Windows of the Soul

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Author's Notes: This story ignores HBP and DH; it starts the beginning of the summer before Harry’s seventh year.

Chapter 26 – Next Morning

The next morning found Harry, Draco and Elli in the Room of Requirement waiting for their guests to appear. The room had supplied three large sofas, enough that all the people that they had invited would be seated comfortably. Elli had not wanted anyone else to know, but Remus, Severus and the boys had thought it a good idea to inform all their closest friends of her condition and if anything happened then they could try and protect Elli and her babies.

Elli was fidgeting with her necklace; Harry reached over and took her hand away and placed it on his lap.

“I know that you are nervous Elli, but these are your friends, they will understand.” Draco smiled at his sister.

Elli nodded and let her lip out of her teeth, “I know, but I can’t help worrying.” She started to smooth her top down over her glamour concealed bump, Draco took hold of her hands and without a sound pulled her into a hug, which Elli relaxed into and laid her head on his shoulder getting some strength for the ordeal ahead.

Harry looked up as he heard the door creak. “They have started to arrive, honey.”

Elli sat up, but didn’t move out of Draco’s embrace, Harry moved closer to Elli as the door fully opened. Neville was the first to come into the room and he gave Elli a sad, loving smile as he walked over to one of the sofas. Harry got up and moved to the other side of Draco, Neville looked at Elli and moved to her side as she smiled at him, as he sat down she moved into his arms, which came up around her giving her whatever she needed.

Ron, Hermione, Seamus, Luna, Ginny and Dean were the next to arrive; they all sat on one sofa without a sound and just waited. Hannah, Susan, Justin were next, and finally Pansy, Blaise, Theo, Greg and Vincent arrived and with a hand waved at the last sofa they all sat down.

Harry took a deep breath.


“I know that you are all wondering why you have been asked here this morning.” Harry smiled as there were many answering nods. “Well, something has happened and we need for you all to know so that if anything happens then you can act.” Harry looked over at Elli who shook her head and then looked at Draco who nodded and turned to face everyone.

“A few months ago we found out that there was a spy in the Dark Lord’s midst, we do not know who it is, but we know that he is in a lot of danger because he passes information to us.” Draco paused and watched the various expressions on people’s faces. “Well he needed a go-between to hand these messages to and one evening he found Elli. She agreed to pass the messages and a relationship of sorts started over many weeks it progressed into something else. Something pure they both fell in love, but he is unfortunately married and he is stuck in his pureblood mentality, as such that there is no such thing as divorce. He also has a child and he would not break up his family, even though he doesn’t love his wife as it was an arranged marriage, and he loves Elli. If he was found out then both Elli and the spy would be in danger.” Draco paused looking over at Elli, who sat with her arms wrapped around Canth, leaning against Neville, looking so pale and alone.

“The reason we are telling you any of this, is that there has been a complication. Elli has recently found herself feeling more upset with the situation between herself and her Zaytche, so last night she finished with him, he didn’t take it very well.”

Elli sat with Neville behind her and Canth in front, holding onto Canth for all she was worth; fear was seeping into her very soul. How were her friends going to take it? Were they going to snub her? Could she go on with only her family, no Zaytche and no friends?

She looked up at Draco as he told them of her breakup, when suddenly she had an armful of Luna, who held her tightly, and then suddenly jumped away with shock on her face.

Elli clicked on her gift and looked at Neville. Elli watched Luna as different emotions flew across her face. She took a deep breath and slowly stood up, facing her friends, she dropped the glamour and waited. Neville stood and moved behind Elli.

You could hear a pin drop in the room as her friends tried to process recent events. Elli stood with her arms wrapped protectively around her large bump. Hermione, Pansy, Susan and Hannah all had their mouths hanging open. The boys just looked dumbfounded.

Ron sat staring between Elli’s belly and Neville. Ron stood and walked over to stand in front of Elli. He looked over at Neville and smiled, “Some complication, I understand why you didn’t tell me as it wasn’t your secret to tell. That’s why you make a great friend.” He looked at Elli and took her hands in his. “I don’t understand everything, but I don’t need to, just know that if you need anything just ask, and if he hurts you again then you have six more brothers for him to deal with.” Tears were running down Elli’s face as she looked into Ron’s eyes, only seeing love, caring and honesty in the deep blue depths. She smiled and pulled him into a long and deep hug, only releasing him when she heard a voice from behind.

“Do you think that I could have my daughter back sometime soon, Mr Weasley?”

Startled, Ron fell backwards and was only saved from hitting the ground by Seamus and Theo grabbing him.

Remus and Severus stood by the door, both wearing grim expressions on their faces.

Harry stood up beside Elli and Draco moved to her other side. With Neville still behind her and Ron slightly in front of her, she was protected on all sides.

Harry spoke first, dreading the answer to his question. “What’s wrong, Dad, Tatko?”

Remus glanced at Severus, who took a deep breath and replied, “We’ve come to take you to the headmaster’s office. There is some news for you.”

Harry didn’t like the sound of that and reached round and took Draco’s hand. Elli placed her hands on both boys’ shoulders. Remus smiled sadly. “Harry, Draco, and Elli, if you will come with us.” Remus took his wand out and with a flourish replaced Elli’s glamour; Elli turned her head towards Neville with a panicked look on her face.

“Professor, I think it would be good for Elli if Ron and I came with her,” Neville said quietly.

Severus was the one to reply with a smirk, no more like a grimace on his face. “Very well, Mr Longbottom, Mr Weasley, let’s get a move on, time is not standing still.” With that he turned with a flourish of his robes and, taking his husband’s hand, glided out of the room, with the five children following behind.


They all arrived outside the Headmaster’s door in total silence. Not a word had been uttered since they had left the Room of Requirement. The door opened and Severus motioned for them to enter. The Headmaster was in his customary chair with Minerva standing behind him, and there were seven chairs placed in a semi circle in front of the desk. Albus looked up and with a weary smile motioned for them to sit.

Ron sat, and then Neville, Elli, Harry, Draco, Remus and Severus, Harry leant over and took one of Draco’s hands in his, and Draco squeezed it, trying to convey how much he loved him without words.

Dumbledore smiled sadly, his eyes without their usual twinkle. Minerva placed her hand on his shoulder.

“My boys, Elli, I am sorry to have to call you here with such sad news.” He picked up a piece of parchment and with a flick of his hand floated it to Severus. Severus took the parchment and read it. His emotionless facade cracked as he passed it to Remus and moved and knelt in front of Elli. Remus gasped as he read the news.

Harry looked worriedly over at his dad. “Remus, Dad, what’s wrong? What’s happened?”

Remus had tears in his eyes as he looked up at Dumbledore, then at Harry. Severus had Elli’s hands in his and was kneeling in front of her.

“Voldemort has decided to bring the war closer to home for us. He has attacked some people known to us.”

Harry looked up sharply. “Who did he attack? Are they ok?”

Remus glanced over at Severus, who held Elli’s hands tighter. Severus leaned a little closer and with a caring voice so unlike Snape, said,

“He decided to make an example of a family who had been supporters of his in the past, but for the sake of their children had changed their views and turned to the light.” He stopped and took a deep breath. Everyone sat on tender hooks waiting for more. Draco knew it wasn’t his father, but he was worried as he knew that it must be someone Elli knew as for how Severus and Remus were reacting. You could have heard a pin drop and Severus looked into Elli’s face and quietly said, “The family Voldemort killed was the Dubrinsky family.”

Elli gasped and shook her head. She started to shake. “No...No...No...Not them...Not Mikhail...Not Gregori...no, no, NO!”

AN: - I’m sorry that this chapter has taken so long, but RL and writers block seemed to get in the way. I hope you like this latest instalment and hopefully the rest will be up a bit sooner than this one. Thank you to my beta Sometimeselkie for all her hard work, unfortunately she is no longer able to be my beta so I am now looking for a beta, if anyone is interested please contact me. Thanks. Please review as I don’t know if you like what I write if you don’t tell me. Enjoy and thanks for reading.