The Survivors

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Waking up in an unfamiliar place is always alarming. The body next to her, and the pounding of her head also made the young woman think that mistakes may have been made the night before. Turning over however she was very relieved to see familiar brown hair that belonged to her best friend. Tracey was still face down in the pillow drooling, and Daphne let out a sigh of relief as the events of last night came back to her. She had confided in the warriors of the light more than she planned, but the solace it brought to her was soul relieving.

Her eyes glanced around the room for the first time realizing it was dark when she entered last night. The first thing she spotted was a purple potion sitting on the nightstand, which she quickly uncapped, whiffed, and then downed feeling the fogginess of the hangover retreating. It was from there she observed the mostly muggle style room. There were no signs of magic anywhere that she could see. An old record player sat in the corner, the pictures of old Potter family members were completely still, and nothing seemed magically powered including the lights. It was lucky she knew how to read muggle clocks, and could tell that it was a little after noon.

Daphne laid there for long minutes contemplating what she should do next, and thankfully when a familiar scent hit her nose her best friend groaned beside her, "Merlin what train did you throw me in front of?"

"The Harry Potter express. His friends certainly know how to party. The hangover potion is on the nightstand closest to you." Daphne pointedly said.

Tracey all but lunged for the potion, and to Daphne's disapproval didn't even take a whiff before downing it in one go. When Tracey turned over to her back and saw her best friends look she rolled her eyes, "Potter doesn't need to drug me. We were all so drunk last night he could've had any of us if he pushed. I am a little sorry he didn't. Would've been a hell of a story to tell my kids."

This made Daphne in turn roll her eyes, but before she could comment her best friend took a deep whiff, "Something smells awesome. If Harry's elves are making breakfast we should go see if we are invited. Unless you want to bolt out the backdoor while no one is looking?"

The thought was tempting the young healer more than she could admit, but her stomach growling made the decision for her. The two freshened up a bit in the bathroom attached to the room, and attempted to navigate through the only slightly familiar house. It didn't take long for them to find a foyer, where Susan was sitting there in jean shorts and a pink tank top reading the Daily Prophet. She wasn't the only one either. Ron had his hands in his face with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him. Hermione had a pair of reading glasses on as she looked through a large spiral that was probably their weekly planner. Neville and Hannah were reading one Daily Prophet as well, while Harry was in front of a kitchen area with a towel over his shoulder standing over some pans with various foods. Daphne and Tracey were both more than surprised to see the saviour of the wizarding world cooking in the kitchen like a house elf, but before either could comment Susan looked up and smiled at them, "Good morning ladies. Have a seat. The elves have a few extra copies of today's prophet, and Harry is making eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits. Coffee is on the pot."

The two girls quickly took seats next to Susan at the table, while everyone mumbled their good mornings and continued what they were doing. When they sat down a copy of the Daily Prophet appeared showing Harry shaking hands with the Minister. It was a photo from a few months ago, but the headline read, "MAN-WHO-CONQUERED BECOMES HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT."

Tracey blinked a few times as she looked back and forth from the prophet to the man making breakfast, "Astoria is never going to believe me when I tell her this story."