Alt. Chap 6.

 

 

 

“Harry you done with potatoes?” Ron asked as he eyed the bowl in front of him.

 

“Yes, here…” Harry said in a vague voice as he handed him the bowl, completely unaware of Ron, and Ginny’s scrutiny of him.

 

It had been over a month since they had decided to leave the drab Muggle hotel and come back to school, The perpetual vacant look on his face clear evidence to Harry’s misery. He spoke quietly now, in a hollow voice as if words hurt too much. Classes made little difference to him and the entire world could have blow up for all he had know. It wasn’t so much that he was depressed or even worried…for as a swooping feel filled his stomach and scar tinged very often he knew that she was safe and that Voldemort was if nothing else…happy. It was the waiting that was getting to him. He missed the bushy haired know at all telling him to do his homework, He missed the patient words of comfort she had for when he felt confused, He missed the calm feeling of peace that settled over him when she was around…he missed her.  Everything about her and had no idea how to cope. He sometimes thought how astounding it was that less then a 6 months ago these thoughts would never have entered his head, but now as he sat here in the mist of friends and staff. He had never felt more alone in his entire life, and that thought more then anything was effecting him in the worst way.

 

Several other things had changed as well since Mione’s expedition of parentage. Classes being on the fore front, once the struggling student…His grades were great now. It was as if a little voice was telling him exactly he could learn and that voice sounded eerily like Mione’s. He thought briefly that maybe it was because of His cousin’s Allen new position of D.A.D.A professor that was making this happen, But then what about his other classes and why he was doing so well. Charms came easier to him, Transfiguration and Herbology a breeze, C.O.M.C was exciting as usual Hagrid being his usual charming self, Astronomy taking on a new light, History of Magic very enjoyable now with a new professor by the name of Magnolia McGillis, and even Potions which was a class that Harry lived to hate was something he could handle with ease like nothing he had ever felt. He had been spending a lot of time with Albus since his return, talking about the past, his parents and everything under the sun. When he mentioned how much easier classes were, Albus informed him that upon entering puberty that these changes were quiet natural for Wizard and Witches and he was not all that surprised by Harry’s changes, the mind was forever changing as was the body and soul. Harry had other new challenges was well. Quidditch Captaincy and the restarting of the D.A., also filled his time. With all that was going on, It was no wonder time seemed to be flying by. Unlike last year which seemed to never end, this one was nothing like the others.

 

Rumors were rampant about were He, Ron and Ginny were before they had come back and even now a month later, they still questioned where Mione was. So as he sat there in the Great Hall and still completely lost in thought he didn’t notice her right away,  but it was the hush silence that fell over the normally boisterous room that made Harry look up and see her. The change of appearance was definitely the first thing he noticed.

 

The hair was longer, dark and curly rather then bushy, flowing like a ravens wing down her back in soft silky ringlets ending at about the waist. The skin was so white and translucent it appeared to glow like the moon at midnight, the eyes were as black as the hair, but the body draped in the pristine school uniform, with a green silk, black fur lined cloak draped over her arm gave the impression of wealth and prestige. Her full blood red lips were set in a line and the flawless heart shaped face, still looked the same. She stood tall not arrogantly but firmly as if she refused to back down. Her face was expressionless as she stood at the head table, hands clasped in front of herself as the Albus read a long piece of parchment. Finally he looked up with a small smile. As everyone had grown so quiet that a pin could be dropped his words to her could be heard through out the entire hall.

 

“Have you read this letter, he’s written?” Albus asked lightly, his blue eyes twinkling.

 

“No, and I’m sure I don’t want to…” she said with a grin, her black eyes shining.

 

“He has made several request, all except one is negotiable…the last one he won’t take no for an answer.

 

“And that would be?”  Mione asked hesitantly with a frown.

 

“Concerns of your safety and appointed classmates that he feels can protect you. They have schedules matching your exactly and he wants them to accompany you at all times, till you retire for the night or at your discretion of privacy.” Albus said.

 

“Who?” She asked in a disappointed voice, with a touch of worry.

 

“Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zambini, Being of his own house he feels that they could handle this responsibility very well. Tom wishes this to happen post haste. Is this alright with you?” Albus asked gently, his blue watching keenly.