hisownsappinessmadehimringealittlebit,itwastrue.everythinghehadeverwantedwasrighthere,holdinghiminhisarms.

friday,25july2003

draolookedatthelokwhenheheardthefireperoartolife,asmuggrinonhisfae.potterwaspuntual.itmadehimfeelgiddy.heouldn’thelpit.

“great,youanstayrightthere,”hesaidasheenteredtheparlour.

“what?”potterlookedonfused.

“there’ssomewhereweneedtogo.”

“where?”potterasked.

“it’sasurprise,”draosaid,pushingpotterbakintothefirepe.

“buthowwillibeabletogothereifidon’tknow—”

“i’lldoitforyou,”draointerruptedhim.hewaiteduntilpotterhadfoundhisbane.helookedwary.

“we’renotgoingtoseeyourmother,arewe?”heasked.

drao’slipsstrethedintoasmirk.“youanstanduptothedarklordbutyou’reafraidofmymother?”

pottergavehimadarklookthatwasmoreteasingthanserious.

draohukled.“ready?”heasked.slowly,potternodded.draotookapinhoffloopowder,tryingtoalmpotterwithasmile.italmostseemedtobew.until…

“hogwarts,headmistressmgonagall’soffie!”surpriseandapprehensionfshedarosspotter’sfaebeforehevanished.draolostnotime,steppingintothefirepehimselfimmediately,tofollowpotter.

“ah,thereyouare,”mgonagallsaid,awarmsmileonherfae.