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



Chapter 16 ~ New Barriers


Harry clenched his fist around lean air, squeezing the aliveness out of some spiritual domain opposer within the quieten hospital wing. The silence was only broken by Kaylens'tranquil breaths, her chest rise and falling as steadily as the Christ Within duck soup fluttering the curtains.

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

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

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

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

Perhaps it was his own aspirant thought process.

He rose, ineffective to rest still, watching her with zippo save his mentation for caller.

Thoughts were such poor comfort ...

Not allowed and unwilling to get out, he began sorting through the result of the retiring few days.

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

Bellatrix Lestrange was dead.

So why did he sense robbed ?

The obvious result came. Tonks had beaten him to the kill. She had killed the one somebody who 's last he had desired above all but Voldemort himself. And now he would never have got 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 font of Sirius'killer and tongue upon it.

Now even that cruel comfort had been taken from him.

All he was left with, were unanswered doubtfulness, and this cruel circle of hell on earth called the Hogwarts hospital wing.

Still, the facts did not add up. destruction feeder held no trueness for one another. To them nothing was sacred.

Yet they had salvaged the body.

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

So why do it ?

He had unconsciously wandered, finding himself in strawman of the outdoors third storey windowpane. The fall scented breeze blew across his bare thorax, cooling him. His shirt lay discarded upon his bed, his shoulder veiling recently removed, exposing the claw marks that now indented his skin.

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

His break shoulder blade had been mended quickly, but werewolf lesion were obtuse 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 apathy was almost enough to like for death.

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

'' Experimental spells, their force unknown to the purchase order, have been added to Voldemort 's armory of weaponry, Harry. rent heed ... ''

He would.

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

It had happened during the day.

Now, where end feeder roamed, the moon would no longer hold it 's sway.

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

Of course there was no need to think over. Dumbledore had told him about the atrociousness of late.

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

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

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

He was having worry accepting any of it, for he knew at the heart and soul of it, he was partly to charge.

For if he were truly the one with the power to get the better of the Dark God Almighty, than every second he had ever spent reveling in life, and not searching for Voldemort 's demise, had been another grave accent in the ground for the innocent.

A painful gelidity burned within the chela marks he bore, and he wondered if they had re-opened again, bleeding anew. He reached a hand back, gingerly touching it, the blood upon his fingers confirming his intuition.

It was doubtful he would be permitted to leave soon.

'' That 's disgusting. ``

His froze, turning from the window. He stared, taking her in as she blinked the rest from her eyes, squinting in the 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 mean solar day. ``

She paled considerably.

He was slow up to convalesce, and debated getting Madam Pomfrey. But she would be back soon, to curb on his own wounds. She could see her awake then. Besides, he was afraid to go forth her alone for even a second, fearful that she might descend into that unceasing slumber once more.

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

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

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

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

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

'' You look it. ``

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

She reached up, brushing the lock aside, revealing her deathly pale hide. Her moderate movements exposed her own pain sensation to him in a way no actor's line could.

As did her radiocarpal joint. His eyes caught upon the dark bruise encircling it.

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

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

Her eyes traveled to where his finger lay.

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

'' Pomfrey said she had taken guardianship of this, '' He whispered aloud, gently relinquishing her hand. She let it light upon her pillow, besides her face. `` Your off-white 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 taunting sheets.

It was funny, but had she had woken a few days earlier he probably would stimulate demanded answers, answers about how she knew Lupin, about what she really did or did not know about Death feeder, but after days of sitting there, watching her frail chassis sleep, the mere opinion of interrogating her bothered him.

His answers could await, for a petty patch at least.

'' Tonks stopped by earlier, '' He said, breaking the silence. `` She said Lupin sends his lovemaking. ``

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 have sworn she slept. It was portion fear, fear that she would not wake, that drove him to the admission.

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

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

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

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

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

It was then that Pomfrey walked in.

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


Several sidereal day later he had been prepped to go away. His left arm hung loose in a catapult, preventing unnecessary motion.

Lupin 's claws had torn into him just beneath his berm leaf blade, right where respective 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 secretiveness. He was debating whether or not to break that secrecy when a frustrated looking Ron walked in.

looking at at Ron, he realized that there were early things that had to be taken maintenance of maiden.

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

reply he could not give.

How could he explain the pressure he felt, or Voldemort 's usurpation, without revealing the contentedness of the prophecy ?

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

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

He threw a last glance at Kaylens'sleeping manikin. They would verbalize later. He promised himself that.

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

It had been over a workweek since he and Kaylens had disappeared from the Headmaster 's authority, and one of the last ardent weekends of the year had driven the scholarly person body outside.

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

enigma had given him more than time due to his accidental injury, and for that, Harry had to return him credit.

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

They walked in quiet, Ron 's center darting towards him. He knew Ron was trying to determine what was safety to discuss.

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

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

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

'' Harry what 's going on ? ``

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

Not to refer the prophecy. How in the blaze was he supposed to beat him ?

There were too many questions to answer, before the most important 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 Koran on Ron 's bed. Her eye were rimmed with dark roofy, similar to Kaylens.

miserableness loves company, he thought. Ron sat besides her, placing a paw on her rear. Only then did she seem to realize they were there.

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

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

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

'' I know. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked.

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

Ron frowned. `` His reason ? ``

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

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

Hermione 's heart roamed, landing on his sling.

He caught the mute doubtfulness. `` Werewolf wound are slow up 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 unbelieving. `` Harry that 's not possible. ``

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

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

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

'' Then how could a loup-garou ... ''

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

Hermione was no longer even trying to take, her articulation unusually high. `` That ca n't be. A wolfman ca n't change out of lunar succession ... ''

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

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

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

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

'' He turned. Yes. ``

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

'' Harry I do n't understand, '' She said haltingly, shoving her Christian Bible 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 a lot to explain easily, 'Mione. ''

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

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

'' You both already know that Voldemort has not given me a moment 's peace treaty since last summer. It 's a buck private battle between him and I. We 're both fighting for selective information, about the other position 's approach and sledding, about how much the other incline knows ... ''

He talked steadily, opening his chest of drawers drawer to put clothing away. His action, however lowly, lent a good sense of N to the otherwise ominous conversation.

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

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

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

The secrecy 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 pleading representative broke again.

'' Harry, please ... ''

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

The tell on looks upon their faces nearly broke his life.

Hermione 's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. It was Ron who finally gave spokesperson to their thought process. `` Why Harry ? Why ca n't you percentage it ? ``

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

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

He swallowed hard. `` No Ron. ``

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

'' No. ``

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

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

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

Harry was having worry keeping his voice horizontal surface. `` Ron, if I tell him there is no reason for him to keep back the Grangers awake anymore. It 's our biggest bargaining chip. ``

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

His jaw dropped. Hermione was impudent than this was n't she ? `` I 'm good-for-nothing Hermione but once I tell him .... ''

'' He 'd let them go, '' Ron interrupted. `` Make him exhaust one at to the lowest degree Harry ! Then separate him for God 's sakes ! What could it hurt ? ! Bargain with him ! ``

Harry lost his longanimity. `` 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 game 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 adequate to of at the Department of whodunit ? ``

Harry shook his head, never more serious. `` No Ron. You did n't. '' He felt almost dark at Ron 's chapfallen flavour. `` You only saw what Death Eaters were capable of. That is nothing compared to him. ``

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

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

'' There 's no pauperism to shout at her match, '' Ron said coolly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' I am talking ... ''

'' No. Your blocking Harry. Like in chess. '' Ron pointed his wand out the door, summoning the chess game add-in from the unwashed elbow room. Levitating it, Ron cleared the board save for the cat's-paw, king, and faggot of both sides, his brow furrowed in tightness. He then moved the instrument so they protectively surrounded the Billie Jean Moffitt King and nance on one side, leaving the early side 's king and queen unprotected.

'' The way I see it Harry, all you have left are pawns. '' Ron continued, gesturing to the protect position of the display board. `` So instead of risking everything to pick out my top executive, you 're protecting yours. ``

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

Ron 's queen stab forward, moving through the opening Harry 's cat's-paw had left, taking his nance out with a wild whang of her chair. She then stood, posed to take his king on the adjacent move.

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

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

'' Game over. ``

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

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

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

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

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


Harry tromped through the corridor, feeling worse than he had thought potential. He preferred feeling numb, at least then he felt aught 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 heart, and he was not about to fill Ron and Hermione 's fountainhead with anything that might make them more lure targets than they already were.

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

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

The choice was no longer his.

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

They would n't end up like Sirius.

He knew exactly where he was going, and rounded the quoin to the infirmary extension. His foul mode only increased when dame Pomfrey stuck out her top dog, a forced grin plastered upon it, and asked him to wait.

The doorway slammed and the sound of statement resumed. Dumbledore 's voice caught his attention. What was he doing in the hospital offstage ? Perhaps to see Kaylens, but he had already visited them once. It was n't like the Headmaster to jaw educatee though. And he should cognize, he had been in the hospital wing too many times to count, but could bet Dumbledore 's sojourn there on one hand.

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

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

brothel keeper Pomfrey 's reproving quality came out clearly. `` ... cubicle need to regenerate before you can even essay to perform magic again. ``

'' But I 'm behind enough as it is ! '' Kaylens ... A twisting wave of embossment washed through him. And to reckon, normally he had problem resisting the urge to damp her.

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

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

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

Yet something about Dumbledore 's look made him. As outwardly reliable as the Headmaster had been with him lately, his religion in the man was still recovering. It had been shattered too skillfully the previous year.

'' Kalliandra, we did not require 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 ? ``

therapeutic ? His tum lurched dangerously.

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a dying prison term will not help topic. ``

Her vocalisation was strained. `` You 're right. aught will. You know that the odds ... ''

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

'' I 'd favour the onus, '' Kaylens hissed, her voice suddenly secure. `` Now is there anything else your keeping from me ? '' Her phonation was strained and accusatory. `` Because I 'd like to have it away before I read about it in some stupid volume. ``

Silence.

'' I thought so. ''

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

He could only stare, give-and-take abandoning him. Her optic had caught on the extendable ear.

Her garment bag slipped down on her shoulder, her total form quivering.

'' ceramist ... '' She whispered chokingly. She locked eyes with him, her aspect stunned.

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





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



Chapter 17 ~ Kunnskap

Kunnskap is Norweigan for knowledge



She shoved open the entering room access, leaving the secure vestibule of the school behind, and walked out onto the rapidly chilling grounds. She blinked back the moisture that lingered within her oculus. No tears would fall, no matter how hard they threatened. This she promised herself.

She was infuriated, but her anger paled in comparison to her ego loathing. She had been so unbelievably stunned ! It had been bad enough to confide Remus, but to have nearly let down that barrier again ...

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

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

This change had been oddly comforting.

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

She kicked the ground, scattering dirt in her wake.

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

And for some reason his little betrayal hurt her.

Gods ... She turned her tear filled eyes towards the sky, tracing along the darkening swarm, and noted how low they hung. It was the entrance storm that had drawn her outdoors after all. The strange spirit slithering through her, as if still electricity were tickling her very scrape, had been hard to cut.

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

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

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

She wanted the seclusion.

She had grown so used to despair, to feeling only incessant numbness, punctuated by bust of undiluted ire, that she had forgotten how to feel something as human being as fear.

Everything had happened so fast the day she had received the shopkeepers note, and there had been no time for the cold-blooded truth to slide down in. Only over the past days, as she and thrower had lain there in quiet, had it finally registered.

Pomfrey 's news had just driven it plate.

Somehow, hearing the healer 's language had made it real, and now venerate held her heart in a vice traveling bag.

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

Perhaps expiry would be a approval. She just had things to do before it found her.

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

It was often painful.

She rubbed her arms against the quiver wind, thankful that God had some sense of pity. Fortunately for her, the human being mastermind could only register pain as abnormal for so long, before it accepted the annoyance as the changeless state of social function. Then it would be ignored.

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

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

Instead of leaving the background at the threat of rainfall, she continued meandering across the priming coat, walking the circumference of the lake, observing it carefully.

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

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

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

She accumulated a small collection of flat bottomed Rock, gathering them within her hands, and she cast the first across the serene water, breaking it 's vitrified airfoil.

The giant squid lazily reached out a tentacle, swatting at and missing the cast stone.

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

A low rumble filled the sky, and the altocumulus clouds dipped threateningly lower, wafting the odor of rain upon the piece of cake towards her. The sky had grown darker, and she vaguely remembered the afternoons she and Sean had once spent, skipping gemstone across the lake near their household home.

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

She skipped another.

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

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


Harry winced, rubbing his os frontale. That was definitely going to get out a mark.

It had taken him all of 30 second to decide to keep abreast her. The memory of her reeking eye had been alarming, and he could n't let her allow like that, not when she did n't understand.

He cast a glower at the giant calamary, approaching her cautiously, carefully trying to not skid upon the slick sway as he walked down towards her.

He treaded as close as he dared, pausing to levitate uncertainly. Her shoulders had stiffened at his outcry, the simply sign to indicate that she was aware of his presence.

He swallowed hard. From where he stood besides her, he could see the drawn line of her sassing, and how her eyes gazed, almost longingly across the disconsolate Earth's surface of the lake. He followed her regard, the low driblet of rain drizzling upon them.

The lake 's once glossy exterior now moved with a life of its own. Each raindrop sending broadside ripples outwards, each mental disturbance merging with the former furrows spreading across its surface. The issue was entrancing, and he drew his centre away from the picture before him, to the girlfriend 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 scag shuddered the sky, drowning him out, and the titan squid disappeared beneath the lake 's aerofoil.

'' Enjoying the fair weather, '' Her fuzz fluttered lightly around her side. `` I thought it would be obvious. ``

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

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

She sat with a relaxed air, unbothered by the icy droplets pouring down. Slowly, with discernible pain in the neck in her effort, she scooted closer to the lake 's edge, dipping her understructure into the roily water as casually as if it were a mid-summer day, rather than a verbose October deluge. Never once did she front at him.

Her shoulders were unembellished, and her damp tomentum clung to them. He was close plenty to acknowledge the slight goose bumps prickling across her pale skin.

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

Kaylens was honk ...

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

She looked up, turning her questioning stare towards him. He was at a red, for the polish of her eyes could not be from rain down piss alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the backrest of her wrist joint she rubbed the body of water from her eyes.

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

'' fountainhead what ? ''

'' I doubt you came here out of concern 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 twinkling of lightning illuminated her soaked characteristic, and he found himself drawn towards her serene facial expression, confounded by her words.

Despite their content, her tone held no trace of the conversant sarcasm or malice.

Instead she sounded curious.

The realization sent an out of place grin across his face.

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

'' Try me. ``

'' I came to excuse. ``

To his surprisal, she actually laughed. The auditory sensation had a haunting quality 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 hairsbreadth out in vain. `` I do n't. ``

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

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

He sighed in foiling. `` Enough to fuck that you should n't be out in this cloudburst. ``

She nodded, closing her eyes as if pained. `` You have no melodic theme how wrongfulness you are. ''

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

The look she shot him could silence the devil himself. `` And why should I ? You have n't been the portrait of satinpod Potter. ``

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

She did not answer. Instead, she tilted her grimace towards the sky, allowing the rainwater to pelt over her more freely. Her hair fell away from her shoulders, revealing her farseeing cervix. She remained this way for what may stimulate been mere second gear, but to him, felt like hours.

'' okeh 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 Alley, how her stubborn refusal to answer doubt about Death Eaters had led him, to what he hoped, were wrong assumptions, and how, after 24-hour interval of watching her in a comatose state, he had feared that she had fallen ill once again.

He spoke to her, the rain cascading down their bodies as they sat, keeping each former 's acquaintance, the tempest forgotten. respective times she made to act, shaking her chief disbelievingly, but his mitt on her arm silenced her refutes. By the time he was done, a sad expression had crossed her features.

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

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

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

'' Kaylens are ... ''

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

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

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

The sec he was up she unceremoniously shoved his cloak back into his sleeve. He looked at it in surprise, and was about to argue, noting how far a manner of walking to the school 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-and-roll, and caught up to her on the grass.

'' Kaylens keep back it. You 'll block otherwise. '' He went to drape it across her shoulders but she brushed him off.

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

He matched her pace determinedly, noticing the reemergence of her unregenerate bar, and threw it around her anyway. `` Kaylens if you 're sick you 're wearing this until we 're inside. I don't precaution ... ''

She whorled on him, looking disturbingly distress, her pelt dangerously pale. `` Look, thrower ... Do yourself a party favour okay ? Do n't worry about me. ``

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

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

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

She was backing away from him. `` In fact ... '' She continued, sounding like a panic-struck beast. `` For your own good, just stay the inferno away from me. ``

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


Over the by few day, since Kaylens had left him standing there in the pouring rain, Harry 's climate had not improved.

He just did not empathise what he had done, and every metre he caught a glance of her he felt sick.

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

The fact that he still had a sneaking hunch that she was clueless as to what a Death Eater was did not help matters.

It was enough for him to nearly send curse word flying. At Luna 's insisting, he had taken to kicking suits of armor instead.

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

Or something like that.

His response was puzzling, even to him. He could not abnegate that he felt oddly protective of her. How could he not ? He had spent far too much meter watching over her in the hospital fender, and the sentiment of promote damage coming to her drove him mad.

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

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

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

blaze, he had come damn near closer to hexing her and Malfoy in Defense Against the shadow Arts that very day. He had walked in to find her and Malfoy chatting in quiet down whispers, bent over parchment.

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

Kaylens had refused to reckon at him. But he had not failed to notice how her bridge player shook for the rest of course of instruction.

It had been promiscuous to remark since he had been sitting alone. Ron and Hermione had holed themselves up on the other side of the room. And unlike Kaylens and Hermione, who contented themselves to avoiding him, Ron had made variation of sending unfriendly glares his way.

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

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

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

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

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

He actually did n't listen the idea.

He finally reached the threshold, and Crusantheus surprisingly opened without complaint, revealing Dumbledore 's situation. He stepped in for his lessons, removing his wand in preparation.

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

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

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

Somehow Harry strongly disagreed with this. If he had learned all there was to make out about Occlumency, he would not still be having red nightmares. `` professor, in all due respect, if I had actually learned everything would n't I be well ... skillful at this then ? ``

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

Harry was stunned, all premature thoughts and irritation at the Professor driven from his mind.

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

'' Occlumency, Harry, is less about erecting genial barriers, and Thomas More about controlling one 's emotions. Keeping your emotions hidden from the foe is of extreme importance. And frankly, gets easier with age. '' Dumbledore stood with a rather gravid feather duster and began to attack a disgruntle portrait with it.

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

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

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

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

He valued his education far too much to respond truthfully.

'' fountainhead Harry, when one sifts through your mind, painful memories can get unearthed. It 's born to recall the emotions these experiences caused you. Such a beguilement is all the enemy would ask to delve profoundly into your thinker. '' Dumbledore was carrying on with all the air of one discussing a weekend jaunt. `` And you have no dearth of painful memories Harry. It would be quite easy for Voldemort to find one to use against you. ``

He did not need Dumbledore to differentiate him that, he had already re-lived the guilty conscience of Canicula'death all summer.

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

Dumledore turned to bet at him, balancing precariously on the toilet he was using to reach ole Phinneus'portraiture. `` Why of course not. Certainly, I could go sifting about through your mind, forcing you to recall bad prison term in your life story. But dredging up old memories and forcing you to deal with them would only help you build up emotionlessness. We do n't want that. ``

Dumbledore turned back and shoved the feather gaberdine right where Phinneus'face had just re-appeared. The erstwhile headmaster cringed and jumped out of the frame again.

'' Harry, what we do require, is for you to come to terms with the crueler parts of your past. And only you can set what those damage are. But I dare remind you, there is a difference of opinion between allowing the past to remind you, and allowing the preceding to ascertain you. ''

Dumbledore jumped down from the feces, wiping his dusty hired hand 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 shelves. `` You know, I almost lost this after that squabble yourself, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Kaylens had the other day Harry. '' He peered down his spectacles at him. `` I trust that is now resolved ? ``

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

Dumbledore shrugged. `` fountainhead, give it time, give it clock time. It may remove her awhile to unfold up to anyone, seeing as how issue are. ''

The headmaster was running his scepter up and down the spine of the Quran in an odd zig-zag pattern, muttering something about mothballs. A gaudy 'pop'was heard, making Harry saltation, and the book sprang out of Dumbledore 's hands, falling open on the table before them.

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

Harry had to admit that Dumbledore was dead on.

Inside the open script, where the pages should have been, lay a pink layer of fog. There was a sense of profoundness to the interior of it, and Harry had the faint sense that another dimension lay just beyond the peacefully twirl.

Dumbledore reached his hand into it. `` It is a rather clever hiding spot for things. Not only is the locking mechanism for it rather catchy, but only a hand with my DNA could reach into this and still retrieve their manus attatched. ``

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

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

The Headmaster, indeed, truly looked sad. 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 inadequate, but for now, it is all I can give you. ''

At this dictum, Dumbledore handed the vial over. Harry took it with no minuscule total of trepidation. The ampul, 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 normal pensieves, it does not accept an straight-out mental ability. It can only carry a select few memories, and I believe that there are 81 different lessons contained within this one. ''

Only eighty-one ? He thought, slightly amused by the Headmasters definition of only. He turned the ampoule within his hands, noting that unlike in Dumbledore 's pensieve, blue devil specs darted to and fro within the silvery substance here, colliding frequently to breathe dark park sparkle. It was like watching the reflection of firework in a silvery pond, only on a miniature scale.

A thought occurred to him.

'' What do you have in mind by lessons, prof ? '' 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 vaticination was made, I wanted to have a way of preserving, and passing on, knowledge of sealed turn to you. ``

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

'' clip were dark. '' He continued gravely. `` I did not know how many of us would live on, but we knew it was essential to pass on our noesis to the next contemporaries. This was our way of ensuring that at least one good wizard recieved that if the unsound were to happen. ``

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

Despite his irritation and anger at all the master had withheld over the old age, the opinion of a mortal Dumbledore shook his concept of a stable universe.

The headmaster motioned Harry into a plush plum tree armchair, forgetful to his pupil 's colored intellection.

'' Over the years, myself, and others within the old guild, added quality man of cognition that we wanted to depart to you, to this. You 'll even find some of my old school day lessons there. Things like apparition, curse-breaking, animagus studies ... They are all in there. ``

Harry listened intently, not wanting to pretermit a countersign. The conversation had become oddly personal.

A mansion elf popped into existence then, extending a plate of biscuit to him. He scarcely managed to take one, for his psyche was fixated on the brutal irony of the situation.

This ampul was a on-key talent, yet he was only receiving it because of the prophecy 's heavy burden.

Suddenly he felt rather blunt. `` professor, you made this to help me figuer out how to vote out 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 nighttime thoughts still flitting through his mind.

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

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

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. `` No. This will teach you the theory, and knowing the theory of something is entirely different from putting it to use. However ... '' The man 's amobarbital sodium oculus twinkled mischievously. `` I have it on good word that learning and researching just the theory on animagi can get hold of years. So all you will let 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 one-thousandth meter since coming to Hogwarts, just how a great deal that the schoolmaster knew about his students.

Against his better judging, he broke out into a small smiling. Even Hermione, with all her conviction against taking poor cuts to learn something, would probably die for a look into this thing.

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

As if reading his view, Dumbledore smiled. `` For the time being Harry, I would sustain this to yourself. Because of the Kunnskap 's potential difference for misuse, only seven were made. We would not require this falling into the wrong hands. ``

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

He 'd be damned if he disappointed him.

Dumbledore smiled over his cup. `` I 'm sure you will Harry. Do try to use it in secret though. When one uses it they tend to come along in a trance, and I would hate to see what your roommates would do if they stumbled upon you in such a Department of State. And I would roll in the hay, Mrs. Norris once caught me using this. ``

Harry nearly choked on his biscuit.

The yesteryear fortnight, he realized, had truly been full moon of surprisal.




Thank you SticksN'Stones for the excellent banner !






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



Chapter 18 ~ The Scars spirit foliage


Tonks threw open the tincture, allowing the bright afternoon illumination to stream in, filling the room with lily-livered chromaticity so bright that not even Remus, who was valiantly feigning rest, could ignore 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 Aaron Montgomery Ward ? '' Remus groaned, pulling his pillow over his head so he resembled a burrowing animal.

She contented herself to narrowing her violet eyes. `` poster 's a curse breaker. And when he and I have over two weeks with cipher to do but crack the wards on our stubborn nates of a booster 's dwelling house we tend to win. ``

Remus emitted a low grumble auditory sensation, indecipherable to any human ear. It was at this detail that she decided she had had enough. She ripped the covers from his bed, and flung them out the now heart-to-heart window.

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

At his lack of responsiveness she stomped her foot angrily, and began spraying him with water 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 expression scrunched up and dripping. He looked extremely disgruntled.

'' You look like a sopping wet dog Remus ! Now get your stubborn ass off the storey right now and get set ! We have an order of magnitude meeting in an hour and if you are not there so help me Falco columbarius I will occur back here, Aaron Montgomery Ward be damned, and shit you descend ! You ca n't fend off us forever ! ``

He groaned unhappily.

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

'' Mrmph ... ''

'' Do n't mrmph at me ! '' She practically shouted. `` As if it 's not bad enough for you to stay here, wallowing in self pity for two calendar week, but you left me to talk 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 way. `` I am FAR from being DONE ! I have n't even started on Kalliandra ! Do you have any idea how much she probably needs you right now ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' fountainhead that 's just too damn bad Wolfy because your going to. '' She did n't wait for a response and marched over to thrust give his press. She grabbed the nearest shirt and threw it at him. `` Now go shower and get dressed. I do n't possess all day and so assist me you are going to drop a line 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 Mrs. Humphrey Ward again. '' She paused, and almost as an reconsideration added, `` And do n't change the case because you are writing to them ! ``

He shook his headway, his shaggy-coated hair falling around his eyes messily. It looked like he had n't showered in day. `` No. If they wanted to talk to me they would have .... ''

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

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

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

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

Watching his miserable move, she suddenly felt like collapsing.

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

She could n't bear to cogitate of it, let only representative it, but ever since that wretched night she had grown to trust on Remus. She needed him so much it scared her.

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

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

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

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

Catching the bastards was the only thing that could help Sirius now, he had told her. And as an auror, that would be her job. He had told her how she needed to concord together for that.

If he had not shown up when he had, she may have curled up in the nighest, muffle broom closet, and not come out trough Christmas.

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

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

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

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

The opinion of him wallowing in ego pity any longer made her physically ill, and she felt her shoal reserves of strong point folding in.

She had to stand firm the urge to run over there and reek him.

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

Remus was flipping the comforter back onto the bed, straightening it meticulously. `` He does n't involve me. Neither does Kally. They 'll just weave 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 only one ! Harry misses you ! He sent me an owl because you have n't responded to his letters ! I can only presume by that voltaic pile on your desk that you have n't translate any of them yet ! And you ! You 're just .... ''

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

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

She turned in a huff and stormed out, resolving to send Harry and Kalliandra fall apart 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 al-Qur'an to diminish closed. His straits had long since fallen upon the table, his organic structure slumped over in frustration. A thousand and one dark curses swirled through his judgment, their counter curses eluding his retentiveness in a maddening way.

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

The sheer enormity of the task before him had hit home nearly an 60 minutes before, and the constant weight on his shoulders seemed determined to crush him now. It was pressing down on his chest, making his heading whirl, the realization of how little fourth dimension he had to master this had finally sunk in.

Voldemort could come for those he loved tomorrow, and somehow he doubted the lusus naturae 's minions would dumbfound to simple jinxes.

For the first metre in his life, he was starting to sense helpless. He had borrowed the book from Dumbledore 's office, changing the cover so no one could have it off what dark arts it contained, and after only a few twenty-four hours of study he had come to a realization.

Avada Kedarva was amongst the most merciful of dark curses.

For the dark arts could do so very much worsened than simply kill in one blow.

The could burn you animated from the inside out, your screams confounding those around you, your skin not blackening as inconspicuous fiery tendrils licked at you hungrily.

By the time those around you realized ....

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

other curses could could slice your cutis in slow, tenacious slashes. The inconspicuous attack lasting for hours, as medi-wizards and healer tried to pull through you, only to watch you succumb as slash after destroying cut undid their healing, spilling your life blood, killing you ...

Others could slowly jam your chest, driving the air from your lungs, suffocating you under the insistence of a 12 hippogriffs ....

He shuddered involuntarily, almost gladiolus that end had been quick and merciful for Sirius and Cedric. He had not known before, but their lives could have been extinguished in often speculative slipway ....

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

Professor Tres had shown him that merely a workweek ago. Kaylens had been the one to bring it up, asking when they would check the worse of the Dark prowess themselves.

He had n't been for sure whether to applaud her for her astuteness, or swear her for sounding like overzealous Malfoy.

But she had been right ....

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

So while her and Malfoy had argued their tip, and lost valiantly as Tres started twitching under pressure, he had composed a letter to Dumbledore asking for admission to materials about the Dark liberal arts.
Dumbledore had granted him that ...

He propped himself on his elbows, reopening the ancient, blackened leather textual matter. He was determined to discover every deadly curse the earth had to offer him.

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

The man who had stolen his life from day one.

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

Then Pettigrew would die.

Then, once he had seen what the curses did on a be human, then he would come up Voldemort.

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


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

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

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

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

Damn your obstinance to Aidoneus Remus ! She thought in annoyance, stomping her foundation outside Dumbledore 's billet.

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

Which was precisely why she found herself outside of Dumbledore 's dullard stone gargoyle, shouting every confect that came to mind.

'' Mentha piperita ! Bat muck droppings ! Bertie soda water ! Apples ! Peaches ! '' She exclaimed at it, abandoning candies in favor of fruits. `` Oh damn it to hell ! Peach Schnapps ! Peach sett ... ''

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

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

Dumbledore looked up idly from his desk, a mixed-up expression across his weather worn font. `` 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 avoid us forever ! Why does n't my port key work anymore ? And why are you now using liquors as your passwords ! ? ``

Dumbledore looked rather puzzled. `` knockout Schnapps ? A hard drink ? And here I thought it was a rather clever strain 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 ringing for effect.

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

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

'' I am certainly you know why Kalliandra. ``

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

'' On some grade, yes. But much like someone else you know ... '' Dumbledore eyed her astutely, leaving no interrogative about who he was referring to. `` He has taken to blaming himself, shoving away those close to him in order to protect them. ''

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

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

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

Dumbledore chuckled slightly, recognizing the sarcasm of her assertion. `` You know Kalliandra, in our own way, we are all a peril to those we love, for the round-eyed fact that true champion will go to any lengths to help each early, even if that means sacrificing their own lives in exchange for another 's. ``

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

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


Harry rested his brass against the wear off surface of the table, letting his dank hair drip over his face. The dripping water from his recent shower eased the dull aching that had begun in his scar.

drip mould ....

A beadwork of wax broke relinquish from the glowing candle, falling to rob into the unseal rooftree of the oak desk. The impact sounded cavernous, for his ear remained pressed against the desk 's surface, amplifying the auditory sensation ten fold.

Across the mutual way, far from where he sheltered in the phantom of a I candle taper, the blast glowed warmly. several straggling one-seventh geezerhood, no question putting in the extra hours for triton preparation, remained there, blissfully oblivious to the late hour.

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

Voldemort was there, just beneath the open of his mind, waiting for a opportunity to get in as he dreamt. He knew Hermione 's parents were as skilful as suddenly, but he would not allow Voldemort the entropy he demanded for their conjectural 'release .'

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

Fiery shadows danced across his open text, and he wearily rubbed his mark, trying to memorize the tabulator curse for one of the many crushing hexes.

The one he was looking at would drive air from the lungs slowly, till the person could only claw at their neck in agony, profligate vessel in their middle bursting as atomic number 8 left them.

The fateful and lily-white illustration showed a wizard captured in a silent howl, his digit already falling hobble around his throat.

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

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

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

'' Hey Potter. ``

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

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

She met his oculus, for the first metre in Clarence Day, holding them seriously. `` Talking thrower. Just talking. '' candle flame danced in them ...

His scar gave a dense pound, reminding him of his own fragile DoS. Tonight was not the meter 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 ears. `` There is usually a understanding for why someone sits clear across a relatively void room from everyone else. ``

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

'' Their studying. ``

'' Or they want to be left alone. '' She whispered, voicing his tongueless thought. `` Believe me Potter, I know your distressed with me. I would n't nark you if it was n't authoritative. ``

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

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

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

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

He smiled forcefully at this, probably looking like a low clown. `` And that has naught to do with you storming off, then refusing to come within a ten meter neighborhood of me ? ``

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

Her voice held an burden of exit as lupine 's epithet fell off her lips, and for a blow over secondment he understood. He did not do it how the two knew one another, and felt the stabbing annoyance of betrayal that lupine had kept better communications with her rather than him, his adept supporter 's son, but in that wink, he knew that his former Professor had not spoken to her since that day either.

He felt oddly dear about that. For a change, he was not the only one being ignored, or keep back in the dark.

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

She shook her head, her whisker coming loose from where it lay insert behind her pinna, falling to lay artfully over her centre. `` He 's started sending mine back. ''

He felt a humble grin tugging at the border of his back talk. `` Hedwig is persistent. ``

'' An owl ? ``

He grunted in reaction, 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 read/write head into his hands to traverse the painful grimace now crossing his face. `` Funny listening you say that. '' He groaned as the first wave of pain in the neck attacked him. `` Because is n't that what your doing ? ``

Through his finger's breadth he saw a shrewd expression cross her typeface. `` Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey ? ''

'' Why .... '' Picture the wall ... .The bricks ... Their roughly texture stretching infinitely upwards .... `` Why would I desire you to get the nurse ? '' He asked, barely guising the hurting that was now coming forth in waves. She needed to leave. She needed to leave now, but not to get the nurse ...

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

Before she could even run his manus had shot out like a lightning deadbolt, attaching itself to her carpus. `` Do n't get her ... I 'll be ticket. '' He hissed lowly, not keen to attract the attention of the seventh years still down there.

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

'' The only way to strengthen your bulwark at this item, is to con to disguise your emotions .... '' Dumbledore 's words came back to him ...

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

Voldemort was prickling at the edges of his visualized wall.

The creature 's representative filled his mind, common tendrils leaking through red brick.

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

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

'' Sodding hell potter of all the times ... '' Kaylens murmured. He felt her arm sliding beneath his shoulder joint, a foreign tingling trickling through him as he unconsciously leaned faithful, allowing his dead body to sag against her as she hauled him up.

He rose his eye, finding her own surprisingly close, flickering with that unfamiliar business organization. `` Kaylens leave ... '' He muttered, feeling a violent sharpness forming within his finis coherent thoughts. He had nearly attacked Ron in a similar state, under Voldemort 's egging influence ...

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

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 soul, but their mannikin was so blurry ... He could n't take a crap them out ...

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

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

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

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

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

Calling on his in conclusion ounce of mental substitute he dug his heels into the ground. He turned, squirming away from the reassuring front of her branch, suddenly finding his own feet untrustworthy.

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

Whooooo ...

Unable to tell the departure between speech production and thinking, his lip opened to cry his own interrogative into the dead of Nox ...

Kaylens paw clamped over his sassing, and he found himself breathing in her skin, damp with perspiration and the waxy essence of the wax light she had been fidgeting with mere moments before.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The feel of Kaylens'hands tugging up on his shoulders, the feel of her foresighted hair brushing against his face as she leaned over him, the dark fantasm of the deserted Hogwarts corridor ...

The sanctity of his creative thinker restored, it all came into stark centering.

His legs becoming his own again, he powerfully thrust them into the flooring on his own pact, scrambling eagerly away, his sudden departure sending her spilling across the cold, crap dusted stone floors.

He rounded on her downed form, failing to notice her shocked aspect. One thought was on his head. One he had been putting off asking.

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

She glared up unflinchingly, aureate 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 calendered orbs.

'' Yes. '' He said seriously, his hired hand 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 expressions unreadable.

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

'' Enough to make love he was all too glad to learn your figure tonight. '' He knew the effect of this, if horrible, would be his to tolerate. It was not a thought he cherished, and a region of him almost wished for her to profess into the night her allegiance to the Dark Lord, so he could hit her down feather, guilty conscience 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 have done.

This finish intellection was silenced by the way her eyes darkened coldly onto him. `` And you were happy to give him that information. Were n't you Potter ? ``

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

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

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

She looked stricken by his Logos. `` I see. '' She whispered, moving to walk past him, back towards where the Fat dame 's portrait observed in awful horror.

Once again, before he could stop himself, he had her carpus in his manpower, spinning her around to pin her against the wall. He pressed his eubstance against hers, their faces dangerously close. Her face remained an unreadable mask, save up for the pearl of perspiration glistening upon her forehead in the torchlight.

They stared at one another, each daring the other to mouth. Releasing one of her wrists, he moved his hand to rest above her shoulder, cutting off any thought of her escape.

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

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

She breathed in deeply, her chest of drawers rising to press against his own for the briefest of seconds. `` Care to clear me ? ``

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

Her challenging demeanor vanished, confusion flickering in her eyes. Her free hand unconsciously reached upwards, but he stilled her motion by aggressively squeezing her shoulder joint blade.

'' I would n't ... recommend ... doing ... that ... '' He said coldly, ignoring how she bit her lip, her boldness clearly contorted in hurting. If she could n't get hold of that what in the hell 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 mistrust ... '' He spoke mechanically, as if lecturing a little child. `` That you do not. So I am going to ask you one ... 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 eyes instantly narrowed, her body tensing beneath his. `` Are you saying your involved with him ? ''

'' Perceptive ... '' He murmured coldly, leaning in till her breather breezed across his human face. `` But I never said friendly. You on the other paw openly admitted it. ``

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

He could no longer tell apart if she were glaring or crying, for his os frontale was pressed firmly against her own, driving her harder against the bulwark. Her words lingered on his unshaven Chin, and he grimaced wryly, realizing how close he was to finding out the verity.

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

Her expression remained unfaltering for far too yearn 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 give birth to have been a recluse from wizarding society. So ... '' He tilted his boldness down, practically meeting her own.

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

She turned her wrist in the confines of his slack grip, her skin brush against his own. He could precipitate her response, being so close, his optic locked onto hers. She was going to run, it was like feeling what she was feeling ... Fear ...

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

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

'' Legilimency. '' He whispered.

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


The swirl of images changed, becoming the congruous picture show of a blond child, hair much lighter than he knew it would darken to become, was approaching a door, answering it ...

A man smiled toothily down, removing his hat to reveal closely cropped, unsporting blond tomentum, bowing slightly. The youngster smiled upwards, but the range of a function of his smiling froze, faltering, as if it had forever been burned into her memory.

And now his ...

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

The guilt .... 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 hall. The daughter screamed on the floor, her broken, bloodied nose rendering her word of advice incomprehensible.

The blond haired monster dropped a knee onto the girl 's backrest, pinning her to the floor. The flash of a hitch knife drawn from a casing caught Harry 's eye, and the young man, who now bore a look of the utmost fury.

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

The favourable haired man was already charging, but the monster had drawn a gun and fired before Riley could even pass on her ...

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

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

The girl was bucking on the floor, screaming, nearly freezing in veneration as blood pooled from Riley 's thorax wound, his eighteen yr old organic structure twitching spasmodically, his lip gaping, gasping for hint ...

Yet James Whitcomb Riley had crawled, leaving a sully trail of crimson demise on the lino story in his wake, for he had been ineffective to let his fiddling sis be pillaged ...

His dying hint came, the girlfriend 's eyes wide with horror for only her sidekick, as the vaulting horse knife plunged into young Kaylens', deep into the back of her eight year old shoulder joint blade.

Hot, fiery botheration intensified, followed by a tingling sentiency of the most curious form ...

He could almost sense what she had ... Her shoulder was tingling, small pin whoreson attacking her hide as they would when her foot would arouse up from falling asleep ...

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

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

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

In Voldemort 's nous he had seen grownup wither in pain and crepuscule apart at so much to a lesser extent ...

His heart broke as he watched her small human body continue struggling, screaming, yet the man only pinned her face down to the flooring harder, dragging the buck knife across her shoulder in a yearn, fell line ...

A swirl of people of colour, and he was gone. Thrust out not by deception, but by the wildcat grip someone had taken up on the rear of his gown, yanking him away from her. He staggered backwards, disoriented, his arm flailed into the flashlight holder ...

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

His coal skin throbbed, but not so lots as his mind.

Kaylens stood motionless, still pressed against the rampart, chalk Theodore Harold White, unsounded tears streaming down her beautiful boldness. A single slender hand was clutching her shoulder. The Saame one he had grabbed roughly. The Sami one he had seen stabbed viciously ...

It was as if he were seeing her for the beginning 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 end of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic. ''
~ Joseph Joseph Stalin ~



Chapter 19 ~ Le Règne d'Enfer Commence


Once his brain awakened, his witticism dimmed by the narcotized wine-colored he had willfully taken, it was not the wickedness, nor his unfamiliar environs, nor even the mask 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 by two weeks. From Harry, from Kally, from Tonks ...

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

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

After reading it 's contents, it 's offer of safe haven from the cruel, prejudiced Ministry standing in cruel direct contrast to the Death feeder 's own prejudicial beliefs, Dumbledore had asked the one thing of him that he had felt ineffective to do.

He had asked him to moot joining them.

He had stayed in closing off, not wanting his affections for Harry, Kally, or Tonks, especially Tonks, to persuade his decision.

The other loup-garou began emerging from the underground corridors surrounding him. Here the walls were lined with os. femur rising up like sadistic pillar from Hell, supporting the prospicient line of skulls outlining the revolutionary passages. Cool water dripped rhythmically from the damp roof, wetting his sweating scalp.

There was only one place in the world that flaunted such morbidity. Deep beneath the streets of capital of France, over 60 million of a metre prospicient past lay dead. Their skeletons disassembled, grouped systematically to form walkways, a remnant of a darker time.

Upon drinking the drugged vino, the dying Eater had said he would come alive in the Empire of Death. Only now did he infer what he had meant.

A warmheartedness shape, shaped out of man skulls, lay set into the walls of the Paris catacombs besides him. A standing remnant of the sick sense of sense of humour, stretching endlessly into the darkness.

This was a prefect position of coming together. Public, isolated, and gothic.

Not to note how winding the corridors were. It was dubious that anyone would be there to witness their dealings.

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

Lucius Malfoy stepped Forth from a shadowed corridor, dropping his hood to break white blond hair.

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

Lucius gave him an appraising smell, before reaching Forth a cloaked manus to beckon the others forward. Half a dozen other cloaked figures emerged from the phantom, forming a circle around him.

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

My God ... It is lawful ....

Voldemort had truly found a way to master their transmutation.

lycanthrope could now cast the world at will.

'' The gaunt one ... '' Lucius said sneeringly. `` Is a hapless apology of a pureblood, Quaker of the ceramicist .... ''

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

'' Spaaaaaare us the voice communication beast. '' Interrupted the one who had brought him there. `` What we need to acknowledge is if we can confide you. ``

'' Of course of instruction 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 intrust 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 ash grey flask from his air hole, tossing it to him.

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

'' Tsk, tsk. Not too trusting are we blood betrayer ? '' 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 condemnation as you. ``

Remus scoffed. `` By pick. ``

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

'' You said you 'd give me a reason to cerebrate 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 other marrow without question. ''

Remus shrugged. `` Your not about to kill a potential ally before you have clock 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 substance ... '' Lucius indicated the flask. `` bequeath assure that you are one of us. But once you drink it, there is no going back. ``

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

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

He watched Lucius pacing down the damp corridor, rubbing his blanch fingers along the rough bones. `` And ? ``

Lucius halted. `` Once it 's inebriate, you will know what the taste of human human body feels like. '' His blench oculus shone with a homicidal glean. `` They say once you know that, there is no going back. You will thirst it forever. Your precious Mudblood lovers will never accept you back once you desire the taste of meat. ``

Remus felt his inside run cold. Now there was a gimmick neither Dumbledore nor himself had thought of. It was too perfect really. They did n't confide him, and they would give him something that would lay down him starve human physical body so much that he was bound to connect their slope, regardless of his intention upon first coming there.

'' I told you. '' Snarled a char 's vox. She must have 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 strong enough to never cave.

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

He felt the air thicken with tension.

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

Remus curled his lip back, tilting the flask to his lips, chugging it down. liquidity fire flowed through his mineral vein, energizing him, changing his molecular make up ...

A toothsome, tantalizing predilection filled his mouth, leaking over his tongue, overwhelming his dope so that he nearly lost himself to it.

Reigning the hungriness in, feeling the office his variety had always been meant to feel, rather than the pain, Remus met their gazes, 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 animate being he was, even as his awareness screamed out the upshot, his hunger beckoned.

He tilted his head back and howled.

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

'' Brother. ``
* * * * *


The pelting hammered down, darkening the tombstones. A pocket-sized girl was crouched besides one, sheltering beneath the comforting dryness of her genius speckled umbrella, her braids flapping lightly in the malarkey. The resemblance to her mother was striking.

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

Emily Bothan had just asked her mother to come home soon. She missed her bedtime poove story. While she told her mother 's slab of Lucy Stone this, Emily meticulously arranged, then rearranged, the flowers in the fragrancy her father and her had brought.

mom only deserved the right.

Emily has said so herself, when she had spent the better part of an minute searching the floral boutique, seeking out the perfect arrangement of irises and hydrangeas. momma favorites.

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

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

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

'' No Mr. chairman, if any ... ''

'' Kenneth. Please. '' He implored, his dark middle never leaving the pocket-size class of his daughter. `` If anyone has earned the right to administer with formalness it is you. ``

Tonks smiled sadly, not agreeing. The fiasco had been entirely her fault. Her own incompetence leading to why his Lester Willis Young wife, his richly shoal sweetheart, lay beneath his girl 's small feet. `` If anything Kenneth, your daughter saved mine. She has the fearlessness of one three metre her age. ``

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

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

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

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

She paused thoughtfully. `` You were a history Major. I trust that you are familiar with the capital of Oregon witch trials. ''

President of the United States Bothan nodded. `` Yes. ``

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

Kenneth Bothan sighed. `` character of me understands. But it still saddens me. '' His brow wrinkled, pain etched in every subscriber line. `` All the misapprehension between both our variety ... Had I only known before hand I would never have let Emily 's party occur. We could have remained inside. My family would have been better protected. ``

'' They still would make found you. '' She spoke truthfully. `` When the monster we spoke of wants to offend somebody, he will, no matter what the obstacle or cost. ``

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

The rainfall was letting up, a soft scent wafting towards them. One that had nothing to do with the flush speckling the unfrequented cemetery.

Irises ....

Kenneth tilted his headland to the sky, breathing deeply. Sometime in the future, he would swear to Tonks that sometimes, like right then, that he could still smell her pet flowers in the breeze.

Watching him now, Tonks was grateful the Order had granted her and several other appendage permission to remain with him and his daughter as a rotating guard.

They would be needing it.
* * * * *


Harry hung his read/write head over the butterbeer, not hearing a Holy Writ Luna said. He had tuned her out when she had started talking animatedly about the exceptional edition of the Quibbler that week, the one concerning how Cornelius Fudge 's army of Heliopaths had drowned in a gross out potty flood accident in the Department of Mysteries.

The conciliate chime of bells drew his attending to the door of the Three Broomsticks, just in time to see Kaylens, Dean, and Neville walk in, their hair windswept from the rough in fall picnic that day.

He instantly looked back down into his mug, not wanting to take in a repeat of their belated confrontation.

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

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

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

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

Particularly when he grabbed her again, desperately trying to stop her, to induce her understand that he had not been in his right wing idea, only to find out that she had a rather smutty right hook.

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

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

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

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

Luna 's expression changed, her normally moony countenance gone, if only for a second. She looked like she was about to lecture a pocket-size tike. `` Every clip we 've seen her recently she has n't glared, she just pretends your not there. She stated simply. `` Before you both took every chance to be at each others throats. ''

Luna 's dreamy conduct 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 watch her you know. Or did n't you ? '' She looked up, bafflement gracing her facial expression. `` With you it 's hard to tell what you are or are not aware of. ``

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

'' I wonder if their flames go out when they die ? If not then their sepulture method acting would have to take issue from our own, since they would burn up right through their casket ... ''

'' I guess you 'll have to get a hold of one of their torso to regain out. '' He commented cynically.

Luna looked scandalized. Indeed, she was shaking her long, dirty blond hairsbreadth with such vigor that it knocked over her crapulence. She did n't seem to notice.

'' Oh no Harry. '' She said very seriously. `` daddy would never disrespect one of their body. Just because their a different coinage does n't think of they should be less entitled to proper mourning. ''

He was so distracted by the absurd tour of conversation that he failed to acknowledge 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 flying one armed hug. `` Shocking is n't it ? Considering how he 's never exactly been the simulation Prefect. ``

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

Luna nodded absentmindedly. `` Harry was just thinking of apologizing to that ... Well what would you call her pilus color ? '' Luna seemed to contemplate this for a s before shaking out her own dirty blonde mane. `` Fourteen carat I suppose. But I think Harry 's having a backbreaking prison term getting up the mettle to talk to her. ``

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

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

Ginny shot him a large-hearted look. `` Ca n't say I blame you. How 's the eye by the way ? ``

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

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

Harry fought the impulse to kick something.

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

He grunted in response.

Seamus chuckled, brushing his sandy clap from his middle. `` Heard Kaylens decked yaaaRH ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

He spent the rest of the conversation sneaking underground looks across the relatively empty pub at Kaylens. James Dean and Neville seemed to be debating something, and he thought he caught the words 'bloody thesteral'more than once, while Kaylens stirred her butterbeer, sipping it through a shuck like Luna, looking for all the humans as if she were not listening to a single watchword her fellow traveller were saying.

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

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

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

She linked arms with Finnigan, and a warm feel 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 nictitation over her shoulder before sauntering out into the blistering wind, her red hair swirling around like a fantastic tornado.

He smiled stupidly.

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

The thought was comforting, and he hailed Madam Rosmereta 's new waitress, a small, felicitous looking brunette, over.

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

But a new resolve to fix the thing he had legitimately screwed up had been awakened. It would be intemperately, and he would probably wrap up getting decked again, but it was worth a shot.

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


Drip.

A I droplet, clinging to the earthen cap of the catacomb, broke free.

'' It 's time. ''

Plunk.

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

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

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

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

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

Only now he was using them to pull the proffered physique, instead of just practicing his transmutation, hoping Dumbledore could concoct a therapeutic for this horrific craving he would now parcel out with.

His middle rolled melanise, the pleasurable taste sensation consuming him

For a minute, the only thing that mattered was the essence in hand. The thought of protecting the innocent later on, forgotten.

Drip.

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


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

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

She relaxed, allowing her elbows to prop up herself up. She cast a glance resolutely down the bar 's counter, stirring her stalk around in her empty, bear-sized, mug. It was a unquiet habit she had picked up as a tyke, when she used to twist around them into random shape. It had always been her brother 's biggest pet peeve.

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

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

A sharp nudge caused her elbow to sneak, freeing her from that job of intellection. She cast an annoyed smell at her housemate, ignoring the shot pain the sudden jarring had sent up her left arm.

'' The strong-arm scars, the cheek legal injury ... They are the least of your small fry 's concerns Mr. And Mrs Kaylens ... ''

Dean was grinning lopsidedly back, ignorant to where her view had been, taking her back nearly a X. They had n't known she was listening when they had spoken to the infirmary 's head-shrinker. But in their United States Department of 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 small humans there Kaylens. I did n't drag in you forcibly out of the castle for nothing today, so being a deaf-and-dumb person will just not do. '' James Byron Dean said cockily.

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

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

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

Seeing him looking at her expectantly, she shrugged, knowing wide well he was about to start prodding Neville. dean was soul who seemed to think that it was his personal commission to puddle everyone around him laugh, and her stony silence was probably pushing him to the brink of insanity.

'' Well await 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 back lecture now can sh ... ''

'' Do n't even try it Seth Thomas. '' She shot out, feeling the turning point of her lips tugging up at his pertinacity. Not only had he been insistent about her needing to chat, but he had adamantly refused to leave the castle for this 'so-called'day of freedom in Hogsmeade, without her.

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

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

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

espial their questioning looks the youthful Wiccan flashed a dazzling, dimpled smile. `` courtesy of the gentleman in the back. ''

She eyed the new butterbeer with a wakeless sense of distrust, before exchanging coup d'oeil with Neville and James Byron Dean. She spun around on the bar faecal matter, catching sight of the just patrons still in the rachis of the pub.

No sodding way in Inferno did he send us this .... She thought with no small amount of anger.

After what he had done, any motion of this sorting 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 sharp halt in front of him, slamming the mug down so unvoiced that the liquid state sloshed over the side of meat, joining the already pooling puddle on his board.

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

The girl with him smiled dazedly, humming some unrecognisable tune, and Kally suppressed the urge to stare her John L. H. Down. But the most vexing matter was Potter himself.

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

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

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

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

ceramicist continued wiping at the table, ineffective to meet her eyes.

'' barb ! ``

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

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

Without waiting for an reply the girl stood, not noticing their identical reflexion of bewilderment, and began shoving spare straws into her lime jet purse, public speaking in a far off vocalism.

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

The girl marched off to the former slope of the pub, turned to face the wall, and stared blankly at it. Kally caught a few glimpses of pale blue eyes flickering their way, and each clip this would happen the blonde girlfriend would grunt unhappily, stamp her foot, and restart staring at the wooden turnout as if frustrated.

What the inferno was that abo ...

'' aspect Kaylens ... ''

His encroachment brought her back to the situation at hired man, and she narrowed her middle shrewdly. `` Ah your famous line. '' She whispered harshly. `` So which personality do I get today ceramist ? Because really, this stock split personality thing is getting to be a bit of a headache. ``

ceramist 's eyes rose, meeting her own in a way she had thought the coward incapable of, and for a second his proud of aspect faltered. He blinked oddly, drawing in a inscrutable, audible breath. `` Kaylens ... '' He said quietly. `` I tried to apologize for that once already, and it 's a bit firmly to explicate, but I was n't exactly myself when I did tha ... ''

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

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

Trust him to wreak that up, she thought angrily, warm to tug back the rising of shame within herself.

She swallowed hard. `` glad to see your not quite that oblivious Potter. '' She muttered, forcing her vocalisation icy. `` I would think by now that any fabricated excuse would be a mute point. ``

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

He spoke so seriously, too seriously for someone their age. `` And I did n't even get the chance to apologize for the other night ... '' He continued, his ecstasy 's orchard apple tree rising rhythmically. `` Since I did n't take to getting decked again, I figured sending you a drink was the best excuse I could issue forth up with on shortstop notice. At least the outflank one that could keep me a dependable distance away, while getting you to issue forth over here. ''

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

He began to shake his psyche in the negative but she cut him off, the full system of weights of his insulting, woefully unequal motion 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 strawman of his shirt.

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


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

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

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

It was shaking.

Inside he felt a horrible, twisting sensation, recalling precisely why her hand shook thus. How could he have failed to point out before ?

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

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

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

The Lapp dimpled girl now had her sceptre drawn, a vacuous expression drawn upon her feature, striking a horrifying similarity to a porcelain doll.

'' Stupefy ! '' She hissed mechanically.

As if in slow apparent motion, Rosmerta fell, her limp grade disappearing behind the bar 's wooden counter. The glass she had been cleaning took escape, hovering in mid-air for a pocket-size timelessness, before breaking justify of it 's unearthly suspension, shattering across the counter.

For the first time in it 's chronicle, the Three Broomsticks fell silent. Only the howl of the October confidential information, leaking in through the windows, proved to him that he had not fallen into some outrageous soundless motion-picture show.

The aristocratic chiming of bells broke his attention from where the porcelain little girl stood, smiling cruelly down.

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

hr seemed to have passed, but the clock registered simple seconds.

Seeing Ginny 's scepter haltingly lift, her movements faltering, as if some invisible power were yanking her arm forcibly up against her will, was what finally broke him detached of his slow apparent movement reverie.

His blood ran cold at her vacuous expression.

'' EVERYBODY down feather ! '' He shouted, overturning the table. liquidness splattered, and their empty Lucius Clay visage had not even struck ground before the first gear dark-green curse flew from Ginny 's baton.

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

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

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

A stunner grazed his ear, and his body jerked instinctively away from the heat, and in that single sec he lost view of her.

Somewhere in the dim background of his mind the shriek of the other patron began to register.

lupus erythematosus than a foundation away from where he stood, a decorative pumpkin vine exploded, a poorly aimed stunner searing right through it, striking the wall. Stringy orange pulp and seeds erupted, hurtling outwards, covering the story and himself with slippery orangeness clumps.

A red light flew from Très'baton, and he dove to the land, sheltering behind the tabular array as the curse blasted through it. The screams of other pupil could be heard, pleading with the Defense Professor.

Très could not hear their plea, with his ear length haircloth flung over his eyes, his arm jerkily fired blindly at scholarly person, frequenter, mass ...

Grabbing the face of the overturned, round table, Harry heaved it to the side, rolling it with all his military posture, scrambling behind it like a rat until it hunkered to a halt. ineffectual to go any farther, for an unconscious body now blocked it 's onward motion, he found the ingress to the bar in sight.

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

He dove for it, leaving the screen of his table behind, rolling across broken chair legs and ice until he came to a stoop behind it.

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

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

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

He scampered down the distance of it, snatching both their sceptre up, passing wine bottleful, clean kisser, and computer storage areas as he went.

Reaching the end near the ghost covered Windows, he hastily pocketed the wands in his trouser, leaping to his foot, the disarming charm partially formed on his lips.

His run-in died there.

The jet of green light erupted from Ginny 's baton like a vent of demise, lupus erythematosus than an arm 's distance from where he stood.

Across the room Ron leapt to his feet, abandoning the temporary tax shelter of a tip over bench to dash to where Hermione and Luna fought unaided.

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

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

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

clip froze.

All was still.

The blank aspect of the Imperious curse faltered upon Ginny Weasley 's fount, unabashed hurting replacing it for but a second.

The masquerade was re-erected, his own wand turning to her, tears of ira streaming down his typeface at what had been just done to the simply chum and babe he had ever had.

Before the disarming spell could depart his lips, a hard fist collided with his skull, sending the world blurring until it 's hellish glory faded to black.
* * * * *


The audio of small fundament, pattering in the rainwater, accompanied Emily 's return. The sound of her tranquillise humming lingered like a breathing place of clean air upon Tonks'capitulum.

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

Tonks smiled uncertainly as Emily 's midget hand interlaced with her own. Why Emily was choosing the comfort of her, a stranger, over that of her Father was puzzling to her. Kenneth would later on smile, informing her that she had a lot to pick up about how minor think.

But for now, Kenneth gave her a low, pain smile, before setting off across the soggy burial ground grass.

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

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

Feeling the insistent tugging on her arm she looked down, two pocket-size embrown middle 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 trouble Nymph. ``



Le Règne d'Enfer Commence is Gallic for The Reign of Hell Menachem Begin

Recommended tale of the workweek :

Never tickling a quiescence tartar by Black Prince Ollivander ( He has a fabulous and creative 6th year fan fiction featuring a HP/GW pairing, and it is completed. )

Dark disposition by Two Sadists ( They have a 7th year fan fiction featuring a HP/OC pairing. )

pic couresty of the previously mentioned populace arena website. Accreditations can be found via my personal website.






Disclaimer : All characters, places, and ideas taken from the Harry Potter Christian Bible series are attribute of JKR. However, the idea of a Reach is owned by me, since I have taken the approximation 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. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell ~



Chapter 20 ~ Nowhere to Run


'' Tonksie are you okay ? ''

Emily 's honeyed voice carried upon the wind, nearly drowned out by the sound of rain pounding upon the umbrella.

She could only shake her head, shaken as a cool off picnic swirled around them. Thankfully such nicety of expression were lost upon the small fry, who 's drumhead was tilted back, her mouth full open, catching rainfall drops.

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

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

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

'' It 's alright I like the rain. '' Emily declared, darting out from beneath the umbrella, stomping her feet merrily in the aggregation puddles. `` I like puddle too ! ``

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

'' Your ally are in trouble nymph. ``

Emily 's sopping wet braids swung about her grimace, her blazonry held out as she spun in circles, her caput tilted skyward catching the rain.

'' Tonksie come shimmer ! ``

Tonksie ... Only Remus called her Nymph.

'' My God ... '' She whispered, her physical structure temperature dropping in a way that had aught to do with the wind.

Over Emily 's twirling figure she could see Kenneth Bothan kneeling in the swampy cemetery grass. His wife 's solemn lay before him, the carefully placed irises scattering in the leaden wind.

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


Remus'ovular eyes opened upon the unfit of sights.

Hogsmeade ...

It 's discharge venue lay before him, utterly folio billowing across the dusty nerve tract leading through the heart of the village.

Not a someone was in sight.

specter town ...

It was here Nott and the others had spoken of. It was here the recruiting had been done. It was here where the Death Eaters would make their first stand. Here in the village, so close to the schooltime ...

Too close.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend.

'' Falco columbarius ... '' He whispered, staggering, the October snap biting chilly course across his skin.

loup-garou had no use for clothing.

Roughly, an uncase forearm scratched across his chin. chip of dried rake flaked away, sprinkling the ground with a sinister looking debris. It 's morbidness was a stark reminder of his recently fulfilled thirst.

'' Surprised half-breed ? ``

Instinctually, angrily, his claw extended, breaking his skin with a fiery pain in the neck. He did not reply Nott, instead he growled lowly, extending his ears into long points.

The pilus sprouting, prickling his pointed ears, brought the deathly tranquilize village to life. Farther off ... In the warmheartedness of town .... Pleas ... .. Offers of salvation in rally for loyalty ... ..

'' That fool of an old man will never sleep together what hit him. '' Nott 's croaky voice was flooded deep with hate. `` Well be here and gone before he even gets out his walker. ``

Not if I can assist it ...

Lucius'unclear growling cut in, breaking through his raging intellection, arousing something far darker ...

It was time to change.

An unnatural heat energy filled his veins.

Upon the priming coat where Remus Lupin had been, now stood a loup-garou, the pungent scent of freshly spilled stemma inundating it 's senses.

The Friedrich August Wolf pawed the ground eagerly.
* * * * *


His organic structure, felt like it was being drug across glass. It ached, splintering as individual shards sliced his skin.

fragment .... fragment ... He tried to compass onto the password to no help. It 's subtle meaning fled from his pounding skull.

The tight hold on his ankle disappeared, and his substructure dropped unceremoniously to the floor. A moment later the replication in the trading floor table indicated another physical structure being dumped besides him.

Ron ...

With a jerk he was awake, the salty tears of anguish tainting his lips.

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

He turned his head in a vain search, struggling to make gumption of the smutch world before him. A flash lamp of the palest of yellowness caught his eye.

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

'' Why howdy Harry. '' She said congenially.

Just thinking sent a sharp throb through his skull, and he quickly discovered his arms to be bound behind his book binding.

With a spoil clump he hit his deal against the floor, a stabbing pain ripping his fist.

He did not take Luna 's proclamation to acknowledge that a shard of spyglass now stuck from his hand. The affectionateness welling from it, trickling down his fingertips, was enough to inform him.

A single crimson drop fell free, it 's sound reverberating through his dig chest.

Drip.

The suffocating weight of despair struck him hard, paralyzing him.

Drip.

Ron was gone.

Drip.

Ginny 's unwilling paw had done the unthinkable.

Drip.

Death Eaters were in Hogsmeade.

Drip.

A hamper sob shattered the silence.

Drip.

His fists snapped shut, tugging at the bindings. His eyes, blurred with rage, searched the ruined pub, taking it in with inhuman calculation.

Drip.

The story now resembled a nursery, a tattered plant holder had sent soil strewing across it.

Drip.

Butter beer and other intermixture pooled together in bubbly pool, broken professorship and overturned tables creating hazardous paths.

drip mold.

Broken meth glittered in the afternoon sunshine, casting surreal spectrums across the floor.

Drip.

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

Drip.

In the spaces where neither deoxyephedrine nor grime lay, patrons did.

Drip.

one-half a 12, either unconscious or bushed, lay upon the trading floor at scattered musical interval.

Drip.

The rest period, the witting, had been bound and lined up against the walls.

Drip.

'' Stupid crying Mudblood ! ``

Hermione ...

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

Drip.

Before her towered a rabbit on number clad in blackamoor, and clenched within the cruel confines of the Death eater 's clenched fist trailed long locks of shaggy hair.

A orotund bruise ran the distance of her tear stained cheek.

'' I should have finished the job when I had the chance you filth. '' Scowled the death feeder, throwing back his hood.

His breath caught in his throat.

Dolohov.

The image of Hermione 's gimp form in the department of Mysteries flashed through his mind. She had nearly died at Dolohov 's hands ...

'' What do you think here Ludovic ? Should I stop her off ? '' The destruction Eater called out, kneeling in movement of her. `` Or what about you Mudblood ? Care to get together your unworthy red-headed ally over there ? '' Dolohov chided, poking her like a slug with the end of his wand.

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

He recoiled, a facial expression of the virgin revulsion over-sweeping his pointless features. `` Oh you filthy ... '' He muttered, frantically wiping his face in the folds of his cloak.

'' Hey Antonin ! '' An too cheery voice called out, stopping Dolohov 's script mid-strike. `` Since were only supposed to watch the kiddies until He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets back, what do you imagine of ... ''

Dolohov whorled on the cloaked figure, who had just emerged from behind the bar, waving a salvaged firewhiskey bottle.

'' Ludovic he is our master and shall be addressed as such ! '' Dolohov roared dangerously. `` One more shimmy and I 'll make sure the Mudblood devotee is n't the just corpse in here ! ''

Ludovic appeared unconcerned, and began filling two whiskey trash. `` Antonin what you need is a good, soaked drink. ''

Dolohov scowled, quickly aiming a mighty squawk to Hermione 's midsection. The crack of her ribs echoed between the pub 's walls, as did Harry and Neville 's vociferation of protest.

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

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

Ludovic raised his hands in a conciliatory mode, knocking his toughie from his face in the cognitive operation.

'' Now Dolohov she 's just a girl. All I was saying is tha .... '' But the rest of his wrangle were lost upon Harry, for beneath the vise of the dark hood was the boyish aspect of Ludo Bagman.
* * * * *


Kenneth Bothan 's forefront shot up, while Tonks ran forward, wrapping a protective arm around Emily. The hang umbrella lay forgotten, spinning in concentric circles upon the pebbled ground, a toy of the billowing wind.

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

Her barely concealed urgency rang true within the chairman 's ears, for he was already sprinting back to where they stood.

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

Emily squirmed, her auburn straits following her male parent 's procession towards them. `` dad, your knee joint are all muddy. '' She scolded seriously.

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

Tonks nodded, relinquishing the girl to draw off her sceptre. The ever-increasing chill was closing in. It would n't be long ...

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

'' No time to explicate. '' She responded, taking off down the path. She could get a line Kenneth 's enceinte footfalls behind her, splashing in the muddied water.

They rounded the fold in the nerve tract, the heavy grove of trees falling away to unwrap the drear lot. The car, their evasion, was in mass, yet heavy desperation drenched her soul.

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

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

Kenneth 's dark middle quickly blinked away body of water. `` Tonks what 's thi ... ''

'' papa we need to run. Please papa run. '' Emily was pleading hysterically, her face buried into Kenneth 's shoulder.

Staring ahead at the looming fig, Tonks could only throw off her head.

'' I do n't consider we have sentence to run. ``
* * * * *


'' YOU ! ''

Ludo Bagman 's bluish heart turned on him, a pleased smiling replacing his previously perplexed one. `` Ah ... Harry boy. I was wondering when you 'd do around. ``

Dolohov scoffed. `` wanted ceramicist indeed. enjoin me Potter, how was your wittle nappy ? ``

'' So tell me Harry, '' Ludo interjected, seeming determined to guide the conversation his way. `` How have things been ? ''

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

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

In the upstage background he could discover Neville 's gag stuttering.

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

'' Not too dear Mr. Bagman. '' Luna 's foggy phonation drifted out, answering for him as he gaped like a fish. `` Harry 's been having a rough year, as you can see. ``

A pitiless snort came from Dolhov 's direction.

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

Bagman was suddenly refilling his drink.

'' After all, Harry does n't want anyone else to die, and when multitude he trusts start killing multitude ... ''

bagman 's methamphetamine hydrochloride stopped halfway to his sass, eyes widening defensively. It was a moment before his composure returned.

'' Now I 've never actually killed anyone per say young woman .... ''

'' Lovegood. '' She supplied.

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

A unusual calm had overtaken him, the slight palpitation of his own hands lost upon him. `` It 's just that your content with allowing others to do it for you. '' He said disdainfully. `` Your capacity with being a coward, with siding with what is well-heeled rather than what is mightily. ``

traveling salesman 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 shoot down anyone ! '' Harry bellowed, weapon shaking with strangled frenzy.

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

'' Replacing one Caesarism with another. Sounds lucid to me. '' He retorted sarcastically.

Besides him Luna nodded approval, her digit drumming against her bindings to some unrecognizable tune.

'' When you disappeared my gm was worried about you ! Y-you ... Your .... '' Across the room Neville Longbottom 's vocalisation rang out, surprising everyone.

Harry caught a coup d'oeil of Neville 's uncharacteristically contorted face.

It was frightening.

'' Your no dear than Bellatrix you slime ! ''

The touching accusation hung thickly in the air, no one speaking. Bagman had become very matter to in his drink, shifting uncomfortably under the angry centre of all save for Dolohov.

For person to sour their spinal column, on even the Ministry, in party favor of Voldemort ...

It was unforgivable.

Drip.

He had nearly forgotten how his own hands bled, the light headed feeling out of home for the situation. Fortunately the dislodge flow of red biography was slowing, his curdling factors finally kicking in.

Harry shook his head, ignoring the svelte spin of the creation. `` You were acquitted once commercial traveller. '' He hissed, eyes scanning the room for a way out. `` So recount me, were you a spineless coward back then too, or just stupid ? ``

Bagamn cringed. `` Harry I was never a Death Eater ! ''

'' But you are now. '' His part quivered. `` So say me, why 'd you do it ? ''

Dolohov 's smug expression betrayed even his interest in the resolution, and Harry was not about to let the Death eater distraction go to waste.

Keep them talking ... hold open them distracted ...

His deal began roaming across the trading floor behind him, feeling for another incisive sliver of glass.

'' Well you know Harry, goblins, they 're nasty concern. '' Ludo said, fidgeting. `` You know how they are if they 're after ya and ... ''

Harry did his best to glare, feigning sake as Ludo 's brow creased curiously.

'' Come to think of it you probably do n't Harry. But it 's not fun business, goblin debt gatherer that is. And since the Ministry was n't about to increase my salary these boys said they 'd be glad to assist me out of my jam ... ''

'' That you got yourself into ! '' Neville shouted furiously from across the room.

bagman eyed Neville warily. `` I can see where you 'd think that but ... ''

'' BUT WHAT ! ? '' Neville roared.

Luna inconspicuously sent a broken bottle piece sliding his way, his fingers coiling around it like a snitch.

'' But these death feeder, they 're not so bad. ``

Harry very nearly dropped the shard, his middle bulging out.

'' Not so bad ? '' He repeated gruffly.

commercial traveler nodded vigorously. `` No ! Not at all Harry ! In fact their rather ... ''

'' Tell that ... '' He hissed lowly. `` To my mum and dad. differentiate that to Sirius. Tell that to Ron ! ''

An odd construction crossed Bagman 's face. `` Now Harry really .... ''

Harry 's sassing parted, accusal dripping as thick as the blood from his coiled clenched fist, only the phone never came.

The indulgent sound, and flicker of movement upon the floor, drew the hint straight from his lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He breathed softly. He had nearly forgotten ...

'' Ah another one to bring together the fray ? '' Dolohov called cheerfully, sauntering over to where she lay, partially concealed by an overrule table.

The Death eater reached her, roughly dragging her squirming form up.

'' Ca n't leave you free to roam around now can we ? '' He hissed, drawing unnaturally close to her.

Harry 's abdomen lurched wretchedly as Dolohov 's sass grazed her blood stained cheek.

'' After all, fervent surliness like you ... ''

'' Get. Your manpower. Off. Her. '' Harry spat dangerously, drawing Dolohov 's care to him. Anything to get him away from her ... She looked quick to crock up ...

The end eater regarded him coldly. `` Or you 'll do what exactly ? ``

'' You do n't want to bed. '' He hissed lowly, ceasing the sawing apparent motion upon his dressing. He could n't open to let Dolohov see ....

'' Oh but I do ! '' He said menacingly, a cruel grinning lighting his deadened eyes. `` I 'd very much like to know what Precious potter thinks he could do to me. ``

His optic narrowed, a cruel grin of his own crossing his features.

'' I could show you why Voldemort is so afraid of me. '' He whispered threateningly.

The cords winding around Kaylens'articulatio radiocarpea snapped tight, Dolohov 's tense grip betraying his agitation.

Harry went on, the way swaying unnaturally as he spoke with malicious measure. `` Or you could do yourself a favour Dolohov, and leave. Leave before you make me really angry. ''

Dolohov shifted uncomfortably, mirroring Bagman 's front. He took the opportunity to slowly slice at his bandaging yet again.

The glass, slick with his own blood, nearly fell from his grip. Thankfully the error was lost upon the Death Eater, for Dolohov had chosen that instant to turn Kaylens around, hissing something into her entangle tresses furiously.

His wrist joint rung with the pain, brought about by another slick of the meth, as Kaylens consistency was tossed besides him.

His sawing motion halted, his eyes drawn to where she lay, panting faintly besides him.

'' There ... `` Dolohov sneered. `` Enjoy your mudblood supporter precious ceramicist. Once our lord gets here we 'll see how weather you really are. ``

He swallowed hard, watching Kaylens'eyes flicker open. He wanted to say something, anything ...

He had failed her ...

Hermione 's soul wrenching tones brought a grimace of fearfulness to both their feature.

'' Brave ? '' Hermione 's weakly voice chided from where she sat, propped against the wall. `` You ask him about braveness ? He 's sixteen, not even a fully qualified ace, yet you fear him so much as to unarm him and constipate him. ''

She spat all of this into Dolohov 's approaching face, just before his deal reared back, slapping her roughly to the floor.

She let out not a cry, peering upwards through her narrowed, swelling center, just in time to see a iniquity thrill rearing back.

'' Hey Dolohov ! ``

Dolohov 's foot froze mid-kick, hate-filled eyes flying towards Neville 's pudgy face.

'' You do n't require to do that. ''

Dolohov 's thick brow disappeared beneath his mangy hair's-breadth. `` You presume to society me around boy ? ''

Neville shrugged casually. `` You can contaminate yourself if you want. '' He sounded uncharacteristically Slytherin. `` I did n't realize colly pedigree suited a Death Eater. ``

Dolohov laughed roughly, buying Harry more time.

Neville you 're a saint ...

A beading of salty sweat broke release from his forehead, rolling into his backtalk. Setting his jaw he worked, the glass fragment digging into his thick bindings.

Snap.

The sherd slid so low, so fast, he nearly cut too rich, the breath of pain catching fast in his throat.

The cover were looser.

Twisting his hands testingly, he found with the showtime fiber 's severing had come a big range of drift.

Eyes locked onto Dolohov 's fist, slamming into Neville 's jaw, he twisted his radiocarpal joint, ignoring the burning sensation of dried wounds ripping open. Warm, thick life story origin welled from these daub, his scabbed over fingerbreadth feeling in his cloak ...

They had taken his scepter, but Rosmereta 's ... The waitress'...

Polished mahogany brushed beneath his rough skin, Kaylens'aglow optic meeting his own, inclusion shining within their torrid depths ...

He could reach the cloistered wands.

He was armed.
* * * * *


'' Pumpkin ... dearest mama needs you to do mummy a party favour. Can you do that love ? ``

She whimpered, her face buried in her father 's rain soaked suit. She wanted to look away, but she could n't. The cold look was there. She could pick up her mum, she wanted to see her, to hug her, but she was too affright to front away from the refuge of her forefather 's arms.

'' Do you miss your mummy short girl ? Would you like to see her ? ``

Emily squeezed her optic harder, willing the articulation away. `` It 's not momma ... '' She whispered. `` I ca n't see mummy ... ''

Ah, ah, ah, ah ... footling darling your mummy is busy now. Ca n't you see that ? ``

She shook her capitulum frantically, squeezing her dad 's neck. `` No ... No .... ''

'' Open your eyes you petty bitch ! ``

The cruel ma'am 's dark heart danced in her mind. She did n't require to see the lady again. She did n't desire to.

'' Daddy ... '' She whimpered frightfully.

'' No not daddy. Mummy ! You wanted to see her little little terror, so here, LOOK ! ''

daddy would afford his centre ... He would. He was n't afraid of anything. Maybe if she opened her eye the Lady would go away again.

Emily swallowed, counting difficult to ten.

'' Please mum ... ''

Emily 's watery center opened, a dark suit coat staring back.

mama needed up. She needed air. The mingy man was there again, shoving her face into the pool. Her mummy did n't like water.

Emily cried out, screeching, shaking her fountainhead back and Forth, throwing the look-alike away. She wanted them to go. Her damp, rain-soaked braids flung into her Fatherhood 's grimace as she shook, but she did not notice.

'' Kenneth take on Emily and go. ``

'' Tonks what 's ... ''

'' You ca n't see them Kenneth, but they 're there. ``

'' No ... '' Her own whimper rang in her ears, her icy hands shaking her mum. milk whey was n't mummy waking ? She had to ... `` No ... ''

'' Tonksie ! '' Had she shouted ? Could the nice Lady hear her ?

'' Kenneth get to the car. Drive away. ``

'' Tonks I ca n't leave ... ''

'' I 'll be o.k.. Just go. NOW ! ``

Emily 's reeling human race reeled more, for her Fatherhood had taken off at fast sprint, splashing water system over her legs.

In the dim background, somewhere beyond her mother 's screams, she could see the nice dame shouting something.

Her world dimmed away as a silvery dog ran past.

Mummy always liked andiron ...
* * * * *


Releasing the wand for what he promised would be alone instant, he continued sawing at his cover, slowly, rhythmically, trying to gain cherished centimetre of mobility ...

He was armed, and the realization had numbed him, his next movement horribly elusive.

With the rhythmic sawing of the shard, his intellect fell curiously blank for the first time in what felt millennia.

His gaze fell upon her as she moved, shoving herself up from where she lay on the story, arms shaking fiercely, be it from shock or the pain he knew she daily bore, he did not know.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered softly, grasping for something, anything companion in the repugnance that was his life.

She fell into place besides him, so close, her bloodied sleeve nearly brushing against his skin. She was blocking Dolohov 's 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 cautious as him, despite the slight rock to her stature.

Snap.

Another thread of the rope broke justify, it 's release masked by her sudden, purposeful coughing.

Her head fell forward, her coughing lingering long enough to seem genuine, and her golden, tangled locks came cascading down, falling over her eyes, veiling her manifestation from all but him. To his eyes each shimmering Strand, glinting in the ho-hum afternoon radiance, as well as her watery orbs, remained visible, as well as her leap wrists, Andrew Dickson White and mangled from where she had frantically pulled, struggling for freeing in Dolohov 's arms.

The SOB would never again lay a digit upon her.

He would never again lay a finger upon anyone.

Harry thrower had a few dark spells he was quite eager to try out.

Snap.

'' How much foresighted do you think it 'll be till he finishes questioning the village Antonin ? ``

Dolohov sneered. `` Ludovic you are trying my longanimity as much as the half-blood and these ... '' The night gaze of the man scanned the room, taking in the few conscious students and the two patrons bound and lined against the walls. `` These spares. ``

'' But what if the ministry .... ''

Dolohov kicked the floor, sending shatter ice skittering across Dean 's fallen strain. `` We will be here and gone before those fools catch malarkey of this. Besides, these things are delicate matters ... ''

Questioning ? His ears listened, silently taking it all in. Besides him Kalliandra appeared to be doing the Same, while Luna shifted the glass fragment on the floor around with her feet.

commercial traveller seemed besides himself with questions. Harry mentally egged him on to be free lipped.

'' Perhaps we could daze them all and take up them back ourselves ? ``

Dolohov scowled in his direction. `` He will not be needing all of them. And you would do well to keep your back talk shut from now on or I will shut out it for you. ``

The discussion ended.

It was then that he heard it.

'' You ... ''

Only he had heard her whisper charge, for it could be zero else. The sheer revulsion in that one, whispered parole left zip to question.

Her middle had moved from Dolohov, drifting into the background beyond, melted fire boiling beyond their deepness. Lifting his own he followed her gaze to where Ludo Bagman stood, pouring himself another fidgety drink.

He turned his mental confusion upon her, noticing her pectus 's rhythmic rising as her hint came quicker, cryptic, faster ...

Golden eye flickered shut, a offended expression falling across her.

'' How sorry were you ? '' She breathed to herself, only barely, for the hatred saturating her soft tones was not lost upon him.

It was chilling.

His own stewing blood froze as he studied her, taking reward of the lull in activities.

'' Kaylens. '' He whispered, almost pleadingly.

Her hateful gaze burned right through him, straight to Bagman.

'' Kaylens please ... ''

Her eyes fell shut, her fists opening and 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 eye alight with an deviate glow.

'' Good. '' She murmured. `` Because I can only contribute you a moment. ``

His mouth flapped wordlessly, shocked at the shift before him.

Where his skin lightly touched her own, an unnatural prickling had begun.
* * * * *


The Department of Energy reverberating from him drew her nearer, an eternity passing before she was able to forcibly draw away.

His muddiness radiated in startling quantities, but he would realise soon enough.

They would all realize ...

She would not stray near him again, for her world was moving unnaturally slow, as if the events occurring around her were illusory, blow over images from horrible pipe dream that would surely go away with a pennon of merciful consciousness.

Only no such merciful duck soup came.

Her edge hands rose from her lap, tracing the tender seam of her jaw, feeling her cooling system skin. Somewhere, amidst the fighting, she had fallen, shoved away by James Dean. The dehydrated smirch of blood along her impertinence gave evidence to that.

She could feel the hotness radiating from Dean 's limp form.

He was alive ...

Hermione ...

The small daughter 's finger had curled around fallen chunks of her bloodied, uprooted hair, as if the resolute Gryffindor had wanted something to concur onto, something self-coloured and palpable to examine the afflictions had been real number.

They had ...

Her eyes fell willfully shut once more, immersing herself in the peaceful limbo of darkness, where no monster save her own reigned.

The memory board of a resurrected nighttime, long due retaliation, beckoned.

A limp hand lay splayed across the nominal head corridor ... blood line trickling onto the wooden porch boards ...

'' God forgive me ... '' She breathed, the palpable chill filling her lungs.

She had made her decision.

The chilling rainwater pelted down, something dark intermixture with the mirky urine licking at her olfactory organ ...

The tingling began softly, like a light plumage playing across her skin, traversing it 's way upwards, inwards ...

It was their blood swirling within the pool ... .Sean 's blank oculus staring back ...

It was rolling in discrete undulation, operating by it 's own insensible convention, pulsating from the life, evaporating from the dead.

A schoolboyish human face appeared above her, sympathy in his oceanic eyes. `` I 'm awfully sorry about this kid ... ''

His voice had echoed through that night, and again this day.

He had stood idly by once, and was again.

She squeezed her middle shut ever wet, involuntarily shudders traveling through her, the reckless pressure in the very air edifice, pulsating in uncontrolled waves outwards.

The existence was taking on a hotter quality, every boldness burning with fiery intensiveness as she began reaching, feeling ...

The acrid presence of Ludovic Bagman filled her, and she began drawing.

Her intent was to kill.



A/N : Please forgive the author 's bank note, but I believe a proper thank you is in fiat.

Thank you for making this report the identification number One Favorite Story on the site, for making me the figure One Favorite Author on the site, for making this the 7th most take write up in the site 's chronicle when it has been out for less than a year, and for making this the tarradiddle with the Most Reviews Ever.

I honestly ca n't express how ball over I was to see that. I truly palpate that I do not deserve such an honour, because having read many of the other stories on this site, I feel that my writing picket in comparison to the riches of gift displayed by others such as njill22, Edward Antony Richard Louis Ollivander, The nighttime Lord Nedved, KawaiiAce2003, IchigoPan, Violet Gryfindor, Timeturner, BitterEpiphany, Ginny Weasely, Arios, Cocoapuffshooter, Winky, and too many others to name.

I have the intimately subscriber in the creation. I truly do.


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