"Hermione, would you please just tell us what you're planning?" Ron pleaded.
Yes, the students mixed with those who already graduated, still had no idea what the muggleborn witch was planning. Hermione, however, seemed quite confident that it would help Harry to remember to hold faith and have hope.
"You'll see, Ronald. Be patient." Hermione sighed.
"Look, Granger…I want to help Harry too, he's like a brother to me. But I don't think we should just take this into our own hands without consulting Uncle Severus first. Obviously, he's worked out some kind of treatment plan for Harry to recover. We shouldn't try to interfere with whatever he's got set up." Draco insisted.
"Draco. I know you're worried about Harry. We all are…But this will help." Hermione promised.
"I'm kind'a siding with Draco here…" Angelina added. "You don't know what you have planned will work, Hermione."
"It will. Okay. It will. I know Harry, he's my best friend…" Hermione assured.
"He's our best friend too, Granger, and no one…Including you, knew how upset he actually was. To the point he went missing for almost a full day, and had broken down." Theodore Jr. reminded.
"Ron, tell her that we shouldn't do this." Ginny said. "I don't want to see Harry get worse."
"None of us do, Ginny…But, sorry…I'm on Hermione's side." Ron told the group. "We knew Harry first…Enough that you Slytherins had to come to us for help to find Harry. We knew about the map. I knew the location of the chamber, and I knew Harry spoke Parseltongue in his sleep so much that I could recite it for us to get down there." He added.
"We've spent far more time with Harry than anyone and we know our brother. Well…He's like a brother to me and Hermione, but not that Hermione and I see each other in that way…" He corrected. "I think we should give it a chance. Hermione wouldn't do anything to risk Harry getting worse…"
"I have to agree with Ron and Hermione," Seamus nodded.
"Me too." Dean stated. "They've always been the Golden Trio."
"I also agree that Ron and Hermione know Harry better…They've all been through too much as friends to not know what helps the other." Luna said.
"Yeah…" Neville agreed. "And we all knew something was wrong with Harry after fourth year. It went around the school that he tried to jump off the Astronomy tower until Draco happened to stumble upon and thankfully, stop him." He added.
"And you can't say we didn't know how upset he was…We were all there that night in the infirmary, Blaise, when Harry laid it out for everyone. There was no way that wouldn't have some kind of adverse effect," Ron offered. "What we didn't know was how bad it actually was, and all assumed that Harry just needed time."
"Our little brother has a point…" George and Fred stated in unison.
"There's no harm in giving it a try." Pansy shrugged. "Professor Snape is right here if things backfire,"
"Thank you," Hermione motioned.
"Alright." Draco sighed. "Alright…Try your idea, but I swear, Hermione…If this makes him worse…"
"I understand." Hermione nodded. "But trust me…Harry won't resist this." She pressed a button on the CD player to change the music. "If you know it, sing along…"
As soon as the music changed, Harry seemed to stop what he was doing in the notebook and lift his head slightly, turning it to listen better. Remus noticed it first, how focused Harry suddenly got on the music.
"Harry?" Remus asked. The boy didn't even respond. "What's wrong, cub?"
"Why do you assume something is wrong, Remus?" Severus asked.
"Either he's taken a break from reality or something about the music just got his attention." Remus stated.
"Father in heaven. Holy is your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven…" Hermione had started in, but it didn't take long for Ron to catch on, then so did Luna, Dean and Seamus. "Our father in heaven…" All but the Slytherin students started. It sounded like a choir.
"It's the Our Father." Sirius said.
"The what?" Lucius arched his brow.
"The Lord's Prayer. Huge in Catholicism and Christianity." Remus informed.
"And it's one of Harry's favorite prayers!" Sirius and Remus said together.
"Hermione is a genius…She's going to use the music to help heal him, well…Restore his faith, I guess. I expect after all the bad, he might have lost it…" Sirius said. "Good. Good…He needs something." The man sighed.
"Yes, but from the looks of this…Harry seems like he's about to cry." Severus told them.
"Then let him cry, Severus." Narcissa remarked. "These don't look like sad tears. If anything, Sirius and Remus are right…And Harry's letting the magic of prayer heal him. It won't be instant, but this could help him quite a bit to put his faith into a higher power. Trust that power to always help him."
"Now, sssh. The rest of the song is starting." Sirius hushed them.
"Lead us not into temptation. But God deliver us from the enemy." Harry actually started up with group of friends sang as Hermione and Ron were walking over to Harry and helping him up. Harry just went with it, seeming too entranced to move on his own. Hermione lightly held Harry's hand, then Ron took Harry's other and guided him over to the rest of the students. "Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever…"
There was a pause as Harry's friends were all gathering close, rubbing his back and shoulders.
"Give us each moment, all that we need. Forgive us our sins as we forgive the ones who have sinned against us. Our father in heaven." The group continued, but quieter as Harry was taking lead. "Lead us not into temptation. But God deliver us from the enemy. Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Forever…And evermore! Let your kingdom come to the Earth. Let your will be done in us."
Harry was shaking, Hermione and Ron could feel it. "Come on, Harry…You've got this. Let it in." Hermione told her friend gently.
"Our father have your way on the Earth. Your will be done. Our father have your way on the Earth. Your will be done. Our father! Our father have your way on the Earth. Your will be done." The students were still singing, but Harry seemed to have closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath as his head towards the ceiling.
"Our father have your way on the Earth…Your will be done!" Harry sang out, louder than the rest did. Tears escaped the outside corners of his eyes, down the side of his face. It was clear to see that whatever power everyone had been mentioning was working its magic on Harry because Severus saw the smallest smile crack on the teenager's lips. As if this…New life was breathed into Harry. Power of prayer or whatever. Lily had been like that. Religious.
"Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Forevermore!" Hermione and Ron raised their hands up, simultaneously lifting Harry's too, as if giving praise or worship.
"We sing, yours is the kingdom!" Harry told the others, who now raised their hands.
"Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever." Slowly, their hands began to lower. "And evermore…Amen." Ron and Hermione leaned against Harry, smiling and the teenager instantly wrapped them in a tight hug. Of course, Hermione and Ron hugged Harry back.
"It's alright, mate," Ron comforted.
"We've got you." Hermione added.
"Harry never struck me as the religious type. None of the kids did, actually," Narcissa stated. "But I'll admit, this is moving to see…"
"My kids were never raised on it." Molly stated. "But I agree."
"Our son clearly knows about it, enough to be singing along to it to help his friend." Arthur added. "They know Harry's suffering and miserable; they wanted to do something to help."
"This is Harry's favorite prayer?" Severus asked Sirius.
"Yeah, the Our Father. I believe it goes-," Sirius started.
"I'm quite familiar with the prayer in question, thank you very much, Black." Severus narrowed his eyes. "I'm asking for confirmation that this is his favorite."
"One of. I believe he's also quite fond of the Apostles Creed." Sirius added. "I didn't take you for the religious type, Severus."
"Not overly, but I'm aware of the views and beliefs." Severus mentioned. "Also, you fool, if you knew Lily enough then you'd know she was pretty big on it." He rolled his eyes.
"I knew Lily was into it. I was there for Harry's baptism, ya know. Hence how I was named his godfather!" Sirius countered. Harry stayed in his hug with Hermione and Ron, also getting shoulder and bag rubs from his other friends. "Hermione and Ron mentioned it to us. About Harry being religious, or seemed to be." Sirius remarked quietly.
"Harry would pray at night during hard times at school, or even his muggle relatives. Harry, when he came to live with me, used to play this in his room. Along with a handful of others. I asked him about it once, he told me he believed in a higher power, one that would get him through the bad and it's what he held onto all those years at the Dursleys. It's what kept him strong, having a place to put his own faith. I don't even think he knows he was baptized."
"I remember that conversation…" Remus nodded. "Harry told us that the wizarding world had their faith in him destroying Voldemort, but Harry needed somewhere to put his own faith…He chose God."
The hug finally ended as Hermione and Ron stayed close to Harry while he wiped his eyes dry and tried to compose himself before they walked him back over to the table. Harry sat down and looked up at them. "Thank you. Both of you…I think I needed that."
"We figured you might," Hermione smiled. "It had been Ron's suggestion that maybe you just needed a reminder to have faith and hope. That's what gave me the idea to play your favorite song, which coincides with your favorite prayer. There's healing in prayer, Harry and we felt that maybe if you remembered where you always put your faith for things to get better…It would make you feel better." She explained.
"I did…I needed the reminder. Things have been so dark lately…" Harry sighed softly, but seemed to be content. "I know you two aren't really into it, But I appreciate the fact you banded together with the others to remind me that I'm never truly alone. Not between all of you and the big man," He stated. "Thank you. Seriously…It means the world to me."
"You know we'd do anything for you, Harry," Ron patted his shoulder. "We might not be huge on religion…Well, I'm not. I can't speak for the others, but if it helps you out, mate…I'll learn about whatever just so you don't have to feel alone. Maybe we all need it sometimes, looking to a higher power when things get rough."
"We're just glad you let the light back in." Hermione said. "I'll worship with you any time. We can do prayer circles on Sundays, whatever you want…Just don't scare us like that again. We've been through too much together, but you know we'd go through the fires of hell to save you, Harry."
"You're going to make me cry, again…I've done it so much that it's starting to hurt," Harry said. "But thank you. All of you," He looked to his group of Gryffindor friends. Except for Luna, who was Ravenclaw, and Hannah, who was Hufflepuff.
"We're not familiar with this…Believe in God stuff," Draco started. "But like Granger and Weasley said, we're willing to learn if it helps you to have a…?"
"Prayer group?" Hermione supplied.
"Sure, that. Whatever, as long as it's helping you. We'll pray to whatever, whoever…" Blaise said.
"But you'll have to teach us cause we have no idea aside the basics." Pansy added.
"Think Dumbledore would let us start a prayer thing in the school?" Dean wondered.
"I suppose it's possible," Severus stated. "No law against worshiping what you believe in."
"Well, hey…It's Easter. Today marks the day Jesus was resurrected, overcoming sin and death itself. I don't see a better day to use to get you on the healing path." Hermione stated. "Come on, let's say it. Together…Anyone who knows it." She offered her hand to Harry.
Harry took her hand, then Ron took Hermione's other hand. "I might not know the actual prayer, but I'll always stand with you both." Ron stated.
The rest of the Gryffindor's stepped into the circle. Luna and Hannah joined, then those who had graduated, followed by the Slytherins. They may not know what it was, but it was to help Harry. Molly and Arthur joined, then Remus and Sirius. Narcissa rose and walked over, putting herself next to Draco and Lucius joined his wife, but on Draco's other side. Luna's father stood with his daughter. Sirius was about to take Harry's free hand, but Severus stepped in and took his place next to Harry, making the teenager look at him quickly.
"I was never a believer until I met your mother and I'm still not big on it…But I believe regardless. Your mother would strike me dead if I didn't take part and stand at your side for this." Severus told him.
"Your lead, Harry?" Hermione smiled.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…" Harry began.
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And leads us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, and the power, and the glory are yours now and forever." Those who knew it said it.
"Amen." Harry sighed in what sounded like relief.
"Amen…" The rest replied.
Everyone unlinked hands and went back to their seats to relax. Harry certainly seemed better and everyone knew it had been worth it to join him just now.
"Harry?" Hermione stated.
"Yeah?" Harry replied.
"I don't know why I'm thinking of it, but…I remember we got on the religion talk in first year around Easter time. I stayed back with you and Ron instead of going home." Hermione started.
"Yes, I remember, Hermione…What's your point?" He asked.
"Well, I…Didn't you have a necklace you wore? I remember seeing it…" Hermione wondered.
"Yeah, I remember that. Harry never took it off." Ron recalled.
"Yes, I wore a necklace I never took off. Is that really so shocking?" Harry inquired.
"No, but I suppose I'm wondering what happened to it." Hermione questioned.
"And what was it? We only ever saw the chain, you never took it out from under your shirt." Ron pushed.
Harry looked down at his notebook quietly. "It was my cross…" He told them softly. "Apparently, it was attached to me when Dumbledore dropped me off at the Dursleys. Or, that's what Aunt Petunia said anyway. I found it when I was about six, she had me helping her clean the attic. I found a box of baby stuff, she told me it was mine. Just the blanket I'd been wrapped in, and a cross at the bottom of the crate."
"I asked her if I could have it, and she nodded. Told me to go ahead. Payment for doing such a good cleaning job. I started wearing it all the time, never wanting to take it off. Petunia told me she knew it had been my mother's. Something about their parents having both gifted them one as children before she and her sister stopped getting along or grew apart." He informed.
"So…How come you don't wear it anymore, pup? I'd think you'd never let something like that go. I remember it, she took it off her neck during your baptism…Gifted it to you for when you got older." Sirius said. "I'm the one who wrapped you up in the blanket and grabbed the necklace. When Hagrid took you, I made sure the cross went too. I knew your mother would want you to have it."
"I didn't lose it on purpose, Uncle Siri…" Harry told him. "Vernon took it, when first year ended…When I ended up back at their house. He told me freaks don't get to have nice things. I tried to get it back, and he threw me into a wall before tossing it into the fire. Vernon said God doesn't accept freaks and beat me until I couldn't move. Left me on the floor, conscious…Watching the cross burn into nothing."
"H-he what?! Why that-…I'll kill him." Sirius said.
"Enough." Harry stopped the man. "He's no more worth you going back to prison than Pettigrew is. It's just a necklace, and killing him won't magically repair something that was destroyed five years ago." He added.
"But Harry…This wasn't some necklace, it was important to you!" Remus sided with Sirius. "Why wouldn't you want to hurt him, make him suffer?"
"Neither one of you is going after Vernon, so sit down and chill. Revenge doesn't change the past. Torturing or killing him won't change what he's done. I won't stoop to his level and do back to him what was done to me." Harry said. "Punishing violence with violence…Is beneath me."
"Well said, Harry." Narcissa stated gently.
"The cross doesn't make me a believer. It was just a symbol of what I believed. And yes, it had meaning to me…But it doesn't change my beliefs just because it's gone. Maybe I lost my way for a little bit with everything going on, but I never stopped believing and I never will. My God will always be here for me when I need him. And all he asks in return is my undying love, faith, and loyalty." Harry informed.
"Most people believe that God isn't there because bad things still happen. And it took me a long time to understand that God doesn't stop what happens to you; he gives you what you need to hang on and get through it. Everyone calls me a survivor, I've never have made it this long without my God." He said. "As long as I do not abandon him, he won't abandon me. I have never walked alone. Everything I've been through in my life, my God has been there giving me the strength to keep going."
"You sound like your mother," Severus chuckled. "I wasn't a believer before her, as I mentioned before. Told her it was foolish to believe in something you couldn't see…I asked her where God was when my father was beating me and my mother. I swear she said the same thing you just did, she said that seeing isn't believing but that believing is seeing. I didn't understand until she told me to try."
"I still got my ass beat…But I did what your mother told me to. To believe that God would be there for me and I did. I still didn't see him, but I felt better…Found the strength to get off the floor and tell myself that it wouldn't be like this forever." He explained. "Your mother made me a believer. Not as heavy as she, but she insisted we always pray together on Sundays…" Severus paused. "This cross…What did it look like?"
"It's been five years, Sev…I barely remember it. I just know it was a cross that belonged to my mum. Might have been gold, could just as easily be silver too." Harry admitted. "A picture might jog my memory, but I'm not about to go through every album I have of mum to find it."
Severus's hands went to his collar and pulled out a silver chain with a cross dangling from it. The cross sat inside of an infinity symbol, which, at the top, looked something like a heart. Along the sides of the infinity showed little footprints. "It represents eternal love and faithfulness to God, that he always walks beside his children." Severus said.
"It's beautiful…" Harry admired.
"Your mother gave it to me, our first Easter at Hogwarts. It was actually hers, and she duplicated it when I told her I believed…I've never taken it off." Severus informed before he unclipped it from around his neck.
"What-Sev, what are you doing?" Harry asked. Severus adjusted to set it around Harry's neck and clip it in place. "Severus, no…This is yours. Mum gave it to you…I'm not taking it."
"And now you sound like me." Severus chuckled a little. "The thing is, Harry…Your mother didn't give you her original one because I have had it all these years." Severus explained. "Your mother gifted me this, as I said. I told her that I couldn't take it because it was hers. She did duplicate it, but she took the copy." He informed.
"Rightfully, as Sirius said, this belongs to you. Your mother wanted you to have it. You're not taking it from me, I'm giving it to you. It's what your mother told me when I argued about her giving it up. You're not taking it, Severus, I'm giving it to you." He repeated. "You need it, I can tell how upset you are about losing it once it was brought up. This has meaning to you. I want you to have it."
"But it's a piece of mom she gave to you…" Harry said.
"And I will always care about her, Harry. But she and I were not meant to be. She was James's soulmate…Perhaps I didn't really love her in that way, just the fact that she was important to me as my friend, who I lost. You, Harry, are my soulmate. I'll always have a piece of my friend through you. Are we not friends in our relationship?" Severus smiled some. Harry looked down at the cross, his fingers touching the metal. "You can't deny the feeling you have right now wearing that again. You're happy, that's all I care about."
Harry held his hand over the cross. "That's a problem because I care about your happiness, so let's repeat history, shall we?" Harry grabbed his wand and tapped the cross. "Geminio." The necklace was duplicated. "Page out of mum's book," He winked. Harry leaned to place the double around Severus's neck and clasped it in place. "Now, we can both have one to remember her by."
"Thank you, Harry…" Severus smiled.
"Oh, my God…" Narcissa sighed. "KISS ALREADY!"
"Cissy!" Sirius choked.
"Narcissa!" Lucius scolded.
"Mother!" Draco paled.
While everyone else ended up laughing at the woman's demand, Harry and Severus leaned in and shared a semi-deep kiss and it only broke because they saw a flash go off and realized Narcissa only did it to capture the moment on camera. Shrugging it off, they kissed again, a short one this time and the party resumed.
