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



Chapter 16 ~ New barrier


Harry clenched his fist around thin air, squeezing the life out of some unseen resister within the calm down infirmary wing. The secretiveness was only broken by Kaylens'tranquil intimation, her thorax rising and falling as steadily as the ignitor breeze fluttering the drape.

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

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

Now she lay in this comatose State Department, and even Madam Pomfrey had been ineffectual to charge up her.

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

Perhaps it was his own aspirant thinking.

He rose, unable to remain still, watching her with zero salve his thinking for company.

Thoughts were such inadequate ease ...

Not allowed and unwilling to entrust, he began sorting through the events of the past few days.

The vindication, the satisfaction, and everything he had expected to feel were conspicuously absent.

Bellatrix Lestrange was dead.

So why did he feel robbed ?

The obvious solution came. Tonks had beaten him to the putting to death. She had killed the one person who 's demise he had desired above all but Voldemort himself. And now he would never have the opportunity to avenge Dog Star the way he had wanted.

Worst of all, Lestrange 's soundbox was gone.

He had wanted to wait upon the lifeless typeface of Sirius'slayer and spit upon it.

Now even that cruel comfort had been taken from him.

All he was left with, were unanswered questions, and this cruel circle of snake pit called the Hogwarts hospital wing.

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

Yet they had salvaged the body.

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

So why do it ?

He had unconsciously wandered, finding himself in figurehead of the opened third floor windowpane. The autumn scented breeze blew across his bare breast, cooling him. His shirt lay discarded upon his bed, his shoulder gauze recently removed, exposing the claw marks that now indented his pelt.

It was necessary, gentlewoman Pomfrey had insisted upon having his wound exposed to the air. He was to be released soon, and she needed to find that it would bear up on it 's own.

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

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

Was he lucky ? He was not certain. But even when Dumbledore and Tonks had come, he had felt goose egg but hollow. His own numbness was almost enough to wish for death.

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

'' Experimental spells, their effects unknown to the ordering, have been added to Voldemort 's arsenal of weaponry, Harry. Take heed ... ''

He would.

He had seen what happened to Lupin first hand, for his shift had been triggered by the go Lucius Malfoy had hit him with.

It had happened during the day.

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

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

Of course there was no motive to mull over. Dumbledore had told him about the heinousness of tardily.

Forty seven innocent, four of them children, had walked upon the globe. Now they lay beneath it 's unforgiving soil, removed by the unpitying actions of Voldemort 's minions.

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

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

He was having trouble accepting any of it, for he knew at the heart of it, he was partly to find fault.

For if he were truly the one with the power to defeat the iniquity God Almighty, than every bit he had ever spent reveling in life, and not searching for Voldemort 's demise, had been another tomb in the ground for the innocent.

A painful pall burned within the claw marks he bore, and he wondered if they had re-opened again, bleeding anew. He reached a manus back, gingerly touching it, the ancestry upon his fingers confirming his misgiving.

It was dubious he would be permitted to leave soon.

'' That 's disgusting. ``

His froze, turning from the window. He stared, taking her in as she blinked the nap from her centre, squinting in the morning sunlight.

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

She smiled weakly. `` You 're law-abiding. ``

'' You were out for five days. ``

She paled considerably.

He was slow to recover, and debated getting Madam Pomfrey. But she would be back soon, to check on his own wounds. She could find her arouse then. Besides, he was afraid to get out her alone for even a second, fearful that she might accrue into that unending sleep once more.

'' So how is it ? '' Her vocalism was barely above a whisper.

He studied her, thinking about how to do. His pride made him hesitant to admit weakness, but her eyes ...

She would recognize a lie if he told it, he realized, deciding on the truth.

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

'' Like hell ... '' She murmured.

'' You look it. ``

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

She reached up, brushing the lock aside, revealing her mortal pale tegument. Her assure movements exposed her own painful sensation to him in a way no words could.

As did her carpus. His centre caught upon the dismal contusion encircling it.

He crossed to her, catching her wrist gently. She glanced up, hazel optic narrowed in confusion.

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

Her eyes traveled to where his fingers lay.

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

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

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

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

It was funny, but had she had woken a few days earlier he probably would have demanded answers, reply about how she knew lupine, about what she really did or did not make out about Death feeder, but after daylight of sitting there, watching her delicate anatomy sleep, the simple thinking of interrogating her bothered him.

His answers could look, for a little while at least.

'' Tonks stopped by to begin with, '' He said, breaking the secretiveness. `` She said Lupin sends his passion. ``

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

'' Yeah, '' He finished.

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

She lay there, so still, for so long, he would have sworn she slept. It was part fear, concern that she would not come alive, that drove him to the admission.

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

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

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

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

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

It was then that Pomfrey walked in.

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


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

Lupin 's claws had torn into him just beneath his articulatio humeri blade, right where several brawn came together. Apparently re-growing muscular tissue was as tricky as re-growing bones.

He still needed to spill the beans to Kaylens, but she slept. They had not shared a discussion since she had first awoken, content to sit there in muteness. He was debating whether or not to soften that muteness when a defeated looking Ron walked in.

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

He had been dreading this conversation for days. Ron and Hermione would need answer. resolution about his absence ... Answers about what had occurred in Dumbledore 's office years earlier ... Answers about Voldemort 's trespass into his creative thinker ...

reply he could not give.

How could he explain the force per unit area he felt, or Voldemort 's encroachment, without revealing the contentedness of the prognostication ?

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

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

He threw a lastly coup d'oeil at Kaylens'sleeping physical body. They would talk later. He promised himself that.

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

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

As for him, during that time, Voldemort had left his mind alone. He had felt the beginnings of an intrusion days earlier, but conundrum had withdrawn, sensing that his conclusion had not yet been made.

Riddle had given him more meter due to his injury, and for that, Harry had to give him credit.

As evil as Voldemort was, the tool had some class.

They walked in muteness, Ron 's eyes darting towards him. He knew Ron was trying to decide what was safe to discuss.

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

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

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

'' Harry what 's going on ? ``

I wish I knew Ron ... His own foiling at this very dubiousness had been building inside for twenty-four hour period. Dumbledore had told him some, but there was still the motion of Kaylens. How did she fit into all of this ? Did she even ? And Voldemort ... There had to be more to it, because the slice Dumbledore had told him did not fit with what he had seen through Voldemort 's own eyes.

Not to remark the prophecy. How in the hell was he supposed to baffle him ?

There were too many questions to answer, before the most authoritative one could even be framed.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

Hermione was there, waiting for them in the hollow dorm room, sprawled out with a book of account on Ron 's bed. Her eye were rimmed with dark rophy, similar to Kaylens.

Misery loves company, he thought. Ron sat besides her, placing a hand on her back. Only then did she seem to make they were there.

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

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

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

'' I know. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked.

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

Ron frowned. `` His grounds ? ``

So he could cause prison term to brief us on what we could or could not say to you, he thought.

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

Hermione 's eyes roamed, landing on his catapult.

He caught the unspoken enquiry. `` Werewolf wounds are slow down to heal. ''

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

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

'' No. I was not bitten. ``

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

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

'' Because the full moon Sun Myung Moon is n't until ... ''

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

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

His expression turned grave accent. `` There are manner. ``

Hermione was no longer even trying to scan, her voice unusually luxuriously. `` That ca n't be. A loup-garou ca n't modify out of lunar succession ... ''

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

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

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

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

'' He turned. Yes. ``

'' pigeon hawk ... '' Ron whispered, unconsciously rubbing Hermione 's dorsum harder.

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

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

Ron took Hermione 's hired hand almost naturally. `` Then need your time mate. get-go from the starting time. ''

Harry shook his head, hating himself. `` Fine, the beginning then .... '' He steadied himself, and met Hermione 's almost imploring gaze.

'' You both already know that Voldemort has not given me a moment 's peace since last summer. It 's a individual engagement between him and I. We 're both fighting for data, about the former side 's comings and passing, about how much the other side knows ... ''

He talked steadily, opening his dresser draftsman to put clothing away. His legal action, however menial, lent a sensation of normality to the otherwise ill conversation.

'' Your parents 'Mione, he said he will discharge them, '' He ignored her intake of breath. `` If I tell him what the mental object of the divination were. ``

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

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

The silence that followed occupied old age within his mind, yet it lasted no more than 3 seconds.

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

He remained understood, until her pleading voice broke again.

'' Harry, please ... ''

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

The rat looks upon their faces nearly broke his flavor.

Hermione 's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. It was Ron who finally gave articulation to their thoughts. `` Why Harry ? Why ca n't you parcel it ? ``

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

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

He swallowed hard. `` No Ron. ``

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

'' No. ``

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

The accusation in Ron 's spokesperson was too much. He could pick out no more. `` Because I ca n't Ron ! Don't you think I would if I could ? ``

Ron shook his brain. `` I do n't sleep together anymore Harry. ``

Harry was having trouble keeping his voice horizontal surface. `` Ron, if I tell him there is no reason for him to go along the sodbuster alive anymore. It 's our biggest bargaining microchip. ``

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

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

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

Harry lost his forbearance. `` Do n't you jest at get it ? ! This is Voldemort we are talking about ! '' They both cringed at the name, his articulation rising. `` This is n't some war plot were playing against the Slytherins ! This is real lifetime ! Voldemort is eviler that either of you can even envisage ... ''

'' Really ? '' Ron countered. `` Were we or were we not there with you Harry ? Huh ? Did we not see what he was equal to of at the department of Mysteries ? ``

Harry shook his caput, never more serious. `` No Ron. You did n't. '' He felt almost sorry at Ron 's crestfallen look. `` You only saw what Death feeder were capable of. That is nothing compared to him. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' No Hermione. He needs to pick up this. Because it 's like he does n't even desire us ... ''

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

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

'' I am talking ... ''

'' No. Your blocking Harry. Like in Bromus secalinus. '' Ron pointed his wand out the door, summoning the chess game board from the uncouth room. Levitating it, Ron cleared the control panel save for the cat's-paw, mogul, and queen of both sides, his brow furrowed in concentration. He then moved the pawns so they protectively surrounded the world-beater and tabby on one side, leaving the former incline 's king and queen unprotected.

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

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

Ron 's fagot jibe forward, moving through the opening Harry 's pawn had left, taking his queen out with a red rap of her chairwoman. She then stood, posed to take his king on the next move.

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

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

'' Game over. ``

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

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

He loved them, but Ron and Hermione could never parcel his effect, no subject how much they wanted to.

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

'' Game over Harry. Only you're the only one who knows what secret plan were playing. ``
* * * * *


Harry tromped through the corridor, feeling worse than he had thought possible. He preferred feeling numb, at least then he felt zilch at all.

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

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

Ron had stormed out telling him to 'keep his closed book'and Hermione had plead with him to 'not shut them out .'

The choice was no retentive his.

No longer would they be privy to Harry Potter 's bad decision.

They would n't end up like Sirius.

He knew exactly where he was going, and rounded the corner to the hospital wing. His foul mood only increased when ma'am Pomfrey stuck out her head, a forced smile plastered upon it, and asked him to wait.

The door slammed and the sound of argument resumed. Dumbledore 's voice caught his attention. What was he doing in the hospital offstage ? Perhaps to see Kaylens, but he had already visited them once. It was n't like the master to confab scholar though. And he should be intimate, he had been in the infirmary wing too many times to bet, but could count Dumbledore 's visits there on one hand.

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

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

Madam Pomfrey 's reproving tone of voice came out clearly. `` ... cells need to reclaim before you can even attempt to perform legerdemain again. ``

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

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

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

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

Yet something about Dumbledore 's tonicity made him. As outwardly dependable as the master had been with him lately, his trust in the man was still recovering. It had been shattered too skillfully the premature year.

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

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't heal, do n't you think that should possess been my determination ? ``

cure ? His venter lurched dangerously.

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a decease conviction will not help topic. ``

Her voice was strained. `` You 're right. Nothing will. You know that the odds ... ''

'' Are only as thoroughly as you make them, '' Dumbledore finished. `` That is precisely why we did not need to weight you with this. ``

'' I 'd favour the burden, '' Kaylens hissed, her articulation suddenly inviolable. `` Now is there anything else your keeping from me ? '' Her voice was strained and accusing. `` Because I 'd like to know before I read about it in some unintelligent rule book. ``

Silence.

'' I thought so. ''

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

He could only stare, Christian Bible abandoning him. Her eyes had caught on the extendable ear.

Her garment bag slipped down on her shoulder, her full var. quivering.

'' Potter ... '' She whispered chokingly. She locked eyes with him, her expression stunned.

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





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



Chapter 17 ~ Kunnskap

Kunnskap is Norweigan for Knowledge



She shoved assailable the entrance threshold, leaving the secure halls of the school behind, and walked out onto the rapidly cooling grounds. She blinked back the moisture that lingered within her eyes. No tears would go down, no thing how hard they threatened. This she promised herself.

She was fierce, but her ira paled in comparison to her self abomination. She had been so unbelievably stupid ! It had been bad enough to entrust Remus, but to have nearly let down that roadblock again ...

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

Despite the pain they had been in, the prison term spent within the hospital annexe had been pleasant. She and Potter had dwelt in silent company, both knowing there were things that needed to be discussed. Despite that he had not pressed her to spill the beans, instead he had seemed to calmly accept her quiet.

This change had been oddly comforting.

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

She kicked the ground, scattering crap in her wake.

She could not bottom why she had thought he would let her observe her closed book. But she had been a complete fall guy for entertaining the impression.

And for some grounds his small treachery hurt her.

Gods ... She turned her snag filled eyes towards the sky, tracing along the darkening swarm, and noted how low they hung. It was the incoming violent storm that had drawn her outdoors after all. The strange tone slithering through her, as if unchanging electricity were tickling her very skin, had been hard to ignore.

She reveled in the small distraction from her thoughts, and allowed herself to simply experience.

The looming cloud pulsated with unstable vibrations, their rhythmical pounding pulsated within her very blood, and her hair's-breadth stood on end as if one had just run a balloon through her hair.

The storm front rolled in above her, and the more than astute of her compeer began to head indoors. The area surrounding the lake had been the first of the flat coat to be abandoned, and her feet led her there.

She wanted the seclusion.

She had grown so practice to despair, to feeling only ceaseless indifference, punctuated by bouts of undiluted anger, that she had forgotten how to feel something as human as fear.

Everything had happened so fast the day she had received the storekeeper note, and there had been no time for the cold truth to fall off in. Only over the past days, as she and potter had lain there in silence, had it finally registered.

Pomfrey 's words had just driven it plate.

Somehow, hearing the therapist 's words had made it substantial, and now fear held her inwardness in a vice bobby pin.

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

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

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

It was often painful.

She rubbed her weapons system against the quiver wind, grateful that God had some signified of pity. Fortunately for her, the homo brain could only show infliction as abnormal for so long, before it accepted the pain in the ass as the changeless country of affairs. Then it would be ignored.

Oddly enough, it was very standardized to how the fragrant aroma of roses would lessen, if one were to stand amongst them, breathing them in for too tenacious.

Still, acclimation could only do so much, and her dead body ached, protesting constantly.

Instead of leaving the dry land at the threat of pelting, she continued meandering across the grounds, walking the circumference of the lake, observing it carefully.

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

In other post the ground gradually sloped down, kissing the lake 's rippling waving. There the wickedness land was muddied, imprinted with the footprints of those who had braved the shoal to float, before the weather condition had cooled in Wake of the incoming afternoon storm.

She passed by both these areas, heading closer to the Forbidden Forest. Here she kicked off her shoes, allowing them to dangle freely from one hand as she picked her way across the far end of the lake. Here small stones formed a innate beach, and she sat down near the sharpness, letting her fingers trail across the rough pebbled edges beneath her.

She accumulated a small solicitation of level bottomed rocks, gathering them within her hands, and she cast the first across the calm urine, breaking it 's glassy airfoil.

The gargantuan squid lazily reached out a tentacle, swatting at and missing the plaster bandage stone.

She smiled ruefully, casting another towards him. This fourth dimension the tentacle swung and connected, sending the pit flying high-pitched above her head.

A low gang fight filled the sky, and the altocumulus clouds dipped threateningly depressed, wafting the olfactory property of rain upon the breeze towards her. The sky had grown darker, and she vaguely remembered the good afternoon she and Sean had once spent, skipping stones across the lake near their family home.

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

She skipped another.

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

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


Harry winced, rubbing his forehead. That was definitely going to leave behind a mark.

It had taken him all of thirty s to decide to surveil her. The store of her watery center had been alarming, and he could n't let her leave behind like that, not when she did n't understand.

He cast a glare at the giant squid, approaching her cautiously, carefully trying to not slip upon the slick rock 'n' roll as he walked down towards her.

He treaded as close as he dared, pausing to loom uncertainly. Her articulatio humeri had stiffened at his yell, the only star sign to indicate that she was aware of his presence.

He swallowed hard. From where he stood besides her, he could see the drawn line of her lip, and how her center gazed, almost longingly across the benighted aerofoil of the lake. He followed her gaze, the first drops of rain drizzling upon them.

The lake 's once glossy exterior now moved with a life of its own. Each raindrop sending circular ripples outwards, each fray merging with the other seam spreading across its surface. The force was entrancing, and he drew his heart away from the scene before him, to the girl before him. She was why he had ventured out here, despite the threatening storm.

'' What are you doing out here ? '' He asked carefully. Another rock-and-roll of thunder shuddered the sky, drowning him out, and the giant squid disappeared beneath the lake 's surface.

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

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

silence reigned for some sentence, broken only by the increasing rhythm of rain, pattering around them. The water gradually matted his unruly hair to his forehead, and Kaylen 's favorable hair darkened with saturation.

She sat with a relaxed air, unbothered by the icy droplets pouring down. Slowly, with patent bother in her effort, she scooted closer to the lake 's boundary, dipping her groundwork into the boil water as casually as if it were a mid-summer day, rather than a verbose October downpour. Never once did she await at him.

Her shoulder joint were stark, and her damp fuzz clung to them. He was close enough to point out the slight goose bumps prickling across her pale skin.

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

Kaylens was regorge ...

'' Here, '' He said, shattering their verbal lapse. He picked his way across the pebbly decline to her, shrugging out of his cloak. He felt no awkwardness as he picked up her dampen hairsbreadth, draping it across her shoulders.

She looked up, turning her questioning gaze towards him. He was at a loss, for the polish of her heart could not be from rain pee alone.

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

Her middle held his, and for the most pass off of second base the mistrust he was so use to seeing vanished. `` Thank you, '' She murmured, inclining her question to the spot besides her.

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

For once he could allow in to deserving it, and her understood acceptance of his bearing was unnerving.

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

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

With the back of her radiocarpal joint she rubbed the water supply from her eyes.

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

'' Well what ? ''

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

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

'' And since there are no conversations going on for you to listen to, I 'm wondering what your doing here. '' Another trice of lightning illuminated her soaked features, and he found himself drawn towards her serene expression, confounded by her Son.

Despite their content, her whole step held no vestige of the familiar sarcasm or malice.

Instead she sounded curious.

The realization sent an out of billet smile across his face.

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

'' Try me. ``

'' I came to apologize. ``

To his surprise, she actually laughed. The sound had a haunting caliber to it, for it blended artfully with the idle words howling around them. The storm had crept upon them fast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The look she shot him could still the ogre himself. `` And why should I ? You have n't been the portrait of honesty thrower. ``

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

She did not answer. Instead, she tilted her look towards the sky, allowing the rain to pour over her more freely. Her hair's-breadth fell away from her berm, revealing her yearn neck. She remained this way for what may make been simple seconds, but to him, felt like hours.

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

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

And he explained.

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

He spoke to her, the rain cascading down their bodies as they sat, keeping each other 's acquaintance, the storm forgotten. Several times she made to move, shaking her top dog disbelievingly, but his hand on her arm silenced her refutes. By the fourth dimension he was done, a sad formulation had crossed her features.

He studied her, puzzled. `` facial expression, Kaylens I did n't think to upset you if ... ''

She shivered noticeably, shaking her sopping pilus. `` No, it 's not that Potter ... '' She trailed off, showing no intent of finishing.

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

'' Kaylens are ... ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' Kaylens hold open it. You 'll suspend otherwise. '' He went to drape it across her shoulders but she brushed him off.

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

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

She whorled on him, looking disturbingly distressed, her tegument dangerously pale. `` Look, ceramicist ... Do yourself a favor okeh ? Do n't worry about me. ``

He found himself shaking, be it from the cold or the icy palor of her hide, he did not know, yet all intellection of speech were driven away.

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

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

She was backing away from him. `` In fact ... '' She continued, sounding like a frightened animal. `` For your own honorable, just abide the Hades away from me. ``

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


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

He just did not empathise what he had done, and every clip he caught a coup d'oeil of her he felt ill.

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

The fact that he still had a sneaking suspicion that she was clueless as to what a Death feeder was did not help thing.

It was enough for him to nearly institutionalize curses flying. At Luna 's imperativeness, he had taken to kicking case of armor instead.

Apparently the metal noise made by kicking something attracted Crumple Horned Snorkacks.

Or something like that.

His reaction was puzzling, even to him. He could not deny that he felt oddly protective of her. How could he not ? He had spent far too a good deal time watching over her in the hospital wing, and the thinking of further harm coming to her drove him mad.

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

But still ... He could not fathom what it was he had said incorrectly. All he knew was that she was no longer openly hostile towards him. Instead she avoided him like the plague.

He had seen her alone that very daybreak, and it had taken all his patience to void hexing her into next week when she had practically sprinted down the hall to babble to Dean, upon catching sight of him.

Inferno, he had come damn near closer to hexing her and Malfoy in Defense Against the darkness Arts that very day. He had walked in to witness her and Malfoy chatting in hushed whispers, knack over parchment.

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

Kaylens had refused to look at him. But he had not failed to notice how her deal shook for the eternal rest of year.

It had been easily to detect since he had been sitting alone. Ron and Hermione had holed themselves up on the other side of the way. And unlike Kaylens and Hermione, who contented themselves to avoiding him, Ron had made sport of sending uncongenial glares his way.

At to the lowest degree the hostile looks from his roomy were understandable. He had had another wild dream with Voldemort that week, and had woken up in a right state, screaming at every one of them.

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

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

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

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

He actually did n't mind the idea.

He finally reached the door, and Crusantheus surprisingly opened without complaint, revealing Dumbledore 's office. He stepped in for his lessons, removing his verge in preparation.

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

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

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

Somehow Harry strongly disagreed with this. If he had learned all there was to know about Occlumency, he would not still be having violent nightmares. `` Professor, in all due deference, if I had actually learned everything would n't I be well ... good at this then ? ``

Dumbledore cracked a smiling. `` Ah, you see Harry, therein lies the difference. You have learned all I have to learn about Occlumency. That is an entirely different matter from mastering the discipline. ''

Harry was stunned, all former persuasion and soreness at the Professor driven from his mind.

Never in his life sentence would he hold imagined Dumbledore being unable to learn him something.

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

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

Harry stared somewhat unabashedly as the former headmistress made a rather crude hand motion.

'' Er ... Professor ? '' He questioned hesitantly. `` What exactly do you signify by 'masking'them ? ``

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

He valued his Education far too much to react truthfully.

'' Well Harry, when one sifts through your mind, abominable computer memory can get unearthed. It 's natural to recall the emotions these experiences caused you. Such a distraction is all the enemy would want to delve abstruse into your mind. '' Dumbledore was carrying on with all the air of one discussing a weekend outing. `` And you have no shortage of painful memories Harry. It would be quite easy for Voldemort to witness one to use against you. ``

He did not require Dumbledore to tell him that, he had already re-lived the guiltiness of Sirius'death all summer.

'' So are you going to make me live over those computer memory for pattern ? '' He asked, somewhat apprehensive.

Dumledore turned to look at him, balancing precariously on the crapper he was using to reach ole Phinneus'portrayal. `` Why of course not. Certainly, I could go sifting about through your nous, forcing you to recall bad clock time in your life. But dredging up old retention and forcing you to apportion with them would only avail you build up indifference. We do n't need that. ``

Dumbledore turned back and shoved the feather duster right where Phinneus'expression had just re-appeared. The old headmaster cringed and jumped out of the build again.

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

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

He beckoned him to where he stood, withdrawing a worn, leather leap Word of God from one of his ledge. `` You know, I almost lost this after that squabble yourself, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Kaylens had the early day Harry. '' He peered down his glasses at him. `` I trust that is now resolved ? ``

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

Dumbledore shrugged. `` fountainhead, give it prison term, break it fourth dimension. It may require her awhile to afford up to anyone, seeing as how matters are. ''

The schoolmaster was running his verge up and down the spine of the book in an odd zig-zag formula, muttering something about mothball. A flash 'pop'was heard, making Harry jumping, and the book sprang out of Dumbledore 's hand, falling subject on the table before them.

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

Harry had to admit that Dumbledore was dead on.

Inside the heart-to-heart Word of God, where the Page should have been, lay a pink level of fog. There was a sense of depth to the interior of it, and Harry had the vague sentience that another property lay just beyond the peacefully swirls.

Dumbledore reached his hand into it. `` It is a rather clever concealing position for affair. Not only is the locking mechanism for it rather tricky, but only a hired hand with my DNA could reach into this and still find oneself their helping hand attatched. ``

Harry had been unconsciously leaning forward, trying to peer through the fog, but at this pronouncement took a footfall back. Dumbledore 's hand fished around blindly for a few minute, before emerging with a silvery concatenation. A little vial was attached to the end of it.

The Headmaster shut the al-Qur'an, muttering a few magical spell, and replaced it upon the ledge. `` This is something that I have been wanting to give you for quite some clip Harry. But until recently, the chance had not presented itself. The fact that it had not, is entirely my fracture, and for that I am sorry. ``

The Headmaster, indeed, truly looked no-account. In fact he was looking rather grave all of a sudden. `` Ever since the day that cursed prophecy was made Harry, myself and a few others have been working on this. I still feel that it is woefully inadequate, but for now, it is all I can break you. ''

At this pronouncement, Dumbledore handed the ampoule over. Harry took it with no lowly amount of trepidation. The ampul, Harry found, was surprisingly warm

'' The vial you now hold is a special variant of pensieve, Harry. '' Dumbledore said by way of account. `` It is called a Kunnskap. It means noesis. And unlike normal pensieves, it does not suffer an outright capability. It can only contain a select few memory board, and I believe that there are 81 different lessons contained within this one. ''

Only eighty-one ? He thought, slightly amused by the headmaster definition of only. He turned the vial within his script, noting that unlike in Dumbledore 's pensieve, blue specs darted to and fro within the silvery substance here, colliding frequently to emit dark greens arc. It was like watching the reflection of fireworks in a silvery pool, only on a miniature scale.

A sentiment occurred to him.

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

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

The Headmaster paused, shutting the leather bulk. Whisps of curling pink tendrils snuck out around the edges as he placed it back upon the shelf.

'' Times were dark. '' He continued gravely. `` I did not live how many of us would survive, but we knew it was necessary to legislate on our knowledge to the side by side multiplication. This was our way of ensuring that at least one good wizard recieved that if the worst were to occur. ``

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

Despite his annoyance and choler at all the master had withheld over the yr, the thought of a person Dumbledore shook his concept of a stable universe.

The schoolmaster motioned Harry into a plush plum armchair, oblivious to his pupil 's benighted thought.

'' Over the twelvemonth, myself, and others within the old Order, added choose patch of knowledge that we wanted to depart to you, to this. You 'll even rule some of my old school day lessons there. Things like phantom, curse-breaking, animagus written report ... They are all in there. ``

Harry listened intently, not wanting to neglect a word. The conversation had become oddly personal.

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

This vial was a true gift, yet he was only receiving it because of the vaticination 's heavy burden.

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

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

hope ... Why could n't individual else have been wizarding form 's hope ?

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

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

This piqued his stake. `` So you mean that I can get an animagus just by looking at the retentivity in it ? ``

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. `` No. This will instruct you the theory, and knowing the theory of something is entirely dissimilar from putting it to use. However ... '' The man 's gentle eyes twinkled mischievously. `` I have it on skilful word that learning and researching just the theory on animagi can hire class. So all you will have left to do is practice session putting what this will teach you, into use. ``

mentation of what he, Ron, and Hermione had planned, he suddenly wondered, for the one-thousandth time since coming to Hogwarts, just how much that the Headmaster knew about his students.

Against his better judgment, he broke out into a modest smile. Even Hermione, with all her strong belief against taking short cut of meat to get a line something, would probably die for a feel into this thing.

God he would overleap them ... Perhaps one day, when matter were different ....

As if reading his opinion, Dumbledore smiled. `` For the time being Harry, I would keep this to yourself. Because of the Kunnskap 's potential for misuse, only seven were made. We would not want this falling into the wrong hired hand. ``

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

He 'd be damned if he disappointed him.

Dumbledore smiled over his cup. `` I 'm certain you will Harry. Do try to use it in private though. When one uses it they tend to appear in a trance, and I would hate to see what your roommates would do if they stumbled upon you in such a state. And I would recognize, Mrs Benjamin Franklin Norris Jr. once caught me using this. ``

Harry nearly choked on his biscuit.

The past fortnight, he realized, had truly been full of surprise.




Thank you SticksN'Stones for the first-class standard !






'' Choose to be not a merchandise of your environment, nor of your experience, but a Cartesian product of what your fondness tells you the world can be in its o.k. minute. ``
~ A.K. Sir Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 18 ~ The Scars Life Leaves


Tonks threw open the shades, allowing the bright afternoon light to stream in, filling the room with yellow hue so bright that not even Remus, who was valiantly feigning sopor, could brush off them.

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

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

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

She contented herself to narrowing her violet eyes. `` Bill 's a curse breaker. And when he and I have over two hebdomad with nothing to do but crack the Barbara Ward on our stubborn arse of a friend 's home we tend to succeed. ``

Remus emitted a low rumbling sound, unreadable to any human ear. It was at this breaker point that she decided she had had enough. She ripped the covers from his bed, and throw out them out the now open window.

'' Remus did you really think you could nullify us forever ! '' She hollered. `` What the blaze is the matter with you ? ``

At his deficiency of responsiveness she stomped her human foot angrily, and began spraying him with pee from the tip of her wand.

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

'' You look like a sopping wet dog Remus ! Now get your obstinate ass off the story right now and get gear up ! We have an Order get together in an hour and if you are not there so help me Merlin I will come back here, Ward be damned, and make you come ! You ca n't avoid us forever ! ``

He groaned unhappily.

She glowered down, deciding to not leave just yet. `` And you know what else Wolfy ? You are the singularly, near selfish individual that I have ever met ! ``

'' Mrmph ... ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' fountainhead that 's just too damn bad Wolfy because your going to. '' She did n't wait for a response and marched over to throw open his water closet. She grabbed the nearest shirt and threw it at him. `` Now go cascade and get dressed. I do n't have all day and so help me you are going to write to Harry and Kalliandra before we leave ! ``

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

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

He shook his capitulum, his shaggy haircloth falling around his optic messily. It looked like he had n't showered in twenty-four hour period. `` No. If they wanted to utter to me they would cause .... ''

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

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

She growled in frustration and yanked the air pocket sentry out of her pocket. Mundungus had found it near one of the stagnant children after the attack.

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

Watching his pitiable movements, she suddenly felt like collapsing.

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

She could n't deport to think of it, let alone voice it, but ever since that wretched night she had grown to rely on Remus. She needed him so lots it scared her.

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

But his mien had kept her thoughts from straying to Sirius.

She shuddered, remembering how he had found her curled up on her couch one nighttime that summertime, positively balling her eyes out, the few photograph of Sothis she had spread out on her coffee berry table. If only she had stunned Bellatrix when she had had the probability ! By Merlin he would still be here !

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

Catching the illegitimate child was the but thing that could avail Canicula now, he had told her. And as an auror, that would be her job. He had told her how she needed to nurse together for that.

If he had not shown up when he had, she may have curled up in the nearest, damp broom loo, and not come out till Christmas.

She had passed out that night, vaguely leery that her mocha had been laced with dull firewhiskey. Remus always had claimed that alcohol assuaged the nerves ....

She had only just realized how grateful she was for the small suggestion of humour he shared with her.

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

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

The thought of him wallowing in self pity any longer made her physically ill, and she felt her shallow second-stringer of strength folding in.

She had to defy the impulse to run over there and taste him.

She drew herself up, ignoring the pain tingling in her chest. `` Harry does involve you Remus. '' She started. `` Your all he has left. Imagine how he 'd finger if you shut him off now ? ``

Remus was flipping the puff back onto the bed, straightening it meticulously. `` He does n't need me. Neither does Kally. They 'll just curve up hurt ... ''

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

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

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

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

She missed the disbelieving center of a certain loup-garou, following her longingly.
* * *


Harry allowed the book to fall close up. His head had long since fallen upon the board, his soundbox slumped over in frustration. A thousand and one dark jinx swirled through his brain, their counter curses eluding his retentivity in a maddening way.

Why, in the gens of Merlin, had prof Tres been so against teaching them this ?

The sheer enormity of the job before him had hit home nearly an 60 minutes before, and the constant weightiness on his berm seemed determined to smash him now. It was pressing down on his chest, making his head spin, the realization of how piddling time he had to master this had finally sunk in.

Voldemort could fare for those he loved tomorrow, and somehow he doubted the goliath 's minions would get to simple jinxes.

For the first time in his liveliness, he was starting to feel helpless. He had borrowed the book from Dumbledore 's office, changing the top so no one could know what dark arts it contained, and after only a few years of sketch he had come to a realization.

Avada Kedarva was amongst the most merciful of dark curses.

For the shadow arts could do so often worse than simply kill in one blow.

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

By the sentence those around you realized ....

help for dupe of the mort ardente would be far too late.

former oath could could slice up your tegument in slow, long slash. The invisible attack lasting for time of day, as medi-wizards and healer tried to deliver you, only to keep an eye on you succumb as slash after destroying slash undid their healing, spilling your life blood, killing you ...

Others could slowly smash your chest of drawers, driving the air from your lungs, suffocating you under the pressure of a twelve hippogriffs ....

He shuddered involuntarily, almost glad that death had been quick and merciful for Sirius and Cedric. He had not known before, but their life sentence could cause been extinguished in often unsound ways ....

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

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

He had n't been sure whether to clap her for her astuteness, or curse her for sounding alike fanatic Malfoy.

But she had been right ....

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

So while her and Malfoy had argued their point in time, and lost valiantly as Tres started twitching under pressure, he had composed a letter to Dumbledore asking for access to materials about the dark nontextual matter.
Dumbledore had granted him that ...

He propped himself on his elbows, reopening the ancient, blackened leather text. He was determined to ascertain every deadly curse the public had to provide him.

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

The man who had stolen his life sentence from day one.

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

Then Pettigrew would die.

Then, once he had seen what the jinx did on a live human, then he would bump Voldemort.

The creature was going to pay.
* * * * *


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

She had done exactly as Tonks had requested. She had already tried contacting him. She had tried saying, shouting, and cursing his name into that blasted compact of hers, had sent owls armed with letters and gild to peck at his hands until he replied, and even had sent a self-writing flight feather with the lowest one so it would publish whatever he said down upon receiving it.

That specific owl had had orders to snatch whatever was written before Remus had a chance to nobble it up himself.

fountainhead apparently Remus had been too straightaway for the owl, because she had gotten back a broken quill and a ripped, white piece of paper.

shit your self-will to Pluto Remus ! She thought in pain in the neck, stomping her ft outside Dumbledore 's situation.

She had grown so devil with him avoiding contact lens and canceling their tutoring sessions that she had finally slipped on Riley 's ring and tried port keying directly to Remus, only that had n't worked either.

Which was precisely why she found herself outside of Dumbledore 's stupid Harlan Fisk Stone gargoyle, shouting every candy that came to beware.

'' Peppermint ! Bat muck droppings ! Bertie pop music ! Apples ! apricot ! '' She exclaimed at it, abandoning confect in party favor of yield. `` Oh damn it to hell ! Peach schnapps ! Peach cobble ... ''

The endocarp gargoyle had sprung to lifetime, allowing her entrance.

'' dish Schnapps ? You 've got to be kidding me ... '' She muttered, springing up the stairs and bursting into his office, being careful to taste Crusantheus on the way in.

Dumbledore looked up idly from his desk, a bemused expression across his weather condition don grimace. `` Why Kalliandra, what a pleasant surprisal. ``

She did not agree. `` professor what does Remus consider he is doing ? '' She demanded, stopping in figurehead of his desk. `` He ca n't forfend us forever ! Why does n't my interface key work anymore ? And why are you now using liquor as your parole ! ? ``

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

Had she not been so worked up she would have rolled her center. `` No, it 's not. But why wo n't this employment .... '' She held up her halo for effect.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore chuckled slightly, recognizing the sarcasm of her program line. `` You know Kalliandra, in our own way, we are all a risk to those we love, for the simple fact that rightful friend will go to any lengths to help oneself each other, even if that means sacrificing their own lives in exchange for another 's. ``

His words struck a deep chord within her, one she was not quite ready to try. `` Thanks Professor ... '' She muttered, all ira gone. `` Can you at least chip in him this when you see him ? '' She extended a letter to him, it 's addressee reading To The Obstinate Wolf.

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


Harry rested his impudence against the assume surface of the board, letting his dank pilus drip over his aspect. The dripping water supply from his Recent shower eased the irksome ache that had begun in his scar.

Drip ....

A bead of wax broke gratis from the glowing candle, falling to soak into the unsealed ridges of the oak desk. The impact sounded cavernous, for his ear remained pressed against the desk 's surface, amplifying the sound ten fold.

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

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

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

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

Fiery shadows danced across his unfold text edition, and he wearily rubbed his scar, trying to learn the heel counter bane for one of the many crushing hexes.

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

The black and Caucasian instance showed a whiz captured in a tacit howl, his fingers already falling limp around his throat.

He shuddered at the sight, not noticing the determine construction flitting across her face.

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

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

'' Hey Potter. ``

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

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

She met his eyes, for the first of all sentence in daylight, holding them seriously. `` Talking potter. Just talking. '' candle flame danced in them ...

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

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

'' Their perusing. ``

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

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

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

He nodded, accepting this. `` If that's the eccentric, then am I, or am I not, supposed to last out the perdition away from you ? ``

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

He smiled forcefully at this, probably looking like a depressed clown. `` And that has nothing to do with you storming off, then refusing to come within a ten meter vicinity of me ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

He felt a minuscule grin tugging at the edges of his lips. `` Hedwig is persistent. ``

'' An owl ? ``

He grunted in response, the aching in his cicatrice was starting to burn off slightly.

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

He jolted forward, dropping his head into his bridge player to encompass the unspeakable face now crossing his face. `` Funny hearing you say that. '' He groaned as the first of all undulation of painfulness attacked him. `` Because is n't that what your doing ? ``

Through his fingers he saw a shrewd formulation cross her fount. `` Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey ? ''

'' Why .... '' Picture the wall ... .The bricks ... Their rasping grain stretching infinitely upwards .... `` Why would I need you to get the nurse ? '' He asked, barely guising the pain that was now coming Forth River in waves. She needed to allow for. She needed to leave now, but not to get the nurse ...

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

Before she could even strike his hired hand had shot out like a lightning bolt, attaching itself to her wrist. `` Do n't get her ... I 'll be fine. '' He hissed lowly, not keen to attract the attention of the 7th class still down there.

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

'' The only way to strengthen your bulwark at this point, is to learn to mask your emotions .... '' Dumbledore 's run-in came back to him ...

'' ceramist ? ceramicist feeling at me. '' Kaylens spoke quickly, an unfamiliar edge to her voice. He waved her away, feeling her hands wrapping around his own. She had to leave ...

Voldemort was prickling at the edges of his visualised wall.

The brute 's voice filled his mind, common tendrils leaking through red brick.

Been sssstudying the drab artssss I sssssee. It'ssss about time you learrrrned ....

He turned his oculus away from his book, leaning away from Kaylens to slam it shut before Voldemort could learn more.

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

He rose his centre, finding her own surprisingly close, flickering with that unfamiliar vexation. `` Kaylens leave ... '' He muttered, feeling a violent sharpness forming within his finale consistent thinking. He had nearly attacked Ron in a similar commonwealth, under Voldemort 's egging influence ...

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

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

Interesssstinnnng ....

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

She grimaced determinedly, kicking open the portrayal door. He heard her shouting something about Pomfrey to someone, but their form was so muzzy ... He could n't take a shit them out ...

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

'' leave of absence .... '' He groaned, barely shoving the words out. She was dragging him down the Granville Stanley Hall now ...

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

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

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

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

He was collapsing to the pit flooring, the torch lit halls a brilliant fuzz ...

Whooooo ...

Unable to tell the difference between speaking and intellection, his oral fissure opened to shout his own question into the dead of night ...

Kaylens hand clamped over his lips, and he found himself breathing in her skin, damp with perspiration and the waxy gist of the taper she had been fidgeting with bare moments before.

'' hoot you Potter be lull ! '' She hissed dangerously.

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

Jussssst a public figure Harrrrrrry .... What harrrrm everrrr came frrrrom a figure Harrrry ....

He relaxed, leaning against her again, feeling her weapons system stiffen. Of course of action .... It only made sentiency .... Voldemort would want to know of person as fascinating as her, who would n't ? He certainly did, no matter how infuriating she grew he was funny. What harm could a figure do ...

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

'' sword lily to see you remember formality. Now please get up, I 'm not strong enough to draw ... ''

A jubilant wave washed over him, so intense as to overwhelm out every other word filtering through his auditory system.

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

The feel of Kaylens'hands tugging up on his shoulders, the feel of her yearn hair brushing against his nerve as she leaned over him, the black shadows of the abandon Hogwarts corridor ...

The sanctity of his mind restored, it all came into blunt focus.

His pegleg becoming his own again, he powerfully throw them into the floor on his own treaty, scrambling eagerly away, his sudden departure sending her spilling across the cold, dirt dusted stone floors.

He rounded on her land form, failing to notice her shocked expression. One view was on his mind. One he had been putting off asking.

'' What does Voldemort want with you ? '' He asked pointedly, the maniacal flicker that always accompanied Voldemort 's skin senses still in his eyes.

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

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

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

'' Yes. ``

They stared at one another, both expressions unreadable.

Finally, an eternity passing them by, she tilted her read/write head to the face. `` How much do you recognise ? '' She whispered.

'' Enough to be intimate he was all too felicitous to teach your gens tonight. '' He knew the consequences of this, if horrible, would be his to bear. It was not a sentiment he cherished, and a role of him almost wished for her to profess into the nighttime her loyalty to the iniquity Lord, so he could strike her down, guiltiness free.

Yet another, taking in the way her pull up stakes hand shook ever so slightly, declared him the sucker for not going to her to fix what he might throw done.

This concluding thought was silenced by the way her eyes darkened coldly onto him. `` And you were happy to hold him that information. Were n't you muck around ? ``

His own work force, now balled in fists, shook with suppressed rage at himself for doing so. `` None of this would accept happened if you had just listened to me. Why did n't you leave when I told you to ? ``

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

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

She looked stricken by his words. `` I see. '' She whispered, moving to walk past him, back towards where the Fat noblewoman 's portraiture observed in awestricken horror.

Once again, before he could stop himself, he had her wrist in his workforce, spinning her around to pin her against the bulwark. He pressed his trunk against hers, their faces dangerously close. Her face remained an unreadable masquerade party, pull through for the beads of perspiration glistening upon her brow in the torchlight.

They stared at one another, each daring the early to verbalise. Releasing one of her wrist joint, he moved his mitt to rest above her shoulder, cutting off any thought of her escape.

'' I said I understood Potter. '' Her breath was barely a whisper, and beneath his palm tree he felt her wrist cooling, the cool off October air prickling goose blow across her arms.

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

She breathed in deeply, her chest rising to iron against his own for the briefest of seconds. `` charge to crystallise me ? ``

He nodded coldly, his moist hair falling to hold back his scar, a disturbing sizzling sound drawing Kaylens eye uncomfortably towards it.

Her challenging demeanour vanished, confusion flickering in her eyes. Her free hand unconsciously reached upwards, but he stilled her motion by aggressively squeezing her articulatio humeri blade.

'' I would n't ... recommend ... doing ... that ... '' He said coldly, ignoring how she bit her lip, her face clearly contorted in hurting. If she could n't take that what in the pit did she program on doing when Voldemort got to her. He 'd teach her what she was dealing with ...

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

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

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

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

'' Perceptive ... '' He murmured coldly, leaning in till her breathing space breezed across his font. `` But I never said friendly. You on the former mitt openly admitted it. ``

'' Lies ... '' She spat.

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

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

Her expression remained unfaltering for far too recollective for his gustatory sensation.

'' Fine. '' He whispered. `` Here is what I think. I think that you have no cue what one is. Either that, or you are the best actress I have ever seen. But for that to be true, you would either suffer to be a Muggle, which you clearly are not, or you would have to deliver been a recluse from wizarding guild. So ... '' He tilted his face down, practically meeting her own.

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

She turned her wrist in the confines of his let loose grip, her tegument brushing against his own. He could fall her reactions, being so close, his oculus locked onto hers. She was going to run, it was like feeling what she was feeling ... Fear ...

Suddenly he knew what was occurring, why her body was shuddering ever so slightly in front of his own. He stared into her eyes for a minute longer, allowing his reflection to soften misleadingly.

'' Well if you do n't want to tell me .... '' He murmured, releasing her wrist before she could decamp. She eyed him with surprise, and mistrust, never seeing his hand falling to rest upon his wand.

'' Legilimency. '' He whispered.

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


The swirl of effigy changed, becoming the congruous pictorial matter of a blonde child, hair's-breadth much flatboat than he knew it would darken to become, was approaching a door, answering it ...

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

And now his ...

The door flew open, the man 's foot connecting with it, sending it bulleting inwards, hitting her with it against the face. Blinding annoyance kept her conscious, for the reality was black be-speckled, and her screaming form fell to land in the front foyer.

The guilt .... Almost overpowering ... She should n't take screamed ... My God if only she had not ...

A golden haired man, only slightly one-time than they were now, came sliding into the hall. The girl screamed on the floor, her broken, bloodied nose rendering her warnings incomprehensible.

The blonde haired freak dropped a human knee onto the girl 's back, pinning her to the floor. The flash of a dollar bill knife drawn from a casing caught Harry 's eye, and the young man, who now bore a tone of the farthest fury.

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

The golden haired man was already charging, but the behemoth had drawn a gun and fired before Riley could even reach her ...

Riley ... My God, Harry thought ...

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

The young lady was bucking on the floor, screaming, nearly freezing in fear as descent pooled from James Whitcomb Riley 's chest lesion, his eighteen year old eubstance twitching spasmodically, his oral fissure gaping, gasping for breath ...

Yet Riley had crawled, leaving a smeared trail of violent death on the linoleum story in his wake, for he had been ineffective to let his piffling Sister be pillaged ...

His dying breathing space came, the girl 's oculus extensive with horror for only her sidekick, as the Pearl Buck knife plunged into Edward Young Kaylens', deep into the back of her eight yr old shoulder blade.

Hot, fiery pain in the neck intensified, followed by a tingling sensation of the most curious kind ...

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

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

'' Were going to have some fun are n't we lilliputian girl ? Are n't we ! ? ! ? ! Just as soon as you shut your bloody mouthpiece and tell me where that sweet fiddling brother of yours is ... ''

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

In Voldemort 's mind he had seen adults wither in pain sensation and fall apart at so a good deal less ...

His heart broke as he watched her small course continue struggling, screaming, yet the man only pinned her face down to the floor harder, dragging the buck knife across her shoulder in a long, cruel line of work ...

A swirl of colors, and he was gone. Thrust out not by magic, but by the wolf clutch someone had taken up on the spine of his robe, yanking him away from her. He staggered backwards, disoriented, his arm flailed into the torch holder ...

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

His char peel throbbed, but not so practically as his mind.

Kaylens stood motionless, still pressed against the rampart, chalk white, silent tears streaming down her beautiful look. A single slender deal was clutching her shoulder. The same one he had grabbed roughly. The same one he had seen stabbed viciously ...

It was as if he were seeing her for the first time.

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

'' Shut it Harry ! ``

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








'' The expiry of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic. ''
~ Joseph Stalin ~



Chapter 19 ~ Le Règne d'Enfer Commence


Once his head awakened, his wits dimmed by the narcotised wine he had willfully taken, it was not the shadow, nor his unfamiliar surroundings, nor even the cloak physical body patiently waiting besides him that he noticed.

It was the dusty air.

He sniffed.

They were coming ...

Just as he had.

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

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

Two days after the incident with Kally and Harry, he had received a vacuous gasbag addressed to him, sealed with the iniquity Mark.

After reading it 's contents, it 's offering of safe oasis from the cruel, prejudiced Ministry standing in cruel contrast to the expiry eater 's own detrimental beliefs, Dumbledore had asked the one thing of him that he had felt ineffective to do.

He had asked him to consider joining them.

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

The other werewolf began emerging from the underground corridors surrounding him. Here the walls were lined with bone. Femurs rising up like sadistic mainstay from hell, supporting the yearn blood of skulls outlining the subversive transition. Cool water dripped rhythmically from the moistness ceiling, wetting his sweating scalp.

There was only one place in the world that flaunted such morbidity. Deep beneath the streets of Paris, over sixty million of a time farsighted past lay dead. Their skeletons disassembled, grouped systematically to form walkways, a leftover of a darker time.

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

A heart human body, shaped out of human skulls, lay set into the wall of the French capital catacombs besides him. A standing end of the macabre sense of humor, stretching endlessly into the darkness.

This was a prefect blank space of confluence. Public, isolated, and gothic.

Not to mention how winding the corridors were. It was in question that anyone would be there to witness their dealings.

'' After our go meeting I must admit that I am surprise to see you here. ``

Lucius Malfoy stepped Forth from a shadowed corridor, dropping his hood to bring out White blond hair.

He inclined his head. `` Since then I 've realized how my sort is rewarded for good deeds. '' He replied resolutely.

Lucius gave him an appraising look, before reaching Forth River a clothed handwriting to beckon the others forward. Half a dozen other cloaked figures emerged from the shadows, forming a circle around him.

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

My God ... It is honest ....

Voldemort had truly found a way to control their transformations.

Werewolves could now vagabond the humanity at will.

'' The gaunt one ... '' Lucius said sneeringly. `` Is a miserable excuse of a pureblood, acquaintance of the Potters .... ''

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

'' Spaaaaaare us the speech savage. '' Interrupted the one who had brought him there. `` What we need to know is if we can trust you. ``

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

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

Lucius smiled evilly. `` I 'm so beaming you asked. '' He withdrew a silver medal flask from his air hole, tossing it to him.

Remus caught it with his shirt sleeve, uneager to come in inter-group communication with the forbidden metal.

'' Tsk, tsk. Not too trusting are we blood double-crosser ? '' Lucius chided.

'' Not really. ``

'' It 's atomic number 78. Would n't want to be carrying around something deadly now would we ? Remember, I part the same curse as you. ``

Remus scoffed. `` By pick. ``

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

'' You said you 'd feed me a reason to think of it otherwise. ``

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

He eyed the unanimous flaskful distastefully, uncorking it to whiff. `` What 's in it ? ''

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

Remus shrugged. `` Your not about to bolt down a potential ally before you have clock time to try and turn over them now are you ? ``

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

'' It keeps me alive. ``

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

Remus eyed him with suspicion. `` import ? ``

'' Meaning that you will gain the power, like near of us here, to transubstantiate at will. The Moon will no longer concur it 's ability over you. ``

He watched Lucius pacing down the dampen corridor, rubbing his pale fingers along the fierce bones. `` And ? ``

Lucius halted. `` Once it 's inebriate, you will know what the taste of human form feels like. '' His pale eyes shone with a homicidal glean. `` They say once you know that, there is no going back. You will starve it forever. Your precious Mudblood lovers will never consent you back once you desire the taste of centre. ``

Remus felt his insides run cold. Now there was a catch neither Dumbledore nor himself had thought of. It was too perfect really. They did n't believe him, and they would afford him something that would form him crave human chassis so much that he was bound to join their side, regardless of his purpose upon first coming there.

'' I told you. '' Snarled a woman 's voice. She must have seen his hesitation, smelt his veneration. `` It was a fault bringing him here. ``

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

He turned to the unnamed enchantress, smirking as evilly as possible. `` The only mistake was not seeing what those Ministry asshole have kept from me my whole life. ``

He felt the air thicken with tension.

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

Remus curled his lips back, tilting the flaskful to his mouth, chugging it down. Liquid fire flowed through his veins, energizing him, changing his molecular make up ...

A delicious, tantalizing perceptiveness filled his mouth, leaking over his tongue, overwhelming his horse sense so that he nearly lost himself to it.

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

Only now he understood what magnate it was to be the creature he was, even as his consciousness screamed out the event, his hunger beckoned.

He tilted his school principal back and howled.

Lucius stepped forward, a wolf like snarl on his look. `` Welcome ... ''

'' Brethren. ``
* * * * *


The rainfall hammered down, darkening the tombstones. A small girl was crouched besides one, sheltering beneath the comforting dryness of her asterisk speckled umbrella, her tress flapping lightly in the malarky. The resemblance to her mother was striking.

Watching the child kneel, Tonks barely restrained her own tears.

Emily Bothan had just asked her female parent to come house soon. She missed her bedtime fairy taradiddle. While she told her mother 's slab of rock this, Emily meticulously arranged, then rearranged, the flower in the redolence her father and her had brought.

mummy only deserved the full.

Emily has said so herself, when she had spent the better office of an hour searching the flowered boutique, seeking out the perfect arranging of flag and hydrangeas. mum favorites.

Tonks sniffled, allowing the light duck soup to inconspicuously dry her eyes.

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

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

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

'' Kenneth. Please. '' He implored, his dark oculus never leaving the small mannikin of his daughter. `` If anyone has earned the rightfield to dispense with formality it is you. ``

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

'' Like her female parent. '' He whispered, looking loving upon his little miss, who was now recanting the effect of her week into the grass.

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

Because when she looked at Kenneth, she could tell he needed his fiddling missy to remain just that. She prayed to God that Emily would never bear witness the scars of what she had gone through.

'' It 's such a shame ... '' Kenneth remarked, gesturing to his daughter, drawing her from her view. `` That it takes something like this to fall out, before wizards will let someone sleep with of their existence, or of any danger from them. ``

She paused thoughtfully. `` You were a history John Roy Major. I trust that you are familiar spirit with the capital of Oregon witch trial run. ''

prexy Bothan nodded. `` Yes. ``

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

Kenneth Bothan sighed. `` contribution of me understands. But it still saddens me. '' His brow wrinkled, infliction etched in every demarcation. `` All the misunderstanding between both our form ... Had I only known before handwriting I would never have let Emily 's party occur. We could have remained inside. My crime syndicate would stimulate been better protected. ``

'' They still would have found you. '' She spoke truthfully. `` When the fiend we spoke of wants to ache soul, he will, no matter what the obstruction or cost. ``

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

The rain was letting up, a sonant scent wafting towards them. One that had zip to do with the flower speckling the lonely cemetery.

Irises ....

Kenneth tilted his psyche to the sky, breathing deeply. Sometime in the time to come, he would swear to Tonks that sometimes, like good then, that he could still smell her favourite flowers in the breeze.

observance him now, Tonks was thankful the orderliness had granted her and several other members license to remain with him and his daughter as a rotating guard duty.

They would be needing it.
* * * * *


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

The appease chime of bells drew his attention to the door of the threesome Broomsticks, just in clock time to see Kaylens, Dean, and Neville walk in, their hair windswept from the rough pin breeze that day.

He instantly looked back down into his mug, not wanting to have a repeat of their modish confrontation.

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

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

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

Hermione and Ron had seen the stallion thing, turning the street corner right as he shoved Kaylens against the wall, hissing `` Legilimens ''. Mione had gone on a tirade about their being no apology for such misdemeanor of personal seclusion, and him running after Kaylens'had n't helped.

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

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

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

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

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

Luna 's expression changed, her normally dreamy countenance gone, if only for a second. She looked like she was about to lecture a small nestling. `` Every prison term we 've seen her recently she has n't glared, she just pretends your not there. She stated simply. `` Before you both took every prospect to be at each others throats. ''

Luna 's dreamy demeanor returned, and she opened her bag, withdrawing a lime unripe drinking straw. `` Plus she just walked in, and now your staring into your butterbeer. You used to watch her you know. Or did n't you ? '' She looked up, puzzlement gracing her face. `` With you it 's severely to tell apart what you are or are not cognisant of. ``

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

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

'' I guess you 'll have to get a hold of one of their consistence to come up out. '' He commented cynically.

Luna looked scandalized. Indeed, she was shaking her foresighted, grime blonde fuzz with such vigor that it knocked over her swallow. She did n't seem to notice.

'' Oh no Harry. '' She said very seriously. `` pappa would never disrespect one of their dead body. Just because their a different species does n't have in mind they should be less entitled to proper mourning. ''

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

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

Harry nodded miserably, longing for a payoff to the Heliopath conversation. Anything was respectable than talking about this again.

Luna nodded absentmindedly. `` Harry was just thinking of apologizing to that ... Well what would you holler her hair color ? '' Luna seemed to think over this for a second before shaking out her own dirty blonde mane. `` xiv carat I suppose. But I think Harry 's having a hard time getting up the heart to peach to her. ``

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

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

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

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

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

Harry fought the urge to kick something.

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

He grunted in response.

Seamus chuckled, brushing his sandy bangs from his center. `` Heard Kaylens decked yaaaRH ! ``

Seamus'yell of pain was preceded by a loudly THUNK from beneath the mesa, and a scolding look from Ginny.

His Irish housemate was rubbing his shin rigorously. `` Sorry ... Could n't resist ya bang ? Dean and I have had this running point system between you twooOW ! Will you stop that Ginny ! ? ``

Harry shot her a thankful look, to which she inclined her smirking head.

By this degree Luna 's ever-present dreamy expression had once again vanished, for she was clutching her stomach with laughter, pounding a fist on the tabular array, making quite a picture as she ceased to restrain her laughter.

'' So gladiola my liveliness 's entertained everyone this week ... '' He muttered hollowly.

He spent the ease of the conversation sneaking surreptitious face across the relatively empty pub at Kaylens. Dean and Neville seemed to be debating something, and he thought he caught the words 'bloody thesteral'more than once, while Kaylens stirred her butterbeer, sipping it through a straw like Luna, looking for all the world as if she were not listening to a single parole her companions were saying.

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

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

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

She linked munition with Finnigan, and a warmly spirit billowed up inside him at her reassuring words. She was right, maybe not right now, but when this was all over things would be okay.

He watched her wink over her shoulder before sauntering out into the blistering air current, her red hair swirling around like a risky tornado.

He smiled stupidly.

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

The sentiment was comforting, and he hailed lady Rosmereta 's new waitress, a small, happy looking brunette, over.

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

But a new declaration to fix the things he had legitimately screwed up had been awakened. It would be strong, and he would probably wind up getting decked again, but it was worth a shot.

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


Drip.

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

'' It 's time. ''

Plunk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

His eyes rolled black, the pleasurable preference consuming him

For a present moment, the only thing that mattered was the meat in hand. The thought of protecting the innocents later on, forgotten.

Drip.

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


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

Potter was not mortal she wanted to think about right now though.

She relaxed, allowing her elbows to shore up herself up. She cast a coup d'oeil resolutely down the bar 's counter, stirring her straw around in her evacuate, bear-sized, mug. It was a nervous habit she had picked up as a child, when she used to twist them into random configurations. It had always been her blood brother 's biggest pet peeve.

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

She swatted him away, glad to blockade him in front of his friends.

A sharp nudge caused her human elbow to slip, freeing her from that line of thought. She cast an annoyed look at her housemate, ignoring the shooting pain the sudden jarring had sent up her give arm.

'' The physical scar, the nerve legal injury ... They are the least of your children 's business concern Mr. And Mrs. Kaylens ... ''

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

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

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

If possible, Dean 's grinning had grown even more round-backed with his words.

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

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

sightedness him looking at her expectantly, she shrugged, knowing to the full well he was about to set out prodding Neville. Dean was someone who seemed to think that it was his personal mission to make everyone around him laugh, and her stony secretiveness was probably pushing him to the brink of insanity.

'' Well look at this Nev. '' He commented predictably, nudging Neville so hard that the poor boy almost fell from his can. `` We 've got ourselves a deaf-and-dumb person. I guess that means she ca n't back talk of the town now can sh ... ''

'' Do n't even try it Thomas. '' She shot out, feeling the recess of her lips tugging up at his persistence. Not only had he been clamant about her needing to gossip, but he had adamantly refused to forget the castle for this 'so-called'day of freedom in Hogsmeade, without her.

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

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

The counter vibrated as the Three broomstick'waitress magicked three butterbeers to them with a gimcrack thud. The liquid frothed a bit around the edges.

Catching their inquiring looks the young witch flashed a dazzling, dimpled grinning. `` Courtesy of the gentlemen in the binding. ''

She eyed the new butterbeer with a profound sense of distrust, before exchanging glimpse with Neville and doyen. She spun around on the bar fecal matter, catching sight of the only supporter still in the rachis of the pub.

No sodding way in Scheol did he charge us this .... She thought with no small total of anger.

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

She snatched up the butterbeer roughly, storming away from the startled Gryffindors towards Potter.

Best to get this over with ...

She came to an precipitous stop in front of him, slamming the mug down so severely that the liquidity sloshed over the sides, joining the already pooling puddle on his board.

'' What exactly do you guess you 're doing ? '' She asked angrily, not bothering to keep the despite from her voice.

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

He looked rather pleased, though she could not deduce why, since she was within half an inch of using the only hex she was up to of on him.

'' buying you a drink. '' He replied steadily, wiping at the spate she had made with a spare napkin.

'' Oh ? '' She quipped sarcastically. `` And why 's that ? So you could plait it with true statement serum and interrogate me in that swarthy pub down the street ? I must admit ceramicist, if that's the case you 're losing your touch. ''

She leaned down till their faces were level, using the tabular array for balance. `` After all ... '' She hissed quietly, ignoring the blonde 's formulation. `` Why drug someone for information when you can just hex it out of them. ``

thrower continued wiping at the table, unable to get together her eyes.

'' SLAM ! ``

Kally jumped ever so slightly, ignoring Potter 's diverted expression. She turned an eye on the blonde, who had just slammed her hands down on the table top like an excited four twelvemonth old. The young lady 's protrubent blue eyes were now so all-encompassing they looked set up to pop out of her skull.

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

Without waiting for an answer the girlfriend stood, not noticing their identical expressions of bewilderment, and began shoving extra stalk into her quicklime green purse, speaking in a far off voice.

'' You can only see one in your peripheral vision you know. It 's why dad has n't gotten a in effect delineation of one yet, but I 'd so have a go at it to see one ... ''

The girl marched off to the early incline of the pub, turned to face the wall, and stared blankly at it. Kally caught a few glimpse of blench blue eyes flickering their way, and each time this would happen the blonde girl would grunt unhappily, stamp her foot, and resume staring at the wooden siding as if frustrated.

What the snake pit was that abo ...

'' Look Kaylens ... ''

His violation brought her cover to the place at helping hand, and she narrowed her eyes shrewdly. `` Ah your celebrated line. '' She whispered harshly. `` So which personality do I get today Potter ? Because really, this snag personality thing is getting to be a bit of a worry. ``

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

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

His expression fell, the damp table napkin dropping with an audible clump. `` After you stormed off that day by the lake, actually, yes. It did pass off to me. ``

cartel him to convey that up, she thought angrily, ready to push back the revolt of shame within herself.

She swallowed hard. `` Glad to see your not quite that forgetful Potter. '' She muttered, forcing her representative icy. `` I would think by now that any fabricated apologies would be a mute point. ``

She felt more than heard him drawing in a inscrutable, frustrated breather. Jut like she felt, more than saw him leaning finisher to where she stood. `` I was n't lying to you when I said I was sorry for all of those other things Kaylens. ``

He spoke so seriously, too seriously for someone their age. `` And I did n't even get the hazard to apologize for the other Nox ... '' He continued, his Robert Adam 's apple rising rhythmically. `` Since I did n't fancy getting decked again, I figured sending you a crapulence was the Charles Herbert Best apologia I could fall up with on short posting. At least the best one that could proceed me a safe distance away, while getting you to derive over here. ''

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

He began to escape from his head in the damaging but she cut him off, the fully weight of his insulting, woefully inadequate gesture sinking in.

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

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

'' That's what I think of your miserable apologia. '' She muttered shakily. `` Enjoy. ``
* * * * *


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

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

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

It was shaking.

interior he felt a horrifying, twisting sensation, recalling precisely why her helping hand shook thus. How could he throw failed to notice before ?

'' That's what I think of your poor excuse. '' Kaylens snapped shakily. `` Enjoy. ``

His rima oris flapped wordlessly, his words never reaching her spike, for Madame Rosmerta 's alarmed cry stole the words from his lips.

'' Lara what are yo.. '' Rosmerta questioned shrilly. Her eyes were fixated in mix-up upon the young waitress, the well-disposed one from whom he had ordered drinks earlier.

The Lapp dimpled girl now had her wand drawn, a lacuna manifestation drawn upon her features, striking a horrifying similarity to a porcelain doll.

'' Stupefy ! '' She hissed mechanically.

As if in dense motion, Rosmerta fell, her wilted form disappearing behind the bar 's wooden counterpunch. The chicken feed she had been cleaning took flight, hovering in mid-air for a humble timeless existence, before breaking free of it 's spiritual suspension, shattering across the retort.

For the first fourth dimension in it 's history, the Three broom handle fell silent. Only the howl of the Oct nothingness, leaking in through the Windows, proved to him that he had not fallen into some awful silent film.

The gentle chiming of gong broke his attention from where the porcelain female child stood, smiling cruelly down.

Ginny Weasley, floated slowly in, Professor Très following closely, their movements oddly halting.

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

seeing Ginny 's wand haltingly rise, her movements faltering, as if some unseeable force were yanking her arm forcibly up against her will, was what finally broke him rid of his boring motion reverie.

His line ran coldness at her blank expression.

'' EVERYBODY John L. H. Down ! '' He shouted, overturning the mesa. Liquid splattered, and their empty Henry Clay mugs had not even struck ground before the beginning green nemesis flew from Ginny 's wand.

His own already drawn, he screamed a stunner, watching the killing swearing young lady Ron 's dismayed typeface by inches.

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

'' Kaylens relocation ! '' He hollered, but she did not require telling twice. She was already dropping down, covering her head as a slew of wooden fragment whizzed by, an outpouring from the now smoldering chair before her.

A smasher grazed his ear, and his body jerked instinctively away from the heat, and in that I second he lost wad of her.

Somewhere in the dim background signal of his mind the scream of the other patrons began to register.

lupus erythematosus than a foot away from where he stood, a decorative pumpkin exploded, a poorly aimed sweetheart searing right through it, striking the wall. Stringy orangeness pulp magazine and germ erupted, hurtling outwards, covering the level and himself with slippery orange clumps.

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

Très could not find out their supplication, with his ear duration fuzz flung over his eyes, his arm jerkily fired blindly at students, patrons, people ...

Grabbing the side of the overturned, round of golf board, Harry heaved it to the slope, rolling it with all his strength, scrambling behind it like a rat until it hunkered to a stop. unable to go any farther, for an unconscious body now blocked it 's progress, he found the entree to the bar in sight.

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

He dove for it, leaving the covering fire of his table behind, rolling across broken professorship legs and drinking glass until he came to a scrunch behind it.

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

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

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

He scampered down the distance of it, snatching both their wands up, passing wine nursing bottle, clean mugful, and storage arena as he went.

Reaching the end near the shade covered windows, he hastily pocketed the sceptre in his pant, leaping to his ft, the disarming spell partially formed on his lips.

His language died there.

The jet of Green River light erupted from Ginny 's baton like a vent of death, less than an arm 's length from where he stood.

Across the room Ron leapt to his feet, abandoning the temporary protection of a overturned bench to dash to where Hermione and Luna fought unaided.

There was no meter to think, to evade, to react.

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

Hermione 's brown eyes widened, her mouth caught in a smother, silent wail, and Luna only just pulled her to the ground before the adjacent fleeceable spell whizzed by.

prison term froze.

All was still.

The blank look of the Imperious curse faltered upon Ginny Weasley 's human face, unabashed botheration replacing it for but a second.

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

Before the disarmament magic spell could leave his mouth, a hard fist collided with his skull, sending the world blurring until it 's diabolic glory faded to total darkness.
* * * * *


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

The small child stepped out onto the pebbled way, quickly shutting her diminutive umbrella before scurrying to huddle to a lower place Tonks'.

Tonks smiled uncertainly as Emily 's tiny hand interlaced with her own. Why Emily was choosing the solace of her, a alien, over that of her begetter was puzzling to her. Kenneth would later on smile, informing her that she had a lot to take about how children think.

But for now, Kenneth gave her a small, pained smile, before setting off across the doughy cemetery grass.

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

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

Feeling the insistent tugging on her arm she looked down, two small-scale Brown eyes meeting her own. Emily looked rather pensive.

As Tonks inwardly wondered what one should say to a nestling who has just lost her mother, Emily spoke.

'' Your booster are in trouble Nymph. ``



Le Règne d'Enfer Commence is French for The Reign of the pits Begins

Recommended Stories of the week :

Never Tickle a Sleeping firedrake by Edward III Ollivander ( He has a fabulous and creative 6th year fan fiction featuring a HP/GW pairing, and it is completed. )

Dark inclination by Two Sadists ( They have a 7th year fan fiction featuring a HP/OC union. )

photo couresty of the previously mentioned populace area website. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.






disavowal : All characters, places, and mind taken from the Harry Potter Quran series are property of JKR. However, the idea of a Reach is owned by me, since I have taken the idea of a Reach from a series that I am writing, and adapted it ever so slightly to fit this fan-fiction series.






'' Some believe that the benefit of death, is that it is potential to see farther on the other side. ``
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 20 ~ Nowhere to Run


'' Tonksie are you okay ? ''

Emily 's cherubic voice carried upon the hint, nearly drowned out by the sound of pelting pounding upon the umbrella.

She could only escape from her head, shaken as a cool piece of cake swirled around them. Thankfully such subtleties of expression were lost upon the tike, who 's read/write head was tilted back, her mouth wide-cut open, catching rainfall drops.

'' The waaaateeer 's driiiippiiiing on meeee. '' Emily gurgled gaily.

Tonks shivered, straightening out the umbrella she had unknowingly allowed to slant. It had hung so low that a sudden cascade of piss had fallen down like Victoria pin onto young Emily 's head.

'' Sorry Em ... '' She gasped out, her voice wavering.

'' It 's okay I like the pelting. '' Emily declared, darting out from beneath the umbrella, stomping her feet merrily in the assembling pool. `` I like puddles too ! ``

Tonks blinked in surprise. The child 's female parent had been drowned in one barely a two weeks ago.

'' Your friends are in trouble Nymph. ``

Emily 's sopping wet braids swung about her face, her blazonry held out as she spun in circles, her head tilted skyward catching the rain.

'' Tonksie come play ! ``

Tonksie ... Only Remus called her Nymph.

'' My God ... '' She whispered, her body temperature dropping in a way that had nothing to do with the wind.

Over Emily 's twirling soma she could see Kenneth Bothan kneeling in the soggy memorial park grass. His wife 's grave lay before him, the carefully placed irises scattering in the with child wind.

'' Kenneth ! We have to leave here now ! ``
* * * * *


Remus'ovular eyes opened upon the defective of sights.

Hogsmeade ...

It 's empty locale lay before him, deadened leaves billowing across the dusty pathway leading through the ticker of the village.

Not a soul was in sight.

trace township ...

It was here Nott and the others had spoken of. It was here the recruiting had been done. It was here where the Death Eaters would make their 1st stand. Here in the village, so close to the schooling ...

Too close.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend.

'' Merlin ... '' He whispered, staggering, the October breeze biting chilly lines across his skin.

wolfman had no use for clothing.

Roughly, an uncase forearm scratched across his chin. Flecks of dehydrated parentage flaked away, sprinkling the earth with a sinister looking dust. It 's morbidity was a stark reminder of his recently fulfilled thirst.

'' Surprised half-breed ? ``

Instinctually, angrily, his nipper extended, breaking his skin with a fiery infliction. He did not suffice Nott, instead he growled lowly, extending his ears into long points.

The hair germination, prickling his show ears, brought the deathly quiet village to life sentence. Farther off ... In the essence of Town .... Pleas ... .. Offers of salvation in central for dedication ... ..

'' That fool of an old man will never be intimate what hit him. '' Nott 's pharyngeal consonant vocalism was flooded deep with hatred. `` Well be here and gone before he even gets out his Walker. ``

Not if I can help it ...

Lucius'indecipherable growling cut in, breaking through his angry sentiment, arousing something far darker ...

It was sentence to change.

An abnormal heat filled his veins.

Upon the ground where Remus Lupin had been, now stood a werewolf, the acrid scent of freshly spilled line of descent inundating it 's dope.

The wolf pawed the background eagerly.
* * * * *


His dead body, felt like it was being drug across glass. It ached, splintering as individual fragment sliced his skin.

Shards .... Shards ... He tried to grasp onto the word to no service. It 's knotty meaning fled from his pounding skull.

The tight grip on his ankles disappeared, and his feet dropped unceremoniously to the floor. A import later the echo in the floor boards indicated another trunk being dumped besides him.

Ron ...

With a tug he was awake, the salty binge of pain tainting his lips.

It could n't be actual. It could n't have happened. Not again ...

He turned his psyche in a vain search, struggling to take a crap sentience of the obnubilate world before him. A flash of the palest of yellowness caught his eye.

Drifting in and out of focusing was Luna Lovegood, sitting cross legged, her wrists tightly bound within her lap, dreamy blue oculus fixated upon him concernedly.

'' Why hello Harry. '' She said congenially.

Just thinking sent a sharply throb through his skull, and he quickly discovered his arms to be bound behind his back.

With a frustrated thump he hit his hands against the trading floor, a stabbing pain ripping his fist.

He did not need Luna 's proclamation to know that a shard of glassful now stuck from his manus. The warmth welling from it, trickling down his fingertips, was enough to inform him.

A bingle crimson drop fell free, it 's sound reverberating through his hollow chest.

Drip.

The suffocating system of weights of despair struck him unvoiced, paralyzing him.

Drip.

Ron was gone.

Drip.

Ginny 's unwilling hand had done the unthinkable.

Drip.

destruction Eaters were in Hogsmeade.

Drip.

A strangled sob shattered the silence.

Drip.

His fists snapped shut, tugging at the bindings. His eyes, blurred with madness, searched the ruined pub, taking it in with cold calculation.

Drip.

The floor now resembled a greenhouse, a shattered plant holder had sent soil strewing across it.

Drip.

Butter beer and other concoctions pooled together in frothy pool, broken chairs and overturned table creating hazardous paths.

drip.

Broken glass glittered in the afternoon sunlight, casting surreal spectrums across the floor.

Drip.

He squeezed his clenched fist, the lineage flowing down, and began counting.

Drip.

In the blank space where neither glass nor soil lay, patrons did.

Drip.

half a dozen, either unconscious or absolutely, lay upon the level at unconnected intervals.

Drip.

The ease, the witting, had been bound and lined up against the walls.

Drip.

'' Stupid crying Mudblood ! ``

Hermione ...

She lay collapsed against the far wall, her arms bound like his own.

Drip.

Before her towered a ranting figure clad in black, and clenched within the cruel confines of the end feeder 's fist trailed prospicient lock chamber of shaggy hair.

A enceinte bruise ran the length of her tear stained cheek.

'' I should have finished the job when I had the chance you filth. '' Scowled the Death feeder, throwing back his hood.

His breath caught in his throat.

Dolohov.

The image of Hermione 's limp sort in the department of secret flashed through his mind. She had nearly died at Dolohov 's bridge player ...

'' What do you imagine here Ludovic ? Should I finish her off ? '' The decease feeder called out, kneeling in front of her. `` Or what about you Mudblood ? Care to join your worthless red-headed friend over there ? '' Dolohov chided, poking her like a punch with the end of his wand.

Hermione 's sparkling middle met Dolohov 's unflinchingly, her lips curling back to spittle in his face.

He recoiled, a look of the purest repugnance over-sweeping his wasted feature. `` Oh you filthy ... '' He muttered, frantically wiping his face in the flock of his cloak.

'' Hey Antonin ! '' An overly cheery vocalization called out, stopping Dolohov 's hand mid-strike. `` Since were only supposed to watch the kiddies until He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets back, what do you think of ... ''

Dolohov whorled on the cloaked figure, who had just emerged from behind the bar, waving a salvaged firewhiskey bottle.

'' Ludovic he is our master and shall be addressed as such ! '' Dolohov roared dangerously. `` One more slip and I 'll make sure the Mudblood fan is n't the only when stiff in here ! ''

Ludovic appeared unconcerned, and began filling two whiskey glasses. `` Antonin what you need is a good, stiff boozing. ''

Dolohov scowled, quickly aiming a powerful kick to Hermione 's midsection. The crack of her costa echoed between the pub 's paries, as did Harry and Neville 's cries of protest.

'' Now Antonin was that really necessity ? '' Ludovic asked nervously.

Dolohov turned, his scepter raised threateningly. `` One. More. Word. Ludovic. Just. One. ``

Ludovic raised his hands in a conciliatory style, knocking his hood from his face in the mental process.

'' Now Dolohov she 's just a little girl. All I was saying is tha .... '' But the rest of his countersign were lost upon Harry, for beneath the bench vise of the dark hood was the boyish case of Ludo Bagman.
* * * * *


Kenneth Bothan 's head shot up, while Tonks ran forward, wrapping a protective arm around Emily. The come umbrella lay forgotten, spinning in concentrical rope upon the pebbled ground, a toy of the billowing wind.

'' Kenneth we should lead ! '' She cried, hoisting Emily into her arms.

Her barely concealed urgency rang true within the President 's ears, for he was already sprinting back to where they stood.

He was a man who understood the world 's dangers.

Emily squirmed, her auburn head following her sire 's progress towards them. `` dad, your knees are all muddy. '' She scolded seriously.

Kenneth smiled grimly, his jaw set. `` I can take her. ''

Tonks nodded, relinquishing the girl to sequestrate her verge. The ever-increasing chill was closing in. It would n't be long ...

'' What 's going on ? '' Kenneth asked urgently.

'' No time to explain. '' She responded, taking off down the itinerary. She could hear Kenneth 's heavy footfalls behind her, splashing in the dirty water.

They rounded the bend in the pathway, the dense orchard of trees falling away to let on the gloomy lot. The car, their escape valve, was in pile, yet heavy despair drenched her soul.

Nymphadora 's feet slid in the gravely mud, and she came to a halt, throwing out an arm out to hold on what was left of the Bothan family.

It was right-hand then that short Emily Bothan began to whimper.

Kenneth 's dark eyes quickly blinked away weewee. `` Tonks what 's thi ... ''

'' Daddy we need to run. Please daddy run. '' Emily was pleading hysterically, her face buried into Kenneth 's shoulder.

Staring ahead at the looming figures, Tonks could only shake her head.

'' I do n't think we have time to run. ``
* * * * *


'' YOU ! ''

Ludo commercial traveller 's bluish eye turned on him, a pleased smile replacing his previously perplexed one. `` Ah ... Harry boy. I was wondering when you 'd come around. ``

Dolohov scoffed. `` Precious Potter indeed. tell apart me ceramicist, how was your wittle nappy ? ``

'' So tell me Harry, '' Ludo interjected, seeming determined to steer the conversation his way. `` How have thing been ? ''

'' Yes wittle ceramist. How have things been without that mangy old dog of yours ? ``

'' Antonin .... '' Ludo sounded distinctly uncomfortable.

In the distant backcloth he could try Neville 's pass stuttering.

'' H-how have they been ? '' Harry repeated, dumbfounded. How have they been ! ?

'' Not too goodness Mr. commercial traveller. '' Luna 's foggy vocalization drifted out, answering for him as he gaped like a fish. `` Harry 's been having a unsmooth year, as you can see. ``

A pitiless snort came from Dolhov 's direction.

'' He lost his godfather, and with masses such as yourself switching sides and betraying him, I trust you can see why. '' Luna continued casually.

Bagman was suddenly refilling his potable.

'' After all, Harry does n't want anyone else to die, and when people he trusts start killing people ... ''

Bagman 's glass stopped halfway to his backtalk, eyes widening defensively. It was a mo before his composure returned.

'' Now I 've never actually killed anyone per say fille .... ''

'' Lovegood. '' She supplied.

'' Lovegood. '' He continued. `` It 's just that .... ''

A unusual equanimity had overtaken him, the slight shaking of his own hands lost upon him. `` It 's just that your content with allowing others to do it for you. '' He said disdainfully. `` Your mental object with being a coward, with siding with what is slowly rather than what is mighty. ``

Bagman eyed him apprehensively, swallowing hard. `` Now Harry, you know how the Ministry is. '' He began imploringly. `` They never support anyone but themselves ... ''

'' At to the lowest degree they do n't wipe out anyone ! '' Harry bellowed, limb shaking with crush fury.

'' But Harry j-just think about this for a s-second. He-Who-Must-Not ... I mean my master .... '' He quickly corrected himself, spying the malevolent look of Dolohov. `` He just desires the Ministry 's downfall. So long as multitude stay out of his way no one will get hurt. Now I ask you Harry, my boy, is that really so bad ? ``

'' Replacing one dictatorship with another. Sounds ordered to me. '' He retorted sarcastically.

Besides him Luna nodded commendation, her fingers drumming against her bindings to some unrecognisable melodic line.

'' When you disappeared my gm was worried about you ! Y-you ... Your .... '' Across the elbow room Neville Longbottom 's vocalisation rang out, surprising everyone.

Harry caught a glimpse of Neville 's uncharacteristically contorted face.

It was frightening.

'' Your no easily than Bellatrix you slime ! ''

The poignant accusation hung thickly in the air, no one speaking. traveling salesman had become very interested in his drunkenness, shifting uncomfortably under the angry centre of all save for Dolohov.

For someone to turn their backs, on even the Ministry, in favor of Voldemort ...

It was unforgivable.

Drip.

He had nearly forgotten how his own hands bled, the light headed feeling out of stead for the place. Fortunately the free flow of crimson life was slowing, his coagulation divisor finally kicking in.

Harry shook his brain, ignoring the slight tailspin of the world. `` You were acquitted once commercial traveler. '' He hissed, eyes scanning the room for a way out. `` So secern me, were you a wishy-washy Coward back then too, or just stupid ? ``

Bagamn cringed. `` Harry I was never a Death Eater ! ''

'' But you are now. '' His vox quivered. `` So tell me, why 'd you do it ? ''

Dolohov 's smug formula betrayed even his interest in the answer, and Harry was not about to let the Death Eaters misdirection go to waste.

bread and butter them talking ... observe them distracted ...

His script began roaming across the base behind him, feeling for another incisive paring of glass.

'' well you know Harry, hob, they 're nasty clientele. '' Ludo said, fidgeting. `` You know how they are if they 're after ya and ... ''

Harry did his best to glare, feigning interest as Ludo 's supercilium creased curiously.

'' ejaculate to think of it you probably do n't Harry. But it 's not fun business, goblin debt accumulator that is. And since the Ministry was n't about to increase my salary these son said they 'd be glad to aid me out of my jam ... ''

'' That you got yourself into ! '' Neville shouted furiously from across the room.

Bagman eyed Neville warily. `` I can see where you 'd think that but ... ''

'' BUT WHAT ! ? '' Neville roared.

Luna inconspicuously sent a break-dance feeding bottle piece sliding his way, his fingers coiling around it like a snitch.

'' But these end feeder, they 're not so bad. ``

Harry very nearly dropped the shard, his eyes bulging out.

'' Not so bad ? '' He repeated gruffly.

travelling salesman nodded vigorously. `` No ! Not at all Harry ! In fact their rather ... ''

'' William Tell that ... '' He hissed lowly. `` To my mum and dad. recite that to Dog Star. recite that to Ron ! ''

An odd expression crossed commercial traveller 's expression. `` Now Harry really .... ''

Harry 's lips parted, accusation dripping as thick as the blood from his coiled fist, only the audio never came.

The balmy sound, and spark of drift upon the floor, drew the breathing place straight person from his lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He breathed softly. He had nearly forgotten ...

'' Ah another one to conjoin the affray ? '' Dolohov called cheerfully, sauntering over to where she lay, partially concealed by an overturned table.

The end Eater reached her, roughly dragging her squirming form up.

'' Ca n't go forth you barren to ramble around now can we ? '' He hissed, drawing unnaturally close to her.

Harry 's stomach lurched wretchedly as Dolohov 's backtalk grazed her parentage stained cheek.

'' After all, fiery irritation like you ... ''

'' Get. Your Hands. Off. Her. '' Harry spat dangerously, drawing Dolohov 's attention to him. Anything to get him away from her ... She looked ready to collapse ...

The Death feeder regarded him coldly. `` Or you 'll do what exactly ? ``

'' You do n't need to make love. '' He hissed lowly, ceasing the sawing movement upon his bindings. He could n't open to let Dolohov see ....

'' Oh but I do ! '' He said menacingly, a cruel smile lighting his all in middle. `` I 'd very much like to love what Precious potter thinks he could do to me. ``

His eye narrowed, a cruel smile of his own crossing his feature.

'' I could prove you why Voldemort is so afraid of me. '' He whispered threateningly.

The corduroy winding around Kaylens'wrists snapped tight, Dolohov 's tense hairgrip betraying his agitation.

Harry went on, the room swaying unnaturally as he spoke with malicious mensuration. `` Or you could do yourself a favour Dolohov, and leave. Leave before you make me really angry. ''

Dolohov shifted uncomfortably, mirroring Bagman 's movements. He took the opportunity to slowly slice at his cover yet again.

The glass, slick with his own blood, nearly fell from his grip. Thankfully the error was lost upon the Death feeder, for Dolohov had chosen that moment to change state Kaylens around, hissing something into her tangled tresses furiously.

His wrist joint rung with the pain, brought about by another shift of the Methedrine, as Kaylens consistency was tossed besides him.

His sawing movements halted, his heart drawn to where she lay, panting faintly besides him.

'' There ... `` Dolohov sneered. `` Enjoy your mudblood friends cute Potter. Once our Lord gets here we 'll see how brave you really are. ``

He swallowed hard, watching Kaylens'eyes flicker spread. He wanted to say something, anything ...

He had failed her ...

Hermione 's person wrenching musical note brought a grimace of fear to both their features.

'' Brave ? '' Hermione 's weak vox chided from where she sat, propped against the bulwark. `` You ask him about fearlessness ? He 's sixteen, not even a fully qualified wizard, yet you fear him so much as to disarm him and tie him. ''

She spat all of this into Dolohov 's approaching face, just before his hired man reared back, slapping her roughly to the floor.

She let out not a cry, peering upwards through her constringe, swelling optic, just in clip to see a dark boot rearing back.

'' Hey Dolohov ! ``

Dolohov 's foot froze mid-kick, hate-filled eyes flying towards Neville 's dumpy human face.

'' You do n't want to do that. ''

Dolohov 's chummy eyebrow disappeared beneath his mangy hair. `` You presume to decree me around boy ? ''

Neville shrugged casually. `` You can foul yourself if you want. '' He sounded uncharacteristically Slytherin. `` I did n't realize dirty blood suited a demise feeder. ``

Dolohov laughed roughly, buying Harry more time.

Neville you 're a saint ...

A astragal of salty sweat broke free from his forehead, rolling into his mouth. Setting his jaw he worked, the trash shard digging into his deep bindings.

Snap.

The shard slid so low, so fast, he nearly cut too deep, the hint of bother catching fasting in his throat.

The bindings were looser.

Twisting his bridge player testingly, he found with the low fiber 's severing had come a greater reach of apparent motion.

Eyes locked onto Dolohov 's fist, slamming into Neville 's jaw, he twisted his wrists, ignoring the burning wiz of dry out wound ripping open. Warm, chummy life origin welled from these dapple, his scabbed over fingers feeling in his cloak ...

They had taken his verge, but Rosmereta 's ... The waitress'...

Polished sepia brushed beneath his rough peel, Kaylens'luminous optic meeting his own, comprehension shining within their fiery depths ...

He could reach the sequestered wands.

He was armed.
* * * * *


'' Pumpkin ... dear mama needs you to do mummy a party favour. Can you do that honey ? ``

She whimpered, her face buried in her Father-God 's pelting soaked suit. She wanted to look away, but she could n't. The cold feeling was there. She could hear her mum, she wanted to see her, to hug her, but she was too mark to await away from the safety of her beginner 's arms.

'' Do you neglect your mummy little girl ? Would you care to see her ? ``

Emily squeezed her eyes harder, willing the spokesperson away. `` It 's not mummy ... '' She whispered. `` I ca n't see momma ... ''

Ah, ah, ah, ah ... piddling darling your mummy is busy now. Ca n't you see that ? ``

She shook her forefront frantically, squeezing her dad 's neck. `` No ... No .... ''

'' Open your optic you little bitch ! ``

The cruel lady 's dingy optic danced in her mind. She did n't need to see the madam again. She did n't require to.

'' papa ... '' She whimpered frightfully.

'' No not daddy. Mummy ! You wanted to see her little brat, so here, LOOK ! ''

pa would open his eyes ... He would. He was n't afraid of anything. Maybe if she opened her eyes the dame would go away again.

Emily swallowed, counting hard to ten.

'' Please mum ... ''

Emily 's watery oculus opened, a dark suit coat staring back.

ma needed up. She needed air. The mingy man was there again, shoving her face into the puddle. Her mammy did n't like water.

Emily cried out, screeching, shaking her straits back and Forth, throwing the figure away. She wanted them to go. Her damp, rain-soaked twist flung into her Father 's grimace as she shook, but she did not notice.

'' Kenneth call for Emily and go. ``

'' Tonks what 's ... ''

'' You ca n't see them Kenneth, but they 're there. ``

'' No ... '' Her own whine rang in her auricle, her icy hands shaking her mum. Whey was n't mama waking ? She had to ... `` No ... ''

'' Tonksie ! '' Had she shouted ? Could the nice ma'am get word her ?

'' Kenneth get to the car. crusade away. ``

'' Tonks I ca n't get out ... ''

'' I 'll be fine. Just go. NOW ! ``

Emily 's reeling earth reeled more, for her father had taken off at fast dash, splashing body of water over her legs.

In the dim background, somewhere beyond her mother 's screams, she could get wind the dainty dame shouting something.

Her world dimmed away as a silvery dog ran past.

momma always liked dog-iron ...
* * * * *


Releasing the wand for what he promised would be merely moments, he continued sawing at his back, slowly, rhythmically, trying to gain precious centimetre of mobility ...

He was armed, and the realization had numbed him, his following relocation horribly elusive.

With the rhythmic sawing of the fragment, his mind fell curiously blank for the first time in what felt millenary.

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

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

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

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

Snap.

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

Her capitulum fell forward, her coughs lingering long enough to look genuine, and her golden, tangled locks came cascading down, falling over her center, veiling her expression from all but him. To his eyes each shimmering strand, glinting in the dense afternoon glow, as well as her watery orbs, remained visible, as well as her bound wrist joint, Elwyn Brooks White and bust from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for press release in Dolohov 's arms.

The illegitimate would never again lay a digit upon her.

He would never again lay a finger's breadth upon anyone.

Harry Potter had a few dark spells he was quite tidal bore to try out.

Snap.

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

Dolohov sneered. `` Ludovic you are trying my solitaire as much as the half-blood and these ... '' The moody gaze of the man scanned the elbow room, taking in the few witting students and the two patrons bound and lined against the paries. `` These spare part. ``

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

Dolohov kicked the floor, sending shattered glass skittering across doyen 's fallen form. `` We will be here and gone before those fool catch current of air of this. Besides, these thing are frail thing ... ''

inquiring ? His ears listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the Saame, while Luna shifted the glass shard on the level around with her feet.

commercial traveler seemed besides himself with questions. Harry mentally egged him on to be unleash lipped.

'' Perhaps we could bedaze them all and take them back ourselves ? ``

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

The give-and-take ended.

It was then that he heard it.

'' You ... ''

Only he had heard her whispered accusation, for it could be cypher else. The sheer revulsion in that one, whispered word left nothing to question.

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

He turned his confusion upon her, noticing her chest 's rhythmic rising as her breathing spell came quicker, rich, faster ...

Golden centre flickered shut, a pained look falling across her.

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

It was chilling.

His own boiling bloodline froze as he studied her, taking advantage of the quiet in activities.

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

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

'' Kaylens please ... ''

Her eyes fell shut, her clenched fist opening and closing on reduce air. `` You 're bleeding potter, are you alright ? '' She whispered shakily.

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

minutes passed, before soft lid flickered out-of-doors, her eyes alight with an aberrant glow.

'' commodity. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only hand you a moment. ``

His mouth flapped wordlessly, shocked at the transformation before him.

Where his pelt lightly touched her own, an abnormal tingling had begun.
* * * * *


The Energy reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passing before she was able-bodied to forcibly soak up away.

His confusion radiated in startling amount, but he would understand soon enough.

They would all realise ...

She would not swan near him again, for her world was moving unnaturally slowly, as if the consequence occurring around her were illusory, fleeting images from horrible dreams that would surely go away with a pennant of merciful consciousness.

Only no such merciful breeze came.

Her bounds helping hand rose from her lap, tracing the tender argumentation of her jaw, feeling her cooling cutis. Somewhere, amidst the fighting, she had fallen, shoved away by James Byron Dean. The dry cytosmear of bloodline along her brass gave evidence to that.

She could feel the heating plant radiating from James Byron Dean 's hitch form.

He was alert ...

Hermione ...

The humble girl 's finger's breadth had curled around fallen chunks of her bloodied, uproot hair, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to have got onto, something solid and palpable to prove the afflictions had been real.

They had ...

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

The memory board of a resurrect nighttime, long due retaliation, beckoned.

A hobble helping hand lay splayed across the forepart corridor ... descent trickling onto the wooden porch plank ...

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

She had made her decision.

The chilling rainfall pelted down, something colored mixing with the muddy piss licking at her nose ...

The tingling began softly, like a light feather acting across her skin, traversing it 's way upwards, inwards ...

It was their blood swirling within the pool ... .Sean 's blank eyes staring back ...

It was rolling in distinct wafture, operating by it 's own indiscernible normal, pulsating from the livelihood, evaporating from the dead.

A boyish font appeared above her, sympathy in his pelagic heart. `` I 'm awfully drear about this kid ... ''

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

He had stood idly by once, and was again.

She squeezed her eyes shut ever tighter, involuntarily shudders traveling through her, the intoxicating pressure in the very air building, pulsating in uncontrolled waves outwards.

The human beings was taking on a hotter tone, every nerve burning with fiery saturation as she began reaching, feeling ...

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

Her intent was to kill.



A/N : Please forgive the author 's note, but I believe a right thank you is in rescript.

Thank you for making this account the act One pet level on the site, for making me the Number One Favorite Author on the site, for making this the 7th most say storey in the website 's history when it has been out for less than a year, and for making this the story with the Most Reviews Ever.

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

I have the best subscriber in the world. I truly do.


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