Harry Potter and the Wyvern's Crown

Chapter 15: Andromeda

'He tried to kill me!' The first words from Harry's mouth were his waking thoughts, spoken aloud. He had knocked against a wall, it seemed. Somewhat stunned, and in a great and unexpected amount of pain, he managed to get up. Hands from faces he didn't wholly recognise, helped him. Then he heard a raucous voice shout,

'That idiot tried to kill me!'

Shocked to have heard himself repeated, Harry turned rather too sharply (he had to be supported by a Ravenclaw boy who had been the closest to him when he had fallen) to see who had said the words. The glass-like tint to the air had not left. Harry looked at his supporter quickly, 'How much time has passed?'

'Since Hawksmoor walloped the two of you?' The boy had a patronizing tone to his voice. 'About a minute.'

'Potter! Malfoy!' The sharp tone of McGonagall's voice was not to be reckoned with. She was more upset than Harry had ever seen her before in his life. 'Come here this instant!' she howled.

Both boys walked up, as dogs dragging their tails between their legs. 'That was extremely dangerous! I suppose you have no idea what would have happened should either of you have actually touched each other with some of the curses you were shouting? This is the highest act of the most extreme stupidity I have ever, EVER, seen! One hundred points from each of your houses for that act, and ten more from Gryffindor house for STARTING this mess, Harry. I am very ashamed of you, and I dare say your whole house will agree with me. Oh, and get that half smirk off your face, Draco. Another ten from your house, because everyone heard that insult. And I will NOT have anyone being referred to by such a term in my classroom!' She gestured at the door, 'Harry, you will leave immediately, and Malfoy you will remain until everyone else is done, including yourself. I recommend, gentlemen, that if you ever attempt a foolish game like that again, that you do it well out of range of a catalyst spell!'

Harry looked at his would-be murderer and saw the look of hardened anger reflected back at him. This wasn't over yet.

Not by a long shot.

* * *

Sitting alone in a booth at the Three Broomsticks Tavern, Harry nursed his wounded ego with a butterbeer. He shouldn't have let Draco bother him so much. But, he supposed, he wasn't actually expecting Malfoy to insult his mother that way. And then things had simply gotten out of hand. But the unforgivable curse, Harry mused silently, she didn't mention that. And why had Malfoy thought that Harry had cast that spell, when the shock on his face as he waved his hand was so apparent? He had to have been lying. And, Harry had to admit, this had been the fourth time he had survived the death curse. It was an extreme amount of luck there. He was also grateful for Raven's thoughtful timing. If it weren't for her strike, perhaps a 'hand-of-fate', he wouldn't have been able to get out of the way. He raised his butterbeer with a certain sigh, 'To you, dear Raven.'

He guzzled quietly when he felt a prickle on the back of his neck. He turned to see Raven grinning at him. He choked as she murmured 'is this seat taken?'

He shook his head no while he coughed. She sat down beside him with a sigh, then took to rubbing his back to help his cough. Once the spasm had subsided, her fingers traced off of his back, catching the edge of his robe, tugging at it without meaning to. She had no drink. He offered his. She thanked him and took a draught. Setting the mug down before herself, she moved as though to lean on him, but would not. Sensing her unease at making the move by herself, he put his arm up. Raven, with some relief, rested against his shoulder.

'What's wrong?'

'Hmm,' It was barely a comment.

'Hmm?' He repeated.

'Hmm, yes. Everything's wrong. Malfoy's going to train just to bother me. My mother's finally sold the property, which means I'll never see Mynx, Tigra and the others ever again, and you nearly got yourself hurt today fighting a fight that I should have had the guts to fight myself.'

Harry rubbed her arm, 'It's alright...I'm fine...and we both know Malfoy's a lousy bugger. And I'm sorry about the myst...' he paused as he realized she had begun to cry. 'Shh, shh, now...' He stroked her face as she buried it into his side, 'the 'cats have a long life, 500 years as I recall. I'm sure when you get older you can purchase the property back for yourself...if you want to.'

'Yes, but...yes, but...'

'But what?'

'I was hoping,' she sniffled and looked up at him, 'that she wouldn't be able to sell the property. I mean mysticats are generally treated as nuisances, always wanting attention, and wizarding folk tend to use wards to get rid of them. I was hoping,' she wiped her face with her sleeve, 'that she would just give up and buy a property here in England and I could go back and live at the house.'

'Hmm,' was all he could say.

Raven was quiet, and took another sip of Harry's butterbeer before adding, 'my mother wants me to buy a 'proper' pet for myself now that I'm at Hogwarts. She's upset that I didn't earlier.'

'Why do you call her your mother?' He wondered aloud, shifting his weight so he could support her head better.

'She insisted. My mother died a year before, almost to the day, that I manifested magic. My father had lived with her as a muggle for seven years when she died. My step-mother was a nurse of mine while I was still in the hospital. My father knew that I'd need a witch to help raise me, and he loved her for what she had done for me, and they married not long after that.'

'How did your real mother die then?'

'She was found dead on a street corner. She'd been walking home. The doctor claimed that she had some sort of heart attack, but my father was pretty forceful on what had really happened. He claimed that one of the Dark Fates had done it (the Dark Fates being the North American version of the Death Eaters, so you know) and he was going to get back at them. He was killed not long after you-know-who came back to power. I have no doubt that it was a Dark Fate.'

'So,' he addressed her training, 'are you going to try and get back at Voldemort, then?'

Raven turned in his arms. 'Why should I try, Harry? He's killed everyone I've ever loved. I just want to live my life...as normally as I can, being a witch, even though I'd prefer any day to be a muggle and get away from all this idiocy going on wizarding world. I'd do anything to be normal...stupid...plain.' Her golden eyes were filled with sincerity. And, for a moment, Harry wished that it were true. If they were 'normal' teens, sitting at a café, drinking soda-pop, they wouldn't have to be worried about the world coming to an end, and people nearly killing one another during a spat in class. Their concerns would be over simple things like homework, good grades and trying to get away with study dates.

'Sometimes, I wish the same thing, Raven.' They shared a moment of silence together.

Then Raven smiled prettily. 'Want to go to the animal shop? I've got the money my mother owled to me.'

'Let's.'

* * *

The scent in the animal shop was none-too-pleasant. But the familiar sounds brought a smile to Harry's cheeks. Raven was looking at white mice with a cautious look on her face, and Harry looked at the more expensive birds and animals. Hedwig had done him so well, he thought, and though she had been little used for past month or so, she still visited from time to time. They were going to be beginning their animal training again soon enough. He looked at a pair of ravens that were caged together. One of them looked him up, it's baleful yellow eye falling on him objectively. Raven was now looking at cats, and Harry walked up behind her. She bumped into him as she stood, her apology and certain blush making Harry smile.

Half-expecting her to have chosen one of the playful kittens, he was confused to find her hands empty. 'Not a cat, then?'

'I couldn't,' she whispered softly, and moving as though to walk past him.

He caught her arm. 'What's wrong?'

Her eyes were filled with a deep sorrow, 'I couldn't.' Those luminous eyes told him the rest, that buying a cat would only be pale compensation for the mysticats she used to care for.

He touched her cheek. 'You don't have to.'

She sighed, 'But I have to get something. I mean, a bird would be most ideal. My mother wants me to keep her updated...I figure she just wants a cheaper way of sending me howlers...'

'C'mon, Raven...' He was smiling. It was her constant complaint.

'Well, I know she's not half as bad as your relations,' Raven had been smiling cruelly, but on seeing the look of regret on his face, she stopped her tirade. 'I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean...' She began to turn in embarrassment, but Harry caught her shoulder,

'We've both have troubles, Raven. It doesn't bother me.' He saw how the hurt still hadn't left her eyes. That and she was still attempting to draw away from him. Not wanting that, he pulled her close. With no hesitation, she came into his embrace. He continued, 'And you don't deserve the grief she gives you.'

He could feel her heart beating quickly, she was almost trembling. It stunned him that she would be so upset by this. He asked her why.

'I never thought you cared.'

'What do you mean?' he asked her, half-scolding her, 'Of course I care.'

'But, I mean, I mean...why should you?' She looked up and wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, 'why would you?'

'Because we're friends for one, and for another, I do care for you...'

She looked away, as though she'd been stung.

Confused, Harry ducked his head, 'You'd rather I didn't?'

She looked up, and crossed her arms over her stomach, wiping her cheeks again, 'Well, I mean, I feel like I'm playing a game with you sometimes, Harry. I mean...you're simply the most famous wizard our age, no holds barred, you are the 'Great Harry Potter': The boy who lived, The youngest seeker to play on a school-level team, The most recent Parseltongue since you-know-who, AND the winner from the first European Triwizard tournament in 200 years. Besides all that, the whole house worships the ground you walk on, you´re the captain of the Witchball team, and you're an excellent student...I mean, why would you care about me, for even a moment?' She looked away again, wiping her eyes, 'I figured after nothing came of Christmas...'

Harry's shoulders dropped, along with his jaw. 'Is that what's been bothering you?'

Raven glanced up at him.

Harry shook his head, incredulous, 'You mean, you've been all nervy around me because you think I'm just being polite? Raven, you think I don't care?'

She let a hand flutter in the air for a moment. 'Why do you need to?'

He laughed, upsetting the ravens in their cage nearby. 'Why do I need to? I don't need to. I think you're the most wonderful person I've ever met. And what you think that I cared to become any of the things you listed off there? I mean, other than Quidditch captain, all of those things just HAPPENED, and I had no desire to be any of them. I mean, I find it wild that you can even look my way.'

'What?' She laughed now, 'Me, a new girl, not looking at you?'

'You, the most beautiful girl in the school, who's smart and funny...looking at me, a relic commemorating the end of the war with Voldemort.'

'You think I'm beautiful?' She was grinning madly now, 'now I know you're crazy. I'm a freak, Harry. An animagic-marked witch. If I still looked like my mother, I'd understand you thinking I was pretty maybe. And why do you think you're a relic?'

He grinned, 'You don't know what everyone thinks of me, do you?'

She shook her head no, 'They like you.'

'The younger ones do, perhaps, and maybe some of the 7th years, but to be honest, most people in my year think I'm a complete egomaniac because of all the things I've done. I could honestly care less, but they seem to think I do.'

She drew her head back, 'They do?' Then after a moment's thought she nodded, 'They do.'

'They do,' he agreed.

'So...you like me?' Her voice almost broke as she struggled to whisper the words.

He laughed, 'Yes!'

Her hands flew to her face, 'Honest?' Her eyes were teary.

'Yes.'

Raven seemed torn, but she neared him. 'Could I have a hug, then?'

Harry grinned as he took her into his arms again, 'You can have a lot more...if you like.'

She took his invitation without delay. Her arms around his head, she locked him in a breathless kiss. He drew her close, and noting the tears that lingered on her cheeks, kissed each one off. Holding her stomach against his, feeling her heart beating proudly against his chest, Harry felt his mind leaving all the worries of the future, concerned only with making her understand how much he did love her. It mattered little to him how public their position was, and how anyone wandering into the back row of the pet shop would catch them.

His mind lifted from conscience, he didn't realize he had lost his balance until he'd crashed into the cage behind him. But the action was relentless now, they were falling into each other, this time not to relieve grief, but to bring a new something into being. Harry lifted his lips from hers, taking in generous amounts of air as Raven leaned against him, licking her lips and breathing deeply.

*HOOT!*

Harry jerked to sudden life, nearly throwing Raven across the aisle. Clutching his heart, and looking behind himself, he saw the perpetrator. A medium sized barn-owl was sitting on her perch in the cage Harry had been resting against, looking rather ruffled. One large yellow eye looked up at Harry with disdain. Raven, who seemed rather shocked, looked down at the bird, 'Did we disturb your nap?'

Harry chuckled as Raven attempted to charm the bird with her smile. It looked away. 'Fussy, fussy. Who are you to complain?'

The owl seemed to take insult at her words, then it pecked at a sign above her head. Raven read it aloud. ''Female Barn Owl Fledgling, from a prime breeding farm in Sherwood. 75 galleons.' Very impressive,' she remarked, 'I suppose that you're on hold and I'd never be able to buy you, hmm?'

Harry was amused by this. Most magic-typed owls were known for their understanding human speech, but Raven was actually trying to get this one to like her. He almost didn't realize why, when it dawned on him that she was trying to see if it would listen to her commands. Raven continued, 'Ahh, I see, you wouldn't want me to buy you...nor Harry I suppose. But then he already owns an owl. Oh, curious? Well, Hedwig's a very beautiful snowy owl, a female. Ahh, but you wouldn't like her, I think. She doesn't really approve of Harry's habits. But her plumage is bright, like a little moon beam when she flies at night...' The owl was clearly listening now. 'But you look much stronger than her...faster, no doubt. I can see it in your feathers that you possess a beautiful wingspan. Ahh, but you don't care much for me...though I do understand some of your problem with me. After all, being human I do not understand the constant stress of being a great and graceful owl...'

Harry struggled to keep from laughing. Then with a dim shock, he realized that she had bowed her head in the manner she had demonstrated earlier that day. The crow-version of Raven cawed at the owl softly for a moment, then she was back to herself. The owl hooted softly, leaning forwards. 'Yes, a pity. Just a crow, and nothing next to your handsome self. But I do guess you're right. A fool-hardy witch like me ought to have a pet more like...oh, a mouse.'

That was the final straw for the owl. Much charmed by Raven's words and mannerisms, she hooted wildly at Raven as she stood, as though to go and get one of the mice she had studied earlier. She winked at Harry before slowly turning back to the owl, 'You're saying you forgive me?' The owl hooted with affirmation.

'Ahh, you're like a wise old woman. I would love to have you...if only you would have me?' The owl bobbed her head. Raven picked up her cage and walked to the counter.

As they headed out with Raven's new acquisition on her shoulder, a grin on her face, Harry told her, 'You must tell me how you do that.'

'Do what?' Her grin was mischievous, 'With birds, it's always the same thing. Tell them about how wonderful they are, (and it's quite true, isn't it, my dear?) and they will love you for life. Yes, I know you are. You are!'

'You have a name for her yet?'

'Oh, how about Andromeda...yes? That sound good?' She addressed the bird exclusively, but Harry felt it was more because she had no desire for the finicky owl to simply fly off in irritation.

'Andromeda?'

'Why not? She was a glorious beauty, was she not?' She ruffled the feathers around her owl's feet. It hooted once, as though suffering her attentions. Harry laughed.