Chapter 44: "Don't pull out any of them feathers!"
"Ah Ha!" shouted Tom, as he came around the corner and spotted Draco and Emma emerging from the Library. "I knew you'd wind up here! Couldn't resist, could you?"
Emma was smiling as Draco and she walked toward Tom, Fred, George and Neville coming around the corner behind him.
"Of course I'm going to take a peek at the Library, but I've also seen the Potions lab and Professor Flitwick's classroom. You?" she asked.
"Astronomy Tower, Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and now we're heading for the stairs to take a ride!" Tom answered. "Want to come along?"
"Sure, we were headed in that general direction," Draco answered, giving Emma's hand a squeeze. "But on the way we were going to check out a few of the short cuts and secret passages, which I believe are your area of expertise," he added, turning to the Weasley twins.
"Right you are, Draco!" Fred grinned.
"Follow us!" declared George, leading the way.
"Neville, I've been meaning to ask you," Emma slipped her arm through Neville's as they all walked down the hallway. "How are your parents doing?"
"Oh, well, about the same as always. Thanks for asking, Emma." Neville gave her a small smile.
"Please tell me if this is too personal, but has anyone ever tried using 'Legilimency' to see if they could help them?"
"Well, I wasn't old enough when it happened to remember what tests were run when they first got to St. Mungo's, but I don't think they've had any psychotherapy, as I believe the Muggles call it."
"Perhaps that's something you could suggest; if there is a Healer who does know how to do "Legilimency' they might be able to help your folks on that level, from within."
Draco and Neville both stopped and looked at Emma and then each other, then back at Emma.
"That's bloody brilliant, Emma," Draco said. "I'll help you find someone, Neville. Perhaps Father could ask over in the States; they seem to use more Muggle ways with their Healing methods over there . . . maybe they already do that kind of treatment."
"Thanks, Draco, I'd appreciate that," grinned Neville. He reached out and gathered Emma in a bear hug, kissing her on the top of her head. "I love you, Emma!"
"Hey!" Draco barked. "Unhand my woman!"
Emma was giggling and pushed Draco back. "Behave yourself, Draco! Neville is spoken for! You've got nothing to worry about! . . . Still . . . " She took each of them by the arm and continued down the corridor, Wizard on either side of her. "It doesn't get much better than this!"
X X X
"I don't like those stairs moving," declared Emma, as she hopped off the bottom step of the last staircase leading to the ground floor. "Ah, back on solid ground!"
"That's why I was glad to be in Slytherin; I could get to my dorm without using them, but the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were stuck." Draco said, as he joined her.
"Here they come," Ron called over his shoulder to the others waiting in the entrance hall, as he walked up to Draco and Emma. "I was sent to see where you all had wandered." Then he looked toward his brothers, who were racing Tom and Neville up one moving set of stairs and down another. "Oy! You lot are gonna be late if you don't stop goofing off!"
"You sound like Mum, Ron!" Fred laughed, as he slid down the banister, jumping off at the late second to land, "Ta Da!", in front of his younger sibling .
"Yeah!" added George, as he caught up to Fred. "Relax and enjoy, bro!"
Tom and Neville came clattering down the steps and joined the group.
"That was insane!" Tom exclaimed! "Real stairs are going to be SO boring!"
"Well, it wasn't fun when those stairs sent you five minutes out of your way and you were already late for class, was it, mate?!" Neville told him. "Especially Snape's!"
"HEY!" Ron interrupted, "Everyone is waiting at the doors, ready to head to Hagrid's!"
"So, why are you holding us up, running your mouth? You sound like Percy!" Fred exclaimed.
"Quite inconsiderate of you, Ron, old man!" George added, as they walked past Ron, who was standing there with his mouth open, sputtering.
"Me? ME!?"
Draco and Emma were laughing, much to everyone's relief, when the stragglers met up with the others by the doors to the courtyard.
X X X
As they approached Hagrid's hut, barking was heard coming from within.
"Oh, that reminds me." Harry turned to the visitors. "Fang died a couple of years ago, and Hagrid has a new dog."
"Horse is more like it," Ron laughed. "If you thought Fang was big, wait until you see . . "
"Seymour! Come here, ya daft dog!" Hagrid bellowed from the open front door of his hut, as he watched his huge Irish Wolfhound bounding toward his guests. Sirius quickly stepped in front of the group and growled. Seymour skidded to a halt, ears up, scanning the group for the other canine he was sure must be somewhere in this gang of humans. Then his nose caught Sirius' scent and his tail started wagging. Trotting up to the Animagus, he reared up, putting his paws on Sirius' shoulders and proceeded to lick his new found friend's face.
"Seems to recognize his own kind," Remus laughed, as Sirius petted his grey haired welcoming committee.
"I wonder what he'll think of you, Mooney?" Sirius shot back, as he set Seymour's paws on the ground and patted his back. The dog wagged his tail and then proceeded to circulate through the crowd, getting petted, ears scratched and generally spoiled. He gave Remus one 'woof', but then continued his exploration of the group.
As Hagrid arrived on the scene, he apologized for Seymour' manners. "He's still a pup, after all."
"'Pup!?" Rupert exclaimed! "I've seen Shetland ponies smaller than that dog of yours, Hagrid. Just how big will he get?"
"Well, he's a bit more 'en six months, so he's about full grown, just has to fill out a little," Hagrid informed Rupert. "So, you all have come to visit some 'o my Forbidden Forest creatures, eh?"
"We'd love to say hello to Buckbeak," Dan said. "Think he'll remember us?"
"Ah, sure he will . . . come on, he's right over here in his paddock." Hagrid turned and led the way over to the edge of the trees and then down a short path.
"It never made much sense to me to keep Buckbeak in a corral, when he can fly," laughed Rupert. "Oh, look, there he is!"
Buckbeak, hearing voices, had walked into the center of the paddock, then stood, watching the humans approach. Everyone stopped and bowed to Buckbeak and then waited for him to lower his head in greeting. After nodding to them, the Hippogriff walked toward over, tail swishing. He burr'd as he was petted and stroked by his visitors.
"Dan, do you want to take a ride?" Harry asked. "I'll go with you,"
"Could we?" Dan asked, wide eyed, looking to Hagrid for permission.
"Sure, it'll be good exercise for Beaky, and you'll have a great view of the castle when he swings around over the lake.
"Okay, I'm game!" Dan grinned.
Before he could change his mind, Hagrid had hoisted both Dan and Harry onto Buckbeak's back.
"Don't pull out none of them feathers!" he called out, as the Hippogriff took a running start and then spread his wings and took off, to cheers from the rest of the onlookers.
Emma heard a small noise off to the right and turning, saw a golden colt standing just outside of the fence that backed up on the Forbidden Forest, watching them with enormous jet black eyes.
"Oh, look!"she exclaimed, walking over to gaze over the railing at the diminutive horse. It turned huge eyes to her and blinked.
Seeing a gate not far down the fence, Emma let herself out and slowly walked over to the tiny creature. The colt hesitated a moment and then stretched out its muzzle to sniff her outstretched hand. Deciding that Emma posed no threat, it took a step toward her. Emma ran her finger down its velvety muzzle and then stroked its neck. She looked back toward the fence to say something to Draco, but was astonished to see the entire group standing at the railing watching her, most with their mouths open in surprise.
"What?"
"Emma, do you know what that is you're petting?" Draco asked.
"Well, it's certainly nothing dangerous, Draco. It's a colt . . . and isn't she a darling? I've never seen such a beautiful palomino," she replied, admiring her new little friend.
Draco smiled, shaking his head. "Think, Emma . . . why would there be a palomino at Hogwarts?"
"As many strange creatures as there are in this forest, why not?" she answered.
"Look," instructed Draco, pointed to something behind Emma.
Turning her head, Emma saw a gleaming white unicorn approaching. Gasping, Emma stood there, not moving, although her hand still absently stroking the colt's head.
Hagrid smiled. "That there is Starlight, Emma, the wee one's mum, don't 'ya know."
Emma looked down at the golden body of the miniature, horse like creature. "But, why is the baby gold? And where's its horn?"
"All unicorns are born gold colored, Emma," Hagrid informed her. "And they start turning white and growing their horn after they're weaned."
"Oh," Emma replied quietly, as Starlight walked up, sniffed her, then nodded her head. Emma reached out and patted the wondrous creature on her neck. "Starlight, you have a beautiful daughter," she managed to whisper, but then giggled when the proud mother nodded her agreement. "What's the baby's name, Hagrid?"
"Don't have one yet, Emma," Hagrid said, but then smiled. "Hey, Starlight." The unicorn turned her head to the Gamekeeper, ears cocked. "How does the name Emma sound to you?"
Starlight stood thinking for a second, then turned and looked at the Muggle standing in front of her, blinked her eyes with their outrageously long eyelashes and then nodded, putting her head down and nuzzling her colt.
Emma's eyes filled with tears as she knelt down and put her arms around the little unicorn's neck and gave her a gentle hug. "Hello, Emma. Do you like that name? I'm rather fond of it, myself."
Little Emma rubbed her head against this nice human. Even as young as she was, she knew this one was different, somehow. She didn't sense any Magic, which confused, but didn't frighten her. Glancing up at her mother, she saw a nod of approval and she understood it was fine to be friends with this visitor.
Hermione was standing next to Draco, her eyes wide. Draco glanced sideways at her, smiling. "I don't see the unicorns coming up to any of us," he whispered wickedly. "Guess Emma's the only virgin left in this lot."
Hermione slammed her hand over her lips to stop the shriek of laughter from exploding out of her mouth, but at the same time, she used her other hand to slap Draco on the arm.
"Ow!"
X X X
Tom and Rupert also took turns having a ride on Buckbeak, but Emma wasn't keen on that idea, at all. "When I had to 'ride' the animatronic Beaky during filming I was scared to death and we were only about six or eight feet off the floor, with padding under us! So, thanks, but no thanks. No offense, Buckbeak."
The Hippogriff looked at her and then snorted and shook his head. 'Silly human.'
Sirius was being followed everywhere by Seymour, who was intrigued by this human who just reeked, as far as Seymour's nose was concerned, of dog. Finally, Sirius couldn't stand it any longer. He turned to the wolfhound, "Really?" Seymour barked, then sat, tongue out, waiting. Sirius rolled his eyes, "Bloody hell." He changed into his 'Animagus' form and took off running, Seymour gambling after him, his long legs making it easy for him to keep up with the black dog who was weaving and dodging around the trees, barking at his new playmate.
"It's probably best if Sirius keeps Seymour busy while we go to see the Thestrals," Hagrid laughed. "He's too excitable, yet, our Seymour, and might aggravate them," he added, as he shouldered a half a steer carcass and headed down a path into the Forbidden Forest, everyone falling into step behind him.
"Do you want to go?" Draco asked Emma quietly, his hand grasping her arm, holding her back as the others followed Hagrid.
"Well, since I can't see them, I'd rather take a walk around the grounds, if you don't mind," she answered, looking up into his eyes.
"Right." He put his arm around her shoulder and called to Harry, "Potter! We're going for a walk. We'll catch up at the Quidditch Pitch."
Harry looked back from the beginning of the path, nodded and then lifted his hand, shooing them off. Draco smiled at him.
X X X
Lucius and Narcissa were strolling across the bridge, heading into the school, when a movement on the lawn below caught Lucius' eye. "Is that Draco?" he asked his wife, pointing.
Shading her eyes against the glare from the lake, Cissa watched as two people walked slowly, arms around each other, toward the shoreline. Turning, she hooked her arm into Lucius' and pulled him away from the railing.
"Indeed, it does seem to be our son . . . and Emma," she added, a smile on her face.
"I wonder what's going on?" Lucius kept trying to peek over the banister at the couple below, even as Narcissa dragged him relentlessly forward.
"Whatever is 'going on' between our son and that very nice young lady, is none of our business, dear," she reminded him. "She'll be leaving, forever, in a few hours, so we'll let them have their time alone."
"But," Lucius started to argue, however, Cissa cut him off.
"Darling, remember when you and I took walks by the lake? We'd have been more than upset if we were interrupted, so let's leave them alone."
"Oh, indeed I do remember . . . that's why I want to keep an eye on those two."
"Lucius Malfoy! Draco is a grown man, not a student . . . butt out!" Narcissa laughed at the outraged look on her husband's face, but then he shook his head, smiling.
"You're right, darling, I guess I just had a flashback to when Draco was a student here and my protective instincts kicked in," Lucius admitted.
"Who were you thinking of protecting, dear; Draco or Emma?" Narcissa looked up at him, smile on her face.
"Actually," Lucius stopped walking, frown on his face, "I don't have a clue."
Narcissa laughed and then took his hand, kissed his cheek and they continued into the Entrance Hall.
X X X
Rupert and Dan stood watching as bits and pieces of the steer carcass were torn away and then saw them disappear after being lifted into the air.
"Blimey, that's so weird to watch," Rupert exclaimed.
Dan turned to Ron and Hermione. "You two rode on these invisible horses to London, to the Ministry? Bloody Hell! Imagine flying through the air with nothing under you!" He shook his head in astonishment.
"Well," Ron admitted, "We could feel that they were under us, so to speak, and I didn't mind so much; I was used to broom riding."
"I was petrified, but just closed my eyes and clung to mine for dear life." Hermione shook her head at the memory. "Now, of course, after the War and all, we can see them. They are so strangely majestic."
Luna led Rupert forward and took his hand, placing it on the neck of the closest Thestral.
"Whoa, that's the softest skin . . . almost silky," he exclaimed. "And it's a bit taller than I imagined." Reaching along the neck, his hand encountered the folded wing. "What's the wingspan, Luna?"
"Oh, about twenty feet, I should think," Luna replied, as she also petted Tenebrus, Hagrid's favorite.
"They look almost exactly like the ones in the movie, Rupert," Tom told him, as he stood admiring the creatures. "Except, they look a tad more reptilian and are as black as midnight."
Tonks, Ginny and Hermione were standing back from the rest of the group, heads together, whispering.
"I think we were a bit off base about Draco and his motives," Hermione said.
"Well, it's been a while since we've been anywhere near a unicorn, but if there was ever a way to tell that there was no fooling around, save for some serious snogging last night, that proved it, as far as I'm concerned," Ginny nodded.
"Remember when the unicorns wouldn't go near Pansy Parkinson?" snickered Hermione.
"Really?" Tonks gasped, then smothered her laughter, as Remus walked over.
"What's so funny?" he asked, as he put his arm around his wife.
"The marvelous way Emma had with that unicorn colt; wasn't frightened at all, even when mother walked up to her." Hermione explained.
"Ah, I see, and the fact that it proved she's still a virgin, even after we all saw her asleep in Draco's arms, has nothing to do with your giggling, eh?" Remus raised an eyebrow.
"No, it doesn't . . . we were actually talking about Pansy Parkinson," Ginny smiled.
Remus looked skeptical. "How odd." He rolled his eyes and walked away, shaking his head, while the three women convulsed in laughter.
X X X
Emma and Draco had followed the shoreline, hand in hand, until they reached a row of bushes, which marked the beginning of the lakeside part of the Forbidden Forest. Draco had led Emma around the first couple of rhododendrons onto a path, which wound through some tall pine trees to a little point of land jutting out into the lake. Surprisingly, there was a bench situated so the whole vista of the lake was there to enjoy. Sitting down, Draco pulled Emma onto his lap, his arms around her, as she lay her head on his shoulder.
"I have to ask you a question, Emma," Draco said, his voice low and calm.
"What?" Emma lifted her head and turned to gaze at him.
"Don't blurt out the first thing that pops into your mind, but do you know why I can't let you retain your memories of me . . . or this world?"
Emma's eyebrows drew together and she turned her head to look out over the water. It was several minutes before she turned to look at this blond man who she loved, his ice blue eyes boring into hers as if he was seeking her answer.
It suddenly occurred to her that he could, indeed, be reading her mind. She knew that wasn't quite polite, by Wizarding standards, but she frankly thought it might help him understand, if he could see her thoughts. So, smiling, she mentally tried to let go of any defenses or thoughts of indignation at his invasion of her mind and let him see her answer.
'Draco, I'm more of a danger to you and the rest of the Wizarding World, than you are to my life. Simply because of the movies . . . practically the whole world knows you and me by sight . . . well, Tom and me . . . you're fictional. But if you were spotted for who you really are, it would ruin all of the hard work that generations of Wizarding folk have done to keep you world's existence a secret.
'I'm the danger, not you, not the Magic, but Muggle me . . .it would devastate your whole life and the lives of all of those people we saved . . . it would be a fate worse than Voldemort . . . I take that back, he'd have attacked us Muggles and destroyed our world.
'As much as I love you, I can't be that selfish; we tried so hard to help you all and then I could ruin it by insisting on being with you . . . I'm too much of a Gryffindor; I won't jeopardize all that Harry, you . . . everyone went through . . . I can't . . . I know that . . . but I do love you . . . even when I can't remember you . . . I'll still love you.'
Tears were streaming down her face, even as Draco mentally backed away from her thoughts and focused on her face. He hugged her to his chest and rubbed her back as she sobbed.
"Oh Emma . . . I shouldn't have done that, but I had to see . . . I had to make sure that you understand why I have to let you go back . . . without the memory of me." Draco held her close, his own tears falling. "I made all of this possible, when I fixed and improved the 'Time Turners', but I had no clue that it would be the best and worst idea of my life. I have to let you go because I made it all happen."
Emma lifted her face from his shoulder and took Draco's face in her hands. "Draco Malfoy, I don't want to hear you talk like that . . . I wouldn't have missed this whole adventure for the world! You did a wonderful thing for the Wizarding World! Your 'Time Turner' is brilliant! AND, having found you, having fallen in love with you, knowing you love me . . . it is worth having to go back . . . to keep you safe . . . to keep your world safe . . . I can live with that . . . I can do that . . . and I want you to know I will remember you . . . 'Time Turner' or no 'Time Turner' . . . somewhere in the recesses of my brain . . . you'll be there . . . in my dreams . . . when I see the movies or run into Tom, some little part of my brain will sound a tiny bell . . . I will remember I love you!"
Draco pulled her into his arms, tears falling, sobbing while Emma stroked his back, whispering in his ear, and finally reaching in her pocket for some tissues for them both to use. There was no need to apologize or be ashamed of showing his raw emotions to this lovely woman that he loved, he knew she understood and more importantly, accepted what had to happen. Now, he believed he could face his future, too . . .without her.
X X X
"Hey, you lot!" Sirius yelled, when he spotted the group returning with Hagrid. "We'd better hurry up, the kids are waiting for us over at the Quidditch Pitch!"
"Oh, that's right, gang. We'd better hurry," Harry urged everyone.
"See you at lunch Hagrid!" Dan called.
"Thanks for showing us the Thestrals, even if we couldn't see them, " Ron added, as he hurried after the others.
"Right! See all of you in a bit!" Hagrid waved.