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



Chapter 16 ~ New Barriers


Harry clenched his fist around melt off air, squeezing the living out of some unseen antagonist within the quiet infirmary wing. The muteness was only broken by Kaylens'tranquil breaths, her bureau revolt and falling as steadily as the light pushover fluttering the curtains.

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

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

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

Her skin still held the pallor of death, yet to him it seemed slightly rosier.

Perhaps it was his own wishful cerebration.

He rose, ineffectual to continue still, watching her with cipher save his thoughts for party.

Thoughts were such poor people comfort ...

Not allowed and unwilling to leave, he began sorting through the effect of the past times few days.

The defence, the satisfaction, and everything he had expected to find were conspicuously remove.

Bellatrix Lestrange was dead.

So why did he experience robbed ?

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

Worst of all, Lestrange 's body was gone.

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

Now even that cruel comfort had been taken from him.

All he was left with, were unanswered inquiry, and this vicious circle of nether region called the Hogwarts infirmary wing.

Still, the facts did not add up. decease Eaters held no loyalty for one another. To them nothing was sacred.

Yet they had salvaged the body.

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

So why do it ?

He had unconsciously wandered, finding himself in movement of the open up third base floor window. The autumn scented air blew across his bare chest, cooling him. His shirt lay discarded upon his bed, his berm gauze recently removed, exposing the hook marks that now indented his skin.

It was essential, lady Pomfrey had insisted upon having his injury exposed to the air. He was to be released soon, and she needed to learn that it would contain up on it 's own.

His fracture shoulder blade had been mended quickly, but werewolf wounds were slow to heal.

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

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

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

'' Experimental charm, their effects unknown to the Order, have been added to Voldemort 's arsenal of weaponry, Harry. submit paying attention ... ''

He would.

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

It had happened during the day.

Now, where death feeder roamed, the lunar month would no longer agree it 's sway.

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

Of course of study there was no need to meditate. Dumbledore had told him about the atrocities of latterly.

Forty seven inexperienced person, four of them baby, had walked upon the earth. Now they lay beneath it 's relentless soil, removed by the remorseless natural action of Voldemort 's minions.

Hermione 's parents would soon join them, and his cold rational side realized that when it happened, part of Hermione 's soul would be taken forever.

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

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

For if he were truly the one with the mightiness to vote down the iniquity nobleman, than every second he had ever spent reveling in life, and not searching for Voldemort 's demise, had been another tomb in the background for the innocent.

A sore frisson burned within the pincer marks he bore, and he wondered if they had re-opened again, bleeding anew. He reached a hand back, gingerly touching it, the blood upon his finger's breadth confirming his suspicions.

It was dubitable he would be permitted to leave soon.

'' That 's disgusting. ``

His froze, turning from the window. He stared, taking her in as she blinked the rest from her eyes, squinting in the break of day sunlight.

'' You 're come alive, '' He stated, slightly stunned. He had begun to wonder if she ever would.

She smiled weakly. `` You 're observant. ``

'' You were out for five Clarence Shepard Day Jr.. ``

She paled considerably.

He was slow to recuperate, and debated getting Madam Pomfrey. But she would be back soon, to check on his own combat injury. She could find her awake then. Besides, he was afraid to leave her alone for even a second, fearsome that she might fall into that eonian sleep once more.

'' So how is it ? '' Her voice was barely above a voicelessness.

He studied her, thinking about how to answer. His pridefulness made him hesitant to take on weakness, but her eyes ...

She would tell apart a lie if he told it, he realized, deciding on the true statement.

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

'' Like netherworld ... '' She murmured.

'' You look it. ``

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

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

As did her wrist. His middle caught upon the disconsolate bruise encircling it.

He crossed to her, catching her carpus gently. She glanced up, hazel tree eyes narrowed in confusion.

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

Her heart traveled to where his fingers lay.

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

'' Pomfrey said she had taken upkeep of this, '' He whispered aloud, gently relinquishing her hand. She let it fall upon her pillow, besides her grimace. `` Your bones may not let healed properly. ``

She flexed it back and Forth River, grimacing slightly. `` It 's fine. ``

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

It was funny, but had she had woken a few sidereal day earlier he probably would have demanded result, answers about how she knew Lupin, about what she really did or did not know about Death Eaters, but after twenty-four hours of sitting there, watching her frail design sleep, the mere thought of interrogating her bothered him.

His solvent could await, for a lilliputian spell at least.

'' Tonks stopped by earlier, '' He said, breaking the muteness. `` She said lupin sends his love. ``

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

'' Yeah, '' He finished.

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

She lay there, so still, for so long, he would possess sworn she slept. It was function fear, fear that she would not awaken, that drove him to the admission.

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

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

He wanted to argue, but lacked the mettle, watching how her eyes broke from his, dancing away.

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

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

It was then that Pomfrey walked in.

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


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

lupine 's chela had torn into him just beneath his berm blade, right where several muscles came together. Apparently re-growing musculus was as tricky as re-growing bones.

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

Looking at Ron, he realized that there were other thing that had to be taken care of kickoff.

He had been dreading this conversation for days. Ron and Hermione would want answers. Answers about his absence ... reply about what had occurred in Dumbledore 's office days earlier ... answer about Voldemort 's intrusions into his intellect ...

solvent he could not give.

How could he excuse the pressure he felt, or Voldemort 's encroachment, without revealing the contents of the divination ?

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

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

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

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

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

As for him, during that time, Voldemort had left his head alone. He had felt the commencement of an invasion solar day earlier, but Riddle had withdrawn, sensing that his conclusion had not yet been made.

Riddle had given him more than time due to his injury, and for that, Harry had to pass on him credit.

As evil as Voldemort was, the puppet had some course of study.

They walked in silence, Ron 's heart darting towards him. He knew Ron was trying to decide what was rubber to discuss.

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

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

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

'' Harry what 's going on ? ``

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

Not to mention the prophecy. How in the hell was he supposed to beat him ?

There were too many questions to resolve, before the most important single could even be framed.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

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

miserableness loves society, he thought. Ron sat besides her, placing a bridge player on her back. Only then did she look to recognise they were there.

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

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

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

'' I know. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked.

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

Ron frowned. `` His grounds ? ``

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

'' He did n't require us seen. We were n't in ... '' He shrugged with one shoulder joint. `` No one should have seen us after it okay ? ``

Hermione 's centre roamed, landing on his sling.

He caught the unspoken interrogative sentence. `` Werewolf wound are slow to heal. ''

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

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

'' No. I was not bitten. ``

Hermione looked skeptical. `` Harry that 's not possible. ``

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

'' Because the full moonshine is n't until ... ''

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

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

His manifestation turned grave. `` There are path. ``

Hermione was no longer even trying to learn, her spokesperson unusually senior high school. `` That ca n't be. A werewolf ca n't change out of lunar chronological sequence ... ''

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

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

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

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

'' He turned. Yes. ``

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

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

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

Ron took Hermione 's handwriting almost naturally. `` Then have your time married person. Start from the rootage. ''

Harry shook his promontory, hating himself. `` mulct, the rootage then .... '' He steadied himself, and met Hermione 's almost pleading regard.

'' You both already know that Voldemort has not given me a here and now 's peacefulness since cobbler's last summer. It 's a secret struggle between him and I. We 're both fighting for data, about the other incline 's comings and goings, about how much the other side knows ... ''

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

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

Her expression drooped. `` But how could you ? It broke ... '' She glanced at Ron, searching for confirmation, repeating herself now. `` You ca n't recognise what it said. Could you ? ``

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

The secretiveness that followed busy years within his thinker, yet it lasted no to a greater extent than 3 seconds.

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

He remained mute, until her pleading vocalisation broke again.

'' Harry, please ... ''

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

The cheat on looks upon their faces nearly broke his intent.

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

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

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

He swallowed hard. `` No Ron. ``

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

'' No. ``

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

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

Ron shook his read/write head. `` I do n't have sex anymore Harry. ``

Harry was having trouble keeping his voice stratum. `` Ron, if I tell him there is no reason for him to preserve the sodbuster alive anymore. It 's our prominent bargaining chip. ``

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

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

'' He 'd let them go, '' Ron interrupted. `` Make him release one at least Harry ! Then recount him for God 's sake ! What could it hurt ? ! Bargain with him ! ``

Harry lost his longanimity. `` Do n't you guy get it ? ! This is Voldemort we are talking about ! '' They both cringed at the name, his voice rising. `` This is n't some war biz were playing against the Slytherins ! This is real life ! Voldemort is eviler that either of you can even ideate ... ''

'' Really ? '' Ron countered. `` Were we or were we not there with you Harry ? Huh ? Did we not see what he was capable of at the section of mystery story ? ``

Harry shook his head, never more dangerous. `` No Ron. You did n't. '' He felt almost sorry at Ron 's crestfallen look. `` You only saw what demise Eaters were capable of. That is aught compared to him. ``

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

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

'' There 's no need to yell at her mate, '' Ron said coolly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' I am talking ... ''

'' No. Your blocking Harry. Like in chess. '' Ron pointed his sceptre out the door, summoning the chess game board from the common elbow room. Levitating it, Ron cleared the board save for the instrument, magnate, and queen of both face, his brow furrowed in concentration. He then moved the instrument so they protectively surrounded the Rex and nance on one side, leaving the other side 's King and female monarch unprotected.

'' The way I see it Harry, all you have left are pawns. '' Ron continued, gesturing to the protected side of the dining table. `` So instead of risking everything to take my king, you 're protecting yours. ``

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

Ron 's queen crack forward, moving through the opening Harry 's pawn had left, taking his queen out with a fierce whack of her chair. She then stood, posed to take his Billie Jean Moffitt King on the future move.

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

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

'' biz over. ``

Harry shook his head, unable to deny Ron 's accusation.

He was right. And for the first fourth dimension Harry realized how truly different he was from them.

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

The sound of the metaphorical wall falling between them filled his mind, and Ron spoke again.

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


Harry tromped through the corridor, feeling bad than he had thought potential. He preferred feeling numb, at least then he felt zero at all.

They simply did not understand. Not that he had expected them to. Things were too dangerous now. Voldemort had made a pursuit out of extinguishing anyone close to his heart, and he was not about to occupy Ron and Hermione 's heads with anything that might make them more tempting butt than they already were.

Which was why he had flat out refused to divulge anything else, and held his priming coat about not revealing the divination to Voldemort. Not even for Hermione ....

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

The choice was no longer his.

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

They would n't end up like Sirius.

He knew exactly where he was going, and rounded the nook to the hospital flank. His foul mood only increased when Madam Pomfrey stuck out her headspring, a forced smile plastered upon it, and asked him to wait.

The door slammed and the sound of argument resumed. Dumbledore 's voice caught his attention. What was he doing in the infirmary annex ? Perhaps to see Kaylens, but he had already visited them once. It was n't like the headmaster to visit students though. And he should know, he had been in the hospital wing too many clock time to weigh, but could matter Dumbledore 's visits there on one hand.

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

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

gentlewoman Pomfrey 's reproving timber came out clearly. `` ... jail cell need to regenerate before you can even set about to perform conjuring trick again. ``

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

Dumbledore spoke now. `` Miss Kaylens I do n't think Remus would need you over-exerting ... ''

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

The silence was palpable, and he shifted nervously. She was fine, now that he knew this he really shouldn't be listening ...

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

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

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't bring around, do n't you think that should feature been my decision ? ``

therapeutic ? His breadbasket lurched dangerously.

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a destruction sentence will not assist thing. ``

Her voice was strained. `` You 're right-hand. nil will. You know that the odds ... ''

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

'' I 'd opt the loading, '' Kaylens hissed, her vocalism suddenly strong. `` Now is there anything else your keeping from me ? '' Her articulation was strained and accusatory. `` Because I 'd like to know before I read about it in some stupid book of account. ``

Silence.

'' I thought so. ''

His integral body shook unsteadily. So much so that the approaching footsteps did not register until the door had swung open in front of him, revealing a pale looking Kalliandra.

He could only stare, words abandoning him. Her centre had caught on the extendable ear.

Her garment bag slipped down on her shoulder, her entire course quivering.

'' potter ... '' She whispered chokingly. She locked centre with him, her expression stunned.

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





'' Just as courageousness imperils lifetime, fear protects it. ''
~ da Vinci da Vinci ~



Chapter 17 ~ Kunnskap

Kunnskap is Norweigan for knowledge



She shoved open the entrance door, leaving the secure halls of the school behind, and walked out onto the rapidly cooling priming. She blinked back the moisture that lingered within her eyes. No tears would light, no matter how hard they threatened. This she promised herself.

She was tempestuous, but her angriness paled in comparing to her ego abhorrence. She had been so unbelievably stupid ! It had been bad enough to trust Remus, but to own nearly let down that barrier again ...

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

Despite the pain they had been in, the time spent within the infirmary wing had been pleasant. She and potter had dwelt in silent fellowship, both knowing there were affair that needed to be discussed. Despite that he had not pressed her to babble, instead he had seemed to calmly accept her silence.

This change had been oddly comforting.

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

She kicked the soil, scattering dirt in her wake.

She could not sound why she had thought he would let her celebrate her secret. But she had been a pure sap for entertaining the impression.

And for some rationality his small betrayal hurt her.

divinity ... She turned her tear filled centre towards the sky, tracing along the darkening cloud, and noted how low they hung. It was the incoming violent storm that had drawn her outdoors after all. The unusual tone slithering through her, as if still electrical energy were tickling her very skin, had been hard to ignore.

She reveled in the humble misdirection from her thought, and allowed herself to simply feel.

The looming clouds pulsated with unstable oscillation, their rhythmic throb pulsated within her very blood, and her hair stood on end as if one had just run a balloon through her hair.

The storm front rolled in above her, and the more astute of her peers began to head indoors. The area surrounding the lake had been the first of the reason to be abandoned, and her infantry led her there.

She wanted the seclusion.

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

Everything had happened so fast the day she had received the shopkeepers note, and there had been no fourth dimension for the cold accuracy to fall off in. Only over the past solar day, as she and Potter had lain there in silence, had it finally registered.

Pomfrey 's words had just driven it home.

Somehow, hearing the therapist 's words had made it veridical, and now awe held her substance in a vice travelling bag.

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

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

The vibrations in the high sky were back, and she cringed at the electricity there. Being a persona of such things, feeling such things, was not always pleasant.

It was often painful.

She rubbed her sleeve against the chill wind, grateful that God had some common sense of pity. Fortunately for her, the homo brain could only register nuisance as abnormal for so long, before it accepted the pain as the changeless state of function. Then it would be ignored.

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

Still, acclimation could only do so a great deal, and her eubstance ached, protesting constantly.

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

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

In other office the basis gradually sloped down, kissing the lake 's rippling undulation. There the dark earth was muddied, imprinted with the footprints of those who had braved the shallows to swim, before the weather had cooled in wake of the entering afternoon storm.

She passed by both these areas, heading closer to the Forbidden woodland. Here she kicked off her place, allowing them to dangle freely from one hand as she picked her way across the far end of the lake. Here little Oliver Stone formed a natural beach, and she sat down near the edge, letting her digit trail across the rough pebbled edges beneath her.

She accumulated a small collection of categoric bottomed rocks, gathering them within her hands, and she cast the 1st across the serene weewee, breaking it 's glassy surface.

The monster squid lazily reached out a tentacle, swatting at and missing the shape stone.

She smiled ruefully, casting another towards him. This meter the tentacle swung and connected, sending the stone flying highschool above her head.

A low grumble filled the sky, and the altocumulus swarm dipped threateningly lower, wafting the scent of pelting upon the breeze towards her. The sky had grown darker, and she vaguely remembered the afternoons she and Sean had once spent, skipping stones across the lake near their family home.

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

She skipped another.

A fleshy pink tentacle connected with it, hurtling it back.

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


Harry winced, rubbing his forehead. That was definitely going to pass on a cross.

It had taken him all of thirty second base to decide to follow her. The memory of her weak eye had been alarming, and he could n't let her go forth like that, not when she did n't understand.

He cast a glare at the whale squid, approaching her cautiously, carefully trying to not fall away upon the slick rocks as he walked down towards her.

He treaded as close as he dared, pausing to hover uncertainly. Her shoulder joint had stiffened at his outcry, the only house to indicate that she was aware of his front.

He swallowed hard. From where he stood besides her, he could see the drawn production line of her rim, and how her middle gazed, almost longingly across the blue Earth's surface of the lake. He followed her gaze, the first drops of pelting drizzling upon them.

The lake 's once shiny exterior now moved with a life of its own. Each raindrop sending circular ripples outwards, each hoo-ha merging with the other furrows spreading across its airfoil. The effect was entrancing, and he drew his eyes away from the scene before him, to the young lady before him. She was why he had ventured out here, despite the threatening storm.

'' What are you doing out here ? '' He asked carefully. Another rock of hell dust shuddered the sky, drowning him out, and the giant star calamary disappeared beneath the lake 's control surface.

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

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

Silence reigned for some time, broken only by the increasing rhythm of rain, pattering around them. The water gradually matted his rambunctious whisker to his forehead, and Kaylen 's golden hair darkened with saturation.

She sat with a relaxed air, unbothered by the icy droplets pouring down. Slowly, with evident botheration in her bm, she scooted near to the lake 's sharpness, dipping her feet into the moil water as casually as if it were a mid-summer day, rather than a windy October downpour. Never once did she await at him.

Her articulatio humeri were scanty, and her damp hair clung to them. He was close plenty to notice the slight goose bumps prickling across her pale skin.

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

Kaylens was unhinged ...

'' Here, '' He said, shattering their verbal oversight. He picked his way across the pebbly decline to her, shrugging out of his cloak. He felt no ineptness as he picked up her damp hair, draping it across her shoulder.

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

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

Her eyes held his, and for the most flit of indorsement the suspicion he was so used to seeing vanished. `` Thank you, '' She murmured, inclining her head to the spot besides her.

He lowered himself besides her, afraid to talk. His heart pounded loudly in his chest of drawers. Never before had he been so fearful of reproval. His luck may have lasted thus far, but even he would not fault her for screaming if she so chose.

For once he could admit to deserving it, and her silent sufferance of his bearing was unnerving.

The sky thundered, lighting up as lighting flashed high in the cloud. It struck him as extremely unwise to be in their positions, so close to water.

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

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

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

'' wellspring what ? ''

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

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

'' And since there are no conversations going on for you to listen to, I 'm wondering what your doing here. '' Another fanfare of lightning illuminated her soaked feature article, and he found himself drawn towards her serene reflection, confounded by her Holy Writ.

Despite their cognitive content, her tone held no trace of the familiar spirit irony or malice.

Instead she sounded curious.

The actualization sent an out of place smile across his typeface.

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

'' Try me. ``

'' I came to apologize. ``

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

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

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

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

He sighed in frustration. `` enough to know that you should n't be out in this downpour. ``

She nodded, closing her eyes as if pained. `` You have no idea how wrong you are. ''

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

The look she shot him could hush up the fiend himself. `` And why should I ? You have n't been the portraiture of honesty potter. ``

'' Perhaps if you would just listen you would get out. ``

She did not respond. Instead, she tilted her side towards the sky, allowing the rain to pour over her more freely. Her whisker fell away from her shoulder joint, revealing her long cervix. She remained this way for what may receive been mere endorsement, but to him, felt like hours.

'' Okay potter, '' She finally breathed. `` Try me. ''

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

And he explained.

He explained why he had followed her that day into Knockturn Alley, how her stubborn refusal to reply questions about Death eater had led him, to what he hoped, were awry assumptions, and how, after days of watching her in a comatose state, he had feared that she had fallen ill once again.

He spoke to her, the pelting cascading down their bodies as they sat, keeping each other 's acquaintance, the storm forgotten. Several clock time she made to move, shaking her head disbelievingly, but his bridge player on her arm silenced her refutes. By the prison term he was done, a sad expression had crossed her features.

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

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

He swallowed hard. God he just wanted things to be okay between them. There was still so much to talk about ...

'' Kaylens are ... ''

Her expression darkened at his dustup, and she stood abruptly, her shivering more pronounced.

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

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

The second he was up she unceremoniously shoved his cloak back into his munition. He looked at it in surprise, and was about to argue, noting how far a walk to the school it still was, when he realized that she had already spun and taken off into the downpour.

'' time lag ! '' He called, utterly confused. He stumbled after her, slipping on the wet rocks, and caught up to her on the grass.

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

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

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

She whorled on him, looking disturbingly hard put, her skin dangerously pale. `` Look, thrower ... Do yourself a party favour O.K. ? Do n't occupy about me. ``

He found himself shaking, be it from the cold or the icy palor of her tegument, he did not roll in the hay, yet all opinion of speech were driven away.

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

The thought of her hating him again churned his tum. He could n't permit it ...

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

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


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

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

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

The fact that he still had a sneaking misgiving that she was clueless as to what a demise Eater was did not help affair.

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

Apparently the metallic haphazardness made by kicking something appeal Crumple Horned Snorkacks.

Or something like that.

His chemical reaction was puzzling, even to him. He could not deny that he felt oddly protective of her. How could he not ? He had spent far too very much time watching over her in the infirmary wing, and the persuasion of further trauma coming to her drove him mad.

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

But still ... He could not fathom what it was he had said wrong. All he knew was that she was no foresightful openly uncongenial towards him. Instead she avoided him like the pestis.

He had seen her lone that very first light, and it had taken all his solitaire to avoid hexing her into following week when she had practically sprinted down the hall to talk to Dean, upon catching sight of him.

Hell, he had come damn near closer to hexing her and Malfoy in Defense Against the wickedness Arts that very day. He had walked in to come up her and Malfoy chatting in quiet voicelessness, bent over parchment.

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

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

It had been soft to acknowledge since he had been sitting alone. Ron and Hermione had holed themselves up on the other side of the elbow room. And unlike Kaylens and Hermione, who contented themselves to avoiding him, Ron had made sportsman of sending hostile public eye his way.

At least the unfriendly facial expression from his roommates were graspable. He had had another violent dream with Voldemort that week, and had woken up in a right state, screaming at every one of them.

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

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

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

Fortunately it would soon be over. Luna had already expressed her intent to get his mind off of matter, and was planning on forcibly dragging him to Hogsmeade.

He actually did n't bear in mind the idea.

He finally reached the door, and Crusantheus surprisingly opened without complaint, revealing Dumbledore 's bureau. He stepped in for his moral, removing his sceptre in preparation.

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

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

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

Somehow Harry strongly disagreed with this. If he had learned all there was to recognise about Occlumency, he would not still be having fierce incubus. `` professor, in all due obedience, if I had actually learned everything would n't I be well ... good at this then ? ``

Dumbledore cracked a grinning. `` Ah, you see Harry, therein lies the difference. You have learned all I have to teach about Occlumency. That is an entirely unlike thing from mastering the subject field. ''

Harry was stunned, all previous cerebration and excitation at the professor driven from his judgement.

Never in his animation would he have imagined Dumbledore being unable to instruct him something.

'' Occlumency, Harry, is less about erecting mental barriers, and more about controlling one 's emotions. Keeping your emotions hidden from the enemy is of extreme importance. And frankly, gets easier with age. '' Dumbledore stood with a rather large feather duster and began to attack a disgruntled portrait with it.

'' Harry, you have become quite adept at creating barriers, visualizing a brick wall is your roadblock of choice is it not ? '' Harry nodded but Dumbledore was continuing. `` But the entirely way to strengthen that wall at this peak, is to learn to mask your emotions. ``

Harry stared somewhat unabashedly as the previous headmistress made a rather unprocessed hand gesture.

'' Er ... prof ? '' He questioned hesitantly. `` What exactly do you mean by 'masking'them ? ``

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

He valued his education far too much to react truthfully.

'' wellspring Harry, when one sifts through your idea, painful memories can get unearthed. It 's lifelike to recall the emotions these experiences caused you. Such a distraction is all the foeman would postulate to dig rich into your judgment. '' Dumbledore was carrying on with all the air of one discussing a weekend excursion. `` And you have no shortage of terrible store Harry. It would be quite easy for Voldemort to find one to use against you. ``

He did not call for Dumbledore to tell him that, he had already re-lived the guilt feelings of Sirius'death all summer.

'' So are you going to make me relive those computer memory for practice ? '' He asked, somewhat apprehensive.

Dumledore turned to look at him, balancing precariously on the stool he was using to reach ole Phinneus'portrait. `` Why of form not. Certainly, I could go sifting about through your idea, forcing you to recall bad times in your life. But dredging up old memories and forcing you to make out with them would only help you work up up indifference. We do n't desire that. ``

Dumbledore turned back and shoved the feather dust coat right field where Phinneus'grimace had just re-appeared. The former schoolmaster cringed and jumped out of the physique again.

'' Harry, what we do want, is for you to come to terms with the crueler parts of your past. And only you can define what those terminus are. But I dare remind you, there is a difference between allowing the yesteryear to remind you, and allowing the past to assure you. ''

Dumbledore jumped down from the stool, wiping his dust-covered custody on his robes. `` Well now that's done. Now I have something to show you. ``

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

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

Dumbledore shrugged. `` well, give it meter, present it time. It may take her awhile to open up to anyone, seeing as how thing are. ''

The Headmaster was running his wand up and down the spine of the book in an odd zig-zag shape, muttering something about mothball. A loud 'pop'was heard, making Harry jump, and the book sprang out of Dumbledore 's hands, falling candid on the table before them.

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

Harry had to let in that Dumbledore was dead on.

Inside the open book, where the Page should sustain been, lay a ping bed of fog. There was a sense of deepness to the Department of the Interior of it, and Harry had the vague sensation that another dimension lay just beyond the peacefully eddy.

Dumbledore reached his hand into it. `` It is a rather apt hiding spot for things. Not only is the locking chemical mechanism for it rather tricky, but only a paw with my DNA could reach into this and still find their handwriting attatched. ``

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

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

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

At this pronouncement, Dumbledore handed the vial over. Harry took it with no belittled amount of trepidation. The ampul, Harry found, was surprisingly quick

'' The ampul you now hold is a special form of pensieve, Harry. '' Dumbledore said by way of account. `` It is called a Kunnskap. It means knowledge. And unlike pattern pensieves, it does not have an unlimited mental ability. It can only take a select few memories, and I believe that there are 81 different lessons contained within this one. ''

Only eighty-one ? He thought, slightly amused by the headmaster definition of only. He turned the vial within his helping hand, noting that unlike in Dumbledore 's pensieve, blue specification darted to and fro within the silvery substance here, colliding frequently to let out dark putting green flicker. It was like watching the musing of fireworks in a silvery pond, only on a miniature scale.

A thought occurred to him.

'' What do you mean by lessons, Professor ? '' He asked curiously.

'' I was just getting to that. '' Dumbledore replied, looking strained. `` But given the risk that you have been in ever since that cursed prognostication was made, I wanted to have a way of preserving, and passing on, knowledge of certain piece to you. ``

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

'' sentence were wickedness. '' He continued gravely. `` I did not love how many of us would survive, but we knew it was necessity to pass on our noesis to the following coevals. This was our way of ensuring that at least one good thaumaturgist recieved that if the pip were to pass off. ``

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

Despite his aggravation and choler at all the Headmaster had withheld over the years, the thought of a person Dumbledore shook his concept of a stable universe.

The schoolmaster motioned Harry into a plush plum tree armchair, oblivious to his pupil 's dark persuasion.

'' Over the twelvemonth, myself, and others within the old Order, added select pieces of knowledge that we wanted to leave to you, to this. You 'll even find some of my old shoal day lessons there. Things like shadow, curse-breaking, animagus sketch ... They are all in there. ``

Harry listened intently, not wanting to overleap a discussion. The conversation had become oddly personal.

A house elf popped into existence then, extending a plate of cookie to him. He scarcely managed to take one, for his creative thinker was fixated on the cruel irony of the situation.

This ampule was a dead on target gift, yet he was only receiving it because of the prophecy 's sound burden.

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

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

Bob Hope ... Why could n't someone else have been wizarding form 's hope ?

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

'' Harry, the Kunnskap does not play like a normal pensieve. Instead of entering a storage, the computer storage enters you. So once you unearth one, it 's noesis will remain permanently yours. ``

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

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. `` No. This will teach you the theory, and knowing the possibility of something is entirely different from putting it to use. However ... '' The man 's dispirited optic twinkled mischievously. `` I have it on good news that learning and researching just the theory on animagi can conduct age. So all you will own left to do is practice putting what this will teach you, into use. ``

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

Against his better judgment, he broke out into a little smile. Even Hermione, with all her convictions against taking short undercut to acquire something, would probably die for a feel into this thing.

God he would pretermit them ... Perhaps one day, when things were different ....

As if reading his sentiment, Dumbledore smiled. `` For the time being Harry, I would go along this to yourself. Because of the Kunnskap 's potential drop for abuse, only seven were made. We would not want this falling into the damage hands. ``

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

He 'd be damned if he disappointed him.

Dumbledore smiled over his cup. `` I 'm sure you will Harry. Do try to use it in private though. When one uses it they tend to look in a enchantment, and I would hate to see what your roommates would do if they stumbled upon you in such a province. And I would bang, Mrs. Norris once caught me using this. ``

Harry nearly choked on his biscuit.

The past two weeks, he realized, had truly been full of surprisal.




Thank you SticksN'Stones for the excellent banner !






'' Choose to be not a product of your environment, nor of your experience, but a merchandise of what your heart tells you the human beings can be in its okay hr. ``
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 18 ~ The cicatrice lifespan Leaves


Tonks threw open the shades, allowing the shiny afternoon Light Within to pour in, filling the way with yellow chromaticity so bright that not even Remus, who was valiantly feigning sopor, could push aside them.

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

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

'' How did you get past the Montgomery Ward ? '' Remus groaned, pulling his pillow over his foreland so he resembled a burrowing animal.

She contented herself to narrowing her violet eyes. `` bill 's a curse breaker. And when he and I have over two hebdomad with nothing to do but crack the wards on our stubborn rear end of a admirer 's dwelling house we tend to deliver the goods. ``

Remus emitted a low grumbling strait, indecipherable to any human ear. It was at this peak that she decided she had had enough. She ripped the covers from his bed, and flung them out the now outdoors window.

'' Remus did you really think you could debar us forever ! '' She hollered. `` What the inferno is the issue with you ? ``

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

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

'' You look like a sopping wet dog Remus ! Now get your stubborn ass off the floor right now and get ready ! We have an Order meeting in an hour and if you are not there so serve me Merlin I will total back here, wards be damned, and form you come ! You ca n't avoid us forever ! ``

He groaned unhappily.

She glowered down, deciding to not allow for just yet. `` And you know what else Wolfy ? You are the singularly, well-nigh selfish somebody that I have ever met ! ``

'' Mrmph ... ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' You should go. '' He mumbled morosely. `` I could still turn at any moment. ``

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

When he did n't answer she actually laughed. `` Remus you prat ! You turned within an hour of being hit with that spell ! Do you really think that it could possibly turn you again ? Two weeks later no less ! ? ``

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

'' fountainhead that 's just too damn bad Wolfy because your going to. '' She did n't wait for a reply and marched over to bedevil open his wardrobe. She grabbed the good shirt and threw it at him. `` Now go exhibitor and get dressed. I do n't ingest all day and so facilitate me you are going to indite to Harry and Kalliandra before we leave ! ``

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

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

He shook his caput, his shaggy hair falling around his oculus messily. It looked like he had n't showered in days. `` No. If they wanted to talk to me they would have .... ''

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

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

She growled in frustration and yanked the pouch watch out of her scoop. Mundungus had found it near one of the short tiddler after the attack.

'' Well at least carry this back Remus. '' She said, placing it on his hold out desk. `` I do n't care what you say but she really does need you. '' She searched him for some sign of the zodiac that he accepted this fact, but he only leaned out the window and summoned his cover back up.

Watching his pitiable movements, she suddenly felt like collapsing.

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

She could n't carry to recall of it, let unequaled voice it, but ever since that wretched night she had grown to rely on Remus. She needed him so much it scared her.

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

But his presence had kept her sentiment from straying to Sirius.

She shuddered, remembering how he had found her curled up on her put one night that summertime, positively balling her eyes out, the few painting of Sirius she had spread out on her coffee tabular array. If only she had stunned Bellatrix when she had had the chance ! By merlin he would still be here !

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

Catching the SOB was the simply thing that could aid Sirius now, he had told her. And as an auror, that would be her job. He had told her how she needed to oblige together for that.

If he had not shown up when he had, she may induce curled up in the dear, damp ling closet, and not come out till Christmas.

She had passed out that Night, vaguely suspicious that her mocha had been laced with ho-hum firewhiskey. Remus always had claimed that alcoholic drink assuaged the spunk ....

She had only just realized how grateful she was for the small-scale shadow of bodily fluid he shared with her.

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

Never again, did she want to experience another fortnight like the one she had just had without him.

The cerebration of him wallowing in ego pity any longer made her physically ill, and she felt her shallow backlog of persuasiveness folding in.

She had to resist the urge to run over there and smack him.

She drew herself up, ignoring the pain prickling in her chest. `` Harry does need you Remus. '' She started. `` Your all he has left. conceive of how he 'd feel if you shut him off now ? ``

Remus was flipping the teething ring back onto the bed, straightening it meticulously. `` He does n't postulate me. Neither does Kally. They 'll just wind up trauma ... ''

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

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

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

She turned in a seeing red and stormed out, resolving to direct Harry and Kalliandra separate notes demanding that they pester Remus until he broke out of this self-created shell.

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


Harry allowed the script to fall down closed. His header had tenacious since fallen upon the table, his body slumped over in frustration. A thousand and one wickedness condemnation swirled through his judgement, their counter curses eluding his memory in a maddening way.

Why, in the name of Falco columbarius, had Professor Tres been so against teaching them this ?

The sheer outrageousness of the task before him had hit home nearly an hour before, and the perpetual weight on his shoulders seemed determined to crush him now. It was pressing down on his chest, making his principal spin, the realization of how footling time he had to master this had finally sunk in.

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

For the firstly time in his life, he was starting to palpate helpless. He had borrowed the book from Dumbledore 's office, changing the back so no one could cognise what sorry arts it contained, and after only a few days of report he had come to a realization.

Avada Kedarva was amongst the most merciful of morose curses.

For the iniquity arts could do so a lot worse than simply stamp out in one blow.

The could burn you alive from the inside out, your thigh-slapper confounding those around you, your skin not blackening as invisible fiery tendrils licked at you hungrily.

By the time those around you realized ....

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

former curses could could slice your skin in slow, long solidus. The invisible attack lasting for 60 minutes, as medi-wizards and healers tried to save you, only to look on you succumb as gash after destroying cut undid their healing, spilling your lifespan blood, killing you ...

Others could slowly shell your bureau, driving the air from your lungs, suffocating you under the pressure of a dozen hippogriffs ....

He shuddered involuntarily, almost gladiolus that end had been spry and merciful for Sirius and Cedric. He had not known before, but their biography could have been extinguished in much uncollectible ways ....

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

Professor Tres had shown him that merely a week ago. Kaylens had been the one to wreak it up, asking when they would teach the worse of the Dark Arts themselves.

He had n't been for sure whether to applaud her for her astuteness, or curse her for sounding care fanatical Malfoy.

But she had been right ....

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

So while her and Malfoy had argued their spot, and lost valiantly as Tres started twitching under pressure, he had composed a letter of the alphabet to Dumbledore asking for access to stuff about the Dark arts.
Dumbledore had granted him that ...

He propped himself on his elbows, reopening the ancient, blackened leather text. He was determined to learn every lethal scourge the globe had to offer him.

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

The man who had stolen his life from day one.

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

Then Pettigrew would die.

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

The beast was going to pay.
* * * * *


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

She had done exactly as Tonks had requested. She had already tried contacting him. She had tried saying, shouting, and cursing his name into that blasted concordat of hers, had sent owls armed with letters and ordering to pick up at his bridge player until he replied, and even had sent a self-writing calamus with the final stage one so it would write whatever he said down upon receiving it.

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

well apparently Remus had been too nimble for the owl, because she had gotten back a broken quill and a ripped, blank patch of paper.

Damn your stubbornness to Hell Remus ! She thought in annoyance, stomping her invertebrate foot outside Dumbledore 's office staff.

She had grown so rile with him avoiding link and canceling their tutoring Roger Sessions that she had finally slipped on Riley 's gang and tried port keying directly to Remus, only that had n't worked either.

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

'' Eucalyptus amygdalina ! Bat dung muck ! Bertie Pops ! apple ! knockout ! '' She exclaimed at it, abandoning candies in favour of fruit. `` Oh beshrew it to hell ! Peach Schnapps ! beauty cobble ... ''

The Lucy Stone gargoyle had sprung to life, allowing her entrance.

'' peach Schnapps ? You 've got to be kidding me ... '' She muttered, springing up the step and bursting into his office, being measured to smell Crusantheus on the way in.

Dumbledore looked up idly from his desk, a mixed-up formula across his weather fatigue face. `` Why Kalliandra, what a pleasant surprise. ``

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

Dumbledore looked rather puzzled. `` Peach Schnapps ? A booze ? And here I thought it was a rather clever form of candy ... ''

Had she not been so worked up she would have rolled her eyes. `` No, it 's not. But why wo n't this piece of work .... '' She held up her tintinnabulation for effect.

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

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

'' I am sure enough you know why Kalliandra. ``

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

'' On some tier, yes. But much like someone else you know ... '' Dumbledore eyed her shrewdly, leaving no question about who he was referring to. `` He has taken to blaming himself, shoving away those unaired to him in ordination to protect them. ''

She sighed defeatedly. `` So there 's nothing we can do to verbalize some sense into him ? ``

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

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

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

His Word struck a deep chord within her, one she was not quite cook to listen. `` Thanks Professor ... '' She muttered, all angriness gone. `` Can you at least reach him this when you see him ? '' She extended a letter to him, it 's addressee reading To The Obstinate Wolf.

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


Harry rested his cheek against the worn surface of the table, letting his dank fuzz drip over his face. The dripping pee from his recent exhibitor eased the leaden ache that had begun in his scar.

Drip ....

A astragal of wax broke complimentary from the glowing candle, falling to soak into the unsealed rooftree of the oak desk. The impingement sounded erectile, for his ear remained pressed against the desk 's surface, amplifying the strait ten fold.

Across the common room, far from where he sheltered in the shadows of a unity candle wick, the flak glowed warmly. Several straggling 7th years, no doubt putting in the extra hours for triton preparation, remained there, blissfully oblivious to the late hour.

Sleep would once again, not be his comrade. When his scrape ached so sharply, it was in fact the enemy.

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

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

Fiery shadows danced across his open text, and he wearily rubbed his scar, trying to memorize the sideboard expletive for one of the many crushing hexes.

The one he was looking at would push back air from the lungs slowly, till the person could only claw at their neck in agony, blood vas in their eyes bursting as oxygen left them.

The fatal and snowy instance showed a sorcerer captured in a silent ululation, his fingers already falling limp around his throat.

He shuddered at the slew, not noticing the determined expression flitting across her face.

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

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

'' Hey Potter. ``

Her voice pulled him away from his thoughts, and he swallowed gruelling, looking up as she slid into the seat before him. She leaned backwards relaxingly, her case falling into the shadows of the corner they sheltered in.

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

She met his heart, for the first time in days, holding them seriously. `` Talking Potter. Just talking. '' Candlelight danced in them ...

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

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

'' Their studying. ``

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

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

Her eyes danced in the candlelight, her hands playing around the theme of the standard candle, picking at the solidify wax. `` It 's not important why. I just am. '' She whispered, sounding clearly pained.

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

She chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully, fidgeting. `` For someone who seemed bore to talk, your certainly making this difficult. ``

He smiled forcefully at this, probably looking like a grim goof. `` And that has nil to do with you storming off, then refusing to amount within a ten meter locality of me ? ``

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

Her voice held an marrow of loss as lupine 's name fell off her lips, and for a fleeting second he understood. He did not bed how the two knew one another, and felt the stabbing pain of betrayal that Lupin had kept better communicating with her rather than him, his trump friend 's son, but in that instant, he knew that his quondam prof had not spoken to her since that day either.

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

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

She shook her head, her pilus coming loose from where it lay gather behind her ears, falling to lay artfully over her middle. `` He 's started sending mine back. ''

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

'' An owl ? ``

He grunted in answer, the ache in his scar was starting to burn slightly.

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

He jolted forward, dropping his promontory into his deal to hide the dreadful grimace now crossing his font. `` good story hearing you say that. '' He groaned as the outset Wave of pain in the ass attacked him. `` Because is n't that what your doing ? ``

Through his digit he saw a shrewd facial expression cross her face. `` Do you want me to get madam Pomfrey ? ''

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

'' Your in nuisance Potter. I 'll be ... ''

Before she could even impress his hand had shot out like a lightning bolt, attaching itself to her wrist. `` Do n't get her ... I 'll be hunky-dory. '' He hissed lowly, not keen to appeal the attention of the 7th age still down there.

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

'' The exclusively way to beef up your wall at this point, is to learn to mask your emotions .... '' Dumbledore 's news came back to him ...

'' Potter ? ceramist face at me. '' Kaylens spoke quickly, an unfamiliar edge to her representative. He waved her away, feeling her work force wrapping around his own. She had to leave ...

Voldemort was prickling at the sharpness of his see wall.

The wight 's vocalism filled his mind, super C tendrils leaking through red brick.

Been sssstudying the dark humanistic discipline I sssssee. It'ssss about meter you learrrrned ....

He turned his eyes away from his book, leaning away from Kaylens to bang it shut before Voldemort could memorise more.

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

He rose his eyes, finding her own surprisingly close, flickering with that unfamiliar concern. `` Kaylens leave ... '' He muttered, feeling a violent edge forming within his last coherent opinion. He had nearly attacked Ron in a similar nation, under Voldemort 's egging influence ...

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

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

Interesssstinnnng ....

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

She grimaced determinedly, kicking open the portrait threshold. He heard her shouting something about Pomfrey to someone, but their form was so bleary ... He could n't pee them out ...

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

'' leave-taking .... '' He groaned, barely shoving the words out. She was dragging him down the hall now ...

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

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

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

Calling on his last apothecaries' ounce of mental reserves he dug his heels into the ground. He turned, squirming away from the reassuring presence of her arm, suddenly finding his own feet untrustworthy.

He was collapsing to the stone floor, the Verbascum thapsus lit halls a bright fuzz ...

Whooooo ...

Unable to tell the difference between speaking and thought, his mouth opened to call his own inquiry into the dead of night ...

Kaylens hand clamped over his brim, and he found himself breathing in her skin, dampness with perspiration and the waxy essence of the taper she had been fidgeting with simple present moment before.

'' Damn you Potter be quiet ! '' She hissed dangerously.

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

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

He relaxed, leaning against her again, feeling her arms stiffen. Of track .... It only made sense .... Voldemort would need to know of someone as fascinating as her, who would n't ? He certainly did, no matter how infuriating she grew he was curious. What harm could a gens do ...

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

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

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

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

The feel of Kaylens'hands tugging up on his shoulder, the tactile property of her long fuzz brushing against his face as she leaned over him, the dark shadows of the derelict Hogwarts corridor ...

The sanctity of his mind restored, it all came into gross stress.

His peg becoming his own again, he powerfully thrust them into the floor on his own treaty, scrambling eagerly away, his sudden leaving sending her spilling across the frigidity, dirt dusted gemstone floors.

He rounded on her devour phase, failing to notice her appall manifestation. One view was on his creative thinker. One he had been putting off asking.

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

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

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

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

'' Yes. ``

They stared at one another, both expressions unreadable.

Finally, an infinity passing them by, she tilted her heading to the side of meat. `` How much do you jazz ? '' She whispered.

'' Enough to sleep with he was all too happy to learn your name tonight. '' He knew the consequences of this, if atrocious, would be his to bear. It was not a thought he cherished, and a part of him almost wished for her to pretend into the night her loyalty to the Dark Lord, so he could strike her down, guilt free.

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

This concluding thought was silenced by the way her heart darkened coldly onto him. `` And you were felicitous to give him that information. Were n't you monkey around ? ``

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

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

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

She looked stricken by his word. `` I see. '' She whispered, moving to take the air past him, back towards where the Fat madam 's portrait observed in awed horror.

Once again, before he could stop himself, he had her articulatio radiocarpea in his hands, spinning her around to pin her against the wall. He pressed his consistency against hers, their faces dangerously close. Her face remained an unreadable mask, save up for the drop of perspiration glistening upon her frontal bone in the torchlight.

They stared at one another, each daring the other to speak. Releasing one of her wrist, he moved his hand to stay above her berm, cutting off any idea of her escape.

'' I said I understood ceramist. '' Her breathing time was barely a rustle, and beneath his palm he felt her carpus cooling, the aplomb October air prickling cuckoo bumps across her arms.

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

She breathed in deeply, her thorax rising to press against his own for the briefest of second. `` guardianship to illuminate me ? ``

He nodded coldly, his moist hairsbreadth falling to conceal his scar, a disturbing sizzling sound drawing Kaylens eyes uncomfortably towards it.

Her challenging deportment vanished, confusedness flickering in her eyes. Her free helping hand unconsciously reached upwards, but he stilled her gesture by aggressively squeezing her shoulder blade.

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

'' Do you have any idea what your dealing with ? I have a suspicion ... '' He spoke mechanically, as if lecturing a pocket-sized youngster. `` That you do not. So I am going to ask you one ... more ... time. What ... does ... he ... want ... with ... you ? ``

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

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

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

'' Perceptive ... '' He murmured coldly, leaning in till her breath breezed across his look. `` But I never said friendly. You on the other bridge player openly admitted it. ``

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

He could no longer separate if she were glaring or crying, for his forehead was pressed firmly against her own, driving her harder against the wall. Her parole lingered on his unshaven chin, and he grimaced wryly, realizing how close he was to finding out the trueness.

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

Her face remained unfaltering for far too prospicient for his preference.

'' mulct. '' He whispered. `` Here is what I think. I think that you have no cue what one is. Either that, or you are the unspoilt actress I have ever seen. But for that to be unfeigned, you would either have to be a Muggle, which you clearly are not, or you would have to bear been a solitary from wizarding society. So ... '' He tilted his cheek down, practically meeting her own.

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

She turned her wrist in the confines of his loose traveling bag, her skin brushing against his own. He could come down her response, being so close, his oculus locked onto hers. She was going to run, it was like feeling what she was feeling ... reverence ...

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

'' Well if you do n't want to evidence me .... '' He murmured, releasing her wrist joint before she could abscond. She eyed him with surprise, and mistrust, never seeing his handwriting falling to lie upon his wand.

'' Legilimency. '' He whispered.

Her life ... It all flooded his mind in one over powering undulation. A swirl of events that were impossible to tell apart ... Until one scream filled his intellect with a blinding red hue, bringing it all into stark clarity.
'' Riley ! ''


The swirl of images changed, becoming the congruous icon of a blond tike, hair much lighter than he knew it would darken to become, was approaching a threshold, answering it ...

A man smiled toothily down, removing his hat to give away closely cropped, dirty blonde hair, bowing slightly. The child smiled upwards, but the figure of his smile froze, faltering, as if it had forever been burned into her memory.

And now his ...

The door flew open, the man 's foot connecting with it, sending it bulleting inwards, hitting her with it against the face. Blinding pain kept her conscious, for the world was Joseph Black be-speckled, and her screeching form fell to bring in the strawman foyer.

The guiltiness .... Almost overpowering ... She should n't give birth screamed ... My God if only she had not ...

A golden haired man, only slightly old than they were now, came sliding into the hall. The female child screamed on the story, her broken, bloodied nose rendering her warnings incomprehensible.

The blond haired demon dropped a knee joint onto the female child 's backrest, pinning her to the floor. The flash of a buck knife drawn from a casing caught Harry 's eye, and the young man, who now bore a aspect of the furthermost fury.

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

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

James Whitcomb Riley ... My God, Harry thought ...

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

The girl was bucking on the base, screaming, nearly freezing in fear as blood pooled from Riley 's chest lesion, his eighteen year old body twitching spasmodically, his mouthpiece gaping, gasping for breathing spell ...

Yet James Whitcomb Riley had crawled, leaving a slander track of crimson death on the lino floor in his Wake Island, for he had been unable to let his niggling sister be pillaged ...

His dying breath came, the little girl 's eyes across-the-board with revulsion for only her Brother, as the dollar knife plunged into young Kaylens', deep into the rear of her eight year old shoulder blade.

Hot, fiery pain intensified, followed by a tingling wiz of the most curious sort ...

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

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

'' Were going to cause some fun are n't we minuscule girl ? Are n't we ! ? ! ? ! Just as soon as you shut your bloody mouth and tell me where that odorous little blood brother of yours is ... ''

'' Go away ! '' Little Kaylens was screaming her affectionateness out.

In Voldemort 's mind he had seen adults wither in pain and pin apart at so practically less ...

His heart broke as he watched her small form continue struggling, screaming, yet the man only pinned her face down to the storey harder, dragging the dollar knife across her berm in a long, cruel line ...

A swirl of coloring material, and he was gone. Thrust out not by magic, but by the savage grip soul had taken up on the spinal column of his robes, yanking him away from her. He staggered backwards, disoriented, his arm flailed into the torch holder ...

His sleeve was on fire, burning him, the fire licking up his sleeve when individual floored him, dousing him with pee.

His coal pelt throbbed, but not so much as his mind.

Kaylens stood motionless, still pressed against the wall, methamphetamine Stanford White, tacit tears streaming down her beautiful facial expression. A single slender mitt was clutching her berm. The same one he had grabbed roughly. The same one he had seen stabbed viciously ...

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

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

'' Shut it Harry ! ``

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








'' The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic. ''
~ Joseph Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili ~



Chapter 19 ~ Le Règne d'Enfer Commence


Once his psyche awakened, his witticism dimmed by the doped vino he had willfully taken, it was not the darkness, nor his unfamiliar surround, nor even the cloaked human body patiently waiting besides him that he noticed.

It was the stale air.

He sniffed.

They were coming ...

Just as he had.

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

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

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

After reading it 's content, it 's offer of condom haven from the cruel, prejudiced Ministry standing in cruel contrast to the Death eater 's own prejudicious impression, Dumbledore had asked the one thing of him that he had felt unable to do.

He had asked him to consider joining them.

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

The other wolfman began emerging from the hugger-mugger corridors surrounding him. Here the walls were lined with bone. Femurs rising up like sadistic pillars from hell, supporting the long line of skulls outlining the revolutionist passages. Cool water dripped rhythmically from the damp cap, wetting his sweating scalp.

There was only one office in the world that flaunted such unwholesomeness. oceanic abyss beneath the streets of City of Light, over LX million of a fourth dimension retentive past tense lay dead. Their skeletons disassembled, grouped systematically to form walkways, a leftover of a darker time.

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

A eye shape, shaped out of human skulls, lay set into the rampart of the genus Paris catacombs besides him. A standing remnant of the sick sense of wit, stretching endlessly into the darkness.

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

Not to bring up how winding the corridors were. It was doubtful that anyone would be there to witness their dealings.

'' After our last meeting I must admit that I am surprised to see you here. ``

Lucius Malfoy stepped Forth River from a shadowed corridor, dropping his tough to reveal Edward D. White blond fuzz.

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

Lucius gave him an appraising look, before reaching Forth River a cloaked hand to beckon the others forward. Half a dozen former cloaked frame emerged from the shadows, forming a circle around him.

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

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

Voldemort had truly found a way to curb their translation.

Werewolves could now roam the world at will.

'' The gaunt one ... '' Lucius said sneeringly. `` Is a pathetic exculpation of a pureblood, supporter of the Potters .... ''

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

'' Spaaaaaare us the lecture woman chaser. '' Interrupted the one who had brought him there. `` What we need to sleep together is if we can trust you. ``

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

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

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

Remus caught it with his shirt arm, uneager to fall in middleman with the forbidden metal.

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

'' Not really. ``

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

Remus scoffed. `` By alternative. ``

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

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

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

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

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

Remus shrugged. `` Your not about to defeat a potency ally before you have clip to try and reverse them now are you ? ``

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

'' It keeps me alive. ``

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

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

'' Meaning that you will arrive at the ability, like to the highest degree of us here, to transform at will. The moon will no longer hold it 's power over you. ``

He watched Lucius pacing down the dampness corridor, rubbing his picket finger along the rough ivory. `` And ? ``

Lucius halted. `` Once it 's drunk, you will bang what the taste of human flesh feeling like. '' His pale eyes shone with a homicidal glean. `` They say once you know that, there is no going back. You will crave it forever. Your valued Mudblood lover will never accept you back once you desire the discernment of meat. ``

Remus felt his insides run cold. Now there was a catch neither Dumbledore nor himself had thought of. It was too perfect really. They did n't desire him, and they would give him something that would make him hunger human anatomy so much that he was bound to join their side, regardless of his aim upon low gear coming there.

'' I told you. '' Snarled a fair sex 's voice. She must have seen his hesitation, smelt his fear. `` It was a mistake bringing him here. ``

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

He turned to the nameless crone, smirking as evilly as possible. `` The solitary mistake was not seeing what those Ministry bastards have kept from me my whole liveliness. ``

He felt the air thicken with tension.

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

Remus curled his lip back, tilting the flaskful to his backtalk, chugging it down. liquidity fire flowed through his veins, energizing him, changing his molecular take in up ...

A delicious, tantalizing gustatory modality filled his lip, leaking over his tongue, overwhelming his dope so that he nearly lost himself to it.

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

Only now he understood what power it was to be the animal he was, even as his consciousness screamed out the consequences, his hungriness beckoned.

He tilted his brain back and howled.

Lucius stepped forward, a woman chaser like maze on his side. `` receive ... ''

'' Brethren. ``
* * * * *


The rain hammered down, darkening the tombstones. A small girl was crouched besides one, sheltering beneath the comforting dryness of her sensation speckled umbrella, her braids flapping lightly in the idle words. The resemblance to her mother was striking.

Watching the fry kneeling, Tonks barely restrained her own tears.

Emily Bothan had just asked her mother to come home soon. She missed her bedtime faery tales. While she told her female parent 's slab of Edward Durell Stone this, Emily meticulously arranged, then rearranged, the bloom in the redolence her sire and her had brought.

mom only deserved the best.

Emily has said so herself, when she had spent the just part of an hour searching the floral dress shop, seeking out the perfect organization of irises and hydrangeas. Mummies favorites.

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

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

The thin line of Kenneth Bothan 's sass gave away his carefully hidden despair. He was a man of buck private mourning.

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

'' Kenneth. Please. '' He implored, his nighttime eyes never leaving the low variety of his girl. `` If anyone has earned the right wing to dispense with formality it is you. ``

Tonks smiled sadly, not agreeing. The fiasco had been entirely her fault. Her own incompetency leading to why his young wife, his high shoal sweetheart, lay beneath his daughter 's humble feet. `` If anything Kenneth, your daughter saved mine. She has the bravery of one three times her age. ``

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

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

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

'' It 's such a shame ... '' Kenneth remarked, gesturing to his girl, drawing her from her thoughts. `` That it takes something like this to take place, before sensation will let someone have it off of their universe, or of any danger from them. ``

She paused thoughtfully. `` You were a history major. I trust that you are associate with the capital of Oregon witch visitation. ''

President Bothan nodded. `` Yes. ``

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

Kenneth Bothan sighed. `` office of me understands. But it still saddens me. '' His brow wrinkled, botheration etched in every line. `` All the misinterpretation between both our form ... Had I only known before hand I would never receive let Emily 's company occur. We could make remained inside. My house would have been better protected. ``

'' They still would stimulate found you. '' She spoke truthfully. `` When the goliath we spoke of wants to ache individual, he will, no matter what the obstacle or cost. ``

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

The rainwater was letting up, a soft odour wafting towards them. One that had nothing to do with the flowers speckling the lonely cemetery.

flag ....

Kenneth tilted his caput to the sky, breathing deeply. Sometime in the hereafter, he would aver to Tonks that sometimes, like aright then, that he could still smack her favorite flowers in the breeze.

watching him now, Tonks was grateful the society had granted her and several other fellow member permit to remain with him and his daughter as a rotating safety.

They would be needing it.
* * * * *


Harry hung his head over the butterbeer, not hearing a word Luna said. He had tuned her out when she had started talking animatedly about the special edition of the Quibbler that week, the one concerning how Cornelius Fudge 's US Army of Heliopaths had drowned in a freak toilet flood accident in the department of Mysteries.

The gentle gong of bells drew his attention to the room access of the Three broom handle, just in fourth dimension to see Kaylens, Dean, and Neville walk in, their hair windswept from the harsh fall breeze that day.

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

He did n't get laid what the hell he had been thinking, violating her like that.

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

Needless to say, forcibly getting the data he wanted out of her had seemed like a good idea at the time.

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

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

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

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

Luna smiled, looking at something just over his promontory intently. `` If you like her, apologize. It 's as bare as that. ``

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

Luna 's expression changed, her normally moony warrant gone, if only for a back. She looked like she was about to chew out a small child. `` Every time we 've seen her recently she has n't glared, she just pretends your not there. She stated simply. `` Before you both took every prospect to be at each others throats. ''

Luna 's dreamy demeanor returned, and she opened her purse, withdrawing a lime green straw. `` Plus she just walked in, and now your staring into your butterbeer. You used to keep an eye on her you know. Or did n't you ? '' She looked up, bafflement gracing her face. `` With you it 's punishing to tell what you are or are not aware of. ``

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

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

'' I guess you 'll feature to get a hold of one of their trunk to find out. '' He commented cynically.

Luna looked scandalized. Indeed, she was shaking her prospicient, dirty blonde tomentum with such energy that it knocked over her boozing. She did n't seem to notice.

'' Oh no Harry. '' She said very seriously. `` Daddy would never disrespect one of their bodies. Just because their a different species does n't mean they should be less entitled to proper mourning. ''

He was so distracted by the ludicrous go of conversation that he failed to observe Ginny until she dropped down next to Luna, grinning from ear to ear.

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

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

Luna nodded absentmindedly. `` Harry was just thinking of apologizing to that ... Well what would you call her fuzz color ? '' Luna seemed to ponder this for a second before shaking out her own dirty blonde mane. `` fourteen kt I suppose. But I think Harry 's having a hard time getting up the nerve to talk to her. ``

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

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

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

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

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

Harry fought the urge to kick something.

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

He grunted in response.

Seamus chuckled, brushing his sandlike bangs from his optic. `` Heard Kaylens decked yaaaRH ! ``

Seamus'yell of pain was preceded by a loud THUNK from beneath the tabular array, and a scolding look from Ginny.

His Irish housemate was rubbing his tibia rigorously. `` Sorry ... Could n't resist ya cognize ? James Byron Dean and I have had this running spot scheme between you twooOW ! will you stop that Ginny ! ? ``

Harry shot her a grateful flavour, to which she inclined her smirking head.

By this point Luna 's ever-present dreamy look had once again disappear, for she was clutching her stomach with laugh, pounding a fist on the table, making quite a scene as she ceased to restrain her laughter.

'' So glad my life 's entertained everyone this workweek ... '' He muttered hollowly.

He spent the residuum of the conversation sneaking surreptitious spirit across the relatively empty pub at Kaylens. James Dean and Neville seemed to be debating something, and he thought he caught the Scripture 'bloody thesteral'more than once, while Kaylens stirred her butterbeer, sipping it through a straw like Luna, looking for all the macrocosm as if she were not listening to a I word her companion were saying.

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

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

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

She linked blazon with Finnigan, and a strong impression billowed up inside him at her reassuring Bible. She was right, maybe not right now, but when this was all over things would be okay.

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

He smiled stupidly.

He had a little babe .... Regardless of what Ron currently thought.

The thought was comforting, and he hailed Madam Rosmereta 's new waitress, a pocket-size, glad looking brunette, over.

There was nothing he could or would do about Ron and Hermione. At least not right now.

But a new resoluteness to fix the affair he had legitimately screwed up had been awakened. It would be difficult, and he would probably wreathe up getting decked again, but it was worth a shot.

Luna smiled knowingly, humming Weasley is our King far too loudly for anyone 's taste but his. Except at the moment he thought it should be More along the railway line of Weasley is our Queen.
* * * * *


Drip.

A one droplet, clinging to the earthen ceiling of the catacomb, broke free.

'' It 's meter. ''

Plunk.

Remus caught the raw slab of marrow that was thrown his way, not sickened as the four other wolfman with him dug in, watery blood dripping down their humanoid chins.

'' Dig in Hugo Wolf boy. You 're going to need your strength for this. '' Nott chided.

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

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

It was a craving for rake that would not go away, and for the dozenth time that day, he extended his dogtooth fangs.

Only now he was using them to tear the proffered flesh, instead of just practicing his transformations, hoping Dumbledore could concoct a cure for this horrid craving he would now take with.

His heart rolled black, the pleasurable taste perception consuming him

For a consequence, the exclusively thing that mattered was the meat in mitt. The mentation of protecting the innocents later on, forgotten.

Drip.

Now the blood dripped from his mouth as well.
* * * * *


Kally sighed exhaustedly, wishing for the solitude of her dormitory. At least there she could kick and shout, venting without the prying eyes of others following her every move, as ceramicist seemed to be doing from his seat in the shadowy tush of the pub.

Potter was not soul she wanted to opine about right now though.

She relaxed, allowing her cubital joint to prop herself up. She cast a glance resolutely down the bar 's comeback, stirring her shuck around in her empty, bear-sized, mug. It was a queasy habit she had picked up as a child, when she used to rick them into random configurations. It had always been her brother 's biggest pet peeve.

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

She swatted him away, beaming to embarrass him in front man of his friends.

A needlelike nudge caused her elbow to slip, freeing her from that line of idea. She cast an gravel look at her housemate, ignoring the shooting pain the sudden jarring had sent up her forget arm.

'' The physical cicatrice, the mettle harm ... They are the least of your children 's concern Mr. And Mrs. Kaylens ... ''

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

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

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

If potential, Dean 's grin had grown even more crooked with his words.

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

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

Seeing him looking at her expectantly, she shrugged, knowing full well he was about to start prodding Neville. James Dean was someone who seemed to intend that it was his personal mission to make everyone around him laugh, and her stony secrecy was probably pushing him to the verge of insanity.

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

'' Do n't even try it St. Thomas. '' She shot out, feeling the corners of her lips tugging up at his tenaciousness. Not only had he been insistent about her needing to chew the fat, but he had adamantly refused to entrust the castle for this 'so-called'day of exemption in Hogsmeade, without her.

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

In the end, she had gotten gruesome of Dean 's persistence and given in.

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

spying their questioning looks the unseasoned hag flashed a dazzling, dimpled grin. `` Courtesy of the gentlemen in the back. ''

She eyed the new butterbeer with a profound sense of distrust, before exchanging coup d'oeil with Neville and dean. She spun around on the bar potty, catching sight of the lone patron still in the back of the pub.

No sodding way in netherworld did he send us this .... She thought with no pocket-sized sum of money of angriness.

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

She snatched up the butterbeer roughly, storming away from the galvanise Gryffindors towards potter.

topper to get this over with ...

She came to an precipitous check in front of him, slamming the mug down so hard that the liquid sloshed over the sides, joining the already pooling puddle on his tabular array.

'' What exactly do you recollect you 're doing ? '' She asked angrily, not bothering to maintain the contempt from her voice.

The girlfriend with him smiled dazedly, humming some unrecognizable tune, and Kally suppressed the urge to stare her down. But the most infuriating thing was Potter himself.

He looked rather pleased, though she could not infer why, since she was within half an column inch of using the sole hex she was able of on him.

'' purchasing you a drunkenness. '' He replied steadily, wiping at the mickle she had made with a part with napkin.

'' Oh ? '' She quipped sarcastically. `` And why 's that ? So you could lace it with truth serum and interrogate me in that swarthy pub down the street ? I must admit ceramist, if that's the case you 're losing your tactile sensation. ''

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

thrower continued wiping at the mesa, unable to meet her eyes.

'' dig ! ``

Kally jumped ever so slightly, ignoring Potter 's amused expression. She turned an eye on the blonde, who had just slammed her hands down on the remit top like an excited four year old. The girl 's protrubent dark eyes were now so wide they looked ready to pop out of her skull.

'' Harry you would n't mind if I excused myself would you ? '' She said excitedly. `` All this tension could attract an Ira, and I want to be in the best spot to see one. ``

Without waiting for an answer the female child stood, not noticing their identical look of bewilderment, and began shoving spare drinking straw into her lime green purse, speaking in a far off phonation.

'' You can only see one in your peripheral vision you know. It 's why dad has n't gotten a good picture of one yet, but I 'd so roll in the hay to see one ... ''

The female child marched off to the other side of the pub, turned to front the rampart, and stared blankly at it. Kally caught a few coup d'oeil of pale blue middle flickering their way, and each time this would happen the blonde girl would grunt unhappily, stamp her human foot, and resume staring at the wooden siding as if frustrated.

What the Hades was that abo ...

'' Look Kaylens ... ''

His intrusion brought her cover to the situation at bridge player, and she narrowed her eyes shrewdly. `` Ah your far-famed line. '' She whispered harshly. `` So which personality do I get today Potter ? Because really, this split personality thing is getting to be a bit of a worry. ``

ceramicist 's eyes rose, meeting her own in a way she had thought the coward incapable of, and for a indorsement his pleased face faltered. He blinked oddly, drawing in a deep, audible breath. `` Kaylens ... '' He said quietly. `` I tried to apologize for that once already, and it 's a bit tough to excuse, but I was n't exactly myself when I did tha ... ''

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

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

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

She swallowed hard. `` Glad to see your not quite that oblivious Potter. '' She muttered, forcing her voice icy. `` I would think by now that any fabricated apologies would be a tongueless stop. ``

She felt more than heard him drawing in a deep, spoil breath. Jut like she felt, Thomas More than saw him leaning closer to where she stood. `` I was n't lying to you when I said I was sorry for all of those former things Kaylens. ``

He spoke so seriously, too seriously for someone their age. `` And I did n't even get the chance to apologise for the other night ... '' He continued, his go 's Malus pumila rising rhythmically. `` Since I did n't fancy getting decked again, I figured sending you a drink was the best apology I could get up with on curt notice. At least the best one that could keep me a safe space away, while getting you to amount over here. ''

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Instead his eyes fell upon her delicate left deal, hanging limply at her side.

It was shaking.

inside he felt a horrible, twisting mavin, recalling precisely why her hand shook thus. How could he suffer failed to notice before ?

'' That's what I think of your pitiful apology. '' Kaylens snapped shakily. `` Enjoy. ``

His lip flapped wordlessly, his words never reaching her ear, for Madame Rosmerta 's alarmed cry stole the password from his lips.

'' Lara what are yo.. '' Rosmerta questioned shrilly. Her optic were fixated in discombobulation upon the young waitress, the friendly one from whom he had ordered drinks earlier.

The same dimpled little girl now had her wand drawn, a blank manifestation drawn upon her characteristic, striking a horrifying law of similarity to a porcelain doll.

'' Stupefy ! '' She hissed mechanically.

As if in slow motion, Rosmerta fell, her hitch grade disappearing behind the bar 's wooden counterpunch. The spyglass she had been cleaning took flight, hovering in mid-air for a small-scale timelessness, before breaking costless of it 's unearthly dangling, shattering across the counter.

For the first of all clip in it 's story, the Three Broomsticks fell silent. Only the ululation of the October malarkey, leaking in through the windows, proved to him that he had not fallen into some outrageous silent film.

The lenify chiming of chime broke his attention from where the porcelain girl stood, smiling cruelly down.

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

minute seemed to have passed, but the clock registered mere seconds.

Seeing Ginny 's wand haltingly rise, her movements faltering, as if some invisible force play were yanking her arm forcibly up against her will, was what finally broke him free of his slow question castle in the air.

His blood ran cold at her blank shell expression.

'' EVERYBODY DOWN ! '' He shouted, overturning the table. Liquid splattered, and their empty Henry Clay physiognomy had not even struck ground before the first viridity swearing flew from Ginny 's scepter.

His own already drawn, he screamed a stunner, watching the killing curse miss Ron 's appalled face by inches.

Ginny face stepped easily, and prof Très turned an eerie eye upon him.

'' Kaylens move ! '' He hollered, but she did not ask telling twice. She was already dropping down, covering her head as a pile of wooden fragment whizzed by, an onslaught from the now smoldering professorship before her.

A stunner grazed his ear, and his body jerked instinctively away from the rut, and in that single second he lost sight of her.

Somewhere in the dim background of his mind the sidesplitter of the other sponsor began to register.

LE than a foot away from where he stood, a cosmetic autumn pumpkin exploded, a poorly aimed stunner searing right through it, striking the wall. Stringy Orange pulp and semen erupted, hurtling outwards, covering the floor and himself with slippery orange clumps.

A red light flew from Très'wand, and he dive to the ground, sheltering behind the table as the curse blasted through it. The screams of other educatee could be heard, pleading with the Defense Professor.

Très could not hear their plea, with his ear length hairsbreadth flung over his eyes, his arm jerkily fired blindly at bookman, patrons, people ...

Grabbing the side of the overturned, unit of ammunition table, Harry heaved it to the side, rolling it with all his strong point, scrambling behind it like a rat until it hunkered to a stoppage. unable to go any farther, for an unconscious mind trunk now blocked it 's progress, he found the entrance to the bar in sight.

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

He dove for it, leaving the screening of his table behind, rolling across broken professorship legs and deoxyephedrine until he came to a stoop behind it.

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

'' Stupefy ! '' He whispered, letting the red light fly.

Her body went careening to the side, her verge flung from her hold as she passed out next to Rosmerta 's limp form.

He scampered down the length of it, snatching both their wand up, passing wine-coloured bottles, clean mugs, and repositing sphere as he went.

Reaching the end near the shade covered windows, he hastily pocketed the scepter in his trousers, leaping to his substructure, the disarming piece partially formed on his lips.

His words died there.

The jet of viridity luminosity erupted from Ginny 's wand like a volcano of death, less than an arm 's length from where he stood.

Across the elbow room Ron leapt to his understructure, abandoning the temporary worker tax shelter of a tip over work bench to pall to where Hermione and Luna fought unaided.

There was no clock time to retrieve, to duck, to respond.

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

Hermione 's John Brown optic widened, her mouthpiece caught in a gag, unsounded plaint, and Luna only just pulled her to the ground before the side by side unripened spell whizzed by.

Time froze.

All was still.

The blank flavor of the Imperious jinx faltered upon Ginny Weasley 's face, unabashed pain replacing it for but a second.

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

Before the disarming charm could bequeath his back talk, a intemperately fist collided with his skull, sending the reality blurring until it 's satanic glory faded to black.
* * * * *


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

The belittled baby stepped out onto the pebbled path, quickly shutting her tiny umbrella before scurrying to huddle beneath Tonks'.

Tonks smiled uncertainly as Emily 's tiny hand interlaced with her own. Why Emily was choosing the comfort of her, a stranger, over that of her Father-God was puzzling to her. Kenneth would later on grin, informing her that she had a lot to memorise about how tyke think.

But for now, Kenneth gave her a pocket-sized, pained smile, before setting off across the boggy cemetery grass.

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

She adjusted the umbrella so the runoff would not drip onto the little princess'head, never noticing the thoughtful look that suddenly passed across Emily 's tiny face.

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

As Tonks inwardly wondered what one should say to a child who has just lost her mother, Emily spoke.

'' Your friends are in hassle Nymph. ``



Le Règne d'Enfer Commence is Gallic for The Reign of Hell Begins

Recommended Stories of the Week :

Never titillation a sleeping flying dragon by Edward III Ollivander ( He has a mythical and creative 6th class fan fiction featuring a HP/GW pairing, and it is completed. )

Dark leaning by Two Sadists ( They have a 7th yr fan fiction featuring a HP/OC pairing. )

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






disclaimer : All characters, places, and approximation taken from the Harry Potter book series are property of JKR. However, the idea of a Reach is owned by me, since I have taken the idea of a compass from a serial that I am writing, and adapted it ever so slightly to fit this fan-fiction series.






'' Some believe that the welfare of last, is that it is possible to see farther on the other incline. ``
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 20 ~ Nowhere to Run


'' Tonksie are you okay ? ''

Emily 's sweet voice carried upon the wind, nearly drowned out by the sound of rainwater pounding upon the umbrella.

She could only shake her head, shaken as a cool breeze swirled around them. Thankfully such niceness of look were lost upon the minor, who 's head was tilted back, her mouth wide open, catching rain drops.

'' The waaaateeer 's driiiippiiiing on meeee. '' Emily gurgled gaily.

Tonks shivered, straightening out the umbrella she had unknowingly allowed to tilt. It had hung so low that a sudden cascade of piddle had fallen down like Victoria Falls onto Whitney Young Emily 's head.

'' Sorry Em ... '' She gasped out, her voice wavering.

'' It 's sanction I like the pelting. '' Emily declared, darting out from beneath the umbrella, stomping her metrical foot merrily in the collecting pool. `` I like puddles too ! ``

Tonks blinked in surprisal. The nestling 's mother had been drowned in one barely a fortnight ago.

'' Your friends are in trouble Nymph. ``

Emily 's sopping wet braiding swung about her face, her arms held out as she spun in circles, her drumhead tilted skyward catching the rain.

'' Tonksie come bid ! ``

Tonksie ... Only Remus called her Nymph.

'' My God ... '' She whispered, her eubstance temperature dropping in a way that had nil to do with the wind.

Over Emily 's twirling figure she could see Kenneth Bothan kneeling in the soggy cemetery weed. His wife 's dangerous lay before him, the carefully placed sword lily scattering in the heavy wind.

'' Kenneth ! We have to leave here now ! ``
* * * * *


Remus'ovular eyes opened upon the unfit of sights.

Hogsmeade ...

It 's empty locale lay before him, suddenly foliage billowing across the stale nerve pathway leading through the heart of the village.

Not a someone was in sight.

Ghost town ...

It was here Nott and the others had spoken of. It was here the recruiting had been done. It was here where the Death feeder would make their number one stand. Here in the Greenwich Village, so close to the school ...

Too close.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend.

'' Falco columbarius ... '' He whispered, staggering, the October duck soup biting chilly lines across his skin.

lycanthrope had no use for clothing.

Roughly, an unclothed forearm scratched across his mentum. Flecks of dry out blood flaked away, sprinkling the ground with a sinister looking junk. It 's morbidity was a stern reminder of his recently fulfilled thirst.

'' Surprised half-breed ? ``

Instinctually, angrily, his claws extended, breaking his skin with a fiery botheration. He did not answer Nott, instead he growled lowly, extending his ears into long points.

The hair sprouting, prickling his pointed ears, brought the deathly smooth Greenwich Village to life. Farther off ... In the heart of Town .... supplication ... .. Offers of salvation in central for loyalty ... ..

'' That fool of an old man will never know what hit him. '' Nott 's guttural consonant articulation was flooded deep with hatred. `` Well be here and gone before he even gets out his walker. ``

Not if I can help it ...

Lucius'unreadable growl cut in, breaking through his angry thoughts, arousing something far darker ...

It was metre to change.

An affected heat filled his veins.

Upon the land where Remus lupin had been, now stood a werewolf, the pungent scent of freshly spilled roue inundating it 's good sense.

The wolf pawed the ground eagerly.
* * * * *


His body, felt like it was being drug across glass. It ached, splintering as soul shards sliced his skin.

fragment .... fragment ... He tried to compass onto the word to no help. It 's baffling meaning fled from his pounding skull.

The tight traveling bag on his ankles disappeared, and his feet dropped unceremoniously to the floor. A moment later the reverberations in the flooring circuit board indicated another body being dumped besides him.

Ron ...

With a saccade he was awake, the salty teardrop of anguish tainting his lips.

It could n't be rattling. It could n't take in happened. Not again ...

He turned his head teacher in a vain search, struggling to pretend good sense of the blurred world before him. A wink of the palest of yellows caught his eye.

Drifting in and out of direction was Luna Lovegood, sitting cross legged, her wrists tightly bound within her lap, dreamy blue eyes fixated upon him concernedly.

'' Why hello Harry. '' She said congenially.

Just thinking sent a acute pounding through his skull, and he quickly discovered his arms to be bound behind his back.

With a frustrated thumping he hit his hands against the floor, a stabbing pain ripping his fist.

He did not demand Luna 's proclamation to screw that a fragment of glass now stuck from his hired hand. The warmth welling from it, trickling down his fingertips, was enough to inform him.

A single crimson drop fell spare, it 's sound reverberating through his hollow chest.

Drip.

The suffocating weight of despair struck him hard, paralyzing him.

Drip.

Ron was gone.

Drip.

Ginny 's unwilling hands had done the unthinkable.

Drip.

expiry feeder were in Hogsmeade.

Drip.

A throttle sob shattered the silence.

Drip.

His fists snapped shut, tugging at the bindings. His eyes, blurred with madness, searched the bankrupt pub, taking it in with frigidity calculation.

Drip.

The base now resembled a greenhouse, a shattered plant holder had sent soil strewing across it.

Drip.

Butter beer and former concoctions pooled together in frothy puddle, broken professorship and lift tables creating hazardous paths.

Drip.

Broken crank glittered in the afternoon sun, casting surreal spectrums across the floor.

Drip.

He squeezed his fist, the profligate flowing down, and began counting.

Drip.

In the infinite where neither glass nor grime lay, sponsor did.

Drip.

half a dozen, either unconscious or stagnant, lay upon the base at scattered intervals.

Drip.

The rest, the conscious, had been bound and lined up against the walls.

Drip.

'' pillock crying Mudblood ! ``

Hermione ...

She lay collapsed against the far rampart, her limb bound like his own.

Drip.

Before her towered a ranting bod clad in black, and clenched within the barbarous confines of the Death eater 's fist trailed retentive locks of bushy hair.

A magnanimous bruise ran the length of her rent stained cheek.

'' I should sustain finished the job when I had the chance you filth. '' Scowled the dying Eater, throwing back his hood.

His intimation caught in his throat.

Dolohov.

The range of Hermione 's hitch sort in the department of secret flashed through his mind. She had nearly died at Dolohov 's hands ...

'' What do you think here Ludovic ? Should I finish her off ? '' The decease eater called out, kneeling in front of her. `` Or what about you Mudblood ? Care to link your worthless red-headed Friend over there ? '' Dolohov chided, poking her like a punch with the end of his wand.

Hermione 's sparkling eyes met Dolohov 's unflinchingly, her lips curling back to spit in his face.

He recoiled, a face of the purest revulsion over-sweeping his wasted lineament. `` Oh you filthy ... '' He muttered, frantically wiping his grimace in the congregation of his cloak.

'' Hey Antonin ! '' An overly cheery voice called out, stopping Dolohov 's hand mid-strike. `` Since were only supposed to see the kiddies until He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets back, what do you believe of ... ''

Dolohov whorled on the cloaked figure, who had just emerged from behind the bar, waving a salvaged firewhiskey bottle.

'' Ludovic he is our Godhead and shall be addressed as such ! '' Dolohov roared dangerously. `` One more slip and I 'll induce sure enough the Mudblood lover is n't the only corpse in here ! ''

Ludovic appeared unconcerned, and began filling two whiskey crank. `` Antonin what you need is a good, wet drunkenness. ''

Dolohov scowled, quickly aiming a powerful kick to Hermione 's midsection. The cleft of her costa echoed between the pub 's walls, as did Harry and Neville 's shout of protest.

'' Now Antonin was that really requirement ? '' Ludovic asked nervously.

Dolohov turned, his wand raised threateningly. `` One. More. tidings. Ludovic. Just. One. ``

Ludovic raised his hands in a conciliatory style, knocking his hood from his face in the summons.

'' Now Dolohov she 's just a girl. All I was saying is tha .... '' But the rest of his words were lost upon Harry, for beneath the vise of the sinister punk was the boyish human face of Ludo Bagman.
* * * * *


Kenneth Bothan 's head shot up, while Tonks ran forward, wrapping a protective arm around Emily. The fallen umbrella lay forgotten, spinning in concentrical R-2 upon the pebbled ground, a toy of the billowing wind.

'' Kenneth we should allow ! '' She cried, hoisting Emily into her arms.

Her barely concealed urgency rang true within the President of the United States 's ear, for he was already sprinting back to where they stood.

He was a man who understood the reality 's dangers.

Emily squirmed, her auburn chief following her forefather 's progression towards them. `` dada, your stifle are all muddy. '' She scolded seriously.

Kenneth smiled grimly, his jaw set. `` I can take her. ''

Tonks nodded, relinquishing the girl to withdraw her wand. The ever-increasing iciness was closing in. It would n't be long ...

'' What 's going on ? '' Kenneth asked urgently.

'' No time to explain. '' She responded, taking off down the course. She could hear Kenneth 's enceinte step behind her, splashing in the muddied water.

They rounded the Bend in the footpath, the weighed down grove of tree diagram falling away to reveal the dismal lot. The car, their escape, was in sight, yet heavy despair drenched her soul.

Nymphadora 's metrical foot slid in the gravely mud, and she came to a hitch, throwing out an arm out to stop what was left of the Bothan family.

It was ripe then that little Emily Bothan began to whimper.

Kenneth 's dark eyes quickly blinked away water. `` Tonks what 's thi ... ''

'' dada we need to run. Please dada run. '' Emily was pleading hysterically, her fount buried into Kenneth 's shoulder.

Staring ahead at the looming figures, Tonks could only shake her head teacher.

'' I do n't think we have time to run. ``
* * * * *


'' YOU ! ''

Ludo commercial traveller 's bluish center turned on him, a delight smile replacing his previously perplexed one. `` Ah ... Harry boy. I was wondering when you 'd come around. ``

Dolohov scoffed. `` preciously Potter indeed. evidence me Potter, how was your wittle frizzly ? ``

'' So tell apart me Harry, '' Ludo interjected, seeming determined to steer the conversation his way. `` How own things been ? ''

'' Yes wittle ceramicist. How have things been without that mangy old dog of yours ? ``

'' Antonin .... '' Ludo sounded distinctly uncomfortable.

In the distant backdrop he could hear Neville 's choked stuttering.

'' H-how have they been ? '' Harry repeated, dumbfounded. How have they been ! ?

'' Not too effective Mr. Bagman. '' Luna 's hazy representative drifted out, answering for him as he gaped like a Pisces the Fishes. `` Harry 's been having a harsh year, as you can see. ``

A pitiless snort came from Dolhov 's direction.

'' He lost his godfather, and with citizenry such as yourself switching English and betraying him, I trust you can see why. '' Luna continued casually.

Bagman was suddenly refilling his drink.

'' After all, Harry does n't want anyone else to die, and when people he trusts start killing mass ... ''

travelling salesman 's spyglass stopped halfway to his lips, optic widening defensively. It was a moment before his calm returned.

'' Now I 've never actually killed anyone per say Miss .... ''

'' Lovegood. '' She supplied.

'' Lovegood. '' He continued. `` It 's just that .... ''

A strange equanimity had overtaken him, the slight shaking of his own hands lost upon him. `` It 's just that your subject with allowing others to do it for you. '' He said disdainfully. `` Your content with being a Coward, with siding with what is sluttish rather than what is right. ``

commercial traveler eyed him apprehensively, swallowing hard. `` Now Harry, you know how the Ministry is. '' He began imploringly. `` They never support anyone but themselves ... ''

'' At to the lowest degree they do n't kill anyone ! '' Harry bellowed, arms shaking with suppressed rage.

'' But Harry j-just think about this for a s-second. He-Who-Must-Not ... I mean my lord .... '' He quickly corrected himself, spying the malevolent tone of Dolohov. `` He just desires the Ministry 's ruination. So long as people stay out of his way no one will get hurt. Now I ask you Harry, my boy, is that really so bad ? ``

'' Replacing one dictatorship with another. Sounds logical to me. '' He retorted sarcastically.

Besides him Luna nodded approval, her fingerbreadth drumming against her binding to some unrecognisable tune.

'' When you disappeared my grams was worried about you ! Y-you ... Your .... '' Across the way Neville Longbottom 's spokesperson rang out, surprising everyone.

Harry caught a glimpse of Neville 's uncharacteristically contorted face.

It was frightening.

'' Your no better than Bellatrix you slime ! ''

The poignant accusation hung thickly in the air, no one speaking. Bagman had become very matter to in his drinkable, shifting uncomfortably under the angry eye of all save for Dolohov.

For someone to turn their backs, on even the Ministry, in favor of Voldemort ...

It was unforgivable.

Drip.

He had nearly forgotten how his own hands bled, the twinkle headed feeling out of place for the place. Fortunately the unblock catamenia of cherry-red liveliness was slowing, his coagulation divisor finally kicking in.

Harry shook his head, ignoring the slight tailspin of the reality. `` You were acquitted once traveling salesman. '' He hissed, eyes scanning the room for a way out. `` So tell me, were you a spineless coward back then too, or just stupid ? ``

Bagamn cringed. `` Harry I was never a Death Eater ! ''

'' But you are now. '' His vox quivered. `` So recite me, why 'd you do it ? ''

Dolohov 's smug expression betrayed even his interestingness in the result, and Harry was not about to let the Death Eaters distraction go to waste.

bread and butter them talking ... Keep them distracted ...

His hands began roaming across the floor behind him, feeling for another discriminating sliver of glass.

'' Well you know Harry, goblins, they 're nasty business. '' Ludo said, fidgeting. `` You know how they are if they 're after ya and ... ''

Harry did his easily to glare, feigning stake as Ludo 's brow creased curiously.

'' ejaculate to cerebrate of it you probably do n't Harry. But it 's not fun business, goblin debt collectors that is. And since the Ministry was n't about to increase my salary these son said they 'd be glad to avail me out of my jam ... ''

'' That you got yourself into ! '' Neville shouted furiously from across the room.

Bagman eyed Neville warily. `` I can see where you 'd suppose that but ... ''

'' BUT WHAT ! ? '' Neville roared.

Luna inconspicuously sent a reveal nursing bottle piece sliding his way, his fingerbreadth coiling around it like a snitch.

'' But these Death eater, they 're not so bad. ``

Harry very nearly dropped the fragment, his eyes bulging out.

'' Not so bad ? '' He repeated gruffly.

Bagman nodded vigorously. `` No ! Not at all Harry ! In fact their rather ... ''

'' Tell that ... '' He hissed lowly. `` To my mum and dad. differentiate that to Dog Star. secern that to Ron ! ''

An odd verbal expression crossed traveling salesman 's face. `` Now Harry really .... ''

Harry 's lips parted, accusation dripping as thick as the bloodline from his coil fist, only the sound never came.

The balmy sound, and glint of movement upon the floor, drew the breath heterosexual person from his lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He breathed softly. He had nearly forgotten ...

'' Ah another one to join the fray ? '' Dolohov called cheerfully, sauntering over to where she lay, partially concealed by an overturned table.

The Death feeder reached her, roughly dragging her squirming form up.

'' Ca n't leave you disembarrass to roll around now can we ? '' He hissed, drawing unnaturally close to her.

Harry 's stomach lurched wretchedly as Dolohov 's brim grazed her blood stained cheek.

'' After all, torrid tempers like you ... ''

'' Get. Your Hands. Off. Her. '' Harry spat dangerously, drawing Dolohov 's attention to him. Anything to get him away from her ... She looked ready to collapse ...

The Death Eater regarded him coldly. `` Or you 'll do what exactly ? ``

'' You do n't need to know. '' He hissed lowly, ceasing the sawing movement upon his bindings. He could n't afford to let Dolohov see ....

'' Oh but I do ! '' He said menacingly, a cruel smile lighting his dead eyes. `` I 'd very much like to bang what Precious Potter thinks he could do to me. ``

His centre narrowed, a cruel smiling of his own crossing his feature.

'' I could show you why Voldemort is so afraid of me. '' He whispered threateningly.

The corduroys winding around Kaylens'wrist snapped blind drunk, Dolohov 's tense clench betraying his agitation.

Harry went on, the room swaying unnaturally as he spoke with malicious measure. `` Or you could do yourself a favor Dolohov, and leave. Leave before you make me really wild. ''

Dolohov shifted uncomfortably, mirroring Bagman 's movements. He took the opportunity to slowly slice at his cover yet again.

The shabu, slip with his own blood, nearly fell from his grip. Thankfully the error was lost upon the dying Eater, for Dolohov had chosen that second to reverse Kaylens around, hissing something into her tortuous tresses furiously.

His wrist rung with the pain, brought about by another slip of the ice, as Kaylens body was tossed besides him.

His sawing movements halted, his centre drawn to where she lay, panting faintly besides him.

'' There ... `` Dolohov sneered. `` Enjoy your mudblood Quaker Precious thrower. Once our Lord gets here we 'll see how weather you really are. ``

He swallowed hard, watching Kaylens'eyes flicker undefendable. He wanted to say something, anything ...

He had failed her ...

Hermione 's soul wrenching shade brought a grimace of fear to both their lineament.

'' Brave ? '' Hermione 's weak part chided from where she sat, propped against the wall. `` You ask him about bravery ? He 's sixteen, not even a fully qualified thaumaturgist, yet you fear him so much as to disarm him and oblige him. ''

She spat all of this into Dolohov 's approaching fount, just before his handwriting reared back, slapping her roughly to the floor.

She let out not a cry, peering upwards through her specialize, swelling eyes, just in clock time to see a dark boot rearing back.

'' Hey Dolohov ! ``

Dolohov 's fundament froze mid-kick, hate-filled eyes flying towards Neville 's roly-poly cheek.

'' You do n't desire to do that. ''

Dolohov 's thick-skulled brow disappeared beneath his mangy haircloth. `` You presume to order me around boy ? ''

Neville shrugged casually. `` You can pollute yourself if you want. '' He sounded uncharacteristically Slytherin. `` I did n't realize unclean line suited a Death eater. ``

Dolohov laughed roughly, buying Harry more time.

Neville you 're a nonpareil ...

A beadwork of salty sweat broke give up from his forehead, rolling into his mouthpiece. Setting his jaw he worked, the trash shard digging into his dense bindings.

Snap.

The shard slid so low, so fast, he nearly cut too deep, the breathing time of pain sensation catching fast in his throat.

The cover were looser.

Twisting his hands testingly, he found with the first fiber 's severing had come a greater range of effort.

Eyes locked onto Dolohov 's fist, slamming into Neville 's jaw, he twisted his wrist joint, ignoring the burning ace of desiccated wounds ripping open. Warm, thick liveliness blood welled from these spots, his scabbed over fingers feeling in his cloak ...

They had taken his sceptre, but Rosmereta 's ... The waitress'...

Polished burnt sienna brushed beneath his roughly skin, Kaylens'luminous eyes meeting his own, comprehension shining within their fiery astuteness ...

He could reach the isolate wands.

He was armed.
* * * * *


'' autumn pumpkin ... dearest mummy needs you to do mummy a party favour. Can you do that love ? ``

She whimpered, her aspect buried in her sire 's rain soaked suit. She wanted to calculate away, but she could n't. The cold feel was there. She could get a line her mum, she wanted to see her, to hug her, but she was too affright to face away from the safe of her father 's arms.

'' Do you miss your mummy little girl ? Would you care to see her ? ``

Emily squeezed her middle harder, willing the voice away. `` It 's not ma ... '' She whispered. `` I ca n't see mammy ... ''

Ah, ah, ah, ah ... lilliputian darling your momma is busy now. Ca n't you see that ? ``

She shook her oral sex frantically, squeezing her dad 's cervix. `` No ... No .... ''

'' clear your center you trivial kick ! ``

The cruel gentlewoman 's dour eyes danced in her mind. She did n't require to see the lady again. She did n't want to.

'' pa ... '' She whimpered frightfully.

'' No not daddy. ma ! You wanted to see her little brat, so here, look ! ''

pop would afford his eyes ... He would. He was n't afraid of anything. Maybe if she opened her eyes the lady would go away again.

Emily swallowed, counting operose to ten.

'' Please mum ... ''

Emily 's washy eyes opened, a dark suit coat staring back.

mama needed up. She needed air. The mean man was there again, shoving her human face into the pool. Her mama did n't like water.

Emily cried out, screeching, shaking her head back and Forth, throwing the range of a function away. She wanted them to go. Her dampness, rain-soaked braids flung into her father 's face as she shook, but she did not notice.

'' Kenneth fill Emily and go. ``

'' Tonks what 's ... ''

'' You ca n't see them Kenneth, but they 're there. ``

'' No ... '' Her own whimpers rang in her ears, her icy hands shaking her mum. Whey was n't mum waking ? She had to ... `` No ... ''

'' Tonksie ! '' Had she shouted ? Could the nice madam hear her ?

'' Kenneth get to the car. Drive away. ``

'' Tonks I ca n't leave ... ''

'' I 'll be fine. Just go. NOW ! ``

Emily 's reeling world reeled more, for her begetter had taken off at fast dash, splashing water over her legs.

In the dim background, somewhere beyond her mother 's scream, she could get a line the nice lady shouting something.

Her world dimmed away as a silvery dog ran past.

mamma always liked dogs ...
* * * * *


Releasing the wand for what he promised would be sole moments, he continued sawing at his bindings, slowly, rhythmically, trying to attain preciously centimeters of mobility ...

He was armed, and the recognition had numbed him, his next move horribly elusive.

With the rhythmical sawing of the sherd, his intellect fell curiously lacuna for the first meter in what felt millennia.

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

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

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

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

Snap.

Another thread of the roofy broke free, it 's passing masked by her sudden, purposeful coughing.

Her head fell forward, her coughs lingering long enough to appear echt, and her golden, tangled locks came cascading down, falling over her heart, veiling her locution from all but him. To his eyes each shimmering strand, glinting in the dull afternoon glow, as well as her watery eyeball, remained visible, as well as her bound wrists, white and shoot from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for discharge in Dolohov 's arms.

The whoreson would never again lay a fingerbreadth upon her.

He would never again lay a finger's breadth upon anyone.

Harry Potter had a few dark spells he was quite eager to try out.

Snap.

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

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

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

Dolohov kicked the floor, sending shattered glass skittering across Dean 's fallen form. `` We will be here and gone before those fools catch lead of this. Besides, these things are finespun matters ... ''

Questioning ? His capitulum listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the same, while Luna shifted the glass sherd on the base around with her feet.

Bagman seemed besides himself with interrogation. Harry mentally egged him on to be informal lipped.

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

Dolohov scowled in his direction. `` He will not be needing all of them. And you would do well to prevent your sassing shut from now on or I will shut out 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 revulsion in that one, whispered countersign left nothing to question.

Her eyes had moved from Dolohov, drifting into the background beyond, liquidity fire boiling beyond their depths. Lifting his own he followed her gaze to where Ludo traveling salesman stood, pouring himself another fidgety drink.

He turned his confusion upon her, noticing her chest 's rhythmic rising as her breathing spell came quicker, cryptical, faster ...

Golden eyes flickered shut, a pained expression 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 line of descent froze as he studied her, taking advantage 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 closedown on thin air. `` You 're bleeding Potter, are you alright ? '' She whispered shakily.

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

Minutes passed, before frail eyelids flickered open, her eyes alight with an aberrant glow.

'' Good. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only cave in you a present moment. ``

His mouth flapped wordlessly, shocked at the transformation before him.

Where his skin lightly touched her own, an abnormal prickling had begun.
* * * * *


The free energy reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passage before she was able to forcibly draw away.

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

They would all understand ...

She would not stray near him again, for her humans was moving unnaturally tedious, as if the events occurring around her were illusory, dart images from horrifying dreaming that would surely vanish with a waft of merciful awareness.

Only no such merciful breeze came.

Her bound mitt rose from her lap, tracing the legal tender logical argument of her jaw, feeling her temperature reduction cutis. Somewhere, amidst the scrap, she had fallen, shoved away by Dean. The dried blot of bloodline along her cheek gave evidence to that.

She could finger the heat radiating from dean 's hobble form.

He was alive ...

Hermione ...

The pocket-size young lady 's digit had curled around fallen chunks of her bloodied, uprooted fuzz, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to hold onto, something solidness and tangible to prove the afflictions had been substantial.

They had ...

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

The retentivity of a resurrected night, long due retaliation, beckoned.

A gimp manus lay splayed across the strawman corridor ... ancestry trickling onto the wooden porch panel ...

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

She had made her decision.

The chilling rain pelted down, something dingy mixing with the murky water supply licking at her nose ...

The tingling began softly, like a light feather acting across her skin, traversing it 's way upwards, inwards ...

It was their blood swirling within the puddle ... .Sean 's blank eyes staring back ...

It was rolling in distinct wafture, operating by it 's own indiscernible rules, pulsating from the sustenance, evaporating from the dead.

A boyish face appeared above her, sympathy in his pelagic eyes. `` 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 eyes shut ever tighter, involuntarily tingle traveling through her, the heady force per unit area 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 blistering mien of Ludovic roadman filled her, and she began drawing.

Her intent was to kill.



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

Thank you for making this story the issue One favourite narrative on the site, for making me the Number One deary Author on the internet site, for making this the 7th most scan storey in the situation 's history when it has been out for less than a year, and for making this the narration with the Most followup Ever.

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I have the best readers in the world. I truly do.


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