Harry Potter and the Womb of Requirement NOW CODED

43

The next day as the rest of the Ten rose, it was as if they’d had a message left. Hermione in their heads first thing telling each of the Bond date in case she did not rise the next day. Which indeed she didn’t. At breakfast, no Snape or Lupin either. A few anxious looks passing around. They’d all heard or been aware of the explosion the night before, and although they’d been reassured by Hermione’s send, in secret all were worried that things hadn’t gone according to plan. Did they but realise it, there’d been no plan and Hermione had had to soul-search within herself and this is why everyone was so tired. The others couldn’t understand why the two Witnesses had failed to show up either.

The nervous watch changed. They all waited.

At lunchtime, Severus and Remus finally appeared. They walked into the Hall wearing solemn expressions, seeing the anxious faces before them. Remus couldn’t resist. He beamed and held both thumbs up, {It was a success. The ceremony takes place tomorrow night as I’m sure you all know, if you received Hermione’s message. She’s exhausted right now. There was some serious magic went on last night}. Remus said no more sinking onto the bench, Severus at his side, both blushing bright crimson. They devoured enough food for four as those of the Ten present looked on.

Draco sent cautiously to his old House Master, {Something has changed. Harry and I can feel it}. In reply, Severus tried and failed not to flush and applied himself to his repast, his head bowed. Remus sent, {What is it, love?}. Severus grinned like a love-struck teen as he applied himself to his meal, {The boys know there’s something different about us. I don’t know. Maybe we’re sending out a signal that they can receive}. By way of an answer, Remus laid his head briefly on Severus’ shoulder before collecting himself and applying himself wholesale to the acquisition of nutrition.

Harry sent, {What did they all get up to?, and what’s with the love-birds today?}. Draco shrugged, {Dunno, love, but I think something special happened. No doubt we’ll get the story from the girls later}, he giggled, {Looks like they put Snape and Lupin through their paces though, look at the state of them. They look like they’re in love or something and totally knackered}. Harry replied, {Actually, I was just thinking the same thing. Shit!. What happened last night?}.

The Ten were all deeply curious.

They had to wait, however. The girls didn’t show until dinner-time. Glowing. Jubilant. Hermione sent the Ten an unvarnished account of the previous night, causing gasps of amazement all round, not to mention a few murmurs of disgust, {We were all very brave last night. It was extremely difficult for us all, so please don’t take the piss, it was all done for Ritual purposes only and it worked}.

Ron spontaneously rose and hugged her tight, {You’re a fucking genius, girl. Do we need to do anything to prepare for this?}. She nodded, {From midnight tonight, all but Draco have to fast for 24 hours. There will be food after the Ritual, but the Potion needs to be taken on an empty stomach}.

They all agreed. No problem there. They were all in so deep now and the hour was at hand. They all glanced at each other, their nerves plain. Hermione reached out her hands, clasping Ginny and Harry to either side of her. The others saw what she was about and clasped hands around and over the table. She held tight instructing the others to do the same. She sent a jolt around the table through their joined hands, and all cried out or moaned as she did so.

The Order and the Staff looked on, felt the shot as it spread out encompassing them all, a warmth that lit the centre of their souls. Remus let his head roll back onto Severus’ shoulder. Further along the table, Poppy’s hand slid out. Minerva’s covered it.

They all gulped as the Magic washed through them, even as the Ten hung on to each other for dear life. All could feel the fear hanging about these young folk and all wanted to protect them as they had done all their way through school.

On a whim, Dumbledore stepped forward, claiming a seat between Ron and Lavender, catching at their hands and joining the circle. Remus saw what he was about and leapt on the table, sitting cross-legged, breaking Neville and Seamus, slotting between them. Severus caught the mood, slotted between Pansy and Draco. The Weasleys joined in. Ginny to one side of them, Molly had Blaise to her other side, {Welcome to the family}, she sent softly to the gorgeous Italian at her side. Blaise squeezed her hand in acknowledgement, {Thank you. I really love him, you know}. They shared a look for a moment, and Molly didn’t doubt him for an instant.

Gradually the Order and the Staff fitted in with the Ten. Leaving the couples together but all joining hands, nothing much happening until Hermione sent a jolt through her arms and it rippled through the group making everyone redden. Then Harry sent a bolt of his own. Darker, more serious. Draco added his own to the mix, then Ginny, causing all hands to tighten around each other, burning gazes to be exchanged. Hermione giggled on their private channel, {Nice one, chaps}. They stayed like that for the longest time. The Order and the Staff a little overwhelmed. As Severus had previously noted, the Magic was off the scale. They all revelled in it.

Gradually they all pulled away. Severus and Remus’ hands lingering the longest. Last night had been truly wonderful for both of them. Severus kissed Draco’s hand before relinquishing it, gazing deeply into his protégé’s eyes. In his turn, Draco grasped his ex-House Master’s hand bringing it to his mouth, kissing it, letting his tongue sneak out caressing the fingertips before giving it back. Severus shook his head, {No, I can’t. Neither can you. We belong to others now}, his smile meeting Draco’s.

{That’s not what I meant. It was just a thank-you, nothing more. I’ll always be Harry’s}, he watched his House-master’s discomfiture then turned to his Harry claiming his mouth under his with such ferocity as to cause Harry to question him. {Snape just intimated that if they weren’t together and we weren’t....}, Harry tried to glare at him, but it came out all wrong. He gazed at his ex-Potions Master, saw Remus snake an arm around him. There were a few cheers. Mainly from the Ten. The Staff and the rest of the Order were still in shock.

Severus winked at Harry, {I didn’t insinuate anything of the sort, Harry. I think your bond-mate had his wires a bit crossed, but he’s a dreadful flirt. I’d keep an eye on him if I were you}. Harry glanced at a reddening Draco who bowed his head, {Sorry, Severus, I really was mistaken}. Severus quirked an eyebrow, {When did I consent to you using my first name, Master Malfoy?}. Draco’s head came up sharply. He glared at his House Head, then hoisted his old smirk onto his face, {Sorry, Uncle Severus}. Harry laughed aloud, {Uncle?. You’re not related are you?}. Draco shook his head, {I’ve called him that since I was little, he’s an old friend of the family, remember, it’s just a courtesy title, but he has looked out for me while I’ve been here at Hogwarts}.

Snape regarded the two boys before him, {All right then, Draco, you’ve passed your coming-of-age, it’s Severus from now on}. Draco nodded and the smirk left as quickly as it had appeared, to be replaced by a sunny smile, {Thanks, Severus. It’s about time}. The man laughed, {You always were a cheeky bugger, Draco, you didn’t need that lovely sister of yours to be like that. She knew the way to your heart was through mischief, and, boy, did you two get up to mischief}. Severus sent a few episodes from Draco’s past to them both.

The two at not quite four years of age, stuck in the highest tree on the estate. Draco nearly drowning in the lake saved by the quick thinking of his sister who had collapsed the washing lines using the cord to pull her brother to safety, dragging pristine white, freshly laundered sheets through the mud. Harry smiled and held Draco tight as the memories spilled into their minds. Draco held a hand up to Severus, his send throaty with unshed tears, {Enough, please. I know about her now. Harry told me what you’d said. I made him. Don’t blame him. I cannot recall these incidents but as you’re ‘sending’ them, then I know they’re true. I would love to see more sometime, but it still upsets me a bit, although I have the picture on my mantel now. I’m not hiding her anymore}. He fell silent, his shoulders shaking and Harry held him tighter, resting the blond head on his shoulder, rocking him as he cried.

Severus extended his arm across the table and squeezed Draco’s, {When you are ready to see more, then I will gladly show you. You have only to ask. Grieve for her, Draco, let it out. She would have been brilliant had she lived. If it’s not impertinent to say so, I see a lot of very similar character traits in your Elemental, not to mention similar intelligence levels. Miss Granger is not your sister, Draco, but I sense a deep bond to her, am I right?}

Draco dipped his head, hiding his tears, he nodded, {I don’t know where we’d be without her}, then he giggled suddenly, remembering, {Up shit creek without a paddle, as I recall}, all three laughed. The meal ended and the Ten drifted off, relieved of all guard duty until after the Ritual. All the adults present knew they had to prepare. Arthur held an uncertain Molly tight, her doubts clouding both of their thoughts. His own too.

Their children were far too young to do this. Their parents knew that the kids thought this too, but still wanted to go through with it. {Just think, Molly, our two youngest settled}, Arthur tried his best at comfort, but Molly still fretted and worried. He settled for simply holding her. He knew his two youngest could die, but tried to trust their new powers. After all, no-one in the known Magical world had ever held power such as these did.