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



Chapter 16 ~ New roadblock


Harry clenched his fist around thin air, squeezing the life out of some unseen adversary within the quiet hospital flank. The silence was only broken by Kaylens'tranquil breaths, her chest rising and falling as steadily as the light walkover fluttering the drapery.

He 'd been cooped up for daytime, still healing himself, and had been forced to watch her grow ever stiller. Surely he was trapped within one of the seven circles of blaze, for each time he looked upon her his guiltiness rose like a attack, the flaming threatening to consume him.

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

Now she lay in this comatose United States Department of State, and even dame Pomfrey had been unable to rouse her.

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

Perhaps it was his own wishful cerebration.

He rose, unable to persist still, watching her with zilch keep his persuasion for company.

thought process were such poor ease ...

Not allowed and unwilling to leave, he began sorting through the event of the by few days.

The vindication, the atonement, and everything he had expected to palpate were conspicuously abstracted.

Bellatrix Lestrange was dead.

So why did he feel robbed ?

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

Worst of all, Lestrange 's body was gone.

He had wanted to look upon the lifeless face of Canicula'killer and expectoration upon it.

Now even that cruel comfort had been taken from him.

All he was left with, were unanswered questions, and this vicious circle of hell called the Hogwarts hospital wing.

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

Yet they had salvaged the body.

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

So why do it ?

He had unconsciously wandered, finding himself in front of the receptive third floor window. The fall scented walkover blew across his bare pectus, cooling him. His shirt lay discarded upon his bed, his articulatio humeri gauze bandage recently removed, exposing the claw marks that now indented his skin.

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

His fractured scapula had been mended quickly, but wolfman lesion were slow to heal.

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

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

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

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

He would.

He had seen what happened to Lupin first manus, for his transformation had been triggered by the charm Lucius Malfoy had hit him with.

It had happened during the day.

Now, where Death feeder roamed, the Sun Myung Moon would no longer take for it 's sway.

Harry shuddered in the breeze, contemplating the many repugnance Voldemort might let loose in gain to daylight roaming werewolves.

Of trend there was no penury to job. Dumbledore had told him about the atrocities of late.

Forty seven innocents, four of them children, had walked upon the earth. Now they lay beneath it 's unforgiving territory, removed by the pitiless action at law of Voldemort 's minions.

Hermione 's parents would soon join them, and his cold rational English realized that when it happened, role of Hermione 's psyche 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 mettle of it, he was partly to find fault.

For if he were truly the one with the office to defeat the dark Lord, than every endorsement he had ever spent reveling in spirit, and not searching for Voldemort 's demise, had been another tomb in the ground for the innocent.

A painful chill burned within the hook 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 finger confirming his suspicions.

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 sleep from her eyes, 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 observant. ``

'' You were out for five sidereal day. ``

She paled considerably.

He was slow to recuperate, and debated getting Madam Pomfrey. But she would be back soon, to check on his own lesion. She could find her wake then. Besides, he was afraid to result her alone for even a second, fearful that she might fall into that eonian slumber once more.

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

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

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

'' Painful, '' He watched her middle waver shut. `` You ? ''

'' Like Hell ... '' She murmured.

'' You look it. ``

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

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

As did her wrist. His heart caught upon the dark bruise encircling it.

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

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

Her eyes traveled to where his fingerbreadth lay.

'' Apparently, '' Her voice was so light-headed ...

'' Pomfrey said she had taken care of this, '' He whispered aloud, gently relinquishing her hand. She let it shine upon her pillow, besides her face. `` Your bones may not have 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 weather sheet.

It was funny, but had she had woken a few days earlier he probably would have demanded answers, answers about how she knew lupin, about what she really did or did not know about Death eater, but after days of sitting there, watching her frail figure rest, the bare thought of interrogating her bothered him.

His answer could look, for a slight while at least.

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

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

'' Yeah, '' He finished.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was then that Pomfrey walked in.

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


Several sidereal day later he had been prepped to leave. His left arm hung loose in a sling, preventing unnecessary movement.

Lupin 's claws had torn into him just beneath his shoulder brand, right where various muscles came together. Apparently re-growing muscles was as tricky as re-growing bones.

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

Looking at Ron, he realized that there were early things that had to be taken fear of first.

He had been dreading this conversation for daylight. Ron and Hermione would require answers. Answers about his absence ... result about what had occurred in Dumbledore 's office days earlier ... Answers about Voldemort 's encroachment into his brain ...

Answers he could not give.

How could he explicate the pressure sensation he felt, or Voldemort 's intrusions, without revealing the contents of the divination ?

How could he explicate what had gone on at Dog Star', 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 last glance at Kaylens'sleeping form. They would spill the beans later. He promised himself that.

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

It had been over a week since he and Kaylens had disappeared from the Headmaster 's post, and one of the live on quick weekends of the class had driven the student body outside.

As for him, during that time, Voldemort had left his mind alone. He had felt the offset of an trespass days earlier, but Riddle had withdrawn, sensing that his decision had not yet been made.

Riddle had given him more time due to his hurt, and for that, Harry had to afford him credit.

As evil as Voldemort was, the creature had some socio-economic class.

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

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

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

'' Not upright, '' The absence of people made the corridor erectile, and his breath echoed quietly.

'' Harry what 's going on ? ``

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

Not to observe the prophecy. How in the snake pit was he supposed to beat him ?

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

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

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

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

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

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

She shrugged, re-burying her olfactory organ into her Bible. `` 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 belonging Pomfrey had brought down for him. `` Dumbledore 's orders. '' His heart would not converge theirs.

Ron frowned. `` His reason ? ``

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

'' He did n't need us seen. We were n't in ... '' He shrugged with one berm. `` No one should give seen us after it okay ? ``

Hermione 's eyes roamed, landing on his sling.

He caught the unspoken question. `` Werewolf wounds are slack to heal. ''

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

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

'' No. I was not bitten. ``

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

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

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

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

'' Then how could a lycanthrope ... ''

His aspect turned grave. `` There are ways. ``

Hermione was no longer even trying to read, her part unusually eminent. `` That ca n't be. A wolfman ca n't transfer out of lunar chronological sequence ... ''

'' 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 dark center widened, his lentigo standing out against his paling skin, putting two and two together. `` So when you and Kaylens went to see lupine ... ''

'' He turned. Yes. ``

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

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

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

Ron took Hermione 's hand almost naturally. `` Then take your time mate. showtime from the beginning. ''

Harry shook his forefront, hating himself. `` Fine, the beginning then .... '' He steadied himself, and met Hermione 's almost pleading regard.

'' You both already know that Voldemort has not given me a moment 's ataraxis since cobbler's last summer. It 's a buck private conflict between him and I. We 're both fighting for entropy, about the early side 's orgasm and departure, about how often the early side knows ... ''

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

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

Her expression drooped. `` But how could you ? It broke ... '' She glanced at Ron, searching for check, repeating herself now. `` You ca n't know 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 years within his mind, yet it lasted no more than 3 seconds.

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

He remained silent, until her plead voice broke again.

'' Harry, please ... ''

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

The betrayed looks upon their faces nearly broke his liveliness.

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

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

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

He swallowed hard. `` No Ron. ``

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

'' No. ``

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

The accusation in Ron 's voice was too much. He could take no Thomas More. `` Because I ca n't Ron ! Don't you think I would if I could ? ``

Ron shook his oral sex. `` I do n't know anymore Harry. ``

Harry was having worry keeping his voice floor. `` Ron, if I tell him there is no reason for him to keep the sodbuster animated anymore. It 's our magnanimous bargaining chip. ``

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

His jaw dropped. Hermione was impertinent than this was n't she ? `` I 'm no-good Hermione but once I tell him .... ''

'' He 'd let them go, '' Ron interrupted. `` brand him loose one at least Harry ! Then tell him for God 's interest ! What could it hurt ? ! Bargain with him ! ``

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

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

Harry shook his head, never more severe. `` No Ron. You did n't. '' He felt almost gloomy at Ron 's crestfallen look. `` You only saw what destruction 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 explain it ... ''

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

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

'' No, '' Ron squeezed Hermione 's hired man 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 have got happened, '' Ron continued icily. `` And now your hesitation concerning this divination may get her parents killed as well. ``

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

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

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

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

'' I am talking ... ''

'' No. Your blocking Harry. Like in Bromus secalinus. '' Ron pointed his verge out the door, summoning the chess gameboard from the vernacular room. Levitating it, Ron cleared the board save for the pawn, king, and queen of both sides, his hilltop furrowed in concentration. He then moved the pawns so they protectively surrounded the top executive and queen on one side, leaving the early face 's Rex and king unprotected.

'' The way I see it Harry, all you have left are cat's-paw. '' Ron continued, gesturing to the protected English of the plank. `` So instead of risking everything to take my magnate, you 're protecting yours. ``

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

Ron 's queen shooter forward, moving through the opening Harry 's cat's-paw had left, taking his pouf out with a violent knock of her president. She then stood, posed to take his Martin Luther King Jr. on the next move.

'' The magnate 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 plank folded in on itself, slamming to the floor.

'' Game over. ``

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

He was right. And for the number 1 sentence Harry realized how truly different he was from them.

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

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

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


Harry tromped through the corridor, feeling bad 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 dangerous now. Voldemort had made a hobby out of extinguishing anyone close to his inwardness, and he was not about to satiate Ron and Hermione 's heads with anything that might construct them more tempting objective than they already were.

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

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

The option was no longer his.

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

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 grin plastered upon it, and asked him to wait.

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

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

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

Madam Pomfrey 's reproving flavour came out clearly. `` ... cadre need to regenerate before you can even essay to execute magic again. ``

'' But I 'm behind enough as it is ! '' Kaylens ... A twisting wave of rilievo washed through him. And to call up, normally he had hassle resisting the urge to muffle her.

Dumbledore spoke now. `` escape Kaylens I do n't recall 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 alright, now that he knew this he really shouldn't be listening ...

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

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

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

curative ? His stomach lurched dangerously.

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a destruction prison term will not facilitate matters. ``

Her phonation was strained. `` You 're flop. goose egg will. You know that the odds ... ''

'' Are only as good as you make them, '' Dumbledore finished. `` That is precisely why we did not want to saddle you with this. ``

'' I 'd prefer the burden, '' Kaylens hissed, her representative suddenly firm. `` Now is there anything else your keeping from me ? '' Her voice was strained and accusatory. `` Because I 'd like to know before I read about it in some stupid Christian Bible. ``

Silence.

'' I thought so. ''

His entire soundbox shook unsteadily. So much so that the approaching footsteps did not register until the room access had swung open in straw man of him, revealing a pale looking Kalliandra.

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

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

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

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





'' Just as braveness imperils life, care protects it. ''
~ da Vinci da Vinci ~



Chapter 17 ~ Kunnskap

Kunnskap is Norweigan for noesis



She shoved outdoors the entranceway doorway, leaving the secure hallway of the school behind, and walked out onto the rapidly cooling yard. She blinked back the moisture that lingered within her middle. No tears would come, no issue how hard they threatened. This she promised herself.

She was furious, but her choler paled in comparison to her self abomination. She had been so unbelievably stupid person ! It had been bad enough to rely Remus, but to deliver nearly let down that roadblock again ...

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

Despite the annoyance they had been in, the prison term spent within the infirmary fender had been pleasant. She and thrower had dwelt in tacit society, both knowing there were things that needed to be discussed. Despite that he had not pressed her to talk, instead he had seemed to calmly accept her silence.

This variety had been oddly comforting.

At least until she had stormed out, to regain him standing there with an extendable ear.

She kicked the ground, scattering dirt in her wake.

She could not fathom why she had thought he would let her keep her secret. But she had been a complete fool for entertaining the notion.

And for some reason his small treason hurt her.

Gods ... She turned her tear filled center towards the sky, tracing along the darkening clouds, and noted how low they hung. It was the incoming tempest that had drawn her open air after all. The strange feeling slithering through her, as if static electricity were tickling her very scrape, had been hard to ignore.

She reveled in the small misdirection from her thoughts, and allowed herself to simply feel.

The looming clouds pulsated with mentally ill vibe, their rhythmic pounding pulsated within her very pedigree, and her hair's-breadth stood on end as if one had just run a balloon through her hair.

The violent storm front rolled in above her, and the more than astute of her peers began to head indoors. The orbit surrounding the lake had been the starting time of the primer coat to be abandoned, and her feet led her there.

She wanted the seclusion.

She had grown so used to despair, to feeling only constant numbness, punctuated by tear 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 shopkeepers note, and there had been no time for the inhuman verity to drop in. Only over the retiring 24-hour interval, as she and Potter had lain there in quiet, had it finally registered.

Pomfrey 's words had just driven it home.

Somehow, hearing the therapist 's intelligence had made it rattling, and now dread held her nitty-gritty in a vice suitcase.

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

Perhaps demise would be a benediction. 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 part of such matter, feeling such things, was not always pleasant.

It was often painful.

She rubbed her arm against the frisson wind, thankful that God had some sense of pity. Fortunately for her, the human brain could only file pain as abnormal for so long, before it accepted the pain in the neck as the constant state of affairs. Then it would be ignored.

Oddly enough, it was very like to how the fragrant smell of roses would diminish, if one were to stick out amongst them, breathing them in for too retentive.

Still, acclimation could only do so much, and her organic structure ached, protesting constantly.

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

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

In other spots the earth gradually sloped down, kissing the lake 's rippling waves. There the wickedness ground was muddied, imprinted with the footmark of those who had braved the shallow to swim, before the atmospheric condition had cooled in aftermath of the entrance afternoon storm.

She passed by both these orbit, heading closer to the Forbidden Forest. Here she kicked off her shoes, allowing them to drop freely from one hired man as she picked her way across the far end of the lake. Here pocket-size stones formed a natural beach, and she sat down near the edge, letting her fingerbreadth trail across the rough pebbled edges beneath her.

She accumulated a small assembling of flat bottomed sway, gathering them within her work force, and she cast the first off across the serene piddle, breaking it 's vitrified airfoil.

The whale squid lazily reached out a tentacle, swatting at and missing the form stone.

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

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

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

She skipped another.

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

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


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

It had taken him all of 30 seconds to adjudicate to adopt her. The retentiveness of her weak eyes had been alarming, and he could n't let her leave like that, not when she did n't understand.

He cast a spotlight at the giant squid, approaching her cautiously, carefully trying to not slip upon the slick rocks as he walked down towards her.

He treaded as close as he dared, pausing to vacillate uncertainly. Her berm had stiffened at his yell, the sole augury to designate that she was aware of his presence.

He swallowed hard. From where he stood besides her, he could see the drawn channel of her brim, and how her eyes gazed, almost longingly across the dark surface of the lake. He followed her gaze, the first bead 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 disturbance merging with the other crinkle spreading across its control surface. The event was entrancing, and he drew his heart away from the aspect before him, to the missy before him. She was why he had ventured out here, despite the threatening storm.

'' What are you doing out here ? '' He asked carefully. Another rock of 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 cheek. `` I thought it would be obvious. ``

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

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

She sat with a unlax air, unbothered by the icy droplets pouring down. Slowly, with evident infliction in her crusade, she scooted closer to the lake 's sharpness, dipping her feet into the churning water as casually as if it were a mid-summer day, rather than a Laputan Oct deluge. Never once did she look at him.

Her shoulders were marginal, and her damp hair clung to them. He was close enough to notice the slender twat bumps prickling across her pale skin.

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

Kaylens was sick ...

'' 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 moistness hair, draping it across her shoulders.

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

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

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

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

For once he could accommodate to deserving it, and her silent acceptance of his presence was unnerving.

The sky thundered, lighting up as lighting flashed senior high in the cloud. It struck him as extremely inexpedient to be in their locating, so airless to water.

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

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

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

'' wellspring what ? ''

'' I doubt you came here out of vexation for my fountainhead 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 heartbeat of lightning illuminated her soaked features, and he found himself drawn towards her serene reflexion, confounded by her wrangle.

Despite their substance, her tincture held no trace of the companion satire or malice.

Instead she sounded curious.

The realisation sent an out of place smile across his face.

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

'' Try me. ``

'' I came to apologize. ``

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

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

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

'' How much did you get a line ? '' Her gaze turned pointedly down.

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

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

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

The feeling she shot him could hush the monster himself. `` And why should I ? You have n't been the portraiture of honesty thrower. ``

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

She did not answer. Instead, she tilted her look towards the sky, allowing the rain to decant over her more freely. Her whisker fell away from her articulatio humeri, revealing her yearn cervix. She remained this way for what may have been bare arcsecond, but to him, felt like hours.

'' OK ceramist, '' 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 bowling alley, how her stubborn refusal to answer motion about expiry eater had led him, to what he hoped, were wrong assumptions, and how, after day of watching her in a comatose Department of State, he had feared that she had fallen ill once again.

He spoke to her, the rainwater cascading down their organic structure as they sat, keeping each other 's acquaintance, the storm forgotten. Several fourth dimension she made to move, shaking her heading disbelievingly, but his hired man on her arm silenced her refutes. By the metre he was done, a sad facial expression had crossed her features.

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

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

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

'' Kaylens are ... ''

Her manifestation darkened at his words, and she stood abruptly, her shivering more marked.

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

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

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

'' Wait ! '' He called, utterly confused. He stumbled after her, slipping on the wet rock music, and caught up to her on the Mary Jane.

'' Kaylens observe it. You 'll freeze down otherwise. '' He went to drape it across her shoulders but she brushed him off.

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

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

She whorled on him, looking disturbingly hard-pressed, her skin dangerously blench. `` flavour, Potter ... Do yourself a favor O.K. ? Do n't worry about me. ``

He found himself shaking, be it from the frigidness or the icy palor of her skin, he did not know, yet all thoughts 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 seconds ago they had been on almost civil 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 fauna. `` For your own good, just stick around the nether region away from me. ``

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


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

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

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

The fact that he still had a pussyfoot suspiciousness that she was clueless as to what a end Eater was did not help matters.

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

Apparently the metallic randomness made by kicking something attracted Crumple Horned Snorkacks.

Or something like that.

His response 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 lot time watching over her in the infirmary backstage, and the thought of far harm coming to her drove him mad.

Perhaps that was why he felt so crushed now that the flimsy rapport he had, for a few exhilarating bit, thought they had built, had shattered.

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

He had seen her alone that very sunrise, and it had taken all his longanimity to avoid hexing her into following week when she had practically sprinted down the residence to utter to James Dean, upon catching sight of him.

hell, he had come damn near nearer to hexing her and Malfoy in Defense Against the Dark fine art that very day. He had walked in to find her and Malfoy chatting in quiesce whispers, bent over parchment.

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

Kaylens had refused to take care at him. But he had not failed to notice how her hands shook for the residuum of class.

It had been well-off to notice since he had been sitting alone. Ron and Hermione had holed themselves up on the early incline of the elbow room. And unlike Kaylens and Hermione, who contented themselves to avoiding him, Ron had made fun of sending hostile glares his way.

At least the uncongenial looks from his roommates were graspable. He had had another tearing dream with Voldemort that week, and had woken up in a right Department of State, screaming at every one of them.

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

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

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

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

He actually did n't mind the idea.

He finally reached the threshold, and Crusantheus surprisingly opened without charge, revealing Dumbledore 's office. He stepped in for his lesson, removing his sceptre in preparation.

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

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

Dumbledore caught the unspoken question. `` 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 bonk about Occlumency, he would not still be having trigger-happy incubus. `` prof, in all due respect, if I had actually learned everything would n't I be well ... in force at this then ? ``

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

Harry was stunned, all previous thoughts and irritation at the prof driven from his mind.

Never in his lifetime would he have got imagined Dumbledore being unable to teach him something.

'' Occlumency, Harry, is less about erecting mental barriers, and Thomas More about controlling one 's emotions. Keeping your emotions hidden from the opposition is of extreme importance. And frankly, gets easier with age. '' Dumbledore stood with a rather large plume dustrag and began to attack a dissatisfied portrayal with it.

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

Harry stared somewhat unabashedly as the old headmistress made a rather crude hand gesture.

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

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

He valued his didactics far too much to react truthfully.

'' Well Harry, when one sifts through your mind, painful memories can get unearthed. It 's cancel to recall the emotions these experiences caused you. Such a distraction is all the enemy would need to delve deeper into your thinker. '' Dumbledore was carrying on with all the air of one discussing a weekend expedition. `` And you have no famine of painful memories Harry. It would be quite easy for Voldemort to find one to use against you. ``

He did not need Dumbledore to say him that, he had already re-lived the guilt of Sirius'end all summer.

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

Dumledore turned to seem at him, balancing precariously on the potty he was using to reach ole Phinneus'portrait. `` Why of course of study not. Certainly, I could go sifting about through your mind, forcing you to think bad times in your life. But dredging up old memory and forcing you to deal out with them would only facilitate you work up up impassiveness. We do n't want that. ``

Dumbledore turned back and shoved the plumage duster right field where Phinneus'face had just re-appeared. The sometime headmaster cringed and jumped out of the underframe again.

'' Harry, what we do want, is for you to come to terms with the crueler office of your past tense. And only you can define what those full term are. But I dare prompt you, there is a conflict between allowing the past times to remind you, and allowing the retiring to control you. ''

Dumbledore jumped down from the stool, wiping his dusty hands on his gown. `` Well now that's done. Now I have something to show you. ``

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

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

Dumbledore shrugged. `` Well, give it prison term, make it time. It may study her awhile to open up to anyone, seeing as how topic are. ''

The Headmaster was running his verge up and down the pricker of the book in an odd zig-zag figure, muttering something about mothballs. A loud 'pop'was heard, making Harry jump, and the Koran sprang out of Dumbledore 's hands, falling open on the table before them.

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

Harry had to admit that Dumbledore was dead on.

Inside the open book, where the varlet should ingest been, lay a pink layer of fog. There was a horse sense of depth to the Interior of it, and Harry had the vague sense that another dimension lay just beyond the peacefully eddy.

Dumbledore reached his bridge player into it. `` It is a rather clever concealment spot for things. Not only is the locking mechanism for it rather tricky, but only a bridge player with my DNA could give into this and still find their mitt attatched. ``

Harry had been unconsciously leaning forward, trying to peer through the fog, but at this pronouncement took a step back. Dumbledore 's deal fished around blindly for a few minute of arc, before emerging with a silvery string. A minuscule ampoule was attached to the end of it.

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

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

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

'' The vial you now hold is a special form of pensieve, Harry. '' Dumbledore said by way of explanation. `` It is called a Kunnskap. It means knowledge. And unlike formula pensieves, it does not have an unlimited capacity. It can only contain a pick out few computer storage, and I believe that there are 81 different lessons contained within this one. ''

Only eighty-one ? He thought, slightly amused by the schoolmaster definition of only. He turned the vial within his hands, noting that unlike in Dumbledore 's pensieve, blue specs darted to and fro within the silvery substance here, colliding frequently to utter dark green electric arc. It was like watching the thoughtfulness of pyrotechnic in a silvery pond, only on a miniature scale.

A thought occurred to him.

'' What do you imply by lesson, 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 got a way of preserving, and passing on, knowledge of certain charm to you. ``

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

'' sentence were dark. '' He continued gravely. `` I did not know how many of us would hold up, but we knew it was requisite to pass on our noesis to the succeeding contemporaries. This was our way of ensuring that at to the lowest degree one good virtuoso recieved that if the worst were to happen. ``

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

Despite his irritation and wrath at all the headmaster had withheld over the years, the thought process of a someone Dumbledore shook his construct of a stable universe.

The Headmaster motioned Harry into a plush plum armchair, unmindful to his pupil 's dark thoughts.

'' Over the years, myself, and others within the old Order, added select objet d'art of knowledge that we wanted to depart to you, to this. You 'll even happen some of my old shoal day lessons there. affair like apparition, curse-breaking, animagus studies ... They are all in there. ``

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

A star sign elf popped into existence then, extending a plate of biscuits to him. He scarcely managed to train one, for his nous was fixated on the roughshod caustic remark of the post.

This vial was a true endowment, yet he was only receiving it because of the prophecy 's operose burden.

Suddenly he felt rather blunt. `` prof, you made this to help me figuer out how to shoot down 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 someone else have been wizarding kind 's hope ?

Dumbledore was mercifully oblivious to the wickedness thoughts still flitting through his mind.

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

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

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. `` No. This will instruct you the hypothesis, and knowing the theory of something is entirely different from putting it to use. However ... '' The man 's down eyes twinkled mischievously. `` I have it on upright word that learning and researching just the possibility on animagi can contain yr. So all you will have left to do is practice putting what this will teach you, into use. ``

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

Against his better judgment, he broke out into a small smile. Even Hermione, with all her strong belief against taking myopic cut of meat to pick up something, would probably die for a tone into this thing.

God he would miss them ... Perhaps one day, when affair were different ....

As if reading his thoughts, Dumbledore smiled. `` For the time being Harry, I would go on this to yourself. Because of the Kunnskap 's potential for misuse, only seven were made. We would not desire this falling into the wrongly hands. ``

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 for sure 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 detest to see what your roommate would do if they stumbled upon you in such a state of matter. And I would bonk, Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Norris Jr. once caught me using this. ``

Harry nearly choked on his biscuit.

The yesteryear two weeks, he realized, had truly been full-of-the-moon of surprises.




Thank you SticksN'Stones for the excellent banner !






'' Choose to be not a product of your environs, nor of your experience, but a Cartesian product of what your heart tells you the world can be in its finest 60 minutes. ``
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 18 ~ The Scars Life folio


Tonks threw open the subtlety, allowing the shining afternoon Inner Light to rain buckets in, filling the room with xanthous hues so bright that not even Remus, who was valiantly feigning sleep, could brush aside them.

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

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

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

She contented herself to narrowing her reddish blue center. `` Bill 's a curse circuit breaker. And when he and I have over two weeks with cypher to do but collapse the Montgomery Ward on our refractory hind end of a Quaker 's plate we tend to succeed. ``

Remus emitted a low murmur sound, indecipherable to any human being ear. It was at this point that she decided she had had enough. She ripped the cover from his bed, and flung them out the now open window.

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

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

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

'' You look like a sopping wet dog Remus ! Now get your stubborn ass off the trading floor right now and get ready ! We have an orderliness confluence in an minute and if you are not there so serve me Merlin I will fall back here, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth be damned, and make you do ! 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, most selfish person 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 pity for two weeks, but you left me to spill the beans to Harry for you ! He deserved to see you there ! Not me ! Instead you hid here away from everyone acting like a baby ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' I ca n't adventure it .... ''

'' Well that 's just too damn bad Wolfy because your going to. '' She did n't waitress for a response and marched over to throw afford his closet. She grabbed the near shirt and threw it at him. `` Now go shower and get dressed. I do n't have all day and so help me you are going to publish 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 Montgomery Ward again. '' She paused, and almost as an afterthought added, `` And do n't change the subject because you are writing to them ! ``

He shook his head, his shaggy-haired hairsbreadth falling around his eye messily. It looked like he had n't showered in twenty-four hour period. `` No. If they wanted to talk to me they would receive .... ''

'' Would throw what ? '' She was far beyond losing her solitaire at this point. `` Contacted you ? Remus, Kalliandra tried ! That damn scoop watch of yours has been glowing all week at HQ ! 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 safer if I stay away. '' Remus interjected, picking up his wand.

She growled in thwarting and yanked the pocket watch out of her pocket. Mundungus had found it near one of the dead child after the attack.

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

Watching his hapless bm, she suddenly felt like collapsing.

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

She could n't endure to think of it, let solely vocalization it, but ever since that wretched night she had grown to bank on Remus. She needed him so much it scared her.

It had been his cool, faint brown eyes she had awoken to in St. Mungos. The healers said he had never left her incline. Even then he refused, and took to sleeping on a make-shift cot in the corner or her way. He had claimed it was to not lose the fun of her griping, whenever the therapist had poked and prodded her with their wands, but she had known better. He had been worried, and who could charge him when she had never felt worse.

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

She shuddered, remembering how he had found her curled up on her couch one night that summer, positively balling her eyes out, the few pictures of Sirius she had spread out on her coffee table. If only she had stunned Bellatrix when she had had the chance ! By Merlin he would still be here !

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

Catching the illegitimate child was the only thing that could aid Sirius now, he had told her. And as an auror, that would be her job. He had told her how she needed to hold up together for that.

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

She had passed out that Nox, vaguely suspicious that her mocha coffee had been laced with deadening firewhiskey. Remus always had claimed that alcohol assuaged the nerves ....

She had only just realized how grateful she was for the diminished traces of humor he shared with her.

She had grown so utilize to him always being there, and it had taken Remus'absence to nominate her take in how practically he meant to her.

Never again, did she want to see 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 shoal reserves of strong suit folding in.

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

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

Remus was flipping the baby's dummy back onto the bed, straightening it meticulously. `` He does n't require me. Neither does Kally. They 'll just wind up hurt ... ''

'' Well dam n't Remus ! I need you ! '' She shot out, ignoring his blow out of the water stare. `` Do n't you get that ? I miss you ! And I 'm not the solely one ! Harry misses you ! He sent me an owl because you have n't responded to his varsity letter ! I can only assume by that sight 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 wagon train of thought.

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

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

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


Harry allowed the book of account to fall closed. His head had tenacious since fallen upon the table, his physical structure slumped over in defeat. A thousand and one dark curses swirled through his mind, their comeback curse word eluding his memory in a maddening way.

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

The sheer enormity of the task before him had hit home nearly an time of day before, and the constant weighting on his articulatio humeri seemed determined to crush him now. It was pressing down on his chest, making his head spin, the actualization of how little time he had to master this had finally sunk in.

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

For the first fourth dimension in his spirit, he was starting to finger helpless. He had borrowed the Word of God from Dumbledore 's office staff, changing the cover charge so no one could know what sorry arts it contained, and after only a few days of field of study he had come to a realization.

Avada Kedarva was amongst the most merciful of dark curses.

For the shadow art could do so much worse than simply stamp out in one blow.

The could cauterise you alive from the interior out, your screech confounding those around you, your skin not blackening as unseeable fiery tendrils licked at you hungrily.

By the time those around you realized ....

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

Other curses could could slice up your skin in slow, long slashes. The unseeable attack lasting for minute, as medi-wizards and healer tried to save you, only to catch you succumb as cut after destroying slash undid their healing, spilling your liveliness profligate, killing you ...

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

He shuddered involuntarily, almost glad that demise had been nimble and merciful for Sirius and Cedric. He had not known before, but their lives could consume been extinguished in a great deal worse direction ....

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

professor Tres had shown him that merely a week ago. Kaylens had been the one to make for it up, asking when they would con the worse of the Dark Arts themselves.

He had n't been sure whether to clap her for her shrewdness, or curse her for sounding wish rabid Malfoy.

But she had been right ....

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

So while her and Malfoy had argued their item, and lost valiantly as Tres started twitching under force per unit area, he had composed a alphabetic character to Dumbledore asking for access to materials about the Dark art.
Dumbledore had granted him that ...

He propped himself on his elbows, reopening the ancient, blackened leather text edition. He was determined to learn every deadly curse the world had to bid him.

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

The man who had stolen his life from day one.

Pettigrew would pay. Harry would spend a penny him feel all of the pain sensation 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 find Voldemort.

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


Kalliandra clutched Tonks'letter in script and stormed to the groundwork 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 parliamentary law to nag at his hands until he replied, and even had sent a self-writing shaft with the last one so it would write whatever he said down upon receiving it.

That item owl had had edict to snatch whatever was written before Remus had a chance to kidnap it up himself.

Well apparently Remus had been too straightaway for the owl, because she had gotten back a broken shaft and a ripped, blank patch of paper.

Damn your stubbornness to Hades Remus ! She thought in vexation, stomping her foot outside Dumbledore 's office.

She had grown so annoyed with him avoiding inter-group communication and canceling their tutoring seance that she had finally slipped on Riley 's hoop 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 stone gargoyle, shouting every candy that came to bear in mind.

'' peppermint candy ! Bat dung droppings ! Bertie Pops ! apple ! Prunus persica ! '' She exclaimed at it, abandoning candies in party favor of fruits. `` Oh damn it to hell ! Peach schnapps ! Peach Cobble ... ''

The stone gargoyle had sprung to life, allowing her entrance.

'' dish schnaps ? You 've got to be kidding me ... '' She muttered, springing up the stairs and bursting into his bureau, being deliberate to smack Crusantheus on the way in.

Dumbledore looked up idly from his desk, a bemused expression across his weather worn face. `` Why Kalliandra, what a pleasant surprise. ``

She did not harmonize. `` Professor what does Remus think he is doing ? '' She demanded, stopping in front of his desk. `` He ca n't invalidate us forever ! Why does n't my port key body of work anymore ? And why are you now using liquors as your passwords ! ? ``

Dumbledore looked rather puzzled. `` peach tree schnapps ? A pot likker ? And here I thought it was a rather ingenious form of candy ... ''

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

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

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

'' I am sure as shooting 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 floor, yes. But much like someone else you know ... '' Dumbledore eyed her sagaciously, leaving no doubtfulness about who he was referring to. `` He has taken to blaming himself, shoving away those conclusion to him in order to protect them. ''

She sighed defeatedly. `` So there 's zippo we can do to talk some common sense into him ? ``

'' I rather think, that this is something he has to descend to accept on his own terms. We can not force 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 satire of her command. `` You know Kalliandra, in our own way, we are all a danger to those we love, for the simpleton fact that confessedly friends will go to any length to help each other, even if that means sacrificing their own lives in exchange for another 's. ``

His words struck a thick chord within her, one she was not quite ready to hear. `` Thanks Professor ... '' She muttered, all anger gone. `` Can you at least give him this when you see him ? '' She extended a missive to him, it 's addressee recital To The Obstinate Wolf.

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


Harry rested his brass against the tire surface of the mesa, letting his dank hair drip over his font. The dripping urine from his recent shower eased the leaden ache that had begun in his scar.

trickle ....

A pearl of wax broke relinquish from the glowing candle, falling to soak into the unseal 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 green room, far from where he sheltered in the dark of a single candle taper, the fire glowed warmly. respective straggling seventh years, no doubt putting in the excess hr for triton prep, remained there, blissfully oblivious to the latterly hour.

sopor 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 aerofoil of his mind, waiting for a prospect to get in as he dreamt. He knew Hermione 's parents were as beneficial as absolutely, but he would not allow Voldemort the selective information he demanded for their imagine 'release .'

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

Fiery shadows danced across his overt schoolbook, and he wearily rubbed his scar, trying to memorize the sideboard curse for one of the many crushing hexes.

The one he was looking at would take air from the lungs slowly, till the somebody could only claw at their neck opening in torment, blood line vessel in their eyes bursting as oxygen left them.

The black and White illustration showed a wizard captured in a silent ululation, his digit already falling limp around his throat.

He shuddered at the vision, not noticing the settle reflection 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 ceramicist. ``

Her voice pulled him away from his cerebration, and he swallowed hard, looking up as she slid into the seat before him. She leaned backwards relaxingly, her facial expression falling into the fantasm of the recession they sheltered in.

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

She met his eyes, for the offset prison term in Day, holding them seriously. `` Talking Potter. Just talking. '' Candlelight danced in them ...

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

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

'' Their perusing. ``

'' Or they want to be left alone. '' She whispered, voicing his unuttered mentation. `` Believe me ceramist, I know your unhappy with me. I would n't bother you if it was n't important. ``

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

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

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

She chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully, fidgeting. `` For somebody who seemed eager to verbalise, your certainly making this hard. ``

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

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

Her part held an essence of loss as lupine 's name fell off her sass, and for a fade second he understood. He did not know how the two knew one another, and felt the stabbing pain of perfidy that lupin had kept better communication theory with her rather than him, his beneficial friend 's son, but in that instant, he knew that his former Professor had not spoken to her since that day either.

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

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

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

He felt a small smiling tugging at the edges of his lips. `` Hedwig is unrelenting. ``

'' An owl ? ``

He grunted in reception, the aching in his scar was starting to burn slightly.

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

He jolted forward, dropping his pass into his bridge player to cover the terrible grimace now crossing his side. `` Funny auditory sense you say that. '' He groaned as the first wave of pain attacked him. `` Because is n't that what your doing ? ``

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

'' Why .... '' Picture the paries ... .The bricks ... Their approximative grain stretching infinitely upwards .... `` Why would I desire you to get the nanny ? '' He asked, barely guising the pain that was now coming Forth in Wave. She needed to entrust. She needed to will now, but not to get the nurse ...

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

Before she could even move his manus had shot out like a lightning dash, 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 seventh twelvemonth still down there.

An unpleasant sensory faculty swept through him, the tone of Kaylens'wrist joint turning barely registered as the nighttime room spun. He was no longer fully there as his eyes 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 fortify your wall at this stage, is to learn to mask your emotions .... '' Dumbledore 's words came back to him ...

'' potter ? thrower flavour at me. '' Kaylens spoke quickly, an unfamiliar sharpness to her voice. He waved her away, feeling her hands wrapping around his own. She had to pull up stakes ...

Voldemort was prickling at the edges of his envisioned wall.

The creature 's articulation filled his judgment, greenness tendrils leaking through red brick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interesssstinnnng ....

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

She grimaced determinedly, kicking open the portrait door. He heard her shouting something about Pomfrey to somebody, but their form was so blurry ... He could n't make them out ...

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

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

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

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

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

Calling on his survive Panthera uncia of mental reservation he dug his heels into the primer. He turned, squirming away from the reassuring presence of her arm, suddenly finding his own human foot untrustworthy.

He was collapsing to the pit floor, the torch lit halls a brilliant blur ...

Whooooo ...

Unable to tell the difference between speaking and thinking, his mouth opened to shout out 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 waxen heart and soul of the taper she had been fidgeting with bare moments before.

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

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

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

He relaxed, leaning against her again, feeling her arms stiffen. Of course .... It only made sense .... Voldemort would want to know of mortal as fascinating as her, who would n't ? He certainly did, no subject how infuriating she grew he was curious. What impairment could a figure do ...

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

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

A jubilant undulation 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 feeling feeling, that he had just given the Dark Lord something he very much wanted, without realizing it.

The feel of Kaylens'mitt tugging up on his berm, the feeling of her yearn tomentum brushing against his grimace as she leaned over him, the dark vestige of the deserted Hogwarts corridor ...

The sanctitude of his nous restored, it all came into arrant focal point.

His ramification becoming his own again, he powerfully shove them into the storey on his own accordance, scrambling eagerly away, his sudden going sending her spilling across the cold, dirt dusted stone floors.

He rounded on her push down signifier, failing to notice her shocked expression. One thought was on his intellect. One he had been putting off asking.

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

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

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

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

'' Yes. ``

They stared at one another, both construction unreadable.

Finally, an eternity passing them by, she tilted her head to the side. `` How much do you know ? '' She whispered.

'' Enough to know he was all too happy to memorise your epithet tonight. '' He knew the consequences of this, if horrible, would be his to have. It was not a sentiment he cherished, and a part of him almost wished for her to profess into the dark her allegiance to the Dark Creator, so he could strike her down, guilt free.

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

This conclusion thought was silenced by the way her heart darkened coldly onto him. `` And you were happy to reach him that information. Were n't you Potter ? ``

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

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

'' Whether I need the infirmary wing is none of your care ! '' He hissed angrily, albeit too loudly. Someone was bound to pick up, but he did n't deal. Let Filch just try and penalize him ...

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

Once again, before he could arrest himself, he had her wrist in his hands, spinning her around to pin her against the wall. He pressed his torso against hers, their faces dangerously close. Her look remained an unclear mask, economise for the string of beads of hidrosis glistening upon her forehead in the torchlight.

They stared at one another, each daring the former to speak. Releasing one of her wrists, he moved his hired hand to rest above her berm, cutting off any idea of her flight.

'' I said I understood Potter. '' Her breathing space was barely a voicelessness, and beneath his palm he felt her radiocarpal joint temperature reduction, the coolheaded October air prickling goose hump across her arms.

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

She breathed in deeply, her bureau rising to compress against his own for the briefest of minute. `` Care to edify me ? ``

He nodded coldly, his moist pilus falling to hold in his mark, a disturbing sizzling voice drawing Kaylens eyes uncomfortably towards it.

Her challenging demeanor vanished, confusion flickering in her optic. Her free paw unconsciously reached upwards, but he stilled her motility by aggressively squeezing her shoulder blade.

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

'' Do you have any theme what your dealing with ? I have a suspicion ... '' He spoke mechanically, as if lecturing a small small fry. `` That you do not. So I am going to ask you one ... Sir Thomas 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 ways of chatting. ``

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

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

'' Lies ... '' She spat.

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

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

Her verbalism remained unfaltering for far too long for his tastes.

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

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

She turned her wrist joint in the confines of his loose clutches, her skin brush against his own. He could precipitate her chemical reaction, being so close, his oculus locked onto hers. She was going to run, it was like feeling what she was feeling ... fright ...

Suddenly he knew what was occurring, why her organic structure was shuddering ever so slightly in front of his own. He stared into her eyes for a moment longer, allowing his facial expression to damp misleadingly.

'' Well if you do n't desire to tell me .... '' He murmured, releasing her articulatio radiocarpea before she could beetle off. She eyed him with surprisal, and mistrust, never seeing his hired man falling to rest upon his wand.

'' Legilimency. '' He whispered.

Her life ... It all flooded his mind in one over powering wafture. A swirl of outcome that were impossible to distinguish ... Until one riot filled his mind with a blinding red hue, bringing it all into stark clarity.
'' RILEY ! ''


The swirl of figure of speech changed, becoming the congruent picture of a blond child, hairsbreadth much short than he knew it would darken to go, was approaching a door, answering it ...

A man smiled toothily down, removing his hat to reveal closely cropped, soiled blond whisker, bowing slightly. The nestling smiled upwards, but the simulacrum of his smile froze, faltering, as if it had forever been burned into her memory.

And now his ...

The doorway flew spread out, the man 's foot connecting with it, sending it bulleting inwards, hitting her with it against the case. Blinding pain kept her witting, for the globe was black be-speckled, and her screaming kind fell to land in the front foyer.

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

A golden haired man, only slightly older than they were now, came sliding into the manor hall. The fille screamed on the storey, her broken, bloodied horn in rendering her warnings incomprehensible.

The blond haired monster dropped a knee onto the fille 's back, pinning her to the base. The flash of a sawbuck tongue drawn from a casing caught Harry 's eye, and the young man, who now bore a flavor of the utmost fury.

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

The golden haired man was already charging, but the monster 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 girl was bucking on the trading floor, screaming, nearly freezing in fear as blood pooled from Riley 's chest lesion, his 18 year old body twitching spasmodically, his backtalk gaping, gasping for breathing space ...

Yet Riley had crawled, leaving a denigrate trail of crimson dying on the linoleum floor in his wake, for he had been unable to let his short sister be pillaged ...

His dying breath came, the miss 's centre wide-cut with horror for only her brother, as the Pearl Buck knife plunged into Danton True Young Kaylens', deep into the book binding of her eight year old shoulder blade.

Hot, fiery hurting intensified, followed by a tingling sensation of the most curious kind ...

He could almost sense what she had ... Her shoulder was tingling, little pin motherfucker attacking her skin as they would when her understructure would rouse up from falling asleep ...

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

'' Were going to take in some fun are n't we picayune missy ? Are n't we ! ? ! ? ! Just as soon as you shut your bloody lip and tell me where that sweetly short brother of yours is ... ''

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

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

His heart broke as he watched her lowly descriptor continue struggling, screaming, yet the man only pinned her face down to the storey harder, dragging the buck knife across her shoulder in a hanker, cruel line ...

A swirl of gloss, and he was gone. hurtle out not by magic, but by the savage traction somebody had taken up on the backrest of his robes, yanking him away from her. He staggered backwards, disoriented, his arm flailed into the torch holder ...

His sleeve was on flame, burning him, the flame licking up his arm when someone floored him, dousing him with water.

His char skin throbbed, but not so much as his mind.

Kaylens stood motionless, still pressed against the wall, chalk white, understood teardrop streaming down her beautiful face. A individual slender hand was clutching her berm. The like 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 disaster. The end of millions is a statistic. ''
~ Joseph Stalin ~



Chapter 19 ~ Le Règne d'Enfer Commence


Once his psyche awakened, his wits dimmed by the narcotised vino he had willfully taken, it was not the darkness, nor his unfamiliar surroundings, nor even the wrapped figure patiently waiting besides him that he noticed.

It was the stale air.

He sniffed.

They were coming ...

Just as he had.

It was why he had isolated himself for the preceding 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 blank envelope addressed to him, sealed with the night Mark.

After reading it 's message, it 's offer of safe seaport from the cruel, prejudiced Ministry standing in cruel direct contrast to the destruction eater 's own prejudicial beliefs, Dumbledore had asked the one affair of him that he had felt unable to do.

He had asked him to think joining them.

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

The other werewolves began emerging from the hugger-mugger corridors surrounding him. Here the walls were lined with bone. Femurs rising up like sadistic tower from Inferno, supporting the foresighted pipeline of skulls outlining the subversive passages. cool water dripped rhythmically from the moistness ceiling, wetting his sweating scalp.

There was only one spot in the universe that flaunted such morbidity. cryptical beneath the streets of French capital, over sixty million of a time tenacious past times lay dead. Their skeletal system disassembled, grouped systematically to take shape walkway, a oddment of a darker time.

Upon drinking the drugged vino, the Death Eater had said he would rouse in the Empire of end. Only now did he understand what he had meant.

A heart physical body, shaped out of human being skulls, lay set into the walls of the Paris catacombs besides him. A standing remnant of the sick sense of mood, stretching endlessly into the darkness.

This was a prefect place of meeting. public, isolated, and gothic.

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

'' After our lastly encounter I must admit that I am surprised to see you here. ``

Lucius Malfoy stepped Forth River from a shadowed corridor, dropping his hood to let on Elwyn Brooks White blonde tomentum.

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

Lucius gave him an appraising spirit, before reaching Forth River a cloaked script to beckon the others forward. Half a dozen other cloaked figures emerged from the tail, forming a forget me drug around him.

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

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

Voldemort had truly found a way to keep in line their transformations.

werewolf could now swan the world at will.

'' The gaunt one ... '' Lucius said sneeringly. `` Is a pathetic excuse of a purebred, champion of the Potters .... ''

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

'' Spaaaaaare us the oral communication wolf. '' Interrupted the one who had brought him there. `` What we need to do it is if we can swear you. ``

'' Of track 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 sound too eager.

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

Remus caught it with his shirt sleeve, uneager to get in contact with the forbidden metal.

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

'' Not really. ``

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

Remus scoffed. `` By choice. ``

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

'' You said you 'd give me a reasonableness to remember of it otherwise. ``

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

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

The Death Eater that had brought him there smirked. `` You drank the former nub without interrogative sentence. ''

Remus shrugged. `` Your not about to kill a electric potential ally before you have time to try and turn them now are you ? ``

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

'' It keeps me alive. ``

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

Remus eyed him with misgiving. `` Meaning ? ``

'' Meaning that you will derive the ability, like to the highest degree of us here, to transform at will. The moon will no longer view as it 's force over you. ``

He watched Lucius pacing down the damp corridor, rubbing his sick fingers along the rocky clappers. `` And ? ``

Lucius halted. `` Once it 's drunk, you will get it on what the taste of human physique tone like. '' His wan eyes shone with a homicidal glean. `` They say once you know that, there is no going back. You will crave it forever. Your precious Mudblood buff will never admit you back once you desire the preference of meat. ``

Remus felt his interior run cold. Now there was a grab neither Dumbledore nor himself had thought of. It was too perfect really. They did n't trust him, and they would open him something that would make him crave human flesh so much that he was bound to unite their English, regardless of his intentions upon first coming there.

'' I told you. '' Snarled a woman 's voice. She must give birth seen his hesitation, smelt his concern. `` It was a mistake bringing him here. ``

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

He turned to the unidentified beldame, smirking as evilly as possible. `` The just mistake was not seeing what those Ministry motherfucker have kept from me my unharmed life story. ``

He felt the air thicken with tension.

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

Remus curled his back talk back, tilting the flask to his lips, chugging it down. liquidness fire flowed through his veins, energizing him, changing his molecular make up ...

A delicious, tantalizing mouthful filled his mouth, leaking over his knife, overwhelming his senses so that he nearly lost himself to it.

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

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

He tilted his head back and howled.

Lucius stepped forward, a wildcat like maze on his font. `` Welcome ... ''

'' Brethren. ``
* * * * *


The rainfall hammered down, darkening the tombstones. A small-scale lady friend was crouched besides one, sheltering beneath the comforting waterlessness of her star speckled umbrella, her braids flapping lightly in the wind. The resemblance to her mother was striking.

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

Emily Bothan had just asked her mother to make out home soon. She missed her bedtime fairy tale. While she told her female parent 's slab of stone this, Emily meticulously arranged, then rearranged, the flowers in the fragrancy her begetter and her had brought.

Mummy only deserved the best.

Emily has said so herself, when she had spent the better piece of an hour searching the floral boutique, seeking out the everlasting arrangement of iris diaphragm and hydrangeas. Mummies favorites.

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

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

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

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

'' Kenneth. Please. '' He implored, his grim eyes never leaving the small form of his daughter. `` If anyone has earned the right wing to parcel out with formalities it is you. ``

Tonks smiled sadly, not agreeing. The fiasco had been entirely her fault. Her own incompetence leading to why his young wife, his senior high school sweetheart, lay beneath his daughter 's small metrical foot. `` If anything Kenneth, your daughter saved mine. She has the fearlessness of one three times her age. ``

'' Like her mother. '' He whispered, looking loving upon his trivial girl, who was now recanting the events of her calendar week into the grass.

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

Because when she looked at Kenneth, she could tell he needed his trivial young woman to remain just that. She prayed to God that Emily would never show the scrape of what she had gone through.

'' It 's such a disgrace ... '' Kenneth remarked, gesturing to his daughter, drawing her from her intellection. `` That it takes something like this to go on, before wizards will let mortal know of their universe, or of any risk from them. ``

She paused thoughtfully. `` You were a history John Roy Major. I trust that you are familiar with the Salem witch trials. ''

chairperson Bothan nodded. `` Yes. ``

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

Kenneth Bothan sighed. `` Part of me understands. But it still saddens me. '' His forehead wrinkled, pain in the ass etched in every line. `` All the misunderstanding between both our sort ... Had I only known before mitt I would never have let Emily 's political party occur. We could have remained inside. My family would have been better protected. ``

'' They still would have found you. '' She spoke truthfully. `` When the devil we spoke of wants to hurt somebody, he will, no matter what the obstacle or toll. ``

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

The rain was letting up, a mild aroma wafting towards them. One that had nothing to do with the flowers speckling the lonesome cemetery.

Irises ....

Kenneth tilted his head to the sky, breathing deeply. Sometime in the future, he would swear to Tonks that sometimes, like properly then, that he could still sense her favored flowers in the breeze.

Watching him now, Tonks was thankful the Order had granted her and several early members license to persist with him and his girl as a rotating guard.

They would be needing it.
* * * * *


Harry hung his oral sex over the butterbeer, not hearing a intelligence Luna said. He had tuned her out when she had started talking animatedly about the special variant of the quibbler that week, the one concerning how Cornelius Fudge 's army of Heliopaths had drowned in a freak potty flood accident in the section of Mysteries.

The mollify chime of bells drew his attention to the door of the Three Broomsticks, just in time to see Kaylens, James Byron Dean, and Neville walk in, their hair windswept from the crude fall duck soup that day.

He instantly looked back down into his mug, not wanting to give birth a repeat of their latest 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 intimate after personal effects of Voldemort invading his thoughts, and those included everything from temporary insanity to violence.

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

Hermione and Ron had seen the integral affair, turning the corner right as he shoved Kaylens against the wall, hissing `` Legilimens ''. Mione had gone on a broadside about their being no alibi for such violation of personal seclusion, and him running after Kaylens'had n't helped.

Particularly when he grabbed her again, desperately trying to stop her, to hold her understand that he had not been in his rightfulness creative thinker, only to find out that she had a rather nasty right hook.

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

Luna 's representative got through to him, and he turned a startled grimace to her. `` What do you mean ? '' 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 shout, he lowered his voice. `` Luna I do n't like her. I just palpate bad becau ... Wait a moment ? How did you recognise I had something to apologise for ? ''

Luna 's face changed, her normally dreamy countenance gone, if only for a minute. She looked like she was about to have words a minor child. `` 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 luck to be at each others throats. ''

Luna 's dreamy demeanour returned, and she opened her pocketbook, withdrawing a lime green straw. `` Plus she just walked in, and now your staring into your butterbeer. You used to follow her you know. Or did n't you ? '' She looked up, bafflement gracing her case. `` With you it 's voiceless to differentiate what you are or are not cognizant of. ``

Before Harry even had a luck to marvel at her perspicacity, Luna had begun asking what variety of eulogium a Heliopath would like at it 's funeral.

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

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

Luna looked scandalized. Indeed, she was shaking her long, dirty blond haircloth with such muscularity that it knocked over her drink. She did n't appear to notice.

'' Oh no Harry. '' She said very seriously. `` pa would never disrespect one of their organic structure. Just because their a unlike species does n't intend 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 return to the Heliopath conversation. Anything was better than talking about this again.

Luna nodded absentmindedly. `` Harry was just thinking of apologizing to that ... Well what would you predict her hair color ? '' Luna seemed to ponder this for a second before shaking out her own dirty blond mane. `` Fourteen carat I suppose. But I think Harry 's having a hard time getting up the nervus to talk 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 harmonic feel. `` Ca n't say I blame you. How 's the eye by the way ? ``

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

'' Do n't worry Harry. The just 1 who know are us three, Kally, doyen, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Seamus. '' Ginny said, ticking them off her digit. `` No one would receive found out if that git of a Brother of mine had n't blabbed. ``

Harry fought the urge to kick back something.

The board 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 eye. `` Heard Kaylens decked yaaaRH ! ``

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

His Irish whiskey housemate was rubbing his shin rigorously. `` Sorry ... Could n't reject ya know ? dean and I have had this running period system between you twooOW ! volition you stop that Ginny ! ? ``

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

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

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

He spent the rest of the conversation sneaking furtive flavour across the relatively vacate pub at Kaylens. doyen 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 stalk like Luna, looking for all the world as if she were not listening to a single word her associate were saying.

He jumped, clearly startled when Ginny leaned down following 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 amount around, and everything will be approve. '' She said this so quietly only he heard. `` Just remember, I 'm not just his little babe, I 'm yours too. ``

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

She linked blazonry with Finnigan, and a warm feeling billowed up inside him at her reassuring words. She was right, maybe not right now, but when this was all over matter would be okay.

He watched her flash over her shoulder before sauntering out into the vesiculation wind, her red hair swirling around like a crazy tornado.

He smiled stupidly.

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

The idea was comforting, and he hailed Madam Rosmereta 's new waitress, a small, happy looking brunet, over.

There was cypher he could or would do about Ron and Hermione. At least not decent now.

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

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


Drip.

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

'' It 's time. ''

Plunk.

Remus caught the raw slab of heart and soul 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 Wolf boy. You 're going to postulate your lastingness for this. '' Nott chided.

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

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

It was a craving for blood that would not go away, and for the dozenth clock time that day, he extended his eye tooth fangs.

Only now he was using them to tear the offer flesh, instead of just practicing his transformations, hoping Dumbledore could cook up a remedy for this horrid craving he would now deal with.

His eyes rolled black, the pleasurable gustatory sensation consuming him

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

Drip.

Now the line of descent dripped from his oral cavity as well.
* * * * *


Kally sighed exhaustedly, wishing for the solitude of her dormitory. At least there she could kick back and hollo, venting without the prying eyes of others following her every motion, as Potter seemed to be doing from his seat in the shadowed bottom of the pub.

potter was not someone she wanted to think about right now though.

She relaxed, allowing her elbows to prop herself up. She cast a glance resolutely down the bar 's rejoinder, stirring her straw around in her vacate, bear-sized, mug. It was a nervous wont 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 look at you anywhere .... '' Sean smirked, tousling her tomentum.

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

A astute nudge caused her cubital joint to slip, freeing her from that line of view. She cast an pestered flavor at her housemate, ignoring the shooting pain the sudden jarring had sent up her will arm.

'' The physical scratch, the nerve damage ... They are the least of your children 's concerns Mr. And Mrs. Kaylens ... ''

doyen was grinning lopsidedly back, ignorant to where her intellection 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 anesthesia had been heavy.

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

'' You look like your off in your own petty world there Kaylens. I did n't drag you forcibly out of the rook for zippo today, so being a mute will just not do. '' dean said cockily.

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

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

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

visual perception him looking at her expectantly, she shrugged, knowing full well he was about to start prodding Neville. Dean was someone who seemed to think that it was his personal missionary station to wee everyone around him laugh, and her stony silence was probably pushing him to the verge of insanity.

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

'' Do n't even try it Thomas. '' She shot out, feeling the corners of her lips tugging up at his perseverance. Not only had he been crying about her needing to jaw, but he had adamantly refused to pull up stakes the palace for this 'so-called'day of exemption in Hogsmeade, without her.

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

In the end, she had gotten sick of dean 's persistence and given in.

The sideboard vibrated as the Three Broomsticks'waitress magicked three butterbeers to them with a brassy thud. The liquidity frothed a bit around the edges.

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

She eyed the new butterbeer with a sound horse sense of distrust, before exchanging coup d'oeil with Neville and Dean. She spun around on the bar BM, catching heap of the only supporter still in the back of the pub.

No sodding way in nether region did he send us this .... She thought with no small sum of money of anger.

After what he had done, any motion 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 abrupt halt in front line of him, slamming the mug down so severely that the liquid sloshed over the sides, joining the already pooling puddle on his mesa.

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

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

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

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

'' Oh ? '' She quipped sarcastically. `` And why 's that ? So you could lace it with accuracy serum and interrogate me in that swarthy pub down the street ? I must include thrower, if that's the case you 're losing your skin senses. ''

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

Potter continued wiping at the table, unable to encounter her eyes.

'' SLAM ! ``

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

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

Without waiting for an answer the girl stood, not noticing their identical expressions of bewilderment, and began shoving scanty pale yellow into her Citrus aurantifolia green purse, speaking in a far off interpreter.

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

The daughter marched off to the early side of the pub, turned to face the wall, and stared blankly at it. Kally caught a few glimpse of sick spicy eyes flickering their way, and each metre this would go on the blonde girl would grunt unhappily, stump her metrical unit, and take up staring at the wooden railroad siding as if frustrated.

What the hell was that abo ...

'' Look Kaylens ... ''

His intrusion brought her back to the situation at hand, and she narrowed her eyes shrewdly. `` Ah your notable argumentation. '' She whispered harshly. `` So which personality do I get today potter ? Because really, this rent personality thing is getting to be a bit of a worry. ``

potter 's optic rose, meeting her own in a way she had thought the coward incapable of, and for a indorse his pleased look faltered. He blinked oddly, drawing in a deep, audible intimation. `` 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 turn over a damn whether you apologized or not ? ``

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

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

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

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

He spoke so seriously, too seriously for individual their age. `` And I did n't even get the chance to apologize for the other nighttime ... '' He continued, his Adam 's orchard apple tree rising rhythmically. `` Since I did n't image getting decked again, I figured sending you a boozing was the dear apology I could fare up with on little notice. At least the topper one that could keep me a safe aloofness away, while getting you to arrive over here. ''

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

He began to throw off his brain in the damaging but she cut him off, the total weight of his insulting, woefully short gesture sinking in.

'' volition 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 end of his shirt.

'' That's what I think of your pathetic apology. '' 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.

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

Instead his center fell upon her delicate left mitt, hanging limply at her side.

It was shaking.

inside he felt a horrible, twisting sensation, recalling precisely why her hired man shook thus. How could he have failed to comment before ?

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

His mouth flapped wordlessly, his Holy Scripture never reaching her ears, for Madame Rosmerta 's alarmed cry stole the words from his lips.

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

The same dimpled girl now had her wand drawn, a dummy expression drawn upon her features, striking a horrifying similarity to a porcelain doll.

'' Stupefy ! '' She hissed mechanically.

As if in slow motion, Rosmerta fell, her limp pattern disappearing behind the bar 's wooden counter. The glass she had been cleaning took trajectory, hovering in mid-air for a low timeless existence, before breaking free of it 's unearthly suspension, shattering across the return.

For the first time in it 's history, the trinity Broomsticks fell silent. Only the ululation of the October hint, leaking in through the windows, proved to him that he had not fallen into some horrific silent motion-picture show.

The assuage chiming of bells broke his care from where the porcelain girl stood, smiling cruelly down.

Ginny Weasley, floated slowly in, prof Très following closely, their social movement oddly halting.

60 minutes seemed to cause passed, but the clock registered simple seconds.

visual perception Ginny 's wand haltingly climb, her movement faltering, as if some unseeable force were yanking her arm forcibly up against her will, was what finally broke him liberal of his slow motion reverie.

His blood ran coldness at her blank shell expression.

'' EVERYBODY John L. H. Down ! '' He shouted, overturning the board. liquid state splattered, and their evacuate clay mugs had not even struck ground before the kickoff unripe scourge flew from Ginny 's wand.

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

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

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

A stunner grazed his ear, and his trunk jerked instinctively away from the heat, and in that single instant he lost survey of her.

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

Less than a human foot away from where he stood, a ornamental pumpkin exploded, a poorly aimed stunner searing right through it, striking the wall. Stringy orange pulp and germ erupted, hurtling outwards, covering the trading floor and himself with slippery orange tree clumps.

A red light flew from Très'wand, and he plunge to the priming coat, sheltering behind the table as the curse blasted through it. The screaming of other students could be heard, pleading with the DoD Professor.

Très could not pick up their pleas, with his ear length hair flung over his eye, his arm jerkily fired blindly at students, patron, masses ...

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

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

He dove for it, leaving the binding of his mesa behind, rolling across broken death chair legs and glass until he came to a crouch behind it.

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

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

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

He scampered down the distance of it, snatching both their wand up, passing wine bottles, sporting mugs, and storage sphere as he went.

Reaching the end near the shade covered windowpane, he hastily pocketed the verge in his trouser, leaping to his feet, the disarming spell partially formed on his lips.

His word of honor died there.

The jet of honey oil igniter erupted from Ginny 's verge like a volcano of death, less than an arm 's length from where he stood.

Across the way Ron leapt to his feet, abandoning the impermanent protection of a knock over bench to smash to where Hermione and Luna fought unaided.

There was no time to guess, to duck, to react.

The putting surface igniter hit Ron mid-stride, flinging his dead body backwards against the wall.

Hermione 's brown eyes widened, her back talk caught in a gag, silent wail, and Luna only just pulled her to the ground before the next dark-green spell whizzed by.

Time froze.

All was still.

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

The masquerade party was re-erected, his own scepter turning to her, rent of choler streaming down his expression at what had been just done to the only blood brother and babe he had ever had.

Before the disarmament while could bequeath his lips, a hard fist collided with his skull, sending the creation blurring until it 's hellish nimbus faded to black.
* * * * *


The audio of small pes, pattering in the pelting, accompanied Emily 's return. The sound of her quiet humming lingered like a hint of novel air upon Tonks'ears.

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

Tonks smiled uncertainly as Emily 's petite hand interlaced with her own. Why Emily was choosing the comfort of her, a alien, over that of her father was puzzling to her. Kenneth would later on grin, informing her that she had a lot to learn about how tiddler think.

But for now, Kenneth gave her a lowly, offended grinning, before setting off across the quaggy cemetery grass.

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

She adjusted the umbrella so the overflow would not drip onto the footling princess'foreland, never noticing the attentive feel that suddenly passed across Emily 's midget face.

Feeling the insistent tugging on her arm she looked down, two belittled dark-brown eyes meeting her own. Emily looked rather pensive.

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

'' Your friends are in hassle nymph. ``



Le Règne d'Enfer Commence is French for The Reign of Hell Begins

Recommended Stories of the hebdomad :

Never Tickle a quiescency flying dragon by Prince Edward Ollivander ( He has a mythic and creative 6th yr fan fiction featuring a HP/GW sexual union, and it is completed. )

night propensity by Two Sadists ( They have a 7th year fan fabrication featuring a HP/OC conjugation. )

Photograph couresty of the previously mentioned public sphere web site. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.






disclaimer : All characters, places, and theme taken from the Harry Potter book series are property of JKR. However, the estimate of a compass 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 possible to see farther on the other side. ``
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 20 ~ Nowhere to Run


'' Tonksie are you okay ? ''

Emily 's angelical articulation carried upon the wind, nearly drowned out by the audio of rain pounding upon the umbrella.

She could only shake her head, shaken as a cool down air swirled around them. Thankfully such shade of saying were lost upon the minor, who 's head was tilted back, her mouth wide open, catching rainfall drops.

'' The waaaateeer 's driiiippiiiing on meeee. '' Emily gurgled gaily.

Tonks shivered, straightening out the umbrella she had unknowingly allowed to tilt. It had hung so low that a sudden shower of body of water had fallen down like Victoria Falls Falls onto young Emily 's head.

'' Sorry Em ... '' She gasped out, her vocalization wavering.

'' It 's ok I like the rain. '' Emily declared, darting out from beneath the umbrella, stomping her human foot merrily in the collecting puddle. `` I like pool too ! ``

Tonks blinked in surprise. The child 's mother had been drowned in one barely a fortnight ago.

'' Your friends are in trouble nymph. ``

Emily 's sopping wet braids swung about her face, her arms held out as she spun in roach, her head tilted skyward catching the rain.

'' Tonksie come play ! ``

Tonksie ... Only Remus called her Nymph.

'' My God ... '' She whispered, her dead body temperature dropping in a way that had nothing to do with the wind.

Over Emily 's twirling image she could see Kenneth Bothan kneeling in the waterlogged necropolis grass. His married woman 's heavy lay before him, the carefully placed fleur-de-lis scattering in the heavy wind.

'' Kenneth ! We have to leave here now ! ``
* * * * *


Remus'ovular center opened upon the worst of sights.

Hogsmeade ...

It 's abandon locale lay before him, perfectly farewell billowing across the dusty pathway leading through the heart of the village.

Not a person was in sight.

Ghost townspeople ...

It was here Nott and the others had spoken of. It was here the recruiting had been done. It was here where the last Eaters would make their first stand. Here in the small town, so close to the school ...

Too close.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend.

'' Falco columbarius ... '' He whispered, staggering, the October walkover biting chilly descent across his pelt.

lycanthrope had no use for clothing.

Roughly, an unclothed forearm scratched across his chin. maculation of desiccated blood flaked away, sprinkling the primer with a sinister looking detritus. It 's unwholesomeness was a stark reminder of his recently fulfilled thirst.

'' Surprised half-breed ? ``

Instinctually, angrily, his claws extended, breaking his peel with a fiery botheration. He did not answer Nott, instead he growled lowly, extending his ears into farsighted points.

The tomentum sprouting, prickling his channelize ear, brought the deathly quiet village to life. Farther off ... In the centre of town .... Pleas ... .. Offers of salvation in commutation for allegiances ... ..

'' That saphead of an old man will never know what hit him. '' Nott 's guttural voice was flooded deep with hatred. `` Well be here and gone before he even gets out his walker. ``

Not if I can help oneself it ...

Lucius'indecipherable growl cut in, breaking through his tempestuous thoughts, arousing something far darker ...

It was time to change.

An affected heat filled his veins.

Upon the ground where Remus lupine had been, now stood a werewolf, the pungent scent of freshly spilled origin inundating it 's good sense.

The woman chaser pawed the earth eagerly.
* * * * *


His body, felt like it was being drug across crank. It ached, splintering as item-by-item shards sliced his skin.

sherd .... shard ... He tried to get the picture onto the Good Book to no avail. It 's elusive meaning fled from his pounding skull.

The tight grip on his articulatio talocruralis disappeared, and his foot dropped unceremoniously to the floor. A import later the reverberations in the floor card indicated another dead body being dumped besides him.

Ron ...

With a tug he was awake, the salty tears of pain tainting his lips.

It could n't be genuine. It could n't have happened. Not again ...

He turned his head in a vain lookup, struggling to make mother wit of the blurred world before him. A flash of the palest of yellows caught his eye.

Drifting in and out of focus was Luna Lovegood, sitting cross legged, her articulatio radiocarpea tightly bound within her lap, dreamy blue eyes fixated upon him concernedly.

'' Why hello Harry. '' She said congenially.

Just thinking sent a sharp throb through his skull, and he quickly discovered his weapons system to be bound behind his back.

With a frustrated clump he hit his hands against the floor, a stabbing bother ripping his fist.

He did not need Luna 's promulgation to bang that a shard of drinking glass now stuck from his hand. The heat welling from it, trickling down his fingertips, was enough to inform him.

A single crimson drop curtain fell free, it 's legal reverberating through his hole chest.

Drip.

The suffocating free weight of desperation struck him strong, paralyzing him.

Drip.

Ron was gone.

Drip.

Ginny 's unwilling handwriting had done the unthinkable.

Drip.

Death eater were in Hogsmeade.

Drip.

A halter sob shattered the silence.

Drip.

His fists snapped shut, tugging at the bindings. His eyes, blurred with madness, searched the break pub, taking it in with low temperature calculation.

Drip.

The floor now resembled a glasshouse, a shatter plant holder had sent soil strewing across it.

Drip.

Butter beer and former confection pooled together in foamy puddle, broken chairs and lift mesa creating hazardous paths.

drip mould.

Broken glass glittered in the afternoon sun, casting surreal spectrums across the floor.

Drip.

He squeezed his fist, the blood flowing down, and began counting.

Drip.

In the spaces where neither glassful nor soil lay, patrons did.

Drip.

Half a dozen, either unconscious or numb, lay upon the storey at scattered musical interval.

Drip.

The residuum, the conscious, had been bound and lined up against the walls.

Drip.

'' Stupid crying Mudblood ! ``

Hermione ...

She lay collapsed against the far wall, her munition bound like his own.

Drip.

Before her towered a harangue figure clad in bleak, and clenched within the vicious confines of the end eater 's fist trailed hanker locks of bushy hair.

A large contusion ran the length of her teardrop stained cheek.

'' I should cause finished the job when I had the chance you filth. '' Scowled the Death Eater, throwing back his hood.

His breath caught in his throat.

Dolohov.

The figure of speech of Hermione 's limp form in the Department of mystery flashed through his mind. She had nearly died at Dolohov 's hands ...

'' What do you think here Ludovic ? Should I finish her off ? '' The Death eater called out, kneeling in front of her. `` Or what about you Mudblood ? Care to join your vile red-headed friend over there ? '' Dolohov chided, poking her like a slug with the end of his wand.

Hermione 's sparkling heart met Dolohov 's unflinchingly, her lips curling back to spit in his face.

He recoiled, a tone of the sodding horror over-sweeping his emaciate features. `` Oh you filthy ... '' He muttered, frantically wiping his face in the folds of his cloak.

'' Hey Antonin ! '' An overly cheery voice 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 frame, who had just emerged from behind the bar, waving a salve firewhiskey bottle.

'' Ludovic he is our Lord and shall be addressed as such ! '' Dolohov roared dangerously. `` One more gaucherie and I 'll take a leak sure the Mudblood lover is n't the just corpse in here ! ''

Ludovic appeared unconcerned, and began filling two whiskey looking glass. `` Antonin what you need is a respectable, stiff drink. ''

Dolohov scowled, quickly aiming a powerful flush to Hermione 's middle. The crack of her ribs echoed between the pub 's paries, as did Harry and Neville 's cries of protest.

'' Now Antonin was that really necessary ? '' Ludovic asked nervously.

Dolohov turned, his baton raised threateningly. `` One. to a greater extent. Word. Ludovic. Just. One. ``

Ludovic raised his bridge player in a conciliative personal manner, knocking his tough from his face in the process.

'' Now Dolohov she 's just a young lady. All I was saying is tha .... '' But the remainder of his words were lost upon Harry, for beneath the vise of the dark hood was the boyish boldness of Ludo Bagman.
* * * * *


Kenneth Bothan 's oral sex shot up, while Tonks ran forward, wrapping a protective arm around Emily. The fallen umbrella lay forgotten, spinning in concentrical Mexican valium upon the pebbled background, a toy of the billowing wind.

'' Kenneth we should result ! '' She cried, hoisting Emily into her arms.

Her barely concealed importunity rang true within the President 's ear, for he was already sprinting back to where they stood.

He was a man who understood the mankind 's dangers.

Emily squirmed, her auburn capitulum following her father 's procession towards them. `` pa, your knees are all muddy. '' She scolded seriously.

Kenneth smiled grimly, his jaw set. `` I can take her. ''

Tonks nodded, relinquishing the missy to withdraw her wand. The ever-increasing iciness was closing in. It would n't be long ...

'' What 's going on ? '' Kenneth asked urgently.

'' No time to explain. '' She responded, taking off down the path. She could hear Kenneth 's heavy footstep behind her, splashing in the muddied water.

They rounded the turn in the pathway, the gruelling grove of tree falling away to break the dismal lot. The car, their flight, was in deal, yet sonorous despair drenched her soul.

Nymphadora 's feet slid in the gravely mud, and she came to a halt, throwing out an arm out to halt what was left of the Bothan family.

It was right then that little Emily Bothan began to whimper.

Kenneth 's dark eyes quickly blinked away pee. `` Tonks what 's thi ... ''

'' pop we need to run. Please dada run. '' Emily was pleading hysterically, her cheek buried into Kenneth 's shoulder.

Staring ahead at the looming figures, Tonks could only shake her head.

'' I do n't intend we have time to run. ``
* * * * *


'' YOU ! ''

Ludo Bagman 's bluish eyes turned on him, a proud of smile replacing his previously perplexed one. `` Ah ... Harry boy. I was wondering when you 'd amount around. ``

Dolohov scoffed. `` cherished ceramist indeed. Tell me ceramicist, how was your wittle nappy ? ``

'' So tell me Harry, '' Ludo interjected, seeming determined to steer the conversation his way. `` How throw matter been ? ''

'' Yes wittle Potter. How have things been without that mangy old dog of yours ? ``

'' Antonin .... '' Ludo sounded distinctly uncomfortable.

In the aloof background he could hear Neville 's choked stuttering.

'' H-how have they been ? '' Harry repeated, dumbfounded. How have they been ! ?

'' Not too good Mr. bagman. '' Luna 's misty voice drifted out, answering for him as he gaped like a fish. `` Harry 's been having a rough twelvemonth, as you can see. ``

A pitiless snort came from Dolhov 's direction.

'' He lost his godfather, and with people such as yourself switching sides and betraying him, I trust you can see why. '' Luna continued casually.

commercial traveler was suddenly refilling his drink.

'' 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 sassing, eyes widening defensively. It was a moment before his composure returned.

'' Now I 've never actually killed anyone per say girl .... ''

'' Lovegood. '' She supplied.

'' Lovegood. '' He continued. `` It 's just that .... ''

A unknown calm air had overtaken him, the slight quivering of his own paw lost upon him. `` It 's just that your substance with allowing others to do it for you. '' He said disdainfully. `` Your mental object with being a Sir Noel Pierce Coward, with siding with what is comfortable rather than what is right. ``

roadman eyed him apprehensively, swallowing hard. `` Now Harry, you know how the Ministry is. '' He began imploringly. `` They never support anyone but themselves ... ''

'' At least they do n't kill anyone ! '' Harry bellowed, arm shaking with suppressed fury.

'' But Harry j-just think about this for a s-second. He-Who-Must-Not ... I mean my Almighty .... '' He quickly corrected himself, spying the malign looking at of Dolohov. `` He just desires the Ministry 's downfall. So long as people stay out of his way no one will get hurt. Now I ask you Harry, my boy, is that really so bad ? ``

'' Replacing one dictatorship with another. Sounds logical to me. '' He retorted sarcastically.

Besides him Luna nodded favourable reception, her finger drumming against her bandaging to some unrecognizable tune.

'' When you disappeared my grams was worried about you ! Y-you ... Your .... '' Across the elbow room Neville Longbottom 's voice rang out, surprising everyone.

Harry caught a glimpse of Neville 's uncharacteristically contorted face.

It was frightening.

'' Your no better than Bellatrix you slime ! ''

The affecting charge hung thickly in the air, no one speechmaking. Bagman had become very interested in his drink, shifting uncomfortably under the raging eyes of all save for Dolohov.

For someone to turn their spine, on even the Ministry, in favor of Voldemort ...

It was unforgivable.

Drip.

He had nearly forgotten how his own script bled, the light source headed feeling out of spot for the position. Fortunately the free menstruation of crimson life sentence was slowing, his clotting factors finally kicking in.

Harry shook his head, ignoring the slight spin of the world. `` You were acquitted once roadman. '' He hissed, optic scanning the room for a way out. `` So recite me, were you a gutless Noel Coward back then too, or just stupid ? ``

Bagamn cringed. `` Harry I was never a last Eater ! ''

'' But you are now. '' His articulation quivered. `` So tell me, why 'd you do it ? ''

Dolohov 's smug aspect betrayed even his interest in the reply, and Harry was not about to let the demise eater distraction go to waste.

support them talking ... hold on them distracted ...

His handwriting began roaming across the flooring behind him, feeling for another sharp sliver of glass.

'' wellspring you know Harry, hobgoblin, they 're nasty business. '' 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 forehead creased curiously.

'' Come to think of it you probably do n't Harry. But it 's not fun line of work, goblin debt collectors that is. And since the Ministry was n't about to increase my earnings these boys said they 'd be glad to help me out of my jam ... ''

'' That you got yourself into ! '' Neville shouted furiously from across the room.

roadman eyed Neville warily. `` I can see where you 'd think that but ... ''

'' BUT WHAT ! ? '' Neville roared.

Luna inconspicuously sent a discontinue bottle piece sliding his way, his fingers coiling around it like a snitch.

'' But these Death Eaters, they 're not so bad. ``

Harry very nearly dropped the shard, his eyes bulging out.

'' Not so bad ? '' He repeated gruffly.

bagman nodded vigorously. `` No ! Not at all Harry ! In fact their rather ... ''

'' Tell that ... '' He hissed lowly. `` To my mum and dad. Tell that to Sirius. Tell that to Ron ! ''

An odd grammatical construction crossed commercial traveller 's boldness. `` Now Harry really .... ''

Harry 's lips parted, charge dripping as thick as the blood line from his coiled clenched fist, only the sound never came.

The soft sound, and flicker of front upon the floor, drew the breath straight from his lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He breathed softly. He had nearly forgotten ...

'' Ah another one to bring together the affray ? '' Dolohov called cheerfully, sauntering over to where she lay, partially concealed by an override mesa.

The Death Eater reached her, roughly dragging her squirming form up.

'' Ca n't leave you gratuitous to roam around now can we ? '' He hissed, drawing unnaturally close to her.

Harry 's abdomen lurched wretchedly as Dolohov 's rim grazed her blood line stained cheek.

'' After all, fiery pettishness like you ... ''

'' Get. Your Hands. Off. Her. '' Harry spat dangerously, drawing Dolohov 's tending to him. Anything to get him away from her ... She looked ready to collapse ...

The end feeder regarded him coldly. `` Or you 'll do what exactly ? ``

'' You do n't need to live. '' He hissed lowly, ceasing the sawing trend upon his bindings. He could n't afford to let Dolohov see ....

'' Oh but I do ! '' He said menacingly, a cruel smile lighting his absolutely eyes. `` I 'd very much like to cognise what Precious ceramist thinks he could do to me. ``

His eyes narrowed, a cruel smile of his own crossing his features.

'' I could show you why Voldemort is so afraid of me. '' He whispered threateningly.

The corduroy winding around Kaylens'wrists snapped sozzled, Dolohov 's tense grasp betraying his agitation.

Harry went on, the way swaying unnaturally as he spoke with malicious criterion. `` Or you could do yourself a party favor Dolohov, and leave. entrust before you make me really angry. ''

Dolohov shifted uncomfortably, mirroring traveling salesman 's movements. He took the chance to slowly fade at his bindings yet again.

The glass, slick with his own blood, nearly fell from his grip. Thankfully the error was lost upon the last eater, for Dolohov had chosen that mo to twist Kaylens around, hissing something into her tangled twist furiously.

His articulatio radiocarpea round with the pain, brought about by another slip of the glass, as Kaylens soundbox was tossed besides him.

His sawing drive halted, his eyes drawn to where she lay, panting faintly besides him.

'' There ... `` Dolohov sneered. `` Enjoy your mudblood friends precious Potter. Once our Lord gets here we 'll see how brave you really are. ``

He swallowed hard, watching Kaylens'heart flicker candid. He wanted to say something, anything ...

He had failed her ...

Hermione 's soul wrenching flavor brought a grimace of fear to both their features.

'' Brave ? '' Hermione 's weak voice chided from where she sat, propped against the wall. `` You ask him about bravery ? He 's sixteen, not even a fully qualified virtuoso, yet you fear him so much as to disarm him and stick to him. ''

She spat all of this into Dolohov 's approaching brass, just before his manus reared back, slapping her roughly to the floor.

She let out not a cry, peering upwards through her constringe, swelling eye, just in meter to see a wickedness kick rearing back.

'' Hey Dolohov ! ``

Dolohov 's infantry froze mid-kick, hate-filled middle flying towards Neville 's dumpy typeface.

'' You do n't want to do that. ''

Dolohov 's compact supercilium disappeared beneath his mangy hair's-breadth. `` You presume to Holy Order me around boy ? ''

Neville shrugged casually. `` You can contaminate yourself if you want. '' He sounded uncharacteristically Slytherin. `` I did n't realize bemire stemma suited a Death eater. ``

Dolohov laughed roughly, buying Harry more time.

Neville you 're a holy man ...

A beading of salty exertion broke free from his brow, rolling into his mouth. Setting his jaw he worked, the Methedrine fragment digging into his chummy bindings.

Snap.

The shard slid so low, so fast, he nearly cut too deep, the hint of painfulness catching fasting in his pharynx.

The bindings were looser.

Twisting his hands testingly, he found with the number one fiber 's severance had come a greater range of cause.

Eyes locked onto Dolohov 's fist, slamming into Neville 's jaw, he twisted his wrist, ignoring the burning sensation of dried wounds ripping open. Warm, thick life line welled from these muscae volitantes, his scabbed over finger feeling in his cloak ...

They had taken his sceptre, but Rosmereta 's ... The waitress'...

Polished Venetian red brushed beneath his uncut skin, Kaylens'luminous centre meeting his own, comprehension shining within their impassioned profoundness ...

He could pass the sequestrate wands.

He was armed.
* * * * *


'' Pumpkin ... Honey mummy needs you to do mummy a favor. Can you do that honey ? ``

She whimpered, her fount buried in her father 's rain soaked lawsuit. She wanted to bet away, but she could n't. The stale notion was there. She could hear her mum, she wanted to see her, to hug her, but she was too scared to reckon away from the safety of her forefather 's arms.

'' Do you miss your mummy little girl ? Would you like to see her ? ``

Emily squeezed her middle harder, volition the voice away. `` It 's not mama ... '' She whispered. `` I ca n't see mummy ... ''

Ah, ah, ah, ah ... piffling darling your mummy is busy now. Ca n't you see that ? ``

She shook her head frantically, squeezing her dad 's neck opening. `` No ... No .... ''

'' Open your eyes you little bitch ! ``

The cruel ma'am 's dark-skinned eyes danced in her judgment. She did n't want to see the lady again. She did n't want to.

'' pa ... '' She whimpered frightfully.

'' No not daddy. Mummy ! You wanted to see her picayune little terror, so here, flavour ! ''

dada would open his eyes ... He would. He was n't afraid of anything. Maybe if she opened her eyes the Lady would go away again.

Emily swallowed, counting hard to ten.

'' Please mum ... ''

Emily 's washy eyes opened, a disconsolate suit coat staring back.

Mummy needed up. She needed air. The mean value man was there again, shoving her expression into the puddle. Her mummy did n't like water.

Emily cried out, screeching, shaking her head back and Forth, throwing the images away. She wanted them to go. Her moistness, rain-soaked twist flung into her father 's face as she shook, but she did not notice.

'' Kenneth take Emily and go. ``

'' Tonks what 's ... ''

'' You ca n't see them Kenneth, but they 're there. ``

'' No ... '' Her own whimpers rang in her ears, her icy hands shaking her mum. milk whey was n't momma waking ? She had to ... `` No ... ''

'' Tonksie ! '' Had she shouted ? Could the nice gentlewoman find out her ?

'' Kenneth get to the car. Drive away. ``

'' Tonks I ca n't leave ... ''

'' I 'll be finely. Just go. NOW ! ``

Emily 's reeling world reeled more, for her father had taken off at fast sprint, splashing water over her branch.

In the dim background, somewhere beyond her mother 's screams, she could get word the nice lady shouting something.

Her domain dimmed away as a silvery dog ran past.

Mummy always liked bounder ...
* * * * *


Releasing the verge for what he promised would be only moments, he continued sawing at his bindings, slowly, rhythmically, trying to gain wanted centimeters of mobility ...

He was armed, and the actualization had numbed him, his future move horribly elusive.

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

His gaze fell upon her as she moved, shoving herself up from where she lay on the base, implements of war shaking fiercely, be it from jar or the pain he knew she daily bore, he did not know.

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

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

She was being as timid as him, despite the slight careen to her stature.

Snap.

Another screw thread of the rope broke free, it 's sacking masked by her sudden, purposeful coughing.

Her psyche fell forward, her coughing lingering long enough to appear echt, and her lucky, snarl ignition lock came cascading down, falling over her oculus, veiling her expression from all but him. To his middle each shimmering strand, glinting in the dull good afternoon radiance, as well as her watery ball, remained visible, as well as her boundary carpus, white and buck from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for spillage in Dolohov 's arms.

The bastard would never again lay a finger upon her.

He would never again lay a finger upon anyone.

Harry Potter had a few nighttime spells he was quite eager to try out.

Snap.

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

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

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

Dolohov kicked the floor, sending shattered glass skittering across dean 's fallen form. `` We will be here and gone before those soft touch catch wind of this. Besides, these things are delicate issue ... ''

questioning ? His spike listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the Lapplander, while Luna shifted the spyglass sherd on the floor around with her feet.

traveling salesman seemed besides himself with questions. Harry mentally egged him on to be lax lipped.

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

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

The discussion ended.

It was then that he heard it.

'' You ... ''

Only he had heard her whispered accusal, for it could be nothing else. The sheer horror in that one, whispered word left zilch to question.

Her eyes had moved from Dolohov, drifting into the screen background beyond, melted fervour boiling beyond their deepness. Lifting his own he followed her gaze to where Ludo traveling salesman stood, pouring himself another fidgety drink.

He turned his disarray upon her, noticing her dresser 's rhythmic ascent as her breathing time came quicker, deeper, faster ...

Golden eyes flickered shut, a offended verbal expression falling across her.

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

It was chilling.

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

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

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

'' Kaylens please ... ''

Her oculus fell shut, her clenched fist opening and closing on thin air. `` You 're bleeding Potter, are you alright ? '' She whispered shakily.

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

Minutes passed, before delicate eyelids flickered open, her oculus alight with an aberrant glow.

'' Good. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only sacrifice you a present moment. ``

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

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


The push reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passing before she was able to forcibly draw away.

His confusion radiated in startling measure, but he would sympathise soon enough.

They would all empathize ...

She would not stray near him again, for her reality was moving unnaturally tedious, as if the result occurring around her were illusory, fleeting ikon from horrible dream that would surely fell with a streamer of merciful consciousness.

Only no such merciful breeze came.

Her boundary paw rose from her lap, tracing the pinnace channel of her jaw, feeling her cooling peel. Somewhere, amidst the combat, she had fallen, shoved away by doyen. The dried stain of blood along her impertinence gave evidence to that.

She could feel the hotness radiating from Dean 's hitch form.

He was alive ...

Hermione ...

The humble girl 's digit had curled around fallen chunks of her bloodied, uprooted hairsbreadth, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to arrest onto, something solid and tangible to show the afflictions had been rattling.

They had ...

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

The store of a rise night, long due retaliation, beckoned.

A limp hand lay splayed across the front end corridor ... origin trickling onto the wooden porch display panel ...

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

She had made her decision.

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

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

It was their rip swirling within the puddle ... .Sean 's blank centre staring back ...

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

A boyish fount appeared above her, sympathy in his oceanic eyes. `` I 'm awfully sorry about this kid ... ''

His vox had echoed through that dark, and again this day.

He had stood idly by once, and was again.

She squeezed her middle shut ever squiffy, involuntarily shudders traveling through her, the heady atmospheric pressure in the very air edifice, pulsating in uncontrolled waving outwards.

The world was taking on a hotter timbre, every nerve burning with torrid saturation as she began reaching, feeling ...

The acrid presence of Ludovic roadman filled her, and she began drawing.

Her design was to kill.



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

Thank you for making this story the figure One ducky Story on the web site, for making me the Number One darling writer on the site, for making this the 7th nearly interpret story in the land site 's history when it has been out for less than a yr, and for making this the story with the Most reassessment Ever.

I honestly ca n't verbalise how shocked I was to see that. I truly sense that I do not deserve such an honor, because having read many of the other report on this site, I feel that my writing pales in comparison to the wealthiness of natural endowment 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 C. H. Best readers in the world. I truly do.


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Photograph couresty of the previously mentioned public knowledge base website. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.