* * * * *


Releasing the scepter for what he promised would be only instant, he continued sawing at his bindings, slowly, rhythmically, trying to pull in precious cm of mobility ...

He was armed, and the fruition had numbed him, his following move horribly elusive.

With the rhythmical sawing of the shard, his mind fell curiously blank for the commencement time in what felt millennia.

His regard fell upon her as she moved, shoving herself up from where she lay on the story, arms shaking fiercely, be it from shock or the pain he knew she daily bore, he did not know.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered softly, grasping for something, anything fellow in the horror that was his life.

She fell into place besides him, so close, her bloodied sleeve nearly brushing against his hide. She was blocking Dolohov 's view of what he was doing, he knew it without even asking, for her oculus swept the room as those of the hunted would.

She was being as cautious as him, despite the fragile careen to her stature.

Snap.

Another train of thought of the rope broke free, it 's release masked by her sudden, purposeful coughing.

Her head fell forward, her coughs lingering long enough to seem literal, and her halcyon, tangled whorl came cascading down, falling over her eyes, veiling her expression from all but him. To his eyes each shimmering strand, glinting in the dull afternoon glow, as well as her watery orbs, remained visible, as well as her bound wrists, livid and pluck from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for acquittance in Dolohov 's arms.

The mother fucker would never again lay a fingerbreadth upon her.

He would never again lay a finger upon anyone.

Harry Potter had a few darkness patch he was quite eagre to try out.

Snap.

'' How much longsighted do you think it 'll be till he finishes questioning the Village Antonin ? ``

Dolohov sneered. `` Ludovic you are trying my forbearance as much as the half-blood and these ... '' The dark gaze of the man scanned the room, taking in the few conscious students and the two patron bound and lined against the walls. `` These spares. ``

'' But what if the ministry .... ''

Dolohov kicked the trading floor, sending shatter chicken feed skittering across Dean 's fallen figure. `` We will be here and gone before those tomfool catch wind of this. Besides, these things are finespun matters ... ''

questioning ? His pinna listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the same, while Luna shifted the glass shards on the trading floor around with her feet.

Bagman seemed besides himself with doubt. Harry mentally egged him on to be slack lipped.

'' Perhaps we could stun them all and claim them back ourselves ? ``

Dolohov scowled in his focal point. `` He will not be needing all of them. And you would do well to preserve your mouth shut from now on or I will shut it for you. ``

The discussion ended.

It was then that he heard it.

'' You ... ''

Only he had heard her whispered accusation, for it could be zippo else. The sheer repulsion in that one, whispered Scripture left nothing to question.

Her eyes had moved from Dolohov, drifting into the background beyond, liquid fire boiling beyond their astuteness. Lifting his own he followed her regard to where Ludo commercial traveler stood, pouring himself another fidgety drink.

He turned his confusion upon her, noticing her bureau 's rhythmical rising as her breather came quicker, deeper, faster ...

Golden eyes flickered shut, a pained reflexion falling across her.

'' How sorry were you ? '' She breathed to herself, only barely, for the hate saturating her soft tones was not lost upon him.

It was chilling.

His own boiling lineage froze as he studied her, taking vantage of the lull in activities.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered, almost pleadingly.

Her hateful gaze burned right through him, straight to Bagman.

'' Kaylens please ... ''

Her eyes fell shut, her fists opening and end on thin air. `` You 're bleeding Potter, are you O.K. ? '' She whispered shakily.

Gently brushing his arm against her own, he waited for some preindication that she was alright.

Minutes passed, before delicate eyelids flickered capable, her eyes alight with an aberrant glow.

'' goodness. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only feed you a mo. ``

His back talk flapped wordlessly, shocked at the transformation before him.

Where his tegument lightly touched her own, an unnatural tingle had begun.
* * * * *


The get-up-and-go reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passing before she was capable to forcibly draw away.

His disarray radiated in startling quantities, but he would understand soon enough.

They would all empathise ...

She would not drift near him again, for her world was moving unnaturally sluggish, as if the events occurring around her were illusory, momentaneous images from horrifying dreaming that would surely vanish with a streamer of merciful consciousness.

Only no such merciful breeze came.

Her spring hands rose from her lap, tracing the supply ship melody of her jaw, feeling her chilling skin. Somewhere, amidst the fighting, she had fallen, shoved away by Dean. The dried smudge of rip along her cheek gave evidence to that.

She could feel the heating radiating from James Dean 's limp form.

He was alive ...

Hermione ...

The minor girl 's finger had curled around fallen chunk of her bloodied, uprooted hair, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to hold onto, something solid and tangible to prove the afflictions had been real.

They had ...

Her eyes fell willfully shut once more, immersing herself in the peaceful obliviousness of darkness, where no demons save her own reigned.

The retentiveness of a revive night, long due revenge, beckoned.

A hitch hand lay splayed across the front corridor ... rake trickling onto the wooden porch display panel ...

'' God forgive me ... '' She breathed, the palpable chill filling her lungs.

She had made her decision.

The chilling rain pelted down, something dark intermixture with the muddy water licking at her nose ...

The tingling began softly, like a light plume performing across her peel, traversing it 's way upwards, inwards ...

It was their origin swirling within the puddle ... .Sean 's dummy eyes staring back ...

It was rolling in distinct waves, operating by it 's own indiscernible ruler, pulsating from the life, evaporating from the dead.

A boyish face appeared above her, understanding in his Oceanic optic. `` I 'm awfully sorry about this kid ... ''

His voice had echoed through that Night, and again this day.

He had stood idly by once, and was again.

She squeezed her optic shut ever slopped, involuntarily shudders traveling through her, the heady pressure in the very air building, pulsating in uncontrolled waves outwards.

The world was taking on a hotter quality, every nerve burning with fiery intensity as she began reaching, feeling ...

The virulent presence of Ludovic Bagman filled her, and she began drawing.

Her intention was to kill.



A/N : Please forgive the source 's note, but I believe a proper thank you is in order.

Thank you for making this story the number One Favorite Story on the site, for making me the numeral One darling source on the site, for making this the 7th most read story in the site 's account when it has been out for less than a class, and for making this the taradiddle with the Most Reviews Ever.

I honestly ca n't express how shocked I was to see that. I truly feel that I do not deserve such an honor, because having read many of the other stories on this site, I feel that my writing picket in comparison to the wealth of talent displayed by others such as njill22, Edward Ollivander, The wickedness Lord Nedved, KawaiiAce2003, IchigoPan, violet Gryfindor, Timeturner, BitterEpiphany, Ginny Weasely, Arios, Cocoapuffshooter, Winky, and too many others to name.

I have the best lecturer in the cosmos. I truly do.


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Chronicles of Life by BitterEpiphany Rated : Mature
Follow the trials and visitation of a new witch who has exiled herself to the Muggle world, only to be pulled back into the realm of deception in the darkest of times. Only the man who rescued her, never expected her to get involved in the scrap against the darkness rising to power. The lifespan of an Auror is short-circuit, the only if question is, how yearn can Lexi endure ?

The Girl Who Lived by Masami Rated : 15+
This is the story of Elizabeth I Barkovsky, a non-magical child who nearly died in horrific accident, only to be saved, through a braid of portion, by a man once known as 'The boy who lived'. The story is set in 2011, and if you are a fan of stories following original characters through their Hogwarts'eld, this is a bully one.

Photograph couresty of the previously mentioned world domain website. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.








'' Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, merely changed and transformed from one physical body to another. ``
~ kickoff Law of Thermodynamics ~



Chapter 21 ~ Amongst Us ~ division 1


It was as it was before, the feeling.

She did not fear, could not, for it was her very nature.

Her cadre were multiplying with fearsome measure. She could almost find them, enticing her breath to amount in sharp, hurt gasps. The gentle titillation of prior, the tactile property of static lightly traversing across her skin, had been long since vanquished, replaced by fiery tendrils of unbridled energy weaving steadily through her, searing across her very skin like fiery, unkempt tendrils of hell.

The very atoms of her cells were moving in affected ways.

Pained eyes flickered receptive upon the world, reflecting the Light Within as alone she could see it. For the aureate mist swirled throughout the room in thick, stifling electron clouds, sending fiery chills searing through the hollow shell of what she had once been.

The particles danced, shining from all that was alive, emitting softly from all that was short, as energy must do. The human eye had always been blind to the subtler strain of it 's gallant ballet, but it was a dancing to which she was privy.

It was her curse.

She did not fear it, nor did she embrace it as she so ought. She simply breathed, allowing the tangible tingle to sate her lungs, cooling her lips as it passed.

His bearing filled her.

The hot particles upon the once barely discernerable breeze vibrated, the prosperous mists forming tightly from her to him, flowing in a closed circuit between them, her will unconsciously directing the charged speck to trip the light fantastic toe within the rhythm of her domain.

Fiery cold, soothing pain ... Such were the sensations of electrocution, and all it 's conflicting ambiance.

An ambiance that beckoned, heeding her claim as she pulled, drawing it from him, taking it upon herself without attentiveness for consequence.

Besides her, drawing her concert immersion from the impenetrable cosmos of her judgment, she noticed Potter stirring, taking vantage of the small distraction her expend vim afforded them.

Ludovic ...

She could possess chosen to snipe the early dying Eater, but it had to be him.

Ludovic, as the former had called him, had stood idly by, watching them butcher her home with barely a grimace.

He had not lifted a finger.

'' I 'm awfully dreary about this kid ... ''

He would regret it. They all would. She would see to it.

But Ludovic first.

ceramist 's arm were moving now. She could feel it despite her closed heart, as surely as she felt Ludovic 's own sapping strength.

She pulled Ludovic 's intensity of life into herself, as she had done twice before, robbing him. The energy driving his heart pounded frantically, pulling from her, recoiling like a frightened child until she finally had him in her grasp.

Smothering that fire of resisting life for as long as she could, she silently cried in pain, feeling Ludovic do the same.

The gentle sound of a body falling lifelessly upon the debris straw floor met her even before the backlash did.

Everything that had occurred, had taken place within a poorly closed electric circuit. Now the Patrick Victor Martindale White hot thread of energy, the one that had vibrated so thick between them, finally snapped.

The electrical energy flew from his fallen form to her own kneeling one, leaving her no alternative save to absorb it 's sudden discharge with a twisted sensation of satisfaction.

Her center flicked open as the force out of it hit her, revealing sparkling, cloudy hues of golden light dancing around her, fading away as the winding-clothes of unconsciousness fell ever closer.

Besides her Potter was moving ... Standing ... Shouting ... All of this registered instinctively within, as she finally succumbed to the alluring darkness, beckoning with rest.
* * * * *


'' stick with the pack, go astray and we will kill you ourselves. brother or not. ``

The large number drawing card 's words reverberated inside the wolf 's hammer skull, distracting it from the pungent scents tempting it 's olfactory gage, the townsmen 's cruor teasing the pack, stimulating their bloodlust 's desire.

Yet the pack controlled it, tramping as one across the outer boundary of what had once been the epitome of quaintness, before spreading out, fringing across the outskirts of the forest, taking natural covering in the forest 's shadows. Here the face pack would fight back the straggler, catching any who sought to flee Hogsmeade before their labor was complete.

The brute pawed the ground with open savageness, the beast 's fad at being deprived it 's quarry apparent to the elder accompanying it. A menacing growl calmed it, forcing the words of the pack into it 's aching mind, for the tempting allure of the townsman 's blood, located just within the walls of Hogsmeade, was causing the canine to suffer itself.

It needed to feed.

The accompanied beast, driven nearly mad with desire, sniffed deeply, huffing the rough-cut bristles of it 's snout away angrily. The hirsuteness of the savage 's hide was coated in the fleshy cruor that had coursed freely from it 's torn pelt, the fresh rip of it 's transformation still apparent, for a wolfman was ready to transubstantiate, yet decelerate to heal.

Voldemort would fix that.

The knowledge drifted through the animalistic savageness plaguing the wolf 's brain, forcing it to remember who it was, why it was here, what it 's job truly was beyond the desire brought about by the feigned hunt.

He was Remus Lupin, protagonist of those within the town 's wall, the walls sheltering beneath the very tree boughs he and the other werewolf hid below.

He was there to find out Voldemort 's purport, his design, his faults.

The creature Riddle was thinking in a way he could only woolgather of, for where generations of healer had failed in discerning the mechanisms of lyncanthropy, Voldemort had succeeded, and harnessed it 's cruel office into something he could fully exploit.

When they had stood poised on the brink of Hogsmeade, seemingly make to attack, he had been surprised. For their orders were not to shoot down, maim, or wound the townsfolk 's indweller in any way. They were merely to organize a guard duty around the township 's circumference, ensuring that all wizarding occupants remained within it 's walls for a time.

And when that metre was over, they were to be gone, fleeing into the forest where a portkey would await their coming back to the Parisian catacombs.

The reason for this peculiar last eater bodily process was unbeknownst to him. He could not fathom why.

But all his assumption vanished as the aroma of stemma wafted upon a stale breeze.

His bloodlust was wholly returned, the teeth of the other creature of the night, the senior, digging into his hide, the simply affair preventing him from running into Ithiel Town to hunt his quarry.
* * * * *


The duncish cloud was barely discernable, yet it pulsated around him, bearing down, stifling him as if an electric stupor were coursing threw him.

He felt numb, unable to move, let alone think, properly. His caput spun in a not unfamiliar way, and despite this, Harry knew where he had felt the same sensation.

Grimmauld Place.

'' I can only give you a consequence ''

It was her. She had whispered those speech only seconds before. She had done it before, and she was doing it again, and though he did not know how, every vulcanized fiber of him knew it to be true.

Kalliandra was doing this.

She could only afford him a second ... A moment of misdirection. A unmarried chance to take them out.

He knew what he had to do.

The foolhardy pressure increasing around him, over-powering any sure good sense of equilibrium, he forced his weapons system to obey, grasping his verge in a barely concealed move as Dolohov 's drugged eyes fixed upon Ludo commercial traveller 's material body, as the former Ministry Official disappeared behind the bar, clutching his chest.

Harry spared the man no shame, all his Energy Department fixated on the soul undertaking of catapulting to his substructure, then twisting until the wand so precariously gripped within his spring hands was pointed towards the remaining last Eater.

'' Delirium Modente ! '' He gasped, his death tatter of energy spent as he set the curse free.

The dark curse.

A Death Eater deserved nothing less.

He never did see Dolohov 's oculus as the net fledgeling of sanity were stolen, but the curse left Dolohov 's large human body withering upon the ground, hands clutching desperately, tearing thick, bloodied chunks of fuzz from his scalp.

The heady pressure lifted as suddenly as it had come, the cloudy strain vanishing with a breath, and Harry fell to his knees, breathing deeply, watching in ghastly gratification as one by one, retentivity after memory, fled from Dolohov 's curve, scarred mind.

The demise Eater would be unable to recall even his own name once the curse had run it 's course.

Harry had finally learnt the joyfulness of cruelty upon one 's enemy.

It was respective moments before he realized that while the others were stirring, Kaylens was not.
* * * * *


'' Mr. United States President ... Your wife and girl are amongst the missing ...

The car room access slammed behind him, his girl 's small word form curled up on the passenger side 's flooring, whimpering, begging for Mum ...

Marie ...

Fumbling for the key 's with his frozen handwriting, his nous was assaulted. Every iniquitous memory of the past hebdomad, of his life history, slammed into his knowingness one, by one, by one.

Only the whimpering of his little girl kept him sane. He needed to bide warm for her.

The hospital doors slid open, the glass paneling revealing his haggard observation. At the end of the defend hall, lined with surety, awaited the morgue.

Identification of the body was necessary.

'' Tonksie ... Tonksie ... pa where 's Tonksie ? ! ``

Emily 's hysteric weeping drew his oculus through the rain coated windshield to where Tonks stood, a look of unadulterated alarm on her normally warmly face. She darted, arm out, presumably clutching the wand he could not see.

What affected him, what jolted him, what sent his foot pressing upon the gas peddle, the wheels spinning, skidding in the watery crushed rock, was the sense of pure, thoroughgoing despair that overcame him as he watched her slick in the mud, falling ....

She landed in the grass, her back to the Earth, subdivision stretched upwards in front of her squiffy body, shaking so violently that he could see it through the rainfall 's thick barrage. It seemed as if she were supporting a essence of incredible system of weights, one that would endure down upon her if she faltered, one that would crush her and then come up for them if she failed.

The mortician gestured to the good gurney, his heart lurching as he approached.

He already knew. He had seen their revival attempts at the plate they had taken him to. He had seen the bluish tint to her once racy lips ...

Yet having seen her ... Knowing what was to issue forth ...

The tires spun in the gravel, screeching forward as he neared her. She had to get in. They were not leaving without her.

Without warning, without a single sign, the car lurched violently, halting as a resonating thud reverberated throughout the hood of the vehicle.

The thunderous auditory sensation startled him more than his daughter 's cries, more than the strait of his gristle break as his nozzle collided with the steering bike, for a vauntingly dent had formed in the cap, the chicken feed of the windscreen cracking, splintering out until a network of wanderer network formed across it ...

As the unimaginative sheet was pulled back, he knew none of it could prepare one for seeing the lifeless consistency of the passion of their life for a second time.

The beginning prison term had nearly killed him ...

A lock of her auburn hair fell loose, his hand smoothing it back ...

Something unseeable had collided with their car ....

The feeling of stock trickling down his face, falling upon his white knuckled mitt, which remained firmly clutched around the cold, black steering bike, had drawn him back.

As did Tonks'weak cries from where she lay, scrambling in the mud like a terrified animal seeking escape.

'' Emily remain here ! '' He commanded, tossing the door open, bracing himself for the pelting and despair he somehow knew to be coming.

The rain rain was the blessing, for it kept him conscious, re-vitalizing him with it 's icy rage as the despair attempted to drown him. He staggered, reaching for her, for Tonks.

She was scrambling to her infantry, slipping in the mud, crawling backwards towards him, fending he and Emily from whatever it was only she could see.

Her other arm was flailing, her whole fount changing, moving in elbow room a cheek should not locomote ...

He reached her, grasping her firmly to stabilize both he and her. `` Kenneth .... '' She screamed angrily, choking on the midst downpour. `` Kenneth get away ... ''

'' Not without you ! '' He shouted into the wind, the rain slapping against him. His weapon system looped beneath her, hauling her with him, sliding her across the grass as her wand arm remained steadfastly out, preventing him from completely lifting her suddenly limp as a doll form.

Only her munition remained rigid, for she was refusing to move them, not even for an instant to brook ...

bent grass over her pulled her with him, scrambling backwards, finally falling onto the side of meat of the car, it 's headlight blazing a vivid path of light into the blackening, storm-shrouded day.

As he weakly tried to stand, yanking on the rear door of the vehicle, shoving Tonks'protesting flesh interior while she held her verge out, he finally saw it.

There, in the beam of light from the car 's headlight ...

A huge, looming shadow, flanked by many, many more, were surrounding them.

Yet the generator of the shadow, he could not see.

The palpable thrill in the air only grew until the Robert Lee Frost upon the window 's chipping turned to ice.

It was only then that it dawned upon him why Tonks would not lower her wand.
* * * * *


He froze.

Harry potter, a true Gryffindor, completely, undeniably, froze. The shock of everything sinking in, preventing him from taking anything into account, save up for what lay decently before him.

'' Kaylens ... '' He mouthed soundlessly, frightened by the pale pallor caressing her damp skin.

There were other frequenter scattered, unconscious or worse across the pub, yet she was the closest.

Hastily he murmured the spell to loosen the remaining bandaging, wiggling his blood encrusted bridge player until the R-2 slid to the methamphetamine hydrochloride strewn floor. He dropped to his articulatio genus, reaching to brush her blood stained curl aside, when a shaken, yet commanding vocalization, halted him.

Kneeling besides her, Harry stared slack jawed as Ronald Weasley spoke, clambering to his feet, a dark bruise encircling the position of his face.

'' Harry. Move. Away. From. That. matter. '' He repeated, a threatening air creeping into the barely uttered command. `` Move away, before it wakes. ``

Harry blinked stupidly, not fully processing Ron 's words. All he knew was that Ron was not abruptly. Ginny 's cuss had not worked. And now a pair of icy blue optic were fixated upon Kaylens as if she were Voldemort himself.

Fortunately for Harry, Luna was not nearly as thrown by Ron 's sudden return to the realm of the living.

'' Why hello Ronald. I was wondering when you 'd stop over pretence. ``

Ron 's optic flickered to Luna 's for the abbreviated of seconds, before his wand shot out, fixated upon his quarry.

'' So how farseeing have you been awake Ronald ? '' She continued airily, rising to her feet in one fluid movement. Her articled hands began fiddling with her stain strewn hairsbreadth, brushing it back curiously, as if it were a simple blighter to be contend with.

Ron 's wound face contorted into a scowl at this. `` foresighted enough. '' He responded warily.

Luna was moving to where Ron still stood, staring at Kaylens as if she were Beelzebub incarnate. `` fountainhead Ronald, would you mind undoing these for me ? '' She articulated, extending her articulatio radiocarpea to him expectantly. `` Harry 's the only other one with a baton and he seems a bit preoccupied. ``

Ron 's gaze never left his target, his wand flicking to Luna 's outstretched arms without a glance, sending her tight rophy coiling free.

Luna smiled happily, flexing her wrists testingly at eye level, as Ron took a whole step forward.

'' I 'll ask you one more sentence Harry. '' He muttered menacingly. `` Get. Away. From. The. Grim. ``

Harry 's disarray regarding Ron 's sudden appearing was routed by the grave verbal expression across the redhead 's freckled look. At a going for explanations, he turned back to the girl before him, laying his hand upon her eyebrow, feeling her cool skin beneath his own as Ron 's poisonous stare burrowed into him.

'' Harry she 's a Grim. A Living Grim. Get the Hades away from .... ''

He scarcely heard Ron 's baritone horn, for a gentle tingle was radiating onto him, running across his open palm where his skin fell onto her own, as if small bits of static electricity were passing between them.

His digit trailed down her typeface, a soft moan escaping her sassing, drawing her shallow breaths into consummate contrastation with his own.

Forgetting Ron 's quarrel, his eye 's wander from her to where Dean lay, sprawled beneath an overturned table that Luna was up-righting. `` We need to get assistance ... '' Along the walls the light others present were watching with bate breaths. `` We need to get out of here before ... ''

'' First you need to get away from the Grim Harry ! '' Ron nearly bellowed, wand arm trembling violently. `` You might not recognise what she is, but you saw what she did ! ``

Hermione let out a tone down protestation, and Ron 's eyes flickered for a second to where she sat, propped up, childlike and staring.

It was the chance Harry needed. He did not have it away what had happened to Ron, but certainly his Quaker meant Kaylens injury. He was deluded. Grim 's were omens of Death. A keep, external respiration, sentient being could not be one.

He quickly placed himself between them, his own blood stained wand out, directly in Ron 's maddened face.

'' Ron looking at, we do n't deliver time for this. There are former Death feeder in town and we do n't have time ... ''

'' We ca n't entrust that matter lying around. '' Ron challenged, raising his own wand until it was eye level, directed at his scar. `` I would n't have believed it myself had I not seen it. But leave a Living Grim lying around and it will bolt down you later. ``

'' Ron bar it ! '' Hermione shouted, slightly hysterical as Luna knelt, freeing her and Neville 's bindings.

tail him another distressed grumble rose from Kaylens unconscious form.

Luna now hovered over a quietly muttering Dolohov, sending thickheaded ropes coiling around his weaponry and legs. And as Harry watched her, he noticed one of the non-student frequenter inching away from where they stood, her frightened expression fixated on Kaylens as well.

His heart narrowed. `` Would mortal kindly tell me what 's going on here ? ``

'' But she ca n't be ... He thinks she a Reach but she ca n't be .... '' Hermione stated weakly, her small form barely supported by Neville.

Harry 's eyes did not give Ron 's for a second. `` A Reach ? And to me that means .... ''

'' An energy shifter. '' Neville supplied. `` That ... That t-thing that just happened .... '' The Gryffindor attempted to wave, nearly dropping Hermione in the process. `` That matter with the air ... It was e-energy ... They can draw on it when they need to ... ''

'' When the need to bolt down people. '' Ron finished angrily. `` I 'd bet my broom commercial traveller is suddenly, Harry. That thing ... '' He indicated, gesturing violently with his wand. `` Did it ! ``

'' And she also quite possibly saved our lives. '' Neville sighed frustratedly. `` She gave Harry the misdirection he needed to take Dolohov out. ``

'' She could stimulate killed us all Neville ! '' Ron shouted, mercifully unheard upon the street as Luna 's silencing charm were cast upon the window and doors.

'' But, she, did n't ! '' Neville shot back, setting Hermione down in one of the few professorship that had escaped unscathed.

Ron 's declaration only grew. `` Harry, she 's not man. '' He declared. `` She 's not even a witch ! All she is, is an energy draining bloodsucker that would kill her own female parent if she had the chance ! That 's why they call them Living Grims ! Whoever comes in contact with one dysprosium ! Meeting one is like seeing your own ... ''

'' Death ? '' Harry supplied angrily, finally losing it. His pass hurt. Ron being alive, Kaylens whatever it was they thought she was ... It was simply too much to process. `` Ron if she had wanted to kill us, do n't you think she already would have ? ``

Ron 's reflection faltered, long enough for Harry to know that the accuracy of his words had sunk in.

'' But she ca n't be a Reach ... '' Hermione was continuing on, sounding pained at the deficiency of certainty. `` Remember chronicle of Magic, the unusual species whole ? You know with Veelas and Vampires ? affair like that ? We covered reach, and a Reach ca n't do Magic ! They simply ca n't .... And I 've seen her do magic in class ... ''

Ron snorted, a smug formulation crossing his look. `` A pre-magicked verge. Do n't you see ? We 've never seen her do anything beyond basic, first class spells now have we ? ``

Harry 's mind churned, searching for something to rebut the program line, but when it came down to it, he had only seen her levitate Professor Gai and stun person ....

In Dumbledore 's spot she had n't even reached for her wand .... She had n't even tried to fight back herself ....

My God ...

'' tone ... '' He said shakily. `` Just do n't disturb her. Leave her be, at least until we figure a way out of this lot. ``

Ron 's hardened expression did not soften, but his wand arm fell `` amercement. But think back who 's estimation this was Harry. Grim 's are supposed to be killed on quite a little. So you can deal with the Ministry. Not. Me. ``

Killed on pot ....

A sickening flavour rose within his chest at the words. They could n't ... The Ministry would n't ....

Yet looking at Ron 's deadpan face, he knew it to be true. Mr. Weasley worked at the Ministry. Ron had grown up in the wizarding world. Ron knew all of it 's prejudices, even agreed with some. infernal region, Ron had been afraid of lupin upon first finding out had n't he ?

'' A Grim ... A Living Grim ... Amongst Us .... Amongst us again ... ''

The whimpering of the cleaning lady, who was still attempting to slide away, reached his ears.

The sound of her panicked ramblings made him agnise just what he was dealing with.

Kaylens had killed someone ... His eyes flew to where Bagman had fallen, only to watch Ron traverse his way there, as if in slow motion, bending down, taking a impulse ...

Ron 's hatred filled gaze, directed at the girl on the floor, was all the ratification he needed.

Bagman was dead.

My God she really did ...

He swallowed the cold truth, turning to search upon her.

Golden eyes were staring back, a frightened expression across her pale, bust stained face.
* * * * *


The car room access slammed behind him, the rain having left the leather Interior drenched with pooling rain droplets, and as his human foot met the gas, he marveled at how the barely witting Auror still held her wand heights, aimed out the window, quietly muttering about a man named Lupie.

'' Daddy ... Dada .... ''

Something was boiling within him, something worse than reverence as he shifted into reverse, slamming on the gas so hard the subsequent tire squeal left Emily screeching.

Tonks was leaning between the front end arse, aiming her sceptre through the ever widening wisecrack in the windshield, screaming as he stabbed violently at the defroster.

Somehow, amidst it all, his brain was still working logically.

Hydroplaning on the tricky soil the car spun. Cranking the wheel into the round the twisting slowed until it was under his ascendance, and they were on the route, driving, sobbing, shaking.

He was n't for sure when he finally lost knowingness. He was only sure enough that they were far beyond the cemetery where his Thomas Young wife lay.
* * * * *


'' Kaylens ... '' He whispered disbelievingly. Never before had he seen even a suggestion of such strident emotion upon her normally self-satisfied features.

Seeing Kaylens torn face he rounded on Ron.

'' You were going to stamp out her ? '' He shouted furiously, putting the man together. The way Ron had pulled his wand on her, the uncharacteristic, hardened saying ...

He stepped backwards, shielding Kaylens with his entire physical structure. `` Is that what you planned ? '' He hissed, voice quivering dangerously. `` It 's not enough that the ministry indoctrinates their secondary bias against everything and everyone through that absurd Daily Prophet and it 's ridiculous laws, but you were stupid enough to actually deliberate listening to them were n't you ? ! ``

The red head 's locution faltered, and it did n't take on tenacious to see why, for Ron 's heart had fallen on the now witting Kaylens, a looking of mingled fright and disgust upon him.

Harry was enraged for reason he could not begin to understand. `` What 's the matter Ron ? '' He shot out. `` You had no job talking when you were proclaiming her inhuman a few seconds ago, yet now ca n't answer a simpleton interrogative sentence. Why is that ? ``

Ron let out a stutter.

'' Sorry, could n't quite catch that Ron. '' He nearly growled, glancing to the level where Kaylens sat, her frightened expression giving way to one of sheer amazement as their oculus locked.

'' It 's okay ... '' He mouthed, incompetent of articulating anything else. All he knew was that if she was what they claimed her to be, then it was n't her fault. She surely had not asked for it, just like he had not asked to have a death judgment of conviction dangling over his own foreland.

Suddenly every hostile action, every cruel Good Book that had passed between them made complete sense.

The whisper conversation in the bookshop, her anger at having been overheard, her conversance with Remus, a loup-garou, another hated species with jurisprudence ruling their kinds lives ...

His anger at Ron 's actions boiled over.

He leveled his sceptre once again. `` Answer the interrogation Ron. ''

Ron 's middle, glued to the floor, refused to appear up. `` I ... I had n't thought that far ahead ... ''

'' Does n't attend like you were thinking at all actually. ``

'' Harry you do n't understand what those thing are capa ... ''

'' Ronald break off it ! ''

All eyes darted to the small brunet in the chair.

'' Tell me you were n't even considering that. '' Hermione clipped. `` I thought you were too hurt to go by what the Ministry says ! It 's just another piffling law ... ''

'' It 's not lowly Mione ! It 's for our protectio .... ''

'' Protection from what ? '' Hermione queried. `` Anyone with a wand is dangerous, just because she 's different does n't mean she should be singled out Rona ... ''

Ron 's jaw dropped. `` Hermione ! She killed commercial traveller ! Did she show any mercy then ? Did she ? ``

Hermione shook her head sadly. `` He was a destruction Eater. Do you really opine he would have shown any to us ? ``

The red head scoffed. `` This is commercial traveller were talking about ... ''

'' He would n't have. ``

The verbal diatribe between the two teen ceased at Kaylens'scarcely speak wrangle, and as Harry turned he was surprised to discover her standing besides him, watery eyes fixated on Ron.

'' Ludovic Bagman was his name yes ? '' It was More of a statement than a question, and he let it rest in the air as he quickly unbound her arms for her.

'' Thanks. '' She breathed, rubbing her arms where the skin had torn, flecks of iniquity cruor flaking off, floating to the debris strewn floor.

'' How could you experience that, murderer ? '' Ron snapped, though for once he scarcely acknowledged it. His consciousness was focused upon her reaction, upon the slight shaking beginning in her left over arm, the stiffening of her neck opening, the balling of her fist ...

Her eyes flickered closed, yet not flying enough for him to drop the deep botheration residing within them.

'' Because Ludovic did not show any mercy to my family. '' She responded softly, hauntingly. `` That is all you need to eff. ''

Ron was babbling about something. He caught the idiom, 'Bagman was n't a killer ,'but suddenly that all seemed so unimportant. For Hermione had asked what turn had actually hit Ron, and he was suddenly wondering that as well.

'' Ron this is n't you ! '' Hermione quelled. `` What has gotten into ... ''

Suddenly Ron 's behavior clicked into place as well, and he turned around, scanning the room furiously, taking in each of the unknown supporter 's faces.

Hermione was right, this was n't Ron. He may be brash, often speaking without thinking, but Ron was not violent.
Not only were there Death feeder to deal with on the outside, he realized, one they would have to deal with eventually, but they now had to deal with intragroup enemies.

one skilled in the imperious curse ...

His eyes landed upon the whimpering woman nearest the door, an unnaturally concerted aspect upon her face.
* * * * *


compunction ... guilty conscience ... satisfaction ....

The lifeless sight before her, the one she had so ruthlessly denied the right to exist, ought to instill something within her.

Yet it did not.

Weasley 's scathing diatribe, intermingling with her own cruelly uttered truths, resonated within the confines of her head. Her eyelids finally flickered shut, seeking momentaneous respite as the biting olfactory property of scorching lumber rose from the dark inlet of her memory, encircling tightly around her.

She had killed, yet it did not feel as it ought. cypher could take prepared her for the stale feeling of emptiness rotting away inside.

She felt empty inside, nearly washed-up, and perhaps this man lying lifelessly before her, evidencing her do revenge, would be enough to shove her over the survive fissure into the unreachable claw of cruelty.

For the life of her she could not cite one iota of remorse, for he had stood by during the butchery, having the power to cease it, yet failing to act.

He was as guilty as those who had committed the offense themselves.

Yes ... She judged him.

The merciful, loving human she had once been was gone. It had been fading since the day the first monster had strode into her home, extinguishing the wick of life sentence burning upon her brother and nan 's candles.

It had finally died the night she learnt the truth, for the calamity in her young life had not been enough. The sick gods governing being had not yet had their filling of her pain, her heartbreak ...

The olfactory property of thick ash once again filled her nostrils, the irritating actualisation that it was her own lifeblood pulling upon the undercoat, intermingling with her remaining Brother 's ...

The pain her body now felt paled in comparison to the pain in the neck of what she had done. The lengths she had gone to survive that night ...

The bother pouring unspoken from her sass was silenced as another representative rose up, saturated with the hate she felt burning within herself.

ceramicist ...

'' Let him go. '' He growled angrily. Though it was not his voice that drove her optic to give, it was the tense feeling of his paw encircling her radiocarpal joint, tugging her, forcing her to move until she was positioned directly behind him.

The brawn in his arm shook, vibrating with ardent intensity, rattling her own arm as well, yet her questioning gaze fell unnoticed, unseen upon the back of his dark head.

His attention was elsewhere, fixated upon a prematurely grey-headed haired womanhood sitting cheeseparing to the door.

It took her a minute to realize that the Weasel had already been stunned, and that his induced wildness was on her behalf.

'' Your idea ... Clever really. '' thrower continued sardonically. `` But I 'd really lie with to recognize why you targeted her. '' The gesture of his head left no interrogative sentence that it was her to whom he was referring.

Confused she allowed herself to be led forward by Potter, closer to the annoy cleaning woman, whose eyes no longer quite met their own. `` So ... '' He continued. `` Is it because you 're just another brain washed Ministry pawn, or does your loss leader closely resemble a snake ? ``

His voice was becoming rather snakelike himself ... Or it could be her mind, which was still reeling from her premature feat.

'' Harry what ... '' Hermione sounded hesitant, and Kally 's own center flicked over in time to see Hermione 's dark ones flitting from one end of the room to the early, between the woman and Ron, then between Ron and a shatter plant holder.

Suddenly the brown haired lady friend, clutching her side, was staggering to the Weasel 's, scattering fall in bottles in her wake.

The womanhood watched her progress with a foul expression. `` Whatever it is that you are insinuating boy, you should have sex that I am a Ministry functionary ...

ceramist let out a barking laugh. `` I 'm supposed to be impressed by that are n't I ? ``

'' Considering that you are committing a crime by keeping that thing alive ... ''

'' The finally time I checked the use of Unforgivables was a criminal offense as well. '' He countered, slipping his digit into her own reassuringly. `` So why did you use it on a 16 yr old wizard ? ``

'' And as Ministry official, Leanne, surely you know that the use of an Unforgivable on an Underaged mavin merits a longer sentence in Azkaban. '' The early supporter, looking to be in his mid-thirties chimed in, smiling like the cat that ate the canary.

Potter 's acknowledged neither the new conversationist nor the Weasel 's sudden ramblings as Hermione brought him back to consciousness.

'' Why Amarante, what brings you to England ? I thought your belligerent parents would feature taught you well enough to last out away. ``

Amarante waggled his eyebrows in an oddly familiar way. `` well you know Très and I, never too far from trouble. ``

It suddenly dawned on her that Amarante was a ptyalise image of Professor Très.

'' We should go. '' Luna called dreamily, her form barely visible from beneath the curtain windowpane she was peering out of.

'' Why ? '' Potter voiced urgently. `` Do you see soul coming ? ``

'' No ... '' She called, emerging from beneath the curtain. `` Just a flavor Harry. I think the Ira 's are trying to tell me something ... ''

'' Ira 's ? '' Questioned Leanne incredulously. `` You 're all mad ... I do n't love what they teach you at that silly school of yours ... ''

'' Hogwarts is not pathetic ! '' Snapped Neville, his own wand drawn and leveled at the disgusted looking adult female.

'' Neville 's right hand. Hogwarts is really wonderful. '' Luna commented. `` And Ira 's are real. '' She added as an afterthought.

Amarante appeared greatly amused. `` Ah, well at to the lowest degree the students are too put off by my brother 's pedagogy method are they Leanne. ''

Leanne scowled, but Amarante was n't done.

'' So let me guess Leanne. You 're considering turning her ... '' He gestured towards where she stood in thrower 's protective suitcase, `` in to the Ministry, and were too much of a Coward to confront her yourself, which is why you put the red headed, stuttering boy over there under the Imperious. Is that it ? ``

The fair sex was beginning to search like a trapped fauna. `` I have every right to do so ! That affair is a lusus naturae ... ''

She internally cringed at the countersign she knew to be true.

'' A monster that should be put down ! And as for you ! '' She hollered, turning to Potter. `` Consorting with such a thing ! Why I never .... ''

'' You ungrateful wench ! '' Interrupted Weasley. `` They both helped save you 're pathetic stern and all you can do is hollo at them ! How make bold you ! ``

Amarante visibly yawned, and in a heartbeat his wand was out.

'' Obliviate ! ``

The deafening bellowing of ceramist, Luna, and Amarante all attempting to extinguish the char 's remembering at once sent the wench 's head snapping back into the wall, her eyes dazedly rolling around before unconsciousness took her.

'' well that solves that. '' Amarante muttered cheerfully, dusting his hands together. `` The name 's Amarante by the way. I was supposed to be visiting with my brother this weekend but well ... '' The man shrugged sheepishly, his ear distance hair falling into his centre. `` Got knocked out by him instead. Ruddy Imperious was n't something he could ever make off very well unfortunately. ``

She hardly heard the eternal sleep of his words, for she had broken away from Potter 's handgrip, dropping besides Dean 's unconscious form.
* * * * *


No Oklahoman had Kaylens released his hand than Amarante turned his scepter on the remaining conscious supporter. `` dreary lamb but .... Obliviate ! ''

Hermione 's decisive look as Amarante finished putting the patron to catch some Z's was answered with an air of apology.

'' Ca n't leave her barren to turn the young lady in either now can we ? '' He pointed out. `` No law-breaking but the British Ministry of thaumaturgy is a bit outdated in their natural law and position. Commonwealth of Australia has the decency to leave unusual species alone as long as they are not harming anyone. ``

Harry nodded his thanks gratefully. enough had gone wrong today. They could not yield to leave any lose end lying around.

'' Is it unusual that no one here is all in ? ''

Luna 's doubtfulness was met by five pose gaze. Only then did Harry realize that she had not been merely milling around the intact time, but that she had been checking the early patrons to see if they were alright.

Her query did not seem to set well with him, nor Neville apparently.

'' Is n't that a good matter ? '' He asked warily.

Luna 's mouth opened, but Ron cut her off. `` No Neville ... It 's not ... Think about it, why would Death eater even bother attacking if it were not to obliterate ? All of us are animated, and they are n't that incompetent. I thought for surely my turn was up when that green curse hit me but it was n't Avada Kedavra, I can tell you that much. ''

Hermione elicited an odd noise, but Ron went on. `` And think about it. Why did n't they off Harry when they had the hazard ? '' He glanced at him sheepishly. `` Er ... Sorry mate ... But you know what I mean. ``

He nodded. `` It 's okay Ron. ``

Ron nodded, glancing at Kaylens now. `` Sorry about sooner Kaylens. I may not like you but I would never ... ''

'' I know. '' She replied without a glance. It was apparent that her concern was not for herself, but for Dean.

And the formulation crossing her fount as she peered closely at his ear was disconcerting ...

'' You 're quite right young man. '' Amarante commented, yanking on his earlobes. `` If I could speculation a guess I would say that this unit ... '' He waved a hand around for stress. `` whipping was merely a way to distract us from something far more sinister. ``

Far more sinister ...

Harry did not like the sound of those Word of God.

'' Whatever their aim was I suggest we leave. '' Ron was pacing now. `` But if Amarante is right then they wo n't exactly let us walk right out of here ... ''

Luna 's gaze was drifting towards the rear departure. `` Our Best dig is the woods. ''

'' The Forbidden woods ? Wonderful ... '' Remarked his red headed friend, looking thoroughly put out.

'' No ... She 's right on. '' Kaylens voice was oddly strained, her eyebrow creased with concern as she continued examining Dean. `` If I create a distraction one of us should be able to induce it back to the schooling, last feeder or not. ``

Everyone, with the exception of Luna, looked at her oddly.

'' What do you mean by distraction ? '' Neville asked warily.

'' I mean I go out, drawing their attention away from those of you going into the woods. '' She huffed.

Hermione and Amarante were both shaking their read/write head.

'' I ca n't condone allowing a teenager to put themselves in harms way. '' Amarante stated flatly, all shadow of lightness gone from his voice.

'' If they are not aiming to kill I 'll be fine. '' Kaylens spat icily. `` You were so certainly of that a minute ago. ``

The elder man 's jaw dropped, leaving Harry with an uneasy feeling. `` Kaylens I do n't .... ''

She cut him off.

'' tone ! No one else may be hurt severely but Dean needs aid. '' She said heatedly, gently fingering his ear. `` His skull is fractured, and from the looks of it badly. ''

'' How do you know that ? '' Ron challenged disbelievingly.

Her penetrating stare bored into him. `` The human mentality is encased in a protective fluid, and if it 's fractured badly enough it can exudate out through the auditory cavities ... ''

'' His ear ... '' Hermione supplied, responding to the befuddle looks upon his, Ron 's, and Luna 's faces.

Ron seemed to be having trouble accepting it. `` And you 're a healer since ... ''

Her shoulder joint visibly stiffened, a wink of anger passing within her eyes. `` Since I 've seen it before Weasley. Now do you want to indicate or help your friend ? ``

The red head threw up his hands. `` No need to get techy .... ''

Harry interrupted them before it could step up farther. `` We have to go. No Thomas More time for give-and-take. ''

Kaylens nodded, rising from Dean 's side. `` For once I actually agree with him. ''

Her voice was firm, truelove, a steely glint in her eye as she tore her eyes away from her fallen protagonist. `` He needs assist and he needs help soon. We need to move. ``

'' somebody is going to require to stay put here. '' Neville pointed out. `` Falco columbarius knows what a death feeder would do to an unconscious Muggle-born ... Not to mention Madame Rosmereta and Lara. ``

'' I 'll stay. '' Came Hermione 's representative, earning her a startled look from all parties. She shrugged sadly. `` For once I 'll admit that I ca n't do something. My rib ... I 'm for sure they 're broken. There 's no way I could outrun anyone right now. ``

Ron 's face became drawn. `` Fine. But you 're right about one thing Mione. You 're in no shape to stand for yourself at the mo. So someone else needs to stay behind. ``

Harry 's eye flew around the room, taking in the possible volunteers. There were the two patrons, Neville, Kaylens, Ron, and Luna.

'' I 'll bide. '' Neville volunteered. `` I 'm not in as good of shape as the rest of you. I 'd have hassle outrunning them as well. ``

Ron 's eyes narrowed onto him approvingly. `` And that 's something we intend to fix once this is over. ``

A sly smile crossed Neville 's human face. `` The quicker you get out of here the sooner we can get started. ``

Ron nodded. `` Alright. Hermione, you and Neville submit Dean into the girl 's wash room. Well prop the back door surface so if anyone does come back they 'll mean we went out through the kitchens. ``

Harry eyed his friend carefully, admiring the idea. `` And the eternal sleep of us will go out the men 's wash room window. It leads right into the alley between here and Dervish and bang. Then Luna, Ron, and Kaylens can try to make it back to Hogwarts while Amarante covers me ... ''

She let out a dissent, but a wave of his script silenced her. `` You 're not going. End of discussion. ''

'' I should create the distraction. '' Amarante countered.

'' No. '' Harry replied, shaking his head decisively. `` We need a misdirection, and the fucking Boy-Who-Lived is going to give them one. I doubt the Death Eaters, parliamentary procedure to not wipe out or not, will be able to stand firm the chance to take a go at me. Besides, you 're the more experient wizard, so your aim is probably better than mine. ``

Amarante eyed him apprehensively, before a cheeky grin lit up his eyes. `` Well alright then. '' He said, clapping him on the back. `` Death eater target practice. Looks like you 're not going to have all the fun after all there Harry. ``

As Amarante went to help Luna with the bracing of Dean 's cervix, and the moving of his imp form, all the piece whistling a Muggle appearance tune, Harry wondered who exactly he had just asked to cover for him.
* * * * *


Her skull ached.

The speck of brightly igniter speckling her vision needed to be sprayed away with a very enceinte hose.

Preferably a power hosepipe.

Groaning she attempted to dislodge herself from the crevice between the book binding and front seats that her bum had fallen into, the blinding pain in her shoulder letting her know that indeed, it had been dislocated.

Collapsing onto the almost slimy, rain soaked leather of the back seat she took stock of the situation, the tree ramification jutting through the figurehead windshield, ending where Emily 's heading should have rested, had she not been curled into a whimpering ball upon the floor mats.

Thank God Kenneth had forgotten about belting her in.

She had to get them out of there, and was now trying the handgrip, discovering the door to be wedged shut by another Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, for the car had veered off, bouncing from the ditch into the wooden area keeping yard with the road itself.

Her fingers found the reflexive window key, pressing until she realized that it too, was nonfunctional.

She nearly swore, bracing against the antonym door and kicking out, feeling the resistor of the glass and the window curved out, buckling back in against her bruised invertebrate foot. The grimace of pain was taking over her face, droplets of water from her mousy hair intermingling with her sweaty bout droplets as she continued her violent, desperate attack, watching the splintering wanderer web crawling across the glass ...

Cringing she turned away, the splintering of the window giving way to century of glittering shards flying amongst the sparkling luminousness already within her vision.

The oozing gash in her sura barely registered, distracted as Kenneth 's cataleptic form slipped upon the slip wheel till the brunt of his exercising weight bore down upon the trump, the blaring vibrations of it 's constant, single noted beep shattering the afternoon secretiveness that until then, had only been broken by the audio of the still groaning engine and the pound rain.

Reaching over the seat she sent him slouching upon the threshold, the blood slicked horn falling silent as his weight fell away.

There was no need to grant the sound to attract any unwanted attention, for Dementors could move fast, though a car could move faster. But how tenacious they had been out, how far Kenneth had driven before succumbing to the wight 's force, slumping over the steering wheel, and how retentive the creatures had had to make up the distance between ...

She did not lie with the answer to any of these affair, and could not yield the price of drawing them near if they had made it to their vicinity.

The Chief Executive 's nozzle was clearly broken, the cartilage sufficiently contorted to have allowed a unloosen menstruum of line from it upon the cycle. Now the clippety-clop cruor could be seen, clustering upon his amphetamine lip as if he had been eating a sadistic lollipop flavored for the vampiric sort.

She had to get them out of here, that much she owed him for saving her.

In the expression of half a dozen Dementors Kenneth had managed to asseverate his composure, not breaking down as she nearly had, and he had been without the benefit of a protective Patronus.

This Muggle was made of unassailable stuff than the most conflict hardened of wizards.

Contorting herself as secure she could, she slithered out the window, clinging to the rain soaked ceiling for balance. Her sleeve snagged upon a glass sherd embedded within the windowpane skeleton, and her decoration slid from the roof, barely catching against the thin tree trunk creditworthy for thwarting her previous efforts to open the door, and somehow this steadied her.

One arm dangling limply at her side she clambered to the ground in rainfall soaked clothing, her onyx boots matching the ever-increasing swarthiness of the sky.

Then her earthly concern lit up, a distich of headlight from the road turning to glisten blindingly onto them.

Skidding up the muddy incline she began yelling for the device her Muggle don always carried around, a mobular something or other, but her hasty climb halted abruptly, shock erupting through her integral being as the car doorway opened and slammed, a figure stepping into the headlight 's beam.

Sirius Black was silhouetted within them.



Recommended tale of the Week :

shielder of world by IchigoPan Rated : 15+
Strange upshot from the past times affects the present in the life of Alexis Kanno. All she knows about the power running in her veins are that they are her own to control. Little did she know that there are two slope to her abilities.

Fallen Auror by Fallen Auror Rated : Mature
With the declension of Voldemort he was make to let his dreams come dependable. However, the serenity did not last for Harry Potter as the Wizarding populace plunged into decay by its own rapacity. Haunted by his misunderstanding and sickened by the corruption he decided to go it alone. But does he fare any better…

This is perhaps the most unequalled story that I have thus far encountered in the realm of fanfiction, for it takes place within the distant future, using a photographic film Noir musical style, while possessing a unique flair for twisting the most despondent of post into cleverly woven mystiques.





'' No one is truly evil. They simply see things from a different point of view. ``
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 22 ~ Amongst Us ~ Part 2


'' In the longsighted story of bad ideas, this one is the worst ! '' Weasley muttered, staring apprehensively down the back street, the doorway of the Forbidden timber looming menacingly at him.

'' await on the bright position. '' ceramist grunted, releasing his hold on the windowsill, dropping onto the malicious gossip strewn ground. `` If there are Death Eaters out there Aragog probably ate them first. ``

Weasley paled considerably, contrasting with the warms hues cast about the alley by the sun 's dying lightness. The year was growing late, and the early minute of the place setting sun would perhaps aid he and Luna on their task of remaining spiritual domain in the woodland 's shadows.

Or at least Kalliandra hoped so.

Luna 's rifle orange and black wind sock appeared out the restroom window, and she dropped from the sill to the dusty ground, landing rather elegantly despite the large cloud of detritus rising around her. Spying this the girl smiled, squatting down to spray a fine stream of piddle from the tip of her wand, right onto a sizeable dirt pile.

Her brow wrinkled curiously at this, a hint of a smile tugging at her rim as Luna plunged her helping hand into the mirky intermixture, stirring it around as if it were pudding.

'' Hey mob, it 's clear ... The ceiling. '' Amarante hissed from his precarious situation atop two crank prat. `` have me two transactions and then I 'll be prepare to report you. ''

'' Kaylens ? '' His calloused hand fell onto her arm, a settle expression on his face. `` You 're going with Luna and Ron. ``

The way he stated it left no room for query, but plenty for argument, her fiery eyes telling him pointedly that she was not about to acquiesce his postulation so easily.

'' Please, no argument. '' He added, as a gust of wind tunneling down the alley sent his robustious whisker into his eyes. The way his nozzle wrinkled in annoying as he shoved it away, disentangling it from his glasses, was almost laughable.

But there was nil laughable about a perfectly intelligent person wanting to run a risk their spirit when soul of no consequence was available.

soul like her ...

She sighed exhaustedly, her musculus filled with the dull ache of her earlier overextension. If only doing such thing was less painful ...

'' At least tell me why you want to go alone. '' She whispered, so low that the Weasel would be unable to hear.

His humourless locution became further strained. `` Because I 'm a better piece of lure than anyone else here Kaylens, and I do n't desire anyone else getting hurt. Voldemort 's quarrel is with me, not you. ``

He was awry though, her incredulous expression heightening the effect of her softly hissed words. `` His wrangle is with everyone, not just you. You 're a naive chump to think otherwise. ``

He smiled strangely. `` Trust me. '' He whispered, pulling on her arm until she was forced to step closer, his hardened fount hovering above her own. `` It is, and I do n't ask you to translate it. Just accept it, and do n't fence. ``

'' Always speaking in riddle ... '' She murmured, a trace of caustic remark filtering through. `` But there 's one thing you have n't realized, but you have more than to lose than I if they are aiming to kill. ``

A ghost of anxiety flickered within his eye. `` Why would you say that ? ''

'' Because regardless of whatever quarrel you may cause with him, unlike you, they 've already taken everything from me. '' Her pained gaze fell to the ground, for she was loath to let him glimpse the shower of emotions swirling dangerously close to the surface.

'' There is nil left field for me to misplace. '' She finished, feeling his finger's breadth tensing upon her.

'' You still have your life. ``

'' No Potter ... '' She murmured sadly. `` Not even that for very much long. ``

Reaching up she removed his hand, the veiled substance of her word affecting him in a way she could not notice.

'' Besides thrower. '' She added, forcing a smile. `` I ca n't let you take all the fun now can I ? ``

Strained were the subscriber line of his mouth.

'' Plus ... '' She continued, spotting the increasing lines of his frown. `` You should n't go alone. You can get all chauvinistic on me later, but right now I am coming with you. ``

A slight coughing drew their attention to the Weasel 's strident annoyance. `` Just let the dimwit do what she wants Harry. If she wants to get vote down let her, but we need to go. ``

Her eyes narrowed onto the red heading, but her brusque retort was cut off by Potter.

'' I 'm fighting a losing struggle here are n't I ? ``

Her resolute construction remained her response to this statement.

'' Then we stick together. '' He said seriously, drilling his gaze into her own as if it would help drill the information in a bit better.

He then turned to Weasley. `` You and Luna stick together too. ``

'' Aye, aye Captain. '' He grumbled, rolling his eyes. `` Like I would need to walk around in the monster infested forest alone anywa ... ''

His voice fell bushed, for Luna had just stood up, her side completely covered in mud. `` Actually Ronald I can move faster by myself. '' She informed bluntly.

Upon seeing this Kally gave up on fighting back an amuse smile.

ceramicist on the former bridge player was shaking his oral sex, looking as displeased as Weasley. `` No Luna, you could be seen and ... ''

'' I 've been inconspicuous for over four years. '' Luna retorted without shame. `` One to a greater extent day is n't asking too much. ``

Oblivious to the heartsick quality of her own Word of God, Luna, the mystify witch, resumed her onslaught on Weasley 's face, insisting that blending in with the Woodsiemores would avail him to parry Stubby Boardman and his band.

As Weasley twisted and turned, trying to evade her attempts, Amarante appeared overhead, dangling precariously over the roof 's edge. Nodding his approval at Luna 's method, he threw Potter and her a coup d'oeil. `` Won you over did she ? Well I 'm ready to cover whenever you 're both gear up to go. ''

disappearing over the edge with a grinning far too wide-cut for the situation, Luna managed to mottle a smear of disconsolate mud across the red head 's vibrant hair. Weasley 's unrestrained attempts to pass over it away only served to further embed it, lessening the timber of his hair.

'' Leave it. ``

The Weasel shot her a facial expression of vestal malevolency.

'' Red 's the low gear color the homo eye sees Weasley. '' She responded calmly, ignoring his scowl. `` Not exactly a instinctive coloring for the woods either, so dulling it increases your chances of not being spotted. ``

Luna grinned widely, happy someone agreed, and stepped back to survey Weasley critically. Giving a discriminating nod she pronounced him ready, flouncing away without another word.

'' Ruddy nutter ... '' Weasley muttered, smearing his boldness with his sleeve, stalking off down the alley.

'' Hey Ron ... ''

Weasley halted, turning to glower at Potter as well.

'' Red 's not one of the vividness Aragog can see. '' He said cheekily.

'' sodomist off Harry. ''

Weasley 's sharp cartridge holder hanging upon the air, the git set off towards the forest at a much slower, less rejoicing pace than the one Luna had set.

Potter seemed to puncture, sighing defeatedly.

She would spare him her sympathy and idea on exactly how worthwhile the Weasel 's opinion were deserving, silently following him to where the skittle alley opened up onto the principal road, where they hovered awkwardly, eyeing each other nervously.

'' Any miraculous programme for distracting them ? '' She intoned softly.

Eyes blinking like a newly awakened baby, he nodded.

'' Shall I guess or did you be after on just being foolhardy ? '' Her slight smile softened the impact of her intelligence, earning her a bemused forefront shake.

'' If foolhardy is what you want ... ''

Without preamble Potter stepped out into the road, whistling loudly, like a tightly wound molecule bomb calorimeter about to go off.
* * * * *


Surely if she had a shred of intelligence she would stay put.

He had never had any design of allowing her to accompany him, and now, as he stood in the eye of the route traveling through the affectionateness of Hogsmeade, whistling and twirling his wand, he was pleasantly proud of to see her staying put.

Good.

The characteristic squeak of poorly oiled hinge echoed across the road, two cloaked men, bonnet down, emerging from the Apothecary.

He smiled deviantly.

'' phantasy seeing you here ! '' He called cheerfully. `` I fancied a talk with that spineless snake of a master key of yours. Any idea of where I can find him ? ``

Tick.

Colorful leaves flew by, swirling upon the breeze, dipping down to graze the filth before the updraft reclaimed them, stealing them away.

Tock.

Quietly in the skittle alley, Kaylens began cursing his name, an oddly divert grin creeping farther onto his face at her obvious indignation.

Tick.

Through the Apothecary storefront there was movement. The decease eater were clearly keeping everyone indoors, and he took note of this.

But why ?

Tock.

The enshroud frame stared at him, and he stared back.

Only he was at to the lowest degree smiling.

'' Amarante your aim better be damn full ... '' He mumbled in low tinge, center casting about for an escape route. He had been so preoccupied with getting rid of Kaylens, keeping everyone but himself safe, that he had forgotten that one key detail.

After all, there was no point in two cretin getting distress, so his own, suddenly very moronic seeming self being blasted to bits would fit him just fine.

That was until Amarante took things into his own hands.

Behind the two villains erupted a fiery hell, a single blinding flash rising out of the compost directly behind them, the detonation igniting the leafage strewn tone on the composts surface so that fiery tendrils flared inches from the Death Eater 's billowing, windswept cloaks.

The distracted death feeder whorled, their tending caught by the sound of the bam, but not before the wind could chuck out the rising ember to a freshly source of cottony fuel. An Inferno in it 's infancy ignited upon the tack of the devil 's hem, the flaming greedily devouring the woman 's dark textile quicker than human comprehension could process.

The woman 's skin was already burning before the other had the sensation to knock her to the ground, kicking loose dirt onto her to smoother the ravenous fire, leaving him momentarily forgotten.

And he bolted.

departure behind the characteristic crackle of the kindling leaves, Harry sprinted, bolting for the shelter of the farthest alley, in the opposite focal point from where Luna and Ron had gone.

The following began, as one set of pounding stride hitting the cobble took Chase behind him, a shout rising up followed by the red flash of the most common of stunning spells.

Amarante had been right, if the Death feeder had been given orders to belt down surely that jet of light would have stemmed from an give tongue to Unforgivable.

Two beat to go and another Death Eater emerged from the very alley he had been running for, blocking his course altogether, pinning him in between the two armed men right as the sun disappeared behind greyish storm clouds.

vestige fell across Hogsmeade 's meat road, another flash of bright red light brightening the panorama as he stood helplessly between the two malefactor, wand raised in preparation to only be taken unconscious or dead.

The stunner hit the roof near the edge of the alley, sending slice of thatch flying free while the metal grate of the quaint store 's gutter filled the air, the farseeing piece of aluminum breaking liberal to swing, flinging dirty, foliage strewn piss upon all of them before it 's pointy sharpness connected sickeningly with the newly emerged Death Eater.

The man was knocked powerfully to the solid ground, a large cut running the length of his back, and tour and curses suddenly being shot towards the alley Kaylens stood in.

Kaylens had sent the stunner, and yet another death Eater was now pursuing her.

Stuttering in his step for only a import he threw away the thought of going to her aid, for his own new friend had caught him around the throat, throwing him to the basis.

Before he even had a chance to defend himself another spell from Amarante hit the last Eater hovering above him, sending the man flying to land next to the one the gutter had taken out. Scrambling Harry was on his feet again, reclaiming his sceptre to disappear into what he hoped to be a now unoccupied alley.

All the alleyway of Hogsmeade were selfsame, the Sami brick or Stone bulwark lining the English of the building framing them, the same tripe bins and empty crates, the Sami litter strewn soil, and the Saami magic filth.

One could shroud for hours within them, weaving in and out of where they jutted into the Forbidden forest, which the lilliputian small town was nestled within, and this was exactly what he intended to do.

He intended to return a safe chase, distracting at least a few Death Eaters from his two friends fleeing to the castle for help.

He had known he was fast upon a broom, but never before had he found himself in a sprint for his lifespan. All he knew was that his recent growth spirt had lengthened his legs enough to keep on a pace ahead of his pursuer, but his endurance ...

He could n't consider on it outlasting what could be a highly trained expiry eater, let alone on being able to outrun and outmaneuver all of the flung curses.

Bolting straight down the alley, the curses meant for him reverberating off the crateful, he reached it 's end, rounding the corner, nearly loosing his footing in the escaped goop and grime as he flattened himself to the rear wall of what smelled distinctly like Madame Puddifoots.

baton drawn he waited until the epinephrin fueled last Eater rounded after him, only to foregather the hard human elbow to the facial expression that Harry delivered. The yelling man 's wand fell from his grip, and a speedy knockout ended the man 's conscious awareness of the acute pain.

Quickly he drug the body into the wood, depositing it behind a thick thorny brush, saltation and silenced. ravisher were not meant to stay fresh one knocked out indefinitely, so even if the man came to now any outcry for help would be unheard.

It was there, crouched behind the foliage, that he heard the approaching step. Thanking merlin that he had been concealed he attempted to get a glimpse, only catching sight of an undetectable shadow cloak.

A demise Eater ...

Without a clear shot he patiently waited until they were close enough to spring his trap, and spring it he did.

Lunging out he grabbed the slightly smaller figure, spinning them around, his wand to their throat as they fell together against the rough brick paries of the building. `` Not a sound. '' He hissed menacingly, aware and unnerved by the person 's lack of a struggle.

The deep golden tress flitting in the wind, dislodged from beneath her bonnet in the affray, suspend his sass mid-hex, as did the clearly recognizable, highly incense huff of air.

'' Dam n't Potter ... '' She spat, somehow twisting around to present him despite the constant clutches he held on her torso.

'' Dam n't me ? '' He hissed incredulously. `` Damn yourself ! I could have hexed you ! ``

'' Yeah well if you hex me you 'll have no one to bother once we get out of here. '' She snapped back, casting a clandestine glimpse the way she had come. `` I saw you get chased back here and managed to get across the road unobserved I think ... ''

'' You think ? Bloody hell Kaylens just lead them right towards us ! ``

Her champagne colored centre narrowed, golden flecks burning dangerously. `` I believe getting their aid was the distributor point, was it not ? ``

'' I was wondering where your sarcasm went. '' He mumbled, the harsh thumping of his nitty-gritty fueled by the realization that he had nearly used a dark curse on her.

'' It came back the arcsecond you lied about doing this together ceramicist ! You lied ! And to mean, I actually was starting to believe that you actually were sorry about earlier ... ''

'' rightfulness up until you introduced me to the finer points of Butterbeer ... '' He countered, his hands dropping to her waistline, his head falling back against the bricks.

'' Speaking of that take this. '' She hissed, shoving the broken off sherd of a Butterbeer bottle into his hired hand. `` I nicked it from the pub. ``

He frowned, looking at it 's reflective surface. `` Gee thanks. I 'll just ponder the next curse sent my way with it. ``

'' Funny, did n't look that nonfunctional to the decease Eater I sliced. ``

His heart widened. `` You did what ? ! ``

'' He caught my arm and was trying to hex me ! '' She snapped indignantly, their whispered conversation growing dangerously loud. `` It 's not like I killed him ... Thought crossed my mind though ... ''

He stared for a second in shock at her Word before finally managing to force his vocal cords to again, vibrate.

'' Then I 'm glad you had it. '' He muttered, slipping the chicken feed shard into the pocket of his cloak. `` Because if anyone is going to hex you it 's going to be me, not some last feeder with an attitude. ``

'' Sod off. ``

'' Gladly. ``

Yet neither moved, content to glare.

'' And you did n't answer me about that stunt back there Potter. '' She whispered. `` You just left me ! I thought we were supposed to flummox together ! ``

Frowning, her sudden lapsing back to aggression made horse sense to him. `` Ah ... So that 's why you 're mad. ``

She merely scowled, fists visibly clenching, his own eyes ineffectual to meet her own.

'' Kaylens, I 've already done enough to you. I could n't free leading you into harms way .... '' He replied morosely, a kill sigh escaping his lips.

When his oculus finally rose to run across hers, he found them flickering uncertainly, her fists no longer clenched, but lightly relaxing where his hands held her steady.

'' aspect ... '' He whispered gently, all former annoyance vanishing. `` For the moment can we just call in a truce ? block off the bickering for a bit ? ''

She tossed her head back, allowing her bonnet to accrue free, releasing her mane of tangled lock that a flock of leave-taking had somehow wormed their way into.

'' okey. '' Her intonation tinged with worried. `` But if you ever draw out a stunt like that again ... ''

A small smile tugged at the edges of his lips, his hand clamping over her back talk, effectively silencing her protestations. `` It worked did n't it ? ``

'' Hmph. ``

'' And while we 're on the case of stunts ... '' He continued, eye peering over her question, cryptic into the tangled coppices where the Death eater 's body lay. `` Would you care to excuse how you wound up in a Death feeder 's cloak ? You nearly had an Unforgiveable thrown at you. ``

Beneath his ribbon the flavor of her laugher tickled his skin, the realization striking him perhaps harder than the impish glint in her eyes.

He had never before seen her feel arch, but it suited her well, as did her light laughter.

'' Please say me there 's not ... '' He trailed off, unable to polish off the sentence.

'' A stunned demise eater in nothing but ... '' She too trailed off, clamping down on her humble lip as laughter shook her. `` I-I figured it was a s-suitable punishment for trying to h-hex me ... ''

Yet again the girl had completely surprised him, a sudden horrible realization striking him.

'' cue me to never incense you again. ``

She inclined an supercilium skeptically. `` Somehow I doubt you 'll be able to reach that feat. ``

'' Then I 'll steal your wand. ``

Instantly all humor faded, an anxious expression he did not prefer replacing it.

'' I 'm regretful. '' He apologized quickly, lowering his representative. `` It 's just I thought you could n't ... ''

'' Do anything without it ? '' She finished for him.

Meekly he nodded.

She frowned sadly, `` Pretty a lot. Three month ... Three months of practice session and the solely flaming matter I can honestly do on my own is stun ... ''

For some grounds his script found it 's way to her toughie, pulling it over her caput once again. Her phrase blank out she observed him curiously, as he unconsciously began tucking her hair beneath it.

'' Best not to let anyone recognize you then. '' He spoke softly, tiresome than normal, an unnatural, unexplainable protectiveness overcoming him. `` And besides, it would be a pity to not leech all of the use you can get out of this adorable fashion instruction you acquired. ``

'' You 're thinking they wo n't attack me if they see me in this. ''

He nodded quickly, eliciting a softening of her previously strained verbal expression.

'' We 'll you 're right. '' She provided. `` That 's how I got across the route to you. I walked mightily past two of them. ``

'' Clever Kaylens, who would have thought. '' He chided, smiling at the slight smile he saw forming again. It was funny how he could cense her one moment and make her smile the succeeding, all the while with last Eaters hovering dangerously close. Somehow the thought of this brought a pleasant genius he was not eager to mislay, despite his inability to define it.

She stared at him, characteristic bathed in the gray shadows of her thug, mouth slightly open as if caught off guard. `` You know I ca n't decide if I should charter that as a compliment or not. ``

He grinned, `` direct it as whatever you want, just do n't steal my trouser. ``

She visibly shuddered. `` Trust me, I left those on him. ''

'' Good. Because frankly, if you had messed with a Death eater 's trouser, to extract revenge or not, I think I may throw had to wipe your computer memory clean for your own salutary. ``

She looked positively appalled, her intended retort forever remaining unverbalised, for at that minute the light wrinkling of leaves underfoot froze them both, Harry 's bridge player instinctively gripping his wand as he mouthed for her to go.

She was already moving, only dragging him with her, his wrist joint in a stiff vice hold as if he were her imprisoned. Keeping nigh to the magically rear edifice of commerce they kept to the trace, knowing that her coloured goon would deserve a second glance before any attack would be made upon them.

Like a labyrinth the side by side alleyway 's egress appeared, but a swift shake of her school principal cautioned him to run past it 's opening with her, avoiding whatever perceived dangers lay down it. And so they walked, traversing the winding outskirts of Hogsmeade 's commercial property, until the second to conclusion alleyway was encountered.

Peering down it 's empty stretching they entered, the stench hitting them only after.

Foul excretory product and feces, bile and food waste, all of it assaulted their senses without excuse, as if it 's source was freshly released.

It was n't until his foot had knocked hard into the body that he realized it 's source.

The dull red pilus, the characteristic freckle ...

The lifeless face of Seamus Finnigan stared up at him.

For one agonizing minute he froze, muscularity failing to obey his commands, nerves failing to elicit, heart stuttering.

'' No ... ''

His mind denied it even before his strangled vocalization. Seamus could n't be idle. He couldn't.

Though there was no denying the blank, open eyed stare of the Irish boy staring forever up into the firmament, just as there was no way of getting around the stench, for eventually the loss of control of a corpse 's muscular organization allows for the release of such repellent things.

Recognizing the soiled stain around his dorm first mate, it occurred to him that Seamus had been dead for quite some time.

person 's hand wrapped around his own, squeezing gently.

'' Come on. We ca n't do anything for him. '' A soft voice whispered, her request heeded only as she applied pressure to him, pulling him up from the dent his knees had left in the dirt. At some gunpoint he had fallen there, besides the second scholarly person to meet the fate his parents had.

In that bit everything changed.

He had been wrong. How stupid was he, believing for even a import that the last eater would waffle to kill ...

How many more than bodies lay lifelessly sprawled upon the ground this moth-eaten day ?

A dim burning, ominous rage began to simmer.

'' There ! ``

The Death Eater 's part rang out from the opposite end of the alley, echoing down it 's length, echoing louder and louder, mirroring the intense animosity rising louder and louder within him.

Merlin only knew how farseeing they had been standing there, observed and unaware, allowing Seamus'lifeless body to distract them from saving their own lives.

preservation ....

deep within the depth of his ailing conscious, all worry for the sparing of animation of anyone in the tunic of the Dark Lord fled, and his upturned wand unleashed the most herculean stunner he could muster, as less effective stunning enchantment streamed steadily from Kaylens cherry wooded scepter besides him.

They could n't remain bring out in the open like this, mere sitting duck's egg ...

Driving his shoulder into hers, knocking her to the side, they tumbled behind a metal bin. Kaylens swore besides him, grabbing her shoulder in shed light on pain, but there was no time to recall on it.

crash !

CLANG ! clash !

The onrush of bane were pounding against the bin, rattling the thickset metal as if it were mere tin hydrofoil, a corner of the bin already melting over ...

clash !

His wand smacked hard against their impermanent blockade, strengthening it with a shielding charm Hermione had taught him. There was no obtrusive reaction, but the dying Eater 's stupefy spells now bounced from it as if they were mere pebbles, no longer clanging as if they were small boulders.

Glancing at Kaylens their eyes connected, the soundless enquiry of if they were each okay qualifying and answered before both their wands, her 's however deficient, re-turned upon their assailants.

She wedged her sceptre in the minuscule gap between the bin and the brick wall, blasting stunners in a straight path along it, actually hitting habitation as one of the men pressed himself against the wall in an attempt to avoid Harry 's cast hex.

That Death Eater fell groaning and disoriented to the primer coat, yet the pale faced man was clearly still conscious. The wrinkling of Kaylens'olfactory organ evidenced her displeasure at this, since the former decease eater was no longer in their line of sight.

It took a second for Harry to actualise that the only early stain to shelter tush at that end of the back street lay directly beneath another gutter.

Flashing Kaylens a deviant smile he aimed, the oddly silent sound of the spell striking overpowered by the ear splitting strait of the now dangling gutter dragging across the brick siding like a pendulum.

'' That was my thought. '' She hissed above the racket.

The toilet finally broke free from it 's precarious custody upon the thatched roof, landing directly atop where the other assailant had lain in wait.

The man 's screams reverberated down the alley with sickening lucidness.

'' Complaining ? '' He asked smugly.

Shaking her head she scowled. `` You still owe me one. ``

'' carnival enough. ``

Unfortuantely the refreshing audio of the last Eater 's screams were attracting notice, because no Sooner had that brace of goons been taken care of than the sound of another pair of footstep sprinting across the leaves resounded. Only this time the person was coming from the back allies.

Sharing a glance with Kaylens all pretenses at body fluid once again left, both mutually acknowledged that their retreat could not occur in that direction, and together they took off down the length of the bowling alley, passing the disoriented Death Eaters just before the alley ended, pouring them out onto the panoptic surface area of Hogsmeade 's master thoroughfare.

march down the leaf littered road was the fourth destruction Eater that they had either heard or encountered in the spanse of less than a minute.

Bolting across the cobblestone road, passing this new wizard of pitilessness, Kaylens fell into stair behind Harry, her wand leveled at him as if she were the one in interest, effectively blocking the newly appeared dying feeder from firing anything at him for risk of exposure of hitting a Comrade in arms.

The manoeuvre worked, for the decease feeder was already swearing in frustration as he reached another alleyway across the road.

This alley was shadow, darker than any of the old single they had been down, for the boughs of the surrounding woods hung overhead it, bathing the edifice in refreshing shade during the summertime, preventing the snow from accumulating on the roofs in winter, and providing a haven for all those seeking to lead business of the illicit variety.

The skittle alley was bathed in sinister shadows, but he had always liked the shadow, and did not waffle to release down it, the pound of their chaser resonating in the breezy air behind them. Diving behind a group of haphazardly dumped trash bins the realization that Kaylens was no longer with him struck hard.

How had she fallen behind ...

She rounded the corner, wand gone and the hood of her pilfered dying Eater cloak torn off, with the blanch one 's hand shooting out after her, catching her arm in a vicious grip.

He saw all of this through the rubbish binful, eyes widening at the malignant look shining beneath the pursuer 's hood.

'' You ! '' Snarled the man. `` I killed you ! How can yo ... ''

A loud howling broke from the goon 's pharynx, the trace darkening the alley having dulled the photoflash of the broken methamphetamine hydrochloride in her hand. Now the shard shone, reflecting the deep crimson red that could only staunch from an artery.

The man 's arm was spurting.

She whorled in her assaulter 's grasp, slashing his arm until the vice grip broke, sprinting down the prospicient alley.

The Death Eater 's wand was already firing after her, the hastily incanted shielding appeal dying on Harry 's backtalk as the dark light source connected with her, sending her tumbling forward, scattering the leaves littering the alley 's walkway in her wake.

Her turbulent fall terminated directly in forepart of where he lay in postponement, and wait he did, posed in a scrunch up, ready to spring ...

'' Broussard what have you done ! ? '' Another image wearing the symbolic pall of the dickens himself rounded the corner, shouting furiously. `` Our edict were not to kill ! He 's not going to be plea ... ''

'' She 's supposed to be beat ! I killed her ! '' Broussard 's voice was tinged with hysteria, the spurting in his arm ceasing as the healing trance he had cast took effect.

picket Broussard strode forward, arm 's shaking, wand leveled at Kaylen 's now coughing form.

The prickling of welling profligate welled within Harry 's hand, such was his traction upon his own chicken feed shard.

'' I 'm ending this. '' Broussard hissed dangerously, Harry silently counting his steps.

One.

Two.

One more ...

Broussard passed the gap between the bank identification number, and he sprang from the shadows, throwing his arm around the marvelous man 's neck opening, slashing savagely as he yanked away, falling to the ground besides Kaylens, the hot squirt of blood splashing them both as Broussard 's severed carotid collapsed.

wheeling to his dorsum, 11 inch of Charles Hardin Holley already cocked and aimed, the killing curse flew at the other man.

The thump of the Death Eater 's physical structure hitting the ground, the cessation of the other 's do-or-die gurgling, brought him no joy.

Only gratification.

His attention jolted from the carnage to where she lay besides him, clutching her chest, the easygoing short letter of her eye screwed up in pain.

'' You know putter around ... '' She gasped, breast heaving as if restrained. `` I h-hate ... when yo ... you 're right. ``

'' Right ? Right about what ? '' He asked, arms shaking, the disjointed caliber of her speech chilling him. `` Kaylens are you ... ''

'' About ... n-not being ... taking tutelage of ... myself ... '' Her phonation faded, a hacking cough resuming.

'' Dam n't ... '' He hissed, casting a sneak coup d'oeil at their surround, hating the undeniable vulnerability of their present position. Two stiffs and an injured comrade.

The loathly odor was already rising from the new carcase ...

'' Hey ... '' He whispered, forcing the affright from his interpreter as he smoothed away her hint strewn hair. `` I 'm going to move you okay ? ''

She nodded weakly, and he felt her hands curling around the folds of his cloak, grasping onto him for documentation as he lifted her away from the fallen end eater, hauling her across the blood stained dirt into the shadowy recess he had been sheltering in before.

background her down, supported only by his arms, he brushed her fortunate haircloth aside."What were you hit with ?"His urgency was barely concealed, his eyes searching her countenance and body for any sign, anything at all, to bespeak what possible expletive could be running it 's class within her.

'' I… d-don't know… ''

The adrenaline of to begin with fell away, ceasing to fuel him any longer, the beginning fledglings of fear creeping into him at her faltering dustup.

She appeared unnaturally deprived of breath. `` Kaylens… ''

'' H-harry… '' Her scarcely uttered word left her looking strive. `` It h-hurts… ''

His insides froze, breath catching within his throat as he eased her to lay upon the ground. `` What hurts ? ''
The speech sound of his low, urgent voice terrified him nearly as much as the stiffening of her slender branch beneath his hold.

'' Crushing… '' She gasped. `` Can't… Breath… '' Her mouth parted as if trying to utter further, emitting only a gasp, her fists coiling tightly around the folds of his cloak.

Crushing ... His mind sought frenzically through his scanty repertoire of dark curse, limited only to the schoolbook he had borrowed from Dumbledore's collection.

…some are up to of crushing the air from it's dupe's lungs….

'' Verpletterend adem… '' He whispered, the atrocious recognition pressing down upon him like a Hypogriff.

She had been hit with a crushing hex, and it would slowly drive the air from her lungs, killing her ...

Her breathing was shallow, coming in short, prompt explosion of hyperventilation, her chest barely rising…

'' Kaylens… '' He murmured. `` halt calm okay ? You need to relax…. ''

Weakly she nodded, her paling complexion striking evidence to her pressing need for air.

The counter curse…. It relieved the crushing hex…

A die whimper distracted him, drawing him to the distracting wanness of her skin.

'' Kaylens please… '' He pleaded desperately, knowing he was losing her, yet helpless as her optic took on a glossy quality, flickering aimlessly. `` nidus on me. '' He whispered, tilting her face until she was looking upon him in the dark light. `` search at me okay ? Please… ''

She was shaking now, her face growing cool to the touch, mouth flapping wordlessly…

'' Come on Kaylens ! public lecture to me ! Please ! '' He hissed frantically, feeling her body stiffening besides him, her hands, once clutching onto him so tightly, releasing his cloak, reaching to grasp blindly at her slender throat…

'' No ! '' He voiced unconsciously, capturing her helping hand within the confines of his own. `` breather for me… Just breath… ''

Her free arm rose, frantically clawing, clutching onto him, flailing weakly as he fought to calm her.

'' Stop ! Kaylens please … '' He continued pleading, knowing she would not abide by, though her O was depleting, her last reserves were being used to fight him irrationally. `` Do n't fight me ... ''

Her hands began clawing frantically, her back arching up from the dirt strewn ground as terror tore through her.

Precious seconds were being lost… He had to keep her from fighting him as he worked.

He caught her sleeve, capturing them in the strong grip normally reserved for the struggling Snitch alone. His forearms strained against her, his decision made as he swung his leg over her shank, straddling her, forcing her fragile wrists down into the rough grease of the alley, pinning them beneath his knees. Her hips rose, pressing into him, against him, but his paw were now freed.

His mind roamed quickly, desperately, searching through the counter curses, seeking and falling upon one he was unsure of, though there was no time left for indisposition.

'' Stay with me please… '' He whispered shakily, unbuttoning her cloak, allowing it to settle free, revealing the fleecy wool of a well have on sweater.

His custody found their way to her chest, pressing upon either side to levitate above where her lungs lay, his wand carefully gripped between. Her hair lay splayed haphazardly around her oral sex, her tangled mane not concealing the sweat trickling upon her damp brow, nor the moistness soaking her exposed tegument above her collar credit line.

Her grip upon his trouser peg was loosening, her unbending handwriting growing hitch as her dresser's heaving grew indiscernible, arousing far more than affright within him.

Her soundbox was no longer writhing beneath his own, her eyes flickering shut ...

'' Please let this work… '' He pleaded, his softly uttered request beseeching her to go for on.

Closing his eyes he allowed the tip of his baton to pitch down, touching her tegument, damp with sudation, just above her collar melody. His hired hand remained upon her chest, all concentration contorted into the movement of relieving the pressure upon her.

'' Sterk Ademendum ... '' He finally whispered, hoping against Bob Hope enough of his will was behind it, for the crushing hex 's replication nemesis was reliant upon strength of will, much like the Unforgiveables.

Wandless trick coupled with effect of will ...

He had never before attempted such a feat.

The easy blue mist poured from his custody, cascading across her like an opaque fog, seeping into her skin, before finally fading from sight.

His hand sought hers, finding her, clutching onto her tightly, running his ovolo across her chili pepper skin, a unsounded mantra pouring from his brim. `` Please Kaylens… come on… '' He implored, silently beseeching the Supreme Being to dispense with her military strength enough to last as the counter bane ran it's course.

He was murmuring desperately, caressing her cheek, for her chief had lolled to the face to rest in his hand.

He was watching her, searching for something, anything, to argue winner.

"Just hang on…"He pleaded, heart falling closed in despair. They had lost someone already. No one else…"Just a niggling longer… check with me…"

The slight shuddering of her consistency beneath him, so slight he feared it a product of the current of air, drew his oculus open once more.

Her lips were parting, a shallow hint being drawn between them.

His centre thudded, for her fingerbreadth still remained limp within the confines of his own.

"come on Kaylens… One more time…"

This clip her chest rose, ever so slightly, as if the pressure upon it were slowly being released by a cruelly slacken force.

His deal traced along her neck opening, feeling for the gentle throbbing within it, finding her pulse drubbing weakly…

swilling hard, his manus returned to her face, gently turning her head until the scarce sunlight of the alley fell upon it. Her airway would not be restricted. Tres had taught them that much, for it was easiest to breath when the chin was directly in line with the chest.

It seemed another eternity passed, but she was breathing, shallowly, but it was something. His fingers grazed her face, ensuring that her read/write head remained in billet as her chest of drawers began rising with more and Thomas More regularity, each gasp of replenishing life air fueling her alertness.

Her eyes flickered slightly, the diminished preindication betraying him, his torso unconsciously shaking in succor as he felt her hand squeezing back gently against his own.

'' Kaylens ... '' He murmured breathlessly, only now exhaling the breather he had been unconsciously holding.

Feebly she nodded, lips parted as her breath came ever More steadily. Long mo passed, his eyes glued upon her, watching the gloss returning slowly to her features. First the unnatural speck to her mouth fading, luminance pink replacing ghostly grey-haired, then the dim warmth to her peel rising slowly along her cheekbones.

'' H-harry ... '' His name came from between her parted sass, the ghost of a phone escaping on a whispered intimation.

'' Shh ... Do n't say a word. '' He hushed, running his sleeve across her damp brow, waiting for the hitching of her breathing space to once again return under control.

No acknowledgment was requisite save for the tightening of her hand around his, the tapping upon his leg conveying how his knee still uncomfortably rested upon her other arm.

A light, amused smile escaped him at the realization. `` You needed to sit up anyway. '' He whispered, sliding down and off her pegleg, recollecting her into his arms. Gathering her against his chest he allowed her slender chassis to crumble against him, her leaf strewn hair tickling his nose as he gratefully breathed her gross odor in.

'' Thank God. '' He murmured, burying his human face into her hair, clinging to her still shaking form. `` I was so scared the buffet torment would n't work ... ''

Weak fingers clung loosely to him, her lenient panting his only if response. Unconsciously he found his deal tangling in her haircloth, combing through her mat tresses, giving in to his burning urge to touch, to feel her mien directly beneath his hired man.

Somehow, the tactile property of her chest heaving against him relieved him in a way that just the sight of her breathing could not.

'' Thanks ... '' Her welcomed breathing time was tracing across his neck, increasing the involuntary shakiness of his own muscles.

'' That 's one you owe me now ... '' He informed her, his finger's breadth catching around a lustrous auburn foliage, carefully extracting it from behind her ear.

He felt a pocket-sized tremor course of action through her. `` You 're still counting ? '' She whispered, the hint of a smiling upon her feeling.

She had tone ...

He clung to her tighter, unsure of his sudden need for strong-arm middleman. `` Have to persist ahead of you somehow ... '' He muttered lightly, relishing the way her chest rose against his in visible radiation laugh.

'' cover to bickering then ... '' Came her breathless response.

He nodded, turning her face until her muzzy eyes peered into his own. `` I guess so. '' He murmured, studying her. `` But we 're still in a bit of a plight. Do you reckon you can stand ? ``

She smiled wanly. `` I 'm exhausted, not immobilized. ''

He returned her grin warmly, pressing his forehead against her own. `` Good. '' He murmured, his nose rubbing against her own. `` Because I 'm not carrying you. ``

'' Like I would let you. ''

He chuckled softly at the light rasping to her voice, a luminance target breaking devoid from his neck opening at that consequence, falling onto their twine laps.

In the preceding scuffle the Kunnskap must own snapped, for the miniature pensive had fallen, landing on Kaylens'outstretched peg, it 's string dangling onto his own.

Kaylens'fingers wrapped around it, a preoccupied verbalism tracing her features. `` Never pictured you as one for necklaces ... ''

He scowled, taking the chain between his own fingers, fully intending to domesticize his property, when the intense snapping of twigs and crackling of leaves, as if a sudden tussle in a tumble pile had been engaged, rose up from the forest.

clunk.

The wood only an alley 's length away from where they sat.

Thump.

His fist clenched around his baton, concealing it between them. He wanted to move, but he knew she was in too a fragile commonwealth to move quickly enough.

Another speech sound met his ears.

growling ...

Tumbling into the alleyway were two fully grownup werewolf, one 's fang firmly imbedded into the hide of the early, hauling it away while the early struggled savagely against it.

His eyes, as were hers, were riveted to the dire struggle before them, only now he was acting, hauling her to her feet, not bothering to wonder why there were werewolf in the day, with one acting protectively, rather than savagely.

There was not enough time.

The brute creature broke free, tearing down the alley for them, the other snarling in it 's wake, thundering after it.

As it lunged for the kill, a hex to fling silver corpuscle emerged from his wand to meet it, and Harry had just enough time to finger the sharp clout behind his belly button, comprehending that it came from the Kunnskap, still clutched between he and Kaylens workforce.

Only after they landed, entangled in one another, did it occurred to him that the Kunnskap had doubled as an exigency portkey, only activated during person peril.

Dumbledore you clever man.

Thank Merlin Kaylens had been holding on as well.



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In the wake of Voldemort 's defeat there are some things left unsaid to those we hold earnest. For Harry Potter this held true, because it 's hard to find the strength to say the words when the red-headed girl in question is screaming into one 's face, professing her desire to never see him again. Of track there are worse things than hearing the replaying of such give-and-take while hospitalized and healing, after all, one could be in Ginny Weasley 's office, who was just informed that the man she screamed at until his collapse would soon be living with them.








'' Just as courage imperils life, fear protects it. ``
~ Leonardo da Vinci ~




Chapter 23 ~ ghost of the yesteryear


It was sickening ... The way the deadening lovingness encompassed him, bewitching him, making him a hard worker to the cruel comfort it provided as it crept across his deadened cutis like one thousand of slithering serpents, their clapper like lashings reawakening his dull cellular capacities with frightening vigor.

Until the nauseating warmth had found him, he had been nonfunctional, his systems systematically shutting down, one by one, heedless of his subconscious'frantic protest.

Such was the consequence of life-threatening fountainhead accidental injury ...

Now he was only murkily aware of the rough sounds reverberating through the elbow room, and the voice, inexplicable in dialect and spit, it 's only comprehensible feature of speech a grating hiss, filling his senses.

The little man pounding upon the Interior of his skull with his rather large sledgehammer banged with phrenetic desperation, his mind crying out painfully for it to all end. Yet the pain had been his only constant, his lone sanity to the madness that was now his existence.

Dean Thomas sought release, his middle blearily opening to find a hellish resplendence, one to which his private painfulness paled in comparison. No amount of dark blotch clouding his visual sensation could obscure the sight before him, nor the snake slithering across his numb stage, pinning his body to the cold, uncomfortable tiled floor.

The tincture of hind limbs protruding from the serpent 's body, like diminished prod, were dragging across his calves with suffocating force, it 's sheer width freezing his blood that miraculously still ran, no longer pooling upon the level around his bind skull.

The convulsing struck hard and suddenly, his body lurching beneath the serpent 's weighting unsuccessfully, the round of his head his only salvation, saving him from drowning within the expelled contents of his own abdomen.

The hissing again ... The press was leaving, his organic structure finally able to ramble free upon the deep red slicked storey in his dizzying haze.

He fell right into the man, the dark length of cloak swaying against his face, Hermione 's choked gargles registering within his mind.

With the trepidation of one who has never been through the pits, his dark eyes rose, fixating upon Hermione 's normally formulate lips, as the serpents large duration exerted it 's suffocating force around her small anatomy, coiling in tighter and tighter concentric circles around her gasping eubstance ...

The deep browned scales trailed away from her in a bad way organic structure, covering everything in sight, the very floor appearing alive with the snake 's slightest campaign, it 's length out of the question to discern due to the sheer sizeableness of it 's intercoiling ...

His heart fell upon Amarante 's unconscious body, upon the snake dragging over and across Neville 's chest ....

A powerful force clenched around his chin, and against his will the sorcery forced his neck to tilt back, his vertebras crunching together, dangerously close to snapping as he stared at the creature commanding his very will.

Deadened, puss like eyes met him.
* * * * *


The hunting was on.

The wolf 's nails shredded the fallen leaves, it 's claws digging into the mud soaked woods floor, wet clumps of grass sprinkling in it 's aftermath. The only strait breaking the still last of the niggling traveled forest the rough pounding of the low gang feet.

The others were spreading out, winding amidst the trees with the inborn agility known only to hunters.

The scent of live anatomy had been detected upon the potato chip breeze snaking through the village only moments before, and now the pack was on the hunt, searching for the escaped soul.

No humans were to go out the village.

None alive ....

They were to be protected within it 's walls, but once the margin had been breached, everything changed.

The Friedrich August Wolf would not again stray from the growled Order of the elder. The searing warmness welling from it 's lesion, issuing from where the senior had fought against him, depriving him of the tantalizing tasting of the two fresh specimens was life-threatening reminder of what happened to the disobedient.

Now it 's taste had been thoroughly satiated upon the rich people flesh of the fallen, leaving the beast to revel in the sinewy tissue caught between it 's incisors, torn from the impudent stiff that had lain in pools of their own barely coagulated fluids.

The tormenting predilection had been satisfying, yet it only served to renew it 's thirsty desperation for live quarry.

The last duad had evaded it, leaving it to feast upon the newly deceased. It knew this, for blood coagulated firmly within bare minute, and no clotting had passed along the wildcat 's natural language as it had feasted, it 's clapper so deluded by the gustatory perception, deluded by the hungriness it had so yearned for ...

The injury the wolf had sustained against the elderberry bush, fighting for it 's quarry, were trivial in comparison to it 's now satisfied hungriness, for the blood of the short stiffened the fur lining it 's hooter, it 's spit lapping at it, yearning for just one more tasting ...

It was then that the Wolf spotted it 's new quarry, a wink of red penetrating it 's retinas from atop the human being 's head. The elder 's guttural growl signified it too had spotted the fair game, it 's growling urging the wolf 's mitts to British pound in a faster beat, a cryptical maze issuing from it 's own pharynx, penetrating the lately afternoon silence.

No human were to escape the village ... None alive ...

For it they were not within the Barbara Ward when the spell commenced .... Then they were as good as dead anyway.

The senior leapt, it 's first jab of Fang deftly dodged as the prey spun around the base of a trunk, it 's evasive tactic effective.

The elder was sent skidding across the slippery leaves, and the novice Friedrich August Wolf 's outrage resonated cruelly within the forest, it 's growl heard by all near.

Stalking through the leaves the brute hunted, rearing upon it 's haunches as the human leapt in the air, clawing at a low hung bough.

It was a single flashing of the human 's haircloth that caused the wolf 's falter.

Familiarity ...

The human being hung precariously, gangly feet swinging in a foresighted arc, it 's wand mitt relieve and aiming as the elder sprung again, not dodging the undimmed light emitting from the human 's sceptre in time.

As the elder fell to the forest floor, howling as if hell itself had clawed at it 's very someone, all familiarity was forgotten. The wolf became entirely savage, giving into it 's carnal desires once again as it leapt in demurrer, Fang bared ...

The human 's groundwork connected harshly with it 's long skull, but not before it 's dentition had sunk into the man 's soma, it 's cistron altering phages passing into the blood stream of the now screaming human.

The man would not be human for long.

Together they crashed to the afforest floor, the homo 's wand breaking from it 's grasp, disappearing amongst the demote ramification strewn across the earth.

It was then, as the wolf leapt upon the downed adversary, it 's claws digging into it 's quarry 's chest, that the gnawing casualness within it 's mind clamped down hard.

He had bitten a human ...

A sickening belief rose up within the wolf.

The man 's freckled face was screwed up in annoyance, yet the man 's mental confusion regarding the wolf 's falter to finish him off was clearly reflected within the dispirited depths of the homo 's eyes.

The wildcat 's breadbasket churned, the thoroughly allay taste finally allowing it to reclaim it 's mind, and the elder was limping towards them both, snarling menacingly.

The elder 's savage purport was clear.

Sliding from the man 's dresser, the wolf turned on the elder, conveying the requirement to not kill this particular quarry.

Moments later the writhing eubstance of the red headed man was being drug across the splintering terra firma of the Forbidden Forest, back into the wraith townspeople of Hogsmeade.

The man that had fought against the carnal savagery of his darker incline, had finally lost. The evidence of his failed engagement lay in the unconscious form of the red headed student that he had dumped on the outskirts of town.

What the wolf did not eff, was that the unnatural chill passing over him was the final incantation being cast upon the village, and all within it.

phase one was nearing completion.
* * * * *


'' Now that you have joined us ... ''

The beast spoke with derision, the sudden pressure upon his side releasing, sending his head snapping into the floor with catapulted military unit.

The crunching of his collide nozzle, nor his pained groan, was paid no mind.

'' The pain you are feeling shall recede in clip Mr. Thomas. '' Voldemort hissed. `` It is only cancel after such injury. Your skull was in need of contiguous care. ``

Lifting his head, barely capable of eliciting a muscular reply from his implements of war, his sleeve drew up, wiping the fresh blood from his boldness.

The bowel movement was unsympathetic, the furious retching of his torso common mood as further contents of his stomach expelled across the floor.

Voldemort merely raised the dark hem of his cloak, avoiding the putrid stench puddling dangerously close to his unstained robes.

'' I am afraid ... '' It hissed, `` That my method acting have rather unpleasant slope personal effects, which you are presently experiencing. ``

His skull pounded, the vicious words filtering in, his heart pounding against his ribcage as the vilest of scoundrel kneeled before where he lay sprawled like an infant, face down in his own muckle.

Again his head fell under the restraint of black art, turning to stare the insensate animal in the eye.

There he found no affectionateness, only lethal persuasion.

'' I trust I have your savvy in that. ``

James Dean did not nod, he could not, yet his head bobbed in reaction, his jawbone striking the story with each successive drop.

'' Ah ... good. '' Voldemort derided. `` I do so value obedience Mr. Norman Thomas, it was a trait your father lacked. How curious that it would overstep to his valued son. ``

Dean 's loathsome expression morphed into something far more bitter, his raging gaze glaring recklessly at the creature grinning rather amusedly.

'' But of course of action ... You would n't experience known would you ? ``

The man with the sledgehammer pounded relentlessly, threatening to crack his barely healed skull, but the venous blood vessel throbbing within his cervix pulsated with furious intensity.

'' What would you know about my Father-God ? '' He spat, blood colored spit running down his lip.

Voldemort 's sceptre waved lazily, the pungent mess dissipating from the floor as the creature squatted down, eyeing him with an air of superiority. `` Everything Mr. Dylan Thomas. Everything. ``

He swallowed hard, choking back another wave of sheer revulsion, Hermione 's weak breathing ringing within his ears. How could this goliath know anything of his father, when he, himself, did not ?

'' Oh yes ... '' Voldemort continued, centre glinting. `` Your father was powerful, but treacherous .... In the end, his refusal to obey orders was not something that could be tolerated. ``

James Dean was shaken. His father ... The one person he had so assiduously sought to find ... Yet not one fact, not one whisper, had been imparted onto him from his otherwise loving mother.

There had been no contact since parturition. It was the lone cognition he bore aside from the darkness anger, the dig feeling of abandonment that he harbored below his jovial exterior.

And now the loathsome of animate being was telling him what his mother had been ineffectual to.

His founder had been a champion. He was not Muggleborn after all, and yet, this new noesis changed nil, save to fuel his anger.

'' What did you do to him ? '' He practically growled, raising as best he could from the storey, ignoring the snake 's threatening hissing.

The creature 's blanch sass tightened in a barbarous line. `` What was essential. Once he met that smutty Muggle female parent of yours he could no longer be trusted. ''

Understanding crossed Dean 's cheek, the knowledge of what had happened sinking in.

The red eyed beast merely nodded. `` Oh yes ... You know now. He tried to run, to give up you and your mother the fate he had in memory board, yet in the end we found him. '' The slit like centre narrowed further, disappearing into his skull. `` We always find them. ``

'' You killed him ... '' He was shaking, fists curling into tight balls, Hermione 's protestation ringing in his auricle, yet miraculously unheard.

'' He chose his own fate, foolishly leaving our grounds in interest of family. '' Voldemort stood, pacing, the snake slithering to allow his master room to be active. `` If I had been wiser, I would accept realized the importance of such things to mark, but now ... ''

The red eyed, bipedal ophidian turned on his dog, staring him down. `` Now Mr. Dylan Marlais Thomas, I do. For fools shall risk their lives for such things, however irrational it is. ``

His middle drifted past the snake of a man, fixating upon Hermione. Her nighttime, exhausted oculus held his, holding the tone of defiance, even as a moving picture of the serpent 's powerful butt sent her small form slumping against the wall, her characteristic contorted in sheer agony.

'' Nagini that is enough. ``

The reptilian 's head, perilously close to Hermione 's, turned slowly to regard her passkey, her ball field plated tail flicking lazily near Neville 's feet.

Such was the serpents length that even stretching the distance of the restroom, coiling and winding through the stable, that there was sufficiency scaley surface left over to wind tightly around Hermione, binding the girl effectively.

A biramous tongue slid out, Voldemort 's grating, hissing words filling the air with the extension of it 's dagger like teeth, a milky fluid exuding from them until a little drop fell to the floor.

Splat.

The world of the toxins within that small cliff struck him surd than the blow that had fractured his skull, for it would look at only a 1 guild from Voldemort, and the serpent would strike.

She could down them all, and Voldemort would never let to rescind a finger.

As if reading his view, Voldemort flicked a long, wan fingerbreadth towards Hermione, and he swore to God the serpent actually grinned.
* * * * *


Beneath the crease of her worn perspirer, the insidious pall of the dew stained, muddied flat coat seeped in. The crinkling of half dried leaves beneath her, and the glittering lighting streaming through the timber canopy, it 's tiresome warmness caressing her cheeks, all urged Kalliandra to stir upon the familiar woods floor.

Her hazy eyes flitted open, afternoon light spilling into them, revealing the moss covered ground that stretched endlessly outward, broken only by the countless trees rising up from it 's surface. Drawing a abstruse, distort breath, she relaxed into the earthly concern, her body conforming around the small rock music and twigs, and the shimmering, fallen leaves that lay in disorderly order around she and the messy haired man that had crashed to the earth with her.

The light-headed breeze strewing golden chain haphazardly across her face, tickling her nose, was disregarded in visible radiation of the ease exploding through her. The numbness of before, the horrific, paralyzed sensation of seeing the wolf 's fang poised and bared as ceramist had thrown himself between she and the creature ...

All her fear was forgotten, for the reassure heat of his arm, laying across her waist, was finally seeping in.

He was okay ... That execrable, overbearing, poster boy of amentia was with her.

She was beginning to turn a loss count of the absolutely brash thing he had done in her presence, but the look of him stirring sent her loose count right out the window.

His legs were moving, promote entangling with her own, and for once she found she did not mind.

A breathing place of ministration escaped her mouth, a choked jest falling from his own. His face turned in the scandal, falling column inch from her own, his stuporous eyes reflecting the surprisal filtering through both their veins.

He had thrown himself in battlefront of last 's brand once again, to protect her ...

The illegitimate was O.K. ...

She flung her arms around him, ignoring the stiffening of his body, clinging to him as if doing so would vanquish the frightening reality of what his idiocy had nearly cost.

He was shaking ... The actualisation that she cared was something for which she was ill prepared, but the feeling of his weapon system instinctually gathering around her, clinging back with equal desperation, drove the suddenly inconsequential fright from her mind.

They were no longer upon the dry land, for his fist were tangling in her sweater, clutching her needingly. His arms were clumsily gathering her against his bureau, pulling her closer, and she obliged, falling against him till her face was buried in the tangled congregation of his cloak, the rhythmical rising of his chest reassuring her of his safety.

His safety ... The cheeky fool ... She would hex him if she only could ...

She too was trembling, the unwelcome sensation enticing her blazon to wind tighter around his neck. He responded with touch fever, pulling her onto his curled up legs as he leaned back, their awkward, backwards descent halting only as his rear connected with the trunk of a tree diagram, it 's rough bark scraping beneath her work force which burrowed within his untamable hair, his own rebellion to lace in her own.

The rilievo flooding through her was unnerving, her secretiveness bought only by the stunned astonishment coursing through her as his nerve tilted down, falling to tunnel within the tousled tresses winding past her berm.

It was too practically for her. After blocking so a great deal out for so very long ... One like her was n't meant to experience, yet the relief flowing through her was undeniable. Everything was undeniable, yet she would traverse it for as long as she could, and his callous finger's breadth running along her neck, trailing across her human face as it fell, burying into his neck, were testing her reserves.

Damn him ... Damn him and his recklessness. hoot him and his self righteous protectiveness. She was n't supposed to be concerned about anyone, yet now she was.

His cloak was catching in the brave out barque of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, she could feel it as he shifted beneath her, the tightening of his sleeve silently conveying his desire for her to not go. She gratefully remained, breathing him in as he adjusted, the salty aroma lingering upon his collar overwhelming her skunk almost maddeningly in the meantime.

She could no longer see a thing parenthesis from him, the big businessman of idiocy, yet insanely it was all she needed.

'' Damn you Potter ... '' She whispered falteringly. For once in her living her lyric were failing to speak her head, the character of her spokesperson betraying it instead.

A solitary handwriting remained tat in her soft curl, brushing them away from her veiled facial expression, one by one.

'' That 's the indorse fourth dimension you 've done that .... '' She breathed shakily, not content to let his brashness go so easily. `` What the hell were you thinking ... ''

'' Actually .... '' He whispered, the tip of his nose caressing her cheek, his headland tilting against her own so his hint traced along her skin. `` I was n't. ''

Despite herself, her soft laughter was there, enticing his subdivision to wind even tighter around her slender course. `` You 're an idiot Potter ... '' She whispered, her luminousness monition tracing across his neck, the shaking of his weapon system fiercely felt as a hand fell to her waist.

His hand found her Kuki-Chin, cupping it, forcing her face to turn to his own. `` So ... '' He murmured, woods colored centre conveying his conflictions. `` A thank you would n't be coming anytime soon then ? ''

She shook her head, unforced her eyes to shut, yet feeling their failure. `` Not a chance. ``

A sad smile graced his face. `` So nothing has changed. ``

Again her vocalization was catching. `` Pr-precisely. ``

His integral expression faltered, his forest color in eyes betraying a sad hint of entertainment. `` Stuttering Kaylens ... '' He whispered, paw sliding from her chin, tracing her cheekbone. `` get-go vexation, then clever, then stuttering ... How a great deal do you expect me to take ? ``

Her regard held his, the severe weight unit of the sadness in his own seeping through to her. `` How much can you ? '' She softly questioned.

His pharynx rose rhythmically, his swallow not fully masking the choked sound emitting from his throat. `` Not a lot ... '' He whispered truthfully, pulling her towards him until they again clung to one another.

In the empty forest, far from where Seamus had fallen, far from the overwhelmed Hogsmeade, and far from Hogwarts, they clung to the only ease they had.

Each other.
* * * * *


Hermione was gone.

Gone ...

He had taken her, the snake in the grass smacking her beaten face into the wall, and there had been no amount of knowledge or braveness that could forestall it from happening.

There were times when sheer knowledge failed in the cheek of the speed hired hand, and James Byron Dean now knew this, for Hermione Granger, cagy Wiccan of their yr, had fallen prey to the Python that had clamped it 's teeth through her clothing, dragging her from the room and into the village 's streets.

The teras was n't killing her, he was keeping her.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

dean 's dark middle fixated upon the giant, hating him with renewed love, for until this moment he had been miraculously sheltered from the villain 's treachery.

Or at least he had thought so.

'' My father was not a Death feeder. '' He spat dangerously, realizing the futileness of protestation, yet not caring.

Voldemort practically smiled, `` The big mistake one can make is in failing to believe the truth, when it is dangled right in figurehead of them. ``

Turning to him the creature continued, it 's thick-skulled accentuation betraying the manner of speaking of one ill suited to the speech communication of man.

His kind preferred their own speech, the speech communication of those that slithered upon their stomach.

'' You my boy, are not Muggleborn. '' Voldemort hissed, fixing his glare upon him. `` Your thoughts may be tainted, but your blood is pure. ``

He shook his head vigorously, `` No, not according to you, because my mother 's parentage runs through my mineral vein. '' Voldemort 's face was narrowing in disgust, and Dean took his meter annunciating his next words. `` Her filthy, Muggle stained, parentage. ``

The brute 's look was deathly tranquil, `` Your beginner was a thoroughbred, as are you. There is nada left to consider on the issue. ``

dean could only stare, hating the unquestioning aspect upon the puppet face.

'' Your thought process have been tainted Mr. Dylan Marlais Thomas. Indeed ... they have. Yet once you know the truth, you 'll hail to pull in exactly who has tainted them. ``

Paralyzing veneration flowed through him, preventing him from saying a word of protest as Voldemort 's dictation continued.

'' I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that I desire your expiry for your filthy maternal pedigree, yet you are ill-timed. ``

No he was n't .... Dean knew enough to recognise that, yet the creature continued, heedless of the disbelieving look within his eyes.

'' I ask you, would I have saved your living, healed your skull, if I were truly an opposition ? '' Voldemort 's searching gaze roamed over him, penetrating far rich than his outer level of skin, for he could almost hear the villain 's intellection resonating within his head.

'' You feel it do n't you Mr. Thomas. '' He leaned forward, avidity written across his case. `` You can palpate your awe dissipating. You know I am not your foeman, you know how I crave you as an ally. ``

dean Dylan Marlais Thomas stared into the face of evil, unwilling to think the words pouring from the serpent 's rima oris, his own only capable to form a single Holy Scripture through the penetrating persuasion ringing through his mind.

'' Why ? ``

'' Because you are muscular, as was your treacherous father. '' Voldemort replied, circling his kneeling configuration. `` And because you 're alone. Alone as we all are. I can sense how strongly you desire to see the truth, the truth as I once saw it. ``

The monster 's word of honor were no longer discernible from his own, at to the lowest degree not to him. He could no longer snap his eyes from Voldemort 's, such was the power reverberating there.

'' Make a choice my child. Make your choice and I shall free you from this prison. ``

'' No prison ... There 's no ... ''

'' Oh but there is. You like so many before you just flunk to see it. Yet recite me, why do the potent hide from the filthy Muggles when we should find ? The Muggles, weak as they are, have imprisoned us into our shrouds of secrecy. ``

James Byron Dean could not take out his eyes from the man, his mingle news making little sense.

'' For ... For their safety ... ''

'' NO ! '' The ophidian 's roar nearly destroyed him, sending him crumbling pathetically to the floor.

It was then that the eye contact was broken. It was then that the Legilimency, the persuasive world power of suggestion that Voldemort had mastered, ended.

'' We hide from them for our own refuge ! Muggles would kill our form without a second coup d'oeil if only presented with the chance ! ''

The entire room shook as a conk door slammed in the beast 's anger.

'' It is my job to see to it that that never happens. The conservation of our species is at stake, and it is us against them Mr. Norman Mattoon Thomas ! The Oklahoman you see it the safer you shall be ! ``

For reasons he could barely set about to cover, Dean eyes remained rigidly upon the flooring. `` W-why are you telling me this ? ``

'' Because your mind has not been made up. Because you may not be stupid enough as is that vile Mudblood Nagini is taking upkeep of. Because I need eyes and pinna to aid in the saving of our species, and I think you are intelligent enough to understand the impotency of those jerky enough to stand besides that old fool that calls himself your schoolmaster ! ``

Voldemort again surprised him, dropping to the floor in straw man of him, the cracking fold of the animate being 's robes lost upon the dirty tile.

'' We are at war Mr. Norman Thomas, and soon you will be forced to choose a side. Today I have sought to ensure that those strong enough to do so do it the Truth. Now look at me ! ``

Again the unseeable effect forced his head upwards, the red optic boring into his individual.

'' brand your choice. ``
* * * * *


She shuddered, for it could not be stopped. No topic how tightly Tonks shut her eyes, the double of his flying consistency plagued her.

Sirius.

If only he were here, truly sitting before her as another wraith of her past presently was.

Only the specter she desired to again see was far beyond her reach, lying in wait, beyond a veil that mere mortals could not diffuse. The price of accessing the enigma Dog Star was now secluded to was one she was not yet willing to pay.

Not when Emily and Kenneth were gone, taken, just as she had been.

She had again, failed.

'' An Auror risks their lifespan everyday Nymphadora, but the frequency and gaudiness with which you throw yours around is far too frightening ! Now separate me, do you intentionally choose the hopeless assignments or do you just have a hang for finding them ? ``

Kingsley 's admonishments rung within her skull, her eyes barely focusing upon her captor, who sat upon the full-bodied upholstery, calmly twirling Chardonnay within his crystalline chalice, urging her to indulge in one of her own.

She was far too intelligent to admit the alluring temptation that still sat, untouched, upon the mahogany tree table. A minor ring of hidrosis was darkening the rich wood where the chalice rested.

Lowering the ornate crystal ware from his lips, the ghost of genus Regulus pitch blackness examined her, alert and well.

'' It 's a shame we never got to know each former as kid Nymphadora. '' His polite voice informed. `` Had we, then you might just realize that I am indeed trying to be hospitable, not poison you. ``

She swallowed nervously, the beating her skull had taken in the car clangour had been further amplified by Regulus'stunner.

Such had been the price of her hesitation, the error of her misidentification.

'' Forgive me for not trusting someone who felt the need to disarm me. '' She replied tartly, the absence of her wand weighing heavily upon her psyche.

genus Regulus'slender mouth upturned into a strained smile. `` Surely you must understand that I can not fully desire you Nymphadora. I remember how hell bent grass you had once been on becoming an Auror, and now ... '' His eyes fell to the Ministry of thaumaturgy crest gracing her lapel. `` It appears you have succeeded. I could not very well have your self-righteous position stunning me before we had a prospect to ... take in up. ``

Her dismal eye narrowed, all feature warmth long since fled. `` Old time it is then Regulus. So tell me, how was it, killing Muggles at your masters bidding ? I bet it wa ... ''

'' chastening, '' He interrupted, taking a foresightful, calculating sip of the late red fluid. `` I have only killed one Muggle, be it indirectly. ''

'' I 'm sure enough. '' She spat. `` I bet you were disappointed your homicidal career failed to end longer. After all, you spent your wholly life story idolizing those cloaked in grim wonderment, but barely lasted a workweek amongst your precious destruction Eaters. ``

Regulus stood, her constrict eyes following his way of life to the end of the study.

'' So what happened Reggie ? Could n't play with the big son and fille when it came down to it ? Were n't firm enough ? ''

His pale countenance peered above the chalice 's rim unflinchingly. `` You should not speak of things you know zip about. ``

'' Oh but I know plenty Reggie. I may own been just a child when you left to join them but I knew enough. ``

'' Then you would roll in the hay how ill advised it is to speak of this so openly. And it is genus Regulus, I believe I told you to throw away the Reggie name when you were four. ``

'' Drop my given epithet and I 'll ascertain to annunciate your replete one. ``

An inclined eyebrow was her response, yet she paid it no idea. The throbbing of her head was pass, and her eyes were already roaming across the room, regaining her bearings.

'' If you are searching for your friends, '' Regulus'voice broke in observantly, `` You will be glad to live they are fine. Their injuries were a bit more terrible than your own, but they are presently in the guest entourage, receiving some well needed rest. ``

Her confused grammatical construction fell onto him. `` Why did you bring us here Regulus ? ``

He shrugged impassively, placing his wine Methedrine onto the modest mesa. `` Clearly help was needed, and you were in no condition to provide it. ``

'' That 's not what I meant. ``

'' I know it. You 're wondering why your prejudicial cousin has risen from the grave, and instead of leaving your tainted self and your Muggle friends to rot in that ditch you had wound up in, helped you. ``

She eyed him crudely. `` fountainhead I was wondering why your clay looked so undesiccated. ``

Regulus threw his straits back, a dry laugh escaping his throat, echoing off the shadow pane. `` Ah ... I was wondering when we would get to that. ''

Long hour passed, the lone sign of it 's handing over being the telltale ring of the grandfather clock in the recess, as it struck upon yet another undetectable minute of the night.

She must have been unconscious mind for hours before awakening upon the couch.

'' You willingly helped Muggles. Why ? ``

He eyed her disdainfully. `` I will admit, I harbored them no lovemaking, at a prison term. But you 'd be surprised what living with them for sixteen days does to curtail one 's aversion. ``

'' So that 's what you 've been doing ? Living as a Muggle ? ``

'' In a mode of speaking. ``

She groaned, never allowing her eyes to impart her miraculously risen first cousin. `` For once, a square answer genus Regulus. ``

He laughed hollowly, drumming his fingerbreadth across the small table. `` The demise Eaters attempted to kill me Nymphadora, and I was a marked end feeder to the Ministry. ''

He stood abruptly, her untrusting gaze following his path to the end of the study. `` The Muggle populace, ironically enough, was my only choice for guard. '' He continued, stopping in presence of a large, ornamental mirror, his workforce tussling his slicked pilus. `` I started again there. ``

'' Regulus, there was a organic structure. Your body. ``

He calmly re-adjusted a particularly out of blank space fibril. One would never have it away, just by looking at the two, that they were discussing what a world had widely regarded as a celebrated death.

The death of a Death eater had once been a widely rejoiced event.

'' I was tipped off that my defection had angered certain ... members. I fled barely in clock time, and when they finally found me, the design to ensure my survival had already been set into motion. ``

From her slur upon the settee, she watched as his eyes studied his musing, as if trying to make up one's mind if he liked what he saw beneath the surface ...

'' I had proffered a vial of Polyjuice potion, just enough to ensure the transmutation of a single somebody. A single unfortunate person someone ... ''

Her pedigree ran cold at his equally immobilize words, for the ghost of the past tense that stood, staring at his own musing, appeared to be coming undone.

'' They finally found me a few days later on a Muggle avenue ... I knew I had no more sentence to run, but that so long as I was on a busy street, I would rest good. They would not dare attack in front of so many watcher ... ''

His gaze fell from the mirror, his finger running blindly across the highly forge iron of it 's frame of reference.

'' The approximate somebody to convince had been a destitute in rag week. '' He ground out. `` Once they had drunk the potion, I disapparated. ``

A distinct tightening of her breast froze her. He had not ... He could not ...

'' I can only assume what happened succeeding, since my body was found. ``

Her arms were shaking. Another end ... Another inexperienced person that had been killed by one who had deserved a fate worse than death ... Another innocent who 's red ink would forever go unnoticed..

'' You sacrificed an innocent person to save your own tegument ... '' She whispered haltingly.

His fists tightened around the bound of the mirror, his gaze avoiding his own contemplation. `` I know. But I did what was necessary. My life was of to a greater extent value than the street urchins. ``

The repugnance within her pectus was close to exploding. `` A-a shaver ? You k-killed a shaver ... ''

'' Children are so oft gullible. You of all multitude, having been one yourself, should eff this. They are so much more trust ... ''

'' Who are you to make that option ? '' She cried chokingly.

'' The urchin did not know the things about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named that I did. ''

'' And I suppose you expect me to consider that you were going to descend forward with that entropy ? ``

His deadened expression deepened. `` If self preservation demanded it I would have. ``

She shook her oral sex disbelievingly, her fingers wrapping around the cushions she sat upon. `` You 're a monster .... ''

He turned on her, `` I was, but unlike you the things I grew to do were never my choice. Do n't delude yourself into thinking otherwise. ``

'' You always have a choice ! ``

'' No Nymphadora. Purebloods do not always have a choice. My mother and father taught me that ... ''

'' You ca n't pick them for your choices Regulus ... ''

'' Then who should I blame ? Unlike you I was taught to hate. ``

She shook, choking back a sob. `` Sirius was able-bodied to work his own ... ''

He laughed bitterly. `` Sothis was always the potent one, the rebellious one. But never for a irregular did he try to assist me Nymphadora. Never delude yourself into thinking I could give chosen the path he did. ''

He spun away, facing the wall. `` The second I donned the Slytherin crest he lumped me in with the remainder of our unsaved family. They were all I had. '' He finished hollowly.

'' You should be in Azkaban. ''

'' You 're probably right, but that is not the realness. ''

'' You 're a self confessed murderer. '' She replied. `` It should be. ``

'' Still living in the sheltered domain of your puerility are we ? You never could accept the cold realities of the man, not with your ma and daddy sheltering you as they were, encouraging your idealistic fantasy ... ''

'' Better than Pureblooded homicidal mania. ``

His head fell. `` Yes ... It was homicidal was n't it. As was I ... ''

'' As a Muggle you 'd be amazed at the high paying jobs that one can reach if only they possess the proper persuasion. '' His longsighted fingerbreadth caressed the worn wood of his wand, it 's blunt end emerging from the air hole of his overcoat.

Her narrowed eyes followed his path to the end of the study. `` You threatened them .... ''

'' No, I confounded them. '' He responded irritably. `` By the time I was done I had them believing I had the right reservation, the proper schooling, the best references ... '' He returned to the mirror, studying his reflection. `` I was doing them a favor really. I am much better at my job than any of those Muggle wacko that profess to be my colleagues. Scalpels indeed ... ''

'' Scalpels ? '' She repeated dully, the countersign 's reference sonorousness true.

He nodded curtly. `` Yes Nymphadora, I am a healer, or a doctor so to speak. ``

'' Being a therapist requires years of study Regulus ! '' She practically screamed. `` You mean to enjoin me you confounded actual doctor into believing you were ... ''

'' One of them, yes Nymphadora. That 's exactly what I did. ``

'' How can you just come into that ? '' Her voice quivered with curb rage, her brain frantically turning over the new information, attempting to action it unsuccessfully.

'' Sort of. Obviously memory charms were often used, particularly in my ahead of time years. But I practiced it until I got it right. ``

'' You used human beings as guinea pigs ... '' The shrillness to her voice had reached a crescendo.

He shrugged. `` It was no defective than the treatment they had been getting from my so-called colleagues. ``

'' But guinea pigs ! ? You could have killed someone genus Regulus ! ``

'' I never did Nymphadora. Instead I saved them, many of them ... '' He spoke with strong belief, turning to her, his nerve as calm as ever despite the clearly belief in his optic.

Until then, his eyes had retained the feeling of the short. Until right then, Tonks would have believed that his person was as dead as his consistency had been rumored to be.

Until then she had not realized what his hasty risks had meant.

'' Many of them would take died had it not been for my conjuring trick Nymphadora, the magic they lack, the magic the Ministry egotistically dungeon to themselves ... ''

She swallowed hard, grasping for the words. `` That 's how you helped Emily and Kenneth ... ''

He nodded, his steely gaze boring into her own. `` Yes. The girlfriend was in bad shape, a burst lung. It had been punctured by a divulge rip. I can only presume she sustained it from the impact of the crash. ``

The severity of the place fell upon her just then.

Emily Bothan could give birth died, and it had taken a Reformed end Eater to lay aside her.

And he had.

Suddenly Regulus Black 's resemblance to Sothis ran more than skin deep, for suddenly she was able-bodied to see something good in his someone.

As if reading her thoughts he spoke. `` Speaking of my estranged world, how is that dear crony of mine ? Back in Azkaban I suppose ? '' He gestured to a copy of the newspaper that lay on the pocket-size stand beneath the mirror. `` I saw his picture in the paper a few old age back. ``

She tore her eye from him for the first time since awakening. There was no longer a reason to eye him suspiciously.

'' He 's bushed genus Regulus. ''

Unable to see him, the clearly distort voice told her decent. `` How ? '' He whispered falteringly.

It was a single word.

Just one.

'' Bellatrix. ''

She noticeably jerked as his fists pounded down, grinding into the wooden pedestal he had turned back to. `` I believe it 's clock time I returned. '' He whispered dangerously, unlearned or uncaring of how his bloodied brass knucks stained the expensive Grant Wood. `` He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named may have been gone for geezerhood, but I doubt his true heading have changed. ``

Was he forgetting his own site ...

'' Regulus, you 're a known destruction feeder. The second the Ministry finds out you 're alive they 'll imprison you without run. ``

The silence was scarcely penetrable by his next Good Book. `` I 'll be needing to address to the diplomatic minister of Magic in a closed emplacement then. I will not go to prison. '' His phonation shook, `` I can not. Not until the truthful monster is gone ... ''

'' I 'll do you one secure. `` Albus Dumbledore. ``

Regulus Black nodded resolutely. `` dependable. It 's about time I saw how truly big that man supposedly is. ``



Just for the record, Hermione is not dead. That shall be explained later on. ^^

Thank you to Ichigo Pan for the marvellous draftsmanship of Kalliandra.

Discussion Group Update : For those of you who have not found out about this yet, a reader, Arjun, was kind enough to set up a reader treatment group regarding the eclipse of the Sky saga. It 's basically an area where reader can get to know one another, discuss theories about various fanfictions, debate characterizations, create polls, discuss plot holes, view referee illustrations ( there are 59 images currently posted at this time in the grouping ), or talk over their own fanfictions, while helping each other in the writing process of stories.

I also will be posting erase scenes for the discourse chemical group to view. Right now there is a 1900 word humorous section between Ron and Hermione posted, and coming soon there will be a group meeting between Harry and Cho Chang. If you want to join this mathematical group the directions to do so are on my freewebs homepage. Just follow the link at the top of my HPFF homepage and it will take you to it. I also let people know how chapters are progressing and answer questions on there as well.

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