Written in the Stars - Words on Wings

Words on Wings

The previous evening had been surreal. From the Death Eaters attacking Diagon Alley so brazenly, to the unexpected arrival of his friends; Harry had thought he had been experiencing something of a fever dream.

But he hadn’t.

All of it had occurred as vividly as he remembered, and as he pondered it once more in the shower, he felt an undying gratitude towards those that had come to assist him.

He was fortunate to have friends like those he had, and he would always be appreciative for what they had done for him, despite the danger they had placed themselves in.

It was not something that rested easy with him, but Cain had been right.

Harry would do the same for each and every one of them, so he could not find it within himself to plead with them to not involve themselves.

Their choices were their own, and it was not his place to interfere, even if he wanted to.

Turning off the shower, he wrapped a towel around himself before re-entering his adjoining bedroom, pausing as he caught sight of the girl sitting casually on the edge of his bed.

“How did you get in here?” he asked, feeling rather exposed.

It wasn’t as though Lucinda had not seen him in such a state of undress, but it was odd that he was in his own room.

Still, he could not prevent his mind drifting to the night they had shared in the hot spring.

It was one of his most treasured memories, after all, and not merely for what had happened between them.

Neither had handled the aftermath particularly well and had chosen not to discuss it.

Perhaps they should have, then Harry would not be feeling as he was in this moment.

It wasn’t awkwardness as such, but an uncertainty on what he should say or do.

“Do you really think a locked would stop me?” the vampire snorted.

“No,” Harry chuckled.

It was strange to see her out of her uniform, and he had almost forgotten her style of fashion.

The corset, leather trousers and boots were much more flattering than the Durmstrang robes.

Lucinda noticed his gaze sweeping over her, and she quirked an eyebrow in his direction.

“She came back then?” she questioned, nodding towards the thunderbird perched and sleeping at the end of the bed, choosing to ignore the atmosphere between herself and Harry.

“She did,” Harry confirmed eying the creature fondly.

He had spent such little time in her company, but he already felt affection and kinship with her.

She had saved his life and came back to him when he needed her once more.

“Is it the same one who…?”

Harry nodded.

“It’s her,” he answered quietly. “I can feel her magic within me.”

Lucinda smiled at the slumbering bird.

“Do you think she will stay?”

Harry shrugged.

“I think we have bonded,” he mused aloud, “but she’s no pet. She doesn’t belong to me.”

“But if she feels the same connection, then she will be drawn to you.”

“I suppose that’s possible,” Harry replied thoughtfully. “I hope she stays. It just feels right having her here.”

“And what about me?” Lucinda questioned almost worriedly. “Is it strange?”

Harry shook his head.

“No,” he snorted. “Finding you lurking around has become quite familiar over the past six or so years.”

“Lurking around?” Lucinda returned. “If you remember, Potter, you invited me to your little love nest.”

“The hot spring isn’t a love nest, and I didn’t know that would happen.”

“But you thought about it.”

“Didn’t you?”

Lucinda grinned.

“More times than you can imagine,” she replied easily.

Harry did not know what to say and the vampire giggled at him.

“You’re too easy.”

“You weren’t so difficult yourself,” Harry quipped.

Lucinda narrowed her eyes at him, and Harry knew that he was in trouble.

“Wait…”

“I’m going to give you to the count of ten to start running,” she warned.

Harry’s eyes widened, his gaze shifting towards the wand on his bedside table.

Lucinda did not miss it and laughed at his predicament.

“We both know you are not quick enough to reach it,” she teased.

“Bloody hell, I’m only wearing a towel!” Harry protested.

“You only have five seconds,” Lucinda cooed.

Without any further hesitation, Harry sprinted for the door, holding desperately onto his towel as he passed through it and made his way down the stairs.

“Ready or not, Harry.”

Harry cringed as he heard the speed of her footfalls and prayed that he could find somewhere to hide before she reached him.

(Break)

Sirius took a sip of his morning coffee, placing it back on the table as three of the four teenagers that arrived last night entered the kitchen. Harry had told him much about his friends already, but he didn’t know them.

“How did you sleep?” he asked the trio.

“I’m not complaining,” Jonas replied. “After spending years sharing a room with him and his snoring, it’s luxury having a room to myself,” he added, jerking a thumb towards the werewolf.

“Says you,” Cain muttered. “It’s like sleeping near a walrus.”

The girl, Eleanor, shook her head.

“They’re always squabbling,” she explained. “Sometimes, they just need their heads banging together.”

Sirius chuckled as he took another sip of his coffee.

“I remember when I used to have to share a room at school,” he mused aloud. “Remus was a nightmare, but James found a way of shutting him up.”

“James was Harry’s father, wasn’t he?” Eleanor asked curiously.

Sirius nodded, a fond smile cresting his lips.

“What was he like?”

“A pain in the arse at times,” Sirius snorted. “He could be quite arrogant, but you would never meet someone as kind as him, or the other Potters. They took me in without question when I left home.”

“Sounds a little like Harry,” Jonas commented.

“He’s like both of them, James and Lily,” Sirius continued, “but a lot like his grandfather too. It was the worst day of my life when I heard what happened to his parents. They deserved much better, especially Harry.”

“What was his mum like?” Eleanor asked.

“Lily was a very sweet woman, but not one you wanted to get on the wrong side of. I learnt that the hard way a few times, but she was good for James. I love and miss them both dearly. They’d be proud of Harry.”

Sirius frowned as the sound of running feet sounded from above.

“What the bloody hell is that?”

“I expect Harry has found a way to already annoy Lucinda,” Eleanor sighed.

“Ready or not, Harry.”

Only a few seconds passed before Harry, wearing only a towel and an expression of panic burst into the room.

“Hide me!” he pleaded.

Before any could comprehend what was happening, Harry was lifted into the air by a shadowy blur and slammed onto the table.

In little more than a blink of an eye, the vampire girl was mounted on top of him, grinning gleefully.

“Still not quick enough,” she whispered, licking her elongated fangs.

“When am I ever going to be quick enough?” Harry grumbled.

“Then you should learn to hold your tongue,” Lucinda urged.

“You cheated!”

“I used what advantage I had available to me,” the vampire countered. “Is that not what you told all of us to do?”

“What is going on?” Sirius questioned confusedly.

“You get used to this,” Eleanor sighed. “It’s been like it since they first met. Harry says something that Lucinda takes exception to, and well…” she broke off, pointing to the duo.

The vampire was sitting atop Harry, their faces barely an inch apart.

“Truce?” the latter asked.

Lucinda hummed.

“For now,” she agreed before running her tongue along the length of Harry’s neck. “Do not push me, Potter,” she whispered. “It would be all too easy.”

With her final words given, she stood before sliding into a seat next to Eleanor as though nothing happened.

“What’s for breakfast,” she asked.

“I don’t know, but after what I saw up his towel, I don’t want sausages,” Jonas grumbled, grimacing at Harry as he worked his way off the table.

“Oh, shut up,” Harry muttered, narrowing his eyes at the smiling Lucinda.

“Does she kick the shit out of you often?” Sirius snorted.

Harry shrugged.

“It’s just a little game we play,” Lucinda answered. “He likes it really. If he didn’t, you would have thought that someone as bright as him would have learned after almost seven years.”

“She’s got a point, Harry,” Cain piped up.

“You can shut up too,” Harry huffed eliciting a grin in response.

“Lord Black,” Elgar addressed Harry as he appeared in the room. “This just arrived for you.”

Harry frowned as he accepted the envelope adorned with the Ministry seal.

“An emergency Wizengamot meeting,” he explained as he read the missive. “I suppose I should get dressed.”

“Harry, what is that scar on your chest?” Sirius questioned.

“A story for another time,” his godson answered as he left the room.

“Will he be alright?” Eleanor asked. “They’ll be discussing what happened last night.”

“Harry will be fine,” Sirius murmured, his mind distracted by the rather prominent scar he had spotted. “He’s running rings around the other Lords and Ladies.”

(Break)

Although the atmosphere within the Wizengamot chambers was tense, it was notably less so without the presence of the Dementors that Harry had experienced during his first meeting here.

It had taken him less than twenty minutes after he had received the missive to arrive and take his seat, with ten of those minutes convincing the thunderbird that it was best that she remained behind.

She was not pleased but had eventually chosen to go back to sleep.

It would take some time for Harry to understand her, though he was looking forward to exploring their relationship.

Evidently, she was already rather protective of him and wished to accompany him here where he would undoubtedly face hostility.

The other Lords and Ladies had watched his entrance with interest, and some had even offered him nods of greeting as he had taken his seat next to the vacant one of Lord Boot.

There would likely be many more of those before the war was concluded.

Instead of engaging in some of the rather animated conversations taking place around him, Harry had chosen to listen to what was in earshot as he took in the other occupants.

The public gallery, unlike last time, was full to capacity with journalists who were waiting keenly for the meeting to get underway, and as a visibly tired Cornelius Fudge entered with his entourage, they didn’t have to wait long.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I call this meeting of the Wizengamot to order,” Dumbledore declared, tapping his podium smartly with a gavel and silencing the room. “Minister Fudge, it was you that requested this gathering. Please proceed when you are ready.”

The Minister merely nodded as he approached his own podium, clearing his throat as he shuffled a thick stack of parchment.

“I have called you here today to discuss the events of last night,” he informed them. “As you can see, I have requested that members of the media are present so that they may also receive my report.”

The journalists immediately began scratching away with their quills and Fudge allowed them a moment to finish before speaking once more.

“Last night, a large group of witches and wizards took it upon themselves to attack various establishments within Diagon Alley. In the ensuing chaos, seventeen of the attackers were killed, and though investigations are ongoing, no other fatalities have been reported.”

Again, he allowed the journalists a moment to note down the information.

“Unfortunately, the aurors were unable to reach the scene in a timely manner, but upon their arrival, the attackers were in the process of fleeing, resulting in no arrests being made. The deceased are currently being processed, and their identities will be released when this is complete,” the Minister explained. “I wish to assure the public that everything in the power of the Ministry is being done to ascertain what happened and what measures are needed to ensure it is not repeated. That concludes my statement, and I will now open the floor to questions.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully as Fudge finished speaking.

For once, the man came across as competent, though if that would continue remained to be seen.

“Minister, what of the rumours of a thunderbird being present during the attack?” Lord Greengrass questioned.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that such a creature was involved,” Fudge replied.

“Of course, Minister, but I believe Lord Potter can, can’t you?” Tiberius Ogden spoke up.

The other Lords and Ladies whispered amongst themselves as Harry stood.

“If you are asking if I was present, you would be correct, Lord Ogden,” Harry confirmed. “There is no point in denying it as there are likely dozens of witnesses who would have seen me there. I did what I could to protect the fleeing crowds and the businesses that support our economy.”

Upon hearing his admission, the Lords and Ladies began whispering to one another once more.

“Then you have my gratitude,” Lord Davies declared as he stood. “My wife and mother were dining in the alley when the attack took place.”

“Gratitude?” Lord Nott scoffed as he stood. “If his claims are true, Potter killed several people last night. Are we to simply allow this?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at the man.

He had no idea how lucky he was that he had lived to see another day.

Had the attack not taken place, Lord Nott would have been disposed of.

“Are you suggesting he be punished for defending those that were there?” Lord Greengrass questioned. “What an absurd notion. Lord Potter should be rewarded.”

Many of the others murmured their agreement but Harry held up a hand to silence them.

“I do not seek reward,” he said firmly. “I wish to simply put an end to this madness. Most of you believed that these attacks were being carried out only by those that had escaped Azkaban, but last night proves otherwise. You may not wish to admit that the Dark Lord has returned, but none within this room can deny that this is a bigger problem than what you believed. There were dozens of masked men and women in the alley last night, a force much larger than that of the aurors. It is deeply concerning to say the least, and I for one wish to know what it to be done about it?”

The Lords and Ladies seated around Harry offered their support, demanding the very same be explained to them.

“What is to be done about an isolated incident that saw the deaths of only the attackers?” Lucius Malfoy asked as he stood. “I believe we should be cautious in deciding a course of action. Property damage can be fixed, after all.”

“At whose expense?” Harry returned. “Who is to pay for these damages? There are men and women out there who no longer have an income for their families, and unlikely the funds to restart their businesses. Without them, our economy will be in dire straits.”

“Lord Potter is correct,” Lord Macmillan sighed. “Without Diagon Alley, we will bring in no trade, and without people spending gold, are coffers will empty quickly.”

“The Ministry cannot afford to foot the bill,” Fudge replied gravely. “Our budgets are already tight, and we cannot possibly find the necessary gold.”

“Then take out a loan with Gringotts,” Macmillan suggested.

“We already have several outstanding loans with the goblins,” the Minister explained.

In all the years that Fudge had been in his position and he had not done a thing to improve the country’s financial situation.

“Then I will loan the Ministry the gold,” Harry declared, a sudden idea formulating.

It would not hurt to have the government beholden to him in some way.

“Loan us?” Fudge questioned curiously.

Harry nodded.

“I will loan the Ministry 100,000 galleons to be paid back over a twenty-year period on the condition that every last Knut is used to improve our financial standing. 20,000 galleons is to be set aside solely to ensure the businesses in Diagon Alley can be repaired and restocked as quickly as possible. I will do that without charging interest.”

“Those sound like reasonable terms,” Fudge mused aloud. “No interest you say?”

Harry’s declaration had caused quite the stir with many questioning why he would do such a thing.

“We cannot accept a loan from Potter!” Malfoy declared. “The businesses that can reopen will do so, and those that cannot, should be replaced!”

“Then I will simply visit each business owner and give them the required gold,” Harry fired back.

Malfoy’s nostrils flared irritably.

“May I ask why you would make such an offer?” Augusta Longbottom asked diplomatically.

“Because it is what the people need,” Harry answered. “Are we not supposed to be servants of the people? Is it not our responsibility to ensure that they can prosper, that they are safe, and that they may live knowing that those that govern them have their best interests at heart?”

Once more, the gathered Lords and Ladies murmured amongst themselves.

“I also make this offer simply because I can,” Harry continued. “I made a promise the last time I came here that I would do whatever is necessary to put an end to this madness. Our responsibility now does not end with defeating Voldemort and his Death Eaters but goes as far as giving a hand up to those that find themselves victims of these disgusting attacks.”

His words were met with only the sound of scratching quills for a moment before any other spoke.

“Again with the threats!” Lord Nott scoffed. “Are we to allow this to continue?”

“If there is any here that does not believe I am right, you are free to speak your mind,” Harry returned with a shrug, “but after what occurred last night, you can no longer afford to bury your heads in the sand. The Minister himself explained that there were dozens of Death Eaters present in Diagon Alley. You may not wish to admit it, but they are a threat to the people of Britain, and like it or not, it is our responsibility to deal with them. I stand here as determined as ever to see that they are not successful in what they are attempting to do. I urge you to stand with me or stand aside. I will not be deterred from my path, even if means I do it alone or die trying.”

His impassioned speech resonated with many, and the journalists were once more scribbling furiously.

Harry said nothing else as he took his seat, every Lord and Lady within the chambers looking at him with a mixture of emotions.

He had said his piece, and if it wasn’t enough to finally spur the Ministry into taking further action, then perhaps he was resigned to fight this war alone.

He shook his head of the thought.

Harry wouldn’t be alone as he had been only twenty-four-hours ago.

There were those that had chosen to fight with him, and now more than ever, he was grateful for the arrival of his friends.

(Break)

It was strange to feel so nervous in front of Illarion. He was such a gentle soul and spent much of his time wandering the woods in their lands, picking flowers for his favourite brews, and sometimes singing for the elven children by the edge of the lake.

Ana had fond memories of him doing the same for her, but the elf staring at her speculatively through his bright, golden eyes did not give the appearance of someone about to sing a soft lullaby to a child.

Although she had not been alive to see it, Illarion had fought off eight attempted invasions of their lands.

He was battle-hardened, and the scars of his deeds littered his body.

Still, it was difficult to imagine him wielding his sword and bringing harm to any.

There was no denying his ethereal beauty, the gentle grace with which he moved, but the sternness in his gaze, though unfamiliar to her, left Ana feeling more intimidated than she ever had before.

“We do not involve ourselves in the affairs of humans, Inanna,” he reminded her.

“We don’t,” Ana agreed, “and I am not asking that any other does. These are my friends, Illarion, and I cannot just sit back and allow them to fight without me.”

Illarion released a deep breath and frowned as the woman seated next to him whispered into his ear.

She was one of the sages that he kept on hand to advise him.

The sages were not like the other elves here.

They did not share the beauty nor elegance and were darker of hair and skin, each of them blinded as part of a ritual they underwent to open their inner-eye wider so that they may see beyond the realms of men and creatures.

Or so they believed.

“Harry Potter is a name that I have heard,” Illarion murmured. “A boy that survived what many deem to be the impossible. He is the same boy that gifted you the Ithilmar?”

Ana nodded and frowned as the sage began whispering once more and Illarion shook his head, silencing the woman.

“He has already been touched by death,” he mused aloud, “perhaps more than once,” he added in surprise, shooting a glance towards the sage who nodded. “How very interesting.”

“Do I have your blessing?” Ana pressed gently.

Illarion frowned and the sage leaned in once more to offer him further words.

“I often forget that you are not just an elf,” he sighed. “You are as much one of us as even I, but you have experienced the world away from the safety of the trees. When your parents asked for my blessing for you to be schooled in your human magic, I did not hesitate to grant them their wish. Perhaps my decision was led by the fates, that you had another purpose in the world than simply living as an elf.”

“I am an elf, Illarion,” Ana replied. “I wish to spend my life living here…”

“But you also feel the need to help your friends,” Illarion finished gently. “You have grown to be an admirable woman, Inanna, but I cannot give you my blessing.”

Ana swallowed deeply as she nodded her understanding.

“Thank you for considering my request,” she replied before turning to leave.

She had hoped that Illarion would see reason, that he would not exile her for doing what she needed to.

Despite his decision, it changed nothing for her.

She would do what she had unwaveringly intended to do and face the consequences of her decision, whatever they may be.

“You did not let me finish,” the voice of Illarion sounded.

Ana frowned as she turned back towards her leader.

“I cannot give you my blessing, not until I have met the man you are willing to lose everything for. I see it in your eyes. You seek my blessing out of love and respect for me and our people, but you have already chosen your path. I want to give you my blessing, Inanna, but I cannot until I speak with Harry Potter. Send for him. I wish to see for myself why he was given life when he should have perished.”

“Here?” Ana questioned.

Illarion nodded.

Harry’s invitation would cause quite the commotion amongst the other elves.

Humans were simply not invited to the forest.

Even her father had not been welcomed warmly, even after he had married her mother and lived amongst them for many years, he was still eyed with suspicion by most.

“I will write to him,” Ana assured Illarion, taking her leave of his presence, struggling to comprehend just what had happened.

What had the sage whispered to Illarion to convince him to invite Harry here?

Ana knew not, but it was a gesture that was seldom made.

She did not know whether to be nervous or excited for Harry to see her home, but at the very least, she knew she had to be cautious.

Illarion may welcome him, but the same could not be promised of the other elves.

(Break)

Having received the report of what had occurred the previous evening, the Dark Lord was in a foul mood, and judging by Lucius’s wary disposition as he entered the study, it was unlikely that it would be improved in the coming moments.

“We have lost the Minister,” Lucius said simply. “He has accepted Potter’s offer of a considerable loan, and now he is beholden to him.”

Voldemort drummed his fingers along the arm of the chair he was seated in.

“And what of last night?”

Lucius shook his head.

“I fear that our efforts to intimidate have not quite gone as foreseen, My Lord. The people know we outnumber them considerably, but with Potter acting so brazenly, they are beginning to look to him as a beacon of hope. Again, he has declared his intention to fight us, alone if necessary. He is earning the respect of the other Lords and Ladies, and I expect even the people.”

The Dark Lord muttered under his breath as he stood.

“Then we no longer have cause to be so hesitant,” he declared. “We must make them fear us, Lucius. Dispose of Fudge. It should create enough chaos to allow Greyback to enter the country undetected and ensure Macnair has the giants ready. We will show them that Potter is no match for us.”

“Of course, My Lord,” Lucius replied with a bow. “What is our next move?”

Voldemort frowned thoughtfully.

“Chaos will be our friend, Lucius. Dispose of Fudge and have someone favourable to our cause put in his place. Can you manage that?”

Lucius nodded.

“I hold enough sway to ensure it will be.”

The Dark Lord had his doubts, but it did not matter if Lucius was successful or not.

He merely needed a large disruption so that he may seize an advantage in what had been a series of setbacks.

“Then see that it is done,” Voldemort said dismissively.

With a final bow, Lucius took his leave of the room and the Dark Lord took his seat once more.

Potter was truly becoming a problem. One that needed to be eliminated.

Before that could happen, however, the contents of the prophecy needed to be known.

It was of paramount importance, and with the Death Eater’s venture into the Department of Mysteries proving to be nothing more than a disaster, the options of how it could be obtained were limited.

(Break)

It had been a busy day for Harry.

After the Wizengamot meeting had ended, he had taken a trip to Knockturn Alley to run a few errands before sending a letter to the goblins at Gringotts to draw up a deposit slip for the Ministry.

He would have rather handled the business in person but Diagon Alley was still closed to the public.

Having finished up, he had returned home where he had spent some time in the basement with Sirius whilst the others rested from their journey to Britain the previous day.

Finally, he had managed to take a shower and have a little time to himself, though that became rather short-lived as a knock sounded at his door.

“You knocked this time?” Harry said dryly, a grin tugging at his lips as he greeted Lucinda.

“Well, I can’t always break into your room,” the vampire sighed.

“Is there something I can do for you?”

She looked up at him, almost uncertainly for a moment and swallowed deeply.

“I’m hungry.”

Harry chuckled as he shook his head.

“You’re in luck,” he replied as he walked to his bedside table. “I got you some fresh blood today.”

As he turned to hand her the shrunken barrel, he found that she had followed him, and the two of them were face to face, their noses barely an inch apart.

“It’s not that kind of hunger,” Lucinda murmured, grabbing the back of his head as she captured his lips with her own.

All Harry could do was melt into her touch, her musky scent filling his nose and sending his rational thoughts swimming away.

(Break)

“Remus?”

Sirius called as Cassie entered the front door of Grimmauld Place.

The man’s face fell as he entered the hall and realised it was not the returning werewolf that had arrived.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said worriedly. “Where have you been?”

“Well, if we are going to be spending our time here for the foreseeable future, I had to set some affairs in order at home,” Cassiopeia explained. “What’s been happening?”

Sirius shook his head and gestured for her to follow him in the kitchen.

Cassiopeia frowned as she did so, the expression deepening as she spotted the somewhat familiar young man seated at the table.

“We have guests,” Sirius announced. “Harry’s schoolfriends arrived last night.”

“All of them?”

“Not Ana,” the young werewolf explained. “She had to return to her people to speak with her leader.”

Cassiopeia nodded her understanding.

“Kreacher?”

The elf appeared immediately and offered her a bow.

“A pot of tea please.”

“At once, Miss Black,” Kreacher acquiesced before vanishing with a gentle pop.

“Diagon Alley was attacked last night,” Sirius revealed. “Harry was caught up in the middle of it until this lot arrived.”

“Is he okay?” Cassie asked worriedly.

Sirius nodded.

“Thanks to this one and the others,” he sighed. “We couldn’t get there in time.”

Cassiopeia released a deep breath, offering Kreacher a nod of gratitude as he reappeared with a pot of tea.

She poured herself a mug, resigning herself to any peace she hoped she might have had no longer being a possibility.

“Where is the boy?”

“Err, well, he’s upstairs,” Sirius answered awkwardly.

“Would you mind getting him for me?” she asked the werewolf.

“It’s probably best not to disturb him,” Cain replied, his cheeks reddening.

“The blonde or the vampire?” Cassie huffed.

“Both probably,” Sirius returned with a smirk.

Cassie raised an eyebrow at her great nephew.

“It is not a laughing matter, Sirius!” she snapped. “He is the Lord of a prominent family.”

“Like he cares about that,” Sirius snorted. “You know as well as I do that he will do what he wants and with whom.”

Cassiopeia nodded reluctantly.

She had hoped that she would be able to convince him to marry a suitable bride, but Harry had never been conventional.

He took his duties seriously, but there was certain aspects of the pureblood lifestyle that he wouldn’t adopt.

It seemed that she would have to hope that he would make sensible decisions for himself in that regard, though she had her doubts.

“Is that a bat?” she questioned, nodding towards the window where a small, winged creature was flapping against the glass.

“It is,” Cain confirmed as he approached. “It’s carrying some parchment.”

Cassiopeia hummed as she drew her wand.

“Let it in,” she instructed.

It wouldn’t be able to breach the perimeter if it intended harm, so there was no need to hesitate to let it in.

The bat entered and deposited the parchment on the table before exiting immediately once it had unburdened itself.

“It’s addressed to Harry,” Sirius pointed out. “Who uses bats to send letters.”

“Vampires,” Cain answered gravely. “Maybe Lucinda’s people have found out she has left school.”

“Then why would they write to Harry and not her?” Cassiopeia mused aloud.

Cain shrugged, his attention shifting to the door as Eleanor and Jonas entered.

“This came for Harry,” the blonde announced as she placed another envelope on the table.

This one was not made of parchment, but seemingly of leaves.

“It was delivered by a dove,” Eleanor informed them.

“That one I can’t explain,” Cain sighed. “Who’s going to disturb them? He will want to know about the letters.”

“I’ll do it,” Eleanor volunteered with a grin. “Maybe I’ll see something interesting.”

Sirius laughed and Cassiopeia grimaced as the girl left the room.

She really did not want to know what Harry got up to in the privacy of his own room.

(Break)

“Is this going to ruin our friendship?”

Whatever was happening between him and Lucinda, that was the last thing Harry wanted.

He cared for her, more than he had any other in such a way, and he could not help but think of what had happened between him and Alessia.

They had gone into their situation knowing how it would end, but he had still gotten hurt despite this.

With Lucinda, it was not so simple as each of them merely indulging in their carnal desires for one another.

Not for Harry at least.

“Of course it isn’t,” the vampire whispered against his chest. “I understand what this is. I knew before I allowed it to happen, and I accepted it. Don’t make it any more complicated than it is.”

Harry frowned as she almost choked on her last words.

“What do you think this is?”

“This is me giving myself to you and expecting nothing else,” she answered. “I know my place in the world, Harry.”

“You know your place?” Harry scoffed as he sat up, dislodging her from him.

“Don’t,” Lucinda warned. “Don’t go there.”

Harry released a deep breath.

“I don’t understand,” he sighed. “Accepted what?”

“That this is all we will ever be,” Lucinda murmured. “I’m a vampire. I will live forever, and you will be gone in what will become nothing but a blink of an eye for me.”

It was not something Harry had considered, though he knew now that he should have.

“I still don’t understand,” he returned.

Lucinda deflated before meeting his gaze.

“What do you know about my kind other than what you have read in books or seen for yourself?”

“In what way?”

Lucinda hesitated for a moment before she shook her head.

“Nothing,” she muttered as she moved to stand, only for Harry to take her gently by the hand.

“What do you mean?” he pressed softly.

Lucinda offered him a sad smile.

“We are not emotional creatures,” she replied with a shrug. “It is not in our nature to grow fond of others, especially humans. We usually see your kind as enemies, or food. Maybe it is our shared history, or it is that we cannot experience the same emotions as you. I don’t know, but we are very different in that way.”

Harry nodded his understanding.

“So, to you this is just a way of playing with you food?” he asked confusedly.

Lucinda met his gaze, and Harry saw something within it.

It was as though his words had hurt her in a way she couldn’t quite comprehend.

“I wish it was that simple,” Lucinda snorted humourlessly. “I do get the urge to feed on you. That is something that I cannot ignore, but I do not see you as food.”

“Then how do you see me?”

Another flash of pain and she shook her head.

“Don’t,” she whispered once more. “I have worked so hard to not allow it to surface.”

“Allow what to surface? Please, I’m trying to understand.”

Lucinda turned away, but Harry did not miss the droplet of blood rolling down her cheek.

She wiped it away angrily and Harry cupped her chin and turned her back towards him.

“Why did you have to push it?” Lucinda choked.

Harry was confused.

He didn’t know what he had said to provoke this kind of reaction from her.

“I’m sorry,” he said dumbly.

Although he did not quite know what he was apologising for, he did not wish to see her upset.

It was the last thing he wanted.

“It’s okay,” Lucinda said dismissively. “It’s not your fault, it’s me that has been stupid. I should have stopped it, but I didn’t want to, and now it’s too late.”

“What’s too late?”

Another red tear broke free before she finally relented.

“I don’t see you as food, and not as an enemy,” she whispered. “It is not easy for us to feel anything resembling affection, but I feel it for you. This isn’t just me acting on some kind of primitive, hungry, desire for you. I let it become much more than that.”

“You care for me?”

Lucinda nodded and she met his gaze once more, her own full of a vulnerability that Harry had never expected to see from her.

“My heart doesn’t beat, but it hurts at the thought of losing you. That isn’t normal for my kind. I am envious of any other girl that I think may catch your attention,” she continued with a shrug. “I don’t just imagine what it would be like to share your bed.”

“What else do you think about?”

Lucinda looked at him speculatively, seemingly resigned to the fact that she had already said too much to go back on.

“Silly things,” she answered. “I think about us taking a walk together through the woods in the Autumn with nothing else hanging over us, and we can just walk as much as we like. I think about how we danced when you came to visit me, and hope that we might do that again a hundred more times. I think about what it would be like to watch you grow old, and the day you will leave me. That one hurts, but I would endure the eternity of pain for the moments of happiness we would share. I told you it was stupid,” she finished.

Harry did not know what to say.

Her words warmed him as much as they crushed him.

“It’s not stupid,” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly to him.

It was a beautiful vision, and though it ended somewhat tragically, Harry could vividly see those moments playing out in front of his eyes.

It filled him with a desire to see them come to pass.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of someone knocking at the door.

“I don’t mean to disturb your filth, but a couple of letters have arrived for you, Harry. One of them is from a vampire.”

Harry sighed irritably.

“It didn’t take them long to notice you were missing.”

Lucinda shook her head.

“If it was about me, why would the letter be addressed to you?”

“I don’t know, but we should probably read it and find out.”

Lucinda nodded and stood to get dressed, but Harry prevented her from doing so, pressing his lips gently to hers.

“You better not be at it again!” Eleanor’s voice sounded through the door once more.

“We’ll be down in a minute,” Harry huffed.

“You’d better, or I’m coming in next time.”

Harry and Lucinda laughed as her footsteps faded down the hallway.

“She means it,” Lucinda chuckled, grabbing her clothes and beginning to dress herself.

“I know,” Harry muttered as he followed suit.

It was only a few moments later that they entered the kitchen where everyone in the house had congregated.

“We didn’t disturb you, did we?” Cassiopeia questioned; her lips quirked amusedly.

“Shut up,” Harry grumbled, shooting a look of warning at Sirius and the others gathered around the table.

Without prompt, he picked up the envelope that was made of parchment, frowning at the appearance of the other.

He had never seen a letter like that.

Shifting his attention back to the one he held, he removed the note within and began to read.

To Harry Potter,

It is with haste that I write to you and ask that you meet with me at your earliest convenience.

You have proven yourself a friend of my clan, and we still feed on the blood you so generously provided us.

Now, it is my turn to present you with a gift, one I believe you will be most grateful to receive.

Best wishes,

Draikon

Harry handed the letter to Lucinda.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s his writing,” she confirmed once she had read it. “I don’t know what gift he could have for you, but he would not go out of his way to write to you without good reason.”

Harry hummed thoughtfully as he reached for the other envelope, this one constructed from dried leaves that had been sealed together.

At his touch, they crumbled to dust and he was left holding a scroll made from a material he did not recognise.

Dear Harry,

I am sorry that I could not come with the others to join you, but it is much more complicated for me to do so for fear of being sent into exile by the other elves.

 I have spoken to Illarion, and he has invited you to meet with him.

I know that I do not need to explain to you how significant and unheard of this is. If it was not so important to me, I wouldn’t ask it of you, but please take this note to any elder tree exactly two days from now and I will be able to find you to bring you here.

Love Ana x

Harry was certainly surprised by the request, though equally cautious.

Why would an elf that has lived for centuries and that does not mix with humans wish to meet with him?

Harry knew not, but it was not an opportunity he was going to turn down, even if he was only doing it for Ana.

“I suppose we should deal with that as quickly as we can,” he mused aloud, gesturing to the letter Lucinda held from Draikon. “We have time before this one.”

“Where are you going, Harry?” Sirius questioned.

“To meet with the vampires, and then the forest elves,” he answered as he summoned his trunk.

“What, why?”

“Because I have been asked to,” Harry answered simply.

Lucinda placed a hand on his forearm.

“We don’t have to leave right now.”

“We?”

“I’m not letting you go alone, not to the clan at least,” Lucinda said firmly. “We can go in the morning and have plenty of time before you need to meet Ana.”

Harry nodded gratefully.

“What about us?” Eleanor asked.

“I need you to stay here,” Harry requested. “If anything happens, I need someone who can get a message to me quickly. You can cast a corporeal patronus. Jonas and Cain will stay with you too.”

“Not me,” the werewolf declared. “I need to track the pack down. With me being here, we are blind to their movements. I’d be much better off out there, and I can look into what has happened to Remus. No one has heard from him and Sirius is worried.”

“Are you sure?” Harry asked worriedly.

Cain smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.

“It’s where I’m most needed.”

Harry released a deep sigh but could not argue with his logic.

“Be careful, you prat,” he pleaded as he pulled Cain into a tight embrace. “Do not take unnecessary risks.”

“I won’t,” Cain assured him. “I’ll go pack.”

With that, he took his leave of the kitchen, followed by Sirius.

“I’ll help him,” the Animagus declared, unspeakably grateful for what the werewolf was doing.

“So, you want me and Summerbee to stay here?” Jonas questioned.

Harry nodded.

“We will be gone for a few days,” he explained. “Anything could happen in that time.”

It could, and Harry would take some much-needed comfort in knowing they were here with Cassie and Sirius.

It was not the most convenient of times to be leaving Britain, but both requests he had received were undeniably important.

Still, he could not fathom what Illarion wished to achieve by meeting him, nor what gift Draikon could have for Harry that he so urgently wished to give him.