Angel on Campus Keeperoliver Chapter 6
The evening before Luna was to arrive, Harry had got the kids dressed and ready for bed, and sat down to think about his situation.
James and Lillian sat down to think on their situation as well. "Jimmy, do you think Harry will adopt us?"
"I don't know Lily. He isn't very old, and he has no girl friend. How would he take care of us? We know he works mornings. He said something about an evening job also. Besides, why would he want us, were too old. Sure he doesn't have to worry about taking care of us like he would an infant, but, isn't that part of adopting, raising kids to be normal. And if he found out about our strange abilities, he would freak out, just like those others who wanted to adopt us. I think mom and dad had these strange, I don't know, Powers I suppose? What I don't under stand is why we were attacked?"
"You never have told me why you think we were attacked? I mean we were told that a gas main blew up in our house, right? Isn't that possible?"
"I suppose, but, how was it that by some miracle, the roof fell just right, so that we were protected from any further injuries. How is that mom and dad didn't make it. I swear, the Evans family is cursed. Dad's cousin was killed, the same way. It's just too convenient."
"Do you think his cousin had these powers. I mean she was gone, before we were born, Both her and her husband. I wonder if they had any kids, and if they did, if they survived. I would like to know we still had family out there, somewhere."
"I know sis, I would like that too. But, that's just too much to hope for. If there was, we wouldn't be named after dad's cousin and her husband. Their children would have their names, wouldn't they?"
"You're right, it is too much to hope for. A person can dream though. As a matter of fact, I think that's what I'm going to do. I'm getting tired. Good night Jimmy."
"Good night Lily, sweet dreams."
Harry thought about his character Angel. He had done a lot of good, and he hated to give it up, but, with James and Lillian being here, that was not possible. Maybe he could find a replacement for him. Maybe even Draco. It seemed to him, they left on terms he wouldn't quite call friendly, but, they also were not bad. Did he ever get married. He and Parkinson were pretty close, but, he couldn't see Draco spending a life time with her. She was like Ginny in her early years, a fan girl. Luckily Ginny's didn't last long. Just her first year. The way she grew out of it, wasn't the easiest way to do it. Being possessed by the most vile person you could think of, tends to force one to grow up in a hurry.
Oh well, I'll have to think on it. The city, and the Uni should be safe for a while. Crime had dropped significantly, since Angel made his first appearance. The bell on his oven went off, and Harry went to take his turnovers out of the oven. Apple-cinnamon with walnuts. He knew Luna loved these.
Luna. I wish I got to know her better, during school. She is so amazing. Rolf is one lucky SOB. If I had paid more attention to her, that could be me with her. NO! What am I thinking. I loved Luna, but not in that way. She was there when Harry started to go off the deep end, after Sirius died. She pulled him back to sanity. She was able to do it, when Hermione failed. He always called Hermione his sister he never had, but, if he was honest with himself, Luna was more than a sister to him. She understood his moods, better than anyone.
Cho, was one he couldn't understand. What had he ever seen in her. Yes, she was pretty, but, she was a bigger fan girl, than Ginny ever was. He should have realized that, when she went after him, just months after Cedric died. That first kiss was terrible. She kissed him, while thinking of Cedric. What kind of a girl does that? Plus, she was extremely jealous. Of Hermione of all people. Couldn't she see that Hermione had a thing for Ron? Every body else did. Except her and Ron, that is.
Hermione was a girl he thought of a lot lately. Why had she scorned him like she did? Whar had he done to make her tell him to go away? If he didn't love Ginny so much, he might have looked at Hermione in a different light. They were always close. They looked after each other when one of them needed a shoulder to cry on. Yes, they had there arguments, but they were nothing like hers and Ron's.
No sense beating himself over the head with these thoughts. He better get to bed, as he felt tomorrow was going to be a long day.
AoC-}
Neville was sitting at his kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea. He was reading the paper, when an owl began tapping on the window. He went to the window, and let it in.
He offered the owl a piece of bacon, left over from breakfast, and took the letter attached to his leg. It was from Hogwarts.
Mr. Neville Longbottom
1307 St. Lucinda Circle
Devonshire
Dear Neville:
We here at Hogwarts extend this invitation to you, to join our teaching staff in the upcoming year. Our esteemed colleague, Professor Pamona Sprout, has decided to retire, and upon her recommendation have decided to offer you this position.
Please inform me at your earliest convenience, so that we can make arrangements for your arrival.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. Neville, how is your wife Hannah doing. She should be due to deliver soon, shouldn't she. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Hope to hear from you soon.
Minerva
Neville just sat there in shock. The one thing he had always wished for was about to come true. Actually two things. He had always hope for a family, which Hannah was no providing, and a position on the Hogwarts staff, as the Herbology Professor.
Hannah came waddling in the kitchen about that time. He stood up, and went to her and gave her a gently hug, and a long kiss. He backed off from her, and said, "Have I told you lately, that I love you, sweetheart?"
"Not since I got up, about an hour ago, but, don't let that stop you, as I love to hear it. Where did that strange owl come from?"
"Sit down, and join me in a cup of tea, and I'll tell you."
"With the shape I'm in, I don't think we'll both fit in the cup. I'm willing to give it a try though."
Nevi;lle had heard it a hundred times before, but, he never got tired of it. He pulled the seat out for his wife, and she sort of plopped down in the seat. It was getting harder for her do the simple stuff, like sitting down. She was due any time now. Tomorrow was Neville's birthday, and she couldn't think of a better birthday gift for him. Of course, the following day was Harry's birthday, and that would be nice too. They knew it was a boy, and they had decided to name him Franklin Augustus Longbottom, after his dad.
"Hannah, I have just received this from Minerva McGonagall. Professor Sprout has retired, and she recommended me to fill the position. Minerva agreed, and this is the invitation." He said, holding up the letter.
Hannah knew that this was what Neville always wanted, besides family. He liked hid job in the greenhouse, but, would give it up in a minute, for his chance to teach. She reached out, and took his hand, gave it a tight squeeze, "Nev, why haven't you sent your reply yet?"
"I had to run by you first, didn't I? We are a team you know."
"You didn't have to run it by me first. This is what you have always wanted for a career. You know that I will support you, no matter what choice you make. Right you answer, and send it back, while we still have this owl here. A simple is yes is all it takes.
Neville found a quill, and made his reply, attached it to the owl, and sent it on it's way. He then came over, and gave Hannah another kiss. "How are you feeling? Any contractions, or cramps? Any flooding? Any cravings?"
"I feel fine, No contractions. No cramps, No flooding. And yes with the cravings, however, they will have to wait for about a month or so." She said with a grin.
"I'm looking forward to settling that craving." He returned with just as big a grin.
AoC-}
Harry had the kids sit down, as he explained what was going to happen. "James, Lillian, I am expecting some friends over soon, and they don't know about you yet. I want to surprise them, so when we are done here, I want you to go wait in the bedroom, till I call for you. Now, if you don't want to do this, and would rather just wait for them here, that's fine also, it just wouldn't be as much of a surprise."
"Oh. we'll wait for you to give us the signal to come out, Harry. Can you tell us who they are, though?" asked James?
"They are friends from my old school. And yes James, they are all girls, but, don't get your hopes up, just yet."
The two laughed, as James had been riding Harry about not having a girlfriend. They were calming down, when there was a knock on the door. Harry chased the kids off to the bedroom, and walked to the door. He grabbed the knob, and twisted. He then pulled the door open.
Luna had her arm cranked, with her hand in a fist, and let loose as soon as the door was open.
"STOP!" Harry said rather loudly.
Luna stopped her fist's further travel. "Why should I?"
"Because it will be easier to explain my reasoning, with out talking through a broken nose. If after the explanation, you still want to hit me, then fine."
"OK, but this better be good, Ginny, Hermione, come on in."
The two ladies walked through the door, neither one glancing in Harry's direction. They went to the kitchen table, where Harry had a pot of tea waiting, and the plate of turnovers. Luna immediately grabbed a turnover, and took a bite. She rolled her eyes, and slumped back in her chair, enjoying her treat. "You girls have got to try one of these, they are awesome."
They didn't move. Both still looking straight ahead.
"Well Luna, how have you been?"
"I've been doing good Harry. Now, can you explain why you missed Sunday's meeting. We were all pretty upset. It's not like you to say you will be somewhere, and then not show up."
"Well, it's like this. I was going home from work Saturday, and I saw these these two kids standing in front of a bakery. They were dressed in rags, and they looked hungry, so I made up a story about having them do a tasting contest, with them as the judges. At first they said no, but I finally talked them into it, and we went in, and talked to the owner, whom I knew. I told him about the contest, and he went along with it."
"That's it? That's why you missed Sundays meeting, because of something that happened Saturday?" Luna shouted.
"No, I sorta took them home with me."
"Potter, you're beginning to try my patience. You still haven't explained why you missed our meeting?"
"OK, Sunday morning, I took them shopping for some new clothes. That's why I missed the meeting. I was so wrapped up with the kids, I forgot about our meeting."
"So, where are the kids now? Did you take them to an orphanage?"
"No."
"Where are they then?"
Harry stood up, and walked down the hall to the bedroom, and got the kids, and brought them out to the kitchen. "Luna, Ginny, Hermione, this is James, and Lillian. Lillian, James, This is Luna, Ginny, and Hermione. These are my friends from school."
Ginny reacted first, "Did you say James and Lillian? Like in James and Lily?"
Hermione and Luna were too shocked to say anything.
"Exactly."
Ginny was still the only one of the girls capable of talking, "You have got to be sh-kidding me, right."
"No Miss, he's not." Lillian replied. "Harry found us in the street, and we have been staying here with him ever since. He has been real nice, buying us clothes, and some toys, and games. He feeds us. He really is a nice man."ames got up the nerve to ask the next question, "Are you Harry's girlfriend?"
Ginny went red in the face, "No, James. Harry and I just know each other from school."
Harry felt the pain in his chest, as Ginny said these words. "Hermione, Luna, haven't you got something to say."
"Why didn't you say something about this in your letter? Why all the suspense?"
"I thought it would be a nice surprise?"
"Heart attack is more like it. Can't you do anything small Potter?" Luna asked?
"Not likely Luna. You know me, the bigger the better. What better way to have a party, then to introduce some knew people. Anything else you would like to ask?"
Hermione finally got the nerve to speak, "So, what are you going to do with them?"
Harry in his infinite stupidity answered, "What do you mean what am I going to do with them? They aren't a couple of fish, I can throw back into the river."
"Hermione was at her nerve's end, "Well you certainly can't keep them here now, can you? They need a home where they can grow. They need loving parents."
"Are you saying I can't love them Granger?"
There it is again, that use of her last name. Why did she even to bother to say anything. "Harry is there anything I can say that will not upset you?" Tears were making their way down her cheeks.
Lillian asked, "Harry, why are you making her cry? Don't you like her? You said she was your friend. Friends don't make friends cry. You should apologize to her."
Harry looked from Lillian to Hermione. Lily was right, the time for making people cry, is over. "Hermione, please forgive me. I didn't mean to snap. I really do want to get to know you and Ginny again. It had been way too long. We really do need to talk, but, now isn't the time. We need to be alone and talk things over."
Luna gave them the chance, "Kids, how would you like to go get an ice cream. Harry, where is there an Ice cream parlor around here?"
"Pretty far, I'm afraid. About ten blocks south of here. Take a left when you leave the building, go two block, and take another left, and follow it for about eight or ten blocks. Here,take this, and bring back a half gallon of Death By Chocolate." Harry handed Luna a twenty pound note.
Hermione looked at Harry, "You remembered."
Ginny looked at them both questioning that last remark.
Luna took the hands of the kids, and told the three they would be back in a couple.
Hermione then turned to Ginny, "Harry and I stopped at Fortescue's ice cream shop and he bought me a cone of Death By Chocolate. I fell in love with it. The next time we were in the Alley, Fortescue's was closed down, and I haven't found any since."
"Ginny, Hermione, I want to explain my feelings about that day. "
"No need Harry, Draco told us all about it, right after you left. He wasn't very nice about it either. He said you were hurt the most by Hermione's comment, but, I know for a fact, it started with me. I was pissed Harry. You broke of our relationship for something I was already in trouble with. Tom wasn't going after me because I knew you, he was going after me, because my family were blood traitors. A pureblolod family who sided with the light. We were marked the minute he took control of the pureblood families. I tried to get you to see that, but, you wouldn't listen. You and your noble, "I HAVE TO SAVE EVERYONE I LOVE, SO I HAVE TO LEAVE THEM!" crap." Hermione straightened out on that one. You never told me you didn't expect to live when it was over."
"I couldn't. How do you tell someone you love, you were going to die. I wanted you to be free to make your own choice, being free of guilt. It hurt me so much to do that to you, but, every one I ever loved died, and I couldn't take that chance. Not with you. I had to give you the chance to be free of finding someone you could love. Someone who would be there for you. I really didn't think I was going to be that one."
"Why didn't you take me with you then. I could have been of some assistance. I'm not some soft little girl, that runs at the first sign of danger."
"You're right, and I know that, but, You were still under age, and the trace was still with you. If you had used your wand, our position would have been given away."
"I hadn't thought of that. You're right of course. But, why didn't you explain it to me like that?"
"Things were too emotional at the time, and I didn't think of it. Did Hermione tell you, I kept watch on you, using the map. whenever I could, I would check to see that you were alright. Then, about Easter, I couldn't find you anymore, so I though you left school, and didn't go back."
"I didn't, we went into hiding. We didn't leave, until Neville sent us the message through the Galleons used for the DA. Harry, I am so sorry for the way I treated you that day. You were hurting so bad, and I didn't care. It's like Lillian said, Friends don't make friends cry."
Hermione then took over, "Harry even though Ginny thinks it was her, I know for a fact I hurt you the most. I really thought I was comforting Ron. I was numb from lack of sleep, the pain from the losses we took, and the realization that it was finally over. I didn't even think of what you had lost. I was so absorbed with mine and Ron's grief, I didn't even think of you. I have been mentally punishing myself for four years. You have to know, I would never intentionally hurt you."
"It took me four years to understand that, but yes I know. I'm also sorry for treating you the way I did..."
The front door flew open, and Luna and the kids came running in. Luna threw the ice cream in the freezer, then plopped down, "Harry, did you ever think to ask what James and Lillian's last name was?"
Harry thought about it for a second, "No, not that I remember, why?"
"Lillian, since you were the one to tell me, why don't you tell Harry."
"Why is it so important Aunt Luna?"
"Trust me Lillian, It is."
"OK, Harry, James and I last name is Evans."