The next day...
Alright, time to get up. The alarm clock chimed almost an hour before. In just two days, Harriette and Naos would be out of a home. She really needed to get a move on if she were going to "move on" as Marta has put it. She really shouldn't have let herself get so depressed. Never in her life has she been so defeated before. Now look, time is almost up and she doesn't have any plans. Well, there is always London.
London. It seemed like a lifetime ago. It was a lifetime. She has a whole new life. A new name. A new family. She hadn't spoken to those she considered family since the day she left. She did miss them terribly so. And though they left on rocky terms, she even missed Ron. She wondered what little Teddy was like. He would be going to Hogwarts this term. And Harry. The main part of her trio. Harriette sighed. She missed so very many people. Maybe going back wasn't such a bad idea.
Harriette walked from her bedroom area and peaked around the partition wall she made and looked at Naos. His unruly hair, much like Harry's was sticking up in all directions. His mouth was open allowing his soft snores to escape his lips, as well as a bit of drool. He lay diagonally across his bed with one foot almost touching the floor. Harriette chuckled. He was such a goof. Sighing again, she realized that going back would be what made him happiest. If he was accepted into Hogwarts and she took a job there with Madame Pomfrey, she would at least be close to him. Maybe this will work.
Harriette crossed the room to the dining table and conjured a quill and bit of parchment. She could feel her heart beating fast as she dipped her quill into the inkwell. Once she sends this letter, that is it. She pressed the quill tip to the parchment and began to write:
Dear Headmaster,
I am writing to inquire about a position at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardy. I am curious if it is possible to work under the supervision of Madame Pomfrey as an assistant mediwitch. I come with references from both Algibert Fontaine, Headmaster of Ilvermorny, and Marta Prewitt, Head Mediwitch for Ilvermorny Infirmary. I have worked at the American Wizarding school for the past ten years. I am quite experienced in my profession and would love to work under your employment.
Furthermore, if it is at all possible, I have a child who is eligible to start this term. He is eleven years of age and most excited to attend Hogwarts.
Humbly, I ask you to consider us joining your staff and student body as quickly as possible as term starts ever so soon.
Many thanks,
Harriette J. Dahl
Harriette signed the letter and rolled it up, tying it with twine. She chewed the inside of her cheek nervously. The letter was finished. All she needed to do now was send it. King was still too small to travel such a distance. What she needed was to send an owl known for both speed and distance. She needed to go to the owlery. Unlike Hogwarts, the owlery here at Ilvermorny wasn't located in a tower. Instead there was an old observatory that has been refinished as the owlery and it was a short walk from the cottage.
Once there, Harriette found herself studying the different birds. Hay and owl droppings decorated the roosts lining the circular wall. There were hundreds of sleeping owls to choose from, but which one would be the best choice? She racked her brain, trying to remember the chapters of wizard history books she read. She read somewhere about the history of owls as messengers. She pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes tightly willing the information to come forth when suddenly she felt her blouse being tugged ever so gently. She opened her eyes to find a magnificent Eagle Owl perched by her shoulder. He softly choughed at her and nodded.
"You're the one aren't you? I remember now. The Eurasian Eagle-Owl. But what are you doing here in America? Ah, well. Would you mind delivering this letter as fast as you can?" He hooted delightedly and accepted the letter. She watched him spread his magnificent wings and fly out of the dome of the owlery. I hope he can deliver it in time.
Harriette opened the door to her cottage and found Naos happily eating eggs and toast. He smiled and a bit of egg fell out of his mouth.
"Honestly Naos, where are your manners?" She couldn't help but laugh at his boyishness.
"I made you some scrambled eggs and toast too, mom." He went to the kitchen and grabbed her plate. She walked to the table and sat down in one of the empty chairs, beaming at him.
"You did? That's so lovely!" She took a bite of the eggs. While they were cooked well, they weren't seasoned so they were a bit bland, but she didn't mind. Her son's thoughtfulness always surprised her.
"So where were you, mom?" Naos asked with his mouth full. He always talked with food in his mouth. He reminded her of Ron in this regard. Such a boy.
"I went to the owlery. Finish your breakfast. We have a lot to do." She said before he could question her about the owlery.
"Oh, alright." Her eyes twinkled in amusement at her son's reluctance and they finished their breakfast in silence.
Harriette and Noas didn't have a lot of belongings but they had lived in the small cottage for ten years. There was wear and tear and a bit grime here and there. While she waited for an owl back, they spent the day cleaning.
Naos polished all the furniture, and Harriette scrubbed the floors and walls. She paid extra attention to the baseboards, knobs, and handles on the door, windows and cabinets. Satisfied with the furnishings, she turned to the linens. The curtains and tattered rug hadn't been turned out in ages. She sent Naos to beat the rug with a stick. Boys liked that kind of thing. As he was tending to that, Harriette decided to put a kettle on to boil. It was nearly one in the afternoon and they hadn't eaten lunch yet. Egg salad sandwiches sounded nice so she started boiling eggs too.
Just then an owl flew into the open window and landed on the table. A knot formed in her chest. The Headmaster can't have replied already, can he? She nervously hurried to the owl. It wasn't the Eagle-Owl she sent before. This one was a simple barn owl. Her heart-shaped face pattern was quite lovely though. Harriette gathered the note from the owl and it flew out the window. She unrolled the small scroll quickly and read:
Dear H.J. Dahl,
It has taken me eleven years to finally (I hope) figure out your alias. At least part of it. It was quite clever to use Dahl. You wouldn't have taken but an hour to figure that out with your big brain.
I'm writing to tell you we all miss you. Very much. A lot has changed since you've been gone. Ron married Lavender and they have two kids now. RJ, or Ron Junior, who is eleven and attending Hogwarts this year, and Violet who turns eight soon. Ginny and I married shortly after you left, but unexpectedly, she was pregnant before we knew. We had a son a month later. We named him James Sirius and he is eleven as well. Our second son is Albus Severus and he is seven this November. And yesterday, Ginny gave birth to our daughter, Lily Luna.
There is so much more that has happened and so much more I want to tell you. I hope this letter found you well and I know it is only wishful thinking to hear back from you. I hope one day soon though, that I do.
Your best friend,
Harry
Harriette set the letter down as tears streamed down her face. She was thankful she sent Naos outside so he didn't have to see her like that. Krishna hopped onto the table and nudged her with her face, trying to console Harriette.
"Thank you Krishna. I just miss them very much." She stroked the cat's fur. The kneazle meowed in response, almost like she understood Harriette's torment. Maybe she did. Kneazles were extremely smart animals.
She stood with the letter in her hand and walked to her bookshelf. Fingering the spines of her many books, she settled on the Tales of Beedle, the Bard. She had inherited it from Professor Dumbledore many years ago and it housed many personal letters in secret. She slipped it from its spot on the shelf and opened it to the middle-most page. There she tucked her letter from Harry in, and she set it back on the shelf. She was so happy to have heard from him. And even more so to hear he still considered her to be his best friend. His letter washed away any doubt and anxiety as well as helped her realize that it was definitely time to go back to London and reintroduce herself and her son to her old world.
"Mom!" Harriette heard Naos call from outside. She hurried to the door and pulled it open. He stood there holding two letters, one with his name and one with hers, in green ink. The Eagle-Owl she met just that morning sat on a tree stump nearby, hooting happily before flying back to the owlery leaving a rather hefty pouch where he sat.
"Well, what does your letter say?" She asked Noas excitedly. He handed over her letter and quickly tore his own open. She watched him read his letter, his eyes wide and bright with joy.
"I've been accepted to Hogwarts, mom!" He jumped up and down screaming happily. She laughed with him and her heart swelled. He then collapsed to the ground with his chest heaving from all the activity and excitement. "What does your letter say?" He asked between breaths.
She nervously opened her own letter and with shaky hands she read.
Dear Ms. Dahl,
It is fortunate that you were able to catch me while I was still here in America on my summer vacation. I doubt your owl would have reached me in time before I left to Hogwarts to resume my duties as Headmaster.
I am pleased to inform you that we do have a position open in Hogwarts for a healer at our infirmary. Madame Pomfrey retired just this summer and I had not found a replacement. With your experience and your recommendation, you are hereby hired and promoted to Head Healer. You are to report to Hogwarts anytime between now and September 1 before 4pm. Included with this letter is a signing bonus to purchase anything you may need. I look forward to having you as the healer in Hogwarts.
Humbly,
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
"Well, I guess we are going to Hogwarts!"
AN: Thank you all for the new follows! I already have the next chapter written as well as the next several chapters outlined. I have already started writing chapter 6! I can't wait to share them so you can enjoy them!