We stare each other off for a while, apprehension building up inside of me as I see the emotions flicker in his eyes. The noise from the castle drones on as we look at each other, the sun shining high in the sky, and even though I feel the warmth on my face, the cold dread keeps a hold on me. I start considering that maybe this was a bad idea – the idea about telling Harry this, the idea of my coming here. Setting my shoulders back, I go to open my mouth to repeat my apologies and I get cut off by a slam against me as a set of arms wrap around my midsection. Sobs shake my body, and it takes me a moment to realize that they're not only coming from Harry, but me too. I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him for dear life as we release the feelings of abandonment that we had felt for so long.

We stand that way for a while, taking comfort that we had family once again, no matter how small and long it took to get here. I kiss Harry's head, running my hand up and down his back and his sobs roll into little hiccups, trying to give him whatever comfort I could. My audible sobs had been extinguished but the tears running down my face had no end.

I end up rocking us back and forth without meaning to as I finally speak up, my voice raspy from crying, "I'm so sorry Harry, you had to do this all by yourself and I wasn't here…" I pull back from him, his hands tightening into fists on my jacket. His eyes are red as we look at each other, nose scrunching as he sniffles, "…but if you'll let me, I will never leave your side again." My eyes are hopeful once more, no more tears running, but the remnants there all the same as I feel the stickiness on my face. I can tell he thought it for less than 5 seconds as he nods his head at me, pulling me in for another bone breaking hug. A laugh rumbles through me at that until it eventually it turns into soft chuckles, giving him another kiss, this time on his forehead, lingering as I feel the cursed scar against my lips. Mentally cursing the gods for the lives we've had to live as I gently rub Harry's back.

Eventually I feel Hecate slither herself across our arms, coming to rest around my neck, her tongue flicking against my skin softly. I sigh as I pull back from Harry, and immediately laugh at the pout he wears on his face. Rubbing at his eyes, he then looks at Hecate and playfully glares at her, "C'mon Hecate, we were having a nice family moment, why'd you ruin it?" My heart warms at hearing that, knowing it's genuine coming from him, no matter what expression is on his face. Hecate hisses back at his words, and by the way she's loose around my neck I can tell she's joking back with him. I wipe the tear stains off my cheeks and chuckle at the way Harry melts as I reach out and gently wipe his cheeks too, turning pink.

The noise starts to increase as students begin coming out to the Great Lake, spending time and catching up with friends before classes begin tomorrow. I look at how the students gather, noticing that all of them are from all the house but Slytherin, with a few exceptions. The divides between houses are evident, and I frown at growing exclusionary acts and history within the school. For now, I jot it down mentally on my list of things to fix before turning my attention back to Harry, catching him in his own thoughts. I reach out and tussle his hair softly, "What's on your mind kiddo?"

He looks up at me, a tender caring in his eyes, "A lot, mostly questions I want to ask you…" He trails off, his face turning hesitant as we start hearing voices that are clearly Hermione and Ron, Fred and George trailing behind them, pushing each other around. He glances at them before returning my gaze, questions burning in his bright eyes.

Smiling tenderly at him, I pat his cheek lower my voice, understanding his hesitation and uncertainty, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be by your side, so feel free to ask me whatever questions you want." My eyes flicker towards the others, "It's up to you what you want to tell them, I think you know your friends best. If they have questions, send them my way, if they don't like it…" I straighten my shoulders and smile at him, "They wouldn't be the first ones and they wouldn't be the last ones, so don't worry about me." I finish right as the others get to us, Hermione being the first to reach us and wrapping her arm through Harry's, grinning at the both of us. Ron trails slowly behind her, looking at me with some doubt and the tiniest of glares in his eyes. I don't bother returning it, first because it's nothing compared to others and second because the twins came up and smacked him over the head simultaneously almost immediately.

Fred starts them off, "Oi, Ronniekins…"

"…whatcha lookin' at her like that for…"

"…not like she killed Scabbers or something…"

"…or what, got your panties in a twist?"

They chuckle at their own joke, Ron turning red with either anger or embarrassment. Maybe both. "Cut it out!" He turns his glare onto them, his ears the brightest part of his head now, "Don't you have your own friends? Go be with Lee, or Alicia and Angelina."

Grinning manically at his twin, George begins their evil monologue, "Well lookie here…"

"…Ronniekins is trying to tell us what to do…"

"…and who to see…"

"…me thinks he's forgotten how this works…"

"…and me thinks he needs a reminder…"

"…righto, Gred."

Watching them was like watching a tennis match, and my entertainment only increased when I saw Ron turn white from terror. My chuckles are echoed by Hermione's giggles and Harry stands there smiling wide. The brothers turn back to me, their grins never once slipping from their face. Fred bows low, George copying, "My lady, may we have the pleasure of your presence this fair afternoon?" Both of them look up at me, at the same time, with the biggest puppy eyes and the most comical pouts.

"Sorry boys, but I must return to my new housemates. Should probably get to know them, since I'll be sharing what seems like every waking breath in their presence," my chuckles had long reduced to what's beginning to feel like a permanent grin when with them. I turn my back to them and look at Harry, feeling like I'm truly taking him for the first time, "Come find me whenever, for whatever, m'kay?" I restrain myself from pulling him in for a hug, unsure of how he wanted to proceed in front of others. He opens his mouth to say something, but instead closes it, clearing his throat before just nodding at me. Feeling the others look at us curiously, I smile softly at Harry once more before turning back to the others, "Hello 'Mione, goodbye 'Mione. Hello Ron, goodbye Ron. I'll see you later folks! Enjoy your day."

Walking away, I go back through the front doors of the Castle rather than stay outside, feeling oddly claustrophobic with the crowds of people. I feel Hecate tighten her hold on my neck gently, her tongue flickering against my chin as she nuzzles me. Softly running my finger down her scales, I agree with her, "The adventure has just begun…"


A/N: Hi folx! I feel like I'm always saying 'long time, no see' - which is true. I mean besides now being in my last semester of university, I have what feels like the worst ADHD in the world. I can clearly imagine this story and how I wanna end up, but words are hard sometimes, ya know? But out of all the stories I've started, I keep coming back to this one. And so do some of y'all, which is kinda wild, so thanks!

ok y tambien, quiero saber quien es el chileno que está leyendo esto porque me muero por saber porque yo tambien soy chilena, thanks. (not to call you out lol)

signed,

oterol