Heritage

Chapter 4

Despite Mrs. Weasley’s protests he had insisted on helping with his birthday party. She had only consented when he said that he needed to go to Diagon Alley for some new clothes. She sent Ron and Ginny along.

“To keep you company, Harry dear.”

Harry snorted as he unfolded the tablecloth. She just sent them along to make sure he stayed away as long as possible so there wouldn’t be anything for him to do when he got back. Ron was a bit upset about Ginny coming along, but he let it slide. Harry was back and looking very happy and healthy. If Ginny could pull him out his self-imposed shell, than she could stay.

After getting all their things in Diagon Alley, Harry showed them around Muggle-London. They actually did some shopping there, as soon as Harry and Ginny pulled Ron away for a sporting goods store.

“Did you see those Muggle baseball bats? Solid aluminum!” Ron reluctantly left the store practically salivating at the thought of getting one of them on the Quidditch pitch.

“Imagine what Fred and George could do to Malfoy with one of those, if they were still on the team that is.”

The boy who lived shuddered to think. ‘Those two are dangerous enough with beater bats and canary crèmes.’ Harry chuckled to himself.

He was spreading out the tablecloth when he heard it, soft footsteps in the grass. Soft as a spring shower, but they echoed in his ears like drum beats. He turned to see a tall wizard in tattered robes. Pale hair streaked sil silver strands formed a curtain around a weather worn face.

“Remus!”

Harry dropped the tablecloth and ran across the grass of the Weasleys lawn, hugging Remus for all he worth. Remus gave Harry a calculating look, as he looked him over. He couldn’t believe his eyes. When he first saw Harry standing in the yard, he thought it was James. The resemblence was so strong. When he crept silently closer, he realized it was Harry. The white button-down shirt, patterned with red dragons was stretched tightly across toned pectorals. Snug black trousers hugged lean well-toned legs. James had never looked like that.

“Well, look at you.” Remus grabbed Harry’s shoulders and gave him an affectionate shake. “And to think I was worried you were going to wither away.” He placed a hand on his neck, tilting up Harry’s head with his thumb, and looked concerned into Harry’s eyes, as if to look into hea heart.

Remus sighed. “How you been Harry, really?”

“I have good days…. and days that aren’t so good. I guess you know from experience.” Harry’s mouth turned up in a small, bitter smile.

“Yeah, I know.” He drew Harry into a warm hug, “When your parents died, there were some days when I didn’t think I would survive the sadness. It will get better, Harry. It will take time, but it will get better. I promise.” He patted Harry’s back and sighed. “Come on, I brought some snapdragon firecrackers. Let’s go have some fun, set ‘em off in Mrs. Weasley\'s kitchen.”

Harry burst into laughter, it was like the pure sound of bells in the air, and slapped Remus on the back. “Not on your life. I happen to like breathing.” Chuckling, the two made their way inside.

By 6 o’clock, the lawn of the Weasley’s was decorated in dancing lights and streamers charmed to change colors. Two tables were covered enough food to feed a small army…. or eight Weasleys and 3 guests. Harry ate voraciously rather than talked for a while, drinking half a gallon of milk in the process. Mrs. Weasley was very pleased with his appetite. For once she didn’t have to try to force a fourth helping on him.

Darkness fell amidst the laughter and talking and Mrs. Weasley started lighting color-drip candles. The way the wax changed colors as it burned its way down the tapers was one of many wizarding things that had always fascinated Harry. After strawberry ice cream and chocolate fudge cake, they did set off the snapdragons…outside.

The great thing about wizarding fireworks is that they can change shapes, colors, and directions in the air, unlike muggle fireworks. Silver serpents shot into the air and formed huge hissing silver cobras crisscrossing through the sky. Colored cocoons burst into thousands of butterflies dancing in the air, each at least a dozen colors. Dancing dragons shot into the air, forming a huge roaring dragon, before exploding in a shimmering shower of colors.

Harry lie on the ground, watching them explode. The late July air smelled of warm earth and the honeysuckle from Mrs. Weasley’s garden. The crickets sang and fireflies twinkled in the early night air. It was good to forget abohe whe war, just for a spell and simply enjoy life. He laughed as Ron sent Hermione and Ginny chasing after glittering butterflies.

At the sound of his crystalline laugh, Ginny set down her cocoons and walked softly over to Harry. Crouching down, she lay next to him. Harry’s head turned towards Ginny, his emerald eyes searching her chocolate brown ones. Ginny smiled softly and Harry answered with a gentle smile of his own.

They lay together watching the moon and stars glittering in the night sky; the sight of the trees dancing in the breeze; the light rustling of the leaves spiraling down toward them. The faint rustling of the trees in the wind still sounded like whispers. As if the trees had voices and were whispering softly in his ear, trying to tell him something. Harry released a peaceful sigh. Remus was right. He was going to be all right. He could feel it.

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His stay at the Weasley’s ended all to quickly, as it always did and Harry found himself pushing his trolley towards the barrier to Hogwarts Express. The sight of the large scarlet engine always made Harry smile. It meant he was going home. The group stowed theuggauggage and made their way towards their usual compartment. The small compartment where the trio had first met years ago, only this year, Ginny accompanied them.

People staring at his scar was something he had gotten used to over the years. No one was able to look at him without noticing it. The strange red mark marring his pale face would ensure that people would always know who he was and treat him differently for the rest of his life. Eventually, he began to wear his hair combed dover ver his scar just so folk would stop staring. As they made their way through the platform and onto the train, the other students had seen him. They loaded their things and boarded the train, stopping every so often to stare at Harry, and with each stare his agitation grew.

Harry simply walked through the station, trying to ignore those around him, not even stopping to ask a fellow classmate about their summer. He didn’t complain or panic. However, there was a definite sense of agitation surrounding him. All of those who knew him from last year stared at Harry with amazed disbelief. The worst part for Harry was the scandalous looks from the witches of Hogwarts.

He had gotten used to be openly stared at over the years, but he wasn’t used to such frank and lingering appreciation of his form. He felt a wave of heat creep up his neck when someone behind him let out a piercing wolf whistle at him. Harry ducked into the compartment with a sigh of relief.

Leaning back in his seat, Harry closed his eyes and sighed, some of the tension leaving him. After the reaction from Mrs. Weasley and Ginny and then Hermione when she arrived, Harry resigned himself to being gawked at, but he wasn’t expecting it to be this bad. Harry opened his eyes to find Ron looking at him, barely containing his laughter, a twitching grin on his face.

“What?” he hissed.

“Nothing.” Ron bit his lip and turned to stare out the window. He would be jealous, if it wasn’t so bloody funny.

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Lord Elrond rode a golden mare through the trees. Looking around he took in the gold and copper leaves of the trees. Every slight breeze sent a few fluttering to the soft earth below. Closing his eyes, He breathed deeply, taking in the sweet smell of warm earth and green vegetation. Galadriel’s domain in Valinor was a great deal like the golden woods.

The ride had taken weeks. He could have gone much faster, but he wanted to take his time. He wanted to savor the strange feeling, the pull on his blood. A tremor of joy ran through him every time he focused on the sensation. He had already become accustomed to it and did not want it to go away. If Galadriel told him it was nothing or a fluke…he shuddered. NO, he wanted to savor this. Just in case. Elrond shook his head, clearing his mind of unpleasant thoughts. Worry was a waste of mental energy. It solved nothing.

He rode softly till he reached a clearing over looking the golden valley. Colored birds glided through the air, singing sweetly. Huge elegant trees rose several hundred feet into the air, dappled in leaves of gold and copper and every shade in between. The glow of the elven buildings could be seen even through the trees, bright in the light of dusk. The entire valley seemed bathed in a shimmering golden-white glow.

It was a sight of breath-taking beauty. One that would hold mortal eyes spellbound, as it did to many elves. Despite this splendor, Lord Elrond could not help but feel a wave of dread sweep over him at the sight.

‘Please,’ he silently prayed. ‘Let mother have good tidings for me.’