Chapter II
Old Man Potter
It was very late when Kelsey remembered that she had to be home. As she had no idea where she was, Mister Potter offered to drive her home. Kelsey told him her address, and was suprised when he told her that he lived only eight blocks away. Getting into his old Ford (Kelsey had no idea what year or model), she suddenly felt very tired, and fought a losing battle to retain consciousness.
Vaguely, as if she was in the distance, she heard the engine stop, and a car door open. Kelsey could just feel a pair of strong arms pick up and carry her to a doorstep. A sense of weightlessness, then a firm, albeit gentle, grip. A lamp-lit room, blurred in her fatigue, shifted in and out of focus. A quick whispered exchange of "Thank you, we were so worried!" and "It was no trouble. Right sweet girl you got there." There was the sensation of floating on air, then the feel of warm covers being drawn up to her chin. Kelsey felt the warmth of lips on her forehead.
"Goodnight, Kay Kay," was whispered, then Kelsey knew nothing more.
The next few days were just as sweltering, but Kelsey paid no mind. Everyday, she visited Mister Potter for teas and to listen to his grand adventures. Tales of dragons, imps, fairies, and deadly wizard duels.
And she believed.
Today, however, he was unusually quiet. Oh, he was just as courteous, to be sure! Yes, indeed, but he refrained from recounting his amazing stories.
"Mister Potter?" Kelsey said. "Are you alright?"
Harry did not immediately give a response, but pulled out one of his strange pictures, and beckoned Kelsey over. The picture was of a very beautiful young woman with long, red hair. She smiled and waved at Kelsey, who "ooh'd" in delight.
"Who is she, Mister Potter?"
"My...my late wife, Ginny..." he replied, quietly.
Suddenly, all the warmth seemed to leave the room. Kelsey felt very sad, for some reason unknown to her. She longed to hug her newfound friend and comfort him.
"She's very pretty, sir," she breathed. "How...how did she die?"
Harry seemed hesitant, as though he did not wish to tell the story, and Kelsey immediately felt awful. Harry patted the cushion beside him, gesturing for Kelsey to sit, and took a deep breath.
"It was...many years ago. Long before I settled here. We lived in the north, close to Ireland. Kelsey, do you remember the snake-like man I told you about?"
Kelsey quickly nodded.
"Voldemort?"
"Yes, Voldemort."
Kelsey glowed, jubilant at her ability to remember the name.
"Well, after he was defeated, many of his followers either reformed or turned themselves in. Others fled. One of them managed to find us, and murdered Ginny as revenge for his master's death. She was...she was pregnant."
Kelsey's heart sank. She leaned over and hugged Mister Potter, who squeezed her shoulder affectionately in gratitude. He brightened the mood by showeing Kelsey a Pygmy Puff, and she returned home.
Not long after that, the owl arrived.