Chapter 7- Gift of the Animagi
Several weeks had passed since Harry had succeeded in reuniting Remus and Athena, and never in his life had he seen a couple look happier. After a second visit to Dublin with the new couple, Sirius, and Rosmerta, Desmond informed him that the type of all consuming love and devotion shared between Athena and Remus was reminiscent of the love shared between Harry's parents. Hearing this made the young Potter ecstatic. It gave him comfort in knowing that even though their time on this earth was short, they had found each other and a love that lasted beyond the realm of this world.
Harry's birthday finally arrived and he'd received an owl from Hermione saying how much she missed him and wished she could be with him. As a gift, she sent him a scrapbook from their years at Hogwarts, complete with every article ever written about him in the Daily Prophet, and many photos of him, her, Ron, and the rest of their friends. He found himself getting lost in it for well over an hour. Reminiscing on the simpler times when they were a trio and romantic feelings had not complicated things. He found himself missing her more each day, and life became increasingly difficult without her around as he watched how happy Remus and Athena were, not to mention Rosmerta and Sirius. Five years was seeming more and more like an eternity as each day passed with the speed of a tortoise crossing the Sahara.
Ron had also written to Harry expressing his regret that do to his current practice schedule, he would not be able to see his friend on his birthday. He wished him all the best and was sure to inform him that he was already on a winning streak of 124 consecutive saves for his Quidditch Team. He also expressed hope that Harry would come to his next game and watch him go for the record, enclosing a ticket to the match against Puddlemere United and the latest edition of "From Bludger to Snitch: The Ultimate Quidditch Guide". Nothing would have pleased Harry more then to cheer his friend on, but unfortunately the match was scheduled for the day his auror training was to begin. Extremely disappointed, he wrote back to Ron informing him that he would not be able to make it, but would certainly be rooting for him from afar.
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"Good morning, birthday boy!" An extremely happy Remus exclaimed as he and Sirius walked towards him as he descended the stairs.
"'Mornin' to you two as well," He said with a forced smile, not feeling much like celebrating after having to spend his eighteenth birthday away from his best friend and the girl he loved most.
"Why so glum, Potter? It's your birthday, you received presents from your friends, you have us here to celebrate with, not to mention Athena and Rosmerta. What could be better than that?" Remus asked with a wide grin that had been plastered on his face ever since Athena had come back into his life.
"Snogging Hermione." Sirius teased as he put his arm around Harry's shoulders and led him to the living the room.
"That's not funny. At least you and Moony over here don't have to be separated from the women you love!" Harry said in a disgusted tone.
"Don't even go there, Harry." Remus replied shaking his head. "Five years is *nothing*, when you get to twenty plus, *then* you can talk to me about separation."
"I see having Athena back in your life has also given you a witty sense of humor." Harry mumbled coldly.
"I know! It's about time that boy loosened up! I am so glad to have the old, joking Remus back. Now, if we can just get rid of the wand that's stuck up your as-"
"Ask him if he is ready for his gift." Rosmerta interrupted as she entered the room with Athena close behind and shot Sirius a warning glance.
"Sorry." He muttered with a wink to Remus. "Ready for your gift then, Harry?"
"I guess." He replied unenthusiastically.
"Smile lad, this is something that is going to come in handy for auror training, not to mention for your lady problems.
"What do you mean?" He asked curiously as he moved forward in his seat.
"Thought that might get your attention." Sirius chuckled as he walked over to the coffee table and pulled out a long, narrow box wrapped in red paper with a gold bow.
"Harry Potter, it is with great honor and pride that I, Mr. Padfoot, as well as Mr. Moony, and in the spirit of Mr. Prongs present to you the Gift of the Animagi."
Confused, Harry took the package from Sirius and proceeded to open it. Inside he found a picture frame, and the drawing of a large, snowy owl with piercing green eyes perched on a branch. On the top of the frame was the inscription, "Moony, Padfoot, Prongs", and on the bottom was the name "Apollo".
"What is this?" He asked puzzled by the gift.
"This is your new identity, Harry." Remus began to explain. "You see, you made a promise to your dear Hermione that you would stay away from her for five years time, however, Mr. Apollo here did not."
A large grin slowly spread across Harry's face as he realized exactly what their intentions were.
"I do have a letter I need to send to Hermione..."
"And you can do it yourself with three little words and a whole lot of concentration: Owlus Animagus Totalus."
Too excited to wait any longer Harry jumped up from his seat and bounded for the stairs, turning back and motioning for Remus and Sirius to follow.
"Let's go."
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"Hermione, are you home?" Lavender Brown's voice called out through their small flat on the outskirts of Hogsmeade.
"In here." She answered from the living room, curled up by the fire with a photo album in hand.
"Hey, we missed you down at The Leaky Cauldron. Ginny, Neville and Dean were asking for you."
"Didn't feel much like going out today." She replied as she tried to inconspicuously wipe a few stray tears from her eyes.
"So which one is it now, Harry or Ron?" She asked, rolling her eyes and laughing.
"Potter." She answered with a slight smile. "It's his birthday....I just wish I was with him."
"Girl, you've got it bad." Lavender chuckled, "Not only for one of the most eligible bachelor's in the Wizarding World, but two."
"I know, selfish, isn't it? I can't help myself." She said sadly, "I love them both in different ways."
"It's not selfish, Hermione. I know you'd do anything to avoid hurting either one. They both adore you, how could you not be conflicted when two incredible men are enamored with you? Especially when you spent seven years as their best friend."
"I know, I just wish it wasn't so complicated." she sighed, flipping the photo album to a picture of the three of them after Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup during Seventh Year.
"Yeah." Lavender nodded as she looked over at the photo Hermione was surveying. "Ya know, I never understood how you and Ron ever got together. Your personalities just clashed."
"That was part of the fun." Hermione laughed, "If there is one thing Ron and I both enjoyed, it was a challenge."
"What about Harry?" Lavender asked curiously, "You and he got along very well. What attracted you to him?"
"He's a different kind of challenge." Hermione began to explain, looking down at the photo and lovingly running her fingers over Harry's scar. "The Boy Who Lived. Harry had a way of distancing himself and not being able to open up. It used to frustrate me so much when he'd pull away and not confide in me. He insisted on being a loner, but I was equally persistent on being let in. It was my intention to remain friends with him, but that night before graduation, I couldn't help myself. I saw the vulnerability and raw emotion in his eyes. I saw how much he needed me and to my surprise, I found myself needing him as well."
Lavender was taken aback by Hermione's outpouring of the truth. She now realized just how difficult her situation had been, and why her love for both of these men was tearing her apart.
"If you could go back and change any of it, would you?"
"I don't regret what happened that night between me and Harry, but I do regret that all three of us had to be hurt." She answered as she bit down on her trembling lip. "I believe everything happens for a reason, so no I wouldn't change a thing. Everyone has to fall once in awhile, but rising afterwards is what makes us stronger."
"Spoken like the clever little witch you are." Lavender smiled, as she patted Hermione's hand and then got up from her seat. "I'm going to bed, you should try and get some sleep yourself. Everything will turn out okay."
"Thanks, I'm going to go in a few minutes."
She replied as she took one last look at the photo and then closed the album, wiping a few more tears from her eyes as Lavender headed to her room, muttering a silent cheering charm for her troubled friend.
Hermione stared at the fireplace, her thoughts jumping from Harry to Ron and back again. This decision was more painful then she'd expected, but she hoped in the end it would turn out to be the right one. Deciding to take Lavender's advice and head for bed, she started her way towards her room when a light tapping at the window brought her back.
"Who on earth could that be at this hour?" She wondered aloud as she walked over to the window and found a snowy white owl outside it.
"Hedwig!" She exclaimed with a smile as she let him in and happily took the letter from him. Desperate for Harry's words, she tore into the envelope and pulled out the parchment that was inside.
"Dearest Hermione,
Thank you so much for the wonderful photo album. If I can't have you here with me, it's nice to be able to stroll down memory lane. It is no comparison to the real thing, but it still helps to think about all the happy times we have shared, and I hope that there will be many more like them in our future. It's not easy turning eighteen without your best friends there with you, but I know that even though you and Ron aren't here in the flesh, you are never far away in spirit, and of course in my heart.
I hope that everything is going well with you as you prepare for teaching at Hogwarts. Auror Training starts soon, and I hope it will help keep to keep me distracted. Anything to get these next five years moving faster.
I have to go now, Sirius and Remus are calling. Speaking of Remus, I almost forgot to tell you that he and Athena are back together. Reuniting them has to be one of my greatest achievements. Everyday I watch their love grow and hear people say how much they are like my parents. It gives me hope that things will work out in the end, and that great love will prevail.
Send my best to your family and Lavender. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Love Always,
Harry
P.S. Your book was indeed "alluring", but then again, I never expected otherwise.
Hermione smiled through her sobs as she read and reread the letter. She missed him so much lately, and hearing from him had been the best thing to happen to hear since their run in at the library. The news that bringing Athena back to Remus had been so successful had not only renewed Harry's faith, but hers as well. Whatever happened at the end of five years, only time would tell. One thing she knew for certain was that Harry was on to something: nothing can ever stand in the way of great love, no matter which way the cards should fall.
Turning towards Hedwig as she wiped her tear stained face, she noticed something about the owl that she hadn't before.
"Did you always have green eyes?" She asked in a puzzled tone. "Listen to me, talking to owls! I'm sleep deprived! Better go to bed before they start to answer back. Stay the night, Hedwig. I'm sure I will have a letter for you to send back to Harry in the morning."
Glancing once again at the snowy owl, she could have sworn that he winked at her. Certain that she was indeed lacking sleep, she finally headed to bed as Apollo made his way over to the chair by the fire, taking pleasure in spending the night wrapped up in the scent of the woman he loved more than life itself.