Chapter 7: Nightmares and Mysteries
It was a week since the attack on the Burrow. Harry and the Weasleys, who were currently staying at Grimmauld place, had spent the time clearing rubble and rebuilding. Kingsley had sent a few Ministry builders round to the Burrow to help with the new house. That day Harry had spent many hours shifting heavy trunks and wooden beams as the finishing touches were put to the new building. The next day the Weasleys were moving back in and Harry had to be up early to help them.
It was why it was so frustrating to him that he was sleeping fitfully.
Harry wasn't really dreaming. The 'dream' was just a replay of all his thoughts and memories from the last few days.
"It worked. He said it would work but it didn't seem possible..."
Who said it? What had Lestrange been talking about?
"My name is Emily Harte, I'm a Druid."
Who was she, really, and why had she been at Fred's funeral?
"Bad isn't it, Potter? You have no idea the power I have been granted."
What power? How had that curse been so crazily over powered?
His musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Harry rose from his bed in Sirius' old room and opened the door. Ginny stood on the other side, pale and shaking and, for a moment, Harry simply marveled that even with large bags under her eyes, her hair a mess, falling away from the bun on top of her head, and dressed in a pair of tattered shorts and an overly large t-shirt, she could still look so beautiful.
Harry pulled the door wide. "Nightmare?" he asked and Ginny nodded, moving in to wrap her arms around him and rest her head on his chest. Harry sighed and closed the door.
Taking Ginny's hand, Harry led her to the bed, he climbed in and Ginny curled up next to him. Harry pulled the covers over the both of them, then wrapped his arms around his girlfriend.
Ginny had been having nightmares ever since they had arrived at Grimmauld place. Hermione said she would wake up in the middle of the night, crying out for help. She hadn't told them what was in the dreams, and Harry hadn't asked, but the lack of sleep was starting to take its toll.
Harry kissed the back of Ginny's head. "You going to tell me what they're about yet?"
Ginny pulled his arms closer to her. She was quiet for a second then answered.
"Before I would just relive the attack. I'm stuck under all the rubble and I can't breathe. It just gets darker and darker, the pressure getting worse, until I wake up. But tonight..."
She trailed off and Harry pulled her closer to his body and kissed the side of her neck gently.
Ginny took a deep breath. "Tonight I dreamt I had just been pulled from the rubble, and you were holding me. Except Fred and Tonks were there too. You were all around me then Lestrange appeared and... and killed you all."
Harry intertwined his fingers with Ginny's, running his thumb over the back of her hand.
"I'm here Ginny. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
Ginny shivered and squeezed his fingers. "It's not just that. There was a little girl there. I've never seen her before, but I knew I had to protect her. I tried to get her out of there but..."
Ginny sighed. "It was weird. Everything was slightly blurry, sort of fuzzy like, but I could see the little girl and hear what you were saying perfectly. You and the others kept saying "Take her and go. It's him! Go! Run! We'll hold him off!" But he just cut you down and came after me."
She shuddered. "What do you think it means, Harry?"
Harry said nothing. He didn't trust his voice. As Ginny had described her dream he had imagined, not himself and the others protecting Ginny, but of a different man standing in front of a different red head, who was trying to protect a small child.
Ginny twisted round to gaze up at him. "Harry?"
Harry brushed an errant strand of hair out of her face and managed to keep his voice level. "I don't know Ginny. Divination was never one of my strong suits."
Finally, Ginny smiled. Even in the darkness Harry could see the love in her eyes. Harry tried to mirror the small smile that was pulling at her lips, but struggled.
"I love you Harry."
Now the smile came easier. Harry kissed her. "I love you too."
He leaned up and kissed her eyes closed. "Now go to sleep. I'll take care of you."
Ginny smiled, keeping her eyes closed, and shifted so her head was lying on his chest, one of her hands burrowing into the folds in his pajama t-shirt. Harry laid his hand on top of hers, and with his other pulled Ginny close to him.
Harry lay back and listened to Ginny's breathing getting deeper and more relaxed, as he tried to ignore the fact that this was the first time he had ever slept in the same bed with his girlfriend. The first time he'd ever slept with a girl at all... His pounding heart and the butterfly's in his stomach weren't helping, and certain parts of his anatomy were reacting accordingly. The fact that he was sure Ginny could hear his hammering heart only increased his discomfort. And with her leg hooked over one of his, he knew she could feel that certain reaction from him.
He was confused and bewildered. He felt guilty and happy and worried and aroused, all blanketed by the receding wave of grief that had overcome him a moment before. He was certain of one thing though, he would not want to be anywhere else in the world than right there in that moment with Ginny in his arms.
Harry took a deep breath and began to recite the Irish Quiditch team in his head. Mullet... Troy... Moran...
Harry woke up as someone pulled open his curtains violently. Ginny groaned and buried her face in his chest. Harry blinked in the sudden brightness and groped around for his glasses. Once the room had come into focus Harry saw a grinning pajama clad Hermione at the foot of his bed, and felt his face flush.
"Erm... This isn't what it looks like."
Hermione's grin grew. "And what does it look like, Harry?"
Ginny opened her eyes and looked around blearily.
"Oh it's you, 'Mione." She mumbled before pulling the duvet over her head, hiding from the early morning sunlight.
Hermione laughed and moved to sit on the bed next to Ginny, shaking her gently. "Time to get up, sleepy-head. I told your Mum you were in the bathroom, but she'll be up to check on us soon. So unless you want her to find you in bed with Harry you need to get up."
"Never!" came Ginny's muffled groan of defiance.
Harry laughed and pulled the covers off the bed, throwing them onto the floor. Ginny pulled her legs up to her body and shivered. She opened her eyes to glare at Harry. "Traitor..." she muttered.
Hermione pulled Ginny up to a sitting position. Harry leaned across and kissed her forehead lightly. "See you at breakfast, grumpy."
Hermione flashed another smile at Harry as she pulled Ginny to her feet, guiding her out the room. There was a muffled thump as Ginny collided with the door frame.
"Fucking hate mornings..." she muttered to herself as she left, rubbing her head.
Fifteen minutes later Harry walked into the kitchen to find Mr and Mrs Granger eating their breakfast. Mr Granger was reading the Times and Mrs Granger Witch Weekly. Mr Granger looked up over his paper and smiled cheerfully at Harry.
Kreacher was nowhere to be seen. He was generally avoiding the Grangers, so that he didn't have to interact with the Muggles at all. Harry thought it was probably a good thing and had not pressed the house elf to do anything.
"Morning Harry!" Chimed Mrs Weasley cheerfully from the stove.
"Morning."
Mr Granger closed his newspaper and passed it to his wife, who immediately turned to the crossword.
"Could you pass me the Prophet, please Harry."
Harry took a mouthful of pumpkin juice (a decision he immediately regretted) as he glanced at the front page of the newspaper. Harry sprayed the table in pumpkin juice as he spluttered in shock.
The front page of the prophet was taken up with a huge picture of his own face under the headline "POTTER DOES IT AGAIN!"
A bit below that was a photo of Harte standing next to Kingsley with the headline "THE DRUIDS ARE BACK!" sprawled above it.
Harry was quickly aware that Mr Granger and Mrs Weasley had hurried to stand behind him as he ripped open the paper.
POTTER BACK ON TRUE FORM!
Rodolphus Lestrange apprehended by the Boy-Who-Lived
Ministry officials announced last night the capture of notorious Death Eater Rodolphus Lestrange, responsible for the torture and subsequent permanent incapacitation of ex-Aurors Alice and Frank Longbottom.
Details latter emerged from a ministry insider that the capture was directly linked to the explosion that disturbed the funeral of beloved inventor Fred Weasley, of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Potter was there. Thanks to his quick thinking, there were no fatalities and Lestrange was apprehended quickly."
It is unknown why Lestrange was at the family home of the Weasleys that night. It is possible they were made targets by the families well known anti dark-magic beliefs and connections to the secret society known as the Order of the Pheonix. It has been speculated that Lestrange could have been drawn there by the presence of, not just the Weasley family, but also by esteemed war hero, Harry Potter. Potter is a close friend of the Weasleys and had attended Fred Weasleys funeral earlier that day.
What is more incredible was the company Potter was keeping when he was brought into St Mungo's later that night (turn to Page 3).
"One of the patients brought in had been very badly hurt. The druids just stuck their hands over her and healed her!" Described a St Mungo's healer. "It was amazing, it far surpassed any display of healing magic I have ever seen. Without the druids I am certain the patient would have died."
No comment yet from the hero of the hour, Harry Potter. Lestrange is currently in custody in the ministry of magic awaiting trial.
The rest of the article was a summary of Harry's achievements, which he quickly ignored and turned the page to see a huge picture of Harte, still looking too thin, standing next to Kingsley, smiling modestly and nodding to the crowd of reporters taking pictures.
DRUID EMILY HARTE APPOINTED HOGWARTS TEACHING POSITION
Headmistress McGonagall announces at last that the Defence Against the Dark Arts post has been filled
The magical community was rocked last night by the reappearance of the long thought extinct Druids. Headmistress McGonagall and the Minister for Magic held a press conference, revealing to the world the presence of Druids once again.
According to the pre prepared statement, the Druids reveled themselves to the members of the secret society known as the Order of the Pheonix towards the end of the war with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. The Druids had apparently been aiding in the mass evacuation of Muggle-borns and their families, who found their lives under threat by You Know Who's reign.
The Druid, Emily Harte, who reveled herself and her people, made this statement.
"For many years the Druids have watched the Wizarding community from a distance. During Voldemort's rise to power, both recently and 16 years ago, we did what we could to protect the innocent and the ones he prosecuted. This last year has shown us that the time for secrecy and moving in the background is over.
"The Wizarding world has suffered a terrible blow. It is the duty of the Druids to restore the balance of nature, to protect the children of mother earth. We are here now to help you heal, and we knew we could not do that from hiding.
We are also here to give a warning. The horrors inflicted upon your own people will not be tolerated. You, our brothers in the art of magic, must never allow this to happen again. We will not tolerate it."
This mildly threatening statement incurred a mixture of reactions in the magical community. Augusta Longbottom, grandmother to hero of the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville Longbottom, said this outside her home last night.
"The legends always said the druids were a powerful force for good in the world. Perhaps Voldemort's doomed supporters will think twice before going up against them! After the last year, I think we could all do with a few more friends in this world…"
Not everyone was so favorable in their opinions of the Druids return. Robert Chilcotte spoke to us outside his Devonshire home.
"They say they're here to help us but you'll notice they only turn up after the war was finished! And then one just turns up with Harry Potter at St Mungo's? Harry Potter was the one who captured the Death Eater, a wizard! Not a druid. We don't need their help!"
No matter where you stand on the druids, I for one am immensely jealous of the students of Hogwarts. Though I am glad I am not Headmistress McGonagall! The inevitable flood of letters from concerned parents is going to be considerable.
Harry lent back and blinked at the paper in shock.
Mr Granger whistled, as he took the paper. "That's quite a whirlwind your Emily's kicked up!"
Mrs Weasley wrung her hands, clearly worried. "I do hope Kingsley has thought this through. Appointing a Druid as a Professor…"
Harry blinked up at her indignantly. "She saved Ginny's life!"
Mrs Weasley frowned down at him before smiling and nodding her head. "No, you're right Harry. Of course we can trust her."
The kitchen slowly filled with the other Weasleys over the next few minutes, and the two articles quickly became to focus of conversation. Ron and Percy ended up in a heated debate over the articles in the Prophet. Harry didn't even care that Percy was saying that the Paper was hero worshiping him in order to distract from the real stories, mostly because he agreed with him but also because it was wonderful to see Percy so animated again. Ginny and Hermione, who had briefly argued quite fiecely over the articles were now pointedly ignoring them. Instead they were pouring over the Times and discussing West End Musicals with Mr and Mrs Granger. Apparently they were all going to go see one that night to wish farewell to Mr and Mrs Granger, who were heading back to Australia, after they had finished at the burrow.
At some point near the end of breakfast, Fleur wondered into the kitchen. She spotted Harry and made her way over to him, bending down so her mouthwas by his ear.
"'Arry," she began, her voice low. "Will you come upstairs wiz me?"
"Course." He muttered back, eyes raised in confusion. She stood and led the way out of the kitchen. On his way to the door he noticed Ron was looking at him. He raised an eyebrow, and Harry shrugged in response.
Once in the corridor Harry dared to raise his voice a little, still quite enough not to wake the portraits. "What's this about, Fleur?"
She grimace back at him. "Kingsley just arrived. He wishes to speak to you in private. Zat is all I know."
Harry followed her up the stairs feeling particularly confused.
Fleur lead him onto the dining room on the ground floor, inside was Kingsley and Bill, talking quietly to each other. Harry only caught the tail end of the conversation.
"… a terrible risk, Kingsley. If anyone found out!"
Kingsley frown at Bill. "Well they're not going to find out, are they Bill?"
Bill scowled. "You need to be careful, Kingsley!"
"I will." Kingsley said through gritted teeth, his tone indicating that the conversation was over.
"Harry." Kingsley greeted him.
"Minister." Replied Harry with a smile.
The interim Minister for Magic grimaced back. "Don't you start as well! I still can't get used to that title."
Harry laughed gently. "What's this about?"
"Well…" Kingsley sighed in his deep reassuring voice. "It's a bit complicated. Why don't you sit down?"
Harry did so, Bill moved round the table to sit opposite him and Kingsley took his seat next to Harry.
Harry noticed, for the first time, several files on the table.
Kingsley picked out one of the files and tossed it across to Harry. It was a report on a crystal of some kind.
"That is an Auror report on a magical artifact owned by the druids." Kingsley said. His voice low and serious. "Emily came to us not too long after Voldemort fell to ask us for help."
Harry opened the file and read over the top sheet. "It was stolen?"
Kingsley nodded. "And the Druids are convinced that it was wizards. They have a deep mistrust of us, they believe us capable of anything. The only wizards they seem to trust are the Order and... well… you."
Harry blinked in shock. "But I've barely met any Druids, only Harte and the ones who came to visit Ginny."
Kingsley smiled ruefully. "It would seem that defeating the greatest dark wizard of all time can get even the most doubting of people to put their faith in you."
Harry blushed a little and changed the subject.
"Kingsley, I was reading the prophet just now, and in the statement Harte made it said that the Druids reviled themselves to the Order last year?"
Kingsley nodded but to Harry surprise it was Bill who responded.
"All through the last year, the Order was trying to get Muggleborns out of the country. Eventually we became aware of a group known as "the Circle" who were picking up muggleborns and smuggling them out to France. To start off with we suspected them to be Death Eaters in disguise, but Remus said he knew one of their Members, a woman he called White."
Kingsley reached down and placed a familiar object onto the table. "I have the memory of our first meeting if you are interested."
Harry eyed the Pensieve. "Is that..."
"Dumbledore's Pencieve?" Finished Kingsley. "No this one belongs to the ministry, for the use of the minister of magic."
Harry nodded. "You might have to come with me. I've not quite got the hang of leaving memories yet…"
Kingsley smiled and nodded. "On three?"
As Kingsley counted down, Harry leant forward until he was falling into swirling clouds of memory.
Suddenly darkness surrounded Harry and the swirling clouds resolved themselves to show a dockyard, bleak and gloomy in the steadily falling rain. He looked around and spotted the real Kingsley standing over a blurred outline of a crouching man.
"Here I am, Harry. I had a disillusionment charm on me at the time. Have a look down there." Kingsley pointed towards the water front.
Harry squinted at the docks until he spotted a figure, fidgeting nervously in the dark while leaning against a stack of boxes. He was twirling his wand in a flashy way that suddenly reminded Harry of someone.
"Justin!?" Harry spluttered.
Kingsley looked surprised "You know him?"
"He was in my year at school, in Hufflepuff."
Kingsley nodded. "Of course you would know him. It was Justin that first came to us to tell us about the Circle. He arranged a meeting and the Order tagged along to see who turned up."
Kingsley pointed to a stack of crates on the far side of the dock. "Lupin is in cover over there," he turned to point at a warehouse overlooking the waterfront "and Bill is on the roof of that building."
The wind started to pick up and the blurry outline of memory Kingsley shivered. The real Kingsley smiled.
"If I'm not mistaken, Bill is about to get blown off the roof."
Sure enough the wind picked up to become a full scale gale and the unmistakable voice of Bill Weasley drifted through the night, swearing vividly.
Suddenly a bright orb of light started to glow a few feet from Justin, who jumped and crashing into the crates behind him.
"What is that?" bellowed Harry over the wind, but Kingsley shook his head.
"Just watch."
The orb started to expanded rapidly turning into a disk, stretching from the floor to just above head height. To Harry's great surprise, from it stepped eight individuals. As soon as the last person had stepped through it, the disk disappeared, taking the wind with it.
After a moment of silence a familiar female voice called "Justin, is that you?"
Justin stepped forward looking shaken. "Yeah. You're late, White."
A tall hooded figure detached herself from the small group to trade grips with Justin. "Apologies. We were on our way when we came across some Death Eaters attempting to take two muggleborn children from their parents. We had to duel."
Harry looked at the group that had appeared on the dock. Harry realised with a jolt that he recognised one of the group, Ernie McMillan, standing with his back to the rest of the group alongside another boy Harry didn't know, their wands drawn, eyes dimed with exhaustion but still scanning the surroundings. A woman in healers robes stood with them, currently tending to a policeman, obviously a muggle in his black uniform, whose lip was bleeding. In the man's arms was the small floppy shape of a young boy, maybe his son, and next to him was a woman in a dressing gown, coat and wellies holding the hand of a girl just old enough to be starting Hogwarts.
Justin made a disgusted snort. "That's outrageous. Do they think they can just kill off all the mugleborns in the country?"
White nodded gravely. "Our intelligence suggests this is the Dark Lord's next stage in his plan. We're having to make contact with potential targets all over the country, try to remove them before they are noticed. Sadly by the time we know about a child developing power's so do the death eaters."
Justin shook his head. "I'm afraid you're fighting a losing battle."
White tilted her head, her face still obscured by the shadow of her hood. "But fight it we must, otherwise he has already won. We must fight or there will be nothing to live for. "
"White!" hissed the unknown exhausted teenager. "We have company."
Harry looked at Kingsley who was gazing at White with a strange look on his face. "Kingsley, who is that?"
Kingsley smiled without looking away. "You'll see."
Harry, who had a sneaking suspicion who the mysterious woman was, looked back at the group to see that White had drawn a wand and was staring over to where Remus was hiding. The group were now huddled behind her, Ernie and the other boy.
"Justin," White hissed "were you followed?"
Justin went very pale and stammered "I… I don't think so."
The woman straightened with shock, whipping round to stare at him.
"You're lying." She said incredulously. "Who followed you here?"
Justin stood starring, his own wand in his hand, spluttering incoherently. White eyed him for a moment before shouting "Show yourself!"
After a few agonising moments Lupin appeared, moving slowly forward, his wand held casually at his side. Harry felt a stab of grief at the sight of him. His clothes were as worn and tattered as usually but there was more light in his eyes than Harry had seen that night Remus had come to Grimauld Place, more like how he'd seen him after Teddy had been born.
Ernie blinked and lowered his wand. "Professor Lupin?"
Remus smiled, his hands spread at his sides. "Hello Ernie, what are you doing here?"
Justin suddenly spun round, recognizing his fellow housemate for the first time. Ernie and the other boy lowered their wands, but White kept hers trained on Remus. She paced forward cautiously.
White reached up a hand hesitantly and pulled back her hood. Lupin gasped. Harry looked over her face and nodded to himself, his suspicions confirmed, though he couldn't understand why Remus looked so shocked.
Remus's face was frozen with surprise, but he eventually managed to choke out the word "E… Emily?"
Harry whipped round to stare at Kingsley. "How does Remus know Harte?"
Kingsley smiled patiently. "Just watch, Harry."
Harry looked back at the dock to see White smile coldly at Remus. "What was the last thing I said to Remus Lupin before departing Wales?"
Remus blinked, confused before realization spread across his face, quickly followed by a smile. "Balance is not just some mystic philosophy that applies to the universe. It is a state of personal being, the only way to achieve true happiness."
Harte's smile suddenly warmed by several degrees and she laughed. "Do I really sound that preachy?"
Lupin laughed, a sound Harry had rarely heard. "Yes. It's infuriating. How long has it been since we last saw each other?"
Harte grinned. "Six years, four months. Give or take a week or two. Do I pass the test?"
Remus stepped forward and embraced her briefly. "You do indeed."
White stepped back, her hands still on Remus' arms and looked around. "I gather the rest of the Order is here?"
Remus smiled ruefully, but looked a little surprised at the mention of the Order none the less. "Not all of us, obviously. Kingsley you can come out, she's on our side!"
Harry noted that his old professor made no mention of Bill. The memory Kingsley strode forward, undoing his disillusionment charm as he went. The real Kingsley motioned Harry forward and they approached the dock. As Harry got closer he could hear the purr of a boats engine in the distance.
As memory Kingsley reached Remus and Harte he held out a hand.
"Kingsley Shackelbolt." He muttered seriously.
Harte took the offered hand causing Memory Kingsley to stiffen slightly, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
Heart smiled, her eyes dancing with amusement, perhaps at Kingsley formal tone.
"Emily Harte." She replied with mimicked formality.
Remus leaned forward. "What on earth does the Circle want with all these muggle-borns, Emily? How long have you been shipping them off to France?"
Harte shrugged. "It was Olympe's idea. We worked with her when she was younger and she got in contact with us. She knew we were hiding Muggleborns, and put it to us that we smuggle them out to France. Beauxbatons is as safe a place as any, not even the Circle knows where it is."
Remus looked worried though. "But you're taking such a great risk getting involved, what does the Circle care for Muggleborns?"
Emily smiled in a kindly sort of way at Remus. "It is not the Circles only mission to guide young werewolves away from trouble, Remus."
Remus smiled a small sad smile at this. "You're not going to start bleating on about balance are you?"
Emily's smile deepened slightly but also seemed to gain a mournful quality to it. "You've never listened before, Remus, why should I assume you would start now."
Lupin worry lines disappeared and he smiled, reached over and gripped her hand. "I've missed you, Emily. I really have, even if you are one of the most infuriating women I know."
A small boat had appeared at the dock and the young wizard leapt forward to secure it to the jetty. Ernie stood with his wand raised, pointed at the inhabitants of the boat. Rather than looking alarmed, the three new comers chatted to Ernie with an air of routine familiarity.
Harte glanced over her shoulder, turned back to Remus and squeezed his hand with both of hers. "There's the transport. You have no objections to us moving ahead?"
Remus smiled and shook his head. "None at all."
She turned to Kingsley now, smiling. "And you, silent handsome stranger? Do you protest?"
Harry coughed and tried to cover a grin. He looked over at the real Kingsley who was looking a little embarrassed. "She really is a terrible flirt." Kingsley offered as way of an explanation. Harry tried not to let his grin widen, and failed.
Memory Kingsley turned to look at Remus, meeting his eyes for a long time. "If Remus vouches for you, then I have no protest. I only request that you take Justin with you. He knows how to reach me once he's safe."
Emily gazed at Kingsley for a long time with a calculating look, before turning to walk over to the jetty. Once she reached the boat she held out her hand and one of the group took it. A dim but warm glow seemed to issues from between their palms and once it faded Ernie lowered his wand. The two young wizards proceeded to usher the small family onto the boat. Ernie beckoned at the two adults.
As they reached the boat, the young mother turned to envelope Emily in a crushing hug. "You saved our lives. I have no idea what's going on but I know those men would have killed us. What could we ever do to thank you?"
Emily pushed her off her gently and whipped at the muggle woman's tears. "You can take care of your children. Where you are going, they will be able to teach them how to control their magic, but you can teach them not to fear it. Teach them it is a gift as well as a responsibility."
The woman nodded and pulled her daughter close. "We will. I promise."
Emily stepped aside briefly while Justin, who had just finished embracing Ernie, got on the boat. She bent down at this point so she was at eye level with the young girl. "And you, Claire, I want you to promise me that you are going to take care of your parents and your brother. Can you do that for me?"
The girl nodded but glanced back at Kingsley and Lupin wearily. "Those bad men who tried to take Billy and me, those wizards, are there more of them?"
Emily smiled grimly and nodded.
The girl bit her lip. "But, if there are more baddies how are you going to beat them. You said there weren't enough good wizards to beat them? Shouldn't I stay here to help you?"
Emily smiled a little more warmly now. "But that's why we are sending you somewhere safe Claire. We need as many good witches and wizards as possible to fight these bad men. For now I need you to just concentrate on keeping your family safe, and when you are old enough you can come back and learn to fight them too."
The girl's back straightened a little at this. She threw her arms around Emily's neck briefly before getting onto the boat and settling in-between her mother and Justin, her eyes blazing.
Lupin stepped forward to exchange a few words with Justin. The healer woman traded grasps with the muggle parents, gave one of the wizards now accompanying them a quick hug, before she untied the boat from the jetty. Then, with a gentle purr as the engine sprang into life, the boat disappeared into the darkness
Hugs and kisses to Jo. xx
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