The Girl who Vanished

Chapter 44

July 31, 1991

"What happened to Lara!?!" People shout, confused and a little upset that they don't know what happened to the newly discovered Lady Ravenclaw.

"Wait, isn't that the day we took Harry to get his school supplies?" James whispers to his wife.

"It was." She responds, confused as to what was so significant about this date.

"Hoot!"

We see the inside of a pet store, complete with snakes, bunnies, Kneazles, and of course owls, lots and lots of owls. We see a familiar snow white owl sleeping in its cage, its head tucked under its wing.

Harry smiles when he recognizes his beloved Hedwig.

McGonagall gasps but it was too quiet for anyone to hear.

A bell rings as the door opens and a family of three walk in.

Store Owner: "Hello, can I help you find anything today?"

James Potter: "We're interested in looking for either a pet or an owl for our son, Harry."

Dorea shares a look of utter disbelief with Minerva, meanwhile James was confused by his mother's reaction.

Store Owner: "Ah, Harry Potter, it's nice to finally meet you." He says shaking an 11 year old Harry Potter's hand.

Harry Potter: "Thank you sir." He mutters, currently in the midst of another period of depression.

People who didn't know about his prior struggle with depression were shocked to see the Boy-Who-Lived so gloomy on what should be an exciting day, the day he gets his Hogwarts supplies and his wand. Malfoy and his goons start laughing at him until he sees Dorea, James, Sirius, Lily, and even his own mother glaring at him, he gulps and sinks down in his seat.

Harry and his parents look around for several minutes before he comes across the white owl and can't look away. Sensing his presence the owl's head pops out from under its wing and studies this strange boy.

"Hoot!"

Harry Potter: "Hello."

They study each other for a few moments before he slips his hand into the cage to brush the owls feathers, the owl hoots in approval and nibbles on his finger causing him to giggle.

Harry Potter: "Mum, dad, can we get this one please." He begs.

Lily Potter: "Of course sweetheart." His parents smile, pleased to see him so happy.

Harry and his parents exit the store with the snowy owl in a carry cage, as the screen fades to black for the last time.

"Is that it?"

As if the universe was listening, the screen melts into the floor as the room starts to disappear and revert back to the Great Hall.

"Yes, I believe that was it." Dumbledore announces.

Dorea and Minerva frantically whisper to each other as they share their suspicions. People begin to discuss everything they have seen, until Elizabeth gets their attention.

"Mum, dad, what's going on?"

People immediately turn to look at her as she points to the stone pedestal where Lily placed the crystal earlier, the stone wand glows a bright blue as the stone transforms into wood.

"Hey, isn't that Lara's Keeper wand?"

Hoot!

Dorea and Minerva look at Hedwig perched on the Ravenclaw table as if she was a ghost.