Calming the heart

Soisen did not immediately take Luna and Ginny to the magical bastion, but they first appeared at his old house in Lacock. It wasn't that he didn't trust the two witches, but the bastion was his most important base and he had to make sure of two things.

That they weren't being tracked, to "fish" for more important targets and lastly, he needed both of them to swear an oath to keep the bastion secret, even their families couldn't know anything.

He wasn't willing to allow loopholes, not with someone with a loose mouth like Ron living with Ginny or a person as willing to expose things as Luna's father.

Looking on the bright side, in the future they might come for a visit or to have a picnic to relax in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

They both understood that well-protected shelters were not abundant in these circumstances, so based on their trust built up over the years, they took the oath Soisen asked them to take and after waiting for the multijugos potion they prepared to finish its effect as well as confirming that they had no curse or tracker mark on them or their things, the three of them disappeared to reach the bastion.

Knowing they were safe here, the tension and nerves flowed like tears, leaving Soisen at a loss as to how to comfort the two witches.

Lucky for him, both Silvia and Hermione saw the arrival of their friends and quickly entered into an emotionally supportive dynamic. Soisen tried to slip away because he really doesn't like these scenarios, but Ginny and Silvia held him by the sleeves and he could only act as a patient shoulder to cry on.

He looked at his girlfriend with bemusement.

He found it reasonable that the young Weasley was crying on his left shoulder, Luna might not be crying openly, but the tight, silent embrace she held with Hermione made it clear that she wasn't well and needed some comfort.

Then, why did Silvia also start crying on her right shoulder?

Just because someone you know cries, do you have to cry too?

She would never understand the complex and mysterious female emotions.

As if it was their salvation, Nagini appeared shortly thereafter to take the two new arrivals for a shower to relax and change. It should be noted that later, when they sat down at the table and saw what they thought was still their potions teacher present, they nearly jumped out of their seats.

This time Soisen didn't go ahead to explain and let Nagini explain the situation a bit while also asking them not to expose her presence here to anyone.

Although Ginny was clearly uncomfortable about all the abrupt changes in the last few hours, Luna had calmed down quite a bit and was discussing with Ingta about some red flowers she saw in the garden.

-I don't know how my family is doing," Ginny commented, hugging her knees on the sofa once the meal was finished and the house elves were clearing the table.

-"I think they should be fine," Soisen commented, "Your family is quite capable and as members of the Order of the Phoenix, they should have some countermeasures ready and people to support them," his gaze shifted to Luna, "I'm sure Xenophilius should be fine as well.

Luna nodded her head in appreciation of his concern for her state of mind.

-Would you like us to send them a letter? -They must be worried about you and this way they'll know you're safe. You'll be able to relax your heart too if they reply.

-Wouldn't that be dangerous? -Ginny hesitated even though she was tempted by the proposal, she didn't want to risk the shelter they were all in. That would only make her feel more depressed and guilty.

-Hmm, I could use my Patronus," Soisen commented as he thought about it some more, "They can be used as messengers, you know?

-You mean your Patronus the size of an adult whale? -Hermione pointed.

-I can modify its size and shape, like when the Dementors attacked the Quidditch pitch, remember?

-Oh, right," Hermione replied dumbfounded, she really forgot that. The first thing that came to her mind was how she came out of the waters of the Black Lake with that huge Patronus.

Rolling his eyes, Soisen raised his hands and gathered enough silver mist to form a whale the size of a husky. The whale swam up to float in front of Ginny, who was fascinated for a moment at the realism of the Patronus.

The whale's gaze seemed to mirror her own mind!

-Just put your palm on its forehead and start talking, the Patronus will record your voice so the Weasleys know you are safe. Remember to add that Luna is also safe to calm her father and that you must not give details of where you are or who you are with. When the twins see the Patronus, they should connect the dots," he was worried that carried away by emotions, she would forget the oath she swore, "I already left a reminder so they know they can respond in kind.

Ginny looked at him and nodded, expressing that she understood what she had to do. She didn't immediately reach out and considered for a moment the message she wanted to convey to her family with Luna.

The others didn't bother her and just a few minutes later, they reached a consensus.

Ginny put her hand on the Patronus' forehead, which felt like warm skin made of warm streams of water. The feeling was really nice and a bit addictive.

Once the message was recorded, the Patronus circled around as if it was getting its bearings and to the surprised looks of everyone but Soisen, it plunged into the ground as if entering the ocean.

-It will be a few hours before he returns," Soisen commented as he put his hands on his knees and stood up, "Would you like to play a game of Gwent? I recently made a new Novigrad deck.

-Wait, what was that? -Hermione, unable to contain her curiosity, asked for everyone present- I thought you were going to have a house elf take the Patronus or something. How can the Patronus locate Ginny's family without using an owl or knowing where they're hiding?

-Because I improved the enchantment, at this point you're still asking me these questions? -answered Soisen as if it were a matter of course- -Don't look at me like that! It's no secret to anyone here that illusions are one of my strong points. What exactly do you think a Patronus is? It is the manifestation of a wizard's or witch's good feelings, which assumes the form of a specific illusion with sufficient mastery, usually an animal that reflects some mental aspect.

With his superior animagus form and the knowledge he has gathered, inherited and studied over the years, modifying this kind of illusion is child's play.

-And how did you manage to get her to be able to find the people you send a message to as if she were an owl? -This was the point Hermione couldn't understand.

-I copied the magical sense that our owls have and simulated it in the Patronus, how else? -The answer was so simple and complex that no one knew what to say.

-Hermione," Silvia patted the witch's shoulder to get her out of her stupor, "It's Soisen, don't try to use common sense on him.

-Hey!

Laughter echoed in the room and the depressed atmosphere was swept away.