The Whispers

Seven

Harry and Lily saw each other far sooner than Harry had expected to see the girl. A week after their first run-in, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Draco were all summoned into the Headmaster's office and Ginny had a sinking feeling, she had told the other three anyways, that it wasn't good news that they were going to hear.

When the four stepped into the office, Hermione having interlocked her arm with Harrys and Ginny having copied the action with Draco with the two boys held hands, they were greeted by a room full of people. Their families, to be exact. All except Hermione's, being that her family was in Australia enjoying their lives with a new child--no doubt--because that's where Hermione had sent them after she asked Harry to obliviate them of their memories with her.

Draco immediately tensed as he saw his father gave him a sharp glare after seeing his and Harry's intertwined hands. Harry quickly stepped in front of the boy as he glared just as sharply at the blonde-haired man who had been the reason Draco had run away in the first place. Lucius backed down after Harry sent him that look, the same uneasy feeling washing over him that normally people Harry didn't like felt when they stared into his eyes for too long. Harry turned his glare the Headmaster.

"What is the meaning of this?" Harry snapped harshly at the white bearded man who was looking at the four with a small frown, the usual twinkle in his eyes dulled as he looked at all of their tense reactions. He had somewhat expected them to be happy or relieved to see their parents, he was disappointed that they didn't look either of those things. And the way Harry had stepped in front of them seemed very protective. It made Dumbledore question how the boy had gotten them to join him in the first place? Dumbledore had missed the way Lucius had glared at Draco entirely.

"Now, students, I'm sure that's no way to react. We're simply here to talk about a few things." Dumbledore brought the attention in the room back to him, hoping to relieve some of the tension that had built up between everyone. "As you all know, none of you are adults yet and we have to discuss what's to happen to you after this school year is up. Certainly you all can't go back to living by yourselves." Harry didn't need to hear anymore of what the man had to say. He had thought that this might happen.

"We are not, and you're a bloody fool if you think you can make us," Harry snapped and the Headmasters frown deepened. Harry never did like Dumbledore.

"Now, there's certainly no need for that kind of language," Dumbledore spoke as he studied Harry. "I'd like to hear what the rest of your... friends have to say, Harry."

Harry studied the Headmaster for a moment before he stepped back beside Draco without even looking at the other three in the group. He knew what the Headmaster thought, he thought that Harry was forcing them into this. That Harry was somehow controlling them and Harry was insulted beyond belief. Did Dumbledore not think he could have genuine friends without some sort of manipulation being played? No, Harry was nothing like Dumbledore.

Dumbledore finally smiled, looking at Hermione first. "I do apologize Miss.Granger, we couldn't find your parents, do you happen to know where they went?"

Hermione took it upon herself to glare sharply at Dumbledore. It didn't have the same effect Harry's had on people, but even Harry was slightly wary around her when she was glaring. It was something she took great pride in. "They're in Australia, living their own lives away from this blasted continent with a lovely little girl named Izzabell," Hermione answered sharply. She hadn't liked the way Dumbledore had spoken to Harry in the slightest, it almost seemed as though he didn't believe they were really Harry's friends at all.

"Alright dear," Dumbledore spoke, turning his attention back on all of them. "I'd like you all to share why you left in the first place. Maybe it could help you reconnect with your families so you can return to them at the end of the school year." Draco tensed even more as his grey eyes scanned over his mother and father once more, his face impassive as always, but Harry could see he was afraid of what his father would do. "Ginny, dear, if you'd start please." Dumbledore directed, and Harry had to bite down on his tongue to stop him from saying anything.