Chapter 17: The night before the morning after.
"I've been meaning to re-do this room, but just didn't have the incentive." Sirius stood next to his bed, slowly revolving, cocking his head, thoughtful look on his face.
"Should we step out into the hall so you can 'do your thing', or do you want our help?" Remus asked, as Severus and he watched from the doorway.
"Speak for yourself, Lupin . . . I wouldn't miss this for all the Powdered Unicorn Horn in the Wizarding world!" Severus crossed his arms and leaned against the door jam. "But I would make two suggestion . . . NO bunk beds . . . and for Merlin's sake, add some color on the walls, this grey stripe is too Azkaban for my taste!"
"Azkaban!?" Sirius looked around and his eyes grew wide. "Merlin, Severus! Well spotted! No wonder I hate this decor!" Sirius pushed up his sleeves and pulled out his wand. "Right!"
"Now you've done it," Remus grumbled to Severus, as Sirius raised his wand, preparing to totally change his old bedroom's interior.
"And I'm actually going to enjoy every minute of it, too!" Severus looked over at the werewolf and smirked. "If this is any indication of how easy it is to engage Black's mind, I see lots of possibilities for this war, seeing as how he will be around to help instead of dead and gone."
"Ah, Slytherin multi-purpose." Remus nodded, as Sirius started his room's transformation.
X X X
"Well, ladies, I do have some spare clothes you could transfigure into night gowns," Molly volunteered, digging into her trunk, pulling out some blouses and light "round-the- house" robes for the others to make their choices.
"I'll take the tartan robe, if you don't mind, Molly." Minerva reached out and took the bright plaid material and held it up. "Just a bit of lengthening should do it."
"The blue blouse would do just fine for me," remarked Narcissa, as she sat on the edge of the bed, wand in hand, ready to start transforming the garment. "Thank you, Molly. It's very kind of you."
"Nonsense, Narcissa . . . we'll just have to make do for the next couple of days. 'Roughing it' is a small price to pay, if it saves our families."
"I agree," nodded Narcissa. Looking over at her niece, she gawked at Tonks' attire. "What are you wearing, Dora?"
"My sleepwear. I always keep a change of clothes and set of pjs in my pouch," she replied, holding up a small leather bag that had been hanging on her belt earlier. " 'Undetectable Extension Charm', of course; have all sorts of stuff in here. That way I don't forget anything. Dead useful."
"But, my dear," said Minerva, as she circled Tonks, pointing at her pajama top. "Who is Tigger?"
X X X
"I know I packed WAY too many things, with the help of that charm you put on my bag, Hermione, so there should be something for everyone." Reaching into her knapsack, nearly up to her armpit, Emma started pulling out clothes and dropping them on the bed. Ginny, Luna and Hermione held up different garments and commented on the colors and styles, trading off with each other until they all had what they needed for the night.
"Emma is quite famous for modeling clothes in all kinds of Muggle magazines," Hermione informed the other two girls. "Do you ever get to keep any of the really pretty ones?"
"Not the ones from the photo shoots, and the outfits I wear to the movie premiers are on loan to me by the designers; but it's a win-win situation . . . I get to wear these incredible gowns and the designers get loads of free publicity. I do, however, occasionally buy a particular favorite, at a big discount, if the designer gets lots of positive feedback from my being seen and photographed in their 'latest creation' ". Emma laughed. "In real life, I just wear what's comfortable and what I like; I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl most of the time."
"And you went to university in America?" Ginny asked.
"Yes; Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island. That's in the Northeast of the United States, what's called New England; where the settlers from England built all the first towns; Boston, Salem, Plymouth, back in the 1600's. But I'm not going just now as I've had a couple of movies to do and, well, I'll get back to my studies when I can." She shrugged. "I've always known I wanted to be an actress and now, thanks to the Harry Potter movies, I've had ten years of training with some of the best actors, actresses and directors in the world. I'm extremely lucky and grateful for the experience."
"Well, you got Hermione spot on, that's for sure," Ginny laughed.
Hermione didn't know whether to be upset or flattered as Emma grinned.
"I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't me," added Luna. "It was amazing to watch all of those people being us and our friends, wasn't it?"
"Down right . . . weird, come to that," Ginny agreed.
Emma pulled on her sleep pants and sat on the edge of the bed.
"It's a bit strange talking to all of you and not calling you Bonnie, or Evanna," Emma shook her head.
"Sounds a bit confusing, popping back and forth between identities all the time," Ginny observed.
"Indeed it was," admitted Emma. "The strangest part was between scenes, when we'd be talking and laughing with Voldemort . . . Ralph or Bella . . . Helena, or watch Jason Isaac texting on his cell phone as he's standing in a crowd of Death Eaters . . . quite bizarre, actually. People walking around with fake blood dripping down their clothes . . . We'll have to show you those special extra bits they included with the movies so you all can see how truly complicated it is to do a film. It might look like it's just Dan and I talking, but there are at least twenty or more people standing there watching us do the scene . . . multiple times from different angles, too. It takes months to film and more months to do the post production work." Looking around Emma could see they weren't quite getting all of what she was saying. "Never mind, I'll show it all to you after we get all of the plans laid out and finalized, I promise."
"Just one question," Luna said, pulling a B.U. t-shirt over her head. "Were the Thestrals real, the ones Harry and I, well Dan and Evanna, were watching in the film . . . they seemed very real."
"No, they were CGI, except for the life sized, animated models used for the shots at the carriages and for the flying shots; we had the bodies to sit on and the wings were CGI'd to appear to move. Sorry." Emma explained.
"Oh, that's alright, the ones at Hogwarts are real . . . it's too bad you can't come see them."
"Even if I could go to visit them, I couldn't see them as I've never seen anyone die, Luna," Emma informed her.
"Oh, that's too bad," sighed Luna, who began brushing her hair. Ginny, Hermione and Emma exchanged startled looks and then started to giggle.
X X X
Tom had tossed Draco a spare pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt from his bag and turned to watch the Weasley twins in deep discussion at the other end of the room.
"What are you two planning, then? I've learned the signs, you know." Tom crossed his arms and waited for an answer.
"Defenses for the night . . ." replied George.
"We don't trust any of them," explained Fred.
"Harry and that lot," said George.
"OR the Marauders." finished Fred.
"One or both of those groups will try to pull something." George wagged his finger at the door.
"And we're going to be ready!" added Fred.
"Right, typical," nodded Tom.
"Leave us out of it!" Draco waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah, well, it's not up to us, is it?" questioned Fred.
"You're in here with us, you get to share in the fun!" George gleefully added.
"But . . " Draco started to protest, but Tom stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"What kind of defenses?" Tom inquired, with a sideways glance and shake of his head to Draco.
"Alarm spells, 'Anti-Apparation' spell; the usual," George informed him, shrugging.
"Oh, no, no, no, that's not good enough! Let me show you how to booby trap a room," Tom walked over to them, rubbing his hands together, grinning evilly. "Come on Draco, you have to help," he threw over his shoulder. "You might learn a thing or two that might prove useful at some point in your future."
X X X
"So, Albus, what do you make of all of this?" Mad-eye asked, with characteristic bluntness.
"Well, Alastor," replied the Headmaster, as he seated himself, leaning back into the pillows he'd propped against the gigantic, carved headboard of the Master's bed. "I'm amazed this is occurring, but terribly glad to hear that young Harry does manage to rid our world of Voldemort. With a little luck and forewarning, the both of us might survive to enjoy that happy day, too, this time around."
"Might work at that." Moody agreed, setting his artificial leg next to the bed, before picking up his wand and casting a 'Silencing Charm' on the room.
"You're putting up a 'Silencing Charm'?" questioned Albus.
"I want a good night's sleep, Albus . . . let Molly and Minerva deal with those teenagers and their noise!" huffed the old Auror, earning a laugh from his roommate.
"Brilliant idea, old friend. You don't mind if I read a bit, do you?" Dumbledore waved the copy of Half Blood Prince he'd borrowed from Emma.
"Naw, just don't laugh out loud at the good bits; might startle me awake and you know my reflexive response to being awaken by sudden noises," warned Mad-eye, as he settled down under the covers, punching his pillow a few times.
"Point taken, Alastor. Good night," said Albus, as he settled his glasses on his nose and opened the book.
"Night, Albus," came the mumbled reply.
X X X
"I don't know that I'll be able to get much sleep," said Harry, looking around at the others. "I've got so much information swirling around in my brain and just trying to sort it all out in some order of importance has given me a halfway headache."
"Dobby can fix that, Harry Potter," volunteered the House Elf, as he approached the bed where Harry was sitting. "Dobby can make a sleeping drink for Harry Potter that will help him not worry about everything tonight. Would you want Dobby to fetch it?"
"Yes, thanks Dobby, I might just use that in a bit, when we're done talking and I want to get to sleep." Harry smiled at the little creature, who nodded and then, 'Pop', was gone.
"That's definitely one person whom you really need to save, Harry," Dan noted, as he donned his favorite pair of lounge pants. "I really like Dobby, he's your own personal fan club, isn't he?"
"Too right, he is . . . almost got me killed, he's such a fan!" laughed Harry, thinking back to his second year at Hogwarts.
"Speaking of House-Elves," Rupert started to say, when 'Pop', Dobby returned.
"Here is your drink, Harry Potter," Dobby handed the cup to Harry, who thanked him and placed it on his night stand, then turned to Rupert, who smiled and continued his thought.
"As I was about to ask, what's going to become of Winky? She's kind of left in the kitchens, drunk on Butter Beer, in the books and isn't mentioned at all in the movies. That bit of the story always bugged me, just leaving her story unresolved . . . why don't we see if your Mum might consider taking her, Ron? It might be a help, with all the coming and going that will be taking place over the next couple of months . . well, years. Would free up your Mum to help the Order and give Winky a new home."
"Gee, I don't know if Mum would want a House Elf, she's kind of proud and might take it as a sign we think she can't handle her own household anymore. I'm sure not gonna be the one to suggest it." Ron shook his head. "Gryffindors are brave, not stupid. "
They all laughed at that, but Dobby looked hopeful. "Ron Wheezy, Winky would be so happy to have a new family. Her is always so sad," he added, looking beseechingly at the both Ron and Rupert.
"Don't you give me that big eyed, sad, begging look, Dobby. I've seen that look from my sister too many times to fall for that trick," replied Ron, wagging his finger at Dobby.
"I have a solution," offered Neville, causing all of them to shift their gazes to the other side of the room. Neville sat cross legged on his bed, smile on his face. "Rupert, how many grandchildren do Molly and Arthur have in 2012?"
"Oh, blimey, let me count," Rupert said, looking thoughtful. "There's Bill's three, Percy's got two, as does George. Ron, you and Hermione have two and Harry and Ginny have three, so an even dozen. And when we save Fred's life, that could add a couple more, but let's say twelve."
"Hermione and I are married?" Ron exclaimed. "And have kids?"
"Yes, Rose and Hugo."
"And Ginny and I?" Harry asked.
"James, Albus and Lily," supplied Dan. "Emma met Lily when she was here earlier today, well, today in 2012. By the time we all arrived, the kids were off on a visit at the Burrow."
"All the more reason for talking Molly into taking Winky . . . maybe she could handle seven kids of her own, spaced out in age as they were but all of those grandkids, basically the same ages? Even your Mum would be hard pressed to cope with that lot!" Rupert laughed. "Winky is sounding better and better!"
"Well, we'll bring it up when we get a chance; maybe with the news of the thundering herds of little feet in her future, she'd be more open to the idea." Neville added, grinning.
"If Dobby might say something?" asked the House Elf, looking between Ron and Rupert.
"Sure Dobby," said Ron.
"Winky could come here and meet Mrs. Wheezy and they could talk. Winky could come to help Kreacher, but Dobby would be sure Kreacher understands it is to help find Winky a new family. Kreacher is very proud of his duties here in the House of Black and I have only been helping serve the meals. Him is doing the cooking and Dobby is helping a bit with the cleaning but if Dobby explains, Kreacher would let Winky do some of the cooking to show Mrs. Wheezy that Winky would be a good House Elf." Dobby took a deep breath after that long speech, causing the boys to smile.
"That sounds like an excellent plan, Dobby. We'll see if Tom can stop the Time Turner for a minute or so . . . " Dan started to say.
"Oh, Dobby can go any time, Master Dan, I'm an Elf!"
"Really?' Excellent! But let's do this in the morning, shall we. I'm too tired to stay up much longer to explain everything to Winky." Dan said, even as he tried to stifle a yawn.
"That is fine, Master Dan, Dobby is forgetting you is having a long day." Dobby nodded, as he pulled out the bottom drawer of the big dresser, into which he put a quilt and pillow.
"That's a splendid bed you've made there, Dobby," Harry remarked, as Dobby climbed into the drawer and lay down.
"Thank you, Harry Potter, sir. It is where Dobby likes to sleep. Dobby is comfortable and it is nice and warm and in the morning, Dobby just closes the drawer."
"Well, that's an easy way to get out of making your bed! Brilliant, Dobby!" Neville chuckled, as the others nodded and joined in the laughter.
Dobby was smiling, too, then he remembered something. "Oh, don't forget your sleeping drink, Harry Potter!" he instructed, pointing to the glass on Harry's bedside table.
"Right!" Harry obediently drank the contents of the glass, smacking his lips. "That's a lot better tasting than that 'Dreamless Sleep Potion' Poppy make us take . . . tasted like ginger ale."
"You is liking it?" Dobby asked.
"I certainly do, Dobby. You should bottle this stuff!" Harry proclaimed.
"It was in a bottle, Harry Potter. Dobby is just bringing it in a glass," Dobby replied, in a serious tone.
"I meant . . oh, never mind," Harry started to explain, then thought better of it, as he lay back on his pillow, eyes already starting to close. " . . . talk . . . morning . . . " and he was asleep.
"What's in that stuff, Dobby?" Dan asked, eyes wide at the speed with which it had worked on Harry.
"Ginger ale, Master Dan, sir." Dobby smiled and winked at the gob-smacked young men, then turned over and snuggled down under his quilt.
"Bloody hell," Neville gasped. "Pure power of suggestion . . . I guess Harry's mental exhaustion caught up with him."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Rupert answered, flopping down and getting settled. "Night guys!"
"Night, Rupert," Ron said. "Night Dan."
"Night, Ron." Dan chorused. "Night Neville."
"Night Dan." Neville picked up his wand. " 'Colloportus', 'Nox-Apparecio'."
"Being cautions, are we Neville?" chuckled Dan.
"With the Marauders and the Weasley twins loose in the same house? Too bloody right I am!"
"Point taken. See you in the morning."
With a flip of his wand, Neville put out the wall sconces. Darkness and silence descended . . .but for how long?