DISC: HP belongs to J.K.R. As if you didn't know...
After a long wait, here it is...
Ch 15: Love Is Blind
SEPTEMBER 2, 1996
Hermione Granger came down to the Great Hall of Hogwarts in a bad mood that day. She was worried, sad and a whole lot more grumpy. The reason being that one of her best friends was missing. Apparently from the start of the summer holidays. And nobody deemed it fit to at least inform her once. Not even her other best friend, Ron Weasley.
"Hermione, you were on vacation. I thought it would be best not to disturb you." said Ron, trying to cool her down a little.
"Ha Ha. Harry goes missing. Yeah, it's something we witness everyday. I would have yelled at you for informing me that, right?"
"But-"
"I could have helped in his search." said Hermione exasperatedly.
"But-"
"What if he is kidnapped by the death eaters?"
"But they too are searching-"
"What if he kills himself to meet Sirius in afterlife or something?"
"Harry wouldn't do that-"
"He might not be in his best state of mind at the moment. He could do any number of things. What if-"
"Hermione, Calm Down." shouted Ron finally.
Hermione finally listened to him but tears filled her eyes. Ron moved forward and hugged her. "It will be alright. We will find him. Don't worry."
Just then, the mail owls swooped inside the hall. The Daily Prophet had no doubt printed the news of the missing Boy-Who-Lived as soon the entire hall filled with loud murmurs.
A voice drawled from the far side of the hall. "Hey Weasley, Granger. Potter went missing. Nobody told me."
"Shut up Malfoy." said Ron. "You seem a little under the weather yourself."
"Don't worry about me Weasel. Think of Potty. I never thought he would crawl under a hole like a rat. Big bad Gryffindor that he was."
"He is. And he'll come. You'll see." said Hermione through her tears.
"We'll see." said Malfoy. "Tell you what…my aunt is also missing. Bellatrix, remember?"
Hermione gasped.
"Yeah…who knows, maybe they both are together?" smirked Malfoy and went back to his breakfast.
Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione looked at each other. If that crazy woman got a hold of Harry…
~~~TTS~~~
The aforementioned crazy woman was lying on top of the aforementioned missing boy when the aforementioned scene was being played out.
"Umm…Harry?"
"Hmmm…?"
"You are getting better. I am sore." said Bella with a pain filled whimper.
"You still win though." said Harry, kissing her forehead.
"Barely. And only because you still refuse to go all out on me."
Bella had finally started teaching him some proper dueling techniques after she was assured that he had learnt all he could as far as books went. With Bella at his side, Harry had learnt more spells than his entire time at Hogwarts taken together.
Bella only focused on the practical aspects of spells. She completely disregarded the plethora of theories given behind everything. Instead, she taught him her own theories, the ones she herself had derived after careful study and research. She always said that it was better to master one weak spell than to weakly learn a hundred. As such, she rigorously made him practice each new spell he learnt.
When she was satisfied that he was ready to go against an opponent, she had attacked him. At first, Harry was so surprised that he thought that the old insane Bellatrix was back and almost ran, but then he realized what she was doing and tried giving his best. The first time, he lasted seven seconds.
He had actually hesitated a lot when it came to attacking her, not only because he was afraid of hurting her but also because of the oath he had taken, but then Bella assured him that it was all about intent. Harry would never wish any harm on her, and so it did not matter.
Still, it was difficult to really engage in a duel with her. When Bella taunted him that he was actually afraid, he finally gave in and tried giving as good as he got. He lasted eleven seconds.
Since then, it was more of a game for them. Anytime after their morning meditations and yoga, Bella would attack him and he'd have to fight her. Initially, only spells were used but now, anything and everything was fair game. Hands, legs, stones on the beach, water in the sea, etc…One time, Bella had called Kreacher and thrown him at Harry.
Harry was getting more and more close to defeating her but hadn't succeeded as of now.
"Where is it hurting?" he asked.
"Everywhere" she answered with a groan.
Harry sighed and rolled them over. He comfortably laid her on her back and himself moved downward. He took her legs in his lap and started giving her a slow massage.
Bella opened her eyes and tried to get up. "Harry, what are you-"
"Sshhh, relax love. Lie down."
"But-"
"Sshhh. Do as I say."
Bella smiled and laid back. She gave a groan as Harry rubbed her aching feet and blood flowed through her veins faster. He slowly applied pressure on her heels and on the tiny nodal point of each of her toes. Harry then gradually moved upwards towards her thighs. Bella did not know if all body massages were this great but she was feeling particularly pleased by how Harry was doing it.
He turned her over and straddled her back. He used his hands, fingers and elbows to straighten her back out. Then her hands. All her fingers and palms. Then her back again and again her feet.
When he did not stop his ministrations for over an hour, Bella slowly cracked open an eye and looked at him, opening up her arms. "Come here Harry, please."
Harry did as she asked and embraced her.
"I never knew you were such a great husband." she said with a little emotion in her voice. Nobody had cared for her with such selflessness before. Nobody except her Harry.
"Well, my dear Bella, you could rest assured that I will continue to provide you with my services whenever you are in need."
"I will always need you." she said.
"Then I shall always be available."
She pulled back and looked in his eyes. After so many days, she was still mesmerized by them. They were pure and truthful, no other words could describe them better. "Promise?"
Harry smiled and kissed her forehead. "Promise"
"I love you, Harry" she said as she kissed his cheek.
"I love you too Bella. Very much so."
~~~TTS~~~
It is often said that love is blind. Harry Potter was a proof.
One Month Back
A boy was sleeping with his wife in his arms on an island. They were secluded. They were alone. They were together. They were with each other.
A smile tugged on both their lips. They had celebrated the boy's sixteenth birthday that day. His wife had baked him a cake, or rather tried to do so. It was the first time she had cooked in her life. The cake tasted horrid, really. But nonetheless, the boy ate it and complemented her.
She almost cried when she tasted it herself. But the boy assured her that it was better than what he had cooked the first time. They both finished it together.
Then the music played and they danced. The boy was naturally pants at dancing but he enjoyed it with his wife. She herself was a natural. She led him through the first two songs and then gave him the command. She laughed whenever he stepped on her toes and herself did so in fun a few times!
When he needed a break, she made him sit in front of the fire they had conjured and as a present, gave him a solo belly dancing performance.
She was spectacular.
Now, they were asleep in each other's arms after finally retiring to their room, exhausted.
He would see a dream today.
It would be a test. The most difficult one he had to face.
Harry watched as a figure clad in black slowly walked towards him. It was a woman, he could tell, although her face was hooded. He did not know where he was or who the woman was, but he had a feeling that this was something extremely important.
The figure finally reached him and Harry bowed of his own accord.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Death." came a feminine whisper.
Harry was not surprised somehow. He ought to be but he wasn't.
"Why am I here?" he asked.
"I called you."
"Why?"
"You know why."
And Harry realized that he knew. Sirius had told him in his last letter. This was a shock.
"I am about to die?" he asked.
Death gave him a nod.
Harry swallowed thickly. He did not want to die. He wanted to live. He had a life now. He had someone he loved. But this was not a dream. He couldn't help it.
"When?" he asked.
"Next month."
"How? Show me." he said.
Death nodded once again and the scene changed.
What he saw would have given him a heart attack were it all real.
Bella, his Bella, was standing a couple of feet away from him. They were in the same house where they were both asleep in the real world as of now. She was crying. And she had her wand in her hand. It was pointed in his direction.
Before Harry could understand what was happening, she said, "I am sorry."
"Avada Kedavra." And a green light raced towards him.
It is also said that true love faces all types of obstacles and ultimately wins. Harry Potter was a believer.
AN: Ah...hope you all liked it. Review please :)