Chpt. 1
He watched the scene
in slow motion…He watched as Sirius dodge the jet of red light from Bellatrix
wand and laugh at her “Come on you can do better the that!” he yelled, his
voice echoing around the cavernous room.
The second jet of
light hit him squarely in the chest.
The laughter had not
quiet died from his face, but his eyes widened in shock.
It seemed to take
Sirius an age to fall. His body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backward
through the ragged veil hanging from the arch…
He saw the look of
mingled fear and surprise on Sirius face as he feel through the ancient doorway
and disappeared behind the veil, which flutter for a moment , then fell back
into place.
He heard Bellatrix
triumphant scream, but knew it meant nothing as Sirius had only just fallen
through the archway, he would reappear on the other
side any second…
But Sirius did not
reappear…
“SIRIUS!” he yelled
“SIRIUS”
He reached the floor,
but felt Lupin grab him around his chest, holding him back
“There’s nothing you
can do, Harry…”
“Get him, save him, he’s only just gone through!”
“It’s too late,
Harry…”
“We can still reach
him…”
He struggle hard and
viciously, but Lupin would not let go…
“There’s nothing you can do, Harry… nothing…He’s gone.”
“NOOOOOOO” He yelled as he bolted upright, his breath coming in short gasp, his scar seared with pain, His bed sheets twisted and clung to him as he was covered in cold sweat. The sound of his voice echoing loudly in the still of the night with a groan he bent to the side open his mouth and spew sick into the wastebasket set there for just that reason. He reached up with a shaky hand, ran his trembling fingers threw his wet hair, and fell back against the hard wooden headboard. He closed his eyes and opened them up almost immediately as the pictures of that event ran rampant in his mind. He pulled his knees up towards his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs, head resting on his knees thinking silently to himself…
“That should have been me…”
“It’s not too late to
join him…” a deep voice said calmly.
“But what about the
Prophecy…” said a soft feminine that sounded strangely familiar.
“Who cares…if he’s not
here…the others will join him soon enough…” the deep voice said softly.
“But that’s so wrong
on many levels it’s Harry decision not ours…but please think carefully…nobody
said this would be easy but once he’s gone you can get on with your life…” the
feminine voice asked pleading.
“But when will it
end…who’s to say he can beat him in the first place…” The deep voice said
heatedly.
“Because Dumbledore told him he has power Voldemort knows not…that is what will help defeat him…with trust, love and understanding Harry can accomplish anything…”
Harry shook his head ridding himself of these thoughts. He stretched his legs back out, tucked his hand under his head and laid back on the rough cotton pillow, laying there that eventually sleep over took him again and images of a blond haired, blue eyed woman whom, keep moaning softly as she said his name in the throws of passion.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He stood there in astonishment…could it be? With a flick of his wand, the brain disappeared and the boy lay on the ground like the others unconscious. He flicked his wand again and the other doors sealed themselves with an odd squishing noise. He glided slowly to her stopping no more then a foot away. He knelt down and gazed at her intently studying the unconscious girl. The hair was dark brown and very curly, with streaks of black running through it, the skin was pale almost ghostly white, the lips full, parted and red as an untouched rose. The nose small snubbed just like the ears, that had tiny pricks in them, muggle fashion…All set in a picturesque heart-shaped face. He continued his assessment unhurriedly. The neck was seemly, the shoulders small and rounded, small arms, wrist and hands but long fingers, but his inspection of the girl stopped at the dark red stain against the white shirt that was across the full breast and chest and was slowly getting darker each minute. He reached forward and with much to his surprise trembling fingers, he unbuttoned the blouse, pulled out his wand and in a soft hiss said “Healous”. He watched as the skin sealed itself and a burnt red line took its place. He buttoned the shirt, stood up, took one last lingering look at the girl and with a small pop disapperated. Unbeknownst to him the pale faced, red haired girl stared on in amazement as she watched the most feared Wizard in a century heal her friend and disappeared without of trace…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
His scar burned painfully, chest aching, and stomach churning, He leaned over the side of his bed open his mouth and spewed sick into to the wastebasket next to the bed. With a groan, he laid his aching head back on the rough pillow, gasping for breath, his thoughts in a complete jumble. The pain in his scar subsided, His head still spinning, the ache in his chest eased and his stomach churned uncomfortably. He lay like this for several minutes. His mind black, waiting for a voice to tell him what to do…Slowly as he felt better he sat up gingerly pulling himself up against the headboard, back curved against the smooth wood and head against the wall. He sat forward and shook his head.
It had been over
3 weeks since he had returned to number
THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES…BORN TO THOSE WHO THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS EQUAL, BUT HE WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT... FOR EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES…THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD WILL BE BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIE…
Harry got up and
stretched. He bent over and pulled the bag out of the wastebasket, tied it securely
and set it on the floor. He grabbed the jeans hung over the desk chair and
pulled them up his legs, followed by blue t-shirt then laced up his trainer.
Grabbing the bag, he got up and walked to look in the mirror. He had grown some
more over then past year. The almond shaped Green fringed in inky black glasses
hidden beneath round speckles. Thin pale pink lips usually set in a thin line
and angular face surrounded by messy black hair that he finally gave up on
taming and just left to it’s own design. The scar on
the forehead still the same, more trouble then it was worth The arms and legs
fuller after spending the last few weeks jogging and working out with his
cousins weights. He opened the door to his room and walked down the stairs,
around the corner then through the kitchen door. His Aunt was at the stove cooking,
Uncle reading the paper and
Ron and Hermione and been visiting him steady for the past 3 weeks. He remembered the first time Mione called. He was upstairs, in his room…actually doing the his work over the summer, trying to pass the time. When the phone rang, this in itself was nothing unusual. Most of the time it was Aunt Petunia’s friends. So about a minute from when the phone rang till when Petunia picked it up she yelled up to him…
“Harry, phone…” she screeched from downstairs. He got up from the desk, walked out of the room and went downstairs to the kitchen. She stood there, one hand on her hip, horsy face looking at him malevolently, pale eyes flashing, and thin lips pressed in a line, angrily tapping her foot as if the 30 second wait was pure torture to her. He walked calmly into the room and took the phone from her hand neither acknowledging or saying anything to her.
“Hello…” Harry said wondering who would be calling him.
“Hello, Harry, it’s Hermione, listen I told your Aunt I was a lawyer calling on a legal matter so play along…” Hermione said in a brisk, breathless voice.
“Yes, mama…” Harry said trying to suppress the urge to grin. Hermione really was a genius he thought…
“Good, Listen my parent gave me the car so, I’m not far from you. Ron flooed over and is with me…You know where Clyde’s Ice Cream Shoppe is that’s were we are at So come over and meet us…Your still under guard so they just be following you. So come quick…tell your Aunt you have to meet your Lawyer about buy property for your move next year…She can’t question it…and I’ll even tell her…So ask…” Hermione rushed quickly. He turned and looked at his Aunt sitting at the Kitchen table watching the mid-day news.
“Aunt Petunia…I have to go and meet my Lawyer…Some documents I need to sign…Is that alright with you?” Harry asked politely as he looked at her.
“Are you in trouble again?” She sneered menacingly
“No, but next year I will be 17 so I plan to leave…This is concerning property…is that alright?” Harry asked again in that same polite voice…looking at her inquiry.
“Really, well…yes you may go…” asked unable to hide to look of glee in her eye. He turned his face darkening thinking how much he couldn’t wait to be rid of her and this place.
“See you in 15 minutes…good day mama.” Harry said charmingly with a smile.
“Bye Harry…” Hermione said with a chuckle.
He ran back upstairs took a quick look at his appearance, grabbed his wand, marked the page he was reading then went back downstairs and out into the hot afternoon sun.
14 minutes and 30 seconds later…Ron’s P.O.V
She sat there waiting…Her head turning every time the bell above the door tinkled.
“Relax, why you so jumpy?” Ron said in an agitated voice as he scrapped the last of the ice cream from the large bowl.
“I just hope he’s ok…that’s all.” Hermione said casually.
“It’s been less then a week since we’ve seen him. How much could have happened to him?” Ron said as he smirked. The bell rang and they turned as a skinny, messy black haired, boy with round glasses walked into the Ice Cream Shoppe. He grinned as his green eyes landed on them and he walked over, though one couldn’t tell by the appearance the boy was above average height 5ft 11in, the messy black hair down to his shoulders, the clothes were much bigger then the boy himself who at least in Ron’s opinion had grown up. The walk was straighter, prouder, the face, more angular and defined, the eyes keen and aware. Ron looked Harry, then Mione whom he started calling her. Then back to Harry, seeing something he had never seen before.
“She fancies him…wow…” Ron thought quietly.
“Hey ya mate…how are you?” Ron said as he stood up and held out a hand to his friend. Harry grabbed the large hand and Ron pulled him into a one armed Hug. Mione sat there looking at the two boys. When he turned and sat down. He stayed where he was at looking at Mione. Harry he observed smiled widely at the girl before sitting next to her with a grin. He noticed how Harry’s gaze traveled from the lightly tanned face, to the neck and down further, to the v neck blouse she wore that showed just a hint of cleavage.
Harry’s
P.O.V.
“My God is that Hermione…” Harry thought, as he looked a Ron, who yet again was even taller then he remembered before gazing lingeringly at the girl. She sat there primly, Hands on the table, Her dark curly brown hair was pulled, from the sides of her heart shaped face, The full red lips smiling widely as she looked at him, velvet brown eyes lit up, so dark and brown they appeared black. Ron stood up and held out a large hand, they hugged briefly before he took a seat next to her…His gaze traveling to her face to neck trying to take it all in.
“Hi, Your Aunt didn’t give you a hard time…” Hermione said smiling as she leaned forward and hugged him. He was nervous but felt a sense of calm settle over himself.
“No, are you kidding you should have seen the look of glee on her face when I told her what it was about…” Harry said with a smirk as he sat back and draped an arm over the back of the seat, as he looked at her.
This had been going on for the past several weeks. Mione would call…he would meet her or her and Ron and they would spend the day together. He spent time at the pool and almost jumped her when he saw the mini scrapes of material that she call a swimsuit. Making sure no one bothered her. She took him shopping and got him some clothes that actually fit and then told him the week before his birthday that she’d and her family would pick him up. He had done other things as well. He had renewed his copy of the Daily Prophet. Therefore, as his Aunt put a large bowl of porridge in front of him he pulled out the paper and began to read. Unlike last year, he was not scanning for signs of Voldemort’s activities but just to know what was going on in the wizarding world at large. He was so immersed in his reading he didn’t hear the pecking at the window or his aunt opening it to let the large tawny brown owl come in fly. Nevertheless, he felt the drop a letter on his head then fly back out the opened window. He tilted his head and it dropped to his lap he folded the paper picked up the letter and turned it around to look at the meticulous yet unfamiliar writing. He looked at the seal on the back to see a wax owl. With a small grin, he tore open the letter and began to scan the letter. His smile growing wider every second.
Dear Mr. Harry James Potter
This are the results of the O.W.L’S of which
you took in June…the results are as follows:
Theory Practical
Astronomy E N/A
Ancient Runes N/A N/A
Arithmancy N/A N/A
Care of magical O O
Creatures
Charms O O
Defense Against M* M*
The Dark Arts
Divination P P
Herbology E O
History of Magic A N/A
Muggle Studies N/A N/A
Potions E O
Transfiguartion O E
Overall 7*/12 O.W.L’S
The board and I would like to congratulate you
on achieving the highest score in history of O.W.L’S for Defense against the
Dark Arts…a special award will be presented to you by the Minister of Magic on
August 12th for outstanding magical achievement in academics. Please
forward reply by owl post as soon as possible. Your results have been forwarded
to Hogwarts Headmaster as well. Details for the upcoming ceremony will be sent
out upon response of attendance. Congratulations.
Sincerely,
Griselda Marchbanks
O.W.L review board
Without even think he jumped up and shouted
“YES, YES…I DID IT…” He shouted not caring that he startled his three relatives.
“What did you do?”
“I passed my O.W.L’S…I’m getting an award…I gotta go write Ron and
Mione.” He said as he ran out of the room leaving the three shocked people
looking at him as if he lost his mind. He ran up to his room grabbed a piece of
parchment and began to write. Within minutes he was waking Hedwig up and
apologizing for waking her but that he need her to get these letters out to Ron
and Mione at once. With a small nod as she saw how happy he was she hopped out
of the cage and held out one leg then the other, nipped him affectionately on
the fingers and flew out in the bright blue sky. He sat down on his bed but
jumped up immediately as the door bell rang.
He ran out the room jumped half the steps then the other and sung the
door open as the kitchen door opened at the same time and his Aunt appeared
just as he opened the door.
“I just wrote you…what are you doing here?” He asked as looked at her
eyes wide with surprise.
“Don’t tell me you forgot…Harry…remember birthday…Be at your place at
“NO…yes…sorry…Come in…It totally slipped my mind. I got my O.W.L’S…and
then the dream…Just give me 5 minutes are your parents here.” He asked as he
looked over her shoulder and saw a pale blue caravan parked in his driveway. A
dark brown haired man and blond haired woman in the front seats.
“Yes, are you packed?” She asked quickly.
“Yes, Packed last night just let me bring my stuff down…wait right
here.” He said as he turned and ran back up the steps. His eyes swept the room,
He grabbed the few things that were lying around in his hovel threw them in the
open trunk and closed the lid with a snap. Grabbing his Firebolt, Hedwig’s
empty, but clean cage in one hand and one end of his trunk in the other hand
pull it out the into the hall . Mione stood there and took the other end of the
trunk and they made their way down the steps and through the open front door. They placed the trunk in the back of the car,
closed the lid and climbed into the back seats.
“Do you have everything Harry? Did you give your Aunt and Uncle our
phone number?” Mrs. Granger asked in brisk voice as she turned around in the
front seat. He felt like he knew something but couldn’t remember what…he
wracked his brain.
“Harry is you alright?” Helen Granger asked kindly with a small smile.
“Yes, Sorry…Yes, I have everything and I already gave them the number
…” He said in a rush.
“Good…are you sure you’re ok? You look a little flushed…” She asked in
a motherly voice.
“Yes, Fine…you just remind me of someone from dream. Hermione said we’d
be leaving tomorrow?” Harry asked softly with a smile as he changed the
subject.
“Just for 10 days…we planned on 2 weeks, but had to change them…Tell
him your good news Angel…” Mr. Edward Granger said with smile as he pulled out
of the driveway and looked at Hermione with eyes filled with pride.
“I’m getting an award Harry...in Transfiguration and Charms…For my
O.W.L’S…isn’t that great…How did you do?” Mione said with a grin.
“6 out of 12, really, that great so am I…D.A.D.A…August 12th ?” He
asked quickly with a grin.
“Yes, That’s wonderful….I knew you would… Did you write them back?” she
asked in a rush.
“Not, yet, just to you and Ron…that’s why I forgot you’d be coming…So
tell me what’s happened with that girl the other day” He asked happily…all
thoughts of mysterious girls, prophecies and Sirius out of his thoughts. They
spent the next several hours talking to each other. By the time they stopped
talking they were pulling up in front of a large two story beige brick house,
complete with pillars and balcony a large porch in the front of the house with
a circular drive and large white stone fountain in the middle of the drive. The
house was magnificent, lush green lawns and gardens of a multitude of color and
elegance along the gray stone drive.
They parked in front the steps and climbed out. Mr. Granger helping
Harry with his trunk, Hermione took Hedwig’s cage and Firebolt and Mrs. Granger
open the double oak doors. Harry followed Mr. Granger into a grand foyer that
could hold at least the entire home of number four and up a staircase the
second floor. They walked all the way down to the edge of the hall, Harry
counting 6 doors along the way and stepped in to a room that was a large as the
dorm back at Hogwarts.
“Lunch will be ready in an hour If you want to freshen up the washroom
is threw that door. Mione told us that you have no formal dinner wear. Is that
right?” Edward asked quickly.
“Yes…” Harry said vaguely as he looked around the room.
“O.K, Then after lunch they’ll probably take you shopping. Feel free to
explore and make yourself at home…and Congratulations Harry.” Mr. Granger
smiled kindly patted him on the shoulder, then left
quietly.
“So is this ok?” Mione asked from behind him leaning against the door
jab with a smile.
“Yes, it’s WOW….your parents must be really great dentist…this
place…WOW…” he said as he turned around. She laughed and said in a bright voice
“We’ve only live here for 3 years. My grandmother left it to my dad
after she passed away, but I spent most of my summers here as a child. Do you
want a tour?” She asked quickly.
“Yes, Where did you live before you came here…How come you never told
me your Grandmother passed away?” He asked as he took the hand she offered and
walked out into the hall.
“Well you never asked…and I live in
“True I’m sorry…I know nothing about your family…tell me about them.”
He said with an apologetic smile as he looked at her.
“Ok, well you know my parents are dentist…My dad is older then my
Mum…They met in College. He was her Professor…they met went out…fell in love at
first site got married 2 months later then had me 9 months after that. My dad
is the oldest of his four siblings. I have two aunts and an uncle all married
seven cousins between them, there Uncle Henry and Aunt Maggie and my cousins
John and Carrie. There’s Aunt Eloise and Uncle Fred and my cousins Beth and
Britney and Aunt Emily and Uncle Scott and their children are Steven, Michael
and Ethan. As for my mum she’s an orphan…She did a search for her family and
found out she had a sister…My Aunt Laura. I guess my mums parents died years
ago…Laura’s two years older then my mum…married and has two children of her
own…my cousins Landon and Liam… my Uncle Dave her husband is a Wizard…Works at
Gringott’s as a curse breaker and both Landon and Liam will be starting
Hogwarts this year…their twins. Laura’s an investment banker and they met about
13 years ago…My Mum just found Laura about a year ago. So it’s cool…I’ll have
relatives at school with me this year…” Mione said with pride. They ended up in
the back yard, at a white wrought-iron table with white chairs around it. Like
the front, the backyard had beautiful gardens around the white stonewall on the
left and right and back of the property, a large rectangular pool and dozen of
tables and gray flagstone around the pool and back of the house.
“Wow that great…This summer is turning out better then I expected…So
how’d Laura and Dave meet?”
For the next hour Hermione told him all about her aunt and uncle…How
her mum found her how they had been corresponding and got to know one another.
When Mr. and Mrs. Granger came out an hour later followed by two maids with two
large silver platters and a pitcher filled to the brim with lemonade Hermione
was still telling him about her family as he listened to her intently talking
about her family and childhood. Not even the aroma of the succulent chicken
that made him realize lunch was being served. He would wonder later what look
he had on his face, as his best friend beamed with pride about her family that
made Mrs. Granger say in a soft lilting voice.
“Ok you two, I didn’t plan on doing this but seeing how you two are
both mature enough to understand me and have a civil conversation…The talk we
had last night Angel I see I need to reaffirm it for Harry’s benefit as well.
When I was very young it was acceptable to become married and have children at a
young age, but times have changed and there are so many communicable disease
out there now that I want to make it perfectly understood. That a condom when
used correctly, cut a chance of spreading disease up to 90% and when used with
a sponge and or diaphragm it cuts the chances to 100% and also stops the
unexpected surprise of pregnancy as well. So please use a condom. I am not
ready to become a grandmother. I can’t tell you not to have sex, but for god
sakes use the rubber. I could sleep easier knowing that both of you were
protected. Thank you…” Helen said in a
serious tone of voice as she looked at them both. Harry looked at Mr. Granger
whom looked at him and Mione in a stern expression. Then Mione who looked
mortified, cheeks as red as Weasley hair then back to her mother whom was
looking at him as if waiting for him to answer.
“Ok, Mrs. Granger I promise I’ll always wear a condom…” Harry said in
his politest voice as he tried not to grin at the hilarity of the situation.
“As do I mum, dad…” Mione said in quickly as she looked at her parents.
“Good, now let’s eat…” Helen said
with smile as she passed a basket filled with dinner rolls. Lunch passed
without incident and at the end Edward and Helen gave Mione the keys to the Caravan
telling her to be back by dinner and take their time. Both to their relief they
got up quickly and once in the car she said in a quick apologetic voice uttered
“I am so sorry about my mum putting you on the spot like that…I had
hoped she wouldn’t do that, But she’s just…very liberated and speaks very
freely about any and everything under the sun. So I’m sorry…” Mione said
gravely as she drove down the road casting a quick glance in her direction.
“Damn and I was hoping I’d be getting some…” Harry said with a smirk.
“HARRY…” Mione said in shrill voice as she stopped at a red light and
gave him a scantling look.
“I’m kidding…It’s fine…At lease you have parents to embarrass…They’re
great…and the way you talk about your family I can see you all love one another
very much. You have nothing to be embarrassed about…” Harry said in a wistful
voice as she pulled into a parking lot and parked the car. She turned off the
car, unbuckled her belt and turned to look at him. It was the soft smile that would always calm
him in his most dire times of need and that soothing voice they would make him
forever thankful for her friendship.
“I was planning on waiting till tomorrow to tell you something but I
don’t want to…Seeing as I’m only a day shy I figured it’s
ok. This year it was my turn to pick were we go on holiday. So I thought were
do I want to go…as I was thinking of several different thoughts entered my mind
then I thought of you and I thought of How you never got to go anywhere, then I
thought about what happened and how you were feeling. Anyway I decided I wanted
to give you something special for your birthday…I thought of Sirius and how he
was like your family. Then I thought…well His Aunt can’t be his only family. So
I went looking…I hope you don’t mind…” She finished quickly as she stiffened
slightly as if she expected him to yell. He felt as if he had just been knocked
out…
“Mind…are you shitting me…did you…did you…” He
stammered excitedly.
“Yes, Your great-grandmother and great uncle
and several cousins all in
“Ok…I’m so far beyond ok that I can’t even began to describe how I
feel…Thank you I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you” He said in awed
voice. As far back as he could remember he could never think of anyone doing
something like this for him. What happened next was something neither of them would
ever forget. Grasping her hands in his he leaned forward and kissed her softly
on her full red lips. They stayed like this for mere moments but he felt a
level of peacefulness descend over him like nothing before that moment.
“Sorry, I was just…” he said as he pulled back and frowned as he looked
at her.
“It’s fine…no big deal…We should probably….probably go we still need to
get you some dinner wear.” She said in a brisk yet husky voice. He couldn’t
help but noticed the way her lower lip trembled slightly.
“Your right, I’m sure that wasn’t the type of repayment you were
looking for…” Harry said with a grin as he opened the door, shut it with a snap
then ran around the car and opened her door.
“No, but like I said your just happy and overcome with emotion...I mean
it’s not like you…fancy me…” she finished lamely as she began walking toward
the huge white complex that was at least half if not three quarters the size of
Hogwarts.
“Why not…I mean smart, funny, gorgeous, the
smartest witch in our class…what’s not to fancy…” Harry said deviously.
“You only saying this because of what my mum said…You and I both no
there are other girls just like me…you just want to pick on me.” Mione said in
huff as she yanked open one of the many glass doors and marched inside one of
the many department stores.
“Your Mum’s not here Mione…But if you really think about it you know…I
can’t think of anyone that could be better then you. I think I can honestly say
that without you I wouldn’t be standing here. Who was the girl that helped beat
a mountain troll with me when I was 11, or lit a teachers robe on fire to save
me from being thrown off my broom. Or figure out a riddle to help me save a stone
that would help bring my worst enemy back from the dead, or figure out what was
petrifying all the muggle borns in school. Or go back in time to save my
godfather from a fate worse then death, or help me with a charm to beat a
dragon that would gladly had fried me to a crisp and escape a dark lord, or
help me beat down a Dementors in a dark alley…I’ll tell you who that girl was.
It was you…you who save me time after countless time. Sure others have helped
me, but not like you…You know I couldn’t help but notice how your mum and dad
called you Angel….and I can’t think of a better way to describe you…Your truly
are a divine creature, far to worthy to be my friend. You know Ron didn’t go
out and find me family because of what happened last month and it wasn’t Ginny
whom thought of how to get me out of Umbridge’s office. It was you…So thank
you…thank you for doing so much for me…Even though I don’t deserve this…I just
want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do for me.” Sometime as they were walking, they stopped.
He reached over and gently cupped the side of her face, leaned down and kissed
her soft trembling lips. Once again, that feeling of complete peacefulness
enveloped him as he kissed her tenderly in the crowded mall on that warm summer
afternoon.