Chapter 5 : Who wants a hug?
Words : 2395
So sorry for the delay. Nevertheless here is the next chapter. Thus was a very difficult chapter to write and I must admit I am not pleased with it. But at the same time, I don't think I will be able to improve it any time soon. I have exhausted myself in this. I wanted to write in detail about the encounter between Severus, Lily and the remaining Maurauders, but I couldn't get the feel. So this is kind of like a filler chapter. Next one will be posted this week itself, don't worry. Everything is written down, I just need to type it.Happy Reading.And Happy Diwali.
As far as Harry was concerned, all was well. He missed his soft, fluffy snitch sometimes, but his mummy explained that it got burned with the house. And Harry was not a spoilt kid, so he didn't make a big deal out of it.
But at the same time, he knew all was not well. After all, just yesterday, some group of people came and pointed their wands at his Padfoot. And the day before a bad man came and tried to hurt his daddy and mummy. And now they were in this strange house with sooooo many people. Harry didn't like so many people. People pinched his cheeks!
Humph!
He was sure that some meeting was going on. He didn't understand, everything. But Harry knew what was important and what wasn't, because his parents would then perk up and sit straight.
Some time ago, Daddy and Padfoot had hugged Moony and it looked like they were going to cry. They didn't cry though. Not that Harry had any problem, if they did cry. Everything was made better by a nice hug and kiss. He knew that. So he had been sitting in his Mummy's arms waiting to see who needed the first hug.
Now he was in his Daddy's arms. He felt the safest in his daddy's arms. The were also the warmest. Not that he didn't like Mummy or Padfoot or Moony or even Ris, of course. His Daddy was just the safest.
But they were fighting and people were raising their voice, so Harry decided that it is best to listen and stop playing with his daddy's coat buttons. They are so shinny and golden.
"What the he.."
"THERE ARE KIDS AROUND!" His mummy roared.
Harry jumped and snuggled closer to his dad. He chuckled, "Don't worry Emerald, Mummy is not mad at you," he said, patting Harry's bottom.
He knew that! But Mummy still sounded scary when she gets mad.
"Yeah, sorry Lily. But my point stands. There is no reason why Order can't be dismantled now. We have already lost so many people. The rest of the jobs can be done by Aurors." A man said. He had nice brown hair.
Who is he?
"I agree, professor." Another man said. A cute chubby baby was sitting on the lap of a lady next to him.
"Cute baby," Harry told his daddy, because the kid was cute.
His daddy grinned. He always grinned. "Yeah. Very cute. He is Neville Longbottom. He is your age, Harry."
Hmm! Nevel Long bo..bottom? Well, if he is Harry's age, then Harry must get to know him. But later. Now the grandfather was speaking and Mummy and daddy always say 'Listen to elders.' Grandfather counts as know, right?
"I know. I just also know that he will come back," he said.
Who will come back?
"But I understand. Not everyone is single, with summers entirely free, I suppose."
Some people chuckled when he said that. Harry didn't understand why. But sometimes elders are like that. All weird, so it's okay.
Everyone started getting up and leaving. Some people hugged. Harry approved that. Hugging is good. His mummy hugs him when he feels all sad sometimes. Like he is feeling now, looking at the grandfather. He isn't sure why he is feeling sad, but he is. So time to jump to mummy.
Mummy hugged him and presses a kiss to his forehead and nose. It made Harry giggle.
"You have been such a good boy for us, baby. I am so proud of you," she said.
Harry hugged her. Yes! It is true. Hugging mummy makes all the sad feelings go away. Now he is starting to feel happy again.
"Hey cub!"
"Moony!" Harry missed moony. He stopped coming sometime ago. But Harry likes Moony. So he needs to show it.
"Moony up!"
Laughing, he picked him up and threw him into the air. He always does that. And it is super. Harry doesn't feel scared because he knows his Moony will catch him. And it feels like flying. So it's cool.
Oh! When did they reach here?
"Lemon drops, Harry?" It's the grandfather!
The thing looks nice and yellow, but is it OK to put in mouth? Is it supposed to be put in the mouth? Or is it like Elle the stag's tail? Mummy says not to put it in the mouth.
He needs to ask Mummy even if it is okay. She says, its not OK to take chocolate from strangers.
But mummy just smiles and gives him one and takes one herself and sucks it. So he too sucks it happily.
Mm..nice!
He doesn't hear much of what is said, but then another man walks in. He had black hair and big nose. And he looks sad.
Someone needs a hug!
"I..I don't know what to say, Sev!"
Things are getting annoying. And boring. Why are mummy, daddy, Padfoot and Moony staring at him? Sev! Who is Sev?
Why is Harry feeling sad looking at his sad face? He looks like he will cry now.
Don't cry!
He turns away as his mummy says something else.
Okay! He needs a hug. And maybe a kiss.
"Sev!" Harry called.
Everyone looked at him, quite shocked. Even grandpa.
What are they looking like that for? Never mind!
"Come here." He told Sev.
He came, slowly as if scared.
Harry smiled. Daddy says smiling makes people like you more. Sev also gave him a very small smile.
Yay!
When he came in front of him mummy, Harry raised his arms, "Up!"
Slowly, very slowly, mummy handed him to Sev. He didn't feel comfortable, but that is okay. He needs to cheer Sev up. Like his Daddy cheers others up.
"Sev sad. Don't cry!" He said.
He looked at him. He had nice black eyes and they sparkled.
"I..I m not crying."
Good!
Harry smiled and gave him a kiss. "Smile."
So Sev gave him a smile as he brushed Harry's hair aside. He even gave him a kiss on the forehead.
Yes!
"Don't be sad," Harry told him, seriously.
With a gentle smile, he promised, "I'll try."
Mission accom..accom..acomlished!
Now he was starting to feel sleepy. Time to go to daddy. He yawned.
"Daddy! Hawwy is sleepy." He informed.
With a smile, his daddy took him. He even smiled at Sev. "I am so so proud of you, Harry. I won't let you be spoilt the way I was. That is a promise."
"Oookay." Harry yawned.
Laughing daddy laid Harry's head on his shoulder. "Go to sleep,Emerald. I got you."
"Love you, Daddy."
"Love you to Baby."
Lily decided that the whole thing was surreal. Peter was the traitor, James used a dark curse. Voldemort is dead. Order dismantled. Severus switched sides. Everything was surreal.
After the touring emotionally charged conversation and forgiving left and right, she just wanted to sleep. To think that James and Sirius were putting their enmity with Severus behind! Remus had been such a sweet heart in the whole ordeal.
But things were not over yet. More discussions were awaiting.
If only she could sleep and put these worries away!
"Please be seated," Albus said.
So they sat. All if then, with Severus taking a seat as far away as possible.
"My dear children. Please bare with me a moment more until the longbottoms reach here." He said.
For once Albus Dumbledore sounded his age. Old and weary, as if he too were ready to take some rest.
A sense of foreboding rushed through Liky as she heard the Longbottoms name. If they also had to be here, it could mean only one thing. Prophecy.
"Do you think we should be here, Professor?" Remus asked, sounding worried.
Before he could reply, James waved his hand dismissively, "Don't be an idiot Moony, of course we would want you here," at this moment he looked at Lily, as if waiting for confirmation. Lily smiled.
"You and Sirius are family, Remus. Of course we want you here," she told him.
He smiled, and Sirius beamed. Harry snuggled a little into James shoulders and he wrapped his arms around him, as if protecting him from the world. Lily smiled. This was the man she fell in love with. The man who learnt the importance of humility, who was not a bully and would never throw his weight around. The man who would go to any lengths for his family. This was the man who took down the greatest and vilest wizard if this generation to protect his son and wife and she couldn't be happier or prouder.
Lily placed her hand on top of James and kissed the top of Harry's head.
He smiled at her. A small soft smile that expressed far better than words his love for her.
The door opened at that moment and Frank, Alice and Little Neville came in. He was sitting shyly in his mother's arms.
After they sat down, Dumbledore began, "I know the whole of Wizarding Britain is rejoicing, however I can't help but break that bubble for you," his eyes rested on eachbone of us as if telling us to understand how serious he is being. "This is but a respite. I am, despite my doubts, going to share my doubts with you, because I think it would be better you know what may or may not happen. As immortal I may seem to many I am not. So I must tell you that Voldemort is not truly gone. What had happened to him, I know not. But I can say for sure that he will try to come back. When, is again something I can't say."
The silence in the room was deafening. All the portraits of headmasters and headmistress were also maintaining silence as they digested this. Only the soft reassuring trill of Fawkes was audible.
Finally, Frank broke the spell.
"So we have to be careful. He can come again and start hunting for our sons?"
Dumbledore nodded looking extremely sad and upset. "So far the prophecy was proved wrong. James was the one who destroyed his this time and that is neither Harry nor Neville. And neither of them have been marked by him. So neither of them are, at the moment the child mentioned in the prophesy. But we must remember that Voldemort doesnt like opposition or threats and he very much sees them as one. So there is a high possibility that he will indeed come after them if he returns in their time."
Another spell of silence greeted this statement. This meant one thing. It is not possible to keep their son sheltered, no matter how hard they try. He cant keep running. And even if they did that, his long will they run. He would have to be taught. Her poor Harry may have a difficult life.
A hand wrapped around her waist and she was gently pulled towards James.
"We are leaving, Headmaster," James declared. "I love Britain alright, and this is my hometown. But this is not my home. My home is with my family, and I don't see how I can stay at a place where they are constantly in danger." He squeezed her tighter, "We must leave."
"James, my boy, it isnt that simple…" Albus began.
"I know," he interrupted, "Harry will be hunted and they will keep trying to kill him. But whoever wants to touch my family will have to go through me." His voice was firm.
"We need to teach him, James," Lily told him softly, "We will have to make sure that even without us he is able to take care of himself. "
James looked at her and nodded seemingly with great reluctance.
"She is right," Frank agreed, "We will also teach Neville and keep him safe. There is nothing more to be done at the moment afterall."
"So are you saying that he was right, headmaster?" Severus asked with a slight quiver in his voice, "Is...is he really immortal?"
Dumbledore looked at him and spread his hands, "I dont know. Not really. He has definitely done something to make himself at least not die."
Alice stood up, "If this is all, professor, I would like something strong."
Dumbledore gave her a small sad smile. His customary twinkle was absent.
"Yeah, all of us could use that." He agreed.
There was scraping sounds as everyone stood up. People started moving outside. Liky walked upto Severus who still wouldn't meet her eyes. It was a little annoying, but alright. She just hugged him. He stiffened.
"Congrats," she offered. "Be the best potions master Higwarts has ever seen."
Severus gave her a small smile. "I'll try."
With a grin she held her little finger out. "Pinkie promise?"
His lips twitched but he held his own pinkie out solemnly and shook, "Pinkie promise."
Lily smiled and waved her hand. "Bye Sev."
A small smile came on his lips and he said, "By lils."
There was a spring on her step as she joined her husband and others. James smiled and wrapped his arms around her shoulder.
"So…made up with him?" He asked lightly.
"Yeah," she said grinning mischievously, "With a goodbye kiss and all."
He laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I am not jealous, you know."
Lily grinned. "Good."
They had reached near the floo. Sirius, Remus, Frank and Alice were engrossed in some or the other talks.
"Come home with us, why don't you? It's been a little while." Alice offered.
Sirius exchanged glances with Remus, bot unlike the one James and Lily had shared some time ago.
Sirius shrugged. "I need to get 'Ris. I'll join you lot."
With that he tossed the floo powder and left to his flat.
"Ris?" Frank asked.
"Long story," Remus said with a sigh. He himself had been told about it just yesterday.
"We can talk about it later," Lily offered.
They all took turns tossing floo powder and leaving to Longbottom house.
Everything had gone smoothly and they were planning iij ng on sleeping over that day. Sirius had arrived with Polaris and he was now baby sitting both the one-year-olds upstairs.
They were just about to call it a day, when all the hell broke lose
Who doesn't like a cliffhanger? What do you think happened ? And what will happen next?Let me know your thoughts.
Next :
"Avada Kevadra"
For a second James felt like his breath left him, but the next second Sirius rolled away and the fight began in earnest.
Well...there was no review last week, so nothing for me to talk about. Please do review and comment about things you like and don't like about the story. Your opinions, changes and other things. I do so love reading about it.With Lots of Love,Anika.
