fade into you || d.m ♡

the willow tree

Elwia, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were sitting on the stone fence in the courtyard.

It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day, seeing that it was the beginning of October. The trio were telling Elwia all the things Voldemort had done to Harry ever since his birth. Elwia was shocked and saddened to hear how much Harry had gone through at such a young age. Harry also told about his childhood at 4 Privet Drive; his aunt, uncle, and cousin. One couldn't even call it a childhood, it was cruel.

"Do you have any other family than your aunt?" Elwia asked and looked at Harry.

"The Weasley family, of course, and my friends here at Hogwarts." He smiled, looking at Ron and Hermione. Then added, "And my godfather, Sirius, and Remus, my father's best friends."

"They must be dearly important to you." Elwia smiled and looked down at the Bell Jar book in her lap.

"They are. I almost lost Sirius at the battle in the ministry if it hadn't been for Kingsley. He jumped in front of Sirius just as the killing curse was about to hit him. I'm forever grateful, but also sad. Kingsley was a great auror." Harry explained quietly.

It seemed like the memory and the feeling of almost losing Sirius were still hunting him.

"I want to show you a place I found two years ago. I found it during my fourth year, when I was so overwhelmed with everyone wanting to interview me and, of course, the triwizard competition tasks. It's a quiet place, very beautiful." Harry said and started walking.

They walked for about ten minutes until a beautiful willow tree and a lake appeared to be in view. Elwia suddenly remembered Lily's annotation in the book, "The willow tree near the Black Lake". This was the place where Lily had escaped to in her school years, and her son had found it when he most needed it. Lily was protecting Harry even in the after life.

As Elwia walked up to the tree, she began to feel emotional. This would be the perfect time to tell Harry about the book.

"Harry, I have something to tell you." Elwia began saying and walked closer to Harry.

"What is it?" Harry asked, looking worried after seeing Elwia's serious face.

"This book belonged to your mother, Harry. She got it from Remus when she was our age. It's full of her personal annotations, which I think you should read. The book itself is tragic and very sad, I must admit. But I believe that by reading this book, you could get to know what she was like when she was the same age as you are now." Elwia carefully explained as she handed the book to Harry.

"How come you have it?" Harry asked as he inspected the book with his eyes.

"I don't know. I've had it ever since I can remember, but my mother only allowed me to read it when I turned 16. I think it was a gift, but I don't really know why my mother would give me Lily's book. It's confusing." Elwia explained messily. Harry merely nodded, probably feeling confused and emotional at that moment.

"Harry, this was Lily's favourite place at Hogwarts. This was her escape place, where she hid from others." Elwia whispered.

"Oh," Harry said, his voice breaking a little as he sat down on the ground.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"I wish I had known them." Harry mumbled and threw a rock into the Black Lake.

"I think a part of you already does. You are very alike with them, especially James. Remus told me that seeing you makes him feel like James never left." Elwia smiled with her eyes closed, enjoying the October sun against her face.