(no subject)
It's strangely surreal, after Milliways, to be crossing this lake again. Penny's boat bobs about-- she's certain that someone behind her is about to be sick-- and she gets the feeling that, like her, everyone is waiting for Hogwarts to come into view.
It's funny how even with everything that's happened, the lights of the castle can make her feel eleven years old again.
They reach shore eventually, she and the others-- entire families with their children, single mothers with babies, wizened witches and wizards leaning heavily on their canes (or the occasional stray twentysomething-- those are probably volunteers like she is). Later, in the Great Hall, over the kind of dinner that Chas and Lux dream about, the situation is explained to them. Hogwarts is to be a safe haven for all those who seek it, and their safety will be ensured by the volunteer alumnae (Penelope gulps here, thinking guiltily that that means her) who have donated their time and their energy to protecting fellow wizards who cannot protect themselves. It's a good speech, but it's also a daunting one-- Penny just hopes she can live up to it.
It's funny how even with everything that's happened, the lights of the castle can make her feel eleven years old again.
They reach shore eventually, she and the others-- entire families with their children, single mothers with babies, wizened witches and wizards leaning heavily on their canes (or the occasional stray twentysomething-- those are probably volunteers like she is). Later, in the Great Hall, over the kind of dinner that Chas and Lux dream about, the situation is explained to them. Hogwarts is to be a safe haven for all those who seek it, and their safety will be ensured by the volunteer alumnae (Penelope gulps here, thinking guiltily that that means her) who have donated their time and their energy to protecting fellow wizards who cannot protect themselves. It's a good speech, but it's also a daunting one-- Penny just hopes she can live up to it.