Chapter Fifteen: A New Dawn


Title: Harry Potter and the Phantom Hourglass

Chapter: 15

Author: Hikari no Vikki

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy

Parings: Sorry, only frivolous friendships for now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Zelda. Really. I don't.

Description: Crossover with Legend of Zelda. The Phantom Hourglass has been handed down since its beginning, until finally it makes its way into the hands of a boy named Gabriel. He fights alongside Harry Potter, and soon discovers a darkness that has been waiting to exact a deadly revenge.

Author's Notes:

Dumbledore's visit in the infirmary gave me trouble. A lot of what he says is so Harry specific I had a hard time with making it seem like I wasn't copying it word for word. I hate doing that… ugh. Well, whatever is word for word, I don't own it. It's not my fault it's so hard to get in Dumbledore's head… (too good with Legilimency I'll expect… lol)


Gabriel's eyes fluttered open for a moment.

"P-Professor?"

"Go back to sleep, Silverwings…"

"But, the Hourglass…"

"…is safe. Go back to sleep."

"Oh… okay…"

Darkness resumed.

.oOo.

Sunlight streamed through the infirmary windows. The doors opened gently and an elegantly dressed young woman walked through them. She stopped at the foot of Gabriel's bed before speaking to the man who sat a little ways away, watching.

"Hello, Severus." She said. Snape grunted from his position in the chair across from Gabriel. She reached up and pulled the pin holding up here hair, which fell down her shoulders in long, golden curls.

"Have you been watching him these whole three days?"

"Him and Potter. Dumbledore's orders. Haven't been able to do any grading whatsoever. It's rather annoying."

"Well," she said, putting a finger to her lips, "Albus is coming in to relieve you soon." She tilted her head and flashed him a gentle smile. "I wanted to thank you, you know. For looking after him." Snape scoffed. "He's a promising student, Alexandria. I had to." She laughed softly. "Details, details," she whispered. Snape's eyes narrowed.

"Speaking of details, why didn't you tell him?"

Alexandria didn't reply, staring at the sleeping face of her son. Finally, she said, "I don't know, Severus. I guess I just wanted to protect him. I've been I denial for so long I suppose I didn't want to stop. Bellum is… far, far more dangerous than Voldemort could or ever will be. He's so much more ancient and powerful than he appears to be, and Gabriel… doesn't deserve to feel so, so hunted all the time. I know I did."

Her hair fell in front of her face, tears glistening in her eyes. She began to wonder why she even came in the first place, at least without Shadow.

"He's stronger than you think, Alexandria. Don't assume he can't handle it."

Snape stood up, walked across the floor, pausing only to nod at Professor Dumbledore as he left. Dumbledore walked over to Alexandria and put a hand on her shoulder. "Your son is very brave, you know." She chuckled, brushing away her tears. "Yes, I suppose so. Battling Bellum like that, he is so very brave. I just wish it never had to happen…" Dumbledore met her eyes and gave her a twinkling smile. "Everything happens for a reason."

She glanced back towards her son and smiled.

"I guess so. Say, would you give this to him when he wakes up? I don't think I can face him yet. Not… by myself anyway." Dumbledore nodded.

"Right. I can do that."

He took the letter she produced from her blue coat pocket and she bowed slightly, inclining her head to him in thanks. "I owe you everything, Professor." She whispered with a tender smile. "Look over him as often as you can…"

"I will." She nodded one last time and left, bound for home.

.oOo.

A little while later, Gabriel found himself staring into two, bright shiny orbs. They reflected his face, much like the Mirror of Erised did.

Wait… the Mirror?

Suddenly he became aware that the orbs were not orbs at all, but light glaring off Professor Dumbledore's glasses. "Oh," he murmured, stunned, "hello, Professor." Professor Dumbledore smiled at him. "Good afternoon, Gabriel." Gabriel blinked, still wondering what he was doing there. He thought for a moment, his gaze trailing along the walls of the Infirmary, Dumbledore again, and the person lying in the bed next to him. Harry.

"Harry!" he whispered, the word forcing itself past his lips. Harry stirred, his eyelashes fluttering, and then he opened them groggily.

Harry looked over. "Gabe?" Gabriel smiled, happy his friend was all right.

Then Harry turned his head to examine his surroundings, only to find Professor Dumbledore's smiling face watching him intensely. "Professor Dumbledore?" Dumbledore nodded. "Good afternoon, Harry."

Harry nodded, still trying to gather his thoughts, putting the pieces together.

Gabriel, on the other hand, glanced toward his beside table, where a leather satchel sat, the string tightly tied up at its top. He instantly grabbed for it, unwrapping the strings and pulling out the Phantom Hourglass, pressing it close to his chest and taking in its familiar wooden smell.

"It's good that the Hourglass is all right," he said finally, looking up. "So who has the Stone, then? Last I recall, it was in Harry's possession." Harry gasped. "That's right! Sir, where is it?"

"Destroyed," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Destroyed?" Harry sighed, anxious, and not all too sure what to feel. "So, your friend, Nicholas Flamel… he and his wife will die, won't they?" Gabriel frowned. "Destroyed… huh. I suppose it's for the best."

Harry turned to him. "Why… would you say that?" Gabriel shrugged. "Well, considering what the Stone did – giving as much life and money anyone could want – it's only right it should be destroyed. Right, Professor?" Dumbledore nodded sagely. "That's right. They are the two things humans want most of all. The trouble is, humans seem to have a knack of choosing precisely the things which are the worst for them."

Harry seemed to understand.

Gabriel paused in his stroking as a thought wormed its way into his mind. "Sir?" he piped, Dumbledore's attention shifting. "Yes, Gabriel?" Gabriel drew in a breath before beginning softly. "Where is Bellum now, do you think? Or Voldemort for that matter? Surely he's not completely gone…"

Even though I did pretty much blow Quirrell to bits… he added mentally.

"Bellum?" Dumbledore echoed, "I cannot say. If you yourself cannot sense him, then he is nowhere near this place or you."

"Most likely he went to lick his wounds somewhere safe…" Gabriel muttered.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Perhaps you're right. And as for Voldemort, well… I can tell you that he is not dead; in fact he cannot be killed. He is still out there, perhaps looking for another body to share…" Gabriel frowned. "And judging by the way he left Quirrell to die like that… he treats his followers with little more mercy than he does his enemies… am I right?"

"Of a sort," replied Dumbledore.

There was a momentary silence where Harry had finally collected his wits and enough of his own courage to speak up himself.

"Sir? There are some things that… that I'd like to know… things I want to know the truth about…" Dumbledore sighed. The truth. "You should be careful with the truth, beautiful and terrible as it is. You must treat it with the great of caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you to forgive me. Nor will I lie, either, so do not fear that of me."

Harry nodded, and Gabriel turned slowly, his head tilted to one side.

"Will you answer some of my questions as well?" Dumbledore nodded. "Of course. No doubt you have quite a few." Gabriel frowned again, but decided to lean back and glance over at Harry. "You first, mate."

Harry nodded.

"Well… Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why did he want to kill me in the first place?"

Dumbledore sighed very deeply and rubbed his temples with his right hand.

"Alas, I cannot tell you what you ask me. Not today. Not now. When you are older. Put it from your mind now, and – though I know you hate to hear this – when you are ready, you will know."

Harry sighed. Well, that had certainly been productive. He glanced at Gabriel.

Gabriel nodded, and locked eyes with the Headmaster. "Sir, I think it was you who told me that the Bellum and the Hourglass were both equals… or maybe that was Firenze. But anyway, as far as I know, only a single hour remains of its sand. Do you know where any of it is?"

And would I know when I came anywhere close?

"No, I do not."

Gabriel's spirits fell, but something in Dumbledore's eyes held his gaze.

"However… I have heard of rumors of a Compass that would lead you to them. I cannot say where it would be, but you may try checking with your mother on that one." Gabriel was impatient to ask another question that the reference to his mother sparked, but he held his tongue.

"Professor? Why couldn't Quirrell touch me?"

Harry looked a bit timid, and glanced over at Gabriel, who flashed him a gentle smile to reassure him that things were all right. And really, most of the answers to his questions were either not possible to answer, or he'd have to refer to his mother. But, oddly, he had the distinct impression that his mother was the one afraid of the impending conversation, not himself.

While Gabriel was (ahem) lost in thought…

"Your mother died to save you, Harry. That, and if there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love."

"But what do those things mean? And in English, please?"

Dumbledore laughed. "Well my boy, since Voldemort cannot understand love, he didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's leaves its own mark." Harry reached instinctively up to his scar, but Dumbledore waved a gentle, scolding finger at him.

"No, no. It cannot be seen. It lives… in your very skin. To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone… that gives one protection to last forever. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."

Harry nodded and turned in his bed to look at Gabriel. "Hey, Gabe! It's your turn!" Gabriel blinked, and then remembered what they were doing.

"Oh, forgive me. I was…" but he couldn't finish. Instead he shook his head and looked a little off to the side as he asked his next question. "Professor, do you know why my mother didn't tell me about the Hourglass? I mean, she had all that time…" Dumbledore thought a moment before he replied and even then he only simply held up and finger and said, "Ah!" before reaching into his robes and pulling out a letter.

"I do not know whether or not that will answer your question, but you mother gave it to me this morning before she left. She came as soon as word reached her of your injury."

"Is she still here?"

"I'm afraid not. She had to leave quickly to return to her job. But rest assured, whatever her reasons, Gabriel, I know for a fact that she was only looking out for you." Gabriel, having taken the letter, stared at it for the longest time before opening it and reading its contents.

Dear Gabriel,

I'm sure you're wondering why I never told you about the Hourglass. My only explanation? Fear. Fear for you, myself… and the rest of the family.

But I know that doesn't excuse my actions.

Other than fear, I suppose another reason was that I wanted to keep the knowledge of Bellum away from you as long as possible. I myself did not even meet him until I was fifteen. But my father was very good at keeping me hidden. I, apparently, have not done as well as he did.

I was hoping to keep you from meeting him for much longer than that, so that maybe… just maybe it might have been easier for you. What a fool I was, thinking that, if I could not even bear to tell you before you were eleven!

(My father told me when I was six.)

If you have any more questions, and I know you surely must, please wait until we meet again face to face. I'd much prefer that. And, if you can, forgive my mistake. I was only trying to protect you from being just as much as afraid of him as I was. I still love you very much.

With all my heart,

Mother

He set the letter in his lap just as Dumbledore finished explaining to Harry exactly why Snape hated Harry so much. Something to do with owing Harry's father a life debt…

"Do you have any more questions, Gabriel?"

Gabriel sat up straight, searching for the owner of the voice, only to find Dumbledore smiling at him serenely.

"No sir. I believe the rest of the answers to my questions lie with my mother."

"And you?" Dumbledore said to Harry. "Just one more thing…" Dumbledore nodded signaling for Harry to continue.

"Exactly how did I get the Stone out of the mirror?"

"Ah, now, I'm glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that's saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the Stone – find it, but not use it – would be able to get it. Otherwise, they'd just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir."

Gabriel hummed. "So how did the Hourglass sand get in there, I'd like to know…" Dumbledore seemed surprised. "So, that's where you found it? Well, what matters is that you have enough sand to fight Bellum, am I right?"

Gabriel shrugged.

"More or less. I was hoping if I knew how it got there, it might lead me to more clues on other concentrations of sand, but… if what you say about that Compass is true then maybe I don't need to know." Dumbledore smiled.

"That's the spirit. Now, enough questions. I suggest you start on these sweets, boys." Gabriel and Harry blinked. "Sweets?" Together they peered at the edges of their beds to see two small mountains of sweets ranging in variety from Chocolate Frogs to Licorice Wands. "Courtesy of your admirers and friends," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. He pawed gently at one side of Harry's pile.

"Ah! Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one, and since then I've rather lost my liking for them… but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?"

He flashed a gentle grin and popped a golden-brown bean into his mouth. After a moment, he tilted his head ever so slightly and said, "Alas! Ear wax!"

Both Gabriel and Harry grimaced.

.oOo.

After three days, Gabriel sort of expected visitors (if there were any) to be anxious for word of their status.

Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, nice yet strict as she was, obviously hadn't.

"I want to see my brother! I have family visitation rights!"

"But, but!" Madam Pomfrey spluttered, "The rest of you aren't family! Only Aria!" Gabriel laughed quietly to himself as Harry strained to hear Ron arguing with her from beyond the door. "Come on now, just five minutes!" And Hermione's quiet, reasoning tone chimed in with, "He's right, we just want to see them for a few moments." There was a long, pregnant pause before grudgingly, Madam Pomfrey let them all in.

"Oh, very well," she said, "But five minutes only."

She turned sharply, leaving the door open, her cap a little off to one side, and few hairs springing annoyingly from her tight little bun and whipping in the gentle breeze as she walked briskly down the aisle to her office in the back.

"Poor woman…" Gabriel muttered, smiling to himself.

"Harry!" "Gabe!"

The two girls practically flew down the aisle to their beds, while Draco and Ron simply walked at their own pace. "Gabriel!" Aria laughed as the tears in her eyes rolled down her cheeks happily, and she skidded to a halt by his side, her legs tucked neatly under her skirts. Hermione had done much the same, only she was still standing, and with much less theatrics.

"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to…" She paused, not wanting to go down that road, so she tried another, piping quietly, "Dumbledore was so worried…" But then she wasn't sure where to go from there.

"The whole school's talking about it," said Ron. "What really happened?" Then something caught his eye; something purple.

"And what is that?"

Gabriel paled when he realized Ron was referring to the Hourglass. He looked at Harry, who nodded. He sighed, and they both began to tell the truth about what happened the moment they'd stepped through the fire. Gabriel obviously went first, giving a brief history on the Hourglass before continuing, and trying carefully to keep what he remembered of Bellum's character true to every fault. Harry did much the same.

At the end of it all, Gabriel held the Hourglass closer to his chest and said weakly, "So, none of you are mad at me for keeping a secret, are you?" Aria frowned. "I'm a little annoyed that you didn't trust me enough to even mention it, but I guess I can see where you're coming from. And Mum kept all of it from you?" Gabriel shrugged.

"Yeah, pretty much. She says she's going to answer all my questions when we get home, though. Can't say if she'll do it or not, but I believe her when she said she was sorry for not telling me."

Ron and Hermione nodded. "So what are you going to do?" Hermione asked him. "Look for the Compass that Dumbledore mentioned. If there's anything I really want to get out of my mother, it's information on that. I really need the rest of that sand." Then he paused. "Speaking of Dumbledore, what happened to the rest of you?"

Aria was the one who answered.

"Well, since I was the one with the broom, I raced outta there as quickly as possible. I was on my way to the Owlery when I met up with Dumbledore, and he helped me get Hermione and Ron up to the infirmary. Then I went and brought Draco back while Dumbledore went and got you two. It's all sort of a blur, really."

Draco shrugged. "Can't say I blame you. I hardly remember getting back into bed that night… good thing no one noticed I was gone, though. That would have been potentially problematic."

Harry chuckled quietly and stared at Draco for a moment.

"Say, Draco, what are you going to do about the House thing? Most of the Slytherins know about you being friends with us, so… um, yeah." Draco shrugged again. "I figured I'd play it smooth and say I'm spying on the enemy. I'm a good actor, so I can pull it off. It'll be a good cover in case my father finds out I'm spending so much time with you."

"You're going to have to tell him someday."

Draco scoffed. "Hopefully not for a while. I like not being disowned."

Gabriel sighed and flashed him once of those 'hey, what can you do' looks. "Well, if it's any consolation, my home's as safe as any if you need a place to crash." Draco smiled. "Thanks, Silverwings."

Then he mumbled something that sounded a lot like, "Means a lot to me."

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks with Harry. "Hey Draco!" Ron called. Draco looked up. Ron walked over to him and held out his hand. "Friends, right?" Draco stared at it, but then decided to shake. "Sure, Weasley. As long as I get to tease you about your second-hands in front of my father."

"As much as you want, mate. The hair's off-limits, though."

They all laughed, which drew the attention of Madame Pomfrey from his position at her desk.

"Hey! You've had nearly fifteen minutes already! Now, OUT!"

.oOo.

Draco was back in his place at the Slytherin table on the day of the end-of-year feast. He waved discreetly in Gabriel's direction at the Gryffindor table and proceeded to quickly turn his attentions to his food. The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver for the celebrations. There were several small banners bearing the Slytherin crest lining the ceiling, with the largest one hanging directly above the High Table.

Slytherin was currently winning the House Cup challenge for the seventh year in a row, but Draco knew if Dumbledore had anything to say about it, that was going to change very soon.

And he knew for certain the old man was going to say something.

So when Dumbledore entered the room, all chatter ceasing, Draco simply leaned back and tried very hard not to smile.

"Another year gone! Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you all with an old man's sentiments before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were–"

"Fat chance of that!" one of the Weasley twins crowed.

Draco could hardly suppress a snort. "–and now you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next years starts," Dumbledore continued, as if he had never been interrupted.

"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

All the Slytherins, save Draco, chose to burst into a storm of cheers and stamps. Draco simply glanced off to the side and took a drink from his goblet, as if he were bored with the proceedings.

Which, he was. Couldn't the man just move on with it already?

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

From behind his goblet, Draco smiled. Finally!

The room went very still. Draco could almost hear the falling smiles of the Slytherins around him. "Ahem," Dumbledore began, "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…"

"First – to Mr. Ronald Weasley and Gabriel Silverwings…"

Draco could see Ron going terribly purple in the face, presumably from forgetting to breathe. Gabriel seemed a little caught off guard, but was mostly fine. "Breathe," Draco mouthed, Ron looking in his general direction. Just a little color seeped out of his face.

"…for the most brilliant teamwork and best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Aria hugged her brother tightly as the cheers thundered through the room. Harry nudged Ron a little to get him breathing again, and everyone else just chattered endlessly. Eventually the din died down and there was silence again.

"Second – to Miss Hermione Granger and Aria Silverwings… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire and quick, decisive thinking, I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Aria, still hugging her brother, apparently gasped, eyes wide, proceeding to bury her face in Gabriel's shoulder. Hermione simply buried her own face in her arms.

Draco counted the points in his head. Gryffindors were a hundred points up now… did the old man have a few more tricks up his sleeve?

"Third – to Mr. Harry Potter…" said Dumbledore. Silence swept through the room. "… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Ah. That was it. Through the deafening cheering Draco could count that the Gryffindors now had four hundred and seventy-two points – exactly the same as Slytherin. Tied for the house cup… hmm. There had to be something more. There was, wasn't there?

Dumbledore raised his hand. There it was. The room slowly grew quiet.

"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

The Gryffindor table exploded with sound. Everyone stood up to yell and cheer and Neville disappeared under a pile of people hugging him.

"Is he serious?" Pansy hissed, "The old geezer must be playing favorites! That's not fair!" Draco put on his most nonchalant face and said sweetly. "Honey, he's the Headmaster. He can do what he likes. Even if we don't." She folded her arms like a little child who wasn't getting their way. "I still don't think it's fair!" Draco shrugged and turned back to his goblet, smiling secretly into it as he pretended to drink.

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the thunderous applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating, "we need a little change in decoration."

He clapped his hands, and in an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a fierce Gryffindor lion took its place. Draco watched out of the corner of his eye as Snape shook hands with McGonagall, a obviously forced, cheery smile plastered to his face.

He glanced over towards Gabriel, who nodded, and shrugged. Nothing was going to change at all, really.

Later, after dinner, Draco caught up with Gabriel in a dark corridor close to the Great Hall. "Write to me? I'll send my personal owl so my father doesn't see your letters on the dining room table." Gabriel laughed. "Sure. As long as she doesn't bite."

Draco smiled, laughing quietly. "See you on the train."

Gabriel nodded. "Right."

.oOo.

Harry's hands trailed the edges of the faded, leather-bound album he held in his lap. Hagrid had given it to him before they'd left, as a sort of apology gift for Fluffy. He'd looked through most of it already, but one picture in particular kept his eyes trained to it. His parents. His mother, holding him. They were in front of what looked like a train. The Hogwarts Express, maybe? He wasn't sure. They were certainly happy, though.

"Those your parents?" Harry jolted, but realized it was only Aria who was asking. She glanced sweetly over his shoulder at the picture, waiting expectantly. "Y-Yeah," he said, sliding it over so she could get a better look.

"Wow! You're so cute!" She cooed, obviously referring to the picture. But Harry couldn't help but blush and he hid it well in the dim lighting.

She handed it back to him. "I wish I could see you over the summer. But, I doubt it." Harry sighed. "Yeah, my aunt and uncle are kind of funny about magic. They might not even let me outside." She shrugged. "I can still write to you, though." He cat curled around her legs and padded off in the direction of the opposite cabin.

There was an odd silence for a little while before Gabriel came in telling them it was time to change into their muggle clothes, since they were nearing the station. It was a welcome interruption.

As they were exiting, Draco put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Hey, remember. Should we ever meet outside of the school setting or in my father's presence, I won't be treating you like this. You know, all polite and the like." Harry nodded. "Yeah, I know. Anything else I should know about?" Draco thought for a moment.

"Maybe our house elf, Dobby. Father wrote to me saying he won't shut up about you. But I wouldn't worry too much. Just… don't get killed, all right?" He winked. "I want to be there to gloat over your dead body."

"Oh, that's nice," Harry deadpanned.

Draco laughed quietly as he left for the direction of the gate. Ron and the others caught up with him then.

"You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "all of you – I'll send you an owl." "Thanks," said Harry, not wanting to voice his concerns, "I'll need something to look forward to."

"You still famous where you're going, Harry?" Hermione asked him.

Harry shook his head. "Not where I'm going, no."

Ron and Hermione were about to say their goodbyes to Harry, Aria, and Gabriel when Alexandria herself appeared before them.

"Hello Mother," Gabriel said softly. Alexandria looked a bit uneasy. Gabriel watched her expression and shook his head, taking her hand. "It's okay, Mum. I promise." She smiled weakly and seemed to relax a little. Then her attentions turned to Harry. "Are you all right?" He nodded. "More or less, considering an insane madman almost killed me, but yeah. I'm okay."

Alexandria couldn't help but laugh.

"Ready, are you?"

They all turned around. It was Harry's Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, mustached, and looking generally furious at Harry's nerve to be carrying all that he was in the middle of a station full of ordinary people.

"Hello again," Alexandria said sweetly, a hint of tartness lining her greeting.

Uncle Vernon blinked, and back up for a moment.

"You're a… witch?" Alexandria shrugged. "Well of course! But really, you didn't need to know that, did you?" She grinned, chuckling darkly. "Now if you don't mind, my son will be allowed to come and visit with Harry as many times as he likes… is that clear? Or shall I have to remedy the situation?"

"No, no… he's still… um…" Uncle Vernon stopped to gather himself and his words. Finally he barked at Harry, "Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day." Then he inched away from Gabriel's mother as quickly as possible.

Harry hung back to exchange goodbyes with his friends.

"Hope you have – er – a good holiday," said Hermione, looking uncertainly after Uncle Vernon. "Ah, I'll keep an eye on 'im. Won't I, Harry?" Gabriel said, putting an arm around his friend's shoulder.

"Yeah, sure Gabe."

"Good luck, mate." Harry laughed shakily, dragging his luggage in the direction of his uncle. "I'll need it…" he muttered as he left.

When it was just Gabriel, Aria, and their mother, Gabriel tapped his mother on her shoulder, watching Harry leave. "Say, Mother? When we meet them again, can you make sure that exact same expression finds its way onto his face? I quite think it makes him a little more human."

Alexandria laughed. "I quite agree, son. When next we meet…"


Wha… when did this get done? Huh. Well, another story down, couple more to go.

I think I'll either work on the Charlie Bone fic or my Zelda one. Leaning more towards Zelda since I don't have much inspiration for Charlie Bone at the moment… well, I hope most of what I managed to scrounge up sounded both plausible and interesting. See you again soon! Reviews = love. :)