chapter fourteen | it's good to see you

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Harry Potter trudged through the Burrow with heavy feet. He was soaked and landed with a splash as Dumbledore sent him to the Burrow. He looked ahead to see the silhouette of the Burrow, in its crooked form. Trudging forward, he couldn't help but have his spirits lift at the thought of seeing Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny.

Coming closer to the Burrow, he couldn't help but notice a figure in the window on the top floor. A girl, fair skinned with hazel hair, reading a novel on the windowsill. Her brows could be seen to furrow every once and a while as she concentrated on the pages in front of her.

Stella Mason.

The two friends sent letters back and forth, a brief summary of the persons' day, nothing more nothing less. It was still nice to hear from one another. He told her about his travels, which she would admit, was quite reckless of him to do given the climate of the Wizarding World. And she told him of her time at the Burrow. What books she's read and what crazy things Ron had her try. It was nice for both of them to forget their troubles when reading the letters they had sent each other and writing to one another.

Stella had been quieter than usual. She was still the same Stella she had always been, especially in the safe and comforting home of the Weasley's. However, there was something that was weighing her down. Her dad had yet to be found. She received a letter from Dumbledore, explaining how her father gave back a report, saying he was fine and was expected to return soon. But something didn't feel right.

Her new favorite novel obsession is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The mystery mixed with the love Atticus Finch holds for his children while he was fighting for what was right was truly inspiring. She got it from Hermione for Christmas and she thanked the girl every chance she got, raving about the book and how it's one of her new favorites. She once told Harry he would enjoy the book in one of her letters she sent him.

Her thoughts and reading were broken when she heard the youngest Weasley yell for her mum.

"Ginny, what is it?"

"I was only wondering when Harry got here."

"What? Harry? Harry who?"

"Harry Potter, of course."

Mrs. Weasley scoffed as she walked downstairs, "I think I'd know if Harry Potter was in my house, wouldn't I?"

"His trunk's in the kitchen, and his owl."

"No, dear, I seriously doubt that."

"Harry," Ron Weasley popped his head out on the second floor, "did someone say Harry?"

"Me, nosey. Is he up there with you?"

"Of course not. I'd know my best friend was in my room, wouldn't I?"

Hedwig let out a chirp, alerting another person in the house.

"Is that an owl I heard," Hermione Granger popped her head out from the third floor.

"You haven't seen him, have you," Ginny asked, "apparently he's wandering around the house."

"Really?"

"Really," the familiar voice rang out, causing everyone to stir with excitement.

"Harry!"

Everyone came downstairs to greet the boy. Ginny went first, then Hermione with her toothbrush in hand. Then, Ron clambered into his best friend and wrapped his arms around him. The green eyed boy couldn't help but look around for one last person he knew was in the house.

"What a lovely surprise," Mrs. Weasley beamed as she cupped the boys' cheek, "why didn't you let us know you were coming?"

"I didn't know. Dumbledore," Harry smiled at the woman with a shrug.

"Oh, that man," the woman laughed, "but then, what would we do without him?"

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After getting settled in Ron's room, where Harry and Ron shared whenever the former came to the Burrow, the three friends sat around a flaming Daily Prophet and discussed the year ahead of them. Harry couldn't help but feel like a part of their group was missing without a certain brunette. He wondered why she hadn't gone to see him, or at least greet him.

"So, when did you get here," Harry asked Hermione.

"A few days ago," she answered her best friend, looking weary, "though for a while, I wasn't sure I was coming."

After the confusion of Harry was displayed, Ron reiterated, "mum sort of lost it last week. Said Ginny and I, and Stella for that matter, had no business going back to Hogwarts. That it's too dangerous."

"Oh, come on."

"She's not alone," the curly haired girl shook her head at her best friend who scoffed, "even my parents, and they're Muggles, know something bad is happening."

"Anyway, dad stepped in, told her she was being barmy... and it took a few days, but she came around."

The Boy Who Lived sighed, "but this is Hogwarts we're talking about. It's Dumbledore. What could be safer?"

The two others looked at each other before the girl spoke, "there's been a lot of talk recently that... Dumbledore's got a bit old."

"Rubbish," Harry scoffed again, but then looked in thought, "well, he's only... what is he?"

"Hundred and fifty? Give or take a few?"

The three were quiet after Ron's comment, but soon burst into laughter. That apparently caught the attention of someone else in the house.

"I thought I heard you from the other room."

The teens looked at the doorway to see their friend Stella Mason, leaning against the doorframe, giving them a soft smile, book in hand.

Harry had noticed a growth in the girl. Not just in looks, because she was already growing into her unique features, but in stature—the way she carried herself. Though, one difference that was clearer, her eyes were dimmer than usual. Not knowing the whereabouts of her father has taken a toll on her in some ways. Some ways were easier to hide from others, but Harry knew better.

Harry had yet to respond so Stella kept going, "how are you, Harry?"

The green eyed boy seemed to snap out of his trance-like state to respond to her, "oh, I'm well, Stella, thank you. How are you?"

"I'm... okay," the girl shared, looking down at the book in her hand, "sorry I didn't greet you with the others, I got to the best part of this book and I couldn't put it down."

The three chuckled at her explanation as Harry said, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Stel."

Stella chuckled with them and looked down shyly, "well, it's good to see you, Harry."

Harry smiled at her shyness as his two best friends looked on with small smirks, "it's good to see you, too."

        The Mason glanced up to him only for something to catch her eye, "Ron," she walked closer to the boys' bed, "why is one of my bookmarks on your bed?"

        "Oh, well you see," the boy started, looking quite scared from his seat, "me and Hermione made a bet, you see—"

        "It was all you, Ronald—"

        "—To see if you would notice one of your bookmarks were missing..."

        Stella blinked, "may I ask why?"

         "You know, when I think about it... I don't know."

        "Lovely."

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yes i added that scene at the end, no i don't regret it — don't be a silent reader!
edited: 6 april 2021