Chapter 13

Once they crossed the portal, Harry wrapped his invisibility cloak around them, concealing them both. With wands on hand and ready, they started walking, taking in the place. Everything looked gloomy and dark. Silently, they walked a few paces more, before they heard voices.

"The wards shifted, someone came through," Gaelel said.

"Whoever it is, aim to kill. I don't want any delays. I had waited already too long to take her life force and powers."

McNair was sent to check, but he could not see anything. However, he went to alert Avery about the intruder(s). On his way to the dungeons, he stopped and looked around again. He had an odd feeling of being followed. Being cautious, he fired a few hexes in every direction. When nothing happened, he continued his descending.

Harry and Luna were following him closely, knowing that they had to wait until they would have Emilia and Thomas in sight. Harry's rage was growing by the minute. But before his magic could break loose, Luna grabbed his hand and squeezed it. This comforting and soothing gesture calmed his down. He looked at her and nodded. Harry knew that he needed to stay focused on his first priority – the children. He would have plenty of time to deal with the scum later.

"Avery!" shouted McNair from the middle of the stairs.

"Over here," the response came from the bathroom nearby. "We have intruders. So, come up here, and help me out. The boss said aim to kill."

"Ah, perfect, finally a little action, I was going to Crucio one of these kids to have some fun."

"It's good that you didn't do it. The boss would have been pissed, and I, for once, don't want to endure one of his punishments."

Sniff

"Who was that?" asked McNair.

"That's the girl; she is getting sick. I am glad that she will be killed soon, annoying little bugger," said Avery.

Knowing that the kids were close, Harry and Luna decided to act upon an opportunity. Harry fired a stunner hex and then a binding one toward Avery. Luna sent a biding hex to McNair, but he evaded it easily, sending a slicing hex back to her and missing only by mere inches. Then, she threw a stunner that hit the mark. Once their opponents were out and unconscious, they quickly went down the stairs.

"Emilia, Emilia!" Harry shouted.

"Papa!"

She was sitting in a corner. Harry tried to reach her through the bars of the cell.

"I will get you both out of here! Stand back; set your shield up to protect you!"

Coughing, Emilia cried out. "Papa, I don't know if I can do that," and she coughed again.

"My angel, you have to do it, please. I need to get you out of here."

"Ok, Papa," she said.

"On the count of three, one, two, three, BOMBARDA!"

Once the debris settled Harry ran and wrapped his arms around his daughter, while Luna was checking Thomas for injuries. Emilia's coughing was getting worse because of the dust. Alas, before they got out of the cell, three figures came to view.

Clapping, the demon said."What a wonderful show, don't you agree, Avery?"

Emilia's shield came up a second before Avery and McNair sent their hexes to them. Harry answered with some hexes, while Luna helped Emilia sustain the shield. When two fireballs from the demon hands were sent towards Luna and Harry, Emilia put her hand up and shouted, "Stop!"

At that moment, everything froze. Nobody was moving around Emilia. Panicking, she went and touched her father, and he moved.

"Emilia, my angel, are you ok? What happened here?" When Harry looked around, he noticed that everything was in a strange state of suspension. The fireballs were frozen mere inches from him and Luna.

"I don't know, Papa, but they are not moving; even Luna and Thomas."

"Ok, ok, don't panic, what did you do to help me move," said Harry. He was concerned, and kept his eyes on the demon and the Death Eaters.

"I touched your cheek," she said frightened.

"I want you to do the same with Luna and Thomas. Ready? Now, Emilia."

She did as he ordered, and Luna and Thomas were moving again. Harry applied a stronger binding spell on Avery and McNair. But the demon had to be destroyed, so Harry changed Gaelel's position putting him in front of the fire balls. After doing that, he levitated the two Death Eaters and sent them upstairs, along with Luna, Thomas and Emilia.

Once everyone was upstairs, he asked Emilia to move her hands forward in order to see if that would make the things unfreeze. She did and in seconds, they heard screams of the demon, as he exploded.

Now, they only had a few minutes to find the portal that would take them out of there. They found it quickly. Harry sent Emilia, Thomas and Luna first, then the two Death Eaters, and only then, he stepped into portal himself.

On the other side, the two Death Eaters were met by some of Emilia's protectors and immediately stripped of their magic.

When Harry finally got through, he ran to his daughter and lifted her in the air, twirling her around. He kissed her face; told her that he loves her, and that he would never let her go.

Thomas observed the scene with envy, thinking why his father had never showed that kind of affection to him.

"Are you ok, Thomas?" Luna asked him, ruffling his curls.

"Yes Miss Lovegood, thank you," he said.

"Emilia is just like her father, you know."

"How is that?" asked Luna, looking down to him.

"She opened a portal, you know. But because she wasn't feeling good, it was a little one. She kept saying that her father will rescue her."

"You know, Thomas, first impressions could be change for the better by saying 'I'm sorry'."

The boy sighed, "I know," and walked towards Emilia and Harry. "Emilia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken you out in the alley."

Emilia turned to him. "I forgive you. Friends?" And she smiled shyly to him.

He smiled back, "Yes, and thank you for rescuing me, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded dismissively and said, "Now let's get you something to eat, and for you, little missy, a healing potion."

Coughing and wrinkling her nose, Emilia sighed, "I will need some honey or sugar."

"Once you rested, we need to talk," Ael said to Harry.

"Yes, absolutely, but now my daughter needs a medical."

"Our healers are ready; let me show you the way." Ael stopped and turned to Harry and Emilia. "Your grandmother and godfather were informed of what had happened. Needless to say – they are not very happy. We transported them to your house and they will be waiting for your return."

"Lo que nos faltaba (Just what we need)," groaned Harry. "Are you dumb? I would never hear the end of this, ever." His expression made Luna and Emilia giggle.

"Don't worry Papa, everything will be fine, you'll see," Emilia managed to say before she started to cough again. "I think I need that healer, like... now!" They all laughed.

"Sure, this way please," said Ael, taking them through a garden towards an open pagoda. "I will leave you here. Once you finish, you can freshen up. Food would be waiting for you." He then looked down at Emilia, "You did an amazing job; I am proud and honoured to be your guide and teacher, my princess." He bowed and left.

After submitting to the healer's recommendations and potions, Emilia went to take a shower. There, in the shower, everything just sank in. Suddenly she wasn't able to stop sobbing.

Hearing his daughter's sobs, Harry rushed to the bathroom. But before he stepped in; he realized that this time she needed a woman for the job. Luna was right behind him; she smiled to him and went in. She found the girl in the shower. Emilia looked up and flew into Luna's open arms.

"Shh, everything is ok, you are safe now," whispered Luna, holding the girl tightly.

"I'm so scared Luna"

"It is understandable. But you are strong, and we are going to get through this together."

Sniffling, Emilia whispered, "Thank you."

"Is everything ok in there?" Harry asked from the door.

"Yes, Papa, everything is fine."

"Yes, Harry it was just a nargles thing, this place is full of them," Luna tried to say it with a straight face, but couldn't and snorted.

"Ok, you two, the food is here, so hurry up!" he muttered. "Women," Harry shook his head, "we loved them, but we will never understand them."

The children were eager to return, so they stayed on Avalon just to freshen up and eat something. Ael, Sinora and Sucellos accompanied them to the portal, promising that soon they come and visit. Once the portal was open, Harry, Luna, Emilia and Thomas all walked through.

Unsurprisingly, on the other side, they were met by a great deal of people. Among them was Maria. Emilia ran into her grandmother's arms and hugged her tightly. Everyone was happy, that they had returned safely.

"Never, never do that again; I was worried sick!" complained Maria.

"Mama, we talked about this," interjected Eric.

"Nana, I'm fine, see," twirling around, Emilia smiled and told something to Maria that made her smile and nod in approval.

"Ok, it is time for dinner. If you allow me; I will treat you with some Puerto Rican cuisine. We need to celebrate Emilia's, Luna's and Harry's safe return." Maria announcement was received with cheers.

"Oh Hermione, I brought some green plantains with me to make some Mofongo. That will sate your cravings a little bit. Oops."

Draco glanced quizzically into his wife's eyes, seeking a confirmation for his guess in them. Hermione only nodded. He hugged her and kissed her. Then he turned to all and announced with a huge and smug grin on his face, "We are pregnant, again." There was gleeful cheering.

"There is so much to celebrate; let's party!" shouted George.

Soon, Harry left the celebration, looking for some peace and quiet. He entered his library and closed the door behind him. He didn't turn on the light, and thus; he didn't notice Luna seated in one of the stuff chairs. He sighted and walked to the window. He needed to decide, if staying was wise after everything that had happened. But leaving….

"Whatever you'll decide; it is going to be fine, Harry. You are not alone, and we only want for you and Emilia to be safe and happy," he heard. Luna's voice startled him.

"I didn't see you here," he said. Luna smiled at him and waited for him to continue "You know…" and Harry walked towards her. He stopped when he was only inches away and knelt in front of her chair. She glanced shyly into his eyes.

Harry locked his gaze on Luna's, full of love eyes and gently cooped her face in his hands.

"You are an amazing woman," he whispered. Luna gasped and leaned into his touch, her eyelids fluttered shut. Slowly, Harry leaned to kiss her, giving her a sweet and short kiss. Breaking a kiss, he looked at her. Luna parted her delicate lips in anticipation. Sensing her silent plea, Harry kissed her again – this time with passion, desire and lust. The kiss was perfect – long, hot, passionate and promising. No words were needed; their feelings were guiding them.

"Papa", Emilia called from the door.

When she saw her father kissing Luna, she began a happy dance of jumping and clapping.

Harry and Luna jumped up, startled and embarrassed of being caught.

"Papa? Why are you so red? Oh! Papa it is really ok. I like Luna," and with that, not giving her father any opportunity to explain, she left the two shocked adults alone.

For a minute or two, they looked at each other. The after a minute, they started laughing at the situation in which they were found.

"Ok, it is better to face the music."

Harry offered a hand to Luna, which she took readily, and together they went to the living room, where their friends were waiting to tease and congratulated them. After the celebration, with a very tired Emilia in his arms, Harry went to her room to put her in bed.

"Papa, I was thinking."

"Oh, oh, I really do not like the sound of that..."

Emilia sat up and continued with a very serious expression. "I'm only eleven, so, yeah! Could I change my mind of going to Hogwarts?"

"What?" Harry sat on her bed and lifted her chin, so she looked at him. "Care to explain?"

"Papa, I'm scared, all that had happened," tears were running through her cheeks.

"I will always be there for you; you always will be safe," hugging her tight whispered Harry. "Let's rest and we'll talk in the morning. Remember, your grandmother is here, and we can make a decision as a family."

With a yawn, Emilia added, "Luna too?"

He smiled, "Yes, Luna too. Good night, amor chiquito (little love), I love you."

"I love you too, Papa."

Before Harry closed the door, he checked everything again. New wards were set against demons, as a suggestion by the Fae.

Tomorrow will be another day and new decisions will be made.