Chapter Twenty Three

"Alright, Harry. I'm sorry, but this is the last we're going to see of each other for a while."

I knelt down and put my hands on Harry's shoulders.

"Here's the thing. You know about fixed points, right?" I asked.

He nodded. "We can't change them."

"Good," I said, swallowing. "Listen to me. This year is going to be the beginning of the best years of your life. You will go to a special school, and meet some wonderful people, and after your years in this school, it's never going to stop being amazing."

"But...I won't get to see you," Harry said.

"No," I said, even though it wasn't a question. "I promise, I'll see you again when you're of age. Seven years from now, we will see you again."

Harry figured that she said seven years instead of eight because he was so close to eleven.

"But for now, we must leave, because your next several years are a fixed point," I continued.

Harry nodded in understanding, tears coming to his eyes. "So you can't interfere…."

"No. I'm sorry," I said, leaning forward and embracing him. Behind me, I heard the Doctor enter the Tardis.

"Listen to me," I continued. "You will have an amazing time. You will make friends that would die for you. You meet friends that….do die for you. And you fall in love with an amazingly beautiful and brave girl." I lowered my voice and muttered to myself. "Or maybe a smarmy little git."

"What?" Harry asked.

"Nothing."

Harry gave me a look, before continuing with his questions. "But…some die?"

"Yes," I said. "While I promise you that you will have the time of your life these next years, I can also promise that you will lose many friends, parental figures, people you care about. It won't be that easy. But know that I will always be there with you, keeping an eye on you. I will watch you throughout the years, and though I cannot interfere, I will still be with you."

"You'll always be with me," Harry repeated.

"Yes," I said. The floor I was kneeling on rumbled, as the Doctor took off, taking us back to the Dursleys.

"It will be hard," I said. "It will be frightening. But your friends will get you through it. And, in some cases, even your enemies. You will, time and time again, be surprised on who helps you and how loyal everyone is to you."

"But what if I don't live up to it?" Harry whispered.

"You do. Remember how I told you that everyone was special?" I asked.

Harry nodded.

"The time when you truly discover how special you are is nearly upon you. It's coming, the minute you meet the large man with the umbrella. And then you discover your story. You discover what truly happened with your parents, for your aunt and uncle lied. And you will truly, find a home."

"But I already found it," Harry said. "My home is the Tardis."

"No, Harry," I said, shaking my head. "It's not. Your home is still waiting for you."

We got up and walked into the console room. I pointed to the door. "So go," I said. "Go and find it."

And as he walked away, I quietly said, "I will be with you."

"Always."