It had been a crazy week for Harry. Being mobbed in Diagon Alley, then threatened and then, living through the hell of Emilia's disappearance. The welcome-home party, the discovery of Emilia's new powers and other realms, being able to see Claudia, and finally, the press conference and the attack that followed, along with the discovery of new alliances, protectors and supporters – all of these was a sheer madness. Yet, even in all this craziness, the most surprising discovery was Luna. Well, nobody could say that his life had a dull moment.
The press simply had a field day after the conference. They had been bombarding all his friends with endless questions.
Just as their new friends had promised, the past few days had been full of training for them. Yup! Harry had been training too. He had insisted. Actually, he was very surprised with his daughter's progress and dedication. She hadn't complained even once. They had been given her a few hours, so she could play and be a kid. During those times, a friendship between Neville's son and Emilia had flourished. Hermione had been sending her children over as well; but Scorpius just had been sitting there and watching, never engaging in their games. Cassiopeia had played a little, but just like Hermione she preferred books.
Today, it was decided that Harry and Emilia would make one more attempt to buy Emilia's supplies for Hogwarts. The morning started with a note from Maria, Emilia's grandmother. She send it with Zary. In the note she wrote that she hadn't heard from them, and she, therefore, was worried about how they had been in their new life. Harry drew a heavy sigh, after reading the letter. How he was supposed to explain to Maria that in just one week his and Emilia's lives had become a total chaos. He had promised not to lie to her, and he had made a wizard oath on that. Knowing Maria, Harry could imagine that after hearing the news, she would demand on their immediate return. So, he decided that the writing of this letter would to be postponed at least until their return from Diagon Alley.
So, while Harry was reading the letter from Maria, Ael and the others were outside, deciding who would accompany them to Diagon Alley. The interesting part was that the fey were only visible to those, who believed in them or gifted with the special sight. That was very convenient for protection purposes.
Finishing the letter, Harry stood up and went to look for his daughter. To his surprise, he found Emilia reading aloud to Luna one of his favorites poems. Hmm, interesting, he thought. Listening thoughtfully, Harry, in unison with Emilia, whispered softly,
"Si Dios un día cegara toda fuente de luz, el universo se alumbraría con esos ojos que tienes tú" (If God one day obscured every source of light, the universe would be illuminated by those beautiful eyes of yours.)
"Oh, Papa, you are here. Please, continue, I love it when you read it," said his daughter, looking at him affectionately.
"Ok, my angel, give me the book," and in a soft baritone, he started again,
"Ojos astrales
Si Dios un día cegara
toda fuente de luz,
el universo se alumbraría
con esos ojos que tienes tú.
Pero si —lleno de agrios enojos
por tal blasfemia— tus lindos ojos
Dios te arrancase, para que el mundo
con la alborada de tu pupila no se alumbrase;
aunque quisiera, Dios no podría
tender la noche sobre la nada...
Porque aún el mundo se alumbraría
con el recuerdo de tu mirada!"
He did not need a book to read it; he had the poem memorized. So, his eyes was locked on Luna's and he wasn't able to take them of her. She was blushing so prettily. He noticed, how with the soft sigh, she closed her eyes. And how the sunlight was shining in her golden hair. She looked ethereal.
"Harry that was beautiful," said Luna.
"Thank you. I fell in love with everything about Puerto Rico. Emilia was born there and in order to honor her heritage I had learned the language, arts and history. You know, they call Puerto Rico - The Enchanted Island- and it truly is so."
"Oh, Luna, that was nothing. Can you imagine, Papa knows how to dance Salsa. Go on Papa, show Luna how to dance Salsa, "laughed Emilia, pushing Harry towards Luna.
"That is not necessary, Emilia, I believe you," muttered Luna, blushing fiercely.
"I can show you, if you want. It is very simple, really," smiled Harry.
"No, Harry, it's ok, maybe some other time."
"How about tomorrow night," Emilia clapped her hands excitedly. "We don't have training, and, you, grownups, need some grownup time after all."
"Emilia!" exclaimed the adults at the same time.
"What? You grownups are not fun, plus, I want to go have a sleepover on Aunt Mione's, Cassiopeia told me that she got the new books of Twilight. So, that will leave you two free for grownup stuff or whatever."
"Emilia Isabelle," started Harry in a very disapproving tone, but then paused and turned to Luna, "I am sorry for her behavior, Luna. I have no idea what got into her." Saying that, Harry was giving Emilia the look of 'we will talk about this later'.
"Actually, Harry, I think it's a great idea. We need to talk about what will happen when Emilia will be at school. We need to decide when it will be convenient to include the Headmistress in the plan, and how to arrange Emilia's schedule between her classes and her training."
Emilia stumped her foot and left the library with a huff, "grownups!" Both laughed at this. "I better go and talk to her," Harry said trough the laugh.
"Don't be too hard on her. She loves you," Luna answered, smiling gently.
"I know, and she is the light of my life," he sighed. "Sometimes I wonder, if she will be better without of all these. Her life was normal, well, at least as normal as any witch can have."
Luna walked closer to him and took his arm. "You had done a great job, Harry. She is who she is. You cannot change her destiny. It is better for her to embrace it. And besides, you are not alone, you have us and we are going to be with you all the way through."
He found his daughter in her room with her IPod and earplugs, singing. She had her eyes closed, so she didn't know, he was watching her. He stood at the door for a while. Then, at some point, he grabbed her and put her feet on top of his shoes. They started dancing around the room, farther and daughter. Emilia kept singing.
"Te enseñe...
el valor de una caricia, una palabra.
Te guié por un camino en que las rosas ya no sangran;
era un juego nuestro amor y elejiste tus cartas
me tendiste un trampa.
Te di, la armas y el coraje para amar,
el mapa y la estrategia de vivir sin medir.
Emilia loved when her father danced with her. When the song stopped, he gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
"We need to talk," he said. They sat on her bed and she grabbed Mino to pet him, "Emilia, are you trying to set me up with Luna?"
"Busted!" she whispered, and Harry chuckled. "I only want you to be happy, Papa. You had been alone for too long, and I know that it is because of me." At this, Emilia lowered her eyes and sighed.
"Mi amor chiquito (Little Love), how can I explain this?" Harry stood up and went to the chair in front of the window. He looked out admiring the beautiful blue sky.
"Love needs to come softly. It is something that you cannot force. First you are friends, and if things meant to be that feeling grows and changes."
"So, we are on the same page, good! You and Luna are already friends. I don't see anything wrong on you two going out," a hopeful smile appeared on Emilia's lips.
"Emilia, could you please tell me what is this all about? We are fine, we are a family and we have lots of friends."
"Papa, I know that you feel lonely, even if you try not to show it. I saw it in your eyes the other day when you saw mummy."
"My angel, seeing your mother again was a very special and great gift. Knowing that you had known her had been a blessing. Of course, seeing her had affected me. I love her to this day. But, as Sirona and Sucellos had said, her time among humans had ended. I'm grateful that she chose me and gave the ultimate gift, the gift of life - you," whispered Harry, wrapping her in his arms.
"Now let's get ready. Luna and the others are waiting, after we have to write to your grandmother."
In another realm, a demon and a group of Death Eaters were getting ready, as well. All had been already planned. They were ready for the attack.
"All positions are covered. The safe house is ready. We are waiting for the package arrival," said a tall guy with a scar on his face.
"Good job, we will do it today. Our spy told us that today they would go to Diagon Alley. We will need to create a distraction. Harry Potter is going down today," said one of them.
"Tell everyone to wait for the signal"
"Ok boss."
The experience in Gringotts was for Emilia as going on a roller-coaster ride. After the bank, they went to Flourish and Blotts for the books she needed. She was separated from her father once they were inside the store. She loved bookstores and books, and in this new world, the possibilities were endless. While she was standing in an aisle, Emilia felt eyes on her. It was Thomas.
"Well, well, well, look who is here, the bastard spawn of Harry Potter."
His closeness was getting her very uncomfortable, but she put a brave face and a smirk that could put Draco to shame.
"What do you want? Coming for another butt kick?" Thomas gave her a furious glare and grabbed her hand. He dragged her out of the store and to the nearest alley.
"You hear me and you hear me good, Potter. I don't care who your father is or what he had done. You will be in Hogwarts and there you will do as I say." Before he finished his sentence, the explosion was heard and people started running for cover. Then, two men with black cloaks suddenly appeared and grabbed them. In horror, Emilia screamed.
As soon as Harry felt Emilia's uneasiness, he began to look for her. After he walked through the store and didn't find her, he started to panic. Then he heard the explosion and screams outside. Wand in hand he went outside desperately trying to find her.
Then, he noticed a black cloak figure, running towards the alley, and he followed him. The next instant, he saw two black cloaked men grabbing two children and heard Emilia's terrified scream, "PAPAAAAAAAAAA". Harry send a stunner towards the men, but it was too late, they already Aparated with the children. Distracted as he was, he didn't notice another man behind him. He only heard, "Sectumsempra," and then everything went black.
A/N: You can see the full version of the poem in my profile.