The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 34
Wounds

They returned with the sunrise to the hotel. Claudia and her friends slipped into a side door and to their rooms. Claudia noted that no one spoke much to her on the ride home. Nor did they say anything other than goodnight. They had no idea of what she had said to the wizards, and she thought it best to leave it that way.
Once in her room, she went to shower and wash off the filth she felt all over her. Not just dirt and grime, but the evil she was subjected to tonight. She dressed for bed and decided to try and sleep for a few hours before going to collect Emma.
A few hours later, there was a knocking on her door. Claudia dragged herself out of bed and felt like she was still half asleep. She opened the door and saw Nick standing there dressed for the day.
“Good morning John Wayne. Remus came by and reminded us that the wedding is coming up. There is a party at Grimmauld Place tonight. Do you wish to go?” He asked.
“Yeah…just give me a few to change clothes.” Her voice was hoarse and scratchy. Nick nodded and left her doorstep. Claudia found a pair of blue jeans and a nice shirt. While dressing she realized she needed to wear her amulet and couldn’t wear it out of her clothes. So it took her awhile to arrange her blouse in just the right way in order to hide it.
An hour later they were walking to Grimmauld Place and everyone was in good spirits. Everyone except Nick.
“Claud, can we talk?” He asked. Claudia fell in step with him and gave him her attention. She couldn’t understand why he looked so grim.
“What happened last night?” He asked. Oh…that…
“What happened was that I had to find something out for myself. And I did. I am sorry I did not tell you all of the plan, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t run the risk of anyone finding out. Not that you would tell, but the magical ways they have of getting secrets from people. I have no idea who can do that Occlumency thing and who can’t. So…” She let her voice trail off.
“So, you take off into the hornet’s nest with no backup, no warning and most of all running on emotions and not logic. Jesus Claudia, you could have died.” He cursed her and shook his head. Claudia laughed a little and nodded.
“Yeah, I could have. But I didn’t. It was important Nicky. Very important for me to know.” She pleaded with him.
“And your answer…was it what you wanted to hear?” He asked.
“For the most part, yes. I guess we will have to see.” She said.
“And this little excursion last night is still top secret I assume?” She nodded. “I miss the days when we trusted each other with everything. When you decide to trust us again, let me know.” This last part was spoken very quietly as they arrived at the door. Nick separated from her and she was left standing there feeling terrible and alone.
*****


Emma was full of stories from the night she spent with the Weasley’s. Everything was fun and exciting to her with Molly and the kids. Claudia was met, still, with mixed reactions. However, she noticed some of the wizards were making an attempt to welcome her back into the fold.
Molly was all flustered trying to prepare a feast worthy of so many visitors. Claudia noticed the three young wizards were no where to be seen.
“Claudia, did you have fun last night?” Molly asked her. Tonks seemed to lean into the conversation a little Claudia noticed.
“Yeah, I did. It was very relaxing.” She lied. Molly went on humming to herself and Claudia turned to Tonks.
“Tonks…you look like you have something on your mind.” Claudia said under her breathe to her friend. Tonks eyed her closely and continued folding napkins with her wand. That was in fact, the only thing Molly allowed her to do.
“I was just noticing you look pretty tired Claudia. Long night?” Claudia tried to smile and nodded. “Well…I do have a bit of news for you too.” She leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Remus proposed to me last night.” Claudia almost fell over. Her mouth was hanging open and her eyes were as big as saucers.
“Oh…my…God. I guess I don’t have to ask what you said.” Claudia said with a smile. Tonks blushed and smiled.
“I’m so happy Claudia! But we decided to wait…you know…until everything is over. That way, it will be doubly happy. And we are not telling everyone yet. Not until Bill and Fleur are married.” Claudia hugged her friend and couldn’t help but notice Tonks was still looking at her strangely.
“What?” She asked. “Why are you looking a me like that?” Claudia hissed. She as getting a little annoyed at Tonks.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just not like you to drop Emma off here, of all places, so you can go out on the town. I have a funny feeling you did not go out, so to speak, last night. But you did do something.” She reached over and grabbed her drink from the table. Tonks eyed Claudia over her glass and waited. Claudia didn’t know what to say.
“Some things…are a secret for a reason Tonks. But trust me when I say that it is all for good. OK?” Tonks nodded, but didn’t look convinced. She was saved by the missing young wizards entering the kitchen.
“Oh good you’re he-” Molly stopped talking when she saw them. Tonks and Claudia looked and gasped. Hermione was dirty from head to toe and Ron was leaning a little on her. But what made them all shudder was seeing Harry. He looked like someone tried to strangle him. An angry red and purple line was around his neck and he looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. Molly was fussing over them in an instant.
“What in the name of Merlin have you done now?” She screeched.
“Mrs. Weasley, we’re fine. We just had to…do something. That’s all. But we did it!” Hermione said triumphantly. Molly had Ron in her arms and he was feebly trying to get her away. Harry said something about going upstairs and Hermione followed him. Only after Molly was allowed to hug and kiss Ron all over the face did she release him from her clutches.
Claudia and Tonks looked at each other and raised their eyebrows. Apparently, she was not the only one who did something secret last night.
***
The party was a fantastic success. Once again, Fred and George entertained the masses by showing off their newest inventions.
“Weasley’s Wedgies! A pair of these pants will automatically cause the wearer to have a constant wedgie! Here Bill, have a go!” One of them jeered at Bill, who flatly refused to put the pants on. Somehow, they talked a friend of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s into a pair later in the evening. His name was Neville and he was about the most pathetic thing Claudia had ever seen. He pulled the pair of pants on and in an instant was tugging at his bum. The people around him roared with laughter.
A very odd looking girl with purple robes on and long dirty blonde hair made her way over to Claudia.
“You’re a muggle.” She said in a dreamy, vacant voice. Claudia was at a loss for what to say.
“Erm…yeah…I guess I am. But my name is Claudia.” The girl nodded.
“Yes, I heard about you. You are the one who was seeing Professor Snape before he killed Dumbledore. You really were not paying attention at all were you?” Claudia was ready to pull the girl’s hair out when Harry came up to Claudia and asked to speak with her. She watched the strange girl float away into the crowd.
“What was that?” Claudia hissed at him. She was further annoyed by him trying not to laugh. He hung his head and shook it.
“That’s Luna Lovegood. She doesn’t mean any harm. She just…well…she says whatever is in her head.” He shrugged and Claudia calmed a little. She eyed his neck wound and saw he also had wounds on his hands.
“Rough night?” She asked. He nodded and looked away.
“When can you come back? I got the pensieve from McGonagall…” Claudia looked away herself. How was she going to tell him?
“I really don’t know Harry. Maybe sometime soon…” He jerked his head back to her and stared at her.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“Nothing! Just that…well…I’m scared.” She said. It really wasn’t a lie. He nodded and seemed to understand.
“I understand. But we need that memory soon. OK?” She nodded and he headed off into the crowd. Emma was happily dancing on Hagrid’s feet and she saw her friends scattered around the room all talking and having a wonderful time. Claudia cursed Severus for doing this to her. Cursed him for being what he was and cursed herself for allowing her once happy, quiet life to turn into this. Her closest friends were upset with her. She was jealous of Remus and Tonks’s impending marriage. She loathed to go to Bill and Fleur’s wedding. All she wanted to do was sit alone and think about what to do next. She looked over and saw the three young wizards with their heads together talking in animated whispers. Something big was happening with those guys too. When would all of this end?