"We depart by portkey"
Severus's features hardened. clearly against the idea.
"Wouldn't it be moreso accommodating traveling by floo?" Flitwick questions. "surely arriving to our destination would be more, let's say, less disorienting."
Severus seems to second that thought. but then became thoughtful.
"And where will we arrive to, Albus?" Minerva followed.
With ring in hand, the headmaster shook his head.
"I can understand your displeasure for our means of transportation, truly I do, but this will have us there instantly. comfort being the only price of admission." Albus answered. "And our destination is Miss Figg's domicile."
Minerva nodded her head. reaching out without hesitation, she place her hand upon the ring.
Flitwick and Severus cast glances at each other. both apprehensive.
Flitwick drew in a long breath. steeling himself for the eventual nausea. Placing his hand upon the ring, joining his fellows. awkwardly holding on...
Finally Severus, begrudgingly, joined his hand with his compatriots.
"Does Arabella know we'll be coming?" Flitwick wondered.
"She does, my friend." Albus answered. "Now please hold firm. this will be quite unpleasant."
before his vision began to spin, he saw the uneasy faces of his fellow professors.
but he missed the moment the monitor began to faintly glow blue...
Sitting on a bench. I had Harry buried into my chest. sobbing.
It was only us around. the street was damp and empty. only broken by the stray passing car.
my heart clenched at the sound of the kids sobs. The words that started this rang through my head.
'Is this really real...'
'is this a dream'
My heart just kept clenching. Has he been dreaming of this? being away from them... Petunia and her ilk... Christ those fuckers...
'No. calm down. Harry needs comfort. add it to the growing list of Dursly hatred later.'
Removing my gloves. I've pressed my left hand to Harry's back and began to rub circles. right hand to hold him close.
I vaguely remembered a line from the first book...
'Harry always dreamed that one day a unknown family member of his would come out to take him away from his little room.'
I don't remember if it was those words exactly, but was among those lines. it's been a long time since I read the books.
That sentence alone in greatly concerning.
Those two bastards belittle and undermine Harry for years, locked him into a small closet, and when Dudley bullied him, he was giving absolutely no help to stop the beatings.
Literally abused at school or at 'home'.
"Dyl..."
My heart felt like it's bleeding. his muffled voice came out a quivering mess.
I swallowed. then spoke softly. "Yes Harry?"
His breathing was rapid. not to fast for concern, but should be handled.
"A-a-a-are-y-you--real?"
Am I real? Does he think I'm a figment--a dream?
'Need to select my words carefully...'
I took a deep breath. I stopped rubbing circles. I moved my hands to his shoulders.
"Harry"
He stilled.
I spoke softer. "Harry, please look at me."
He pulled his head from my chest, body shivering. Face is stained with tear trails. eyes glossy and damp. broken glasses barely being held together.
Our eyes locked.
"Do you see me?"
His eyebrows press together. head slightly tilted.
"W-w-wh-what?"
I lifted a hand from his shoulders.
"Can you see me, Harry?"
He blinked. then slowly nodded. "Y-y-yes?"
I nodded. gently moving my free hand close to my shirt.
"Okay" I softly praised. "Can you see my hand, Harry?"
Blinking again. clearing away remaining tears. slowly turning his eyes to my open hand. he nodded.
I slightly moved my hand closer. "Can you reach out, Harry?"
Snapping his head back towards me. startled.
"Dly?"
'we're making progress. keep it safe and slow.'
"You want me to be real, Harry?" I slowly started. "Please hold my hand."
'You've done this before, Harry.'
He looked at me for a moment. then he nodded is head. I felt my shirt loosen slightly. removing one of his hands, then he suddenly stopped.
Looking back to me. is he asking for assurance?
I nodded my head. giving a nonverbal go ahead.
his breathing started to reach a steady rhythm.
hesitantly stretching out his small hand. slowly coming closer to mine.
little by little, the distance came to a close. our hands met once more. I slowly began to close my hand around his.
Our eyes locked again. he looked confused.
"Can you feel my hand, Harry?" he wordlessly nodded. "and do you feel my shirt?"
Gazing to his hand latched on my shirt, to my hand holding his hand. "Y-yes."
I softly smiled. "And do you remember feeling the wind, Harry?" I added. "How fast we ran?"
his eyes lit up behind his glasses. Nodding his head. seems he does remember that.
"If this was a dream you wouldn't be able to feel the breeze, Harry" I continued. "Couldn't feel the fabric of my shirt your holding, couldn't feel my hand holding yours."
his eyes stare into mine. slowly widening with each point spoken.
"And do you remember our pitstop? eating one half of your sub? you can't eat in a dream, Harry."
he nodded again. eyes focused on my face.
Taking in a long breath, gave another small smile. then spoke.
"I'm real, Harry, just as you. if this was a dream, you wouldn't feel any of this. the touch, the breeze, the rain or the warmth from my hoodie. you are awake, and I am here with you. I made you a promise, I'm not going anywhere."
The moment I finished those words Harry latched onto me once more, Crying once more.
But not of fear, but of happiness.
The headmaster's vision finally centered, but the wave of vertigo still lingered.
Minerva had to steady herself. regaining her balance.
Severus frowned, conveying his absolute displeasure.
Flitwick...
Was spinning around. physical spinning. gradually came to a slow stop. swaying slightly.
Placing a hand over his mouth. swallowing. the began to shake his head vigorously.
Composing himself, he turned to Albus.
"Forgive me sounding rude, but for any situation that requires travel, might I simply be allowed to use floo powder?" Flitwick wheezed. "much more preferable then a portkey."
"I as well." Severus grumbled.
Minerva shook her head in amusement. as did Albus.
"I'll keep that in mind for the future." Albus lightly laughed. "But for now..."
Turning around, he spotted Arabella Figg standing in the doorway.
"Ah Arabella, how are you." Minerva greeted.
"Oh, quite alright this night." she answered happily. but then became downtrodden. "Just... worried for young Potter."
Albus and Minerva both nodded.
"As are we, my dear, we wish to alleviate some fears, and find some answers." Albus soothed. "Forgive me for our arrival and quick departure, but we must check with the Dursleys."
Arabella quickly nodded her head. she let the four professors be on their way.
Standing outside of Arabella's home. under the cloudy sky. The headmaster looked around himself. remembering that day.
"It's been...five years since that day..." Minerva whispers.
"But I feel as if it was yesterday." Albus echoes. "I still remember the words you told me..."
Severus and Flitwick began to place disillusionments around. Hiding their unique choice of attires and purpose here.
"Them not being fit to raise young Potter."
Minerva glanced at Albus.
Flitwick and Severus finished casting. they regrouped with Minerva and Albus.
Walking on the path to the Dursleys front door. The headmaster's stomach began to twist with anxiety.
Raising his hand to knock, a thought in the back of his head began to form.
'And I pray for young Harry's health and safety.'