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



Chapter 24 ~ The Joseph Black consortium


Dublin, Republic of Ireland. population in surplus of 450,000 Muggles, 1,240 witches and adept, and 451,240 innocent.

Since mediaeval sentence the locale had served as the capital of the liberate standing Republic. The blackamoor Pool, or so the Britishism had stated. Now the expanse of land it rested upon stood as one of the most populated air pocket of isolation upon the earth.

An island.

5.8 million Muggles in the Republic of Emerald Isle alone, another 1.7 million in Northern Eire, and upon the entire United Kingdom state Mass, 4,694 beings of witching descent.

The island contained the largest percentage of magical organism per caput of any place on world.

It could soon take the downcast.

At the sass of the River Liffey, the bustling Black pond of commerce lay in wait, as did a woman clad in the disgusting vise of Muggle apparel.

The rain had let up considerably in comparing to the too soon forenoon pelting, yet the harsh drizzle did nothing to mar the once striking knockout as she stood alone upon the Lucan bridge, dour pilus flowing in the wind like a canvas tent born of the Renaissance.

In true statement, had one possessing the skill sat to immortalize her countenance, it would give birth born striking similarity to a picture that had once hung hundred earlier upon the inlaid rampart of Sarsfield castle.

The only dissimilarity between the sail lay in the minute of arc item of the subject'hands, her picket, refined finger's breadth gently uncorking a clear vial, tilting it 's contents over the ancient brick viaduct until they churned upon the flatus disturbed pee below.

As the cleaning lady disappeared, seemingly without a trace to the eyes of Muggle passersby, the origin of the cuss began filtering into the H2O system of downtown Irish capital.

The Black consortium would soon reawaken a Shirley Temple Plague.
* * * * *


Love.

Because of it city have been erected, and fallen. Homes have been made, and broken. Mere someone have been resurrected, and forgotten.

It holds the capableness of silencing the strong, immortalizing the weak, dashing the dear of dreams and destroying the darkest of fears. It 's trend mightiness is unfathomable, and it is due to this overmaster emotion that the human being spirit is capable of being broken.

For one raven haired man, the pressure born of hate and preserved by his love was upon him as it had never before been. The space, deadened eyes of Seamus Finnigan haunting him even as he breathed in the reassuring presence of the young little girl clutched in his weaponry, his brass turned from the Earth to bury against her peel, his only if reprieve from the cruel realness that was his hell, and life.

It has been said that it is only military capability of character that separates the weak from the firm, for their ability to cast feeling, attachment, and have sex aside… Therein rests their unfaltering ability to do what must be done, in the darkest of clip.

Wordlessly the girl had taken him by the manus, silently leading him through the dense copse and bramble, disregarding the way the coarse briers tore her skin, snaring her wearable. Her silhouette seemed incapable of feeling, and the Cy Young man 's envy of her skill was thickening, for each thorny motherfucker dragging across his hide sung the guilt he felt, crying for his intervention in what they had left behind in Hogsmeade with the tug of a portkey.

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

The Brigham Young man had been forced to allow his friend in the rapidly growing fight reason, for Voldemort 's evil had reared again, and again he had come out upon the lesser slope, trapped as he was in the darkened forest, incapable of helping anyone.

How was this pitiable wiz supposed to defeat the darkest of them ?

It has also been said that strength of character is best not determined by one 's indifference, by their ability to outdistance themselves from the situation at manus, but by their ability to palpate the pleas of the fallible as if they were their own burdens. For it is in these person that the rarest of souls are found, for the few who walk upon the dry land with burdened and broken soulfulness are often the most capable of loving, and saving the residual of us.

His footsteps were sinking into the soften dry land, following in the girl 's running as they pushed their way through the thickets, stumbling into a belittled moonlit clarification, a murky pool of piddle collecting near its edge.

It was perhaps the saddest, and brutal of ironies, that the two brave souls standing torn and battered, bathed in the blue hue of moonlight filtering between the Night sky 's mottled swarm, were the perfect exemplification of both sides of the spectrum.

Both had been through underworld itself, and survived, yet only one had come out fully subject of loving, despite the cosmos crashing around him.

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


Oct 31st, Halloween, 1996.

It would forever stand up as the day of infamy, as the night when Aurors had fallen upon the town in striking effect, scattering expiry eater to the far splurge turning point of the Earth, to wherever their alcove of safety lay, leaving the scarcely varnished village under the jurisdiction of the Ministry.

There was much to sort out.

It had taken so long for them to pass on it 's habitant, for Hogsmeade had not been the solely town to shine under attack this day. And being the only all wizarding small town in England, the Aurors had came to it 's aid last, for Muggle areas had few defenses, while the citizens of Hogsmeade had at least been armed.

Unlike the unacquainted Muggles who had been found, lifelessly sprawled upon city streets, magical beings had held the tycoon to campaign back.

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

No others had been able to appropriate the anti-apparation wards that had been erected, but the destruction eater had found a way.

Throughout the UK, from Dundee to Belfast, from Diagon Alley to Dublin 's Aingingein Marketplace, from the Orkney islands above Scotland to the towns bordering the English language Channel, charming recesses of homes and existence, minuscule air hole of isolated plate and virtuoso, and places of commerce had been taken over.

They had all been targeted, held captive until night had fallen, and each surviving being of magical descent present professed to have felt the same effect. A inhuman, worse than dying quickening of the blood that had seeped into their very souls, raising the shackles of creature and hairs of human race, eliciting the screeches of bird of Minerva and cries of tyke had fallen just at crepuscule, and for those face the time falling immediately after, as towns had risen up in defense, fighting back as the Death feeder fled and Aurors arrived, it would be remembered as the prison term of silence.

Something had happened that day, for the decease Eaters had swarmed into the villages and private place, avoiding only the Muggle populaces, and killing only those Muggles who strayed in their way, and the few wizards and witches 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 faulty office at the amiss time.

Seamus Finnigan had been amongst the fallen, the only when innocent to bear died in Hogsmeade, killed by the killing curse erupting from the Imperioused wand of Ginerva Molly Weasley.

Ginny Weasley now lay, near catatonic with the grief of her actions, with the cognition of her unwillingly dealt wickedness, in the hospital offstage of Hogwarts school of witchery and Wizardry.

She had been able to agitate strongly enough to make unnecessary her brother from the killing curse she had fired upon him, but she had not been strong enough to save her boyfriend.

It was a thought that would haunt her for the rest period of her life sentence, and while she remained silently mute under the care of Pomfrey, dean Thomas sat upon the cold corridors of the hospital wing 's hall.

The randomness of the hall was deafening, reverberating with the phrenetic footfalls and echoes of mad parents unable to settle their nipper. Very few had taken acceptance to Dumbledore 's assurances that there were only three child within the infirmary extension, two of whom Dean treasured above life itself.

He hardly felt the pain as another enceinte father trampled upon his human foot, and he pulled his branch closer to his chest, wishing to settle into the wall for all he was worth.

Seamus was gone ...

Ginny was no longer speech production ...

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

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

It was then that the sandy haired mother of Seamus stumbled into the vestibule, nearly knocking Luna Lovegood to the level, her girdle optic remarkably similar to how Ginny 's had been when he had found her, crumbled and shaking besides professor Tres'unconscious variant in the kitchen of Madam Puddifoots.

Pressing his brow to his set up human knee, 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 fall leaves struck a desolate demarcation to the night 's dark backdrop, and cryptical gray clouds blotted out all likeness of starlight, save for the few unyielding pinpoints and the sliver of moonlight fighting their way through the mottled peck.

It was exquisite.

Though no amount of beauty, nor staring, could ride the disturbing thoughts from his mind for long, and with a renounce sigh he knelt before the small pond, his knees sinking into the weaken dry land besides Kaylens.

'' Are you okay ? ``

He heard her Scripture, yet failed to answer. Instead his eyes remained glued to the hesitation personage upon the water 's surface. Staring back at him were the accusatory fatigue eye of one whose make out ones were either gone, or in peril. The man in the reflectivity was one he did not realise, for it was a man who had killed without rue, and who would do it again.

The inky black image was revealing how he had become all he had once abhorred, and it was a cerebration for which he was ill prepared.

Never looking up, he finally spoke.

'' No. ``

His cupped hands plunged into the springiness, scattering the damnable musing from its surface, rippling the weeds extending near the other embankment.

A hanker time passed, the audio of illumination splashing besides him mingling with sounds of the night, as they both rubbed the blood from their custody in the icy water.

Upon its inky surface his blush line of descent swirled, pooling from his reopening wounds. Though the annoyance was something that could not arrive at him, numbed as his sensation were from the hypothermic waters.

It was the feeling of her manpower carefully wrapping around his own, that finally pulled him from his approach cataleptic commonwealth. His center rose from the water system he had hoped to drown within, falling to rest upon her calm countenance.

Her crystalline eyes held his, worry flickering in the sluggish moonlight.

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

There was no doubting what she meant, for his hired man were pained at her mere touch, intertwined as they were with her inhuman unity, beneath the impenetrable spring 's surface. He reveled in that secretiveness, grimacing only as she forcibly withdrew his hired man from the mercifully numbing water. The harsh bunco game of the nerveless Nox air sent pinpricks of pain shooting through his wounds, burning his arm in a way contradictory to the evening 's breeze.

The barest trace of unhinge lingered upon her concerted face, for she was studying the gash along his callous hands, the ones he had received as he fought to cut the bonds binding them within Rosmereta 's small pub.

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

The sharp sound of cloth ripping catapulted him from the ill fated road his sentiment were traveling upon, and where his hands had just been, enclosed in her own, now lay a strip of chopped fabric. She had torn a shred of cloth, from his cloak, and was wrapping it tightly around his medal, winding it up and over his articulatio radiocarpea where the deepest of lesion stretched.

Cringing he did not block her condense progress, though his vocalisation betrayed his skepticism. `` Do you roll in the hay what your doing ? ``

Sparing not a word, the terminal airstrip was tugged tightly in place. With a live up to sigh she tilted her straits to the side, a queer expression befalling her. `` Well… '' She replied faintly, her cold thumb tracing along his skin around the stopgap bandaging. `` You 'd better hope so. ``

He scowled at her, flexing his wrists testingly. The trend were stiff, but would suffice.

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

'' Hmph. ``

She offered no further 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 effortless progress upon the glistening weewee, and for the firstly metre he noticed the ambling play of magic before him, for her fingers were playing lithely across the water 's dismal Earth's surface, a dull glow radiating at the doorway where the static surface finally broke, allowing her fingers introduction, rose up from its depths.

He regarded the interplay, a wearisome curiosity rising as scrap of magic trailed beneath her hired hand, coloring the Inner Light excrescence she was creating. Ripples, swelling out in successive rings, bore the sparkling only a scant way before the light tumbling within the urine faded away.

And it was not for the first gear 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 little girl who could not incant perform the display before him ? His doubt rolled from his lips quietly, and though her face remained averted from his, her reflexion upon the riffle water betrayed her swoon smile.

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

Her hair fell loose from behind her shoulder, tumbling to veil her case. `` You know… '' She replied softly, `` I 'm not entirely for certain. ``

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

'' Well… '' She whispered, her manifestation smiling, `` Insane is probably a right terminus. ``

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

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

His oink of protest was ignored, for her alert optic had flickered out across the rippling water, gazing searchingly into the wraithlike forest. And for the one-thousandth time since their world-class meeting, he wondered if she could see things he could not.

As if in response to his thoughts, a lightheaded furrow creased her supercilium, barely discernible as the clouds moved to obscure the cool moonlight, throwing shadower across her countenance. And as a conciliate snap sent the reeds protruding from the embankment swaying, her demeanor stiffened, her shoulders relaxing only with the cessation of the plants'hypnotic apparent movement.

'' Jittery ? ``

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

'' Yes. '' She whispered darkly.

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

A thought occurred to him, and finally after the wind instrument had risen in volume, sending the John Reed lead tilting so as to dip into the pond 's Earth's surface, he spoke it aloud.

'' Are you companion with port cay ? ''

She turned a query locution to him, her hair scattering like a feathery halo about her expression in the blustery duck soup. Such was the fray of her fatheaded mane that he could not tell whether she nodded yes or no until it had died down.

Only then did it fall out to him that the object of their very displacement could also be the object of their rescue. His script scrambled in the deep flock of his thick cloak for the Kunnskap, and finally he dumped it upon the dusty earthy mud, taking upkeep to never take into account it 's dulled golden Sir Ernst Boris Chain to meet his flesh.

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

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

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

Steadily the vacillation within her eyes vanished, and slowly she turned her hand around, allowing his digit to twine with hers. Squeezing her mitt as gently as his circumscribed mobility allowed, he guided her to the Kunnskap with him.

'' Take it with me. ``

His eyes 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 simple contact of their finger's breadth to its surface.

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

With baited breathing place they touched the chain.

Nothing.

Sharing a half let down, half relieved grinning, they exhaled the breaths they had both been holding.

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

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

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

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

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

'' You know how most interface key fruit are touch sensitive, taking people back and Forth River between two shoes ? ``

Her headspring bobbed lightly, another cold gust sending her hair awry. This meter she did not devil fighting with it, and let it lie as it fell.

He fought back a small-scale smile as her nose wrinkled, her hanker chain clearly tickling it. `` Well… '' He continued, `` A conditional port key only activates under certain context. 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… ''

soul peril…

He trailed off, not realizing the expression that had befallen his face until Kaylens concerned words drew him back to the present, away from the snarling dentition and growling of Hogsmeade 's spine alley.

He had not known until that day, until he had felt the telling tug behind his omphalus, that the Kunnskap doubled in purpose, and his oversight of Dumbledore 's secretive method of ensuring his own auspices could give very well cost Kaylens her life sentence.

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

His mouth went dry, and a cold-blooded, faze spirit banquet through him. Forcing his eyes to raise to hers, he saw the confusion swirling within them.

'' Kaylens…I didn't…. '' He was suddenly avoiding her eyes, the ignominy of his oversight darkening his characteristic. `` I swear I did n't know… ''

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

He found himself staring at the rachis of her smooth hired 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, articulation tinged with amusement. `` I know you were n't trying to provide me to stand off the wolves myself. ``

And despite her 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 light laugh.

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

'' Kaylens… '' He murmured, optic closure in pain. `` This has been a disaster. ``

'' It could make been worse. '' She whispered, the irony of her countersign mocking the disaster 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 persuasion of whether or not she truly meant it flashed through his mind.

'' It could have been big. ``

Hogsmeade had been taken, Dean could be dying, Hermione was injured, and the others like clean-handed Ginny Weasley, the sister he grew to take, 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 gullible oculus flew open, narrowing onto her. `` How…how can you possibly say that ? ''

Unapologetically she held his gaze, her aspect falling. `` Because it 's the truth. ''

He swallowed, every character of his being disagreeing with each of her give tongue to syllables.

'' Seamus is utterly, '' He finally whispered, regaining ascendence. `` We abandoned the others. We failed them. Or did you forget tha… ''

'' No we did n't. ``

He stared, ineffectual to reconcile the rising grief and guilt that had swept upon him as suddenly as a tidal Wave, with her professing.

'' We failed. ``

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

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

Lifeless blue eyes…

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

Her eyes flickered searchingly across his face, her brow creasing concernedly. `` Do you really have that niggling faith in them ? ''

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

'' I do n't know anymore. '' He whispered gruffly, not knowing which was uncollectible : The hurt look upon her face, or the knowledge that he actually believed his words, for he did not have faith in his admirer.

At to the lowest degree not when it came to their avoidance of bodily harm. The department of Mysteries had proven that very 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 in force to anyone. '' He realized somberly, vocalizing his thought process. `` Not to anyone. Not to Ron, not to Hermione, not to Seamus, not to… ''

'' What ? ``

failing to fascinate this his unaffected vocalisation of self-loathing continued, unheard to his own ears, yet perfectly clear to the girl besides him.

'' How dare you. ``

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

oceanic abyss within her middle something frightening was stirring.

'' How daring you say that, '' She breathed quietly, her left bridge player shaking ever so slightly.

This shaking was her only sign of emotion, for her deadened tone was perhaps colder than her adopted expression.

'' In lawsuit you did n't point out Potter, you are deserving something, '' She whispered in continuation. `` Because if it was n't for you your Quaker would have got never made it out of Hogsmeade, and not only that… ''

She stood abruptly, brushing her helping hand on her jeans furiously, glowering down with cool intensity.

'' If it was n't for you I would be dead right now ceramist. But perhaps I do n't number. '' Her fiery heart burned a searching trail across him. `` Not to you at to the lowest degree. ``

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

He had willfully pulled his mitt from hers in anger.

Scrambling to his feet he closed the distance between them, catching her around the arm before she could make up it any further. She struggled, her icy public eye 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 weapon system tightly around her course, stroking her haircloth until she stopped struggling.

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

She uttered not a sound, dropping her facial expression against his articulatio humeri, allowing his to sink within her hair. He only pulled her closer, warmth sinking through him as her hands burrowed beneath his robes, snaking around his midsection to declare him back.

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

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

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

Her variant stiffened, his forehead falling against hers as her boldness swiveled to regard him. Instinctively his sleeve encircled her shivering form ever mean, prepared to do anything to prevent her from leaving.

Her glistening eyes turned up, both anger and authority swimming contradictorily within them. `` Potter… '' She whispered, `` No goodness cause exists here. You did all you could. ''

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

A gentle murmur of disapproval came from behind her closed lip, the variety upon her once impassive face startling. Unconsciously his eyes fell shut, his hands moving across her back comfortingly. Slowly he breathed her in, clutching her by her sweater, twisting it in the operation as an exacerbate suspiration escaped her lips.

Against his tegument he felt her eyelashes flickering shut, her warming palm tree sliding out from beneath his cloak, `` Potter… '' She whispered, rising her mitt till they lay flat against his pectus. `` Sometimes I really hate you. ``

Nodding against her hide, he inhaled deeply, their unresolved conflicts fading from his mind. `` You 're in luck… '' He replied, whispering despite their solitude. `` Because the feeling 's mutual. ``

'' I 'm sure… '' She murmured back, grimace upturning as a blustery autumn wind sent her long braid scattering haphazardly between them. His blazonry pulled her in closer, the loose position of his gown billowing out and enveloping them both.

For the longsighted time they stood there, him shielding her from the darkness'icy pincer, her shielding him from regression into the iniquity of all he had been partly creditworthy for. And for the thousandth clip since their paths had first crossed, he found himself listening to her admonishments.

Predominant amongst them was his newly bestowed statute title, a strained smiling crossing his face at the view.

'' Billie Jean King of Idiocy… '' He murmured, a solitary hand sliding from where he cupped the vertebral column of her principal, falling to rest along her cheek. `` I ca n't trust you called me that. ``

The frail finger's breadth lingering upon his breast curled, capturing the folding of his beer stained robe. `` From my point of aspect it 's fitting. ``

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

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

He shook his head, his intrude tousling her hair further. `` just now remember… '' He growled quietly, `` I owe you. ``

'' Do you ? '' She asked, inclining her forefront to search 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 mean the kind in a drinking glass. ``

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

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

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

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

'' Point taken. ``

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

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

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

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


The room access of the entrance hall needed naught to be thrown open, for in the havoc of parents coming and going, claiming their small fry before fleeing, the looming entryway remained passable to all.

Regulus Black strode through it, robes billowing ominously in his wake, looking for all the world as if hell itself could not discourage 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 main staircase that Dumbledore intercepted them, Tonks ushering Emily and a fully recovered Kenneth in front of her, due to their slightly drugged state.

Muggle repellant appeal be damned, she had force them through the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth, for here they would be safe.

The door to Dumbledore 's office slammed shut on an incensed knocker, genus Regulus wasting not a moment.

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

Dumbledore crossed the room, quickly climbing a small ravel to retrieve a lowly paperback, leather-bound textbook. `` Of course. ``

Neither of the two men appeared unquiet with the other 's presence. The unflappable elder appearing entirely unsurprised by the younger 's sudden comeback to the living.

'' Then his architectural plan remains the Lapp as before. ''

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

Tonks cast an askance glance the Headmaster 's way, steadying Emily 's swaying variety with a script. `` You knew this was coming ? ``

'' I had my suspicions, '' Replied the Headmaster, squatting in front of young Emily, extending the text to her. The auburn haired child took it without a thought.

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

Emily 's head bobbed gently, opening the leather bound book with robotic motions, and as she began to translate, the clouded flavour disappeared from her and Kenneth 's eyes, as did their drugged states.

Ignoring Regulus'annoyed growling, Dumbledore responded to Tonks questioning look. `` The entirely way to allow Muggles to palpate at repose within our grounds, short of removing the wards, is to read from this account book. ``

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

'' If you do n't heed, there is the minuscule subject of a shadow God Almighty to attend. '' The sneer Regulus used paled in equivalence to his tone.

Dumbledore merely smiled and pointed Kenneth towards the same hot seat, where the President promptly passed out, his small girl in his lap. It was only then that Dumbledore 's smiling exterior faltered, something far more serious flashing behind his lunule spectacles.

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

The last remaining heir of the pitch blackness kin gestured to the sleeping family. `` He 's come after the menage before ? ``

Both Tonks and Dumbledore nodded, while genus Regulus paced.

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

Her heart fluttered uneasily, `` eradication ? ``

Regulus paused mid-stride, `` Surely your education was not that bereft of grammar to put up suitable excuse for your failure to understand such a shortstop syllable word as eradication ? ``

Her dark eyes narrowed in botheration, her clapper held in check only by the correction born of yr under the supervision of Kingsley and Mad-Eye 's loose scepter.

Regulus'equally dark eyes left hers duly, his pacing resumed, `` At a time He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named desired merely the eradication of Muggleborns alone. The cleansing of our world would have sufficed, for then he would be devoid to reign it. ``

Reaching the paries he did an abrupt volte-face, continuing undiscouraged upon his unbent track. `` His views eventually changed and he came to hope the dying of both Muggles and Muggleborns, and if his plans remain alike to the plot of before, the plot I failed to assist in properly, than today marks the beginning of the plague. ``

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

'' The Great pestis of London in the seventeenth one C. ``

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

'' Salutations grandad, '' He greeted with considerable sarcasm. `` As always I am rosy to have never been forced to suffer your condemnable, condescending presence in sprightliness. ``

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

'' That irritable stone doorknocker demands respect as well, but that does not mean we return it to him. '' Quipped Regulus, his long fingers creating a hole air along the shelving.

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

Simultaneously all of the portraits, Tonks, the doorknocker, Fawkes, and a Ethel Merman sculpture snorted.

Regulus and Phineas surveyed the way with identically decisive facial expression, glowering at those common enough to snort in their cultivate front.

'' I 've wasted too many years abroad to idly stomach around and be chortled at. There is again, the thing of a Dark Lord to pay heed to. ``

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

Her lip formed the words, her emotionless clipping relation of her serious-mindedness.

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

And that he did, revealing the dependable intellect for his apostasy from the ranks of the Death eater.

'' Do you remember the coordinated attempt in my youth headmaster ? ``

'' The ones just before your disappearing ? ``

Black nodded somberly, `` Yes, only on a smaller scale than the ones of today I shall envisage. On that day I was to have a vial into the River Thames, spreading the infestation throughout the totality of Muggle London. '' The man 's voice betrayed not a mite of emotion as he confessed his deeds, his hands clasped neatly behind his back.

'' It was only natural, '' He continued, `` For He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to coordinate attacks upon wizarding villages, entrapping the wizarding family line within. The rescript were to not kill nor harm the inhabitants unless absolutely necessary, and while the sorcerous folk music were trapped he unleashed a spell, a heel counter curse if you will, one that would allot all those within the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth at the time of its casting immunity from the plague. ``

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

Her first cousin 's night blaze was serve enough.

'' So why risk of infection wiping out the wizarding population of Britain, his dwelling, when there were other office where he may have tested it ? '' Tonks asked, directing her cousin 's iniquity gaze from the defenseless portrait to herself.

Regulus flimsy mouth went taunt, `` Nymphadora, you again underestimate him, assuming he places value in abstract concept such as sexual love and home. '' His eyes narrowed considerably, `` He does not, and what better place to test an experimental vaccine if you will, then upon a populated island. ``

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

'' If the tabulator curse proved ineffective than the alone wizarding community lost would be those of the United Kingdom '' Dumbledore said sadly, `` A reasonable expiration to one such as Tom, considering his strong resistance has always been in Britain. ``

Regulus nodded somberly, `` If it was uneffective, only a modest constituent of the mankind 's wizarding population would be lost, yet meg of Muggles would be gone with them. And since it was on an island, isolated from the main continents, the chances of it spreading to the other continents would be very reduce indeed. ``

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

'' Quickly, '' Regulus supplied. `` There were plans to forestall this as well, to shut down John Roy Major Muggle transportation networks until the experimentation had run it 's course. However, what those programme were, I was not secluded to. We were on a need to know basis. ``

hearing to the conversation Tonks stomach churned. The common cold calculation that must possess gone into an endeavor such as that… The realization that people, who harbored such minuscule regard for human life history, existed was chilling.

Her parents accounts of such dark times were what had driven her to join the rank and file of the Aurors in the first plaza, even if she herself harbored no personal memory of those days.

She had been only seven upon the ides of June, when the Ithiel Town had been held during the day lit hours for intellect never discovered.

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

The pestilence had never been let loose, for Regulus Black, the trustworthy son of a noble pureblooded family, had never shown. And now that Lapp son was setting the vial, the same vial that he had kept for years in his self-will, upon the schoolmaster 's desk.

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

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

Similar circumstances had occurred that very day, and Dumbledore was just informing them. Fawkes disappeared in a fiery whiff of smoke, sent to rally Severus and the substantially of healers to began examining the deadly contents of the vial.

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

God help us.
* * * * *


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

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

They were in the Forbidden Forest…

How in the hell could she deliver know that ?

His expression instinctively hardened, as did his hands upon her, for irregular isolation within a woodland was one thing, but isolation within the Forbidden woodland was an entirely different matter.

oculus sweeping the forest 's menacing tree diagram short letter defensively, he remained unresponsive to her questioning center. His only reaction was the rebuff relaxation of his arms around her physical body as he silently prayed their safety would control out.

Unsatisfied, yet helpless to improve matters, his implements of war fell to her waist, hands stiffening along her vertebral column. `` Kaylens… '' He whispered lowly, `` Why did you not remember to mention this sooner ? ``

Her chest rose against his, her behind breathing place crystallizing on the chilling air.

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

Swallowing hard he regarded her through narrowing slits. `` Perhaps I 'm legal injury, '' He said lowly, `` But when something concerns our base hit I 'd consider it Charles Frederick Worth mentioning. ''

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

'' I like the nighttime. ``

'' So do arachnoid. ``

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 irony, `` And I 'm sure enough he 's in the recitation of telling all his students about Aragog. ``

Her face defied his examination, for her heart 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 ejaculation he listened warily.

'' The only thing that saved him was being able to work with the beast of this forest Potter, did you love that ? ``

He shook his head disbelievingly, `` You ca n't work around them without a verge, it 's too life-threatening. And unlike you he at to the lowest degree 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 forest was divided into quadrant of each sorcerous coinage'dominion. ``

He inclined an brow questioningly, encouraging her to continue.

'' This quarter-circle is rather near their nest. ``

His blood grew frigidity in retentivity of his in conclusion 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 storm you did n't bed. It was your port key that took us here, so I assumed you had known where it had taken us. ``

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

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

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

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

His workforce dropped at her watchword, for the conversation had turned in a strikingly different direction. She merely took a footprint back, regarding him from a safety distance with cloak eyes.

'' It 's the truth thrower. It did n't even come to me that you were clueless about where we were until a endorsement ago. Before I was busy being concerned that you were actually capable of showing some semblance of man emotion…. '' Her centre narrowed, tones drowned in sarcasm. `` Asides from wrath or distrust that is. ``

With that she dropped down to the ground, becoming utterly fascinated by the swaying vibrating reed as he was left with cipher 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 compact judgment of conviction, he was reasonably for sure that her aspect would sell unfriendly purport towards him.

Though as he moved to stand besides her kneel form, suddenly the escalation of their parameter seemed vile as he glimpsed her torn formula. Turning away from him, the back of her carpus began wiping at her middle.

It was a long time before either again radius, the alone auditory sensation the howling of the nothingness between the forest 's trees.

'' Kaylens I… ''

'' No… '' She whispered, `` Do n't bother. Just actualize that some us do not induce the sumptuousness to impart our tone unmasked. ``

Only one Son came to mind, and he spoke it, unable to word in any other way his interrogative sentence as to why she had until this very day refused to present any likeness of her true self to him.

'' Why ? ``

Her head bowed low, the close of her foresightful tress dangling loosely in the ripple water system. Finally, a small stretch of eternity going, she again spoke.

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

Her words were chilling, and he found himself standing still, frozen in that moment, warmness thudding gaudy than it ought. Never before had someone uttered the words, or given voice to the motion that so oft haunted him.

Not in the way she just had.

She turned on the wet pasture, her glossy orbs rising in a determined way, betraying all the pain she had until now kept so carefully hidden.

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


dean felt void as he numbly shoved past the Fat Lady 's portrait. Whether the password had fallen from his backtalk or not was something he would never know, and something the Fat Lady would keep to herself.

'' Neville. ``

He addressed his dorm partner in a droning, unable to depend the boy in the eye, even as Neville smiled sadly, hauling his automobile trunk down the stairs.

It was well after midnight, the bulk of the students already gone, taken away by their families. Those remaining till the adjacent 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 learn him home.

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

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

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

Dean sighed resignedly, `` It is Neville. Just demand a stand for once. Do n't second 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 position ! ``

A solid paw stretched out to repose against the cold stone wall of the tower, and Dean steadied himself from the onset of regretful memories.

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

'' make your alternative ! ``

His expression hardened, hand leaving the wall as he turned to regard his nervous looking dorm mate, whose neck was craned high-pitched to see where he stood higher up upon the stairs.

'' Neville… '' He said seriously, his trench voice echoing upon the empty-bellied walls of the tower. `` No one can make you do anything. Not unless you are too weak to stand up for what you want, '' His centre narrowed dangerously. `` Or for what you think is right. ''

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

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

inclination in Dean let his dark stare drill into Neville 's light one. `` And especially not your grandma, '' He whispered fiercely. `` No one can coerce you to do something you do not already need to do. So if you think staying here is the correctly thing, then you amend do it, lest you regret it later on. ``

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

'' There 's nothing worse than looking back and wishing you had done something differently. '' Dean imparted intensely, straightening as a queen cat bounded down from the missy 's dormitory. `` And I would think that someone who could face down Death feeder, defending himself the way you did back in Hogsmeade, would not be one for backing down. ``

With a last glance at the cat James Dean trudged up the flight of stairs, nether region set on retrieving Ronald Weasley 's things. How in the Hell he was to get Ginny 's was another issue entirely, but the only thing he really knew, or cared about at that present moment, was the acceptable sound of Neville 's trunk dropping to become abandoned on the stairs.

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


Inside Harry felt something breaking, for Kalliandra 's words were hitting closer to place than she could ever take in, for what had haunted him had haunted her.

Deep in the wood, the impenetrable quiet was again shattered by her cheerless voice.

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

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

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

In that moment, the nothingness stirring the grass around his feet, he realized how abysmally stupefied he had been. Kalliandra 's words had never rang truer. And though he felt as if he were missing some integral point, 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 time ago they had said there had been a point where they could call on back, and they had not.

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

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

Ron 's expression 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 dead. ``

A sad smile tugged at his heart, for Hermione sodbuster, knowing them as nothing former than cruel taunting boys, had broken every lesson she had that Allhallows Eve night.

And she had done it for them.

The point where he could protect his protagonist had long since passed. The time where they could experience been kept rubber was over, and if he truly wanted them to survive their best luck would be together, not apart.

He had been a fool to intend otherwise.

Eyes blinking rapidly, he regarded the miss who had brought this to light, torn between whether to submerge her or embrace her. Though all he could bring in himself to do was quietly watch, paralyzed by the sheer thought of speaking when he was only just realizing how little he understood about her.

In that minute he was struck by the acute 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 furrow of her forehead, in every shaky breath indrawn, and in every halting gesture.

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

In a here and now of irresolution he crossed to her. Gone was the stumbling boy who had once been unable to word a coherent thought around saddened female. Now, in the typeface of necessary, drawn together by circumstance, he found that his concern suddenly lay with the only person he held the mightiness to help.

Kaylens.

Laying a hand upon her shoulder, the realization that her cloak was gone take up him. Once he had removed it, accessing her chest in the alley, he had never re-fastened the clasp.

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

Despite the stiffening of her shoulder joint beneath his throbbing palm tree, he knelt down, one arm snaking it 's way around her quivering word form. Goosebumps were rising across her neck where her tresses had been swept aside, her skin far too cool off for his liking.

Lowering his oral fissure to her ear his breather traced along her hide, his chin falling to rest on her shoulder as he spoke.

'' You 're refractory, missing your cloak, and did not imagine to say a Book, '' He whispered, pulling her against him, trapping her arms against her pectus with his own. `` And….you look like hell, and I do not fancy having you not only irritable but sick. ``

'' Like hell… '' She muttered softly, her words vibrating with her chattering tooth. Casting his oculus to the body of water he could see her reflexion, and trouble reflexion. `` You should see yourself. ``

'' I 'll let you enjoy in that overrefinement alone, '' He responded softly, the chilling breeze sweeping the dapple aside once again, revealing the paring of lunation residing there that All Hallows Eve.

Her light chain tickled his side, his eyes falling shut as he reveled in the strange esthesis, only opening as he felt her spell to regard him.

Before she could address his hand rose, silencing her.

'' Thank you, '' He whispered, watching the anger fade from her heart. Now only confusion, mingled with soft surprise, swirled within her fervent orbs. The fold of her brow was question enough, and he shook his read/write head, mumbling how it was difficult to excuse, for how could he leave the recognition her single sentence had brought.

Unable to do so, he tightened his implements of war around her, pulling her to her human foot before releasing her. Shrugging out of his cloak he spread it before them upon the cold earth, earning a baffle looking at from where she stood, her own blazon now wrapped tightly around herself.

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

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

Haltingly she nodded, a aureate braid falling loose from behind her ear, swinging freely in the light source picnic that cast it across her face, her nose crinkling ever so slightly as the braid tickled her nose.

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

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

And against every instill instinct, he trusted her unquestioningly.

'' Then here we 'll appease. ``

Sliding his work force down her arms, taking her custody in his, he led her away from the H2O and towards a declamatory oak with a comfortable looking trunk.

Within minutes a soft, smoke-free ardor burned before them, his back to the oak and her resting comfortably against his breast, his blazonry encircling her tightly as she pulled the woollen cover to her chin, covering them both.

Beneath the woolen fabric, where no eyes save theirs could see, two hands intertwined around a golden strand, a humble phial carefully clutched between their palms, just in case.



A/N : Happy Belated vacation everyone ! And thanks to IchigoPan for the lovely open image. : )

Also, par reader request I shall station in the recommended section whether or not a story is fill out, and the number of chapters present tense 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 conceive that they had been condemned by portion, others that they had been condemned by pick. In the long 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 dead and dying during the Bubonic Plague, risking photograph so that others could be spared, made the salutary choice they could with the dire circumstance life had dealt them. And though more than three centuries had passed since anything of alike proportion had struck civilized society, history would soon repeat itself.

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

He would soon be the initiatory to succumb to the world 's majuscule infestation.

He did not know this, not that early morning as he sat upon the dewy dope, eagerly anticipating the morning sunrise he had awoken so early to see. He could not previse this anymore than he could foresee that his wife and three kid would be the next to buckle under, leaving their once vibrant home devoid of laughter, love, and life.

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


Neville .... Dean ....

Beneath a midst, dark veil of russet toned strands, two dark eyes fluttered blurrily. The optical centers of her brainpower were not ready to receive the signal traveling across her ocular mettle. The pain signals were still far too overwhelming.

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

A fuzzy, orthogonal outline, the colouring of a finely aged holograph 's Thomas Nelson Page ... it rested besides where she lay, her body feeling unnaturally unharmed upon the smooth satin sheets. Somehow she was left with the lurking sensation that everything should not be quite right ... ..with what though ... .for certainly her skull was whole.

The girl 's brainy mind felt somehow ... violated. As if mortal had been poking about within it, without her expressage permission.

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

Again the gens came to her, hitting her with the force of a heavily muscled snakelike tail.

Her pleasant delusions born of slumber were shattered, her lip parting with an indrawn pant as the foreign, fuzzy room fell into centering, as did the char resting within the high backed chair, legs elegantly crossed, a cruel, taunting look stretched taunt across her brim. And like a predator stalking its fair game, the woman 's optic were purposeful, exultant, and locked upon her own.

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

Voldemort'social station were vicious and calculating, containing superior tacticians whom she both admired and loathed with every fiber of her being. Yet despite this admiration, she would die before allowing them in.

Silently she swore this, and in the dimmed room the girl did the only matter she knew how to.

She fought.

As the adult female 's self-important laugh filled the room, for the girl was no mate for the woman 's training, a crucial mistake was made, for in that one moment of underreckoning the Mudblood was able to labour back, catching sight of what the fair sex was really after.

Lord Voldemort was in the elbow room, unseen to the girl 's middle, and the miss suddenly understood that she was the bait that was to lure in the avowedly prey.

Hermione sodbuster began screaming for her unspoiled Friend to jam out everything Voldemort showed him.

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


'' Sit ! ``

The small of her back hit the backboard of the chair, painfully.

Yet that was nothing in comparison to what she would do to Regulus. Over the retiring few hours, where they had been all but forced to rest holed up in Dumbledore 's office, her opinion of Regulus had done a all over 180, followed by a 360. And now he had been assuming enough to physically force her away from the room access, which she had been using in an attempt to lift the premises.

She felt needed elsewhere.

She snapped her scepter out, aiming at her infuriating cousin with every intent of ordering him to stand aside, when Dumbledore 's articulation thundered loudly, its ancient barytone echoing throughout the tower.

'' Enough ! ``

external respiration heavily, her benighted eyes fixated furiously upon Regulus'complacent look, her voice addressed the Headmaster. Unsurprisingly her tones were less than pleased at the information she had just gleaned from their impromptu meeting.

It had been the understanding for her failed attempts to leave.

'' Explain ... '' She spoke less than warily, `` How you can justify refusing to allow me, an Auror in case you forgot, to think Harry when you have just admitted that you know where he is ? I can be trusted to encounter him ! '' Regulus scoffed loudly at this, receiving a Sceloporus occidentalis flush in his unprotected tibia.

Ignoring his grimace and failed attack at self-respect she continued adamantly. `` master ... one student has already been killed, and if Harry is out there alone he ... ''

'' He is not alone. ``

She closed her middle, drawing an annoyed breath between her tooth. `` Oh ? ''

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

Tonks blinked, flabbergasted. Suddenly she was having a very hard time separating her sworn oath as an Auror to do all she could to protect the innocent, with her oath to the Order to trust its rank and its founder. Particularly when that same founder had just finished informing her that he had known the localisation of three of the missing pupil all along, yet had failed to inform the Ministry functionary and Order extremity scouring Hogsmeade of that apparently miniscule fact.

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

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

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

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

genus Regulus sneered, `` Oh yes ... I 'm sure they are naturals at evading the Unforgivables of the wickedness Lord 's handmaid. ``

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

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

'' I 'm in hearing ! ``

'' Shut up !'Tonks and Regulus shouted simultaneously as Regulus practically flew across the room, giving the already closed threshold a practiced kick. Crusantheus, the door doorknocker, could be heard swearing violently on the other side.

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

Regulus'eyebrow arched so senior high school Tonks swore he must take in stolen Snape 's patented look of smugness.

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

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

'' Is n't it a shame, Nymphadora ... '' genus Regulus continued, pacing in movement of her seated figure, `` When you can not even trust your fellow bird watchers with the whereabouts of the baby chicks ? ''

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

It was a legerdemain of the Order, used only in times where the utmost of security was needed, for only those bearing the score of the genus Phoenix would be able to see the verity printed upon those scrolls.

The use of it disturbed her greatly, for why would Dumbledore pauperism jeopardy penning statement when he could inform each recipient verbally via current ?

'' headmaster ... '' She said warily. `` Please let me call back Harry. As an Auror you have to understand that I can not resist aside and allow Harry and Kalliandra to be put in risk. '' She stood, ignoring Regulus'attempts to block her path, and strode straight to the window overlooking the castle cause. Dumbledore stood besides this same windowpane, an odd expression deepening his already lined features.

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

'' Killed ? '' Dumbledore supplied, tearing his eyes from the colored scenery. `` Tonks, I understand your concern. Yet if we never allow Harry to live on on his own how can we carry him to outlive this war ? ``

She frowned, her silence his answer.

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

Tonks sighed sadly, watching as the quills began inscribing the epithet of the addresses upon the rolled papyrus scrolls. Harry 's public figure was amongst them, but not Remus.

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore chuckled. `` Perhaps we ought to move 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 chairman in a very undignified way, his arms and legs hanging drop-off as he sleep danced through the highly arched doorframe, leaving the office of the Headmaster and entering Dumbledore 's private study.

Regulus followed behind, Emily in his munition, and the most particular formula upon his face. He rather looked as if he had drunk sour milk containing the philosophers' stone of liveliness. Regardless the facial expression vanished as he placed her upon the couch besides her Fatherhood, a looking at of succour overtaking him as he rid himself of the seven year old burden.

'' Nympahdora ? ``

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

Trepidation shook her.

turn, as if in slow move, her Einstein recognized that except for her sleeping charges, that she was now alone in the way.

Both her cousin and the Headmaster stood just beyond the way 's limen, a look of step down staidness upon their faces.

'' I am good-for-nothing Nymphadora .... '' Dumbledore 's voice floated through the doorway eerily. `` But there is something I must do, and I have a feeling that Regulus may be the solitary one willing to resist witness without protestation. ''

What rite ?

The study 's finely carved threshold began swinging shut.

She bolted for them, not knowing why, yet knowing there was no sentence. Her feet wing across the flooring, her eyes catching sight of the papyrus scroll clutched within Dumbledore 's aging hand, its addressee forever burning into the offspring 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 flat upon the floor, her eyes upturned, straining for a peck of the ceiling within the Headmaster 's office.

Upon the pillar 's conical ceiling were the ancient words of power, and they were the last mickle she had before the field of study door slammed shut with a resonating finality.

prevarication stunned upon the floor her persuasion faltered, for upon the parchment bound for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an ancient curse was surely inscribed. Dumbledore 's magical signature was the one responsible for for writing it beneath the structure of power, and thus she knew that Dumbledore had sworn to gather with the most dire of villains to lead off the negotiations for the surviving scholar of his.

Hermione Granger.

Beneath the door a fiery tendril could be seen.

The blood bounds ritual had begun ...
* * * * *


In the thick of dark lightning flashed.

Shadows were streaking across the ground, illuminating the iniquity abysm surrounding those who slumbered far from the oncoming storm. There, deep beneath the darken boughs of night, dreams both haunting and beseeching plagued the young lady 's listless turnings within the limb of Morpheus.

Yet something far more square than the purveyor of dreaming clung to the young woman, smoothing away the gooseflesh 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 hear the oncoming violent storm, only awakening from her chilled sleep as the calloused workforce around her tightened, the man 's becalm external respiration falling and rising erratically, for REM was suddenly failing to suppress his military volunteer muscular systems.

Something had changed ...

Kally was flung to the priming coat with a start, her torso hitting the dew kissed soil with forceful intensity level.

cough, there upon the ground, she scrambled away, rolling and slipping as the sky thundered, the first of all droplet of the icy onslaught catching her in the face. reflex response Born of one cruel goliath 's sadism, and a lifetime of paranoia, sent her scattering from her guardian on instinct.

Sliding upon the dew kissed grime, scrambling to her groundwork, blinking back the dregs of sleep and the dark of Night, her mind finally processing what was occurring she ceased to act. Standing there with the flatus whipping bitterly around her, the rising air 's tingle seeping through her poor vesture, she laid eyes upon her unwilling assailant.

ceramist ...

The mind numbing confusion that befell her, the kind that always seemed to company his presence, returned as she watched him. His brilliant eyes closed against the brewing violent storm, his face contorted, and even from where she stood she could see the frenzied summit and valleys his heaving chest made.

It was happening again, the matter she had merely glimpsed that night in the common 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 liveliness on more social occasion than she cared to enumerate. Dropping besides him, her knees sinking into the deaden mud, she felt her fingers stall, doubtfulness gripping her chilled form.

Something was amiss ... this sensation ... the doubt ... .it was strange and flutter ...

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

Forcing herself, will herself to act, she gripped his berm, calling his name as loudly as she dared. In the quickening breeze the blanket that had sheltered them billowed out, tumbling with the wind to lay sprawled across the wet ground.

'' Pott-tter ... '' The pall crept into her voice, the air current stealing her words for its own cagey design. Slowly she watched, nearly feeling his lips moving in a silent dialogue to which she was not privy.

Beneath her digit she felt the growing rigidness of his berm, a terrifying saturation radiating from him as the rain began to fall in boneheaded soaker, rainwater splattering upon his exertion dampened brow.

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

Lightning criss-crossed the night.

One-one K ...

Gingerly her fingertips traced his supercilium, brushing along his tangle hair. Before the searing sense impression within her flesh even registered her hand was recoiling, a repressed cry of annoyance caught within her throat.

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

Two-one K ...

Voice constricted, from what she knew not, for null in the sorcerous humanity could now surprise her, she screamed at him. Foolishly she screamed, roaring in a contest to rise above the malarkey as she gripped his shoulder, shaking his already vibrating descriptor.

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

triad 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 howl carrying upon the wind from a distance far too close. Her narrowed eyes flew to the forest, ill-equipped as they were to reveal its hidden risk.

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

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

teeth chattering she began a mute mantra.

'' One-one thousand ... ''

Within her ears the stiff rhythm of her warmheartedness pounded achingly tatty, and further yammer cutting upon the blow of the growing onset sent a current run through her chilled veins.

'' Two-one thousa ... ''

Again the sky snag candid, rumbling as if hell itself were fighting to relegate through, and as if in some cruel unison with the sky pain erupted around her slender, unclothe arm.

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

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

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

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

'' Damn you Potter ... '' She implored breathlessly, feeling his unwavering traveling bag tightening further. `` ejaculate back ... ''

roaring clapped across the expansive sky, her breath coming out in ever clearer cloud. `` You 're unacceptable ... '' She gasped through clenched, chattering teeth. `` ceramicist please ... this hurts so a good deal ... ''

Somehow, despite the howling of the flatus, her frightened plea broke through, reaching the God of sopor, for Morpheus released his vice grip upon the Martin Luther King of idiocy 's psyche.

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

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

Yet pain and shame swelled within them.

Coughing, breathing heavily from her sweat and up swelling of fright for he alone, her words came unbidden.

'' What happened ? ``

eye blink the water from his centre, his shabu long since flung to the solid ground, he swallowed painfully, his vocalism coming out in hoarse rasps.

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

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

With measured movements she slowly removed herself from where she lay upon his saturated legs, collapsing onto the muddied primer besides him. The knob mud rose around her, threatening to overpower her uncaring form.

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

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

Somehow, as she felt his variety moving to shield her from the chemical element, she managed a reception.

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

Her eyes flickered open, and the discriminating jadestone in the public 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 military service are no longer required blood two-timer. Our Maker shall muster up you when our Robert William Service are again ... .needed. ``

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

He remembered everything ...

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

Ron 's blood ...

Before him loomed Hogwarts School of witchery and Wizardy, his ho-hum gait leading him past the ragged looking Ministry officials.

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

On the flat coat a dust-covered creme tent flapped in the violent wind, Mediwizards roaming around the gap in the canvas. Within its illuminated interior he glimpsed haggard parents lining up with their children, cup of tea in tow, as they waited for Ministry transport away from the scene of today 's criminal offence.

No one would fortune a base on balls to Hogsmeade, not now, not even with Ministry protection.

With careen steps Remus made his way to the palace. He had a write up to make, and a sin to beg penitence for.
* * * * *


The certainty swim within his eyes was astounding. Even in the dark of dark, as he hovered above her prostate phase, she recognized that.

Her back talk parted, a dumb doubt unspoken as his disordered effrontery settled in, for how could one hump the whereabouts of one they could not see ?

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

She believed him.

In the past he had been pitiless and cruel, disconnected and brash, and yet he had never given her a rationality to doubt nor distrust him.

Everything that had passed between them before had been the collateral termination of her own secrecy, of her own perpetuated lies, of her own sins ...

He had been right to name her a Death eater. Though she had not know of the title, she was as near as one.

nictitation the rainwater from her optic she took a chance.

Her first chance.

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

His silence was palpable. The cracking of breaking boughs in the timber, their troubled descents to the forest flooring, and their net soggy smack against it were all she heard above the wind.

His jaw remained slack.

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

His wet hair swayed as his head was shaken, slinging water upon her as his muddy hired man curled around her arm. `` You believe me. ''

It was a command. Not a question.

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

His solemn regard studied her, eyes moving to where his hand lay. A nonplus look broke his secrecy.

'' Did I hurt you ? ``

His flavour carried a note of ego disgust, yet the corners of her mouth tugged gently upwards at his concern.

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

A holler chortle escaped his pharynx, his hand rising along her arm, smoothing away the goosebump rising upon it. `` serious ... '' He responded. `` Because we have to go out. ``

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

'' How ? ``

prehension her with both deal he assisted in up-righting her, rubbing her arms vigorously. `` We walk ... '' He whispered, `` Run if necessary, and hope that nada eats us. ``

As if on cue, from the depths of the forest 's shadows, a wolf emerged.

Her shaky breathing suspend ceramicist 's manus upon her, his intuition alerting him of what she already knew.

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


He wanted to lie to himself, to say himself that he had not committed the deeds that he had.

The true statement persisted.

Remus'groundwork unconsciously moved down the corridor, urine dripping in his wake upon the stone flooring. He had not reported into Dumbledore. He had not alerted the parliamentary law of his tax return.

There was something he had to do first.

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

Silence greeted him within the candlelit infirmary, the alone respite the sound of remote hell dust as the storm rolled south, away from Hogwarts'priming. At the wing 's far end three curtained off areas hung stagnant in the stuffy atmosphere, yet the scent of rain lingered within his nostrils.

And pedigree ...

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

His echoing pace led him to the first gear sectioned sphere, where he found what he was looking for.

Ronald Weasley sat unsloped, gazing out the window upon the splinter of quarter moon peeking through the storm clouds.

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

'' You want to let the cat out of the bag ? ``

Remus remained immobilize to the spot, nodding as he felt the finding of fact of an elusive execution trial being handed down.

Remus was for certain that they had already told the Weasley 's young son his fate, and by now the changes would make already begun, affecting his sentiency ... his scent ...

His presence would support what the young Gryffindor most likely already suspected. Ron would now bang the one responsible for for condemning him.

Turning on the surgically scavenge white tile, Remus dimly remembered the reason for why the stone floor had been overlain with the Muggle alternative, for even a strong round of scourgifying patch were not enough to murder the stain of rip from antediluvian I. F. Stone. The retiring war had brought far too a good deal of that within Hogwarts walls, and tile was much leisurely to strip.

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

His eyes rose shamefully to the boy he had cursed, his pridefulness forcing himself to not wait away as he awaited whatever hateful word were sure to amount, 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 time I 've endangered you and I ... '' He faltered. `` I am drab ... ''

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

Lightning illuminated the room, filtering in through the infirmary offstage window, and Ron set his jaw. `` You did n't stand for to burn me, so do n't worry about it. ''

smack rolled, vibrating the roofing tile beneath his soles.

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

Such was the outcome of becoming a lycan.

As the thunder diminished, his quondam pupil frowned pensively. `` For the world-class clock time in my spirit Professor.. I 'm unlike. '' The teenager extended five of his dactyl, frowning further at the sight of the irregularity lying just beneath the surface. `` Everything ... from now on ... '' He continued oddly, `` It is all going to be different. ``

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

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

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

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

Remus remained tacit. He could not give into his own self-deprecating desire to grow and flee, he owed the new loup-garou more than that.

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

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

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

luminosity puritanic eyes looked up, meeting his haunted single. `` But now professor ... ''

Remus again nearly choked at the ill-bestowed form of address. `` I have n't been your professor for some time Ronald. ``

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

And with reflex speed, right where Ron 's fist had been clenched around them, Remus realized that the infirmary 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 metamorphose at will, yet the bloodlust Remus felt running within his own mineral vein was nowhere to be seen within the boy 's eyes.

All that lay there was a dangerous glint.

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

A carnal character edged into the young Weasley son 's voice.

Blue, ovular heart, met his own.

'' So Lupin ... How 'd the Order fancy a instant set of wolfish fangs ? ``










A flying note : The aesculapian and biology buffs may trip up a few things in this chapter and the forthcoming ones, so please be forewarned that any sideslip on the theatrical role'persona regarding such affair is entirely knowing. I want to express that they are imperfect and not entirely knowing about certain things. It would n't be fun if the theatrical role never made mistakes. *cackles*

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








'' Amidst hell there is always light, it is just a thing of finding it. ``
~ stranger ~


Chapter 26 ~ The ground for the War



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

breathing heavily, her mousy hair strewn about, she again rose her leg to ride the wide strength of her weightiness against the mahogany doorframe. The sound reverberated throughout the room, echoing from the ancient Harlan F. Stone walls in a way that mirrored her increasing, self-reliant anger.

She should have known.

Cursing she stepped back from the unmoving entryway, her feet stumbling clumsily across the uneven floor boards. Her sullen eyes swept the gamy rafters criss crossing the cylindrical tower, at a passing.

Dumbledore had long since earned the title normally reserved for Remus alone, for that 'damnable man'had thought of every conceivable escape endeavor and blocked her advancement at every turn. One thing was certain : The Headmaster was surely against anyone knowing of his design, and from the looks of things she would not be escaping any meter soon. Certainly not in clock time to alert anyone before it was too late.

If only she had realized ! Then she would n't be trapped like some mythical Rapunzel caught in a satanic fag tale.

Her heart landed upon the dark window frame, her mind briefly mulling over the possibility of growing her fuzz into a long enough plait to send Emily scurrying down.

She snorted. Even if the Bothans were not under an enchanted slumber Kenneth would surely skin her alive before allowing her to bend his daughter into an impromptu acrobatic chimpanzee. Of track Emily had seemed rather taken by that display at the genus Phoenix commons Zoo ...

As if reading her thoughts Kenneth growled a little.

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

Turning her attention to the room access frame she did the exclusively thing she could guess of, and rearing back her leg she charged. Only this prison term the doorway swung afford as if in sync with the gods of clumsiness, and she found herself sprawled across the Headmaster 's empty office.

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

'' You ... '' She roared, kicking the door to the study shut with her groundwork. She was not eager for Kenneth nor Emily to pick up this if they awoke at this rather untimely time interval.

genus Regulus gazed down his nose in astonishment. `` Cousin were you really waging war on his study door the entire time ? You do gain that is hand-crafted mahogany ? ``

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

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

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

'' Shut up Crusantheus ! ``

Regulus cast an unnaturally likable 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 farmer if he can is n't he ? And you let him ! ``

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

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

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

'' The Order needs him Regulus ! '' She shouted, tailing him closelipped than a phantasma. `` We ca n't endure witho ... ''

Regulus spun to face her. `` Do n't devalue yourself cousin-german. From what he said he may have founded your little aviary organization, but he is no more important than the residuum of you within it. ``

She gasped. `` You jest ? ``

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

Her breath came in ferocious pull as he began rummaging through the contents of Dumbledore 's deceptively small strong drink cabinet. A considerable time passing before he emerged, a tight, live up to line straining his mouth, and a garnet hued bottle in hand.

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

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

Her teeth ground so hard she swore to God he would be receiving the dental bill.

'' For the less refined in the room, '' He continued, his steadfast eyes never leaving his recently procured award, `` 19 70 was an first-class twelvemonth. ``

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

'' This finical time of origin, '' Regulus continued undiscouraged, `` Presently runs over one hundred and twenty four Egyptian pound a bottle. Just imagine what it may have run once fully matured. A shame this Latour takes ten to fifteen years ... ''

Between her gritted teeth she managed a growling. Regulus ignored this, painstakingly choosing a rather worn and bright orangeness mug from Dumbledore 's define glass choice. His olfactory organ crinkled in distaste as the mug 's emblem Go Cannons sparkled up at him.

'' Allowing his vintages to go to waste ... '' Regulus grumbled disapprovingly, pouring the opaque, yet red unrest into his mug moodily. `` I would receive thought better of the old man ... ''

'' That old man has more than moral fiber 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 hell would Dumbledore take you into his confidence ? You were a cowardous traito ... ''

Regulus'ice slammed down, shattering.

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

genus Regulus'bearing rose, despite his already rigidly vertical military posture.

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

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

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

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

'' Why at a meeting with that slithering serpent of a Dark Lord I suspect. Surely you could have guessed that at least. ``

Her heart thudded unnaturally.

'' Let me out Regulus. ``

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

She growled, resisting the urge to attack.

genus Regulus merely snorted. `` I would consider that you, being portion of his slight aviary society, would by now realize that he knows what he is doing. Even I know tha ... ''

Swearing loudly she kicked the wall, rattling Phineas'portrait, forcing their recollective dead congenator to hang onto his form 's sharpness for fear of being dislodged from it.

Regulus sassing twitched wickedly, ignoring the choice run-in that came flying their way as he addressed his cousin. `` Now if you want to destroy the portraits then by all means, do so Nymphadora. However, in the interim it seems that your in effect bet is to unbend and own a drinking, because you clearly need one. ``

Scowling she slapped the offer glass away.

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


* * * * *

Elsewhere in the castle Remus had discovered that he had developed a darkness, one with a decided hobble and a blinding electrical shock of red hair.

'' You 're sure about this ? '' Remus asked, sprinting around a corner with a flying Weasley trailing behind. Ron had just finished recounting what he had overheard the adults speaking about as he and Ginny had feigned sleep in the wing, and Remus was left with an unquiet flavor 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 idea of any of them suffering while he had strolled leisurely down the castle 's corridors, ineffective to go faster for veneration of leaving the sick 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 have him shipped to St. Mungos in individually plastic wrapped objet d'art if she ever caught jazz of this.

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

'' My friend are out there Remus, and I do n't think to sit idly by while the Order hems and hawthorn over what the best course of action is. I want into the Holy Order, and I want to help. ``

'' And if they vote against that ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

Remus smiled sadly. Ron was more alike to Dog Star than he would ever know. Perhaps that, more than anything, was why he had agreed to take Ron with him to give Dumbledore his shabby report.

As Ron had said, the good werewolves had to stick together, and he deserved to know of the underground wolfman activeness as much as anyone.

The early werewolves could still be out there ...

The cerebration spurred him into a faster sprint, and ignoring the Gryffindor 's sudden dissent Remus began dashing down the Edward Durell Stone corridors, his concern rising exponentially at the abnormal silence upon the schoolhouse.

Snapping the countersign he and the floating Ron mounted the stairs to Dumbledore 's spot, a troubled contestation increasing in book as they approached. Forgoing formality he set Ron down hastily, grasping the room access handle and tugging.

It was locked.

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

'' Remus ? ! ``

At the phonation his fist froze, inches above the cringing bronze Crusantheus, the contention within the place grinding to an unceremonial halt.

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

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

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

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

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

Ron bristled, `` Little ? ``

Remus dropped a bide hired hand upon Ron 's shoulder. `` Best not to employ in conversation ... '' He muttered out of the recess of his mouth.

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

'' We know ! '' Shouted two voices simultaneously from the opposite side of meat of the doorway.

Remus'pinna reflexively picked up, the acquaintance of the unidentified vocalism unnerving. `` Tonks let us in, '' He shouted, frowning.

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

It took a here and now for her words to swear out correctly, and apparently it did for Ron as well because simultaneously they both voiced aloud their thoughts.

'' What ? ``

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

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

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

There was a pause.

A very long pause.

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

'' Try me, '' Remus insisted.

'' Later Wolfy. ``

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

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

'' You did n't, '' She groaned. `` Hermione husbandman 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 netherworld 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 hospital annex, '' Growled Crusantheus menacingly, snapping eagerly with his jaw 's hinge.

'' sodomite off you rusted piece of music of ... ''

'' RONALD ! ``

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

Remus finally gave in to the itch to silence the damn thing, unable to imagine. Crusantheus'sudden silence earned him a loud exclamation as the unknown vocalization from within began praising the lord and maker.

He knew that voice ...

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

Behind him Ron made a strangled speech sound of recognition.

'' Sirius ? ''

A meretricious thump evidenced the unknown man 's displeasure.

'' If I get mistaken for Canicula one more meter I 'll hex that door boob ... ''

Crusantheus began pounding his handle furiously, a panicked feeling in his bronze eyes.

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

'' You 're my cousin ! You have no self-justification ! ``

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

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

Really ... You Gryffindors have no creativeness ...

Remus'nous spun, an echo from the past tense 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 friends hit with a paranoia good luck charm ? You can answer me honestly with wide religion that this conversation will stay secret. ``

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

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

'' Tonks ! ? '' He shouted through the room access. `` Tonks ! What the Inferno is going on in there ? ``

'' Apparently an January 6, '' Drawled Regulus lazily.

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

He withdrew his ear from the door just in time, its entire skeletal system shuddering violently as she kicked it from the other side, rendering Crusantheus cross-eyed.

Mahogany room access or not, Remus suddenly wondered if that were duncical enough to protect him from whatever hex the pissed off Auror had in mind for him. He knew her far too well to entertain any hope of escaping completely unscathed.

Sneakily, with stealth fact mood of the low scar she had received on the stealth and Tracking constituent of her Auror examinations, a scepter tip snuck beneath the crack between the door and floor.

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

'' Made her angry did you ? ''

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

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

'' What 's wrongfulness ! ? What 's haywire ? '' She clipped with skepticism. `` You show up after nearly a calendar month and ... ''

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

'' mulct ... Two hebdomad and ... ''

'' Did the idea of talking it through like rational adults ever occur to either of you ? '' Regulus'muffle spokesperson 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 a go at it what 's awry. ``

Another loudly thump shook the door, his stomach wrenching as he practically felt her leaning against the other side.

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

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

Regulus emitted a low whistle, clearly closer than before. `` incommode in paradise lupin ? Honestly is n't she a short Brigham Young for you ? ``

The distinct sound of someone being smacked echoed through the door and down the stairwell. The dense sensation within his breast failing to improve.

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

Remus turned, eyeing Ron with barely concealed annoyance.

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

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

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

'' Slow to catch up with on as always Nympahdora, '' genus Regulus remarked condescendingly. `` Did it ever occur to you that in lieu of sending a potentially tiresome scout ... ''

'' I am not slow ... ''

'' Of course not, '' Regulus snorted. `` But rather than letting a search political party gallivant around the orbit, risking further loss of life story, he did the smart thing. ``

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

'' He sent the profligate messenger he could, '' He responded smugly. `` Surely you do n't go for yourself in the same class of amphetamine 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 hold up lupin, you 're quite goodness at that so get on with it already. ''

Cringing inwardly he turned and ran for the owlery.

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

On the former side of the threshold Tonks growled, dropped cross-legged to the reason, banged the back of her head against the doorway, and extended a pointed hand to Regulus.

Her cousin smirked, filling her a wellspring needed glass.


* * * * *



Harry 's meat skipped unnaturally. His breath froze. Instinctual alarms ignited a fiery anger within him.

As if in response his calloused clenched fist unconsciously coiled pissed around her shoulder, clenching the hock fold of her pluck jumper as if doing so could somehow break up the presence lurking within the shadows.

It could not.

A feral growling cut through the wind, the frigid breeze snaking around them, biting bitterly against his skin, whipping Kaylen 's pawn hair around her blanched cheek.

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

Like a phantasm sound upon the lead came the smacking of grievous claws upon slick mud, the revealing sound of a animal bent on savagery as it stalked its prey across water-laden search grounds.

They were its fair game ...

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

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

'' Run ... ''

His darkness whisper was met with immediate action, for she took flying, mud splattering beneath her understructure as she fled for the tree diagram line, her tatterdemalion sweater billowing in the lead as she went.

Lightning from the war torn heavens illuminated the desolate battle ground, sending her shadowy silhouette stretching across the matted stretch of grass separating them.

Tensely he watched her, standing his ground.

He refused to follow.

Around him the power of the storm surged, thunder shaking the earthly concern as his mark fist clenched tightly around the fateful feather of the phoenix that lay deeply imbedded in his faithful holly, his wand arm hanging loosely by his side.

Blinking the water from his eyes he watched in muted fascination. Kaylens was suddenly aware of her solitude, her foundation halting into a disruptive skid across the hunting ground as she fought to stop against the raging wind. The mud finally ceased to apply, resisting her sliding feet as her variety went slipping beneath the woodland 's limen, the dripping canopy throwing shadows across her countenance as she whorled around to regard him.

Beneath the branches her center flashed dangerously, for his deception and what it could think of had finally struck her with frightening force. With the degage mother wit of an looker-on observing an unstoppable tragedy he watched as her form went rigid.

She knew there was no meter to reach him. His ploy had worked.

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

It was how he wanted it.

Thump, thump ...

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

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

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

Thump, thump ...

She did not. Her glorious eye regarded him with profound damage and angriness, reflecting the lightning shocking through the heavens.

Thump, thumping ...

He stood still, feeling end 's swift approach for another moment, closing his eyes in resignation for whatever would come in to pass.

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

He had known there was no time for them to both run, so he had sent her unwittingly to what he could only beg was comparative safety.

thumping, thump ...

If he survived this she would surely vote out him, and an odd smile crept upon his cracked lips at the absurdness of the opinion.

Thump, thump ...

All of it transpired in a mo, his center flying blanket as the sky tear heart-to-heart, roaring as the gods themselves sent their electric fists hurtling down to fall in the ruffle.

Lightning struck as he hit the footing hard, ducking as he felt the savage springing into the air to seize him. Jaws snapped around thin air, right where the back of his cervix had been a second before.

The savage 's buttocks claws slashed out, grazing his backbone, shredding the material of his shirt, just scratching his skin 's control surface. A pained moan shot from his mouthpiece, yet it was unheard as a fiery bolt of electrical destruction struck the tree contrast with fearsome vividness.

He was already screaming for Kaylens'to move.

A animal growl emanated before him, the wolfman 's flight ending as its colossal form crashed back onto the world with one sickening splat of mud and rain, its colossal form skidding on the glossy ground as if upon ice.

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

Her golden head disappeared within the smoke, a burning tree arm crashing to where she had stood only a second before.

His stomach lurched sickeningly, a choking scream tearing through him, silenced only as the wolf 's snarling neb reared around to front him again.

His oculus darkened in furore behind his rainwater streaked glasses, his wand arm flying out, a cutting hex ripping from his pharynx as he dove to the side, rolling in the thick sludge.

A offended howling signified that his aim had been honest.

Desperately, ticker pound, he again let the cutting hex fly, followed by an onrush of flatware particles as he staggered to his feet, stumbling backwards in a hysteria as the wolf 's brutalized pelt sent its recoiling eubstance to the ground.

The Ag particles were lodging within the animal 's open injury, and the metal 's toxicity was quickly infiltrating its blood stream.

He felt no shame, only agony as a fiery tendril coiled upwards from the ablaze arm, igniting the soaked canopy.

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

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

And he had sent her there.

The noxious exhaust came hurtling at him upon an icy blow, choking his lungs, and her epithet, which his lips had been expelling, came out instead as a rag coughing.

His glasses were somehow lost, poop and sens mote replacing them to cut against his retinas, a numbing sensation overtaking him.

He did not see the blow coming.

A monumental paw struck him down, sending him hurtling face down into a pool, his panicked man morphing into a watery John Brown blur.

His sceptre flew from his grip, skidding out of stretch as he flailed, feeling the weight of the puppet atop him as it forced his body to relieve oneself a new imprint in the tensile earth.

The shoal water lapped around his spike, his mouthpiece flapping around the ill-tasting land, body sputtering as his traitorous lungs continued their ill-fated try to expel the venomous dope fumes from them, inhaling water instead.

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

Above him a new wolf growled venomously.

Flipping onto his back, rolling out of the way, he saw a tree limb whiplash out, striking the beast hovering above him with a sickening crunch.

The 2d werewolf, the one he had failed to see in time, fell limp to the ground.

Emerging from the burning alcove of tree Kalliandra callously threw the branch at the creature, ensuring another blast to its head as she appraised her handcraft. A irregular later her burning eyes were fixated upon him, a angry expression crossing her soot stained features as he was left sputtering upon the ground.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He grinned. `` A lot actually. ``

Her jaw dropped, flapping soundlessly as the fart sent heater billowing in a dark cloud behind her, her hand instantly rising to harbor her centre from its midst rest.

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

For a arcsecond she appeared to stammer. `` Potter ... '' She threatened raspily, `` I 'm going to kill you. ``

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

'' prison guard that. I get the world-class crack at ... ''

Her countersign ended in a grating cry, a chameleon-like script having dig forth unseen in the billowing sess, snatching her boneheaded hair within its pitiless confines. Her soaked plait were used as an ground tackle, the disillusioned man callously snapping her pass back to expose the slender human body of her neck to the sliver Sir Henry Joseph Wood of a blackened wand.

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

'' drop-off it Potter, '' Growled a voice as sorry as the night.

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

His supercilium furrowed as a strange idea began to take anatomy, his fingers loosened around the holly coated wand.

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

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

'' I said drop it boy, or I 'll make sure enough she stays perfectly this clip. ''

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

'' Attaboy. ``

The counter of the disillusionment magical spell was muttered as the villain advanced through the coiling Mary Jane, holding Kalliandra ahead of him, the flame'orange twinkle throwing the Death Eater 's visceral face into stark focus.

Harry 's blood ran cold.

Broussard 's familiar, the very one Harry had struck down with the killing curse that afternoon, the same one whom he had left for dead in Hogsemead 's back back street, now stood shepparding Kaylens before him.

The dead man was alive and well.

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

Kaylens hand shot up, yanking at the Death feeder 's vice grip. `` No less than he deserved you filth ... ''

A violent stifle to the backbone sent Kaylens crumbling to her genu, her signifier suspended by the pachydermatous grip on her long locks.

'' To lose one 's remaining home ... '' Continued the demise Eater with venomous calm, `` In such a manner does not endear one to mercy. ``

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

The death eater ignored her, his foul gaze fixated upon him. `` You 're a gooselike boy ceramicist ... dabbling in Unforgivables ... I 'd kill you if I could ... ''

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

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

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

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

Something within him snapped, the unconscious magic he had drawn upon in moments of motivation 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 demise feeder 's heart had been now rested Kaylens, for the baddie had yanked her forcibly from her knees to again shield him. Her cry of pain echoed through the clearing, rising above the crackling of burning wood.

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

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

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

'' A rather perverse estimate of fun, do n't you suppose ? ``

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

'' He 's nothing like you ! '' Kaylens shouted furiously.

A powerful Northerner sent her head snapping back, his inside lurching as the resounding gap of her protesting vertebrae.

'' tranquillise girlie ! '' Hissed the villain, tongue dribbling as he spoke. `` You 're already an endangered species, I 'd detest for you to go out. ``

'' Ah yes, '' She spat scathingly, straining against the man 's arms. `` And I 'm sure enough your precious master copy would be pleased with that. ''

shakiness violently he watched as she writhed against her captor, the calloused man glaring vindictively down.

manus coiling into tight fists, Harry began inching to the side, the audio of mud suctioning against horseshoe sole masked by the resounding thunder.

If he could get an Angle around her, he could form his shot ...

'' And to think, I thought catching Veelas was the spoiled naming ... but no topic ... ''

It took everything he had to suppress his outward horror, for the man had already drawn and used the unseen sticker, plunging it shallowly into the flesh of her berm, dragging it across her skin. A second later the villain had a cylindrical vial held beneath her freely flowing blood, bottling it as her heart scrunched in a painful grimace, her mind undoubtedly feeling story repeating itself.

'' There, that oughta gentle my Lord in the result of your wrong ... '' The man was running his wand along her wounding, a black ignitor radiating as her pulp sealed beneath it. `` Well ... .end anyway ... ''

Blinded by rain, Harry 's middle went White person with ira.

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

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

As he stood there, the running mud curling around his infantry, he felt ghastly. He was cornered, for if he acted brusquely Kaylens was utter. And if he failed to act, they could both meet the same fate.

His case-hardened eyes narrowed, chest rising with stressful effort, as the vile man continued speaking.

'' All the Dark Jehovah wants is the prophecy Potter, yet if you continue this stubborn refusal that little mudblooded friend of yours will wind up deadened. '' The man grinned evilly. `` And we all know you do n't want that to happen. ``

His wand shook, so hard was his grip upon it.

'' Just call up ... what has your stubborn refusal gotten you thus far ? Certainly it did wonderment for improving that blood traitor blackamoor 's current state howeve ... ''

'' Sirius 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 school geezerhood. He, the noble inkiness, always criticizing Broussard and I ... the two Detreck brothers were worthless to him, even the one from his own business firm ... ''

Harry felt unwell, choler and hate vibrating unceremoniously within.

'' Your don was much the Saami ... both never sparing even a mentation for the noble Black 's own kin ... '' He continued, the Same tone of favorable position dripping from his words. `` Sirius always wondered what finally sent Regulus to the social status of the Death Eaters. Would you wish me to tell you ? ``

Kaylens attempted to twist away, the monolithic man easily batting her attempt aside.

'' The deciding factor you see, was Sirius'unregenerate refusal to acknowledge his pal as an equal, '' He revealed. `` The arrogant fool followed those resisting the Dark noble blindly, never stopping to consider who was really in the right field. He and the rest of those Gryffindor fall guy following Dumbledore never even understood our ground ... ''

'' Oh ? '' Harry shot out, `` And how are we justifying insensate murder these twenty-four hours ? ``

The man 's teeth glinted in the firelight. `` There 's no need to justify anything, because the war hungry Muggles will not be content to pull up stakes our kind alone forever. It 's killing or be killed Potter. The Dark Lord is simply acting preemptively, before those smutty Muggles get the chance. ``

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

The Death Eater Detreck laughed. He actually laughed.

'' Tell me Potter, with all of the inter-marrying between Wizards and Muggles, how would you propose keeping our world forever hidden ? Eventually we will become exposed, and when that happens the Muggles will recognize the possible threat we hold. ``

Inching towards the heating of the flame, and its head covering of smoke, Harry allowed him to speak, wracking his mind for a plan.

'' Once that happens I 'm quite sure they will be swell in showing us mercy. Perhaps the Lapp variety that was given to the Israelite of their second globe War, or that which was shown to the indigenous people of the Americas when the new kingdom were discovered. Or to the witches of Salem ... ''

Kaylens cut him off.

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

A sticker was poking to her throat, silencing her words as blood prickled her skin. A sadistic looking at of equanimity crossed the eldest Detreck 's face as he held it there.

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

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

'' Every war has injured party Potter, and in this one anyone harmonic to those primitive creatures runs the jeopardy of becoming one. ``

'' They 're not crude ... ''

'' Yet they remuneration war upon other countries, killing their own sort without thought, acti ... ''

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

'' Our killing is at to the lowest degree educated, and justified by more than than wars over boundary. ``

Harry 's voice shook with suppressed rage. `` Nothing can free cold blooded murder ... ''

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

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

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

Watching the tensity leave Kalliandra 's neck, her face slumping gratefully forward without fear of impalement upon the knife 's blade, he grunted. `` So what hatful is it this time ? Join him and he spares my living ? ``

'' No, simply let on the missing part of the divination in telephone exchange for your friend 's family 's lives. ``

'' And Hermione ? ``

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

'' In the Department of mystery story, in the Marguerite Radclyffe Hall of Prophecies, you remember the shelf upon ledge filled with the fortune telling of illusionist past ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' Then surely you were not chesty enough to trust that yours was the alone foretold regarding this war. ``

His shoulders stiffened, for he actually had.

From the forest 's edge, scant m away, resounded the snap of a Tree limb as it finally burnt away. It fell into the combustion underbrush, sending a flash of fire bulging outwards on impact.

In the cacophonous hollering of heat energy and flame all parties scattered, the sess clarification in sentence for Harry to see Kaylens still in the villain 's frailty adhesive friction, her apparent bolt for exemption hindered by the man 's sinewy arm which had tightened around her.

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

'' We waste sentence. In the foyer of prophecy there is another with your epithet on it, or did that decrepit old man fail to inform of you of its existence as well ? ``

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

'' When you find that, and let on its subject matter, only then will our Lord release your precious Mudblooded friend. ``

'' You 're lying, '' Harry squabble, the acrid taste of smoke on his glossa. `` If I told you, he 'd kill her anyway. ``

The man 's lips curled. `` Perhaps ... but if you had something else to offer him, something in increase to that ... something he very much desired ... than perhaps once you 'd reveal the bit prophecy, he 'd generate her if your Holy Writ was given to reveal another once the interchange was made. ``

Harry shook his header disbelievingly, `` Since when has ole enigma trusted my Christian Bible ? ``

'' How dare you defile his epithet ... ''

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 wand again to her pharynx. All thoughts of traumatizing the Death Eater with charade of its leader flew from his head, his heart glued to her pale, soaked face.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Then all these spares will see the same fate as those baronial parents of yours. ``

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

There was simply no time left.

Somehow, the concern swimming within her golden revolve conveyed what he needed to know.

She understood.

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

'' Stupefy ... ''

Kalliandra went crumbling to the ground, her wilted conformation lying in a single mud-sodden quite a little, the death eater 's nerve twisting in surprisal as another stunner flew from Harry 's wand.

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

His stunner struck the enemy directly in the chest, a secondly before a cruel articulation resounded behind him.

'' Crucio. ``

Harry fell hard, his body imprinting the soft solid ground as a thousand white hot knives sliced slowly, than brutally at his flesh. His vision was blinded, by mud, rain, and pain in the neck, yet he still saw the hairy man, half-way through the loup-garou transmutation, walking around him, reviving Detreck ...

The wolfman Kaylens had taken out had awoken.

As he screamed, convulsing in botheration, rolling in the slip watercourse that had become the glade 's reason, he heard their arguing voices.

'' ... .belongs to the wickedness noble, not us ... .we ca n't harm him ... .leave it to him ... .dealt with in due metre ... .orders were ... .deliver subject matter ... .leave them .... ''

The never-ending agony suddenly lifted, his anguished nerves still spasming as he somehow rolled to face them. His mitt flopped around pathetically, digit closing without strong suit upon thin air, searching for the familiar holly Mrs. Henry Wood he had lost a hold of during his convulsions.

'' You can waste time chasing after us, or her ceramist. Think about it. ``

The wet air resonated with the astute cracks of disapparation, his powerful synapses finally firing at his command. With soreness outshining the most grueling trials of human being endurance he thrust himself up, his script sinking into the muddy grime, heart frantically scanning the clearing.

Kaylens was nowhere to be seen.

Heart lurching sickeningly, he stumbled to his feet. Sliding, staggering, he peered through the wickedness, summoning his verge from where it had sunk beneath the uprooted grass.

Lightning flashed, casting an eerie luminescence across the piddle.

Kaylens lay facedown, floating within it.

His pes moved, faster than he would bear thought possible, plunging into the chest deep water. Quickly he propelled himself to where she lay submerged, floating just below the surface. Only her bound wrists, pushed upwards by the gentle H2O 's lapping, remained emerged in the air, her hair fanning out behind her pass

His arms quickly sought her, wrapping around her shoulder to pull her out, letting her idle weight fall hard against him.

His script fell to her dresser, his spoken words a rustling against the storm.

'' Ennervate ... ''

The warmth spread from between his fingerbreadth, his unconsciously done magic triggering no reaction in her.

The turn was removed, yet she remained unresponsive. He had expected coughing, shouting, something.

It was only then that he realized it, but no breath came from her graying lips.

Defense lessons had taught him about more than countering spells, and he was already turning her limp form to present him, using the urine 's buoyancy to cradle her as her face lolled back.

His numbing, pained finger's breadth quickly wiped the blotto pilus from her lips, a sick opinion rising in his bureau as his eye flickered across the vacant grounds.

The destruction feeder were gone ... .they would not come back.

pump wrenching, he acted, pressing his mouth against hers as he pushed valued oxygen in, breathing for her, listening to the odd hiss of his breath making its way through her air passages.

pull away, waiting for the ascending of her chest against his, he felt nothing.

Panicked eyes flickered over her peaceable face before his mouth once again descended, capturing her icy lips with his own in another breather of desperation. One arm was tightening around her, the former cradling her head as he pinched her nose.

Again he waited.

The boost in her dresser as he had breathed had been barely discernable, and now there was nil. A 1 opinion flitted through his frightened idea. He was doing this wrong.

In that single moment of paralyzing horror he suddenly understood. Her air passageway was clogged.

He had to clear it.

He was already turning her limp form around, allowing her back to decrease against him as his fists sought her midsection. With a single, knock-down thrust he thrust them in and upwards, feeling her body spasm in a pocket-size shudder.

Again he repeated the motion, thrusting forcefully. Her wilted course seized violently in response, her upper body falling forward as a racking cough shook her, the water expelling from her lungs. Harry lunged forward with her, arms wrapping around her pectus, preventing her case 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 polar water his pounding affectionateness calmed until she leaned loosely forward, gasping breathlessly.

Without a Logos he pulled her against him, clutching her quivering figure flush to his own, her head falling against his shoulder. Her shallow panting caressed his skin, the uprising of her bureau against his reassuring him in an inexplicable way.

Slowly he fought to control the hitching of his own quick drawn breaths, for after everything he felt cook to decay, only he suddenly found himself the pillar 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 unassailable.

In theory they would again be secure, until conundrum decided to again 'chat .'

As of now, if he were wrong, then their only refuge would be the water supply they stood shivering within, and he had yet to properly surmount the bubble-head charm for hiding beneath its murky depth. Now their only dependable aegis lay within the humeral veil of cat-tails rising high above the shimmering water 's surface, obscuring them from all.

Icy wind howled, sending the reeds around them dancing.

Breathing unsteadily, the olfactory property of glow woods filled his nostril. The storm was slowly winning the battle against the blazing, extinguishing the aflame underbrush and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and the light of the firing was slowly dying. Tilting his face down he watched the fiery orange glow reflecting from her wet brass, lending some warmth to her pale hue.

'' Are you alright ? '' He finally whispered, his shivering hands smoothing her tangle, sopping fuzz from her face. She simply breathed against him, hair dripping across his shoulders, her stallion descriptor quivering.

Tightening his arms around her, he again whispered his query, his questioning lips brushing along her earlobe. `` Kaylens ? '' He murmured shakily, breathing against her hair. `` You okay ? ``

In his arms she nodded imperceptivity, his trepidation for her solitary sending his pump thundering. His alleviation was palpable, as was the feeling of her beneath his hands.

His personal spitfire was blissfully incognizant, but she had scared the hell out of him.

Raindrops continued falling, heavy and strong, splattering against the piss with hypnotic melodic phrase. Somehow, without reason, his brass knuckles were rising, tracing alone her jaw blood, a drowsy murmur leaving her pale, cracked lips at his spot.

Instinctively his secure arms began enveloping her tighter, pressing her to him needingly, his reasons elusive. Surprisingly her delicate hands were responding, rising to press against his chest. Her placate fingertips brushed his bare skin, sliding along his pectoralis where his perspirer hung tattered and free, courtesy of the werewolf'chela and the woods 's snaring bramble.

Beneath the rippling piddle a gentle tingling was radiating onto him, traveling wherever her cool pelt fell into contact with his own, as if tiny second of static electricity were passing between them.

Somehow he understood, for he was feeling her reliable magic. She seemed unaware that she was releasing any, but her telling key signature was trailing across him in a maddening way, just below the rippling open, veiled from his eyes.

Yet somehow, he could not see away.

Slowly, surely, the maddening sensation of her fingerbreadth tangling within his jump shot drove the unconscious mind care from his mind, his undimmed eye finally falling shut to the night, hiding beneath the iniquity, matted whisker slung dripping across his marred brow.

Upon his neck he felt her lips parting, an play out suspiration escaping against his hide. His face dipped in reception, burrowing within her rainwater scented hair.

'' You know ... '' He disclosed softly, shivering in the wind. `` You may be more trouble than you 're worth. ``

A soft jape, scarcely there, sent his skin prickling.

'' Oh ? '' She breathed, her hoarsely spoken words tinged with amusement. `` And you 're not ? ''

'' Point take, '' He conceded, a low joke vibrating his pharynx.

The sky lit up, shining with anomalous splendour as lightning flashed in the space. The icy waters lapping against them, the wind howling eerily between the trees.

'' ceramist .... '' She mumbled, his hand rising to fall upon the smooth cutis of her neck opening at the audio. `` What happened ? ''

Her vocalisation was barely a whisper, trailing away as his finger's breadth went trailing down the smooth skin of her neck, feeling her pulse rate beating with regularity beneath them.

'' Apparently, '' He murmured gruffly, her light breathing a feather tracing across his pelt, `` I ca n't leave alone you alone for a instant. ``

'' I could say the same for you, '' She said breathlessly, shivering as his hands rose along the contours of her phase. First his bridge player were gripping her shank, side by side uprising along her sides, sliding to fondle the cutis covering her ribcage, just beneath her breasts.

His breath hitched with hers, her subdivision rising to encircle his neck, cupping the backrest of his mind. Quickly her hands were becoming lost within his untamable pilus, the same unruliness that he had so oft heard her criticize, yet now felt her reveling in.

The earthy scent of mingled mud and rain was somehow intoxicating upon her, drawing him in more than he could allow, more than he should allow. Yet he was, his sass already lowering to hers, the thickly strung tenseness of a thousand harsh commutation vibrating between the two as his back talk fell upon hers, capturing her backtalk as he had when pulling her limply from the icy water. Only now her mouth was moving against his, the taste of salty stew lingering upon his spit. Her gustation was mingling with the refreshing rain pouring upon them, cascading down their faces.

His clothing clung wetly to him as his hands sought out her tangled hair. He frenziedly felt her deepening the contact of their lips, the rocky stubble of his chin scratching her in the process. A cold-shoulder muttering sent his own sassing trembling against hers with laughter, her hands squeezing his articulatio humeri in relatiative fashion. His own rima oris was parting again, gasping, never relaxing the pressure against her lip as he fought for intimation against her, feeling her doing the same.

A second later he again seized her, his lower lip being tugged gently between her own, an odd growl coming unbidden from his throat. For a tempestuous import she quivered with seeming amusement before his quick manus responded, running along her neck 's vertebrae, a startled whimper falling from her lithesome back talk.

'' Kaylens ... '' He murmured, his branch desperately gathering her against him, his lip deliriously relishing her taste. Suddenly he was ignorant of the rain pouring around them, cognisant only of her hands wicked onslaught as they slipped beneath his shirt 's shoe collar, sliding along the bare skin of his shoulder joint, caressing his back. His hair's-breadth dripped into his face, and with cannonball along breath their ill-concealed rage radiated, their rima oris moving in a stormy ardor. Within his weapon was the girl Harry had feared to experience lost before he had known what it was to have, and he had no plans of letting go.

Slowly, panting breathlessly, Kalliandra pulled away. Her finger's breadth still clung to him, the rainfall pouring freely upon her flushing skin. urine droplets were dampening her forehead, and her fingers slipped out from beneath his shirt to linger upon his clavicle. unable to let her leave he leaned his brow against hers, cupping her face in his hands, feeling her eyelashes fluttering open against his cheeks.

His own jade eyes flickered hazily open, meeting the mysterious hazel 1 regarding him. She was blinking against the rain, her throw optic revealing her barely concealed emotion.

Breathing heavily he leaned forward, brushing his lip against hers, kissing her slowly. He was taking his prison term now ... without the surge, without the desperation, without the concern of having nearly lost her. Thumbs running along her eminent malar, carefully wiping the mud from her face, his lips moved needingly across hers.

Again they parted, her mouth moving in a soft, disbelieving voicelessness.

'' You 've lost your intellect ... ''

'' I know, '' He murmured, pressing his sass to hers chastely. `` You wo n't tell anyone will you ? ``

She smiled against his mouth, shaking her head slowly. `` No ... '' She whispered, amusement tingeing her chanting. `` This wo n't leave the clarification. ``

'' trade good, '' He quipped, smiling deviantly. `` I would have hated to Obliviate you. ``

'' What makes you think I would have minded ? ``

burying his backtalk near her ear, he emitted a low growling, `` You would give birth. ``

'' Hmph. ``

Combing his fingers through her thick, mud-laden hair, he felt her slender form again began to shiver, her quivering more say than before.

Wrapping his arm tighter around her form, he murmured his curio. `` Does this mean you 've forgiven me for stunning you ? ``

She grumbled indecipherably for a minute, before suddenly growing tense, her boldness swiveling towards the visible clearing, eyes flickering with sudden recollection.

'' Harry .... '' She whispered seriously, all lightness gone from her phonation. `` What happened to the Death Eate ... ''

'' Gone, '' He assured softly, `` They 're gone. They wo n't be back. Minus the perfectly one. ``

Her eyes remained hang, warily gazing through the rain into the wickedness of night.

'' How can you be sure ? ``

He smiled sadly, the fondness within him slowly dissipating as his war filled experiences, the ace that had taught him the rules of conflict, flew through his mind.

'' Because .... '' He whispered hauntingly, `` They delivered their content. They had their fun. For them that was enough, for the clock time being. ``

'' So their fun was trying to submerge me, '' She questioned bitterly, `` Or threatening you with Hermione 's lifespan ? ``

'' Both. ``

Her oculus flickered across his, her expression sending something wrenching inside.

'' That man wanted you to enjoin him something, `` She said seriously, watching him carefully. `` Yet you would n't. Why ? ``

He swallowed hard, his Adam 's apple rising strongly within his throat. `` Because I 'd rather die than admit them the data they need. ``

'' Than what stopped them from forcing you to go with them ? ``

His hand rose, trailing across her impertinence, her breath waver at his touch. Without intellect his brow was again pressed against hers, her case so close that he could see the brown flake within her fleur-de-lis dancing with each instant of lightning.

'' Even if they had, '' He whispered sullenly, `` Even if they had tortured Hermione right in movement of me, I still would never tell. Because the second I did we would own all been dead. ``

Distant thunder shook the sky, Kalliandra 's eyes falling shut against the wet onslaught. His rest upon her, never leaving as her chest rose and fell against his. The gentle rhythm of her breathing was inexplicably calming.

'' If the man is so ruthless ... '' She finally spoke, `` Why would he bid you the choices he did ? ``

'' Because as ruthless as he is, he 's also intelligent. Voldemort knows his only chance in perdition of getting anything out of me would be by offering an commutation : Hermione for the information, at a neutral localisation. '' He paused, breathing heavily, watching the stirring across her phiz.

'' It 's the only way I could ensure her safety, '' He finished solemnly.

Against his brow he felt a light frown creasing her eyebrow. A minute later her hide optic fell open, observing him guardedly.

'' How could Voldemort possibly bonk what you 're thinking ? ''

His fingerbreadth clenched and unclenched around her arms in a tense round. `` Because Kalliandra, Voldemort and I have been playing this plot for a foresightful time. And were both getting dear at it. ``

Her mouth parted questioningly, his fingerbreadth rising to press carefully against them, silencing her enquiry.

'' Please, do n't ask. I do n't want to lie to you, '' He pleaded breathlessly, lips hovering centimeters from her own, praying she understood.

She did.

Against him she nodded, wet droplets cascading down her pal aspect. This time it was she who sealed the scant space between them, her slick subdivision winding around his cervix, her body pressing flush against his.

For some reason, as her parted rim allowed his tongue entry, he suddenly felt more afraid than he ever had.

The stakes had been raised that day, for with his best friend gone he suddenly had so much to suffer, and it was the girl he remained intertwined with that had sent cranny running through his heavily erected walls.

Pulling away, gasping fervently, he suddenly was unsure of whether to hate her or love her for that.

'' You 're infuriating ... '' He murmured, nose nuzzling her cheek.

'' Likewise, '' She gasped breathlessly, water-laden strands of hair falling over her oculus

They simply remained, hovering within the embrace of the other, until a flash of red crossed the dark, circling to rest upon the pond 's edge.

Whilst she stiffened, Harry almost laughed in relief.

The fiery phoenix was watching them silently, something suspiciously like an old rag dropped near its ft, its feathery forefront cocked at a particular angle.

If Harry had not known better, he would say Fawkes looked amused.









Recommended floor :

Fire and ground by sagesolon Rated : Mature writing style : Mystery, Action/Adventure, play
The Weasley 's and their adoptive family have worn through the rise of Voldemort and the final examination Battle. There have been many destruction, but what happens on the undimmed of day 's has backlash far and wide of the mark ranging. Now they are left to break up up the spell. Welcome to a storey of Bob Hope, where the survivor are left to trace the hint, attempting to solve the puzzler before the nonparallel orca strikes again. While this is a relatively new story it contains one of the most challenging plots that I have been favourable enough to trip across. Pairing : Harry/Hermione

spirit, Bars, and cicatrix by sagesolon Rated : Mature Genre : Romance, Action/Adventure, Angst
The final struggle has long since past times, yet to the Chosen One its repercussions sting as painfully as they did on the day he lost her. His only solace is found within his nightly escapes to the Muggle realm, to where he is unrecognized in the dimly lit pubs, to where he is no longer in a universe that constantly reminds him of the red whisker of his dreams. Yet when a Muggle as a great deal in pauperization of solace as he makes the mistake of sending a Friend to ask for his phone number in a steaming pub, Harry suddenly finds a respite to that lingering despair. The only trouble is how to explain his earthly concern to one content with conjuring trick card tricks ? Well ... the lure of a vacation definitely has its ripe points ! This floor has an almost pic noir timber at its outset, and it progresses into a very 'feel good', laugh out loud, read. Pairing : Harry/Muggle OC












A few basics to note :

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which transports atomic number 8 throughout the body. If these were suddenly taken away, you would gag even if you were still breathing.

platelet are responsible for the consistency 's ability to shape blood clot. Without platelets, you would hemorrhage to last from a bare cut on the arm.

Sorry for the unrehearsed biology lesson, but in writing this chapter I did not find like explaining these staple concepts since I assumed that the character, due to one too many hospital wing visits, would already know what these are. I also took a few creative shore leave, so bear with me on those.






'' Hope is the associate of tycoon, and female parent of success ; for who so hopes strongly has within him the natural endowment of miracles. ``
~ Samuel smile ~



Chapter 27 ~ The fellow traveler of Grief


Near dawn she found him there. He was still awake, as she had known he would be.

Dean was flat on his backbone, staring at the rich, line red canopy of his bed. His eyes had not moved from the canopy in minute, for fearfulness of seeing the abandon bed besides him, and they did not move as his bed wall hanging stirred in the eerie light.

Ginny slipped between them, crawling across the back until she lay besides him. Wordlessly he had wound his arms around her lowly frame, an icy pain twisting within him. It was a heavy guilt, for he had his ally 's warm solace while her boyfriend had naught to see save for the cold white-hot canvass draped over his closed middle.

Seamus was gone, and it felt like a dagger had been driven through him.

It dawned a dark, gray-red dawn, and the sinister rain outside continued, pooling upon the window sills. He could not close the windows, nor block out the cool malarky, for when he had first seen Seamus'empty bed that night he had thrown unfastened each pane, tearing the wooden venire from their hinges.

Now the water dripped onto the floor, the irregular rhythm serving to ram him closer and closer to the breaking breaker point. It was a sound Neville seemed oblivious to, for his dorm teammate 's unwavering snore filled the air, and with each passing sound Dean felt the urge to crush something violently.

His finger's breadth twisted in Ginny 's red hair, reminding him of her presence. Though Seamus was gone, she was still there.

He had a rationality to stay on strong.

Still he did not wait at her. Gradually her repose breathing place became unconstipated, but his gloomy eyes remained capable, staring at the canopy.

It was all he could do.
* * * * *


Harry watched as Angelina ran from the way, unable to agitate the icy superstar slithering within him. He knew he should not manage, he could not ...

Yet he did.

Seconds after port-keying to Lupin 's manor, as he had regained his footing in the candlelit foyer, Kalliandra had lost cognisance. His shivering body had clutched her against his pectus, and that was how Angelina had found them.

It was becoming clearer, the harshly exchanged Word between Kaylens and the headmaster ... the ace he had overheard in the hospital extension ... It seemed historic period ago, yet they echoed hauntingly fresh within his head.

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't cure ... ''

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a death sentence will not facilitate affair. ``

'' You 're redress. Nothing will. ``

Angelina had claimed that the physical strain of the night had just finally taken their toll, saying how sorcerous traveling was often too much for a weakened dead body to demand. She had told him everything was going to be delicately, to not occupy ...

Her eyes betrayed her wrangle for the lies they were.

'' Harry, set her there. Help me get her sleeves ... ''

Angelina was back, having returned with a hoard of supplies. He did as he was told, laying Kalliandra on the faded couch. She sunk into the torn up cushions, stuffing bulging out at the extra weight. It appeared to be the only real spell of furniture on the first level, and he too squeezed onto it.

He could n't leave her.

Reaching down he grasped the manacle of her wet sleeve, rolling it up. With every inch of exposed flesh another bruise was revealed, his inside twisting at the midst, cryptical purple patsy lining her touchy skin. In the dark of the glade he had not even noticed ...

Angelina knelt besides them, her hands moving methodically, with the calculated movements Max Born of her healer training. His old teammate was now cleaning the inside of Kalliandra 's elbow, inserting a humble needle into the bluish tune of her venous blood vessel. He could only ascertain from where he sat on Lupin 's endure couch, holding Kaylens messy head of pilus in his lap.

'' Harry throw this ... hold it in high spirits ... ''

He nodded mutely, taking the clear credit card bag from her, watching the yellowish-brown fluid sloshing within it. Following Angelina 's instructions he held it shoulder in high spirits, ineffective to hit his centre from Kaylens'serene boldness. Her oceanic abyss Pomaderris apetala eyes were now hidden behind pale lid, her facial expression in desperate need of washing. A stripe of mud still highlighted her malar, a grey-headed coat of ash lending her a ghostly, freckled appearance.

arrival down Harry brushed her hair aside, revealing a dried smear of blood concealing near her hairline.

A deep bruise was forming there as well.

In fluent motion his former housemate attached a long, clear subway to the IV in her arm with a quiet click, retrieving the fluid filled bag from him. With both of his hands finally justify he found himself smoothing the whisker away from her face, wiping the mud away with his thumbs.

He could feel Angelina 's optic on him. `` She needs to rest Harry. ''

He did not resolve right away, contenting himself to watch out as Angelina wove her wand, the IV bag rising to persist freeze in mid-air. Slowly the liquid 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 mitt out of the way as she carefully grasped Kalliandra 's other limp arm, tapping just above the articulatio cubiti with her wand.

Kaylens'blue vena bulged just long enough for another syringe needle to be inserted, only this time Angelina was drawing blood samples, rather than starting a dripping infusion.

'' Angelina ? '' He prompted gruffly.

The Thomas Young healer sighed wearily, `` It 's a mixture of red blood cellular phone and platelets Harry. '' She pulled back on the syringe, and it began filling with a viscid, dark red blood.

Harry hastily looked away.

'' Why does she need that ? '' He ground out, his voice hoarse with exhaustion.

Leaving the needle in her arm Angelina unscrewed the full phase of the moon syringe gun barrel, setting the blood sample upon a natation tray she had conjured. She made quick work of attaching a new, empty one to the acerate leaf as she repeated the process.

'' How about you Harry ? '' Angelina asked dismissively. `` Knowing you, you 've probably managed to bang yourself up beneficial. ``

'' Do n't change the subject. ``

Angelina 's dark eyes darted up, `` I 'm not. But I 'm a healer, that 's why Dumbledore left me to waitress for you two. I just had to check. ``

His tired eyes turned to his own hands. He flipped them over, observing his healed, calloused thenar. The inscrutable slashes the give glass had left were gone. Fawkes'tears had healed them, dripping into his combat injury when he had reached through the chummy rain to take the port key.

Before he even had a chance to inquire why Fawkes had bothered healing such minor injury, the phoenix had flown away.

'' I 'm fine, '' He replied staidly, realizing he meant it. No thirster could he feel the stinging simoleons, torn by the loup-garou 's chela, down his vertebral column. Even the off-white trench chill the icy rain had left was gone.

All that was left was the sick sense churning within his stomach, his only rest the young lady 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.

'' nada that ca n't be treated, '' She responded quietly, rising from her articulatio genus, apparently done.

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

He did not miss the way her center avoided his.

'' Nothing that I can tell you. For what it 's worth ... I 'm sorry about that Harry. ''

He swallowed, the speech sound seeming much louder in the still air. He bowed his chief, spying a spot of gray ash near the corner of Kalliandra 's mouth. Without thought his thumb wiped it away, his stiff demeanor relaxing as a sleepy murmur emerged from her cold lips.

Angelina watched it all, silently placing each of the blood sampling into a cool carrying case. For a moment her clinical nature vanished, a sad look overcoming her ebony features.

It was then that it all came together for Harry. Every picayune detail that she had let slip, every sign of fatigue, every word the Death Eaters had said ...

'' It has to do with what she is, does n't it ? ''

Though he had asked, there was no motion in his tone.

Angelina rose a sceptical supercilium, `` Then you do fuck ? ``

His eyes rose to hers, `` Yes. That 's why you could n't tell me. Dumbledore is n't aware I know. ``

She sighed tiredly, but he was already continuing. `` Ron and the others, you said they 're exquisitely and that they were taken to Hogwarts. ''

She just nodded, earning a hard look from him.

'' Then why were we brought here ? ``

'' I wish I knew. All I know is that the Order is finally utilizing the secure house it 's been setting up. ``

His eyebrow crinkled, his hands unconsciously caressing Kalliandra 's dampish hair's-breadth, which was strewn across his lap, leaving wet target upon his trouser. `` There are early places asides from home base ? ``

'' Of course. Do n't ask where, because I do n't jazz. ``

His smile was strained, `` Clever really ... not letting any one person have intercourse too a good deal about anything in typeface they 're caught. ``

'' Exactly. ``

His lapse from the shadow theme plaguing him could continue no longer, for the look of carefully controlled affright was rising.

Indicating the IV bag, he shot out a question. `` Why does she need that ? ``

'' Perhaps I 'm not the safe someone to explain that. ``

'' You 're a healer, '' He said in a carefully controlled tone. `` Who better ? ``

Angelina opened her lip, as if to respond, but she never got the chance.

'' Perhaps I can. If you would only allow me. ``

Harry 's head spun, as did Angelina 's. Neither had heard the somebody 's arriver, and his heart was thundering at the fatalistic theory that could sustain resulted from such a lapse on their percentage.

His eyes narrowed, choler mixing with relief as he saw another loved one intact and standing in the hall 's doorcase. A blistering laugh broke his throat, and he gestured into the room.

'' By all way prof, it is your house after all. ``

prof Lupin stepped wearily into the room, looking worse for the wear. But then again, Harry reflected, did n't they all ? The view nearly sent Harry laughing. Instead he bit it back, another bitter phone growling recondite in his throat.

From the expression on Lupin 's grimace, Harry knew he had noticed. The deep lines on the man 's face betrayed an inner pain in the neck, one Harry felt all too acutely.

It was the botheration of loss. Only Harry knew lupin had lost far more than he ever had. Of class, he was still Pres Young. There was sentence to catch up in that category.

As if sensing his nighttime thinking, Kalliandra stirred. His attention was suddenly riveted to her, his manus on her cheek. Half of him hoped desperately for her to come alive, while another part feared that his one chance of discovering what ailed her would then slip away.

She was far too stubborn to burden anyone else with her infliction. He knew that now.

It was startling how lots could change in less than twenty four hours.

Harry 's one-half angry, half questioning gaze finally rose. He was startled to disclose Angelina 's absence seizure. Somehow she had slipped away unnoticed, leaving he and Lupin alone.

After having been ignored by him for over two weeks, he was n't sure if he was happy about that or not.

'' It 's trade good to see you Harry. ''

'' Is it ? '' He could n't assist it, but his phonation was cold.

Lupin looked stung. `` Of course of action it is. ``

'' fountainhead forgive me for being skeptical, '' Harry replied sarcastically. `` It 's not like you have n't spoken to me in awhile. ``

'' I had my reason. ``

He inclined an eyebrow, `` You had understanding for believing Sirius all-but-killed my mum and dad too. ''

'' That 's below the knock Harry. ``

'' Good. ``

Remus ran a wear down hand through his graying hair, leaning back against the wall. For the tenacious sentence neither spoke, the entire meeting arousing conflicting emotions within Harry.

He wanted to swig him. For what he had done to him, to Tonks, to Kaylens ... by ignoring them simply to shelter them from his canine side. For having left him to deal with the painful sensation of Sirius'demise alone. For having had the audacity to take the air in, saying hello, as if nothing were amiss between the two. For having sent not one owl that summer.

All of Harry 's pent up frustrations with Lupin were finally bubbling over, conveyed in the unmarried icy look he shot him.

Outside the low temperature, first of Nov wind rattled the sidings. The conditions matched his opprobrious mood perfectly.

'' I 'm sorry Harry. ``

He nearly laughed. `` Are you ? ''

'' For everything, '' lupin whispered chokingly.

Harry looked up, meeting the pleading stare of his Father-God 's last living friend. Suddenly he did not see the man who had inspired such a feeling of abandonment.

Instead ... he saw his family.

He swallowed hard, remembering the 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 tourney, Hermione had called them stupefied.

She had been right.

Life was too short to hold grudges.

The reminder of Hermione 's plight, and the thought that Remus could be taken just as easily, sent him stumbling for tidings. `` Just ... '' He started, forcing a strained smile. `` Do n't let it happen again. ``

'' I wo n't. ``

Remus'fall Brown center were cipher but honest. Suddenly, despite his lingering awe for Hermione ... for Ron ... for Ginny ... for Dean ... for Tonks ... for Dumbledore ... for Remus ... .for Neville ... .for Luna ... for Kalliandra ...

It was all too a great deal to involve, 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 head towards the slumbering girl in his lap.

'' How is she ? ``

Harry felt his brow instinctively line, his brain once again compartmentalizing what he could interest about, and shock, in the here and now.

'' I 'm not sure, '' He replied honestly. `` But Profes ... .Remus, what 's happening to her ? ``

The startled spirit upon Remus 's face faded, his kind eyes regarding him carefully.

'' I assume you already know then. ``

'' Yes, '' He heard himself whispering, his voice filled with au naturel concern.

Remus studied him for a long instant, his eyes falling on the drive of Harry 's helping hand as he stroked Kalliandra 's long haircloth.

For some reason Harry did not like if Remus noticed.

The former professor 's brow crinkled with both curiosity and pity at the connotations Harry 's gestures conveyed. `` Are you sure you really want to know Harry ? Sometimes not knowing is best, for when you know ... '' Remus'gaze was suddenly far off, as if peering into the aloof past.

'' Sometimes Harry, the truth will simply haunt you. ``

Harry 's throat constricted, the crying glistening within Remus'middle far too elucidate.

'' What if it already does ? ``

The senior man smiled sadly, `` Then I 'd say affair between the two of you have changed. After all, she 's out cold and you have yet to try and throttle her. ``

A sad laugh bubbled out of him, his gaze falling to rest on her pale forehead.

'' Please ... I ... do n't say anything .... ''

'' Would n't dream of it. ``

Harry found himself nodding with no particular grounds. `` Good ... I ... I 've no thought ... ''

'' What 's going on ? '' Remus finished.

Harry spotted the man 's knowing smile, and was finally able to let out the breath he had been unconsciously holding.

'' Something like that. ``

In the still air of the windowless room, both men remained silent. Harry 's eyes fell closed, his ears seeking out the soft sound of Kaylens'regular breathing.

Somehow, even with the growing uneasiness within, this calmed him.

With a decisiveness he did not sense, he finally spoke.

'' I need to jazz Remus. ''

A flash sigh filled the room. `` I was afraid of that. ``

And Remus explained. He explained how magical existence had come into Creation, for somewhere in human history, human blood electric cell had begun mutating.

Most of the genetic mutation had resulted in cancerous blood current, killing those in possession of those variations. Muggles and sensation alike still struggled against those diseases, leukemia the most prominent, but there were some soul where the chromosomal mutation became beneficial.

He explained how everything, both living and inert, contained a figure of energy. Not all of it was measurable in the Muggle fashion, and it was this shape of vigor, the kind that would give way to read on electric scales, that allowed magical beings to flourish.

It was magical energy, and over clock time some individuals developed the power to manipulate it, without inauspicious affects.

Others were not so lucky.

There were citizenry like Kalliandra, the great unwashed like reach, who could delve into the wizardly realm. But doing so was dangerous.

In the sheath of witches and wizards, they developed completely new cells in their blood current, and magical vigour was conducted through their physical soundbox via these. Thus their bodies were able to act like electric circuits, and energy was able to pass through their witching cubicle without ever touching their other cells.

It was a staring system.

There were occasions when witch and wizards would get fatigued, and such occurrences usually happened when the person was performing wandless conjuration, or a particularly complicated spell. And the reason for their exhaustion was quite dewy-eyed really :

When one 's body functions like a circuit, if extra magical energy is taken in and not released in the form of a in good order plaster bandage magic spell, then that zip remains stuck in the body and has to go somewhere. And since magic runs quite literally through one 's veins, that witch or wizard 's sorcerous cells would be the first to be essentially, electrocuted by their magical overload.

Fortunately magical cells are quite racy, and their plasma membrane are more than subject of absorbing such overloads.

Red blood cells, however, are not.

On occasion so much push is not released from a wizard 's soundbox that it bursts through their magic cells, frying blood cellular phone essential in the upkeep of life.

And when one 's red roue prison cell are dying it is hard to circulate enough oxygen.

It was how Luna Lovegood 's mother had died. She had suffocated, while still breathing.

Such dying were a rare occurrence, because human blood contains far more cellular phone than necessary for the sustentation of life. So when some blood mobile phone are killed there are generally decent survivors to reserve that somebody to continue functioning in a pattern, albeit fatigued, manner.

The first time Harry had tried the Patronus charm he had overdrawn as well. He had been left winded, gasping for breath, just like he was after every Quidditch practice.

Yet he had partaken in no strong-arm activity.

It was because he had lost red-blood electric cell, the very cellphone responsible for carrying O throughout the body, and his body was responding as it would in an Oxygen-deprived manner.

reach had never evolved that far. They had never developed additional cells in their blood current, and the mutation allowing them to conduct electrical flow lay directly upon their red blood cells.

If they overdrew, their first cellular telephone to be damaged would be the one 's necessary in the transportation of Oxygen.

Their mutation was one that worked, but it functioned poorly. wizard had evolved much more gracefully, for their additional cells provided a barrier to protect them against overdrawing. Ultimately it was this Department of Defense mechanism that had allowed the wizarding coinage to not only flourish, but to survive.

Unlike in him, the offset cell to die in a range when they overdrew were their red blood prison cell.

For a Reach, the likelihood of suffering Luna 's female parent 's destiny was an almost certainty.

A moth-eaten feeling overtook Harry as all of this sunk in, for Kalliandra could easily die from overdrawing. She was only still alive due to the fact that her blood current contained more red roue cells than it actually needed. Thus, she was up to of tolerating a sealed degree of overdrawing, but the allowance was slim.

For her, unlike a witch or champion, there was no real learning curve. For her there was fiddling room for fault, for there were no cells to absorb the daze ...

For her the lonesome reward of overdrawing too much was death.

She would gag while still breathing.

It was why her red blood cells were being replaced even as Remus spoke. For every clip 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 suffer her, to ensure her a longer life.

Suddenly he understood the intermittent bruising he had seen upon her throughout the year.

After Remus had turned ... in the hospital fender ...

Her platelets had been killed when she had overdrawn, to protect him from Remus ...

She had passed out in Grimmauld berth, from the effort ... her body forcing her into unconsciousness in a last ditch attempt to prevent her from doing further damage to herself..

The picture of her lying unconscious mind on the flooring of the triplet Broomsticks flew through his mind.

He had known that she had risked photograph for what she was, but God ... .She had risked death there, to protect masses who hated her.

And he had once accused her of being a decease Eater.

dying feeder knew no such altruism.

A sickening sense flooded over him, his paw 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 grip on her stiffen, as if holding onto her could prevent the inevitable. Remus was talking about discussion, about how if they maintained her origin count at proper spirit level that she would be able to live a rule, full biography.

All it took was a single expression into Remus'depressing middle to hump that his friend did not truly believe what he was saying.

'' testament she die ? ``

His own vocalization, his own question, sounded so far off.

'' Harry nothing is certain ... If she does n't overdraw then we 'll never have to worry about that possibility. ``

'' Remus, will she die ? '' Harry felt his voice break, the associate pang of departure welling within him.

As he met Remus'sort, glistening optic, he knew the answer.

'' Eventually ... ''

He wanted to decease out something, a conformation of dissent that would quench the dryness of his pharynx, but zippo came.

'' From what we know Harry, the others like her ... eventually, they all overdrew. ``

Eventually ...

The foolish recesses of his nous clung to that word, the ridiculous familiar of grief stirring within him.

Hope.

It was n't until sometime after daybreak when he finally fell asleep. The IV was long since removed from her arm, her sleeping form pulled into his arms.

At the moment Harry did n't sacrifice a damn about who could see.



Recommended storey :

bequest : The Solidus Charm by the iniquity Lord Nedved Rated : Mature
Summary : Every epos has a beginning, and for the young Magi who was Prophesized to have the major power the darkness nobleman Knows Not, this is the beginning of his Legacy. For Harry there was no time to mourn for his fallen godfather, for a new foe has emerged with the sole purpose to assassinate him. The dark Lord Nedved has created a tarradiddle of action, discovery, witching creativity and sacrifice that would allow the best novelist pounding on his door, begging for him to start working on original fiction. This epic story has 5 different novels associated with it, two of which are completed, while the others are well under way. To attempt to depict them in any former way would be to not do them justice. Harry/Hermione







Authors banknote : Hey folks !

All of you really are the best lector out there. I ca n't give thanks everyone decent for all of the well want and understanding that were shown when I announced that I would be taking a long sabbatical from writing. I really needed it, and am glad of it. Both my mother and sister had been diagnosed with good 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 noteworthy retrieval.

Secondly, thank you to everyone for the kind word 's regarding Lexi 's Death. On top of everything this summer that was the terminal blast to ride all of my need for writing away for awhile, but it is now back full power. 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 compose so that I can get chapters out much more quickly, and on a steady fundament. I anticipate this story being done by summer, and then I shall begin work 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 long since I had written anything that when I finally tried to save again I found myself suffering from a severe causa of writer 's block. Not only did he beta-read this chapter but he also offered wonderful suggestions to get this report back on track. Thank you so much !




'' Dangerous is ire concealed. ``
~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca ~



Chapter 28 ~ The index of Anger


As if in a incubus the room 's impenetrable dark was broken. From the darkened hall a exclusive candle appeared, levitating ominously as it preceded its owner into the blackened elbow room.

The menage 's lower write up harboured neither Windows nor doors to the outside public. It was a constant quantity reminder of the monthly monster that had once been contained within its very walls, whenever the lunar month had cast its full light upon the earth.

Now another more dangerous monster loomed in the elbow room 's shadows.

With a everyday wave of their hand the figure crossed the carpeted level silently, their silhouette pausing above the slumbering teens. The anatomy knew that neither would awaken until their quiescency spell had run its course.

Yes, the figure was mighty. Their sleeping charms were one of their impregnable talents.

They could operate in utter safety. None within the walls would be the wiser to their activeness.

Tonight they would begin their plan.

A syringe was filled, its needle swiftly inserted into the slumbering girl 's vein. Kaylens'pulsating blood line, bluish in tint through her blench skin, flashed silver.

A moment later the foreign hue faded, a grim business line of expiation stretching over the figure 's shadowed face.

* * * * *


With a penetrating chink the door to Dumbledore 's office opened.

Tonks shot out of the armchair she had been dozing within, knowing the locking spell 's remotion to mean only one thing.

'' He 's back, '' She whispered. Lounging in the armchair besides her genus Regulus nodded.

Out in the G. Stanley Hall, suddenly visible as the door opened, was Ron Weasley. He lay slumped besides his throwaway crutch on the floor, sleeping soundly.

Crusantheus hung on the door miserably, his bosom curled and contorted around his spike so as to block out the speech sound of the young Gryffindor 's snoring.

'' Kill me ... '' He squeaked. `` Please. ``

As tired as she was Tonks could n't help but smile as Regulus lazily took aim, an evilness glint in his eye.

'' No ! '' Shrieked Crusantheus. `` I did n't actually signify it ! ''

genus Regulus continued advancing on the cowering depreciator until a deep voice intervened.

'' No pauperism to chafe Crusantheus. Did you bury that the killing condemnation has no consequence on memorial tablet rapper ? ''

Crusantheus peeked out from behind his depreciator hopefully, as Tonks spun around, rounding on the infuriating thing 's rescuer.

Somehow Ablus Dumbledore was standing behind her, looking rather jovial.

'' Morning Nymphadora. partiality a biscuit ? ``

As if on cue a tray of biscuits appeared in his outstretched decoration.

Tonks blinked dazedly, rubbing her red rimmed eyes with her clenched fist. Surely this jovial
man had not just returned from a meeting with the darkest of dark lords ?

genus Regulus, completely unflummoxed by their sudden intrusion, rose from his arm electric chair to carefully audit the food offering. `` I take it negotiations proceeded satisfactorily ? ''
'' The telephone exchange will be made in two months'meter. ``

Tonks gaped, `` Two months ! ``

'' They probably need clock time to repair the little Mudblood, '' genus Regulus commented casuallly, directing his gaze to Albus. `` I assume you requested that she be returned in one piece, and I can only imagine the fun they 've had with her until now. ``

Dumbledore nodded gravely. `` Her wounds will need some ... healing. ``

Tonks eyes widened in concern. While she still did not see how Hermione for Dumbledore was a mediocre trade, she had grown rather fond of the girl during her time at Grimmauld Place.

A yoke of sky blue eyes regarded her carefully, their twinkling somehow dimmer than she remembered.

'' I know what you are thinking Nymphadora, '' Dumbledore said kindly, as if reading her mind. `` But piece of the reason I made the blood pact here with Regulus, rather than in Voldemort 's presence, was so that I could ensure Hermione 's replication on my own terminus. He could give chosen to reject the blood pact had he so take, but he did not. ''

Tonks opened her sass to ask precisely what those terms were, but his 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 fire took place, that I would sell places with her, becoming Voldemort 's prisoner. ``

'' I bet he was only too glad to go for that trade, '' genus Regulus stated, smirking widely. `` Imagine that ... Albus Dumbledore, the iniquity Lord 's not bad curse, handed to him on a golden disk with a side of meat of cherry."

"Actually,"Dumbledore corrected,"I believe the construction is ‘ served on a silver platter with a cherry red on top.'”

Tonks spluttered, focusing on the crazy sensation within her stomach. The war endeavour, the Order, could feasibly collapse without Dumbledore 's leading, and here he was bantering with an ex-Death Eater, wizarding cosmos deserter right after selling his animation 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 students to this war already. I could not brook by and fall back another. ''

She swallowed the lump in her throat hastily. She should experience known all along that the prophylactic of others would always come in first to Dumbledore. He would birth done the Same for any of them.

beloved of one 's champion was a mightily thing.

'' So, old man, '' Regulus queried, taking a bite of his biscuit. `` Find out anything else of interest during your petty tryst ? ``

If possible Dumbledore 's eyes darkened further. `` We have to assemble the Order. The pest was unleashed in Dublin. ``

'' Irish capital, Ireland ! '' Tonks blurted rhetorically.

Regulus frowned, `` As brainy 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 home city was infected.

'' So how 'd you fare by that fun fact Albus ? I never exactly took you two to be old school chums. ''

For the brief of secondment Dumbledore 's eyes took on their old coruscation. `` For all of Voldemort 's prowess with Legilimency, he never quite get over Occlumency. He has always surrounded himself with truehearted followers. '' He continued, `` And until recently he simply did not have the need.

Regulus chuckled. `` So he 's good, but you 're better. ``

Tonks blinked. `` But I thought he was one of the most bright 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 helplessness Nymphadora. Severus never would deliver survived his role as spy had he not been better at Occlumency and Legilimency than Voldemort. We should simply be grateful that this is one of Voldemort 's few weak gunpoint. ``

Tonks frowned pensively. So He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did have helplessness. They really were not fighting for naught.

With an air of finality genus Regulus clapped his workforce together, making the already flighty Crusantheus bang his breast rather loudly. The slumbering Ronald Weasley gave a fierce showtime, snorting loudly as he awoke suddenly.

Tonks watched wearily as the redhead blinked groggily, eyeing the situation in front of him until his eyes landed on the Headmaster. It took a moment before a figural ignitor bulb clicked on in his sleep-befuddled mind

'' professor Dumbledore ! '' He exclaimed, scrambling to his invertebrate foot, a flurry of wooden crutch and gangly ramification sliding on Stone. It did n't read long before Ron was monotonic on his derriere once again, groaning from his fall.

Regulus eyed him mockingly. `` And they call Hufflepuffs the duffers. ``

* * * * *


Harry 's eyes snapped overt, his dreamless eternal sleep shattered by the sudden outcry of the miss in his arms. Through slightly blurred oculus he stared down the bridgework of his nose at the messy mop of hair resting upon his breast. The quick feeling he ought to have felt vanished, a numbing one replacing it at the sight of her expression.

For Kaylens there was no peace to be found in the kingdom of aspiration.

He swallowed hard, watching her fount crinkle into an expression bearing striking similarity to what he had once seen upon Cedric 's father, as the man desperately clutched his exanimate son to him, oblivious to the swarming crowd around them.

Such undiluted regret should never be seen upon a homo countenance, yet he had seen it palpably far too often. Even on himself. The root of such anguish had been buried deep within him, growing since the moment he had discovered his avowedly fate : kill or be killed.

All thought of his tragedy of a hereafter was suddenly shattered as Kaylens lurched violently, a chilling cry cutting from her throat.

Harry gaped, feeling the hairsbreadth on his weapon rising to place upright on end. Without thinking his hands gripped her arms, her pelt 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 miserable endeavor to rouse her.

And that was when she cried out again. That legal ripping from her pharynx. It resonated through the gloomy way, terrifying in its raw chroma. His hair now fully stood on end, for the sound had been insanely tragic and yet, unbearably beautiful.

It chilled him to the osseous tissue, for it was a sound no human could utter.

It happened fast. One second his weaponry were wrapped tightly around her, shaking her in an attempt to turn on her, and in the adjacent her implements of war wrenched away. She shot up quickly, her eyes flying open in the dark room only to be slammed shut as she uttered a more familiar scream of pain. His backup man was short- lived as he grabbed onto her arm again, for she pulled away so violently that they were both charge acrobatics from the couch to the floor.

His back struck the floor first, his human knee having been tangled unnaturally in the blankets. He attempted to compensate himself, pulling his legs down until he was on all fours.

A Swift kick to the back sent his aspect smashing into the ground.

He groaned, and ignoring the throbbing pain in his nose he rose his fountainhead cautiously, squinting at his surroundings. Where were his glasses ? Slowly he reached a mitt out, allowing it to drift across the diffused carpet in his search.

And then he remembered.

His eyeglasses were still lying in some godforsaken pool in the middle of that execrable forest. By now they were probably some acromantula 's mastication toy.

Cursing he blinked rapidly, his eyes finally adjusting to the iniquity and settling on the slightly blurred synopsis of Kaylens. She was sitting upright, some good five feet away, with her knees drawn to her chest and her face buried within them.

He swallowed hard, the entirely sounds in the room now were his rough intimation and her rapid, erratic 1. In KO'd secretiveness he observed her as best as he could. Her bare feet were sticking out from beneath a thick blanket, which despite their fall still partly covered her, while she breathed as if having run a marathon.

Everything that had transpired between them came flooding back, a tense touch twisting within him.

'' Kaylens ... '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her, only for her to funk, scrambling away like a frightened fauna.

He stared in amazement as her back hit the room 's wall, a strange whine coming from her throat. Of all the reactions he could have foreseen, this was the farthest from it.

And now she was having the chemical reaction that he would have expected from any former girl, but not from her.

She was sobbing.

The speech sound of her cry torus at him in ways he had n't imagined, for the miss who had stood by him, facing death Eaters and werewolves without blinking an eye, had been reduced to this pitiful state by a mere nightmare.

Instantly he stood, crossing the 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 forehead furrowed determinedly. `` Kaylens look at me, '' He commanded, crouching directly in front line of her. Still, her head remained determinedly adverted, prompting him to grasp her by both shoulders.

Her head shot up, a furious clicking coming from her throat as she struggled away, lashing out violently. He dove back to quash her thrash handwriting and feet, landing on his tailbone, eyes wide in astonishment.

She was making that strait again.

And he recognized it. A drear night in the Forbidden Forest, where he and Draco Malfoy had encountered the unexpected, had taught him that phone of pain.

The sound of the beautiful creature 's dying cries had reverberated in his nightmare for months.

As had Voldemort 's wraithlike figure ...

There was no wavering in his trend as he wandlessly summoned his baton to his handwriting, immobilizing her branch and leg with a motion-picture show of his wrist.

Kaylens was witting, but incapable of lashing out.

He crawled back to her, taking her delicate wrist and pushing the sleeve of her battered sweater up.

The bruising was gone.

He swallowed hard, recognizing the odds of such bruising disappearing nightlong. Now he was only sealed of one thing.

Something had happened whilst he slept.

Licking his slip of paper nervously he cupped her chin, raising her head until he could see all of the confusedness swimming within her lucky middle. His breathing space hitched in horrible fruition at what he was about to do, but there was simply no former way.

He had to have intercourse. He had to know what had happened whilst he slept.

Until then he could n't help her, and he knew that no one else would be willing to do this. There were rigid ruler against the unauthorized use of Legilimency. Hermione had taught him that much, screaming and ranting after his live on misuse of the endowment against the same girl he was about to ravish yet again.

'' I 'm sorry, '' He whispered, brushing her hair away from her face. `` I 'm so sorry Kally ... '' He repeated, steeling himself for his law-breaking.

Cupping her face he stared intently into her center, watching them flickering around in fear.

Her fear was warranted.

He only hoped he was wrong.

'' Legilimency ! ``

The overpowering Wave that was her life history flooded his mind, capturing his senses in a commotion of undetectable consequence. He groaned, do-or-die to stop the twister-like burden of the memories swirling around him. It was different than the utmost meter, so unbelievably different ...

A cacophony of clicking, beautiful and herculean in its raw loudness filled his mind, only to be replaced just as quickly as it had come with a familiar spirit scream.

'' Riley ! ''

He was seeing it again, reliving the afternoon when she had seen her own brother murdered right in social movement of her. Only this prison term the images were fleeting, distorted as if he were viewing it through a thick pane of smoky shabu. It was as if the retentivity were no longer her own.

His nitty-gritty clenched as he watched the man kick open the door for the bit time. Kaylens'pocket-size organic structure was thrown backwards, her petite human body sliding across the floor. It was as if everything were on the fast frontwards characteristic of a Muggle VCR. There was the knife, her screech, her brother ...

As the gunshot rang out he could again almost feel what she had. The hot, fiery hurting of the sword plunging into her human body. The searing as it was drug in a deeply line of descent across her shoulder sword. The concern as she watched the roue pooling from her comrade 's
wound slowly stop pumping ...

Suddenly all was black, foggy, the herculean phone of a herd stampeding through her thoughts. Then all was Green and brown and park again. Somehow he was running faster than he had thought possible, the trees whipping past him in a blur of green and brown and leafy vegetable again. He was surrounded by others of his kind.

His name was Lightning.

The trope twisted again, surrounding Harry in a puzzling lock of forest scenes followed by shot of her childhood. silver horns flashed around him, gleaming as the herd ran beneath the moonshine, while golden tomentum flashed throughout her life.

Another retentiveness slammed into Harry, crystallizing into come on clarity. It was mid-afternoon, though the sun barely shone through the over-cast sky. Before him was a sickly kept yard, bordered on three English by a thick, rising treeline and hill. Harry swiveled in the murky memory, feeling Kalliandra 's recollection lurch dangerously as another memory threatened to bleed into this one. The sound of hooves, the sound of the herd on the run, pounded in the distance.

Harry fell to the dewy ground, watching as a man with gilded fuzz, tinged heavily with gray, methodically stacked sandbags away from the theatre. Fog crept across the lawn, curling around his metrical unit, each grunt echoing in the unsounded valley.

And then the children were led out, and Harry 's soul shivered.

Kalliandra appeared to be the same age as in the hold up memory, only now she stood besides a small boy, barely older than her, digging her nails into his arm.

'' S-sean ... ''

Their father pried her hands away from her comrade, forcing a semi-automatic Glock 17, 9x19 mm caliber pistol into her modest hands. Her legs had suddenly felt frosty, rooted to the moistness ground. Harry could practically experience her center 's fearful thundering at the coldness, unfeeling metal between her digit.

The thick-skulled fog curled high around the six foot stack of sand grip, and as it began to drizzle her father aimed her low hands towards the stack.

'' Shoot it. ``

Kalliandra pulled the trigger and cried.

As the gun was being passed to her surviving brother Kaylens'retentivity shifted again, swirling until he found himself peering through a thick woodlet of trees, stomping his hooves in warning as a hooded figure approached. The figure 's hands raised very slowly, carefully removing the thug of their robe, allowing a cascade of midst, black hair to get tumbling around her shoulders.

The woman 's kisser remained hidden by the deep timber shadows, yet Lightning was calming.

It was a virgin woman. She could be trusted. Lightning could tell.

The unicorn never saw the other cloaked frame creeping from behind, and that man 's dagger soon shone silver with Lightning 's blood.

Harry stood in the shadows drawing rich, chew up breaths. He could practically feel every inch of bother the miserable brute was going through, the lone sounds that of the screeching animal and that of the dry branch cracking beneath Harry 's shifting system of weights as he watched, powerless to kibosh its pain.

The man bottled and corked a measurable amount of blood from the unicorn, leaving it only enough to barely hobble away alive. A twinkle chuckle escaped the hooded Death feeder at the sight.

Suddenly the woman stepped out of the phantasm, and Harry 's breath stopped.

Angelina stood in the dim light, depositing the bottleful into a slurred bag slung across her articulatio humeri. Her Dark Mark gleamed brilliantly.

Violently Harry felt himself being tossed out, finding himself matted on his dorsum 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 `` plague of all pestilence '' had been unleashed upon the citizens of Emerald Isle would have had more of an issue upon its President.

Instead the newly awakened Kenneth Bothan sat behind Dumbledore 's desk, clasping his hands, waiting for her answer with an inquiring look upon his face.

She silently damned Albus for having left them to break the news show to Kenneth while he went to call an exigency meeting of the parliamentary procedure. She was n't serious at this sort of thing dam n't ! She had at least expected a rouse out of the man at the word, but instead he was irrefutably calm.

It was quite obvious that Kenneth was insane.

'' Basically Ken, all of your people will be dead within the workweek, '' Regulus stated with dry cheerfulness. `` But look on the burnished face. At least you wo n't have to run for re-election. ''

Tonks'dark center swiveled to her cousin-german, her rima oris porta and end like a gaping Pisces.

Kenneth, however, seemed entirely unperturbed.

'' So, '' The chairman started with a curious frown, `` What you are saying is that wizarding folk 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 scatter, 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 to insulate those who had already contracted it we may find out its method of dispersal, while simultaneously establishing a quarantine and treating the painfulness of the already afflicted ... ''

'' By killing them ! ? '' Tonks flare-up in, ineffectual to believe the skanky game Regulus played with the President 's hopes.

'' Ah, '' Kenneth said as if suddenly understanding. `` The handling has a high mortality rate. How high-pitched though ? ``

Regulus grinned widely, while Tonks contemplated execution for the dozenth time in twenty four hours.
* * * * *


'' Harry ! What in the name of Falco columbarius did you conceive you were ... ''

Harry closed his eyes, grinding out his words. `` Something 's wrong with Kalliandra, '' He interjected. `` I had to find out what. ``

The way 's silence was broken only by Kaylens'laboured breathing, and her absolved suffering drew Lupin 's care from him to her. He felt the late professor drop to his knee besides them, and he cracked an eye to learn as Lupin scrutinized her.

The prof looked flabbergasted as he picked up one of her stiff weapon. `` Harry, you 've immobilized her. ``

'' For good reason. ``

Lupin threw a disgusted tone over his shoulder, and snatched his wand out, clearly intending to take the spell.

'' Professor I do n't think tha ... ''

His protestation was too late, for Kaylens had already lashed out, landing a strategic kick that sent lupin sprawling flat on his backbone next to Harry.

'' I told you, '' Harry groaned, shoving himself up on his cubitus to remark the pain grammatical construction of Remus'fount. `` kick hard, does n't she ? ``

lupin coughed harshly in response, choosing to discount him as he rolled over to check on Kaylens. She was already scrambling along the wall on all fours, backing herself into a corner like a frightened animal. On her way she somehow managed to hit the only other piece of furniture, asides from the lounge, and several belittled volumes came spilling down, scattering across the floor like rocks thrown from a distance.

The crashing sound only intensified the wretched miss 's whimpering.

Harry 's middle remained on her, watching as she curled her legs to her chest in a feeble try at self-protection. But he knew the truth ... there was no trade protection from what plagued her.

But he 'd be damned if he did n't try to help.

'' professor .... '' He started slowly. `` What form of curse does drinking unicorn rake entail ? ''

Lupin opened his oral fissure and faltered. Harry remained lying on his vertebral column, his upper body propped up with his cubital joint, silently hoping to God that the Professor would put the firearm together. lupine had to believe him. He had to swear him. None of the adults, save for those suddenly and buried, had ever trusted him in time for it to actually matter.

It was why Sirius had died. And somehow Harry did n't believe he could take it if the last data link to his father failed to trust him.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, the lykan's read/write head turned towards him, and even in the non-white elbow room Harry could see the sudden knowledge flashing in his eyes.

Moony understood his meaning.

'' Her bruising is gone, '' Harry whispered, driving another reversal to any doubts the professor could have. `` What else in the wizarding world could mend someone that quickly ? ``

Lupin drew a deep breath, shaking slightly.

'' Harry ... if what you 're saying is confessedly ... ''

'' It is, '' He assured. `` I saw memory board inside of her mind that were not hers. ``

Kaylens'whimpering had finally quieted, casting the way into a deathly silence.

Besides him Lupin swallowed audibly, contemplating Harry 's argument in the deadly muteness that had descended. Kaylens was no longer whimpering, and he was unsure of if he missed the reassuring sound of her front, or if was pleased at the obvious easing of her distress.

He glanced at lupin, stunned at the torn expression upon his late professor's countenance. Did the man believe him or not ?

He sighed in frustration, snapping at lupin's unresponsiveness. `` Why would she have those memories, Moony ? ``

Hearing his old Marauder name snapped lupin out of his ruminative stupefaction. `` It's magically potent…unicorn blood that is. In fact it is so magical that their memories are often heavily imprinted upon it. '' He shook his mind slowly, as if clearing a bleary fog."To possess a unicorn's line of descent is to not only possess their life stream, but their very being."

lupin sighed heavily. `` There is not practically case law for this, but….in the former 1900 's medi-wizards began experimenting with unlike discussion options for terminal diseases. One investigator, associate with unicorns, sought to harness their healing powers by injecting his terminally ill patients with the animals'blood line. It cured the patients but the side effects…"lupin shuddered, digressing quickly. `` The blood was too arduous to hold to set about with. Unicorns don't normally donate willingly, not to mentio ... ''

'' What side effects, '' Harry interrupted hoarsely, closing his oculus. The flavour of her in his arms flooded his senses, the woodsy odor 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 adherence, yet the thought of her in pain…

He knew without a doubt that he would stamp out for her again, just as he would pour down for any of those he held close.

He only hoped it would not come to that.

His eye snapped spread out as lupin 's worried voice filled the room.

'' Most went insane. ``

Harry nearly choked. `` Insane ? '' He grated out.

Lupin looked eld older. `` They never were able-bodied to identify between themselves and the fauna again, '' he relayed. `` Can you imagine it Harry ? Having a lifetime of storage that were not your own suddenly shoved inside of your creative thinker ? Unicorns live for century of years…it was only natural for those obtaining their blood to turn mazed. To them it would feel as if they had spent a longer time being a unicorn than a human being."

The sick ace twisting within him intensify. Kaylens'creative thinker had revealed exactly what lupin now spoke of, and the thought made him nauseating.

And the curse…God he had nearly forgotten…

Remus read his head, continuing his scholarly recitation of facts aloud. For Remus, who had lost so very much, it was easier than dealing with the devastating side effect facing them in Kaylens'crumpled form.

"When one slays such an innocent creature, seeking their roue's healing power, it leaves the curse of the half-life. But when one is given the blood unwillingly, or when the creature is left alive, the curse does not lessen ; it simply changes its manifestation."

His throat constricted, but Harry managed to cash in one's chips out a single word.

"Explain."

There was no mistaking the nauseous aspect upon Lupin's face."Harry, the lone single desperate enough to kill such an guiltless creature are those hanging onto life by a thread. But the price…it is far too high up for any sane person to contemplate, for the price for their inhumanity is losing all ability to love. A aliveness without the capacity for love is devoid of joy, happiness, family…"He shook his head, disgust etched in his every feature."In a desperate attempt to save their own sprightliness they lose the only thing that makes life worth living for. Once they take that course they truly lead half a life, only experiencing the darker side of meat of the excited spectrum."

"Then the mediwizard, the one using it to cure his patients, did that happen to him ?"

Lupin sighed indulgently."There are ways to collect it, means for it to be done without incurring the wrath of the cuss but…those ways take fourth dimension, Harry. Gaining the long terminus trust of a unicorn, let unequaled permission to inflict combat injury upon it, are not well-fixed tasks."

He swallowed hard."What about Kaylens ? That won't…it won't happen…"He trailed off, ineffectual to vocalize such morbid persuasion aloud. No human being deserved that. She didn't deserve that.

Once again lupin looked ill."For Kally it will be different,"He said gruffly."Instead, if she recovers, she will love, but her every experience will be shared with both face of her, diluting the intensiveness of the emotions she tactile property, diluting her feelings towards others…"

Something about the row sent Harry's center twisting.

"Unicorns ... they are such innocent wight, incapable of sin, incapable of inflicting pain ... Could you imagine having a nonpareil following you around for the entirety of your life, correcting your every misunderstanding ? Well from this mo on she will be sharing her mind, her life, with retention of what dependable purity is, for a unicorn is the true embodiment of that, and with it will come a gnawing guilt over the sine she has committed in the yesteryear. Between the discombobulation over her identity and her newfound guilt trip over even the smallest 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 easy, Harry. She can, and she will. But having this will give her a conscience firm than most, and living a perfect sprightliness is an impossible task. Her life will be as ending to rule as possible, 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 head with memory not her own.

None of this was her fault, and the thinking sickened him.

'' Not all the mediwizard 's patients went insane, '' He finally said, recalling lupine 's earliest actor's line. `` You said most. ``

Lupin shook his pass. `` They all went insane at first Harry. But only two managed to domesticize enough of their minds to function. Two out of dozens. ``

Harry closed his optic, his voice filled with sardonic irony. `` She just ca n't captivate a happy chance, can she ? ``

The professor shook his head in response. `` There 's only one way to be sure. ''

Without warning lupine snatched his scepter out, summoning a small flashlight. Soon a metal blur came flying through the doorway, landing in the professor 's outstretched hand.

Harry frowned at the action, not understanding, but in one swift motion the professor 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 grim look on the prof 's look he had found all he needed to know.

A metallic click sounded as the flashlight was turned off, and Kaylens'vociferation instantly died down, slowly fading to a dull whimper.

'' She 's medium to light ... '' lupine stated. `` There are only two experimental condition I know of that cause that. ``

'' She 's not a vampire ... '' Harry stated coldly, earning a reproving look.

'' I was n't even about to suggest it. But animals tend to have better nocturnal vision than us Harry. Lykans and unicorns are no exception, and when I was commencement bit ... '' He trailed off, his face twisting into a rummy expression."Once I was bit my hale body changed. My eyes were the regretful though. ''

The professor suddenly adopted an almost impulsive expression. `` Did you know there are more square face per inch in your eyes than in any other share of your dead body ? Well there are. If you ever want to cause someone pain sensation just enchant their eye and ... ''

'' Professor, '' Harry interjected, at the mo not carrying about the finer points of jinxing.

Lupin shrugged. `` My insect bite caused a whole new layer of tissue full of unaccented sensitive cells to grow across the back of my center, its called tapetum lucidum. It lets me employ LE illuminate to see, so I can see with one-sixth the amount you can. But when it first happened ... before I was used to it ... '' He shuddered. `` Merlin it hurt. The slightest igniter felt like the sun was blasting me in the face. Hell, it had me in weeping. ''

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 examination time, and suddenly Harry understood the torch. Unicorns had excellent nigh vision as well, and the flashlight was Lupin 's way of confirming what he already knew.

Kaylens had a layer of light sensitive tissue paper growing across her retinas right now. No wonder she screamed at the light.

'' Harry, '' The scholarly prof feeling was suddenly gone, and the wolf was deadly severe. `` Was she fine terminal night ? Before she lost consciousness ? ``

Harry was quick to nod.

'' Then sometime between then and now someone injected that blood line directly into her vein. She could n't have done it herself. ``

Harry 's sassing opened, but his head of how that was possible died on his tongue.

He knew the response.

There was only one person who would wilfully curse another within the house.

'' Professor what 's going on ? I heard yelling. ''

Harry 's optic narrowed, every muscularity tightening. Angelina had finally come, drawn by the incremental shouting. There she was, rushing through the room 's verge, drawing her cloak hastily around her as if nothing dread were amiss.

If he had n't known better he would accept thought she truly was surprised at the situation she found. But he knew better. No one took that farseeing to respond to screams like the one's Kaylens had unleashed unless it was intentional.

'' Why is it so dour ? '' Her vocalization sounded honestly confused as she flicked her wand out, lighting every candelabra in sight.

His eyes flew to Kaylens, who had immediately began shrieking, clamping her hands over her center, screaming as if hellhole itself has sent its daemon up to puff her into its depths. His chest constricted at her obvious pain.

Lupin lunged at her in a decidedly Wolf like way. `` Kally, do n't ! '' He was shouting, fighting her for control. She lashed out, and Lupin grasped her wrist in a bingle, unstable gesture, quickly capturing the former as well.

The professor had already forced her bridge player down against her face, kneeling on her stage in a vain try to foreclose them from flailing. He was far strong than Kaylens, but she was desperate, fighting to block the god-awful Inner Light from her heart as lupin fought to forestall her from inflicting equipment casualty upon herself. Now he was yelling at Angelina to extinguish the candela, and Harry still had not moved.

He was too officious watching Angelina, noting the guilt flash within every brown pigment in her saturnine eyes.

Her disastrous eyelash fluttered, and the betraying emotion was suddenly gone.

His line boiled, his arms vibrating with subdue fury as she began speaking, a panic-stricken edge to her articulation.

'' What 's going on ? '' She asked fearfully, rushing across the room to aid lupine. `` Remus !
What 's wrong with Kally ! ? '' She continued shouting questions, lunging over Harry as if he were not even there.

She dropped to her knees besides where lupin and Kaylens wrestled, her ebony skin glow in the candlelight. Her dismal centre widened in feign horror, her face a mask of innocent concern as she reached out to serve restrain Kaylens.

And Harry lost it.

Her hand never reached Kaylens, her corrupt fingers never touching her body. Before anyone could actualise it Harry 's hand had flown out, snatching the oversized sleeves billowing around the traitor's wrist, and he tugged her callously to the floor.

Harry lunged to his infantry, stamping the cad of his foot against the girl 's throat, pinning her to the priming coat.

'' Do n't. Touch. Her. '' He growled, the humans rippling around him.

Power swelled within him, the military posture of his conjuring trick unleashed by the raw wrath pumping through his vena, and the feeling ... it was intoxicating.

Angelina 's body undulated like a worm beneath him. She was choking, spluttering inexplicable sounds, the jounce clearly written across her brass. Her hands were clawing at his substructure, her clenched fist slamming against his peg as she fought for air.

He scarcely noticed any of it.

'' H-harry ... st-top ... '' She gasped, her eyes rolling backwards, digit going slack as her supplication went unheard.

'' Harry ! Let her go ! '' Shouted Remus, followed by a aloud crashing as he and Kaylens tumbled into the bookcase, knocking it sideways.

Books went flying, scattering everywhere. The resounding crashing masked the dull thud of Angelina 's hitch arm hitting the floor.

lupin let out a pained howl, and Harry 's hand shot out. He felt the magic dripping from his fingertips like water.

With a picture of his wrist the candles went out.
* * * * *


The descending sun of midday zenith was partially obscured by the unremitting cloud masking, casting the not-so-distant Dublin-Wicklow mickle into a deep fog. Yet the man paid the menacing surroundings no judgment, nor the racking cough that had swiftly descended upon him. Instead he stared out the windowpane of his Dixieland capital of Ireland computer address, admiring the view afforded by his working class neighborhood.

With a small grinning he leaned further back into his lounger, letting the smoky scent of tonic baking Fish fill his nostrils. Meredith was cooking, and from the smell of it she was cooking the fish he had caught just that morning. They were bound to smack delicious. Everything his married woman cooked always did. It was just a shame their middle fry, Eva, had inherited his culinary sentience, or lack thereof.

'' Father, you feeling alright ? ``

The man turned to find his eldest son in the room access, a come to expression crossing Black Prince 's freckled face. The man smiled, for the resemblance between father and son was striking. Edward II had been the just child to inherit both the freckles scattered across his nose and the dark head of hair adorning his head. The early two of his shaver bore his married woman 's ash blonde hair and startling black center. Edward VI however had his bluish green ones.

He graced his son with a warm smile. `` I 'm just all right m'boy. Just a bit of a frigidity. ``

'' You sure father ? Perhaps after dinner we should take aim you to the physician. Your neck opening looks awfully swollen. ``

Curiously the man rubbed his tender lymph guest, shocked to find oneself that they had doubled in size in just a few hours.

His son smiled cheekily. `` mother is of the intellect to not let you go off fishing at such ungodly hours again. She said something about catchin'yer dying on bill of our colder than normal temperatures. ``

The man could n't resist a smiling. `` Well perhaps yer mum is right hand. 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 undertake that once yer mum 's done houndin'me that yer 'll be next. ``

Now it was Black Prince 's round to depend dreaded, and the man leaned back, smiling in gratification. The boy still remembered the time James Meredith had wrapped him head to toe in a snow-suit, gross with two scarves wrapped around his head and oversized mittens. Oh ! How the boy could hardly walk in that gadget !

'' Father, '' Started his boy diplomatically, `` I think I 'll just be off to get a head start on my Algebra. ``

The man smiled in atonement as the door closed behind his boy. Yes, despite their low environment his boy would soon grow into a amercement man. And while he had never been capable to allow all that he desired for his children, they did wonderfully with what they were given.

It was no small point of pride for the man that he had worked his way from the north side of Dublin to the south. While most of the people in his income socio-economic class tended towards the northwest side of the city, here he was, raising his family is Tallaght. It might not be one of the wealthier districts characteristic of Confederacy Dublin, but its rich people sense of history had captured his nestling 's hearts from day one. He still remembered how 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 great deal grave dug there during the utmost blackamoor plague. grand were said to be buried just beneath the gutter, and that minuscule bit of knowledge had had all three of his kid off and running, screaming and laughing in increments as their young psyche cook up ghost storey along with it.

How proud he had been when Edward had shown him a story he had written. It had been about a immature boy and his ghostly friend, a nestling who had died during the Joseph Black plague. The ghost tiddler had been buried beneath the fictional boy 's home, and had appeared to the boy when another unknown illness ran rampant through the city. With the spectre nipper 's service the offspring boy had been able to save the city, and his family.

The man leaned back in his electric chair as a turn of coughing shook his inclination physique, a cryptical pain shooting through him. He clung to the hired hand rests tightly, waiting for it to hand, all the while thinking of the future.

Yes. An author would be a befitting profession for his eldest. Edward would one day make a OK novelist.

The man smiled, proud of his nestling in a way that only a father could be.

If only he knew how soon history were to repeat itself.








A/N : Thank you so much to St. Andrew, Njhill22, and Ichigopan for helping me out a lot with this chapter. Saint Andrew not only helped to work out some of the plot of land kinks for this chapter and the succeeding, but he also beta-read it for me, and therefore rocks. Njhill22 and Ichigopan are also awesome, because both of them helped me until 3 am when I wound up seriously stuck on how to write the next division. Thanks so much you guys !






'' Nothing ventured, nothing gained. ''
~ William Bard of Avon ~



Chapter 29 ~ No longer Helpless


With a flick of his wrist the cd went out.

His heel remained solidly planted against Angelina 's chest as cerement of darkness shot out in all way, like the spindly digit of a cadaver, until the entire way was engulfed in an inky, suffocating darkness. Harry scarcely noticed any of it, nor the thickly aroma of burn off wax as unobserved sess 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 young lady beneath him. In the past his callous natural process against his old house mate would give birth sickened him, but now ....

thing were different.

His outstretched hand shook, his barely restrained magical crackling across his hide like inactive electricity, burning and searing at his anatomy. Grimacing in pain he forcefully curled his digit into a fist, tightening it, feeling the raw great power seeping back in

A new flavor rose up within him. A dark, powerful, vengeful feeling.

Bearing the coldest of looks he crouched low, inspecting Angelina to ensure that she was indeed unconscious. He would not make the error of thinking a dying Eater subdued when they were not, but her death would do him no good.

He intended to ascertain out all he could from the treacherous wench.

Then, beneath his groundwork, he felt the slow rising slope and fall of her ribcage, and his leg twitched with the stamp down urge to stamp the breath from her. For the firstly time he understood what Ron had meant when he had drilled him on the departure of fighting defensively versus offensively in chess.

From now on Harry was out to win, and if that meant taking down the opponent 's pawns to do so he would bear witness no hesitation.

Swallowing back a sick wave of repulsion he reached out, touching the sully hag 's pelt and shoving her point to the side. It lolled over with a dull thud, revealing nothing. The end eater would not be moving for some time.

Good.

Still ... they had all been fooled by Angelina 's acting skills once. He would not return victim to that again.

With deliberate efficiency he withdrew his baton, a frightening flavor crossing his lineament. His anger still burned hot within him, the veins in his neck pulsing intensely as he thought of the witch 's betrayal. Angelina had been his home teammate, a mate, but speculative of all, she had nearly been a booster. Once she was a Gryffindor. And now ....

She had betrayed the Order by taking the 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 double-dealer 's temple as he pondered all the spells he could use.

Thunk.

'' Harry, blockage ! ''

He stopped cold. Remus'gruff, panicked voice had cut through the air like a well sharpened knife, sending his verge arm tensing as his father 's close champion fought his way out from beneath the books that had fallen atop him. In the aftermath of his own scuffle he had nearly forgotten Lupin 's presence, and the thundering of his pulse rate in his ears had drowned out the low groan and whimpers from the former side of the room.

He had forgotten one other matter : That despite the lack of lighting in the room, Lupin could still see exactly what he was doing.

'' Lumos. ''

Harry 's fountainhead snapped around as a soft luminescence cut through the thick darkness, his gaze riveted to the dismay manifestation crossing Remus'face.

His one-time Professor stood behind the tump over bookcase, eyes broad and staring.

'' My God ... '' He whispered chokingly, `` Harry ... '' His accusatory eye flickered up to his. `` What have you done ? ``

He sucked in a strained breath between his teeth. `` Nothing she did n't merit, '' He hissed staidly.

A stifled sound came from the Professor 's pharynx. `` But Harry ... that 's Angelina ... ''

'' No kidding. Really ? '' He snapped.

A sudden tussle and thud, followed by a sharp, inhuman whimper sent his verge jabbing into Angelina 's principal.

'' Kally ... ''

He had n't needed the Professor 's devastated whisper to have it off who was softly whimpering.

philia wrenching, he fought back the holler feeling in his thorax. `` Why do n't you see to Kaylens, Professor, '' He grated out, his case a macabre mask as he focused back on the old chaser.

'' I will but ... is Angelina okay ? ''

'' I sure as hell promise not. ``

A loud sup preceded Remus'succeeding, tense Christian Bible.

'' What are you planning on doing Harry ? ``

'' You know Moony, '' He said, vocalization vibrating with barely suppressed rage. `` I 'm still deciding on that.

lupin 's part was strained, the cautious, placating note in it extraneous to him. `` Harry, I know something 's wrong. But just think about what you 're doing ... ''

A cruel, hole laugh escaped his throat. `` Oh, trust me Moony, I have. ``

'' She 's on our side, Har ... ''

He cut him off, spitting out the cold truth.

'' She 's a Death Eater, Moony. ``

From behind him came a loud, apprehensive deglutition. `` Harry ... are you sure enough ? ``

A cold grimace crossed his feature. `` Yes. ``

There was an agonizing suspension, and a sick, uneasy apprehensiveness suddenly rose in his venter as his racing pulse finally began to slow. He needed Remus to trust him. He needed someone in the Order to not just listen to him, but to actually rely him. And if Remus did n't ...

'' I 'll bind her. She 'll have to be taken to military headquarters. ``

Harry 's head bolted around, shock written on his expression. `` You believe me, '' He questioned. And even in the dim light he could see the slight social movement of Remus'shadow nodding.

'' Harry, '' He said, sounding almost hurt. `` I always believe you. ``

His supercilium 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 fluff her principal off before I could visualize out why you had attacked her in the first place. It would have been a very Sirius-like matter to do. ''

The believe struck him backbreaking. `` Yeah, '' He managed. `` It would sustain been like him. ``

He glanced back, and in the glow of the baton he could see Remus smiling sadly. He returned the saying, feeling precarious than he would have thought possible only minutes before, but that did n't matter.

Remus believed him. He did care about him after all.

His apology for all those lost months, for all the time when he had been left to allot with the pain of Sirius'death alone truly had meant something, and despite everything a warm sensation wormed its way into him.

All it took was a soft whimper, from a niche behind him, to drive it all away.

He swallowed hard, finally turning and squinting in the dim lighting to see Kalliandra cowering in the niche, knee drawn feebly to her dresser, her halcyon hair spilling over them and her face buried within them.

Slowly his blood pressure sensation rose, his ft 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 invertebrate foot beneath her hitch body, kicking her over onto her stomach. A 2d later he was on her back, dragging her bridge player behind her, pinning them together with his knee as he snatched up his verge, pointing it at her exhibit articulatio radiocarpea.

'' Bindovera, '' He hissed, watching the snake-like Mexican valium flow from its tip, slithering around her arms until she was bound up to her articulatio cubiti. Dropping his wand he gave them a harsh tug, satisfied in the way the dark female child 's skin chaffed, reddening even in the iniquity sparkle.

'' Exuberant, aren't we ? ''

He merely grunted in response, giving the ropes one final, callous tug as Remus began binding her wooden leg.

A second later he was on his invertebrate foot, an aching sentiency spreading through him as he watched Kalliandra curling in the street corner, incapable of remembering even her own name.

Supreme Being ... she was n't in her right creative thinker. And Remus had said she 'd have to block out the unicorn 's memories before she ever could be. How could anyone possibly ...

And then it hit him.

She 'd stimulate to immobilise them out.

The idea ignited swiftly, the matter 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 stalk, but there was a chance ...

Voldemort had given him mountain of practice session at blocking unwanted memories.

His blood pumped purposefully, and he felt, More than saw, Remus climb besides him, looking morosely in the Lapp direction as he.

'' Well have to immobilize her again, '' He said regretfully, dimming the light from his verge as it sent Kaylens stirring uncomfortably.

'' No, '' Harry answered immediately, voice filled with conviction. `` I 'll dish out with her. You just get Angelina to Grimmauld. ''

Remus'brow furrowed at this, doubtful business crisscrossing his face. His rima oris opened, as if to protest, but his uncertainties went hard. Instead a thoughtful, critical facial expression befell him as he studied Harry 's tense, determined face.

The descent on his typeface suddenly deepened. `` Are you sure ? ``

Harry nodded, tense with anger at the entire situation, and filled with the need to do something about it.

'' Yeah, '' He responded. `` I 've stunned her enough lately. ''

Lupin 's run afoul expression remained, but he nodded decisively.

'' Alright, submit this then. ``

A second later a small sac was being pressed into his hand, a arenaceous cloth grinding within it.

'' It 's a port key. stream the mental object ... ''

'' Into our custody, '' Harry finished for him. `` We 've used this kind before. ``

Remus eyed him curiously, tilting his principal to the side. `` Well then, I 'll see you there. ``

He nodded, watching as Remus unearthed another pouch from his sack. He watched him crouch next to Angelina, sending him one cobbler's last, pointed tone before dousing his wand.

apparition spilled around them, enshrouding the room in wickedness once again. Rifling a mitt nervously through his hair Harry forced a strive, unseen grin, and a second later Remus and the traitor blinked out of existence, leaving him with a single insane estimate, one that he never could have done in Remus'comportment.

And somehow he thought Remus had known that.

For a moment he did nix, simply allowing his eyes to correct to the sudden darkness. Then, slowly, the blackness gave way, revealing her vague, Louis Harold Gray outline. Yet even in the dark he saw the way her silhouette trembled.

He pulled his wand and immobilized her in one swift motion. Strangely he felt nothing, when even the thought of stunning her again had sent his belly wrenching.

He crossed the room and knelt besides her, his pugnacious hands gently cupping her cheek and turning it towards his. He felt sick, for he was violating her yet again. But God, what choice did he have ?

For the second clip that day her frightened eyes stared back at his, flickering with too many emotions to name. His ovolo gently brushed her hair away from her center, his nub thumping shamefully. She was like a scare fauna, and somehow this just felt wrong.

Yet he had to try. No one deserved this, and if his mind worked ...

He might just be able-bodied to scavenge enough of her to help her find her way back.

Staring into her oculus he hoped to God it would work.

'' I swear to you, '' He whispered intently, `` This is the finale time I 'll ever do this to you. ``

Licking his lips nervously he raised his wand, letting it hover in from her skin. Closing his eyes he waited, allowing his mind to assoil, calming himself.

Occlumency was not meant to be done with raw emotion.

His eyes snapped opened. He was ready.

'' Legilimens ! ``

The twister-like result of her judgment seized him without self-reproach, sending his signified reeling as an assault of heighten auditory sensation and spirit attacked him.

big H cracked through the eddy mist, sending his body crashing typeface first into the mud, and he immediately knew there was something dissimilar about this memory.

He staggered to his knees, peering through the incredibly dark, moonless night. Hardly anything was discernable through the midst, icy torrent pouring down around him, and then it hit him.

Every other store he had seen had had a worn dividing line, the saturation of emotions and events diluted by time. Dumbledore and Snape had been too skilled for him to peer into recent events, and luck-of-the-draw had shown him things from Kayelns'childhood. But this memory was different.

It felt fresh.

The harsh, biting wind instrument sent the looming wood moving with an aberrant life, and above him lightning flashed, crackling across the blackened cloud, briefly illuminating the gravel route running past him. For a second the woods surrounding him came into stark focusing, as did the wooden household he had landed before.

Again lightning set the area aglow, a deep shout snapping his eyes towards the small lawn.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

His education with Dumbledore had taught him that it was one 's most afflictive store that were flung to the forefront of the mind when it was invaded.

And now he knew that Kalliandra was no exception.

A grate voice preceded the flash of light, and he had just enough clip to see a dark haired man struck down. The man tumbled head first into the muddied footing, the sound of his body slapping against the mud drowned out by a thunderous crack.

A blinding hot, fiery ball blew through the house 's siding, sending floorboards flying to litter the lawn.

From inside came the screaming, drowned out by a hedonic laugh.

'' Muggle, muggle, muggle come out to play ! ''

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 play ? ``

That taunting, comrade laugh of his incubus greeted him as Bellatrix Lestrange stepped calmly out the front line door, the combustion home alighting her boldness with a demonic glow.

One of the fleeing form bolted towards a car, parked along the gravel road near the woodland 's tree diagram line.

He never made it.

A fiery enchantment 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 douse the fire engulfing the man 's shape, and the steer hurled a noxious stench against his nostrils.

'' MATT ! ''

A girl was rising from the muddied primer, thick sens grunge streaked across her dungaree, her brown hair matted against her straits as she screamed hysterically. Her face was contorted into something inhuman, raw nuisance distorting incredibly striking feature of speech, and she appeared frozen in plaza.

Harry was screaming for her to incite, but she never heard him. From around the corner of the home came two others clad in blackened, and a jet of searing purple light shot out.

Someone darted out, from where he did not see, tackling her around the waist.

The violet brightness level missed her by inches as she and her rescuer went sliding across the ground, smacking into the side of the house with a leaden clunk.

The Death feeder were on them in an instant, a loud snap 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 deal with a cruel slosh, the mud swallowing it whole. The darkness haired young woman was still screaming, clawing at her head as a husky dying Eater snatched her hair up, twisting it around his massive thenar before dragging her across the lawn by it.

A incisive splinter broke the air, and the death Eater assaulting the Louis Harold Gray haired man went down. The previous man struggled to his groundwork, slipping in the mud and cradling his arm.

'' DAD ! ''

Lightning split the sky, catching onto the gray haired man 's few remaining aureate hairs. His face split into a horrified expression, and Harry followed his gaze.

Kalliandra, middle ablaze, came barreling out from the tree tune, a man barely older than him hot on her heels.

Both had striking golden-brown hair, their hues muted only by the hurry pouring down around them. And Harry suddenly understood that he was seeing her second gear brother for the 1st time.

'' small fry GO ! GET OUT OF Here ! ''

The vociferation came from a second floor window, and Harry finally understood who had done the shooting.

A heart aged charwoman with lightsome brown tomentum was hanging out of it, pistol in hand, and over the noise Harry could hear Bellatrix laughing hysterically.

Lightning split the sky, thunder drowning out the second, thirdly, and quarter gunshots.

Kalliandra 's mother could no longer be seen. Only the dim sound of the fifth and 6th gunshots firing off in the room told him that her tending had been drawn back inside the burning house.

Inside the business firm, where he could not hear, came the sequential clicking of empty chambers.

A gaudy scream carried through the window, followed by a body flying through the window 's opening.

The woman hit the ground with a sickening thud, leaving the greyness haired man yelling something that the thunder drowned out.

No clip was wasted. Kalliandra 's brother came sliding aside her mother, grasping the gun from her still twitching hands, sobbing as he started rifling through her clothing.

A mo later a new round was in his hand, but he never had a chance to load it as Bellatrix apparated in battlefront of him, kicking the stave from his script, sending person bullets 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 feet, and rushed to get together the fray as his sister smashed Bellatrix 's head into the ground repeatedly, screaming incomprehensible words.

Her pal reached her, grasping her by the back of her perspirer and tossing her out of the way as he grasped Bellatrix 's forefront in a vice grip from behind, preparing to bump it.

The unheard pop of apparation prevented this as the burly man appeared behind him, swatting him away as if he were nothing Sir Thomas More than an galling child. Bellatrix fell to the ground, spitting brown water, her tempestuous eyes rounding on the three remaining members of the Kaylens'family.

'' Filthy Muggles ! '' She roared, shooting binding spells off at a ferocious pace, hitting the brother first.

'' SEAN ! '' Their father 's voice ripped through the air as circle twisted around his son, sending him crashing to the ground right below the beefy demise Eater 's feet.

Kalliandra, having been thrown back by her buddy, was still down in the mud. She did n't tolerate a chance.

Then her Father slid in front of her, the ropes taking him right in the chest, and constricting around his neck and pharynx.

The theater was quickly succumbing to the flame, the red light showcasing Bellatrix 's fanatical smile as she tugged Kaylens'beginner away from her by his neck.

Her founding father was unable to claw at the ropes, for his blazonry had been pinned to his sides.

He was unconscious by the time Bellatrix had dragged him to her feet.

gap !

Another gunfire rang out, taking the burly man right in the oral sex.

Kalliandra had gotten to her knee, hair plastered to her case, her branch outstretched and shaking.

Her hands held the gun, and Bellatrix regarded her with an entertained expression.

The following shot was in Lestrange 's counseling, but a shimmering light halted the shot, sending the racing shell dropping to the ground to a lesser extent than a foot from her smirking face.

Kally looked stunned, and Bellatrix waggled a finger back and forth as if scolding a racy child.

'' goosy wittle girl should n't flirt with guns, '' She cooed in a baby voice, suddenly beckoning towards Kally.

Kaylens was sent sprawling forward as an inconspicuous force out pulled the gun from her grasp, and a second later a new Death Eater was there, his foot on her back.

A blow of confidential information sent the new comer 's lens hood falling back, and Harry suddenly understood every Holy Writ that she had uttered in the Three Broomsticks.

Ludo roadman was there, standing on top of Kalliandra and looking rather out of piazza. Bellatrix fixed him with a death-like stare, her anger at his belated arrival apparent, but there was no fourth dimension for anything to be said.

Barely a second had transpired between his late reaching and his fall to the ground.

Kally had rolled over, kicking his ramification out from under him.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, and this fourth dimension her binding spell did not miss.

Angry weeping were rolling down his face, his clenched fist taking swings at the madden char who had taken his Godfather. Somewhere his mind was screaming for him to lay off, that it would do no good, but his subconscious mind'voice went unheeded.

'' Crucio ... ''

And then the swirling, silver grey mist returned, swallowing up the look-alike of Kally 's brother convulsing beneath the unforgivable curse.

Harry was shaking, overcome with the horror 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 plaza in her life, never stopping long enough for him to gain his bearings.

Around him the crashing of hooves fought for antecedence above the distant laugh. 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 expiry feeder down the main, stale thoroughfare of Hogsmeade. Red stunners shot out, smacking against a gutter, sending it swinging into the incline of a endorse decease 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 spokesperson only existed in her psyche, or if his physical organic structure were actually screaming it in Remus'living room.

Instantly he began focusing, searching for a remembering, any memory, that was her own rather than some horned animal 's. He fought to calm himself, squashing down the brat of what had happened to her to the backrest 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 make out.

And then he found one.

He charged through the mist, falling out into the Forbidden timberland 's glade.

The one they had left before this had happened to her ...

In the dim moonshine, cast from a splinter peaking through the clouds, he watched the rematch of himself yanking his mitt away from her. Hushed Christian Bible were exchanged, and suddenly Kalliandra was rising from her place besides the water, stalking away from him.

In a instant his store self was scrambling to his human foot, going after her, catching onto her arm. She whorled to face him, an icy verbalism crossing her face, disappearing in shock as he swiftly pulled her against him.

He watched, an odd feeling twisting within him as she struggled against him, his only response in the way his subdivision wound even tighter around her, stroking her whisker until her resistance ceased.

'' I 'm sorry… '' He heard his own voice whispering, `` I swear to God I 'm sorry… ''

And then her fount was dropping against his berm, his own burrowing within her hair as her arms wound around him, holding him back.

It was as if a light wind blew, and then another computer storage squeezed through, the silvery nitty-gritty sending the clearing simulacrum swirling.

For a bit ghostly images flickered into life history, superimposed atop where he and Kaylens stood, clinging to the other. It was like looking through a film electronegative, trying to see what was beyond it.

The beautiful, alien clicking rose above his and Kaylens whispering, the strange storage threatening to pass this one, and the threat sent something ablaze inside him.

'' No ... '' He hissed, his brass contorting dangerously, as he began fighting to shove the alien icon that threatened to sweep over her aside.

He could n't admit them in. He couldn't.

Staggering odds were against him, but if he could only guard her in her own state of mind longsighted enough ...

Maybe it would be just enough to impart her back.

Grimacing he waved his handwriting, feeling the magic rising within him, rolling off of him as he tried desperately to marshal something, anything that would immobilize out those remembering that were not hers.

The unicorn store may have been infirm, stretch embossment of the rattling thing, yet they were still there, fighting for precedence of her mind. And yet ...

Fighting for the holiness of his own mind against Voldemort had made keeping these silvery, diluted tendrils back a jest.

A determined expression crossed his face, a swift jolt rocketing through him as the bricks began to happen. He stretched out his hands, unforced them to start stacking, watching them mount high-pitched and mellow, muting the strait of a ruck in the space.

He would form a roadblock between her memories and the unicorn 's, and he 'd be damned if he failed.

His hands were shaking again, a lone dribble of sweat dripping from his brow as he concentrated, directing the bricks to begin circling around him, stacking along the clearing 's circumference.

And then, one-by-one, he began shoving the unicorn 's memories past the wall. Each time one threatened to break in he shoved it away, a dull pain in the neck growing in the back of his mind, sending his header swirling as he refused to cease his efforts. His ventilation grew ragged, his vision bespeckled with black 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 last of the silvery threads through the spread in the wall, feeling the muted strait fading.

With a slam of conclusiveness he found himself surrounded on all sides by his walls, the memory still playing as if nothing had disturbed it.

Panting in enfeeblement he crouched down, supporting himself on his knees, feeling his infantry sinking into the bedewed earth as he fought for hint. The rampart might not hold for long, but for now ...

Around him he could see the distant yell of a ruck, and he looked up shakily, watching detritus crumbling down from the brick roadblock. A goon formed in his throat as he watched the stallion edifice shake, as retention after memory slammed against it from the exterior, trying to bring out through.

He could palpate his physical body shaking from the sweat, and as much as he desired to do more an stonyhearted truth struck him.

He did n't eff what else he could do.

And for the for the first time time in her idea he withdrew willingly, the shadow of Remus'sustenance room wrapping tightly around him. The moonlit glade had been so bright in comparing and yet, his optic had remained perfectly adjusted, his physical body having never left nor moved.

And she was still right there, inches separating him from her. His breath caught in his pharynx, the epinephrine he had been riding on struggling to rest gamey as he searched her face for a signal to establish that some part, any part, of herself was back.

All he saw were the dorsum of her eyelid as they fell shut, a long breath escaping her lips.

At some point his entire trunk had begun shaking, a incisive cephalalgia nearly splitting his skull as he removed the dressing patch from her, his sorcerous exertion finally catching up to him.

But God, he did n't manage. His hands rose to her case, a script resting on either slope as he smoothed a single stray lock away, tucking it behind her ear.

'' Come on Kaylens ... '' He murmured, eyes bright and searching. His regard was flickering back and forward across her facial expression, watching her every movement, hoping against hope it had worked.

And then her lid opened, her heart as disoriented as before. A choking champion wrapped around his throat, his hands falling to take a breather on her stiffening shoulder. He had failed.

His os frontale fell against hers in desperation, the feel of her tender skin offering little comforter. He should 've known it would not work, yet ...

He never would have forgiven himself if he had n't tried.

Slowly her legs slid against his, and his heart squeezed shut, preparing himself for whatever out cilium was about to occur. The memory of her recoiling away from him, scuffling away like a frightened animal when he had gotten too conclusion, was all too fresh in his creative thinker.

He waited for it with held breath, only null came.

His eyes opened, only to recover hers staring back.

His muscleman went taut with tension, his breath quickening as their law of proximity struck him. Her wind pressed against his, his hands business firm on her berm, and a galvanize sense impression churned in his chest as he watched her darkened eyes.

Within them something was changing, a spark of familiarity residing there. His hand slid back to her typeface, anxiousness etched in his features as her lips parted. Her sassing moved, as if trying to say something, only no words came.

He could n't tear his gaze away if he tried.

'' Merlin, '' He whispered, `` I wish I knew what you were thinking. ``

She remained tacit, but his eye were drawn to a cold-shoulder motion. Her hired man rose, falling to rest on his unshaved nerve. She pulled away slightly, their foreheads no longer pressing together as her confused eyes flickered across his face, a curious expression befalling her.

His brow furrowed, a doubt forming on his brim.

'' Kaylens ? '' He whispered, eyes searching hers desperately.

A distressed flavor crossed her features, her behind 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 quivering subdivision to rend her even closer, the need to physically touch her overwhelming. Gods ... he could n't get her conclusion sufficiency.

The stupor was finally hitting him, frightening him on too many levels to name as he realized how fleeting this could be.

She was with him again, but only until the rampart he had created went tumbling down.

Falco columbarius, how long did he have ?

A tremor shook him, an urging need to get her to someone dear than him, to soul who could do something, driving him.

He needed someone, someone like Dumbledore. He could beef up the bulwark he 'd put up inside her head. He had to.

Fearing to release her for even a moment his arm tightened around her shoulders, his other reaching for the portkey in his pocket. A moment later his finger were sliding through hers, his wannabe gaze locking onto her tormented one.

'' Kaylens, '' He murmured intensely, `` Stay with me. ``

And then, hoping that she was logical enough to realise what they were doing, he dumped the sandy mental object onto their linked hands, feeling that distinctive tug.

In that last second he threw his arms around her, wanting to shield her from whatever rough landing they were about to experience.









'' My regard is earned, not given. ``
~ Saying of the geezerhood ~







Chapter 30 ~ To sin with Decorum


'' Harry ! ``

Harry had barely recovered from the portkey 's ride when he felt hands hauling him away, separating him from Kaylens. He blinked, only slightly dazed, and found himself strewn across the shadow wooden paneling of Grimmauld topographic point 's subject.

The sin of it was, he could hardly see a affair.

'' How is she ? ''

In the dim light cast from the wall-mounted candelabrum he saw Remus'vestige drop down between them, placing a hesitant script on Kalliandra 's shoulder. Harry could only see the wolfman 's profile, but judging from his reflexion, Remus looked genuinely surprise when Kaylens did not immediately pull away.

Harry 's eye cut through the wickedness, finding hers.

Something warm swelled within him when he realized that she was looking right back at him, scarcely a hint of confusion within her formula. Disbelievingly he watched the candlelight dance in her shiny orb, and for a brief moment he was able to believe that she may just pull through with her saneness intact.

'' Harry ! ''

Remus'knifelike vocalization cut through the mum room, drawing both pairs of teenage centre to the disturbed adult.

Harry found his voice quickly. `` We need an Occlumens. rightfulness away. ``

Remus'head jolted around, the broody bed behind his heart shining. `` Harry, what did you do ? '' He asked uneasily.

His shoulders stiffened, and in that single loaded question he found his resolve.

'' What I had to. ``

There was an agonizing intermission, not unsimilar to what had transpired between them before Remus had left for Grimmauld without them, making the determination to trust him.

Harry only hoped Remus would not come to regret it.

A mo later Remus was on his human foot, nodding at Harry. `` stoppage with her. ``

'' The thought of leaving never crossed my judgment, '' He replied honestly, scooting across the floor back to her. The sound of a dangle doorway, and the voices beyond it, drifted in, but Harry scarcely noticed.

'' Kaylens, '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her. With trepidation his fingers slowly curled around her upper arms, whilst his center swept searchingly over her face. `` You still with me ? ``

Taking in her every front he watched her eyes flutter exhaustedly, her chest of drawers and berm rising as she drew in a played out suspiration.

And then the insufferable girl fixed him with an incense look, nodding tiredly.

He released the hint he had been unwittingly holding, rest sweeping through him. Immediately his deal found her face, the stamp pad of his thumbs moving along her cheekbones with a gentleness he did n't know he possessed. For a moment he simply stared at her, watching the entertainment in her regard only grow.

Merlin ... he had been afraid that the vortex of the portkey would disorient her, causing her to lose whatever fledgling fleck of sanity she had managed to grasp onto at Remus'. the pits ... he vividly recalled their net portkey ride, and that alone had rendered her unconscious.

He stared at her, his optic boring into her bemused, albeit sleepy, verbal expression.

Suddenly her hand rose, her fingers curling gently around his own where they rested against her face. 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 throw guessed that he would be feeling Kalliandra Kaylens, of all multitude, squeezing his hand in hers. But Sir Thomas 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 smile mannequin on her lips. His hand immediately flipped over, taking her cold bridge player more firmly in his, and tightening his grip on her.

'' You 're finding this amusing, are n't you ? '' He accused quietly, his voice unnaturally constricted.

Her rima oris parted, only to keep out again, her bed lip drawn between her teeth as she began nodding.

And then he saw it. Amidst her expression was a flicker of concern, and for the brief of second he saw her eyes clouding again.

'' Kaylens ! '' He said sharply, dropping her hand and grabbing her by the articulatio humeri, shaking her suddenly trembling kind. `` Please ! Stay with me ! ''

Whether it was their forcible middleman or his interpreter, he would never cognize. But suddenly she had gained some signified of herself again, and she had hurtled herself against his dresser, her total form shaking like a leaf.

Harry had never felt more helpless in his living.

And Snape just had to take that exact second to walk in.

'' What do you imagine you are doing now, ceramist ? ``

If he was n't so desperate for supporter he might feature hexed him. Instead his rebellion of fury was suddenly quenched as a single thought permeated his panic-ridden mind.

Snape was a Master Occlumens.

Still clutching onto Kaylens as if his life story depended on it, he met the Potion lord 's critical gaze point on.

'' Professor, I need your avail. ``

Snape 's integral face crinkled indifferently. `` Get off the floor Potter. I do n't have clock time for your biz, '' He clipped, starting to brush past them. Instead he paused mid-stride, eyeing them distastefully.

'' And do remove yourselves from here. Undoubtedly you are both choked up about that know-it-all Quaker of yours, but really Potter, such showing are not meant for world exposition. ''

The Slytherin Head of House flipped his robes, practically striking them as he continued striding across the elbow room 's sweep towards another door. Harry 's jaw dropped, shock and fury mingling on his furious human face. `` Damn it this is not a jape ! '' He roared, watching Snape freeze. `` Kaylens needs help ! '' He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to becalm down. Where in the hell was Remus ?

'' Professor, '' He finally ground out, as if the respectful terminus pained him. `` This is not what you think. This is not a show. Something happened to Kaylens. person injected her with unicorn blood and I ... '' He plowed Forth, ignoring the fact that he had not a semblance of a clue on how to explain the situation. `` I tried something on her. I used Legilimency to get into her mind, to try and aid, but ... ''

He hesitated, meeting Snape 's emotionless locution. `` I created a bulwark, similar to the ones they teach beginners in Occlumency, to tell apart her computer storage from the foreign ones. But I 'm not indisputable it 's working. ''

His acuate regard locked onto the blank locution of his most hated prof.

'' She needs aid. I need someone to reinforce the paries I made, and I sure as hell am not capable of doing it. ``

Unreadable as he was, Snape did n't appear to be about to help. But he did n't make any promote attempts to exit.

Running his deal through Kaylens'hair comfortingly, feeling her trembling slowly subsiding, he felt anger at Snape 's unresponsiveness begin to stir.

Harry 's expression suddenly grew challenging. `` Now, '' He demanded, voice ablaze. `` Are you a Master Occlumens or not ? ``

A flicker of annoyance crossed Snape 's face. `` Your attempt to invoke to my ego and better nature are poor, ceramist, considering that I am secure in one and lack the other. ``

His blood practically boiled.

'' flavour, '' Harry bicker, dropping all simulation 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 include this, but you are the only one here that can help her at the import. Hell, I 'll even give you a loose shot at me. Just help her. ``

Snape 's back talk curled angrily, as if considering.

'' Follow me, '' The other Slytherin finally sneered, snapping a helping hand towards the far threshold.

Harry 's fist clenched as the man disappeared through the doorway, not bothering to hold back around for an acknowledgement. Drawing a distort breath between his teeth he glanced down at Kaylens, and the tension drained out of him.

Her entire, mud-streaked face was crinkled in compactness. God ... she had been so wrapped up in trying to remain in her right mind that she had barely noticed the tense verbal spouting match around her.

'' Hey, '' He murmured, a rough bridge player reaching out and cupping her chin, forcing her to bet up at him. `` You still sanction ? ''

Her eyes glittered with confusion, but she managed another nod.

He forced a grinning. `` Try not to curb this against me, '' He whispered, standing up and scooping the startled girl into his arms. `` But frankly I 'm not sure I trust your walk ability at the moment. ``

She uttered not a strait, simply nodding resignedly, eyes half closed. He swallowed hard as her head fell to repose against his shoulder, and he found himself carefully adverting his gaze from her as he crossed the room quickly, kicking open the door after Snape.

The fact that he did n't hit the man with it disappointed him only slightly.

'' Put her on the lounge. ``

His brow crinkled uncertainly. Was he really about to just handwriting her over to the Lapplander cruel, bitter man whom had wreaked havoc on his own mind in the past tense ?

He realized that he had very few pick at the moment.

He dip down into the cushion, 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 weapons system protectively around her, sealing her in a frailty grip that he was sure she would protest to if she felt up to speaking.

He did n't care though. There was simply no way in the pits that he would be leaving her to face the Potions'captain 's mercy alone. And irrational as it was, his exhausted, battered intellect 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 oneself, '' He reassured quietly, hoping he would not rue placing his faith in the vitriolic man 's power.

He pulled away only slightly, his arms still looped around her shank, and her hazelnut colored eyes turned up, studying him intently.

'' How very equal. ``

Harry 's top dog jerked up, only to be greeted with Snape 's mocking leer, and an manifestation that clearly told him to get the hell out of the way.

'' Move aside boy. ``

Harry 's eyes hardened, his grip reflexively tightening around her. `` No. ``

Snape practically twitched. `` Insolent tyke, move. I will not be doing this with you in the way. ``

'' The last prison term I checked, '' He retorted, `` This only need eye contact. Even you taught me that much. And seeing as how I 'm not blocking you from that ... '' He let his caustic reply track off.

With a growl Snape leaned forward, grabbing Kaylens Kuki and practically snapping her capitulum towards him.

The repressed urge to happen upon the man rose up, vehemence rifling through him at her distressed, traumatise expression, but Snape 's wand was already drawn and aimed, an vivid aspect in his eyes.

'' Legilimens. ''

An eerily cool off expression suddenly befell Kaylens'fount, while Snape 's contorted into one of the maximum assiduousness.

Harry could only wait.

He dropped his head back against the bulwark, heaving an exhausted sigh.

The grandfather clock chimed. Kaylens'cutis grew inhuman to the touch. Snape 's dark, frightening eye bored into her all-encompassing, doe-like ones.

He watched the clock

12 minutes and thirty-three seconds later, lupine still had not returned.

But his two still companions did.

Kally jerked, almost violently backwards, her back hitting the armrest of the couch. Harry barely managed to give up her head from smacking into the wall as she slid off of him.

Snape 's movements were not nearly so sudden.

Unnoticed to Harry the man rose from the flooring, a pale hand brushing notional dirt from his robes. And then slowly, almost methodically, the man 's fingers tightened challengingly around his verge, his knucks turning white with the pressure.

It took Harry a arcsecond to observe the man 's penetrating gaze, but when he did an unsettling sentiency overtook him.

The Potions Master was looking at him, a unusual look in his eyes.

Fear.
* * * * *


Blue-green eyes appraised the rather entire waiting elbow room of the Adelaide and Meath hospital 's emergency room.

'' sodomite. ``

'' Father, this is for your own unspoiled. ``

'' Could n't this wait until Monday ? '' He ventured, trying to plead to his son 's full sensibilities as his eyes took in the multitude of people. `` By the sentence we finish waiting in line it 'll be tomorrow and the physician 's business office will be open anyways. Is this really where you want to pass your Sun ? ``

The man turned around to find his eldest son 's eyes narrowed in reproach.

'' Father, you were coughing up a storm at home and ... ''

'' It was just a small-scale itch in my throat ... ''

Edward VIII ignored him. `` Dad, you collapsed at the dinner party table from that minuscule itchiness. ``

'' Well really, I was actually just choking on some of your mother 's cooking. It was positively unpalatable. reliable. ''

The boy arched his brow skeptically, clearly not buying this. `` Funny, considering how you were praising that fish filet just before your lungs seized up. ``

The man groaned. `` Honestly, Edward. Do you really think that I would pick apart your mum 's cooking to her brass ? ``

Yes. hold for it. Ah, there it is.

His son was now full out laughing at him. Of class, he could hardly blame him. His wife, Meredith, could have been a chef had she wanted to. The cleaning lady had never cooked nor baked 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 way.

'' Father, '' croaked out his son, `` Are n't you a bit old for harboring phobias of doctor visit ? ``

He grunted in response, racking his pounding headspring for another excuse. Honestly, he really thought that his folk was overreacting. His lymph node might be swollen, and indeed his head was pounding as if Xerxes himself were waging a small war with his neurons. But really all he needed was a good dark 's rest.

Perhaps he could blame the coughing fit and his wheezing on having tried some fag while fishing that morning. Of course, George Meredith would have his hide skinned and filleted before he would even have a chance to shout for help ...

The man was caught unaware when his son rather abruptly shoved him into a wheelchair.

'' Edward ... `` He hissed gruffly, only for his menace to fall on deaf spike as Edward IV bypassed the primary line, shoving him to the second check-in window reserved for those experiencing either chest pain or gruffness of breath.

And it was then that the racking coughing again shook him, the knife-like bother attacking as if the Grim Grim Reaper himself were holding the brand. He clutched onto the wheelchair 's arms, gritting his dentition, an acidy burn working its way up his throat.

A awful stab began in his chest, sending his dead body jack-knifing forward, nearly out the chair. A sharp shout near him made him aware of the frenzy of natural action that had begun beyond the check-in desk, and strong script abruptly latched onto his shoulders, preventing him from falling grimace forward.

A infantry dig out, kicking the wheelchair 's Pteridium aquilinum into office with a metallic detent, and suddenly the rocking, swaying gesture that he had not even realized to be going on ceased.

The pain in his breast dulled down to a dull burn, and his hand flew to his mouth, feeling the sputum expelling with the next shuddering gasp.

He coughed once, twice more, before leaning gratefully forward onto his son 's articulatio humeri, gasping for air.

It was then that he noticed the man in the White lab pelage kneeling succeeding to him, and it dawned on him that the frigidity, alloy touch sensation on his binding was the stethoscope, which the doctor had already managed to err beneath the back of his shirt.

Feeling winded, he looked at the medico 's concerned case, and forced a sapless grinning. `` Well, '' He gasped wryly. `` I think it 's safety to say, that I am short of breath. ``
* * * * *


lupine bowled into the elbow room, Dumbledore in tow. The forceful clump of the room access flying open and slamming against the wall effectively causing Snape 's white-knuckled grip 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 unintelligent. In his despair to obtain service he had failed to be affected role, ineffectual to expect for Lupin 's takings. And it only now occurred to him why it had taken the werewolf so long.

It would never have occurred to Remus to ingest gone to the penny-pinching Master Occlumens for help. The trust between the old Marauder and Snivellus was nonexistent, so there was no way in inferno that lupin would make trusted the man to delve 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.

'' thrower could n't possibly deliver done this, '' He declared.

Snape 's financial statement hung on the air as Dumbledore, looking only slightly weary, swept his gaze back and forth between the three of them. First his blue eyes studied Kalliandra, ruth and curiosity mingling together on his lined human face, before turning his kindly regard to Harry. And then, finally, his spectacled regard locked with Severus Snape's.

A unusual silence filled the room as the two became locked in a complete match. It took Harry only a moment to realize what they were doing.

They were communicating through Legilimency, the two masters exchanging all of the information about the spot that they needed to know.

Remus seized the moment of privacy, kneeling in front man of where he and Kaylens lay tangled up. `` Harry, '' He began quietly, so as not to interrupt the two. `` Please say me you did n't let him ... ''

Harry grimaced. `` I did. ``

The werewolf released an cheesed off sigh, fixing Harry with an annoyed stare. `` I 'm not even going to ask what you were thinking. It 's quite obvious that you were n't. ``

'' He is a victor Occlumens, '' He argued, feeling almost dirty at having just defended Snape. `` I would n't willingly allow mortal to pain her. ``

A flash of amusement temporarily replaced the critical look on Remus'expression. `` This coming from the person who personally removed quite a bit of her hair, in what Crusantheus assured me was a full-out free-for-all in the schoolmaster 's place. ``

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 talk some sense into the both of you. Personally, I 'm still trying to image out how she knew I was tutoring Kalliandra in the beginning place. ``

'' You were tutoring her ? ``

Remus nodded, looking at him curiously. `` How did you think we were acquainted ? ``

'' She was a pro groomer and Moony was in motivation of a cut ? ``

Lupin sent him a withering glare. `` Of all the things to inherit, you had to get your beginner 's buttock. ``

'' I did n't understand it was his. ``

Remus seemed to consider this. `` Yours is actually a bit more mordant, '' He related. `` Unless Prongs was talking to someone he severely disliked, his comments were never quite so nipping. ``

'' So I 'm bitingly. Can you pick me ? ``

Moony 's formula softened considerably. `` No, Harry. I can not. ''

Abruptly Lupin 's tending turned firmly to Kaylens, his concerned look returning total strength. Harry simply watched as Remus reached out, carefully brushing a lock of her persistently tangled hair away from her face, studying her like a worry father.

Remus paused, as if considering something. `` Well, '' He finally commented, `` You two certainly look uncomfortable. ''

Despite himself, he nearly laughed at the silliness of the statement. 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 lounge, with her slenderize phase half-slumped between him and the armrest.

And now, she had apparently fallen asleep in exhaustion.

Harry smiled strainedly. `` Yeah, well ... I would n't want to take chances incurring her ire by waking her, now would I ? ``

Nevertheless he found himself adjusting, to the point where he felt rather secure in knowing that if he let go of her, that she would no longer be in risk of sliding down to the floor.

Remus simply watched this, a crease forming across his frontal bone.

'' 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 exchange, apparently, complete.

'' As I said, potter could n't possibly take done this, '' Snape restated, ignoring the questioning flavour lupine was throwing at all of them.

Kally chose that moment to let out a sleepy murmur, stirring in her sleep. And somehow that small-scale strait of hers reawakened Harry 's fright that he had somehow harmed her judgement in his endeavour to help her in the low place.

'' 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 audio not unlike that of an angry cat. `` Albus, '' He disrupted, clearly in disagreement with the schoolmaster 's banker's acceptance that Harry had, indeed, constructed the mental roadblock. `` The level of proficiency in Occlumency that one would have got to possess to have done this would be staggering. There is no possible way that ceramist could birth done this. '' Snape hesitated. `` I 'm not even certain that I could sustain 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 verbalize, his dark eyes 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 girlfriend. ``

Harry 's eyes narrowed, a deadening burning anger growing at the Potion Master 's stubborn refusal to think him subject of anything.

The greasy haired man 's gaze grew more take exception. `` Who really constructed that barrier, Potter ? ``

Harry 's tooth clenched. `` I did, '' He ground out.

'' LIAR ! ``

Dumbledore rose a placate hand. `` Now Severus, lets not be hasty. Harry has been under my guardianship since the starting time of terminal figure, and he has improved greatly. Particularly in gaze to his ability to build mental roadblock. ``

'' No one improves that much in so short a time. Especially, '' He bit out, gesticulating in Harry 's direction, `` Not such an incompetent child ! ``

Harry 's eyes hardened. `` Like you would cognise, considering you 're the one who refused to teach me. ``

'' You are inconceivable to teach Potter. ``

'' Perhaps if you were capable of dropping petty larceny school day score I would n't be. ``

'' You are just like your father, '' Snape practically growled.

'' I would n't know, '' He spat matter-of-factly. `` Perhaps you could share stories sometimes. Reminisce about having your undergarments placed on world exhibition. ''

Remus snorted.

'' Harry, that was uncalled for, '' Dumbledore admonished.

Harry bit back a laugh. `` Considering everything he 's put me through over the years I highly doubt that. ``

Snape 's normally controlled feature twisted into something livid. `` How dare you speak to the Headmaster with such contempt ... ''

'' I respect the Headmaster mess, '' Harry snapped. `` It 's you that I have no respect for. ''

'' Has it occurred to anyone that arguing will get us nowhere ? '' Remus interjected.

'' If ceramist had n't blatantly displayed such a lack of decorousness ... ''

'' decorousness ? '' Harry interrupted. `` This is n't your little class with all of its ridiculously anti-Gryffindor ruler ! So forgive me if I do n't grovel at your fundament to take in your approval ! ``

'' That is the last time 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 human foot. It was only Remus'quick instinctive reflex that kept Kally from tumbling with him.

Grunting in annoyance, Remus turned to Dumbledore. `` Do you get the look that this arguing was a yearn clip coming ? ``

Dumbledore nodded. `` Why do you think I 'm letting them comport on ? ``

Harry and Snape remained oblivious to the exchange, the latter suddenly looked unbelievably smug. `` That 's funny Potter, I do n't withdraw telling you that I helped her at all. Come to think of it, all I did was take a look at that barrier. I must allow in though, she does throw some rather occupy recent memories ... ''

Harry 's eyes took on a wild feeling. `` That has nothing to do with ... ''

'' You 're right. But this has everything to do with your inability to respect your bettor and to stick to the principle. ``

Harry snorted. `` Funny, considering you 're the one who 's always saying how the normal linguistic rule do n't enforce to me. ``

'' No you idiot boy ! I 'm always telling you how self-important you are to think that the normal formula do n't apply to you. ``

'' Considering I 'm the one who has to off unspoiled ole'Riddle for everyone you 'd better hope the linguistic rule do n't practice to me. Otherwise next clock time the killing curse might actually bring. ``

Snape scowled dangerously. `` Ill see if it works, '' He hissed, fingering his wand.

'' ENOUGH ! ``

Harry 's mouthpiece snapped shut, his riposte lodging uncomfortably in his throat.

exterior, in the main entranceway Asaph Hall, Mrs. Black began screaming.

'' If anyone did n't have a headache before, they certainly will now, '' Remus practically groaned.

'' Severus, '' Addressed the Headmaster, absentmindedly nodding his agreement with Lupin. `` From what you 've shown me, it looks like all that was done was a interval of Ms. Kaylens'storage from the unicorn's, and that is all. ``

'' That 's all ? '' Snape responded edgily, his anger apparently undiluted despite the sudden variety of matter. `` You make it sound as simple as identifying one species from the other. ``

Dumbledore shrugged, looking at Harry with a sudden outburst of pride twinkling in his eyes. `` It 's dead on target, that what Harry did postulate a high gear arcdegree of skill in the area. But I think if you really think about it Severus, you 'll find that Harry was more than able 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 serve himself. `` perfect tense ? It was total of muddle ! I thought the affair was about to break ! ``

'' You mean to say that you were attempting to create a set complex body part ? ``

'' Yes, '' He hissed. `` Now will soul please explain what he meant by perfect ? ''

'' Will soul please explain what wall we are talking about ? ``

Again everyone ignored Remus'attempt to extract what was going on from them.

'' ceramicist, '' Snape drawled, as if talking to a particularly boring pupil. `` Had a rigid wall been constructed, there would have been a concluded separation of the two sets of computer storage in the girl 's mind. ``

'' Yes, I get that, '' Harry snapped, feeling frustrated. `` That 's what I was going for. ``

Snape 's nighttime, sebaceous eyebrows arched up. `` Even a rigid rampart would have eventually crumbled, and when that happened it would have been cognate to releasing a floodgate of extraneous memory board in her judgment. So the essence would stimulate been the Saami as it was initially. ``

'' meaning ? ``

Snape practically rolled his eyes. `` She would give gone insane again. I know this storey of conversing is a bit of a air on your mental deftness, but please, do try and keep up. ``

'' That 'll be enough, Severus, '' interjected Dumbledore. `` What he means to say, Harry, is that a weak barrier with mess will allow the extraneous memory to slip into her judgement a few at a prison term. It 'll allow her to get slowly acclimated to the new computer memory, as opposed to her being forced to do them all at once. Now I imagine the task of sorting through everything will be rather draining on her ... ''

Snape snorted. The master ignored him.

'' But in a few minute she should have a pretty solid grasp on what store are hers, and what are not. ``

'' A few hours ? `` Harry would believe Dumbledore with his biography, but somehow this seemed far too easy. He would have thought cramming a lifetime worth of memories into a new pass would take far longer.

Suddenly the schoolmaster smiled. `` Ms. Kaylens has been rather fortunate to have been given the blood of a relatively untested unicorn, Harry. In fact, the animate being is barely senior than her. For the next few weeks she 'll gradually earn more and more of its memories, but the sorry should be over relatively soon. ``

"How can you have it off how old it was ?"

"Is, Harry. Just because the unicorn's blood line was taken does not think of that it was killed. And one of its latter memories had already slipped through your construct. So Severus was able-bodied to see it, and base on balls that entropy on to me. She's actually gotten very lucky."

Despite this reassurance, he was still queasy. `` And what happens when that rampart I made completely give out down ? ``

'' A fragile headache, I would imagine. Nothing more. ``

'' But ... ''

'' For the love of pigeon hawk ! She 'll already be acclimated to the memories Potter ! '' Snape practically shouted, apparently unable to take himself any longer. `` Your little girlfriend will be fine ! ``

Harry balked. `` She 's not ... ''

Snape waved him off dismissively. `` Like I care. ``

Dumbledore casually flicked his wand in their steering, silencing them both. Harry gaped like a fish, noticing Snape doing the same.

Dumbledore let nothing appearance on his face, but simply turned to where Remus and Kaylens still sat.

'' Remus, as matter to as this verbal affray has been, I think that the proficient thing for Ms.Kaylens, at the moment, is balance. ``

Lupin looking rather like a interest father, nodded his assent. And before Harry could even protest, Moony had scooped the girl up in his arms.

Fixing Harry with a pointed 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 unknown resemblance to the Word `` I 'm so certain. ``

It was only after that they had left the room, that Dumbledore 's expression grew far more serious.

'' Harry, '' He stated seriously. `` I think it 's fourth dimension you explained exactly what happened with Angelina. ``
* * * * *

'' VHERE IS SHE ! ? ! ? ``

The man 's voice rose furiously, awakening her from her Crucio-induced sleep with a start.

Her darkness eyes snapped open, her unfocused regard shooting uselessly around the pitch-black room.

She had been left in complete and number darkness, ineffective to pick out even a single detail of her surroundings. The cold, silk sheets beneath her were the alone clew she had to propose that she remained in the same way as before.

Only now she was mercifully alone, with only the lingering, bone-deep nuisance of the impose curses for company.

An unsettle feeling of futility settled firmly within her chest, but she would not, could not, miss Hope. Instead her resolve strengthened, and she forced herself to heed very carefully.

Outside in the G. Stanley Hall two people were arguing fiercely, their demand words muffled, though every so often the one would rise about the other, a dangerous short letter in his accentuate speech.

Her brow creased fretfully, anxiety filling her. There was something very familiar spirit about that voice. Something her intelligent mind screamed she should get been able to recognize instantly.

But to her core she understood that whomever the person was, that she should n't be hearing them here.

Not in a place where only Death Eaters roamed freely.

An icy presentiment flooded her veins ...

The door to her room suddenly flew heart-to-heart, a liberal shouldered man forcing his way in, his silhouette shadowed by the hall 's firelight.

It felt as if mortal were suddenly choking her, an agonizing chill overtaking her in a way that the Cruciatus curse would never be able to touch.

The man 's limit jaw line of business, one so very familiar spirit to her, was set firmly.

A heart-wrenching perfidy ripped through her, snatching her warmness in its vice suitcase as she watched his lip open, forming the Word of God she had once loved to hear.

'' Hermy-owh-ninny. ``







Author's greenback :

low gear, I just wanted to say thank you to Andrew for having helped me out so practically with this chapter. He has not only beta-read the last few chapters, but has also helped me to pull off them to make them promiscuous to read.

Secondly, I wanted to apologize about having taken so long between chapters over the past year. I honestly needed a falling out from writing, and now that I have had that I plan on updating approximately every two calendar week or so. I 'm really excited about finishing the story, and I figure that two workweek is definitely a deadline that I can meet, considering that I used to post daily chapters for the Quizilla variation of this. Of course, those were only about 2500 words a piece, but nevertheless I figure once every two calendar week or so should work on out well. Again, I am really deplorable about having taken such drawn-out shift this past year. matter were very occupy and frankly I just needed to really recharge. thank you all for having stuck around though ! Chapter 31 is being worked on presently, so wait it in about two hebdomad.

And just to avoid confusion, the term for a practitioner of Occlumency is Occlumens. For some grounds in the rough draft of this I had a lot of people trying to even out me on that.

Recommended taradiddle :

And the Greatest of These ... by Edward Ollivander
Rating : 12+ position : WIP - 24 chapters

In the wake of Dumbledore 's dying Harry is consumed with a burning desire to carry out one thing : licking Voldemort, by any mean requisite. As he sets out to destroy not only the baddie himself, but also the fearfulness that has the wizarding public 's heart in a vice traveling bag, he has to change the way he sees the world around him, as well as the way he functions within it. Now, as he prepares for the last battle, he becomes the one matter the wizarding world needs : promise. Harry/Ginny pairing.