Oh! Oh! So this is one of my favorite chapters, so I hope you enjoy! Actually, this whole last bit of my story (it's almost over!) is my favorite, and personally I think it's some of my best writing, if I do say so myself. If you can't tell, I'm rather proud of myself for finishing a fic. :) Please excuse the obnoxious-ness.
Also, I hate giving special recognition to reviewers through chapters. I try to reply to all of you in turn, so please don't get mad if you havent received a reply for your review yet! It'll come! However, today I have decided to make a tiny change. This is my first and final shout in a chapter; it is for dekad.ente who is actually in the process of translating my story to German, so that it can be read in a different language, which I think is sooo cool! It's fabulous, and wonderful, and all those good things, and I'm so honoured that you think my story worthy of taking up your time and being translated, so thanks so very much.
And finally, I lied. I said I would post tomorrow, but I'm actually posting a day early because the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy was so great that I can't sleep. So to make up for posting off schedule, I'll do another update tomorrow evening like I said. Alright? Good. I think I've drabbled enough, so carry on!
Chapter 24
We spent the rest of the night sitting on the floor. At one point I had maneuvered myself to a position where my head was in his lap as he leaned his back against the wall. I didn't sleep, but enjoyed the warmth of his body close to mine.
The sun began to filter into the room and I realized how sore I was from lying on the floor all night. For the first time I stole a glance at Harry's face. His head was forward and I was surprised that he had fell asleep in such an awkward position. His hair had flopped over his brow in a long fringe, and the corners of his mouth were perked upwards, the left side twitching every once in a while.
I slowly pushed myself up off the floor, my body protesting the movement. Carefully I moved away from Harry, and lifted myself to a sitting position. I gulped quietly and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Harry," I whispered. His head popped up and I immediately felt bad for waking him. It was one of the first peaceful sleeps he had had in many nights I was sure. "Do you want to crawl into bed?" I whispered. He nodded and heaved himself up off the ground much too quickly for a person who had spent the night sleeping upright. He extended a hand and I grasped it tightly.
He walked over to my bed and opened the covers motioning for me to get in. I gaped for minute, and then shook my head. He wanted me to sleep… with him? I yawned.
"Get in," he hissed rather quietly. I shook my head again. "Get into bed Beth. I'll go to mine." He frowned and rubbed his head. I tiptoed forward and ducked beneath the arm that was holding the comforter up for me. I crawled in, not looking at him all the while, and laid my head down on my pillow. I imagined it to be Harry's leg, and closed my eyes.
§
I woke up, my room flooded with light, and a banging at my door.
"It's eight thirty Beth," said Remus through the wall. " I told Hermione we'd be there by nine instead of eight. You didn't sleep well last night, so I let you sleep a bit longer. Will you have enough time?" I nodded my head, and realized he couldn't see me.
"Yes," I replied through the door. "I'll just take a quick shower. Are we eating at the Burrow?" I skipped out of bed and managed to grab a set of clothes while speaking. Pulling my sleeve down around my palm, I opened the door.
"We're going out actually," said Remus smiling. "There is a new restaurant in Diagon Alley, and Percy has insisted on taking us there." His face looked even more weathered in the daylight, and the fresh scrapes across his cheeks and collarbone made my heart ache.
"I'll be ready quick," I said, not able to tear my eyes away from his appearance.
He looked away and I came aware of my stare. "It was a long night," he said slowly. "I'm quite sure I got in a scrap." He laughed. "The wolf didn't have a chance I'm afraid. So much for my furry little problem." I leaned into him for a hug and gave him a kind smile.
"Ron thinks his scar makes him look dashing."
"Does he now?" asked Remus. "That's interesting."
"Well, with all yours, you look ten times more. I'm going to go get ready." I turned and padded across the landing, and when I peeked back I saw Remus still standing there, tracing the scars on his face, a small smile making it's may out from underneath.
§
Harry shot me looks all through the hustle and bustle at the Burrow. I prayed with all my heart he wouldn't say a word. Everyone was rushing around the new home, lost in the maze of newly applied toilet paper rolls, and lost hairbrushes. Harry hadn't said a word about my dreams, or my home life yet. He had only said a few words to me that morning which included "Hello" and "You look awful." It was true. Purple bags swelled underneath my eyes from lack of sleep and I leaned on every available wall, laying my lashes on my cheeks and praying for mental peace.
"Come now people," said Percy's shrill voice from the fireplace. "The reservation is shortly after nine! Not after death!"
"Shut up you fowl git," said Bill, scratching his bed head. "We're coming." Sure enough everyone filed into the room. Ginny was scratching her ear, and was looking much more put together than the rest of her family. Her hair was tied back in a professional ponytail and she seemed quite content with herself. Her brothers all had miserable bed head, and Hermione was quite happy to fuss over Ron and his grungy look.
Percy stepped to the shabby fireplace and pulled some powder from the flowerpot on the mantle.
"Edmund's Breakfast Eatery," said Percy briskly. He stepped into the fireplace and disappeared. We followed in an orderly fashion; Harry and I last to leave. He grabbed my shoulder as Hermione shot up the chimney. I flinched.
"We need to talk." I looked into his piercing gaze and turned my head away.
"We really don't," I said. I pulled my shoulder out of his grasp and turned to go to the floo when he turned me around again.
"I can't let you go home; I have to tell someone."
"And I'll deny it and everyone will think you've finally gone bonkers. I'm fine Harry." Before he could object I rushed to the fireplace and through the powder in.
"Edmund's Breakfast Eatery!" I exclaimed loudly. The spinning and twirling round and round made me want to lose whatever was left in my stomach from the night before, but I managed to stumble out at the other end with only soot on my shirt.
I was in a restaurant entryway, the fireplace behind me looking like no more than a picture of one. I rushed to the group of redheads at the front and listened to Percy's pompous voice explain to the waitress about their reservation. The blue room was nothing special, but the waitress was dressed in an older fashion, her robes covered in frills and a rather pink cotton bonnet covering her head.
Harry walked up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and shuffled beside Hermione, my head facing downwards. When I brought it up, Ginny was glaring at me. We shuffled in; Percy obviously sorted out the seating ordeal with the waitress, and sat down at a rather long cumbersome table. The dark wood appeared to have been stabbed many times, and the chairs were quite cushy.
The comfortable atmosphere was nice as a one of the finest dressed house elves I had ever seen approached our table. She snapped her fingers and fine cutlery appeared on the table.
"My name is Tinny, and I will be your server this morning," she squeaked. "Will you be order dining, or all you can eat?" Everyone looked to Percy.
"All you can eat I should think," he said. Fred patted him on the back.
"You just earned back a bit of my love."
Everyone got out of their chairs and approached the rather long buffet table. Harry walked behind me, and whispered into my ear. "Don't you feel like someone is watching us?" I took a quick peek around before shaking my head. He was being paranoid. Nobody was watching us.
Harry walked around me at a rather fast pace and tapped Ron on the shoulder, then echoed his movements on Hermione and finally Ginny. He whispered to each of them separately, and got the same response, a bit of laughter and a clap on the back. Harry smiled stiffly and picked up a plate from the buffet table.
I followed in suit, but felt around for my wand first, which was sitting in my back pocket, just in case.
I was almost finished filling my plate when a clatter came from the front of the restaurant. I turned my head much too quickly and froze at the sight.
A line of death eaters were standing in the front entrance, each with wand in hand: dueling position. The masks that covered their faces were shabby looking, and many had scuffmarks, or holes. They were not as prim as I remembered, each wearing a very dirty robe and a looking rather weary on their feet. Only two of them seemed to be fully alert, each holding their wand slightly higher, and their faces underneath stone still with fury.
The bistro broke into chaos. Mothers and children were ducked underneath tables and chairs and into bathrooms. Older men seemed too afraid to move, sitting in their chairs staring at the death line with the obvious feeling of deja vu. My plate clattered to the floor like many others in the room and I stared at the row wide eyed. My head was spinning with confusion.
Voldemort was dead! Why were these people just standing there, causing so much distress? Was it some kind of sick horrible joke? The group behind me stood stone still and I could feel power radiating from that direction. A hand pushed me roughly aside and I moved as if a robot, unaware and unassuming.
A mop of black hair stepped in front, taking control of the situation entirely. The room didn't go silent, but screams were hushed down, and it seemed that even the screaming drooling babies felt the tense atmosphere.
"What do you want?" His voice was low, growling almost.
"Where is he?" A drawling slimy voice made it's way out from behind one of the two alert death eaters. He pushed his way through rather smoothly, like a snake. The man was tall, and his black eyes sparkled with anticipation through his mask.
"Who?" asked Harry, his voice dangerous.
"The Dark Lord. We want to know where you've put him. He'll find us before long you know." This time the voice was high and shrill. The female's hands were shaking as her wand jittered up and down. "Can you hear us master? We are here! All that's left! We remain faithful!"
Harry sighed, a long grueling sigh that stated attitude. "Dead. Sorry. Can't really help you—unfortunately I can't bring back the dead… not that I would want to in this particular case." I watched from behind as he drew his wand slowly out of his back pocket. I was surprised he hadn't done it earlier.
"You lie." The slimy voice accused Harry particularly abusively, as if he had a lot of experience.
"No Snape, I don't. And have I ever told you that you smell? You do. Like sweaty socks," Harry snarled meanly. His immature insult seemed only to cause the man to recoup before replying.
""Well, it's better than being the son of a mudblood I suppose." The death eaters behind him laughed.
"Well that's rich, coming from a half-blood like yourself." His voice was deadly calm when he said it, and I waited for the resounding crack of a spell; I wasn't disappointed.