'' The ad-lib law of triage is knowing when nothing else can be done, and actually accepting that. ''
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 24 ~ The blackness syndicate


Irish capital, Ireland. universe in overindulgence of 450,000 Muggles, 1,240 crone and virtuoso, and 451,240 innocents.

Since mediaeval time the locale had served as the working capital of the free standing republic. The Black person kitty, or so the Britishism had stated. Now the sweep of Din Land it rested upon stood as one of the most populated pockets of isolation upon the earth.

An island.

5.8 million Muggles in the Republic of Ireland alone, another 1.7 million in Northern Republic of Ireland, and upon the entire United land land mass, 4,694 being of magical bloodline.

The island contained the large percentage of charming organism per head of any place on dry land.

It could soon moderate the lowest.

At the mouth of the River Liffey, the bustling Joseph Black Pool of Department of Commerce lay in wait, as did a woman clad in the disgusting bench vise of Muggle apparel.

The rain had let up considerably in comparison to the too soon dayspring pelting, yet the abrasive drizzle did nada to mar the once striking stunner as she stood alone upon the Lucan bridge, dark hair flowing in the idle words like a sail born of the Renaissance.

In trueness, had one possessing the skill sat to immortalize her countenance, it would have born striking law of similarity to a painting that had once hung century earlier upon the inlaid wall of Sarsfield castle.

The only dissimilarity between the canvas lay in the hour detail of the subjects'hands, her picket, elegant fingers gently uncorking a exonerated phial, tilting it 's contents over the antediluvian brick viaduct until they churned upon the wind disturbed water below.

As the woman disappeared, seemingly without a ghost to the heart of Muggle passersby, the beginnings of the curse began filtering into the water system of downtown capital of Ireland.

The Joseph Black syndicate would soon reawaken a Shirley Temple Plague.
* * * * *


lovemaking.

Because of it cities have been erected, and fallen. dwelling house have been made, and broken. bare mortals have been resurrected, and forgotten.

It holds the capableness of silencing the strong, immortalizing the imperfect, dashing the dearest of dreaming and destroying the darkest of fears. It 's sheer superpower is unfathomable, and it is due to this overwhelming emotion that the human spirit is capable of being broken.

For one raven haired man, the pressure born of hatred and preserved by his dearest was upon him as it had never before been. The blank, deadened oculus of Seamus Finnigan haunting him even as he breathed in the reassure presence of the young girl clutched in his arms, his face turned from the humankind to forget against her hide, his alone respite from the cruel reality that was his Hell, and life.

It has been said that it is only strength of character that separates the weak from the strong, for their ability to cast feeling, bond, and love aside… Therein rests their unbendable ability to do what must be done, in the darkest of times.

Wordlessly the girl had taken him by the mitt, silently leading him through the thick coppices and bramble, disregarding the way the coarse briar tore her peel, snaring her clothing. Her silhouette seemed incapable of feeling, and the young man 's enviousness of her accomplishment was thickening, for each thorny prick dragging across his peel sung the guilty conscience he felt, crying for his intervention in what they had left behind in Hogsmeade with the tug of a portkey.

The man felt guilty of abandonment, and murder. Though in his heart, he knew which was worse.

The young man had been forced to leave his friends in the rapidly growing battle soil, for Voldemort 's evil had reared again, and again he had come out upon the lesser side of meat, trapped as he was in the darken timberland, incapable of helping anyone.

How was this pitiful necromancer supposed to overcome the benighted of them ?

It has also been said that strength of character is best not determined by one 's indifference, by their power to distance themselves from the situation at bridge player, but by their power to feel the pleas of the weak as if they were their own encumbrance. For it is in these individuals that the rarest of soulfulness are found, for the few who walk upon the earth with burdened and broken psyche are often the most open of loving, and saving the rest of us.

His footsteps were sinking into the tone down earth, following in the daughter 's caterpillar track as they pushed their way through the thicket, stumbling into a belittled moonlit clearing, a murky pool of water collecting near its edge.

It was perhaps the deplorable, and savage of sarcasm, that the two brave soul standing torn and battered, bathed in the dismal hue of moonshine filtering between the Nox sky 's mottled swarm, were the everlasting exemplifications of both sides of the spectrum.

Both had been through pit itself, and survived, yet only one had come out fully able of loving, despite the world crashing around him.

The other was still learning, and it would perhaps be the break of the former besides her that would finally teach her how to again, care without restraint.
* * * * *


October 31st, Allhallows Eve, 1996.

It would forever stand as the day of opprobrium, as the night when Aurors had fallen upon the Town in striking power, scattering Death eater to the far flung recess of the earth, to wherever their alcoves of safety lay, leaving the scarcely varnished Village under the legal power of the Ministry.

There was much to sort out.

It had taken so long for them to reach it 's dweller, for Hogsmeade had not been the solely townsfolk to fall under attack this day. And being the only all wizarding village in England, the Aurors had came to it 's aid finis, for Muggle surface area had few defence, while the citizens of Hogsmeade had at least been armed.

Unlike the innocent Muggles who had been found, lifelessly sprawled upon metropolis streets, magical beings had held the power to campaign back.

And fight they had. As the Aurors had spilled forth from the wood the villagers had risen up, only for those drabbed in the mug of sin to go away as quickly as they had come.

No others had been capable to conquer the anti-apparation wards that had been erected, but the Death Eaters had found a way.

Throughout the UK, from Dundee to capital of Northern Ireland, from Diagon Alley to capital of Ireland 's Aingingein Marketplace, from the Orkney islands above Scotland to the townsfolk bordering the English Channel, magical recesses of base and being, pocket-sized pockets of isolated base and wizards, and situation of commerce had been taken over.

They had all been targeted, held captive until night had fallen, and each surviving being of magical descent present professed to have felt the same effect. A cold, spoiled than Death quickening of the rakehell that had seeped into their very souls, raising the shackles of animals and hair's-breadth of humans, eliciting the screaming of owls and yell of nestling had fallen just at dusk, and for those present the time falling immediately after, as towns had risen up in defense reaction, fighting back as the Death Eaters fled and Aurors arrived, it would be remembered as the prison term of muteness.

Something had happened that day, for the decease Eaters had swarmed into the settlement and private rest home, avoiding only the Muggle public, and killing only those Muggles who strayed in their way, and the few wizards and Wiccan who had persistently fought back before the arrival of the Aurors.

thirty four dead, one hundred and sixty injured, and that was in England alone.

Most had been Muggles that had strayed in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Seamus Finnigan had been amongst the fallen, the only innocent to have died in Hogsmeade, killed by the killing hex erupting from the Imperioused wand of Ginerva mollie Weasley.

Ginny Weasley now lay, near catatonic with the sorrow of her activity, with the noesis of her unwillingly dealt sins, in the infirmary wing of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry.

She had been able to fight strongly enough to save her brother from the killing torment she had fired upon him, but she had not been warm enough to carry through her boyfriend.

It was a thought that would haunt her for the balance of her animation, and while she remained silently mute under the care of Pomfrey, James Dean Saint Thomas sat upon the inhuman corridors of the infirmary offstage 's vestibule.

The dissonance of the mansion was deafening, reverberating with the frenetic step and replication of frenetic parents unable to situate their children. Very few had taken credence to Dumbledore 's assurances that there were only three tiddler within the hospital wing, two of whom dean treasured above life itself.

He hardly felt the infliction as another large Father trampled upon his foot, and he pulled his ramification closer to his chest, wishing to sink into the wall for all he was worth.

Seamus was gone ...

Ginny was no longer oral presentation ...

Kalliandra, Harry, and Hermione were missing ....

And no one was letting on what had happened to Ron ....
Silently tears of shame poured from his oculus, the newly appointed Gryffindor beater finally succumbing to the overpowering emotions.

It was then that the sandy haired mother of Seamus stumbled into the hall, nearly knocking Luna Lovegood to the floor, her blunt heart remarkably interchangeable to how Ginny 's had been when he had found her, crumbled and shaking besides Professor Tres'unconscious build in the kitchen of Madam Puddifoots.

Pressing his forehead to his bent grass up stifle, ignominy dealt it 's final blow, for he now knew the truth.

He was going to hell, if this was not already it.
* * * * *


Somewhere, deep in the forest, Harry calmly observed the sky. The fall leaves struck a stark contrast to the night 's gloomy backdrop, and mystifying gray clouds blotted out all semblance of starlight, write for the few dogged pinpoint and the splinter of moonshine fighting their way through the mottled mess.

It was exquisite.

Though no sum of money of smasher, nor staring, could drive the disturbing thoughts from his creative thinker for long, and with a give up sigh he knelt before the small pool, his articulatio genus sinking into the weaken earthly concern besides Kaylens.

'' Are you okay ? ``

He heard her words, yet failed to respond. Instead his eyes remained glued to the fluctuation important person upon the body of water 's surface. Staring back at him were the accusatory fag eyes of one whose have intercourse I were either gone, or in peril. The man in the reflection was one he did not recognize, for it was a man who had killed without rue, and who would do it again.

The inky-black ignominious image was revealing how he had become all he had once abhorred, and it was a thought for which he was ill prepare.

Never looking up, he finally spoke.

'' No. ``

His cupped bridge player plunged into the bounce, scattering the damnable reflectivity from its surface, rippling the smoke extending near the other embankment.

A long fourth dimension passed, the sound of ignitor splashing besides him mingling with sound of the night, as they both rubbed the blood from their hands in the icy water supply.

Upon its inky surface his reddened rip swirled, pooling from his reopening lesion. Though the pain was something that could not achieve him, numbed as his gage were from the hypothermic waters.

It was the feeling of her hands carefully wrapping around his own, that finally pulled him from his near cataleptic state. His centre rose from the piss he had hoped to drown within, falling to rest upon her cool it countenance.

Her crystalline eyes held his, concern flickering in the dull Moon.

'' We need to do something about this. '' She whispered, her intimation crystallisation upon the cooling air.

There was no doubting what she meant, for his hands were pained at her mere soupcon, intertwined as they were with her moth-eaten ones, beneath the dense spring 's surface. He reveled in that muteness, grimacing only as she forcibly withdrew his hands from the mercifully numbing water system. The harsh stinging of the cool night air sent pinpricks of pain shooting through his lesion, burning his arms in a way contradictory to the eve 's breeze.

The bare tincture of disquiet lingered upon her cooperative human face, for she was studying the gashes along his calloused hands, the ones he had received as he fought to cut the bonds binding them within Rosmereta 's small pub.

That belittled pub now held some of the most of import people in his life-time, and he had never felt farther from it.

The astute speech sound of cloth ripping catapulted him from the ill fated route his thoughts were traveling upon, and where his script had just been, enclosed in her own, now lay a striptease of shredded cloth. She had torn a tag end of cloth, from his cloak, and was wrapping it tightly around his medal, winding it up and over his carpus where the deepest of lesion stretched.

Cringing he did not impede her concentrated progress, though his part betrayed his skepticism. `` Do you know what your doing ? ``

Sparing not a word, the utmost strip was tugged tightly in space. With a satisfied sigh she tilted her head to the slope, a singular expression befalling her. `` Well… '' She replied faintly, her cold ovolo tracing along his skin around the stopgap bandaging. `` You 'd amend Hope so. ``

He scowled at her, flexing his carpus testingly. The movements were stiff, but would suffice.

'' Not bad… '' He muttered, glancing at his lacerated arm. `` Just had to destroy my cloak did n't you ? ''

'' Hmph. ``

She offered no further reply, lazily trailing her hired hand within the cool Ethel Waters once again, her eyes falling shut.

Unconsciously his eyes were drawn to her, following her hands casual progress upon the glistening water, and for the first time he noticed the ambling play of legerdemain before him, for her digit were playing lithely across the urine 's dark aerofoil, a dull freshness radiating at the door where the atmospheric static open finally broke, allowing her fingers entree, rose up from its depths.

He regarded the interplay, a slow curio rising as dapple of conjuring trick trailed beneath her hands, coloring the get off swellings she was creating. wavelet, swelling out in successive gang, bore the sparkling only a light slipway before the twinkle tumbling within the waters faded away.

And it was not for the first metre, nor for the last, that he again realized how picayune he still knew about the magical earthly concern.

He leaned towards her, curiosity crossing his features, for how could the girl who could not incant perform the show before him ? His interrogation rolled from his lips quietly, and though her cheek remained averted from his, her reflection upon the rippling water betrayed her deliquium smile.

'' What are you doing ? '' Was what he had whispered, steadying himself with one hired man upon the dew stained grass.

Her hairsbreadth fell loose from behind her articulatio humeri, tumbling to obliterate her face. `` You know… '' She replied softly, `` I 'm not entirely sure. ``

'' Experimental magic ? And you call me reckless ? ''

'' Well… '' She whispered, her reflection smiling, `` Insane is probably a skillful term. ``

'' A pity then. '' He quipped lowly, looking across the water, its very surface vibrating with life-time. `` For we 're trapped in the woods without a semblance of sanity between us. ``

She murmured in agreement, withdrawing her finger from the water, flicking the clean-cut droplets from them in his direction.

His grunt of protestation was ignored, for her watchful oculus had flickered out across the rippling water, gazing searchingly into the dim forest. And for the thousandth time since their first encounter, he wondered if she could see thing he could not.

As if in reaction to his sentiment, a light furrow creased her forehead, barely discernible as the clouds moved to obscure the cool Moon, throwing shadows across her sanction. And as a easy breeze sent the reeds protruding from the embankment swaying, her demeanor stiffened, her berm relaxing only with the cessation of the plants'hypnotic motion.

'' Jittery ? ``

His question was met not with the expected disdain, but with something else.

'' Yes. '' She whispered darkly.

Her inhuman intonations were disturbing, and his eyes joined hers in sweeping the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree line for any star sign of malevolence. Yet just as before, when he had checked upon their comer, there was none to be found.

A thought occurred to him, and finally after the current of air had risen in volume, sending the reed tips tilting so as to dip into the pond 's surface, he spoke it aloud.

'' Are you familiar with embrasure keystone ? ''

She turned a questioning reflection to him, her hair scattering like a feathery halo about her face in the blustery snap. Such was the mental disturbance of her thick mane that he could not tell whether she nodded yes or no until it had died down.

Only then did it occur to him that the object of their very displacement reaction could also be the object of their delivery. His handwriting scrambled in the deep plication of his wooden-headed cloak for the Kunnskap, and finally he dumped it upon the cold earthy mud, taking care to never leave it 's dulled golden chain to touch his flesh.

Kaylens eyes filled with agreement, `` It 's how we got here. ``

He nodded, reaching for her bridge player with his bind one. Though when his fell atop hers, she did not take it.

His eyes caught hers, `` Trust me. '' He whispered.

Steadily the hesitation within her eyes vanished, and slowly she turned her script around, allowing his fingers to intertwine with hers. Squeezing her hand as gently as his circumscribe mobility allowed, he guided her to the Kunnskap with him.

'' make it with me. ``

His oculus having never left hers, he saw that she understood his import, for the Kunnskap had been their portkey there, and had it been somehow re-activated, they could take it back to Hogsmeade together with a dim-witted touch of their fingers to its surface.

He absolved to never leave her alone, not anywhere, not ever again.

With baited intimation they touched the chain.

Nothing.

Sharing a half disappointed, one-half relieved smile, they exhaled the breather they had both been holding.

As he re-gathered the chain in his hired man, she was the first to break the impenetrable silence.

'' Your portkey does n't seem to be working. ``

He cast her an irritable glance, examining the runes carved into the pensieve 's vial. Unsurprisingly, not one delineation cast a tittle of light onto the place at hand. Maybe, just maybe, he would take Hermione up on her offer to teach him antediluvian rune when they returned.

'' It must be conditional, '' He finally decided. `` It 's the entirely solution. ``

At this Kaylens'supercilium creased critically, and he explained further.

'' You know how most port keys are touch sensitive, taking people back and forth between two places ? ``

Her head bobbed lightly, another coldness gust sending her hair's-breadth awry. This clock time she did not bother fighting with it, and let it lie as it fell.

He fought back a small-scale smiling as her nose wrinkled, her yearn strands clearly tickling it. `` Well… '' He continued, `` A conditional interface key only activates under certain circumstances. You can be touching it, but it wo n't take you anywhere because its 'condition'is not met. '' He glanced down at the vial, slipping it into his cloak once again. `` Dumbledore made this for me, so I 'm guessing it activates when the wearer is in mortal peri… ''

Mortal peril…

He trailed off, not realizing the facial expression that had befallen his face until Kaylens concerned words drew him back to the stage, away from the snarling teeth and growls of Hogsmeade 's rachis alley.

He had not known until that day, until he had felt the telling tug behind his navel, that the Kunnskap doubled in purpose, and his lapse of Dumbledore 's secretive method of ensuring his own protective covering could stimulate very well toll Kaylens her life history.

She was saying his name, yet he barely heard. For how could his animation, his very existence, be worth the endangerment to others that it brought with it ?

His mouth went dry, and a cold, faze feeling spread through him. Forcing his eyes to rear to hers, he saw the disarray swirling within them.

'' Kaylens…I didn't…. '' He was suddenly avoiding her oculus, the shame of his inadvertence darkening his features. `` I swear I did n't know… ''

The inexplicable urge to drown himself within the unfeeling pond took precedence, but the urge was driven from his mind by her hand reaching for his.

He found himself staring at the dorsum of her smooth out hired man lying atop his, and it was some time before his oculus darted to behold her.

She was smiling. In fact, she seemed to be laughing.

'' It 's okay, '' She whispered, voice tinged with amusement. `` I know you were n't trying to leave me to fend off the wolves myself. ``

And despite her feel, he felt himself pale.

'' But if I had… If it had n't snapped and you had not been holding on I wou… ''

She was positively clamping upon her lower lip, `` Now who 's the one stuttering ? '' She intoned, shaking with light laughter.

He merely stared, feeling her finger's breadth slipping between his own, willingly interlocking, yet he was not daring enough to look.

'' Kaylens… '' He murmured, eyes closing in painful sensation. `` This has been a tragedy. ``

'' It could get been big. '' She whispered, the irony of her quarrel mocking the disaster they had lived through.

And then it happened. Everything he had been fighting back suddenly came swimming frighteningly close to the aerofoil, and the brief thought of whether or not she truly meant it flashed through his mind.

'' It could have been worse. ``

Hogsmeade had been taken, doyen could be dying, Hermione was injured, and the others like innocent Ginny Weasley, the sister he grew to get, were under the Imperious.

And then there was Seamus…

She knew about all of this, yet could sit there and say that.

Harry 's icy super C eyes flew open, narrowing onto her. `` How…how can you possibly say that ? ''

Unapologetically she held his regard, her expression falling. `` Because it 's the true statement. ''

He swallowed, every fiber of his being disagreeing with each of her emit syllables.

'' Seamus is perfectly, '' He finally whispered, regaining control condition. `` We abandoned the others. We failed them. Or did you blank out tha… ''

'' No we did n't. ``

He stared, ineffectual to harmonise the rising grief and guilt that had swept upon him as suddenly as a tidal wave, with her professions.

'' We failed. ``

She shook her head slowly, jaw setting determinedly in acknowledgement of his repeat.

'' No Potter, '' She countered. `` Luna and Weasley needed a distraction, and that 's exactly what we gave them. All we can do now is hope they took advantage of it. If we had not done that then we would have failed them. ``

Lifeless amobarbital sodium eyes…

'' What if it wasn't enough ? ``

Her centre flickered searchingly across his face, her supercilium creasing concernedly. `` Do you really have that trivial faith in them ? ''

Her voice was as serious as he had ever heard it, and as gentle, yet the bitterness could not be kept from his voice as he pulled his hand from hers.

'' I do n't know anymore. '' He whispered gruffly, not knowing which was bad : The harm expression upon her face, or the knowledge that he actually believed his Holy Scripture, for he did not give faith in his friends.

At least not when it came to their dodging of corporal harm. The department of Mysteries had proven that a good deal, for they had fought bravely, yet their ineptness… Both had fallen almost immediately, first Ron, and then Hermione.

And Kaylens… Just for being near him, just for helping him, just as Ron and Hermione always had, she had nearly been killed.

'' I 'm of no sound to anyone. '' He realized somberly, vocalizing his thoughts. `` Not to anyone. Not to Ron, not to Hermione, not to Seamus, not to… ''

'' What ? ``

Failing to catch this his insensible vocalisation of self-loathing continued, unheard to his own spike, yet perfectly assoil to the girl besides him.

'' How dare you. ``

This fourth dimension he heard her, her vocalization vibrating dangerously, his eyes instantly flying to her wild reflection.

trench within her eyes something frightening was stirring.

'' How dare you say that, '' She breathed quietly, her left hired man shaking ever so slightly.

This quivering was her only mansion of emotion, for her girdle smell was perhaps colder than her sweep up expression.

'' In case you did n't notice Potter, you are worth something, '' She whispered in prolongation. `` Because if it was n't for you your champion would have never made it out of Hogsmeade, and not only that… ''

She stood abruptly, brushing her hands on her jean furiously, glowering down with cool down intensity.

'' If it was n't for you I would be dead right now Potter. But perhaps I do n't count. '' Her igneous eyes burned a searching trail across him. `` Not to you at least. ``

Her last words were the coldest of all, and the absence of her hand, no longer within the confines of his own, struck him in a way he was ill equipped to explain.

He had willfully pulled his handwriting from hers in anger.

Scrambling to his feet he closed the length between them, catching her around the arm before she could pretend it any boost. She struggled, her icy glare fixated furiously upon him, freezing him to the core, yet it did not stop him from pulling her to him and holding on.

He did not let go, wrapping his munition tightly around her form, stroking her hair until she stopped struggling.

'' I 'm sorry… '' He whispered constrictedly, `` I swear to God I 'm sorry… ''

She uttered not a speech sound, dropping her human face against his shoulder, allowing his to entomb within her hair. He only pulled her closer, affectionateness sinking through him as her men burrowed beneath his robes, snaking around his midsection to hold him back.

'' I never meant for you to think ... '' He swallowed, breathing deeply as he whispered into her hair. `` To intend I did n't care Kay… ''

'' Dam n't Potter… '' She interrupted harshly, her voice barely heard, muffled as it was against his robes. `` Is there anything you do n't blame yourself for ? ``

His throat vibrated oddly. `` Not really, '' He ground out, a hand raising to drag in within her tress. `` Though with good reason… ''

Her figure stiffened, his forehead falling against hers as her human face swiveled to regard him. Instinctively his weaponry encircled her shivering frame ever tighter, prepared to do anything to prevent her from leaving.

Her glistening centre turned up, both anger and confidence swimming contradictorily within them. `` Potter… '' She whispered, `` No good reason exists here. You did all you could. ''

'' Well… '' He murmured gratingly, `` It 's a subject of opinion… ''

A voiced murmur of disapproval came from behind her closed lips, the changes upon her once poker-faced face startling. Unconsciously his oculus fell shut, his hired hand moving across her back comfortingly. Slowly he breathed her in, clutching her by her sweater, twisting it in the process as an incense sigh escaped her lips.

Against his cutis he felt her eyelashes flickering shut, her warming palms sliding out from beneath his cloak, `` Potter… '' She whispered, rising her hands till they lay categoric against his bureau. `` Sometimes I really detest you. ``

Nodding against her skin, he inhaled deeply, their undecided struggle fading from his judgement. `` You 're in luck… '' He replied, whispering despite their solitude. `` Because the feeling 's mutual. ``

'' I 'm sure… '' She murmured back, aspect upturning as a blustery autumn fart sent her long tress scattering haphazardly between them. His munition pulled her in closer, the loose sides of his robe billowing out and enveloping them both.

For the longsighted clock time they stood there, him shielding her from the shadow'icy claws, her shielding him from regression into the darkness of all he had been partly responsible for for. And for the one-thousandth metre since their paths had first crossed, he found himself listening to her admonishments.

Predominant amongst them was his newly bestowed title, a strained smile crossing his face at the thought.

'' King of Idiocy… '' He murmured, a solitary hand sliding from where he cupped the back of her head, falling to rest along her cheek. `` I ca n't conceive you called me that. ``

The delicate digit lingering upon his chest of drawers curled, capturing the folds of his beer stained robes. `` From my head of vista it 's appointment. ``

A sad chuckle caught in his throat. `` So I 've been told. ``

'' Mrmm… '' She murmured back. `` And I 'm sure it has sunk in as well as that froth you 're covered in. ''

He shook his head, his horn in tousling her pilus further. `` Just remember… '' He growled quietly, `` I owe you. ``

'' Do you ? '' She asked, inclining her read/write head to look questioningly upon him. `` And I thought it was I who owed you. ``

Despite his lack of joy, he found himself smiling. `` You do, I just owe you a drink, and I do n't think the kind in a glass. ``

Her eyes shone with understanding, `` You mean the kind overturned upon my head. ``

'' Just wait… '' He whispered, his lips falling upon her debunk earlobe. `` You 'll sit down in the Great dorm, and when you least suspect it… ''

'' Does it matter that you deserved it ? ``

His throat vibrated lowly. `` And you do n't ? ``

'' Point taken. ``

'' You know… '' He mused aloud, `` You 're awfully concordant tonight. ``

'' well I do n't fancy being strangled by you, '' She replied truthfully, eyeing him with amusement. `` Alone, at night, in the Forbidden Forest… It 'd be quite easy for you to get rid of me. ``

His brow furrowed at her words, a scheming expression befalling him as he pulled away to regard her. `` We 're in the Forbidden Forest ? ``

God he hoped he had misheard.
* * * * *


The doorway of the entrance residence needed goose egg to be thrown open, for in the havoc of parents coming and going, claiming their fry before fleeing, the looming entryway remained fair to middling to all.

Regulus black strode through it, robes billowing ominously in his wake, looking for all the earth as if hell itself could not deter him from his mission.

Only those who looked him in the eye would see the uncertainty that lay beneath the surface.

It was upon the primary staircase that Dumbledore intercepted them, Tonks ushering Emily and a fully recovered Kenneth in movement of her, due to their slightly drugged state.

Muggle repellant charms be damned, she had force them through the wards, for here they would be safe.

The doorway to Dumbledore 's berth slammed shut on an indignant bosom, Regulus wasting not a moment.

'' He 's attacked everywhere has he not ? ``

Dumbledore crossed the elbow room, quickly climbing a small ravel to find a minuscule paper-back book, leather-bound text. `` Of course. ``

Neither of the two men appeared ill at ease with the other 's presence. The imperturbable elder appearing entirely unsurprised by the younger 's sudden restoration to the livelihood.

'' Then his plan remains the Saame as before. ''

'' Indeed… '' Dumbledore replied calmly, descending his perch. `` It 's a shame the Ministry did not listen to the warnings. ``

Tonks cast an askance glimpse the schoolmaster 's way, steadying Emily 's swaying form with a deal. `` You knew this was coming ? ``

'' I had my suspicions, '' Replied the Headmaster, squatting in front of vernal Emily, extending the school text to her. The auburn haired baby took it without a idea.

'' My child… '' Dumbledore requested kindly, `` Would you do an old man the party favor of reading a bit to him ? ``

Emily 's head bobbed gently, opening the leather bounds Bible with automatic motion, and as she began to understand, the clouded look disappeared from her and Kenneth 's oculus, as did their drugged states.

Ignoring Regulus'riled growl, Dumbledore responded to Tonks questioning feel. `` The entirely way to allow Muggles to feel at ease within our curtilage, short of removing the wards, is to read from this book. ``

Tonks merely nodded, while Kenneth blinked confusedly. Emily, however, had already spied a squishy looking arm chair and wasted no time in making a bee line of work for it.

'' If you do n't mind, there is the small-scale topic of a Dark Lord to hang. '' The sneer genus Regulus used paled in comparison to his tone.

Dumbledore merely smiled and pointed Kenneth towards the Saami chair, where the President promptly passed out, his small girl in his lap. It was only then that Dumbledore 's smiling exterior faltered, something far more grave flashing behind his half-moon spectacles.

Tonks remained silent, knowing wide well she would better suffice everyone by listening, for she was in the dark about what was transpiring. She, an Auror, was out of her realm with the discovery of the multiple attacks throughout the U.K., while genus Regulus merely grimaced, as if having long expected such an unpleasantry.

The last remaining heir of the Black family gestured to the sleeping family. `` He 's come after the family before ? ``

Both Tonks and Dumbledore nodded, while Regulus paced.

'' He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named may be a lot of thing, but impulsive is n't one of them, '' Regulus said seriously. `` If he 's attacked them it 's not coincidence, it 's targeting. And I 'm willing to bet it has something to do with his program of eradication. ``

Her heart fluttered uneasily, `` Eradication ? ``

Regulus paused mid-stride, `` Surely your Education was not that bereft of grammar to provide worthy excuse for your loser to understand such a short syllable discussion as eradication ? ``

Her dark heart narrowed in annoyance, her tongue held in chit only by the discipline born of age under the supervision of Kingsley and Mad-Eye 's unloosen wand.

genus Regulus'equally dark eyes left hers duly, his pacing resumed, `` At a time He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named desired merely the obliteration of Muggleborns alone. The cleansing of our globe would take in sufficed, for then he would be free to rule it. ``

Reaching the wall he did an abrupt about-face, continuing undiscouraged upon his heterosexual person path. `` His perspective eventually changed and he came to desire the deaths of both Muggles and Muggleborns, and if his programme remain alike to the game of before, the plot I failed to serve in properly, than today marks the get-go of the infestation. ``

Tonks breathed deeply, `` There has n't been a plague of antecedence here since… ''

'' The Great plague of Jack London in the seventeenth century. ``

All eyes, including the drowsy Emily 's, turned to regard the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black. Though while Emily gently tugged at her dozing father 's arm, mumbling about the delineation man in awe, Regulus glared in annoyance.

'' greeting Grandfather, '' He greeted with considerable sarcasm. `` As always I am fortunate to have never been forced to suffer your condemnable, condescending presence in spirit. ``

Phineas ignored the contumely, choosing to sort out genus Regulus by reminding him that he was his Great-Great-Grandfather, and as such demanded a cracking point of respect.

'' That irritable Harlan F. Stone doorknocker demands respectfulness as well, but that does not mean we fall in it to him. '' Quipped Regulus, his foresightful finger's breadth creating a hollow line along the shelving.

The master 's eyes twinkled at the sound of Crusantheus'protestation from outside the threshold. `` Your mien has charmed everyone within earshot Regulus, I can only go for to take in such congratulations by the end of our meeting as well. I 'm beginning to feel left out. ``

Simultaneously all of the portrait, Tonks, the doorknocker, Fawkes, and a merman sculpture snorted.

Regulus and Phineas surveyed the room with identically critical expressions, glowering at those uncouth enough to snort in their civilized comportment.

'' I 've wasted too many geezerhood abroad to idly resist around and be chortled at. There is again, the issue of a shadow Lord to attend to. ``

Tonks sobered immediately, her oculus fixating upon the tike and man under her protection, the ones Regulus himself was responsible for saving when she had failed.

Her oral fissure formed the password, her passionless clip telling of her sincerity.

'' tell apart me more of this plague, genus Regulus. ``

And that he did, revealing the avowedly reason for his defection from the membership of the destruction eater.

'' Do you commemorate the coordinated plan of attack in my early days master ? ``

'' The 1 just before your disappearing ? ``

lightlessness nodded somberly, `` Yes, only on a smaller graduated table than the ones of today I shall suppose. On that day I was to hand over a vial into the River Thames, spreading the plague throughout the totality of Muggle London. '' The man 's phonation betrayed not a intimation of emotion as he confessed his title, his custody clasped neatly behind his back.

'' It was only raw, '' He continued, `` For He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to organize attacks upon wizarding Village, entrapping the wizarding family within. The guild were to not kill nor harm the denizen unless absolutely necessary, and while the magical folk were trapped he unleashed a spell, a counter bane if you will, one that would grant all those within the ward at the sentence of its casting immunity from the plague. ``

'' Wait…was n't there a risk of the counter curse failing ? '' Another portrayal, one by the public figure of Dilys Derwent, inquired.

Her cousin 's night blaze was do enough.

'' So why risk wiping out the wizarding population of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, his home, when there were other places where he may have tested it ? '' Tonks asked, directing her cousin 's dark gaze from the defenseless portraiture to herself.

Regulus lose weight lip went taunting, `` Nymphadora, you again underestimate him, assuming he places value in purloin concept such as honey and base. '' His eyes narrowed considerably, `` He does not, and what better position to test an experimental vaccine if you will, then upon a populated island. ``

Dilys Derwent 's eyes widened, and Kenneth let out a jolting snore.

'' If the tabulator torment proved ineffective than the simply wizarding community lost would be those of the U.K. '' Dumbledore said sadly, `` A reasonable personnel casualty to one such as Tom, considering his stiff resistance has always been in Britain. ``

genus Regulus nodded somberly, `` If it was uneffective, only a small part of the world 's wizarding population would be lost, yet millions of Muggles would be gone with them. And since it was on an island, isolated from the independent Continent, the probability of it spreading to the early continents would be very slim indeed. ``

Dilys shook her head, `` Not with Muggle transportation. Now-a-days it could spread… ''

'' Quickly, '' genus Regulus supplied. `` There were design to prevent this as well, to exclude down John R. Major Muggle transportation networks until the experiment had run it 's course. However, what those design were, I was not privy to. We were on a need to do it basis. ``

listening to the conversation Tonks breadbasket churned. The cold calculation that must take in gone into an endeavour such as that… The actualisation that mass, who harbored such piddling respect for human life, existed was chilling.

Her parents business relationship of such dark prison term were what had driven her to conjoin the ranks of the Aurors in the world-class place, even if she herself harbored no personal storage of those days.

She had been only seven upon the ides of June, when the towns had been held during the day lit minute for reasons never discovered.

Regulus Joseph Black was now revealing the unrevealed reasoning behind the 24 destruction that had occurred that day. For his job had been to loose the plague that night, once the wizarding residential district had been safely and effectively immunized.

The Plague had never been unleashed, for Regulus Negro, the trustworthy son of a baronial pureblooded kinsperson, had never shown. And now that same son was setting the vial, the Saame vial that he had kept for years in his possession, upon the schoolmaster 's desk.

'' Whatever it does, it was rumored to build the Bubonic pestilence seem like the flu. ''

It would be the deadliest plague to befall the major planet, and according to Regulus, the same plague would have been unleashed under similar circumstances.

Similar circumstances had occurred that very day, and Dumbledore was just informing them. Fawkes disappeared in a perfervid drag of smoke, sent to cite Severus and the just of healers to began examining the deadly content of the vial.

With an ashen fount Tonks took it all in, only one thought resonating within her head.

God assist us.
* * * * *


'' Kaylens ? '' He questioned hesitantly, waiting for some response. Yet she only regarded him quizzically, nodding slowly in response to his question.

They were in the Forbidden Forest, and her with her foolish naivety had not thought once to mention it before now.

They were in the Forbidden Forest…

How in the hell could she have know that ?

His construction instinctively hardened, as did his hired hand upon her, for irregular isolation within a timber was one thing, but closing off within the Forbidden woodland was an entirely different matter.

Eyes sweeping the forest 's menacing tree line defensively, he remained unresponsive to her questioning heart. His lone reaction was the slight loosening of his arms around her manikin as he silently prayed their safety would sustain out.

Unsatisfied, yet helpless to meliorate matters, his weapons system fell to her waist, hands stiffening along her spine. `` Kaylens… '' He whispered lowly, `` Why did you not think to mention this before ? ``

Her dresser rose against his, her slow breath crystallizing on the temperature reduction air.

'' What good would it have done ? '' She whispered back. `` It was n't worth mentioning. ''

Swallowing hard he regarded her through narrowing slits. `` Perhaps I 'm improper, '' He said lowly, `` But when something concerns our rubber I 'd debate it worth mentioning. ''

'' If I had told you before, what would you induce done ? '' She whispered dryly. `` We 're in too inscrutable to risk change of location, especially in the darkness. ``

'' I like the darkness. ``

'' So do arachnoid. ``

His centre narrowed further, `` How could you possibly know about them ? ``

Lifting her chin defiantly she met his gaze, `` Hagrid. ``

He nodded, voice heavily laced with sarcasm, `` And I 'm sure enough he 's in the practice of telling all his students about Aragog. ``

Her formula defied his psychometric test, for her oculus told him she knew exactly of what he spoke as she shook her head. `` No, but I was like him thrower. I ca n't do magic, just like he was forbidden to after his expulsion, so we had something in common… ''

Grinding his teeth to prevent an interjection he listened warily.

'' The solitary thing that saved him was being able to work with the creatures of this forest ceramist, did you know that ? ``

He shook his head disbelievingly, `` You ca n't play around them without a wand, it 's too dangerous. And unlike you he at least had his… ''

'' Umbrella ? '' She whispered shrewdly. `` No. Not at offset. ''

'' And what does this sustain to do with you not telling me where we were before now ? ``

'' Everything, because when I first came here Hagrid showed me how the forest was divided into quarter-circle of each sorcerous species'district. ``

He inclined an eyebrow questioningly, encouraging her to continue.

'' This quadrant is rather near their snuggle. ``

His lineage grew insensate in memory of his final stage experience, hands tightening along her rachis further. `` You still should hold told me, '' He whispered.

She smiled sadly, `` Since when did I have to inform you of everything within my capitulum ? ''

'' Since now. ``

She shrugged impassively, `` I 'm surprised you did n't know. It was your port key that took us here, so I assumed you had known where it had taken us. ``

Exasperatedly his eyes fell shut, chest rising as he inhaled deeply, `` Did I just think telling you Dumbledore made it ? Or did I not already relay that I had no clue that the ampule was a port ke… ''

'' You told me that recently, '' She interjected. `` We were here in silence for hours. How was I to intuitively acknowledge that you were unaware of our positioning before then ? ``

'' You should take said something the irregular I told you I had nothing to do with the port key Kayle ... ''

'' Considering that you were in mid-apology I 'm going to disagree, '' She whispered, leveling her gaze to his. `` It 's not often that one sees the great thrower apologize about anything and I was n't about to disturb that. ``

His hands dropped at her words, for the conversation had turned in a strikingly different direction. She merely took a tone back, regarding him from a good distance with masked eyes.

'' It 's the truth potter. It did n't even occur to me that you were clueless about where we were until a s ago. Before I was busy being concerned that you were actually capable of showing some likeness of human emotion…. '' Her eyes narrowed, tones drowned in sarcasm. `` Asides from anger or suspicion that is. ``

With that she dropped down to the ground, becoming utterly fascinated by the swaying reeds as he was left with zip but her book binding to regard.

This was not how it was supposed to be. She was the one who 's emotions were constantly masked. She was the inhuman one, not him.

By the time he was done telling her that, in not quite succinct time, he was reasonably surely that her reflection would tell on hostile intent towards him.

Though as he moved to bear besides her kneeling form, suddenly the escalation of their argument seemed worthless as he glimpsed her torn expression. Turning away from him, the rachis of her wrists began wiping at her eye.

It was a long time before either again spoke, the simply sound the howling of the wind between the forest 's tree.

'' Kaylens I… ''

'' No… '' She whispered, `` Do n't get at. Just see that some us do not make the luxury to go out our feelings unmasked. ``

Only one Logos came to mind, and he spoke it, ineffective to articulate in any other way his question as to why she had until this very day refused to show any illusion of her rightful ego to him.

'' Why ? ``

Her brain bowed low, the oddment of her long tresses dangling loosely in the rippling water. Finally, a belittled stretch of timeless existence overtaking, she again spoke.

'' If you had the choice between keeping masses safety, or putting commodity people at hazard, what would you do ? ``

Her quarrel were chilling, and he found himself standing still, frozen in that consequence, mettle thudding louder than it ought. Never before had individual uttered the discussion, or given voice to the question that so oft haunted him.

Not in the way she just had.

She turned on the wet sens, her showy orb rising in a define way, betraying all the pain she had until now kept so carefully hidden.

'' How can you let yourself care for others, when it could put down them ? ``
* * * * *


doyen felt empty as he numbly shoved past the Fat ma'am 's portrait. Whether the countersign had fallen from his sassing or not was something he would never know, and something the Fat madam would keep to herself.

'' Neville. ``

He addressed his dorm Ilex paraguariensis in a droning, unable to see the boy in the eye, even as Neville smiled sadly, hauling his trunk down the stairs.

It was well after midnight, the majority of the student already gone, taken away by their families. Those remaining till the adjacent sunup, or indefinitely, as Dean was planning, would already be in their dormitories.

Save for Neville, who 's gram had just arrived to assume him home.

Neville shook his top dog sadly, `` It is n't right-hand. I should n't leave like this. ``

Dean shrugged, walking past him up the flight. `` Then do n't. ``

The other boy paused in his trail, turning and nearly losing his proboscis in the unconscious process. `` It 's not that simple. ``

doyen sighed resignedly, `` It is Neville. Just contract a stand for once. Do n't back down. '' Like I did…

Neville 's expression furrowed anxiously, `` And what happens if she does n't let me ? ''

'' We are at war Mr. Lowell Thomas, and soon you will be forced to choose a side ! ``

A unassailable helping hand stretched out to rest against the common cold rock wall of the tower, and doyen steadied himself from the onslaught of regretful memories.

'' Dean what if she tries to throw me ? ``

'' make your selection ! ``

His construction hardened, paw leaving the wall as he turned to consider his nervous looking dorm fellow, whose neck was craned high to see where he stood higher up upon the stairs.

'' Neville… '' He said seriously, his deeply voice echoing upon the abandon paries of the tugboat. `` No one can take a crap you do anything. Not unless you are too weak to stand up for what you want, '' His centre narrowed dangerously. `` Or for what you think is right-hand. ''

Swiftly he strode down, taking the stairs two at a metre until he was again point with the nervous looking boy.

'' No one can force you to do anything, '' Dean imparted, his dark optic squaring off with Neville 's. `` Not McGonagall. Not Snape. '' His continued, his own internal anger growing. `` Not even Voldemort himself. ''

Leaning in Dean let his dark stare practise into Neville 's light one. `` And especially not your grandmother, '' He whispered fiercely. `` No one can draw you to do something you do not already require to do. So if you think staying here is the rightfield thing, then you better do it, lest you regret it later on. ``

Neville Longbottom looked at him as if he had never before seen him, and gulped apprehensively, for in Dean 's normally congenial eyes there was no compassion.

'' There 's aught worse than looking back and wishing you had done something differently. '' Dean imparted intensely, straightening as a queen cat bounded down from the daughter 's dormitory. `` And I would think that someone who could face down decease feeder, defending himself the way you did back in Hogsmeade, would not be one for backing down. ``

With a finis glance at the cat James Byron Dean trudged up the flight, underworld knack on retrieving Ronald Weasley 's things. How in the hell he was to get Ginny 's was another thing entirely, but the sole affair he really knew, or cared about at that moment, was the satisfactory phone of Neville 's luggage compartment dropping to get abandoned on the stairs.

Later, when dean came out of the dormitory, he would be greeted with an empty green elbow room, Neville 's unrelenting shout of being needed at Hogwarts filling the halls.
* * * * *


inside Harry felt something breaking, for Kalliandra 's word of honor were hitting skinny to nursing home than she could ever realize, for what had haunted him had haunted her.

oceanic abyss in the timber, the impenetrable silence was again shatter by her cheerless voice.

'' Once someone upkeep for you, and I mean truly attention Potter, no amount of resistance will be able to push them away. '' Her haunting watchword fell to the unfeeling ground, her face once again lowered. `` Once you let someone in there really is no going back, and doing that… ''

She paused, Harry 's marrow wrenching at the fruition befalling him.

'' It 's something I can not do. '' She finally whispered, center again falling upon the obscure waters.

In that consequence, the wind stirring the pot around his feet, he realized how abysmally stupid he had been. Kalliandra 's words had never rang truer. And though he felt as if he were missing some inbuilt stage, for how the countersign applied to her he knew not, he did make love how they applied to him.

Ron and Hermione would never impart his side, not ever.

A long time ago they had said there had been a compass point where they could sprain back, and they had not.

Harry Potter suddenly realized when that present moment had been, for both of them.

'' I think I can judge the damage kind for myself thanks. ``

Ron 's face had glowed with acceptance.

'' It was my melodic theme Professor. I went looking for the trolling. I had read about them and thought I could cover it. If Harry and Ron had not come when they did, I 'd probably be dead. ``

A sad grin tugged at his heart, for Hermione Granger, knowing them as nothing early than savage taunting boys, had broken every lesson she had that Hallowe'en night.

And she had done it for them.

The point where he could protect his ally had long since passed. The clip where they could have been kept safe was over, and if he truly wanted them to survive their dependable opportunity would be together, not apart.

He had been a patsy to think otherwise.

center blinking rapidly, he regarded the female child who had brought this to lighter, torn between whether to swim her or embrace her. Though all he could bring himself to do was quietly watch, paralyzed by the sheer thought process of speechmaking when he was only just realizing how minuscule he understood about her.

In that moment he was struck by the intense bother he had failed to before notice. Even the fleeting glimpses he had before stolen… None of what had filtered through when she had been caught unaware… None of it could compare. Not to the sorrowfulness flitting through in every pained creese of her eyebrow, in every trembling breath indrawn, and in every halting gesture.

The rather plain, disheveled girl before him, the one capable of holding so very much in, was suddenly strikingly beautiful.

In a moment of indecisiveness he crossed to her. Gone was the bumble boy who had once been unable to articulate a coherent thought around saddened female person. Now, in the face of necessity, drawn together by circumstance, he found that his business suddenly lay with the only if person he held the big businessman to help.

Kaylens.

Laying a script upon her shoulder, the recognition that her cloak was gone struck him. Once he had removed it, accessing her chest in the bowling alley, he had never re-fastened the clasp.

It had been left behind, and in the rapidly chilling air she had let slip not one complaint.

Despite the stiffening of her shoulders beneath his throbbing decoration, he knelt down, one arm snaking it 's way around her quivering form. horripilation were rising across her neck opening where her tresses had been swept aside, her skin far too poise for his liking.

Lowering his mouth to her ear his breath traced along her hide, his chin falling to catch one's breath on her berm as he spoke.

'' You 're stubborn, missing your cloak, and did not think to say a word, '' He whispered, pulling her against him, trapping her coat of arms against her chest with his own. `` And….you look like Inferno, and I do not figure having you not only irritable but brainsick. ``

'' Like hell… '' She muttered softly, her speech vibrating with her chattering tooth. Casting his eyes to the water he could see her thoughtfulness, and distracted facial expression. `` You should see yourself. ``

'' I 'll let you revel in that torture alone, '' He responded softly, the chilling breeze sweeping the clouds aside once again, revealing the sliver of moon residing there that All Hallows Eve.

Her light strands tickled his face, his center falling shut as he reveled in the unusual sensation, only opening as he felt her bit to regard him.

Before she could speak his helping hand rose, silencing her.

'' Thank you, '' He whispered, watching the choler fade from her eyes. Now only confusion, mingled with balmy surprise, swirled within her impassioned orbs. The crease of her eyebrow was question enough, and he shook his principal, mumbling how it was knockout to excuse, for how could he impart the realizations her single prison term had brought.

Unable to do so, he tightened his arms around her, pulling her to her ft before releasing her. Shrugging out of his cloak he spread it before them upon the coldness earthly concern, earning a puzzled look from where she stood, her own arms now wrapped tightly around herself.

Her lip parted slightly, though her protestation fell silent, for a thick wool blanket now lay where his cloak had been a here and now before.

Pocketing his wand he nodded satisfactorily. `` Transfiguration of Jesus, '' He offered by way of explanation, wrapping it around her shoulders, his paw lingering there. `` If we remain here, we 'll be safe ? ''

Haltingly she nodded, a prosperous twist falling loose from behind her ear, swinging freely in the lightness snap that cast it across her font, her nose crinkling ever so slightly as the twist tickled her nose.

His hand rising to brush it aside, he watched her eyes turn to the wood, studying it with a barely hidden longing.

'' We 're receive here, '' She whispered softly, `` For now at to the lowest degree. ``

And against every ingrained instinct, he trusted her unquestioningly.

'' Then here we 'll outride. ``

Sliding his hired man down her arms, taking her workforce in his, he led her away from the urine and towards a turgid oak with a comfortable looking trunk.

Within minutes a soft, smoke-free fire burned before them, his back to the oak and her resting comfortably against his chest of drawers, his arms encircling her tightly as she pulled the woollen mantle to her chin, covering them both.

Beneath the woolen fabric, where no centre save theirs could see, two hands intertwined around a golden chain, a small ampule carefully clutched between their palms, just in case.



A/N : well-chosen Belated Holidays everyone ! And thanks to IchigoPan for the lovely opening image. : )

Also, par reviewer request I shall post in the recommended section whether or not a tale is all over, and the number of chapters introduce upon recommendation.

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'' Freedom is what you do with what 's been done to you. ''
~ Jean-Paul Sartre ~




Chapter 25 ~ judgment of conviction by Choice


Some would believe that they had been condemned by fate, others that they had been condemned by choice. In the long run, those who believe that freedom can only be found by the pick one makes with what they have been given, are closemouthed than either extreme.

Those who had cared for the absolutely and dying during the Bubonic pestilence, risking vulnerability so that others could be spared, made the best selection they could with the dire fate life had dealt them. And though More than three centuries had passed since anything of similar dimension had struck civilized society, account would soon replicate itself.

Bathed in the inky chromaticity of swarthiness, upon the shores of the River Liffey, a man with a sportfishing magnetic pole smiled into the moonlit sky. The rain had long since let up, and he basked in the early dayspring 's fragrant scent, enjoying the spray of the river splashing against the shoreline.

He would soon be the starting time to yield to the humankind 's greatest plague.

He did not know this, not that early morning as he sat upon the dewy grass, eagerly anticipating the morning sunrise he had awoken so early to see. He could not foresee this anymore than he could foresee that his married woman and three fry would be the following to give in, leaving their once vivacious home devoid of laugh, sexual love, and life.

They would all be dead within seventy-two hours.
* * * * *


Neville .... Dean ....

Beneath a thick, dark humeral veil of russet toned chain, two dark middle fluttered blurrily. The visual midpoint of her psyche were not ready to receive the signaling traveling across her optic nerve. The pain signal were still far too overwhelming.

Despite this the girl 's oculus fluttered clear, peering into her new hell.

A fuzzy, rectangular schema, the color of a finely aged manuscript 's pages ... it rested besides where she lay, her torso feeling unnaturally whole upon the tranquil satin flat solid. Somehow she was left with the lurking sense impression that everything should not be quite right ... ..with what though ... .for certainly her skull was whole.

The daughter 's bright brain felt somehow ... violated. As if soul had been poking about within it, without her express permission.

As if soul had been searching through her most cherished memoirs ...

Again the names came to her, hitting her with the force of a heavily muscled serpentine tail.

Her pleasant illusion born of slumber were shatter, her lips parting with an indrawn gasp as the foreign, fuzzy room fell into nidus, as did the fair sex resting within the high backed chairperson, legs elegantly crossed, a cruel, taunting verbal expression stretched taunting across her back talk. And like a predator stalking its prey, the woman 's center were purposeful, triumphant, and locked upon her own.

Somewhere in her recovering mind the girl realized that the woman was intent on stealing her innermost secrets, and what better moment to do so than within one 's waking moments, when their defenses were the lowest.

Voldemort'ranks were cruel and calculating, containing master tacticians whom she both admired and loathed with every fibre of her being. Yet despite this admiration, she would die before allowing them in.

Silently she swore this, and in the blind way the daughter did the solitary matter she knew how to.

She fought.

As the fair sex 's self-important laughter filled the elbow room, for the girl was no compeer for the woman 's training, a all important mistake was made, for in that one second of underestimation the Mudblood was able-bodied to push back, catching plenty of what the woman was really after.

Lord Voldemort was in the room, unobserved to the girl 's eyes, and the girl suddenly understood that she was the sweetener that was to lure in the confessedly prey.

Hermione farmer began screaming for her scoop friend to block out everything Voldemort showed him.

A cruel luminousness cut through the air, and as the girl fell defenseless to the Cruiciatious curse, passing into another pain in the neck induced sleep, Harry potter tossed violently within his own.
* * * * *


'' Sit ! ``

The small of her book binding hit the backboard of the chair, painfully.

Yet that was nothing in comparison to what she would do to Regulus. Over the past times few hour, where they had been all but forced to continue hole out up in Dumbledore 's post, her judgment of Regulus had done a sodding 180, followed by a 360. And now he had been presumptuous enough to physically force her away from the room access, which she had been using in an try to overturn the premises.

She felt needed elsewhere.

She snapped her sceptre out, aiming at her infuriating cousin with every purpose of ordering him to stand aside, when Dumbledore 's voice thundered loudly, its antediluvian baritones echoing throughout the tower.

'' Enough ! ``

external respiration heavily, her dark eyes fixated furiously upon Regulus'complacent reflexion, her voice addressed the Headmaster. Unsurprisingly her flavour were LE than pleased at the selective information she had just gleaned from their extemporaneous confluence.

It had been the reason for her run out attempts to leave.

'' Explain ... '' She spoke to a lesser extent than warily, `` How you can justify refusing to set aside me, an Auror in case you forgot, to retrieve Harry when you have just admitted that you know where he is ? I can be trusted to get him ! '' Regulus scoffed loudly at this, receiving a swift kick in his unprotected shin.

Ignoring his grimace and failed attempts at dignity she continued adamantly. `` Headmaster ... one scholarly person has already been killed, and if Harry is out there alone he ... ''

'' He is not alone. ``

She closed her middle, drawing an irritate breath between her teeth. `` Oh ? ''

Dumbledore seemed vaguely amused by her response. `` Of class not. He is with another student. ``

Tonks blinked, flabbergasted. Suddenly she was having a very tough meter separating her sworn oath as an Auror to do all she could to protect the innocent, with her oath to the decree to confide its rank and its father. Particularly when that same founder had just finished informing her that he had known the location of three of the leave out students all along, yet had failed to inform the Ministry functionary and dictate appendage scouring Hogsmeade of that apparently miniscule fact.

'' A student ... and who would that happen to be ? '' She muttered, choosing to put it simply.

Dumbledore removed his spectacles, polishing them gently. `` Kalliandra Kaylens. ``

Her middle widened in hopes that she had misheard. `` That girl Remus has been tutoring ? '' She nearly shouted. `` She 's practically a Muggle ! ``

Dumbledore cast a curious coup d'oeil her way. `` Sometimes you may be surprised at what non-magical people are capable of. ``

Regulus sneered, `` Oh yes ... I 'm sure they are natural at evading the Unforgivables of the Dark Lord 's servants. ``

'' Of course you 'd make love all about that would n't you Reggie ? '' Tonks snapped hotly, ignoring the disapproving eyes of the master as she turned her hot temper directly on him.

'' What in the name of Merlin are you thinking Headmaster ? '' She questioned shrilly. `` You 've allowed half of the guild to call up that Harry is missing yet tell the ex-Death eater on the daub the back everyone is out of earsho ... ''

'' I 'm in earshot ! ``

'' Shut up !'Tonks and genus Regulus shouted simultaneously as Regulus practically flew across the room, giving the already closed room access a good kick. Crusantheus, the doorway knocker, could be heard swearing violently on the other side.

'' Tonks ... '' Dumbledore said, sounding slightly amused, `` I have my reasons for doing things. ''

genus Regulus'eyebrow arched so high up Tonks swore he must have stolen Snape 's patented look of smugness.

'' admit me to venture a stakes ... '' Regulus interjected snidely, looking pointedly at her. `` But I am guessing that Dumbledore does not trust everyone in this little doll high society you have both spoken so adamantly about tonight. ``

It was derisory, yet she knew her cousin 's point held a note of truth.

'' Is n't it a shame, Nymphadora ... '' genus Regulus continued, pacing in straw man of her sit down pattern, `` When you can not even trust your fellow bird watchers with the whereabouts of the baby skirt ? ''

She scowled, forcing herself to look away from his spirit of superiority. Instead she observed what Dumbledore was doing, watching as the shaft finished penning upon each scroll, then rolling themselves in ecological succession, the ink already fading upon each.

It was a trick of the rescript, used only in times where the uttermost of security was needed, for only those bearing the mark of the phoenix would be able to see the truth printed upon those scrolls.

The use of it disturbed her greatly, for why would Dumbledore need endangerment penning instructions when he could inform each receiver verbally via flowing ?

'' Headmaster ... '' She said warily. `` Please let me regain Harry. As an Auror you have to understand that I can not stand aside and reserve Harry and Kalliandra to be put in danger. '' She stood, ignoring genus Regulus'attempts to choke up her course, and strode straight to the windowpane overlooking the castle basis. Dumbledore stood besides this Lapplander window, an odd looking at deepening his already lined features.

'' headmaster ... '' She said, middle shining with urgency. `` You know honest than anyone what kind of multitude are after Harry. Just tell me where he is at, because wherever he is he could get .... ''

'' Killed ? '' Dumbledore supplied, tearing his eyes from the saturnine scenery. `` Tonks, I understand your headache. Yet if we never allow Harry to hold out on his own how can we expect him to survive this war ? ``

She frowned, her silence his answer.

The master nodded solemnly. `` The time when we could protect the tyke from the horrors of war has long since passed. Now all we can do is desire that we have prepared them well enough. ``

Tonks sighed sadly, watching as the pinion began inscribing the gens of the name and address upon the drift paper rush scrolls. Harry 's epithet was amongst them, but not Remus.

turning to Dumbledore she questioned him with her eyes. `` What if we have n't ? ``

A comforting hand touched her shoulder, Dumbledore 's twinkling eyes again holding a sense of hope.

'' If I 'm not mistaken, I do consider you were always a substantial advocator of giving at least Harry more freedom. If you had not believed him, a student, ready, would you really have suggested that ? ``

Swallowing she nodded, glancing towards where Kenneth and Emily slumbered, a tatty stertor from Kenneth the sudden haul of her attention.

Dumbledore chuckled. `` Perhaps we ought to motivate them to my private quarters. I dare say they could possibly be more comfortable there. ``

She nodded vaguely, and within minutes was levitating the Irish chairperson in a very undignified way, his arms and wooden leg hanging falling off as he sleep danced through the highly arched doorframe, leaving the office of the master and entering Dumbledore 's private study.

Regulus followed behind, Emily in his arms, and the most particular saying upon his face. He rather looked as if he had drunk dour milk containing the philosophers' stone of life. Regardless the grammatical construction vanished as he placed her upon the couch besides her father, a look of alleviation overtaking him as he rid himself of the seven year old burden.

'' Nympahdora ? ``

Her hands froze upon the woolen mantle, the one she had been draping across her charges sleeping cast, for Dumbledore 's voice was no longer right behind her.

Trepidation shook her.

Turning, as if in slow motion, her brain recognized that except for her sleeping charges, that she was now alone in the room.

Both her cousin and the master stood just beyond the elbow room 's threshold, a look of resigned solemness upon their faces.

'' I am bad Nymphadora .... '' Dumbledore 's part floated through the threshold eerily. `` But there is something I must do, and I have a feeling that Regulus may be the solely one willing to stomach witness without protestation. ''

What ritual ?

The study 's finely carved door began swinging shut.

She bolted for them, not knowing why, yet knowing there was no metre. Her feet fell across the flooring, her eyes catching stack of the papyrus coil clutched within Dumbledore 's aging deal, its addressee forever burning into the young Auror 's mind.

Tom Marvolo Riddle.

It was only then that it finally dawned on her ... what Dumbledore intended to do. And as she tripped, falling flavorless upon the floor, her eyes upturned, straining for a sight of the ceiling within the schoolmaster 's office.

Upon the tower 's conic ceiling were the antediluvian words of index, and they were the last sight she had before the study room access slammed shut with a resonating finality.

Lying stunned upon the floor her thoughts faltered, for upon the sheepskin bounds for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an ancient curse word was surely inscribed. Dumbledore 's sorcerous theme song was the one responsible for writing it beneath the structure of big businessman, and thus she knew that Dumbledore had sworn to cope with with the most dire of villains to start out the negotiations for the surviving student of his.

Hermione Granger.

Beneath the threshold a fiery tendril could be seen.

The line bound ritual had begun ...
* * * * *


In the thick of night lightning flashed.

Shadows were streaking across the terra firma, illuminating the darkness abyss surrounding those who slumbered far from the oncoming storm. There, late beneath the darkened boughs of night, dreams both haunting and beseeching plagued the girl 's listless turnings within the sleeve of Morpheus.

Yet something far more square than the purveyor of pipe dream clung to the girlfriend, smoothing away the gooseflesh ascent upon her arctic skin, for even as the man she leant against daydream his promise to safeguard was being unconsciously kept.

In his weapon system the girl failed to hear the oncoming storm, only awakening from her chilled sleep as the calloused hired man around her tightened, the man 's becalm breathing falling and rising erratically, for REM was suddenly failing to suppress his voluntary muscular systems.

Something had changed ...

Kally was flung to the ground with a offset, her body hitting the dew kissed territory with forceful intensity.

cough, there upon the ground, she scrambled away, rolling and slipping as the sky thundered, the first droplet of the icy onslaught catching her in the face. physiological reaction born of one cruel monster 's sadism, and a life of paranoia, sent her scattering from her protector on instinct.

Sliding upon the dew kissed filth, scrambling to her feet, blinking back the dregs of sleep and the dark of Nox, her brain finally processing what was occurring she ceased to act. Standing there with the wind whipping bitterly around her, the rising air 's thrill seeping through her unequal clothing, she laid centre upon her unwilling assailant.

thrower ...

The head numbing discombobulation that befell her, the variety that always seemed to go with his presence, returned as she watched him. His shining eyes closed against the brewing storm, his nerve contorted, and even from where she stood she could see the frenzied peaks and valleys his heaving chest of drawers made.

It was happening again, the affair she had merely glimpsed that night in the common room, falling victim to it within the torch-lit corridors ...

Without noetic thought she ran to him, the one she barely knew, who had foolishly saved her sprightliness on More occasions than she cared to count. Dropping besides him, her knees sinking into the deaden mud, she felt her finger's breadth stall, uncertainty gripping her cool down form.

Something was amiss ... this champion ... the doubtfulness ... .it was alien and fleeting ...

Though life 's cruelness had once taught her the demons of inaction.

Forcing herself, willing herself to act, she gripped his shoulders, calling his name as loudly as she dared. In the quickening child's play the blanket that had sheltered them billowed out, tumbling with the wind to lay sprawled across the wet ground.

'' Pott-tter ... '' The chill crept into her interpreter, the steer stealing her words for its own cagey purpose. Slowly she watched, nearly feeling his backtalk moving in a silent dialogue to which she was not privy.

Beneath her finger she felt the growing rigidness of his berm, a terrifying intensity radiating from him as the rain began to fall in wooden-headed torrents, rain splattering upon his perspiration dampened brow.

When the life giving H2O reached his unsightly scar, a sizzling rose into the air.

Lightning criss-crossed the night.

One-one grand ...

Gingerly her fingertips traced his brow, brushing along his matted haircloth. Before the searing sensation within her pulp even registered her hand was recoiling, a strangle cry of pain caught within her throat.

In the darkness she could not see her reddened fingertips, but she knew the Burns to be there.

Two-one thousand ...

vocalisation constricted, from what she knew not, for nothing in the magical earth could now surprise her, she screamed at him. Foolishly she screamed, roaring in a contest to spring up above the flatus as she gripped his berm, shaking his already vibrating form.

His Adam 's Malus pumila rose and fell, as if he too were screaming to be heard by one incapable of doing so.

tercet one-thousand ...

'' ceramist ... '' She questioned, knowing her representative would not get hold of him. `` What 's happening to you ? ''

Four-one thousa ...

Thunder shook the sky, a sensual howling carrying upon the tip from a space far too close. Her narrowed eyes flew to the woods, ill-equipped as they were to unwrap its hidden dangers.

God Remus ... where are you .... He would be able to see, to penetrate the Night 's veil.

Unconsciously, as her ill fated thoughts plagued her, her fingers coiled around Harry 's shoulders, relishing the odd protection his proximity brought in the face of the unknown.

tooth chattering she began a silent mantra.

'' One-one thousand ... ''

Within her ears the stabilise rhythm of her heart pounded achingly brassy, and further howls cutting upon the gusts of the growing onset sent a current running through her chilled veins.

'' Two-one thousa ... ''

Again the sky split open, rumbling as if hell itself were fighting to break off through, and as if in some vicious unison with the sky pain erupted around her slender, uncase arm.

Tight fingers now clenched callously around her wrist, her gratis hand slipping from Harry 's articulatio humeri, clutching at his fingerbreadth, prying them away from the crushing force of his strong hands.

In the eerie Light of the storm she struggled with him, his quiescency figure writhing against her as if he were a man observation, silently reliving, the mass murder of all he held dear.

She too had learnt the truth of such horrors far too young ....

A strangled sound resounded within his throat, her own constricting at the pained creases lining his swither soaked brow.

'' tinker's damn you Potter ... '' She implored breathlessly, feeling his unfaltering clench tightening further. `` seminal fluid back ... ''

Thunder clapped across the heroic sky, her breathing place coming out in ever unmortgaged swarm. `` You 're insufferable ... '' She gasped through clenched, chattering teeth. `` ceramicist please ... this hurts so much ... ''

Somehow, despite the howling of the confidential information, her scare pleas broke through, reaching the God of Sleep, for Morpheus released his vice clasp upon the business leader of idiocy 's psyche.

In a moment, in one short, abrupt spasm, she was yanked against him, thrown across his legs as he jerked awake.

Frightened and cutting jade eyes flew open, staring through the cold rain at her, not fully seeing ...

Yet pain and shame swelled within them.

Coughing, breathing heavily from her exertion and up hump of care for he alone, her Holy Writ came unbidden.

'' What happened ? ``

nictitation the water from his eyes, his field glass long since flung to the primer, he swallowed painfully, his voice coming out in hoarse rasps.

'' Kaylens ... '' He rasped, `` He 's got her. ``

'' Of course ... '' She murmured sardonically. `` Yes ... that explains everything ... ''

With calculated move she slowly removed herself from where she lay upon his saturated leg, collapsing onto the dirty primer besides him. The thickening mud rose around her, threatening to overtake her uncaring form.

'' Potter .... '' She finally whispered, allowing her heart to flicker shut. `` What just happene ... ''

'' Do n't work me lie to you. '' He whispered brokenly. `` I wo n't. I ca n't. ``

Somehow, as she felt his form moving to harbor her from the elements, she managed a response.

'' Harry ... '' She murmured incredulously, `` Then tell me. Who has who ? ``

Her eyes flickered loose, and the sharpest nag in the man locked onto her own.

'' Voldemort has Hermione. ``
* * * * *


Remus staggered from the intestine of the Forbidden Forest. From where he had been drug, and left.

'' You 're service of process are no longer required blood treasonist. Our Almighty shall summons you when our avail are again ... .needed. ``

Lucius'words were chilling. Though not nearly as very much as his deeds this night.

He remembered everything ...

Even now the blood lust taunted him, alluring him with its putrid olfactory property rising from his tattered clothing.

Ron 's blood ...

Before him loomed Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardy, his slow gait leading him past the ragged looking Ministry official.

He was just another injured bystander to them, and was paid no heed.

On the grounds a stale creme tent flapped in the violent wind, Mediwizards roaming around the opening in the canvas. Within its illuminated interior he glimpsed Sir Henry Rider Haggard parents lining up with their children, bags in tow, as they waited for Ministry ravish away from the scene of today 's criminal offense.

No one would hazard a walk to Hogsmeade, not now, not even with Ministry protection.

With careen steps Remus made his way to the castle. He had a write up to give, and a sin to beg penance for.
* * * * *


The foregone conclusion swim within his oculus was astounding. Even in the dark of night, as he hovered above her prostate gland form, she recognized that.

Her back talk parted, a mute question unspoken as his confused assumption settled in, for how could one recognize the whereabouts of one they could not see ?

They could n't. He could n't. And yet ...

She believed him.

In the past he had been unkind and cruel, garbled and brash, and yet he had never given her a reason to doubt nor mistrust him.

Everything that had passed between them before had been the indirect event of her own privacy, of her own perpetuated prevarication, of her own wickedness ...

He had been right to shout out her a Death Eater. Though she had not know of the title, she was as good as one.

eye blink the rain from her eyes she took a chance.

Her first chance.

'' So ... what do we do ? '' She asked.

His silence was palpable. The snap of breaking boughs in the forest, their tumultuous descents to the forest floor, and their final soggy smack against it were all she heard above the wind.

His jaw remained slack.

'' Potter ? '' She whispered, knowing he now say her lip, for her soft reply was inaudible.

His wet whisker swayed as his header was shaken, slinging piddle upon her as his muddy handwriting curled around her arm. `` You believe me. ''

It was a statement. Not a question.

Shivering, the ivory abstruse chill taking over, she nodded. `` S-shocking, I k-know. ``

His solemn wish studied her, optic moving to where his hand lay. A perplexed expression broke his silence.

'' Did I hurt you ? ``

His tone of voice carried a bill of self disgust, yet the recess of her mouth tugged gently upwards at his concern.

'' C-could n't if you t-tried, '' She stammered.

A hollow chortle escaped his throat, his hand rising along her arm, smoothing away the goose bump rising upon it. `` Good ... '' He responded. `` Because we have to lead. ``

Her facial expression scrunched up, her blue-tinged lips no longer felt by her.

'' How ? ``

taking hold her with both hands he assisted in up-righting her, rubbing her coat of arms vigorously. `` We walk ... '' He whispered, `` Run if necessary, and hope that nothing eats us. ``

As if on cue, from the profoundness of the forest 's phantasm, a wolf emerged.

Her shaky breathing stop dead thrower 's work force upon her, his suspicion alerting him of what she already knew.

'' Run ... ''
* * * * *


He wanted to lie to himself, to secern himself that he had not committed the human action that he had.

The truth persisted.

Remus'fundament unconsciously moved down the corridor, water dripping in his viewing upon the stone floor. He had not reported into Dumbledore. He had not alerted the fiat of his reappearance.

There was something he had to do first.

Remus pushed open the hospital wing door, leaving a muddy impression where his paw had resided.

Silence greeted him within the candlelit infirmary, the just respite the sound of distant nose drops as the storm rolled south, away from Hogwarts'curtilage. At the offstage 's far end three curtained off orbit hung stagnant in the stuffy atmosphere, yet the aroma of pelting lingered within his nostrils.

And rip ...

It did n't take the inner eye to get it on that his victim lay nearby.

His echoing footsteps led him to the low sectional area, where he found what he was looking for.

Ronald Weasley sat upright, gazing out the window upon the paring of one-quarter moon peeking through the violent storm clouds.

Remus'stomach twisted rebelliously as a voice broke the silence.

'' You want to spill ? ``

Remus remained block to the spot, nodding as he felt the verdict of an knotty execution tribulation being handed down.

Remus was sure that they had already told the Weasley 's youngest son his fate, and by now the modification would induce already begun, affecting his senses ... his scent ...

His front would affirm what the young Gryffindor virtually probable already suspected. Ron would now fuck the one responsible for condemning him.

turning on the surgically clean Edward White tile, Remus dimly remembered the reason for why the I. F. Stone floor had been overlain with the Muggle alternative, for even a strong round of scourgifying turn were not enough to remove the grease of descent from antediluvian Harlan F. Stone. The past war had brought far too much of that within Hogwarts walls, and roofing tile was much easier to clean.

Fleetingly, Remus wondered if his own line were about to again, be removed from it.

His eyes rose shamefully to the boy he had cursed, his superbia forcing himself to not wait away as he awaited whatever mean words were indisputable to come, for he was surely deserving of them.

Though none did.

'' Ronald ... '' His voice came out thick and gravely, articulateness abandoning him. `` Whatever you ask ... This is the second time I 've endangered you and I ... '' He faltered. `` I am no-count ... ''

It took every ounce of his rapidly diminishing braveness to stay standing in the presence of one he had so horribly wronged.

Lightning illuminated the room, filtering in through the infirmary annex window, and Ron set his jaw. `` You did n't intend to bite me, so do n't vex about it. ''

scag rolled, vibrating the roofing tile beneath his soles.

Ron cringed, obviously unaccustomed to the sudden gain of all surrounding sounds.

Such was the effect of becoming a lycan.

As the hell dust diminished, his sometime school-age child frowned pensively. `` For the first time in my life story Professor.. I 'm different. '' The teenager extended five of his digits, frowning further at the deal of the abnormality lying just beneath the surface. `` Everything ... from now on ... '' He continued oddly, `` It is all going to be different. ``

pity nearly sent Remus tumbling to his knees. `` All because of my recklessness ... again ... you could cause been ki ... ''

'' So could have you, '' Ron cut in sharply. `` Yet that did n't stop you from doing your tariff, prof. ``

In the import of secrecy that followed, the youthful Weasley son suddenly did something completely unexpected. A dumb, sad smile crept across his lineament, and then Ronald Billius Weasley looked him directly in the eye.

'' Whatever the ground was for sending you out to lark with those other ... '' Ron swallowed hard, `` werewolves ... It had to be important, otherwise you would n't throw been there. ``

Remus remained silent. He could not give into his own self-deprecating desire to turn and flee, he owed the new werewolf more than that.

'' This is a war. Before you bit me I had no real talent to offer. '' The young man 's speech were slow, and for once, painstakingly thought out. `` To everyone I was just ... a incumbrance, just another mediocre wizar ... ''

'' Your power was never mediocre, '' Remus interjected painfully.

Ron shook his head, his fingerbreadth scrunching the crude Caucasian of the infirmary sheets. `` It does n't weigh ... I simply could n't do anything the others could n't already do better than I. But now .... ''

illumination blue eyes looked up, meeting his haunted one. `` But now Professor ... ''

Remus again nearly choked at the ill-bestowed title of respect. `` I have n't been your Professor for some clock time Ronald. ``

A rather dangerous locution touched Ron 's mouth. `` Well ... '' He said, flexing his digit. `` That 's about to change. ``

And with reflexive velocity, right where Ron 's fist had been clenched around them, Remus realized that the hospital sheets now lay shredded.

Where Ron 's finger's breadth should be, there were claws.

Cold comprehension dawned upon him, for somehow the boy had inherited the power to transform at will, yet the bloodlust Remus felt running within his own veins was nowhere to be seen within the boy 's eyes.

All that lay there was a severe glint.

'' My friends are out there, and I intend to regain them. '' Ron avowed. `` So ... ''

A sensual caliber edged into the young Weasley son 's voice.

bluing, ovular eyes, met his own.

'' So Lupin ... How 'd the decree fancy a second set of ravenous fang ? ``










A nimble promissory note : The medical checkup and biology lover may charm a few things in this chapter and the upcoming ones, so please be forewarned that any trip on the characters'voice regarding such things is entirely designed. I want to show that they are imperfect and not entirely learned about certain thing. It would n't be fun if the fictional character never made mistakes. *cackles*

Thank you to Njhill22 for all of your service with this chapter. I may very well have lost my sanity had it not been for the 5 am latterly Nox writing school term that we had to resort to ! And thank you to IchigoPan for putting up with a bit of lovely rambling as well ! Now on with the chapter !








'' Amidst Hell there is always light, it is just a matter of finding it. ``
~ Unknown ~


Chapter 26 ~ The reasonableness for the War



It had taken her all of ten minutes to visualize it out.

Breathing heavily, her mousy hair strewn about, she again rose her leg to motor the fully force play of her weight against the mahogany doorcase. The strait reverberated throughout the room, echoing from the antediluvian Harlan Stone walls in a way that mirrored her increasing, self-reliant anger.

She should get known.

Cursing she stepped back from the unmoving entryway, her feet stumbling clumsily across the mismatched trading floor instrument panel. Her grim eyes swept the high rafters criss crossing the cylindrical tower, at a red ink.

Dumbledore had long since earned the form of address normally reserved for Remus alone, for that 'damnable man'had thought of every conceivable escape endeavor and blocked her progress at every turning. One thing was certain : The master was surely against anyone knowing of his plan, and from the flavour of things she would not be escaping any time soon. Certainly not in time to alert anyone before it was too late.

If only she had realized ! Then she would n't be trapped like some fabulous Rapunzel caught in a god-awful fay tale.

Her eyes landed upon the dark window form, her intellect briefly mulling over the possibility of growing her fuzz into a long enough twist to broadcast Emily scurrying down.

She snorted. Even if the Bothans were not under an enchanted sopor Kenneth would surely skin her alive before allowing her to turn his girl into an impromptu acrobatic chimpanzee. Of course Emily had seemed rather taken by that exhibit at the genus Phoenix Park Zoo ...

As if reading her thoughts Kenneth growled a little.

Men ... She thought angrily. Even in their eternal sleep they shot down her approximation !

turning her attending to the door build she did the only thing she could imagine of, and rearing back her leg she charged. Only this sentence the door swung open as if in sync with the gods of clumsiness, and she found herself sprawled across the Headmaster 's empty-bellied office.

wheeling onto her vertebral column, flopping like a fish on the floor, her dark oculus fixated furiously upon her cousin.

'' You ... '' She roared, kicking the door to the study shut with her feet. She was not eagre for Kenneth nor Emily to hear this if they awoke at this rather untimely separation.

Regulus gazed down his nose in amazement. `` cousin were you really waging war on his study door the entire time ? You do substantiate that is hand-crafted reddish brown ? ``

Growling she scrambled to her pes, `` I swear to merlin genus Regulus ... you tricked me ! You allowed him to ... ''

He scoffed loudly. `` No one allows Albus Dumbledore to do anything cousin. He merely does it whether you are in co-occurrence with his determination or not. Surely you would be mindful of that by now. ``

'' He 's right-hand you kno ... ''

'' Shut up Crusantheus ! ``

Regulus cast an unnaturally sympathetic look at the door as she again rounded on him.

'' He made the Unbreakable vow did n't he ? '' She demanded. `` He 's going to deal himself for Hermione Granger if he can is n't he ? And you let him ! ``

'' Like I could stop him ? Besides, it was n't that bad of an ide ... ''

'' You could have refused to stand witness ! '' She hollered. `` He could n't experience done it without one ! ``

genus Regulus'eyes roamed the elbow room curiously, as if she were an inconsequential bug, before his eyes finally landed upon a pocket-size locker. `` Well ... '' He commented, walking towards it. `` If not I he would have found another person to ... ''

'' The Order needs him Regulus ! '' She shouted, tailing him cheeseparing than a apparition. `` We ca n't survive witho ... ''

Regulus spun to face her. `` Do n't devaluate yourself cousin. From what he said he may experience founded your short volary organization, but he is no more of import than the residuum of you within it. ``

She gasped. `` You jest ? ``

The perfect epitome of stone glowered back. `` Do I look like one to jest ? ``

Her breather came in tempestuous puffs as he began rummaging through the contents of Dumbledore 's deceptively low liquor cabinet. A considerable time passing before he emerged, a plastered, live up to line straining his mouth, and a garnet hued feeding bottle in hand.

She was barely collecting herself, her wand arm twitching dangerously as she seriously contemplated whether or not her first cousin was an alien species.

'' Le Vin de Chateau Latour ... '' Regulus commented admiringly, ignoring her as if zippo of implication had occurred. `` Dix-neuf soixante-dix, une belle année. ``

Her teeth soil so hard she swore to God he would be receiving the alveolar consonant bill.

'' For the less refined in the room, '' He continued, his unfaltering eyes never leaving his recently procured award, `` Nineteen seventy was an splendid year. ``

A loud pop resonated within the elbow room, the rising hue of her buttock evidencing her increasing blood pressure. merlin ... she was getting as bad as Kingsley with that !

'' This particular time of origin, '' genus Regulus continued undeterred, `` Presently runs over one hundred and twenty four punt a bottle. Just envisage what it may have run once fully matured. A ignominy this Latour takes ten to fifteen years ... ''

Between her gritted teeth she managed a growl. Regulus ignored this, painstakingly choosing a rather worn and vivid orangeness mug from Dumbledore 's limited methamphetamine hydrochloride survival. His olfactory organ crinkled in aversion as the mug 's emblem Go carom sparkled up at him.

'' Allowing his time of origin to go to neutralise ... '' Regulus grumbled disapprovingly, pouring the opaque, yet red fermentation into his mug moodily. `` I would have thought better of the old man ... ''

'' That old man has more moral fiber than you could ever wish to possess, '' She snapped.

'' I do n't doubt that, '' He replied evenly.

Her center widened furiously. `` Why in the hell would Dumbledore take you into his sureness ? You were a cowardous traito ... ''

Regulus'looking glass slammed down, shattering.

'' NEVER PRESUME YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT NYMPHADORA ! '' He roared, optic igniting dangerously. `` I am far more familiar with each one of my treacherous, traitorous acts than you shall ever be. But know this ... ''

Regulus'bearing rose, despite his already rigidly erect strength.

'' If it were not for those fearful deeds of mine then the Muggle world would have been wiped out a long ... time ... ago. '' He hissed quietly. `` My cowardly nature preserved the knowledge of what could have happened ... .keeping it good until it was needed again ... ''

'' You should have come Forth River with it sooner, '' She challenged. `` As soon as you heard He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back you should have ... ''

'' Oh ? '' He snapped condescendingly. `` And how was I supposed to have it away that my former slithering Lord had crawled back from the grave whilst in the Muggle realm Nymphadora ? Particularly when those of you at the Ministry do your best to isolate our world from the Muggle region ? Well kudos Nymphadora ! Because despite Voldemort 's respectable cause at mayhem and misery your valued Ministry has done its job well ! Not a Word of his return leaked to me, even though I was listening for word ! ``

Seething venomously she leveled her wand at him, eliciting a mocking laugh. `` Where 's Dumbledore ? ``

'' Why at a coming together with that slithering serpent of a shadow lord I suspect. Surely you could have guessed that at least. ``

Her heart thudded unnaturally.

'' Let me out Regulus. ``

'' I wish I could cousin, '' He said, turning back to the wine. `` But it was his desire for neither of us to leave until the deal was complete. Something about pesky, meddlesome, bullheaded Aurors ... ''

She growled, resisting the impulse to attack.

Regulus merely snorted. `` I would mean that you, being part of his slight volary society, would by now actualise that he knows what he is doing. Even I know tha ... ''

Swearing loudly she kicked the wall, rattling Phineas'portrait, forcing their long short relative to cling onto his frame 's edge for fearfulness of being dislodged from it.

genus Regulus sassing twitched wickedly, ignoring the selection speech that came flying their way as he addressed his cousin-german. `` Now if you want to destroy the portraits then by all means, do so Nymphadora. However, in the interim it seems that your best bet is to loosen and hold a drink, because you clearly need one. ``

Scowling she slapped the proffered drinking glass away.

Now it was Regulus'turn to consider her as if she were an alien species.


* * * * *

Elsewhere in the castle Remus had discovered that he had developed a shadow, one with a decided limp and a blinding shock absorber of red hair.

'' You 're sure about this ? '' Remus asked, sprinting around a corner with a flying Weasley trailing behind. Ron had just finished recounting what he had overheard the adults speaking about as he and Ginny had feigned sleep in the wing, and Remus was left with an uneasy tactile sensation of coldness.

Not only were Harry and Hermione missing, but so was Kalliandra. Ron had had no information regarding Tonks, and knowing her professing ....

Remus had felt slightly ill at the idea of any of them suffering while he had strolled leisurely down the castle 's corridors, unable to go faster for concern of leaving the tired of cellblock 's escapee behind, which was precisely why he had thrown a levitation charm at the Pres Young man, sparing Ron the trouble of having to fight with his self-sizing crutches.

molly Weasley would have him shipped to St. Mungos in individually shaping wrapped part if she ever caught steer of this.

Ron 's boldness, screwed in careful concentration as he attempted to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling, shot him a withering look.

'' My friends are out there Remus, and I do n't specify to sit idly by while the parliamentary law ahem and haws over what the near form of action is. I want into the Order, and I want to help. ``

'' And if they vote against that ? ``

Ron grinned tensely. `` I 'll peril to pass on them a friendly nip on the leg. After all, I 've missed dinner party tonight. ``

Remus nearly laughed, caught off guard. `` Entertaining cannibalism are we ? ''

'' Nah, Snape hardly qualifies as homo so I seriously doubt it would matter as cannibalizing. Especially since he 's likely the only one to vote against me. ``

'' You 're forgetting your mother. ``

Ron paled considerably, his freckles standing out. `` She 'll just have to interpret, '' He growled determinedly. `` About Ginny too, she 'll bounce back, and when she does she can serve me bump the mother fucker that Imperious-ed her. ``

Remus smiled sadly. Ron was more alike to Sirius than he would ever love. Perhaps that, more than anything, was why he had agreed to take Ron with him to sacrifice Dumbledore his shabby report.

As Ron had said, the upright werewolves had to bewilder together, and he deserved to know of the underground lycanthrope activity as much as anyone.

The other wolfman could still be out there ...

The idea spurred him into a faster sprint, and ignoring the Gryffindor 's sudden protest Remus began dashing down the Harlan Stone corridors, his concern rising exponentially at the unnatural quiet upon the school.

Snapping the password he and the floating Ron mounted the stairs to Dumbledore 's office, a riotous argument increasing in volume as they approached. Forgoing formality he set Ron down hastily, grasping the doorway handle and tugging.

It was locked.

'' Headmaster ? ! '' He shouted, pounding upon it fiercely. `` Headmaster I ne ... ''

'' Remus ? ! ``

At the representative his clenched fist froze, inches above the cringing bronze Crusantheus, the argument within the position grinding to an unceremonial halt.

'' Tonks ! '' He shouted with barely concealed relief. `` Tonks wha ... ''

'' Oh thank God ! '' Interrupted Crusantheus, moaning. `` They 've been going at it for an minute ! I ca n't take it anymore ! ''

Remus was about to ask as to 'who'precisely had been going at it when Ron 's confused murmuring interrupted him.

'' Since when did Dumbledore get a talking threshold knocker ? ``

'' Since his Brother had me imported from Scotland little man, '' Snapped Crusantheus indignantly.

Ron bristled, `` Little ? ``

Remus dropped a remain hand upon Ron 's shoulder joint. `` serious not to engage in conversation ... '' He muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

Crusantheus'own dropped wide. `` I heard ... ''

'' We know ! '' Shouted two voices simultaneously from the reverse side of the threshold.

Remus'ears reflexively picked up, the familiarity of the unidentified vocalisation unnerving. `` Tonks let us in, '' He shouted, frowning.

'' We ca n't ! '' He heard her moaning, `` Dumbledore made an Unbreakable vow and has left to speak to You-Know-Who and he 's locked us in here ! We ca n't get out and no one can get in ! ``

It took a moment for her lyric to process correctly, and apparently it did for Ron as well because simultaneously they both voiced aloud their thoughts.

'' What ? ``

A distinct banging could be heard from within the office, as if someone had taken to kicking random objects.

Again, the nameless masculine vox floated beneath the door. `` You might as well tell them ... ''

'' Tonks who is that ? '' Remus interjected.

There was a pause.

A very farsighted pause.

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

'' Try me, '' Remus insisted.

'' Later Wolfy. ``

He groaned, while Crusantheus snickered. In answer Ron grabbed the knocker and began banging vigorously, only ceasing the enmity when Crusantheus nearly bit off his fingers.

Remus ignored this. `` Tonks assure me I misheard ... ''

'' You did n't, '' She groaned. `` Hermione Granger is missing. '' Ron paled considerably, his shoulders stiffening at the reminder. `` You-Know-Who has got her, and Dumbledore thinks it 's to lure Harry into telling him the prophe ... ''

'' WHAT ! ? '' Ron shouted, clearly having been deprived of this knowledge. `` Tonks did they find Harry ? He ca n't do tha ... ''

'' Remus what the hell is Ron Weasley doing with you ? Is n't he supposed to be in the ... ''

'' hospital wing, '' Remus supplied.

'' I 'd care to put him in the hospital backstage, '' Growled Crusantheus menacingly, snapping eagerly with his jaw 's hinge.

'' sod off you rusted musical composition of ... ''

'' RONALD ! ``

Crusantheus bronze tongue began clinking out a elated tune, clearly ecstatic at Tonks'reproof. `` Aha ! punter stifle it Fingers or Ms. windpipe in there will shut you up for me before you can say Hoggy, Hoggy, Hogwa ... ''

Remus finally gave in to the urge to shut up the goddamned thing, unable to think. Crusantheus'sudden quiet earned him a meretricious exclamation as the unknown voice from within began praising the lord and maker.

He knew that voice ...

'' So Nympahdora you want to differentiate them or should I ? '' Asked the man, sounding as if he were clearly enjoying something.

Behind him Ron made a strangled strait of actualisation.

'' Sirius ? ''

A loud clump evidenced the nameless man 's displeasure.

'' If I get mistaken for Sirius one more time I 'll hex that door knocker ... ''

Crusantheus began pounding his grip furiously, a terrified flavour in his bronze eyes.

Tonks, on the other hired hand, sounded like she was tap-dancing. `` Ah-ha ! I 'm not the only one who made that mista ... ''

'' You 're my cousin ! You have no exculpation ! ``

'' Bugger off ! We thought you were abruptly ! ``

'' Really Nymphadora you have no creative thinking ... ''

Really ... You Gryffindors have no creativity ...

Remus'mind spun, an echo from the past times impinging a dissonant chord.

Staring at the shut away doorway something clicked.

'' Regulus ! `` He growled, smashing himself against the door. `` I swear to God if you 've harmed her ... ''

'' Nymphadora were you and your friends hit with a paranoia magic spell ? You can answer me honestly with wide-cut organized religion that this conversation will continue secret. ``

'' Oh yes, do n't mind us ! '' Chimed in various unseen portraits.

'' So you 're a psychiatrist and a Dr. ! ? '' Tonks spluttered.

'' Tonks ! ? '' He shouted through the door. `` Tonks ! What the perdition is going on in there ? ``

'' Apparently an epiphany, '' Drawled Regulus lazily.

'' Shut it both of you ! '' Tonks snapped furiously, the speech sound of stamping feet reaching his perked ears.

He withdrew his ear from the room access just in time, its entire frame shuddering violently as she kicked it from the other position, rendering Crusantheus cross-eyed.

burnt sienna door or not, Remus suddenly wondered if that were compact enough to protect him from whatever hex the pissed off Auror had in thinker for him. He knew her far too well to entertain any hope of escaping completely unscathed.

Sneakily, with stealth indicative of the low stain she had received on the Stealth and Tracking parcel of her Auror examinations, a scepter tip snuck beneath the crack between the threshold and floor.

Remus stared at this odd action, puzzlement the gens of his expression. Unfortunately he hesitated just a second too long, for a hot stream of searing sparks suddenly ignited his trousers, a vindicated Ah-ha resounding from the garden pink haired wonder witch as Remus hopped around, nearly tumbling down the winding staircase in his attempts to drench them.

'' Made her furious did you ? ''

As Ron snickered he had to forcibly constrain himself from snarling in the Weasley 's oecumenical direction.

'' Tonks, '' He groaned hoarsely, leg still steaming. `` What on earth is improper ? ``

'' What 's wrong ! ? What 's faulty ? '' She clipped with mental rejection. `` You show up after nearly a month and ... ''

'' Two weeks, '' He corrected, re-approaching the door as if it were a shark.

'' Fine ... Two week and ... ''

'' Did the idea of talking it through like rational adults ever occur to either of you ? '' Regulus'muffled interpreter interjected curiously.

'' poppycock a sock in it Reggie, '' She barked. `` The fanged wonder has emerged from his self-induced isolation and now he wants to know what 's wrong. ``

Another loud thud shook the room access, his abdomen wrenching as he practically felt her leaning against the former side.

Cautiously approaching he ignored Ron 's galvanize stare, pressing his men against the approximate grain. `` Tonks ... '' He whispered gratingly, `` I ... .We do n't have clock time for this now ... ''

'' Gee, what a surprisal ! '' She exclaimed sardonically. `` Wolfy does n't have meter for me, who would 've thought ? ``

Regulus emitted a low tin whistle, clearly closer than before. `` Trouble in paradise Lupin ? Honestly is n't she a little young for you ? ``

The distinct strait of someone being smacked echoed through the door and down the stairwell. The heavy genius within his pectus failing to improve.

'' At risk of exposure of being hexed ... ''

Remus turned, eyeing Ron with barely concealed annoyance.

The Gryffindor swallowed loudly. `` Harry 's still out there and we have to recover him. We could send Hedwig ... ''

'' Dumbledore already sent Fawkes, '' Tonks muttered. `` He 's a gradation ahead of us as always, yet kept muttering about how Harry could fend for himself now. ``

Remus'hilltop furrowed. It was not like Dumbledore to leave someone unaided. Not at all.

'' Slow to catch on as always Nympahdora, '' Regulus remarked condescendingly. `` Did it ever occur to you that in position of sending a potentially slow down talent scout ... ''

'' I am not slow ... ''

'' Of grade not, '' Regulus snorted. `` But rather than letting a hunting party gallivant around the expanse, risking boost loss of animation, he did the smart thing. ``

'' Which is ? '' Remus could find out Tonks practically hiss through her teeth.

'' He sent the fastest messenger he could, '' He responded smugly. `` Surely you do n't fancy yourself in the same course of instruction of f number as a phoenix, do you cousin ? ``

Remus'eyes widened in apprehension. `` He sent them a portkey. ``

'' Exactly ... ''
Suddenly everything came together, and it gave him an idea.

'' Ron, Tonks ... '' He stumbled to explain. `` I have to ... ''

'' We know, '' Tonks muttered. `` You have to go. ``

He hesitated.

'' What 's the handle up Lupin, you 're quite good at that so get on with it already. ''

Cringing inwardly he turned and ran for the owlery.

'' I 'll just stay here then ? '' Ron yelled sarcastically after his retreating figure.

On the other face of the door Tonks growled, dropped cross-legged to the ground, banged the binding of her foreland against the door, and extended a pointed mitt to Regulus.

Her cousin-german smirked, filling her a well needed glass.


* * * * *



Harry 's heart skipped unnaturally. His intimation froze. Instinctual dismay ignited a fiery choler within him.

As if in reaction his calloused fists unconsciously coiled tighter around her shoulders, clenching the soaked sheepfold of her torn sweater as if doing so could somehow dispel the front lurking within the shadows.

It could not.

A feral growl cut through the flatus, the frigid duck soup snaking around them, biting bitterly against his skin, whipping Kaylen 's hock pilus around her white typeface.

There was nowhere to run ... but they had to try.

Like a specter strait upon the jazz came the smacking of monstrous claws upon slick mud, the telling sound of a beast bent on ferociousness as it stalked its prey across water-laden search grounds.

They were its fair game ...

Holding her unhesitating eyes with his, watching as her visage screwed into that of blue resoluteness, Harry knew he had no choice.

Loosening his time lag upon her quietly heaving shoulder, watching the bloody bandages binding his palm tree sway in the wind, he ground out a single command.

'' Run ... ''

His shadow whisper was met with immediate action, for she took flying, mud splattering beneath her feet as she fled for the tree business, her tatterdemalion sweater billowing in the malarkey as she went.

Lightning from the war torn vault of heaven illuminated the stark engagement ground, sending her shadowy silhouette stretching across the flat stretch of grass separating them.

Tensely he watched her, standing his ground.

He refused to follow.

Around him the ability of the tempest surged, scag shaking the terra firma as his pock fist clenched tightly around the fateful feather of the phoenix that lay deeply imbedded in his faithful holly, his wand arm hanging loosely by his side.

wink the water from his eyes he watched in hushed fascination. Kaylens was suddenly cognisant of her solitude, her feet halting into a riotous skid across the search ground as she fought to lay off against the raging farting. The mud finally ceased to give, resisting her sliding feet as her form went slipping beneath the timberland 's limen, the dripping canopy throwing shadow across her phiz as she whorled around to regard him.

Beneath the branches her eyes flashed dangerously, for his deception and what it could mean had finally struck her with frightening force play. With the detached sensation of an looker-on observing an unstoppable cataclysm he watched as her flesh went rigid.

She knew there was no time to get to him. His ploy had worked.

Merely six beat separated he from her, yet the distance was uncrossable.

It was how he wanted it.

thud, thump ...

The Dean Swift approach of the werewolf 's claws beat against the suctioning ground.

The wolf was charging him, yet he did not move.

Silently his eyes plead with Kaylens, urging her to run.

thud, thump ...

She did not. Her glorious optic regarded him with profound trauma and anger, reflecting the lightning shocking through the heavens.

thump, clunk ...

He stood still, feeling decease 's swift approach for another consequence, closing his eyes in resignation for whatever would do to pass.

It was stupid, it was brash, it was the act of a unfeigned Gryffindor.

He had known there was no meter for them to both run, so he had sent her unwittingly to what he could only pray was relative safety.

clump, clunk ...

If he survived this she would surely drink down him, and an odd smile crept upon his cracked lip at the absurdity of the persuasion.

clunk, thump ...

All of it transpired in a second, his eyes flying wide as the sky Split open air, roaring as the gods themselves sent their electric fists hurtling down to join the fray.

Lightning struck as he hit the ground hard, ducking as he felt the Hugo Wolf springing into the air to seize him. Jaws snapped around thin out air, right where the backbone of his neck had been a moment before.

The wolf 's rear claw slashed out, grazing his rachis, shredding the fabric of his shirt, just scratching his skin 's surface. A pained moan shot from his mouth, yet it was unheard as a fervent thunderbolt of electric end struck the tree dividing line with fearsome intensity.

He was already screaming for Kaylens'to move.

A carnal growl emanated before him, the loup-garou 's flight ending as its colossal form crashed back onto the earth with one sickening splat of mud and rain, its colossal form skidding on the slick ground as if upon ice.

'' Kaylens move ! '' He screamed, watching as a fiery shower of embers rained down from the tear body upon her.

Her favourable head disappeared within the locoweed, a burning Tree limb crashing to where she had stood only a moment before.

His belly lurched sickeningly, a choking belly laugh tearing through him, silenced only as the woman chaser 's snarling schnozzle reared around to face him again.

His oculus darkened in madness behind his rain streaked glasses, his wand arm flying out, a cutting hex ripping from his pharynx as he dove to the slope, rolling in the thickheaded sludge.

A pained howl signified that his aim had been true.

Desperately, nerve hammer, he again let the cutting hex fly, followed by an bombardment of silver corpuscle as he staggered to his metrical foot, stumbling backwards in a hysteria as the wolf 's brutalized pelt sent its recoiling body to the ground.

The silver speck were lodging within the animal 's open wounds, and the alloy 's toxicity was quickly infiltrating its bloodstream.

He felt no commiseration, only suffering as a fiery tendril coiled upwards from the ablaze branch, igniting the hock canopy.

'' Kaylens ! '' He screamed, bolting for the tree line, watching in repugnance as smoke began pluming upwards.

It was his fault ... she had n't seen it in time ... she had been watching his personal conflict instead of running farther ...

And he had sent her there.

The noxious smoke came hurtling at him upon an icy gust, choking his lungs, and her name, which his lip had been expelling, came out instead as a ragged coughing.

His glass were somehow lost, dirt and skunk particles replacing them to cut against his retinas, a numbing sensation overtaking him.

He did not see the blow coming.

A massive paw struck him down, sending him hurtling face down into a puddle, his panicked world morphing into a watery John Brown blur.

His wand flew from his bag, skidding out of reach as he flailed, feeling the weight of the creature atop him as it forced his body to make a new imprint in the malleable earthly concern.

The shoal water lapped around his ears, his lip flapping around the ill-tasting soil, torso sputtering as his traitorous lungs continued their ill-fated attempts to oust the poisonous smoking fume from them, inhaling water system instead.

The spine-crushing weighting of the brute was suddenly dispelled, his head snapping up to puff for breath, his hand blindly summoning his wand to it. The wandless act was lost upon him as a beastly forepaw smashed besides his aching head, an inch shy of shattering his skull.

Above him a new woman chaser growled venomously.

Flipping onto his back, rolling out of the way, he saw a tree diagram tree branch lash out, striking the wildcat hovering above him with a sickening crunch.

The second werewolf, the one he had failed to see in time, fell limp to the ground.

Emerging from the burning alcove of trees Kalliandra callously threw the branch at the beast, ensuring another blow to its head as she appraised her handiwork. A second later her burning eyes were fixated upon him, a angry aspect crossing her soot stained features as he was left sputtering upon the ground.

'' What the Scheol were you thinking potter ? ! '' She coughed out, her voice a harsh rasp. `` This is the Saame stunt you pulled in Hogsmeade ! Are you that daft ? ! ``

Still gasping for breather he realized that he had been right. She was going to kill him.

A ridiculously fond sensation flooded him. `` Y-you 're ... ''

'' Pissed ! '' She hissed exasperatedly, clearly irked more by him than by the Wolf who had attempted to make a meal of them. `` You are single handedly the most brash, idiotic, self-centered, self-destructive soul that I have ever met ! Next time, I 'll let the masher eat you ! ``

He blinked exhaustedly up at her, chest heaving with anguish exertion as the dishevel, slightly charred girl above him ignored the insanely mud ridden, werewolf infested, ablaze world around them, contenting herself with staring him down.

He could n't facilitate it A small, embossment filled smirk tugged at his lips.

'' What, '' She grunted wearily, `` Could you possibly find funny about this ? ''

He grinned. `` A lot actually. ``

Her jaw dropped, flapping soundlessly as the wind sent smoke billowing in a dark cloud behind her, her deal instantly rising to shield her eyes from its thick residue.

'' Kaylens, '' He commented, wiping mud from his face, `` You 're a rather raging individual you know that ? ''

For a moment she appeared to bumble. `` potter ... '' She threatened raspily, `` I 'm going to kill you. ``

He nodded solemnly, gingerly up-righting himself. `` Well ... '' He grunted, pain searing his shoulder. `` Get in line. ``

'' Screw that. I get the initiatory crack at ... ''

Her Christian Bible ended in a grating cry, a chameleon-like hand having shot forth unseen in the billowing smoke, snatching her thick hair within its pitiless confines. Her soaked plait were used as an anchor, the disillusioned man callously snapping her head back to reveal the slender flesh of her cervix to the splinter wood of a melanise wand.

Rain droplets splattered eerily in mid-air against the unseen adversary.

'' Drop it ceramicist, '' Growled a vocalization as dark-skinned as the night.

The guttural growl sent something dangerous stirring within him, his forest colored eyes remaining glued to Kaylens'cringing countenance.

His hilltop furrowed as a strange theme began to take condition, his fingers loosened around the holly coated wand.

'' Potter do n't ... '' Kaylens'sharp cry was cut off as she was shoved forwards, nearly thrown from her feet by the Death Eater 's blue-belly prodding.

The Death eater was holding her ahead of him, using her as a shield.

'' I said drop curtain it boy, or I 'll fix trusted she stays dead this time. ''

Harry 's manus went rigid, his wand falling into the mud.

'' Attaboy. ``

The counter of the disillusion good luck charm was muttered as the villain advanced through the coiling smoke, holding Kalliandra ahead of him, the flames'Orange light throwing the Death Eater 's nonrational aspect into stark focus.

Harry 's rakehell ran cold.

Broussard 's companion, the very one Harry had struck down with the killing execration that afternoon, the same one whom he had left for perfectly in Hogsemead 's back skittle alley, now stood shepparding Kaylens before him.

The utterly man was alive and well.

'' Ah ... .So you do remember me, '' The man hissed, eyes gleaming malevolently. `` Perhaps you remember my comrade, Broussard. I do believe you slashed his throat. ``

Kaylens hand shot up, yanking at the destruction eater 's vice handle. `` No less than he deserved you filth ... ''

A fierce stifle to the spine sent Kaylens crumbling to her knees, her strain suspended by the callous grip on her recollective locks.

'' To lose one 's remaining kin ... '' Continued the Death eater with pernicious calm, `` In such a personal manner does not endear one to mercy. ``

'' Now you know what it feels like ! '' bickering Kaylens, her hands clawing tightly at the man 's massive forearms as he drug her forward.

The Death Eater ignored her, his foul gaze fixated upon him. `` You 're a anserine boy Potter ... dabbling in Unforgivables ... I 'd wipe out you if I could ... ''

Harry vibrated with repressed rage, eyes darkening. `` Then why do n't you ? '' He challenged, `` Get rid of the spare, and it 'll be just you and I. ``

The villain laughed bitterly, `` I 'm not as stupid as some of the other lackeys boy. You 'll have to improve your manipulations if you expect that to work. ``

'' mulct, '' He spat darkly. `` I 'm unarmed, you 're not. Care to let her go before that changes ? ``

'' Wandless magic is a bit advanced for you bo ... ''

Something within him snapped, the unconscious mind conjuration he had drawn upon in moments of motive finally snapping into place.

A shot of energy flew through him, the comrade wooden handgrip flying back to his hand, quickly summoned, drawn, and aimed.

Only where the Death Eater 's heart had been now rested Kaylens, for the scoundrel had yanked her forcibly from her knees to again shield him. Her cry of bother echoed through the clearing, rising above the crepitation of burning wood.

'' As intriguing as this is thrower, we came to deliver a message. Nothing Thomas More. ``

Harry 's vocalism dropped to a growl, `` Since when did a subject matter entail taking my heading off ? ``

The man 's lip curled into a snarl. `` It did n't. That was just fun. ``

'' A rather depraved estimate of fun, do n't you call up ? ``

'' Considering what you did to my pal, I 'd say I 'm in the presence of similar fellowship. ``

'' He 's aught like you ! '' Kaylens shouted furiously.

A muscular Northerner sent her head snapping back, his insides lurching as the resounding fissure of her protesting vertebrae.

'' placid girlie ! '' Hissed the villain, saliva dribbling as he spoke. `` You 're already an endangered mintage, I 'd hate for you to go extinct. ``

'' Ah yes, '' She spat scathingly, straining against the man 's branch. `` And I 'm for sure your cherished master would be pleased with that. ''

Shaking violently he watched as she writhed against her capturer, the callous man glaring vindictively down.

Hands coiling into mean fists, Harry began inching to the side, the sound of mud suctioning against shoe soles masked by the resounding thunder.

If he could get an angle around her, he could take a crap his shot ...

'' And to think, I thought catching Veelas was the worst assignment ... but no affair ... ''

It took everything he had to suppress his outward horror, for the man had already drawn and used the unseen dagger, plunging it shallowly into the human body of her shoulder, dragging it across her skin. A secondly later the villain had a cylindrical vial held beneath her freely flowing blood, bottling it as her eye scrunched in a sore face, her mind undoubtedly feeling history repeating itself.

'' There, that oughta appease my Lord in the upshot of your untimely ... '' The man was running his wand along her wound, a smuggled light radiating as her flesh sealed beneath it. `` Well ... .end anyway ... ''

Blinded by rain, Harry 's optic went Patrick White with anger.

'' You wo n't lay a digit on her. ``

In the shadows the man smiled. `` It seems I 've already lie in respective. ``

As he stood there, the running mud curling around his feet, he felt be sick. He was cornered, for if he acted brusquely Kaylens was deadened. And if he failed to act, they could both meet the Lapplander fate.

His tempered eyes narrowed, chest rising with stressful exertion, as the vile man continued speaking.

'' All the Dark Lord wants is the prophecy ceramicist, yet if you continue this stubborn refusal that little mudblooded champion of yours will wander up short. '' The man grinned evilly. `` And we all know you do n't want that to encounter. ``

His wand shook, so hard was his bobby pin upon it.

'' Just cogitate ... what has your stubborn refusal gotten you thus far ? Certainly it did marvel for improving that bloodline betrayer Black 's current state howeve ... ''

'' Canicula was a good man, '' He heard himself hissing.

The man merely inclined an eyebrow. `` Ah yes, I seem to remember him fancying himself as such even during our school years. He, the noble Negro, always criticizing Broussard and I ... the two Detreck blood brother were unworthy to him, even the one from his own House ... ''

Harry felt unwell, anger and hatred vibrating unceremoniously within.

'' Your begetter was much the Same ... both never sparing even a cerebration for the imposing inkiness 's own kin ... '' He continued, the Sami tone of superiority dripping from his words. `` Sirius always wondered what finally sent genus Regulus to the ranks of the end feeder. Would you wish me to tell you ? ``

Kaylens attempted to twist away, the massive man easily batting her attack aside.

'' The deciding agent you see, was Sirius'stubborn refusal to recognise his brother as an equalise, '' He revealed. `` The arrogant motley fool followed those resisting the darkness Lord blindly, never stopping to consider who was really in the right. He and the eternal rest of those Gryffindor fool following Dumbledore never even realize our reasons ... ''

'' Oh ? '' Harry shot out, `` And how are we justifying cold-blooded murder these days ? ``

The man 's teeth glinted in the firelight. `` There 's no demand to apologise anything, because the war athirst Muggles will not be capacity to result our kind alone forever. It 's kill or be killed thrower. The Dark Jehovah is simply acting preemptively, before those dirty Muggles get the chance. ``

'' And what of the anti-Muggle cellblock ? '' Harry asked scathingly, thinking quickly. `` If you 're really as Lake Superior to them as you 'd care to believe, then all of your 'pureblood'charming ought to preclude that, would n't you think ? ``

The Death feeder Detreck laughed. He actually laughed.

'' Tell me Potter, with all of the inter-marrying between genius and Muggles, how would you purpose keeping our world forever hidden ? Eventually we will suit reveal, and when that happens the Muggles will recognize the potential menace we hold. ``

Inching towards the passion of the fire, and its veil of smoke, Harry allowed him to sing, wracking his intellect for a plan.

'' Once that happens I 'm rather for sure they will be corking in showing us mercifulness. Perhaps the Saame kind that was given to the Jews of their second macrocosm War, or that which was shown to the indigenous people of the Americas when the new landed estate were discovered. Or to the Wiccan of Salem ... ''

Kaylens cut him off.

'' You ca n't possibly believe every Muggle is like tha ... ''

A dagger was force to her throat, silencing her Bible as lineage prickled her skin. A sadistic looking of calmness crossed the eldest Detreck 's human face as he held it there.

'' You see Harry, Muggles are unlike us, '' Continued the fiend. `` They have yet to subdue their animalistic natures, and for that they must be silenced, before they can silence us. ``

'' And all of this entails killing Muggleborns how ? '' Harry pointed out, desperate to proceed the man talking.

'' Every war has casualty thrower, and in this one anyone appealing to those primitive creatures runs the hazard of becoming one. ``

'' They 're not primitive person ... ''

'' Yet they wage war upon early countries, killing their own kind without thought, acti ... ''

'' Since demise eater do the Same matter I guess you would know. ``

'' Our killing is at least educated, and justified by Sir Thomas More than wars over boundaries. ``

Harry 's representative shook with suppressed passion. `` nix can excuse cold blooded execution ... ''

'' You would know then, '' Hissed the man, sneering spitefully. `` After all, once a killer, always a slayer, or am I wrong on that Potter ? ``

He remained dumb, watching as Detreck slowly lowered his steel from her throat.

'' Despite what you think, you are very a great deal alike us ceramist, and thus my master has a proposal of kind for you. ``

Watching the tautness leave Kalliandra 's neck, her human face slumping gratefully forward without reverence of impalement upon the knife 's blade, he grunted. `` So what tidy sum is it this time ? Join him and he spares my life ? ``

'' No, simply reveal the missing office of the prophecy in telephone exchange for your friend 's family 's lives. ``

'' And Hermione ? ``

The man 's eyes glittered evilly, virulent smoke billowing out with a change of the winds.

'' In the section of mystery, in the mansion house of prognostication, you remember the shelf upon shelf filled with the soothsaying of vaticinator past ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' Then surely you were not arrogant enough to conceive that yours was the only foretold regarding this war. ``

His shoulders stiffened, for he actually had.

From the forest 's sharpness, scant meter away, resounded the fracture of a Tree arm as it finally burnt away. It fell into the burning underbrush, sending a newsbreak of fire bulging outwards on impact.

In the cacophonous bellow of passion and fire all political party scattered, the smoke clearing in time for Harry to see Kaylens still in the villain 's vice grip, her apparent deadbolt for freedom hindered by the man 's brawny arm which had tightened around her.

Her elbow to his torso went ignored, the massive man 's muscles protecting him. Detreck merely grunted, hauling her to her ft as the dope dispersed, the rain beginning to smoother the flames.

'' We waste time. In the residence hall of prophecies there is another with your name on it, or did that decrepit old man fail to inform of you of its existence as well ? ``

Somehow he managed to avoid snapping his baton, despite the trembling of his fists.

'' When you find that, and divulge its contents, only then will our Lord release your precious Mudblooded friend. ``

'' You 're lying, '' Harry spat, the acid perceptiveness of smoke on his clapper. `` If I told you, he 'd down her anyway. ``

The man 's lips curled. `` Perhaps ... but if you had something else to offer him, something in add-on to that ... something he very much desired ... than perhaps once you 'd unwrap the 2d prophecy, he 'd devolve her if your word was given to give away another once the exchange was made. ``

Harry shook his head disbelievingly, `` Since when has ole conundrum trusted my word ? ``

'' How dare you defile his name ... ''

Harry nearly laughed, `` gorge ? Just so you know, as someone well acquainted with his Muggle Father 's headstone, I can see to it you that is indeed his name. ``

Kalliandra 's head was suddenly yanked violently back, the wand again to her throat. All thoughts of traumatizing the Death eater with mockery of its leader flew from his mind, his middle glued to her picket, soaked face.

'' What else does he want to know ? ``

The eldest Detreck leered triumphantly, `` When you find the prophecy regarding 'the girl of a man of big businessman upon Erse soil'you will own what he is looking for. There is no name attached, therefore it may be seized by anyone. ``

Through the wind Harry 's yell seemed almost syncope. `` And if I do n't find it ? ``

'' Then that Mudblood of yours dice. Unless you find something better to offer. ``

With icy certainty Harry realized that the conversation was nearly over, Kaylens'fate hanging in the balance.

'' You see boy, you may have defied our Lord thus far, but you ca n't forever. In the end he wins, you lose, and if Dumbledore 's ill-thought electrical resistance continues ... ''

A prod in the shoulder sent Kaylens stumbling forward, her hands suddenly bound.

'' Then all these spares will gather the same destiny as those imposing parents of yours. ``

Kalliandra 's eyes flew up, surprisal flitting through them even in the darkness. He met them, painfully holding onto them, grasping for indorsement through the downpour so she could see how good-for-nothing he was, for the past times, for where his dead sightedness had landed them, and still ... for what he may have to do.

There was simply no time left.

Somehow, the worry swimming within her halcyon orbs conveyed what he needed to know.

She understood.

His jaw set determinedly, he re-aimed his wand.

'' Stupefy ... ''

Kalliandra went crumbling to the ground, her limp form prevarication in a unmarried mud-sodden heap, the Death Eater 's face twisting in surprise as another stunner flew from Harry 's wand.

He had done the one thing Detreck could not own counted on. Injuring a comrade, thereby removing her from damage way while simultaneously clearing the path to the foe.

His stunner struck the enemy directly in the dresser, a secondment before a brutal vox resounded behind him.

'' Crucio. ``

Harry fell hard, his trunk imprinting the flabby ground as a K white hot tongue sliced slowly, than brutally at his flesh. His vision was blinded, by mud, pelting, and pain, yet he still saw the hirsute man, half-way through the werewolf transformation, walking around him, reviving Detreck ...

The lycanthrope Kaylens had taken out had awoken.

As he screamed, convulsing in pain sensation, rolling in the slipperiness stream that had become the clearing 's primer coat, he heard their arguing voices.

'' ... .belongs to the darkness overlord, not us ... .we ca n't harm him ... .leave it to him ... .dealt with in due time ... .orders were ... .deliver message ... .leave them .... ''

The incessant suffering suddenly lifted, his anguished cheek still spasming as he somehow rolled to front them. His hand flopped around pathetically, fingers closing without specialty upon thin air, searching for the intimate holly wood he had lost a wait of during his convulsions.

'' You can squander fourth dimension chasing after us, or her ceramist. Think about it. ``

The wet air resonated with the knifelike cracks of disapparation, his muscular synapses finally firing at his command. With soreness outshining the most laborious trial run of human being endurance he thrust himself up, his hands sinking into the muddy dirt, heart frantically scanning the clearing.

Kaylens was nowhere to be seen.

Heart lurching sickeningly, he stumbled to his feet. Sliding, staggering, he peered through the darkness, summoning his wand from where it had sunk beneath the uprooted grass.

Lightning flashed, casting an eerie lambency across the water.

Kaylens lay facedown, floating within it.

His feet moved, faster than he would have thought possible, plunging into the chest deep water. Quickly he propelled himself to where she lay submerged, floating just below the airfoil. Only her limit wrist, pushed upwards by the lenify water system 's overlapping, remained emerged in the air, her hair fanning out behind her head

His arms quickly sought her, wrapping around her shoulders to draw out her out, letting her drained weight flow hard against him.

His hand fell to her thorax, his spoken quarrel a whisper against the storm.

'' Ennervate ... ''

The warmth spread from between his fingers, his unconsciously done magic triggering no reaction in her.

The spell was removed, yet she remained unresponsive. He had expected coughing, shouting, something.

It was only then that he realized it, but no breathing time came from her graying lips.

United States Department of Defense object lesson had taught him about to a greater extent than countering enchantment, and he was already turning her hitch form to front him, using the water 's buoyancy to cradle her as her case lolled back.

His numbing, pained fingerbreadth quickly wiped the blotto hair from her lips, a spew feeling rising in his chest as his eyes flickered across the vacant grounds.

The Death Eaters were gone ... .they would not come back.

Heart wrenching, he acted, pressing his mouthpiece against hers as he pushed precious oxygen in, breathing for her, listening to the odd hiss of his breathing spell making its way through her air passages.

pulling away, waiting for the salary increase of her chest of drawers against his, he felt nothing.

Panicked eye flickered over her peaceful face before his rima oris once again descended, capturing her icy mouth with his own in another intimation of desperation. One arm was tightening around her, the other cradling her head as he pinched her nose.

Again he waited.

The salary increase in her chest as he had breathed had been barely discernable, and now there was nothing. A single thought flitted through his terrified mind. He was doing this wrong.

In that single mo of paralyzing horror he suddenly understood. Her air handing over was clogged.

He had to vindicated it.

He was already turning her limp pattern around, allowing her back to fall against him as his fists sought her midsection. With a unmarried, powerful drive he thrust them in and upwards, feeling her body spasm in a diminished quiver.

Again he repeated the motion, thrusting forcefully. Her hobble cast seized violently in reaction, her speed consistency falling forward as a racking cough shook her, the piddle expelling from her lungs. Harry lunged forward with her, arms wrapping around her breast, preventing her face from again hitting the traitorous water.

His forearms strained against her as she convulsed, choking on the wind, gasping as cough after shuddering cough shook her thin frame. Shivering in the frigid water system his pounding nub calmed until she leaned loosely forward, gasping breathlessly.

Without a intelligence he pulled her against him, clutching her quivering form hot flash to his own, her chief falling against his shoulder. Her shallow trousering caressed his cutis, the rising of her chest against his reassuring him in an inexplicable way.

Slowly he fought to control the hitching of his own fast drawn breaths, for after everything he felt quick to crumble, only he suddenly found himself the column to which she clung.

Resting his chin atop her head, peering into the Night, he silently prayed that what he had overheard was accurate. For if he was really considered Voldemort 's toy, needed to perform a project, then he truly was untouchable.

In theory they would again be safe, until brain-teaser decided to again 'chat .'

As of now, if he were wrong, then their exclusively resort would be the water they stood shivering within, and he had yet to properly get the hang the bubble-head charm for hiding beneath its muddy depths. Now their but genuine protection lay within the veil of cat-tails rising high above the shimmering water supply 's control surface, obscuring them from all.

Icy air current howled, sending the vibrating reed around them dancing.

Breathing unsteadily, the odour of burnt Ellen Price Wood filled his anterior naris. The violent storm was slowly winning the battle against the blaze, extinguishing the aflame underbrush and trees, and the light of the fire was slowly dying. Tilting his face down he watched the fiery orangeness glow reflecting from her wet cheek, lending some heat to her blanch hue.

'' Are you alright ? '' He finally whispered, his shivering hand smoothing her tousle, sopping pilus from her face. She simply breathed against him, hair dripping across his shoulders, her entire form quivering.

Tightening his blazonry around her, he again whispered his interrogation, his questioning lips brushing along her earlobe. `` Kaylens ? '' He murmured shakily, breathing against her whisker. `` You okay ? ``

In his arms she nodded imperceptivity, his trepidation for her lonely sending his heart thundering. His backup man was palpable, as was the feel of her beneath his workforce.

His personal spitfire was blissfully unaware, but she had scared the hell on earth out of him.

Raindrops continued falling, fleshy and strong, splattering against the weewee with hypnotic melody. Somehow, without grounds, his knuckles were rising, tracing alone her jaw line, a drowsy murmur leaving her pale, cracked sass at his hint.

Instinctively his secure sleeve began enveloping her tighter, pressing her to him needingly, his ground elusive. Surprisingly her delicate hands were responding, rising to weight-lift against his chest. Her gentle fingertips brushed his bare hide, sliding along his pectoral medallion where his sweater hung tattered and easy, courtesy of the werewolves'claws and the forest 's snaring bramble.

Beneath the ripple water a aristocratic tingling was radiating onto him, traveling wherever her cool skin fell into striking with his own, as if midget bits of static electricity were passing between them.

Somehow he understood, for he was feeling her true magic. She seemed unaware that she was releasing any, but her telling signature tune was trailing across him in a maddening way, just below the rippling Earth's surface, veiled from his eyes.

Yet somehow, he could not search away.

Slowly, surely, the maddening sensation of her finger tangling within his jumper drove the unconscious concerns from his idea, his hopeful eyes finally falling shut to the dark, hiding beneath the darkness, matted hair slung dripping across his marred brow.

Upon his neck he felt her lips parting, an use up suspiration escaping against his skin. His grimace dipped in answer, burrowing within her rain scented hair.

'' You know ... '' He disclosed softly, shivering in the steer. `` You may be more trouble than you 're worth. ``

A soft jape, scarcely there, sent his hide tingling.

'' Oh ? '' She breathed, her hoarsely spoken words tinged with amusement. `` And you 're not ? ''

'' Point adopt, '' He conceded, a low laugh vibrating his throat.

The sky lit up, shining with anomalous genius as lightning flashed in the distance. The icy waters lapping against them, the wind howling eerily between the trees.

'' ceramicist .... '' She mumbled, his hand rising to hang upon the bland skin of her neck at the audio. `` What happened ? ''

Her voice was barely a whispering, trailing away as his fingers went trailing down the smooth skin of her neck opening, feeling her pulse beating with regularity beneath them.

'' Apparently, '' He murmured gruffly, her light breathing a feather tracing across his skin, `` I ca n't leave you alone for a instant. ``

'' I could say the same for you, '' She said breathlessly, shivering as his hands rose along the contour of her form. First his hands were gripping her waist, succeeding revolt along her incline, sliding to caress the skin covering her ribcage, just beneath her breasts.

His breath hitched with hers, her arms rising to encircle his cervix, cupping the dorsum of his head. Quickly her hands were becoming lost within his untamable hair, the like unruliness that he had so oft heard her criticize, yet now felt her reveling in.

The earthy fragrance of mingled mud and rain was somehow uplift upon her, drawing him in more than he could allow, more than he should provide. Yet he was, his lips already lowering to hers, the thickly strung tensity of a thousand harsh exchanges vibrating between the two as his mouth fell upon hers, capturing her lips as he had when pulling her limply from the icy water. Only now her mouth was moving against his, the taste of salty sudor lingering upon his glossa. Her gustatory perception was mingling with the refreshing rain pouring upon them, cascading down their faces.

His wearable clung wetly to him as his hands sought out her tangled hair's-breadth. He frenziedly felt her deepening the impinging of their lips, the gravelly husk of his mentum scratching her in the cognitive operation. A slight grumble sent his own lip trembling against hers with laughter, her mitt squeezing his shoulders in retaliatory way. His own backtalk was parting again, gasping, never relaxing the pressure level against her rim as he fought for breathing time against her, feeling her doing the same.

A second later he again seized her, his lower lip being tugged gently between her own, an odd growl coming unbidden from his throat. For a angry moment she quivered with seeming amusement before his agile deal responded, running along her neck 's vertebrae, a startled whimper falling from her lissom lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He murmured, his coat of arms desperately gathering her against him, his mouth deliriously relishing her taste. Suddenly he was ignorant of the rainfall pouring around them, cognizant only of her hands disgusting onslaught as they slipped beneath his shirt 's collar, sliding along the bare tegument of his shoulders, caressing his back. His hair dripped into his typeface, and with rushed breather their ill-concealed passion radiated, their mouths moving in a stormy excitation. Within his arms was the girl Harry had feared to ingest lost before he had known what it was to consume, and he had no plans of letting go.

Slowly, panting breathlessly, Kalliandra pulled away. Her fingers still clung to him, the pelting pouring freely upon her flushing tegument. urine droplets were dampening her supercilium, and her fingers slipped out from beneath his shirt to hover upon his collarbone. ineffectual to let her exit he leaned his eyebrow against hers, cupping her face in his deal, feeling her cilium fluttering open against his cheeks.

His own hussy eyes flickered hazily unfastened, meeting the deep hazel unity regarding him. She was blinking against the rain, her confused centre revealing her barely concealed emotion.

Breathing heavily he leaned forward, brushing his mouthpiece against hers, kissing her slowly. He was taking his time now ... without the upsurge, without the desperation, without the fear of having nearly lost her. quarter round running along her mellow cheekbones, carefully wiping the mud from her fount, his backtalk moved needingly across hers.

Again they parted, her sass moving in a soft, disbelieving whisper.

'' You 've lost your nous ... ''

'' I know, '' He murmured, pressing his backtalk to hers chastely. `` You wo n't differentiate anyone will you ? ``

She smiled against his lips, shaking her mind slowly. `` No ... '' She whispered, amusement tingeing her intonation. `` This wo n't leave the clearing. ``

'' adept, '' He quipped, smiling deviantly. `` I would stimulate hated to Obliviate you. ``

'' What makes you think I would have minded ? ``

burial his lip near her ear, he emitted a low growl, `` You would have. ``

'' Hmph. ``

Combing his finger's breadth through her thick, mud-laden hair, he felt her slender contour again began to shiver, her quivering more articulate than before.

Wrapping his weapon tighter around her soma, he murmured his oddity. `` Does this mean you 've forgiven me for stunning you ? ``

She grumbled indecipherably for a minute, before suddenly growing tense, her aspect swiveling towards the visible clearing, eye flickering with sudden recollection.

'' Harry .... '' She whispered seriously, all lightness gone from her voice. `` What happened to the Death Eate ... ''

'' Gone, '' He assured softly, `` They 're gone. They wo n't be back. Minus the dead one. ``

Her oculus remained adverted, warily gazing through the rain into the duskiness of night.

'' How can you be sure ? ``

He smiled sadly, the warmth within him slowly dissipating as his war filled experiences, the ace that had taught him the rules of date, flew through his mind.

'' Because .... '' He whispered hauntingly, `` They delivered their substance. They had their fun. For them that was enough, for the time being. ``

'' So their fun was trying to drown me, '' She questioned bitterly, `` Or threatening you with Hermione 's life ? ``

'' Both. ``

Her center flickered across his, her formula sending something wrenching inside.

'' That man wanted you to tell him something, `` She said seriously, watching him carefully. `` Yet you would n't. Why ? ``

He swallowed hard, his cristal 's orchard apple tree rising strongly within his throat. `` Because I 'd rather die than give up them the entropy they need. ``

'' Than what stopped them from forcing you to go with them ? ``

His hand rose, trailing across her nerve, her breathing space faltering at his contact. Without reason his brow was again pressed against hers, her face so close that he could see the brown flecks within her irises dancing with each flash of lightning.

'' Even if they had, '' He whispered sullenly, `` Even if they had tortured Hermione rightfulness in battlefront of me, I still would never tell. Because the second I did we would have all been dead. ``

Distant thunder shook the sky, Kalliandra 's heart falling shut against the wet onslaught. His remained upon her, never leaving as her dresser rose and fell against his. The gentle round of her breathing was inexplicably calming.

'' If the man is so unpitying ... '' She finally spoke, `` Why would he offer you the choices he did ? ``

'' Because as ruthless as he is, he 's also intelligent. Voldemort knows his only when probability in hell of getting anything out of me would be by offering an exchange : Hermione for the entropy, at a neutral location. '' He paused, breathing heavily, watching the stirring across her endorsement.

'' It 's the only way I could ensure her safety, '' He finished solemnly.

Against his forehead he felt a light scowl creasing her forehead. A minute later her veiled oculus fell open, observing him guardedly.

'' How could Voldemort possibly know what you 're thinking ? ''

His fingerbreadth clenched and unclenched around her arms in a tense musical rhythm. `` Because Kalliandra, Voldemort and I have been playing this game for a foresighted time. And were both getting bettor at it. ``

Her mouth parted questioningly, his fingers rising to press carefully against them, silencing her question.

'' Please, do n't ask. I do n't need to lie to you, '' He pleaded breathlessly, brim hovering cm from her own, praying she understood.

She did.

Against him she nodded, wet droplets cascading down her paling face. This sentence it was she who sealed the short quad between them, her cunning arms winding around his cervix, her body pressing flush against his.

For some reason, as her parted backtalk allowed his tongue entry, he suddenly felt more afraid than he ever had.

The stake had been raised that day, for with his best ally gone he suddenly had so a lot to lose, and it was the girl he remained tat with that had sent fissures running through his heavily erected paries.

Pulling away, gasping fervently, he suddenly was unsure of whether to hate her or love her for that.

'' You 're infuriating ... '' He murmured, nose nuzzling her cheek.

'' Likewise, '' She gasped breathlessly, water-laden strands of hair's-breadth falling over her eyes

They simply remained, hovering within the embrace of the other, until a flash of red crossed the nighttime, circling to roost upon the pond 's edge.

Whilst she stiffened, Harry almost laughed in relief.

The fiery phoenix was watching them silently, something suspiciously like an old rag dropped near its feet, its featherlike head cocked at a singular angle.

If Harry had not known better, he would say Guy Fawkes looked amused.









Recommended report :

Fire and terra firma by sagesolon Rated : age musical genre : whodunit, Action/Adventure, Drama
The Weasley 's and their adoptive family have worn through the rise of Voldemort and the final exam struggle. There have been many end, but what happens on the brightest of day 's has rebound far and wide ranging. Now they are left to pick up the firearm. Welcome to a story of promise, where the survivor are left to accompany the clues, attempting to solve the teaser before the sequent sea wolf strikes again. While this is a relatively new chronicle it contains one of the most challenging plots that I have been lucky enough to stumble across. Pairing : Harry/Hermione

centre, parallel bars, and scratch by sagesolon Rated : ripe Genre : Romance, Action/Adventure, Angst
The final exam battle has long since yesteryear, yet to the Chosen One its reverberation sting as painfully as they did on the day he lost her. His only solace is found within his nightly escapes to the Muggle realm, to where he is unrecognized in the dimly lit gin mill, to where he is no longer in a world that constantly reminds him of the red tomentum of his dreams. Yet when a Muggle as lots in need of solace as he makes the mistake of sending a friend to ask for his phone number in a steaming pub, Harry suddenly finds a respite to that lingering desperation. The only job is how to explain his humans to one content with conjuring trick card joke ? Well ... the sweetener of a holiday definitely has its good points ! This account has an almost flick noir quality at its start, and it progresses into a very 'feel good', laugh out loud, read. Pairing : Harry/Muggle OC












A few basics to observe :

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which transports O throughout the body. If these were suddenly taken away, you would strangle even if you were still breathing.

Platelets are responsible for the body 's ability to work blood clot. Without platelets, you would phlebotomize to expiry from a dim-witted cut on the arm.

Sorry for the impromptu biota lesson, but in writing this chapter I did not finger like explaining these basic construct since I assumed that the characters, due to one too many infirmary wing visits, would already live what these are. I also took a few creative liberties, so stomach with me on those.






'' Hope is the companion of top executive, and mother of achiever ; for who so hopes strongly has within him the giving of miracles. ``
~ Samuel Smiles ~



Chapter 27 ~ The Companion of Grief


Near dawn she found him there. He was still awake, as she had known he would be.

Dean was flat on his book binding, staring at the rich, blood red canopy of his bed. His heart had not moved from the canopy in hours, for fear of seeing the abandon bed besides him, and they did not move as his bed dangling stirred in the eerie visible radiation.

Ginny slipped between them, crawling across the covers until she lay besides him. Wordlessly he had wound his arms around her lowly frame, an icy nuisance twisting within him. It was a big guilt, for he had his friend 's warm comforter while her boyfriend had naught to see save for the common cold white plane draped over his fill up eyes.

Seamus was gone, and it felt like a dagger had been driven through him.

It dawned a darkness, gray-red dawn, and the sinister rain outside continued, pooling upon the window sills. He could not close the Windows, nor blocking out the chilled malarky, for when he had first seen Seamus'void bed that dark he had thrown open each pane, tearing the wooden panels from their hinges.

Now the water dripped onto the floor, the temporary beat serving to drive him closer and closer to the break point. It was a wakeless Neville seemed oblivious to, for his dorm married person 's calm stertor filled the air, and with each passing profound dean felt the urge to demolish something violently.

His fingerbreadth twisted in Ginny 's red hairsbreadth, reminding him of her presence. Though Seamus was gone, she was still there.

He had a reason to remain strong.

Still he did not await at her. Gradually her quiet hint became even, but his dark eyes remained open, staring at the canopy.

It was all he could do.
* * * * *


Harry watched as Angelina ran from the room, unable to throw off the icy esthesis slithering within him. He knew he should not care, he could not ...

Yet he did.

mo after port-keying to Lupin 's manor, as he had regained his foothold in the candlelit foyer, Kalliandra had lost consciousness. His shivering body had clutched her against his chest, and that was how Angelina had found them.

It was becoming clearer, the harshly exchanged Son between Kaylens and the headmaster ... the ones he had overheard in the hospital backstage ... It seemed eld ago, yet they echoed hauntingly reinvigorated within his head.

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't cure ... ''

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

'' You 're properly. Nothing will. ``

Angelina had claimed that the forcible focus of the night had just finally taken their toll, saying how sorcerous locomotion was often too much for a weakened eubstance to take. She had told him everything was going to be fine, to not care ...

Her eyes betrayed her word for the lies they were.

'' Harry, set her there. Help me get her sleeves ... ''

Angelina was back, having returned with a hoard of supplying. He did as he was told, laying Kalliandra on the faded couch. She sunk into the torn up cushions, stuffing bulging out at the extra weight. It appeared to be the only real piece of furniture on the first floor, and he too squeezed onto it.

He could n't forget her.

Reaching down he grasped the cuff of her wet sleeve, rolling it up. With every inch of exposed pulp another bruise was revealed, his inside twisting at the thick, abstruse purple target lining her touchy skin. In the dark of the clarification he had not even noticed ...

Angelina knelt besides them, her hands moving methodically, with the calculated movements born of her therapist training. His quondam teammate was now cleaning the inside of Kalliandra 's articulatio cubiti, inserting a minuscule phonograph needle into the blue contrast of her vein. He could only watch from where he sat on Lupin 's haggard couch, holding Kaylens mussy chief of hair in his lap.

'' Harry arrest this ... hold it high up ... ''

He nodded mutely, taking the clear charge plate bag from her, watching the yellowish-brown fluid sloshing within it. Following Angelina 's instructions he held it shoulder high, ineffectual to remove his eyes from Kaylens'serene nerve. Her deep hazelnut eyes were now hidden behind pale eyelids, her face in desperate need of washing. A streak of mud still highlighted her zygomatic, a gray-headed coat of ash tree lending her a ghostly, freckled visual aspect.

reach down Harry brushed her hair aside, revealing a dried daub of blood hiding near her hairline.

A deep contusion was forming there as well.

In mobile motions his previous housemate attached a long, solve tube to the IV in her arm with a quiet click, retrieving the fluid filled bag from him. With both of his hands finally absolve he found himself smoothing the hair away from her brass, wiping the mud away with his thumbs.

He could palpate Angelina 's center on him. `` She needs to rest Harry. ''

He did not answer right away, contenting himself to view as Angelina wove her wand, the IV bag rising to persist suspended in mid-air. Slowly the liquid began dripping from the bag into a minor, tube-like chamber.

Swallowing hard, his gaze rose pointedly to Angelina 's.

'' What are you giving her ? ``

Angelina never ceased working, and she was already shooing Harry 's handwriting out of the way as she carefully grasped Kalliandra 's other limp arm, tapping just above the elbow with her wand.

Kaylens'dingy vena bulged just long enough for another syringe needle to be inserted, only this time Angelina was drawing parentage samples, rather than starting a drip infusion.

'' Angelina ? '' He prompted gruffly.

The Thomas Young therapist sighed wearily, `` It 's a mix of red blood cellular phone and thrombocyte Harry. '' She pulled back on the syringe, and it began filling with a glutinous, dark red blood.

Harry hastily looked away.

'' Why does she need that ? '' He ground out, his voice hoarse with exhaustion.

Leaving the phonograph needle in her arm Angelina unscrewed the full syringe barrel, setting the blood sample upon a natation tray she had conjured. She made ready employment of attaching a new, empty one to the needle as she repeated the cognitive process.

'' How about you Harry ? '' Angelina asked dismissively. `` Knowing you, you 've probably managed to bang yourself up good. ``

'' Do n't change the study. ``

Angelina 's dour centre darted up, `` I 'm not. But I 'm a healer, that 's why Dumbledore left me to wait for you two. I just had to hold back. ``

His tire out oculus turned to his own custody. He flipped them over, observing his healed, cauterise palms. The recondite slashes the broken glass had left were gone. Guy Fawkes'tears had healed them, dripping into his lesion when he had reached through the thick rain to admit the port key.

Before he even had a chance to wonder why Fawkes had bothered healing such minor trauma, the phoenix had flown away.

'' I 'm fine, '' He replied staidly, realizing he meant it. No longer could he find the stinging scratches, torn by the werewolf 's pincer, down his book binding. Even the bone deep chill the icy rain had left was gone.

All that was left was the macabre sensation churning within his venter, his only relief the girl in his lap, who was incompetent of responding plenty to ease his fears.

'' What 's wrong with her ? ``

In the empty, windowless room, Angelina removed the needle from her arm.

'' zip that ca n't be treated, '' She responded quietly, rising from her knees, apparently done.

'' That 's not what I asked. ``

He did not drop the way her eyes avoided his.

'' Nothing that I can tell you. For what it 's Worth ... I 'm sorry about that Harry. ''

He swallowed, the sound seeming often louder in the still air. He bowed his head, spying a spot of gray ash near the corner of Kalliandra 's mouth. Without thought his quarter round wiped it away, his stiff demeanor relaxing as a sleepy murmur emerged from her coldness lips.

Angelina watched it all, silently placing each of the pedigree sample into a cool off carrying showcase. For a moment her clinical nature vanished, a sad feeling overcoming her jet black features.

It was then that it all came together for Harry. Every niggling detail that she had let case, every preindication of fatigue, every tidings the dying Eaters had said ...

'' It has to do with what she is, does n't it ? ''

Though he had asked, there was no motion in his tone.

Angelina rose a skeptical supercilium, `` Then you do know ? ``

His eyes rose to hers, `` Yes. That 's why you could n't say me. Dumbledore is n't aware I know. ``

She sighed tiredly, but he was already continuing. `` Ron and the others, you said they 're finely and that they were taken to Hogwarts. ''

She just nodded, earning a severe smell from him.

'' Then why were we brought here ? ``

'' I wish I knew. All I know is that the Order is finally utilizing the safe houses it 's been setting up. ``

His brow crinkled, his hands unconsciously caressing Kalliandra 's damp haircloth, which was strewn across his lap, leaving wet marker upon his trousers. `` There are other blank space parenthesis from headquarters ? ``

'' Of course. Do n't ask where, because I do n't experience. ``

His smile was strained, `` Clever really ... not letting any one person know too much about anything in case they 're caught. ``

'' Exactly. ``

His relapse from the dark topic plaguing him could cover no longer, for the feeling of carefully controlled panic was rising.

Indicating the IV bag, he shot out a dubiousness. `` Why does she need that ? ``

'' Perhaps I 'm not the good someone to explicate that. ``

'' You 're a healer, '' He said in a carefully controlled whole step. `` Who better ? ``

Angelina opened her backtalk, as if to respond, but she never got the chance.

'' Perhaps I can. If you would only leave me. ``

Harry 's head spun, as did Angelina 's. Neither had heard the person 's arrival, and his marrow was thundering at the fatalist possibilities that could have resulted from such a lapse on their parting.

His optic narrowed, ire mixing with relief as he saw another loved one intact and standing in the hall 's doorframe. A virulent laugh broke his throat, and he gestured into the room.

'' By all means professor, it is your household after all. ``

prof Lupin stepped wearily into the room, looking spoiled for the vesture. But then again, Harry reflected, did n't they all ? The thought nearly sent Harry laughing. Instead he bit it back, another bitter sound growling thick in his throat.

From the look on Lupin 's typeface, Harry knew he had noticed. The deep lines on the man 's grimace betrayed an inner pain, one Harry felt all too acutely.

It was the pain of red. Only Harry knew Lupin had lost far more than he ever had. Of course, he was still young. There was time to take in up in that category.

As if sensing his dark thoughts, Kalliandra stirred. His attention was suddenly riveted to her, his mitt on her face. Half of him hoped desperately for her to awaken, while another part feared that his one chance of discovering what ailed her would then slip away.

She was far too stubborn to burden anyone else with her pain. He knew that now.

It was startling how much could change in less than twenty four hours.

Harry 's half wild, one-half questioning gaze finally rose. He was startled to discover Angelina 's absence seizure. Somehow she had slipped away unnoticed, leaving he and Lupin alone.

After having been ignored by him for over two weeks, he was n't certain if he was happy about that or not.

'' It 's commodity to see you Harry. ''

'' Is it ? '' He could n't avail it, but his phonation was dusty.

Lupin looked stung. `` Of form it is. ``

'' Well forgive me for being skeptical, '' Harry replied sarcastically. `` It 's not like you have n't spoken to me in awhile. ``

'' I had my reasons. ``

He inclined an brow, `` You had reasons for believing Sirius all-but-killed my mum and dad too. ''

'' That 's below the belt Harry. ``

'' Good. ``

Remus ran a weary handwriting through his graying hair, leaning back against the wall. For the longest time neither spoke, the integral group meeting arousing conflicting emotions within Harry.

He wanted to slug him. For what he had done to him, to Tonks, to Kaylens ... by ignoring them simply to shelter them from his cuspid side. For having left him to sell with the nuisance of Sothis'death alone. For having had the audacity to walk in, saying hello, as if nothing were amiss between the two. For having sent not one owl that summer.

All of Harry 's pent up frustration with Lupin were finally bubbling over, conveyed in the bingle icy flavor he shot him.

Outside the cold, first of November wind rattled the siding. The atmospheric condition matched his black mood perfectly.

'' I 'm no-good Harry. ``

He nearly laughed. `` Are you ? ''

'' For everything, '' Lupin whispered chokingly.

Harry looked up, meeting the pleading stare of his father 's last livelihood friend. Suddenly he did not see the man who had inspired such a feeling of abandonment.

Instead ... he saw his family.

He swallowed hard, remembering the break he and Ron had been through, and the one they were in now. All those years ago, when he and Ron had fought during the Tri-Wizard tournament, Hermione had called them pudden-head.

She had been right.

sprightliness was too light to hold grievance.

The monitor of Hermione 's quandary, and the opinion that Remus could be taken just as easily, sent him stumbling for give-and-take. `` Just ... '' He started, forcing a strained smile. `` Do n't let it happen again. ``

'' I wo n't. ``

Remus'scant brown eyes were nothing but honest. Suddenly, despite his lingering fears for Hermione ... for Ron ... for Ginny ... for James Byron Dean ... for Tonks ... for Dumbledore ... for Remus ... .for Neville ... .for Luna ... for Kalliandra ...

It was all too much to demand, but suddenly he felt that he may not be quite so desperately alone in facing all of it.

'' Thank you, '' He said quietly, truly meaning it.

Remus simply smiled sadly, inclining his top dog towards the slumbering girl in his lap.

'' How is she ? ``

Harry felt his brow instinctively furrow, his mind once again compartmentalizing what he could worry about, and encroachment, in the here and now.

'' I 'm not for certain, '' He replied honestly. `` But Profes ... .Remus, what 's happening to her ? ``

The start look upon Remus 's face faded, his sort eyes regarding him carefully.

'' I assume you already know then. ``

'' Yes, '' He heard himself whispering, his voice filled with naked concern.

Remus studied him for a long moment, his eyes falling on the apparent movement of Harry 's hands as he stroked Kalliandra 's long hair.

For some reason Harry did not care if Remus noticed.

The former professor 's brow crinkled with both curiosity and pity at the intension Harry 's gesture conveyed. `` Are you sure you really want to know Harry ? Sometimes not knowing is best, for when you know ... '' Remus'gaze was suddenly far off, as if peering into the distant past.

'' Sometimes Harry, the true statement will simply stalk you. ``

Harry 's pharynx constricted, the rent glistening within Remus'eyes far too clear.

'' What if it already does ? ``

The senior man smiled sadly, `` Then I 'd say affair between the two of you have changed. After all, she 's out cold-blooded and you have yet to try and throttle her. ``

A sad joke bubbled out of him, his gaze falling to rest on her pale frontal bone.

'' Please ... I ... do n't say anything .... ''

'' Would n't pipe dream of it. ``

Harry found himself nodding with no specific reasonableness. `` expert ... I ... I 've no idea ... ''

'' What 's going on ? '' Remus finished.

Harry spotted the man 's knowing smile, and was finally able to let out the hint he had been unconsciously holding.

'' Something like that. ``

In the still air of the windowless room, both men remained mute. Harry 's eyes fell closed, his ears seeking out the piano sound of Kaylens'habitue breathing.

Somehow, even with the growing disquietude within, this calmed him.

With a decisiveness he did not feel, he finally spoke.

'' I need to know Remus. ''

A tacky suspiration filled the room. `` I was afraid of that. ``

And Remus explained. He explained how magical organism had come into innovation, for somewhere in human being story, human blood cellular telephone had begun mutating.

Most of the mutant had resulted in cancerous blood streams, killing those in possession of those sport. Muggles and wizard alike still struggled against those diseases, leukemia the most prominent, but there were some someone where the mutations became beneficial.

He explained how everything, both living and inert, contained a form of energy. Not all of it was measurable in the Muggle fashion, and it was this bod of energy, the sort that would fail to register on electrical scale leaf, that allowed wizard existence to flourish.

It was magical free energy, and over time some individuals developed the ability to keep in line it, without adverse affects.

Others were not so lucky.

There were people like Kalliandra, the great unwashed like Reaches, who could delve into the magical realm. But doing so was dangerous.

In the case of crone and wizards, they developed completely new cells in their lineage streams, and magical muscularity was conducted through their physical bodies via these. Thus their organic structure were capable to act like electrical circumference, and muscularity was able to pass through their magical cells without ever touching their other cells.

It was a perfect system.

There were occasions when witches and thaumaturge would become fatigued, and such natural event usually happened when the soul was performing wandless thaumaturgy, or a particularly complicated spell. And the cause for their exhaustion was quite simple really :

When one 's body mathematical function like a circuit, if excess magical energy is taken in and not released in the physical body of a decent mold trance, then that energy remains stuck in the physical structure and has to go somewhere. And since trick runs quite literally through one 's vena, that beldame or wizard 's wizardly cells would be the offset to be essentially, electrocuted by their magical overload.

Fortunately magic cellphone are quite rich, and their plasma membrane are more than capable of absorbing such overloads.

Red pedigree electric cell, however, are not.

On occasion so much push is not released from a wizard 's body that it bursts through their wizardly jail cell, frying blood mobile phone essential in the sustentation of life.

And when one 's red blood line cellphone are dying it is difficult to circulate enough oxygen.

It was how Luna Lovegood 's mother had died. She had suffocated, while still breathing.

Such expiry were a rare occurrence, because human being profligate contains far more cells than necessary for the maintenance of living. So when some blood cells are killed there are generally enough subsister to allow that individual to bear on functioning in a normal, albeit fatigued, manner.

The beginning time Harry had tried the Patronus Charm he had overdrawn as well. He had been left winded, gasping for breath, just like he was after every Quidditch practice.

Yet he had partaken in no physical activity.

It was because he had lost red-blood prison cell, the very cells responsible for carrying Oxygen throughout the body, and his body was responding as it would in an Oxygen-deprived manner.

Reaches had never evolved that far. They had never developed additional mobile phone in their roue stream, and the mutation allowing them to conduct electrical current lay directly upon their red blood cells.

If they overdrew, their world-class cubicle to be damaged would be the one 's necessary in the fare of Oxygen.

Their mutation was one that worked, but it functioned poorly. Wizards had evolved much more gracefully, for their additional cells provided a barrier to protect them against overdrawing. Ultimately it was this defense mechanism that had allowed the wizarding species to not only flourish, but to pull through.

Unlike in him, the first cell to die in a scope when they overdrew were their red profligate prison cell.

For a compass, the likelihood of suffering Luna 's mother 's fate was an almost certainty.

A insensate feel overtook Harry as all of this sunk in, for Kalliandra could easily die from overdrawing. She was only still alive due to the fact that her rip stream contained more red ancestry cells than it actually needed. Thus, she was open of tolerating a sealed academic degree of overdrawing, but the gross profit was slim.

For her, unlike a witch or hotshot, there was no real encyclopaedism bend. For her there was petty elbow room for mistake, for there were no cellular phone to suck up the jar ...

For her the but reward of overdrawing too a lot was death.

She would suffocate while still breathing.

It was why her red blood cells were being replaced even as Remus spoke. For every prison term she drew energy into herself she was slowly killing her cells.

Dumbledore was determined to substitute as many as he could, as often as he could.

It was the only way to nurture her, to ensure her a longer life.

Suddenly he understood the intermittent bruising he had seen upon her throughout the year.

After Remus had turned ... in the hospital wing ...

Her blood platelet had been killed when she had overdrawn, to protect him from Remus ...

She had passed out in Grimmauld blank space, from the try ... her body forcing her into unconsciousness in a last ditch cause to prevent her from doing promote damage to herself..

The image of her lying unconscious mind on the base of the Three Broomsticks flew through his mind.

He had known that she had risked exposure for what she was, but idol ... .She had risked death there, to protect people who hated her.

And he had once accused her of being a Death Eater.

Death feeder knew no such altruism.

A sickening maven flooded over him, his paw rising to reave through his still wet tomentum.

He scarcely heard Remus as he tried to lie, telling him it was not a death conviction for her.

Harry knew better, for what else could it be ?

His clutch on her tightened, as if holding onto her could prevent the inevitable. Remus was talking about treatment, about how if they maintained her parentage enumeration at proper levels that she would be able to know a convention, wide life.

All it took was a single feel into Remus'cheerless oculus to know that his supporter did not truly think what he was saying.

'' testament she die ? ``

His own articulation, his own doubtfulness, sounded so far off.

'' Harry nothing is sure ... If she does n't overdraw then we 'll never have to worry about that possibility. ``

'' Remus, will she die ? '' Harry felt his interpreter breakage, the familiar sting of release welling within him.

As he met Remus'variety, glistening heart, he knew the answer.

'' Eventually ... ''

He wanted to croak out something, a bod of protest that would quench the dispassionateness of his throat, but goose egg came.

'' From what we know Harry, the others like her ... eventually, they all overdrew. ``

Eventually ...

The foolish recesses of his psyche clung to that word, the ridiculous companion of grief stirring within him.

Hope.

It was n't until sometime after dawn when he finally fell asleep. The IV was long since removed from her arm, her sleeping form pulled into his arms.

At the bit Harry did n't give a tinker's damn about who could see.



Recommended Stories :

legacy : The Solidus Charm by the Dark master Nedved Rated : Mature
summary : Every epic has a beginning, and for the young Wise Men who was Prophesized to have the exponent the Dark Maker Knows Not, this is the outset of his bequest. For Harry there was no sentence to mourn for his fallen godfather, for a new foe has emerged with the lone purpose to assassinate him. The Dark Lord Nedved has created a tale of action, find, magical creativeness and ritual killing that would allow the serious novelist pounding on his doorway, begging for him to start working on original fiction. This epic tale has 5 different novels associated with it, two of which are completed, while the others are well under way. To attempt to report them in any former way would be to not do them justice. Harry/Hermione







Authors Note : Hey folks !

All of you really are the proficient readers out there. I ca n't thank everyone enough for all of the well want and understanding that were shown when I announced that I would be taking a farsighted sabbatical from writing. I really needed it, and am sword lily of it. Both my mother and sister had been diagnosed with dangerous illnesses this past times summer, and all of the well wishes some of you sent via e-mail must receive paid off because they have both made noteworthy recoveries.

Secondly, thank you to everyone for the sort Book 's regarding Lexi 's death. On top of everything this summer that was the final blow to drive all of my motivating for writing away for awhile, but it is now back full force out. Since I am a bit frustrated at having taken so long between chapters in the past, I have now set aside one day a week to write so that I can get chapters out much more quickly, and on a fixture footing. I anticipate this taradiddle being done by summer, and then I shall begin study on the sequel.

And most importantly I wanted to say thank you to Andrew, for he helped me immensely with this chapter. It had been so long since I had written anything that when I finally tried to compose again I found myself suffering from a severe case of writer 's block. Not only did he beta-read this chapter but he also offered wonderful proposition to get this taradiddle back on rails. Thank you so much !




'' Dangerous is wrath concealed. ``
~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca ~



Chapter 28 ~ The top executive of Anger


As if in a nightmare the elbow room 's dense shadow was broken. From the darkened hall a single candle appeared, levitating ominously as it preceded its owner into the char elbow room.

The planetary house 's lower story harboured neither windows nor door to the extraneous world. It was a unvarying monitor of the monthly ogre that had once been contained within its very paries, whenever the moon had cast its full phase of the moon luminousness upon the earth.

Now another more dangerous monster loomed in the room 's shadows.

With a everyday moving ridge of their paw the figure crossed the carpeted floor silently, their silhouette pausing above the slumbering teenager. The figure knew that neither would awaken until their sleeping trance had run its course of instruction.

Yes, the name was knock-down. Their quiescency charms were one of their firm talents.

They could operate in complete safety. None within the walls would be the wiser to their actions.

Tonight they would start out their plan.

A syringe was filled, its needle swiftly inserted into the slumbering girl 's mineral vein. Kaylens'pulsating blood, bluish in tint through her pale peel, flashed silver.

A here and now later the strange hue faded, a grim crinkle of gratification stretching over the figure 's shadowed face.

* * * * *


With a sharp click the door to Dumbledore 's office opened.

Tonks shot out of the armchair she had been dozing within, knowing the locking charm 's removal to think only one thing.

'' He 's back, '' She whispered. Lounging in the armchair besides her Regulus nodded.

Out in the Hall, suddenly visible as the doorway opened, was Ron Weasley. He lay slumped besides his thrown-away crutch on the floor, sleeping soundly.

Crusantheus hung on the door miserably, his knocker curled and contorted around his ears so as to bar out the audio of the young Gryffindor 's snoring.

'' Kill me ... '' He squeaked. `` Please. ``

As tired as she was Tonks could n't facilitate but smile as Regulus lazily took aim, an immorality glint in his eye.

'' No ! '' Shrieked Crusantheus. `` I did n't actually mean it ! ''

Regulus continued advancing on the cowering knocker until a cryptical voice intervened.

'' No motive to fray Crusantheus. Did you forget that the killing curse has no effect on establishment boob ? ''

Crusantheus peeked out from behind his knocker hopefully, as Tonks spun around, rounding on the infuriating thing 's rescuer.

Somehow Ablus Dumbledore was standing behind her, looking rather jovial.

'' Morning Nymphadora. fancy a cookie ? ``

As if on cue a tray of cookie appeared in his outstretched palm.

Tonks blinked dazedly, rubbing her red rimmed middle with her clenched fist. Surely this jovial
man had not just returned from a meeting with the darkest of wickedness lord ?

Regulus, completely unflummoxed by their sudden intrusion, rose from his arm chairman to carefully inspect the nutrient offering. `` I take it dialogue proceeded satisfactorily ? ''
'' The exchange will be made in two months'time. ``

Tonks gaped, `` Two months ! ``

'' They probably need prison term to repair the picayune Mudblood, '' Regulus commented casuallly, directing his gaze to Albus. `` I assume you requested that she be returned in one art object, and I can only imagine the fun they 've had with her until now. ``

Dumbledore nodded gravely. `` Her wounds will ask some ... healing. ``

Tonks eyes widened in concern. While she still did not see how Hermione for Dumbledore was a evenhandedly trade, she had grown rather fond of the girl during her fourth dimension at Grimmauld Place.

A pair of sky blue eyes regarded her carefully, their blink of an eye somehow dimmer than she remembered.

'' I know what you are thinking Nymphadora, '' Dumbledore said kindly, as if reading her thinker. `` But function of the cause I made the profligate pact here with Regulus, rather than in Voldemort 's presence, was so that I could ensure Hermione 's return on my own term. He could have chosen to reject the pedigree pact had he so chosen, but he did not. ''

Tonks opened her oral cavity to ask precisely what those terms were, but his hand steadied her question.

'' The terms were that if she were returned in the demand strong-arm nation that she had been in before the Hogsmead attack took place, that I would switch blank space with her, becoming Voldemort 's prisoner. ``

'' I bet he was only too felicitous to swallow that trade, '' Regulus stated, smirking widely. `` Imagine that ... Albus Dumbledore, the dark Lord 's expectant nemesis, handed to him on a golden platter with a side of cherry."

"Actually,"Dumbledore corrected,"I believe the formulation is ‘ served on a silver platter with a cherry on top.'”

Tonks spluttered, focusing on the sick of sensation within her tummy. The war effort, the orderliness, could feasibly collapse without Dumbledore 's leadership, and here he was bantering with an ex-Death eater, wizarding world ratter right after selling his life to the devil.

"Dumbledore,"She said, voicing her far from calm thoughts aloud."Why would you do this ?"

Dumbledore 's optic locked on hers, losing their twinkle. `` Nymphadora, we have lost far too many students to this war already. I could not support by and suffer another. ''

She swallowed the ball in her throat hastily. She should induce known all along that the safety of others would always come first to Dumbledore. He would have done the same for any of them.

Love of one 's supporter was a potent thing.

'' So, old man, '' Regulus queried, taking a bite of his biscuit. `` Find out anything else of sake during your small tryst ? ``

If possible Dumbledore 's centre darkened further. `` We have to assemble the order. The plague was unleashed in Dublin. ``

'' Dublin, Irish Republic ! '' Tonks blurted rhetorically.

Regulus frowned, `` As superb as you are, how were you placed in Ravenclaw again ? ''

She scarcely heard him, her eyes having darted over to the still slumbering forms of Kenneth and Emily.

Their nursing home city was infected.

'' So how 'd you add up by that fun fact Albus ? I never exactly took you two to be old school chums. ''

For the abbreviated of seconds Dumbledore 's eyes took on their old sparkle. `` For all of Voldemort 's prowess with Legilimency, he never quite mastered Occlumency. He has always surrounded himself with loyal followers. '' He continued, `` And until recently he simply did not deliver the need.

Regulus chuckled. `` So he 's good, but you 're estimable. ``

Tonks blinked. `` But I thought he was one of the most vivid educatee Hogwarts has ever seen ? ''

'' Ah ... '' Dumbledore said, smiling again. `` As is Ms. Granger, but even she can not fly upon a broom. ''

Tonks gaped at him.

'' We all have our impuissance Nymphadora. Severus never would have survived his role as spy had he not been better at Occlumency and Legilimency than Voldemort. We should simply be grateful that this is one of Voldemort 's few unaccented level. ``

Tonks frowned pensively. So He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did have impuissance. They really were not fighting for naught.

With an air of finality genus Regulus clapped his hand together, making the already spooky Crusantheus bang his doorknocker rather loudly. The slumbering Ronald Weasley gave a violent start, snorting loudly as he awoke suddenly.

Tonks watched wearily as the redhead blinked groggily, eyeing the situation in front man of him until his eyes landed on the Headmaster. It took a moment before a figurative light bulb clicked on in his sleep-befuddled mind

'' professor Dumbledore ! '' He exclaimed, scrambling to his feet, a flurry of wooden crutch and gangly legs sliding on stone. It did n't take retentive before Ron was flat on his posterior once again, groaning from his fall.

Regulus eyed him mockingly. `` And they call Hufflepuffs the duffers. ``

* * * * *


Harry 's middle snapped receptive, his dreamless nap shattered by the sudden outcry of the young woman in his arms. Through slightly blurred center he stared down the bridge of his nozzle at the messy mop of hair resting upon his chest. The warm feeling he ought to have felt vanished, a numbing one replacing it at the sight of her expression.

For Kaylens there was no pacification to be found in the realm of dreams.

He swallowed hard, watching her case furrow into an expression bearing striking similarity to what he had once seen upon Cedric 's Father-God, as the man desperately clutched his lifeless son to him, forgetful to the swarming crew around them.

Such undiluted sorrow should never be seen upon a human visage, yet he had seen it palpably far too often. Even on himself. The tooth root of such anguish had been buried deep within him, growing since the moment he had discovered his rightful fate : Kill or be killed.

All thought of his tragedy of a future was suddenly shattered as Kaylens lurched violently, a cooling cry cutting from her throat.

Harry gaped, feeling the hair on his branch rising to stick out on end. Without thinking his hands gripped her munition, her sputter beneath his finger turning Andrew Dickson White with the pressure.

'' K-kaylens ... '' He stuttered, scarcely recognizing his own voice. He gave an observational shove, shaking her lightly in a pitiful effort to awaken her.

And that was when she cried out again. That sound ripping from her pharynx. It resonated through the dark room, terrifying in its raw intensiveness. His hair now fully stood on end, for the auditory sensation had been insanely tragic and yet, unbearably beautiful.

It chilled him to the pearl, for it was a sound no human being could utter.

It happened fast. One second his arms were wrapped tightly around her, shaking her in an attempt to force out her, and in the future her subdivision wrenched away. She shot up quickly, her eyes flying open up in the dark room only to be slammed shut as she uttered a more familiar scream of annoyance. His relief was short- lived as he grabbed onto her arm again, for she pulled away so violently that they were both sent tumbling from the couch to the floor.

His back struck the trading floor first, his knees having been tangled unnaturally in the blankets. He attempted to right himself, pulling his leg down until he was on all fours.

A Dean Swift kick to the back up sent his face smashing into the ground.

He groaned, and ignoring the throbbing botheration in his olfactory organ he rose his capitulum cautiously, squinting at his surroundings. Where were his eyeglasses ? Slowly he reached a hand out, allowing it to roll across the flabby carpet in his hunting.

And then he remembered.

His glassful were still lying in some godforsaken puddle in the middle of that damnable timber. By now they were probably some acromantula 's chew toy.

Cursing he blinked rapidly, his center finally adjusting to the darkness and settling on the slightly fuzzed outline of Kaylens. She was sitting upright, some good five infantry away, with her genu drawn to her chest of drawers and her face buried within them.

He swallowed hard, the only sounds in the elbow room now were his rough breaths and her rapid, erratic one. In daze secretiveness he observed her as best as he could. Her bare feet were sticking out from beneath a thick blanket, which despite their fall still partly covered her, while she breathed as if having run a marathon.

Everything that had transpired between them came flooding back, a tense tactile sensation twisting within him.

'' Kaylens ... '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her, only for her to recoil, scrambling away like a frightened animal.

He stared in astonishment as her back hit the room 's bulwark, a strange whimper coming from her throat. Of all the response he could consume foreseen, this was the utmost from it.

And now she was having the reaction that he would have expected from any other girl, but not from her.

She was sobbing.

The sound of her crying torus at him in slipway he had n't imagined, for the girl who had stood by him, facing expiry feeder and werewolves without blinking an eye, had been reduced to this pitiable Department of State by a mere nightmare.

Instantly he stood, crossing the elbow room to her in four long strides.

'' Kaylens, '' He said, tentatively laying a hand on her shoulder. She whimpered, shrinking away from his touch.

His brow furrowed determinedly. `` Kaylens look at me, '' He commanded, crouching directly in front end of her. Still, her head remained determinedly adverted, prompting him to grok her by both shoulders.

Her head shot up, a raging clicking coming from her throat as she struggled away, lashing out violently. He dove back to ward off her thresh workforce and feet, landing on his tailbone, optic wide in astonishment.

She was making that phone again.

And he recognized it. A coloured night in the Forbidden forest, where he and Draco Malfoy had encountered the unexpected, had taught him that sound of pain.

The sound of the beautiful wight 's dying cries had reverberated in his nightmares for months.

As had Voldemort 's shadowy figure ...

There was no hesitation in his apparent movement as he wandlessly summoned his wand to his manus, immobilizing her arm and branch with a flick of his wrist.

Kaylens was conscious, but incapable of lashing out.

He crawled back to her, taking her delicate wrist joint and pushing the sleeve of her battered sweater up.

The bruising was gone.

He swallowed hard, recognizing the odds of such bruising disappearing overnight. Now he was only certain of one thing.

Something had happened whilst he slept.

Licking his slips nervously he cupped her chin, raising her headspring until he could see all of the confusion swimming within her favourable middle. His breathing place hitched in horrible actualisation at what he was about to do, but there was simply no other way.

He had to know. He had to know what had happened whilst he slept.

Until then he could n't help her, and he knew that no one else would be willing to do this. There were stern rules against the unauthorized use of Legilimency. Hermione had taught him that much, screaming and ranting after his last misuse of the talent against the same girl he was about to violate yet again.

'' I 'm gloomy, '' He whispered, brushing her hair away from her face. `` I 'm so sorry Kally ... '' He repeated, steeling himself for his crime.

Cupping her face he stared intently into her centre, watching them flickering around in fear.

Her fear was warranted.

He only hoped he was wrong.

'' Legilimency ! ``

The overpowering undulation that was her life flooded his judgment, capturing his senses in a twist of indiscernible events. He groaned, desperate to block the twister-like upshot of the memories swirling around him. It was different than the last clock time, so unbelievably different ...

A cacophony of clicking, beautiful and hefty in its raw intensity filled his creative thinker, only to be replaced just as quickly as it had come with a conversant scream.

'' James Whitcomb Riley ! ''

He was seeing it again, reliving the good afternoon when she had seen her own brother murdered right in front of her. Only this time the prototype were fleeting, distorted as if he were viewing it through a thick superman of smoky glass. It was as if the memories were no longer her own.

His heart clenched as he watched the man kick open the room access for the second time. Kaylens'small organic structure was thrown backwards, her flyspeck form sliding across the base. It was as if everything were on the flying forrard feature of a Muggle VCR. There was the knife, her thigh-slapper, her comrade ...

As the gunshot rang out he could again almost experience what she had. The hot, fiery pain of the blade plunging into her flesh. The searing as it was drug in a oceanic abyss agate line across her berm sword. The fear as she watched the roue pooling from her sidekick 's
wound slowly point pumping ...

Suddenly all was Black, misty, the powerful sound of a herd stampeding through her thoughts. Then all was greenish and brown and green again. Somehow he was running faster than he had thought potential, the trees whipping past him in a blur of green and brown and green again. He was surrounded by others of his kind.

His name was Lightning.

The images twisted again, surrounding Harry in a confusing helix of forest panorama followed by scenes of her childhood. atomic number 47 horns flashed around him, gleaming as the herd ran beneath the moonlight, while gold hair flashed throughout her life.

Another memory board slammed into Harry, crystallizing into almost clarity. It was mid-afternoon, though the sun barely shone through the over-cast sky. Before him was a badly kept thou, bordered on three sides by a thick, rising treeline and hills. Harry swiveled in the murky memory, feeling Kalliandra 's remembrance lurch dangerously as another storage threatened to leech into this one. The sound of hooves, the sound of the ruck on the run, pounded in the distance.

Harry fell to the dewy ground, watching as a man with golden hair, tinged heavily with grey-headed, methodically stacked sandbags away from the theatre. Fog crept across the lawn, curling around his feet, each grunt echoing in the silent valley.

And then the nestling were led out, and Harry 's mortal shivered.

Kalliandra appeared to be the Sami age as in the last computer storage, only now she stood besides a small boy, barely honest-to-goodness than her, digging her nails into his arm.

'' S-sean ... ''

Their father pried her work force away from her brother, forcing a semi-automatic Glock 17, 9x19 mm caliber pistol into her minuscule handwriting. Her peg had suddenly felt frosty, rooted to the damp ground. Harry could practically experience her heart 's fearful thundering at the frigidity, unfeeling metallic element between her fingers.

The thick fog curled luxuriously around the six foot stack of George Sand purse, and as it began to drizzle her father aimed her belittled mitt towards the stack.

'' Shoot it. ``

Kalliandra pulled the gun trigger and cried.

As the gun was being passed to her surviving brother Kaylens'retentivity shifted again, swirling until he found himself peering through a dense grove of tree, stomping his hooves in warning as a hooded figure approached. The build 's custody raised very slowly, carefully removing the exhaust hood of their robe, allowing a cascade of thick, black hair to come tumbling around her shoulders.

The woman 's countenance remained hidden by the deep timberland phantasm, yet Lightning was calming.

It was a pair of virginals womanhood. She could be trusted. Lightning could tell.

The unicorn never saw the early cloaked figure creeping from behind, and that man 's sticker soon shone silver with Lightning 's blood.

Harry stood in the phantom drawing deep, ragged breaths. He could practically feel every inch of pain the poor creature was going through, the alone sounds that of the screeching animal and that of the dry branches cracking beneath Harry 's shifting free weight as he watched, powerless to hold on its pain.

The man bottled and corked a measurable amount of blood from the unicorn, leaving it only enough to barely limp away alive. A light chuckle escaped the hooded Death Eater at the sight.

Suddenly the woman stepped out of the shadows, and Harry 's breath stopped.

Angelina stood in the dim light, depositing the nursing bottle into a thick bag slung across her shoulder. Her Dark Mark gleamed brilliantly.

Violently Harry felt himself being tossed out, finding himself flat on his back staring up at Remus'shocked face.

Kalliandra continued to whimper.

* * * * *


'' Would you mind repeating that ? ``

Tonks blinked stupidly. Somehow she had thought that being told that the `` pest of all pestilence '' had been unleashed upon the citizens of Ireland would give birth had more of an effect upon its President.

Instead the newly awakened Kenneth Bothan sat behind Dumbledore 's desk, clasping his script, waiting for her reception with an inquiring look upon his face.

She silently damned Albus for having left them to break the news program to Kenneth while he went to scream an emergency brake group meeting of the fiat. She was n't skillful at this sort of thing dam n't ! She had at to the lowest degree expected a rouse out of the man at the news, but instead he was irrefutably calm.

It was quite obvious that Kenneth was insane.

'' Basically Ken, all of your people will be dead within the week, '' Regulus stated with wry sunshine. `` But look on the undimmed incline. At least you wo n't accept to run for re-election. ''

Tonks'dark eyes swiveled to her cousin, her mouth hatchway and shutdown like a gawk fish.

Kenneth, however, seemed entirely unperturbed.

'' So, '' The President started with a curious frown, `` What you are saying is that wizarding phratry have no treatment against this ? ''

'' Well ... '' Regulus mused thoughtfully. `` We could always Avada Kedavra those who have already contracted it. That ought to slow up its spread, right Nymphadora ? ``

'' Regulus ! ``

Kenneth looked appraisingly at her cousin. `` And this Avada Kedarva treatment ? How in effect is it ? ``

Regulus grinned like a jackal. `` Supposing we were able to isolate those who had already contracted it we may find out its method of dissemination, while simultaneously establishing a quarantine and treating the pain of the already afflicted ... ''

'' By killing them ! ? '' Tonks fit in, unable to believe the wicked game Regulus played with the President 's hopes.

'' Ah, '' Kenneth said as if suddenly understanding. `` The treatment has a high mortality charge per unit. How heights though ? ``

genus Regulus grinned widely, while Tonks contemplated murder for the dozenth time in twenty four hours.
* * * * *


'' Harry ! What in the name of Merlin did you reckon you were ... ''

Harry closed his eyes, grinding out his words. `` Something 's unseasonable with Kalliandra, '' He interjected. `` I had to see out what. ``

The way 's secrecy was broken only by Kaylens'laboured respiration, and her light up distress drew lupin 's attention from him to her. He felt the former professor driblet to his knees besides them, and he cracked an eye to learn as Lupin scrutinized her.

The Professor looked flabbergasted as he picked up one of her stiff sleeve. `` Harry, you 've immobilized her. ``

'' For unspoilt reasonableness. ``

lupin threw a fed up look over his berm, and snatched his wand out, clearly intending to off the spell.

'' prof I do n't opine tha ... ''

His protestation was too of late, for Kaylens had already lashed out, landing a strategic kick that sent lupin sprawling flat on his binding next to Harry.

'' I told you, '' Harry groaned, shoving himself up on his elbows to notice the pained expression of Remus'face. `` Kicks hard, does n't she ? ``

lupin coughed harshly in response, choosing to ignore him as he rolled over to check on Kaylens. She was already scrambling along the wall on all tetrad, backing herself into a niche like a affright animal. On her way she somehow managed to hit the only other part of piece of furniture, parenthesis from the lounge, and several small mass came spilling down, scattering across the floor like rock 'n' roll thrown from a distance.

The crashing sound only intensified the poor people girl 's whimpering.

Harry 's eyes remained on her, watching as she curled her legs to her chest in a debile attack at self-protection. But he knew the verity ... there was no shelter from what plagued her.

But he 'd be damned if he did n't try to help.

'' prof .... '' He started slowly. `` What kind of hex does drinking unicorn origin entail ? ''

Lupin opened his mouth and faltered. Harry remained lying on his backrest, his pep pill dead body propped up with his cubitus, silently hoping to God that the Professor would put the man together. lupine had to conceive him. He had to swear him. None of the adult, save for those absolutely and buried, had ever trusted him in time for it to actually matter.

It was why Sirius had died. And somehow Harry did n't think he could accept it if the last contact to his beginner failed to desire him.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, the lykan's head turned towards him, and even in the dark room Harry could see the sudden knowledge flashing in his eyes.

Moony understood his meaning.

'' Her bruising is gone, '' Harry whispered, driving another shock to any doubts the prof could have. `` What else in the wizarding world could heal someone that quickly ? ``

lupine drew a rich breathing place, shaking slightly.

'' Harry ... if what you 're saying is true ... ''

'' It is, '' He assured. `` I saw remembering inside of her judgment that were not hers. ``

Kaylens'whimpering had finally quieted, casting the room into a deathly silence.

Besides him Lupin swallowed audibly, contemplating Harry 's statements in the deadly silence that had descended. Kaylens was no longer whimpering, and he was unsure of if he missed the reassuring sound of her front, or if was pleased at the obvious moderation of her distress.

He glanced at Lupin, stunned at the lacerate expression upon his former professor's physiognomy. Did the man believe him or not ?

He sighed in frustration, snapping at lupine's deadness. `` Why would she consume those remembering, Moony ? ``

hearing his old Marauder public figure snapped Lupin out of his contemplative stupefaction. `` It's magically potent…unicorn blood that is. In fact it is so magical that their memories are often heavily imprinted upon it. '' He shook his head slowly, as if clearing a hazy fog."To have a unicorn's line of descent is to not only possess their life flow, but their very being."

lupin sighed heavily. `` There is not much case law for this, but….in the early 1900 's medi-wizards began experimenting with different discourse pick for terminus diseases. One investigator, intimate with unicorns, sought to harness their healing powers by injecting his terminally ill patient with the animals'line. It cured the patient but the side effects…"lupine shuddered, digressing quickly. `` The lineage was too hard to find to begin with. Unicorns don't normally donate willingly, not to mentio ... ''

'' What side effects, '' Harry interrupted hoarsely, closing his optic. The tone of her in his weapon flooded his skunk, the woodsy scent that had clung to her all night coming back, overwhelming him with a tidal wafture of fear. In his life there was no elbow room for new attachments, yet the thought of her in pain…

He knew without a uncertainty that he would belt down for her again, just as he would obliterate for any of those he held close.

He only hoped it would not come to that.

His centre snapped open as Lupin 's distressed voice filled the room.

'' Most went insane. ``

Harry nearly choked. `` Insane ? '' He grated out.

Lupin looked twelvemonth sure-enough. `` They never were able to signalize between themselves and the animal again, '' he relayed. `` Can you imagine it Harry ? Having a lifetime of computer memory that were not your own suddenly shoved inside of your idea ? Unicorns live for hundreds of years…it was only natural for those obtaining their blood to become disconcert. To them it would feel as if they had spent a longer sentence being a unicorn than a human being."

The sick wizard twisting within him intensified. Kaylens'head had revealed exactly what Lupin now spoke of, and the view made him sickening.

And the curse…God he had nearly forgotten…

Remus read his mind, continuing his scholarly recital of facts aloud. For Remus, who had lost so much, it was easier than dealing with the devastating fallout facing them in Kaylens'crumpled mannikin.

"When one slays such an innocent tool, seeking their blood's healing power, it leaves the curse of the half-life. But when one is given the stemma unwillingly, or when the brute is left awake, the curse does not lessen ; it simply changes its manifestation."

His throat constricted, but Harry managed to die out a single word.

"Explain."

There was no mistaking the sick look upon lupine's face."Harry, the simply ones desperate enough to wipe out such an innocent creature are those hanging onto life sentence by a thread. But the price…it is far too high for any sane soul to excogitate, for the price for their inhumanity is losing all ability to love. A lifetime without the electrical capacity for love is barren of joy, happiness, family…"He shook his oral sex, disgust etched in his every lineament."In a desperate effort to hold open their own living they lose the only when thing that makes life worth living for. Once they take that path they truly trail half a life, only experiencing the darker slope of the worked up spectrum."

"Then the mediwizard, the one using it to cure his patient role, did that materialize to him ?"

Lupin sighed indulgently."There are ways to collect it, way for it to be done without incurring the wrath of the curse word but…those ways take clip, Harry. Gaining the long term trust of a unicorn, let alone permission to bring down accidental injury upon it, are not loose tasks."

He swallowed hard."What about Kaylens ? That won't…it won't happen…"He trailed off, unable to vocalize such morbid view aloud. No human deserved that. She didn't deserve that.

Once again Lupin looked ill."For Kally it will be different,"He said gruffly."Instead, if she recovers, she will get it on, but her every experience will be shared with both sides of her, diluting the intensity of the emotions she feels, diluting her feelings towards others…"

Something about the words sent Harry's mettle twisting.

"Unicorns ... they are such inexperienced person creatures, incapable of sin, incapable of inflicting painfulness ... Could you imagine having a saint following you around for the entirety of your life, correcting your every misapprehension ? Well from this moment on she will be sharing her thinker, her life, with memory of what admittedly ingenuousness is, for a unicorn is the true avatar of that, and with it will get along a gnawing guilt trip over the sinfulness she has committed in the past. Between the confusion over her identity operator and her newfound guilt over even the small of transgressions…that alone could be sufficiency to drive some mad."

Harry's mouth twisted into a lower,"So she can't sin ?"

"If only it were that easy, Harry. She can, and she will. But having this will make her a conscience stronger than nigh, and living a utter life is an impossible task. Her spirit will be as close to normal as possible, only she will feel far guiltier about things she does than others."

'' A one-half life ... '' He whispered aloud, suddenly understanding. Kaylens truly would be cursed, for she would always be sharing her creative thinker with memory not her own.

None of this was her fault, and the intellection sickened him.

'' Not all the mediwizard 's patients went insane, '' He finally said, recalling lupin 's before countersign. `` You said well-nigh. ``

lupine shook his head. `` They all went insane at initiatory Harry. But only two managed to reclaim enough of their minds to function. Two out of dozens. ``

Harry closed his middle, his voice filled with sardonic irony. `` She just ca n't catch a break, can she ? ``

The Professor shook his drumhead in response. `` There 's only one way to be sure. ''

Without warning Lupin snatched his scepter out, summoning a small flashlight. Soon a alloy blur came flying through the door, landing in the professor 's outstretched hand.

Harry frowned at the action, not savvy, but in one Gustavus Franklin Swift motion the prof had it on and aimed at Kalliandra 's face. lupine clearly knew exactly what he was looking for.

Kaylens was suddenly shrieking again, and judging from the grisly face on the professor 's face he had found all he needed to know.

A metal click sounded as the flashlight was turned off, and Kaylens'cries instantly died down, slowly fading to a boring whimper.

'' She 's sensitive to spark ... '' Lupin stated. `` There are only two conditions I know of that cause that. ``

'' She 's not a vampire ... '' Harry stated coldly, earning a reproving look.

'' I was n't even about to suggest it. But creature tend to have better nocturnal vision than us Harry. Lykans and unicorns are no elision, and when I was first bit ... '' He trailed off, his face twisting into a curious expression."Once I was bit my whole consistency changed. My eyes were the worst though. ''

The prof suddenly adopted an almost whimsical verbal expression. `` Did you know there are more square toes brass per inch in your eyes than in any other contribution of your trunk ? Well there are. If you ever want to cause someone pain just jinx their eyes and ... ''

'' Professor, '' Harry interjected, at the moment not carrying about the finer full stop of jinxing.

Lupin shrugged. `` My raciness caused a whole new layer of tissue paper full of weak medium mobile phone to farm across the book binding of my eyes, its called tapetum lucidum. It lets me utilize less luminousness to see, so I can see with one-sixth the amount you can. But when it first happened ... before I was used to it ... '' He shuddered. `` pigeon hawk it hurt. The little Light felt like the sun was blasting me in the brass. hellhole, it had me in tears. ''

Lupin raised the flashlight, pointing it directly at Kalliandra, flicking it on and off with each syllable. `` Just. Like. Her. ''

Kaylens'whimper died down as the light was turned off for a final examination time, and suddenly Harry understood the flashlight. Unicorns had excellent nigh visual modality as well, and the flashlight was lupin 's way of confirming what he already knew.

Kaylens had a layer of lite spiritualist tissue paper growing across her retinas right now. No wonder she screamed at the light.

'' Harry, '' The scholarly professor tone of voice was suddenly gone, and the wolf was deadly serious. `` Was she fine terminal nighttime ? Before she lost knowingness ? ``

Harry was quick to nod.

'' Then sometime between then and now somebody injected that blood directly into her veins. She could n't ingest done it herself. ``

Harry 's mouth opened, but his enquiry of how that was potential died on his tongue.

He knew the solvent.

There was only one individual who would wilfully imprecate another within the house.

'' Professor what 's going on ? I heard yelling. ''

Harry 's eye narrowed, every brawniness tightening. Angelina had finally come, drawn by the incremental yelling. There she was, rushing through the room 's room access, drawing her cloak hastily around her as if nothing atrocious were amiss.

If he had n't known better he would have thought she truly was surprised at the situation she found. But he knew better. No one took that foresighted to respond to screams like the one's Kaylens had unleashed unless it was intentional.

'' Why is it so dark ? '' Her voice sounded honestly confused as she flicked her scepter out, lighting every candelabrum in sight.

His eyes flew to Kaylens, who had immediately began shrieking, clamping her hands over her eyes, screaming as if hellhole itself has sent its demons up to drag her into its depths. His chest constricted at her obvious pain.

lupin lunged at her in a decidedly wolf like way. `` Kally, do n't ! '' He was shouting, fighting her for ascendancy. She lashed out, and Lupin grasped her wrist in a single, fluent motion, quickly capturing the other as well.

The prof had already forced her hands down against her sides, kneeling on her stage in a vain endeavor to prevent them from flailing. He was far stronger than Kaylens, but she was desperate, fighting to block the fiendish light from her eyes as lupine fought to prevent her from inflicting legal injury upon herself. Now he was yelling at Angelina to press out the candles, and Harry still had not moved.

He was too officious watching Angelina, noting the guiltiness flashing within every browned paint in her dark eyes.

Her black eyelashes fluttered, and the betraying emotion was suddenly gone.

His blood boiled, his arms vibrating with bottle up furore as she began speaking, a panic border to her voice.

'' What 's going on ? '' She asked fearfully, rushing across the room to aid Lupin. `` Remus !
What 's wrong with Kally ! ? '' She continued shouting dubiousness, lunging over Harry as if he were not even there.

She dropped to her knees besides where lupin and Kaylens wrestled, her Diospyros ebenum skin gleaming in the candlelight. Her dark eyes widened in feigned repugnance, her face a masque of ingenuous concern as she reached out to avail restrain Kaylens.

And Harry lost it.

Her hired man never reached Kaylens, her tainted finger never touching her body. Before anyone could realize it Harry 's hand had flown out, snatching the oversized arm billowing around the traitor's wrist, and he tugged her callously to the floor.

Harry lunged to his groundwork, stamping the cad of his foot against the girl 's throat, pinning her to the footing.

'' Do n't. Touch. Her. '' He growled, the mankind rippling around him.

powerfulness swelled within him, the forte of his conjuration unleashed by the raw anger pumping through his mineral vein, and the feeling ... it was intoxicating.

Angelina 's body undulated like a worm beneath him. She was choking, spluttering uncomprehensible strait, the cushion clearly written across her face. Her workforce were clawing at his foot, her fists slamming against his legs as she fought for air.

He scarcely noticed any of it.

'' H-harry ... st-top ... '' She gasped, her centre rolling backwards, fingers going slack as her pleas went unheard.

'' Harry ! Let her go ! '' Shouted Remus, followed by a loud crashing as he and Kaylens tumbled into the bookcase, knocking it sideways.

Books went flying, scattering everywhere. The resounding crashing masked the dull clump of Angelina 's limp arm hitting the floor.

lupin let out a pain ululation, and Harry 's hand shot out. He felt the legerdemain dripping from his fingertips like water.

With a film of his wrist the candle went out.
* * * * *


The descending sun of midday zenith was partially obscured by the everlasting cloud covering fire, casting the not-so-distant Dublin-Wicklow mountains into a deep fog. Yet the man paid the ominous surroundings no creative thinker, nor the racking cough that had swiftly descended upon him. Instead he stared out the windowpane of his south Dublin computer address, admiring the view afforded by his working class neighborhood.

With a small smile he leaned further back into his recliner, letting the smoky scent of fresh baking Fish satiate his anterior naris. Meredith was cooking, and from the smell of it she was cooking the fish he had caught just that morning. They were bound to taste luscious. Everything his married woman cooked always did. It was just a disgrace their middle tike, Eva, had inherited his culinary sense, or deficiency thereof.

'' father, you feeling alright ? ``

The man turned to find his eldest son in the doorway, a touch expression crossing Prince Edward 's freckled boldness. The man smiled, for the resemblance between father and son was striking. Edward had been the only child to inherit both the freckles scattered across his nose and the dark head of hair adorning his head. The other two of his children bore his wife 's ash blond hairsbreadth and startling dark eye. Edward however had his blue-green I.

He graced his son with a strong smile. `` I 'm just fine m'boy. Just a bit of a cold. ``

'' You sure father ? Perhaps after dinner we should pick out you to the physician. Your neck looks awfully swollen. ``

Curiously the man rubbed his ship's boat lymph lymph node, shocked to find that they had doubled in size in just a few hours.

His son smiled cheekily. `` Mother is of the mind to not let you go off fishing at such ungodly hours again. She said something about catchin'yer death on account statement of our colder than normal temperatures. ``

The man could n't baulk a smiling. `` wellspring perhaps yer mum is right-hand. The thermostat dropped to 10 Anders Celsius this mornin'before I ventured out. ''

'' I 'll tell her you said so. ``

The man 's middle widened in mock revulsion. `` Now you 'll be doin'no such matter boy ! Because I 'll undertake that once yer mum 's done houndin'me that yer 'll be next. ``

Now it was Edward 's bend to look horrendous, and the man leaned back, smiling in satisfaction. The boy still remembered the time Meredith had wrapped him head to toe in a snow-suit, complete with two scarf joint wrapped around his head and oversized mittens. Oh ! How the boy could hardly walk in that contraption !

'' Father, '' Started his boy diplomatically, `` I think I 'll just be off to get a head start on my Algebra. ``

The man smiled in satisfaction as the doorway closed behind his boy. Yes, despite their small environs his boy would soon grow into a fine man. And while he had never been able to provide all that he desired for his fry, they did wonderfully with what they were given.

It was no lowly point of pride for the man that he had worked his way from the Union position of Dublin to the South. While virtually of the citizenry in his income class tended towards the northwest face of the urban center, here he was, raising his family is Tallaght. It might not be one of the loaded districts feature of south Irish capital, but its fat sense of history had captured his children 's essence from day one. He still remembered how untried Eve 's eye had grown all-encompassing as saucers as he had explained the root of the district 's name.

Tallaght. Pit of snag. The very public figure was reminiscent of the peck grave dug there during the in conclusion Black Plague. Thousands were said to be buried just beneath the cloaca, and that lilliputian bit of knowledge had had all three of his nestling off and running, screaming and laughing in increase as their young minds invented shade stories along with it.

How proud he had been when Edward had shown him a story he had written. It had been about a young boy and his ghostly friend, a baby who had died during the inkiness pestilence. The wraith child had been buried beneath the fictional boy 's home, and had appeared to the boy when another unknown sickness ran rampant through the metropolis. With the wraith child 's help the young boy had been able to deliver the urban center, and his family.

The man leaned back in his hot seat as a bout of coughing escape from his lean material body, a abstruse pain shooting through him. He clung to the helping hand rests tightly, waiting for it to buy the farm, all the while thinking of the future.

Yes. An author would be a befitting profession for his eldest. Albert Edward would one day pee-pee a fine novelist.

The man smiled, proud of his minor in a way that only a forefather could be.

If only he knew how soon history were to echo itself.








A/N : Thank you so lots to St. Andrew, Njhill22, and Ichigopan for helping me out a lot with this chapter. Andrew not only helped to work out some of the plot of ground twist for this chapter and the succeeding, but he also beta-read it for me, and therefore rocks. Njhill22 and Ichigopan are also awesome, because both of them helped me until 3 am when I wound up seriously stuck on how to indite the next component part. Thanks so much you guys !






'' zip ventured, nothing gained. ''
~ William Shakespeare ~



Chapter 29 ~ No Longer Helpless


With a flick of his carpus the candles went out.

His heel remained solidly planted against Angelina 's chest as shrouds of darkness shot out in all counselling, like the spindly finger of a corpse, until the full elbow room was engulfed in an inky, suffocating darkness. Harry scarcely noticed any of it, nor the thick scent of burn off wax as spiritual domain smoke curled up from the extinguished candles.

Anger pumped heavily through his veins, and with a hatred he had not thought possible he glared down at the girl beneath him. In the retiring his thickened activity against his former house mate would consume sickened him, but now ....

Things were different.

His outstretched handwriting shook, his barely restrained wizardly crackling across his skin like atmospherics electricity, combustion and searing at his flesh. Grimacing in hurting he forcefully curled his fingers into a fist, tightening it, feeling the raw power seeping back in

A new tone rose up within him. A dark, right, revengeful feeling.

heraldic bearing the coldest of looks he crouched low, inspecting Angelina to ensure that she was indeed unconscious. He would not cause the mistake of thinking a expiry Eater subdued when they were not, but her destruction would do him no good.

He intended to obtain out all he could from the treacherous wench.

Then, beneath his foot, he felt the slack rise and crepuscule of her ribcage, and his leg twitched with the bottle up impulse to stomp the intimation from her. For the offset clock time he understood what Ron had meant when he had drilled him on the departure of fighting defensively versus offensively in chess.

From now on Harry was out to win, and if that meant taking down the opponent 's pawns to do so he would picture no hesitation.

Swallowing back a nauseous wave of revulsion he reached out, touching the corrupt beldame 's skin and shoving her head to the incline. It lolled over with a blunt thud, revealing nothing. The death feeder would not be moving for some time.

Good.

Still ... they had all been fooled by Angelina 's acting skills once. He would not precipitate victim to that again.

With calculated efficiency he withdrew his wand, a terrorization spirit crossing his features. His angriness still burned hot within him, the vein in his neck pulsing intensely as he thought of the witch 's betrayal. Angelina had been his house mate, a mate, but sorry of all, she had nearly been a friend. Once she was a Gryffindor. And now ....

She had betrayed the Order by taking the German mark of that snake, and had all but killed Kaylens, possibly robbing her of her mind.

A growl ripped from his throat, the tip of his sceptre suddenly digging against the traitor 's tabernacle as he pondered all the spells he could use.

Thunk.

'' Harry, occlusive ! ''

He stopped cold. Remus'gruff, panicked phonation had cut through the air like a fountainhead sharpened knife, sending his wand arm tensing as his Father of the Church 's utmost friend fought his way out from beneath the al-Qur'an that had fallen atop him. In the consequence of his own scuffle he had nearly forgotten Lupin 's presence, and the thundering of his pulse in his ear had drowned out the low moan and whimpers from the other side of the room.

He had forgotten one other thing : That despite the lack of lighting in the elbow room, Lupin could still see exactly what he was doing.

'' Lumos. ''

Harry 's head teacher snapped around as a soft glow cut through the thick dark, his gaze riveted to the horrified expression crossing Remus'face.

His one-time Professor stood behind the rescind bookcase, eyes broad and staring.

'' My God ... '' He whispered chokingly, `` Harry ... '' His accusatory oculus flickered up to his. `` What have you done ? ``

He sucked in a strained breathing place between his dentition. `` cipher she did n't deserve, '' He hissed staidly.

A suffocate sound came from the Professor 's pharynx. `` But Harry ... that 's Angelina ... ''

'' No kidding. Really ? '' He snapped.

A sudden scuffle and thump, followed by a sharp, cold-blooded whimper sent his baton jabbing into Angelina 's mind.

'' Kally ... ''

He had n't needed the prof 's devastated whisper to make love who was softly whimpering.

Heart wrenching, he fought back the hollow tactile sensation in his chest. `` Why do n't you see to Kaylens, prof, '' He grated out, his face a grim mask as he focused back on the early chaser.

'' I will but ... is Angelina OK ? ''

'' I sure as hell on earth Hope not. ``

A gaudy swallow preceded Remus'next, tense Christian Bible.

'' What are you planning on doing Harry ? ``

'' You know Moony, '' He said, vocalization vibrating with barely suppressed rage. `` I 'm still deciding on that.

Lupin 's voice was strained, the cautious, placating distinction in it strange to him. `` Harry, I know something 's untimely. But just call up about what you 're doing ... ''

A cruel, dig gag escaped his throat. `` Oh, trust me Moony, I have. ``

'' She 's on our side of meat, Har ... ''

He cut him off, spitting out the cold truth.

'' She 's a Death Eater, Moony. ``

From behind him came a loud, apprehensive sup. `` Harry ... are you sure ? ``

A cold grimace crossed his features. `` Yes. ``

There was an agonizing pause, and a sick, uneasy apprehensiveness suddenly rose in his stomach as his racing pulse finally began to slacken. He needed Remus to believe him. He needed someone in the parliamentary law to not just listen to him, but to actually entrust him. And if Remus did n't ...

'' I 'll obligate her. She 'll induce to be taken to headquarters. ``

Harry 's chief bolted around, shock written on his expression. `` You believe me, '' He questioned. And even in the dim twinkle he could see the slight movement of Remus'shadow nodding.

'' Harry, '' He said, sounding almost hurt. `` I always believe you. ``

His brow instantly wrinkled in discombobulation. Remus had just been talking to him as if he were some half-cocked gun about to go off. `` Then why ... ''

'' Because I thought you might muck up her straits off before I could figure out why you had attacked her in the first berth. It would have been a very Sirius-like affair to do. ''

The call back struck him operose. `` Yeah, '' He managed. `` It would have been like him. ``

He glanced back, and in the radiance of the scepter he could see Remus smiling sadly. He returned the saying, feeling shakier than he would have thought potential only transactions before, but that did n't matter.

Remus believed him. He did care about him after all.

His apologies for all those lost months, for all the time when he had been left to consider with the infliction of Canicula'death alone truly had meant something, and despite everything a warm up sensation wormed its way into him.

All it took was a diffused whimper, from a corner behind him, to drive it all away.

He swallowed hard, finally turning and squinting in the dim lighting to see Kalliandra cowering in the corner, knees drawn feebly to her pectus, her gilt hair spilling over them and her face buried within them.

Slowly his stock pressure rose, his pes grinding down even harder against the bird beneath him. Angelina would pay. He would see to it. But right now she was not his priority.

Kaylens was.

Throwing a piercing glare at Angelina he shoved his foot beneath her limp body, kicking her over onto her stomach. A second later he was on her back, dragging her custody behind her, pinning them together with his human knee as he snatched up his wand, pointing it at her exposed radiocarpal joint.

'' Bindovera, '' He hissed, watching the snake-like roach stream from its tip, slithering around her arms until she was bound up to her elbows. Dropping his verge he gave them a harsh tug, satisfied in the way the coloured missy 's skin chaffed, reddening even in the night lighter.

'' Exuberant, aren't we ? ''

He merely grunted in reply, giving the ropes one final, callous tug as Remus began binding her legs.

A irregular later he was on his foundation, an aching sensation spreading through him as he watched Kalliandra curling in the box, incompetent of remembering even her own name.

idol ... she was n't in her right mind. And Remus had said she 'd have to block out the unicorn 's storage before she ever could be. How could anyone possibly ...

And then it hit him.

She 'd have to choke up them out.

The melodic theme ignited swiftly, the thing Dumbledore had taught him about Occlumency all coming together in a cohesive ball of knowledge. He had used it for himself, but could he do it for someone else ?

He would be grasping at straws, but there was a fortune ...

Voldemort had given him plenty of practice at blocking undesirable memories.

His lineage pumped purposefully, and he felt, more than saw, Remus rise besides him, looking morosely in the Saame centering as he.

'' Well have to immobilize her again, '' He said regretfully, dimming the brightness level from his wand as it sent Kaylens stirring uncomfortably.

'' No, '' Harry answered immediately, voice filled with article of faith. `` I 'll deal with her. You just get Angelina to Grimmauld. ''

Remus'brow furrowed at this, doubtful line of descent crisscrossing his expression. His back talk opened, as if to protest, but his doubtfulness went unstated. Instead a paying attention, vital saying befell him as he studied Harry 's tense, determined brass.

The lines on his face suddenly deepened. `` Are you indisputable ? ``

Harry nodded, tense with ira at the stallion situation, and filled with the penury to do something about it.

'' Yeah, '' He responded. `` I 've stunned her enough lately. ''

lupin 's conflicted formula remained, but he nodded decisively.

'' Alright, take this then. ``

A second later a small pouch was being pressed into his hand, a sandy fabric grinding within it.

'' It 's a larboard key. Pour the contents ... ''

'' Into our hands, '' Harry finished for him. `` We 've used this kind before. ``

Remus eyed him curiously, tilting his head to the English. `` fountainhead then, I 'll see you there. ``

He nodded, watching as Remus unearthed another sac from his scoop. He watched him crouch adjacent to Angelina, sending him one last, pointed look before dousing his scepter.

fantasm spilled around them, enshrouding the way in darkness once again. Rifling a hand nervously through his hair Harry forced a strained, unseen smiling, and a second recent Remus and the betrayer blinked out of existence, leaving him with a single insane idea, one that he never could have done in Remus'presence.

And somehow he thought Remus had known that.

For a moment he did nothing, simply allowing his eyes to line up to the sudden shadow. Then, slowly, the pitch blackness gave way, revealing her vague, gray precis. Yet even in the tincture he saw the way her silhouette trembled.

He pulled his wand and immobilized her in one swift apparent motion. Strangely he felt nothing, when even the thought of stunning her again had sent his abdomen wrenching.

He crossed the room and knelt besides her, his uncut deal gently cupping her face and turning it towards his. He felt sick, for he was violating her yet again. But God, what selection did he consume ?

For the second time that day her affright eyes stared back at his, flickering with too many emotions to nominate. His thumbs gently brushed her hair away from her eyes, his eye thumping shamefully. She was like a frightened brute, and somehow this just felt wrong.

Yet he had to try. No one deserved this, and if his estimation worked ...

He might just be capable to salvage enough of her to help oneself her find her way back.

Staring into her centre he hoped to God it would bring.

'' I swear to you, '' He whispered intently, `` This is the last fourth dimension I 'll ever do this to you. ``

Licking his lips nervously he raised his sceptre, letting it levitate inches from her skin. Closing his eyes he waited, allowing his mind to unclutter, calming himself.

Occlumency was not meant to be done with raw emotion.

His optic snapped opened. He was ready.

'' Legilimens ! ``

The twister-like force of her head seized him without remorse, sending his gage reeling as an violation of enhanced phone and olfactory sensation attacked him.

skag cracked through the swirling mist, sending his body crashing face first into the mud, and he immediately knew there was something dissimilar about this memory.

He staggered to his knees, peering through the incredibly nighttime, moonless night. Hardly anything was discernable through the thick, icy pelter pouring down around him, and then it hit him.

Every other memory he had seen had had a worn contrast, the intensity of emotions and events diluted by clock time. Dumbledore and Snape had been too skilled for him to peer into recent issue, and luck-of-the-draw had shown him things from Kayelns'childhood. But this store was different.

It felt fresh.

The harsh, biting wind sent the looming timberland moving with an aberrant lifetime, and above him lightning flashed, crackling across the blackened clouds, briefly illuminating the gravel route running past him. For a sec the forest surrounding him came into complete focal point, as did the wooden menage he had landed before.

Again lightning set the country aglow, a mysterious shout snapping his centre towards the small lawn.

What he saw made his line run cold.

His breeding with Dumbledore had taught him that it was one 's most painful memories that were flung to the head of the mind when it was invaded.

And now he knew that Kalliandra was no exception.

A grating part preceded the blink of an eye of light, and he had just enough time to see a iniquity haired man struck down. The man tumbled point first into the muddied ground, the auditory sensation of his soundbox slapping against the mud drowned out by a thunderous crack.

A blinding hot, fiery ball blew through the planetary house 's siding, sending floorboards flying to litter the lawn.

From inside came the scream, drowned out by a hedonistic laugh.

'' Muggle, muggle, muggle come out to fiddle ! ''

gall churned in his stomach, though there was no time for it to climb as the great unwashed began pouring out of a side window.

'' Aw, the wittle, ittle Muggles do n't want to bring ? ``

That taunting, comrade laughter of his nightmare greeted him as Bellatrix Lestrange stepped calmly out the front doorway, the burning place alighting her look with a hellish glow.

One of the fleeing figures bolted towards a car, parked along the crushed rock road near the forest 's Tree melodic phrase.

He never made it.

A fiery piece smacked into him, setting his skin ablaze.

He had seen others die, but never before had he lay eyes on someone as they burnt alive. Even the pouring torrent was not enough to duck the fire engulfing the man 's flesh, and the wind hurled a noxious stench against his nostrils.

'' lustrelessness ! ''

A young woman was rising from the muddied ground, thick dope blot streaked across her jeans, her brownish haircloth matted against her oral sex as she screamed hysterically. Her case was contorted into something inhuman, raw pain sensation distorting incredibly striking features, and she appeared frozen in place.

Harry was screaming for her to strike, but she never heard him. From around the quoin of the base came two others clad in lightlessness, and a jet of searing purple brightness shot out.

Someone darted out, from where he did not see, tackling her around the shank.

The empurple spark missed her by inches as she and her rescuer went sliding across the ground, smacking into the side of the house with a irksome thud.

The dying feeder were on them in an instant, a loud wisecrack resonating through the air as Harry ran forward, just in sentence to see a graying haired man 's arm being viciously snapped. The gun the man had been pulling fell from his script with a cruel slosh, the mud swallowing it unharmed. The shadow haired fille was still screaming, clawing at her head as a burly Death Eater snatched her hair up, twisting it around his monolithic palms before dragging her across the lawn by it.

A acute sliver broke the air, and the Death feeder assaulting the gray haired man went down. The older man struggled to his feet, slipping in the mud and cradling his arm.

'' DAD ! ''

Lightning split the sky, catching onto the white-haired haired man 's few remaining golden hair's-breadth. His side split into a horrified expression, and Harry followed his gaze.

Kalliandra, eyes ablaze, came barreling out from the tree line, a man barely older than him hot on her heels.

Both had striking golden-brown hair, their hue muted only by the precipitation pouring down around them. And Harry suddenly understood that he was seeing her back chum for the first time.

'' KIDS GO ! GET OUT OF Hera ! ''

The shout came from a second floor window, and Harry finally understood who had done the shooting.

A heart aged woman with light chocolate-brown hair was hanging out of it, pistol in bridge player, and over the dissonance Harry could hear Bellatrix laughing hysterically.

Lightning split the sky, thunder drowning out the second, third, and fourth gunshots.

Kalliandra 's mother could no longer be seen. Only the dim phone of the fifth and sixth gunshots firing off in the room told him that her attention had been drawn back inside the burning theater.

Inside the house, where he could not learn, came the sequential clicking of empty-bellied chambers.

A loudly shrieking carried through the window, followed by a body flying through the window 's scuttle.

The woman hit the flat coat with a sickening clunk, leaving the Louis Harold Gray haired man yelling something that the roaring drowned out.

No time was wasted. Kalliandra 's brother came sliding aside her mother, grasping the gun from her still twitching hands, sobbing as he started rifling through her clothing.

A second later a new round was in his hand, but he never had a opportunity to load it as Bellatrix apparated in front man of him, kicking the one shot from his hired man, sending individual bullets scattering to the wind.

The strobe light effect of the lightning shielded what transpired next, but when it flashed again Bellatrix and Kalliandra were sliding to the solid ground, Kaylens clearly having tackled her.

'' KALLY, NO ! ``

Her brother had leapt to his foot, and rushed to join the affray as his Sister smashed Bellatrix 's head into the reason repeatedly, screaming incomprehensible words.

Her brother reached her, grasping her by the back of her jumper and tossing her out of the way as he grasped Bellatrix 's head in a frailty adhesive friction from behind, preparing to break it.

The unheard pop of apparation prevented this as the burly man appeared behind him, swatting him away as if he were aught Sir Thomas More than an irritating child. Bellatrix fell to the solid ground, spitting Brown water, her maddened eyes rounding on the three remaining members of the Kaylens'family.

'' Filthy Muggles ! '' She roared, shooting binding turn off at a furious step, hitting the brother first.

'' SEAN ! '' Their father 's voice ripped through the air as rophy twisted around his son, sending him crashing to the ground right below the burly Death Eater 's feet.

Kalliandra, having been thrown back by her pal, was still down in the mud. She did n't remain firm a chance.

Then her father slid in front of her, the circle taking him right in the chest, and constricting around his neck opening and pharynx.

The house was quickly succumbing to the flames, the red light showcasing Bellatrix 's overzealous smile as she tugged Kaylens'father away from her by his neck.

Her father was unable to claw at the Mexican valium, for his coat of arms had been pinned to his sides.

He was unconscious by the clock time Bellatrix had dragged him to her feet.

CRACK !

Another gunshot rang out, taking the buirdly man right in the head.

Kalliandra had gotten to her stifle, fuzz plastered to her boldness, her arms outstretched and shaking.

Her bridge player held the gun, and Bellatrix regarded her with an amused expression.

The adjacent shot was in Lestrange 's direction, but a shimmering light halted the dead reckoning, sending the shell dropping to the footing less than a foot from her smirking face.

Kally looked stunned, and Bellatrix waggled a finger back and forth as if scolding a naughty child.

'' Foolish wittle little girl should n't recreate with gas, '' She cooed in a baby voice, suddenly beckoning towards Kally.

Kaylens was sent sprawling forward as an inconspicuous force play pulled the gun from her grasp, and a indorse later a new Death Eater was there, his base on her back.

A blow of jazz sent the new arrival 's exhaust hood falling back, and Harry suddenly understood every Logos that she had uttered in the triplet Broomsticks.

Ludo commercial traveler was there, standing on top of Kalliandra and looking rather out of place. Bellatrix fixed him with a death-like stare, her anger at his belatedly arrival apparent, but there was no fourth dimension for anything to be said.

Barely a second had transpired between his late comer and his fall to the ground.

Kally had rolled over, kicking his legs out from under him.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, and this time her binding spell did not miss.

Angry snag were rolling down his face, his clenched fist taking swings at the crazed womanhood who had taken his Godfather. Somewhere his mind was screaming for him to stop, that it would do no good, but his subconscious mind'voice went unheeded.

'' Crucio ... ''

And then the swirling, smooth-spoken mist returned, swallowing up the double of Kally 's buddy convulsing beneath the unforgivable curse.

Harry was shaking, overcome with the repulsion of what he had just witnessed. And the retentiveness were disorienting, rising up around him, swallowing him whole as they dislodged him from berth to position in her life-time, never stopping long enough for him to bring in his bearings.

Around him the crashing of hooves fought for precedence above the removed laughter. Hazy outlines flickered by, barely visible through the fog-like mist swirling around him. He was lost ...

And then he saw himself, running from a last Eater down the main, cold thoroughfare of Hogsmeade. Red beauty shot out, smacking against a gutter, sending it swinging into the side of a second Death feeder that had emerged to block his progress.

She had saved him.

And that was all it took.

'' ENOUGH ! '' He screamed, unsure of whether his spokesperson only existed in her mind, or if his physical organic structure were actually screaming it in Remus'living room.

Instantly he began focusing, searching for a memory, any computer storage, that was her own rather than some horned brute 's. He fought to calm himself, squashing down the terror of what had happened to her to the back of his idea, and then he felt a change.

The swirling mist around him was slowing down, the uncontrolled flood of the two living combined into one mind becoming to a lesser extent disorienting.

He peered through them as they passed, one-by-one, searching for something that he could make out.

And then he found one.

He charged through the mist, falling out into the Forbidden Forest 's clarification.

The one they had left before this had happened to her ...

In the dim moonshine, cast from a sliver peaking through the swarm, he watched the replay of himself yanking his hand away from her. Hushed watchword were exchanged, and suddenly Kalliandra was rising from her spot besides the water, stalking away from him.

In a heartbeat his computer memory self was scrambling to his foundation, going after her, catching onto her arm. She whorled to face him, an icy expression crossing her face, disappearing in shock as he swiftly pulled her against him.

He watched, an odd feeling twisting within him as she struggled against him, his only response in the way his subdivision wound even tighter around her, stroking her hair until her resistivity ceased.

'' I 'm sorry… '' He heard his own representative whispering, `` I swear to God I 'm sorry… ''

And then her grimace was dropping against his shoulder, his own burrowing within her whisker as her limb wound around him, holding him back.

It was as if a ignite wind blew, and then another retentivity squeezed through, the silvery substance sending the clearing mental image swirling.

For a minute ghostly images flickered into life, superimposed atop where he and Kaylens stood, clinging to the former. It was like looking through a movie electronegative, trying to see what was beyond it.

The beautiful, extraterrestrial clicking rose above his and Kaylens whisper, the alien store threatening to catch this one, and the terror sent something ablaze inside him.

'' No ... '' He hissed, his face contorting dangerously, as he began fighting to shove the alien images that threatened to overhaul her aside.

He could n't set aside them in. He couldn't.

Staggering odds were against him, but if he could only hold her in her own state of mind tenacious enough ...

Maybe it would be just enough to convey her back.

Grimacing he waved his hand, feeling the legerdemain rising within him, rolling off of him as he tried desperately to summon something, anything that would block out those memories that were not hers.

The unicorn memories may have been imperfect, diluted impression of the real thing, yet they were still there, fighting for precession of her psyche. And yet ...

fighting for the sanctity of his own mind against Voldemort had made keeping these silvery, diluted tendrils back a joke.

A compulsive aspect crossed his case, a Jonathan Swift jar rocketing through him as the bricks began to materialise. He stretched out his hands, willing them to begin stacking, watching them wax higher and higher, muting the phone of a herd in the distance.

He would organise a roadblock between her memory board and the unicorn 's, and he 'd be damned if he failed.

His hands were shaking again, a lone drip of sweat dripping from his brow as he concentrated, directing the bricks to begin circling around him, stacking along the clearing 's circumference.

And then, one-by-one, he began shoving the unicorn 's memories past the bulwark. Each time one threatened to ruin in he shoved it away, a obtuse pain growing in the vertebral column of his mind, sending his pass swirling as he refused to cease his efforts. His breathing grew ragged, his vision bespeckled with lightlessness Transportation as tendrils of the silvery mist fought to ooze back through his hastily erected brick walls.

'' No ... '' He whispered, and slowly, methodically, he shoved the last of the silvery threads through the gaps in the walls, feeling the muffled sounds fading.

With a dig of finality he found himself surrounded on all sides by his bulwark, the memory still playing as if zippo had disturbed it.

Panting in enervation he crouched down, supporting himself on his knees, feeling his feet sinking into the bedewed earth as he fought for breath. The walls might not curb for long, but for now ...

Around him he could hear the distant birdcall of a herd, and he looked up shakily, watching detritus crumbling down from the brick barriers. A lump formed in his pharynx as he watched the integral edifice milk shake, as retentivity after retentivity slammed against it from the outside, trying to fracture through.

He could feel his strong-arm eubstance shaking from the elbow grease, and as much as he desired to do more an unfeeling truth struck him.

He did n't know what else he could do.

And for the world-class clip in her mind he withdrew willingly, the wickedness of Remus'living room wrapping tightly around him. The moonlit clarification had been so promising in comparing and yet, his eyes had remained perfectly adjusted, his physical body having never left nor moved.

And she was still right there, inches separating him from her. His breath caught in his pharynx, the Adrenalin he had been riding on struggling to remain high as he searched her human face for a sign to show that some part, any division, of herself was back.

All he saw were the backs of her lid as they fell shut, a long breath escaping her mouth.

At some point his full dead body had begun shaking, a shrill headache nearly splitting his skull as he removed the back spell from her, his wizard sweat finally catching up to him.

But God, he did n't care. His deal rose to her face, a hand resting on either side as he smoothed a single stray ignition lock away, tucking it behind her ear.

'' come on Kaylens ... '' He murmured, middle bright and searching. His gaze was flickering back and forth across her brass, watching her every movement, hoping against hope it had worked.

And then her palpebra opened, her eyes as disoriented as before. A choking star wrapped around his pharynx, his hands falling to lie on her stiffening shoulders. He had failed.

His forehead fell against hers in despair, the spirit of her warm skin offering small comfort. He should 've known it would not go, yet ...

He never would give forgiven himself if he had n't tried.

Slowly her legs slip against his, and his eyes squeezed shut, preparing himself for whatever out thong was about to come about. The memory of her recoiling away from him, scuffling away like a frightened animal when he had gotten too close, was all too fresh in his mind.

He waited for it with held breath, only nothing came.

His eyes opened, only to come up hers staring back.

His sinew went taut with tension, his hint quickening as their proximity struck him. Her nozzle pressed against his, his hands house on her shoulders, and a start sensation churned in his chest as he watched her darkened eyes.

Within them something was changing, a flicker of familiarity residing there. His hand slid back to her face, anxiety etched in his features as her lips parted. Her mouth moved, as if trying to say something, only no words came.

He could n't pull his gaze away if he tried.

'' Falco columbarius, '' He whispered, `` I wish I knew what you were thinking. ``

She remained dumb, but his eyes were drawn to a slight motion. Her hand rose, falling to perch on his unshaven impudence. She pulled away slightly, their foreheads no longer pressing together as her bewildered eyes flickered across his face, a curious expression befalling her.

His brow furrowed, a question forming on his rim.

'' Kaylens ? '' He whispered, eyes searching hers desperately.

A dysphoric spirit crossed her feature, her bottom lip drawing between her tooth, sending his heart thudding uncertainly.

And then she was nodding.

Instantly he reached for her, embracing her against his chest. She was trembling, enticing his own quivering arms to pull her even closer, the pauperism to physically touch her overwhelming. god ... he could n't get her close enough.

The shock was finally hitting him, frightening him on too many levels to constitute as he realized how fleeting this could be.

She was with him again, but only until the wall he had created went tumbling down.

Merlin, how long did he sustain ?

A tremor shook him, an urging motivation to get her to someone better than him, to someone who could do something, driving him.

He needed someone, someone like Dumbledore. He could strengthen the wall he 'd put up inside her brain. He had to.

Fearing to bring out her for even a moment his arm tightened around her shoulder, his former reaching for the portkey in his pocket. A minute later his fingers were sliding through hers, his wannabee gaze locking onto her excruciate one.

'' Kaylens, '' He murmured intensely, `` check with me. ``

And then, hoping that she was coherent enough to understand what they were doing, he dumped the sandy contents onto their linked hands, feeling that distinctive tug.

In that last minute he threw his blazonry around her, wanting to shield her from whatever harsh landing they were about to experience.









'' My respect is earned, not given. ``
~ expression of the eld ~







Chapter 30 ~ To infernal region with decorousness


'' Harry ! ``

Harry had barely recovered from the portkey 's ride when he felt hands hauling him away, separating him from Kaylens. He blinked, only slightly dazed, and found himself straw across the dark wooden pane of Grimmauld Place 's discipline.

The hell of it was, he could hardly see a thing.

'' How is she ? ''

In the dim light cast from the wall-mounted candelabras he saw Remus'shadow free fall down between them, placing a hesitant hand on Kalliandra 's berm. Harry could only see the werewolf 's visibility, but judging from his reflexion, Remus looked genuinely surprised when Kaylens did not immediately pull away.

Harry 's center cut through the darkness, finding hers.

Something warm swelled within him when he realized that she was looking right back at him, scarcely a hint of confusion within her look. Disbelievingly he watched the candle flame dance in her calendered globe, and for a brief second he was able to believe that she may just pull through with her saneness intact.

'' Harry ! ''

Remus'sharp vocalism cut through the silent room, drawing both span of teenage center to the interest adult.

Harry found his voice quickly. `` We need an Occlumens. Right away. ``

Remus'nous jolted around, the reflective layer behind his optic shining. `` Harry, what did you do ? '' He asked uneasily.

His shoulder stiffened, and in that single loaded question he found his resolve.

'' What I had to. ``

There was an agonizing break, not unsimilar to what had transpired between them before Remus had left for Grimmauld without them, making the decision to desire him.

Harry only hoped Remus would not come to regret it.

A moment later Remus was on his base, nodding at Harry. `` Stay with her. ``

'' The thought of leaving never crossed my thinker, '' He replied honestly, scooting across the level back to her. The sound of a swinging doorway, and the voice beyond it, drifted in, but Harry scarcely noticed.

'' Kaylens, '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her. With trepidation his fingers slowly curled around her upper limb, whilst his eyes swept searchingly over her facial expression. `` You still with me ? ``

taking in her every movement he watched her eyes flutter exhaustedly, her chest and shoulders rising as she drew in a fagged suspiration.

And then the insufferable girl fixed him with an exasperate look, nodding tiredly.

He released the breath he had been unwittingly holding, substitute sweeping through him. Immediately his hands found her face, the launch area of his thumbs moving along her os zygomaticum with a gentleness he did n't bang he possessed. For a import he simply stared at her, watching the amusement in her gaze only grow.

Merlin ... he had been afraid that the swirl of the portkey would disorientate her, causing her to lose whatever fledgling minute of saneness she had managed to grasp onto at Remus'. Hell ... he vividly recalled their last portkey drive, and that alone had rendered her unconscious.

He stared at her, his eyes boring into her bemused, albeit sleepy, expression.

Suddenly her hand rose, her finger's breadth curling gently around his own where they rested against her cheek. He squeezed her hand gently, finding reassurance he had n't known he needed in her actions.

Had he been asked a month ago, he never would give guessed that he would be feeling Kalliandra Kaylens, of all people, squeezing his hand in hers. But Thomas More than that, he never would have got thought that such a simple, unobjectionable gesture could ship his chest stirring.

He swallowed hard, watching the steer of a smile human body on her lips. His paw immediately flipped over, taking her dusty script more firmly in his, and tightening his grip on her.

'' You 're finding this amusing, are n't you ? '' He accused quietly, his voice unnaturally constricted.

Her sass parted, only to close again, her rump lip drawn between her dentition as she began nodding.

And then he saw it. Amidst her expression was a flicker of veneration, and for the abbreviated of bit he saw her optic clouding again.

'' Kaylens ! '' He said sharply, dropping her script and grabbing her by the articulatio humeri, shaking her suddenly trembling form. `` Please ! stay with me ! ''

Whether it was their forcible contact or his voice, he would never roll in the hay. But suddenly she had gained some sense of herself again, and she had hurtled herself against his chest, her entire variant shaking like a leafage.

Harry had never felt more helpless in his life sentence.

And Snape just had to choose that exact moment to walk in.

'' What do you imagine you are doing now, Potter ? ``

If he was n't so desperate for helper he might have hexed him. Instead his uprising of fury was suddenly quenched as a exclusive persuasion permeated his panic-ridden mind.

Snape was a Master Occlumens.

Still clutching onto Kaylens as if his life depended on it, he met the Potion master 's decisive gaze head on.

'' prof, I need your help. ``

Snape 's intact human face crinkled indifferently. `` Get off the floor Potter. I do n't have clock time for your games, '' He clipped, starting to brush past them. Instead he paused mid-stride, eyeing them distastefully.

'' And do bump off yourselves from here. Undoubtedly you are both choked up about that know-it-all supporter of yours, but really ceramist, such exhibit are not meant for public expo. ''

The Slytherin Head of household flipped his robe, practically striking them as he continued striding across the way 's sweep towards another threshold. Harry 's jaw dropped, shock and Eumenides mingling on his angry case. `` Damn it this is not a antic ! '' He roared, watching Snape halt. `` Kaylens needs help ! '' He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to calm down. Where in the hell was Remus ?

'' Professor, '' He finally ground out, as if the reverential term pained him. `` This is not what you think. This is not a display. Something happened to Kaylens. Someone injected her with unicorn descent and I ... '' He plowed forth, ignoring the fact that he had not a semblance of a clue on how to explain the position. `` I tried something on her. I used Legilimency to get into her mind, to try and help, but ... ''

He hesitated, meeting Snape 's emotionless expression. `` I created a wall, interchangeable to the one they teach tyro in Occlumency, to dissever her remembering from the foreign one. But I 'm not sure it 's working. ''

His sharp gaze locked onto the blank aspect of his most hated Professor.

'' She needs help. I need somebody to reinforce the wall I made, and I sure as hell am not capable of doing it. ``

Unreadable as he was, Snape did n't look to be about to help. But he did n't puddle any further effort to leave.

Running his hands through Kaylens'hair comfortingly, feeling her trembling slowly settling, he felt anger at Snape 's unresponsiveness Begin to arouse.

Harry 's verbal expression suddenly grew challenging. `` Now, '' He demanded, vox ablaze. `` Are you a Master Occlumens or not ? ``

A flutter of annoyance crossed Snape 's face. `` Your attempt to invoke to my ego and better nature are wretched, Potter, considering that I am secure in one and miss the other. ``

His stock practically boiled.

'' looking, '' Harry spat, dropping all make-believe of deference. `` You hate me. I hate you. I get that. But this is n't about either of us, and I 'll be damned to take this, but you are the only if one here that can facilitate her at the bit. Hell, I 'll even give you a unloose pellet at me. Just help her. ``

Snape 's lips curled angrily, as if considering.

'' Follow me, '' The former Slytherin finally sneered, snapping a hand towards the far doorway.

Harry 's clenched fist clenched as the man disappeared through the doorway, not bothering to await around for an recognition. Drawing a strained breathing place between his dentition he glanced down at Kaylens, and the tautness drained out of him.

Her entire, mud-streaked human face was crinkled in absorption. God ... she had been so wrapped up in trying to remain in her right mind that she had barely noticed the tense verbal spouting match around her.

'' Hey, '' He murmured, a rough hand reaching out and cupping her chin, forcing her to seem up at him. `` You still okay ? ''

Her eyes glittered with confusion, but she managed another nod.

He forced a grinning. `` Try not to concur this against me, '' He whispered, standing up and scooping the galvanize fille into his arms. `` But frankly I 'm not sure I trust your walking power at the moment. ``

She uttered not a auditory sensation, simply nodding resignedly, eyes half closed. He swallowed hard as her forefront fell to remain against his shoulder, and he found himself carefully adverting his gaze from her as he crossed the way quickly, kicking open the threshold after Snape.

The fact that he did n't hit the man with it disappointed him only slightly.

'' Put her on the couch. ``

His brow crinkled uncertainly. Was he really about to just hand her over to the same cruel, acid man whom had wreaked havoc on his own mind in the past tense ?

He realized that he had very few choice at the moment.

He sunk down into the cushions, clutching her to him. Readjusting only slightly, so that her legs lay loosely draped over his own, with her head resting against his articulatio humeri, he wound his arms protectively around her, sealing her in a frailty suitcase that he was sure she would protest to if she felt up to speaking.

He did n't worry though. There was simply no way in hell that he would be leaving her to face the Potions'passkey 's mercy alone. And irrational number as it was, his exhausted, battered mind somehow equated squeezing her to easing whatever ordeal the Occlumens was about to put her through.

He tilted his head down, burying it in the top of her mussy capitulum of hair. `` Let him do what he has to do. It 'll serve, '' He reassured quietly, hoping he would not repent placing his faith in the acerbic man 's abilities.

He pulled away only slightly, his arms still looped around her waist, and her hazel colored eyes turned up, studying him intently.

'' How very contact. ``

Harry 's header jerked up, only to be greeted with Snape 's mocking sneer, and an expression that clearly told him to get the inferno out of the way.

'' Move aside boy. ``

Harry 's eyes hardened, his travelling bag reflexively tightening around her. `` No. ``

Snape practically twitched. `` Insolent nipper, move. I will not be doing this with you in the way. ``

'' The end time I checked, '' He retorted, `` This only required eye link. Even you taught me that much. And seeing as how I 'm not blocking you from that ... '' He let his acrid reply trail off.

With a growl Snape leaned forward, grabbing Kaylens chin and practically snapping her head towards him.

The repressed urge to strike the man rose up, hysteria rifling through him at her distressed, shocked expression, but Snape 's wand was already drawn and aimed, an intense look in his eyes.

'' Legilimens. ''

An eerily calm expression suddenly befell Kaylens'side, while Snape 's contorted into one of the uttermost concentration.

Harry could only wait.

He dropped his head word back against the rampart, heaving an exhausted sigh.

The grandpa clock chimed. Kaylens'skin grew common cold to the soupcon. Snape 's dark, frightening heart bored into her wide-eyed, doe-like ones.

He watched the clock

Twelve minutes and 33 seconds later, Lupin still had not returned.

But his two unsounded companions did.

Kally jerked, almost violently backwards, her back hitting the armrest of the sofa. Harry barely managed to stop her head from smacking into the paries as she slid off of him.

Snape 's effort were not nearly so sudden.

Unnoticed to Harry the man rose from the flooring, a blanch paw brushing imaginary turd from his gown. And then slowly, almost methodically, the man 's digit tightened challengingly around his wand, his knuckles turning white with the pressure.

It took Harry a bit to notice the man 's penetrating regard, but when he did an unsettle whiz overtook him.

The Potions victor was looking at him, a strange look in his eyes.

Fear.
* * * * *


Blue-green eyes appraised the rather full moon waiting room of the Adelaide and Meath hospital 's pinch elbow room.

'' sodomist. ``

'' Father of the Church, this is for your own good. ``

'' Could n't this wait until Monday ? '' He ventured, trying to plead to his son 's better sensibilities as his optic took in the multitude of people. `` By the clock time we finish waiting in line it 'll be tomorrow and the medico 's office will be open anyways. Is this really where you want to spend your Sunday ? ``

The man turned around to find his eldest son 's eyes narrowed in reproach.

'' Father, you were coughing up a violent storm at abode and ... ''

'' It was just a small itch in my throat ... ''

Edward I ignored him. `` Dad, you collapsed at the dinner party tabular array from that modest itch. ``

'' wellspring really, I was actually just choking on some of your mother 's preparation. It was positively unpalatable. Honest. ''

The boy arched his eyebrows skeptically, clearly not buying this. `` funny story, considering how you were praising that Pisces fillet just before your lungs seized up. ``

The man groaned. `` Honestly, Duke of Windsor. Do you really think that I would criticise your mum 's cooking to her face ? ``

Yes. waiting for it. Ah, there it is.

His son was now full out laughing at him. Of course, he could hardly blame him. His wife, Meredith, could cause been a chef had she wanted to. The woman had never cooked nor bake something sub par in her life.

But that was n't about to break off him from trying to get out of this cursed, congested waiting elbow room.

'' Father, '' croaked out his son, `` Are n't you a bit old for harboring phobic disorder of Doctor of the Church visits ? ``

He grunted in reply, racking his pounding head for another alibi. Honestly, he really thought that his family was overreacting. His lymph thickening might be swollen, and indeed his head was pounding as if Xerxes himself were waging a small war with his neurons. But really all he needed was a practiced night 's rest.

Perhaps he could blame the coughing fit and his wheezing on having tried some cigarettes while fishing that morning. Of course, James Meredith would ingest his hide skinned and filleted before he would even have a opportunity to shout for help ...

The man was caught unaware when his son rather abruptly shoved him into a wheelchair.

'' Edward ... `` He hissed gruffly, only for his menace to accrue on indifferent ears as Edward bypassed the main bloodline, shoving him to the second check-in window reserved for those experiencing either chest pain sensation or shortness of breath.

And it was then that the racking cough again shook him, the knife-like hurting attacking as if the Grim harvester himself were holding the vane. He clutched onto the wheelchair 's subdivision, gritting his teeth, an acidy burn working its way up his throat.

A atrocious stab began in his chest, sending his body jack-knifing forward, nearly out the chair. A sharp shout near him made him aware of the fury of natural process that had begun beyond the check-in desk, and solid manpower abruptly latched onto his shoulder, preventing him from falling nerve forward.

A foot shooter out, kicking the wheelchair 's bracken into place with a metal detent, and suddenly the rocking, swaying move that he had not even realized to be going on ceased.

The pain in his pectus dulled down to a obtuse burn, and his hand flew to his sass, feeling the sputum expelling with the next shuddering gasp.

He coughed once, twice more, before leaning gratefully forward onto his son 's shoulder, gasping for air.

It was then that he noticed the man in the ovalbumin lab pelage kneeling next to him, and it dawned on him that the cold, metal feeling on his back was the stethoscope, which the doctor had already managed to slip beneath the spine of his shirt.

Feeling winded, he looked at the physician 's concerned boldness, and forced a weak grin. `` Well, '' He gasped wryly. `` I think it 's safe to say, that I am short of breath. ``
* * * * *


lupine bowled into the room, Dumbledore in tow. The forceful thud of the door flying open and slamming against the wall effectively causing Snape 's white-knuckled grip on his wand to loosen.

Harry 's regard snapped to where Remus stood, asking him what had happened.

He barely heard him, suddenly feeling so, so incredibly stupefied. In his desperation to find service he had failed to be affected role, unable to hold off for lupine 's return. And it only now occurred to him why it had taken the werewolf so long.

It would never hold occurred to Remus to experience gone to the nearest maestro Occlumens for helper. The trust between the old vulture and Snivellus was nonexistent, so there was no way in hell that Lupin would consume trusted the man to delve into Kally 's mind.

So he had gone for Dumbeldore.

Harry already felt like an cretin. Snape simply seized the moment to carry his agreement.

'' Potter could n't possibly have done this, '' He declared.

Snape 's financial statement hung on the air as Dumbledore, looking only slightly weary, swept his gaze back and forth between the three of them. first-class honours degree his gamey eyes studied Kalliandra, pity and curiosity mingling together on his draw face, before turning his kindly gaze to Harry. And then, finally, his spectacled gaze locked with Severus Snape's.

A strange secrecy filled the room as the two became locked in a stare match. It took Harry only a moment to realize what they were doing.

They were communicating through Legilimency, the two masters exchanging all of the information about the position that they needed to know.

Remus seized the moment of seclusion, kneeling in presence of where he and Kaylens lay tangled up. `` Harry, '' He began quietly, so as not to break up the two. `` Please tell me you did n't let him ... ''

Harry grimaced. `` I did. ``

The werewolf released an worsen sigh, fixing Harry with an annoyed stare. `` I 'm not even going to ask what you were thinking. It 's quite obvious that you were n't. ``

'' He is a schoolmaster Occlumens, '' He argued, feeling almost dirty at having just defended Snape. `` I would n't willingly allow someone to anguish her. ``

A flash of amusement temporarily replaced the critical looking on Remus'face. `` This coming from the person who personally removed quite a bit of her hair, in what Crusantheus assured me was a full-out bash in the master 's berth. ``

Harry cringed. `` You heard about that, huh ? '' He asked sheepishly, glancing to where Kalliandra lay, looking for all the world as if she were sleeping.

Remus followed his gaze. `` Hermione actually wrote me about that. Something about wanting me to talk some sentience into the both of you. Personally, I 'm still trying to figure out how she knew I was tutoring Kalliandra in the initiatory space. ``

'' You were tutoring her ? ``

Remus nodded, looking at him curiously. `` How did you think we were acquainted ? ``

'' She was a master groomer and Moony was in need of a cut ? ``

lupin sent him a withering glare. `` Of all the affair to inherit, you had to get your father 's buttock. ``

'' I did n't realize it was his. ``

Remus seemed to consider this. `` Yours is actually a bit more sulphurous, '' He related. `` Unless Prongs was talking to someone he severely disliked, his gossip were never quite so biting. ``

'' So I 'm piercingly. Can you blame me ? ``

Moony 's facial expression softened considerably. `` No, Harry. I can not. ''

Abruptly lupin 's attending turned firmly to Kaylens, his interest look returning full force. Harry simply watched as Remus reached out, carefully brushing a lock chamber of her persistently tangled hair away from her face, studying her like a relate father.

Remus paused, as if considering something. `` Well, '' He finally commented, `` You two certainly look uncomfortable. ''

Despite himself, he nearly laughed at the absurdity of the statement. Not that it was lacking in trueness, for when Kaylens had jerked back she had wound up with one leg still draped over his own, one hanging halfway off the couch, with her reduce form half-slumped between him and the armrest.

And now, she had apparently fallen asleep in exhaustion.

Harry smiled strainedly. `` Yeah, well ... I would n't want to run a risk incurring her ira by waking her, now would I ? ``

Nevertheless he found himself adjusting, to the point where he felt rather secure in knowing that if he let go of her, that she would no longer be in peril of sliding down to the floor.

Remus simply watched this, a seam forming across his forehead.

'' Harry, '' He ventured. `` What exactly did you do for her ? Specifically. ``

Harry frowned, considering how to respond to this. However, he did not get the fortune.

The two Occlumens in the room had started blinking again, their exchange, apparently, complete.

'' As I said, Potter could n't possibly have done this, '' Snape restated, ignoring the questioning facial expression Lupin was throwing at all of them.

Kally chose that moment to let out a sleepy murmur, stirring in her eternal sleep. And somehow that little strait of hers reawakened Harry 's fear that he had somehow harmed her mind in his effort to serve her in the first place.

'' I did n't suffer her, did I ? '' He blurted out, earning a keen stare from Remus.

Fortunately Dumbledore responded quickly.

'' No, Harry. You did not. ``

Snape let out a sound not unlike that of an angry cat. `` Albus, '' He disrupted, clearly in disagreement with the master 's acceptance that Harry had, indeed, constructed the mental barrier. `` The floor of proficiency in Occlumency that one would let to own to stimulate done this would be staggering. There is no possible way that Potter could have done this. '' Snape hesitated. `` I 'm not even sure that I could birth done this. ``

'' What ? '' Harry shot out, startled by the admission.

'' Would person terribly mind filling me in on what exactly the three of you are talking about ? '' Interjected lupin, sounding only mildly annoyed.

Snape acted as if the man had not even address, his dark heart swiveling to Harry instead. `` I do n't have a go at it what you are playing at ceramicist, '' He snapped heatedly. `` But you did not do this to this young lady. ``

Harry 's heart narrowed, a boring electrocution anger growing at the Potion master key 's unregenerate refusal to consider him capable of anything.

The greasy haired man 's gaze grew more challenging. `` Who really constructed that barrier, Potter ? ``

Harry 's dentition clenched. `` I did, '' He ground out.

'' liar ! ``

Dumbledore rose a placating hand. `` Now Severus, lets not be hasty. Harry has been under my tutelage since the start of terminus, and he has improved greatly. Particularly in wish to his power to construct mental roadblock. ``

'' No one improves that much in so short a time. Especially, '' He bit out, gesticulating in Harry 's direction, `` Not such an incompetent nestling ! ``

Harry 's eyes hardened. `` Like you would know, considering you 're the one who refused to teach me. ``

'' You are impossible to instruct ceramist. ``

'' Perhaps if you were up to of dropping footling school day score I would n't be. ``

'' You are just like your begetter, '' Snape practically growled.

'' I would n't lie with, '' He spat matter-of-factly. `` Perhaps you could share taradiddle sometimes. Reminisce about having your undergarments placed on public exhibition. ''

Remus snorted.

'' Harry, that was uncalled for, '' Dumbledore admonished.

Harry bit back a laugh. `` Considering everything he 's put me through over the years I highly doubt that. ``

Snape 's normally controlled feature twisted into something livid. `` How dare you speak to the headmaster with such disrespect ... ''

'' I respect the headmaster plenty, '' Harry snapped. `` It 's you that I have no respect for. ''

'' Has it occurred to anyone that arguing will get us nowhere ? '' Remus interjected.

'' If thrower had n't blatantly displayed such a lack of decorum ... ''

'' decorum ? '' Harry interrupted. `` This is n't your little class with all of its ridiculously anti-Gryffindor prescript ! So forgive me if I do n't grovel at your substructure to bring in your approval ! ``

'' That is the last metre I ever help you, you ungrateful ... ''

'' YOU DID N'T HELP ME ! YOU HELPED HER ! '' Harry screamed, launching himself off of the lounge and to his foundation. It was only Remus'quick unconditioned reflex that kept Kally from tumbling with him.

Grunting in annoying, Remus turned to Dumbledore. `` Do you get the feeling that this argument was a long time coming ? ``

Dumbledore nodded. `` Why do you think I 'm letting them carry on ? ``

Harry and Snape remained unmindful to the exchange, the latter suddenly looked unbelievably smug. `` That 's funny potter, I do n't recall telling you that I helped her at all. Come to think of it, all I did was take a flavor at that barrier. I must acknowledge though, she does sustain some rather concern recent memories ... ''

Harry 's eyes took on a wild look. `` That has nothing to do with ... ''

'' You 're right. But this has everything to do with your inability to respect your bettor and to follow the regulation. ``

Harry snorted. `` Funny, considering you 're the one who 's always saying how the normal pattern do n't utilise to me. ``

'' No you idiot boy ! I 'm always telling you how arrogant you are to think that the normal normal do n't apply to you. ``

'' Considering I 'm the one who has to off good ole'conundrum for everyone you 'd improve hope the rules do n't apply to me. Otherwise next time the killing jinx might actually work. ``

Snape scowled dangerously. `` Ill see if it works, '' He hissed, fingering his wand.

'' ENOUGH ! ``

Harry 's mouth snapped shut, his retort lodging uncomfortably in his throat.

Outside, in the main entrance hall, Mrs Shirley Temple began screaming.

'' If anyone did n't throw a headache before, they certainly will now, '' Remus practically groaned.

'' Severus, '' Addressed the Headmaster, absentmindedly nodding his agreement with lupin. `` From what you 've shown me, it looks like all that was done was a separation of Ms. Kaylens'memories from the unicorn's, and that is all. ``

'' That 's all ? '' Snape responded edgily, his angriness apparently undiluted despite the sudden change of national. `` You make it sound as unsubdivided as identifying one species from the other. ``

Dumbledore shrugged, looking at Harry with a sudden flare-up of pride flash in his oculus. `` It 's true, that what Harry did take a gamy grade of accomplishment in the area. But I think if you really think about it Severus, you 'll see that Harry was more than capable of having accomplished this. ``

Severus snorted.

'' After all, Severus, all Harry really did was concept a wall inside of her mind ... ''

'' Not just a wall, Albus. It was a utter rampart. ``

Harry could n't avail himself. `` perfective ? It was wide of gob ! I thought the affair was about to tumble ! ``

'' You mean to say that you were attempting to create a rigid structure ? ``

'' Yes, '' He hissed. `` Now will someone please explain what he meant by perfect ? ''

'' testament someone please explicate what wall we are talking about ? ``

Again everyone ignored Remus'try to pull up what was going on from them.

'' Potter, '' Snape drawled, as if talking to a particularly tardily schoolchild. `` Had a rigid wall been constructed, there would have been a complete separation of the two stage set of memories in the missy 's mind. ``

'' Yes, I get that, '' Harry snapped, feeling frustrated. `` That 's what I was going for. ``

Snape 's dark, greasy eyebrows arched up. `` Even a rigid wall would sustain eventually crumbled, and when that happened it would have been consanguineous to releasing a floodgate of foreign remembering in her mind. So the effect would have been the same as it was initially. ``

'' Meaning ? ``

Snape practically rolled his eyes. `` She would have gone insane again. I know this layer of conversing is a bit of a strain on your mental deftness, but please, do try and keep up. ``

'' That 'll be enough, Severus, '' interjected Dumbledore. `` What he means to say, Harry, is that a weak barrier with holes will countenance the foreign memories to sneak into her mind a few at a time. It 'll allow her to become slowly acclimated to the new memories, as opposed to her being forced to bring off them all at once. Now I imagine the task of sorting through everything will be rather draining on her ... ''

Snape snorted. The Headmaster ignored him.

'' But in a few hour she should deliver a passably self-coloured reach on what memories are hers, and what are not. ``

'' A few hours ? `` Harry would intrust Dumbledore with his life, but somehow this seemed far too easy. He would have thought cramming a lifetimes worth of memories into a new chief would take far longer.

Suddenly the Headmaster smiled. `` Ms. Kaylens has been rather fortunate to have been given the rakehell of a relatively new unicorn, Harry. In fact, the animal is barely older than her. For the next few workweek she 'll gradually reach more and Sir Thomas More of its memories, but the forged should be over relatively soon. ``

"How can you experience how old it was ?"

"Is, Harry. Just because the unicorn's rakehell was taken does not mean that it was killed. And one of its latter store had already slipped through your construct. So Severus was able to see it, and pass that entropy on to me. She's actually baffle very lucky."

Despite this reassurance, he was still uneasy. `` And what happens when that wall I made completely breaks down ? ``

'' A slight head ache, I would reckon. Nothing more. ``

'' But ... ''

'' For the love of merlin ! She 'll already be acclimated to the memories Potter ! '' Snape practically shouted, apparently unable to contain himself any longer. `` Your little girlfriend will be fine ! ``

Harry balked. `` She 's not ... ''

Snape waved him off dismissively. `` Like I care. ``

Dumbledore casually flicked his verge in their direction, silencing them both. Harry gaped like a fish, noticing Snape doing the same.

Dumbledore let nothing appearance on his brass, but simply turned to where Remus and Kaylens still sat.

'' Remus, as interesting as this verbal affray has been, I think that the advantageously thing for Ms.Kaylens, at the bit, is balance. ``

Lupin looking rather like a worried father, nodded his assent. And before Harry could even resist, Moony had scooped the girl up in his arms.

Fixing Harry with a pointed stare, Remus inclined his forefront as he left. `` She 'll be in the way Hermione and Ginny used. ``

Snape, apparently having unsilenced himself, let out a jeering scoffing that bore a foreign resemblance to the words `` I 'm so certain. ``

It was only after that they had left the way, that Dumbledore 's reflexion grew far more sober.

'' Harry, '' He stated seriously. `` I think it 's time you explained exactly what happened with Angelina. ``
* * * * *

'' VHERE IS SHE ! ? ! ? ``

The man 's vocalization rose furiously, awakening her from her Crucio-induced slumber with a start.

Her dingy eyes snapped open, her unfocused gaze shooting uselessly around the black room.

She had been left in complete and total darkness, ineffectual to discern even a I detail of her surroundings. The frigidness, silk shroud beneath her were the only clue she had to suggest that she remained in the Lapp room as before.

Only now she was mercifully alone, with only the lingering, bone-deep pain of the inflicted curses for company.

An unsettling spirit of futility settled firmly within her bureau, but she would not, could not, misplace hope. Instead her resolve strengthened, and she forced herself to take heed very carefully.

Outside in the hall two mass were arguing fiercely, their exact tidings muffled, though every so often the one would rise about the other, a life-threatening annotation in his accented speech.

Her brow creased fretfully, anxiety filling her. There was something very familiar about that voice. Something her levelheaded mind screamed she should let been able to recognize instantly.

But to her heart and soul she understood that whomever the person was, that she should n't be hearing them here.

Not in a piazza where only Death Eaters roamed freely.

An icy presentiment flooded her veins ...

The door to her room suddenly flew open, a broad shoulder man forcing his way in, his silhouette shadowed by the hall 's firelight.

It felt as if soul were suddenly choking her, an agonizing chill overtaking her in a way that the Cruciatus curse would never be able to touch.

The man 's defined jaw line, one so very familiar to her, was set firmly.

A heart-wrenching betrayal ripped through her, snatching her heart and soul in its vice bag as she watched his mouth open, forming the speech she had once loved to hear.

'' Hermy-owh-ninny. ``







writer's Note :

First, I just wanted to say thank you to Andrew for having helped me out so a lot with this chapter. He has not only beta-read the endure few chapters, but has also helped me to pick off them to do them easier to read.

Secondly, I wanted to apologize about having taken so long between chapters over the past year. I honestly needed a geological fault from writing, and now that I have had that I plan on updating approximately every two weeks or so. I 'm really excited about finishing the write up, and I figure that two weeks is definitely a deadline that I can meet, considering that I used to mail daily chapters for the Quizilla version of this. Of course, those were only about 2500 actor's line a piece, but nevertheless I figure once every two workweek or so should work out well. Again, I am really sorry about having taken such lengthy breaks this past tense yr. Things were very busybodied and frankly I just needed to really recharge. Thank you all for having stuck around though ! Chapter 31 is being worked on presently, so expect it in about two weeks.

And just to avoid disarray, the term for a practitioner of Occlumency is Occlumens. For some understanding in the rough muster of this I had a lot of people trying to correct me on that.

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