A Fall Through Worlds And Time Apart

Part 19

Ara almost knocked Harry down as she stopped herself next to him. She quickly covered his mouth and dragged him out of the room before Mrs Weasley could see either of them.
She let go of him and quickly motioned the adults inside. Remus went inside quickly while Sirius stared on, ashen faced at the very bloodied Harry corpse form the boggart had taken.
Remus took one look at the situation and seemed to understand in an instant. Pulling out his own wand he said, very firmly and clearly, "Riddikulus!"Harry's body vanished. A silvery orb hung in the air over the spot where it had lain. Lupin waved his wand once more and the orb vanished in a puff of smoke. "Oh - oh - oh!" gulped Mrs. Weasley, and she broke into a storm of crying, her face in her hands.
Ara and Harry stood out of sight, too shaken to walk away.

"Molly," said Lupin bleakly, walking over to her, "Molly, don't . . ." Next second she was sobbing her heart out on Lupin's shoulder. "Molly, it was just a boggart," he said soothingly, patting her on the head. "Just a stupid boggart . . ." "I see them d-d-dead all the time!" Mrs. Weasley moaned into his

shoulder. "All the t-t-time! I d-d-dream about it . . ."
Ara gently held Harry closer,who gulped, refusing to cry. At the same time he held onto Ara, seeking comfort.

"D-d-don't tell Arthur," Mrs. Weasley was gulping now, moppingher eyes frantically with her cuffs. "I d-d-don't want him to know. . . .

Being silly . . ." Lupin handed her a handkerchief and she blew her nose.

"Oh am glad the kids didn't see. What must they think of me?" she said shakily. "Not even able to get rid of a boggart . . ." Ara looked at Harry, who seemed to understand. He nodded and smiled at her before turning to listen again.

"I'm just s-s-so worried," she said, tears spilling out of her eyes again. "Half the f-f-family's in the Order, it'll b-b-be a miracle if we all come through this. . . . and P-P-Percy's not talking to us. . . . What if something d-d-dreadful happens and we had never m-m-made up? And what's going to happen if Arthur and I get killed, who's g-g-going to look after Ron and Ginny?"

"Molly, that's enough," said Lupin firmly. "This isn't like last time. The Order is better prepared, we've got a head start, we know what Voldemort's up to -" Mrs. Weasley gave a little squeak of fright at the sound of the name. "Oh, Molly, come on, it's about time you got used to hearing it - look, I can't promise no one's going to get hurt, nobody can promise that, but we're much better off than we were last time, you weren't in tge Order then, you don't understand, last time we were outnumbered twenty to one by the Death Eaters and they were picking us off one by one. . . ."

Harry felt Ara's hand on his shoulder and he gratefully put his head over her shoulder. He saw Sirius sent a small glance at him before speaking,"Don't worry about Percy. He'll come round. It's a matter of time before Voldemort moves into the open; once he does, the whole Ministry's going to be begging us to forgive them. And I'm not sure I'll be accepting their apology," he added bitterly. Harry felt Ara stiffen.

"And as for who's going to look after Ron and Ginny if you and Arthur died," said Lupin, smiling slightly, "what do you think we'd do, let them starve?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled tremulously. "Being silly," she muttered again, mopping her eyes.

Sirius signaled them to leave as he went in join Remus and Molly. Ara silently walked with Harry to his room.

As they reached Harry said,"'Night, Ara" . She stood for a second and said," its okay to be scared Harry. We'll get through this. Just..just seek help. Don't work yourself up,Harry. Try to let go.. do let go... we are with you." Harry nodded and went inside. Ara hesitated at the door before going back to her room, only to find two marauders at the door.
"Er... what is the matter?"
"Well..we...just...want to ask..." Sirius began. Ara looked expectantly at him. Remus sighed, "Ara, we...we are worried. I know you're not allowed to speak about future, but..." Ara looked at both of them. Her eyes locked on Sirius's, she said," I will tell you what I can, ask.."
Sirius hesitated but as Remus put a hand on his shoulder, he asked, "Does he... Harry... does he..." his voice shook. Ara understood his unasked question, "He will grow up to be a great, very great man. He will marry and have children and all will be well. In the end. I promise. But..."
"No Ara. Don't tell us more. And ...thank you" Remus cut her off and walked away smiling. Sirius ran to her and hugged her tightly. Ara froze, her heart beating as if it wanted to jump out of her ribs. But then she heard Sirius sobbing softly in the crook of her neck. She gently rubbed the back of his neck, not trusting her voice.He was silent too as he pulled her, if possible, closer. She let him pour out his emotions and finally when his tears stopped, he quickly jumped back, scaring Ara further. "Sirius?" She asked. He was looking terrible as he croaked, "Oh my God, Ara... did I scare you? I...I was so scared that I...I didn't mean to ...to... you.. you don't like hugs... Moony told me not to... Oh Ara...am so sorry..." Ara walked close to him and took his hand, "I didn't mind" She said looking him in the eyes. He visibly relaxed and held her hand to his Cheeks and closed his eyes smiling softly. "How ... how blessed I am to have you here " he murmured. Ara shook her head as she said, "Goodnight, Sirius " he smiled and rubbed his nose on her palm,making her chuckle, "Night, love. Sweet dreams." He winked and walked away.