Lost and Found...Love

Chapter 13

Let's Do It!

"This invitation list is getting out of hand, Anna," Gwen sighed, then passed the list to Harry.

"You'll have 26 people - if Fred and George bring dates. And everyone shows up," said Harry, counting down the names on the paper.

"How'd you get that many?" Remus leaned over Gwen's shoulder to take a peek.

"Well, you can't invite one Weasley and not invite the rest; they all have to come." Anna sat back with her mug of coffee and took a sip. "Even Percy, now that he's back in everyone's good graces."

"He wouldn't not show up; glad to be forgiven for being a right prat, Percy!" Harry observed wryly.

"Oh, and Winky asked if she could invite Dobby so he could see her new home and that's she's happy and doing well for herself. Wants to show off a bit, I think." Anna checked around, and then whispered, "I think she's secretly got a crush on old Dobby."

"What?" Harry looked over at Gwen and Remus. "Are you two contagious?"

"Don't be daft, Harry. But speaking of contagious, let's go downstairs so I can get a blood sample, Remus." Gwen looked up at him. He nodded.

"Blood sample...sorry, for what?" Harry wrinkled his brow, slightly alarmed. "You're not ill are you Remus?"

"No, same old complaint. Gwen takes a bit of blood every month, when she's here, to see if there are any changes in the cell composition or foreign bodies. She's looking for clues as to what makes me transform." Remus informed him.

"I'm continuing my Dad's work on Remus' lycanthropy. I believe, as he did, that it is treatable, beyond what the Wolfsbane Potion can do." Gwen stood up and put her arm around Remus' waist.

"You mean a cure?" Harry asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Stranger things have been cured, but I'm still in the research stage, Harry. There's a long way to go, before a cure is found. I'm optimistic that I'll at least find the cause. That's the first step."

Smiling at Harry, Remus and Gwen turned and left the library, heading for the office.

X # X # X

"Anna, here's a sort of dumb question." Harry had waited until Remus and Gwen were downstairs before turning round with a worried look on his face.

"No such thing as a dumb question, Harry. What's bothering you?"

"Does Gwen have any idea how truly dangerous Remus would be, if not for the Wolfsbane Potion pills? Has she ever seen him transform?"

"Yes, to both questions, Harry. She had helped Christopher, when he was alive, to obtain blood during Remus' transformation stage, for their research. And she has continued to do so, two nights ago in fact, while we were watching videos."

"What? Christmas Eve was the full moon?"

"Yes. She needed another sample of his blood when he was in full transformation."

"I had no idea. The only time I've seen Remus transform, it wasn't good." Harry shuddered at the memory. "He hadn't taken his Wolfsbane Potion and, well, he was beyond scary."

"He's not like that anymore, Harry, but he did insist on being restrained, just in case, when Gwen took the sample. Then he just curled up and waited it out. Gwen stayed with him and she and Christopher had a nice long visit.

"Remus was very reluctant to have her see him that way, the first time she was here to help. But, as Remus said last night, she's her father's daughter and the scientist in her kicked in. She told him, in no uncertain terms, that she was going to be there and do what had to be done, whether he liked it or not.

"Then, I understand, she told him she'd dated worse wolves in sheep's clothing, so it was no big deal. She knew how to defend herself. I think that's when he realized she truly cared for him and had a personal stake in doing this research. And I think they are very good for each other."

"Like you and Christopher?"

"Yes, Harry, like we were."

"Maybe it was you and Christopher who were contagious," Harry leaned over and whispered.

"Could have been, Harry, but don't tell him. He'll start matchmaking and he's horrible at it."

"Ok, it'll be our secret." Harry grinned at her.

X # X # X

"I'd better stop adding to this list and start planning for the party with Winky. You know, I'm beginning to believe I've created a little dictator in my own house. She runs this place like a well oiled machine, our Winky. I find myself asking her about things, not the other way round. Oh, well, as long as she's happy and wants to call this place her own, I'm pleased to let her." Anna shook her head. "I guess I passed the Mistress exam."

Harry laughed. "Hard not to; you treat her like family, which, from what I've heard, instills a fierce loyalty in house elves."

"I wasn't doing it to win her over; I just was raised that way. House elves are a special gift to the Wizarding world and we'd better not lose sight of that," Anna explained. "Let's get these invitations done and give Wally and Hedwig a good excuse for some exercise."

"Right."

Heads bent over the invitations and envelopes, the next twenty minutes were quiet except for the scratching of quill on parchment. Winky padded around the table, refilling Anna's coffee mug and Harry's hot chocolate cup.

"Let's see, we've got three or four groups of invites here; one bundle to The Burrow, with a note to Ginny to deliver Luna's, and one bunch for Hogwarts and Neville and his Grandmother on the way. Then we can divide the London pile into the Weasleys who live here in town and Tonks, Mad-Eye and Hermione," Anna reasoned as she stacked the envelopes into four neat piles.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Harry agreed.

Anna got up, went to the desk and rummaging around in the drawers, emerged with tags and some string. Returning to the table, she and Harry tied each stack into a tight little package and attached an address tag.

"Ready? Let's go and roust the troops, shall we?"

X # X # X

Up in the attic, Wally and Hedwig accepted their assignments with good humor, Hedwig heading to The Burrow and Wally for Hogwarts and the Longbottom's house.

"When you two get back, there are a couple of quick deliveries here in London. Here's a treat. Now, take care and rest a little before you start back; we've got plenty of time for the local deliveries, so don't rush."

Hooting softly, and nibbling Harry's and Anna's fingers, the two owls took wing and split apart, heading in different directions.

"Well, that's done. Now I have to meet with Winky. Have you anything planned for today, Harry?"

"Yeah, actually; Remus and I promised Gwen we'd help a friend of her's move some furniture today. Lots of hands, quicker job. And we have to be there by ten," Harry said as he glanced at his watch. "So I'd better get downstairs and get those two moving. We'll just make it. How about you?"

"I'm off to St. Mungo's to see Alice and Frank. I guess we'll see each other tonight."

"Right. See 'ya." Giving Anna a kiss on the cheek, Harry pounded down the stairs, calling Remus and Gwen's names.

X # X # X

Knock...knock.

"Enter."

Severus Snape looked up from his desk, wondering who had ventured down into the dungeons to see him. None of the students had stayed at Hogwarts for the holiday, or any of the staff members, except himself, Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster. Even Argus Filtch was off visiting his sister. Dobby peeked cautiously around the edge of the door.

"Professor Snape, sir, you is getting mail, sir. Professor Dumbledore is asking Dobby to bring it to you. It is an invitation, sir," Dobby informed the Potions Master as he walked into the office and approached Severus' desk.

"An invitation?" Severus, puzzled, held out his hand. "And how do you know the contents of my mail, might I inquire?" Taking the sealed note, he flipped it over and read the return address.

"I is getting one, too, and Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, sir," answered the house elf as he pulled his invitation out of his pocket and held it up to show Severus.

"I see."

"Winky is inviting me to come visit her and see her new Mistress' house," Dobby informed Snape with a grin.

"How delightful," drawled Severus. "Very well, you may go."

"Yes, Professor. We is going to London!" Dobby smiled and ran out of the room, clutching his own invitation to his chest.

As soon as the door closed, Severus broke the seal and opened the parchment.

Dear Severus,

I came up with that plausible excuse you were in need of. So you WILL be able to stop in and see me! Along with about two dozen other people, but at least they're all friends and family; mine, not necessarily yours. HA! HA! Please don't let that stop you from coming, though!

New Year's Eve, 7PM until 1 or 2 AM. I suggested to Albus and Minerva that the three of you stay at The Leaky Cauldron, rather than traveling back that late at night. I'd ask ALL of you to stay HERE, but I don't have room for EVERYONE who'll be coming from out of town (an even dozen, actually).

Please say you'll come. I DO miss you.

#42 Harley St., Marylebourne. (6 blocks south of Regents Park.)

Love, Anastasia

Severus leaned back in his chair, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Any excuse for a party, little girl."

After a moment he sat up, tossed the invitation onto his desk and continued with his paperwork.

X # X # X

By Friday night the R.S.V.P.s had arrived. Shopping lists for forays to the various grocery and specialty food stores were written and divided between Anna, Gwen, Remus and Harry. They spent most of Saturday seeking out the items on their lists and returning with bulging bags and boxes.

Winky was busy deciding which linens, china, cutlery and crystal were to be used and how to arrange the dining room. There were too many people coming to fit comfortably around the dining room table, big as it was, so Anna and Winky had decided on a buffet, with three smaller tables instead.

Fairy lights had been strung in the green house and noise makers and blow ticklers had been added to the Christmas greenery.

Sunday morning found Anna and Winky in the upstairs hallway.

"Are you sure you wouldn't want me to ask Dobby to come down early and lend a hand?" Anna ventured, as Winky emerged from the linen closet, laden down with napkins and table cloths.

"NO, Missy Anna. I is already telling you; Dobby is Winky's guest. I is able to do this myself and is not needing his help. I is wanting to show him I is a proper house elf again!"

"Ok. If that's your final word."

"Yes, Miss."

"However, if any of us can help, you just tell us what we can do. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Miss." Winky disappeared into the closet again.

"Fine. As long as that's settled."

"Yes, Miss," came from the depths of the closet.

Anna descended the stairs, shaking her head, to find Remus, Gwen and Harry waiting.

X # X # X

"Alright, you lot, Winky wants us to clear out so she can re-arrange everything and get the dining room set up. So, why don't we go for a nice Sunday drive?" Glancing at Harry, she spotted a gleam in his eyes and a smirk on his lips. "What are you thinking, young man?"

"I'm being really wicked." Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I was just imagining the look on Uncle Vernon's face if we were to pull into his driveway in Doctor Jones' Rolls. Aunt Petunia would have a stroke and Dudley would start yelling he had to have one, as a late Christmas present. That would be priceless." Harry gazed heavenward, and sighed.

"Oh, you are a very wicked boy, Harry" Remus admonished, shaking his head, barely suppressing a smile.

"Aren't I, just?" Harry shot him a sideways glance.

"Let's do it!" Anna exclaimed, rubbing her hands together, ready to start.

"NO! I was just joking!" gasped Harry. "No...way!"

"I'm not joking; time for some nonsense. Just to see the looks on their faces," Anna pleaded with him.

"We can't just show up, unannounced. I wasn't serious."

"But I am...perfectly serious. Time we did something outrageously unexpected. Come on, Harry, think of the stories you'll be able to tell everyone back at Hogwarts. Let's give them something to talk about. Give their neighbors something to talk about!"

Harry stood there shaking his head, looking over to Remus, who just smiled and winked, then to Gwen who shrugged her shoulders. Anna crossed her arms and waited.

Harry heaved a sigh. "Oh, sod it! Let's go!" Harry gave in, throwing up his hands. Turning to Gwen and Remus he asked, "Are you two coming?"

"Remus, you and Gwen can have the back seat. Very cozy," Anna offered.

"You're always so subtle, Anna," Gwen replied, shaking her head.

"We won't peek," Harry added, with a wildly inadequate look of innocence on his face.

Remus grabbed him around the neck and ruffled his hair. "Cheeky blighter," he hissed in his ear. Then turning to Gwen. "You've got to meet these relatives of Harry's."

"Should we take anything? Fruit basket? Cookies? Wine?" inquired Gwen.

They all looked back and forth at each other, and then as one, shouted "Fruitcake!" Dissolving into peals of laughter, they headed for the garage.

Surprise Visit

Vernon Dursley was sitting at the dining room table, reading the Sunday newspaper when he heard a car stop out in front of the house and the engine shut off. Petunia scurried into the living room to peer through the curtains to see which of her neighbors were having visitors. Her jaw dropped and she ran to where her husband was drinking his coffee, turning the pages of the business section.

"Vernon! It's him! Harry! There are people with him! They've got a Rolls!"

"WHAT ?!?!" Moving very quickly for someone of his girth, he hurried around the sofa and peeked thorough the lace curtains. He saw the beautiful, classic old automobile parked at the end of his driveway, and Harry leading three people up the sidewalk to the front door.

DING! DONG!

"HELLO!..." Harry yelled through the mail slot. "Aunt Petunia, I know you're in there; I saw you at the front window peeping through the curtains. Open up! We're just here to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Dudley came thumping down the stairs from his bedroom. "What's all the shouting about?"

"Hey, Dudley!" Harry spotted his cousin, as he landed at the bottom of the stairs.

Dudley looked around wildly. "Harry?"

"Open the door, Dud."

"What?"

"NO!" shrieked Aunt Petunia, running into the front hall.

"Got to now, Petunia, or I'll open it for you." Anna said sweetly, bending over to talk through the letter slot. "Consider the neighbors. What must they think, seeing us standing here, talking into the mail ..."

The door was yanked open.

"Petunia!" Anna straightened up and threw her arms around Harry's aunt and hugged her. "I haven't seen you in years!" Releasing her, Anna walked past to face Dudley and Vernon. "So, this is Dudley. Hello. How are you? And you," she continued, turning to Vernon, "must be Petunia's husband. Vernon, isn't it?"

"Yes," Vernon managed to squeak, backing up as Harry moved into the hall to allow Gwen and Remus to enter the front door. Petunia was pressed against the wall, mouth open, staring around wildly.

"Hey, Dud." Harry smiled at his cousin. "How was Christmas? Get all of the junk you asked for? I got a bloody great pile of gifts for Christmas, myself!" Turning to his Aunt Petunia, Harry gave her a big kiss. "Hello, Aunt Petunia. Let me introduce you to..."

But Petunia backed away from him, bumped into Anna, turned, saw her, squeaked, and rushed into the living room.

"Petunia, what a sweet little house you have here. Decorate it yourself?" Anna followed her into the parlor.

Uncle Vernon had backed into the kitchen and circled through the dining area to come up behind Petunia. He put a protective arm around her. Anna was looking at Petunia Dursley with her head cocked to one side, smiling slightly. Harry came into the living room, saw Anna, froze for a second, and then quickly turned toward his uncle.

"Let me introduce you, Uncle Vernon. This is Professor Anna Twigg-Jones, one of my teachers at school. She was a classmate of my parents, isn't that right, Aunt Petunia?"

Petunia Dursley nodded her head, still looking at Anna. "Yes. Classmates...friends....years."

Turning, Harry pulled Gwen into the living room and Remus followed her.

"This is Anna's step-daughter," Harry continued with his introductions, "Doctor Gwen Jones and another teacher of mine, Professor Remus Lupin. You've met before...at King's Cross Station...last June? He works with Anna and Gwen on medical research. Anna's a Healer, you see."

"Healer?" Dudley had worked his way over to stand behind his parents.

"Equivalent to a medical doctor, but for our world, Dud," Harry explained. "Anyway," said Harry cheerfully, as he put his arms around Gwen and Remus' shoulders. "We were taking a drive and I suggested we stop for a couple of minutes, just to say Hello and wish you all a Happy New Year!"

Turning from Anna almost reluctantly, Petunia Dursley shook her head slightly and then focused on Harry.

"Well, I, well, yes, ah, Happy New Year," she muttered. Then looking back to Anna, a small smile crept onto her face. "You look well, Anna, and you're right, it has been a long time."

Uncle Vernon goggled at her. "You really know this...this person...this...this you-know-what that just barged into our home, without so much as...as...?" he sputtered indignantly, looking down his nose at Anna.

Anna swung her gaze around to him, eyes flashing. Harry grimaced and turned away, Remus rolled his eyes and Gwen clamped her hand over her mouth.

"EXCUSE ME? You rude, overstuffed windbag! I don't barge into people's homes. But I am a genuine you-know-what...ON WHEELS! So I'll thank you to keep your big mouth shut and reframe from interrupting us! We're having a reunion, here. Now, excuse us!"

Grabbing Petunia by the arm, she pushed past Vernon and dragged Petunia into the conservatory, snapping the doors firmly shut behind them. Turning, she smiled and threw her arms around Petunia and to everyone's surprise; Petunia hugged her back with equal enthusiasm. They started chattering away, laughing, and both talking at once, oblivious of the group watching them.

"Well, I never!" Vernon huffed, indignantly.

"Probably not, Mister Dursley," Remus said softly, patting him on the shoulder, "probably not."

This caused Vernon to spin around in horror, having forgotten there were still other people with him in his living room. Dudley was edging over to the conservatory doors, trying to eavesdrop.

"Hey, Dud, don't you be rude, too." Harry walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder, making Dudley jump.

"Do you and your family have any plans for New Year's Eve, Mister Dursley?" Gwen tried valiantly to make polite conversation. "Anna's throwing a big party, you see, and I'm sure she would be glad to have you and you lovely wife and your...son join us."

"What? Oh...ah...I don't...plans..." Vernon Dursley's head was swiveling back and forth between the scene in the conservatory and the lovely - he had to admit to himself - young Doctor...?...standing next to the tall man with the strange scars on his face. "Must ask...Petunia knows...sorry...plans..."

"Mister Dursley...Vernon," said Remus, as he held up the holiday gift basket they had picked up at Fordham and Mason on the way to Privet Drive. "If you already have plans for the evening and can't join us, we understand. This is a bit short notice, so here's something for your celebration, from Harry and all of us on Harley Street."

"Harley Street, London?" That got Vernon Dursley's undivided attention. He whirled to gape at Harry. "You're staying on Harley Street for the holiday?"

"Yeah, at Anna's house." Harry was beaming at his uncle.

"Anna and my late father's home and office are located on Harley Street, Vernon," explained Gwen. "May I call you Vernon? We're having the party there tomorrow night, starting at 7 PM and we'll be going on until 1 or 2 AM. You and Petunia and Dudley can drop in and just stay a bit, if you have another party to go to, or join all of us for the whole evening."

"Are all of the guests, well, like...him?" Vernon jerked his head at Harry.

"Oh, well, I'm a Muggle, like yourself and your family, as was my late father. But yes, everyone else attending will be from the magical side of the family, so to speak," she noted, smiling at him.

"We don't say that word in this house, thank you," he sniffed.

"What, magic? How odd. My father and I never thought it was that unusual; explained an awful lot of strange things, actually."

"Yeah, Uncle Vernon," said Harry, walking over and putting his hand on his uncle's shoulder. "You would be in the minority...the odd ones out...center of attention, too, probably. Besides, you've already met half a dozen of the people who are going to be there. Mister and Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Fred and George Weasley, remember them?"

"No."

"The family of red-heads, from King's Cross. Some of my classmates and teachers and my Headmaster will be there too. Come on...say you'll come," Harry urged, giving his uncle's shoulder a friendly squeeze.

Just then, Anna and Petunia came back from the conservatory, giggling as old friends do.

"Vernon," Petunia gushed, "Anna's invited us to a party, at her home in London, for New Year's Eve!"

"I've heard, but don't we..."

"Have another engagement? Yes, we do, but we can at least stop in and say hello. We'll be driving right past, so let's do."

"But, Petunia, they...we...I..."

"Vernon," Petunia lowered her voice, which stopped him in mid sputter, "you also owe Anna an apology, for you rudeness earlier."

"Petunia!"

"Vernon! Do it!" Petunia barked. "This is an old friend and some of my only good teenage memories are because of her and Lily. I will admit that. Now apologize!"

Stunned, he turned to Anna, gulped and stammered, "I'm so...so sorry for my rudeness. You just took me...by surprise. I didn't mean..."

"That's quite alright, Vernon. I understand and I'll be happy to see you at the party, even if only for a quick visit on your way to other festivities," replied Anna, graciously.

"Oh, well, thank you...Anna."

"It's #42, on the corner. Park out front or in the mews, if there are no spaces available on the street," instructed Anna. Turning to Dudley, she dazzled him with a smile. "There's going to be several good looking young ladies present, Dudley, so dress sharp, make a good impression." She winked at him.

"Oh dear. Anna, Dudley is staying over at his friend's house for the night. So he won't be coming."

"Pity. Maybe another time," said Anna, patting Dudley on the cheek. Then rubbing her hands together, she looked around the room at everyone. "Well, troops, we've got places to go and things to do. It was good seeing you again, Petunia. It's been too long." Anna gave her a hug and Remus, Gwen and Harry said goodbye to Uncle Vernon and Dudley and headed for the front hall.

"Anna, it was a surprise, but I'm really glad to have seen you, also. We'll talk more at your party."

"Excellent! See you then. Goodbye, Vernon." She planted a kiss on his cheek and gave him a hug. She looked over at Harry's cousin. "Bye, Dudley. If you have a change of plans, feel free to tag along. The more the merrier."

Harry, Gwen, Remus and Anna filed out and settled into the Rolls. Window curtains all around #4 fluttered as the neighbors tried to see who had been visiting the Dursleys. They recognized Harry and speculation ran wild. Petunia came out and waved goodbye and smiled happily, while Vernon stood in the door, smiling weakly, looking slightly ill. Dudley was in the kitchen, disemboweling the holiday gift basket.

Harry leaned over to Anna and hissed, "What did you do in there, to Aunt Petunia?"

Smiling wickedly, she whispered back, "I is a bad girl, I is. HE! HE! I'll tell you later."

X # X # X

"I have a task for you, Wormtail."

The silky voice reached him from the shadows of the wingchair across the room, making Peter Pettigrew shiver.

"Yes, my Master?"

"Go to Malfoy Manor and tell Narcissa I wish to speak to her, before she travels to Azkaban to visit that idiot husband of hers."

"Yes, Master, I'll leave immediately." Wormtail backed out of the room, bowing low.

"Well, Bella, do you think your sister will do as I say?" Voldemort addressed the woman sitting on a nearby settee.

"Yes, Master. She wants Lucius out of that rat hole as much as you do. If not more so."

"Ah...indeed, rat being the operative word."

Voldemort stood and walked back and forth for a few minutes.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, Master. I saw to the details myself."

"Excellent."

"When will they...."

"When I deem the time is right, Bella. Patience...you must learn patience."

"Yes, Master."