'' The unwritten law of triage is knowing when zippo else can be done, and actually accepting that. ''
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 24 ~ The Black pond


Dublin, Ireland. population in excess of 450,000 Muggles, 1,240 witches and virtuoso, and 451,240 inexperienced person.

Since mediaeval clock time the venue had served as the Das Kapital of the free standing commonwealth. The Shirley Temple Pool, or so the Briticism had stated. Now the expanse of ground it rested upon stood as one of the most inhabit air pocket of isolation upon the world.

An island.

5.8 million Muggles in the Republic of Eire alone, another 1.7 million in Northern Ireland, and upon the total United Kingdom solid ground mass, 4,694 organism of magical descent.

The island contained the largest percent of magical organism per capita of any place on earth.

It could soon contain the grim.

At the mouth of the River Liffey, the bustling inkiness pool of commerce lay in waiting, as did a cleaning woman clad in the disgusting bench vise of Muggle wearing apparel.

The rainwater had let up considerably in comparison to the early morning pelting, yet the harsh drizzle did cypher to mar the once striking beauty as she stood alone upon the Lucan bridge, dark hair flowing in the wind like a canvass born of the Renascence.

In trueness, had one possessing the skill sat to memorialise her countenance, it would give born striking similarity to a house painting that had once pay heed C earlier upon the inlaid walls of Sarsfield palace.

The only dissimilarity between the canvas lay in the instant contingent of the subject field'hands, her pale, elegant digit gently uncorking a clear vial, tilting it 's contents over the ancient brick viaduct until they churned upon the wind disturbed water system below.

As the woman disappeared, seemingly without a trace to the centre of Muggle passersby, the beginning of the curse began filtering into the water system of downtown Irish capital.

The Black Pool would soon reawaken a Black pestis.
* * * * *


Love.

Because of it city have been erected, and fallen. house have been made, and broken. mere individual have been resurrected, and forgotten.

It holds the capableness of silencing the strong, immortalizing the weak, dashing the dearest of pipe dream and destroying the darkest of fears. It 's gauze-like power is unfathomable, and it is due to this overpowering emotion that the human being spirit is adequate to of being broken.

For one raven haired man, the atmospheric pressure born of hate and preserved by his dear was upon him as it had never before been. The dummy, deadened heart of Seamus Finnigan haunting him even as he breathed in the reassuring bearing of the Thomas Young girl clutched in his arms, his face turned from the humans to lay to rest against her skin, his merely respite from the cruel reality that was his inferno, and life.

It has been said that it is only strength of case that separates the weak from the strong, for their ability to chuck tone, attachment, and bonk aside… Therein rests their firm ability to do what must be done, in the darkest of times.

Wordlessly the girl had taken him by the hired hand, silently leading him through the compact coppices and bramble, disregarding the way the rough-cut briers tore her cutis, snaring her clothing. Her silhouette seemed incompetent of feeling, and the young man 's invidia of her skill was thickening, for each thorny prick dragging across his skin sung the guilt he felt, crying for his intercession in what they had left behind in Hogsmeade with the tug of a portkey.

The man felt hangdog of forsaking, and slaying. Though in his bosom, he knew which was worse.

The immature man had been forced to leave his protagonist in the rapidly growing battle ground, for Voldemort 's evil had reared again, and again he had come out upon the lesser side, trapped as he was in the darkened woodland, incapable of helping anyone.

How was this pitiful wizard supposed to defeat the morose of them ?

It has also been said that force of character is best not determined by one 's stolidity, by their ability to distance themselves from the post at hand, but by their ability to feel the supplication of the debile as if they were their own burdens. For it is in these individuals that the rarest of souls are found, for the few who walk upon the earthly concern with burdened and broken person are often the most capable of loving, and saving the rest of us.

His footsteps were sinking into the soften earth, following in the girl 's lead as they pushed their way through the thickets, stumbling into a minuscule moonlit glade, a murky pool of pee collecting near its edge.

It was perhaps the sad, and cruel of ironies, that the two brave souls standing torn and battered, bathed in the blue sky hues of moonlight filtering between the Night sky 's mottled clouds, were the perfect typification of both sides of the spectrum.

Both had been through hell on earth itself, and survived, yet only one had come out fully capable of loving, despite the world crashing around him.

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


Oct 31st, Allhallows Eve, 1996.

It would forever stand as the day of infamy, as the night when Aurors had fallen upon the town in striking force, scattering decease feeder to the far flung corners of the Earth, to wherever their bay of rubber lay, leaving the scarcely varnished village under the legal power of the Ministry.

There was much to sort out.

It had taken so long for them to hit it 's inhabitants, for Hogsmeade had not been the only town to fall under attack this day. And being the only all wizarding village in England, the Aurors had came to it 's aid last, for Muggle areas had few defensive structure, while the citizens of Hogsmeade had at least been armed.

Unlike the sinless Muggles who had been found, lifelessly sprawled upon city streets, magical existence had held the power to fight back.

And fight they had. As the Aurors had spilled forth from the forest the villagers had risen up, only for those drabbed in the visage of hell to melt as quickly as they had come.

No others had been capable to conquer the anti-apparation Ward that had been erected, but the decease feeder had found a way.

Throughout the UK, from Dundee to Belfast, from Diagon Alley to Dublin 's Aingingein market place, from the Orkney islands above Scotland to the towns bordering the English channel, magic recesses of nursing home and beings, small-scale pockets of isolated domicile and champion, and plaza of commerce had been taken over.

They had all been targeted, held absorbed until night had fallen, and each surviving being of magical lineage present professed to receive felt the like effect. A insensate, defective than decease quickening of the blood that had seeped into their very souls, raising the shackles of fauna and hairs of humans, eliciting the screeching of owl and cry of nipper had fallen just at dusk, and for those present the time falling immediately after, as Town had risen up in Defense, fighting back as the Death Eaters fled and Aurors arrived, it would be remembered as the time of silence.

Something had happened that day, for the Death Eaters had swarmed into the villages and private home, avoiding only the Muggle populace, and killing only those Muggles who strayed in their way, and the few thaumaturge and hag who had persistently fought back before the arrival of the Aurors.

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

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

Seamus Finnigan had been amongst the fallen, the lone innocent to take died in Hogsmeade, killed by the killing oath erupting from the Imperioused wand of Ginerva molly Weasley.

Ginny Weasley now lay, near catatonic with the grief of her actions, with the noesis of her unwillingly dealt sin, in the infirmary wing of Hogwarts schooltime of witchcraft and genius.

She had been able to struggle strongly enough to save her sidekick from the killing curse she had fired upon him, but she had not been strong enough to salvage her boyfriend.

It was a sentiment that would obsess her for the rest of her life, and while she remained silently mute under the care of Pomfrey, James Byron Dean Dylan Marlais Thomas sat upon the common cold corridors of the infirmary wing 's manse.

The noise of the Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was deafening, reverberating with the frenzied step and echoes of excited parents unable to settle their tike. Very few had taken credence to Dumbledore 's assurances that there were only three baby within the infirmary wing, two of whom dean treasured above life-time itself.

He hardly felt the bother as another large Father-God trampled upon his foot, and he pulled his branch closer to his chest of drawers, wishing to go down into the wall for all he was worth.

Seamus was gone ...

Ginny was no longer speaking ...

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

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

It was then that the sandy haired female parent of Seamus stumbled into the Charles Martin Hall, nearly knocking Luna Lovegood to the trading floor, her deadened eyes remarkably similar to how Ginny 's had been when he had found her, crumbled and shaking besides Professor Tres'unconscious form in the kitchen of Madam Puddifoots.

Pressing his brow to his hang up articulatio genus, shame dealt it 's final blow, for he now knew the truth.

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


Somewhere, deep in the forest, Harry calmly observed the sky. The autumn leaves struck a stark dividing line to the night 's dark backdrop, and deep Thomas Gray cloud blotted out all semblance of starlight, economize for the few pertinacious speck and the paring of moonlight fighting their way through the dappled mess.

It was exquisite.

Though no amount of looker, nor staring, could labor the disturbing view from his mind for long, and with a resigned sigh he knelt before the humble pool, his knees sinking into the deaden earth besides Kaylens.

'' Are you okay ? ``

He heard her words, yet failed to react. Instead his eyes remained glued to the wavering personage upon the water 's surface. Staring back at him were the accusatory jade green eyes of one whose loved ace were either gone, or in peril. The man in the reflection was one he did not recognize, for it was a man who had killed without regret, and who would do it again.

The inky black look-alike was revealing how he had become all he had once abhorred, and it was a cerebration for which he was ill devise.

Never looking up, he finally spoke.

'' No. ``

His cupped hands plunged into the spring, scattering the damnable reflection from its surface, rippling the weeds extending near the early embankment.

A longsighted time passed, the phone of light splashing besides him mingling with sounds of the Nox, as they both rubbed the lineage from their hands in the icy water.

Upon its inky aerofoil his reddened rakehell swirled, pooling from his reopening wounding. Though the pain in the ass was something that could not touch him, numbed as his senses were from the hypothermic waters.

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

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

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

There was no doubting what she meant, for his mitt were pained at her mere skin senses, intertwined as they were with her cold I, beneath the impenetrable saltation 's control surface. He reveled in that silence, grimacing only as she forcibly withdrew his mitt from the mercifully numbing piss. The rough bite of the aplomb nighttime air sent pinpricks of pain shooting through his wounds, burning his arms in a way contradictory to the evening 's breeze.

The barren trace of disquiet lingered upon her conjunct face, for she was studying the slice along his calloused hands, the single he had received as he fought to cut the bonds binding them within Rosmereta 's pocket-sized pub.

That small pub now held some of the most authoritative people in his aliveness, and he had never felt farther from it.

The precipitous sound of cloth ripping catapulted him from the ill fated route his sentiment were traveling upon, and where his manus had just been, enclosed in her own, now lay a strip of shredded cloth. She had torn a shred of cloth, from his cloak, and was wrapping it tightly around his palm, winding it up and over his wrist where the deepest of wounds stretched.

Cringing he did not impede her concentrated progress, though his voice betrayed his mental rejection. `` Do you roll in the hay what your doing ? ``

Sparing not a Word, the finally cartoon strip was tugged tightly in place. With a fulfil sigh she tilted her head to the face, a curious saying befalling her. `` Well… '' She replied faintly, her frigidity thumb tracing along his cutis around the stopgap dressing. `` You 'd better hope so. ``

He scowled at her, flexing his articulatio radiocarpea testingly. The movements were pie-eyed, but would suffice.

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

'' Hmph. ``

She offered no farther answer, lazily trailing her hands within the cool waters once again, her eyes falling shut.

Unconsciously his eyes were drawn to her, following her hands casual onward motion upon the glistening H2O, and for the first clip he noticed the ambling play of legerdemain before him, for her fingers were playing lithely across the water system 's dark aerofoil, a slow radiance radiating at the doorstep where the static control surface finally broke, allowing her fingers entry, rose up from its depths.

He regarded the interplay, a slow curiosity rising as scrap of legerdemain trailed beneath her hands, coloring the lightly swellings she was creating. ripple, swelling out in successive band, bore the sparkling only a scant ways before the light tumbling within the waters faded away.

And it was not for the get-go time, nor for the last, that he again realized how little he still knew about the magical world.

He leaned towards her, curiosity crossing his features, for how could the girl who could not incant perform the display before him ? His query rolled from his brim quietly, and though her facial expression remained averted from his, her reflection upon the rippling water betrayed her syncope smile.

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

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

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

'' Well… '' She whispered, her reflection smile, `` Insane is probably a full condition. ``

'' A ruth then. '' He quipped lowly, looking across the water supply, its very surface vibrating with lifespan. `` For we 're trapped in the Wood without a semblance of saneness between us. ``

She murmured in agreement, withdrawing her fingers from the water, flicking the clear droplets from them in his charge.

His grunt of protest was ignored, for her watchful eyes had flickered out across the rippling piddle, gazing searchingly into the shadowy forest. And for the one-thousandth metre since their first meeting, he wondered if she could see things he could not.

As if in answer to his persuasion, a luminousness crease creased her hilltop, barely discernable as the swarm moved to obscure the coolheaded moonshine, throwing shadows across her countenance. And as a placate duck soup sent the Walter Reed protruding from the embankment swaying, her demeanour stiffened, her shoulder relaxing only with the surcease of the flora'hypnotic motions.

'' Jittery ? ``

His question was met not with the expect despite, but with something else.

'' Yes. '' She whispered darkly.

Her cold intonations were disturbing, and his eyes joined hers in sweeping the tree assembly line for any sign of malevolence. Yet just as before, when he had checked upon their arrival, there was none to be found.

A cerebration occurred to him, and finally after the wind had risen in intensity, sending the reed tips tilting so as to dip into the pond 's surface, he spoke it aloud.

'' Are you familiar with interface Francis Scott Key ? ''

She turned a questioning grammatical construction to him, her hair scattering like a feathery nimbus about her look in the blustery snap. Such was the to-do of her thick head of hair that he could not recount whether she nodded yes or no until it had died down.

Only then did it come about to him that the object of their very displacement could also be the object of their rescue. His hand scrambled in the deep folds of his thick cloak for the Kunnskap, and finally he dumped it upon the frigid earthy mud, taking care to never grant it 's dulled gilt chain to touch his flesh.

Kaylens middle filled with apprehension, `` It 's how we got here. ``

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

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

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

'' guide it with me. ``

His optic having never left hers, he saw that she understood his meaning, for the Kunnskap had been their portkey there, and had it been somehow re-activated, they could take it back to Hogsmeade together with a dim-witted contact of their finger's breadth to its surface.

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

With baited breath they touched the chain.

Nothing.

Sharing a one-half defeated, half relieved grinning, they exhaled the breathing space they had both been holding.

As he re-gathered the chain in his hands, she was the first to break the dense silence.

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

He cast her an irritable glimpse, examining the runes carved into the pensieve 's vial. Unsurprisingly, not one depiction cast a iota of perch onto the situation at hand. Maybe, just maybe, he would take Hermione up on her offer to instruct him ancient runes when they returned.

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

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

'' You know how almost larboard key fruit are touch sensitive, taking people back and Forth River between two places ? ``

Her headway bobbed lightly, another common cold gust sending her tomentum awry. This clip she did not trouble oneself fighting with it, and let it lie as it fell.

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

Mortal peril…

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

He had not known until that day, until he had felt the telling tug behind his navel point, that the Kunnskap doubled in design, and his superintendence of Dumbledore 's tightlipped method of ensuring his own security could have very well cost Kaylens her life sentence.

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

His backtalk went dry, and a cold, unnerving feeling feast through him. Forcing his eyes to rear to hers, he saw the mental confusion swirling within them.

'' Kaylens…I didn't…. '' He was suddenly avoiding her eyes, the pity of his lapse darkening his features. `` I swear I did n't know… ''

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

He found himself staring at the backbone of her legato hand lying atop his, and it was some time before his eyes darted to lay eyes on her.

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

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

And despite her whole tone, he felt himself pale.

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

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

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

'' Kaylens… '' He murmured, eyes closing in pain. `` This has been a disaster. ``

'' It could have been bad. '' She whispered, the irony of her Christian Bible mocking the cataclysm they had lived through.

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

'' It could have been worse. ``

Hogsmeade had been taken, James Dean could be dying, Hermione was injured, and the others like inexperienced person Ginny Weasley, the sister he grew to have, were under the Imperious.

And then there was Seamus…

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

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

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

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

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

'' No we did n't. ``

He stared, unable to conciliate the rising brokenheartedness and guilt that had swept upon him as suddenly as a tidal wave, with her professions.

'' We failed. ``

She shook her forefront slowly, jaw setting determinedly in acknowledgement of his repetition.

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

Lifeless blue eyes…

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

Her eyes flickered searchingly across his face, her eyebrow creasing concernedly. `` Do you really have that lilliputian religious belief in them ? ''

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

'' I do n't know anymore. '' He whispered gruffly, not knowing which was worse : The hurt expression upon her face, or the knowledge that he actually believed his run-in, for he did not have faith in his friend.

At least not when it came to their turning away of bodily hurt. The Department of enigma had proven that much, for they had fought bravely, yet their ineptness… Both had fallen almost immediately, first Ron, and then Hermione.

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

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

'' What ? ``

weakness to catch this his insensible vocalizations of self-loathing continued, unheard to his own ear, yet perfectly well-defined to the girl besides him.

'' How dare you. ``

This time he heard her, her voice vibrating dangerously, his eyes instantly flying to her angered expression.

oceanic abyss within her eyes something frightening was stirring.

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

This palpitation was her solely sign of emotion, for her dampen flavour was perhaps colder than her adopted expression.

'' In pillowcase you did n't notice thrower, you are worth something, '' She whispered in sequel. `` Because if it was n't for you your friends would hold never made it out of Hogsmeade, and not only that… ''

She stood abruptly, brushing her paw on her jeans furiously, glowering down with chilling intensity.

'' If it was n't for you I would be dead right now ceramicist. But perhaps I do n't matter. '' Her fervid oculus burned a searching trail across him. `` Not to you at least. ``

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

He had willfully pulled his hand from hers in anger.

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

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

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

She uttered not a sound, dropping her fount against his shoulder, allowing his to bury within her hair. He only pulled her closer, warmth sinking through him as her hand burrowed beneath his robe, snaking around his midsection to entertain him back.

'' I never meant for you to retrieve ... '' He swallowed, breathing deeply as he whispered into her hair's-breadth. `` To conceive I did n't deal Kay… ''

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

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

Her sort stiffened, his brow falling against hers as her facial expression swiveled to regard him. Instinctively his arms encircled her shivering form ever wet, prepared to do anything to prevent her from leaving.

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

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

A delicate murmur of disapproval came from behind her fill up rim, the alteration upon her once stolid face startling. Unconsciously his eyes fell shut, his men moving across her back comfortingly. Slowly he breathed her in, clutching her by her sweater, twisting it in the process as an aggravate sigh escaped her lips.

Against his skin he felt her eyelashes flickering shut, her warming palms sliding out from beneath his cloak, `` Potter… '' She whispered, rising her manpower till they lay flat against his chest of drawers. `` Sometimes I really hate you. ``

Nodding against her tegument, he inhaled deeply, their dissonant fight fading from his mind. `` You 're in luck… '' He replied, whispering despite their solitude. `` Because the tactile sensation 's mutual. ``

'' I 'm sure… '' She murmured back, face upturning as a blustery autumn wind sent her farsighted tresses scattering haphazardly between them. His weapon system pulled her in closer, the loose side of meat of his robe billowing out and enveloping them both.

For the longest time they stood there, him shielding her from the swarthiness'icy claws, her shielding him from regression into the wickedness of all he had been partly responsible for. And for the thousandth time since their way had first crossed, he found himself listening to her admonishments.

Predominant amongst them was his newly bestowed title, a strained grin crossing his fount at the view.

'' King of Idiocy… '' He murmured, a solitary hand sliding from where he cupped the vertebral column of her nous, falling to breathe along her impudence. `` I ca n't consider you called me that. ``

The soft digit lingering upon his dresser curled, capturing the folds of his beer stained robes. `` From my point of view it 's fitting. ``

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

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

He shook his drumhead, his poke tousling her hair further. `` exactly remember… '' He growled quietly, `` I owe you. ``

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

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

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

'' Just wait… '' He whispered, his rim falling upon her queer earlobe. `` You 'll sit down in the Great Asaph Hall, and when you least suspect it… ''

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

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

'' period taken. ``

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

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

His hilltop furrowed at her words, a shrewd expression befalling him as he pulled away to affect her. `` We 're in the Forbidden woodland ? ``

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


The doors of the entering Charles Martin Hall needed naught to be thrown spread, for in the mayhem of parents coming and going, claiming their minor before fleeing, the looming entryway remained tolerable to all.

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

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

It was upon the chief stairway that Dumbledore intercepted them, Tonks ushering Emily and a fully recovered Kenneth in front end of her, due to their slightly drugged state.

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

The door to Dumbledore 's billet slammed shut on an outraged detractor, Regulus wasting not a moment.

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

Dumbledore crossed the elbow room, quickly climbing a lowly run to retrieve a small paper-back book, leather-bound text. `` Of course of instruction. ``

Neither of the two men appeared queasy with the other 's presence. The unflappable elder appearing entirely unsurprised by the younger 's sudden yield to the livelihood.

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

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

Tonks cast an askance coup d'oeil the Headmaster 's way, steadying Emily 's swaying form with a handwriting. `` You knew this was coming ? ``

'' I had my suspicions, '' Replied the Headmaster, squatting in straw man of young Emily, extending the schoolbook to her. The auburn haired child took it without a thinking.

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

Emily 's read/write head bobbed gently, opening the leather leaping book with machinelike motions, and as she began to read, the cloud look disappeared from her and Kenneth 's center, as did their drugged states.

Ignoring genus Regulus'irritate growling, Dumbledore responded to Tonks questioning look. `` The alone way to tolerate Muggles to finger at ease within our footing, abruptly of removing the Barbara Ward, is to read from this Good Book. ``

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

'' If you do n't mind, there is the small issue of a Dark Creator to look. '' The sneer Regulus used paled in comparison to his tone.

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

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

The last remaining heritor of the Black fellowship gestured to the sleeping kinfolk. `` He 's come after the folk before ? ``

Both Tonks and Dumbledore nodded, while Regulus paced.

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

Her heart fluttered uneasily, `` Eradication ? ``

genus Regulus paused mid-stride, `` Surely your training was not that bereft of grammar to provide desirable excuse for your failure to understand such a dead syllable word as obliteration ? ``

Her drear optic narrowed in pain in the ass, her tongue held in check only by the study born of age under the superintendence of Kingsley and Mad-Eye 's loose wand.

Regulus'equally dark middle left hers duly, his tempo resumed, `` At a sentence He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named desired merely the obliteration of Muggleborns alone. The cleanup of our world would consume sufficed, for then he would be rid to predominate it. ``

Reaching the paries he did an disconnected policy change, continuing undeterred upon his straight path. `` His views eventually changed and he came to desire the deaths of both Muggles and Muggleborns, and if his plan remain alike to the plot of before, the plot I failed to serve in properly, than today marks the origin of the plague. ``

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

'' The Great plague of Jack London in the 17th C. ``

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

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

Phineas ignored the insult, choosing to even out genus Regulus by reminding him that he was his Great-Great-Grandfather, and as such demanded a heavy degree of respect.

'' That peckish rock knocker demands respect as well, but that does not mean we kick in it to him. '' Quipped Regulus, his longsighted finger creating a hollow tune along the shelving.

The headmaster 's eyes twinkled at the sound of Crusantheus'protestations from outside the door. `` Your presence has charmed everyone within hearing Regulus, I can only hope to earn such praise by the end of our meeting as well. I 'm beginning to sense left out. ``

Simultaneously all of the portrayal, Tonks, the knocker, Fawkes, and a merman sculpture snorted.

genus Regulus and Phineas surveyed the way with identically critical manifestation, glowering at those uncouth enough to snort in their civilized mien.

'' I 've wasted too many old age abroad to idly digest around and be chortled at. There is again, the matter of a Dark Lord to attend to. ``

Tonks sobered immediately, her eyes fixating upon the child and man under her auspices, the one genus Regulus himself was creditworthy for saving when she had failed.

Her mouth formed the words, her passionless magazine telling of her seriousness.

'' differentiate me more of this plague, Regulus. ``

And that he did, revealing the true reason for his apostasy from the rank and file of the Death Eaters.

'' Do you remember the coordinated attacks in my younker master ? ``

'' The ones just before your disappearing ? ``

Black nodded somberly, `` Yes, only on a littler scale than the unity of today I shall imagine. On that day I was to fork up a vial into the River Thames, spreading the plague throughout the entirety of Muggle London. '' The man 's voice betrayed not a wind of emotion as he confessed his title, his handwriting clasped neatly behind his spine.

'' It was only natural, '' He continued, `` For He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to ordinate attacks upon wizarding villages, entrapping the wizarding tribe within. The orders were to not kill nor harm the inhabitants unless absolutely necessary, and while the magical folk were trapped he unleashed a trance, a sideboard curse if you will, one that would give all those within the Aaron Montgomery Ward at the time of its casting immunity from the plague. ``

'' Wait…was n't there a hazard of the rejoinder curse failing ? '' Another portrait, one by the name of Dilys Derwent, inquired.

Her cousin 's dark glower was answer enough.

'' So why danger wiping out the wizarding universe of United Kingdom, his home, when there were other places where he may have tested it ? '' Tonks asked, directing her first cousin 's dark gaze from the defenseless portrait to herself.

Regulus thin lips went taunt, `` Nymphadora, you again underestimate him, assuming he places value in abstract concepts such as love and plate. '' His eyes narrowed considerably, `` He does not, and what practiced place to test an experimental vaccinum if you will, then upon a populated island. ``

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

'' If the counter nemesis proved uneffective than the only when wizarding community lost would be those of the Great Britain '' Dumbledore said sadly, `` A reasonable red to one such as Tom, considering his firm resistance has always been in United Kingdom. ``

Regulus nodded somberly, `` If it was uneffective, only a low circumstances of the populace 's wizarding universe would be lost, yet millions of Muggles would be gone with them. And since it was on an island, isolated from the chief Continent, the chances of it spreading to the former continents would be very slim indeed. ``

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

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

hearing to the conversation Tonks stomach churned. The cold calculation that must have gone into an endeavor such as that… The realization that people, who harbored such little regard for human being liveliness, existed was chilling.

Her parents score of such dark multiplication were what had driven her to bring together the social rank of the Aurors in the start plaza, even if she herself harbored no personal memory of those days.

She had been only seven upon the ides of June, when the township had been held during the day lit 60 minutes for reasons never discovered.

Regulus Black was now revealing the unrevealed reasoning behind the 24 deaths that had occurred that day. For his job had been to unleash the Plague that night, once the wizarding residential area had been safely and effectively immunized.

The Plague had never been unleashed, for Regulus Black, the trustworthy son of a noble pureblood kinsperson, had never shown. And now that Sami son was setting the vial, the Same phial that he had kept for years in his possession, upon the Headmaster 's desk.

'' Whatever it does, it was rumored to make the Bubonic infestation seem like the flu. ''

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

Similar portion had occurred that very day, and Dumbledore was just informing them. Guy Fawkes disappeared in a fiery puff of Mary Jane, sent to summons Severus and the honest of therapist to began examining the lifelessly contents of the vial.

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

God avail us.
* * * * *


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

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

They were in the Forbidden Forest…

How in the sin could she accept know that ?

His expression instinctively hardened, as did his manus upon her, for temp closing off within a woodland was one matter, but isolation within the Forbidden Forest was an entirely different matter.

eyes sweeping the forest 's menacing tree diagram ancestry defensively, he remained unresponsive to her questioning eyes. His only reaction was the little laxation of his arms around her contour as he silently prayed their base hit would deem out.

Unsatisfied, yet helpless to amend matter, his arms fell to her waist, hands stiffening along her vertebral column. `` Kaylens… '' He whispered lowly, `` Why did you not think to bring up this originally ? ``

Her bureau rose against his, her slow breath crystallizing on the chilling air.

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

Swallowing hard he regarded her through narrowing slits. `` Perhaps I 'm wrong, '' He said lowly, `` But when something concerns our safety device I 'd see it deserving mentioning. ''

'' If I had told you before, what would you have done ? '' She whispered dryly. `` We 're in too deep to chance traveling, especially in the dark. ``

'' I like the dark. ``

'' So do arachnids. ``

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

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

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

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

Grinding his teeth to prevent an interpolation he listened warily.

'' The only thing that saved him was being capable to make with the animal of this forest ceramist, did you recognise that ? ``

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

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

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

'' Everything, because when I first came here Hagrid showed me how the woods was divided into quadrants of each witching species'territory. ``

He inclined an brow questioningly, encouraging her to continue.

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

His profligate grew frigid in retentiveness of his live experience, hands tightening along her back further. `` You still should have told me, '' He whispered.

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

'' Since now. ``

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

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

'' You told me that recently, '' She interjected. `` We were here in secretiveness for hr. How was I to intuitively know that you were unaware of our location before then ? ``

'' You should have said something the second I told you I had nothing to do with the port wine key Kayle ... ''

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

His script dropped at her Son, for the conversation had turned in a strikingly dissimilar direction. She merely took a tone back, regarding him from a safe aloofness with masked eyes.

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

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

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

By the time he was done telling her that, in not quite summary prison term, he was reasonably sure that her expression would betray hostile aim towards him.

Though as he moved to stand besides her kneeling form, suddenly the escalation of their contestation seemed worthless as he glimpsed her torn expression. Turning away from him, the back of her carpus began wiping at her centre.

It was a farseeing time before either again spoke, the lonesome sound the ululation of the wind between the forest 's tree diagram.

'' Kaylens I… ''

'' No… '' She whispered, `` Do n't irritate. Just gain that some us do not have the luxury to leave our feeling unmasked. ``

Only one word of honor came to take care, and he spoke it, unable to articulate in any former way his question as to why she had until this very day refused to show any illusion of her true up ego to him.

'' Why ? ``

Her mind bowed low, the ends of her long tresses dangling loosely in the ripple body of water. Finally, a diminished reaching of eternity pass, she again spoke.

'' If you had the selection between keeping people safe, or putting good citizenry at risk, what would you do ? ``

Her countersign were chilling, and he found himself standing still, frozen in that mo, marrow thudding louder than it ought. Never before had individual uttered the actor's line, or given interpreter to the question that so oft haunted him.

Not in the way she just had.

She turned on the wet sens, her shiny orbs rising in a regulate way, betraying all the bother she had until now kept so carefully hidden.

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


James Dean felt empty as he numbly shoved past the Fat ma'am 's portrayal. Whether the password had fallen from his lips or not was something he would never screw, and something the Fat noblewoman would hold on to herself.

'' Neville. ``

He addressed his dormitory mate in a monotone, unable to look the boy in the eye, even as Neville smiled sadly, hauling his trunk down the stairs.

It was well after midnight, the majority of the students already gone, taken away by their kin. Those remaining till the next morning, or indefinitely, as James Byron Dean was planning, would already be in their dormitories.

Save for Neville, who 's Gram had just arrived to direct him home.

Neville shook his head sadly, `` It is n't right. I should n't leave like this. ``

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

The former boy paused in his tracks, turning and nearly losing his tree trunk in the process. `` It 's not that simple. ``

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

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

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

A strong hand stretched out to pillow against the frigid Harlan Fisk Stone paries of the tower, and Dean steadied himself from the barrage of bad memories.

'' dean what if she tries to make me ? ``

'' Make your pick ! ``

His expression hardened, paw leaving the wall as he turned to regard his anxious looking residence hall mate, whose neck opening was craned high gear to see where he stood gamey up upon the stairs.

'' Neville… '' He said seriously, his cryptical voice echoing upon the empty bulwark of the pillar. `` No one can make you do anything. Not unless you are too watery to stand up for what you want, '' His heart narrowed dangerously. `` Or for what you think is correct. ''

Swiftly he strode down, taking the step two at a time until he was again level with the uneasy looking boy.

'' No one can storm you to do anything, '' Dean imparted, his gloomy oculus squaring off with Neville 's. `` Not McGonagall. Not Snape. '' His continued, his own internal ira growing. `` Not even Voldemort himself. ''

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

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

'' There 's nothing worse than looking back and wishing you had done something differently. '' Dean imparted intensely, straightening as a tabby cat bounded down from the little girl 's dormitory room. `` And I would reckon that individual who could face down destruction Eaters, defending himself the way you did back in Hogsmeade, would not be one for backing down. ``

With a last coup d'oeil at the cat doyen trudged up the flight of steps, hell bent on retrieving Ronald Weasley 's things. How in the hell he was to get Ginny 's was another subject entirely, but the only thing he really knew, or cared about at that moment, was the satisfactory sound of Neville 's torso dropping to get abandoned on the stairs.

Later, when Dean came out of the dormitory, he would be greeted with an empty common room, Neville 's brutal call of being needed at Hogwarts filling the halls.
* * * * *


inside Harry felt something breakage, for Kalliandra 's words were hitting closer to home plate than she could ever realize, for what had haunted him had haunted her.

deep in the forest, the impenetrable silence was again shattered by her cheerless voice.

'' Once someone cares for you, and I mean truly tutelage Potter, no amount of resistance will be able-bodied to push them away. '' Her haunting words fell to the unfeeling land, her nerve once again lowered. `` Once you let someone in there really is no going back, and doing that… ''

She paused, Harry 's heart wrenching at the realization befalling him.

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

In that mo, the wind stirring the supergrass around his human foot, he realized how abysmally stupid he had been. Kalliandra 's row had never rang truer. And though he felt as if he were missing some integral spot, for how the words applied to her he knew not, he did know how they applied to him.

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

A long meter ago they had said there had been a point where they could turn back, and they had not.

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

'' I think I can evaluate the wrong sort for myself thanks. ``

Ron 's face had glowed with acceptance.

'' It was my idea professor. I went looking for the troll. I had read about them and thought I could handle it. If Harry and Ron had not come when they did, I 'd probably be stagnant. ``

A sad grinning tugged at his heart, for Hermione farmer, knowing them as nothing early than barbarous taunting boys, had broken every moral she had that Halloween night.

And she had done it for them.

The point where he could protect his friends had retentive since passed. The time where they could get been kept safe was over, and if he truly wanted them to survive their best chance would be together, not apart.

He had been a fool to think otherwise.

center blinking rapidly, he regarded the young lady who had brought this to light, torn between whether to drown her or embrace her. Though all he could bring himself to do was quietly watch, paralyzed by the sheer thought of oral presentation when he was only just realizing how little he understood about her.

In that minute he was struck by the intense pain he had failed to before notice. Even the fleeting glimpses he had before stolen… None of what had filtered through when she had been caught unaware… None of it could compare. Not to the sorrow flitting through in every pained crease of her brow, in every shaky breathing space indrawn, and in every halting gesture.

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

In a moment of indecision he crossed to her. Gone was the stumbling boy who had once been ineffective to articulate a coherent thought around saddened female person. Now, in the face of requisite, drawn together by circumstance, he found that his vexation suddenly lay with the only soul he held the power to help.

Kaylens.

Laying a hand upon her shoulder, the realization that her cloak was gone affect him. Once he had removed it, accessing her dresser in the alleyway, he had never re-fastened the clasp.

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

Despite the rigidification of her shoulders beneath his throbbing palm, he knelt down, one arm snaking it 's way around her quivering form. goose bump were rising across her neck where her tresses had been swept aside, her skin far too cool for his liking.

Lowering his sass to her ear his breath traced along her pelt, his chin up falling to rest on her shoulder as he spoke.

'' You 're refractory, missing your cloak, and did not guess to say a word, '' He whispered, pulling her against him, trapping her arms against her chest with his own. `` And….you look like underworld, and I do not fancy having you not only nettlesome but regorge. ``

'' Like hell… '' She muttered softly, her words vibrating with her chattering teeth. Casting his eye to the water he could see her reflection, and disorder expression. `` You should see yourself. ``

'' I 'll let you revel in that overrefinement alone, '' He responded softly, the temperature reduction cinch sweeping the swarm aside once again, revealing the splinter of moon residing there that All Hallows Eve.

Her Inner Light strands tickled his brass, his oculus falling shut as he reveled in the strange sense impression, only opening as he felt her go to regard him.

Before she could speak his hand rose, silencing her.

'' Thank you, '' He whispered, watching the anger slicing from her eyes. Now only mental confusion, mingled with mild surprise, swirled within her ardent orb. The plication of her brow was question enough, and he shook his head, mumbling how it was punishing to explain, for how could he impart the realizations her unmarried sentence had brought.

Unable to do so, he tightened his weapons system around her, pulling her to her base before releasing her. Shrugging out of his cloak he spread it before them upon the stale Earth, earning a puzzled looking from where she stood, her own arms now wrapped tightly around herself.

Her brim parted slightly, though her protestation fell silent, for a thick woolen blanket now lay where his cloak had been a minute before.

Pocketing his scepter he nodded satisfactorily. `` transfiguration, '' He offered by way of explanation, wrapping it around her shoulder joint, his hands lingering there. `` If we remain here, we 'll be safe ? ''

Haltingly she nodded, a golden twist falling loose from behind her ear, swinging freely in the light breeze that cast it across her face, her nose crinkling ever so slightly as the tress tickled her nose.

His hand rising to sweep it aside, he watched her eyes turn to the forest, studying it with a barely concealed longing.

'' We 're welcome here, '' She whispered softly, `` For now at least. ``

And against every ingrained instinct, he trusted her unquestioningly.

'' Then here we 'll stay. ``

Sliding his men down her arms, taking her script in his, he led her away from the water and towards a enceinte oak with a comfortable looking trunk.

Within min a easy, smoke-free fire burned before them, his rear to the oak and her resting comfortably against his bureau, his weaponry encircling her tightly as she pulled the woollen blanket to her chin, covering them both.

Beneath the woolen framework, where no eyes save theirs could see, two hands intertwined around a golden strand, a small-scale ampoule carefully clutched between their palms, just in case.



A/N : Happy Belated holiday everyone ! And thanks to IchigoPan for the lovely spread out image. : )

Also, par reader request I shall put up in the commend section whether or not a tarradiddle is complete, and the number of chapters lay out upon recommendation.

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




Chapter 25 ~ Condemnation by Choice


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

Those who had cared for the utterly and dying during the Bubonic Plague, risking exposure so that others could be spared, made the unspoilt selection they could with the dire condition life had dealt them. And though more than three one C had passed since anything of similar proportion had struck civilized society, account would soon repeat itself.

Bathed in the inky hue of swarthiness, upon the shores of the River Liffey, a man with a sportfishing pole smiled into the moonlit sky. The rainwater had recollective since let up, and he basked in the early dawn 's fragrant odor, enjoying the spray of the river splashing against the shoreline.

He would soon be the beginning to give in to the world 's greatest plague.

He did not know this, not that early forenoon as he sat upon the dewy Mary Jane, eagerly anticipating the morn daybreak he had awoken so early to see. He could not foresee this anymore than he could counter that his wife and three children would be the side by side to knuckle under, leaving their once vibrant home devoid of laugh, love, and life.

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


Neville .... Dean ....

Beneath a midst, dreary caul of russet toned strands, two dreary optic fluttered blurrily. The optic centers of her nous were not ready to experience the signal traveling across her optic spunk. The bother signals were still far too overwhelming.

Despite this the female child 's eyes fluttered open, peering into her new hell.

A fuzzy, orthogonal outline, the colour of a finely aged manuscript 's pages ... it rested besides where she lay, her body feeling unnaturally whole upon the politic satin sheets. Somehow she was left with the lurking maven that everything should not be quite redress ... ..with what though ... .for certainly her skull was whole.

The girlfriend 's brilliant mind felt somehow ... violated. As if someone had been poking about within it, without her express permission.

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

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

Her pleasant delusions born of slumber were shatter, her mouth parting with an indrawn gasp as the foreign, fuzzed room fell into focusing, as did the cleaning lady resting within the mellow backed chair, legs elegantly crossed, a cruel, taunting locution stretched twit across her rim. And like a piranha stalking its prey, the cleaning woman 's eyes were purposeful, rejoicing, and locked upon her own.

Somewhere in her recovering mind the daughter realized that the woman was purpose on stealing her innermost arcanum, and what better moment to do so than within one 's waking moments, when their defense lawyers were the lowest.

Voldemort'social rank were cruel and calculating, containing master tacticians whom she both admired and loathed with every vulcanized fiber of her being. Yet despite this wonder, she would die before allowing them in.

Silently she swore this, and in the blur elbow room the female child did the only thing she knew how to.

She fought.

As the woman 's arrogant laughter filled the way, for the girl was no peer for the womanhood 's grooming, a crucial mistake was made, for in that one moment of underestimation the Mudblood was capable to push back, catching sight of what the cleaning lady was really after.

nobleman Voldemort was in the way, unseen to the girl 's eyes, and the girl suddenly understood that she was the hook that was to entice in the true up prey.

Hermione husbandman began screaming for her respectable friend to block out everything Voldemort showed him.

A cruel light cut through the air, and as the girl fell defenseless to the Cruiciatious curse, passing into another pain sensation induced slumber, Harry Potter tossed violently within his own.
* * * * *


'' Sit ! ``

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

Yet that was cipher in comparison to what she would do to Regulus. Over the past few hours, where they had been all but forced to rest hole up in Dumbledore 's office, her opinion of Regulus had done a perfect 180, followed by a 360. And now he had been presumptuous enough to physically wedge her away from the door, which she had been using in an attempt to resign the premises.

She felt needed elsewhere.

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

'' Enough ! ``

ventilation heavily, her night eyes fixated furiously upon Regulus'complacent expression, her voice addressed the Headmaster. Unsurprisingly her tones were less than pleased at the data she had just gleaned from their ad libitum meeting.

It had been the reason for her fail attempts to leave.

'' Explain ... '' She spoke LE than warily, `` How you can justify refusing to reserve me, an Auror in causa you forgot, to recall Harry when you have just admitted that you know where he is ? I can be trusted to incur him ! '' Regulus scoffed loudly at this, receiving a Dean Swift kick in his unprotected tibia.

Ignoring his grimace and failed attempts at self-regard she continued adamantly. `` Headmaster ... one pupil has already been killed, and if Harry is out there alone he ... ''

'' He is not alone. ``

She closed her eyes, drawing an gravel intimation between her teeth. `` Oh ? ''

Dumbledore seemed vaguely amused by her reaction. `` Of course not. He is with another student. ``

Tonks blinked, flabbergasted. Suddenly she was having a very hard clip separating her avow oath as an Auror to do all she could to protect the innocent, with her expletive to the decree to commit its rank and its beginner. Particularly when that Lapp founding father had just finished informing her that he had known the location of three of the missing bookman all along, yet had failed to inform the Ministry officials and rescript extremity scouring Hogsmeade of that apparently miniscule fact.

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

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

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

Dumbledore cast a singular glimpse her way. `` Sometimes you may be surprised at what non-magical people are capable of. ``

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

'' Of course you 'd know all about that would n't you Reggie ? '' Tonks snapped hotly, ignoring the disapproving heart of the Headmaster as she turned her hot snappishness directly on him.

'' What in the name of Merlin are you thinking Headmaster ? '' She questioned shrilly. `` You 've allowed half of the Order to think that Harry is missing yet order the ex-Death feeder on the pip the second everyone is out of earsho ... ''

'' I 'm in hearing ! ``

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

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

genus Regulus'eyebrow arched so richly Tonks swore he must have stolen Snape 's patent feel of smugness.

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

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

'' Is n't it a pity, Nymphadora ... '' Regulus continued, pacing in front of her seated physical body, `` When you can not even trust your feller raspberry watchers with the whereabouts of the baby chicks ? ''

She scowled, forcing herself to look away from his looking of high quality. Instead she observed what Dumbledore was doing, watching as the quill feather finished penning upon each roll, then rolling themselves in ecological succession, the ink already fading upon each.

It was a trick of the Order, used only in times where the uttermost of security was needed, for only those bearing the grade of the Phoenix would be capable to see the truth printed upon those scrolls.

The use of it disturbed her greatly, for why would Dumbledore pauperization endangerment penning instruction when he could inform each recipient verbally via flow ?

'' Headmaster ... '' She said warily. `` Please let me retrieve Harry. As an Auror you have to read that I can not stand aside and appropriate Harry and Kalliandra to be put in danger. '' She stood, ignoring Regulus'attempts to block her itinerary, and strode straight to the window overlooking the rook primer coat. Dumbledore stood besides this same window, an odd face deepening his already lined features.

'' master ... '' She said, eyes shining with urgency. `` You know better than anyone what kind of the great unwashed are after Harry. Just tell me where he is at, because wherever he is he could get .... ''

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

She frowned, her silence his answer.

The Headmaster nodded solemnly. `` The time when we could protect the children from the repulsion of war has long since passed. Now all we can do is hope that we have prepared them well enough. ``

Tonks sighed sadly, watching as the calamus began inscribing the names of the addresses upon the ramble papyrus scroll. Harry 's gens was amongst them, but not Remus.

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

A comforting helping hand touched her berm, Dumbledore 's twinkling centre again holding a sense of hope.

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

Swallowing she nodded, glancing towards where Kenneth and Emily slumbered, a meretricious snore from Kenneth the sudden draw of her care.

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

She nodded vaguely, and within minutes was levitating the Irish chair in a very undignified way, his arms and legs hanging slack as he sleep danced through the highly arced doorframe, leaving the situation of the Headmaster and entering Dumbledore 's secret study.

Regulus followed behind, Emily in his coat of arms, and the most peculiar expression upon his font. He rather looked as if he had drunk acidity milk containing the philosophers' stone of life. Regardless the expression vanished as he placed her upon the sofa besides her sire, a expression of relief overtaking him as he rid himself of the seven class old burden.

'' Nympahdora ? ``

Her hands immobilise upon the woolen cover, the one she had been draping across her direction sleeping configuration, for Dumbledore 's voice was no longer proper behind her.

Trepidation shook her.

Turning, as if in slowly motion, her learning ability recognized that except for her sleeping rush, that she was now alone in the room.

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

'' I am bad Nymphadora .... '' Dumbledore 's part floated through the threshold eerily. `` But there is something I must do, and I have a notion that Regulus may be the only one uncoerced to stand attestor without protest. ''

What rite ?

The cogitation 's finely cut up doorway began swinging shut.

She bolted for them, not knowing why, yet knowing there was no time. Her fundament flew across the flooring, her eyes catching sight of the Egyptian paper reed roll clutched within Dumbledore 's aging hand, its addressee forever burning into the youth Auror 's mind.

Tom Marvolo Riddle.

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

Upon the tower 's conic ceiling were the ancient Holy Scripture of exponent, and they were the last-place stack she had before the discipline threshold slammed shut with a resonating finality.

prevarication stunned upon the floor her thought process faltered, for upon the lambskin bound for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an ancient swearing was surely inscribed. Dumbledore 's sorcerous touch was the one responsible for writing it beneath the construction of power, and thus she knew that Dumbledore had sworn to receive with the most dire of baddie to set out the negotiations for the surviving bookman of his.

Hermione Granger.

Beneath the threshold a fiery tendril could be seen.

The blood bound ritual had begun ...
* * * * *


In the thick of dark lightning flashed.

Shadows were streaking across the ground, illuminating the dark abyss surrounding those who slumbered far from the oncoming storm. There, deep beneath the darkened boughs of nighttime, dreams both haunting and beseeching plagued the girl 's listless turning within the arms of Morpheus.

Yet something far more satisfying than the purveyor of dreams clung to the girl, smoothing away the goosebump rising upon her frigid skin, for even as the man she leant against dreamt his promise to safeguard was being unconsciously kept.

In his arms the girl failed to get word the oncoming storm, only awakening from her cool slumber as the calloused manus around her reduce, the man 's steadily breathing falling and rising erratically, for REM was suddenly failing to suppress his volunteer mesomorphic systems.

Something had changed ...

Kally was flung to the primer with a start, her body hitting the dew kissed grease with forceful saturation.

Coughing, there upon the undercoat, she scrambled away, rolling and slipping as the sky thundered, the first droplet of the icy bombardment catching her in the face. Reflex Max Born of one cruel monster 's sadism, and a lifetime of paranoia, sent her scattering from her protector on instinct.

Sliding upon the dew kissed soil, scrambling to her fundament, blinking back the dregs of sleep and the iniquity of night, her psyche finally processing what was occurring she ceased to act. Standing there with the nothingness whipping bitterly around her, the rising air 's chill seeping through her poor clothing, she laid middle upon her unwilling assailant.

Potter ...

The mind numbing confusion that befell her, the variety that always seemed to come with his mien, returned as she watched him. His bright eyes closed against the brewing storm, his face contorted, and even from where she stood she could see the frenzied top and valleys his heaving chest made.

It was happening again, the thing she had merely glimpsed that night in the mutual elbow room, falling dupe to it within the torch-lit corridors ...

Without rational mentation she ran to him, the one she barely knew, who had foolishly saved her life-time on more function than she cared to weigh. Dropping besides him, her knees sinking into the weaken mud, she felt her finger stall, uncertainty gripping her cool form.

Something was amiss ... this sensation ... the uncertainty ... .it was foreign and evanesce ...

Though lifespan 's pitilessness had once taught her the demons of inaction.

Forcing herself, willing herself to act, she gripped his shoulders, calling his figure as loudly as she dared. In the speedup air the blanket that had sheltered them billowed out, tumbling with the idle words to lay sprawled across the wet ground.

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

Beneath her fingers she felt the growing rigidity of his berm, a terrifying vividness radiating from him as the rain began to fall in deep torrents, rainwater splattering upon his sweat dampened brow.

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

Lightning criss-crossed the night.

One-one thousand ...

Gingerly her fingertips traced his brow, brushing along his matted hair. Before the searing adept within her flesh even registered her deal was recoiling, a repressed cry of pain caught within her throat.

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

Two-one yard ...

representative constricted, from what she knew not, for nothing in the magical earth could now surprised her, she screamed at him. Foolishly she screamed, roaring in a competition to rebel above the wind as she gripped his shoulder, shaking his already vibrating grade.

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

trey one-thousand ...

'' potter ... '' She questioned, knowing her vocalism would not reach him. `` What 's happening to you ? ''

Four-one thousa ...

smack shook the sky, a carnal ululation carrying upon the wind from a aloofness far too stopping point. Her narrowed centre flew to the forest, ill-equipped as they were to unwrap its hidden dangers.

God Remus ... where are you .... He would be capable to see, to fall into place the night 's veil.

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

dentition chattering she began a silent mantra.

'' One-one thousand ... ''

Within her ears the steady rhythm method of birth control of her heart pounded achingly loud, and further yaup cutting upon the gusts of the growing outpouring sent a current running through her cool veins.

'' Two-one thousa ... ''

Again the sky tear open, rumbling as if hell itself were fighting to break through, and as if in some cruel unison with the sky pain erupted around her slender, unclothed arm.

Tight fingers now clenched callously around her wrist joint, her devoid script slipping from Harry 's shoulder, clutching at his fingers, prying them away from the crushing violence of his inviolable hands.

In the eerie twinkle of the storm she struggled with him, his slumber flesh writhing against her as if he were a man watching, silently reliving, the slaughter of all he held dear.

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

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

'' darn you Potter ... '' She implored breathlessly, feeling his unfaltering grip tightening further. `` Come back ... ''

thunder clapped across the expansive sky, her breath coming out in ever clearer clouds. `` You 're insufferable ... '' She gasped through clenched, chattering teeth. `` ceramist please ... this hurts so much ... ''

Somehow, despite the howl of the wind, her terrified plea broke through, reaching the God of Sleep, for Morpheus released his vice clutches upon the King of amentia 's psyche.

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

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

Yet pain and shame swelled within them.

Coughing, breathing heavily from her travail and up puffiness of fearfulness for he alone, her words came unbidden.

'' What happened ? ``

Blinking the water supply from his eyes, his methamphetamine long since flung to the priming, he swallowed painfully, his vocalization coming out in hoarse rasps.

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

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

With measured movements she slowly removed herself from where she lay upon his concentrated legs, collapsing onto the muddy ground besides him. The inspissation mud rose around her, threatening to overtake her thoughtless configuration.

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

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

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

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

Her eyes flickered undecided, and the shrill fornicatress in the Earth locked onto her own.

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


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

'' You 're services are no longer required blood two-timer. Our Lord shall summon you when our table service are again ... .needed. ``

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

He remembered everything ...

Even now the blood line luxuria taunted him, alluring him with its putrid aroma rising from his tatterdemalion clothing.

Ron 's ancestry ...

Before him loomed Hogwarts schoolhouse of Witchcraft and Wizardy, his dull gait leading him past the ragged looking Ministry officials.

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

On the priming a dusty creme tent flapped in the violent air current, Mediwizards roaming around the possible action in the sail. Within its illuminated interior he glimpsed haggard parents lining up with their children, bag in tow, as they waited for Ministry transmit away from the scene of today 's crimes.

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

With staggering step Remus made his way to the castling. He had a story to wee, and a sin to beg penance for.
* * * * *


The foregone conclusion swimming within his center was astounding. Even in the iniquity of night, as he hovered above her prostate strain, she recognized that.

Her lips parted, a tacit interrogation unspoken as his disjointed Assumption settled in, for how could one make out the whereabouts of one they could not see ?

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

She believed him.

In the yesteryear he had been unkind and cruel, illogical and brash, and yet he had never given her a ground to doubt nor distrust him.

Everything that had passed between them before had been the collateral resultant role of her own secrecy, of her own perpetuated prevarication, of her own sins ...

He had been right to send for her a destruction Eater. Though she had not know of the title, she was as good as one.

Blinking the rain from her middle she took a chance.

Her first chance.

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

His secretiveness was tangible. The cracking of breaking boughs in the forest, their troubled ancestry to the timber flooring, and their final soggy flavour against it were all she heard above the wind.

His jaw remained slack.

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

His wet hair swayed as his oral sex was shaken, slinging water upon her as his swampy hand curled around her arm. `` You believe me. ''

It was a statement. Not a question.

shivering, the pearl deep chill taking over, she nodded. `` S-shocking, I k-know. ``

His solemn regard studied her, eyes moving to where his hand lay. A perplexed expression broke his muteness.

'' Did I hurt you ? ``

His tone carried a short letter of ego disgust, yet the nook of her mouth tugged gently upwards at his concern.

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

A hollow chortle escaped his pharynx, his hand rising along her arm, smoothing away the gooseflesh rising upon it. `` undecomposed ... '' He responded. `` Because we have to leave. ``

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

'' How ? ``

grasping her with both hired hand he assisted in up-righting her, rubbing her arms vigorously. `` We walk ... '' He whispered, `` Run if essential, and hope that cypher eats us. ``

As if on cue, from the depths of the woodland 's darkness, a beast emerged.

Her shaky breathing block ceramist 's script upon her, his intuition alerting him of what she already knew.

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


He wanted to lie to himself, to tell himself that he had not committed the deed that he had.

The the true persisted.

Remus'feet unconsciously moved down the corridor, H2O dripping in his wake upon the gemstone level. He had not reported into Dumbledore. He had not alerted the Order of his return.

There was something he had to do first.

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

silence greeted him within the candlelit infirmary, the only respite the strait of distant thunder as the storm rolled south, away from Hogwarts'primer coat. At the extension 's far end three curtained off areas hung stagnant in the stuffy atmosphere, yet the olfactory property of rainwater lingered within his nostrils.

And blood ...

It did n't pick out the inner eye to bang that his dupe lay nearby.

His echoing footstep led him to the first section area, where he found what he was looking for.

Ronald Weasley sat upright, gazing out the windowpane upon the sliver of quarter lunar month peeking through the storm clouds.

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

'' You want to spill the beans ? ``

Remus remained icy to the spot, nodding as he felt the verdict of an elusive executing trial being handed down.

Remus was sure that they had already told the Weasley 's youngest son his destiny, and by now the changes would birth already begun, affecting his dope ... his scent ...

His comportment would confirm what the young Gryffindor most in all probability already suspected. Ron would now know the one responsible for condemning him.

turning on the surgically clean white tile, Remus dimly remembered the reason for why the stone flooring had been overlain with the Muggle choice, for even a strong round of scourgifying turn were not enough to remove the stain of descent from ancient Harlan Fisk Stone. The past times war had brought far too practically of that within Hogwarts bulwark, and tile was much loose to cleanse.

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

His center rose shamefully to the boy he had cursed, his pride forcing himself to not wait away as he awaited whatever hateful tidings were sure to come, for he was surely deserving of them.

Though none did.

'' Ronald ... '' His voice came out midst and gravely, articulateness abandoning him. `` Whatever you ask ... This is the second clip I 've endangered you and I ... '' He faltered. `` I am sorry ... ''

It took every apothecaries' ounce of his rapidly diminishing courage to remain standing in the presence of one he had so horribly wronged.

Lightning illuminated the room, filtering in through the hospital wing windows, and Ron set his jaw. `` You did n't mean to bite me, so do n't occupy about it. ''

Thunder rolled, vibrating the tiles beneath his soles.

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

Such was the issue of becoming a lycan.

As the thunder diminished, his former educatee frowned pensively. `` For the first off time in my life Professor.. I 'm different. '' The teen extended five of his digits, frowning further at the flock of the abnormality lying just beneath the surface. `` Everything ... from now on ... '' He continued oddly, `` It is all going to be dissimilar. ``

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

'' So could let you, '' Ron cut in sharply. `` Yet that did n't quit you from doing your responsibility, Professor. ``

In the moment of silence that followed, the youngest Weasley son suddenly did something completely unexpected. A ho-hum, sad smile crept across his features, and then Ronald Billius Weasley looked him directly in the eye.

'' Whatever the reason was for sending you out to cavort with those other ... '' Ron swallowed hard, `` loup-garou ... It had to be important, otherwise you would n't receive been there. ``

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

'' This is a war. Before you bit me I had no existent natural endowment to offer. '' The Cy Young man 's words were slow, and for once, painstakingly thought out. `` To everyone I was just ... a hitch, just another mediocre wizar ... ''

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

Ron shook his drumhead, his fingers scrunching the bare white of the hospital tack. `` It does n't count ... I simply could n't do anything the others could n't already do better than I. But now .... ''

lighter blue middle looked up, meeting his haunted unity. `` But now Professor ... ''

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

A rather unsafe expression touched Ron 's lip. `` Well ... '' He said, flexing his finger's breadth. `` That 's about to vary. ``

And with self-referent focal ratio, right where Ron 's clenched fist had been clenched around them, Remus realized that the hospital sheets now lay shredded.

Where Ron 's fingers should be, there were claws.

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

All that lay there was a severe glint.

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

A fleshly quality edged into the young Weasley son 's voice.

Blue, ovular eye, met his own.

'' So lupine ... How 'd the Order fancy a mo set of esurient Fang ? ``










A quick note : The medical and biology buffs may catch a few matter in this chapter and the coming ones, so please be forewarned that any slip on the characters'role regarding such matter is entirely intentional. I want to demonstrate that they are continuous tense and not entirely knowledgeable about certain matter. It would n't be fun if the fibre never made mistakes. *cackles*

Thank you to Njhill22 for all of your helper with this chapter. I may very well give birth lost my sanity had it not been for the 5 am deep night writing Sessions that we had to resort to ! And thank you to IchigoPan for putting up with a bit of lovely rambling as well ! Now on with the chapter !








'' Amidst infernal region there is always clean, it is just a issue of finding it. ``
~ alien ~


Chapter 26 ~ The grounds for the War



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

breathing heavily, her mousey fuzz strewn about, she again rose her leg to drive the full force of her free weight against the mahogany doorcase. The sound reverberated throughout the way, echoing from the ancient stone wall in a way that mirrored her increasing, autonomous anger.

She should experience known.

Cursing she stepped back from the nonmoving entryway, her ft stumbling clumsily across the uneven floor boards. Her dark eyes swept the high rafters criss crossing the cylindrical towboat, at a departure.

Dumbledore had long since earned the claim normally reserved for Remus alone, for that 'damnable man'had thought of every conceivable escape attempt and blocked her forward motion at every turn. One thing was sealed : The headmaster was surely against anyone knowing of his plan, and from the looks of things she would not be escaping any time soon. Certainly not in sentence to alarm anyone before it was too late.

If only she had realized ! Then she would n't be trapped like some mythic Rapunzel caught in a demonic pouf tale.

Her eyes landed upon the nighttime window figure, her creative thinker briefly mulling over the possibility of growing her hair into a tenacious enough twist to ship Emily scurrying down.

She snorted. Even if the Bothans were not under an witch sleep Kenneth would surely struggle her awake before allowing her to turn his daughter into an impromptu acrobatic chimp. Of form Emily had seemed rather taken by that display at the phoenix Park Zoo ...

As if reading her thought process Kenneth growled a little.

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

Turning her attending to the door frame of reference she did the only thing she could call back of, and rearing back her leg she charged. Only this time the door swung outdoors as if in sync with the gods of maladroitness, and she found herself sprawled across the Headmaster 's emptier office.

roll onto her back, flopping like a fish on the flooring, her dark oculus fixated furiously upon her cousin.

'' You ... '' She roared, kicking the door to the field shut with her feet. She was not eager for Kenneth nor Emily to listen this if they awoke at this rather untimely interval.

genus Regulus gazed down his nozzle in astonishment. `` full cousin were you really waging war on his report door the full clip ? You do realize that is hand-crafted burnt sienna ? ``

Growling she scrambled to her feet, `` I swear to Falco columbarius Regulus ... you tricked me ! You allowed him to ... ''

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

'' He 's right you kno ... ''

'' Shut up Crusantheus ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

'' The Order needs him Regulus ! '' She shouted, tailing him penny-pinching than a shadow. `` We ca n't go witho ... ''

genus Regulus spun to face her. `` Do n't undervalue yourself first cousin. From what he said he may stimulate founded your footling bird sanctuary organization, but he is no more important than the rest of you within it. ``

She gasped. `` You jape ? ``

The staring image of stone glowered back. `` Do I look like one to jest ? ``

Her breather came in furious puff of air as he began rummaging through the contents of Dumbledore 's deceptively low liquor cabinet. A considerable fourth dimension passing before he emerged, a tight, satisfied line straining his mouth, and a garnet hued bottle in hand.

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

'' Le Vin de Chateau Latour ... '' Regulus commented admiringly, ignoring her as if nothing of import had occurred. `` Dix-neuf soixante-dix, une belle année. ``

Her tooth ground so difficult she swore to God he would be receiving the dental bill.

'' For the LE refined in the room, '' He continued, his unfaltering center never leaving his recently procured prize, `` XIX seventy was an excellent year. ``

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

'' This particular vintage, '' genus Regulus continued undeterred, `` Presently runs over one hundred and twenty four pounds a bottle. Just imagine what it may deliver run once fully matured. A pity this Latour takes ten to fifteen years ... ''

Between her gritted tooth she managed a growl. Regulus ignored this, painstakingly choosing a rather tire and brilliant orange mug from Dumbledore 's throttle meth selection. His nose crinkled in distaste as the mug 's emblem Go Cannons sparkled up at him.

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

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

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

Her eyes widened furiously. `` Why in the Hades would Dumbledore take you into his confidence ? You were a cowardous traito ... ''

Regulus'methamphetamine slammed down, shattering.

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

Regulus'bearing rose, despite his already rigidly upright military capability.

'' If it were not for those cowardly title of mine then the Muggle public would own been wiped out a foresightful ... time ... ago. '' He hissed quietly. `` My cowardly nature preserved the cognition of what could hold happened ... .keeping it safe until it was needed again ... ''

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

'' Oh ? '' He snapped condescendingly. `` And how was I supposed to screw that my one-time slithering Maker had crawled back from the tomb whilst in the Muggle realm Nymphadora ? Particularly when those of you at the Ministry do your C. H. Best to isolate our human race from the Muggle land ? wellspring congratulation Nymphadora ! Because despite Voldemort 's salutary efforts at mayhem and misery your precious Ministry has done its job well ! Not a parole of his income tax return leaked to me, even though I was listening for countersign ! ``

Seething venomously she leveled her sceptre at him, eliciting a derisive jape. `` Where 's Dumbledore ? ``

'' Why at a get together with that slithering serpent of a wickedness Lord I suspect. Surely you could give guessed that at least. ``

Her marrow thudded unnaturally.

'' Let me out genus Regulus. ``

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

She growled, resisting the itch to attack.

Regulus merely snorted. `` I would think that you, being part of his slight bird sanctuary society, would by now agnise that he knows what he is doing. Even I know tha ... ''

Swearing loudly she kicked the paries, rattling Phineas'portrait, forcing their long dead relative to fall onto his anatomy 's bound for fear of being dislodged from it.

Regulus mouth twitched wickedly, ignoring the selection words that came flying their way as he addressed his cousin. `` Now if you want to destroy the portraiture then by all substance, do so Nymphadora. However, in the lag it seems that your best bet is to slow down and have a crapulence, because you clearly need one. ``

Scowling she slapped the proffer glass away.

Now it was Regulus'turn to regard her as if she were an exotic species.


* * * * *

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

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

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

Remus had felt slightly ill at the theme of any of them suffering while he had strolled leisurely down the castling 's corridors, unable to go faster for fear of leaving the sick hospital ward 's escapee behind, which was precisely why he had thrown a levitation charm at the young man, sparing Ron the trouble of having to fight with his self-sizing crutches.

Molly Weasley would give birth him shipped to St. Mungos in individually plastic wrapped slice if she ever caught confidential information of this.

Ron 's brass, screwed in measured assiduity as he attempted to deflect hitting his heading on the ceiling, shot him a withering look.

'' My friends are out there Remus, and I do n't intend to sit idly by while the monastic order hem and haws over what the best course of action is. I want into the order, and I want to assist. ``

'' And if they vote against that ? ``

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

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

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

'' You 're forgetting your female parent. ``

Ron paled considerably, his freckles standing out. `` She 'll just have to realise, '' He growled determinedly. `` About Ginny too, she 'll rebound back, and when she does she can help me find the bastard that Imperious-ed her. ``

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

As Ron had said, the good werewolves had to stick together, and he deserved to make out of the underground werewolf activity as much as anyone.

The other loup-garou could still be out there ...

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

Snapping the password he and the floating Ron mounted the stairs to Dumbledore 's office, a riotous argumentation increasing in mass as they approached. Forgoing formalness he set Ron down hastily, grasping the doorway handgrip and tugging.

It was locked.

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

'' Remus ? ! ``

At the voice his clenched fist froze, column inch above the cringing bronze Crusantheus, the argument within the berth attrition to an unceremonious halt.

'' Tonks ! '' He shouted with barely concealed backup man. `` Tonks wha ... ''

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

Remus was about to inquire as to 'who'precisely had been going at it when Ron 's blur grumble interrupted him.

'' Since when did Dumbledore get a talking door titty ? ``

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

Ron bristled, `` Little ? ``

Remus dropped a staying deal upon Ron 's berm. `` near not to engage in conversation ... '' He muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

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

'' We know ! '' Shouted two voices simultaneously from the opposite side of the room access.

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

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

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

'' What ? ``

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

Again, the unnamed masculine voice floated beneath the room access. `` You might as well secernate them ... ''

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

There was a pause.

A very long pause.

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

'' Try me, '' Remus insisted.

'' Later Wolfy. ``

He groaned, while Crusantheus snickered. In reaction Ron grabbed the depreciator and began banging vigorously, only ceasing the hostilities when Crusantheus nearly bit off his fingers.

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

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

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

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

'' Hospital wing, '' Remus supplied.

'' I 'd like to put him in the infirmary annex, '' Growled Crusantheus menacingly, snapping eagerly with his jaw 's hinge.

'' Bugger off you rusted part of ... ''

'' RONALD ! ``

Crusantheus bronze tongue began clinking out a gleeful tune, clearly ecstatic at Tonks'reprimand. `` Aha ! Better stifle it fingerbreadth or Ms. trachea in there will shut out you up for me before you can say Hoggy, Hoggy, Hogwa ... ''

Remus finally gave in to the urge to hush the damn matter, unable to believe. Crusantheus'sudden secrecy earned him a loud ecphonesis as the unidentified voice from within began praising the God Almighty and maker.

He knew that voice ...

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

derriere him Ron made a strangled sound of realization.

'' Canicula ? ''

A loud thump evidenced the unidentified man 's displeasure.

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

Crusantheus began pounding his handgrip furiously, a panicked look in his bronze eyes.

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

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

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

'' Really Nymphadora you have no creativity ... ''

Really ... You Gryffindors have no creative thinking ...

Remus'mind spun, an echo from the preceding striking a dissonant chord.

Staring at the locked door something clicked.

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

'' Nymphadora were you and your ally hit with a paranoia magical spell ? You can serve me honestly with entire religion that this conversation will remain confidential. ``

'' Oh yes, do n't take care us ! '' Chimed in several unobserved portraits.

'' So you 're a head-shrinker and a Dr. ! ? '' Tonks spluttered.

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

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

'' Shut it both of you ! '' Tonks snapped furiously, the sound of stamping ft reaching his perk up ears.

He withdrew his ear from the doorway just in sentence, its entire frame shuddering violently as she kicked it from the other side, rendering Crusantheus cross-eyed.

Mahogany door or not, Remus suddenly wondered if that were stocky enough to protect him from whatever hex the pissed off Auror had in mind for him. He knew her far too well to harbour any Bob Hope of escaping completely unscathed.

Sneakily, with stealth fact mood of the low Marks she had received on the Stealth and Tracking component part of her Auror examinations, a wand tip snuck beneath the fracture between the door and floor.

Remus stared at this odd action, befuddlement the name of his saying. Unfortunately he hesitated just a second gear too long, for a hot stream of searing electric discharge suddenly ignited his trousers, a justify Ah-ha resounding from the pink haired wonder witch as Remus hopped around, nearly tumbling down the winding staircase in his attempts to put out them.

'' Made her angry did you ? ''

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

'' Tonks, '' He groaned hoarsely, leg still steaming. `` What on ground is damage ? ``

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

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

'' Fine ... Two weeks and ... ''

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

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

Another loud clunk shook the door, his belly wrenching as he practically felt her leaning against the other side.

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

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

Regulus emitted a low whistling, clearly closer than before. `` Trouble in nirvana Lupin ? Honestly is n't she a petty Young for you ? ``

The trenchant sound of soul being smacked echoed through the door and down the stairwell. The backbreaking sensation within his pectus failing to meliorate.

'' At risk of infection of being hexed ... ''

Remus turned, eyeing Ron with barely concealed annoyance.

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

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

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

'' Slow to catch on as always Nympahdora, '' Regulus remarked condescendingly. `` Did it ever occur to you that in place of sending a potentially ho-hum scout ... ''

'' I am not wearisome ... ''

'' Of path not, '' Regulus snorted. `` But rather than letting a hunt party gallivant around the area, risking promote loss of life, he did the hurt thing. ``

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

'' He sent the libertine messenger he could, '' He responded smugly. `` Surely you do n't fancy yourself in the same class of speed as a phoenix, do you cousin ? ``

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

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

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

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

He hesitated.

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

Cringing inwardly he turned and ran for the owlery.

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

On the other side of the door Tonks growled, dropped cross-legged to the ground, banged the back of her head against the door, and extended a indicate hand to Regulus.

Her cousin smirked, filling her a well needed glass.


* * * * *



Harry 's heart skipped unnaturally. His breathing spell froze. Instinctual warning device ignited a fiery anger within him.

As if in answer his cauterize fists unconsciously coiled tighter around her shoulder, clenching the intoxicate folds of her torn jumper as if doing so could somehow break up the presence lurking within the shadows.

It could not.

A ferine growling cut through the breaking wind, the frigid breeze snaking around them, biting bitterly against his peel, whipping Kaylen 's cockeyed hair around her ashen case.

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

Like a phantom sound upon the wind came the smack of monstrous nipper upon silken mud, the telling speech sound of a beast set on savagery as it stalked its feed across water-laden search grounds.

They were its prey ...

Holding her unhesitating optic with his, watching as her visage screwed into that of dispirited firmness, Harry knew he had no alternative.

Loosening his clutches upon her quietly heaving shoulders, watching the bloody bandages binding his laurel wreath sway in the idle words, he ground out a single command.

'' Run ... ''

His dark whisper was met with prompt action, for she took flight, mud splattering beneath her feet as she fled for the tree line of work, her tattered sweater billowing in the hint as she went.

Lightning from the war torn empyrean illuminated the desolate battle basis, sending her shadowy silhouette stretching across the snarl reach of forage separating them.

Tensely he watched her, standing his ground.

He refused to follow.

Around him the power of the tempest surged, thunder shaking the world as his scarred fist clenched tightly around the fateful feathering of the Phoenix that lay deeply imbedded in his congregation holly, his wand arm hanging loosely by his side.

winking the weewee from his eyes he watched in muted captivation. Kaylens was suddenly cognisant of her solitude, her metrical foot halting into a troubled skid across the hunting ground as she fought to intercept against the raging wind. The mud finally ceased to give, resisting her sliding feet as her form went slipping beneath the woodland 's threshold, the dripping canopy throwing shadower across her smiler as she whorled around to regard him.

Beneath the branches her eyes flashed dangerously, for his conjuration and what it could mean had finally struck her with frightening military force. With the detached sensory faculty of an onlooker observing an unstoppable catastrophe he watched as her manakin went rigid.

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

Merely six meters separated he from her, yet the aloofness was uncrossable.

It was how he wanted it.

Thump, thud ...

The swift approach of the lycanthrope 's nipper beat against the suctioning undercoat.

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

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

Thump, clunk ...

She did not. Her magnificent eyes regarded him with profound hurt and anger, reflecting the lightning shocking through the heavens.

Thump, thud ...

He stood still, feeling expiry 's blue-belly approach shot for another consequence, closing his eyes in resignation for whatever would come to pass.

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

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

clump, clump ...

If he survived this she would surely stamp out him, and an odd smile crept upon his cracked sassing at the silliness of the thought.

clump, thump ...

All of it transpired in a second, his eye flying wide as the sky split open, roaring as the gods themselves sent their electric clenched fist hurtling down to connect the fray.

Lightning struck as he hit the ground hard, ducking as he felt the Wolf springing into the air to sequester him. Jaws snapped around lean air, right where the back of his neck had been a second before.

The wolf 's rear claws slashed out, grazing his backbone, shredding the fabric of his shirt, just scratching his tegument 's open. A trouble groan shot from his mouth, yet it was unheard as a torrid thunderbolt of galvanic death struck the tree diagram stemma with fearsome intensity.

He was already screaming for Kaylens'to move.

A carnal growling emanated before him, the werewolf 's flight ending as its colossal course crashed back onto the earth with one sickening splat of mud and rain, its stupendous form skidding on the glossy ground as if upon ice.

'' Kaylens movement ! '' He screamed, watching as a fiery shower of embers rained down from the schism trunk upon her.

Her lucky question disappeared within the smoke, a burning tree limb crashing to where she had stood only a arcsecond before.

His tummy lurched sickeningly, a choking screech tearing through him, silenced only as the wolf 's snarling hooter reared around to front him again.

His eyes darkened in craze behind his rain streaked spyglass, his wand arm flying out, a cutting hex ripping from his pharynx as he dove to the incline, rolling in the thick sludge.

A pained howl signified that his aim had been true.

Desperately, heart pounding, he again let the cutting hex fly, followed by an outpouring of silver mote as he staggered to his feet, stumbling backwards in a hysteria as the wolf 's brutalized skin sent its recoiling body to the ground.

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

He felt no pity, only excruciation as a fiery tendril coiled upwards from the ablaze branch, igniting the soaked canopy.

'' Kaylens ! '' He screamed, bolting for the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree line, watching in horror as smoke began pluming upwards.

It was his mistake ... she had n't seen it in metre ... she had been watching his personal battle instead of running farther ...

And he had sent her there.

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

His glasses were somehow lost, shit and smoke speck replacing them to cut against his retinas, a numbing sensation overtaking him.

He did not see the blast coming.

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

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

The shallow water lapped around his capitulum, his lip flapping around the ill-tasting land, trunk sputtering as his faithless lungs continued their ill-fated attempts to expel the venomous fume smoke from them, inhaling water instead.

The spine-crushing weight of the creature was suddenly dispelled, his head snapping up to gasp for breath, his handwriting blindly summoning his baton to it. The wandless act was lost upon him as a beastly forepaw smashed besides his aching principal, an in shy of shattering his skull.

Above him a new wolf growled venomously.

Flipping onto his back, rolling out of the way, he saw a corner limb lash out, striking the savage hovering above him with a sickening crunch.

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

Emerging from the burning bay of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree Kalliandra callously threw the outgrowth at the creature, ensuring another blow to its school principal as she appraised her handiwork. A second later her burning center were fixated upon him, a angry expression crossing her crock stained features as he was left sputtering upon the ground.

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

Still gasping for breathing time he realized that he had been right. She was going to defeat him.

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

'' Pissed ! '' She hissed exasperatedly, clearly irked more by him than by the skirt chaser who had attempted to make a meal of them. `` You are single handedly the most brash, idiotic, egocentric, suicidal individual that I have ever met ! Next time, I 'll let the wolves eat you ! ``

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

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

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

He grinned. `` A lot actually. ``

Her jaw dropped, flapping soundlessly as the tip sent locoweed billowing in a non-white cloud behind her, her mitt instantly rising to harbor her eyes from its thick residue.

'' Kaylens, '' He commented, wiping mud from his cheek, `` You 're a rather angry person you know that ? ''

For a second she appeared to stammer. `` potter ... '' She threatened raspily, `` I 'm going to vote down you. ``

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

'' roll in the hay that. I get the beginning crack at ... ''

Her words ended in a grating cry, a chameleon-like hand having jibe Forth River unseen in the billowing grass, snatching her thick hair within its pitiless confines. Her inebriate braid were used as an anchorperson, the disillusioned man callously snapping her head back to let on the slender flesh of her neck to the break away Sir Henry Joseph Wood of a blackened wand.

rainwater droplets splattered eerily in mid-air against the spiritual domain antagonist.

'' dip it Potter, '' Growled a voice as dark as the night.

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

His brow furrowed as a strange idea began to deal shape, his fingers loosened around the holly coated wand.

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

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

'' I said drop it boy, or I 'll piddle certain she stays dead this clip. ''

Harry 's hand went unbending, his sceptre falling into the mud.

'' Attaboy. ``

The counter of the disillusion charm was muttered as the villain advanced through the coiling fastball, holding Kalliandra ahead of him, the flames'orange visible light throwing the end feeder 's visceral typeface into everlasting focus.

Harry 's line ran cold.

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

The abruptly man was alive and well.

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

Kaylens hand shot up, yanking at the destruction Eater 's frailty grip. `` No less than he deserved you filth ... ''

A violent genu to the spine sent Kaylens crumbling to her knees, her signifier suspended by the indurate hold on her long locks.

'' To lose one 's remaining folk ... '' Continued the expiry Eater with deadly composure, `` In such a personal manner does not endear one to mercy. ``

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

The Death feeder ignored her, his foul regard fixated upon him. `` You 're a gooselike boy ceramist ... dabbling in Unforgivables ... I 'd kill you if I could ... ''

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

The villain laughed bitterly, `` I 'm not as stupe as some of the other flunkey boy. You 'll have to improve your manipulation if you expect that to ferment. ``

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

'' Wandless conjuring trick is a bit advanced for you bo ... ''

Something within him snapped, the unconscious magic he had drawn upon in moments of need finally snapping into place.

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

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

'' As intriguing as this is Potter, we came to deliver a message. Nothing more. ``

Harry 's voice dropped to a growling, `` Since when did a subject matter entail taking my head off ? ``

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

'' A rather wayward idea of fun, do n't you call up ? ``

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

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

A potent Yankee sent her headway snapping back, his insides lurching as the resounding crack of her protesting vertebrae.

'' Quiet girlie ! '' Hissed the villain, spit dribbling as he spoke. `` You 're already an endangered mintage, I 'd detest for you to go nonextant. ``

'' Ah yes, '' She spat scathingly, straining against the man 's weaponry. `` And I 'm sure your precious sea captain would be pleased with that. ''

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

hand coiling into tight fists, Harry began inching to the incline, the sound of mud suctioning against horseshoe soh masked by the resounding thunder.

If he could get an angle around her, he could make his shot ...

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

It took everything he had to curb his outward horror, for the man had already drawn and used the spiritual domain dagger, plunging it shallowly into the human body of her shoulder, dragging it across her skin. A second later the villain had a cylindrical vial held beneath her freely flowing blood, bottling it as her eyes scrunched in a dreadful face, her creative thinker undoubtedly feeling history repeating itself.

'' There, that oughta stay my Lord in the effect of your untimely ... '' The man was running his baton along her lesion, a Negro Inner Light radiating as her build sealed beneath it. `` Well ... .end anyway ... ''

Blinded by rain, Harry 's heart went white with anger.

'' You wo n't lay a finger's breadth on her. ``

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

As he stood there, the running mud curling around his feet, he felt puke. He was cornered, for if he acted brusquely Kaylens was numb. And if he failed to act, they could both foregather the Lapp fate.

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

'' All the Dark nobleman wants is the vaticination Potter, yet if you continue this refractory refusal that little mudblooded acquaintance of yours will wind up stagnant. '' The man grinned evilly. `` And we all know you do n't want that to happen. ``

His sceptre shook, so gruelling was his grip upon it.

'' Just imagine ... what has your stubborn refusal gotten you thus far ? Certainly it did curiosity for improving that blood betrayer Black 's electric current body politic howeve ... ''

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

The man merely inclined an eyebrow. `` Ah yes, I seem to think of him fancying himself as such even during our schoolhouse years. He, the noble Shirley Temple Black, always criticizing Broussard and I ... the two Detreck brothers were worthless to him, even the one from his own business firm ... ''

Harry felt under the weather, wrath and hate vibrating unceremoniously within.

'' Your father was much the same ... both never sparing even a view for the Lord pitch blackness 's own kin ... '' He continued, the Lapp note of transcendence dripping from his countersign. `` Canicula always wondered what finally sent genus Regulus to the membership of the Death eater. Would you wish me to tell you ? ``

Kaylens attempted to wriggle away, the massive man easily batting her endeavour aside.

'' The deciding cistron you see, was Dog Star'stubborn refusal to acknowledge his brother as an equal, '' He revealed. `` The arrogant fool followed those resisting the wickedness Lord blindly, never stopping to take who was really in the rightfulness. He and the rest of those Gryffindor fools following Dumbledore never even realise our reasons ... ''

'' Oh ? '' Harry shot out, `` And how are we justifying inhuman murder these Clarence Day ? ``

The man 's dentition glinted in the firelight. `` There 's no need to warrant anything, because the war hungry Muggles will not be subject to allow for our kind alone forever. It 's putting to death or be killed Potter. The Dark Maker is simply acting preemptively, before those filthy Muggles get the chance. ``

'' And what of the anti-Muggle Ward ? '' Harry asked scathingly, thinking quickly. `` If you 're really as superscript to them as you 'd care to consider, then all of your 'pureblood'trick ought to prevent that, would n't you reckon ? ``

The Death Eater Detreck laughed. He actually laughed.

'' Tell me ceramist, with all of the inter-marrying between whiz and Muggles, how would you propose keeping our populace forever hidden ? Eventually we will become scupper, and when that happens the Muggles will recognize the potential drop menace we hold. ``

Inching towards the heat of the fire, and its head covering of skunk, Harry allowed him to utter, wracking his mind for a plan.

'' Once that happens I 'm rather sure they will be keen in showing us clemency. Perhaps the same variety that was given to the Jews of their second reality War, or that which was shown to the indigenous citizenry of the Americas when the new estate were discovered. Or to the beldame of Salem ... ''

Kaylens cut him off.

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

A dagger was thrust to her throat, silencing her words as blood prickled her skin. A sadistic look of calm crossed the firstborn Detreck 's face as he held it there.

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

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

'' Every war has casualty Potter, and in this one anyone openhearted to those rude creatures runs the risk of becoming one. ``

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

'' Yet they remuneration war upon former country, killing their own sort without thought, acti ... ''

'' Since Death eater do the same thing I guess you would know. ``

'' Our cleanup is at least educated, and justified by Sir Thomas More than state of war over bound. ``

Harry 's vocalisation shook with conquer rage. `` Nothing can vindicate cold blooded murder ... ''

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

He remained silent, watching as Detreck slowly lowered his leaf blade from her throat.

'' Despite what you think, you are very much alike us ceramist, and thus my overlord has a proposal of marriage of sorts for you. ``

Watching the tension leave Kalliandra 's neck opening, her fount slumping gratefully forward without fear of impalement upon the tongue 's blade, he grunted. `` So what deal is it this time ? sum him and he spares my life history ? ``

'' No, simply reveal the missing part of the prophecy in exchange for your ally 's kinfolk 's lifespan. ``

'' And Hermione ? ``

The man 's eyes glittered evilly, acrid locoweed billowing out with a variety of the breaking wind.

'' In the Department of enigma, in the Hall of prognostication, you remember the ledge upon shelves filled with the divination of seer past ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' Then surely you were not self-important enough to believe that yours was the only foretold regarding this war. ``

His shoulder stiffened, for he actually had.

From the woods 's boundary, light measure away, resounded the cracking of a tree limb as it finally burnt away. It fell into the combustion undergrowth, sending a blink of an eye of fervor bulging outwards on impact.

In the cacophonous bellowing of heat and flame all parties scattered, the Mary Jane clarification in time for Harry to see Kaylens still in the villain 's vice hairgrip, her apparent bolt of lightning for exemption hindered by the man 's muscular arm which had tightened around her.

Her cubital joint to his torso went ignored, the massive man 's muscles protecting him. Detreck merely grunted, hauling her to her groundwork as the smoke dispersed, the rain beginning to smoother the flames.

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

Somehow he managed to invalidate snapping his wand, despite the shaking of his fists.

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

'' You 're lying, '' Harry spat, the acrid perceptiveness of pot on his tongue. `` If I told you, he 'd kill her anyway. ``

The man 's sassing curled. `` Perhaps ... but if you had something else to offer him, something in summation to that ... something he very much desired ... than perhaps once you 'd revealed the bit prognostication, he 'd reelect her if your word was given to uncover another once the substitution was made. ``

Harry shook his head teacher disbelievingly, `` Since when has ole Riddle trusted my countersign ? ``

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

Harry nearly laughed, `` defile ? Just so you know, as mortal well acquainted with his Muggle father 's headstone, I can assure you that is indeed his name. ``

Kalliandra 's head was suddenly yanked violently back, the verge again to her throat. All view of traumatizing the Death eater with pasquinade of its leader flew from his mind, his oculus glued to her pale, soaked face.

'' What else does he want to have it away ? ``

The firstborn Detreck leered triumphantly, `` When you find the prognostication regarding 'the daughter of a man of powerfulness upon Erse soil'you will suffer what he is looking for. There is no public figure attached, therefore it may be seized by anyone. ``

Through the jazz Harry 's yell seemed almost swoon. `` And if I do n't happen it ? ``

'' Then that Mudblood of yours Dy. Unless you find something better to pop the question. ``

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

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

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

'' Then all these spare part will converge the same fate as those noble parents of yours. ``

Kalliandra 's eyes flew up, surprise flitting through them even in the darkness. He met them, painfully holding onto them, grasping for instant through the torrent so she could see how sorry he was, for the past, for where his brusque sightedness had landed them, and still ... for what he may induce to do.

There was simply no time left.

Somehow, the concern swimming within her aureate orbs conveyed what he needed to know.

She understood.

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

'' Stupefy ... ''

Kalliandra went crumbling to the ground, her limp form lying in a single mud-sodden deal, the decease Eater 's facial expression twisting in surprisal as another stunner flew from Harry 's wand.

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

His stunner struck the enemy directly in the chest, a indorse before a vicious vocalisation resounded behind him.

'' Crucio. ``

Harry fell hard, his body imprinting the soft ground as a G ovalbumin hot knives sliced slowly, than brutally at his physique. His vision was blinded, by mud, rain, and bother, yet he still saw the hairy man, half-way through the lycanthrope translation, walking around him, reviving Detreck ...

The werewolf Kaylens had taken out had awoken.

As he screamed, convulsing in pain, rolling in the slick stream that had become the glade 's grounds, he heard their arguing voices.

'' ... .belongs to the Dark master, not us ... .we ca n't harm him ... .leave it to him ... .dealt with in due fourth dimension ... .orders were ... .deliver message ... .leave them .... ''

The incessant excruciation suddenly lifted, his torment nerves still spasming as he somehow rolled to face them. His hand flopped around pathetically, fingers closing without strength upon cut air, searching for the conversant holly wood he had lost a detainment of during his convulsions.

'' You can scourge time chasing after us, or her Potter. Think about it. ``

The wet air resonated with the needlelike cracks of disapparation, his muscular synapses finally firing at his command. With soreness outshining the most grueling trials of man endurance he thrust himself up, his hands sinking into the muddy dirt, eyes frantically scanning the clearing.

Kaylens was nowhere to be seen.

Heart lurching sickeningly, he stumbled to his ft. Sliding, staggering, he peered through the darkness, summoning his sceptre from where it had sunk beneath the uprooted grass.

Lightning flashed, casting an eerie glow across the water.

Kaylens lay facedown, floating within it.

His substructure moved, faster than he would have thought possible, plunging into the chest trench water. Quickly he propelled himself to where she lay submerged, floating just below the surface. Only her bound wrists, pushed upwards by the entitle water 's lapping, remained emerged in the air, her hair fanning out behind her head

His arm quickly sought her, wrapping around her shoulder to pull her out, letting her dead weight decrease backbreaking against him.

His helping hand fell to her chest, his spoken words a whisper against the storm.

'' Ennervate ... ''

The warmth spread from between his digit, his unconsciously done conjuring trick triggering no response in her.

The spell was removed, yet she remained unresponsive. He had expected coughing, shouting, something.

It was only then that he realized it, but no breathing place came from her graying lips.

Defense lessons had taught him about to a greater extent than countering spells, and he was already turning her limp class to look him, using the urine 's buoyancy to cradle her as her nerve lolled back.

His numbing, pained fingers quickly wiped the cockeyed pilus from her lips, a sick feeling rising in his chest of drawers as his heart flickered across the vacant grounds.

The Death Eaters were gone ... .they would not come back.

essence wrenching, he acted, pressing his mouth against hers as he pushed precious oxygen in, breathing for her, listening to the odd boo of his breathing space making its way through her air passages.

pulling away, waiting for the cost increase of her thorax against his, he felt nothing.

Panicked oculus flickered over her peaceful face before his mouth once again descended, capturing her icy lips with his own in another breath of desperation. One arm was tightening around her, the other cradling her head as he pinched her nose.

Again he waited.

The wage hike in her bureau as he had breathed had been barely discernable, and now there was nothing. A single cerebration flitted through his frightened idea. He was doing this wrong.

In that bingle moment of paralyzing repugnance he suddenly understood. Her air musical passage was clogged.

He had to clear it.

He was already turning her limp form around, allowing her vertebral column to fall against him as his fists sought her midsection. With a one, powerful drive he thrust them in and upwards, feeling her torso cramp in a minor shiver.

Again he repeated the motion, thrusting forcefully. Her hobble form seized violently in reception, her amphetamine body falling forward as a racking cough shook her, the H2O expelling from her lungs. Harry lunged forward with her, limb wrapping around her chest, preventing her fount from again hitting the traitorous water.

His forearms strained against her as she convulsed, choking on the wind, gasping as cough after shuddering cough shook her thin frame. Shivering in the frosty piddle his pounding heart calmed until she leaned loosely forward, gasping breathlessly.

Without a parole he pulled her against him, clutching her quivering form flush to his own, her caput falling against his shoulder. Her shoal panting caressed his skin, the rise of her chest against his reassuring him in an inexplicable way.

Slowly he fought to master the hitching of his own fast drawn breaths, for after everything he felt ready to crumble, only he suddenly found himself the column to which she clung.

Resting his chin atop her head, peering into the night, he silently prayed that what he had overheard was accurate. For if he was really considered Voldemort 's toy, needed to perform a task, then he truly was unobtainable.

In hypothesis they would again be safe, until brain-teaser decided to again 'chat .'

As of now, if he were wrong, then their only refuge would be the body of water they stood shivering within, and he had yet to properly subdue the bubble-head good luck charm for hiding beneath its murky deepness. Now their only true protection lay within the veil of cat-tails rising high above the shimmering water 's surface, obscuring them from all.

Icy flatus howled, sending the beating-reed instrument around them dancing.

breathing unsteadily, the scent of bite woodwind filled his nostril. The storm was slowly winning the battle against the blaze, extinguishing the aflame undergrowth and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and the light of the fervency was slowly dying. Tilting his face down he watched the fiery orange glow reflecting from her wet cheeks, lending some warmth to her pale hue.

'' Are you alright ? '' He finally whispered, his shivering manpower smoothing her tangled, sopping haircloth from her face. She simply breathed against him, hair dripping across his shoulder joint, her entire strain quivering.

Tightening his arms around her, he again whispered his enquiry, his questioning back talk brushing along her earlobe. `` Kaylens ? '' He murmured shakily, breathing against her hair. `` You okay ? ``

In his coat of arms she nodded imperceptivity, his trepidation for her alone sending his heart thundering. His relief was tangible, as was the flavour of her beneath his men.

His personal spitfire was blissfully unaware, but she had scared the hell out of him.

Raindrops continued falling, heavy and warm, splattering against the water with hypnotic tune. Somehow, without reason, his knuckles were rising, tracing alone her jaw personal credit line, a drowsy grumbling leaving her picket, cracked mouth at his touch.

Instinctively his substantial arms began enveloping her tighter, pressing her to him needingly, his reasons elusive. Surprisingly her delicate hands were responding, rising to constrict against his chest of drawers. Her placate fingertips brushed his bare cutis, sliding along his pectorals where his sweater hung tattered and loose, courtesy of the werewolf'chela and the forest 's snaring bramble.

Beneath the rippling water a lenify tingling was radiating onto him, traveling wherever her chill pelt fell into contact with his own, as if tiny bits of still electrical energy were passing between them.

Somehow he understood, for he was feeling her honest magic. She seemed unaware that she was releasing any, but her distinguish signature was trailing across him in a exasperating way, just below the rippling control surface, veiled from his eyes.

Yet somehow, he could not depend away.

Slowly, surely, the maddening sensation of her digit tangling within his jumper drove the unconscious concerns from his intellect, his bright oculus finally falling shut to the nighttime, hiding beneath the nighttime, matted hair slung dripping across his scarred brow.

Upon his neck he felt her mouth parting, an sap sigh escaping against his skin. His face dipped in response, burrowing within her rain scented hair.

'' You know ... '' He disclosed softly, shivering in the breaking wind. `` You may be more problem than you 're worth. ``

A delicate jape, scarcely there, sent his skin tingle.

'' Oh ? '' She breathed, her hoarsely spoken Word of God tinged with entertainment. `` And you 're not ? ''

'' compass point bring, '' He conceded, a low joke vibrating his throat.

The sky lit up, shining with anomalous brilliance as lightning flashed in the distance. The icy waters lapping against them, the confidential information howling eerily between the trees.

'' ceramist .... '' She mumbled, his hand rising to lessen upon the placid peel of her neck at the sound. `` What happened ? ''

Her interpreter was barely a whispering, trailing away as his fingers went trailing down the politic cutis of her neck, feeling her pulse beating with regularity beneath them.

'' Apparently, '' He murmured gruffly, her light breathing a plumage tracing across his peel, `` I ca n't leave you alone for a minute. ``

'' I could say the same for you, '' She said breathlessly, shivering as his hands rose along the contour of her form. showtime his hired man were gripping her waist, future rising along her slope, sliding to caress the cutis covering her ribcage, just beneath her breasts.

His breath hitched with hers, her limb rising to encircle his neck, cupping the back of his top dog. Quickly her script were becoming lost within his untamable hair, the same unruliness that he had so oft heard her criticize, yet now felt her reveling in.

The gross aroma of mingled mud and rainfall was somehow intoxicating upon her, drawing him in more than he could allow, more than he should set aside. Yet he was, his brim already lowering to hers, the thickly strung stress of a thousand harsh exchanges vibrating between the two as his mouth fell upon hers, capturing her rim as he had when pulling her limply from the icy water. Only now her mouth was moving against his, the gustatory sensation of salty sudor lingering upon his tongue. Her taste was mingling with the refreshing rain pouring upon them, cascading down their faces.

His wearable clung wetly to him as his hands sought out her convoluted haircloth. He frenziedly felt her deepening the inter-group communication of their back talk, the rough stubble of his Kuki-Chin scratching her in the process. A fragile grumble sent his own sassing trembling against hers with laughter, her manus squeezing his shoulder in retributory fashion. His own back talk was parting again, gasping, never relaxing the insistence against her lips as he fought for breath against her, feeling her doing the same.

A second later he again seized her, his dispirited lip being tugged gently between her own, an odd growl coming unbidden from his throat. For a tempestuous moment she quivered with seeming amusement before his spry hands responded, running along her cervix 's vertebrae, a galvanise whimper falling from her slender lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He murmured, his weapon desperately gathering her against him, his mouth deliriously relishing her taste. Suddenly he was ignorant of the rainwater pouring around them, aware only of her deal skanky onslaught as they slipped beneath his shirt 's neckband, sliding along the bare skin of his articulatio humeri, caressing his back. His hair dripped into his cheek, and with rushed breaths their ill-concealed heat radiated, their backtalk moving in a stormy ardour. Within his arms was the young lady Harry had feared to accept lost before he had known what it was to possess, and he had no plans of letting go.

Slowly, panting breathlessly, Kalliandra pulled away. Her digit still clung to him, the rain pouring freely upon her flushing skin. urine droplets were dampening her supercilium, and her fingers slipped out from beneath his shirt to dawdle upon his collarbone. Unable to let her leave he leaned his brow against hers, cupping her face in his deal, feeling her eyelashes fluttering open against his cheeks.

His own jade eyes flickered hazily opened, meeting the deep hazel I regarding him. She was blinking against the rain, her confused eye revealing her barely concealed emotion.

Breathing heavily he leaned forward, brushing his oral fissure against hers, kissing her slowly. He was taking his time now ... without the rushing, without the desperation, without the care of having nearly lost her. Thumbs running along her mellow zygomatic, carefully wiping the mud from her expression, his lips moved needingly across hers.

Again they parted, her mouth moving in a soft, disbelieving rustle.

'' You 've lost your judgment ... ''

'' I know, '' He murmured, pressing his sassing to hers chastely. `` You wo n't enjoin anyone will you ? ``

She smiled against his mouth, shaking her foreland slowly. `` No ... '' She whispered, amusement tingeing her modulation. `` This wo n't forget the clearing. ``

'' unspoiled, '' He quipped, smiling deviantly. `` I would bear hated to Obliviate you. ``

'' What makes you think I would have minded ? ``

burying his lips near her ear, he emitted a low growl, `` You would have. ``

'' Hmph. ``

Combing his fingers through her thick, mud-laden hair, he felt her slender manakin again began to shudder, her quivering more marked than before.

Wrapping his arms tighter around her configuration, he murmured his curiosity. `` Does this mean value you 've forgiven me for stunning you ? ``

She grumbled indecipherably for a moment, before suddenly growing tense, her face swiveling towards the visible clearing, eyes flickering with sudden recollection.

'' Harry .... '' She whispered seriously, all lightness gone from her phonation. `` What happened to the destruction Eate ... ''

'' Gone, '' He assured softly, `` They 're gone. They wo n't be back. Minus the dead one. ``

Her eyes remained adverted, warily gazing through the pelting into the iniquity of dark.

'' How can you be sure ? ``

He smiled sadly, the warmth within him slowly dissipating as his war filled experiences, the ones that had taught him the convention of booking, flew through his mind.

'' Because .... '' He whispered hauntingly, `` They delivered their message. They had their fun. For them that was enough, for the clip being. ``

'' So their fun was trying to drown me, '' She questioned bitterly, `` Or threatening you with Hermione 's life ? ``

'' Both. ``

Her eye flickered across his, her expression sending something wrenching inside.

'' That man wanted you to assure him something, `` She said seriously, watching him carefully. `` Yet you would n't. Why ? ``

He swallowed hard, his X 's apple rising strongly within his throat. `` Because I 'd rather die than allow them the data they need. ``

'' Than what stopped them from forcing you to go with them ? ``

His script rose, trailing across her cheek, her intimation faltering at his feeling. Without reason his brow was again pressed against hers, her boldness so close that he could see the embrown flecks within her iris dancing with each flashbulb of lightning.

'' Even if they had, '' He whispered sullenly, `` Even if they had tortured Hermione right in figurehead of me, I still would never differentiate. Because the second I did we would have all been abruptly. ``

Distant smack shook the sky, Kalliandra 's eyes falling shut against the wet onset. His stay on upon her, never leaving as her chest rose and fell against his. The gentle cycle of her breathing was inexplicably calming.

'' If the man is so pitiless ... '' She finally spoke, `` Why would he offer you the pick he did ? ``

'' Because as ruthless as he is, he 's also intelligent. Voldemort knows his only when chance in hell of getting anything out of me would be by offering an interchange : Hermione for the selective information, at a impersonal localisation. '' He paused, breathing heavily, watching the stirring across her phiz.

'' It 's the sole way I could ensure her condom, '' He finished solemnly.

Against his forehead he felt a low-cal glower creasing her brow. A here and now later her obscure middle fell undefended, observing him guardedly.

'' How could Voldemort possibly have sex what you 're thinking ? ''

His digit clenched and unclenched around her arms in a tense cycle. `` Because Kalliandra, Voldemort and I have been playing this game for a long time. And were both getting better at it. ``

Her mouth parted questioningly, his fingerbreadth rising to press carefully against them, silencing her interrogation.

'' Please, do n't ask. I do n't want to lie to you, '' He pleaded breathlessly, lips hovering centimetre from her own, praying she understood.

She did.

Against him she nodded, wet droplets cascading down her chum up aspect. This prison term it was she who sealed the scant blank between them, her slick down arms winding around his neck, her body pressing flush against his.

For some reason, as her parted lips allowed his natural language submission, he suddenly felt more afraid than he ever had.

The stakes had been raised that day, for with his undecomposed protagonist gone he suddenly had so much to mislay, and it was the girl he remained enlace with that had sent scissure running through his heavily erected bulwark.

pulling away, gasping fervently, he suddenly was unsure of whether to hate her or love her for that.

'' You 're infuriating ... '' He murmured, nose nuzzling her cheek.

'' Likewise, '' She gasped breathlessly, water-laden strand of hair's-breadth falling over her center

They simply remained, hovering within the embrace of the other, until a instant of red crossed the night, circling to rest upon the pool 's edge.

Whilst she stiffened, Harry almost laughed in relief.

The fiery Phoenix was watching them silently, something suspiciously like an old rag dropped near its feet, its feathery head cocked at a curious angle.

If Harry had not known better, he would say Fawkes looked amused.









Recommended history :

fervor and Earth by sagesolon Rated : suppurate Genre : Mystery, Action/Adventure, Drama
The Weasley 's and their adoptive folk have worn through the acclivity of Voldemort and the Final fight. There have been many end, but what happens on the burnished of day 's has repercussions far and panoptic ranging. Now they are left to piece up the patch. Welcome to a story of hope, where the survivors are left to observe the cue, attempting to solve the puzzler before the serial killer strikes again. While this is a relatively new tarradiddle it contains one of the most intriguing patch that I have been lucky enough to stumble across. Pairing : Harry/Hermione

Hearts, BAR, and Scars by sagesolon Rated : Mature Genre : Romance, Action/Adventure, Angst
The final battle has long since past, yet to the Chosen One its repercussions sting as painfully as they did on the day he lost her. His lonesome comfort is found within his nightly escapes to the Muggle kingdom, to where he is unrecognized in the dimly lit saloon, to where he is no longer in a world that constantly reminds him of the red hair of his dream. Yet when a Muggle as much in need of solace as he makes the misunderstanding of sending a ally to ask for his headphone number in a steamy pub, Harry suddenly finds a respite to that lingering despair. The only when problem is how to explicate his world to one subject matter with magic visiting card whoremaster ? Well ... the lure of a vacation definitely has its good compass point ! This narrative has an almost film noir quality at its start, and it progresses into a very 'feel good', laugh out loud, read. Pairing : Harry/Muggle OC












A few rudiments to mention :

Red parentage cells contain hemoglobin, which transports Oxygen throughout the consistence. If these were suddenly taken away, you would gag even if you were still breathing.

Platelets are responsible for the body 's ability to form blood clot. Without platelet, you would leech to destruction from a simple cut on the arm.

Sorry for the impromptu biota lesson, but in writing this chapter I did not feel like explaining these basic concepts since I assumed that the characters, due to one too many hospital wing sojourn, would already roll in the hay what these are. I also took a few creative liberty, so accept with me on those.






'' Bob Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success ; for who so hopes strongly has within him the natural endowment of miracles. ``
~ Samuel grinning ~



Chapter 27 ~ The fellow of heartbreak


Near sunup she found him there. He was still awake, as she had known he would be.

Dean was flat on his back, staring at the rich, roue red canopy of his bed. His eyes had not moved from the canopy in hr, for fear of seeing the empty bed besides him, and they did not locomote as his bed hangings stirred in the eerie light.

Ginny slipped between them, crawling across the covers until she lay besides him. Wordlessly he had wound his arms around her small frame, an icy hurting twisting within him. It was a clayey guilt, for he had his friend 's warmly comforter while her boyfriend had naught to see economize for the cold white flat solid draped over his closed eyes.

Seamus was gone, and it felt like a dagger had been driven through him.

It dawned a dark, gray-red morning, and the sinister rain outside continued, pooling upon the window Belle Miriam Silverman. He could not close the window, nor block out the cool down wind, for when he had first seen Seamus'vacuous bed that night he had thrown open each pane of glass, tearing the wooden panels from their hinges.

Now the piddle dripped onto the storey, the irregular rhythm serving to push back him closer and closer to the break point. It was a level-headed Neville seemed oblivious to, for his dorm mate 's steady snoring filled the air, and with each passing vocalize James Byron Dean felt the urge to ruin something violently.

His finger's breadth twisted in Ginny 's red hair, reminding him of her mien. Though Seamus was gone, she was still there.

He had a cause to remain strong.

Still he did not front at her. Gradually her restrained breaths became regular, but his black middle remained heart-to-heart, staring at the canopy.

It was all he could do.
* * * * *


Harry watched as Angelina ran from the way, ineffectual to stimulate the icy hotshot slithering within him. He knew he should not manage, he could not ...

Yet he did.

bit after port-keying to lupin 's manor house, as he had regained his footing in the candlelit entrance hall, Kalliandra had lost awareness. His shivering body had clutched her against his chest, and that was how Angelina had found them.

It was becoming clearer, the harshly exchanged words between Kaylens and the master ... the single he had overheard in the infirmary wing ... It seemed geezerhood ago, yet they echoed hauntingly fresh within his head.

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't heal ... ''

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a death conviction will not avail subject. ``

'' You 're rightfield. nix will. ``

Angelina had claimed that the forcible stresses of the Night had just finally taken their cost, saying how wizard locomotion was often too much for a weakened physical structure to take. She had told him everything was going to be fine, to not concern ...

Her eye betrayed her words for the lies they were.

'' Harry, set her there. Help me get her sleeve ... ''

Angelina was back, having returned with a hoard of supplies. He did as he was told, laying Kalliandra on the faded lounge. She sunk into the torn up cushions, stuffing bulging out at the additional weight. It appeared to be the only real objet d'art of piece of furniture on the first floor, and he too squeezed onto it.

He could n't allow for her.

Reaching down he grasped the cuff of her wet sleeve, rolling it up. With every inch of exposed soma another bruise was revealed, his insides twisting at the thick, deep purple home run lining her delicate skin. In the darkness of the glade he had not even noticed ...

Angelina knelt besides them, her hands moving methodically, with the deliberate movements born of her healer training. His other teammate was now cleaning the inside of Kalliandra 's human elbow, inserting a small needle into the bluish line of her vein. He could only watch from where he sat on lupine 's wear down lounge, holding Kaylens messy nous of hair in his lap.

'' Harry hold this ... deem it high school ... ''

He nodded mutely, taking the crystalise plastic bag from her, watching the yellowish-brown fluid sloshing within it. Following Angelina 's educational activity he held it shoulder high, unable to remove his eyes from Kaylens'serene face. Her recondite Pomaderris apetala centre were now hidden behind pale lid, her nerve in despairing motivation of washing. A streak of mud still highlighted her malar bone, a gray-haired coat of ashes lending her a ghostly, freckled appearance.

reaching down Harry brushed her hair aside, revealing a dried smear of blood hiding near her hairline.

A cryptic contusion was forming there as well.

In fluid apparent movement his former housemate attached a farseeing, clear underground to the IV in her arm with a quiet pawl, retrieving the fluid filled bag from him. With both of his hands finally relinquish he found himself smoothing the hair away from her aspect, wiping the mud away with his thumbs.

He could feel Angelina 's eyes on him. `` She needs to rest Harry. ''

He did not respond right away, contenting himself to view as Angelina wove her wand, the IV bag rising to remain suspended in mid-air. Slowly the liquidity began dripping from the bag into a small, tube-like chamber.

Swallowing hard, his gaze rose pointedly to Angelina 's.

'' What are you giving her ? ``

Angelina never ceased working, and she was already shooing Harry 's hands out of the way as she carefully grasped Kalliandra 's early limp arm, tapping just above the elbow with her wand.

Kaylens'blue vena bulged just long enough for another syringe acerate leaf to be inserted, only this clip Angelina was drawing blood sample distribution, rather than starting a drip mould infusion.

'' Angelina ? '' He prompted gruffly.

The young healer sighed wearily, `` It 's a miscellanea of red blood cells and platelets Harry. '' She pulled back on the syringe, and it began filling with a viscous, disconsolate red blood.

Harry hastily looked away.

'' Why does she call for that ? '' He ground out, his part hoarse with exhaustion.

Leaving the needle in her arm Angelina unscrewed the full syringe barrel, setting the blood sampling upon a floating tray she had conjured. She made quick body of work of attaching a new, empty one to the phonograph needle as she repeated the process.

'' How about you Harry ? '' Angelina asked dismissively. `` Knowing you, you 've probably managed to have intercourse yourself up serious. ``

'' Do n't vary the discipline. ``

Angelina 's dark middle darted up, `` I 'm not. But I 'm a therapist, that 's why Dumbledore left me to wait for you two. I just had to check. ``

His tired optic turned to his own hands. He flipped them over, observing his healed, cauterize palms. The bass cut the broken Methedrine had left were gone. Fawkes'bust had healed them, dripping into his wounding when he had reached through the deep rain to take the port key.

Before he even had a probability to wonder why Fawkes had bothered healing such child injury, the phoenix had flown away.

'' I 'm okay, '' He replied staidly, realizing he meant it. No longer could he feel the stinging scratches, torn by the werewolf 's claw, down his book binding. Even the bone deep chill the icy rain had left was gone.

All that was left was the sick sensation churning within his stomach, his sole relief the girl in his lap, who was incapable of responding enough to ease his fears.

'' What 's wrong with her ? ``

In the empty, windowless room, Angelina removed the acerate leaf from her arm.

'' Nothing that ca n't be treated, '' She responded quietly, rising from her knees, apparently done.

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

He did not miss the way her centre avoided his.

'' Nothing that I can tell you. For what it 's worth ... I 'm sorry about that Harry. ''

He swallowed, the sound seeming much louder in the still air. He bowed his head, spying a touch of gray ash near the corner of Kalliandra 's mouth. Without thought his thumb wiped it away, his stiff demeanor relaxing as a sleepy grumble emerged from her moth-eaten lips.

Angelina watched it all, silently placing each of the blood samples into a sang-froid carrying case. For a consequence her clinical nature vanished, a sad tone overcoming her ebony features.

It was then that it all came together for Harry. Every little item that she had let slip-up, every signboard of fatigue, every word the Death feeder had said ...

'' It has to do with what she is, does n't it ? ''

Though he had asked, there was no question in his tone.

Angelina rose a questioning eyebrow, `` Then you do recognize ? ``

His middle rose to hers, `` Yes. That 's why you could n't order me. Dumbledore is n't mindful I know. ``

She sighed tiredly, but he was already continuing. `` Ron and the others, you said they 're fine and that they were taken to Hogwarts. ''

She just nodded, earning a hard looking at from him.

'' Then why were we brought here ? ``

'' I wish I knew. All I know is that the Order is finally utilizing the safety houses it 's been setting up. ``

His brow crinkled, his deal unconsciously caressing Kalliandra 's damp hair, which was strewn across his lap, leaving wet Deutschmark upon his trouser. `` There are other places excursus from HQ ? ``

'' Of course. Do n't ask where, because I do n't know. ``

His grinning was strained, `` Clever really ... not letting any one individual bang too much about anything in pillow slip they 're caught. ``

'' Exactly. ``

His lapse from the shadow topic plaguing him could preserve no longer, for the feeling of carefully controlled panic was rising.

Indicating the IV bag, he shot out a head. `` Why does she need that ? ``

'' Perhaps I 'm not the safe person to explicate that. ``

'' You 're a healer, '' He said in a carefully controlled tone. `` Who better ? ``

Angelina opened her lip, as if to reply, but she never got the chance.

'' Perhaps I can. If you would only allow me. ``

Harry 's drumhead spun, as did Angelina 's. Neither had heard the someone 's arriver, and his heart was thundering at the fatalist possibility that could experience resulted from such a oversight on their parts.

His optic narrowed, ire mixing with succour as he saw another loved one intact and standing in the hall 's doorframe. A bitter gag broke his throat, and he gestured into the room.

'' By all mean value prof, it is your theatre after all. ``

Professor Lupin stepped wearily into the room, looking worse for the wear. But then again, Harry reflected, did n't they all ? The thought nearly sent Harry laughing. Instead he bit it back, another bitter phone growling late in his throat.

From the flavour on Lupin 's face, Harry knew he had noticed. The mystifying lines on the man 's look betrayed an inner pain in the ass, one Harry felt all too acutely.

It was the infliction of deprivation. Only Harry knew lupine had lost far More than he ever had. Of course of instruction, he was still untested. There was time to catch up in that category.

As if sensing his nighttime thoughts, Kalliandra stirred. His attention was suddenly riveted to her, his manus on her boldness. Half of him hoped desperately for her to awaken, while another contribution feared that his one chance of discovering what ailed her would then fall away away.

She was far too unregenerate to burden anyone else with her pain. He knew that now.

It was startling how lots could modify in less than twenty four hours.

Harry 's one-half tempestuous, one-half questioning gaze finally rose. He was startled to key Angelina 's absence. Somehow she had slipped away unnoticed, leaving he and lupine alone.

After having been ignored by him for over two weeks, he was n't sure if he was happy about that or not.

'' It 's well to see you Harry. ''

'' Is it ? '' He could n't help it, but his voice was frigidness.

Lupin looked stung. `` Of course it is. ``

'' wellspring forgive me for being skeptical, '' Harry replied sarcastically. `` It 's not like you have n't spoken to me in awhile. ``

'' I had my cause. ``

He inclined an eyebrow, `` You had reason for believing Sirius all-but-killed my mum and dad too. ''

'' That 's below the bang Harry. ``

'' Good. ``

Remus ran a weary hand through his graying tomentum, leaning back against the wall. For the tenacious time neither spoke, the intact meeting arousing conflicting emotions within Harry.

He wanted to slug him. For what he had done to him, to Tonks, to Kaylens ... by ignoring them simply to shelter them from his laniary side. For having left him to deal with the annoyance of Sothis'dying alone. For having had the temerity to walk in, saying hello, as if nil were amiss between the two. For having sent not one owl that summer.

All of Harry 's pent up frustrations with Lupin were finally bubbling over, conveyed in the bingle icy looking at he shot him.

Outside the cold, first of Nov wind rattled the sidings. The weather matched his black humour perfectly.

'' I 'm sad Harry. ``

He nearly laughed. `` Are you ? ''

'' For everything, '' Lupin whispered chokingly.

Harry looked up, meeting the pleading stare of his father 's end living acquaintance. Suddenly he did not see the man who had inspired such a feeling of abandonment.

Instead ... he saw his family.

He swallowed hard, remembering the rifts he and Ron had been through, and the one they were in now. All those eld ago, when he and Ron had fought during the Tri-Wizard tournament, Hermione had called them stupid.

She had been right.

living was too little to hold grudges.

The admonisher of Hermione 's quandary, and the cerebration that Remus could be taken just as easily, sent him stumbling for intelligence. `` Just ... '' He started, forcing a strained smile. `` Do n't let it happen again. ``

'' I wo n't. ``

Remus'light brown middle were nothing but honest. Suddenly, despite his lingering fright for Hermione ... for Ron ... for Ginny ... for Dean ... for Tonks ... for Dumbledore ... for Remus ... .for Neville ... .for Luna ... for Kalliandra ...

It was all too much to take, but suddenly he felt that he may not be quite so desperately alone in facing all of it.

'' Thank you, '' He said quietly, truly meaning it.

Remus simply smiled sadly, inclining his principal towards the slumbering girlfriend in his lap.

'' How is she ? ``

Harry felt his brow instinctively furrow, his brain once again compartmentalizing what he could worry about, and wallop, in the here and now.

'' I 'm not certain, '' He replied honestly. `` But Profes ... .Remus, what 's happening to her ? ``

The startled look upon Remus 's side faded, his kind eyes regarding him carefully.

'' I assume you already know then. ``

'' Yes, '' He heard himself whispering, his voice filled with raw concern.

Remus studied him for a hanker moment, his eyes falling on the drift of Harry 's hands as he stroked Kalliandra 's long hair's-breadth.

For some grounds Harry did not worry if Remus noticed.

The former prof 's eyebrow crinkled with both curiosity and commiseration at the connotations Harry 's gestures conveyed. `` Are you surely you really want to jazz Harry ? Sometimes not knowing is effective, for when you know ... '' Remus'gaze was suddenly far off, as if peering into the distant past.

'' Sometimes Harry, the truth will simply haunt you. ``

Harry 's throat constricted, the tears glistening within Remus'centre far too clear.

'' What if it already does ? ``

The elder man smiled sadly, `` Then I 'd say things between the two of you have changed. After all, she 's out cold and you have yet to try and restrict her. ``

A sad laugh bubbled out of him, his regard falling to rest on her pale os frontale.

'' Please ... I ... do n't say anything .... ''

'' Would n't dream of it. ``

Harry found himself nodding with no peculiar reason. `` estimable ... I ... I 've no estimate ... ''

'' What 's going on ? '' Remus finished.

Harry spotted the man 's knowing smile, and was finally capable to let out the breathing spell he had been unconsciously holding.

'' Something like that. ``

In the still air of the windowless elbow room, both men remained silent. Harry 's eyes fell closed, his ears seeking out the soft speech sound of Kaylens'regular respiration.

Somehow, even with the growing self-consciousness within, this calmed him.

With a decisiveness he did not sense, he finally spoke.

'' I need to love Remus. ''

A loud sigh filled the way. `` I was afraid of that. ``

And Remus explained. He explained how charming being had come into initiation, for somewhere in human story, human blood cells had begun mutating.

Most of the genetic mutation had resulted in cancerous blood current, killing those in possession of those variations. Muggles and Wizards alike still struggled against those diseases, leukemia the most salient, but there were some person where the sport became beneficial.

He explained how everything, both living and inert, contained a form of DOE. Not all of it was measurable in the Muggle way, and it was this form of energy, the kind that would flush it to cross-file on electric weighing machine, that allowed magic beings to flourish.

It was magical vitality, and over time some individuals developed the power to fudge it, without adverse affects.

Others were not so lucky.

There were people like Kalliandra, mass like Reaches, who could cut into into the magical realm. But doing so was dangerous.

In the case of enchantress and wizards, they developed completely new cells in their blood watercourse, and magical Department of Energy was conducted through their strong-arm trunk via these. Thus their trunk were able-bodied to act like electrical circuits, and energy was capable to conk through their magical cells without ever touching their other cells.

It was a stark system.

There were occasions when witches and wizards would become fatigued, and such occurrences usually happened when the soul was performing wandless conjuring trick, or a particularly complicated spell. And the rationality for their exhaustion was quite simple really :

When one 's consistence functions like a circuit, if overindulgence charming DOE is taken in and not released in the form of a properly form tour, then that energy remains stuck in the body and has to go somewhere. And since magic runs quite literally through one 's venous blood vessel, that enchantress or wizard 's magic cells would be the outset to be essentially, electrocuted by their magical overload.

Fortunately magical cellular telephone are quite robust, and their plasm membrane are more than than open of absorbing such overloads.

Red roue mobile phone, however, are not.

On occasion so much vigor is not released from a wizard 's body that it bursts through their magical cubicle, frying blood cells all important in the sustentation of life.

And when one 's red parentage cubicle are dying it is tough to circulate enough oxygen.

It was how Luna Lovegood 's female parent had died. She had suffocated, while still breathing.

Such end were a rarified occurrence, because human blood contains far more cells than necessary for the sustentation of life. So when some blood jail cell are killed there are generally enough survivors to allow that someone to continue functioning in a normal, albeit fatigued, manner.

The first metre Harry had tried the Patronus charm he had overdrawn as well. He had been left winded, gasping for intimation, just like he was after every Quidditch practice.

Yet he had partaken in no physical activity.

It was because he had lost red-blood cells, the very cells responsible for carrying Oxygen throughout the body, and his eubstance was responding as it would in an Oxygen-deprived manner.

Reaches had never evolved that far. They had never developed additional cells in their blood stream, and the mutation allowing them to conduct electric flow lay directly upon their red descent cells.

If they overdrew, their beginning electric cell to be damaged would be the one 's requisite in the transportation of oxygen.

Their mutation was one that worked, but it functioned poorly. necromancer had evolved much more gracefully, for their additional cells provided a barrier to protect them against overdrawing. Ultimately it was this defense mechanics that had allowed the wizarding coinage to not only flourish, but to outlive.

Unlike in him, the first cellphone to die in a compass when they overdrew were their red rakehell cubicle.

For a range, the likelihood of suffering Luna 's mother 's fortune was an almost certainty.

A cold feeling overtook Harry as all of this sunk in, for Kalliandra could easily die from overdrawing. She was only still live due to the fact that her bloodline watercourse contained more red blood cells than it actually needed. Thus, she was able of tolerating a certain degree of overdrawing, but the margin was slim.

For her, unlike a witch or thaumaturgist, there was no real scholarship curve ball. For her there was little room for fault, for there were no cells to absorb the jar ...

For her the only if reward of overdrawing too much was death.

She would suffocate while still breathing.

It was why her red blood jail cell were being replaced even as Remus spoke. For every prison term she drew Energy into herself she was slowly killing her cells.

Dumbledore was determined to replace as many as he could, as often as he could.

It was the only way to substantiate her, to assure her a longer life.

Suddenly he understood the intermittent bruising he had seen upon her throughout the year.

After Remus had turned ... in the infirmary wing ...

Her blood platelet had been killed when she had overdrawn, to protect him from Remus ...

She had passed out in Grimmauld place, from the travail ... her soundbox forcing her into unconsciousness in a survive ditch effort to prevent her from doing further damage to herself..

The image of her lying unconscious on the floor of the trio Broomsticks flew through his mind.

He had known that she had risked exposure for what she was, but gods ... .She had risked death there, to protect people who hated her.

And he had once accused her of being a end Eater.

expiry Eaters knew no such selflessness.

A sickening sensation flooded over him, his hand rising to rifle through his still wet hair.

He scarcely heard Remus as he tried to lie, telling him it was not a death sentence for her.

Harry knew better, for what else could it be ?

His grasp on her tightened, as if holding onto her could prevent the inevitable. Remus was talking about treatment, about how if they maintained her blood reckoning at proper levels that she would be able to live a normal, full life.

All it took was a single look into Remus'uncheerful eyes to sleep with that his friend did not truly trust what he was saying.

'' volition she die ? ``

His own interpreter, his own question, sounded so far off.

'' Harry goose egg is certain ... If she does n't overdraw then we 'll never have to worry about that theory. ``

'' Remus, will she die ? '' Harry felt his voice breaking, the familiar pang of loss welling within him.

As he met Remus'form, glistening eyes, he knew the answer.

'' Eventually ... ''

He wanted to croak out something, a human body of protest that would assuage the dryness of his throat, but zippo came.

'' From what we know Harry, the others like her ... eventually, they all overdrew. ``

Eventually ...

The jerky time out of his mind clung to that word, the idiotic companion of grief stirring within him.

Hope.

It was n't until sometime after dawn when he finally fell asleep. The IV was long since removed from her arm, her sleeping class pulled into his sleeve.

At the second Harry did n't founder a tinker's dam about who could see.



Recommended report :

legacy : The Solidus magical spell by the nighttime Lord Nedved Rated : Mature
summary : Every epic has a beginning, and for the Lester Willis Young Magi who was Prophesized to let the Power the night Maker Knows Not, this is the beginning of his Legacy. For Harry there was no clock time to mourn for his fallen godfather, for a new foe has emerged with the solitary design to assassinate him. The nighttime Lord Nedved has created a story of action, breakthrough, magical creativeness and ritual killing that would leave the best novelist pounding on his room access, begging for him to get going working on original fiction. This epic narration has 5 different novels associated with it, two of which are completed, while the others are well under way. To essay to describe them in any early way would be to not do them justice. Harry/Hermione







Authors Note : Hey folks !

All of you really are the best lecturer out there. I ca n't give thanks everyone enough for all of the well wishes and understanding that were shown when I announced that I would be taking a farseeing sabbatical from writing. I really needed it, and am gladiolus of it. Both my mother and sister had been diagnosed with serious illnesses this past summer, and all of the well wishes some of you sent via e-mail must have paid off because they have both made singular retrieval.

Secondly, thank you to everyone for the kind Bible 's regarding Lexi 's death. On top of everything this summer that was the final bump to drive all of my motive for writing away for awhile, but it is now back full moon military force. Since I am a bit frustrated at having taken so long between chapters in the past, I have now set aside one day a week to indite so that I can get chapters out much more quickly, and on a veritable basis. I anticipate this storey being done by summer, and then I shall begin employment on the sequel.

And most importantly I wanted to say thank you to Saint Andrew the Apostle, for he helped me immensely with this chapter. It had been so foresighted since I had written anything that when I finally tried to write again I found myself suffering from a severe pillowcase of writer 's block. Not only did he beta-read this chapter but he also offered wonderful suggestion to get this story back on track. Thank you so much !




'' Dangerous is ira concealed. ``
~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca ~



Chapter 28 ~ The king of wrath


As if in a nightmare the room 's impenetrable shadow was broken. From the darkened hall a single cd appeared, levitating ominously as it preceded its possessor into the blackened room.

The sign 's humiliated narration harboured neither windows nor doors to the outside domain. It was a unremitting reminder of the monthly ogre that had once been contained within its very walls, whenever the moonshine had cast its fully light upon the earth.

Now another more dangerous monstrosity loomed in the room 's shadows.

With a casual moving ridge of their hand the figure crossed the carpeted floor silently, their silhouette pausing above the slumbering teen. The bod knew that neither would awaken until their sleeping spell had run its course.

Yes, the figure of speech was knock-down. Their sleeping magical spell were one of their stiff talents.

They could manoeuvre in complete safety. None within the walls would be the wiser to their actions.

Tonight they would begin their plan.

A syringe was filled, its needle swiftly inserted into the slumbering fille 's vein. Kaylens'pulsating rip, bluish in tint through her pale tegument, flashed silver.

A instant later the unusual hue faded, a grisly melody of satisfaction stretching over the figure 's shadowed face.

* * * * *


With a needlelike clink the door to Dumbledore 's authority opened.

Tonks shot out of the armchair she had been dozing within, knowing the locking spell 's removal to mean only one thing.

'' He 's back, '' She whispered. Lounging in the armchair besides her Regulus nodded.

Out in the Hall, suddenly visible as the doorway opened, was Ron Weasley. He lay slumped besides his discarded crutch on the storey, sleeping soundly.

Crusantheus hung on the room access miserably, his knocker curled and contorted around his capitulum so as to block out the sound of the young Gryffindor 's snoring.

'' killing me ... '' He squeaked. `` Please. ``

As tired as she was Tonks could n't help but smile as Regulus lazily took aim, an wickedness glint in his eye.

'' No ! '' Shrieked Crusantheus. `` I did n't actually mean it ! ''

Regulus continued advancing on the cowering disparager until a deep voice intervened.

'' No need to erode Crusantheus. Did you forget that the killing whammy has no effect on face detractor ? ''

Crusantheus peeked out from behind his titty hopefully, as Tonks spun around, rounding on the infuriating matter 's rescuer.

Somehow Ablus Dumbledore was standing behind her, looking rather jovial.

'' Morning Nymphadora. phantasy a biscuit ? ``

As if on cue a tray of cookie appeared in his outstretched palm.

Tonks blinked dazedly, rubbing her red rim eyes with her fist. Surely this jovial
man had not just returned from a meeting with the darkest of dark Divine ?

Regulus, completely unflummoxed by their sudden intrusion, rose from his arm chairman to carefully inspect the food offering. `` I take it negotiations proceeded satisfactorily ? ''
'' The exchange will be made in two months'time. ``

Tonks gaped, `` Two calendar month ! ``

'' They probably need prison term to renovate the piffling Mudblood, '' Regulus commented casuallly, directing his gaze to Albus. `` I assume you requested that she be returned in one patch, and I can only imagine the fun they 've had with her until now. ``

Dumbledore nodded gravely. `` Her wounds will need some ... healing. ``

Tonks middle widened in business concern. While she still did not see how Hermione for Dumbledore was a fair barter, she had grown rather fond of the girl during her sentence at Grimmauld stead.

A pair of sky juicy eyes regarded her carefully, their split second somehow dimmer than she remembered.

'' I know what you are thinking Nymphadora, '' Dumbledore said kindly, as if reading her judgement. `` But part of the ground I made the blood pact here with Regulus, rather than in Voldemort 's presence, was so that I could ensure Hermione 's rejoinder on my own terms. He could bear chosen to winnow out the line of descent pact had he so select, but he did not. ''

Tonks opened her rima oris to ask precisely what those terms were, but his helping hand steadied her question.

'' The terms were that if she were returned in the exact physical state that she had been in before the Hogsmead flak took seat, that I would trade space with her, becoming Voldemort 's prisoner. ``

'' I bet he was only too glad to accept that trade, '' Regulus stated, smirking widely. `` Imagine that ... Albus Dumbledore, the darkness Lord 's gravid nemesis, handed to him on a halcyon platter with a side of cherry."

"Actually,"Dumbledore corrected,"I believe the expression is ‘ served on a silver gray platter with a cherry on top.'”

Tonks spluttered, focusing on the sick wiz within her stomach. The war effort, the orderliness, could feasibly collapse without Dumbledore 's leaders, and here he was bantering with an ex-Death Eater, wizarding world apostate right after selling his liveliness to the devil.

"Dumbledore,"She said, voicing her far from calm persuasion aloud."Why would you do this ?"

Dumbledore 's eyes locked on hers, losing their twinkle. `` Nymphadora, we have lost far too many pupil to this war already. I could not resist by and drop off another. ''

She swallowed the glob in her pharynx hastily. She should have known all along that the rubber of others would always come up first to Dumbledore. He would have done the same for any of them.

beloved of one 's friends was a knock-down thing.

'' So, old man, '' Regulus queried, taking a bite of his biscuit. `` Find out anything else of interest during your piffling assignation ? ``

If possible Dumbledore 's eyes darkened further. `` We have to assemble the club. The pest was unleashed in Dublin. ``

'' Dublin, Eire ! '' Tonks blurted rhetorically.

genus Regulus frowned, `` As superb as you are, how were you placed in Ravenclaw again ? ''

She scarcely heard him, her eyes having darted over to the still slumbering forms of Kenneth and Emily.

Their abode metropolis was infected.

'' So how 'd you come by that fun fact Albus ? I never exactly took you two to be old schoolhouse chums. ''

For the briefest of second base Dumbledore 's centre took on their old twinkle. `` For all of Voldemort 's prowess with Legilimency, he never quite mastered Occlumency. He has always surrounded himself with fast follower. '' He continued, `` And until recently he simply did not have the indigence.

Regulus chuckled. `` So he 's near, but you 're better. ``

Tonks blinked. `` But I thought he was one of the most glorious students Hogwarts has ever seen ? ''

'' Ah ... '' Dumbledore said, smiling again. `` As is Ms. Granger, but even she can not fly upon a broom. ''

Tonks gaped at him.

'' We all have our weaknesses Nymphadora. Severus never would suffer survived his persona as spy had he not been better at Occlumency and Legilimency than Voldemort. We should simply be grateful that this is one of Voldemort 's few imperfect points. ``

Tonks frowned pensively. So He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did accept weaknesses. They really were not fighting for naught.

With an air of finality Regulus clapped his hands together, making the already nervous Crusantheus bang his knocker rather loudly. The slumbering Ronald Weasley gave a red start, snorting loudly as he awoke suddenly.

Tonks watched wearily as the redheaded woodpecker blinked groggily, eyeing the site in front of him until his eyes landed on the schoolmaster. It took a moment before a figurative visible radiation bulb clicked on in his sleep-befuddled mind

'' prof Dumbledore ! '' He exclaimed, scrambling to his feet, a stir of wooden crutch and gangly branch sliding on Harlan Stone. It did n't get long before Ron was flat on his arse once again, groaning from his fall.

Regulus eyed him mockingly. `` And they call Hufflepuffs the duffers. ``

* * * * *


Harry 's eyes snapped open, his dreamless sleep shattered by the sudden outcry of the daughter in his arms. Through slightly blurred eyes he stared down the bridge of his nose at the mussy mop of haircloth resting upon his chest. The warm feeling he ought to cause felt vanished, a numbing one replacing it at the sight of her expression.

For Kaylens there was no pacification to be found in the realm of pipe dream.

He swallowed hard, watching her face crinkle into an expression bearing striking law of similarity to what he had once seen upon Cedric 's father, as the man desperately clutched his lifeless son to him, oblivious to the swarming crowd around them.

Such undiluted sorrow should never be seen upon a human phiz, yet he had seen it palpably far too often. Even on himself. The root of such pain had been buried deep within him, growing since the moment he had discovered his on-key lot : Kill or be killed.

All thought of his calamity of a futurity was suddenly shattered as Kaylens lurched violently, a cooling cry cutting from her throat.

Harry gaped, feeling the hair on his arms rising to digest on end. Without thinking his handwriting gripped her arms, her sputter beneath his fingers turning white with the pressure.

'' K-kaylens ... '' He stuttered, scarcely recognizing his own voice. He gave an experimental shove, shaking her lightly in a pathetic attempt to force out her.

And that was when she cried out again. That sound ripping from her throat. It resonated through the glowering room, terrifying in its raw volume. His fuzz now fully stood on end, for the audio had been insanely tragic and yet, unbearably beautiful.

It chilled him to the bone, for it was a reasoned no human could utter.

It happened fast. One 2d his arms were wrapped tightly around her, shaking her in an attempt to rouse her, and in the next her weapon wrenched away. She shot up quickly, her eyes flying open in the night elbow room only to be slammed shut as she uttered a more familiar screeching of painfulness. His rest period was short- lived as he grabbed onto her arm again, for she pulled away so violently that they were both ship tumbling from the couch to the floor.

His back struck the floor first, his knees having been tangled unnaturally in the blankets. He attempted to right himself, pulling his stage down until he was on all fours.

A swift bitch to the back sent his fount smashing into the ground.

He groaned, and ignoring the throbbing botheration in his olfactory organ he rose his chief cautiously, squinting at his surroundings. Where were his glasses ? Slowly he reached a hired man out, allowing it to roam across the mild rug in his hunting.

And then he remembered.

His glasses were still lying in some wild puddle in the middle of that damnable woods. By now they were probably some acromantula 's chew toy.

Cursing he blinked rapidly, his centre finally adjusting to the darkness and settling on the slightly hazy outline of Kaylens. She was sitting upright, some good five feet away, with her knee drawn to her dresser and her cheek buried within them.

He swallowed hard, the only when sounds in the room now were his rough breathing space and her speedy, quicksilver ones. In out silence he observed her as best as he could. Her bare foot were sticking out from beneath a thick blanket, which despite their tumble still partly covered her, while she breathed as if having run a marathon.

Everything that had transpired between them came flooding back, a tense flavour twisting within him.

'' Kaylens ... '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her, only for her to bound, scrambling away like a panic-struck animal.

He stared in amazement as her back hit the elbow room 's wall, a unusual whimper coming from her throat. Of all the response he could hold foreseen, this was the farthest from it.

And now she was having the reaction that he would feature expected from any former daughter, but not from her.

She was sobbing.

The audio of her cry tore at him in ways he had n't imagined, for the girl who had stood by him, facing Death Eaters and wolfman without blinking an eye, had been reduced to this hapless state by a bare nightmare.

Instantly he stood, crossing the elbow room to her in four long strides.

'' Kaylens, '' He said, tentatively laying a hand on her shoulder. She whimpered, shrinking away from his touch.

His brow furrowed determinedly. `` Kaylens look at me, '' He commanded, crouching directly in presence of her. Still, her caput remained determinedly adverted, prompting him to grasp her by both shoulders.

Her head shot up, a angry clicking coming from her pharynx as she struggled away, lashing out violently. He dove back to deflect her flail script and feet, landing on his tailbone, heart wide of the mark in astonishment.

She was making that sound again.

And he recognized it. A dark night in the Forbidden Forest, where he and Draco Malfoy had encountered the unexpected, had taught him that sound of pain.

The sound of the beautiful creature 's dying call had reverberated in his nightmares for months.

As had Voldemort 's shadowy material body ...

There was no hesitation in his movements as he wandlessly summoned his wand to his hand, immobilizing her arms and ramification with a flick of his wrist.

Kaylens was witting, but incapable of lashing out.

He crawled back to her, taking her touchy wrist joint and pushing the sleeve of her battered sweater up.

The bruising was gone.

He swallowed hard, recognizing the odds of such bruising disappearing overnight. Now he was only certain of one thing.

Something had happened whilst he slept.

Licking his slick nervously he cupped her chin, raising her head until he could see all of the confusion swimming within her favourable oculus. His breath hitched in horrible actualisation at what he was about to do, but there was simply no former way.

He had to know. He had to recognise what had happened whilst he slept.

Until then he could n't serve her, and he knew that no one else would be willing to do this. There were hard-and-fast convention against the unauthorised use of Legilimency. Hermione had taught him that much, screaming and ranting after his last misuse of the talent against the like young woman he was about to violate yet again.

'' I 'm lamentable, '' He whispered, brushing her hairsbreadth away from her face. `` I 'm so sorry Kally ... '' He repeated, steeling himself for his offence.

Cupping her face he stared intently into her middle, watching them flickering around in concern.

Her fear was warranted.

He only hoped he was wrong.

'' Legilimency ! ``

The overpowering Wave that was her life-time flooded his thinker, capturing his senses in a whirl of indiscernible events. He groaned, do-or-die to contain the twister-like effect of the memories swirling around him. It was dissimilar than the last time, so unbelievably different ...

A blaring of clicking, beautiful and right in its raw strength filled his psyche, only to be replaced just as quickly as it had come with a familiar scream.

'' Riley ! ''

He was seeing it again, reliving the good afternoon when she had seen her own brother murdered right in front of her. Only this metre the images were fleeting, distorted as if he were viewing it through a chummy pane of smoky glass. It was as if the memories were no farsighted her own.

His heart clenched as he watched the man kick open the door for the second gear time. Kaylens'humble body was confound backwards, her tiny form sliding across the floor. It was as if everything were on the loyal forward-moving feature article of a Muggle VCR. There was the knife, her screams, her comrade ...

As the gunshot rang out he could again almost finger what she had. The hot, fiery painful sensation of the steel plunging into her frame. The searing as it was drug in a deep furrow across her shoulder sword. The awe as she watched the blood pooling from her brother 's
wound slowly end pumping ...

Suddenly all was Shirley Temple, misty, the hefty sound of a herd stampeding through her thinking. Then all was gullible and dark-brown and green again. Somehow he was running faster than he had thought potential, the tree whipping past him in a blur of putting green and brown and super C again. He was surrounded by others of his kind.

His public figure was Lightning.

The epitome twisted again, surrounding Harry in a confusing scroll of timberland aspect followed by scenes of her childhood. Ag horns flashed around him, gleaming as the herd ran beneath the moonlight, while golden hair flashed throughout her life.

Another memory slammed into Harry, crystallizing into near clarity. It was mid-afternoon, though the sun barely shone through the over-cast sky. Before him was a poorly kept yard, bordered on three face by a midst, rising treeline and mound. Harry swiveled in the murky memory, feeling Kalliandra 's recollection lurch dangerously as another memory threatened to run into this one. The sound of hooves, the auditory sensation of the ruck on the run, pounded in the distance.

Harry fell to the dewy ground, watching as a man with golden haircloth, tinged heavily with grey, methodically stacked dragoon away from the house. Fog crept across the lawn, curling around his fundament, each grunt echoing in the silent valley.

And then the children were led out, and Harry 's soul shivered.

Kalliandra appeared to be the Lapp age as in the last-place computer storage, only now she stood besides a low boy, barely older than her, digging her nails into his arm.

'' S-sean ... ''

Their father pried her hands away from her brother, forcing a semi-automatic Glock 17, 9x19 mm caliber pistol into her lowly handwriting. Her legs had suddenly felt frozen, rooted to the damp ground. Harry could practically feel her heart 's cowardly thundering at the common cold, unfeeling alloy between her fingers.

The heavyset fog curled highschool around the six foundation good deal of sand bags, and as it began to drizzle her male parent aimed her small workforce towards the stack.

'' Shoot it. ``

Kalliandra pulled the trigger and cried.

As the gun was being passed to her surviving Brother Kaylens'retention shifted again, swirling until he found himself peering through a slurred grove of tree diagram, stomping his hooves in warning as a hooded fig approached. The public figure 's hands raised very slowly, carefully removing the hood of their gown, allowing a cascade of thick, disastrous hair to come tumbling around her articulatio humeri.

The woman 's countenance remained hidden by the mystifying forest shadows, yet Lightning was calming.

It was a vestal fair sex. She could be trusted. Lightning could tell.

The unicorn never saw the former cloaked figure of speech creeping from behind, and that man 's dagger soon shone silver with Lightning 's blood.

Harry stood in the shadow drawing inscrutable, crucify breaths. He could practically feel every inch of hurting the poor beast was going through, the only sounds that of the screeching animal and that of the dry branches cracking beneath Harry 's shifting weight as he watched, powerless to stop its pain.

The man bottled and corked a measurable amount of money of blood from the unicorn, leaving it only enough to barely limp away alive. A light chuckle escaped the hooded dying feeder at the sight.

Suddenly the womanhood stepped out of the shadows, and Harry 's breath stopped.

Angelina stood in the dim light, depositing the bottleful into a thick bag slung across her berm. Her wickedness Saint Mark gleamed brilliantly.

Violently Harry felt himself being tossed out, finding himself categorical on his book binding staring up at Remus'shocked face.

Kalliandra continued to whimper.

* * * * *


'' Would you mind repeating that ? ``

Tonks blinked stupidly. Somehow she had thought that being told that the `` pestilence of all pestis '' had been unleashed upon the citizens of Republic of Ireland would deliver had more than of an effect upon its President.

Instead the newly awakened Kenneth Bothan sat behind Dumbledore 's desk, clasping his hands, waiting for her reception with an inquiring feeling upon his face.

She silently damned Albus for having left them to break off the tidings to Kenneth while he went to hollo an emergency group meeting of the order. She was n't good at this sorting of thing dam n't ! She had at least expected a rouse out of the man at the tidings, but instead he was irrefutably calm.

It was quite obvious that Kenneth was insane.

'' Basically Ken, all of your people will be numb within the week, '' genus Regulus stated with ironic cheer. `` But look on the bright side. At least you wo n't have to run for re-election. ''

Tonks'dark eyes swiveled to her cousin, her oral cavity opening and closing like a gaping fish.

Kenneth, however, seemed entirely unperturbed.

'' So, '' The President started with a curious scowl, `` What you are saying is that wizarding folk music have no intervention against this ? ''

'' Well ... '' Regulus mused thoughtfully. `` We could always Avada Kedavra those who have already contracted it. That ought to slow its spread, right Nymphadora ? ``

'' Regulus ! ``

Kenneth looked appraisingly at her cousin. `` And this Avada Kedarva treatment ? How effective is it ? ``

Regulus grinned like a jackal. `` Supposing we were able-bodied to isolate those who had already contracted it we may encounter out its method of dispersion, while simultaneously establishing a quarantine and treating the pain of the already afflicted ... ''

'' By killing them ! ? '' Tonks burst in, unable to believe the skanky game Regulus played with the United States President 's hopes.

'' Ah, '' Kenneth said as if suddenly understanding. `` The discussion has a gamey mortality charge per unit. How high gear though ? ``

genus Regulus grinned widely, while Tonks contemplated murder for the dozenth time in twenty four hours.
* * * * *


'' Harry ! What in the name of pigeon hawk did you think you were ... ''

Harry closed his oculus, grinding out his words. `` Something 's wrong with Kalliandra, '' He interjected. `` I had to chance out what. ``

The room 's secrecy was broken only by Kaylens'laboured breathing, and her clear suffering drew Lupin 's attention from him to her. He felt the erstwhile professor bead to his genu besides them, and he cracked an eye to watch as lupin scrutinized her.

The Professor looked flabbergasted as he picked up one of her stiff weaponry. `` Harry, you 've immobilized her. ``

'' For good reason. ``

lupin threw a disgusted flavor over his berm, and snatched his verge out, clearly intending to remove the spell.

'' Professor I do n't think tha ... ''

His protest was too deep, for Kaylens had already lashed out, landing a strategic thrill that sent lupin sprawling flat on his back next to Harry.

'' I told you, '' Harry groaned, shoving himself up on his elbows to note the anguish expression of Remus'face. `` charge hard, does n't she ? ``

lupin coughed harshly in response, choosing to ignore him as he rolled over to agree on Kaylens. She was already scrambling along the wall on all quaternity, backing herself into a box like a frightened animal. On her way she somehow managed to hit the only other bit of article of furniture, asides from the couch, and several low volumes came spilling down, scattering across the floor like tilt thrown from a distance.

The crashing sound only intensified the hapless girl 's whimpering.

Harry 's eyes remained on her, watching as she curled her legs to her breast in a feeble endeavor at self-protection. But he knew the Sojourner Truth ... there was no protection from what plagued her.

But he 'd be damned if he did n't try to help.

'' Professor .... '' He started slowly. `` What variety of curse word does drinking unicorn blood entail ? ''

lupin opened his mouth and faltered. Harry remained lying on his spine, his upper physical structure propped up with his elbows, silently hoping to God that the prof would put the pieces together. Lupin had to believe him. He had to swear him. None of the adult, save for those suddenly and buried, had ever trusted him in metre for it to actually matter.

It was why Sirius had died. And somehow Harry did n't imagine he could take it if the last link to his begetter failed to trust him.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, the lykan's head turned towards him, and even in the iniquity way Harry could see the sudden knowledge flash in his oculus.

Moony understood his meaning.

'' Her bruising is gone, '' Harry whispered, driving another snow to any uncertainty the prof could consume. `` What else in the wizarding man could heal mortal that quickly ? ``

lupine drew a deep breathing place, shaking slightly.

'' Harry ... if what you 're saying is genuine ... ''

'' It is, '' He assured. `` I saw retention inside of her intellect that were not hers. ``

Kaylens'whimpering had finally quieted, casting the elbow room into a deathly silence.

Besides him Lupin swallowed audibly, contemplating Harry 's assertion in the deathly silence that had descended. Kaylens was no longer whimpering, and he was unsure of if he missed the reassuring sound of her presence, or if was pleased at the obvious easing of her distress.

He glanced at lupine, stunned at the torn locution upon his one-time professor's countenance. Did the man believe him or not ?

He sighed in foiling, snapping at Lupin's unresponsiveness. `` Why would she have those memories, Moony ? ``

listening his old predator public figure snapped Lupin out of his brooding stupor. `` It's magically potent…unicorn blood that is. In fact it is so magic that their storage are often heavily imprinted upon it. '' He shook his head slowly, as if clearing a misty fog."To possess a unicorn's rakehell is to not only possess their liveliness flow, but their very being."

lupin sighed heavily. `` There is not lots precedent for this, but….in the too soon 1900 's medi-wizards began experimenting with unlike treatment option for pole diseases. One investigator, intimate with unicorns, sought to harness their healing mightiness by injecting his terminally ill patients with the animals'blood. It cured the patient but the slope effects…"Lupin shuddered, digressing quickly. `` The profligate was too hard to get to begin with. Unicorns don't normally donate willingly, not to mentio ... ''

'' What English effects, '' Harry interrupted hoarsely, closing his eyes. The feel of her in his arms flooded his skunk, the woodsy scent that had clung to her all night coming back, overwhelming him with a tidal wave of fear. In his life there was no room for new attachments, yet the thought of her in pain…

He knew without a doubt that he would kill for her again, just as he would kill for any of those he held close.

He only hoped it would not come to that.

His optic snapped open as Lupin 's stressed phonation filled the room.

'' most went insane. ``

Harry nearly choked. `` Insane ? '' He grated out.

lupin looked years older. `` They never were able-bodied to distinguish between themselves and the animal again, '' he relayed. `` Can you imagine it Harry ? Having a lifetime of memories that were not your own suddenly shoved inside of your mind ? Unicorns live for one C of years…it was only natural for those obtaining their blood to become put off. To them it would palpate as if they had spent a thirster fourth dimension being a unicorn than a human being."

The sick sensation twisting within him heighten. Kaylens'nous had revealed exactly what lupine now spoke of, and the thought made him nauseous.

And the curse…God he had nearly forgotten…

Remus read his judgment, continuing his scholarly drill of facts aloud. For Remus, who had lost so much, it was easier than dealing with the devastating fallout facing them in Kaylens'crumpled word form.

"When one slays such an innocent puppet, seeking their blood's healing power, it leaves the curse of the half-life. But when one is given the blood unwillingly, or when the beast is left alive, the curse does not lessen ; it simply changes its manifestation."

His throat constricted, but Harry managed to croak out a single word.

"Explain."

There was no mistaking the tired of look upon Lupin's face."Harry, the only ones desperate enough to kill such an innocent creature are those hanging onto life by a ribbon. But the price…it is far too high-pitched for any reasonable person to contemplate, for the damage for their barbarity is losing all power to love. A lifetime without the capacity for beloved is devoid of joy, happiness, family…"He shook his head, disgust etched in his every lineament."In a desperate attempt to save their own aliveness they lose the only thing that makes sprightliness worth living for. Once they take that path they truly steer half a life, only experiencing the darker incline of the emotional spectrum."

"Then the mediwizard, the one using it to cure his patient role, did that happen to him ?"

Lupin sighed indulgently."There are manner to collect it, room for it to be done without incurring the ira of the curse but…those ways take fourth dimension, Harry. Gaining the long term trust of a unicorn, let exclusively permission to inflict injury upon it, are not easy tasks."

He swallowed hard."What about Kaylens ? That won't…it won't happen…"He trailed off, unable to sound such morbid thoughts aloud. No man deserved that. She didn't deserve that.

Once again Lupin looked ill."For Kally it will be dissimilar,"He said gruffly."Instead, if she recovers, she will love, but her every experience will be shared with both side of meat of her, diluting the intensity of the emotions she feels, diluting her touch towards others…"

Something about the word of honor sent Harry's heart twisting.

"Unicorns ... they are such devoid animal, incapable of sin, unequal to of inflicting pain ... Could you imagine having a saint following you around for the entirety of your life, correcting your every misunderstanding ? Well from this bit on she will be sharing her intellect, her life, with memories of what true ingenuousness is, for a unicorn is the true avatar of that, and with it will come a gnawing guilt over the sinfulness she has committed in the past. Between the confusion over her identity element and her newfound guilt over even the small of transgressions…that alone could be enough to drive some mad."

Harry's mouth twisted into a frown,"So she can't sin ?"

"If only it were that light, Harry. She can, and she will. But having this will give her a scruples stronger than well-nigh, and living a perfect sprightliness is an impossible task. Her life will be as close to formula as potential, only she will feel far shamefaced about things she does than others."

'' A one-half life ... '' He whispered aloud, suddenly understanding. Kaylens truly would be cursed, for she would always be sharing her thinker with memories not her own.

None of this was her faulting, and the thought sickened him.

'' Not all the mediwizard 's patients went insane, '' He finally said, recalling Lupin 's earlier row. `` You said well-nigh. ``

lupine shook his head word. `` They all went insane at offset Harry. But only two managed to domesticize enough of their minds to function. Two out of tons. ``

Harry closed his eyes, his spokesperson filled with sardonic irony. `` She just ca n't catch a break, can she ? ``

The prof shook his headspring in answer. `` There 's only one way to be sure. ''

Without warning Lupin snatched his verge out, summoning a small flashlight. Soon a metal fuzz came flying through the doorway, landing in the professor 's outstretched bridge player.

Harry frowned at the action, not understanding, but in one Dean Swift motility the prof had it on and aimed at Kalliandra 's face. Lupin clearly knew exactly what he was looking for.

Kaylens was suddenly shrieking again, and judging from the down in the mouth aspect on the professor 's face he had found all he needed to know.

A metallic click sounded as the flashlight was turned off, and Kaylens'outcry instantly died down, slowly fading to a dull whimper.

'' She 's sensitive to light ... '' Lupin stated. `` There are only two conditions I know of that crusade that. ``

'' She 's not a vampire ... '' Harry stated coldly, earning a reproving look.

'' I was n't even about to suggest it. But beast tend to stimulate ameliorate nocturnal vision than us Harry. Lykans and unicorns are no exception, and when I was start bit ... '' He trailed off, his fount twisting into a peculiar grammatical construction."Once I was bit my all body changed. My optic were the worst though. ''

The professor suddenly adopted an almost whimsical expression. `` Did you know there are more square brass per in in your heart than in any other role of your consistence ? Well there are. If you ever want to get someone bother just jinx their eyes and ... ''

'' professor, '' Harry interjected, at the here and now not carrying about the finer points of jinxing.

lupine shrugged. `` My raciness caused a unhurt new layer of tissue entire of light sensitive cells to uprise across the back of my eyes, its called tapetum lucidum. It lets me utilize to a lesser extent light to see, so I can see with one-sixth the sum of money you can. But when it first happened ... before I was used to it ... '' He shuddered. `` Merlin it hurt. The slightest get down felt like the sun was blasting me in the face. blaze, it had me in tears. ''

Lupin raised the flashlight, pointing it directly at Kalliandra, flicking it on and off with each syllable. `` Just. Like. Her. ''

Kaylens'whimpers died down as the Light was turned off for a final meter, and suddenly Harry understood the torch. Unicorns had excellent near vision as well, and the flashlight was lupine 's way of confirming what he already knew.

Kaylens had a bed of swooning raw tissue paper growing across her retinas right now. No wonder she screamed at the light.

'' Harry, '' The scholarly prof look was suddenly gone, and the skirt chaser was deadly serious. `` Was she fine last nighttime ? Before she lost consciousness ? ``

Harry was prompt to nod.

'' Then sometime between then and now mortal injected that pedigree directly into her veins. She could n't have done it herself. ``

Harry 's oral cavity opened, but his motion of how that was potential died on his tongue.

He knew the answer.

There was only one person who would wilfully curse another within the house.

'' Professor what 's going on ? I heard yelling. ''

Harry 's eyes narrowed, every muscle tightening. Angelina had finally come, drawn by the incremental shouting. There she was, rushing through the room 's doorsill, drawing her cloak hastily around her as if nil terrible were amiss.

If he had n't known better he would have thought she truly was surprised at the situation she found. But he knew better. No one took that longsighted to respond to thigh-slapper like the one's Kaylens had unleashed unless it was intentional.

'' Why is it so dark ? '' Her voice sounded honestly confused as she flicked her verge out, lighting every candelabrum in sight.

His eyes flew to Kaylens, who had immediately began shrieking, clamping her hands over her eyes, screaming as if hell itself has sent its demons up to drag her into its astuteness. His chest constricted at her obvious pain.

Lupin lunged at her in a decidedly Hugo Wolf like way. `` Kally, do n't ! '' He was shouting, fighting her for control. She lashed out, and lupin grasped her wrist in a single, fluid motion, quickly capturing the other as well.

The prof had already forced her paw down against her sides, kneeling on her ramification in a vain attempt to prevent them from flailing. He was far hard than Kaylens, but she was despairing, fighting to forget the god-awful light from her eyes as Lupin fought to prevent her from inflicting hurt upon herself. Now he was yelling at Angelina to extinguish the candles, and Harry still had not moved.

He was too occupy watching Angelina, noting the guilt flashing within every brown pigment in her blue eyes.

Her Shirley Temple eyelash fluttered, and the betraying emotion was suddenly gone.

His parentage boiled, his sleeve vibrating with strangled rage as she began speaking, a panicked border to her voice.

'' What 's going on ? '' She asked fearfully, rushing across the elbow room to aid Lupin. `` Remus !
What 's amiss with Kally ! ? '' She continued shouting doubt, lunging over Harry as if he were not even there.

She dropped to her knees besides where Lupin and Kaylens wrestled, her ebony skin lambency in the candlelight. Her dreary optic widened in feigned horror, her face a mask of innocent concern as she reached out to assist confine Kaylens.

And Harry lost it.

Her hand never reached Kaylens, her cloud fingers never touching her body. Before anyone could actualize it Harry 's hired hand had flown out, snatching the oversized arm billowing around the traitor's wrist, and he tugged her callously to the floor.

Harry lunged to his feet, stamping the heel of his foot against the girl 's throat, pinning her to the ground.

'' Do n't. touch on. Her. '' He growled, the world rippling around him.

Power swelled within him, the forte of his deception unleashed by the raw ira pumping through his veins, and the feeling ... it was intoxicating.

Angelina 's dead body undulated like a worm beneath him. She was choking, spluttering incomprehensible sounds, the stupor clearly written across her font. Her hands were clawing at his foot, her fist slamming against his peg as she fought for air.

He scarcely noticed any of it.

'' H-harry ... st-top ... '' She gasped, her eye rolling backwards, fingerbreadth going slack as her supplication went unheard.

'' Harry ! Let her go ! '' Shouted Remus, followed by a forte crashing as he and Kaylens tumbled into the bookcase, knocking it sideways.

Books went flying, scattering everywhere. The resounding crashing masked the dull clunk of Angelina 's wilted arm hitting the floor.

lupin let out a pain howl, and Harry 's hand shot out. He felt the magic dripping from his fingertips like water.

With a flick of his carpus the candles went out.
* * * * *


The descending sun of midday zenith was partially obscured by the ageless cloud screening, casting the not-so-distant Dublin-Wicklow quite a little into a mystifying fog. Yet the man paid the forbidding surroundings no mind, nor the racking cough that had swiftly descended upon him. Instead he stared out the windowpane of his South Dublin address, admiring the view afforded by his working social class neighborhood.

With a modest smiling he leaned further back into his recliner, letting the smoky odor of fresh baking Fish fill his nostrils. George Meredith was cooking, and from the flavour of it she was cooking the Pisces he had caught just that daybreak. They were bound to savour toothsome. Everything his wife cooked always did. It was just a dishonour their halfway child, Eva, had inherited his culinary sense, or lack thereof.

'' forefather, you feeling alright ? ``

The man turned to find his eldest son in the threshold, a bear on reflexion crossing Edward 's freckled aspect. The man smiled, for the resemblance between don and son was striking. Edward had been the only child to inherit both the freckles scattered across his nose and the dark read/write head of hair adorning his head. The other two of his children bore his wife 's ash blond tomentum and startling colored eyes. Edward however had his blue-green 1.

He graced his son with a quick smile. `` I 'm just fine m'boy. Just a bit of a frigidity. ``

'' You sure father ? Perhaps after dinner we should aim you to the doctor. Your neck opening looks awfully swollen. ``

Curiously the man rubbed his bid lymph leaf node, shocked to rule that they had doubled in size in just a few hours.

His son smiled cheekily. `` mother is of the mind to not let you go off fishing at such iniquitous 60 minutes again. She said something about catchin'yer destruction on account of our colder than normal temperatures. ``

The man could n't reject a smiling. `` fountainhead perhaps yer mum is right. The thermostat dropped to 10 Celsius this mornin'before I ventured out. ''

'' I 'll tell her you said so. ``

The man 's center widened in mock horror. `` Now you 'll be doin'no such thing boy ! Because I 'll guarantee that once yer mum 's done houndin'me that yer 'll be next. ``

Now it was Edward 's twist to appear frightful, and the man leaned back, smiling in gratification. The boy still remembered the time Meredith had wrapped him head to toe in a snow-suit, stark with two scarves wrapped around his head and oversized mittens. Oh ! How the boy could hardly walk in that gadget !

'' Church Father, '' Started his boy diplomatically, `` I think I 'll just be off to get a maneuver start on my Algebra. ``

The man smiled in atonement as the door closed behind his boy. Yes, despite their chagrin environs his boy would soon grow into a OK man. And while he had never been able to provide all that he desired for his children, they did wonderfully with what they were given.

It was no modest full stop of superbia for the man that he had worked his way from the northerly slope of Dublin to the S. While near of the people in his income class tended towards the north-west slope of the city, here he was, raising his family unit is Tallaght. It might not be one of the wealthier dominion device characteristic of South Dublin, but its productive gumption of chronicle had captured his children 's hearts from day one. He still remembered how Brigham Young Eve 's eyes had grown wide as saucers as he had explained the origin of the district 's name.

Tallaght. Pit of tears. The very name was reminiscent of the bulk grave dug there during the last Black infestation. thousand were said to be buried just beneath the sewerage, and that footling bit of noesis had had all three of his youngster off and running, screaming and laughing in growth as their young minds fabricate spook narration along with it.

How proud he had been when Edward had shown him a narration he had written. It had been about a untried boy and his ghostly friend, a small fry who had died during the Shirley Temple Black infestation. The spook minor had been buried beneath the fictional boy 's home plate, and had appeared to the boy when another unknown illness ran rearing through the city. With the wraith child 's assistance the young boy had been able to salve the city, and his family.

The man leaned back in his president as a round of coughing throw off his lean framing, a deep pain shooting through him. He clung to the hand rests tightly, waiting for it to pass, all the while thought of the future.

Yes. An author would be a befitting profession for his eldest. Edward would one day pee a fine novelist.

The man smiled, proud of his nipper in a way that only a founding father could be.

If only he knew how soon history were to restate itself.








A/N : Thank you so much to Saint Andrew, Njhill22, and Ichigopan for helping me out a lot with this chapter. Saint Andrew not only helped to sour out some of the plot kinks for this chapter and the next, but he also beta-read it for me, and therefore rock music. Njhill22 and Ichigopan are also awesome, because both of them helped me until 3 am when I wound up seriously stuck on how to write the next constituent. Thanks so much you guys !






'' Nothing ventured, nothing gained. ''
~ William William Shakespeare ~



Chapter 29 ~ No yearner Helpless


With a moving-picture show of his wrist the candle went out.

His blackguard remained solidly planted against Angelina 's chest as winding-sheet of darkness blastoff out in all directions, like the lank fingers of a stiff, until the entire way was engulfed in an inky, suffocating darkness. Harry scarcely noticed any of it, nor the thick scent of cauterise wax as unseen smoke curled up from the extinguished candles.

wrath pumped heavily through his veins, and with a hate he had not thought possible he glared down at the lady friend beneath him. In the past his callous actions against his quondam business firm mate would have sickened him, but now ....

Things were unlike.

His outstretched hired man shook, his barely restrained magic crackling across his skin like static electricity, burning and searing at his flesh. Grimacing in bother he forcefully curled his finger's breadth into a fist, tightening it, feeling the raw top executive seeping back in

A new feeling rose up within him. A dark, powerful, vengeful feeling.

presence the coldest of looks he crouched low, inspecting Angelina to assure that she was indeed unconscious. He would not wee-wee the error of thinking a Death Eater subdued when they were not, but her death would do him no good.

He intended to find out all he could from the treacherous wench.

Then, beneath his foot, he felt the slow rise and declension of her ribcage, and his leg twitched with the suppressed urge to stomp the breath from her. For the first time he understood what Ron had meant when he had drilled him on the remainder of fighting defensively versus offensively in chess.

From now on Harry was out to win, and if that meant taking down the opponent 's cat's-paw to do so he would show no hesitation.

Swallowing back a sickish wave of revulsion he reached out, touching the defile witch 's tegument and shoving her header to the side. It lolled over with a irksome thud, revealing nothing. The Death Eater would not be moving for some time.

Good.

Still ... they had all been fooled by Angelina 's acting skills once. He would not go down victim to that again.

With deliberate efficiency he withdrew his wand, a fearful flavour crossing his features. His anger still burned hot within him, the venous blood vessel in his neck opening pulsing intensely as he thought of the witch 's betrayal. Angelina had been his household partner, a teammate, but worst of all, she had nearly been a friend. Once she was a Gryffindor. And now ....

She had betrayed the Order by taking the Saint Mark of that snake, and had all but killed Kaylens, possibly robbing her of her mind.

A growl ripped from his throat, the tip of his wand suddenly digging against the traitor 's temple as he pondered all the spells he could use.

Thunk.

'' Harry, layover ! ''

He stopped cold. Remus'gruff, panic-struck vocalization had cut through the air like a wellspring sharpened knife, sending his wand arm tensing as his father 's last-place champion fought his way out from beneath the Koran that had fallen atop him. In the aftermath of his own scuffle he had nearly forgotten lupine 's comportment, and the thundering of his pulse in his ears had drowned out the low moan and whine from the other side of the room.

He had forgotten one other thing : That despite the want of lighting in the room, Lupin could still see exactly what he was doing.

'' Lumos. ''

Harry 's head snapped around as a easygoing gleam cut through the wooden-headed dark, his gaze riveted to the horror-stricken construction crossing Remus'face.

His one-time professor stood behind the overturned bookcase, eyes extensive and staring.

'' My God ... '' He whispered chokingly, `` Harry ... '' His accusatory eyes flickered up to his. `` What have you done ? ``

He sucked in a tense breathing time between his teeth. `` Nothing she did n't deserve, '' He hissed staidly.

A suppressed sound came from the professor 's throat. `` But Harry ... that 's Angelina ... ''

'' No kidding. Really ? '' He snapped.

A sudden scuffle hoe and thud, followed by a sharp, inhuman whimper sent his scepter jabbing into Angelina 's head.

'' Kally ... ''

He had n't needed the Professor 's devastated voicelessness to know who was softly whimpering.

eye wrenching, he fought back the hollow feeling in his chest. `` Why do n't you see to Kaylens, prof, '' He grated out, his cheek a disconsolate mask as he focused back on the sometime chaser.

'' I will but ... is Angelina OK ? ''

'' I sure as blaze Hope not. ``

A loud swallow preceded Remus'next, tense up words.

'' What are you planning on doing Harry ? ``

'' You know Moony, '' He said, spokesperson vibrating with barely suppressed rage. `` I 'm still deciding on that.

Lupin 's vocalisation was strained, the cautious, placating note in it extraneous to him. `` Harry, I know something 's wrong. But just guess about what you 're doing ... ''

A cruel, holler jest escaped his throat. `` Oh, rely me Moony, I have. ``

'' She 's on our side, Har ... ''

He cut him off, spitting out the cold truth.

'' She 's a demise Eater, Moony. ``

From behind him came a loud, apprehensive swallow. `` Harry ... are you sure ? ``

A insensate face crossed his feature. `` Yes. ``

There was an agonizing interruption, and a sick, awkward dread suddenly rose in his stomach as his racing pulse finally began to slow. He needed Remus to believe him. He needed somebody in the Order to not just listen to him, but to actually trust him. And if Remus did n't ...

'' I 'll bind her. She 'll have to be taken to headquarters. ``

Harry 's headspring bolted around, shock written on his expression. `` You believe me, '' He questioned. And even in the dim luminosity he could see the slender movement of Remus'shadower nodding.

'' Harry, '' He said, sounding almost hurt. `` I always believe you. ``

His brow instantly wrinkled in confusion. Remus had just been talking to him as if he were some half-cocked gun about to go off. `` Then why ... ''

'' Because I thought you might blow her fountainhead off before I could figure out why you had attacked her in the first place. It would have been a very Sirius-like thing to do. ''

The think struck him hard. `` Yeah, '' He managed. `` It would give been like him. ``

He glanced back, and in the glow of the wand he could see Remus smiling sadly. He returned the expression, feeling shakier than he would have thought potential only minutes before, but that did n't matter.

Remus believed him. He did care about him after all.

His excuse for all those lost months, for all the time when he had been left to portion out with the pain of Sirius'Death alone truly had meant something, and despite everything a warmly sensation wormed its way into him.

All it took was a mild whimper, from a turning point behind him, to force it all away.

He swallowed hard, finally turning and squinting in the dim lighting to see Kalliandra cowering in the corner, knees drawn feebly to her chest, her golden haircloth spilling over them and her cheek buried within them.

Slowly his blood pressure level rose, his foot grinding down even harder against the wench beneath him. Angelina would pay. He would see to it. But right now she was not his priority.

Kaylens was.

Throwing a piercing glare at Angelina he shoved his foot beneath her hitch body, kicking her over onto her stomach. A second later he was on her back, dragging her hands behind her, pinning them together with his genu as he snatched up his sceptre, pointing it at her display radiocarpal joint.

'' Bindovera, '' He hissed, watching the snake-like ropes stream from its tip, slithering around her arms until she was bound up to her elbows. Dropping his wand he gave them a abrasive tug, satisfied in the way the dark missy 's tegument chaffed, reddening even in the shadow light.

'' Exuberant, aren't we ? ''

He merely grunted in response, giving the rophy one final, callous tug as Remus began binding her legs.

A instant later he was on his base, an aching sensation spreading through him as he watched Kalliandra curling in the quoin, incapable of remembering even her own name.

Gods ... she was n't in her rectify thinker. And Remus had said she 'd own to block out the unicorn 's memories before she ever could be. How could anyone possibly ...

And then it hit him.

She 'd have to lug them out.

The idea ignited swiftly, the things Dumbledore had taught him about Occlumency all coming together in a cohesive ball of cognition. He had used it for himself, but could he do it for someone else ?

He would be grasping at straws, but there was a prospect ...

Voldemort had given him mass of practice at blocking unwanted memories.

His blood pumped purposefully, and he felt, Thomas More than saw, Remus rise besides him, looking morosely in the same counselling as he.

'' Well have to freeze her again, '' He said regretfully, dimming the lightness from his verge as it sent Kaylens stirring uncomfortably.

'' No, '' Harry answered immediately, interpreter filled with conviction. `` I 'll deal with her. You just get Angelina to Grimmauld. ''

Remus'brow furrowed at this, dubious lines crisscrossing his face. His oral cavity opened, as if to protest, but his uncertainties went unsaid. Instead a attentive, decisive construction befell him as he studied Harry 's tense, determined face.

The transmission line on his side suddenly deepened. `` Are you sure ? ``

Harry nodded, tense with anger at the entire state of affairs, and filled with the want to do something about it.

'' Yeah, '' He responded. `` I 've stunned her enough lately. ''

Lupin 's conflicted expression remained, but he nodded decisively.

'' Alright, exact this then. ``

A arcsecond later a small pocket was being pressed into his manus, a flaxen stuff grinding within it.

'' It 's a porthole key. pullulate the contents ... ''

'' Into our hands, '' Harry finished for him. `` We 've used this kind before. ``

Remus eyed him curiously, tilting his brain to the English. `` Well then, I 'll see you there. ``

He nodded, watching as Remus unearthed another pouch from his pocket. He watched him bow next to Angelina, sending him one utmost, pointed look before dousing his wand.

Shadows spilled around them, enshrouding the room in shadow once again. Rifling a script nervously through his hair Harry forced a separate out, unseen smile, and a second later Remus and the betrayer blinked out of existence, leaving him with a single insane idea, one that he never could have done in Remus'comportment.

And somehow he thought Remus had known that.

For a here and now he did nix, simply allowing his heart to adapt to the sudden darkness. Then, slowly, the blackness gave way, revealing her vague, gray outline. Yet even in the shadows he saw the way her silhouette trembled.

He pulled his verge and immobilized her in one Jonathan Swift motility. Strangely he felt nada, when even the thought of stunning her again had sent his stomach wrenching.

He crossed the room and knelt besides her, his rough hands gently cupping her face and turning it towards his. He felt retch, for he was violating her yet again. But God, what selection did he hold ?

For the second gear prison term that day her frightened eyes stared back at his, flickering with too many emotions to discover. His thumbs gently brushed her hair away from her oculus, his marrow thumping shamefully. She was like a frightened creature, and somehow this just felt wrong.

Yet he had to try. No one deserved this, and if his theme worked ...

He might just be able to salvage enough of her to help her bump her way back.

Staring into her eyes he hoped to God it would work.

'' I swear to you, '' He whispered intently, `` This is the final time I 'll ever do this to you. ``

Licking his lips nervously he raised his wand, letting it vacillate inches from her peel. Closing his eyes he waited, allowing his judgement to authorise, calming himself.

Occlumency was not meant to be done with raw emotion.

His eyes snapped opened. He was ready.

'' Legilimens ! ``

The twister-like upshot of her mind seized him without remorse, sending his sensation reeling as an assault of enhanced sounds and smells attacked him.

Thunder cracked through the twirl mist, sending his consistence crashing nerve first into the mud, and he immediately knew there was something different about this memory.

He staggered to his knees, peering through the incredibly dark, moonless Night. Hardly anything was discernible through the midst, icy violent stream pouring down around him, and then it hit him.

Every other retention he had seen had had a wear thin contrast, the intensity of emotions and events diluted by time. Dumbledore and Snape had been too skilled for him to peer into Holocene epoch events, and luck-of-the-draw had shown him affair from Kayelns'childhood. But this memory was different.

It felt fresh.

The harsh, biting wind sent the looming timberland moving with an aberrant life, and above him lightning flashed, crackling across the blackened swarm, briefly illuminating the crushed rock route running past him. For a second the forest surrounding him came into stark stress, as did the wooden house he had landed before.

Again lightning set the area aglow, a deep yell snapping his eyes towards the small lawn.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

His training with Dumbledore had taught him that it was one 's most abominable remembering that were flung to the forefront of the mind when it was invaded.

And now he knew that Kalliandra was no exception.

A diffraction grating voice preceded the flare of lightness, and he had just enough prison term to see a iniquity haired man struck down. The man tumbled head first into the muddied flat coat, the sound of his body slapping against the mud drowned out by a thunderous crack.

A blinding hot, fiery formal blew through the household 's siding, sending floor board flying to litter the lawn.

From inside came the screaming, drowned out by a hedonic laugh.

'' Muggle, muggle, muggle come out to meet ! ''

gall churned in his stomach, though there was no time for it to rise as people began pouring out of a side window.

'' Aw, the wittle, ittle Muggles do n't want to dally ? ``

That taunting, conversant laugh of his nightmares greeted him as Bellatrix Lestrange stepped calmly out the movement door, the combustion home alighting her boldness with a demonic glow.

One of the fleeing design bolted towards a car, parked along the crushed rock route near the forest 's corner origin.

He never made it.

A fiery charm smacked into him, setting his tegument ablaze.

He had seen others die, but never before had he beheld someone as they burnt alive. Even the pouring torrent was not enough to put out the flames engulfing the man 's flesh, and the flatus hurled a noxious stench against his nostrils.

'' lustrelessness ! ''

A girl was rising from the muddied ground, stocky gage stains streaked across her jean, her brown pilus matted against her fountainhead as she screamed hysterically. Her face was contorted into something inhuman, raw pain distorting incredibly striking feature film, and she appeared frozen in place.

Harry was screaming for her to proceed, but she never heard him. From around the corner of the home base came two others clad in black, and a jet of searing purple light shot out.

Someone darted out, from where he did not see, tackling her around the waist.

The purple light missed her by column inch as she and her rescuer went sliding across the dry land, smacking into the side of the house with a tedious thud.

The expiry feeder were on them in an split second, a loud whirl resonating through the air as Harry ran forward, just in time to see a graying haired man 's arm being viciously snapped. The gun the man had been pulling fell from his script with a cruel slosh, the mud swallowing it whole. The dark haired girl was still screaming, clawing at her mind as a beefy Death feeder snatched her fuzz up, twisting it around his massive palms before dragging her across the lawn by it.

A sharply splinter broke the air, and the Death Eater assaulting the gray haired man went down. The older man struggled to his feet, slipping in the mud and cradling his arm.

'' DAD ! ''

Lightning split the sky, catching onto the gray haired man 's few remaining golden hair. His face split into a horrified manifestation, and Harry followed his gaze.

Kalliandra, oculus ablaze, came barreling out from the tree ancestry, a man barely aged than him hot on her heels.

Both had striking golden-brown hairsbreadth, their hue muted only by the hurriedness pouring down around them. And Harry suddenly understood that he was seeing her second Brother for the first time.

'' KIDS GO ! GET OUT OF HERE ! ''

The shout came from a second floor window, and Harry finally understood who had done the shooting.

A eye aged fair sex with ignite brown hair was hanging out of it, pistol in hand, and over the racket Harry could hear Bellatrix laughing hysterically.

Lightning split the sky, thunder drowning out the second, third, and fourth gunshots.

Kalliandra 's female parent could no longer be seen. Only the dim speech sound of the fifth and sixth gunshot firing off in the room told him that her attention had been drawn back inside the burning house.

Inside the house, where he could not hear, came the sequential clicking of evacuate bedchamber.

A loud scream carried through the window, followed by a trunk flying through the window 's opening.

The woman hit the ground with a sickening thump, leaving the greyness haired man yelling something that the hell dust drowned out.

No clock time was wasted. Kalliandra 's brother came sliding aside her female parent, grasping the gun from her still twitching hired man, sobbing as he started rifling through her clothing.

A irregular later a new round was in his hand, but he never had a chance to load it as Bellatrix apparated in front of him, kicking the troll from his manus, sending individual heater scattering to the wind.

The strobe consequence of the lightning shielded what transpired next, but when it flashed again Bellatrix and Kalliandra were sliding to the ground, Kaylens clearly having tackled her.

'' KALLY, NO ! ``

Her brother had leapt to his foot, and rushed to get together the fray as his sister smashed Bellatrix 's head into the basis repeatedly, screaming uncomprehensible words.

Her brother reached her, grasping her by the back of her sweater and tossing her out of the way as he grasped Bellatrix 's head in a vice bag from behind, preparing to collapse it.

The unheard pop of apparation prevented this as the burly man appeared behind him, swatting him away as if he were zilch more than an irritating child. Bellatrix fell to the ground, spitting Brown water, her ferocious optic rounding on the three remaining phallus of the Kaylens'family.

'' Filthy Muggles ! '' She roared, shooting binding spells off at a furious pace, hitting the comrade first.

'' SEAN ! '' Their beginner 's voice ripped through the air as rophy twisted around his son, sending him crashing to the solid ground right below the burly Death feeder 's feet.

Kalliandra, having been thrown back by her brother, was still down in the mud. She did n't stand a chance.

Then her Father slid in front of her, the roofy taking him right in the chest, and constricting around his neck opening and throat.

The house was quickly succumbing to the flames, the red lightness showcasing Bellatrix 's fanatic smile as she tugged Kaylens'father away from her by his neck.

Her founding father was unable to claw at the ropes, for his weapons system had been pinned to his sides.

He was unconscious by the prison term Bellatrix had dragged him to her feet.

quip !

Another gunfire rang out, taking the strapping man right in the point.

Kalliandra had gotten to her human knee, hair plastered to her face, her implements of war outstretched and shaking.

Her hands held the gun, and Bellatrix regarded her with an amuse expression.

The next shot was in Lestrange 's direction, but a shimmering light halted the pellet, sending the shell dropping to the ground to a lesser extent than a groundwork from her smirking face.

Kally looked stunned, and Bellatrix waggled a finger back and forth as if scolding a naughty child.

'' dopy wittle girls should n't play with guns, '' She cooed in a child voice, suddenly beckoning towards Kally.

Kaylens was sent sprawling forward as an invisible force pulled the gun from her grasp, and a second later a new decease feeder was there, his pes on her back.

A gust of wind sent the new arriver 's tough falling back, and Harry suddenly understood every Holy Writ that she had uttered in the trey Broomsticks.

Ludo travelling salesman was there, standing on top of Kalliandra and looking rather out of topographic point. Bellatrix fixed him with a death-like stare, her ira at his late arrival apparent, but there was no prison term for anything to be said.

Barely a second had transpired between his late arrival and his fall to the ground.

Kally had rolled over, kicking his pegleg out from under him.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, and this time her binding spell did not leave out.

Angry tears were rolling down his face, his clenched fist taking swings at the craze woman who had taken his Godfather. Somewhere his mind was screaming for him to stop, that it would do no well, but his subconscious mind'interpreter went unheeded.

'' Crucio ... ''

And then the swirling, silver mist returned, swallowing up the figure of Kally 's brother convulsing beneath the unforgivable curse.

Harry was shaking, overcome with the repulsion of what he had just witnessed. And the memories were disorienting, rising up around him, swallowing him whole as they dislodged him from place to place in her sprightliness, never stopping long enough for him to gain his bearings.

Around him the crashing of hooves fought for antecedency above the distant laughter. Hazy outlines flickered by, barely visible through the fog-like mist swirling around him. He was lost ...

And then he saw himself, running from a Death Eater down the briny, dusty thoroughfare of Hogsmeade. Red stunners shot out, smacking against a gutter, sending it swinging into the side of a second Death eater that had emerged to block his progress.

She had saved him.

And that was all it took.

'' ENOUGH ! '' He screamed, unsure of whether his voice only existed in her mind, or if his physical dead body were actually screaming it in Remus'living room.

Instantly he began focusing, searching for a store, any memory, that was her own rather than some horned beast 's. He fought to calm himself, squashing down the holy terror of what had happened to her to the back of his mind, and then he felt a change.

The swirling mist around him was slowing down, the uncontrolled torrent of the two lives combined into one mind becoming less disorienting.

He peered through them as they passed, one-by-one, searching for something that he could seduce out.

And then he found one.

He charged through the mist, falling out into the Forbidden Forest 's clearing.

The one they had left before this had happened to her ...

In the dim moonshine, cast from a sliver peaking through the clouds, he watched the instant replay of himself yanking his mitt away from her. Hushed Logos were exchanged, and suddenly Kalliandra was rising from her dapple besides the water system, stalking away from him.

In a trice his memory self was scrambling to his fundament, going after her, catching onto her arm. She whorled to face up him, an icy aspect crossing her face, disappearing in shock as he swiftly pulled her against him.

He watched, an odd feeling twisting within him as she struggled against him, his exclusively reply in the way his arms wound even pixilated around her, stroking her hair until her resistance ceased.

'' I 'm sorry… '' He heard his own vocalism whispering, `` I swear to God I 'm sorry… ''

And then her case was dropping against his shoulder, his own burrowing within her hair as her arms wound around him, holding him back.

It was as if a luminosity wind blew, and then another computer storage squeezed through, the silvery substance sending the glade image swirling.

For a moment ghostly images flickered into life, superimposed atop where he and Kaylens stood, clinging to the other. It was like looking through a film minus, trying to see what was beyond it.

The beautiful, outlander clicking rose above his and Kaylens rustle, the alien memories threatening to overtake this one, and the threat sent something ablaze inside him.

'' No ... '' He hissed, his aspect contorting dangerously, as he began fighting to thrust the foreign images that threatened to overtake her aside.

He could n't allow them in. He couldn't.

Staggering betting odds were against him, but if he could only halt her in her own commonwealth of mind long enough ...

Maybe it would be just enough to bring her back.

Grimacing he waved his hand, feeling the magic rising within him, rolling off of him as he tried desperately to summon something, anything that would block out those memories that were not hers.

The unicorn memories may have been weak, diluted depression of the really matter, yet they were still there, fighting for anteriority of her thinker. And yet ...

scrap for the sanctity of his own mind against Voldemort had made keeping these silvery, diluted tendrils back a put-on.

A determined expression crossed his nerve, a swift jolt rocketing through him as the bricks began to materialize. He stretched out his hand, uncoerced them to begin stacking, watching them mount eminent and higher, muting the auditory sensation of a herd in the distance.

He would constitute a barrier between her memories and the unicorn 's, and he 'd be damned if he failed.

His script were shaking again, a lone drip of fret dripping from his brow as he concentrated, directing the bricks to set out circling around him, stacking along the clarification 's circumference.

And then, one-by-one, he began shoving the unicorn 's memory past the wall. Each meter one threatened to break in he shoved it away, a dull botheration growing in the rear of his mind, sending his head swirling as he refused to discontinue his movement. His ventilation grew ragged, his sight bespeckled with Shirley Temple dots as tendrils of the silvery mist fought to ooze back through his hastily erected brick walls.

'' No ... '' He whispered, and slowly, methodically, he shoved the go of the silvery threads through the disruption in the paries, feeling the muted speech sound fading.

With a slam of conclusiveness he found himself surrounded on all face by his walls, the memory still playing as if goose egg had disturbed it.

Panting in exhaustion he crouched down, supporting himself on his knee, feeling his human foot sinking into the dewy terra firma as he fought for breath. The paries might not hold for long, but for now ...

Around him he could hear the remote phone call of a herd, and he looked up shakily, watching detritus crumbling down from the brick barrier. A lump formed in his throat as he watched the entire edifice shake, as memory after memory slammed against it from the exterior, trying to break through.

He could feel his physical body shaking from the effort, and as much as he desired to do more an hardhearted truth struck him.

He did n't be intimate what else he could do.

And for the first sentence in her mind he withdrew willingly, the duskiness of Remus'living room wrapping tightly around him. The moonlit clearing had been so bright in comparing and yet, his eyes had remained perfectly adjusted, his physical trunk having never left nor moved.

And she was still right there, column inch separating him from her. His hint caught in his throat, the adrenaline he had been riding on struggling to remain high as he searched her face for a sign to shew that some part, any division, of herself was back.

All he saw were the backs of her eyelids as they fell shut, a long breath escaping her lips.

At some distributor point his integral body had begun shaking, a keen headache nearly splitting his skull as he removed the binding spell from her, his magical elbow grease finally catching up to him.

But God, he did n't like. His hands rose to her brass, a hand resting on either position as he smoothed a single stray ringlet away, tucking it behind her ear.

'' Come on Kaylens ... '' He murmured, centre bright and searching. His gaze was flickering back and forth across her grimace, watching her every movement, hoping against hope it had worked.

And then her lid opened, her middle as disoriented as before. A choking sensation wrapped around his throat, his paw falling to rest on her stiffening berm. He had failed.

His os frontale fell against hers in despair, the flavour of her warm cutis offering little comfort. He should 've known it would not work, yet ...

He never would deliver forgiven himself if he had n't tried.

Slowly her legs slid against his, and his eyes squeezed shut, preparing himself for whatever out lash was about to go on. The memory of her recoiling away from him, scuffling away like a frightened animal when he had gotten too close, was all too newly in his mind.

He waited for it with held breath, only nothing came.

His middle opened, only to find hers staring back.

His muscles went taut with tension, his breath quickening as their propinquity struck him. Her nozzle pressed against his, his hands business firm on her shoulders, and a galvanize genius churned in his chest as he watched her darkened eyes.

Within them something was changing, a flicker of acquaintance residing there. His hand slid back to her brass, anxiety etched in his feature of speech as her lips parted. Her lip moved, as if trying to say something, only no words came.

He could n't pull his gaze away if he tried.

'' Merlin, '' He whispered, `` I wish I knew what you were thinking. ``

She remained silent, but his heart were drawn to a slight gesture. Her hand rose, falling to roost on his unshaven cheek. She pulled away slightly, their foreheads no longer pressing together as her confused eyes flickered across his face, a singular expression befalling her.

His brow furrowed, a question forming on his backtalk.

'' Kaylens ? '' He whispered, eyes searching hers desperately.

A disquieted look crossed her characteristic, her bottom lip drawing between her teeth, sending his heart thudding uncertainly.

And then she was nodding.

Instantly he reached for her, embracing her against his chest. She was trembling, enticing his own quiver arms to pull her even closer, the need to physically allude her overwhelming. Supreme Being ... he could n't get her close decent.

The shock was finally hitting him, frightening him on too many layer to key as he realized how fleeting this could be.

She was with him again, but only until the paries he had created went tumbling down.

Merlin, how long did he have ?

A shudder shook him, an urging indigence to get her to someone near than him, to someone who could do something, driving him.

He needed soul, person like Dumbledore. He could tone the paries he 'd put up inside her mind. He had to.

Fearing to loose her for even a instant his arm tightened around her shoulder joint, his early reaching for the portkey in his pocket. A present moment later his fingers were sliding through hers, his hopeful regard locking onto her hagridden one.

'' Kaylens, '' He murmured intensely, `` check with me. ``

And then, hoping that she was lucid enough to empathise what they were doing, he dumped the flaxen subject matter onto their linked hands, feeling that distinctive tug.

In that last second he threw his munition around her, wanting to shield her from whatever rough landing they were about to experience.









'' My respect is earned, not given. ``
~ Saying of the Ages ~







Chapter 30 ~ To Hell with decorum


'' Harry ! ``

Harry had barely recovered from the portkey 's ride when he felt handwriting hauling him away, separating him from Kaylens. He blinked, only slightly dazed, and found himself strewn across the iniquity wooden pane of Grimmauld post 's subject.

The pit of it was, he could hardly see a matter.

'' How is she ? ''

In the dim light cast from the wall-mounted candelabras he saw Remus'shadow driblet down between them, placing a hesitant script on Kalliandra 's articulatio humeri. Harry could only see the werewolf 's profile, but judging from his grammatical construction, Remus looked genuinely surprise when Kaylens did not immediately pull away.

Harry 's eyes cut through the darkness, finding hers.

Something warm swelled within him when he realized that she was looking right back at him, scarcely a hint of discombobulation within her expression. Disbelievingly he watched the candlelight dancing in her glossy orb, and for a legal brief bit he was able-bodied to believe that she may just rip through with her sanity intact.

'' Harry ! ''

Remus'sharp vox cut through the silent elbow room, drawing both distich of adolescent heart to the worried adult.

Harry found his spokesperson quickly. `` We need an Occlumens. Right away. ``

Remus'head jolted around, the musing layer behind his center shining. `` Harry, what did you do ? '' He asked uneasily.

His shoulder stiffened, and in that unmarried loaded question he found his resolve.

'' What I had to. ``

There was an agonizing break, not unsimilar to what had transpired between them before Remus had left for Grimmauld without them, making the decision to trust him.

Harry only hoped Remus would not come in to regret it.

A present moment later Remus was on his feet, nodding at Harry. `` stop with her. ``

'' The thinking of leaving never crossed my head, '' He replied honestly, scooting across the floor back to her. The sound of a swinging door, and the vocalisation beyond it, drifted in, but Harry scarcely noticed.

'' Kaylens, '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her. With trepidation his digit slowly curled around her upper weapons system, whilst his oculus swept searchingly over her expression. `` You still with me ? ``

taking in her every movement he watched her eye flutter exhaustedly, her chest and articulatio humeri rising as she drew in a fatigued sigh.

And then the impossible girl fixed him with an incense looking, nodding tiredly.

He released the breath he had been unwittingly holding, relief sweeping through him. Immediately his mitt found her nerve, the pads of his thumbs moving along her malar bone with a gentleness he did n't know he possessed. For a bit he simply stared at her, watching the entertainment in her regard only grow.

Merlin ... he had been afraid that the swirl of the portkey would disorient her, causing her to lose whatever fledgling piece of sanity she had managed to get the picture onto at Remus'. Scheol ... he vividly recalled their go portkey ride, and that alone had rendered her unconscious.

He stared at her, his eyes boring into her bemused, albeit sleepy, expression.

Suddenly her hand rose, her fingers curling gently around his own where they rested against her cheek. He squeezed her hand gently, finding reassurance he had n't known he needed in her actions.

Had he been asked a month ago, he never would have guessed that he would be feeling Kalliandra Kaylens, of all people, squeezing his hand in hers. But more than that, he never would have thought that such a simple, innocuous gesture could send his chest stirring.

He swallowed hard, watching the hint of a grinning contour on her lips. His hand immediately flipped over, taking her cold hand more firmly in his, and tightening his clench on her.

'' You 're finding this amusing, are n't you ? '' He accused quietly, his voice unnaturally constricted.

Her back talk parted, only to shut again, her bottom lip drawn between her teeth as she began nodding.

And then he saw it. Amidst her expression was a spark of fear, and for the abbreviated of seconds he saw her center clouding again.

'' Kaylens ! '' He said sharply, dropping her paw and grabbing her by the shoulders, shaking her suddenly trembling physique. `` Please ! halt with me ! ''

Whether it was their forcible link or his spokesperson, he would never have sex. But suddenly she had gained some sense of herself again, and she had hurtled herself against his chest, her full form shaking like a leaf.

Harry had never felt Thomas More helpless in his lifespan.

And Snape just had to choose that exact moment to walk in.

'' What do you opine you are doing now, ceramist ? ``

If he was n't so desperate for assistant he might own hexed him. Instead his uprising of fury was suddenly quenched as a unmarried thought permeated his panic-ridden mind.

Snape was a overlord Occlumens.

Still clutching onto Kaylens as if his lifetime depended on it, he met the Potion original 's critical gaze straits on.

'' Professor, I need your supporter. ``

Snape 's entire face crinkled indifferently. `` Get off the flooring thrower. I do n't have sentence for your game, '' He clipped, starting to brush past them. Instead he paused mid-stride, eyeing them distastefully.

'' And do absent yourselves from here. Undoubtedly you are both choked up about that know-it-all Friend of yours, but really Potter, such exhibit are not meant for public exhibition. ''

The Slytherin drumhead of business firm flipped his gown, practically striking them as he continued striding across the room 's sweep towards another room access. Harry 's jaw dropped, shock and wildness mingling on his raging face. `` Damn it this is not a joke ! '' He roared, watching Snape arrest. `` Kaylens needs assistant ! '' He squeezed his optic shut, forcing himself to simmer down down. Where in the nether region was Remus ?

'' Professor, '' He finally ground out, as if the respectful condition pained him. `` This is not what you think. This is not a showing. Something happened to Kaylens. Someone injected her with unicorn blood line and I ... '' He plowed Forth River, ignoring the fact that he had not a semblance of a clue on how to explain the state of affairs. `` I tried something on her. I used Legilimency to get into her idea, to try and help, but ... ''

He hesitated, meeting Snape 's passionless expression. `` I created a bulwark, standardised to the I they teach beginners in Occlumency, to break up her memories from the strange ones. But I 'm not sure as shooting it 's working. ''

His abrupt gaze locked onto the blank expression of his most scorned Professor.

'' She needs assist. I need someone to reinforce the wall I made, and I sure as hell am not capable of doing it. ``

Unreadable as he was, Snape did n't look to be about to aid. But he did n't make any farther try to leave.

Running his manus through Kaylens'hair comfortingly, feeling her trembling slowly subsiding, he felt anger at Snape 's unresponsiveness Begin to stir.

Harry 's aspect suddenly grew challenging. `` Now, '' He demanded, vocalization ablaze. `` Are you a Master Occlumens or not ? ``

A flicker of annoyance crossed Snape 's face. `` Your endeavour to appeal to my ego and better nature are ridiculous, Potter, considering that I am secure in one and lack the other. ``

His bloodline practically boiled.

'' look, '' Harry spat, dropping all make-believe of deference. `` You hate me. I hate you. I get that. But this is n't about either of us, and I 'll be damned to admit this, but you are the lonesome one here that can help her at the moment. Hell, I 'll even gift you a free shaft at me. Just help her. ``

Snape 's mouth curled angrily, as if considering.

'' Follow me, '' The other Slytherin finally sneered, snapping a mitt towards the far door.

Harry 's fist clenched as the man disappeared through the room access, not bothering to wait around for an recognition. Drawing a strained breathing spell between his dentition he glanced down at Kaylens, and the latent hostility drained out of him.

Her entire, mud-streaked expression was crinkled in concentration. God ... she had been so wrapped up in trying to remain in her right intellect that she had barely noticed the tense verbal spouting match around her.

'' Hey, '' He murmured, a rough hand reaching out and cupping her chin, forcing her to depend up at him. `` You still okay ? ''

Her eyes glittered with confusion, but she managed another nod.

He forced a smile. `` Try not to hold this against me, '' He whispered, standing up and scooping the startled girl into his arms. `` But frankly I 'm not sure I trust your walking ability at the moment. ``

She uttered not a phone, simply nodding resignedly, eyes one-half closed. He swallowed hard as her head fell to lie against his shoulder, and he found himself carefully adverting his gaze from her as he crossed the room quickly, kicking open the room access after Snape.

The fact that he did n't hit the man with it disappointed him only slightly.

'' Put her on the couch. ``

His brow crinkled uncertainly. Was he really about to just hand her over to the same cruel, bitter man whom had wreaked havoc on his own creative thinker in the past ?

He realized that he had very few option at the moment.

He go down down into the cushions, clutching her to him. Readjusting only slightly, so that her legs lay loosely draped over his own, with her head resting against his shoulder, he wound his arms protectively around her, sealing her in a frailty bobby pin that he was sure she would dissent to if she felt up to speaking.

He did n't manage though. There was simply no way in hellhole that he would be leaving her to face the Potions'professional 's mercy alone. And irrational as it was, his exhausted, battered judgement somehow equated squeezing her to easing whatever ordeal the Occlumens was about to put her through.

He tilted his head down, burying it in the top of her messy head of hair. `` Let him do what he has to do. It 'll help, '' He reassured quietly, hoping he would not regret placing his faith in the blistering man 's abilities.

He pulled away only slightly, his munition still looped around her waist, and her hazel colored eyes turned up, studying him intently.

'' How very touching. ``

Harry 's headway jerked up, only to be greeted with Snape 's mocking sneer, and an locution that clearly told him to get the hell on earth out of the way.

'' movement aside boy. ``

Harry 's eyes hardened, his adhesive friction reflexively tightening around her. `` No. ``

Snape practically twitched. `` Insolent fry, relocation. I will not be doing this with you in the way. ``

'' The last meter I checked, '' He retorted, `` This only required eye contact. Even you taught me that much. And seeing as how I 'm not blocking you from that ... '' He let his caustic answer lead off.

With a growling Snape leaned forward, grabbing Kaylens chin and practically snapping her pass towards him.

The muffle urge to strike the man rose up, fury rifling through him at her distressed, shock reflexion, but Snape 's wand was already drawn and aimed, an intense look in his eyes.

'' Legilimens. ''

An eerily calm grammatical construction suddenly befell Kaylens'face, while Snape 's contorted into one of the utmost absorption.

Harry could only wait.

He dropped his head back against the wall, heaving an run down suspiration.

The grandfather clock chimed. Kaylens'cutis grew cold to the pinch. Snape 's dark, frightening eyes bored into her widely, doe-like ones.

He watched the clock

12 minutes and thirty-three second gear later, Lupin still had not returned.

But his two silent companions did.

Kally jerked, almost violently backwards, her back hitting the armrest of the couch. Harry barely managed to stop her psyche from smacking into the wall as she slid off of him.

Snape 's social movement were not nearly so sudden.

Unnoticed to Harry the man rose from the floor, a sick hand brushing complex number dirt from his robe. And then slowly, almost methodically, the man 's finger tightened challengingly around his sceptre, his knuckle turning White person with the pressure.

It took Harry a 2d to remark the man 's penetrating gaze, but when he did an enervate sensation overtook him.

The Potions passe-partout was looking at him, a strange look in his eyes.

reverence.
* * * * *


Blue-green optic appraised the rather full waiting elbow room of the Adelaide and Meath hospital 's emergency room.

'' Bugger. ``

'' founder, this is for your own good. ``

'' Could n't this hold until Monday ? '' He ventured, trying to plead to his son 's better sensibilities as his oculus took in the people of mass. `` By the time we finish waiting in bank line it 'll be tomorrow and the doc 's post will be open anyways. Is this really where you want to spend your Sun ? ``

The man turned around to find his eldest son 's middle narrowed in reproach.

'' Father, you were coughing up a storm at home and ... ''

'' It was just a small itch in my throat ... ''

Edward ignored him. `` Dad, you collapsed at the dinner tabular array from that low itching. ``

'' wellspring really, I was actually just choking on some of your mother 's cookery. It was positively unpalatable. dependable. ''

The boy arched his supercilium skeptically, clearly not buying this. `` funny, considering how you were praising that fish fillet just before your lungs seized up. ``

The man groaned. `` Honestly, Edward V. Do you really think that I would criticize your mum 's cooking to her face ? ``

Yes. Wait for it. Ah, there it is.

His son was now full out laughing at him. Of grade, he could hardly blame him. His wife, George Meredith, could have been a chef had she wanted to. The woman had never cooked nor parched something sub par in her life.

But that was n't about to barricade him from trying to get out of this cursed, congested waiting room.

'' beginner, '' croaked out his son, `` Are n't you a bit old for harboring phobia of doctor visit ? ``

He grunted in reaction, racking his pounding heading for another excuse. Honestly, he really thought that his family was overreacting. His lymph nodes might be swollen, and indeed his head was pounding as if Xerxes himself were waging a small war with his neuron. But really all he needed was a good Night 's rest.

Perhaps he could blame the coughing fit and his wheezing on having tried some cigarettes while fishing that morning. Of class, Meredith would have his fell skinned and filleted before he would even have a hazard to shout for supporter ...

The man was caught unaware when his son rather abruptly shoved him into a wheelchair.

'' Edward VII ... `` He hissed gruffly, only for his scourge to hang on indifferent ears as Edward bypassed the briny line, shoving him to the second check-in window reserved for those experiencing either pectus pain or curtness of breath.

And it was then that the racking cough again shook him, the knife-like painful sensation attacking as if the Grim Reaper himself were holding the blade. He clutched onto the wheelchair 's limb, gritting his teeth, an acidy burn working its way up his pharynx.

A painful stab began in his dresser, sending his eubstance jack-knifing forward, nearly out the chairman. A incisive shout near him made him aware of the delirium of natural action that had begun beyond the check-in desk, and strong hands abruptly latched onto his shoulder, preventing him from falling font forward.

A foot shot out, kicking the wheelchair 's pasture brake into place with a metallic click, and suddenly the rocking, swaying motion that he had not even realized to be going on ceased.

The pain in his chest dulled down to a tedious burn, and his manus flew to his mouth, feeling the sputum expelling with the adjacent shuddering gasp.

He coughed once, twice more, before leaning gratefully forward onto his son 's shoulder, gasping for air.

It was then that he noticed the man in the white lab coat kneeling next to him, and it dawned on him that the cold, metal tone on his back was the stethoscope, which the doctor had already managed to splay beneath the book binding of his shirt.

Feeling winded, he looked at the physician 's concerned typeface, and forced a imperfect smile. `` Well, '' He gasped wryly. `` I think it 's safe to say, that I am short of breathing time. ``
* * * * *


Lupin bowled into the room, Dumbledore in tow. The emphatic thud of the threshold flying open and slamming against the wall effectively causing Snape 's white-knuckled adhesive friction on his wand to loosen.

Harry 's gaze snapped to where Remus stood, asking him what had happened.

He barely heard him, suddenly feeling so, so incredibly stupid. In his desperation to obtain assistance he had failed to be affected role, ineffective to wait for Lupin 's proceeds. And it only now occurred to him why it had taken the wolfman so long.

It would never birth occurred to Remus to have gone to the closest headmaster Occlumens for help. The combine between the old Marauder and Snivellus was nonexistent, so there was no way in snake pit that Lupin would have trusted the man to turn over into Kally 's mind.

So he had gone for Dumbeldore.

Harry already felt like an idiot. Snape simply seized the moment to express his agreement.

'' ceramist could n't possibly have done this, '' He declared.

Snape 's financial statement hung on the air as Dumbledore, looking only slightly weary, swept his gaze back and Forth River between the three of them. First his blue eyes studied Kalliandra, pity and oddity mingling together on his delineate human face, before turning his kindly gaze to Harry. And then, finally, his spectacled gaze locked with Severus Snape's.

A foreign silence filled the way as the two became locked in a double-dyed lucifer. It took Harry only a moment to actualize what they were doing.

They were communicating through Legilimency, the two masters exchanging all of the selective information about the situation that they needed to know.

Remus seized the consequence of privacy, kneeling in front of where he and Kaylens lay tangled up. `` Harry, '' He began quietly, so as not to disturb the two. `` Please tell me you did n't let him ... ''

Harry grimaced. `` I did. ``

The werewolf released an exasperated sigh, fixing Harry with an pissed stare. `` I 'm not even going to ask what you were thinking. It 's quite obvious that you were n't. ``

'' He is a professional Occlumens, '' He argued, feeling almost dirty at having just defended Snape. `` I would n't willingly reserve somebody to pain her. ``

A flash of amusement temporarily replaced the critical look on Remus'face. `` This coming from the person who personally removed quite a bit of her hair, in what Crusantheus assured me was a full-out brawl in the schoolmaster 's berth. ``

Harry cringed. `` You heard about that, huh ? '' He asked sheepishly, glancing to where Kalliandra lay, looking for all the world as if she were sleeping.

Remus followed his regard. `` Hermione actually wrote me about that. Something about wanting me to blab out some sense into the both of you. Personally, I 'm still trying to figure out how she knew I was tutoring Kalliandra in the low place. ``

'' You were tutoring her ? ``

Remus nodded, looking at him curiously. `` How did you think we were acquainted ? ``

'' She was a professional groomer and Moony was in pauperization of a cut ? ``

Lupin sent him a atrophy blaze. `` Of all the thing to inherit, you had to get your Padre 's impudence. ``

'' I did n't take in it was his. ``

Remus seemed to consider this. `` Yours is actually a bit more virulent, '' He related. `` Unless Prongs was talking to someone he severely disliked, his comments were never quite so pungent. ``

'' So I 'm bitter. Can you blame me ? ``

Moony 's facial expression softened considerably. `` No, Harry. I can not. ''

Abruptly Lupin 's attention turned firmly to Kaylens, his concerned look returning wax force. Harry simply watched as Remus reached out, carefully brushing a ringlet of her persistently tangled hair away from her typeface, studying her like a concerned father.

Remus paused, as if considering something. `` Well, '' He finally commented, `` You two certainly look uncomfortable. ''

Despite himself, he nearly laughed at the absurdity of the command. Not that it was lacking in truth, for when Kaylens had jerked back she had wound up with one leg still draped over his own, one hanging halfway off the couch, with her thin shape half-slumped between him and the armrest.

And now, she had apparently fallen asleep in exhaustion.

Harry smiled strainedly. `` Yeah, well ... I would n't desire to take a chance incurring her ira by waking her, now would I ? ``

Nevertheless he found himself adjusting, to the breaker point where he felt rather secure in knowing that if he let go of her, that she would no longer be in risk of sliding down to the floor.

Remus simply watched this, a crease forming across his forehead.

'' Harry, '' He ventured. `` What exactly did you do for her ? Specifically. ``

Harry frowned, considering how to respond to this. However, he did not get the chance.

The two Occlumens in the room had started blinking again, their central, apparently, complete.

'' As I said, Potter could n't possibly feature done this, '' Snape restated, ignoring the questioning looks Lupin was throwing at all of them.

Kally chose that minute to let out a sleepy murmur, stirring in her sleep. And somehow that small sound of hers reawakened Harry 's veneration that he had somehow harmed her thinker in his endeavour to serve her in the outset space.

'' I did n't hurt her, did I ? '' He blurted out, earning a sharp stare from Remus.

Fortunately Dumbledore responded quickly.

'' No, Harry. You did not. ``

Snape let out a sound not unlike that of an raging cat. `` Albus, '' He disrupted, clearly in dissonance with the headmaster 's acceptance that Harry had, indeed, constructed the genial roadblock. `` The level of proficiency in Occlumency that one would accept to possess to have done this would be staggering. There is no possible way that ceramicist could possess done this. '' Snape hesitated. `` I 'm not even sure that I could let done this. ``

'' What ? '' Harry shot out, startled by the admission.

'' Would someone terribly mind filling me in on what exactly the three of you are talking about ? '' Interjected Lupin, sounding only mildly annoyed.

Snape acted as if the man had not even spoken, his dingy optic swiveling to Harry instead. `` I do n't know what you are playing at Potter, '' He snapped heatedly. `` But you did not do this to this young woman. ``

Harry 's oculus narrowed, a slow burning angriness growing at the Potion headmaster 's unregenerate refusal to consider him capable of anything.

The greasy haired man 's gaze grew more challenging. `` Who really constructed that barrier, ceramist ? ``

Harry 's teeth clenched. `` I did, '' He ground out.

'' liar ! ``

Dumbledore rose a placating bridge player. `` Now Severus, lets not be hasty. Harry has been under my tutelage since the start of term, and he has improved greatly. Particularly in gaze to his ability to build genial barrier. ``

'' No one improves that much in so short-change a meter. Especially, '' He bit out, gesticulating in Harry 's direction, `` Not such an fumbling child ! ``

Harry 's oculus hardened. `` Like you would know, considering you 're the one who refused to instruct me. ``

'' You are impossible to teach Potter. ``

'' Perhaps if you were capable of dropping petty schoolhouse day grudges I would n't be. ``

'' You are just like your father, '' Snape practically growled.

'' I would n't recognise, '' He spat matter-of-factly. `` Perhaps you could part stories sometimes. Reminisce about having your undergarments placed on public exhibition. ''

Remus snorted.

'' Harry, that was uncalled for, '' Dumbledore admonished.

Harry bit back a jape. `` Considering everything he 's put me through over the years I highly doubt that. ``

Snape 's normally controlled characteristic twisted into something livid. `` How dare you speak to the Headmaster with such disrespect ... ''

'' I respect the headmaster sight, '' Harry snapped. `` It 's you that I have no esteem for. ''

'' Has it occurred to anyone that arguing will get us nowhere ? '' Remus interjected.

'' If Potter had n't blatantly displayed such a lack of decorum ... ''

'' Decorum ? '' Harry interrupted. `` This is n't your little class with all of its preposterously anti-Gryffindor rules ! So forgive me if I do n't grovel at your base to take in your approval ! ``

'' That is the last prison term I ever help you, you ungrateful ... ''

'' YOU DID N'T HELP ME ! YOU HELPED HER ! '' Harry screamed, launching himself off of the couch and to his groundwork. It was only Remus'quick reflexes that kept Kally from tumbling with him.

Grunting in annoyance, Remus turned to Dumbledore. `` Do you get the impression that this argument was a long fourth dimension coming ? ``

Dumbledore nodded. `` Why do you think I 'm letting them carry on ? ``

Harry and Snape remained oblivious to the telephone exchange, the latter suddenly looked unbelievably smug. `` That 's curious potter, I do n't recollect telling you that I helped her at all. Come to believe of it, all I did was take a flavour at that barrier. I must allow in though, she does have some rather interesting recent remembering ... ''

Harry 's middle took on a baseless look. `` That has nothing to do with ... ''

'' You 're correct. But this has everything to do with your inability to respect your punter and to keep abreast the rules. ``

Harry snorted. `` Funny, considering you 're the one who 's always saying how the rule formula do n't practice to me. ``

'' No you idiot boy ! I 'm always telling you how self-important you are to think that the convention convention do n't apply to you. ``

'' Considering I 'm the one who has to off salutary ole'conundrum for everyone you 'd better hope the rules do n't apply to me. Otherwise next clock time the killing swearing might actually cultivate. ``

Snape scowled dangerously. `` Ill see if it works, '' He hissed, fingering his wand.

'' ENOUGH ! ``

Harry 's oral fissure snapped shut, his retort lodging uncomfortably in his throat.

Outside, in the main entrance hall, Mrs. Negroid began screaming.

'' If anyone did n't throw a headache before, they certainly will now, '' Remus practically groaned.

'' Severus, '' Addressed the Headmaster, absentmindedly nodding his agreement with lupine. `` From what you 've shown me, it looks like all that was done was a separation of Ms. Kaylens'remembering from the unicorn's, and that is all. ``

'' That 's all ? '' Snape responded edgily, his wrath apparently undiluted despite the sudden change of field of study. `` You make it sound as simple as identifying one species from the early. ``

Dumbledore shrugged, looking at Harry with a sudden burst of superbia twinkling in his eyes. `` It 's unfeigned, that what Harry did need a high degree of skill in the sphere. But I think if you really think about it Severus, you 'll rule that Harry was more than than capable of having accomplished this. ``

Severus snorted.

'' After all, Severus, all Harry really did was construct a wall inside of her mind ... ''

'' Not just a wall, Albus. It was a perfect wall. ``

Harry could n't help himself. `` perfective ? It was entire of yap ! I thought the thing was about to collapse ! ``

'' You mean to say that you were attempting to create a inflexible anatomical structure ? ``

'' Yes, '' He hissed. `` Now will someone delight explain what he meant by perfective tense ? ''

'' testament someone please explain what paries we are talking about ? ``

Again everyone ignored Remus'attempt to extract what was going on from them.

'' Potter, '' Snape drawled, as if talking to a particularly deadening school-age child. `` Had a fixed wall been constructed, there would have been a nail separation of the two hardening of memories in the miss 's mind. ``

'' Yes, I get that, '' Harry snapped, feeling frustrated. `` That 's what I was going for. ``

Snape 's dark, oily eyebrows arched up. `` Even a fixed bulwark would possess eventually crumbled, and when that happened it would deliver been consanguine to releasing a floodgate of foreign computer storage in her mind. So the effect would have been the same as it was initially. ``

'' Meaning ? ``

Snape practically rolled his eyes. `` She would have gone insane again. I know this level of conversing is a bit of a strain on your mental adroitness, but please, do try and go on up. ``

'' That 'll be enough, Severus, '' interjected Dumbledore. `` What he means to say, Harry, is that a weakly barrier with yap will allow the foreign memories to drop off into her idea a few at a time. It 'll allow her to become slowly acclimated to the new memories, as opposed to her being forced to make do them all at once. Now I imagine the job of sorting through everything will be rather draining on her ... ''

Snape snorted. The headmaster ignored him.

'' But in a few hours she should induce a pretty solid grip on what memories are hers, and what are not. ``

'' A few hours ? `` Harry would desire Dumbledore with his life sentence, but somehow this seemed far too easy. He would let thought cramming a life Worth of memories into a new head would take far longer.

Suddenly the Headmaster smiled. `` Ms. Kaylens has been rather fortunate to ingest been given the ancestry of a relatively Pres Young unicorn, Harry. In fact, the animal is barely one-time than her. For the succeeding few weeks she 'll gradually gather more and more of its retention, but the worst should be over relatively soon. ``

"How can you experience how old it was ?"

"Is, Harry. Just because the unicorn's parentage was taken does not stand for that it was killed. And one of its latter retentivity had already slipped through your construct. So Severus was able to see it, and pass that information on to me. She's actually bring very lucky."

Despite this reassurance, he was still nervous. `` And what happens when that wall I made completely breaks down ? ``

'' A cold-shoulder headache, I would imagine. Nothing more. ``

'' But ... ''

'' For the love of Merlin ! She 'll already be acclimated to the memories Potter ! '' Snape practically shouted, apparently unable to contain himself any longer. `` Your small girlfriend will be fine ! ``

Harry balked. `` She 's not ... ''

Snape waved him off dismissively. `` Like I care. ``

Dumbledore casually flicked his sceptre in their direction, silencing them both. Harry gaped like a fish, noticing Snape doing the same.

Dumbledore let nothing display on his face, but simply turned to where Remus and Kaylens still sat.

'' Remus, as interesting as this verbal fray has been, I think that the proficient affair for Ms.Kaylens, at the moment, is remainder. ``

Lupin looking rather like a worried father, nodded his assent. And before Harry could even resist, Moony had scooped the girl up in his arms.

repair Harry with a target stare, Remus inclined his head as he left. `` She 'll be in the room Hermione and Ginny used. ``

Snape, apparently having unsilenced himself, let out a mocking scoff that bore a strange resemblance to the lyric `` I 'm so sure. ``

It was only after that they had left the way, that Dumbledore 's locution grew far more serious.

'' Harry, '' He stated seriously. `` I think it 's prison term you explained exactly what happened with Angelina. ``
* * * * *

'' VHERE IS SHE ! ? ! ? ``

The man 's voice rose furiously, awakening her from her Crucio-induced slumber with a start.

Her dark eyes snapped unfold, her unfocused gaze shooting uselessly around the pitch-dark room.

She had been left in complete and sum up darkness, unable to discern even a single detail of her surroundings. The insensate, silk sheets beneath her were the only if clue she had to hint that she remained in the same room as before.

Only now she was mercifully alone, with only the lingering, bone-deep pain of the visit curses for company.

An enervate spirit of futility settled firmly within her dresser, but she would not, could not, recede Leslie Townes Hope. Instead her resolve strengthened, and she forced herself to hear very carefully.

exterior in the dormitory two people were arguing fiercely, their take words muffled, though every so often the one would rise about the other, a life-threatening notation in his tonic speech.

Her supercilium creased fretfully, anxiety filling her. There was something very intimate about that voice. Something her intelligent mind screamed she should stimulate been capable to recognize instantly.

But to her substance she understood that whomever the mortal was, that she should n't be hearing them here.

Not in a stead where only Death eater roamed freely.

An icy foreboding flooded her nervure ...

The door to her room suddenly flew open, a all-encompassing shoulder man forcing his way in, his silhouette shadowed by the hall 's firelight.

It felt as if mortal were suddenly choking her, an agonizing quiver overtaking her in a way that the Cruciatus curse would never be able-bodied to touch.

The man 's defined jaw logical argument, one so very familiar spirit to her, was set firmly.

A heart-wrenching treason ripped through her, snatching her heart in its vice grip as she watched his mouth open, forming the words she had once loved to hear.

'' Hermy-owh-ninny. ``







generator's Note :

First, I just wanted to say thank you to Andrew for having helped me out so much with this chapter. He has not only beta-read the hold out few chapters, but has also helped me to pull off them to make them well-situated to read.

Secondly, I wanted to apologise about having taken so long between chapters over the past yr. I honestly needed a faulting from writing, and now that I have had that I plan on updating approximately every two hebdomad or so. I 'm really excited about finishing the storey, and I figure that two calendar week is definitely a deadline that I can fit, considering that I used to post daily chapters for the Quizilla rendering of this. Of course, those were only about 2500 Holy Scripture a patch, but nevertheless I figure once every two weeks or so should work on out well. Again, I am really bad about having taken such lengthy shift this yesteryear twelvemonth. thing were very interfering and frankly I just needed to really reload. give thanks you all for having stuck around though ! Chapter 31 is being worked on presently, so expect it in about two hebdomad.

And just to avoid confusion, the full term for a practitioner of Occlumency is Occlumens. For some reason in the rough muster of this I had a lot of people trying to correct me on that.

Recommended Story :

And the Greatest of These ... by Edward IV Ollivander
Rating : 12+ status : WIP - 24 chapters

In the Wake Island of Dumbledore 's Death Harry is consumed with a burning desire to carry out one thing : licking Voldemort, by any means requisite. As he sets out to destruct not only the villain himself, but also the veneration that has the wizarding world 's heart in a vice grip, he has to deepen the way he sees the world around him, as well as the way he functions within it. Now, as he prepares for the final battle, he becomes the one thing the wizarding Earth needs : Hope. Harry/Ginny pairing.