Silent Love (Harry Potter Love Story)

Chapter 37

I woke up in the Hospital Wings. I see Ron frowns.
 
“How’d you two get over there? I was just talking to you.. over there,” said Ron.
 
“What are you talking about?” I asked to Ron.
 
“What do you think Harry? Too much for him, everything that’s happened tonight?” Hermione said.
 
“Afraid so. Always been a bit of the nervous type, Ron has,” said Harry. Ron stares at them, confounded. Slowly Harry and Hermione grin.
 
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
 
“They’re in the right side of the room, and a secon later they’re in the left side of the room,” said Ron.
 
“That’s impossible Ron, how can people be at 2 places at the same time,” Hermione laughed. Harry walks toward my bed
 
“How are you feeling?” Harry asked.
 
“Good, a little dizzy. But I’m ok,” I said. “What happened to me?”
 
“Well, you try to be reasonable with a werewolf, what do you think it will work out?” Harry laughed. “Snape brought you here.”
 
“I guess I’ll send a thank you card to Professor Snape,” I smiled.
 
“And you just like me, regularly visit the hospital every year,” Harry said.
 
“Yeah, be your friend is a lot of work,” I smiled.
 
“I’m sorry,” Harry said.
 
“Hey, that’s ok, what’s life without a little adventure,” I smiled.
 
The next day, we at the Gryffindor Common Room.
 
“Fanny, will you want to go with me to Lupin’s office?” Harry asked.
 
“Yeah, sure,” I said and closed my DADA book.
 
“Why are you still studying? The exam over,” Harry said.
 
“Well, I just like the book then,” I said.
 
We walk softly toward an open door and peers in. Lupin stands over a battered suitcase, filling it with the last of his books. Without turning, he speaks.
 
“Hello Harry, Fanny,” said Lupin.
 
We jump. Lupin turns, smiles through haggrad eyes.
 
“Saw you coming,” said Lupin. The Marauder’s Map lies open on an otherwise bare desk. We nod, look back to Lupin. And a little shock to look at Lupin’s appearance.
 
“I’ve looked worse, believe me.” Lupin said.
 
We eye the open desk drawers the bare bookshelves.
 
“You’ve been sacked,” said Harry.
 
“Resigned, actually,” said Lupin.
 
“Resigned? But why?” I asked.
 
“It seems that someone has let slip the nature of my condition,” said Lupin.
 
“Snape,” said Harry.
 
“Whoever. It was bound to get out. This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving. Parents will not want a someone like me teaching their children,” said Lupin.
 
“But your the best DADA teacher that we ever had. Professor Quirrel is too nervous but turns out it just an act and he’s totally evil, Lockhart is too self centered, you actually the normal one,” I said.
 
“Thank you, Fanny. But I don’t think everyone will have the potisitive comment like you. And I’m sorry for making you black out,”Lupin said.
 
“That’s ok professor,” I smiled.
 
“But Dumbledore...” said Harry.
 
“Has already risked ebough on my behalf. Besides, people like me, well let’s just say, I’m used to this by now. But before I go, tell me about your Patrons,” said Lupin.
“Well, at first I though it was a horse, or perhaps a unicorn, but I think it was..” said Harry.
 
“A stag,” said Lupin.
 
“Yes,” said Harry.
 
“Your father used to transform into one. That’s how he was able to keep me company when I became.. sick. He was great friend James,” said Lupin. Lupin smiles wanly, lifts his sorry suitcase. Then stops.
 
“There are stories about him and your mother, you know. Some are even true. But I think it’s safe to say, in the end, you’ll know them best by getting to know yourself,” said Lupin and with a wicked twinkle, raises his wand.
 
“Mischief managed,” said Lupin. We watch the Map go blank. Looks back, Lupin is gone.
 
“C’mon, let’s have breakfast,” said Harry.
 
In the Great Hall. Ron stands amid a circle of excited Gryffindors.
 
“What’s going on in here?” I asked.
 
“Stand back, I said! I’ll take it upstairs if you don’t settle!” said Ron.
 
As we arrive, Harry glances at Hermione who clears her throat loudly. The others turn, begin all speaking at once.
 
“Harry! Wherever did you get it?” asked Neville.
 
“Can I have a go Harry? After you of course,” said Seamus.
 
“Quiet!” said Ron. “Thank you, let the man through.”
 
Mystified, Harry steps forward, the boys peeling away, clearing his view of the broomstick in Ron’s hands. The Label, “Firebolt.”
 
“Whose is that?” asked Harry.
 
“Harry, I think it’s yours,” I laughed.
 
“Who? But how?” asked Harry.
 
“It’s a mystery. Though.. this fell out of the wrapping,” said Hermione and holds up a feather.
 
“That’s a hippogriff feather,” said Harry.
 
Then all of the Gryffindors run outside. The huge vertical doors burst opne and Harry trailed by the others, exits with the firebolt. As he strides off, others join the assembly. As he strides off, others join the assembly, Hagrid, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle among them, curious to see what the commotion is all about.
 
As Harry stops, an expectant hush hangs over the moment.
 
“Go on Harry,” said Seamus.
 
“Yeah, let’s see,” said Neville.
 
Harry mounts the broom. Licks his finger and jabs it in the air. A few others do the same. Hagrid does the same. Crabbe and Goyle start to do the same, when Malfoy slaps their hands down. Finally, Harry places his hand on the broom. Set his grip. Takes a breath. And frowns.
 
“What’s wrong?” asked Fred and George.
 
“I don’t think it works. I think it’s defective,” said Harry. A collective groan, dejected, many of the kids begin to drift toward the castle. Harry calls after.
 
“Oh come on now. It’s just a broom,” said Harry.
 
“Just a broom,” said Hagrid. Harry’s eye shift to Ron, Hermione, and me. A wink.
 
“The fastest broom in the world,” said Harry. “And Fanny, you’ll come with me.” Harry grabs my hand.
 
“No, no, no,” I said. “I don’t think I can fly in the fastest broom in the world. I never even try to fly with the slowest broom in the world.”
 
“It’s the least I can do for sending you to Hospital wing every year,” Harry said.
 
“And Mr. Potter, it can send me to Hospital again,” I said sarcastically.
 
“C’mon Fanny!” Hagrid picks me up, and put me on the broom.
 
“Hagrid!” I said.
 
“Hold on tight!” said Hagrid. I hold on to Harry’s shoulder.
 
As everyone turns, we jet off.
 
A tiny dot, growing larger and larger, races upward. It’s Harry shooting straight into the blue on the firebolt. A scream grows louder as we approach. A scream of release, of utter abandon. We scream. But somethig else is clear as we jet past and it’s scream of joy.