SANCTUARY
Chapter 13: Hedwig's Return
Harry stared at himself in the mirror, holding up dark bangs up to reveal his scar. It was puckered and red, irritated, just as Hermione had said. It stung too, like Harry was holding his forehead against hot pavement and couldn't get up. If he were being honest, Harry couldn't imagine why such an insignificant mark meant so much to people in the Wizarding World. It was just a scar, an odd looking one for sure, but it was no different then any other defining mark. Tons of kids had them back home, and they weren't exalted as some...some Savior. Scowling at his reflection and puckering his lips, Harry didn't hear the door open, or see the light from the hall which fell over his toes,
"Did your reflection insult you or something, Harry?" Hermione joked happily, causing Harry to turn and smile too. His eyes locked on Hermione, his most beautiful friend, who was outlined in gold from the lights outside his door. She looked ethereal that way, face soft and youthful as she smiled, "are you ok, Harry?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm good," the boy smiled gingerly and rubbed the back of his neck. I hope she didn't catch me staring. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Uh huh," Hermione nodded and held up a small bag made of ugly blue cloth, "Luna helped me make it,"
"Uh, what...what is it?"
Hermione chuckled and entered the room fully, gently holding up the bag and pressing it up against Harry's forehead. Immediately he was soothed, the aching pain chased away by the cold feeling of an ice pack, "brilliant,"
"It looked like your scar was bothering you. Thought this could help. But Luna absolutely insists your pain is being called by creatures called...Wrackspurts?"
Hermione's brows furrowed cutely as Harry cocked a lip upwards,
"What's a Wrackspurt?"
"I honestly have no idea,"
Both children giggled as Hermione walked to Harry's window and looked out. Night had fallen an hour or so before, meaning millions of spars were sparkling in the clear sky, and sat patiently on the horizon. Walking to his friend and pulling her close, Hermione leaned on Harry's shoulder as they looked out across the landscape together, "it was nice of Mr. Lovegood to let us stay here," Hermione said, "what do you think?"
"I think we need to be careful," Harry admitted softly, playing with one of his friends ringlets, "we leave at the first sign of trouble,"
"Right. But do you think Mr. Lovegood will really teach us magic?"
Harry felt himself shrug,
"Dunno. Luna knows some magic, and she's homeschooled. She's nice, I like her,"
"I do too. A little off, I do say, but I think I could get along with her. After all, she's trying so hard to make us feel welcome,"
"Mm," Harry merely nodded, enjoying the closeness of his best friend as they stared out at the stars together. Will the sky at the ocean be as beautiful as this? Harry thought, glancing down at Hermione who's face was gently illuminated by the moonlight outside, we'll get there someday. Just me and her.
"Harry, there's something moving out there,"
"What?" Harry stiffened as he reached for the wand on his nightstand. Indeed there was a small shadow flying towards the window, obscuring some of the stars as Harry pushed Hermione behind him. No doubt she could handle herself, but Harry would die before he let her face danger head on. Watching the shadow carefully, Harry lowered his wand as the shillouette of an...owl, landed on the sill and pecked at the glass,
"Harry, its an owl," Hermione breathed, moving towards the window and opening it, "it looks familiar doesn't it?"
"Yeah," Harry shoved his wand into the elastic of his trousers as he squinted at the creature from under his glasses. The owl, a female, was snowy white with black markings and large yellow eyes, "I think this is the same owl I freed from the pet shop a few days ago,"
"Look, there's something attached to her leg,"
Smoothing the feathers of the bird, Harry watched as Hermione untied the letter from the owls leg and slipped a finger under the seal, "its for you, Harry. Take a look,"
Frowning and taking the letter Hermione passed over, she continued to pet the owl as Harry scanned the elegant, yet masculine scrawl,
Dear Harry,
You probably didn't notice, but this owl has been following you since you left Diagon Alley. Loyal, isn't she? Anyway, you don't know me, and probably never will, but I knew your parents. They were the most fantastic people, Harry. Lily and James only wanted what was best for you. (If you ever get the chance, travel to Godric's Hollow, they are buried in a little cemetery there.) You may never see me, but I promise I'll protect you the best I can from afar, after all, I'm your Godfather. Keep Hermione close, a witch like her doesn't come around very often, and trust me, Dumbledore isn't a man to be trusted with your desires. Someday things will get better, I swear it Harry, but for now, Snuffles will protect you. Keep him close, as I'll always been seeing the world through his eyes. Don't be discouraged, Harry, because you're stronger then you even know. Keep safe, and learn all you can.
Much love and well wishes,
Your Godfather. S.O.B
"This letter, it can't be true,"
Harry glanced up at Hermione, who was feeding the owl on the window sill a few pieces of bread, "this letter is from my Godfather. But I don't have a Godfather,"
"Maybe you do, Harry," Hermione wondered, "there's a lot you don't know about yourself. What else does the letter say?"
Harry hurriedly explained what the letter contained, barely noticing Snuffles slip into the room from outside as Hermione held a knuckle between her teeth. She's so beautiful when she's thinking.
"Well, I think we have to research your family tree in order to figure this out, Harry," Hermione admitted with a slight shrug, "I don't know if we can trust the letter's information, based on what little we know. But I'm sure we can find out more about your parents somewhere,"
"You're probably right. What about her?" Harry tickled the owl's cheek as the bird made a noise of pleasure, "apparently she's been following us since we left London,"
"We have to give her a name then, do you have anything in mind?"
"Well, I like the name Hedwig,"
"You mean like Saint Hedwig, from The History of Magic textbook? Why Harry, I think I'm rubbing off on you,"
The big chuckled slightly as he gave Hedwig another rub on the cheek and smiled wryly. Harry remembered that night well, and kept the letter from his supposed Godfather in the drawer of his nightstand. The passing days seemed to fly by in a blur as Mr. Lovegood's lessons began, just as promised. Fall melted away into Winter as Harry, Hermione and Luna worked on simple charms together. Levitation, severing, illumination and softening. Hermione was by far the fastest learner of them all, mastering every charm and spell in less then two lessons of practice. Of all the charms they learned though, the Disarming Charm, Expellarmus, was Harry's favorite. He had managed to disarm Luna quite a few times, which she would merely giggle in her dreamy tone and state, nice shot Harry. I must not let the Nargles distract me so much. But when it came to Hermione, Harry couldn't manage to disarm her, not once.
As the Winter flourished into spring, Harry felt as though he had a firm grasp on his wand, and how magic worked. According to Hermione, who was ahead of him by a dozen or so paces, it was all about focus and soul,
"You can cast any spell," she said, looking up at Harry who had grown significantly taller over the year, "but it will do nothing to an opponent if you can't focus,"
That's what Harry was struggling with currently. He hovered up in the air on one of Mr. Lovegood's old broomsticks, watching the girls who were down having afternoon tea in the garden. Luna's white blonde hair was pulled up away from her face as she poured the tea. But Harry's eyes were on Hermione. She was 14, now, and was completely unaware about how beautiful she was. Any baby fat she had was gone, or close to being so, leaving behind a sharp jaw which accentuated her large doe eyes. She had gotten taller too, not as much as Harry, but she didn't look flat anymore, and was developing some curves.
Harry had heard Dudley talk about older girls before, how they looked different then younger ones. And now Harry understood, Hermione was absolutely beautiful, even more so then before. Personally, it made Harry feel embarrassed. He wasn't even 13 yet. Blinking as the broomstick jostled under his hands, Harry shook out of his daze as he rebalanced himself,
"Harry! Please be careful!" Hermione called from the ground, her eyes wide as Harry waved a hand,
"I'm fine. Just got distracted by something,"
"Well, when you're done come down for tea!"
"Sure. Luna, can you throw me something?"
The dazed blonde girl nodded and picked up one of the empty teacups, using her wand to fling it high into the air. Watching it, Harry pushed forward through the air as the wind brushed by his bangs. Harry had only just started flying a few months before, and already he loved the feeling it provided him. Eyes on the teacup, the boy dove down towards it, hand outstretched as his fingers wrapped around the cold porcelain. Turning around, Harry waved it in the air as Luna gave him a thumbs up from a distance, and Hermione sunk down with a great amount of relief. Flying back towards the girls, Harry dismounted as Hermione stood and whacked him in the side of the head,
"Show off," she snapped, "you know I hate when you do that,"
"Yeah,"
Hermione merely rolled her eyes and folded her arms, looking into Harry's eyes. They didn't look away from one another until Luna cleared her throat and Harry turned,
"Tea, Harry?"
"Yeah, it looks good," Squeezing Hermione's shoulder, Harry took a seat at the little metal table as the three fell into comfortable conversation. But Harry couldn't help but frown at the sudden pain in his forehead. It happened like that sometimes. He would be fine one moment, then the scar would just...start hurting,
"Is it your scar again, Harry?" Hermione asked, cocking her head to one side as she sipped at her tea,
"Yeah, its burning a bit,"
"Shall I get an ice pack?" Luna asked, light brows lifting up as Harry grunted and pressed two fingers against the lightning bolt,
"No, I think it'll be fine."
Wincing and clenching his teeth, Harry felt Hermione slip her hand into his and squeeze it. Just like that, the pain was gone and a heavy breath escaped his throat. Having Hermione nearby always seemed to soothe the ache, more then any old ice pack, "thanks. I think I'll be fine,"
Nodding and smiling, Hermione passed Harry a scone and he laughed, taking two instead as the three friends giggled and laughed with one another. Life was perfect, and if Harry knew anything, it wouldn't stay that way for long.
