The Window
The Window
There was something not quite right about the window.
Harry cocked his head to the side as he stared at it, his eyes squinting as though it would help him see whatever was different. He knew something was different because nothing in that house ever changed. It had been exactly the same since they’d entered it two years earlier. So, he stared and squinted.
“What are you doing?”
He cocked his head to the other side, hoping it would provide a new perspective. “It’s different.”
“What is?”
“The window.”
Severus came up beside him, staring at the same window. “You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m not that stupid.”
“Could be debated.”
“Oh, shut up, you great git,” Harry grumbled, leaning forward to look closer at the charmed window, charmed to reflect the daily weather. “There, you see it?” He pointed at the window when there was a dim in the sunlight in just a single corner.
“I see it,” Severus said quietly.
“What’s happening?” Harry asked, looking over his shoulder at his friend and forced housemate, watching as Severus’ head also tilted to the side.
“The wards are changing,” Severus said and Harry frowned.
“How is that possible?” Harry said. “It’s only been two years. We’ve got another three, minimum.”
Both their heads swung around when there was a knock at the front door. It wasn’t time for their monthly delivery. They still had two more weeks before that, so who was at the door? Their particular prison didn’t exactly get visitors, nor did either one of them have visitors to receive, not anymore. They glanced at each other and walked to the door. With Severus close behind him ready to fight—physically given their lack of wands—Harry turned the doorknob and slowly pulled the door open. Standing in the doorway with the black abyss that existed beyond their front door was a very familiar face that neither of them had seen since their sentencing more than two years earlier.
“Kingsley?” Harry said, astonished at seeing the man or anyone, for that matter. He and Severus hadn’t seen anyone but each other for the last two years.
“Good to see you both again,” Kingsley said though his expression didn’t reflect much joy or anything of the like.
“What are you doing here?” Harry said.
“They’re all dead and the Ministry is done,” Kingsley said. “Ready to rejoin society or what’s left of it?”
Harry looked at Severus in shock.
Fin?