Disclaimer: One word—BAR-NAH-CULLS!
A/N: Yeah, sorry about the slight delay (ducks several thrown rotten fruits) Heh. It's just been really hectic with school and stuff but I promise that every other week I will TRY to post a chapter. Yes I know, it SUCKS, but my life is like that. I know, I know, not QUITE 10,000 words but I wanted to get it down and post it fast rather than have it long this time. && I would like to thank my friend Matt for agreeing to be my beta after he finishes reading what's been posted so far (lol) Yeah, Matt, you spastic gnome/hobbit, thanks!
Anyways: CHAPTER 7! Yayyy!
Secret Promise
Chapter 7: Resting and a Bid of Farewell
oOoOoOo
"All my possessions for a moment of time."
Queen Elizabeth I
oOoOoOo
Take my hands, Claire.
Claire looked up, blue eyes searching for Lily. She suddenly appeared besides her. The red-haired beauty was holding out her arms so the younger girl could take her hands. Claire looked at them warily. She had not moved from her meditation spot for a long time. She had not even noticed that her mentor had moved off somewhere. She sighed, held out her hands to grasp Lily's. The older woman pulled her up.
You must learn how your power works before you learn how to use it. Do you understand? Lily asked her in a soft, gentle voice as her smooth, cool hands grasped hers. Claire nodded her understanding. She could wait and learn for however long it took; she could wait as long as she had to if she could learn to grasp this gift she had been given. She knew she would never understand it fully, but she hoped she would soon understand why she had been chosen to carry it.
(Of course.) She murmured, squeezing the woman's hands, bowing her head.
You're heart is flowing and kind, Claire. You know this. You know that you oftentimes can tell things that most people can not. You feel for all people, good and bad, because you can understand the pain that burns in every man, every woman. You have seen things, in dreams and in visions; you have traveled in spirit to places where great things are occurring in the tapestry of time. Lily's voice was lilting and quiet, but Claire caught every word. She closed her eyes, concentrated on what she was saying rather than her face and expression. You're heart reaches out to people in need, feels what they feel in hopes that if another can carry at least part of the burden then their pain shall ease. This isn't always effective but most feel warmth and strength when you are near. This is the way you were made to be, this is the way you will always be.
You received the Gift before you were born, Claire. You were chosen long before you were ever born. You are part of the Grand Design of Time and Destiny. The Design never falters, save once or twice. It can go several different ways, as there are many smaller designs it can follow. An example of this is a prophecy. There are always infinite amounts of possibilities at the fulfillment of a prophecy.
You, Claire, have the power to change what can be, the power to see what has been, and the gift to follow the complete path of the present. Every person has their own single path to follow, and each path is interconnected with that of others' to create one large path of life. Everyone can follow only their own path, except those with the Gift. They are given this power of following every path to give assistance to those in need.
The power is only given in dyer situations. The war, as you know, is gathering ever closer once more. Voldemort is gathering strength and more and more followers. He cannot die; you have suspected this, as have many others since his rebirth. There is a way to kill him, but only the Seven with the help of the Chosen can completely begin the difficult journey to pave the path of his destruction.
It is your duty, your responsibility to protect the Seven, in any way you can, as they each come into their own gifts.
Claire's eyes shot open, (You mean I'm not the only one…?)
You have your own special gift, they shall have theirs. Now, let me tell you of former Gifted…
Tonks awoke feeling a warm, hard body beside her. Her eyes opened slowly after much effort, and she looked up at the ceiling above her. She was in her flat, she knew that, but who was the strange creature beside her? It didn't take her long to figure out. A soft, slow smile filled her features as she remembered the happenings of the night before, and she looked into the face of the man who slept so quietly beside her. She could barely hear his breath, and he didn't move a single muscle as he slept. This puzzled her as she remembered all those times when Mrs. Weasley had been forced to shove a soother down his throat because of the nightmares that haunted him during his sleep. Maybe having someone there made him feel safer. The thought filled her with warmth. She mentally promised to be there for him every night to wash away the nightmares.
He looked peaceful in his sleep, his long flurry of silver threaded brown hair fanned out beneath his cheek. His head was turned to the side, facing where she slept and she wondered if he had fallen asleep watching her sleep. She felt her heart lift and soar and swell and she shifted as quietly as she could. He didn't stir. Her finger traced a line down his cheek, curved to trace the strong line of his jaw then the moist velvet of his mouth. His face changed and she knew he was beginning to awaken. She sat up and bent over him. She placed one arm on either side of him, rose up to her knees. She had full view of his beautiful face and she smiled down at him as she watched him wake. He was a very quick riser and moments after his first stir his eyes were wide and alert. Those golden brown depths peered up at her in confusion for a long moment before recognition filled him. For a moment she thought he was going to push her away, but then his mouth curved upwards and his eyes closed halfway in a lazy look as his strong arms snaked around her waist. She gave a whoosh of breath when a moment of later she was pinned beneath him, staring up into his face.
He nipped her neck and she laughed.
"Wench," He chastised, grinning at her, moving upwards to nibble on her ear. She giggled as his breath tickled her skin.
"Devil," She managed to breath.
"Too true, my dear," He told her, dark golden eyes staring into hers with a bright shimmer, "Too true."
"Mm, we should stop." She said with slight strain and regret when he began to kiss her with fervor and love and passion and strength, oh he's a heavenly kisser, she thought.
"Why?" He inquired, sliding his free hand down to stroke her slender white hip.
"Oooh, um, because…ohh, we're supposed to go meet the kids." She told him when he slid his mouth down over her neck, kissing her, sucking lightly on her pale, perfect flesh.
"The kids….Hmm," He stopped, and a part of Tonks sighed and cursed as he pulled away. He kissed her one last time before stepping out of the bed. She got the perfect view of his wonderful butt and smiled as he walked towards her shower.
Before he got there he turned and sent her a devilish look, "Join me?"
She laughed, threw off the covers and flew into his arms. He grinned, carried her into the bathroom and kicked the door shut behind him.
An hour or so later Tonks waved her wand at her hair, drying her wet black locks. She smiled into the mirror as she scrunched up her face. Moments later her hair turned a bleached blonde color and she shortened and styled it in a way that was similar to Harry's when it wasn't so long like it was now. Her face remained the same as it usually always did, and she added a few beauty marks on her cheek.
She dressed herself and headed into the living room where Remus was waiting. He grinned at her and she loved how that grin made him look so much younger, so much happier. He took her hand and they headed out the door in silence.
"Thank you." She said as she closed her front door and locked it. Mrs. Durham stopped and looked at them from where she was entering her flat down the hall and lifted her brows up scandalously. Tonks waved at her and stepped closer to Remus, threading her fingers tightly through his. She turned away, catching just a shimmer of the middle aged woman's surprise as they started down the hall.
They apparated quickly to Mrs. Figg's. The teens had left for the Dursleys at the same time she had left with Remus for her flat last night. They were already there, however, laughing and howling as they shoveled a Mrs. Weasley breakfast into their mouths. The twins, Bill, and Fleur were there, as well, talking at the table. Mrs. Figg was nervously huddling over a pack of meowing cats, which included a rather playful Galahad.
"Good morning!" Mrs. Weasley said from the stove where she was cooking yet another batch of eggs and sausages. Remus smiled sheepishly at the raised brows she sent them and Tonks showed her teeth in a cheeky grin.
"Hey, Tonks! Hey, Remus!" Ginny waved from where she sat in Harry's lap, a forkful of potatoes heading towards her mouth. The male teen beneath her was smiling at her, quietly eating his breakfast while watching her lovingly. Ron and Hermione called a chorus of greetings and continued on with their conversation about this and that.
Tonks was struck with the notion that this was how it should always be. A happy, normal morning full of lovey-dovey people and laughter and happiness and smiles. It was as if the day before had never happened, and she was thankful that although they would never forget that experience, that they could live their lives for just a few moments in happiness.
But there were things to do and they needed to be done and explained fast.
"Okay, troops, what's all this about the DA?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips, sent a pointed look at the four teens. Ginny frowned and sighed. Harry set his jaw and Hermione rubbed her brow, almost in a tired way.
"We're starting it up again. We already sent the letters to the members last night. We're meeting in London in two days." Ginny said, firmly, pushing a wisp of red hair out of her face. Harry tucked it behind her ear as he nodded in agreement at her statement.
"Alright, you four. You're going to tell us everything." Mrs. Weasley plopped down in the chair beside Ron and stared hard into the eyes of her surrogate son.
The two redheads and the bushy-haired brunette sent Harry a look that said, 'you're call'. Harry sighed and nodded, "Hermione can explain it, can't you?"
She nodded, and lifted her wand for privacy charms. Fleur and Mrs. Figg were asked to leave. Both nodded and accepted and scurried out of the room. Ginny locked the door behind them and Ron sealed it with a quick spell.
"You know how Harry and Dumbledore were doing that project all year, the secret one that the Order couldn't know about?" Hermione asked.
Tonks nodded uncertainly. Bill and the twins leaned forward to listen.
"Voldemort…has created horcruxes."
All but one adult looked puzzled. Bill Weasley had horror written all over his face. His skin had gone pasty white and he was gripping the edge of the table.
"Plural?" He croaked at Harry. Harry nodded, gravely, rubbing a hand though his hair. Ginny got off his lap and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's shoulders and put her chin on the top of his head. He lifted a hand and rubbed the arm wrapped about him.
"Yes. Six to be exact."
"Six?" Bill turned an even paler shade of white.
"Maybe more. We…we weren't sure. We're certain it's six. Three have already been destroyed, but there are still four more out there."
"Dear Merlin." Bill put his face in his hands, "This isn't…there's no way…this can't…this is…"
"We know."
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Tonks asked, her hand searching for Remus's blindly as she read the grimness of the situation. Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. She didn't know what horcruxes were but she was certain now that they were something bad. Terribly bad.
"Tom has split his soul and placed that fragments into six items." Ginny said, shuddering sickly, "He can't die until they are all gone."
"Oh…" Mrs. Weasley let out a gasp and put a hand to her mouth. Remus tightened behind her, his happy mood disappearing, his frown deepening on his face.
"That's…" She couldn't find a word to describe it.
She sat down heavily, "What are we going to do?"
"I was hoping…" Ginny began, looking at Harry. She hadn't told him this yet, "I was hoping that with Dumbledore's death there might have been something…something that might help us with finding the horcruxes."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU ARE NOT GOING OFF GALLIVANTING FOR-FOR YOU-KNOW-WHO's SOUL! I FORBID IT!"
"Molly." Remus told her, walking from Tonks to push the Weasley matriarch back down in her chair, soothing her with calm words, "They are old enough to understand—"
"Mum, we have to do this." Ginny walked away from Harry, to her mother. She crouched down, put her hands on her mother's knees, and looked up into the red and crying face. Her mother had always been sensitive and so protective. She finally understood where she came from. It was how she felt about Harry. She would never let him go and she would never ever let anything take him away from her, or take her away from him for that matter, "Mummy, this is our job. It's our responsibility, our destiny. We're telling you this because we're asking for your help, we're asking for you guidance. We're not running off by ourselves. We're asking that you assist us in our journey; we're asking that you take part in this. He took your family away from you, Mum." Ginny set her chin, tears coming into her eyes as she wiped her mother's wet cheeks. "He took your brothers and your sister and your father…he took so much from you. He took my childhood away. He took Harry's parents away. We all want him dead. We're asking that you help us achieve that, in the safest way possible. Please, mum. Please."
Molly Weasley let out a sob and reached down, tugging her slip of a daughter into her arms, embracing her in a rib cracking hug, sobbing as she crushed her. Ginny patted her back and pulled away, "We'll be careful, we promise. I promise."
Harry laid a hand on her shoulder, startling her. She hadn't realized he had stood up. He looked Mrs. Weasley right in the eyes and told her, "I'll keep them safe. We'll keep each other safe. We won't let anything happen to another. I promise that."
Mrs. Weasley nodded, tugging her surrogate son into her arms. "I'll take you to that promise, Harry Potter. Now, tell us everything."
He nodded and began his story from the beginning, from his first visit from Dumbledore. He wove the entire tale of his sixth year somehow, explained in fierce detail about every little word spoken between him and the headmaster in their intricate meetings and told everything he could remember about the pensieve visits. Ginny slipped her hand into his and added something here and there. Ron and Hermione gave their sides of some stories and added more to things he had forgotten.
"I want to kill that son of a—"
"TONKS!" Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out as she glared at the young auror.
"What? He's a greasy old git he is!" Tonks muttered, huffing. She wanted to kill the bastard. And she knew that everyone else in the room agreed with her. The twins, who had been relatively quiet through the conversation, were looking more and more conniving as it went on. They had ideas brewing in their little heads, she knew it.
"Oh, this is going to be a very long year, isn't it?" Mrs. Weasley began, rubbing her red rimmed eyes.
Ginny added brightly, "More time to stop and smell the roses, eh?"
Harry stroked her hair out of her face once more, "More time to live and love."
Hermione smiled at her Ron teasingly, "More time study."
He rolled his eyes, "More time to snog."
She socked him in the arm and he yelped, "OW! Bloody abusive!"
"And you're going to have to live with it, Ronald Bilius!"
"WHA—DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
"They're they go again," Ginny whispered to Harry. The raven-haired teen grinned at her and agreed wholeheartedly as the two began to bicker like an old married couple for about the millionth time that year, the ten-billionth time since they'd met each other.
"I think that's enough for now." Molly rolled her eyes and directed this at the others, "We'll have a meeting again tonight. I know you, Tonks, need to go to work, and Remus, would you mind dropping by Hogwarts and seeing Minerva? She's the executor of Albus's will."
Ginny saw Harry wince at the mention of their beloved headmaster and his hand comfortingly. He smiled at her in a bittersweet way. There was a moment between them as her brown eyes pierced his green ones. There was a single moment of complete wholeness and love before conversation broke through. Bill said that he had gotten an appointment with one of Claire's doctors and needed to be on his way and left. Fleur went off to work after him.
"I imagine you all would like to spend the two days that you have to spend your summer somewhere fun?" Mrs. Weasley said kindly, smiling at them.
"Ohh, I would love to go to the cinema." Ginny told her, but was looking up at Harry as she said the words. She smiled at her boyfriend, reached up and ruffled his hair, "Howabout that, love?"
He sheepishly shrugged and sighed, "I don't mind."
"Of course you don't!" She took his hand, tossed a glance over her shoulder at the two bickering Ron and Hermione.
"I think they'll stay here." She said, smiling.
"Wait, you can't just go off on your own without an of age—"
But Ginny was already dragging her boyfriend out the door, not listening to a word anybody else said. Mrs. Weasley sighed, her heart contracting. She hoped to Merlin nothing would happen to them. She turned away, gathering up plates, smiling as Fred and George joined in Ron and Hermione's little snit, words and teases flying.
Claire pushed a blonde curl out of her face and took another deep breath. (This is so-so stupid!) She huffed and sighed, put her face in her hands.
Concentrate. Lily said from where she stood at her flank.
(I can't!) She protested, letting out a loud, frustrated sound. She jumped when it echoed back at her in full force. Lily had deflected the sound back at her. (What was that for?)
You must concentrate, Claire. I have no idea how much I must stress this. Concentrate. You have to see every detail, you have to—Lily saw that the girl wasn't listening. She was drifting off. Her brows furrowed for a moment before she closed her eyes. What are you think about?
Claire shrugged. Lily already knew the answer to that one. She always got this…cute look on her face when she thought about that certain boy. She sighed. This was going no where.
Claire, get up. Claire obeyed, but she did it slowly and with effort. Lily took a deep breath and said If you will not concentrate then I will be forced to do something I do not want to do.
(What's that? Kill me. Great. Get me out of this boredom!) These words weren't like Claire at all. Lily knew the strain of being gone from her body for so long was beginning to take it's toll, but she didn't think it would become this bad. She decided that Claire needed a break. A break back in her own mind, her own vessel.
Claire, look at me. I can only do this a certain amount of times. I am going to give you a break. You will be taken back to your body. She lifted a hand. No, dear, you won't wake up. You will still be in a coma. But you will be able to hear your family, and you will be able to sleep properly. You need rest, your spirit is cranky. Lily gave a little laugh, reached out and touched the blonde girl's face, stroked her cheeks, then lifted her thumb and rubbed it between her brows, Rest, dear one.
Claire felt her body move slowly away, drifting through time space and suddenly…she was home. She gave a sigh of relief. She could hear her father's voice, whispering to her, she could feel his hand stroking her hair. She could feel her mother's hand holding hers, her sister's voice laughing sadly with her father's. She heard a trio of sniffles from her brothers and wished in her heart that they wouldn't cry. Wished she could somehow tell them she was alright.
She breathed deeply, and fell into a cool abyss of resting.
Bill walked towards the room he had been told to go to. Earlier that morning they, he and Fleur, had received a floo-call from one of the healers who wished to speak with them about Claire. Obviously, someone had actually believed them. He put his hand into his pocket, touched a single fingertip to his wand, just to assure himself that it was there. He had another one, strapped to his arm, just in case, and a bag of some nasty powder that would temporarily blind anyone who got even a single speck in their eyes.
As a curse-breaker he was always prepared and ready for anything. Fleur was the same, but only because she had learned to rely on the things she had learned in the Triwizard Tournament, and what she had learned from him. There was no such thing as being too careful, especially when he was protecting his wife-to-be. She was at Gringotts, working for the Goblins.
"We're here to see Healer Belenus." He told the kindly looking attendant. She smiled at him, pointed him in the general direction.
"Mr. Weasley, I presume." The Healer reached out to shake his hand. Bill gave a curt nod, and grasped his hand firmly, squeezing just hard enough to make the man aware of his strength.
"I'm here about Claire Raleigh." He said. He went straight to the point as he straightened his robes and shifted more comfortably in the stiff chair, "It is my diagnosis that she is undergoing some sort of clairvoyant metamorphosis or cleansing or something of the sort."
"Mr. Weasley, I understand that you are a certified curse-breaker and such things would be familiar to you, but…I don't understand how you have come to this conclusion. Clairvoyance is not a rare thing and our medium has not sensed anything within the girl but a slight empathy." Hr. Belenus said and Bill saw his point, but he had more important things to do.
"I am sorry, Healer Belenus, but this girl is a friend of my little sister and there is evidence that suggests that she has…sent a vision through my sister to warn us of an attack by one of You-Know-Who's followers. I cannot disclose much, all I can say is that she is fine, there is no illness, but there is no predetermined time in which she will wake up. It might be days, weeks, months, even years before she even so much as stirs."
"Mr. We—"
"I am sorry, there is nothing left to discuss. I do have a message however. Please tell her parents that Justin Finch-Fletchley wishes to see her and he would like their permission to do so."
"Did you say…Justin?" Healer Belenus inquired, his brow furrowed, his mouth slightly gaping.
Bill nodded, and stood and gave a small grin, "Thank you for your time."
"No, Mr. Weasley, thank you." Jason murmured, watching the red-haired man walk away. "Thank you."
Bill apparated to Mrs. Figg's with ease. He arrived in the backyard and traveled quickly to the house. He heard the sound of laughter and headed into the living room. His mother, Ron, Hermione, and the twins all sat there, talking. Mum was blushing, her face pink and glowing with embarrassment, and the others were giggling and chuckling.
"Gin and Harry not back yet?" He asked from the doorway. Ron and Hermione jumped, the twins went for their wands and his mum gasped. He winced and apologized and heavy, relieved sighs filled the room.
"Scared the living daylights out of me!" Was the reply of his mother when he apologized again. She patted the seat besides her and he sat down to rest his long legs.
"Did it go well?"
"It went fine. He agrees with me. There wasn't much I could say, however. Only that she isn't sick, she's just…missing, I suppose." Bill sighed, "I'll be going by Justin's this afternoon to pick him up to take him to St. Mungo's to see her. I know he'll enjoy that."
"Mm." Hermione said, "I wonder if Harry and Ginny are having a good time."
Ron groaned at her laughing tone and said, "Aw, thanks Hermione, I so needed that image."
"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!"
Ron felt his ears turn red when he realized he had said that in front of his mother. "Sorry, mum."
"Tsk, tsk."
"Who ever knew that Ron had such a dirty mind."
"Oh, shut up." Ron muttered, glaring at the twins.
Galahad was pleased to know that no one had noticed him as he had slipped away from his litter-friends and found somewhere secluded. He meowed and began to bathe himself. It was no use speaking to an Elder Bird when he was dirty. It was disrespectful. So he sat down and began to lick his fur clean, idle thoughts wandering. The night had been perfect, he had slept in a warm bed, curled up on the chest of his male human, with his female human stroking his ears until he fell asleep. She was much gentler than the Cat Woman who had bred him, although both were expert cat lovers. She had a soothing, warm way about her that he found comforting. He lifted his hind leg when…
Cunningclaw, you need not bathe yourself in my presence.
He jumped and yelped, scrambling to his paws, meowing loudly. He looked up and peered at the bird who sat perched on the bed post, his claws at the ready, his body fired up to pounce.
Who're you? Did Elder Fawkes send you? Galahad purred, watching the fire-plumed bird with narrowed eyes. The creature was quieter than Fawkes, or mayhap Fawkes wished to be heard. Anyways, he knew this bird was not Fawkes. She was sleeker and smaller, with a long, slender swan's neck. She was far lovelier than Fawkes, that was for certain, he thought. Her feathers were a darker red, and there was less gold in her plumage.
You are correct, Cunningclaw. Fawkes has sent me to give you a message. He wishes for you to stick close to your humans as much as you can. You are not to leave their sides. You shall try and protect them any way you can, and should danger rear it's ugly head you must get help with this. There was a burst of flame and a collar appeared around his neck. He gave a hiss and spun around in a circle, scratched at the dang thing. It was uncomfortable and weighed heavily around him, giving him the feel of being weighted down.
Stop squirming, young one. The Elder Bird told him. He stopped, fought the urge to rip the stupid thing off with his teeth. It is a port-key. It will take you from one point to any point you need to be, and you can take as many people as can touch you to the place that they are needed. Your humans cannot see it, and even if they did they cannot take it off. Nothing can.
Peachy. Galahad muttered, scratching at the collar. Does this mean that I have to go to the theater?
Certainly, Cunningclaw. The Elder Bird bowed her head in farewell.
Hey, wait, what's your name?
I am Elder Pandora. That is all that you need to know young one. In a flash she was gone. He blinked, glared at the spot of air where she had been sitting moments before. Still nudging at the collar about his neck he sighed, prancing out the door. Normally, if it had been another animal, he would have ignored their commands and just continued on with whatever he was doing, but he knew not to disobey the elder birds. Despite the fact that they were peaceful protectors, they had their ways of scaring a kneazle or two.
Tail flicking in the air, he raced through the flap in the front door and set out at a quick run towards the inter-town, where his humans would be, watching a large picture and noisemaker, he supposed.
He arrived at the movie theater, but knew no human would let him pass inside. Fairly certain that his humans would be safe whilst there, he sat down in a bush and began to continue to clean himself, while absently shaking his head, trying to push the collar off.
Elder Birds were a pain in the neck.
Literally.
Harry and Ginny were settled into the back row of the movie theater. There weren't many people there, and those that were weren't over the age of ten unless they were a parent. Ginny had taken one look at the cartoon poster and dragged him to the ticket booth, shooting off the name of the obviously Disney movie and smiling at him as he grimaced. The guy at the booth had smirked at him as he paid for the tickets, and Ginny had further taken him to the concession stand. (Although he had never been, he had heard Dudley talk about going to the cinema ever since he was little). He'd bought a big thing of popcorn, a candy, and a soda to share. Ginny had hoarded the popcorn as soon as they'd gotten to their seats, laughing when she'd caught him staring at her with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.
"Wahn sum?" She'd asked around a mouthful. Harry had laughed and shook his head, choosing instead to reach for his own. He had leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek and then the movie had started. Ginny had sat entranced throughout the whole thing, eyes glued to the screen, never straying once even as she lifted a single bit of popcorn or a candy into her mouth.
When the movie was over, Ginny turned to him and made an 'Awwww! That was so cute!' look. He was overcome with how beautiful she looked, just sitting there, eyes big and shining, mouth made into a little 'aw' shape. He tucked a red curl behind her ear and kissed her, right there in the lit up theater. It wasn't a full blown make-out, but his kissed her with love and heat, his mouth pressed firmly to hers, his hand sliding through her red hair.
"Mummy! They're KISSING! Mummy! Look! Like in the movie!" Harry broke away and looked to his right. A little girl with pigtails was pointing at them from where she stood, holding her mother's hand in her own loosely. The older woman lifted a brow, but said nothing as she led the child away.
"Busted." Ginny laughed, standing up and stretching, reaching up for the ceiling. "Come on, love, let's go terrorize mum."
Harry laughed, took her hand and stood. It had felt good to relax, if only just for that hour or so. He stretched and slid his arm around her waist as they headed out of the theater, speaking in low tones, whispering and laughing to each other.
"GALAHAD!" Ginny rushed forward when she saw an oh-so-familiar tail peeking out from a bush, "What are you doing here?"
"Well, well, if it isn't my dear cousin and his…what could you call her?"
"Girlfriend." Ginny said, glaring into the chubby face of Dudley Dursley as she straightened and hugged Galahad to her chest. Harry looked around at the group of thugs who gathered at his cousin's sides and groaned. This would be nothing but trouble and an unnecessary battle of wills. He looked around, there was no one else on the street to break it up if something started.
"Dudley, leave us alone." He said, walking towards Ginny, putting his hands on her shoulders and trying to nudge her away from them. She didn't budge. She held her ground, holding that dang kneazle like a lifeline. He knew it would be better to just walk away and let them terrorize some other poor soul, but she wouldn't leave.
"Or you'll do what, freak?" Dudley asked, smirking smugly, "Cry for your mummy? Oh, wait. She's dead."
"Don't talk about my mum!" Harry growled, stepping in front of Ginny and on instinct, he caught himself reaching for the wand in his pocket. "You have no right to talk about her!"
"She was lowlife junkie, you know." Dudley began to brag to his friends, making a melodramatic sweep of his arms, "Fell for a good-for-nothing drop out with nothing better to do but drink and bang her."
Harry's anger swelled and screeched and burned. Dudley was trying to get back at him, for what he had said the other morning. The fatass would never learn, would he? He would never fricking see how serious Harry was.
"You're a bastard aren't you?" Dudley howled, and his friends followed suit.
"No, Dudley, you know perfectly well that my parents were married." Harry said through his teeth, "You know perfectly well that my father wasn't a drop out, nor was he a drunk, and my mother would never touch a drug in her lifetime. Now shut up before something bad happens!"
This only made Dudley's friends laugh harder. Ginny was pushing to stand at his side now, but he was blocking her with his arms, determined to make this his fight and not hers.
"Afraid we'll hurt you're girlfriend, freak?" Dudley bellowed.
"Dudley, you couldn't touch me if you tried, you fat whale!" Ginny cried, dipping beneath Harry's arm, dropping Galahad gently to the ground and racing towards Dudley. She poked a finger in his chest even as Harry made a sound of shock and horror, "Now you see here, jackass—"
CRACK!
Dudley's head snapped back even before he could finish shoving Ginny to the ground. The little redhead caught herself as the whale of a boy wobbled and stared at her in shock. Her right hook had slammed straight into his nose and there had been a crunching kind of sound which signaled that it had been broken. The gang stood there in shock, staring at the little slip of girl who had just shattered their leader's nose in awe.
"Why you little—"
"I wouldn't do that, Piers." Harry said, stepping in front of Ginny, staring hard into the rat-like Muggle's face, "Either you back away or we go get our friends and start something." It was a blatant lie, Harry would do no such thing, but it seemed to work, seeing as the boys scrambled every which way, leaving Dudders to stand there, still in shock, grasping at his nose, howling in pain and horror.
"You broke my nose!" He shouted, "You broke my nose!"
"Hex me." Ginny drawled, bent down and picked up the hissing Galahad and started to walk away.
"You do know that there is no possible way Vernon's going to let us stay at Privet Drive after that."
"Who needs this place anyways?" Ginny grumbled, walking faster, petting her kneazle as she marched in the direction of Mrs. Figg's. Harry watched her red hair flying behind her and he had to agree with her reasoning. Who needed Privet Drive anyways? He had come here, it wasn't long but he had come, and so he had fulfilled his promise to Dumbledore. The name stung at his heart but he pushed it back.
"You're right, Gin." He said after he'd caught up with her. He slid an arm around her waist, held her to his side even as they headed down the street. She glanced at him through her eyelashes, grinning cheekily.
"Good."
He laughed, kissed the top of her head and looked forward. It suddenly occurred to him at the oddity of finding Galahad right outside the movie theater. He looked down at the feline, only to find that the kneazle was already staring up at him, as if he had known what he was thinking already. Strange, strange creature, he thought to himself, shaking his head and focusing on the path to get to Mrs. Figg's.
"Okay, what did you two do?" Hermione asked the moment she looked up at them from the book she was reading in the living room of Mrs. Figg's. Crookshanks was curled around her feet. Ron was playing chess with one a cursing twin, while the other watched on saying things like 'oh, you shouldn't have done that' and 'you just got knighted, man!'
"I don't know what you mean." Ginny said, setting Galahad down. He curled in and out of her feet.
"You've got that look on your faces. That look that means you've done something that I wouldn't approve of." Hermione gave them both a suspicious glare.
"Let's just say we're leaving very soon."
"How soon?"
"OUT! I WANT ALL OF YOU OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! GET OFF OF MY PROPERTY! LEAVE!"
Harry sighed as Hermione waved her wand and all their things were magically packed up. This made Vernon, who was hovering in the doorway, just scream and bellow louder. They had decided to leave Mrs. Figg's two hours after the movies, as all were eager to leave this place, for no particular reason except they preferred it at the Burrow. Dudley had already been rushed to the hospital for his nose and at the moment Petunia was there with him. Vernon had been on his way there when they had arrived. He had told there then and there that he was kicking them out on the spot.
Hermione, with the help of the twins, banished the trunks to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley, they knew, was waiting for them at Mrs. Figg's. They would go by floo.
"Come on Hedwig." Harry cooed to the bird and Ron rolled his eyes, yanking Pig's cage up and rounding out the door after Vernon had stepped back, still shouting and waving his arms like an injured bird.
"Good day to you, Mr. Dursley." Hermione said, walking away. Ginny scooped up Arnold, put him on her shoulder, and Galahad pranced out the door behind her. When Vernon's back was turned she made a rude hand signal at him and Harry fought not to chuckle. The twins looked at each other, gave evil grins and rushed out of the room and downstairs in front of him.
Before Harry could head down the stairs Vernon shoved a box against his chest with so much force it nearly not knocked him over. He gave a grunt and grabbed the box with one arm, juggled Hedwig's cage in the other.
"Take your filthy things, Potter, and don't come back here again!" Vernon growled, nearly tossing him down the stairs. Harry headed down them, called for everyone. Fred and George appeared from the living room and he knew they had planted at least a half a dozen pranks throughout the house in that small amount of time that he had not been with them. He just shrugged it off, they would deserve it. He headed out of the house. Neighbors were gathered on their lawns, whispering about this and that.
"Good-bye, Vernon, and thanks for nothing." Harry told him, loud enough for all to hear. He didn't give a damn anymore. He could care less what people thought of him, as long as he had his friends and his Ginny.
Vernon slammed out of the house and to his car, rolled away as the six wizards watched him go. The neighbors gave them suspicious looks as they headed down the sidewalk, animals in tow. Fred took Hedwig and Harry stared into the box in his hands. On the top it was labeled in a scrawling, messy script. BABY STUFF—POTTER.
His throat tightened, but he said nothing. Ginny sidled up beside him, giving him a little comfort, knowing she was there to stand beside him through it all.
They were free. It had happened in the blink of an eye, but they were free of this damned place and he could jump for joy.
Hell, when he got to the burrow that's what he planned on doing. Jumping for joy and swinging his girl around and kissing her in celebration. He would never have to set foot in this neighborhood again, except to maybe visit Mrs. Figg on an odd occasion.
"Happy, mate?" George asked, clapping him on the back, "Finally rid of those stingy old barf-buckets of Muggle kind?"
Harry gave a strained laugh, and shrugged, "If you mean the Dursleys then yes, I'm happier than ever."
Ginny grinned at him, reaching up to pat Arnold on his bitty head.
"You're wonderful, Gin." He stopped and bent down, kissed her soft mouth sweetly, moved his lips against hers in a quick, joyous motion. The box kept them from touching anywhere but their mouths, but it was still a good kiss. When he pulled away she was smiling dreamily.
"Let's go home, love." She said, and they started off to lag behind the others, simply enjoying the presence of one another.
"Mr. Raleigh, I have some…news." Healer Belenus stood on the opposite side of Claire. Her parents sat across from him. Her mother was holding her daughter's limp hand, her father had his own face in his hands, but he was listening intently to every word. "We have run as many tests as there can be used. There is nothing to suggest that your daughter is anything but healthy. She has not been poisoned, nor has she inherited a genetic disorder, nor a disease or anything of the sort. She is perfectly healthy."
"Get to the point, please!" Ben Raleigh demanded, not looking up from his hunched position.
"Earlier today a man, a curse-breaker, visited here claiming that Claire had sent a vision through her to warn her friends of a catastrophe that was happening miles away. The man suspects that she has a gift called Clairvoyance. It isn't a common thing, but it would explain everything that has been happening." He suspected them to protest, but Audrey Raleigh only nodded.
"My grandmother had a wee bit of a talent for divination." She said softly, but nothing more was spoken from the two grief-stricken parents.
"How can we wake her up?" Asked Mr. Raleigh after a long, pregnant moment.
"There is no…no way to wake her up. She must wake on her own, just like any other comatose patient." He told them, running a hand through his hair, "I am sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh, there is nothing more we can do but wait for her to come out of this by herself."
Audrey gave a sob, put her face in her husband's shoulder and wept and wept and wept. Ben wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her blonde hair, cried with her. Their hearts were breaking with ache for their daughter and they lamented their sorrow in swift, heartbreaking sobs and whimpers.
"I'll leave you alone." They didn't hear him.
Claire woke slowly to the sound of Lily's soft whispering. She stirred groggily and opened her eyes. She was hovering above her body and Lily was gently pulling her out. She sighed, knowing that her rest was over. Her training would begin again and she felt her heart ache, wishing to slip back under that sweet blanket of sleep.
Come, Claire, we have much to do.
Claire nodded, knowing that in the coming weeks, she would have much to do. And much to see.
Gathering up her thoughts she sat up, (Show me everything, Lily.)
A/N: Oh dear, not my best work but it's something. i know i know i've taken FOREVER and i am SOOOOOOO sorry about that school has been so bleh and it's gotten better with time and i just found out last night that i'm going to be in the shakespeare play (AGAIN) I've been in it every year so i wasn't too worried about not getting a part but still, this can take my mind off of things. anywhoo, please review, even if it's just to rag and nag about how long i took!
