Chapter eleven: New

When Dove opened her eyes again there was a dark mass beside her. This time, she recognized that she was in the Hospital Wing- and the figure sleeping soundly in the chair beside her bed, was Severus. She smiled at him, vaguely remembering his carrying her. The bed was surrounded by cards, candy, and flowers. Was that- that was a toilet seat.

"Gifts from your admirers," came Severus' voice, thick and groggy with sleep. He sat up. "You scared me down there. What were you doing?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Is Ron okay? He got hurt."

"Yes, Remus and I went after you and found him. He's perfectly fine, waiting for you. He, Draco, and Granger have been by several times. As well as a certain Fergus."

"It's Fred."

"Like that's any better." He leaned closer and took her hand. "I am so angry I can't even see straight, but you did well. I-I'm proud of how you did things, even if I disapprove of how you went about it- if that makes any sense at all."

Like last time, Albus came through, opening the double doors with his usual flourish of things. With him he brought Remus. "Well?" Severus asked. Remus nodded.

"It's done and ready. We can go at any time."

Albus smiled to Dove. "Well, my dear girl, everything that happened between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so naturally, the whole school knows about it."

"Why couldn't Quirrell touch me?" Dove asked.

Severus and Remus looked at each other and left Albus to answer. "Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. 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."

That evening Fred snuck into the Hospital Wing to see her, and before she could warn him that Severus and Remus were right there, he exploded in strained whispers.

"Are you out of your mind? Going after Blaise Zabini at flying lessons, that was cool. Sending the dragon off to Charlie, amazing. Fighting the troll? That was great! Even the first Quidditch game was pretty fun after we were on the ground. But going after You-Know-Who? You could have gotten yourself really hurt. You could have died! Don't you ever do that again! Did you even think about telling Snape? He's a scary bloke, he could have handled it! Or me!" He stopped his ranting and looked at her, hurt. "Why didn't you come get me? I'd have done anything."

"Ahem." Fred jumped a foot in the air before spinning around. Severus stepped out from the shadows with a raised set of eyebrows. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley for that assessment of my person. Is there a reason you are out past curfew scolding my daughter? Not that I disapprove that is."

"Sorry, sir. I just wanted to make sure she was safe."

"She is."

"Right. Of course. I suppose I'll just be on my way then?"

"Good idea."

Remus chuckled when Fred left. "That was interesting. He really is a good kid, Severus. You should cut him some slack."

Severus grunted.

Dove's reunion with Draco, Hermione, and Ron consisted of Draco not wanting to let her go, Hermione crying, and Ron standing there awkwardly telling her he was glad she didn't die. The feast was superb, but with a twinge of dread. Tomorrow they would depart for the summer and while Dove was excited to go back to Spinners End, she loved Hogwarts. After the feast, Remus and Severus had her come to their chambers.

"Well," Severus started. "I've always thought about moving from Spinners End. It was my childhood home and I can't say I have many good memories there. Nor do I think it is somewhere I want you spending the summers exploring. So, we purchased a house outside of Devon."

"We wanted it to be a surprise." Remus said. "It has a huge back yard, three bedrooms, a great kitchen, a bigger basement for a potions lab…"

"It sounds wonderful," she grinned.

"Oh, but you haven't heard the best part." Severus teased.

Dove furrowed her brow. "What's the best part?"

"Well," Remus said in a wistfully glum voice. "You see we have neighbors. A rather large redheaded family who lives a ten minute walk away."

She furrowed them even more before her face lit up and she threw herself at them both. "Oh my Merlin, I have to tell Fred!"

"Not Ron first? Or Draco?" She blushed before making her excuses.

"Don't forget to write," Hermione said. "All of you."

"You will all have to come over this summer," Dove insisted. "Check out the new place with me. Well, Ron will be right there. But you two!"

Draco rolled his eyes. "We'll probably see each other just about every day anyway or have you forgotten that my mother likes you best?"

"Hermione?" The girl in question hugged her.

"Oh I'll miss all of you! Of course! You and I will have sleep overs."

The four walked toward the boarding train together.

"Dove." Fred jogged up to the group with George. "Room for two more?"

"Always," she said with a shy smile.

"Mum! Dad!" Hermione dragged the others with her through the crowds of King's Cross to a middle aged couple. They smiled upon seeing her. "These are my friends. Dove Potter, Ron Weasley, and Draco Malfoy."

"It's very lovely to meet you, dears." Mrs. Granger said warmly.

Draco gave him poncy bow and kissed her hand. Ron smiled awkwardly. Dove grinned. "Likewise, Mrs. Granger. I was wondering if it would be alright for Hermione to come over sometime this summer?"

The parents looked at each other. "I don't see why not. Why don't we talk it over with your parents?"

"Dove."

"Draco."

"WEASLEY'S"

Right on cue Remus, Severus, Narcissa, Lucius, and Molly found their way to them. After introductions were made, stilted with the Malfoy's- not because of blood purity issues, but because they were so unused to Muggles, everyone said their good byes to each other with another round of promises to stay in touch.

"Let's go home."

~~~
Short, I know, but I really want to move on. Should be up tomorrow or the day after.