A Potter Secret

Home and Love

          Amos steps out when he hears the pop outside of his house. He smiles and helps Cedric bring Isabella inside. "Hello Mr. Diggory," Isabella yawns.

Smiling, Amos nods in return. "It's good to see you Isabella. How are you feeling?"

"It's been a long couple of days," Isabella replies.

They hear more pops outside and Amos goes to check. "Aurors? Amos notes. "What are they doing here?"

"Probably to stand guard over the new minister of magic," Cedric responds.

"You're the minister?' Amos asks Cedric.

Cedric shakes her head. "I'm still thought to be dead. Izzy, however, is the minister by unanimous Wizengamot decision. She needs a place to stay until somewhere else is suitable. The Potter properties are in disarray, as are Professor Snape's homes. Hogwarts is even worse. I hope it's alright if she stays here."

Amos nods. "Of course," Amos smiles. "Isabella will always be welcome here."

Carefully, they bring Isabella up to his room and sets her up. Elizabeth, Cedric's mother, comes up a few minutes later with some food. "You just rest up and recover," Cedric says, starting to help her eat.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Over the next few days, Cedric and his parents watch over Isabella as she recovers. It's not long before Isabella is on her feet and at full strength again. Cedric and Isabella sit on the roof one night as the stars fly across the sky. "When do you think Hogwarts will be ready again?" Cedric asks.

"I'd say probably this coming school year," Isabella says. "Why?"

"I have to finish up my last year and take my N.E.W.T.'s," Cedric explains.

"Don't worry, they're not as hard as people say," Isabella smiles.

"Really?" Cedric checks.

Isabella nods but it slowly turns into her shaking her head. "No. Sorry. It's really bad," Isabella laughs. "It's really, really bad. You're going to feel like crap for days after those tests."

Cedric chuckles. "I'm sure I'll be fine. So, what all happened since the tournament?"

Isabella sighs. "A lot," Isabella starts. "But I wouldn't really know. I was sent away after that year to live in hiding with some vampires." Cedric's eyes widen comically. "Yeah, that was exciting. Never a dull moment. It was a little tricky at times but it worked. I was safe and hidden from the wizarding world."

"I guess don't fix what's not broken," Cedric shrugs. They're quiet for a moment before Cedric looks over at her. "Do you remember how I was- I was kind of protective of you when you when I thought Harry was changing you in a way?"

Isabella smiles, sadly. "How could I forget? That was what we were fighting over for almost the entire year," Isabella replies.

Cedric sighs after a long pause. "I've had a crush on you since we first met," Cedric admits. Isabella looks at him, surprised. "I- I thought you were really cute but when I was old enough to act on it, I thought you would think I was crazy or- or you didn't like me. Most of all, I was seven years older than you. Everyone would frown upon us."

Isabella smiles and turns to sit in his lap. She leans forward, her lips firmly pressing against Cedric's. Her hands roam his hair as his hold her to him. After a few moments, Isabella pulls away and looks into his eyes. "These past three years have been really hard. I never knew just how much I cared about you until I spent three years with a guy who- who looked exactly like you and yet was nothing like you at the same time. I couldn't stand being away for so long with no idea how you were and if you were doing better."

Cedric leans forward to kiss Isabella again before leaning back. Isabella giggles. "I think I love you, Isabella," Cedric says. "I love you so much more than as a friend."

"I think I love you too," Isabella replies.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They sit up and head inside after a few more minutes of looking at the stars. Amos and Elizabeth sit on the couch with knowing looks on their faces. Cedric smiles at them. "Hey, Mom. Dad," Cedric greets.

"Cedric," Amos notes. "So, how did everything go up there, you two?"

Isabella blushes, hiding her face in Cedric's chest while Amos and Elizabeth chuckle. "We're happy for you two," Elizabeth smiles, getting up and giving them each both a hug. "I think, in some way, you've always been a part of our family."

Isabella smiles. "Thanks, Mrs. Diggory."

Elizabeth shakes her head happily. "None of that now," Elizabeth says. "It's Liz for you."

Cedric drags Isabella down with him as he sits on the couch. "This is the start of something amazing," Cedric smiles.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two parents push trolleys, shepherding their three children toward the great sooty station. Commuters stare curiously as the family weaves its way to a barrier between platforms nine and ten. As they come to a halt, the parents' faces come clear, Harry, now years old, and Ginny, now. Beside them are their children, James, Albus and Lily, the youngest. James, mischief in his eyes, looks back at his brother just before he runs through the barrier. And vanishes. Albus grips the handle of his trolley nervously, finding it hard to follow. Harry appears behind him, smiles tenderly, sees his son's nervousness. "Together?" an older Harry asks.

Albus nods and, side by side, they run the trolley at the barrier and emerge onto a new platform where a scarlet steam engine pours white smoke into the air. Seconds later, Ginny and Lily appear. Albus peers about anxiously. There is a riot of activity, as wizarding parents see off their children and trunks are loaded. There are lots of first years like Albus, looking equally nervous and being given a final send-off. Albus looks at it all with trepidation. Lily races off chasing a paper bird that flies through the crowd. Up ahead Albus sees four people through the steam, Ron, Hermione and their two children, Rose and little Hugo, as Rose's luggage is packed onto the train, gentle goodbyes. Ron waves over to Harry. Older Hermione gives her daughter Rose one last hug. "Don't forget to give Professor Longbottom our best," Hermione reminds.

Albus looks at the train, then back to Harry. Then he disappears Harry and Ginny share a knowing look, and then as Ginny takes charge of the trolley, Harry returns to Albus, who is now kneeling down, struggling with his shoelace. Harry leans down and joins him. "Will there really be thestrals pulling the carriages?" Albus asks.

Harry eyes his son warmly. "There's nothing scary about thestrals. They're gentle things. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages. You'll be going in the boats, remember?" Harry reminds.

Albus nods, looks down. "Dad?" Albus calls.

"Yes?"

"What if I'm put in Slytherin?"

Harry studies his son long and hard. Leans close. "Albus Severus Potter. You were named after two Headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin. And he was probably the bravest man I ever knew," Harry explains.

Albus nods, thinks for a moment then frowns. "But just say I am-" Albus trails.

"Then Slytherin House will have gained a wonderful wizard. But listen, if it means so much to you, you can choose Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account," Harry explains.

"Really?" Albus checks.

"Really." The train whistle blows and Albus' eyes go wide. "Ready?"

"Ready," Albus agrees. They stand, consider each other for a moment, then Harry leans over and gives his son a big hug. Albus settles into his seat opposite Rose, looks around him, a chocolate frog jumps up the window, a Weasley Firework caroms down the train corridor beyond. This is going to be quite a journey. Albus smiles and looks out to his Dad.

And the train jolts to a start. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione watch with affection. Lily looks like all she wants to do is to jump on the train and leave with it.

The train heads off. Harry waves, pride, and more than a little nostalgia clear in his face, as the train slips away.