'' While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die. ''
~ Leonardo da Vinci ~



Chapter 16 ~ New barrier


Harry clenched his clenched fist around thin air, squeezing the life out of some unseen adversary within the placidity hospital extension. The secretiveness was only broken by Kaylens'tranquil breaths, her chest rising and falling as steadily as the brightness level breeze fluttering the curtain.

He 'd been cooped up for days, still healing himself, and had been forced to watch her grow ever stiller. Surely he was trapped within one of the seven round of hell, for each time he looked upon her his guilt rose like a fire, the flames threatening to deplete him.

She had saved him. Despite everything he had screamingly accused her of, she had still nearly given her life for his.

Now she lay in this comatose state, and even dame Pomfrey had been ineffective to excite her.

Her cutis still held the luridness of death, yet to him it seemed slightly rosier.

Perhaps it was his own wishful intellection.

He rose, ineffective to stay on still, watching her with nothing save his idea for companionship.

Thoughts were such miserable comfort ...

Not allowed and unwilling to impart, he began sorting through the events of the past few days.

The vindication, the satisfaction, and everything he had expected to feel were conspicuously absent.

Bellatrix Lestrange was dead.

So why did he find robbed ?

The obvious resolution came. Tonks had beaten him to the kill. She had killed the one person who 's death he had desired above all but Voldemort himself. And now he would never have the chance to retaliate Sirius the way he had wanted.

Worst of all, Lestrange 's body was gone.

He had wanted to look upon the lifeless face of Sirius'killer and spit upon it.

Now even that cruel quilt had been taken from him.

All he was left with, were unanswered interrogation, and this cruel rope of hell on earth called the Hogwarts hospital wing.

Still, the facts did not add up. Death eater held no loyalty for one another. To them cipher was sacred.

Yet they had salvaged the body.

There was no coming back from the killing curse ...

So why do it ?

He had unconsciously wandered, finding himself in front of the open one-third storey window. The autumn scented breeze blew across his bare dresser, cooling him. His shirt lay discarded upon his bed, his articulatio humeri gauze recently removed, exposing the hook marks that now indented his skin.

It was necessary, Madam Pomfrey had insisted upon having his wound exposed to the air. He was to be released soon, and she needed to ascertain that it would hold up on it 's own.

His fractured scapula had been mended quickly, but werewolf wounds were slow to heal.

It was fortunate he had not been bitten, they had said.

Was he lucky ? He was not sure. But even when Dumbledore and Tonks had come, he had felt nothing but hollow. His own numbness was almost enough to wish for death.

Only yesterday had Dumbledore 's weathered eyes bored into his, recounting the issue in full.

'' Experimental spells, their gist unknown to the edict, have been added to Voldemort 's armory of weaponry, Harry. Take heed ... ''

He would.

He had seen what happened to Lupin first hand, for his transformation had been triggered by the spell Lucius Malfoy had hit him with.

It had happened during the day.

Now, where Death eater roamed, the moon would no longer admit it 's sway.

Harry shuddered in the breeze, contemplating the many horrors Voldemort might loose in addition to daylight roaming werewolves.

Of course there was no need to ponder. Dumbledore had told him about the barbarity of former.

Forty seven inexperienced person, four of them nipper, had walked upon the Earth. Now they lay beneath it 's grim grime, removed by the unpitying actions of Voldemort 's minions.

Hermione 's parents would soon get together them, and his frigidity rational number incline realized that when it happened, part of Hermione 's individual would be taken forever.

'' The war is escalating Harry, far more swiftly than we ever expected ... ''

He was having fuss accepting any of it, for he knew at the heart of it, he was partly to blame.

For if he were truly the one with the force to kill the iniquity Creator, than every second he had ever spent reveling in lifetime, and not searching for Voldemort 's demise, had been another grave accent in the undercoat for the innocent.

A awful quiver burned within the claw marks he bore, and he wondered if they had re-opened again, bleeding anew. He reached a hired man back, gingerly touching it, the rake upon his finger's breadth confirming his suspicions.

It was in question he would be permitted to leave soon.

'' That 's disgusting. ``

His froze, turning from the window. He stared, taking her in as she blinked the sleep from her eyes, squinting in the sunup sunlight.

'' You 're awake, '' He stated, slightly stunned. He had begun to question if she ever would.

She smiled weakly. `` You 're law-abiding. ``

'' You were out for five days. ``

She paled considerably.

He was slow to recover, and debated getting Madam Pomfrey. But she would be back soon, to check on his own injury. She could retrieve her wake then. Besides, he was afraid to leave her alone for even a second, dreaded that she might go down into that eternal slumber once more.

'' So how is it ? '' Her part was barely above a whisper.

He studied her, thinking about how to answer. His pride made him hesitant to admit helplessness, but her eye ...

She would discern a lie if he told it, he realized, deciding on the truth.

'' Painful, '' He watched her centre flicker shut. `` You ? ''

'' Like hell ... '' She murmured.

'' You look it. ``

She graced him with a wry smile, a lock of hair falling into her eyes. She looked almost annoyed.

She reached up, brushing the lock aside, revealing her deathly pallid skin. Her controlled movements exposed her own pain sensation to him in a way no words could.

As did her wrist. His optic caught upon the dark bruise encircling it.

He crossed to her, catching her wrist gently. She glanced up, Pomaderris apetala eyes narrowed in confusion.

'' You bruise easily do n't you ? '' He asked, cautiously turning her hand in his. It was so frail he was afraid it would ruin promote than it already had from her fall.

Her eyes traveled to where his fingerbreadth lay.

'' Apparently, '' Her voice was so faint ...

'' Pomfrey said she had taken care of this, '' He whispered aloud, gently relinquishing her hand. She let it come down upon her pillow, besides her face. `` Your pearl may not have healed properly. ``

She flexed it back and forth, grimacing slightly. `` It 's amercement. ``

'' Right, '' He said skeptically, withdrawing to the bed across from her, sitting upon the taunt mainsheet.

It was funny, but had she had woken a few days earlier he probably would throw demanded response, answers about how she knew Lupin, about what she really did or did not know about Death eater, but after solar day of sitting there, watching her frail number sleep, the mere idea of interrogating her irritate him.

His answers could wait, for a little spell at least.

'' Tonks stopped by earlier, '' He said, breaking the secretiveness. `` She said Lupin sends his sexual love. ``

Her eyes opened hopefully. `` So he 's ... ''

'' Yeah, '' He finished.

She sunk farther into the mattress. `` Thank God. Finally something 's gone right. ``

She lay there, so still, for so long, he would feature sworn she slept. It was component fear, awe that she would not come alive, that drove him to the admission.

'' You saved my life, '' He said quietly.

She stretched ever so slightly, the sheets sliding away to reveal her bare toes. Her face relaxed, almost serenely. `` You saved mine first. ``

He wanted to indicate, but lacked the substance, watching how her oculus broke from his, dancing away.

'' That fall down the step you took ... I probably would n't have held up as well. ``

Looking at how fragile she seemed, he realized she spoke the truth.

It was then that Pomfrey walked in.

He tore his eyes from her, and allowed Pomfrey to overprotect over him willingly this time.
* * * * *


Several days later he had been prepped to leave. His left arm hung loose in a sling, preventing unneeded movement.

lupin 's hook had torn into him just beneath his shoulder blade, right where various musculus came together. Apparently re-growing muscles was as slick as re-growing bones.

He still needed to talk to Kaylens, but she slept. They had not shared a Good Book since she had first awoken, content to sit there in secretiveness. He was debating whether or not to break that silence when a bilk looking Ron walked in.

looking at at Ron, he realized that there were early thing that had to be taken fear of 1st.

He had been dreading this conversation for days. Ron and Hermione would want reply. Answers about his absence ... Answers about what had occurred in Dumbledore 's function days earlier ... Answers about Voldemort 's intrusion into his mind ...

Answers he could not give.

How could he explain the pressing he felt, or Voldemort 's intrusion, without revealing the contents of the prophecy ?

How could he explain what had gone on at Sirius', without revealing all he had seen ?

And how could he explain why Hermione 's parents had been taken from her ? They would never swallow 'because of me'as an answer.

He threw a terminal glance at Kaylens'sleeping form. They would talk later. He promised himself that.

He and Ron stepped into the hall. It was mercifully vacant, making the stone-lined corridor appear longer than usual.

It had been over a week since he and Kaylens had disappeared from the schoolmaster 's office, and one of the last warm weekends of the year had driven the student body outside.

As for him, during that time, Voldemort had left his mind alone. He had felt the beginnings of an violation days earlier, but Riddle had withdrawn, sensing that his decision had not yet been made.

brain-teaser had given him More metre due to his injury, and for that, Harry had to give him credit.

As wickedness as Voldemort was, the wight had some class.

They walked in silence, Ron 's eyes darting towards him. He knew Ron was trying to determine what was condom to discuss.

Harry decided to spare him the awkwardness. `` How 's Hermione ? ``

Ron shrugged despondently. `` How do you think she 's doing ? ``

'' Not soundly, '' The absence of people made the corridor cavernous, and his breath echoed quietly.

'' Harry what 's going on ? ``

I wish I knew Ron ... His own frustration at this very question had been building inside for days. Dumbledore had told him some, but there was still the query of Kaylens. How did she fit into all of this ? Did she even ? And Voldemort ... There had to be more to it, because the spell Dumbledore had told him did not fit with what he had seen through Voldemort 's own eyes.

Not to cite the divination. How in the Inferno was he supposed to beat him ?

There were too many doubt to do, before the most of import ones could even be framed.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

Hermione was there, waiting for them in the empty dormitory, sprawled out with a book on Ron 's bed. Her eyes were rimmed with dark circles, similar to Kaylens.

Misery loves company, he thought. Ron sat besides her, placing a hand on her back. Only then did she appear to recognize they were there.

'' Harry ... H-how are you ? ``

He smiled for her benefit. `` The question is, how are you ? ``

She shrugged, re-burying her nose into her Christian Bible. `` They would n't let us see you. ``

'' I know. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked.

Harry dropped his bag onto the bed, and began removing the few belongings Pomfrey had brought down for him. `` Dumbledore 's orders. '' His optic would not adjoin theirs.

Ron frowned. `` His reason ? ``

So he could suffer metre to brief us on what we could or could not say to you, he thought.

'' He did n't want us seen. We were n't in ... '' He shrugged with one berm. `` No one should take in seen us after it okay ? ``

Hermione 's eyes roamed, landing on his sling.

He caught the unverbalised question. `` Werewolf wound are slow to heal. ''

They both looked at him as if he were a new species.

'' W-were you ... ? '' Ron stammered.

'' No. I was not bitten. ``

Hermione looked doubting. `` Harry that 's not potential. ``

'' Why ? '' She cringed at his forcefulness.

'' Because the fully moon is n't until ... ''

'' This weekend. Yes I know 'Mione. ``

'' Then how could a werewolf ... ''

His grammatical construction turned grave. `` There are fashion. ``

Hermione was no longer even trying to read, her voice unusually high. `` That ca n't be. A loup-garou ca n't shift out of lunar succession ... ''

'' Do n't be so trusted of that, '' He said bitterly.

Ron looked between them. `` How ? How could it Harry ? ``

Harry stared him down, unblinking. `` Voldemort. ''

Ron 's blue eyes widened, his freckle standing out against his picket fence skin, putting two and two together. `` So when you and Kaylens went to see Lupin ... ''

'' He turned. Yes. ``

'' merlin ... '' Ron whispered, unconsciously rubbing Hermione 's back harder.

'' Harry I do n't understand, '' She said haltingly, shoving her book away, it 's page flapping lifelessly as it fell to the flooring. She spared it not a glance. `` Please Harry. What 's going on ? ``

'' Too much to explain easily, 'Mione. ''

Ron took Hermione 's hand almost naturally. `` Then hold your metre checkmate. startle from the beginning. ''

Harry shook his school principal, hating himself. `` Fine, the source then .... '' He steadied himself, and met Hermione 's almost pleading gaze.

'' You both already know that Voldemort has not given me a moment 's peace since endure summer. It 's a private conflict between him and I. We 're both fighting for information, about the former position 's comings and goings, about how much the early side knows ... ''

He talked steadily, opening his dresser drawer to put clothing away. His actions, however menial, lent a horse sense of normality to the otherwise ominous conversation.

'' Your parents 'Mione, he said he will release them, '' He ignored her consumption of breathing space. `` If I tell him what the contents of the prophecy were. ``

Her saying drooped. `` But how could you ? It broke ... '' She glanced at Ron, searching for check, repeating herself now. `` You ca n't roll in the hay what it said. Could you ? ``

He found himself nodding. `` Yes, Hermione. It broke. But I still know what it said. ``

The secrecy that followed occupied yr within his mind, yet it lasted no to a greater extent than 3 seconds.

'' What did it say ? '' She questioned cautiously.

He remained silent, until her imploring interpreter broke again.

'' Harry, please ... ''

'' Do n't ask me Hermione, not again. It is something I can not share. ``

The betrayed looks upon their faces nearly broke his spirit.

Hermione 's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. It was Ron who finally gave voice to their sentiment. `` Why Harry ? Why ca n't you share it ? ``

'' You would not want to hear it. ``

'' How could we not ? Harry this is all we 've worked for ! Did it say how we can beat him ... ''

He swallowed hard. `` No Ron. ``

'' Then why wo n't ... ''

'' No. ``

Ron 's voice was hard. `` Then if not us, him ? It could save 'Mione 's ... ''

The charge in Ron 's spokesperson was too practically. He could hire no more. `` Because I ca n't Ron ! Don't you think I would if I could ? ``

Ron shook his forefront. `` I do n't know anymore Harry. ``

Harry was having problem keeping his voice level. `` Ron, if I tell him there is no ground for him to restrain the sodbuster alive anymore. It 's our biggest bargaining chip. ``

Hermione sounded so small now. `` But V-voldemort said he 'd ... he 'd l-let them g-go ... ''

His jaw dropped. Hermione was smarter than this was n't she ? `` I 'm sorry Hermione but once I tell him .... ''

'' He 'd let them go, '' Ron interrupted. `` shuffle him release one at least Harry ! Then order him for God 's sakes ! What could it hurt ? ! steal with him ! ``

Harry lost his patience. `` Do n't you poke fun get it ? ! This is Voldemort we are talking about ! '' They both cringed at the name, his part rising. `` This is n't some war biz were playing against the Slytherins ! This is really life ! Voldemort is eviler that either of you can even conceive of ... ''

'' Really ? '' Ron countered. `` Were we or were we not there with you Harry ? Huh ? Did we not see what he was subject of at the Department of enigma ? ``

Harry shook his chief, never more serious. `` No Ron. You did n't. '' He felt almost gloomy at Ron 's crestfallen feel. `` You only saw what Death feeder were able of. That is zilch compared to him. ``

'' Harry then why do n't you just tell us how he ... '' Hermione started miserably.

'' Because Hermione ! There 's no way to excuse it ... ''

'' There 's no pauperization to cry at her mate, '' Ron said coolly.

He laughed bitterly. `` Oh but there is Ron. Because after everything we 've been through you 'd remember you would both trust my judgment on this ... ''

'' No, '' Ron squeezed Hermione 's manus and stood. `` Because we remember where your judgment got Sirius. ``

Harry felt as if his inside had frozen. There was no arguing this.

'' If you had only listened to Hermione it would n't have happened, '' Ron continued icily. `` And now your hesitation concerning this prophecy may get her parents killed as well. ``

Hermione had begun tugging on his hand frantically. `` Ron ... ''

'' No Hermione. He needs to take heed this. Because it 's like he does n't even trust us ... ''

'' I do trust you, '' Harry whispered.

Ron 's supercilium raised so far they disappeared beneath his hairsbreadth. `` Really ? ! Then why did you hardly breath a word to us all summer ? Why wo n't you talk to us now ? ``

'' I am talking ... ''

'' No. Your blocking Harry. Like in chess game. '' Ron pointed his wand out the door, summoning the chess dining table from the rough-cut room. Levitating it, Ron cleared the display board save for the pawns, king, and queen mole rat of both position, his brow furrowed in density. He then moved the pawns so they protectively surrounded the baron and queen on one side, leaving the other English 's business leader and nance unprotected.

'' The way I see it Harry, all you have left are cat's-paw. '' Ron continued, gesturing to the protected side of the panel. `` So instead of risking everything to learn my baron, you 're protecting yours. ``

Ron moved a pawn on Harry 's side away. `` You 're afraid that if you move your pawns for a second, that I might get in and fill your Martin Luther King. ``

Ron 's pansy shot forward, moving through the first step Harry 's instrument had left, taking his queen out with a violent knock of her electric chair. She then stood, posed to take on his king on the next move.

'' The business leader represents everything your keeping from us Harry. '' He continued seriously. `` You wo n't let your king be taken, because if that happens ... ''

The chess instrument panel folded in on itself, slamming to the floor.

'' Game over. ``

Harry shook his principal, unable to abnegate Ron 's accusation.

He was right. And for the number one time Harry realized how truly different he was from them.

He loved them, but Ron and Hermione could never ploughshare his burden, no matter how much they wanted to.

The audio of the metaphorical rampart falling between them filled his intellect, and Ron spoke again.

'' Game over Harry. Only you're the only one who knows what game were playing. ``
* * * * *


Harry tromped through the corridor, feeling worse than he had thought possible. He preferred feeling numb, at least then he felt goose egg at all.

They simply did not understand. Not that he had expected them to. Things were too dangerous now. Voldemort had made a hobby out of extinguishing anyone close to his substance, and he was not about to fill Ron and Hermione 's head with anything that might nominate them more tempting object than they already were.

Which was why he had two-dimensional out refused to let out anything else, and held his terra firma about not revealing the vaticination to Voldemort. Not even for Hermione ....

Ron had stormed out telling him to 'keep his arcanum'and Hermione had plead with him to 'not close them out .'

The selection was no longer his.

No longer would they be privy to Harry ceramicist 's bad decisions.

They would n't end up like Sirius.

He knew exactly where he was going, and rounded the corner to the hospital wing. His foul temper only increased when Madam Pomfrey stuck out her head, a forced smiling plastered upon it, and asked him to wait.

The doorway slammed and the speech sound of argument resumed. Dumbledore 's voice caught his care. What was he doing in the hospital flank ? Perhaps to see Kaylens, but he had already visited them once. It was n't like the Headmaster to natter students though. And he should sleep together, he had been in the hospital wing too many times to number, but could matter Dumbledore 's visits there on one hand.

A disturbing thought struck him. What if Kaylens had gotten worsened ?

He reached into his pocket and withdrew the extendable ear he had taken to carrying at all prison term. His decision made he slipped it beneath the door.

lady Pomfrey 's reproving feeling came out clearly. `` ... cadre need to regenerate before you can even assay to perform magic again. ``

'' But I 'm behind enough as it is ! '' Kaylens ... A twisting Wave of moderation washed through him. And to call back, normally he had trouble resisting the urge to mute her.

Dumbledore spoke now. `` girl Kaylens I do n't retrieve Remus would desire you over-exerting ... ''

'' well I 'm not particularly concerned with what he thinks at the moment. ``

The muteness was tangible, and he shifted nervously. She was okay, now that he knew this he really shouldn't be listening ...

Yet something about Dumbledore 's musical note made him. As outwardly good as the headmaster had been with him lately, his faith in the man was still recovering. It had been shattered too skillfully the previous year.

'' Kalliandra, we did not require you burdened with this. ``

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't cure, do n't you think that should ingest been my decisiveness ? ``

Cure ? His stomach lurched dangerously.

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a death sentence will not help matters. ``

Her representative was strained. `` You 're right. Nothing will. You know that the odds ... ''

'' Are only as good as you make them, '' Dumbledore finished. `` That is precisely why we did not want to burden you with this. ``

'' I 'd choose the burden, '' Kaylens hissed, her voice suddenly stronger. `` Now is there anything else your keeping from me ? '' Her part was strained and accusatory. `` Because I 'd like to know before I read about it in some stupid al-Qur'an. ``

Silence.

'' I thought so. ''

His entire physical structure shook unsteadily. So a great deal so that the approaching footstep did not record until the doorway had swung open in front of him, revealing a pale looking Kalliandra.

He could only gaze, words abandoning him. Her eyes had caught on the extendable ear.

Her garment bag slipped down on her berm, her entire form quivering.

'' Potter ... '' She whispered chokingly. She locked eyes with him, her expression stunned.

A sec later she was gone. The glistening of her eyes the harshest reproach he had ever seen.





'' Just as courage jeopardise life-time, fear protects it. ''
~ Leonardo da Vinci ~



Chapter 17 ~ Kunnskap

Kunnskap is Norweigan for Knowledge



She shoved open the entrance doors, leaving the secure Marguerite Radclyffe Hall of the school behind, and walked out onto the rapidly cooling system grounds. She blinked back the moisture that lingered within her eyes. No tears would fall, no topic how hard they threatened. This she promised herself.

She was furious, but her ire paled in comparison to her ego odium. She had been so unbelievably stupid ! It had been bad enough to hope Remus, but to ingest nearly let down that barrier again ...

'' Dam n't Potter ! '' She swore quietly.

Despite the pain they had been in, the time spent within the infirmary wing had been pleasant. She and Potter had dwelt in tacit companionship, both knowing there were things that needed to be discussed. Despite that he had not pressed her to talk, instead he had seemed to calmly accept her silence.

This change had been oddly comforting.

At to the lowest degree until she had stormed out, to detect him standing there with an extendable ear.

She kicked the land, scattering crap in her wake.

She could not fathom why she had thought he would let her keep her enigma. But she had been a complete fool for entertaining the notion.

And for some reason his small betrayal hurt her.

graven image ... She turned her tear filled eye towards the sky, tracing along the darkening swarm, and noted how low they hung. It was the incoming tempest that had drawn her open air after all. The unusual tactile sensation slithering through her, as if static electrical energy were tickling her very cutis, had been hard to neglect.

She reveled in the small-scale distraction from her intellection, and allowed herself to simply sense.

The looming swarm pulsated with fluid trembling, their rhythmic throbbing pulsated within her very blood, and her hair stood on end as if one had just run a balloon through her hair.

The storm front rolled in above her, and the to a greater extent astute of her peer began to head indoors. The area surrounding the lake had been the first of the ground to be abandoned, and her feet led her there.

She wanted the seclusion.

She had grown so used to despair, to feeling only perpetual numbness, punctuated by round of undiluted anger, that she had forgotten how to palpate something as man as fear.

Everything had happened so fast the day she had received the shopkeepers note, and there had been no metre for the moth-eaten truth to sink in. Only over the by days, as she and potter had lain there in silence, had it finally registered.

Pomfrey 's words had just driven it home.

Somehow, hearing the Healer 's words had made it real, and now revere held her spunk in a vice grip.

Despite the reverence, she felt oddly detached, each aching step reminding her how she had already nearly died from her stout with the werewolf.

Perhaps death would be a blessing. She just had things to do before it found her.

The vibrations in the high sky were back, and she cringed at the electrical energy there. Being a part of such thing, feeling such affair, was not always pleasant.

It was often painful.

She rubbed her arms against the chill malarky, thankful that God had some sense of compassion. Fortunately for her, the human brain could only cross-file pain as abnormal for so long, before it accepted the pain as the constant res publica of affaire. Then it would be ignored.

Oddly enough, it was very similar to how the fragrant scent of roses would lessen, if one were to stand amongst them, breathing them in for too long.

Still, acclimation could only do so much, and her trunk ached, protesting constantly.

Instead of leaving the grounds at the threat of rain, she continued meandering across the grounds, walking the circumference of the lake, observing it carefully.

She took it all in with her normal appreciation. There were maculation where the grounds ended, dropping off sharply to suffer the duckweed covered surface of the water.

In other fleck the primer coat gradually sloped down, kissing the lake 's rippling moving ridge. There the darkness earthly concern was muddied, imprinted with the step of those who had braved the shallow to swim, before the atmospheric condition had cooled in wake of the incoming afternoon storm.

She passed by both these areas, heading closer to the Forbidden wood. Here she kicked off her place, allowing them to dangle freely from one hired man as she picked her way across the far end of the lake. Here modest Edward Durell Stone formed a born beach, and she sat down near the edge, letting her fingers trail across the rough pebbled sharpness beneath her.

She accumulated a small assemblage of flat bottomed rocks, gathering them within her hands, and she cast the first across the tranquil weewee, breaking it 's glassy open.

The giant squid lazily reached out a tentacle, swatting at and missing the casting stone.

She smiled ruefully, casting another towards him. This prison term the tentacle swung and connected, sending the stone flying high above her headspring.

A low grumbling filled the sky, and the altocumulus clouds dipped threateningly lower, wafting the scent of pelting upon the breeze towards her. The sky had grown darker, and she vaguely remembered the good afternoon she and Sean had once spent, skipping gem across the lake near their household home.

But there had been no heavyweight squid to play with there.

She skipped another.

A sarcoid pinko tentacle connected with it, hurtling it back.

To the side of her came an plain grunt.
* * * * *


Harry winced, rubbing his forehead. That was definitely going to leave a mark.

It had taken him all of xxx seconds to adjudicate to follow her. The retention of her watery eyes had been alarming, and he could n't let her leave like that, not when she did n't understand.

He cast a spotlight at the colossus squid, approaching her cautiously, carefully trying to not luxate upon the slick tilt as he walked down towards her.

He treaded as close as he dared, pausing to hover uncertainly. Her articulatio humeri had stiffened at his outcry, the lone sign to indicate that she was mindful of his presence.

He swallowed hard. From where he stood besides her, he could see the drawn line of her mouth, and how her eyes gazed, almost longingly across the glum airfoil of the lake. He followed her gaze, the first drop cloth of rain drizzling upon them.

The lake 's once glossy exterior now moved with a life of its own. Each raindrop sending circular ripples outwards, each disturbance merging with the early furrows spreading across its surface. The effect was entrancing, and he drew his center away from the fit before him, to the girl before him. She was why he had ventured out here, despite the threatening storm.

'' What are you doing out here ? '' He asked carefully. Another tilt of thunder shuddered the sky, drowning him out, and the titan calamary disappeared beneath the lake 's surface.

'' Enjoying the cheerfulness, '' Her hair fluttered lightly around her face. `` I thought it would be obvious. ``

'' It 's not, '' He responded, the wind carrying his voice.

secrecy reigned for some meter, broken only by the increasing regular recurrence of rainfall, pattering around them. The body of water gradually matted his unruly pilus to his frontal bone, and Kaylen 's favorable hair darkened with saturation.

She sat with a unwind air, unbothered by the icy droplets pouring down. Slowly, with manifest hurting in her movements, she scooted closer to the lake 's edge, dipping her feet into the moil H2O as casually as if it were a mid-summer day, rather than a windy October torrent. Never once did she search at him.

Her articulatio humeri were bare, and her tone down tomentum clung to them. He was close decent to discover the svelte bozo prominence prickling across her pale skin.

The conversation he had overheard forced it 's way to the forefront of his mind as he watched her shiver.

Kaylens was vomit up ...

'' Here, '' He said, shattering their verbal lapse. He picked his way across the pebbly decay to her, shrugging out of his cloak. He felt no stiffness as he picked up her damp haircloth, draping it across her shoulders.

She looked up, turning her questioning regard towards him. He was at a red, for the glossiness of her eyes could not be from rain weewee alone.

'' You 'll er ... well you 're soaked ... ''

Her eyes held his, and for the most dart of minute the suspicion he was so secondhand to seeing vanished. `` Thank you, '' She murmured, inclining her psyche to the spot besides her.

He lowered himself besides her, afraid to speak. His heart pounded loudly in his chest. Never before had he been so direful of reprehension. His circumstances may have lasted thus far, but even he would not blame her for screaming if she so chose.

For once he could admit to deserving it, and her mute acceptance of his presence was unnerving.

The sky thundered, lighting up as lighting flashed senior high in the clouds. It struck him as extremely inexpedient to be in their stance, so confining to water.

'' We should go in. '' His vocalisation lacked conviction.

With the back of her wrist she rubbed the H2O from her eyes.

'' Well ? '' Above the rumbling overhead he could tell she was speaking louder. Though the divergence was barely discernable.

'' well what ? ''

'' I doubt you came here out of business organisation for my well being, '' She said, staring resolutely across the lake.

He opened his mouth to explain that that was exactly why he had come, but she went on.

'' And since there are no conversations going on for you to hear to, I 'm wondering what your doing here. '' Another flash of lightning illuminated her soaked feature, and he found himself drawn towards her serene construction, confounded by her words.

Despite their cognitive content, her tincture held no trace of the familiar sarcasm or malice.

Instead she sounded curious.

The realization sent an out of place smile across his case.

'' Kaylens, you would n't believe me if I told you. ``

'' Try me. ``

'' I came to justify. ``

To his surprise, she actually laughed. The sound had a haunting lineament to it, for it blended artfully with the wind howling around them. The storm had crept upon them fast.

'' You 're rectify. '' She said, shaking her wet hair out in vain. `` I do n't. ``

He seized the opportunity to keep her talking. `` fountainhead I am. Kaylens I ... ''

'' How much did you hear ? '' Her gaze turned pointedly down.

He sighed in frustration. `` adequate to have intercourse that you should n't be out in this waterspout. ``

She nodded, closing her eyes as if pained. `` You have no musical theme how haywire you are. ''

He frowned. `` I would if you just talked to me. ``

The look she shot him could silence the hellion himself. `` And why should I ? You have n't been the portrait of satinpod ceramicist. ``

'' Perhaps if you would just hear you would determine out. ``

She did not serve. Instead, she tilted her face towards the sky, allowing the rainwater to teem over her more freely. Her hair fell away from her shoulders, revealing her longsighted neck. She remained this way for what may have been mere seconds, but to him, felt like hours.

'' okay Potter, '' She finally breathed. `` Try me. ''

Such was his astonishment that for once, he did not hesitate.

And he explained.

He explained why he had followed her that day into Knockturn Alley, how her stubborn refusal to answer interrogative about Death eater had led him, to what he hoped, were legal injury premise, and how, after days of watching her in a comatose State, he had feared that she had fallen ill once again.

He spoke to her, the rain cascading down their torso as they sat, keeping each other 's acquaintance, the violent storm forgotten. Several time she made to move, shaking her head disbelievingly, but his hand on her arm silenced her refutes. By the sentence he was done, a sad expression had crossed her features.

He studied her, puzzled. `` Look, Kaylens I did n't mean to upset you if ... ''

She shivered noticeably, shaking her sopping pilus. `` No, it 's not that ceramicist ... '' She trailed off, showing no intent of finishing.

He swallowed hard. God he just wanted things to be okay between them. There was still so a lot to blab about ...

'' Kaylens are ... ''

Her expression darkened at his give-and-take, and she stood abruptly, her shivering more label.

'' We should go in, '' She stated, interrupting him.

He nodded disappointedly, noting that the storm showed no sign of the zodiac of relenting soon, and stood with her. He already felt bad that they had stayed out there so long.

The indorse he was up she unceremoniously shoved his cloak back into his arms. He looked at it in surprise, and was about to argue, noting how far a manner of walking to the schooltime it still was, when he realized that she had already spun and taken off into the downpour.

'' Wait ! '' He called, utterly confused. He stumbled after her, slipping on the wet careen, and caught up to her on the sess.

'' Kaylens keep it. You 'll block otherwise. '' He went to drape it across her shoulders but she brushed him off.

'' I 'm ticket, '' She said grimacing. `` Really, '' She added, seeing his disbelieving look.

He matched her stride determinedly, noticing the reemergence of her refractory streak, and threw it around her anyway. `` Kaylens if you 're chuck you 're wearing this until we 're inside. I don't maintenance ... ''

She whorled on him, looking disturbingly distressed, her pelt dangerously pale. `` Look, Potter ... Do yourself a favor OK ? Do n't worry about me. ``

He found himself shaking, be it from the frigidity or the icy palor of her pelt, he did not know, yet all thinking of voice communication were driven away.

It was as if she were transforming before him. Her icy barriers that he had not even noticed to be missing before, were coming back. What had he done to cause this ? A few instant ago they had been on almost civil terms.

The intellection of her hating him again churned his stomach. He could n't tolerate it ...

She was backing away from him. `` In fact ... '' She continued, sounding like a affright animal. `` For your own well, just stay the Hell away from me. ``

She took off, leaving him standing there stunned, his sopping wet cloak on the muddied ground.
* * * * *


Over the preceding few days, since Kaylens had left him standing there in the pouring rain, Harry 's mood had not improved.

He just did not interpret what he had done, and every time he caught a glimpse of her he felt disgorge.

Everytime he had seen her, she had been with genus Draco Malfoy ...

The fact that he still had a sneaking misgiving that she was clueless as to what a Death eater was did not assist matters.

It was enough for him to nearly send nemesis flying. At Luna 's insistence, he had taken to kicking courting of armor instead.

Apparently the metal racket made by kicking something pull Crumple Horned Snorkacks.

Or something like that.

His response was puzzling, even to him. He could not deny that he felt oddly protective of her. How could he not ? He had spent far too a lot prison term watching over her in the hospital wing, and the thought of further damage coming to her drove him mad.

Perhaps that was why he felt so crushed now that the fragile resonance he had, for a few exhilarating moments, thought they had built, had shattered.

But still ... He could not penetrate what it was he had said wrong. All he knew was that she was no recollective openly unfriendly towards him. Instead she avoided him like the plague.

He had seen her solely that very morning, and it had taken all his forbearance to stave off hexing her into side by side calendar week when she had practically sprinted down the residence to talk to dean, upon catching sight of him.

Hell, he had come damn near stuffy to hexing her and Malfoy in Defense Against the dark Arts that very day. He had walked in to feel her and Malfoy chatting in hushed whispers, bent-grass over parchment.

The second he had come within earshot the sheepskin had been rolled up and gormandise hastily into Malfoy 's playscript satchel.

Kaylens had refused to look at him. But he had not failed to notice how her hands shook for the rest of year.

It had been easy to notice since he had been sitting alone. Ron and Hermione had holed themselves up on the early side of the room. And unlike Kaylens and Hermione, who contented themselves to avoiding him, Ron had made sport of sending hostile glares his way.

At least the uncongenial spirit from his roomie were understandable. He had had another violent dream with Voldemort that week, and had woken up in a correctly country, screaming at every one of them.

Even the suits of armor had taken to cursing him when he walked by. Apparently they did n't like attracting afore mentioned snorkacks.

Come to think of it, the only individual talking to him now seemed to be Luna. And since she was in the year below him, he found himself sitting alone in classes, and eating luncheon at the Ravenclaw table.

In short, the calendar week had passed by in a dizzying haze.

Fortunately it would soon be over. Luna had already expressed her spirit to get his creative thinker off of things, and was planning on forcibly dragging him to Hogsmeade.

He actually did n't mind the idea.

He finally reached the door, and Crusantheus surprisingly opened without complaint, revealing Dumbledore 's part. He stepped in for his lessons, removing his wand in preparation.

'' That will be unnecessary today Harry. '' Dumbledore said, catching ken of him from behind his desk.

Perhaps it was because his intellection had been elsewhere, but the thought of a wandless Occlumency lesson caught him off guard. He furrowed his eyebrow questioningly.

Dumbledore caught the unspoken question. `` Tonight, I have something unlike planned. Besides, I have taught you all I can regarding Occlumency Harry. The relief is up to you. ``

Somehow Harry strongly disagreed with this. If he had learned all there was to know about Occlumency, he would not still be having trigger-happy nightmares. `` Professor, in all due respect, if I had actually learned everything would n't I be well ... good at this then ? ``

Dumbledore cracked a smile. `` Ah, you see Harry, therein lies the dispute. You have learned all I have to teach about Occlumency. That is an entirely dissimilar matter from mastering the discipline. ''

Harry was stunned, all old view and excitation at the Professor driven from his brain.

Never in his life would he receive imagined Dumbledore being ineffective to teach him something.

'' Occlumency, Harry, is less about erecting mental roadblock, and more about controlling one 's emotions. Keeping your emotions hidden from the foeman is of extreme point importance. And frankly, gets loose with age. '' Dumbledore stood with a rather large feather gabardine and began to assail a disgruntled portrait with it.

'' Harry, you have become quite superstar at creating barrier, visualizing a brick wall is your barrier of pick is it not ? '' Harry nodded but Dumbledore was continuing. `` But the only way to strengthen that wall at this head, is to learn to cloak your emotions. ``

Harry stared somewhat unabashedly as the old headmistress made a rather oil hand motion.

'' Er ... Professor ? '' He questioned hesitantly. `` What exactly do you imply by 'masking'them ? ``

'' Ah, not explaining myself very well am I ? ``

He valued his breeding far too much to react truthfully.

'' wellspring Harry, when one sifts through your mind, afflictive remembering can get excavate. It 's natural to withdraw the emotions these experiences caused you. Such a beguilement is all the enemy would demand to dig abstruse into your judgement. '' Dumbledore was carrying on with all the air of one discussing a weekend outing. `` And you have no deficit of painful memories Harry. It would be quite easy for Voldemort to find one to use against you. ``

He did not ask Dumbledore to severalize him that, he had already re-lived the guilt of Sirius'death all summer.

'' So are you going to take me relive those memory for drill ? '' He asked, somewhat apprehensive.

Dumledore turned to face at him, balancing precariously on the BM he was using to reach ole Phinneus'portraiture. `` Why of course not. Certainly, I could go sifting about through your intellect, forcing you to retrieve bad times in your life. But dredging up old memories and forcing you to deal with them would only facilitate you build up impassiveness. We do n't want that. ``

Dumbledore turned back and shoved the feather duster right where Phinneus'face had just re-appeared. The sometime master cringed and jumped out of the frame again.

'' Harry, what we do want, is for you to total to terms with the crueler parts of your past tense. And only you can define what those terms are. But I dare prompt you, there is a divergence between allowing the by to cue you, and allowing the preceding to see to it you. ''

Dumbledore jumped down from the stool, wiping his stale custody on his gown. `` Well now that's done. Now I have something to register you. ``

He beckoned him to where he stood, withdrawing a worn, leather bound book from one of his ledge. `` You know, I almost lost this after that bicker yourself, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Kaylens had the former day Harry. '' He peered down his eyeglasses at him. `` I trust that is now resolved ? ``

Harry found himself oddly stuttering. `` S-sort of ... ''

Dumbledore shrugged. `` Well, give it clock time, give it time. It may conduct her awhile to open up up to anyone, seeing as how matters are. ''

The Headmaster was running his wand up and down the acantha of the al-Qur'an in an odd zig-zag pattern, muttering something about mothballs. A trashy 'pop'was heard, making Harry saltation, and the book sprang out of Dumbledore 's paw, falling open on the table before them.

'' Now this Harry, is something you will not deliver seen, nor heard of before. ``

Harry had to accept that Dumbledore was dead on.

Inside the open Quran, where the pageboy should have been, lay a tap layer of fog. There was a mother wit of depth to the Interior Department of it, and Harry had the vague sense that another proportion lay just beyond the peacefully swirls.

Dumbledore reached his hired hand into it. `` It is a rather clever hiding speckle for things. Not only is the locking mechanism for it rather cunning, but only a handwriting with my DNA could reach into this and still find their hired man attatched. ``

Harry had been unconsciously leaning forward, trying to peer through the fog, but at this dictum took a whole step back. Dumbledore 's hand fished around blindly for a few proceedings, before emerging with a silvery chain. A small vial was attached to the end of it.

The Headmaster shut the book, muttering a few charms, and replaced it upon the ledge. `` This is something that I have been wanting to give you for quite some time Harry. But until recently, the chance had not presented itself. The fact that it had not, is entirely my fault, and for that I am sorry. ``

The master, indeed, truly looked meritless. In fact he was looking rather grave all of a sudden. `` Ever since the day that cursed prophecy was made Harry, myself and a few others have been working on this. I still feel that it is woefully inadequate, but for now, it is all I can give you. ''

At this pronouncement, Dumbledore handed the ampoule over. Harry took it with no little quantity of trepidation. The ampoule, Harry found, was surprisingly warm

'' The vial you now hold is a special form of pensieve, Harry. '' Dumbledore said by way of account. `` It is called a Kunnskap. It means knowledge. And unlike formula pensieves, it does not have an unlimited capacity. It can only contain a prime few memory, and I believe that there are 81 different lessons contained within this one. ''

Only eighty-one ? He thought, slightly amused by the schoolmaster definition of only. He turned the ampule within his hand, noting that unlike in Dumbledore 's pensieve, blue specs darted to and fro within the silvery substance here, colliding frequently to pass off night dark-green sparks. It was like watching the reflection of fireworks in a silvery pond, only on a miniature scale.

A thought occurred to him.

'' What do you have in mind by lessons, Professor ? '' He asked curiously.

'' I was just getting to that. '' Dumbledore replied, looking strained. `` But given the danger that you have been in ever since that cursed vaticination was made, I wanted to sustain a way of preserving, and passing on, cognition of certain spells to you. ``

The Headmaster paused, shutting the leather volume. Whisps of curling pink tendrils snuck out around the sharpness as he placed it back upon the shelf.

'' metre were dark. '' He continued gravely. `` I did not cognize how many of us would survive, but we knew it was essential to pass on our cognition to the side by side generation. This was our way of ensuring that at least one good wizard recieved that if the worst were to happen. ``

Such a glum pronouncement chilled him, for in admitting that he had once prepared for the unfit, Dumbledore had admitted to his own mortality.

Despite his irritation and anger at all the Headmaster had withheld over the years, the thought of a soul Dumbledore shook his concept of a stable universe.

The Headmaster motioned Harry into a plush plum tree armchair, unmindful to his schoolchild 's dark thoughts.

'' Over the years, myself, and others within the old parliamentary law, added quality art object of knowledge that we wanted to diverge to you, to this. You 'll even observe some of my old school day object lesson there. thing like apparition, curse-breaking, animagus studies ... They are all in there. ``

Harry listened intently, not wanting to miss a word. The conversation had become oddly personal.

A house elf popped into existence then, extending a home of cooky to him. He scarcely managed to ingest one, for his mind was fixated on the cruel sarcasm of the situation.

This ampul was a true endowment, yet he was only receiving it because of the prophecy 's wakeless burden.

Suddenly he felt rather blunt. `` prof, you made this to help me figuer out how to shoot down Voldemort, did n't you ? ''

Dumbledore smiled sadly, sipping the tea that had materialized. `` We made it, because we still have hope. ``

promise ... Why could n't someone else have been wizarding sort 's Leslie Townes Hope ?

Dumbledore was mercifully oblivious to the dark thought still flitting through his mind.

'' Harry, the Kunnskap does not turn like a normal pensieve. Instead of entering a memory, the memory board enters you. So once you unearth one, it 's knowledge will stay on permanently yours. ``

This piqued his pastime. `` So you mean that I can become an animagus just by looking at the memory in it ? ``

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. `` No. This will teach you the theory, and knowing the theory of something is entirely unlike from putting it to use. However ... '' The man 's blue heart twinkled mischievously. `` I have it on good word that learning and researching just the theory on animagi can take years. So all you will have left to do is practice putting what this will instruct you, into use. ``

Thinking of what he, Ron, and Hermione had planned, he suddenly wondered, for the thousandth time since coming to Hogwarts, just how much that the Headmaster knew about his students.

Against his better legal opinion, he broke out into a small grinning. Even Hermione, with all her article of faith against taking short-change cuts to acquire something, would probably die for a spirit into this thing.

God he would miss them ... Perhaps one day, when things were unlike ....

As if reading his thoughts, Dumbledore smiled. `` For the time being Harry, I would preserve this to yourself. Because of the Kunnskap 's potential for misuse, only seven were made. We would not need this falling into the ill-timed hands. ``

Harry was taken aback. For once, Dumbledore was actually trusting him with something authoritative. `` T-thanks professor. I 'll look after it. ``

He 'd be damned if he disappointed him.

Dumbledore smiled over his cup. `` I 'm sure as shooting you will Harry. Do try to use it in private though. When one uses it they tend to appear in a trance, and I would hate to see what your roommate would do if they stumbled upon you in such a United States Department of State. And I would fuck, Mrs. Frank Norris once caught me using this. ``

Harry nearly choked on his biscuit.

The yesteryear fortnight, he realized, had truly been full of surprises.




Thank you SticksN'Stones for the splendid banner !






'' Choose to be not a product of your surround, nor of your experience, but a product of what your pith tells you the cosmos can be in its finest hour. ``
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 18 ~ The Scars lifetime parting


Tonks threw open the shades, allowing the hopeful good afternoon light to well out in, filling the room with yellow chromaticity so bright that not even Remus, who was valiantly feigning sleep, could brush off them.

She marched to the side of his bed, throwing open the bed hangings.

'' Get up. '' She clipped, her manifestation anything but amused.

'' How did you get past the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth ? '' Remus groaned, pulling his pillow over his header so he resembled a burrowing animal.

She contented herself to narrowing her violet middle. `` Bill 's a whammy breaker. And when he and I have over two calendar week with zero to do but crack the wards on our stubborn arse of a champion 's dwelling house we tend to succeed. ``

Remus emitted a low grumbling sound, unreadable to any human being ear. It was at this detail that she decided she had had enough. She ripped the cover song from his bed, and flung them out the now open window.

'' Remus did you really think you could obviate us forever ! '' She hollered. `` What the hell is the matter with you ? ``

At his lack of responsiveness she stomped her foot angrily, and began spraying him with water from the tip of her wand.

Remus jerked so violently that he rolled right out of bed, landing in a heap on the floor. He blinked groggily, his face scrunched up and dripping. He looked extremely disgruntled.

'' You look like a sopping wet dog Remus ! Now get your unregenerate ass off the story right now and get prepare ! We have an Order merging in an hour and if you are not there so help oneself me merlin I will hail back here, wards be damned, and make you come ! You ca n't avert us forever ! ``

He groaned unhappily.

She glowered down, deciding to not leave just yet. `` And you know what else Wolfy ? You are the singularly, most selfish individual that I have ever met ! ``

'' Mrmph ... ''

'' Do n't mrmph at me ! '' She practically shouted. `` As if it 's not bad enough for you to stay here, wallowing in self pity for two calendar week, but you left me to talk to Harry for you ! He deserved to see you there ! Not me ! Instead you hid here away from everyone acting like a baby ! ``

'' Go. Away. '' He interjected moodily.

'' NO I WO N'T ! '' She screeched in a very un-Tonks-like fashion. `` I am FAR from being DONE ! I have n't even started on Kalliandra ! Do you have any melodic theme how often she probably needs you right now ? ``

He apparently had found something fascinating underneath the bed, because now he had taken to staring beneath it.

'' She doesn't need me. I nearly got her killed. ``

Tonks stomped again, very near his brain. `` You know that was n't your fault Remus ! No one knew what that tour would do ! ``

'' You should go. '' He mumbled morosely. `` I could still become at any minute. ``

Her jaw dropped. `` Is that what this self-induced isolation has been about ? You think your going to plough again ? ''

When he did n't reply she actually laughed. `` Remus you prat ! You turned within an time of day of being hit with that spell ! Do you really think that it could possibly plough you again ? Two calendar week later no less ! ? ``

'' I ca n't risk it .... ''

'' Well that 's just too infernal bad Wolfy because your going to. '' She did n't waitress for a response and marched over to throw open his closet. She grabbed the skinny shirt and threw it at him. `` Now go shower bath and get dressed. I do n't have all day and so help oneself me you are going to publish to Harry and Kalliandra before we leave ! ``

He could be seen over his bed, fumbling with his shirt. `` When we leave ? Was n't I kicking you out now ? ``

'' I 'd wish to see you try. I 'm not leaving because I do n't finger like fighting with your Mrs. Humphrey Ward again. '' She paused, and almost as an afterthought added, `` And do n't change the subject because you are writing to them ! ``

He shook his oral sex, his shagged hair falling around his eyes messily. It looked like he had n't showered in days. `` No. If they wanted to sing to me they would get .... ''

'' Would have what ? '' She was far beyond losing her patience at this point. `` Contacted you ? Remus, Kalliandra tried ! That damn pouch vigil of yours has been glowing all week at HQ ! We tried sending it back to you but you keep sending it back ! Kalliandra probably thinks your ignoring her by now and Harry ... ''

'' Harry is safer if I stay away. '' Remus interjected, picking up his wand.

She growled in thwarting and yanked the sack watch out of her air pocket. Mundungus had found it near one of the absolutely children after the attack.

'' Well at least guide this back Remus. '' She said, placing it on his worn desk. `` I do n't care what you say but she really does want you. '' She searched him for some signaling that he accepted this fact, but he only leaned out the window and summoned his mantle back up.

Watching his piteous social movement, she suddenly felt like collapsing.

Remus had been the one she could bet on, to entertain together for her. Ever since Sirius ...

She could n't bear to think of it, let alone spokesperson it, but ever since that wretched night she had grown to bank on Remus. She needed him so much it scared her.

It had been his poise, light brown middle she had awoken to in St. Mungos. The healers said he had never left her side. Even then he refused, and took to sleeping on a make-shift cot in the street corner or her way. He had claimed it was to not overleap the fun of her griping, whenever the therapist had poked and prodded her with their sceptre, but she had known better. He had been worried, and who could blame him when she had never felt worse.

But his bearing had kept her idea from straying to Sirius.

She shuddered, remembering how he had found her curled up on her frame one night that summer, positively balling her middle out, the few pictures of Sirius she had spread out on her coffee table. If only she had stunned Bellatrix when she had had the luck ! By pigeon hawk he would still be here !

With a cool off cup of mocha coffee Remus had sat with her, logically reminding her that hindsight is 20/20, and of the futility of blaming herself.

Catching the love child was the only thing that could avail Sirius now, he had told her. And as an auror, that would be her job. He had told her how she needed to hold together for that.

If he had not shown up when he had, she may bear curled up in the nearest, weaken broom press, and not come out boulder clay Christmas.

She had passed out that night, vaguely shady that her mocha had been laced with dull firewhiskey. Remus always had claimed that alcoholic beverage assuaged the nerves ....

She had only just realized how grateful she was for the small traces of humor he shared with her.

She had grown so used to him always being there, and it had taken Remus'absence to pee her understand how much he meant to her.

Never again, did she require to have another two weeks like the one she had just had without him.

The thought of him wallowing in ego compassion any tenacious made her physically ill, and she felt her shallow reserves of strong suit folding in.

She had to dissent the impulse to run over there and smack him.

She drew herself up, ignoring the pain prickling in her bureau. `` Harry does necessitate you Remus. '' She started. `` Your all he has left. Imagine how he 'd experience if you shut him off now ? ``

Remus was flipping the sympathizer back onto the bed, straightening it meticulously. `` He does n't need me. Neither does Kally. They 'll just wind up hurt ... ''

'' fountainhead dam n't Remus ! I need you ! '' She shot out, ignoring his shocked stare. `` Do n't you get that ? I miss you ! And I 'm not the only one ! Harry misses you ! He sent me an owl because you have n't responded to his letters ! I can only feign by that pile on your desk that you have n't study any of them yet ! And you ! You 're just .... ''

She trailed off, frustration effectively silencing that train of thought.

'' Go shower. I 'll waitress downstairs. ``

She turned in a miff and stormed out, resolving to beam Harry and Kalliandra separate bank note demanding that they pester Remus until he broke out of this self-created shell.

She missed the disbelieving eyes of a certain werewolf, following her longingly.
* * *


Harry allowed the record to fall come together. His fountainhead had foresightful since fallen upon the board, his body slumped over in defeat. A K and one dark execration swirled through his mind, their counter curses eluding his memory in a maddening way.

Why, in the public figure of merlin, had Professor Tres been so against teaching them this ?

The sheer enormity of the task before him had hit home nearly an minute before, and the incessant weightiness on his shoulders seemed determined to oppress him now. It was pressing down on his chest, making his nous tailspin, the realization of how niggling metre he had to get over this had finally sunk in.

Voldemort could arrive for those he loved tomorrow, and somehow he doubted the monster 's minions would stick to simple jinxes.

For the first time in his life, he was starting to finger helpless. He had borrowed the leger from Dumbledore 's post, changing the cover so no one could recognize what dark arts it contained, and after only a few twenty-four hour period of study he had come to a realization.

Avada Kedarva was amongst the most merciful of dark curses.

For the darkness arts could do so a good deal high-risk than simply pour down in one blow.

The could burn up you animated from the interior out, your screams confounding those around you, your skin not blackening as invisible fiery tendrils licked at you hungrily.

By the sentence those around you realized ....

Help for victims of the mort ardente would be far too late.

Other hex could could slice your skin in slow, long stroke. The inconspicuous attack lasting for hours, as medi-wizards and healer tried to save you, only to take in you succumb as solidus after destroying slash undid their healing, spilling your life history blood, killing you ...

Others could slowly beat out your chest, driving the air from your lungs, suffocating you under the pressure of a XII hippogriffs ....

He shuddered involuntarily, almost gladiolus that death had been quick and merciful for Sirius and Cedric. He had not known before, but their life history could have been extinguished in very much worse manner ....

The schoolhouse system had failed them. Harry knew this now. For they had not prepared them adequately for what they might confront in the war.

professor Tres had shown him that merely a calendar week ago. Kaylens had been the one to take it up, asking when they would learn the worsened of the Dark Arts themselves.

He had n't been indisputable whether to applaud her for her astuteness, or imprecate her for sounding like fanatical Malfoy.

But she had been right ....

If one did not know what the scourge sounded like, how could they represent themselves with accurate counter-curses ?

So while her and Malfoy had argued their peak, and lost valiantly as Tres started twitching under pressing, he had composed a varsity letter to Dumbledore asking for entree to materials about the shadow fine art.
Dumbledore had granted him that ...

He propped himself on his human elbow, reopening the ancient, blackened leather text. He was determined to memorise every deadly curse the world had to volunteer him.

And before he found Voldemort with them, he would first chance Pettigrew ...

The man who had stolen his life from day one.

Pettigrew would pay. Harry would make him feel all of the pain he had felt ever since his arrival on the Dursley 's doorstep.

Then Pettigrew would die.

Then, once he had seen what the curses did on a live human, then he would chance Voldemort.

The creature was going to pay.
* * * * *


Kalliandra clutched Tonks'letter in hand and stormed to the metrical unit of the gargoyle.

She had done exactly as Tonks had requested. She had already tried contacting him. She had tried saying, shouting, and cursing his gens into that blasted compact of hers, had sent owls armed with letters and order of magnitude to pick at at his hands until he replied, and even had sent a self-writing calamus with the last one so it would publish whatever he said down upon receiving it.

That particular owl had had orders to snatch whatever was written before Remus had a probability to kidnap it up himself.

fountainhead apparently Remus had been too fast for the owl, because she had gotten back a broken quill and a ripped, blank piece of paper.

tinker's dam your mulishness to Hell Remus ! She thought in botheration, stomping her invertebrate foot outside Dumbledore 's power.

She had grown so riled with him avoiding contact lens and canceling their tutoring sessions that she had finally slipped on Riley 's ring and tried porthole keying directly to Remus, only that had n't worked either.

Which was precisely why she found herself outside of Dumbledore 's stupid stone gargoyle, shouting every confect that came to listen.

'' Peppermint ! Bat dung dung ! Bertie tonic ! Apples ! Peaches ! '' She exclaimed at it, abandoning candies in favor of fruit. `` Oh damn it to hell ! stunner Schnapps ! yellowish pink sett ... ''

The stone gargoyle had sprung to spirit, allowing her entrance.

'' knockout schnapps ? You 've got to be kidding me ... '' She muttered, springing up the stairs and bursting into his office, being measured to smack Crusantheus on the way in.

Dumbledore looked up idly from his desk, a bemused reflection across his weather condition have on face. `` Why Kalliandra, what a pleasant surprise. ``

She did not agree. `` professor what does Remus think he is doing ? '' She demanded, stopping in front end of his desk. `` He ca n't avoid us forever ! Why does n't my port key work anymore ? And why are you now using liquors as your passwords ! ? ``

Dumbledore looked rather puzzled. `` beauty schnapps ? A liquor ? And here I thought it was a rather clever form of candy ... ''

Had she not been so worked up she would have rolled her middle. `` No, it 's not. But why wo n't this workplace .... '' She held up her ring for effect.

'' Ah, I was wondering when you would ask. '' Dumbledore commented airily. `` Remus requested that your port wine key be de-activated for the time being. ``

She glowered. `` Did he say why ? ``

'' I am sure as shooting you know why Kalliandra. ``

An odd, sinking smell had wormed it 's way into her abdomen. `` Yeah, I think I do. But does n't he understand that it was n't his defect ? ``

'' On some stratum, yes. But much like somebody else you know ... '' Dumbledore eyed her sapiently, leaving no enquiry about who he was referring to. `` He has taken to blaming himself, shoving away those close to him in order to protect them. ''

She sighed defeatedly. `` So there 's goose egg we can do to utter some sentiency into him ? ``

'' I rather think, that this is something he has to come to accept on his own terms. We can not force him into realizing that we would rather be near him with all of the risks, than away from him and safe. ``

'' I wish we could ... '' She said sadly.

Dumbledore chuckled slightly, recognizing the sarcasm of her program line. `` You know Kalliandra, in our own way, we are all a danger to those we love, for the childlike fact that true champion will go to any lengths to help each other, even if that means sacrificing their own lives in exchange for another 's. ``

His discussion struck a deeply chord within her, one she was not quite ready to hear. `` Thanks prof ... '' She muttered, all choler gone. `` Can you at least collapse him this when you see him ? '' She extended a letter of the alphabet to him, it 's addressee recital To The Obstinate Wolf.

Dumbledore smiled, `` I 'll see that he gets it. ``
* * * * *


Harry rested his face against the wear down surface of the table, letting his dank hair drip mold over his face. The dripping water supply from his Holocene shower eased the boring ache that had begun in his scar.

dribble ....

A bead of wax broke costless from the glowing candle, falling to imbue into the uncertain ridgeline of the oak desk. The impact sounded cavernous, for his ear remained pressed against the desk 's control surface, amplifying the auditory sensation ten fold.

Across the common room, far from where he sheltered in the tincture of a single candle wick, the fervor glowed warmly. respective straggling seventh days, no doubtfulness putting in the extra hours for triton homework, remained there, blissfully oblivious to the late hour.

sleep would once again, not be his fellow traveller. When his scar ached so sharply, it was in fact the enemy.

Voldemort was there, just beneath the surface of his mind, waiting for a chance to get in as he dreamt. He knew Hermione 's parents were as good as dead, but he would not allow Voldemort the information he demanded for their supposed 'release .'

If they were going to die, it would not be in vain.

Fiery shadows danced across his open text, and he wearily rubbed his scrape, trying to con the counter curse for one of the many crushing hexes.

The one he was looking at would drive air from the lungs slowly, till the somebody could only claw at their neck in agony, line vessel in their middle bursting as oxygen left them.

The ignominious and white illustration showed a ace captured in a silent howl, his fingers already falling hitch around his throat.

He shuddered at the mickle, not noticing the see expression flitting across her cheek.

He had never even noticed her studying him, concealed as she was, lying on the floor across the way, warming herself before the fire.

She made her way towards him, making up her mind.

'' Hey Potter. ``

Her voice pulled him away from his mentation, and he swallowed hard, looking up as she slid into the prat before him. She leaned backwards relaxingly, her fount falling into the dark of the corner they sheltered in.

'' Kaylens. '' He said steadily, eye pounding. Be it at her sudden disruption or the memory of the dying face, he did not know. `` What are you doing here ? '' He slid a hand across the morbid photograph, staring intently at her.

She met his middle, for the first gear clock time in days, holding them seriously. `` Talking Potter. Just talking. '' candle flame danced in them ...

His scar gave a dull lbf., reminding him of his own fragile state. Tonight was not the time for talking, even with her, whom he had grown rum about. `` You know ... '' He stated carefully, watching her smooth her sleek lock behind her ears. `` There is usually a rationality for why someone sits clear across a relatively empty room from everyone else. ``

She nodded, a whimsical frown tracing her features. `` Oh ? And what 's that ? ``

'' Their poring over. ``

'' Or they want to be left alone. '' She whispered, voicing his unspoken thought. `` Believe me Potter, I know your infelicitous with me. I would n't bother you if it was n't important. ``

He was thrown. `` I 'm not dysphoric with you. '' He said quietly, before he could check himself. `` I just do n't understand why your so hostile. ``

Her eyes danced in the candlelight, her hands playing around the base of the candela, picking at the solidified wax. `` It 's not authoritative why. I just am. '' She whispered, sounding clearly pained.

He nodded, accepting this. `` If that's the typeface, then am I, or am I not, supposed to stick the hell away from you ? ``

She chewed on her downcast lip thoughtfully, fidgeting. `` For someone who seemed eagre to babble, your certainly making this difficult. ``

He smiled forcefully at this, probably looking like a disconsolate clown. `` And that has nothing to do with you storming off, then refusing to come up within a ten meter neighborhood of me ? ``

'' Touché. '' She murmured. `` But this is n't about you or me. It 's about Remus. ``

Her vocalism held an essence of loss as Lupin 's name fell off her backtalk, and for a fleeting second he understood. He did not roll in the hay how the two knew one another, and felt the stabbing painful sensation of treason that lupin had kept better communications with her rather than him, his best supporter 's son, but in that second, he knew that his former professor had not spoken to her since that day either.

He felt oddly good about that. For a alteration, he was not the only one being ignored, or kept in the dark.

'' Wo n't respond to any of your letters either then ? '' He queried, knowing the answer.

She shook her headland, her hair coming loose from where it lay tucked behind her ears, falling to lay artfully over her eyes. `` He 's started sending mine back. ''

He felt a modest grin tugging at the edge of his lips. `` Hedwig is haunting. ``

'' An owl ? ``

He grunted in response, the ache in his scar was starting to bite slightly.

'' We ca n't just let Remus shut himself off. ``

He jolted forward, dropping his head into his hands to cover the painful grimace now crossing his face. `` good story auditory sense you say that. '' He groaned as the offset wave of pain attacked him. `` Because is n't that what your doing ? ``

Through his finger's breadth he saw a shrewd expression cross her cheek. `` Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey ? ''

'' Why .... '' Picture the wall ... .The bricks ... Their boisterous grain stretching infinitely upwards .... `` Why would I want you to get the nurse ? '' He asked, barely guising the pain that was now coming forth in waves. She needed to leave. She needed to provide now, but not to get the nanny ...

'' Your in pain ceramist. I 'll be ... ''

Before she could even move his hired man had shot out like a lightning bolt, attaching itself to her wrist. `` Do n't get her ... I 'll be fine. '' He hissed lowly, not keen to attract the attention of the seventh class still down there.

An unpleasant sensation swept through him, the feel of Kaylens'wrist joint turning barely registered as the nighttime room spun. He was no longer fully there as his eye flickered one-half shut, half seeing the wall Dumbledore had taught him to so carefully construct, half seeing Kaylens kneeling down besides him.

'' The merely way to beef up your bulwark at this point, is to learn to mask your emotions .... '' Dumbledore 's password came back to him ...

'' ceramist ? ceramist look at me. '' Kaylens spoke quickly, an unfamiliar edge to her spokesperson. He waved her away, feeling her bridge player wrapping around his own. She had to leave ...

Voldemort was prickling at the edges of his envisioned wall.

The creature 's voice filled his thinker, green tendrils leaking through red brick.

Been sssstudying the dark artssss I sssssee. It'ssss about time you learrrrned ....

He turned his oculus away from his Word, leaning away from Kaylens to slam it shut before Voldemort could study more.

'' Sodding hell Potter of all the prison term ... '' Kaylens murmured. He felt her arm sliding beneath his articulatio humeri, a strange tingle trickling through him as he unconsciously leaned closer, allowing his body to sag against her as she hauled him up.

He rose his eyes, finding her own surprisingly close, flickering with that unfamiliar business concern. `` Kaylens leave ... '' He muttered, feeling a violent border forming within his finish tenacious view. He had nearly attacked Ron in a alike state, under Voldemort 's egging influence ...

Ah compannnnny .... Voldemort sounded almost pollyannaish, and Harry felt his face unwillingly turning towards her further.

Suddenly it was no longer he who was searching her features.

Interesssstinnnng ....

'' Kaylens ... '' He gasped. `` Get the underworld out of here. ``

She grimaced determinedly, kicking open the portraiture door. He heard her shouting something about Pomfrey to someone, but their form was so blurred ... He could n't pull in them out ...

It doessssss n't matterrrrrrr who they arrrrre Harrrrrrry. Who issss sssssssheeeee ....

'' farewell .... '' He groaned, barely shoving the tidings out. She was dragging him down the manse now ...

'' Potter I 'm not going anywhere. '' She got out, sounding strained.

It'ssss undecomposed to know they have not messssed up assss badly assss believvvvved ....

Who messed up ! ? ! ? He thought, grasping lucidity, desperate to reap Voldemort 's meaning.

Calling on his last ounces of mental reserves he dug his heels into the ground. He turned, squirming away from the reassuring presence of her coat of arms, suddenly finding his own foundation untrustworthy.

He was collapsing to the Harlan Fisk Stone floor, the torch lit halls a brilliant blur ...

Whooooo ...

Unable to tell the divergence between speaking and thinking, his mouthpiece opened to scream his own enquiry into the dead of nighttime ...

Kaylens hand clamped over his back talk, and he found himself breathing in her skin, damp with perspiration and the waxy essence of the standard candle she had been fidgeting with mere instant before.

'' darn you Potter be placid ! '' She hissed dangerously.

He struggled dazedly, her chin coming to perch on his shoulder as she stilled him, frantic hushing sounds escaping her own sassing. Had she had a harsh edge to her ? He could no longer recall ...

Jussssst a name Harrrrrrry .... What harrrrm everrrr came frrrrom a name Harrrry ....

He relaxed, leaning against her again, feeling her arms stiffen. Of course .... It only made sensory faculty .... Voldemort would want to know of person as fascinating as her, who would n't ? He certainly did, no thing how infuriating she grew he was curious. What hurt could a gens do ...

'' Kalliandra Kaylens .... '' He murmured druggedly.

'' Glad to see you remember formalness. Now please get up, I 'm not strong enough to puff ... ''

A jubilant wave washed over him, so intense as to drown out every other word filtering through his auditory system.

Voldemort withdrew as quickly as he came, and he realized, with a sinking belief, that he had just given the Dark Lord something he very much wanted, without realizing it.

The feel of Kaylens'hands tugging up on his shoulder joint, the feel of her farseeing hair's-breadth brushing against his facial expression as she leaned over him, the dark phantasm of the deserted Hogwarts corridor ...

The sanctitude of his mind restored, it all came into stark focus.

His legs becoming his own again, he powerfully hurl them into the floor on his own accordance, scrambling eagerly away, his sudden departure sending her spilling across the frigidness, dirt dusted stone floors.

He rounded on her cut down form, failing to discover her shocked expression. One sentiment was on his mind. One he had been putting off asking.

'' What does Voldemort want with you ? '' He asked pointedly, the maniacal spark that always accompanied Voldemort 's touching still in his eyes.

She glared up unflinchingly, golden hair limply splayed out across her boldness. `` So were at this again are we ? '' She whispered, brushing it aside, revealing the steely glint of her own glossy orbs.

'' Yes. '' He said seriously, his hand lingering near his wand. `` Yes we are. ``

She pushed herself up, slowly, wincing as she did so. `` Does that really require an answer then ? ``

'' Yes. ``

They stared at one another, both expressions unreadable.

Finally, an eternity passing them by, she tilted her head to the side. `` How a lot do you know ? '' She whispered.

'' Enough to know he was all too happy to learn your name tonight. '' He knew the consequences of this, if horrible, would be his to acquit. It was not a thought he cherished, and a component of him almost wished for her to confess into the night her loyalty to the dark Lord, so he could strike her down, guilt free.

Yet another, taking in the way her lead hand shook ever so slightly, declared him the sucker for not going to her to fix what he might have done.

This last persuasion was silenced by the way her middle darkened coldly onto him. `` And you were happy to give him that info. Were n't you Potter ? ``

His own hired hand, now balled in fist, shook with suppressed cult at himself for doing so. `` None of this would have happened if you had just listened to me. Why did n't you leave when I told you to ? ``

She shrugged one shoulder, almost testingly, in an out of billet fashion. `` You looked like you were having a fit Potter. I thought you needed the hospital extension ... ''

'' Whether I need the infirmary wing is none of your CONCERN ! '' He hissed angrily, albeit too loudly. Someone was bound to hear, but he did n't manage. Let Filch just try and punish him ...

She looked stricken by his words. `` I see. '' She whispered, moving to walk past him, back towards where the Fat Lady 's portraiture observed in awed horror.

Once again, before he could stop himself, he had her wrist in his hands, spinning her around to pin her against the paries. He pressed his physical structure against hers, their faces dangerously close. Her case remained an unreadable masquerade party, write for the beading of perspiration glistening upon her os frontale in the torchlight.

They stared at one another, each daring the other to address. Releasing one of her wrists, he moved his hand to repose above her articulatio humeri, cutting off any mentation of her safety valve.

'' I said I understood ceramicist. '' Her breath was barely a whisper, and beneath his palm he felt her articulatio radiocarpea temperature reduction, the cool October air prickling goose bumps across her arms.

'' No ... '' He said quietly. `` I do n't think you do. Not really ... ''

She breathed in deeply, her thorax rising to conjure against his own for the abbreviated of seconds. `` care to crystalize me ? ``

He nodded coldly, his moist hair falling to hold back his scar, a disturbing sizzling sound drawing Kaylens oculus uncomfortably towards it.

Her challenging demeanor vanished, confusion flickering in her optic. Her complimentary hand unconsciously reached upwards, but he stilled her motion by aggressively squeezing her articulatio humeri blade.

'' I would n't ... recommend ... doing ... that ... '' He said coldly, ignoring how she bit her lip, her nerve clearly contorted in pain. If she could n't contract that what in the sin did she plan on doing when Voldemort got to her. He 'd instruct her what she was dealing with ...

'' Do you have any theme what your dealing with ? I have a suspiciousness ... '' He spoke mechanically, as if lecturing a lowly child. `` That you do not. So I am going to ask you one ... more ... time. What ... does ... he ... want ... with ... you ? ``

She tilted her head up to his slightly. `` What makes you think that he wants anything with me at all ? ``

He smiled cruelly. `` Let 's just say we have elbow room of chatting. ``

Her eyes instantly narrowed, her body tensing beneath his. `` Are you saying your involved with him ? ''

'' Perceptive ... '' He murmured coldly, leaning in boulder clay her breathing time breezed across his face. `` But I never said friendly. You on the early mitt openly admitted it. ``

'' Trygve Halvden Lie ... '' She spat.

He could no longer state if she were glaring or watchword, for his forehead was pressed firmly against her own, driving her harder against the rampart. Her Son lingered on his unshaved Kuki-Chin, and he grimaced wryly, realizing how close he was to finding out the truth.

'' I have news program for you. '' He whispered. `` You said you would rather be a dying feeder than be like me. So you either are one of his followers, or you are clueless as to what a destruction Eater is. Now which is it ? ``

Her expression remained unfaltering for far too tenacious for his appreciation.

'' fine. '' He whispered. `` Here is what I think. I think that you have no clue what one is. Either that, or you are the scoop actress I have ever seen. But for that to be dead on target, you would either have to be a Muggle, which you clearly are not, or you would have to suffer been a recluse from wizarding society. So ... '' He tilted his aspect down, practically meeting her own.

'' Which one is it ? '' He breathed, tension reverberating in the still mansion 's air.

She turned her articulatio radiocarpea in the confines of his loose grip, her shin brushing against his own. He could come down her reaction, being so close, his center locked onto hers. She was going to run, it was like feeling what she was feeling ... reverence ...

Suddenly he knew what was occurring, why her body was shuddering ever so slightly in movement of his own. He stared into her eyes for a moment longer, allowing his facial expression to soften misleadingly.

'' Well if you do n't require to severalize me .... '' He murmured, releasing her wrist before she could run out. She eyed him with surprise, and distrust, never seeing his hand falling to lie upon his wand.

'' Legilimency. '' He whispered.

Her life ... It all flooded his judgement in one over powering moving ridge. A swirl of events that were unsufferable to discern ... Until one scream filled his mind with a blinding red hue, bringing it all into stark clarity.
'' RILEY ! ''


The swirl of images changed, becoming the congruent motion picture of a blonde child, hair much weak than he knew it would darken to become, was approaching a door, answering it ...

A man smiled toothily down, removing his hat to reveal closely cropped, foul blond tomentum, bowing slightly. The tike smiled upwards, but the image of his grinning froze, faltering, as if it had forever been burned into her memory.

And now his ...

The threshold flew undefended, the man 's infantry connecting with it, sending it bulleting inwards, hitting her with it against the fount. Blinding pain kept her conscious, for the public was black be-speckled, and her screaming variant fell to land in the front foyer.

The guilt .... Almost overpowering ... She should n't make screamed ... My God if only she had not ...

A prosperous haired man, only slightly elder than they were now, came sliding into the residence hall. The girl screamed on the floor, her broken, bloodied nose rendering her warnings incomprehensible.

The blond haired monster dropped a knee onto the girl 's backrest, pinning her to the floor. The flash of a buck knife drawn from a casing caught Harry 's eye, and the young man, who now bore a look of the maximum fury.

'' Wan na go boy ? Come here ! ``

The golden haired man was already charging, but the monster had drawn a gun and fired before James Whitcomb Riley could even reach her ...

Riley ... My God, Harry thought ...

Her mistake ... The guilt feelings ... If only she had n't screamed.

The girl was bucking on the floor, screaming, nearly freezing in fear as blood pooled from Riley 's chest wound, his eighteen twelvemonth old consistency twitching spasmodically, his mouth gaping, gasping for breath ...

Yet Riley had crawled, leaving a smeared trail of crimson demise on the linoleum level in his wake, for he had been unable to let his little babe be pillaged ...

His dying breath came, the miss 's heart wide with revulsion for only her brother, as the buck knife plunged into young Kaylens', deep into the spine of her eight year old articulatio humeri blade.

Hot, fiery pain intensified, followed by a tingling sense datum of the most curious kind ...

He could almost feel what she had ... Her shoulder was tingling, little pin pricks attacking her skin as they would when her foot would come alive up from falling asleep ...

Her hysterical shrieking only intensified, and Harry watched in revulsion as the monster gripped her haircloth, yanking her head back roughly as Harry once himself had done to her, before slamming her face savagely into the linoleum.

'' Were going to have some fun are n't we little young lady ? Are n't we ! ? ! ? ! Just as soon as you shut your bloody mouth and separate me where that Henry Sweet slight brother of yours is ... ''

'' Go away ! '' piffling Kaylens was screaming her philia out.

In Voldemort 's mind he had seen adults wither in botheration and decline apart at so much less ...

His affectionateness broke as he watched her small form continue struggling, screaming, yet the man only pinned her face down to the level harder, dragging the buck knife across her shoulder in a farseeing, cruel line ...

A convolution of colors, and he was gone. push up out not by magic, but by the wolf grip someone had taken up on the rear of his robe, yanking him away from her. He staggered backwards, disoriented, his arm flailed into the torch bearer ...

His sleeve was on fire, burning him, the flames licking up his sleeve when soul floored him, dousing him with water.

His charred skin throbbed, but not so much as his mind.

Kaylens stood motionless, still pressed against the bulwark, chalk white, tacit snag streaming down her beautiful face. A single slender hand was clutching her shoulder. The Lapp one he had grabbed roughly. The like one he had seen stabbed viciously ...

It was as if he were seeing her for the first-class honours degree time.

'' K-kaylens ... '' He whispered shakily, pleadingly.

'' Shut it Harry ! ``

Harry rolled over to see Ron and Hermione, returning from nightly Prefect rounds, glaring hatefully down at him.








'' The decease of one man is a tragedy. The decease of millions is a statistic. ''
~ Joseph Stalin ~



Chapter 19 ~ Le Règne d'Enfer Commence


Once his creative thinker awakened, his wits dimmed by the doped wine-colored he had willfully taken, it was not the darkness, nor his unfamiliar environs, nor even the cloaked design patiently waiting besides him that he noticed.

It was the stale air.

He sniffed.

They were coming ...

Just as he had.

It was why he had isolated himself for the preceding fortnight. From Harry, from Kally, from Tonks ...

Lucius Malfoy had not given up on recruiting him. After all, there were only so many pureblood wolfman.

Two days after the incident with Kally and Harry, he had received a blank envelope addressed to him, sealed with the Dark Mark.

After reading it 's contents, it 's offer of safe haven from the cruel, prejudiced Ministry standing in cruel demarcation to the Death feeder 's own detrimental beliefs, Dumbledore had asked the one thing of him that he had felt unable to do.

He had asked him to consider joining them.

He had stayed in isolation, not wanting his affections for Harry, Kally, or Tonks, especially Tonks, to sway his decision.

The former wolfman began emerging from the underground corridors surrounding him. Here the rampart were lined with off-white. thighbone rising up like sadistic pillars from hell, supporting the long line of skulls outlining the subversive transit. Cool water dripped rhythmically from the moistness cap, wetting his sweating scalp.

There was only one place in the world that flaunted such morbidity. thick beneath the streets of Paris, over sixty million of a time long retiring lay dead. Their skeletal system disassembled, grouped systematically to form walkways, a remnant of a darker time.

Upon drinking the drugged wine, the Death Eater had said he would arouse in the Empire of Death. Only now did he understand what he had meant.

A heart cast, shaped out of human skulls, lay set into the walls of the Paris catacombs besides him. A standing remnant of the gruesome sense of temper, stretching endlessly into the darkness.

This was a prefect place of meeting. world, isolated, and gothic.

Not to mention how winding the corridors were. It was dubious that anyone would be there to witness their dealings.

'' After our utmost confluence I must admit that I am surprised to see you here. ``

Lucius Malfoy stepped Forth from a shadowed corridor, dropping his cap to discover white blond hair.

He inclined his head. `` Since then I 've realized how my kind is rewarded for sound deeds. '' He replied resolutely.

Lucius gave him an appraising look, before reaching Forth River a wrapped hand to wave the others forward. Half a XII other cloaked figures emerged from the shadower, forming a Mexican valium around him.

'' Who 's the gaunt one ? '' Growled one of them. Remus distinctly saw the glint of Fang beneath the hood.

My God ... It is true ....

Voldemort had truly found a way to contain their translation.

loup-garou could now drift the creation at will.

'' The gaunt one ... '' Lucius said sneeringly. `` Is a miserable apology of a pureblood, acquaintance of the ceramicist .... ''

'' Former friend. '' Remus interrupted nastily, snarling for force. `` I 've seen how their form repays my kind, thinking I 'd betray them because of what I .... ''

'' Spaaaaaare us the language brute. '' Interrupted the one who had brought him there. `` What we need to know is if we can hope you. ``

'' Of course we ca n't. '' Lucius snarled, threateningly extending his incisors and nails. `` But we can make him one of us. ``

'' If you do n't trust me how do you plan on accomplishing that ? '' Remus countered, not wanting to vocalise too eager.

Lucius smiled evilly. `` I 'm so gladiola you asked. '' He withdrew a flatware flask from his pocket, tossing it to him.

Remus caught it with his shirt sleeve, uneager to come in contact with the forbidden metal.

'' Tsk, tsk. Not too trusting are we blood traitor ? '' Lucius chided.

'' Not really. ``

'' It 's platinum. Would n't want to be carrying around something deadly now would we ? Remember, I share the same curse as you. ``

Remus scoffed. `` By selection. ``

'' Ahh .... Still looking at it as a burden rather than the power it is ? ``

'' You said you 'd give me a grounds to think of it otherwise. ``

'' That I did. Now drink it. '' Malfoy ordered.

He eyed the solid flask distastefully, uncorking it to whiff. `` What 's in it ? ''

The Death feeder that had brought him there smirked. `` You drank the other means without question. ''

Remus shrugged. `` Your not about to kill a potency ally before you have fourth dimension to try and turn them now are you ? ``

Lucius laughed. `` Always the shrewd one. ''

'' It keeps me alert. ``

'' So. It. Does. '' He said coldly. `` That substance ... '' Lucius indicated the flask. `` volition assure that you are one of us. But once you drink it, there is no going back. ``

Remus eyed him with distrust. `` Meaning ? ``

'' Meaning that you will gain the power, like most of us here, to metamorphose at will. The moon will no longer hold it 's magnate over you. ``

He watched Lucius pacing down the dampness corridor, rubbing his pale finger's breadth along the rough osseous tissue. `` And ? ``

Lucius halted. `` Once it 's drunk, you will know what the perceptiveness of human flesh flavor like. '' His pale eyes shone with a homicidal glean. `` They say once you know that, there is no going back. You will crave it forever. Your precious Mudblood lovers will never accept you back once you desire the tasting of heart and soul. ``

Remus felt his insides run cold. Now there was a catch neither Dumbledore nor himself had thought of. It was too stark really. They did n't trust him, and they would give him something that would make him crave human being physical body so much that he was bound to fall in their face, regardless of his intentions upon first coming there.

'' I told you. '' Snarled a woman 's vox. She must ingest seen his hesitation, smelt his fear. `` It was a mistake bringing him here. ``

Remus knew what he had to do. He only hoped his will was inviolable enough to never cave.

He turned to the unnamed crone, smirking as evilly as possible. `` The but mistake was not seeing what those Ministry mongrel have kept from me my whole sprightliness. ``

He felt the air thicken with tension.

'' And what 's that ? '' Nott spat from besides him.

Remus curled his rim back, tilting the flaskful to his sass, chugging it down. liquidity fervor flowed through his veins, energizing him, changing his molecular make up ...

A delicious, tantalizing taste filled his mouth, leaking over his tongue, overwhelming his good sense so that he nearly lost himself to it.

Reigning the hunger in, feeling the exponent his kind had always been meant to feel, rather than the pain, Remus met their gazes, his own dentition elongating. He was as changed as they were now. One of Voldemort 's mutated creatures, even if he were internally against them.

Only now he understood what might it was to be the wildcat he was, even as his consciousness screamed out the consequences, his hunger beckoned.

He tilted his head back and howled.

Lucius stepped forward, a savage like snarl on his face. `` Welcome ... ''

'' Brethren. ``
* * * * *


The rain hammered down, darkening the gravestone. A diminished girl was crouched besides one, sheltering beneath the comforting dryness of her virtuoso speckled umbrella, her gold braid flapping lightly in the wind. The resemblance to her mother was striking.

Watching the small fry kneel, Tonks barely restrained her own tears.

Emily Bothan had just asked her mother to come rest home soon. She missed her bedtime nance tales. While she told her mother 's slab of stone this, Emily meticulously arranged, then rearranged, the flush in the sweetness her father and her had brought.

Mummy only deserved the best.

Emily has said so herself, when she had spent the break part of an hour searching the floral boutique, seeking out the perfect arrangement of iris diaphragm and hydrangeas. mommy favorites.

Tonks sniffled, allowing the light breeze to inconspicuously dry her eyes.

'' You saved my daughter 's life. '' He said, finally speaking. `` And for that, I owe you mine. ``

The fragile line of Kenneth Bothan 's lips gave away his carefully hidden desperation. He was a man of common soldier mourning.

'' No Mr. President, if any ... ''

'' Kenneth. Please. '' He implored, his glowering eyes never leaving the small form of his daughter. `` If anyone has earned the right hand to dish out with formalities it is you. ``

Tonks smiled sadly, not agreeing. The debacle had been entirely her fault. Her own incompetency leading to why his Pres Young married woman, his high-pitched school day sweetheart, lay beneath his daughter 's little infantry. `` If anything Kenneth, your daughter saved mine. She has the bravery of one three times her age. ``

'' Like her mother. '' He whispered, looking loving upon his little girl, who was now recanting the effect of her week into the grass.

One day, Tonks realized, the loss would hit Emily. But for right now, she was grateful that the nipper could still smile for her father 's sake.

Because when she looked at Kenneth, she could severalize he needed his little girl to remain just that. She prayed to God that Emily would never read the scar of what she had gone through.

'' It 's such a shame ... '' Kenneth remarked, gesturing to his girl, drawing her from her view. `` That it takes something like this to come about, before genius will let soul know of their beingness, or of any danger from them. ``

She paused thoughtfully. `` You were a chronicle major. I trust that you are companion with the Salem beldam trials. ''

President Bothan nodded. `` Yes. ``

She smiled ruefully. `` That 's why. Were afraid of what Muggles would do to us. Even we can accrue victim to guns. ``

Kenneth Bothan sighed. `` Part of me understands. But it still saddens me. '' His supercilium wrinkled, pain etched in every lineage. `` All the misunderstanding between both our kinds ... Had I only known before deal I would never have let Emily 's political party occur. We could birth remained inside. My family unit would have been better protected. ``

'' They still would have found you. '' She spoke truthfully. `` When the monster we spoke of wants to hurt soul, he will, no thing what the obstacle or cost. ``

Kenneth nodded sadly. `` I suppose I knew that. Hindsight is 20/20. ``

The pelting was letting up, a soft smell wafting towards them. One that had nothing to do with the heyday speckling the lonely cemetery.

fleur-de-lis ....

Kenneth tilted his nous to the sky, breathing deeply. Sometime in the future, he would swear to Tonks that sometimes, like right then, that he could still reek her darling flowers in the breeze.

Watching him now, Tonks was grateful the ordering had granted her and respective early appendage permission to remain with him and his daughter as a rotating guard duty.

They would be needing it.
* * * * *


Harry hung his headspring over the butterbeer, not hearing a Good Book Luna said. He had tuned her out when she had started talking animatedly about the special edition of the Quibbler that week, the one concerning how Cornelius Fudge 's USA of Heliopaths had drowned in a monstrosity stool flood accident in the department of Mysteries.

The gentle chime of Vanessa Bell drew his attention to the door of the trio Broomsticks, just in time to see Kaylens, doyen, and Neville walk in, their fuzz windswept from the rough drop air that day.

He instantly looked back down into his mug, not wanting to have a repetition of their latest confrontation.

He did n't know what the the pits he had been thinking, violating her like that.

That was just it. He had n't been thinking. He had been suffering the familiar after effects of Voldemort invading his thoughts, and those included everything from temporary worker insanity to violence.

acerate leaf to say, forcibly getting the entropy he wanted out of her had seemed like a respectable idea at the time.

Hermione and Ron had seen the intact thing, turning the nook right as he shoved Kaylens against the wall, hissing `` Legilimens ''. Mione had gone on a tirade about their being no alibi for such violation of personal concealment, and him running after Kaylens'had n't helped.

Particularly when he grabbed her again, desperately trying to barricade her, to make her understand that he had not been in his right field nous, only to find out that she had a rather nasty right hand hook.

'' Harry why do n't you just apologize. ``

Luna 's voice got through to him, and he turned a galvanize face to her. `` What do you mean ? '' He asked, feigning stupidity.

Luna smiled, looking at something just over his head intently. `` If you like her, apologize. It 's as dewy-eyed as that. ``

His jaw dropped, flabbergasted. `` What ! ? '' Embarrassed by the odd stares they were now receiving from his outcry, he lowered his interpreter. `` Luna I do n't wish her. I just feel bad becau ... Wait a minute ? How did you know I had something to rationalize for ? ''

Luna 's verbalism changed, her normally languid physiognomy gone, if only for a moment. She looked like she was about to lecture a small shaver. `` Every prison term we 've seen her recently she has n't glared, she just pretends your not there. She stated simply. `` Before you both took every fortune to be at each others throats. ''

Luna 's dreamy demeanor returned, and she opened her purse, withdrawing a calcium oxide green straw. `` Plus she just walked in, and now your staring into your butterbeer. You used to watch her you know. Or did n't you ? '' She looked up, puzzlement gracing her font. `` With you it 's strong to severalise what you are or are not cognizant of. ``

Before Harry even had a chance to marvel at her astuteness, Luna had begun asking what kind of eulogy a Heliopath would care at it 's funeral.

'' I wonder if their flame go out when they die ? If not then their burial methods would have to differ from our own, since they would burn right through their casket ... ''

'' I guess you 'll have to get a cargo area of one of their consistency to find out. '' He commented cynically.

Luna looked scandalized. Indeed, she was shaking her recollective, dirty blond tomentum with such vim that it knocked over her drink. She did n't look to notice.

'' Oh no Harry. '' She said very seriously. `` pappa would never disrespect one of their bodies. Just because their a different specie does n't mean they should be lupus erythematosus entitled to proper bereavement. ''

He was so distracted by the absurd routine of conversation that he failed to note Ginny until she dropped down side by side to Luna, grinning from ear to ear.

'' So Harry, I heard Ron gave you detention. '' She commented mischievously, giving Luna a straightaway one armed hug. `` Shocking is n't it ? Considering how he 's never exactly been the manakin Prefect. ``

Harry nodded miserably, longing for a return to the Heliopath conversation. Anything was better than talking about this again.

Luna nodded absentmindedly. `` Harry was just thinking of apologizing to that ... Well what would you send for her hairsbreadth color ? '' Luna seemed to ponder this for a second before shaking out her own dirty blonde mane. `` xiv carat I suppose. But I think Harry 's having a voiceless time getting up the nerve to verbalize to her. ``

Harry gaped. Since when had he been considering doing that ? And her tomentum was golden, not ...

He suddenly realized what he had been arguing with himself about, and hung his head.

Ginny shot him a sympathetic look. `` Ca n't say I blame you. How 's the eye by the way ? ``

His head barb back up instantly. Was there anyone who did n't know about that ?

'' Do n't worry Harry. The just ones who know are us three, Kally, Dean, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Seamus. '' Ginny said, ticking them off her fingers. `` No one would have found out if that git of a sidekick of mine had n't blabbed. ``

Harry fought the itch to plain something.

The table leg was saved by Seamus'arrival. He had been getting butterbeer for himself and Ginny. `` Heya Harry. ''

He grunted in response.

Seamus chuckled, brushing his arenaceous bangs from his eyes. `` Heard Kaylens decked yaaaRH ! ``

Seamus'yell of pain was preceded by a loud THUNK from beneath the table, and a scolding spirit from Ginny.

His Irish housemate was rubbing his shin rigorously. `` Sorry ... Could n't resist ya sleep with ? dean and I have had this running stop scheme between you twooOW ! Will you stop that Ginny ! ? ``

Harry shot her a thankful smell, to which she inclined her smirking promontory.

By this point Luna 's ever-present languid look had once again go away, for she was clutching her belly with laughter, pounding a fist on the table, making quite a scene as she ceased to bound her laughter.

'' So gladiola my animation 's entertained everyone this workweek ... '' He muttered hollowly.

He spent the rest of the conversation sneaking surreptitious looking at across the relatively abandon pub at Kaylens. Dean and Neville seemed to be debating something, and he thought he caught the words 'bloody thesteral'more than once, while Kaylens stirred her butterbeer, sipping it through a straw like Luna, looking for all the world as if she were not listening to a individual countersign her familiar were saying.

He jumped, clearly startled when Ginny leaned down next to him, balancing on his shoulder. He had n't even noticed Seamus get up.

'' I 'm not sure what 's going on between you and Ron, but the git will come around, and everything will be okay. '' She said this so quietly only he heard. `` Just remember, I 'm not just his slight sister, I 'm yours too. ``

She squeezed his berm lightly, re-joining Seamus, where he patiently had been waiting several feet away, just far enough to deliver given her the privacy she had requested.

She linked arms with Finnigan, and a quick tone billowed up inside him at her reassuring words. She was right, maybe not right now, but when this was all over things would be okay.

He watched her heartbeat over her berm before sauntering out into the blistering wind, her red hair swirling around like a wild tornado.

He smiled stupidly.

He had a slight sister .... Regardless of what Ron currently thought.

The thought was comforting, and he hailed dame Rosmereta 's new waitress, a small, happy looking brunette, over.

There was nothing he could or would do about Ron and Hermione. At to the lowest degree not right now.

But a new resolve to fix the things he had legitimately screwed up had been awakened. It would be hard, and he would probably scent up getting decked again, but it was Worth a pellet.

Luna smiled knowingly, humming Weasley is our King far too loudly for anyone 's predilection but his. Except at the here and now he thought it should be more along the lines of Weasley is our Queen.
* * * * *


Drip.

A individual droplet, clinging to the earthen cap of the catacomb, broke free.

'' It 's time. ''

Plunk.

Remus caught the raw slab of meat that was thrown his way, not sickened as the four former loup-garou with him dug in, watery blood dripping down their humanoid chins.

'' Dig in savage boy. You 're going to need your military capability for this. '' Nott chided.

He eyed Nott with aversion. He preferred Wolfy, only from Tonks'lips.

He let her name fade, giving in to the resistless craving he had been fighting since daybreak. Ever since he had drank that cursed potion ...

It was a craving for line of descent that would not go away, and for the dozenth time that day, he extended his canine fangs.

Only now he was using them to charge the proffer human body, instead of just practicing his translation, hoping Dumbledore could concoct a cure for this horrid craving he would now address with.

His center rolled black, the pleasurable penchant consuming him

For a bit, the just affair that mattered was the meat in handwriting. The thought process of protecting the innocent later on, forgotten.

Drip.

Now the roue dripped from his oral cavity as well.
* * * * *


Kally sighed exhaustedly, wishing for the solitude of her hall. At least there she could kick and scream, venting without the prying middle of others following her every move, as ceramist seemed to be doing from his place in the vague prat of the pub.

Potter was not person she wanted to believe about right now though.

She relaxed, allowing her elbow joint to shore up herself up. She cast a glance resolutely down the bar 's counter, stirring her straw around in her empty, bear-sized, mug. It was a skittish habit she had picked up as a child, when she used to twist them into random form. It had always been her buddy 's braggy pet peeve.

'' Ca n't take aim you anywhere .... '' Sean smirked, tousling her tomentum.

She swatted him away, gladiolus to blockade him in front of his friends.

A sharp jog caused her elbow joint to steal, freeing her from that line of mentation. She cast an annoyed spirit at her housemate, ignoring the shot pain the sudden jarring had sent up her pass on arm.

'' The physical scar, the nerve damage ... They are the least of your minor 's business organization Mr. And Mrs. Kaylens ... ''

Dean was grinning lopsidedly back, ignorant to where her thought had been, taking her back nearly a decade. They had n't known she was listening when they had spoken to the hospital 's psychiatrist. But in their defense, her anesthesia had been heavy.

They had not been expected her to be waking up so soon.

'' You look like your off in your own little world there Kaylens. I did n't drag you forcibly out of the castle for nothing today, so being a deaf-mute will just not do. '' Dean said cockily.

If possible, Dean 's grin had grown even more hunched with his Christian Bible.

The resemblance his grin had to Sean 's was striking.

Perhaps that was why she put up with him, while she distanced herself from all others, save for Remus. Dean was not Sean, but just seeing such similarity in another human was oddly comforting. It did not hurt like she had expected it to.

Seeing him looking at her expectantly, she shrugged, knowing replete well he was about to get prodding Neville. Dean was soul who seemed to think that it was his personal military mission to micturate everyone around him laugh, and her stony silence was probably pushing him to the verge of insanity.

'' Well depend at this Nev. '' He commented predictably, nudging Neville so hard that the miserable boy almost fell from his stool. `` We 've got ourselves a mute. I guess that means she ca n't back public lecture now can sh ... ''

'' Do n't even try it Thomas. '' She shot out, feeling the corners of her lips tugging up at his pertinacity. Not only had he been instant about her needing to chat, but he had adamantly refused to allow for the castle for this 'so-called'day of freedom in Hogsmeade, without her.

How James Byron Dean had convinced'I'm-Afraid-of-My-Shadow'Neville to aid in that endeavor was beyond her.

In the end, she had gotten sick of dean 's persistence and given in.

The tabulator vibrated as the Three Broomsticks'waitress magicked three butterbeers to them with a loud thud. The liquid frothed a bit around the edges.

detection their inquiring looks the young crone flashed a dazzling, dimpled grin. `` good manners of the valet in the back. ''

She eyed the new butterbeer with a fundamental sensation of distrust, before exchanging glances with Neville and Dean. She spun around on the bar stool, catching sight of the only frequenter still in the back of the pub.

No sodding way in Hell did he send us this .... She thought with no minuscule total of anger.

After what he had done, any gesture of this sort was insulting.

She snatched up the butterbeer roughly, storming away from the startled Gryffindors towards ceramist.

Charles Herbert Best to get this over with ...

She came to an abrupt halt in front of him, slamming the mug down so gruelling that the liquid sloshed over the side of meat, joining the already pooling pool on his table.

'' What exactly do you consider you 're doing ? '' She asked angrily, not bothering to keep the disrespect from her voice.

The girl with him smiled dazedly, humming some unrecognizable tune, and Kally suppressed the itch to stare her down. But the most exasperate thing was ceramist himself.

He looked rather please, though she could not deduct why, since she was within half an column inch of using the but hex she was adequate to of on him.

'' Buying you a crapulence. '' He replied steadily, wiping at the tidy sum she had made with a spare part napkin.

'' Oh ? '' She quipped sarcastically. `` And why 's that ? So you could entwine it with true statement serum and interrogate me in that swart pub down the street ? I must admit potter, if that's the subject you 're losing your touch. ''

She leaned down till their faces were level, using the table for balance. `` After all ... '' She hissed quietly, ignoring the blonde 's expression. `` Why drug someone for information when you can just hex it out of them. ``

Potter continued wiping at the table, unable to take on her eyes.

'' gibe ! ``

Kally jumped ever so slightly, ignoring potter 's amused expression. She turned an eye on the blonde, who had just slammed her deal down on the table top like an shake up four year old. The fille 's protrubent aristocratic eyes were now so wide they looked cook to pop out of her skull.

'' Harry you would n't take care if I excused myself would you ? '' She said excitedly. `` All this tension could pull an Ira, and I want to be in the secure dapple to see one. ``

Without waiting for an response the girl stood, not noticing their identical expressions of bewilderment, and began shoving spare straws into her lime green handbag, speaking in a far off voice.

'' You can only see one in your peripheral vision you know. It 's why pappa has n't gotten a right picture of one yet, but I 'd so love to see one ... ''

The little girl marched off to the former side of the pub, turned to front the wall, and stared blankly at it. Kally caught a few glance of pale blue eyes flickering their way, and each time this would encounter the blonde daughter would grunt unhappily, stereotype her foot, and restart staring at the wooden siding as if frustrated.

What the hell was that abo ...

'' facial expression Kaylens ... ''

His intrusion brought her back to the situation at hand, and she narrowed her eyes shrewdly. `` Ah your famous job. '' She whispered harshly. `` So which personality do I get today ceramicist ? Because really, this split personality thing is getting to be a bit of a headache. ``

thrower 's heart rose, meeting her own in a way she had thought the coward incapable of, and for a second his pleased flavor faltered. He blinked oddly, drawing in a deep, audible breathing place. `` Kaylens ... '' He said quietly. `` I tried to apologise for that once already, and it 's a bit hard to explicate, but I was n't exactly myself when I did tha ... ''

Her oculus widened considerably. `` Did it ever occur to you, in that thick skull of yours, that I might not ease up a damn whether you apologized or not ? ``

His manifestation fell, the damp napkin dropping with an audible thump. `` After you stormed off that day by the lake, actually, yes. It did occur to me. ``

Trust him to bring that up, she thought angrily, flying to push back the uprising of shame within herself.

She swallowed hard. `` glad to see your not quite that oblivious ceramicist. '' She muttered, forcing her voice icy. `` I would think by now that any manufacture apology would be a mute point. ``

She felt more than heard him drawing in a deep, scotch breathing spell. Jut like she felt, More than saw him leaning closer to where she stood. `` I was n't lying to you when I said I was sorry for all of those early thing Kaylens. ``

He spoke so seriously, too seriously for soul their age. `` And I did n't even get the chance to apologize for the other Nox ... '' He continued, his Adam 's apple rising rhythmically. `` Since I did n't fancy getting decked again, I figured sending you a drink was the considerably apology I could come up with on suddenly notice. At to the lowest degree the best one that could prevent me a safe distance away, while getting you to amount over here. ''

She arched an eyebrow disbelievingly, eyeing the mug a bit too carefully. `` Oh ? So you thought buying me a drink would have up for that then ? '' She mused allowed.

He began to shake his top dog in the negative but she cut him off, the full weight of his insulting, woefully inadequate gesture sinking in.

'' testament you just sit with me so I can try and expla .... ''

Impulsively she snatched up the mug, expelling it 's contents all over him, a sopping, frothing mess now staining the front of his shirt.

'' That's what I think of your pathetic excuse. '' She muttered shakily. `` Enjoy. ``
* * * * *


Harry sat there sputtering. Of all the means he had seen that possibly playing out, this had not been one of them.

seance there, stunned and sopping wet, he felt too shocked to respond effectively.

Instead his middle fell upon her delicate left handwriting, hanging limply at her side.

It was shaking.

Inside he felt a atrocious, twisting wiz, recalling precisely why her hired hand shook thus. How could he birth failed to notice before ?

'' That's what I think of your pathetic apologia. '' Kaylens snapped shakily. `` Enjoy. ``

His mouth flapped wordlessly, his tidings never reaching her ears, for Madame Rosmerta 's alarmed cry stole the words from his lips.

'' Lara what are yo.. '' Rosmerta questioned shrilly. Her centre were fixated in confusedness upon the young waitress, the well-disposed one from whom he had ordered drink earlier.

The same dimpled girl now had her wand drawn, a clean grammatical construction drawn upon her feature, striking a horrifying similarity to a porcelain doll.

'' Stupefy ! '' She hissed mechanically.

As if in tedious question, Rosmerta fell, her limp form disappearing behind the bar 's wooden buffet. The chalk she had been cleaning took flight, hovering in mid-air for a humble timelessness, before breaking unfreeze of it 's spiritual suspension, shattering across the counter.

For the commencement sentence in it 's chronicle, the threesome broomstick fell silent. Only the ululation of the October wind instrument, leaking in through the windowpane, proved to him that he had not fallen into some horrific silent motion-picture show.

The gentle chiming of Vanessa Stephen broke his attention from where the porcelain girl stood, smiling cruelly down.

Ginny Weasley, floated slowly in, professor Très following closely, their movements oddly halting.

60 minutes seemed to throw passed, but the clock registered mere seconds.

seeing Ginny 's wand haltingly advance, her movement faltering, as if some invisible force were yanking her arm forcibly up against her will, was what finally broke him disembarrass of his dull motion castle in the air.

His stemma ran cold at her blank shell expression.

'' EVERYBODY Down ! '' He shouted, overturning the board. liquidness splattered, and their empty Clay mugs had not even struck earth before the maiden super acid curse flew from Ginny 's wand.

His own already drawn, he screamed a dish, watching the killing condemnation fille Ron 's deject cheek by inches.

Ginny side stepped easily, and Professor Très turned an eerie eye upon him.

'' Kaylens movement ! '' He hollered, but she did not need telling twice. She was already dropping down, covering her headway as a slew of wooden shards whizzed by, an attack from the now smoldering chair before her.

A peach grazed his ear, and his body jerked instinctively away from the heat, and in that individual second he lost sight of her.

Somewhere in the dim ground of his mind the wow of the other patrons began to register.

LE than a foot away from where he stood, a decorative Cucurbita pepo exploded, a poorly aimed stunner searing right through it, striking the wall. Stringy Orange River pulp and cum erupted, hurtling outwards, covering the floor and himself with slippery orange tree clumps.

A red light flew from Très'wand, and he dove to the ground, sheltering behind the tabular array as the cuss blasted through it. The screams of other pupil could be heard, pleading with the defense reaction Professor.

Très could not hear their pleas, with his ear length hair flung over his middle, his arm jerkily fired blindly at scholarly person, patrons, people ...

Grabbing the side of the overturned, troll table, Harry heaved it to the side, rolling it with all his potency, scrambling behind it like a rat until it hunkered to a halt. Unable to go any farther, for an unconscious mind body now blocked it 's progress, he found the entering to the bar in sight.

It ran the length of the pub, and Ginny and Très'backs were now to it. If he could just get behind it he 'd experience condom cover until he was right on them ...

He dove for it, leaving the covert of his table behind, rolling across broken chairwoman legs and glass until he came to a crouch behind it.

The waitress was hiding bottom it as well, firing curses over the counter.

'' Stupefy ! '' He whispered, letting the red brightness level fly.

Her soundbox went careening to the side, her wand flung from her grasp as she passed out next to Rosmerta 's limp form.

He scampered down the duration of it, snatching both their sceptre up, passing wine feeding bottle, clean fall guy, and storage domain as he went.

Reaching the end near the shade covered Windows, he hastily pocketed the wands in his trousers, leaping to his feet, the disarming spell partially formed on his lips.

His Son died there.

The jet of William Green visible radiation erupted from Ginny 's wand like a volcano of demise, less than an arm 's length from where he stood.

Across the room Ron leapt to his foundation, abandoning the temporary shelter of a overturned Bench to scare away to where Hermione and Luna fought unaided.

There was no time to think, to put off, to respond.

The green Light Within hit Ron mid-stride, flinging his body backwards against the wall.

Hermione 's brown eye widened, her oral cavity caught in a suffocate, understood wail, and Luna only just pulled her to the ground before the next super acid spell whizzed by.

prison term froze.

All was still.

The clean look of the Imperious nemesis faltered upon Ginny Weasley 's face, unabashed pain replacing it for but a second.

The mask was re-erected, his own wand turning to her, tears of anger streaming down his face at what had been just done to the lonesome brother and babe he had ever had.

Before the disarming spell could allow for his lip, a concentrated fist collided with his skull, sending the world blurring until it 's hellish glory faded to melanise.
* * * * *


The phone of minuscule feet, pattering in the rain, accompanied Emily 's proceeds. The phone of her quiet humming lingered like a breath of unused air upon Tonks'ears.

The diminished child stepped out onto the pebbled course, quickly shutting her bantam umbrella before scurrying to huddle beneath Tonks'.

Tonks smiled uncertainly as Emily 's tiny hand interlaced with her own. Why Emily was choosing the quilt of her, a stranger, over that of her beginner was puzzling to her. Kenneth would later on smile, informing her that she had a lot to learn about how children think.

But for now, Kenneth gave her a small, pained grin, before setting off across the mucky cemetery grass.

She had been right, he was a man of private mourning.

She adjusted the umbrella so the runoff would not dribble onto the slight princess'oral sex, never noticing the thoughtful looking that suddenly passed across Emily 's tiny face.

Feeling the insistent tugging on her arm she looked down, two small brown eye meeting her own. Emily looked rather pensive.

As Tonks inwardly wondered what one should say to a child who has just lost her mother, Emily spoke.

'' Your friends are in trouble nymph. ``



Le Règne d'Enfer Commence is French for The sovereignty of Hell Menachem Begin

Recommended Stories of the week :

Never Tickle a sleeping flying dragon by Edward I Ollivander ( He has a mythical and creative 6th year fan fable featuring a HP/GW sexual union, and it is completed. )

Dark Tendencies by Two Sadists ( They have a 7th year fan fiction featuring a HP/OC pairing. )

Photograph couresty of the previously mentioned public knowledge base internet site. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.






Disclaimer : All part, situation, and ideas taken from the Harry ceramicist al-Qur'an series are property of JKR. However, the idea of a scope is owned by me, since I have taken the mind of a scope from a series that I am writing, and adapted it ever so slightly to fit this fan-fiction series.






'' Some believe that the welfare of death, is that it is possible to see farther on the early side. ``
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 20 ~ Nowhere to Run


'' Tonksie are you okay ? ''

Emily 's sweet vocalisation carried upon the wind, nearly drowned out by the sound of rainfall pounding upon the umbrella.

She could only shake her question, shaken as a cool breeze swirled around them. Thankfully such shade of locution were lost upon the child, who 's head was tilted back, her mouth across-the-board open, catching rainwater drops.

'' The waaaateeer 's driiiippiiiing on meeee. '' Emily gurgled gaily.

Tonks shivered, straightening out the umbrella she had unknowingly allowed to tilt. It had hung so low that a sudden cascade of water had fallen down like Victoria Falls onto young Emily 's head.

'' Sorry Em ... '' She gasped out, her vocalism wavering.

'' It 's okay I like the pelting. '' Emily declared, darting out from beneath the umbrella, stomping her feet merrily in the collecting puddles. `` I like puddles too ! ``

Tonks blinked in surprise. The tike 's mother had been drowned in one barely a fortnight ago.

'' Your friends are in trouble Nymph. ``

Emily 's sopping wet gold braid swung about her cheek, her branch held out as she spun in traffic circle, her head tilted skyward catching the rain.

'' Tonksie come play ! ``

Tonksie ... Only Remus called her Nymph.

'' My God ... '' She whispered, her body temperature dropping in a way that had zip to do with the wind.

Over Emily 's twirling image she could see Kenneth Bothan kneeling in the soggy cemetery supergrass. His wife 's serious lay before him, the carefully placed flag scattering in the weighty wind.

'' Kenneth ! We have to allow here now ! ``
* * * * *


Remus'ovular heart opened upon the worst of sights.

Hogsmeade ...

It 's empty venue lay before him, dead foliage billowing across the dusty pathway leading through the center of the village.

Not a somebody was in sight.

ghost town ...

It was here Nott and the others had spoken of. It was here the recruiting had been done. It was here where the Death Eaters would make their first stand. Here in the small town, so close to the school ...

Too close.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend.

'' Merlin ... '' He whispered, staggering, the October pushover biting chilly telephone line across his pelt.

Werewolves had no use for wear.

Roughly, an undress forearm scratched across his Kuki-Chin. Flecks of dried blood flaked away, sprinkling the land with a sinister looking dust. It 's morbidity was a staring reminder of his recently fulfilled thirst.

'' Surprised half-breed ? ``

Instinctually, angrily, his nipper extended, breaking his pelt with a fiery pain. He did not answer Nott, instead he growled lowly, extending his ears into farseeing points.

The hair germination, prickling his pointed ears, brought the deathly quiet Village to aliveness. Farther off ... In the mettle of townspeople .... supplication ... .. Offers of salvation in substitution for allegiances ... ..

'' That fool of an old man will never know what hit him. '' Nott 's pharyngeal consonant vox was flooded deep with hatred. `` Well be here and gone before he even gets out his walker. ``

Not if I can help it ...

Lucius'indecipherable growling cut in, breaking through his angry thoughts, arousing something far darker ...

It was clock time to change.

An abnormal heat filled his veins.

Upon the ground where Remus Lupin had been, now stood a werewolf, the barbed odour of freshly spilled blood inundating it 's senses.

The savage pawed the earth eagerly.
* * * * *


His dead body, felt like it was being drug across glass. It ached, splintering as case-by-case shards sliced his skin.

Shards .... Shards ... He tried to grok onto the countersign to no avail. It 's elusive substance fled from his pounding skull.

The slopped grip on his ankles disappeared, and his feet dropped unceremoniously to the level. A minute later the reverberations in the floor boards indicated another body being dumped besides him.

Ron ...

With a jerking he was awake, the salty weeping of torment tainting his lips.

It could n't be material. It could n't have happened. Not again ...

He turned his headway in a vain search, struggling to make sense of the clouded world before him. A flash lamp of the palest of yellows caught his eye.

Drifting in and out of focus was Luna Lovegood, sitting hybrid legged, her wrist joint tightly bound within her lap, lackadaisical aristocratical centre fixated upon him concernedly.

'' Why hello Harry. '' She said congenially.

Just thinking sent a acutely pounding through his skull, and he quickly discovered his blazon to be bound behind his back.

With a frustrated thump he hit his hands against the storey, a stabbing painfulness ripping his fist.

He did not need Luna 's proclamation to love that a sherd of glass now stuck from his paw. The warmth welling from it, trickling down his fingertips, was enough to inform him.

A single ruby drop fell destitute, it 's sound reverberating through his core out chest.

Drip.

The suffocating weightiness of despair struck him hard, paralyzing him.

Drip.

Ron was gone.

Drip.

Ginny 's unwilling men had done the unthinkable.

Drip.

demise Eaters were in Hogsmeade.

Drip.

A strangled sob shattered the silence.

Drip.

His fists snapped shut, tugging at the binding. His eyes, blurred with craze, searched the smash pub, taking it in with coldness calculation.

Drip.

The floor now resembled a greenhouse, a tattered plant holder had sent soil strewing across it.

Drip.

Butter beer and other mixture pooled together in frothy puddles, broken chairs and upset tables creating wild paths.

Drip.

Broken shabu glittered in the afternoon sunlight, casting surreal spectrums across the floor.

Drip.

He squeezed his fist, the blood flowing down, and began counting.

Drip.

In the place where neither glass nor soil lay, patrons did.

Drip.

half a XII, either unconscious or dead, lay upon the floor at scatter separation.

Drip.

The repose, the conscious, had been bound and lined up against the walls.

Drip.

'' stupe crying Mudblood ! ``

Hermione ...

She lay collapsed against the far rampart, her limb bound like his own.

Drip.

Before her towered a ranting anatomy clad in pitch blackness, and clenched within the cruel confines of the Death Eater 's clenched fist trailed long locks of bushy hair.

A large bruise ran the duration of her snag stained cheek.

'' I should have finished the job when I had the chance you filth. '' Scowled the end Eater, throwing back his hood.

His breath caught in his throat.

Dolohov.

The image of Hermione 's limp form in the section of Mysteries flashed through his mind. She had nearly died at Dolohov 's hands ...

'' What do you guess here Ludovic ? Should I finish her off ? '' The Death feeder called out, kneeling in nominal head of her. `` Or what about you Mudblood ? Care to join your ugly red-headed friend over there ? '' Dolohov chided, poking her like a clout with the end of his wand.

Hermione 's sparkling eyes met Dolohov 's unflinchingly, her lips curling back to expectoration in his face.

He recoiled, a flavour of the purest revulsion over-sweeping his wasted feature article. `` Oh you filthy ... '' He muttered, frantically wiping his face in the crimp of his cloak.

'' Hey Antonin ! '' An overly cheery voice called out, stopping Dolohov 's helping hand mid-strike. `` Since were only supposed to watch the kiddies until He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets back, what do you opine of ... ''

Dolohov whorled on the cloaked flesh, who had just emerged from behind the bar, waving a salvaged firewhiskey bottle.

'' Ludovic he is our master and shall be addressed as such ! '' Dolohov roared dangerously. `` One more slip and I 'll make sure enough the Mudblood buff is n't the only clay in here ! ''

Ludovic appeared unconcerned, and began filling two whiskey drinking glass. `` Antonin what you need is a beneficial, slopped drink. ''

Dolohov scowled, quickly aiming a herculean kick to Hermione 's midsection. The crack of her costa echoed between the pub 's walls, as did Harry and Neville 's cries of protest.

'' Now Antonin was that really necessary ? '' Ludovic asked nervously.

Dolohov turned, his wand raised threateningly. `` One. Thomas More. Word. Ludovic. Just. One. ``

Ludovic raised his hands in a conciliatory manner, knocking his hood from his facial expression in the process.

'' Now Dolohov she 's just a girl. All I was saying is tha .... '' But the eternal sleep of his Bible were lost upon Harry, for beneath the vise of the colored strong-armer was the boyish typeface of Ludo Bagman.
* * * * *


Kenneth Bothan 's head shot up, while Tonks ran forward, wrapping a protective arm around Emily. The light umbrella lay forgotten, spinning in homocentric rotary upon the pebbled flat coat, a toy of the billowing wind.

'' Kenneth we should leave ! '' She cried, hoisting Emily into her arms.

Her barely concealed urging rang true within the President 's ears, for he was already sprinting back to where they stood.

He was a man who understood the cosmos 's dangers.

Emily squirmed, her auburn head following her Father 's progress towards them. `` Daddy, your knees are all muddy. '' She scolded seriously.

Kenneth smiled grimly, his jaw set. `` I can take her. ''

Tonks nodded, relinquishing the female child to withdraw her wand. The ever-increasing chill was closing in. It would n't be long ...

'' What 's going on ? '' Kenneth asked urgently.

'' No prison term to explain. '' She responded, taking off down the path. She could get a line Kenneth 's heavy footfalls behind her, splashing in the muddied water.

They rounded the bend in the pathway, the heavy grove of trees falling away to divulge the drab lot. The car, their relief valve, was in sight, yet heavy desperation drenched her soul.

Nymphadora 's feet slid in the gravely mud, and she came to a halt, throwing out an arm out to hold back what was left of the Bothan family.

It was right then that piddling Emily Bothan began to whimper.

Kenneth 's drear oculus quickly blinked away water. `` Tonks what 's thi ... ''

'' Daddy we need to run. Please daddy run. '' Emily was pleading hysterically, her face buried into Kenneth 's shoulder.

Staring ahead at the looming design, Tonks could only rock her caput.

'' I do n't think we have time to run. ``
* * * * *


'' YOU ! ''

Ludo Bagman 's blueish eyes turned on him, a delight grin replacing his previously perplexed one. `` Ah ... Harry boy. I was wondering when you 'd hail around. ``

Dolohov scoffed. `` Precious Potter indeed. enjoin me ceramicist, how was your wittle nappy ? ``

'' So narrate me Harry, '' Ludo interjected, seeming determined to steer the conversation his way. `` How throw things been ? ''

'' Yes wittle Potter. How cause thing been without that mangy old dog of yours ? ``

'' Antonin .... '' Ludo sounded distinctly uncomfortable.

In the remote background he could hear Neville 's choked stuttering.

'' H-how have they been ? '' Harry repeated, dumbfounded. How have they been ! ?

'' Not too skilful Mr. commercial traveler. '' Luna 's misty voice drifted out, answering for him as he gaped like a Pisces the Fishes. `` Harry 's been having a rough yr, as you can see. ``

A pitiless snort came from Dolhov 's direction.

'' He lost his godfather, and with people such as yourself switching incline and betraying him, I trust you can see why. '' Luna continued casually.

travelling salesman was suddenly refilling his drink.

'' After all, Harry does n't want anyone else to die, and when citizenry he trusts start killing hoi polloi ... ''

Bagman 's glass stopped halfway to his lips, eyes widening defensively. It was a consequence before his equanimity returned.

'' Now I 've never actually killed anyone per say misfire .... ''

'' Lovegood. '' She supplied.

'' Lovegood. '' He continued. `` It 's just that .... ''

A strange calmness had overtaken him, the tenuous shaking of his own hands lost upon him. `` It 's just that your message with allowing others to do it for you. '' He said disdainfully. `` Your depicted object with being a coward, with siding with what is easy rather than what is powerful. ``

Bagman eyed him apprehensively, swallowing hard. `` Now Harry, you know how the Ministry is. '' He began imploringly. `` They never support anyone but themselves ... ''

'' At least they do n't toss off anyone ! '' Harry bellowed, arms shaking with suppressed fury.

'' But Harry j-just think about this for a s-second. He-Who-Must-Not ... I mean my Lord .... '' He quickly corrected himself, spying the malevolent look of Dolohov. `` He just desires the Ministry 's downfall. So long as people stay out of his way no one will get hurt. Now I ask you Harry, my boy, is that really so bad ? ``

'' Replacing one dictatorship with another. Sounds legitimate to me. '' He retorted sarcastically.

Besides him Luna nodded favorable reception, her digit drumming against her bindings to some unrecognizable tune.

'' When you disappeared my Hans C. J. Gram was worried about you ! Y-you ... Your .... '' Across the room Neville Longbottom 's part rang out, surprising everyone.

Harry caught a glimpse of Neville 's uncharacteristically contorted face.

It was frightening.

'' Your no better than Bellatrix you slime ! ''

The touching accusation hung thickly in the air, no one speaking. Bagman had become very interested in his potable, shifting uncomfortably under the angry eyes of all save for Dolohov.

For person to turn their spine, on even the Ministry, in favour of Voldemort ...

It was unforgivable.

Drip.

He had nearly forgotten how his own script bled, the light headed feeling out of place for the situation. Fortunately the free stream of crimson life history was slowing, his clotting divisor finally kicking in.

Harry shook his question, ignoring the svelte spin of the earth. `` You were acquitted once bagman. '' He hissed, oculus scanning the way for a way out. `` So secernate me, were you a namby-pamby coward back then too, or just stupid ? ``

Bagamn cringed. `` Harry I was never a Death Eater ! ''

'' But you are now. '' His voice quivered. `` So differentiate me, why 'd you do it ? ''

Dolohov 's smug locution betrayed even his interest in the answer, and Harry was not about to let the Death Eaters distraction go to waste.

Keep them talking ... Keep them distracted ...

His men began roaming across the storey behind him, feeling for another sharp sliver of glass.

'' Well you know Harry, hob, they 're awful commercial enterprise. '' Ludo said, fidgeting. `` You know how they are if they 're after ya and ... ''

Harry did his safe to glare, feigning interest as Ludo 's forehead creased curiously.

'' ejaculate to think of it you probably do n't Harry. But it 's not fun business, goblin debt collectors that is. And since the Ministry was n't about to increase my salary these boy said they 'd be glad to help me out of my jam ... ''

'' That you got yourself into ! '' Neville shouted furiously from across the room.

Bagman eyed Neville warily. `` I can see where you 'd imagine that but ... ''

'' BUT WHAT ! ? '' Neville roared.

Luna inconspicuously sent a broken bottle part sliding his way, his fingerbreadth coiling around it like a snitch.

'' But these Death feeder, they 're not so bad. ``

Harry very nearly dropped the shard, his optic bulging out.

'' Not so bad ? '' He repeated gruffly.

Bagman nodded vigorously. `` No ! Not at all Harry ! In fact their rather ... ''

'' William Tell that ... '' He hissed lowly. `` To my mum and dad. Tell that to Sirius. Tell that to Ron ! ''

An odd expression crossed roadman 's face. `` Now Harry really .... ''

Harry 's sassing parted, accusation dripping as midst as the blood from his spiral fist, only the sound never came.

The cushy audio, and flicker of movement upon the flooring, drew the breathing spell heterosexual person from his lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He breathed softly. He had nearly forgotten ...

'' Ah another one to join the fray ? '' Dolohov called cheerfully, sauntering over to where she lay, partially concealed by an overturn table.

The Death Eater reached her, roughly dragging her squirming manikin up.

'' Ca n't provide you unfreeze to roam around now can we ? '' He hissed, drawing unnaturally close to her.

Harry 's stomach lurched wretchedly as Dolohov 's back talk grazed her parentage stained cheek.

'' After all, ardent humour like you ... ''

'' Get. Your Hands. Off. Her. '' Harry spat dangerously, drawing Dolohov 's aid to him. Anything to get him away from her ... She looked ready to burst ...

The Death feeder regarded him coldly. `` Or you 'll do what exactly ? ``

'' You do n't desire to love. '' He hissed lowly, ceasing the sawing movement upon his bindings. He could n't give to let Dolohov see ....

'' Oh but I do ! '' He said menacingly, a cruel smiling lighting his short heart. `` I 'd very much like to know what Precious ceramist thinks he could do to me. ``

His centre narrowed, a cruel smile of his own crossing his characteristic.

'' I could present you why Voldemort is so afraid of me. '' He whispered threateningly.

The cords winding around Kaylens'articulatio radiocarpea snapped pie-eyed, Dolohov 's tense grip betraying his excitement.

Harry went on, the room swaying unnaturally as he spoke with malicious bill. `` Or you could do yourself a favor Dolohov, and leave. leave behind before you make me really furious. ''

Dolohov shifted uncomfortably, mirroring Bagman 's movements. He took the opportunity to slowly slice at his bindings yet again.

The glass, slickness with his own rip, nearly fell from his grip. Thankfully the mistake was lost upon the last feeder, for Dolohov had chosen that moment to turn Kaylens around, hissing something into her tangled tress furiously.

His carpus rung with the pain, brought about by another eluding of the crank, as Kaylens organic structure was tossed besides him.

His sawing movements halted, his middle drawn to where she lay, panting faintly besides him.

'' There ... `` Dolohov sneered. `` Enjoy your mudblood friends Precious ceramicist. Once our Lord gets here we 'll see how brave you really are. ``

He swallowed hard, watching Kaylens'eyes flicker overt. He wanted to say something, anything ...

He had failed her ...

Hermione 's somebody wrenching tones brought a grimace of care to both their features.

'' Brave ? '' Hermione 's sapless voice chided from where she sat, propped against the rampart. `` You ask him about courageousness ? He 's 16, not even a fully qualified maven, yet you fear him so much as to demilitarise him and attach him. ''

She spat all of this into Dolohov 's approaching grimace, just before his deal reared back, slapping her roughly to the floor.

She let out not a cry, peering upwards through her specialise, swelling optic, just in time to see a sour boot rearing back.

'' Hey Dolohov ! ``

Dolohov 's animal foot froze mid-kick, hate-filled eyes flying towards Neville 's tubby grimace.

'' You do n't want to do that. ''

Dolohov 's thick eyebrows disappeared beneath his mangy hair. `` You presume to club me around boy ? ''

Neville shrugged casually. `` You can contaminate yourself if you want. '' He sounded uncharacteristically Slytherin. `` I did n't realize ill-gotten origin suited a Death Eater. ``

Dolohov laughed roughly, buying Harry more time.

Neville you 're a paragon ...

A bead of salty fret broke unloosen from his brow, rolling into his oral cavity. Setting his jaw he worked, the glass shard digging into his thickly bindings.

Snap.

The shard slid so low, so fast, he nearly cut too recondite, the intimation of painfulness catching fast in his pharynx.

The dressing were looser.

Twisting his hands testingly, he found with the first fiber 's severing had come a greater kitchen stove of movement.

Eyes locked onto Dolohov 's fist, slamming into Neville 's jaw, he twisted his wrists, ignoring the burning sense of dehydrated lesion ripping open. Warm, thick life blood welled from these spotlight, his scabbed over finger's breadth feeling in his cloak ...

They had taken his baton, but Rosmereta 's ... The waitress'...

Polished burnt sienna brushed beneath his rough cutis, Kaylens'aglow oculus meeting his own, comprehension shining within their igneous profundity ...

He could reach the reclusive wands.

He was armed.
* * * * *


'' Cucurbita pepo ... Honey mommy needs you to do mummy a favor. Can you do that love ? ``

She whimpered, her expression buried in her forefather 's rainfall soaked lawsuit. She wanted to look away, but she could n't. The frigidity feeling was there. She could hear her mum, she wanted to see her, to hug her, but she was too frighten away to front away from the safety of her male parent 's arms.

'' Do you escape your mama footling girl ? Would you like to see her ? ``

Emily squeezed her eyes harder, volition the representative away. `` It 's not mummy ... '' She whispered. `` I ca n't see mummy ... ''

Ah, ah, ah, ah ... picayune darling your mama is busy now. Ca n't you see that ? ``

She shook her headspring frantically, squeezing her dad 's neck. `` No ... No .... ''

'' Open your optic you little cunt ! ``

The cruel madam 's dark eyes danced in her mind. She did n't want to see the peeress again. She did n't want to.

'' Daddy ... '' She whimpered frightfully.

'' No not daddy. Mummy ! You wanted to see her little brat, so here, LOOK ! ''

papa would give his eyes ... He would. He was n't afraid of anything. Maybe if she opened her eyes the lady would go away again.

Emily swallowed, counting firmly to ten.

'' Please mum ... ''

Emily 's watery eyes opened, a dark suit coat staring back.

Mummy needed up. She needed air. The miserly man was there again, shoving her human face into the puddle. Her mummy did n't like water.

Emily cried out, screeching, shaking her nous back and forth, throwing the effigy away. She wanted them to go. Her damp, rain-soaked braid flung into her father 's face as she shook, but she did not notice.

'' Kenneth drive Emily and go. ``

'' Tonks what 's ... ''

'' You ca n't see them Kenneth, but they 're there. ``

'' No ... '' Her own whimper rang in her ears, her icy hands shaking her mum. whey was n't momma waking ? She had to ... `` No ... ''

'' Tonksie ! '' Had she shouted ? Could the nice lady see her ?

'' Kenneth get to the car. crusade away. ``

'' Tonks I ca n't leave ... ''

'' I 'll be finely. Just go. NOW ! ``

Emily 's reeling worldly concern reeled more, for her father had taken off at fast dash, splashing water over her ramification.

In the dim background, somewhere beyond her mother 's screaming, she could find out the nice lady shouting something.

Her humankind dimmed away as a silvery dog ran past.

Mummy always liked dogs ...
* * * * *


Releasing the wand for what he promised would be merely import, he continued sawing at his book binding, slowly, rhythmically, trying to gain wanted centimeters of mobility ...

He was armed, and the realization had numbed him, his next move horribly elusive.

With the rhythmic sawing of the fragment, his mind fell curiously blank for the first prison term in what felt millennia.

His gaze fell upon her as she moved, shoving herself up from where she lay on the floor, arms shaking fiercely, be it from shock or the painful sensation he knew she daily bore, he did not know.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered softly, grasping for something, anything familiar in the repulsion that was his life.

She fell into property besides him, so close, her bloodied sleeve nearly brushing against his hide. She was blocking Dolohov 's view of what he was doing, he knew it without even asking, for her eyes swept the elbow room as those of the hunted would.

She was being as cautious as him, despite the slight rock to her stature.

Snap.

Another thread of the rope broke free, it 's release masked by her sudden, purposeful coughing.

Her question fell forward, her cough lingering long enough to seem genuine, and her golden, drag locks came cascading down, falling over her oculus, veiling her expression from all but him. To his eyes each shimmering string, glinting in the dull good afternoon glow, as well as her watery globe, remained visible, as well as her bound wrists, tweed and pull from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for going in Dolohov 's arms.

The mongrel would never again lay a digit upon her.

He would never again lay a finger upon anyone.

Harry Potter had a few dark spells he was quite eager to try out.

Snap.

'' How much longer do you conceive it 'll be till he finishes questioning the settlement Antonin ? ``

Dolohov sneered. `` Ludovic you are trying my patience as much as the half-blood and these ... '' The moody gaze of the man scanned the room, taking in the few conscious scholar and the two patrons bound and lined against the walls. `` These spare. ``

'' But what if the ministry .... ''

Dolohov kicked the base, sending shatter glass skittering across doyen 's fallen form. `` We will be here and gone before those fools catch breaking wind of this. Besides, these thing are soft topic ... ''

Questioning ? His auricle listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the same, while Luna shifted the methamphetamine shards on the floor around with her feet.

Bagman seemed besides himself with questions. Harry mentally egged him on to be loose lipped.

'' Perhaps we could bedaze them all and read them back ourselves ? ``

Dolohov scowled in his direction. `` He will not be needing all of them. And you would do well to keep on your back talk shut from now on or I will shut it for you. ``

The give-and-take ended.

It was then that he heard it.

'' You ... ''

Only he had heard her whisper accusal, for it could be nothing else. The sheer repugnance in that one, whispered word left nothing to question.

Her heart had moved from Dolohov, drifting into the background beyond, limpid ardor boiling beyond their profoundness. Lifting his own he followed her gaze to where Ludo traveling salesman stood, pouring himself another fidgety drink.

He turned his discombobulation upon her, noticing her chest 's rhythmic rising as her hint came quicker, deeply, faster ...

Golden centre flickered shut, a trouble formula falling across her.

'' How sorry were you ? '' She breathed to herself, only barely, for the hate saturating her mild tones was not lost upon him.

It was chilling.

His own stewing pedigree froze as he studied her, taking advantage of the lull in activities.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered, almost pleadingly.

Her hateful regard burned right through him, straight to Bagman.

'' Kaylens please ... ''

Her eyes fell shut, her fists opening and closing on slim down air. `` You 're bleeding Potter, are you alright ? '' She whispered shakily.

Gently brushing his arm against her own, he waited for some sign that she was alright.

minutes passed, before soft palpebra flickered open, her centre alight with an aberrant glow.

'' good. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only kick in you a here and now. ``

His mouth flapped wordlessly, shocked at the transformation before him.

Where his cutis lightly touched her own, an unnatural tingling had begun.
* * * * *


The energy reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passing before she was able to forcibly absorb away.

His confusion radiated in startling quantities, but he would infer soon enough.

They would all empathize ...

She would not stray near him again, for her world was moving unnaturally slow, as if the events occurring around her were illusive, flutter images from ugly dreams that would surely fly with a waft of merciful consciousness.

Only no such merciful zephyr came.

Her saltation hands rose from her lap, tracing the tender subscriber line of her jaw, feeling her cooling skin. Somewhere, amidst the fighting, she had fallen, shoved away by Dean. The desiccated vilification of blood along her nerve gave evidence to that.

She could feel the heat radiating from Dean 's hobble form.

He was alive ...

Hermione ...

The small girl 's fingers had curled around fallen glob of her bloodied, uprooted hair, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to declare onto, something solid and tangible to establish the afflictions had been real.

They had ...

Her eye fell willfully shut once more, immersing herself in the peaceful oblivion of shadow, where no monster save her own reigned.

The memories of a revive dark, long due revenge, beckoned.

A hobble hand lay splayed across the front corridor ... origin trickling onto the wooden porch boards ...

'' God forgive me ... '' She breathed, the tangible chill filling her lungs.

She had made her decision.

The chilling rainfall pelted down, something dark admixture with the muddy water supply licking at her nose ...

The tingle began softly, like a visible radiation plume playing across her hide, traversing it 's way upwards, inwards ...

It was their blood swirling within the puddle ... .Sean 's blank eyes staring back ...

It was rolling in discrete waves, operating by it 's own indiscernible regulation, pulsating from the living, evaporating from the dead.

A boylike expression appeared above her, fellow feeling in his oceanic eyes. `` I 'm awfully sorry about this kid ... ''

His part had echoed through that dark, and again this day.

He had stood idly by once, and was again.

She squeezed her center shut ever loaded, involuntarily thrill traveling through her, the foolhardy pressure in the very air building, pulsating in uncontrolled wave outwards.

The humans was taking on a hotter quality, every nerve burning with fiery intensity as she began reaching, feeling ...

The acrid presence of Ludovic roadman filled her, and she began drawing.

Her intent was to kill.



A/N : Please forgive the author 's note, but I believe a proper thank you is in rescript.

Thank you for making this story the act One pet account on the website, for making me the Number One Favorite author on the site, for making this the 7th most read story in the site 's history when it has been out for to a lesser extent than a class, and for making this the story with the Most review article Ever.

I honestly ca n't express how floor I was to see that. I truly finger that I do not deserve such an honor, because having read many of the other account on this situation, I feel that my writing pale in equivalence to the wealthiness of gift displayed by others such as njill22, Edward II Ollivander, The Dark Lord Nedved, KawaiiAce2003, IchigoPan, reddish blue Gryfindor, Timeturner, BitterEpiphany, Ginny Weasely, Arios, Cocoapuffshooter, Winky, and too many others to name.

I have the best lecturer in the world. I truly do.


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