Band of Gypsies

Chapter Nine

Dante reappeared with a letter strapped to his leg. The bird landed and strutted over to Harry at the camp site. "Mail deliver," he croaked.

"Thank you, Dante," Harry said laughing and untied the note. He looked up to watch the bird sitting and staring at him. "You may go," Harry said. The bird remained, cocking its' head and watching. "Oh well, suit yourself." He wasn't sure what things he could give a raven as a treat. Ignoring the bird, he unrolled the parchment and read Dumbledore's note.

Dear Tommy,

I am so pleased to hear from you.

Yes, I would love to accept your invitation to the Fair in Godric's Hollow on the 19^th of August. I haven't been to one in years. I will most certainly bring the rest of the family.

I hope our dear 'friend' is enjoying his stay with you. Be sure to put him to work. I know he doesn't like following orders but tell him for me, it is what I wish.

Farewell, I hope to see you soon. We all send our love.

A.

P.S. I am especially happy to meet Dante

Harry grinned at the letter and spoke to the bird, "Albus says hello, Dante."

"Grozno, Albus (ugly old man). Grozno," Dante danced on his orange little legs, dipped his head and then took off.

Harry laughed until tears welled from his eyes.

"What is it, Tommy?" Jolie asked, as he entered camp.

"Nothing, Jolie, nothing," Harry grinned and read the letter again.

Katlana Vloyski, Nadya's mother, had taken over the job of Harry's mothering. She handed him a clean shirt one morning. "It's time that we pierce your ear, Tommy."

"What?" he asked. He was eating her cooked rabbit.

She nodded to him and advanced. "The man, when he reaches your age, he has his ear pierced." Katlana had a rather large looking needle in her hand and had cut a potato in half. She meant to run the needle through his ear lobe and into the potato.

Harry looked over at Viktor, who shrugged and continued eating his own stew.

"Whoa, whoa, just a minute." Harry said and stared at the needle. He noticed that Katlana had been sewing with it and hadn't bothered to wash it. Taking it from her hands, he pulled a burning twig from the fire and held it over the flame for a moment. He hoped he was not offending her with this precaution.

She looked at him with a curious smile. She didn't know what he was doing. Viktor choked in his soup. "She no hurt you, Tommy," he coughed, speaking in his poor English. "She charm the sharp stick. It not make sick." He then smiled charmingly at Katlana, two of his front teeth were missing.

Harry pulled off his hat, brushed back the brown hair and exposed his ear. He needed to remain still and not show anything on his face. He felt her cool hands on his ear stretching the lobe.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Yes," and then there was the Pop. He saw the blood squirt a foot in front of him.

"Ah, wonderful!" Katlana hurriedly slipped in a gold earring. "When you bleed it is always a sign of good luck." Nadya wandered up and watched. The blood hit her white apron.

"Dordi!" she cried. Stretching out the apron, she turned and stalked off. Her mother, laughed and turned to Harry, a twinkle in her eye, "That is good luck too."

Harry felt the blood trickle down his neck and hoped, it, and the stinging in his lobe, would soon stop. He frowned at Katlana Vloyski. She was always finding ways to yoke him into marriage to Nadya.

Harry wouldn't have minded talking to the girl, in the ordinary way. But in the Roma families, boys his age were forbidden to talk to young girls. It was only after they married and even then they remained apart for many activities. He found, with some displeasure, how impossible it was have a conversation with Nadya.

I'd give this gold earring if I could just talk to you for a minute, he thought.

When Jolie saw the ring in Harry's ear, he grinned. "Ah, now you are marked!"

"What do you mean marked?" Harry asked with some concern.

"You are an eligible bachelor," Jolie said.

"So that's what it means?" Harry answered glumly. Jolie and Viktor laughed so hard that Viktor rolled off the stone he was sitting on. Harry sat and glared at them and rubbed his sore ear lobe.

Snape remained in the camp but stayed away from Harry. They ran into each other and each walked past, pretending the other was not present. The camp treated Snape with friendliness outwardly, as they would any outsider. In the background, one or two of the elders always watched.

"Harry, when are you going to shoo that old Kalo Chiriklo (Black crow) out of here?" Jolie was commenting on Snape. He watched him across the camp and twisted his moustache into a curl at his lip. "I don't like him," he said.

"I understand, Jolie," Harry remarked. "but I need him for something. When the time comes he will go."

Jolie turned and looked into Harry's face. The sound of the young man's voice concerned him. "Does that mean you will go as well?" he asked.

"It may be so," Harry said. "I have a long road before me."

Harry sat in front of Snape and grinned at him. The man had a look on his face that Harry would dearly have loved for Ron and Hermione to see. Katlana was lathering the once black greasy hair with soap. She rinsed him by shoving his head forward and pouring a bucket of water over him. Snape sat up stiffly, allowing himself to be soaked. His clothes were the standard gypsy vest, shirt, necktie and trousers.

After she had rubbed his head vigorously with an old cloth, she had taken a pair of long shears from her pocket and started lopping off great big chunks of hair. Harry had wanted to see this done the moment he had laid eyes on Snape, his first year in Hogwarts. He couldn't help himself, the laughter burst out.

"Very funny, Potter," Snape grumbled through the hair drooping in his eyes.

"Ah, ah," Harry said and wagged his finger.

"Sorry... Tommy," Snape gurgled, his head shoved down to his chest. Katlana had her large rough hand on his crown, like a cap, scissoring away at the back of his head.

"You know as well as I do, Uncle Bulbie," Harry emphasized the name, "that you can transform back into your... old self, (Harry really wanted to say, 'your slimy, greasy old self' ),with just a wave of your wand."

Harry surveyed the finished and, somewhat, damp results. He was surprised at how good-looking Snape could really be. The hair was clean, short and brushed back from his face. He was dressed in clean clothes and Janos had given him one of his hats. If it hadn't been for the sour stare, the man would have looked almost human.

Harry handed over his Invisibility Cloak with hesitation. In all his days, he never dreamed that he would place such a thing in Snape's hands. On the other hand, there were many things that he could not have envisioned himself doing.

Snape had his instructions. He would be scouting out the road and the villages, on the alert for Death Eaters or Voldemort followers. He was also to find a means to get a message to Voldemort that he had located Harry, without apparating directly to him.

"It will not work, Tommy," Snape hissed. "That is his way. If I do it any other way, he will become suspicious."

"It will work if you send him this and tell him that you can't break your cover." Harry said and pressed the photo album into Snape's hands. He had been furious to discover that Snape had been snooping among the belongings he had left at the Dursleys. And then, he realized that there were very few things that he would end up not losing in the end. With luck, a book of memories and pictures would be the least.

Harry looked at the man. What he had not put into words was the fact that he did not want Snape to have to endure Voldemort's torture. Snape knew it.

"Are you trying to save me, Potter?" Snape looked amused.

"I'm not trying to save you at all, Professor," Harry frowned. But that wasn't quite true. One of the reasons Snape resented him was because of Harry's father. Sirius had played a practical joke on Snape. James had pulled him back from meeting up with Remus Lupin, in his werewolf form at the last moment and had saved his life. Snape had believed that James intentionally helped with the joke and lost heart at the last minute. He gave Harry's father no credit and even, unjustly, held it against Harry.

"Sending me into the wolves den?" Snape sneered. "Can't stomach it, Potter? Or do you believe I can't handle this little piece of subterfuge you have cooked up?"

"Whatever, you want to believe. Just remember Snape, there are only three of us now that know the prophecy. You hold my life in your hands. I would say that whatever it is that you think you owed my father, you can now repay through me," Harry said. The incessant arguing with his Potion's master was tiresome. Harry watched Snape pack the Invisibility Cloak and prepare to leave camp. "I will keep Dumbledore informed."

Snape didn't answer. He walked away from the camp knowing that Harry's eyes were on him.

Nadya Vloyski stood at the water's edge and waited. She saw Tommy walking along the game path towards her. Given the situation, she had to make it look like an accidental meeting. It was a hard game to play. At first acting like she didn't like him and then flirting with him. He hadn't got the hint and she needed to push it a little harder. Her eyes sparkled. He drew closer.

"What?! How dare you!" she said, stepping out of the bushes. "Do you following me?"

"What?" Harry stepped back, startled, "No, no... I'm sorry." He turned to leave.

"Well, your not much of a gentleman," she said, in her huffiest voice.

"What? Sorry?" he was bewildered. He stood looking at her with his green eyes and a puzzled expression on his face.

"You could apologize," she said.

"Apologize? For what?" This time he caught the glint in her eye. "I'm not following you, Nadya." Harry stood his ground and looked at the girl. She was very pretty. Her hair hung to her waist and she had a deepening flush rising to her high cheekbones.

He advanced a step closer and she didn't move. Harry didn't understand much about girls. His last encounter had been with Cho Chang at Hogwarts. He had bumbled his way through the whole thing. The thought made him a little nervous. He hadn't tried to talk to any girl since. Like last year, I would want to, he said to himself. He shook himself free of the image of Sirius, once again.

"Nadya, it's getting late," Harry said and smiled carefully, "You shouldn't be out here alone."

She pursed her lips and pretend-pouted, "I can take care of myself."

He took a step closer, glancing quickly around. Harry remembered the first time he had accidentally bumped into the girl. "Where are your men? Why aren't they here to protect you?" He could smell the earthy clean smell of her. He looked deep into the pools of her dark eyes. He moved in closer and her sweet, warm breath blew gently on his face. He touched her lips gently with his. She kissed back. His hand slowly and gently drew her closer. There was no resistance.

Harry walked in the dark. The moon had not come up. Only the stars lit his path. He was feeling extremely happy, almost giddy. For the first time in months the heaviness lifted from his heart. For hours he had wandered, thinking of Nadya and the sweet kiss they shared. They both knew the risk in meeting together. It made the moment even more delicious.

Harry sat and let his mind drift. A figure stood nearby, it's presence not detected.

"Traveler," the melodious voice whispered in the dark, "how does thee not get eaten by a wild beast? Have thee no ears?"

The words shook Harry. "Verillieon?" He couldn't see the elf in the dark. Laughing to himself Harry thought, I can't see him in the light let alone the dark! "Where are you?"

"Right here, human."

Harry realized the elf stood in front of him. There was a soft golden sheen surrounding him. "Good to see you Verillieon."

"I find thee once again in the wood," the elf said.

"Yes...yes, I'm sorry," Harry said and glanced around. "I'll leave." He stood to leave.

"We have brought thee a friend." There was a definite Pop! and standing before him was Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore?" Harry gaped.

"Hello, Harry," the voice was soft. "It's good to see you."

Harry took two steps forward and grabbed the old man in a hug. The two men were the same height.

"Harry, Harry." Dumbledore gasped, his voice breaking. They broke apart.

"It's Tommy, Professor," Harry laughed softly.

"Yes, yes. I should remember that," Dumbledore laughed gently, too. " Although, I think it is safe..." Harry saw him tap his wand to the ground an produce a small fire. It gave enough light for them to see each other. They sat down in front of it.

"How are you Har...Tommy?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'm fine," Harry said, grinning.

Dumbledore stared at the young man in front of him. There was a remarkable change, not only in the clothes and the external things he saw but in the green eyes, the softening of the face as well. He saw healing there.

"I don't know that I would have recognized you if it hadn't been for my little friend," Dumbledore referring to Verillieon.

Harry was amazed. Dumbledore knew everyone. "I suppose I do look a bit different. You should have seen Pro...our friend before he left camp. Positively a changed man." Harry almost mentioned Snape's name.

Dumbledore nodded, still smiling, "I was hoping you might rub off on him a little."

Harry grew serious, "Professor, I want you to know that I told him... you know, about the prophecy."

Dumbledore nodded, solemnly, "Perhaps it's best Harry. It's certainly not my place to make the decision anymore."

"Albus?" Harry spoke softly.

Dumbledore looked up, startled. He hadn't expected Harry to use his name, although it came out very naturally. Harry had matured. He looked like a grown man.

Harry continued, "Why are you here?"

"It's not because I don't trust you to carry this plan off, Harry." His hand went up. "Please indulge me. I think we are safe enough and far away from prying ears."

Harry nodded. It sounded good to hear Dumbledore speak his name.

"I wanted to see you one last time, as... yourself," Dumbledore said smiling sadly.

Harry nodded. He understood.

"Sadly, Harry. That's no longer possible." The old man reached over and touched his arm. "That young boy that I saw leave my office two months ago is no longer with us. What I see now is a fully grown man. And one I can say I'm very proud of."

Harry swallowed hard. The words that he wanted to say could not come out. He wanted very much to tell Dumbledore how much he loved him. It cost him to turn his head away and look in the darkness and not let the old man see his face. He turned back and smiled, "Tell me how everyone is."

They talked into the night. The half moon rose and traveled across the Milky Way. Harry stared at the familiar constellations and listened to the woods sing their night song. He felt comforted by Dumbledore's presence. For a little while he was again that boy that had stood in front of his headmaster feeling naïve and innocent.

"Harry are you sure that this is what you want to do?" Dumbledore asked.

&lduo;You know, Professor, it is the only way," Harry shuddered. "I would really like to see Hermione and Ron once, just once before... before this happens."

"I think it would be too dangerous. The more that know..." Dumbledore didn't finish before Harry interrupted.

"Yes, I know." Harry stood and whispered, "I'm trusting you, Professor. When this begins, you will make sure they are safe?"

"I will protect them with my life," Dumbledore said. Their small fire was cold and the air was taking on the chilliness of the coming dawn.

"We will meet again soon, then." Harry hugged the man briefly and was the first to turn and walk away. "Latcho Drom (Safe Journey), Albus."

The old man stood in the dark staring at the boy's back. The smell of the burnt wood assailed his nostrils. He knew that he owed it to Harry to follow the plan. He knew what Harry would be giving up and it pained him. Now, everything was out of his hands. He was no longer the leader, but the follower.

"Good Night, Harry."