a second on how he was able figure that out. Sirius' ears immediately perked up.
"Yes sir." I said still looking confused.
"Ah, we'll be using port keys for the weekly meetings the five of you will be attending to give me an update, and to spend a day training altogether." Dumbledore answered in an informative matter. Finally. Plans were made in a strategic way while the order put in their input. There was plenty of arguing and now I knew why the order meetings took so long. We all ended up extremely bored. Well Ron and me at least. Hermione was working hard on not looking bored. But even she had a few doodles on the notes she was writing. Ron and I were playing tic-tac-toe on the notepaper that Hermione shoved into our hands, demanding we should be responsible and write notes. Hermione sent an occasional glare at us, we could care less.
Through much arguing I had gathered that were going to Italy first, searching in Milan, Florence and Venice. Questions rose about how we should travel in the order of events but it was quickly brushed away by the druid. He was saying it didn't have much to do on where we went first.
By the end of the meeting Ron and I had plenty of paper filled with a variety of games. Hangman, tic-tac-toe, connect the dots, well you get the picture. We rose with everyone and Ron and I trying to look as casual as we could, even though I lost at almost every game. I swear Ron is not just good at chess.
The meeting broke and most everyone left immediately, some quietly grumbling. Remus came up to me.
"So how did you like the meeting?" He began.
"Oh, it was okay. You know, took some notes." I stammered.
"I see…" His eyes wandering at my "notes," he gave me a raised eyebrow looking at my notes that I foolishly left on the couch. "You seems to have a creative way of taking notes, you too Ron" Ron was standing next to me hastily putting the notes away. I blushed at his stern expression, with mysterious glint in his eye. "See to it that you pay better attention next time." He said giving me a playful smile as he walked to Sirius and Dumbledore, who obviously were at odds.
"Remus still has that professor air to him." Ron said nervously, I nodded.
"I told you guys to take notes; I mean were sixteen we should act like it." Hermione said in her regular I-Told-You-So Voice.
"Well if you want us to act like adults maybe shouldn't rub every time you're right in are our faces." Ron retorted. I sighed as another heated argument started.
I walked casually to Sirius and Remus to see what they were speaking about. Sirius looked a bit more calmed down and I took this opportunity in a stride. Dumbledore welcomed me with his regular smile, although he looked a lot more tired.
"Hello sir."
"Hello Harry, I thought we would start your new training today before you left for your trip. Is that what you want to do?"
I looked at my guardians, Sirius looked a bit disgruntled and Remus looked, well he looked very impassive. I just shrugged,
"Okay, do you want me to get Ron and 'Mione?" I asked.
Dumbledore nodded and told me that they were meeting in the sitting room. I walked quickly to Ron a Hermione and mumbled something. They stopped in mid-argument and followed. We went to the sitting room, Sirius ran to my side.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" He asked with slight urgency. I nodded patiently and gave him a smile. We walked in the middle of the room and I looked hesitantly at my closest friends. They both looked determined to help me, I hope that'll I'll always be able to do that same. Sirius squeezed my shoulder reassuringly; I gave him a thankful glance.
"Okay Harry, hold Hermione and Ron's hands." Dumbledore ordered, we did as he said. He gave the usual instructions. "Are you ready?" He asked and we all nodded.
"Ron and Hermione, Go!" Dumbledore commanded. They concentrated on letting my powers go. I felt it rush into me again, like a sea of lava pouring suddenly into my veins. I closed my eyes tightly, as I shook. I felt myself loosen the grasp from Ron and Hermione. I tried hard to stand still as it overtook my body. My senses went out, solely focusing on the pain.
My knees finally buckled under the pain, I didn't know how long my powers had been around but I knew I had to get rid of this energy. I forced the magic through my hands. Suddenly my senses came to me as I heard a loud bang and a couple of screams.
I feel to the floor the pain forcing through me, I could feel it dulling. I slowly blacked out.
I woke up again, everything was strangely dark…..oh wait, that's just Sirius' hair. He was looming over me, clouding my vision. His voice suddenly rang clearly in my ears,
"Albus what the heck just happened!"
I moved my hands to cover my ears from the piercing sound of Sirius yelling. All his racket was making my head throb…..well, even more than it did. Sirius noticed my small movements and looked directly at me with a mixture of emotions.
"You're Awake!" he yelled again. I moaned, didn't he get it. Sirius was about to start a long string of questions, loud questions, until a hand appeared on Sirius' shoulder.
"Sirius, give him some space, Merlin knows that headache, he most likely has, isn't getting any better with you bellowing in his ears." Remus quiet voice intervened. Thank you Remus, I could almost hug him if my limbs were not so sore.
Sirius moved out of the way and the shadowed light came full force. I shielded my eyes abruptly, feeling like I was some type of vampire.
Remus and Sirius both helped me up, as I shakily moved to an armchair. I looked around and saw a large hole in the wall, my eyes widened.
"Did I do that? I'm so sorry." I said frantically searching for words to apologize for the damage. Then there was hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Remus' face, a bit of humor sparkling in his eyes.
"Harry, we can just fix it." With that Remus waved his wand and the wall was back to normal.
"Oh." I said quietly, wallowing in my embarrassment.
Albus clapped his hands and smiled slightly. "Well I believe that is quite enough for today. I'm sure you Harry will like to get some rest. Ah, Hermione I've been speaking with your parents and their consent was given but they wanted me to give this to you." Dumbledore handed her an electronic device of some type. It was a block with numbers on it.
"Oh Merlin! A cell phone, these are expensive and brand new. This type of technology is phenomenal!" Hermione excitedly took the phone from Dumbledore. I wasn't all that interested; it looked like a big block with a wand sticking out of it. Yet when Hermione began to explain it I remembered reading up on it at some point in time. The idea was amazing with muggles concerned.
"So this celly phone thing works like the telly-phone except you can carry it around? How do these muggles think of these things!" Ron exclaimed looking at the black box. Hermione and I rolled our eyes at Ron's exclamation, Remus gave a slight chuckle, and Sirius looked bewilderedly around trying to find out what was so funny.
"Your parents wanted you to call them as much as possible and said they would miss you terribly. You'll be head for Italy in three days time. So pack lightly. But yes I must be off. Good day." Albus said and with a quick stride he left the room for the fireplace.
"Oh, I must go now and leave. I'd hate to bring the wrong stuff. We got to pack as quickly as possible. And don't you procrastinate, Ronald. Come with me!" Hermione said quickly, grabbing the phone from Ron. Ron gave here a disgruntled look and grudgingly followed, surprisingly enough not giving her a retort. You could tell he was quite excited to get out and about.
"I'll come to." I said hurriedly getting up but immediately pushed down by two arms on both sides. I glanced at them to see very incredulous faces.
"Hey, I'm fine really! What's with the looks?" I said, really wanting to get up but the hands still firmly planted on my shoulders.
"You just fainted Harry; do you honestly believe we're going to let you run around with no rest when you're trips in three days?" Remus said with a raised eyebrow.
"Ahh, c'mon, I feel just fine! I'm sixteen and very capable of making my own decisions thank you very much. I mean I'm almost of age!" I said my teenage side sparking up.
"But unfortunately you're not of age yet so you have to do as you're told and sleep is your only option." Sirius said with a slight annoyance.
"But that's all I've been doing these past few days! I'm tired of you forcing me to get rest when I feel fine. Sure I just fainted but I'm not lying on the floor anymore! I'm tired of lazing around, I'm tied of sleeping all the time, and I'm tired of you mothering me all the time!" I said a little bit louder than intended.
"Harry, I know what's best for you. You're pale, you're shaking, and you got all the obvious signs of exhaustion. I just want you to get some rest." Sirius said very slowly almost as if he was ready to explode. My heart started to beat like a drum with fear sparking from the tone of voice. But my frustration was larger than ever. Don't they understand how horrible it is to be stuck in bed when it's my responsibility to save the world? I need to get stronger not lay around all day.
"You don't know what's best for me; you don't know how I feel! You're not in my body. I want some action not all this bloody crap. I don't want to take a stupid nap like a five-year-old when stuff needs to get done! So stop forcing me to take a STUPID NAP!" I yelled, my heart regretting it, but my mind pulsing with anger.
Sirius walked straight in front of me and pushed off Remus' hand. He put both his hands on my shoulders and looked in my eyes with anger. I could feel the pressure on my shoulders, it wasn't hard enough to give pain but it was enough to tell me he was angry. If looks could kill I would be carving my gravestone.
"You will listen to me and you will get some rest or I will make sure this trip is postponed for a week!" Sirius said through gritted teeth. I scowled hiding the flinch that came by habit. Remus came through; I temporarily forgot he was there.
He came up and pulled Sirius away from me.
"This is stupid both of you are fighting over something stupid. Harry you're acting like a brat and Sirius you're acting like a crazed mother hen!" Remus raised his hands to our retorts,
"Uh-uh, I'm not listening to this anymore. Harry!"
I jumped, slightly startled by the disgruntled werewolf.
"Get up and run across the room and back," Remus ordered.
I gave him a skeptical look. He returned it with a patient I'll-be-here-all-day glare, waving his hands forward. I rolled my eyes and got up, shutting off the wave of dizziness. I ran to the wall, my pace slowing at every step and I slowly jogged back to the chair, falling into it like a bag of bricks. Remus proved his point quite clearly I put my head in my hands to hide my face burning with embarrassment and frustration.
I felt so worthless, I slammed my hand on the chair, grabbed me hair with frustration. I can't get anywhere this way; I'm everything Voldemort and Vernon said I was. ARGH. My mind was mentally screaming insults at me. I hated this.
"Happy, Sirius, you're point is proven. I'm going to check on Ron and Hermione." I heard Remus say as he left the room. It was quiet for a moment my hands still holding tightly on my hair. I heard soft step walk towards me, they kneeled down and gentle hands took my hands off my hair and held them, my fists stayed clenched.
"Harry, I'm sorry, Remus was right this fight was stupid, there was no need for yelling. Will you look at me, Harry, please?" Sirius asked gruffly. I refused my mind full of dark thoughts.
"Fine, don' look at me. Harry, you're not worthless or stupid or horrible. You're strong, you just don't see it." I looked up hesitantly.
"I'm sorry, Sirius. I was acting like Dudley; I was being a spoiled kid. You given me all this and I just give you junk. I can't give you anything in return but a headache." I said solemnly.
"That's not true. You fulfill me. You are something I cannot live without. I said one time I'll never leave you, and I'll keep that promise. I will!" Sirius said determinedly.
"Thank you Sirius" I said slowly getting sleepier. The exhaustion was pulling me down.
(Warning POV change!)
"To tell you the truth I love you like a son, like my son. There is nothing I would not do for you. I want to be there for you all the time. If you want to come and do stuff I'll let you as long as you don't faint" Sirius not hearing any reaction to the two surprising things he said he turned around seeing his godson sound asleep.
He was a little regretful that Harry did not hear him but pleased that he was getting some rest. He transfigured the chair into a bed and conjured up a blanket putting it on him. He caressed Harry's face gently, then shut out the lights and left the room softly.
What he didn't see was Harry smiling softly and one tear running down his cheek as he drifted off into a peaceful oblivion.
"Hurry up! We're going to miss the plane!"
"Why in the world are we going on a plane anyways? Why can't we just apparate?"
"Why do you always ask these questions it's quite obvious, you know?"
"C'mon, we don't have all day!"
"Guys we really don't have time to fight"
"Hurry up, hurry up or I'll levitate you to the car."
"Sirius, the car is started you're just blocking the door way for them."
"Oh, sorry."
It was a sight to be seen, five wizards hurriedly rushing into a car. There was a red head and a bushy-haired girl fighting back and forth and a handsome black-haired man constantly looking at his strange pocket watch. Then you could see a man with sandy brown hair who rolled his eyes as he tried to pull the man into the car. What was the most peculiar, in the muggles' mind, was me, in a way. I was trying to be invisible as possible with all these muggle staring at everyone but at me the most. I wasn't even doing anything!
I ran in the car stuck in-between Ron and Hermione. Hermione brought a huge book. I commented that the plane would crash with that book on board, Hermione gave a sarcastic laugh. Ron, well he started freaking out. It took all four of us to calm him down. The rage warrior afraid of planes, how ridiculous.
We got on the plane and took a long drive to Italy. I slept most of the time drifting in and out of conversations. Ron and Hermione didn't fight all that much Ron just watched TV most of the time. He was the reason I was waking up so many times. Laughed and exclaiming how muggle TV is so great.
Remus and Sirius were quietly discussing strategy and plans. I heard tidbits; I was too tired to eavesdrop effectively. Once we got there we got a room in a very nice hotel. We first went to Milan looking at all the sights there. There was nothing. We acted like normal human tourists. Hermione was the best at it; Ron just complained that he was tired of looking at pictures that didn't even flinch when you yell at it. That was a sight, Ron yelling at a picture to move. I wanted to run away from him. Sirius just slapped his hand over Ron's mouth and apologized in broken Italian.
On the third day we arrived in Florence and we went to see a picture in the Uffizi gallery. When my eyes laid on the Da Vinci's "Adoration of the Magi" it started to glow.
A/N; No amount of sorrys could say how sorry I am for not updating so long. I really have been extremely busy lately. With college, and working 35 hours a week, taking 2-hour long bus rides back and forth each day. I just have a hard time. Lol….but no excuse. I'll try my hardest to update. I can't give you any promises. If you guys are wonder what the picture looks like just google it or look it up on yahoo. You'll find it right away. I have a lot of twists coming up and some crazy stuff. You're reviews make me stronger and make me want to update! Please review this chapter, if I get enough I may update within the next week. I'll give your mouse some cheese if it reviews!