Courage - Harry Potter

-111-

Book: Courage
Chapter 111
Word Count: 2550

It was snowing by the time Layla took over the watch from Harry at midnight. After half an hour, however, Harry joined her. The snow was still falling thickly, and Layla greeted with relief Harry's suggestion of packing up early and moving on.

"We'll go somewhere more sheltered," she agreed, shivering as she pulled on a sweatshirt over her pajamas. "I kept thinking I could hear people moving outside, I even thought I saw somebody once or twice."

Harry paused in the act of pulling on a jumper and glanced at the silent, motionless Sneakoscope on the table.

"I'm sure I imagined it," said Layla, looking nervous. "The snow in the dark, it plays tricks on your eyes. But perhaps we ought to Disapparate under the Invisibility Cloak, just in case?"

Another half an hour later, Layla woke up Hermione and, with the tent packed, the three friends Disapparated. The usual tightness engulfed them; Layla's feet parted company with the snowy ground, then slammed hard onto what felt like frozen earth covered with leaves.

"Where are we?" Harry asked, peering around at a fresh mass of trees as Hermione opened the beaded bag and began tugging at tent poles.

"The Forest of Dean," she said. "'I came camping here once with my mum and dad."

Here too snow lay on the trees all around and it was bitterly cold, but they were at least protected from the wind. They spent most of the day inside the tent, huddled for warmth around the useful bright blue flames that Hermione was so adept at producing, and which could be scooped up and carried around in a jar. That afternoon, fresh flakes drifted down upon then, so that even their sheltered clearing had a fresh dusting of powdery snow.

Their escape from Godric's Hollow had been so narrow that Voldemort seemed somehow closer than before, more threatening.

After two nights, Layla offered to take watch that night but Harry had told both girls to go to sleep and he will stay up. So, Layla got into bed and fell asleep, though the next morning, she was confused by the absence of Harry, looking around to see if he had decided to sleep in his own bed, but Harry was nowhere to be seen.

The only illumination in the tent was through the bluebell flames still shimmering in a bowl on the floor. Hermione was fast asleep, curled up under her blankets, and Layla stood up to see if Harry was outside. However, Harry suddenly walked into the tent, accompanied by another who was holding the sword of Gryffindor and a destroyed locket. Layla's eyes widened.

"Ron?"

"Hey, Lay," smiled Ron. Layla rushed forward, hugging her redheaded friend tightly.

"You're back!" She then stepped back and smacked Ron across the face. "You idiot!"

"Ow!" Ron clutched his face, frowning. "What was that for?"

"For what you did to Hermione! You put her through so much for leaving, Ron, and if you hurt her again, a little slap will be the least of your worries," said Layla. Ron took a small step back.

"I'm never getting on your bad side ever again."

"Good choice," Layla smiled.

"Speaking of Hermione," said Harry, glancing over at Hermione's sleeping form. She did not move until Harry had said her name several times. "Hermione!"

Hermione stirred, then sat up quickly, pushing her hair out of her face.

"What's wrong? Harry? Are you all right?"

"It's okay, everything's fine. More than fine. I'm great. There's someone here."

"What do you mean? Who—?"