When Harry Met Susan

(And Peter and Edmund and Lucy and Mr. Tumnus and so on and so forth, you know the rest…)

Summery: We meet the top geezer- Aslan and prepare for war.


Chapter Three – Frozen Rivers and Heated Feelings

"You heard what he said, winter is almost over. You know what that means, no more ice!"

We reached the tall riverbank and looked down. Peter was right; the large shit of solid ice was dwindling and thinning fast before our very eyes.

"We should cross now." He said and yet again it was Susan to raise objections. I think that even Parkinson got a little fed up with her. This argument ended rather quickly when Peter said scornfully to his sister,

"No, you're trying to be smart… as usual!" it would have been a lot funnier if Susan's eyes hadn't gleamed with unshed tears.

We started to make our way down the riverbank slowly, trying to catch our balance on the frozen slippery rocks. When we reached the surface of the river Mr. Beaver stopped us,

"Maybe I should go first," we all nodded in agreement and only when the small beast started making its way gingerly over the shit of ice did it occur to me that his weight was in no way a match for the weight of four grown teenagers and one child. But it didn't really matter right now because a loud howl was heard from above. Lucy let out a loud yelp,

"Wolves!"

We stepped on the ice and felt it cracking dangerously under our feet, Parkinson clang to Peter's arm digging her nails in, even though he wore a thick fur coat he winced at the force she used. I had to fight a momentary irrational urge to yank her away and throw her into the freezing water.

"Maybe we should fly above the river, I don't think the ice will support all of us for long," I suggested and they all turned to look at me,

"You can fly?" Lucy asked with shining eyes, momentarily forgetting the danger of the wolves, I nodded and pointed on the broom strapped to my back.

"You should take Lucy with you, we will continue our way on the ice." Said Susan and Peter nodded, which left me very little choice, although I much preferred to prey Parkinson away from him but now wasn't the time for my petty jealousy.

I quickly un-strapped the broom from my back and motioned to Lucy to come over, and kicked off with my arm tight around her. She shrieked with fear and delight and we flew over to the other bank.

"We should go back and help," I said anxiously but had no clear idea how to do that,

"We could gather stuff and throw it on the wolves." She suggested and I beamed at her,

"Lucy, that's a brilliant idea!" we couldn't really land on the ground because there were wolves everywhere so we landed in a large pine tree and quickly gathered cones.

We flew back and Lucy started hurling the cones with much vigour if not accuracy but that did the trick for a while distracting some of the wolves. But the ice was cracking fast and I knew that they could not reach the other bank before it breaks completely. Peter saw it too, and he unsheathed his sword crying out loud to the girls,

"Hold on to me!" before delivering the sword through the ice with all the force he could muster at the same moment the ice shit cracked leaving Peter and the girls clinging to a small shaft of ice and rapidly being carried away by the swift course of the river.

"Peter!" Lucy was yelling in angst, voicing my thoughts while I quickly turned the broom to follow them.

We passed a rather agonising couple of minutes trying to spot the ice shaft with Peter, Susan and Parkinson when suddenly Lucy yelled,

"There!"

The three re-emerged from the depth of the river, Peter's frozen fingers still clasp tightly around the hilt of his sword. The beavers were in the water propelling the ice shaft with their strong bodies towards the bank. Lucy and I landed and quickly made our way to where the others were. They looked positively frozen but very much alive to my enormous relief. Lucy ran over and hugged Peter's midriff with force, not caring if she got wet and then Susan. I looked over at Peter and tried to stop thinking how much I would love to do the same as Lucy. I needed to get away from him for a while so I could think clearly; it was such an impossible task when his eyes were on me.

The beavers came out of the water and shook themselves dry, spraying us in cold water in the process, and Mr. Beaver said above our laughter,

"I don't think you'll be needing these coats anymore." He pointed his paw and we looked behind us and saw that he was right; the forest no longer looked frozen in sleeping winter. The trees stood green and fresh and the air was distinctly warmer.

We entered Aslan's camp, looking curiously around us. The plane was full of cheerfully coloured square tents and there was an assortment of creatures walking about looking busy. I spotted several more fawns and there were centaurs and dryads and other creatures I could not name among ordinary looking animals, mostly large felines. We advanced towards the biggest tent, all around us the creatures were smiling and waving at us, well I suppose at the Pevensies more than at Parkinson and me.

We reached the tent, in front of it stood the biggest centaur I've ever seen; he was even bigger than Bane. Peter drew his sword at held it high, looking very strong and sweet. Sweet? What the hell is wrong with me?

"We have come to see Aslan." The centaur merely nodded and turned to look at the tent.

I was very curious to see Aslan; I wondered what shape he might be, as it was obvious he was not human since the Pevensies, Parkinson and I were the only humans there.

A huge paw emerged from behind the tent's flap and was followed by the most amazing lion I've ever seen. (I must admit I only ever saw one lion, when I went to the Zoo with the Dursley's when I was eleven, but he was no match for Aslan). He was big, much bigger than any other lion should be and he had a royal air about him. He was strong, I bet a single swing of one of those paws could kill just about anything, and yet he wasn't intimidating but kind.

"Welcome, Peter son of Adam, Welcome Susan and Lucy daughters of Eve. Welcome to you as well Harry and Pansy. And thank you beavers." We all bowed nervously at his words, his voice rolling over us like a soft thunder. "But where is the fourth?"

"Our brother had been captured by the White witch." Peter explained nervously and Aslan frowned at the news. He whispered a few words to the centaur at his side and then beckoned the beavers to him. While he was engaged with getting news of our journey the centaur lead us to two tents standing close to Aslan's.

Those tents weren't as big as Aslan's or as lavishly decorated but they were spacious and comfortable looking. Oreius (that's how the centaur introduced himself) showed us to the boys' tent while the girls disappeared in the other tent. Inside were clothes laid on the beds and fresh water for us to get cleaned up.

I was very aware that this was the first time that I was left alone with Peter. We looked at each other carefully and smiled. I felt like a right idiot and turned my back to him, we both changed quickly each facing the tent wall when Oreius came over to call Peter to meet Aslan. I slumped on my bed and closed my eyes. I was exhausted. It's been very long couple of days. Not even in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my Monday would turn up like this.

I sadly wondered if Ron and Hermione might be missing me, if they tried to look for me somehow. I wondered if Dumbledore was alerted of our disappearance and how anyone could even know where we are right now. I haven't thought about Ron or Hermione before now, what with all the excitement I never had time. And poor Hannah, does she miss me? Does she think I left her?

I tried to bring up her image in front of me for comfort. Her long golden braids, her sweet lips that always light up in a smile for me, her sparkling brown eyes shining with pride as she held her sword… wait! That can't be right; Hannah doesn't have a sword… I sat bolt upright in the bed. Damn it! I was thinking of Peter again. I slumped back down and forced myself to think about Hannah but it didn't work, all I could see was Peter, with his sparkling blue eyes and dorky haircut. His sweet lips begging to be kissed, ARGGHH! I have got to stop doing that, what is wrong with me? I am not attracted to him! No, I'm not! I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow. This was just because I'm so tiered, I tried to convince myself, I need a good night's sleep and I'll be fine in the morning, thinking about Hannah and loving every second of it!

I managed to clam myself enough to drift into sleep when loud horns' call made me spring to my feet before even realizing it. Parkinson!

I ran outside, not even sure where or why or what the hell was going on, I didn't plan on risking my life to save Parkinson of all people but I guessed the others will be with her. And sure enough, when I got to the stream I saw the three girls sitting in a tree with wolves nipping at their heels. I realized just then that once again, I rushed into a life-threatening situation without anything to fight with. I had no wand, no sword no nothing. Can you be more Gryffindor than that?

From the other side of the clearing came Peter and Aslan in a rush with Oreius and other creatures at their wake. Peter pointed his sword towards the leader of the wolves,

"Come on, we've been through this already, we both know you don't have it in you." The wolf was snarling at Peter and suddenly I felt strong arms holding me back before I had a chance to pounce the stupid beast. I looked back and saw Oreius towering above me. I had no chance to struggle free and all I could do was watch with rapped interest as Peter and the wolf circled each other slowly. The wolf suddenly jumped on Peter; I could hear the screams of the girls as the great beast knocked Peter to the ground. My first impulse was to run over and make sure Peter was all right but I couldn't move.

The girls slid from the tree branches and ran over. Susan and Parkinson shoved the beast aside and Peter sat up shaking his head and looking a little dishevelled. I let out the breath I wasn't aware I was holding and the pressure of my arms was lifted as Aslan said,

"After them, they will lead you to Edmund!" Oreius and the others started to run after the wolves and I ran over to where Peter and the girls were. I looked at him and smiled warmly at him, he returned the smile above Lucy's head while she was holding him tight.

"Peter, clean your sword." Said Aslan in a quiet voice and the girls released him, and he got up slowly to his feet and cleaned his sword on the grass. He looked over at Aslan and then slowly sank to his knees and lowered his head. Aslant rested his enormous paw on Peter shoulder and said loudly,

"Rise. Sir Peter wolf's bane, Knight of Narnia."

Peter rose to his feet, a light blush blossoming on his cheeks at the cheers of the girls.

"Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." The three Pevensies turned to go back to camp when Aslan turned his golden eyes to Parkinson and me, rooting us to the spot.

"You wish to go home." He said, it wasn't a question it was a simple statement. We nodded and Parkinson asked timidly,

"Can you send us back?" Aslan nodded gravely and his whole mane shook.

"You wish us to stay and help." I said quietly and he nodded again.

"You have much to talk about, let me know of your decision." With that he turned and left us standing alone in the clearing.

"I want to go home!" said Parkinson stubbornly almost whining. I couldn't blame her; I wanted to go home as well. But I knew that we could help. We had to help.

"I think we should stay and help them." I said quietly and she rolled her eyes at me,

"Of course you do. You're a bloody Gryffindor! This is not our fight, Potter!" I looked away and didn't answer, "We need to go back home, they must be frantic with worry by now."

"I know. But they need our help." I still wasn't looking at her.

"Is that the only reason you want to stay?" I looked at her with wide eyes and she smiled her sly slytherin smile,

"Oh, I've seen the way you're looking at Susan…"

"Come off it, Parkinson!" I called in anger, mainly at myself. I shouldn't jump like that every time someone insinuates I had a crush… on any of the Pevensies.

"You're just going to ask Aslan to let you in the fight. You stupid, stubborn Gryffindor! You're going to get yourself killed for no reason!"

"I'm not going to die. I survived more attacks by Voldemort than you'll ever know about. She can't be worse than he is." She winced at the name but I didn't care.

We stood there for a while, I was watching the sun setting slowly behind the trees and Parkinson scuffed near the stream when she finally reached a decision and came over to where I stood.

"Fine. We'll help. But once the battle is over we are going straight home!" a slow smile spread on my face and she huffed and stalked away, back to the camp.

I stayed behind, mesmerised by the beauty of the sunset. A soft noise behind me caused me to slightly jump and turn but it was only Peter,

"Harry, there you are. I just saw Pansy returning to the camp alone, what's wrong?" he asked when he stopped next to me. I tried not to feel too pleased by the fact he was worried about me.

"Nothing's wrong, we just had to decide what we are going to do."

"Oh, so Aslan can help you go back home?" he asked, his voice was hopeful but he wasn't looking at me when as was talking which was rather odd.

"Yes."

"I see." This time his voice was distant and an odd thought struck me, that the reason he didn't want us to leave was because he didn't want Parkinson to leave, I thought sadly. Parkinson could pull her stupid feminine charms on just about anyone when she wanted and it looks like Peter had fallen into her net as well.

"We are going to stay here, until the battle is over." I said in a dry voice trying to hide my disappointment.

"Really? That's wonderful." He cried out in excitement and I turned from him,

"Quite." He grabbed my arm

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." I lied and started to walk back towards the camp, Peter caught up with me,

"You don't want to stay here." He said quietly, "I don't blame you. I don't want to be here either. I don't want to be a hero and fight." He sounded so sad and my heart went out for him. I turned and looked at him,

"I don't care about the battle; I've fought evil in my life before. Where I come from everyone thinks I'm a big hero, but I'm not. I never asked to be one. I never asked for any of this to happen." I said softly as if to myself.

"Nobody did." He said and sighed. "We should return to camp and get some food and sleep."

"You go. I'll be along shortly."

"It's not safe to wonder off alone after dark." Damn it, he was right. I didn't have much choice but to walk back to camp with him.

In the camp we met the girls who were sitting around a low table eating dinner and looking relaxed and happy. When they saw us, they called out for us to join.

I wasn't hungry but I sat down and smiled at Lucy as she fixed me a plate. Sometimes she really reminded me of Hermione.

I played around with my food unable to actually eat, mostly because across from me sat Parkinson and to her left sat Peter, and she did try to work her charms on him. I tried to ignore them and chat with Lucy about flying but it wasn't really working. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and got to my feet. The four of them looked at me questioningly and I tried to smile,

"I'm knackered. I'm going to bed." I carefully didn't look over at Peter as I spoke and made my way to the tent.

When I entered the tent, I felt a strong urge to hit the wall or something. But that of course is impossible to do in a bloody tent. Instead I stomped my anger on the floor and then flopped on my bed with my head between my hands.

"Harry, is everything alright?" I sighed and lifted my head to look at Peter.


A/N:

Leaving you in sunspace… Oh, bad Lilyyuri bad!

Don't worry things will be resolved in the next chapter. But don't expect hot steaming sex… sorry.

I know the bit about go and rest is from LOTR (In the first film, this is what Galadriel is telling the fellowship when they arrive to Lothlorien) but I just couldn't resist…