8th Gryffindor note [voice] / [action]

[loyalotter]

It seems as though people come and go a lot here. I noticed it a while back, but you don't think the people doing the going will be those you're close to or know well until... they disappear, too. It's too much to hope that things will remain relatively constant, isn't it?

Ron's gone... isn't he?

[Hermione's going to be sitting out in the

Comments

[cruxofapotter]

[Harry's going to come out to visit, because it's been bothering him, too.]

There's no sign of him at all, is there?

[loyalotter]

[She welcomes the company and scoots over to offer him space and a blanket if he wants to sit down.]

Not that I can see and there's no sign of a struggle, so the Malnosso can't have got him. He would have fought...

[cruxofapotter]

[He'll sit down next to her.]

We would have heard it if he did. We would have helped him. It can only mean... he went back.

[loyalotter]

[She's very glad for the company and offers a weary smile.]

Not even my messenger has found him. At least I don't think so, but it's difficult to tell. It should mean he's home and at least he's not dealing with the Malnosso there.

[cruxofapotter]

[He nods at that. He's really not sure what to feel about it.]

If he's home, he's technically still with us. He's better off there, anyway.

[loyalotter]

[She nods as well.] Yeah. At least he won't be alone.

[And then she glances at him again, surprised he didn't comment about the messenger.] Harry, I've been so distracted with schoolwork and library and welcome center duties that I almost forgot about this. Lupin taught me the Patronus messenger.

[cruxofapotter]

We... we won't be either, really. He's with us back home, and here... we have the others. [None of whom are his best mate, but hey, he's trying! Also, slightly distracted.]

He did? [Harry brightens at that.] That's brilliant! If we can all learn it, it'll be bloody useful! [And maybe he can finally take off his stupid neck chain.]

[loyalotter]

We have each other at least. [And she's hoping neither of them will go anywhere anytime soon.] And Cho, Luna, Lupin, and Tonks. Plus others who we've only known here.

[She smiles at him, brightening at the Patronus part.] Yes. I'm hoping to master it over distance and with a longer message soon. [But here, see what she can do so far. The otter appears, darts around to Harry's other side, opens its mouth, and speaks.]

He's taught me this much already and I've been practicing.

I'm going to teach Malfoy, too. I think he should know.

[cruxofapotter]

Exactly. We'll be alright. [He's hoping the same, too. Losing her would be just as bad as losing Ron.] I don't know many people here, but at least most of them are alright.

[He watches the Patronus and smiles at it.] That's great work, Hermione! Completely brilliant.

I taught Malfoy how to conjure a Patronus recently. I wonder if he's good enough to get started on this bit.

[loyalotter]

I've met a few and they seem all right. We're all in the same situation, after all.

[She beams.] I want to teach the DA. I think it would be something good for us to know.

I know... He showed me.

[cruxofapotter]

There are a few creepers, but mostly everyone's been cool.

I completely agree. If we don't have enough time to use the papers, this is a great way to communicate.

He did?

[loyalotter]

Like Kefka, apparently. [She shudders slightly.]

We ought to set up a meeting soon to teach the others, then.

Yes. [Have a sideways glance and a nod. She looks like she's holding back something, but after a minute or two, her lips twitch and she just can't help laughing.] I can't believe you named him Padfoot. He's going to hex you when he finds out what it means.

[cruxofapotter]

[A serious look.] That creepy bloke talked to you?

Sounds good to me. I'll help you as best I can.

[Yeah, he can't help grinning at that either.] Well, he asked me for a name and wouldn't call him Sirius, so I gave him the next best thing. It's not my fault it stuck.

[loyalotter]

[She shrugs.] He hasn't done anything yet, but I'd like to keep an eye on him anyway. Terra is a friend of mine and she seems to be his primary target. [Here she's going to give you a pointed look. How about that, Hermione has made another friend in the same situation as one of her best friends. Fancy that.]

That'll be great.

[She snickers a little, trying not to laugh terribly, but failing at it.] I still can't believe you did it. I didn't tell him what it means and I'm not going to, but it's strange to hear him talk about Padfoot and Prongs running around. [And then she trails off a bit, the smile sliding a little as she glances at the fire in front of her. The fact that Harry's Mum's here makes her wonder if a younger version of his dad will show up... or Sirius. That might be a bit awkward...]