Uncertain Goodbyes

It was a good idea.

At least that's what Silver continually told herself as the days grew nearer. It was selfish, she even admitted to herself, leaving everyone at such a dire time; but they had all agreed it was best she left, and so when Remus suggested she return to Salem, she wasn't as reluctant as she thought she'd be towards accepting it.

She feared for Remus and Harry – for everyone, really. Knowing that she would lack any and all control of what was happening in England from her place in Salem nearly forced her to counter-argue it, but she would be a burden and she knew it. Her heart had never felt so small yet cumbersome as it did now as she stared out into the brightness of the setting sun through the window of Harry's bedroom on Pivet Drive. The sky was a masterpiece. The colors were excellently chosen by the painter of the scene, with hues of pink and orange lighting the ethereal sky. Small houses stood in a row along the neighborhood street, seeming so insignificant in comparison to the rest of the world. That night, however, this neighborhood would be in grave danger, for it was tonight when Harry Potter would escape the confines of his home with the Dursleys. It was in their highest hopes that he wouldn't be caught by the death eaters, or worse, Voldermot himself in the process. That's precisely the reason why the Order chose tonight, because as far as they were all concerned, Voldermot would have no reason to suspect Harry would leave on this particular Saturday night – especially not when they have been mislead towards another night.

Silver pulled her black hair back into a sloppy ponytail, her long fringe falling messily into her face as the rest of her hair trailed down her back. Harry was downstairs with the Dursley's now, making sure to send them safely away from the prospect of any danger. She was instructed to stay upstairs in order to alleviate some of the tension the Dursleys presently felt at her unexpected presence at their home for the past hours. To Petunia and Vernon Dursley, another one of Lily's oddly gifted children, one they had thought to be sent away in America as she should've been, was less than welcome to their pristine home.

Once Silver had arrived late last night, Remus alongside her but under a concealment charm, Petunia fainted at once. She hadn't in her wildest dreams expected to see Silver at her doorstep; she thought she was well out of England. It was originally stated that Silver and Harry Potter would never meet, yet here she was. Dudley hadn't succumbed to the events around him for the television set was simply too important to leave unattended. Vernon aided his wife, after overcoming the initial shock, and then treated his confusion with anger and outrage.

Miraculously, she was allowed to stay for the night, mostly out of fear for having not only one, but two magical creatures in the house. The pair made no efforts at comforting her throughout her stay, deciding it was simply enough she hadn't been thrown out to the garden to sleep with the dog. It was Harry who relinquished his own bed for her and decided to sleep on a bundle of blankets on the floor instead. Remus slept on the floor as well, his back firmly rifled against the wall and a pillow behind his head.

The Dursley's hadn't prepared breakfast for her the next morning, but they hadn't much time either; Harry had been forewarning them the entire day about the crucial danger in the wizarding world. They weren't very happy with the mention of magic in their household; therefore hid in their room all day as Harry viciously continued to warn them of Voldermort.

Silver separated herself from the dying sun as the last bit of light peeked behind the housetops, and then disappeared. She sat on the bed, on Harry's bed, and stroked the covers, glimpsing at the already packed suitcases next to the door. The smaller one was Harrys; he didn't have schoolbooks or robes or any such thing in it. He carried essentials – a few changes of clothes, clean underwear, things he treasured. In contrast, Silver carried all of her belongings, along with new supplies for school. A dark purple fabric spilled out of her carry-on. it was her new school robes replacing the long black and blue uniform of Hogwarts. Her stomach lurched at the thought of starting anew. Salem had indeed been her home before having moved here, but it felt so estranged to her as of late. She had discovered and learnt so much at Hogwarts. She gained a family, a small one, but it was one nonetheless. She missed Rupert and Lucy dearly, but had luckily found great friends in Ginny, Blake, and Dominic – that she would now feel empty without. But more than that, she felt guilty. Harry was treading dangerous grounds, searching for Voldermort with Ron and Hermione, while Silver went off to school to have a privilege none of them had but very much deserved – their last year of schooling. Harry reassured her things would be fine, as did she when he felt frightened, but it still didn't explain the pestering ache in her stomach. As much as she was worried about Harry, there was someone else who had been plaguing her as well:

Draco Malfoy.

Her green eyes shut tight as she put her highest efforts into envisioning his pale, handsome face. He thinks she's dead. He believes her blood is in his hands. He never learned that he had defeated the Imperius curse with his pure, untainted love for the girl he was summoned to kill. She could taste the salty tears as one landed on the curl of her lip.

She needed this. She had to get out of England. It was the only way to forget.

A protective arm wrapped around her bent shoulders. It was an embrace full of love and warmth and it could've been the remedy to her ailment, but today, it was quite the opposite. She didn't know if she would ever feel that unconditional love again.

"You'll be alright." said Remus softly as he pat her shoulder.

"I'll be fine." her voice cracked, "but will you and Harry?"

Remus did not answer. He only smiled when she cursorily looked at him; he had aged so much in the past month. He resembled an older man of fifty, perhaps even sixty. His reddish-brown hair mingled with grey, and it hadn't been combed in days.

"I don't want anything to happen to either of you." said Silver quietly, for a second, reeling over the possibilities of what could happen after their separation tonight.

"You and Harry are of greater importance than I am." He smiled, "I'll watch after you, although you might not know I'm there."

Silver smirked, "Yeah, you're good at that aren't you?"

He laughed softly, "I am."

And then, the door swung open, revealing a rather happy version of her usually frazzled brother. Harry must've noticed the curious looks on either of their faces and jumped excitedly, "It's the first time I've had this house to myself, and I can't seem to resist the urge to run into Dudley's room and make a mess of it."

Silver laughed, thankful that Harry had managed to lift her spirits, even if it was only for a moment.

"We haven't got much time to lose, Harry, I bet everyone's already downstairs." said Remus.

"How?" asked Silver curiously.

"Concealment charms."

Silver nodded, and then joined her brother who pouted at his unrealized desires to tear down the house. Remus followed suit behind them as Harry and Silver slowly descended the wooden stairs, side by side. The tension in her body must've been obvious, for Harry continued to surreptitiously steal glances in her direction.

Silver's eyes wandered around the empty living room, although the rug seemed as if someone had slid and lifted it carelessly, evidence of the struggles to get the Dursley's out of the house. Harry considered the house with fond bemusement; it was a feeding ground for his worst memories, but then again, he wouldn't be much of the man he was today were it not for his past hardships. With that in mind, he almost felt sad for leaving the place behind – almost.

Harry swung the kitchen door open, exposing its hidden inhabitants. Mad Eye Moody, the man Silver recognized to have been impersonated by her father, Barty Crouch Jr., sat on a stool, his eye focused on her for a short moment before it returned to Harry; Kingsley, a tall, respected auror sat opposite him; Fred and George lolled against the kitchen cabinet, one of them with a half-eaten banana in his hand; Ron, who was busy asking George where he had gotten the banana, but immediately turned around at the sound of the door; Hermione sat on the counter, in front of the Weasley brothers; Arthur Weasley stood with his eldest son, Bill, both of their hands crossed over their chests; Fleur stood close to Bill, looking as statuesque and beautiful as she always did; Mundungus sat on another stool, anxious and apprehensive; and Tonks, who brightened at the sight of Silver and drew her up into a bone-crushing hug.

Remus began explaining the plan again, Harry interrupted yet remained ignored. Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Mundungus, Silver, and Fleur were to take polyjuice potion to transform into Harry. Each Harry would have an auror with them, and would head off in a different direction to confuse the death eaters if their presence should arise. They're intention was to land, safely, in different stations – each equipped with a portkey which would then lead them to their final destination, the Burrow. The only exception would be the Harry Potter travelling with Tonks, which would actually be Silver, who would be heading towards Kings Cross until she reached Heathrow Airport.

"I've told you I can't take you." Remus repeated as Silver once again inquired her situation as she gulped down the disgusting taste of Polyjuice potion, "They'd know who you are if I travelled with you."

Not finding the words to answer, or to do anything else besides try to rid the terrible taste off her tongue, Silver's body changed into that of her brothers, along with everyone else. Hermione and Mundungus grew taller, whereas Ron and the twins shot downward. Silver and Fleur remained the same height, only difference, they were now men.

Once they became habituated with their new bodies, Mad-eye Moody decided it was best if they went off, finding it unintelligent to wait any longer. Silver didn't resist, although she wanted to, but she knew that would make the situation harder than it already was. Teary-eyed, she embraced her friends Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George – wishing them all the best, and a safe journey. She found Harry and hugged him too, leaving a spot on his clothes damp due to tears. It was with Remus when she felt her whole body sting with awful regret, but she kept her tears to a minimum.

"I love you guys." murmured Silver into Remus's shoulder who responded, "I love you, too."

Harry stood beside Remus and passed a soothing hand over Silver's arm, "Me too."

"Please…stay safe." she pleaded, turning her head to look at Harry.

He didn't say anything; because he didn't like to make promises he was unsure he could keep. Indeed, he hoped to remain alive after it all, but it was out of his hands. "You too."

A few short minutes later, the seven Harry's departed off towards the skies but it seemed they weren't as clever as they had thought. Deatheaters dotted the skies above them as the group ascended to fly. Instantly and in panic, each broom sped off in different directions. It was close for Tonks and Silver, but with a quick reflex, Tonks headed down towards a dense area of trees and managed to hide from them long enough for Silver to stupefy their follower, sending him hurling towards the ground as solid as a rock. Shortly after that, the journey was simple. It only took a few moments before Kings Cross reared into view and Silver and Tonks were forced to depart after a heartfelt goodbye. Silver longingly stared at Tonks standing on the platform, looking entirely out of place among muggles. This was goodbye. She hadn't quite realized she might never see them again, for her loved one's futures were uncertain, and therefore, so was hers. Before she had even the time to realize it was really happening, Silver had left England behind and was flying across the Atlantic Ocean towards Salem, Massachusetts.

A/N: sooo...what do you guys think? Good start?
I'm skipping DH for this story, because I felt like Silver really couldn't do much but stand in the way of Harry and his friends. Besides, I love the pent up angst that her and Draco will both be experiencing in the near future as a result of them not seeing each other (: Does that make me a masochist?
Either way, I love writing it.

So up until now we have: 1. Silver's not dead, but everyone thinks she is (the Malfoys included) 2. The only ones who know shes going back to Salem are those mentioned in this chapter (& Luna) 3. She's going to spend her last year at Salem and graduate - and then we disembark on the rest of our story!

Thanks for reading and reviewing (: You're all amazing. x