We Will Shine {Book 6 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 5 - Already Proud

~Astra~

I gripped the ferry railing, bracing myself against the cold. With everything that had happened in the six months since I'd seen my father, it seemed like years. It was also a bit surprising that Mr. Potter had been able to pull off a visit, honestly. He said he wasn't sure if he's able to do it again soon, so I was planning on making the most of the hour.

Once again, Mr. Potter made me wait with Mr. Macmillan while other aurors went to drive the dementors off. After about five minutes, he led me upstairs and unlocked the door to my father's cell.

I burst in, not even needing to think to get my Patronus to follow me. "Father!"

There he was, just as I remembered, matted hair and hallow cheeks, in a ragged prisoner's uniform. His face lit up at in the light of my patronus, though. He staggered to his feet and held his arms out. I didn't waste time in launching myself into them. "Little Star," he whispered, hugging me tightly.

After a minute, I pulled back, reaching for the bag looked over my shoulder. "Aunt Andromeda made you a jumper." I pulled it out. It was red, the brightest thing in the gray room.

"You'll have to thank her for me," he said, smiling at it.

"Oh, and Colette suggested I bring you some books." I took them out of my bag as he pulled the jumper over his head. "She picked out this one, a history book about spells. And this one I picked out, about quidditch, and Aunt Andromeda said to bring a Bible, too, because you can't really beat that."

"I appreciate it, darling," he said, gently setting the books on the floor.

"How have you been?"

"Slightly more sane," he said. "Writing you has helped."

Even the overwhelming heaviness of the dementors couldn't keep me from grinning. "I'm glad! And really, I'm sorry about June. Running off to the Ministry wasn't my best idea. It won't happen again."

He chuckled. "Good to hear."

"Oh! I do have good news, though! I was writing you about Wren, remember?" He nodded. "A few days after I wrote to you, she got summoned by her uncle, and he believed her!" The whole story poured out as we sat down side by side. My father listened, nodding, as I explained about Zaria and Stillens, even including the fact that Wren wasn't going to tell James. "Don't you think she should?"

"I think it's completely her choice," my father said.

"Oh, yes, I know," I said quickly. "I just... I think she's making the wrong one."

"And she'll handle the consequences if she is. But you don't know if she is or not. Like you've said, James Potter does tend to get angry quickly. You and he both have wound up in bad situations because of it."

I sighed. "I know. I just feel like I should do something."

"You shouldn't." My father put his hand on my shoulder, smiling. "I know you care a lot about your friends, and you just want what's best for them, but micromanaging their interactions with each other won't bring what's best. Just let them work through things on their own."

He had a point. Wren had been manipulated too many times for me to step in and try to add to it. And, strange as it was, she understood James a little better than I did. She had he benefit of not sharing his (and my) most dangerous quality: a lack of impulse control. Besides, she knew how to handle herself. I slowly nodded. "You're right. Thanks."

He smiled. "Now, tell me what else has been going on in your summer."

Not much had gone on in my summer, of course. I'd spent a few days with the Malfoys, and met with Colette every Saturday until she'd ran away. However, the running away part was actually quite a bit of explaining (and angrily venting about her dad, who was campaigning for prat of the year). Before I knew it, Mr. Macmillan was tapping on the door to alert us that we had about five minutes left.