The Story of the Marauders

Thirty-Nine: Calysta

CALYSTA

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There was to be a guard stationed at Hogwarts at all times. Aurors and Order members alike were to patrol the school and protect it should there be an attack by Death Eaters. Kingsley Shacklebolt was even placed as a security guard for the Muggle Prime Minister. After the death of her husband, it was all Calysta could do to keep herself from being self-destructive.

Harry and Calysta were both destroyed by Sirius' death, but they had each other. Calysta took Harry home that summer; to her home at Daelynn Manor. Petunia Dursley heard of Calysta from little mentionings from Lily many years ago. Petunia was frightened of something, or someone, saying Dumbledore demanded her take care of Harry until he was of age. Calysta told her never mind Dumbledore; the old man refused Harry a proper childhood long enough. Harry would never have a proper childhood now, but Calysta wasn't going to waste the rest of it worrying about him instead of simply taking Harry instead. He would be 17 in a year; he could make his own decisions. Sirius left Harry everything he had in his will that even Calysta had no idea he wrote. It made her cry upon reading it, though just about anything having to do with Sirius made her cry.

Harry did not want the house, just as Calysta knew. She was sure Sirius knew he would not want it either. Calysta knew Kreacher would still inhabit the place, as Calysta refused to make him leave with Calysta to her manor. Tizzy was pleased, as she did not like Kreacher. Kreacher was hesitant, but Calysta was sure it was because Regulus' memory was still in Grimmauld Place that he ultimately decided to stay. This, she understood completely. Sirius may have put Kreacher into her care, but Calysta knew where the elf's heart belonged. Kreacher said he was devoted to his service to her, but Calysta had no need of it right now. So at Grimmauld Place he would stay.

Harry's uncle Vernon, a quite unpleasant man in every way, recognized her from the many years she spent watching over Harry from afar. Vernon yelled many rude things her way. Calysta ignored them as she wrapped her arm around Harry and collected his trunks. She would face hell for this dangerous move later, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Harry's protective magic was still surrounding him even while away from Private Drive; she'd done much research before taking him away for good. She received many owls from Dumbledore and others in the Order, and spent many late nights arguing in her living room with the witches and wizards about her recklessness. Eventually things settled down when Harry pleaded his own case, saying how Sirius would have wanted this. Most of the arguing stopped after that.

Calysta allowed the Order to still her manor for meetings and as a safe house. Harry loved living with his godmother, though there was a sadness to her that never seemed to disappear. Harry had it in himself as well; that was to be expected. But he was finally free to talk magic and Hogwarts in the house, gain great advice for subjects he struggled with, eat all he wanted, have his friends over, and had a huge bedroom all to himself, since Calysta rescued him from his personal hell that was Private Drive and the Dursley's. Calysta answered all Harry's questions about his mother and father, told him stories of the Marauders, of her life in the United States where she came from. Remus added in tales when he was around.

Harry got to know Calysta's family more and more. Kassie and Karlin reminded him of Fred and George, and treated his a cousin. Oren Daelynn acted as if Harry was his real grandson, as did Biron, often calling upon Calysta to ask how his "nephew" was doing. Ardedia told him she kept up on his exploits during his fourth year, explaining how she was a professor at Beauxbatons and how impressed she was with his decisions during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Harry was shortly coming to realize he'd always have family wherever he looked. His heart was full, yet empty at the same time. Sirius deserved to be sharing this time with them.