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Chapter 19- The Green-Eyed Stag

Lily Potter watched the last of the carriages disappear from Hogwarts and turned to face Professor Dumbledore.

"Gone?" he asked.

"Gone, never to return."

"I expect some will return. Parvati Patil is going train to teach Divination."

Lily laughed, "Who on earth gave her careers advice?"

Dumbledore's mouth twitched. Lily asked suddenly, "How was the ball? I didn't go, I was at a meeting with Professor Flitwick. I can't believe I'll actually be teaching here! It's always been my goal."

Dumbledore sighed, "Have you seen Harry since last night?"

"I've seen him. Why?"

"Do you know who was at the ball last night?"

"The seventh years? Ginny Weasley? You? The headless horsemen? I can't imagine."

"Catherine Shortstraw."

Lily spun round, mouth slightly open, "Not Cidilla's youngest daughter?"

"The same."

"And I missed her! I remember little Catherine, always so much brighter than the others. Emma, Anne, Margreat, Eleanor and Catherine. What was she doing?"

"She was passing herself off as my second cousin to get into the ball."

"Hmm. Why?"

"To talk to Harry. She was making him a job offer."

Lily went white, "No! He... he didn't except, did he?"

Dumbledore nodded gently, "I believe he did. I appreciate this must come as a shock to you, Lily, but it could have been expected."

Lily's mouth was a thin line, "They won't get him! No-one is killing my Harry!"

"Of course they won't," soothed Dumbledore, "don't forget- Voldemort's gone."

"He may be dead, but they'll be others who will try to imitate him. They haven't even caught all of the death eaters. Pettigrew's still out there, for heaven's sake! And so's Lucius Malfoy! Aurors these days aren't what like what they were. And now it's Harry and Catherine's job to save the world again! Is Catherine his partner?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "No, she's the group's Principa. His partner's called Linda Newman."

"Hmm, let me think. Linda Newman... twenty nine years old, was in Hufflepuff, long greasy blond hair, used to have too much acne, complains all the time about her health in a high whiny voice and thinks putting on an American accent is the height of sophistication? Yep, I know who you mean. Lucky Harry."

Dumbledore didn't reply, and she continued a second later, "Why can't he be partners with Hermione, it's the natural thing, since they've got the Unbreakable Link?"

Dumbledore shrugged, "You know things like this aren't always very fair."

Lily sighed and her hand went to her neck, like it always did when she was anxious. Dumbledore looked at her carefully and then said, "May I see it?"

"See what?"

"The pendant. I wasn't aware you still had it."

"I would sooner sell my soul to the devil than loose it. Have a look."

Dumbledore stood up and peered close at the necklace out of his half moon spectacles. It was a gold pendant on a thinly woven gold chain. It was very delicately crafted and was of a golden stag, with one tiny emerald as its eye.

He drew back and sighed, "A very fine example, Lily. A stag for James and the emerald for you. When will you give it to Harry?"

Lily shrugged, "When the time is ripe. Clemmie Potter gave it to James when he was seventeen."

"That young?"

"Yes. He told me later that it was when I was staying with the Potters and Clemmie noticed that her son liked me and gave him the pendant."

"And he gave it to you when?"

"At the Christmas Seniors' Ball when he asked me to marry him."

"They're fascinating magical objects." Dumbledore commented.

"They are indeed. Their ability to see who you've fallen in love with is very strange. James said that he knew immediately who he was in love with, because he didn't know know anyone else with green eyes! They're such individual objects. This could belong to no-one except me. And the second I give it to Harry it will change."

"Who do you think she will be?"

"Only I am allowed to know that. It's taboo to tell anyone else. I think Harry will know exactly who she is when he sees what the pendant has changed to though. That's why I shan't give it to him until I know he's fallen for her. Oh Professor, the idea of Harry marrying anyone is so odd! And my giving it to him... I wonder what it will turn into? A broomstick?"

"I doubt it. I'm sure Harry has more substance than quidditch, something that goes far deeper than a love of flying."

"Oh? What?"

"I think he is a true Gryffindor."

Harry Potter slumped back in his chair and ate another chocolate frog. The scene was ever so familiar for a journey on the Hogwarts Express. Harry, eating; Ron staring out of the window; and Hermione deep in 'Hogwarts, A History'. None spoke. Harry thought about what he had told Dumbledore that morning about Catherine's proposal, Ron thought about Lisa Turpin and why she was so much more... everything, than Hermione was. Hermione was thinking about the reconstruction of the Astronomy Tower in 1159 following the rather destructive antics of a pair who put the Maurauders and the Weasley twins conbined to shame.

Harry ripped open another sweet and glanced at the card groaning, "Drat. Another one of me. That makes it six so far. Ron, you want it?"

Ron shook his head, "Nah, not particularly. Can I have a frog, though?"

Harry handed him one and he unwrapped it. His eyes widened, "Will you believe it, Harry? This is the first ever chocolate frog card I've got of Agrippa! I've been looking for it for about ten years!"

"And you've only just found it? Great!"

"I was looking for it on the very first train ride, remember?"

Just as Harry was about to reply, the door slid open and the brilliant brown eyes of Lisa Turpin peaked round the door. Ron went bright red and looked quickly away.

Hermione glanced up from her book, "Come and join us, Lisa!"

Lisa smiled and sat down next to Ron, "Doesn't it looks like Study Time in the Ravenclaw common room! Wow, Harry, you've got six chocolate frog cards of yourself! I'd love to be on a card like that!"

Harry shook his head, "We can swop anytime. Do you want a scar as well?"

Hermione kicked him. Another silence set in. Ron stared unseeing out of the window, Harry stared out of the compartment door, Lisa looked very uncomfortable and kept looking at Ron. Hermione read her book without looking at it and without turning the pages either.

Suddenly she closed her book with a snap and looked at her watch. She started very hard and cried, "It's ten past eleven. Harry, we are so late!"

Ron and Lisa ignored her, they were too busy not looking at each other. Harry looked up, "How interesting, Hermione. Big deal."

Hermione glared at him, "You know the head girl has to go and check up on the prefects at eleven o' clock."

"Why? Can't the prefects take care of themselves?"

"I don't know! and you've got to come with me because you're deputy head boy!"

"I'm-?" Harry was stopped because Hermione had trodden on his foot.

Ron sat up suddenly, "You never told me that you were deputy head boy. I never knew they even existed." Lisa looked on with mild amusement.

"Well he is," said Hermione, "now come on Harry! We're late!"

She dragged Harry out of the compartment and closed the door. She dragged him further down the corridor.

"Now!" he began, "Hermione, what is the meaning of this? I am certainly NOT deputy head boy! Why do you want me alone?"

"Not us, you idiot! Them!"

"Oh."

"And while we're about it, why are you in such a bad mood? You were really nasty to Lisa back there."

"What do you mean? It's not as if you didn't just make one of the most obvious excuses to leave them alone!"

"So obvious you didn't notice it!"

"That's besides the point! And in case you want to know, I didn't get to bed until two in the morning and I had to get up at half six to see Dumbledore. The damn train left at eight o' clock and I hadn't even packed!"

"Well that's your problem isn't it? As a matter of interest, I was up at six o' clock to arrange with Professor McGonagall who was going to be head girl and boy next year."

"Look who's in a bad mood now!"

"Stop being so immature Harry! By the way, Ginny is going to be head girl next year."

"Ron will be so pleased to have another head of school in his family."

"You're unbearable, Harry!"

"You're not my mother, Hermione!"

"Like I don't know that! Now act your age. We arrive at King's Cross in about two minutes. Let's see what Ron and Lisa are up to."

Hermione led the way back to the compartment talking perhaps louder than was necessary. When they entered it Ron and Lisa were sitting next to each other in exactly the same position as they had been left, only slightly redder in the face. No questions were asked, but Ron smiled slightly at Harry's raised eyebrows.

They reached King's Cross a few moments later and instantly there was confusion. The first person to come running into their compartment was Neville who had lost his address book and needed to get their addresses again. Then came Lavender and Parvati (clutching her crystal ball) who were very tearful and remeniscent of all the 'good times' they had had with Hermione. Lavender kissed Harry's cheek and looked very sorrowful, but he didn't seem to notice.

Mrs. Weasley was on the platform and immediately enveloped Harry, Ron and Hermione in a hug instantly. Then she stopped and looked at Lisa. "Hello, dear."

There was an awkward silence then Lisa said with a beaming smile, "You must be Mrs. Weasley. I'm Lisa Turpin and I'm in Ravenclaw. I'm friends with Ron, Hermione and Harry."

If Mrs. Weasley was at all suspicious of this, she didn't show it. "You're very welcome, dear. What are your plans for the summer? I've aleady got two extras with us, Harry and Ginny's friend Irene. We'd love to have you with us!"

Lisa's face was as red as a tulip in full bloom. "I- I'd love to, Mrs. Weasley, but I'm actually going on a study trip to India this summer. Remember I'm a Ravenclaw!" she added ruefully.

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "Well, another time, perhaps. Now come on, Ron and Harry. Do you have you trunks? Is that Pidwidgeon that's trying to escape? Where is Ginny? Let's get off the platform. Really very claustrophobic..."

As one they barged through the barrier, incuring the wrath of the guard who was a afraid the muggles would notice them. Harry caught one last glimpse of the scarlet engine before he became engulfed in the muggle world.

At once he heard Hermione cry out from next to him, "Mum!" and she dashed off into the crowd.

Hermione tugged her case reluctantly through a group of very lost and sweaty Italian students. Eventually she reached her parents and was about to drop her possessions and embrace them, when she noticed someone standing next to them. She was a tallish girl with lots of golden brown hair. She had a brace and hornrimmed glasses. Hermione faltered. There was a pause while she stared at her.

Then the girl smiled, showing her brace off to best advantage and held out her hand to Hermione, "Hi! I guess you're Hermione. I'm Mia. I've been dying to meet you, you look just like a witch!"

"Er, I do?" She smiled back and took Mia's hand, "I wanted to meet you, too. Hello, Mia."

She glanced at her mother. Mrs. Granger suddenly hugged her, "I'm very proud of you, Hermione." She whispered in Hermione's ear.

It was all as normal, "I wish you'd been to the ball, Mum! There were real fairies! And they played Strauss!"

"Fairies?" cried Mia, "there were fairies? Aren't they just made up for little children?"

"Oh no! They're real! I'll lend you 'Hogwarts, A History'! You'll love it!"

She became aware of someone's prescence behind her, "More than I can say for Harry."

"More than you can say about what? Hello, Dr. Granger, Mrs. Granger."

Mrs. Granger smiled, "How are you, Harry? Long time no see. You've grown a bit since I last saw you, when you were only twelve! This is Mia, Hermione's sister."

Harry glanced at Hermione, "Nice to meet you, Mia. I'm Harry Potter."

Mia almost jumped a foot in the air, "You're Harry Potter? Miss Goldfinger told me all about you. You're like a wizarding James Bond, aren't you?"

Harry nervously brushed his fringe over his scar, "Um yeah, I guess."

"And you're Hermione's friend? I suppose we'll see a lot of you then!"

Harry looked at Hermione who looked away, slightly confused. Mrs. Granger frowned. "Yeah, yeah. I imagine we will," said Harry.

"Where are Ron and Lisa?" asked Hermione.

Harry raised his eyebrows, "They're behind the newspaper kiosk. Er, saying goodbye."

"Why behind a kiosk?" asked Mia.

Harry chose not to answer that question.

Dr. Granger looked at his watch and whispered something to his wife. She nodded and turned to Harry, Hermione and Mia, "I really think you should say goodbye to Harry now, Hermione. We've arranged for Mrs. Hollberg to have tea with us, so we should be getting back."

Hermione put on a rather fake smile, "Lovely. Where's Ron, Harry? I want to say goodbye to him as well."

"I'll show you." They disappeared into the crowd.

Suddenly Hermione grabbed his arm, "Harry, promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Never tell anyone about me. Or about our link. I- I don't want it raised at all. I just want to be normal."

"Yes of course. I won't tell a soul. Why?"

"Oh Harry. There's something you don't know about, but I can't tell you. It would ruin everything."

"Oh if you can't tell me..."

"I'm sorry..."

They stared at each other then Harry shrugged, "I daresay I'll live without knowing. It's not a big deal." He grinned at her then kissed her very quickly on the lips and watched her blush and draw back gently.

"No, Harry. We're friends. Always and only friends. Let's go and find Ron, see if he's finished kissing Lisa."

Harry shook his head with a smile, "Who knows where it'll end if we don't stop them?"

Laughing, they disappeared in search of the newspaper kiosk...

Finding comfort together the way old friends do.

And then divides and words of violence

We make up with each other the way old friends do.

Times of joy and times of sorrow

We will always see it through.

I don't care what comes tomorrow,

We can face it together the way old friends do.