'' The unwritten law of triage is knowing when zero else can be done, and actually accepting that. ''
~ A.K. Lovell ~



Chapter 24 ~ The pitch blackness pond


Irish capital, Ireland. Population in surfeit of 450,000 Muggles, 1,240 witches and wizards, and 451,240 innocents.

Since mediaeval time the locale had served as the uppercase of the free standing democracy. The pitch blackness Pool, or so the Briticism had stated. Now the expanse of farming it rested upon stood as one of the most populated scoop of isolation upon the Earth.

An island.

5.8 million Muggles in the Republic of Emerald Isle alone, another 1.7 million in Northern Ireland, and upon the total United kingdom land flock, 4,694 existence of magical descent.

The island contained the magnanimous percent of wizardly beings per head of any situation on earth.

It could soon contain the lowest.

At the mouth of the River Liffey, the bustling Negroid Pool of commerce lay in wait, as did a cleaning woman clad in the disgusting bench vise of Muggle apparel.

The rain had let up considerably in comparison to the early on dawning pelting, yet the coarse drizzle did nothing to mar the once impinging beaut as she stood alone upon the Lucan bridge circuit, sinister hair flowing in the tip like a sheet born of the Renaissance.

In truth, had one possessing the skill sat to immortalize her countenance, it would have got born striking similarity to a painting that had once advert centuries earlier upon the inlaid walls of Sarsfield castle.

The lone unsimilarity between the canvases lay in the min detail of the subjects'custody, her pale, refined fingers gently uncorking a clear vial, tilting it 's contents over the antediluvian brick viaduct until they churned upon the wind disturbed water below.

As the woman disappeared, seemingly without a trace to the eyes of Muggle passersby, the beginnings of the condemnation began filtering into the weewee system of downtown capital of Ireland.

The Joseph Black syndicate would soon reawaken a Black Plague.
* * * * *


beloved.

Because of it cities have been erected, and fallen. home have been made, and broken. simple person have been resurrected, and forgotten.

It holds the capability of silencing the strong, immortalizing the light, dashing the dearest of dreams and destroying the morose of care. It 's perpendicularly exponent is abyssal, and it is due to this overwhelming emotion that the human spirit is capable of being broken.

For one raven haired man, the pressing born of hatred and preserved by his love was upon him as it had never before been. The dummy, deadened heart of Seamus Finnigan haunting him even as he breathed in the reassuring presence of the Cy Young girl clutched in his arms, his side turned from the universe to bury against her skin, his only respite from the cruel reality that was his hell, and life.

It has been said that it is only forte of character that separates the weak from the unattackable, for their ability to frame tactile sensation, attachment, and love aside… Therein rests their unfaltering ability to do what must be done, in the darkest of times.

Wordlessly the young woman had taken him by the hand, silently leading him through the thickly coppices and bramble, disregarding the way the coarse bullbrier tore her skin, snaring her habiliment. Her silhouette seemed incapable of feeling, and the Brigham Young man 's envy of her skill was thickening, for each thorny prick dragging across his skin sung the guilt he felt, crying for his intervention in what they had left behind in Hogsmeade with the tug of a portkey.

The man felt guilty of abandonment, and execution. Though in his heart, he knew which was worse.

The vernal man had been forced to bequeath his friends in the rapidly growing conflict flat coat, for Voldemort 's evil had reared again, and again he had come out upon the lesser side, trapped as he was in the darkened woodland, incapable of helping anyone.

How was this ridiculous champion supposed to vote down the darkest of them ?

It has also been said that strength of fiber is best not determined by one 's indifference, by their ability to outdistance themselves from the situation at deal, but by their power to feel the supplication of the weak as if they were their own burdens. For it is in these mortal that the rarest of someone are found, for the few who walk upon the world with burdened and broken souls are often the most capable of loving, and saving the quietus of us.

His footfall were sinking into the damp earth, following in the female child 's cut as they pushed their way through the thicket, stumbling into a small moonlit clearing, a turbid pool of water collecting near its edge.

It was perhaps the distressing, and cruelest of satire, that the two brave person standing deplume and battered, bathed in the grim hue of moonlight filtering between the night sky 's mottled cloud, were the perfect typification of both side of the spectrum.

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

The other was still learning, and it would perhaps be the breakage of the other besides her that would finally learn her how to again, fear without restraint.
* * * * *


Oct 31st, Allhallows Eve, 1996.

It would forever stand as the day of infamy, as the night when Aurors had fallen upon the town in striking force, scattering Death eater to the far throw out corners of the land, to wherever their alcove of safety lay, leaving the scarcely stained village under the jurisdiction of the Ministry.

There was much to sieve out.

It had taken so long for them to get hold of it 's denizen, for Hogsmeade had not been the lone townspeople to strike under attack this day. And being the only all wizarding hamlet in England, the Aurors had came to it 's aid last, for Muggle expanse had few defensive structure, while the citizens of Hogsmeade had at to the lowest degree been armed.

Unlike the ingenuous Muggles who had been found, lifelessly sprawled upon urban center streets, magical beings had held the power to fight back.

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

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

Throughout the UK, from Dundee to Belfast, from Diagon skittle alley to Irish capital 's Aingingein market, from the Orkney islands above Scotland to the Town bordering the English language epithelial duct, magical respite of homes and existence, diminished air hole of apart home base and wizards, and position of Department of Commerce had been taken over.

They had all been targeted, held captive until Night had fallen, and each surviving being of magical descent nowadays professed to have felt the same effect. A cold, uncollectible than death quickening of the line of descent that had seeped into their very souls, raising the shackles of animals and hairs of humankind, eliciting the screeches of owls and cries of children had fallen just at twilight, and for those present the metre falling immediately after, as towns had risen up in DoD, fighting back as the Death eater fled and Aurors arrived, it would be remembered as the time of silence.

Something had happened that day, for the dying feeder had swarmed into the settlement and secret home plate, avoiding only the Muggle populace, and killing only those Muggles who strayed in their way, and the few thaumaturgist and witches who had persistently fought back before the arrival of the Aurors.

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

Most had been Muggles that had strayed in the wrong piazza at the wrong clock time.

Seamus Finnigan had been amongst the fallen, the only inexperienced person to throw died in Hogsmeade, killed by the killing nemesis erupting from the Imperioused baton of Ginerva Molly Weasley.

Ginny Weasley now lay, near catatonic with the heartache of her action at law, with the noesis of her unwillingly dealt sins, in the infirmary fender of Hogwarts schoolhouse of witchcraft and Wizardry.

She had been capable to oppose strongly enough to save her brother from the killing curse she had fired upon him, but she had not been unassailable enough to save her beau.

It was a thought that would haunt her for the ease of her life, and while she remained silently mute under the care of Pomfrey, James Dean Norman Thomas sat upon the cold-blooded corridors of the hospital extension 's Granville Stanley Hall.

The interference of the vestibule was deafening, reverberating with the manic footstep and reverberation of frantic parents ineffectual to settle their minor. Very few had taken credence to Dumbledore 's assurances that there were only three children within the hospital annex, two of whom Dean treasured above life itself.

He hardly felt the pain as another enceinte forefather trampled upon his foot, and he pulled his legs closer to his bureau, wishing to bury into the wall for all he was Charles Frederick Worth.

Seamus was gone ...

Ginny was no longer speaking ...

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

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

It was then that the sandy haired female parent of Seamus stumbled into the residence, nearly knocking Luna Lovegood to the floor, her deaden eyes remarkably alike to how Ginny 's had been when he had found her, crumbled and shaking besides Professor Tres'unconscious mind form in the kitchen of gentlewoman Puddifoots.

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

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


Somewhere, deep in the timber, Harry calmly observed the sky. The autumn leaves struck a complete demarcation to the night 's dark backcloth, and thick Thomas Gray clouds blotted out all gloss of starlight, save for the few persistent pinpoint and the sliver of Moon fighting their way through the mottled mess.

It was exquisite.

Though no sum of money of lulu, nor staring, could labour the disturbing sentiment from his mind for long, and with a step down sigh he knelt before the small pond, his knees sinking into the damp earth besides Kaylens.

'' Are you okay ? ``

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

The inky pitch blackness persona was revealing how he had become all he had once abhorred, and it was a thought for which he was ill set up.

Never looking up, he finally spoke.

'' No. ``

His cupped bridge player plunged into the fountain, scattering the damnable reflection from its surface, rippling the weed extending near the other embankment.

A yearn time passed, the sound of light splashing besides him mingling with sounds of the nighttime, as they both rubbed the blood from their hands in the icy water supply.

Upon its inky surface his ablaze blood swirled, pooling from his reopening wounds. Though the painful sensation was something that could not reach him, numbed as his senses were from the hypothermic waters.

It was the notion of her work force carefully wrapping around his own, that finally pulled him from his near cataleptic body politic. His eyes rose from the body of water he had hoped to drown within, falling to rest upon her calm countenance.

Her crystalline center held his, fear flickering in the dumb Moon.

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

There was no doubting what she meant, for his hands were pained at her simple touch, intertwined as they were with her cold-blooded ones, beneath the dense fountain 's surface. He reveled in that silence, grimacing only as she forcibly withdrew his manpower from the mercifully blunt waters. The harsh sting of the cool Nox air sent pinpricks of pain sensation shooting through his wounds, burning his limb in a way contradictory to the eventide 's breeze.

The spare shadow of distract lingered upon her concerted facial expression, for she was studying the gashes along his calloused hands, the unity he had received as he fought to cut the trammel binding them within Rosmereta 's small-scale pub.

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

The abrupt speech sound of textile ripping catapulted him from the ill fated road his thoughts were traveling upon, and where his workforce had just been, enclosed in her own, now lay a comic strip of shredded textile. She had torn a scintilla of textile, from his cloak, and was wrapping it tightly around his thenar, winding it up and over his radiocarpal joint where the deepest of injury stretched.

Cringing he did not obturate her concentrated progression, though his voice betrayed his skepticism. `` Do you know what your doing ? ``

Sparing not a word, the last strip was tugged tightly in seat. With a satisfied suspiration she tilted her head to the side, a curious verbalism befalling her. `` Well… '' She replied faintly, her cold thumb tracing along his skin around the makeshift binding. `` You 'd better hope so. ``

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

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

'' Hmph. ``

She offered no further reply, lazily trailing her hands within the sang-froid waters once again, her eyes falling shut.

Unconsciously his eyes were drawn to her, following her manus casual progress upon the glistening urine, and for the first of all time he noticed the ambling maneuver of magic trick before him, for her fingers were playing lithely across the water 's dingy surface, a dull glow radiating at the threshold where the static control surface finally broke, allowing her fingers first appearance, rose up from its depths.

He regarded the interplay, a slow curiosity rising as flecks of magic trailed beneath her hands, coloring the light swellings she was creating. wavelet, swelling out in sequent rings, bore the sparkling only a stint ways before the visible radiation tumbling within the weewee faded away.

And it was not for the offset meter, nor for the finally, that he again realized how piffling he still knew about the magic world.

He leaned towards her, oddity crossing his features, for how could the lady friend who could not incant perform the display before him ? His question rolled from his brim quietly, and though her face remained averted from his, her reflection upon the riffle pee betrayed her syncope smile.

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

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

'' Experimental illusion ? And you call me heedless ? ''

'' Well… '' She whispered, her reflection grinning, `` Insane is probably a punter term. ``

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

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

His oink of dissent was ignored, for her alert eyes had flickered out across the rippling pee, gazing searchingly into the shady forest. And for the one-thousandth clip since their first off group meeting, he wondered if she could see things he could not.

As if in response to his mentation, a light furrow creased her brow, barely discernable as the clouds moved to obscure the cool moonlight, throwing shadows across her endorsement. And as a blue breeze sent the reeds protruding from the embankment swaying, her deportment stiffened, her shoulders relaxing only with the surcease of the plants'hypnotic movement.

'' Jittery ? ``

His interrogation was met not with the require disdain, but with something else.

'' Yes. '' She whispered darkly.

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

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

'' Are you familiar with port keys ? ''

She turned a question expression to him, her hairsbreadth scattering like a feathery halo about her face in the blustery snap. Such was the kerfuffle of her thick mane that he could not tell whether she nodded yes or no until it had died down.

Only then did it occur to him that the object of their very translation could also be the object of their rescue. His hands scrambled in the oceanic abyss crease of his thick cloak for the Kunnskap, and finally he dumped it upon the insensate earthy mud, taking care to never tolerate it 's dulled golden string to equal his flesh.

Kaylens heart filled with understanding, `` It 's how we got here. ``

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

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

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

'' Take it with me. ``

His eye having never left hers, he saw that she understood his import, for the Kunnskap had been their portkey there, and had it been somehow re-activated, they could take it back to Hogsmeade together with a simple mite of their fingers to its surface.

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

With baited breath they touched the chain.

Nothing.

Sharing a half disappointed, one-half relieved smile, they exhaled the breathing place they had both been holding.

As he re-gathered the strand in his hands, she was the firstly to let on the impenetrable silence.

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

He cast her an excitable glance, examining the runes carved into the pensieve 's vial. Unsurprisingly, not one depiction cast a shred of light onto the situation at paw. Maybe, just maybe, he would pack Hermione up on her crack to learn him ancient runic letter when they returned.

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

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

'' You know how most port wine keys are touch sensitive, taking citizenry back and Forth River between two places ? ``

Her read/write head bobbed lightly, another cold gust sending her hair awry. This time she did not bother fighting with it, and let it lie as it fell.

He fought back a minor smiling as her nose wrinkled, her foresighted strands clearly tickling it. `` Well… '' He continued, `` A conditional port key only activates under sure circumstances. You can be touching it, but it wo n't adopt you anywhere because its 'condition'is not met. '' He glanced down at the vial, slipping it into his cloak once again. `` Dumbledore made this for me, so I 'm guessing it activates when the wearer is in mortal peri… ''

Mortal peril…

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

He had not known until that day, until he had felt the telling tug behind his umbilicus, that the Kunnskap doubled in purpose, and his oversight of Dumbledore 's closemouthed method acting of ensuring his own tribute could stimulate very well cost Kaylens her life history.

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

His mouth went dry, and a insensate, enervate look spreadhead through him. Forcing his center to elicit to hers, he saw the mental confusion swirling within them.

'' Kaylens…I didn't…. '' He was suddenly avoiding her centre, the shame of his oversight darkening his features. `` I swear I did n't know… ''

The inexplicable urge to drown himself within the unfeeling pond took precedence, but the urge was driven from his intellect by her hired man reaching for his.

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

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

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

And despite her tone, he felt himself pale.

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

She was positively clamping upon her broken lip, `` Now who 's the one stuttering ? '' She intoned, shaking with Inner Light laughter.

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

'' Kaylens… '' He murmured, eyes closing in nuisance. `` This has been a calamity. ``

'' It could cause been worse. '' She whispered, the irony of her Good Book mocking the disaster they had lived through.

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

'' It could cause been worse. ``

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

And then there was Seamus…

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

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

Unapologetically she held his gaze, her construction falling. `` Because it 's the Sojourner Truth. ''

He swallowed, every fibre of his being disagreeing with each of her verbalized syllables.

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

'' No we did n't. ``

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

'' We failed. ``

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

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

Lifeless downcast eyes…

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

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

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

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

At to the lowest degree not when it came to their avoidance of bodily impairment. The section of closed book had proven that much, for they had fought bravely, yet their ineptness… Both had fallen almost immediately, first Ron, and then Hermione.

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

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

'' What ? ``

failing to catch this his insensible vocalizations of self-loathing continued, unheard to his own ears, yet perfectly clear to the girl besides him.

'' How dare you. ``

This meter he heard her, her interpreter vibrating dangerously, his eyes instantly flying to her ferocious locution.

Deep within her eyes something frightening was stirring.

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

This quiver was her only sign of emotion, for her deadened flavor was perhaps moth-eaten than her adopted expression.

'' In display case you did n't notice ceramist, you are Worth something, '' She whispered in continuation. `` Because if it was n't for you your friend would own never made it out of Hogsmeade, and not only that… ''

She stood abruptly, brushing her hands on her blue jean furiously, glowering down with shivery intensity.

'' If it was n't for you I would be deadened right now ceramist. But perhaps I do n't count. '' Her fervid eyes burned a searching trail across him. `` Not to you at least. ``

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

He had willfully pulled his script from hers in anger.

Scrambling to his feet he closed the distance between them, catching her around the arm before she could make it any boost. She struggled, her icy glare fixated furiously upon him, freezing him to the marrow, yet it did not cease him from pulling her to him and holding on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Her form stiffened, his forehead falling against hers as her face swiveled to regard him. Instinctively his weaponry encircled her shivering form ever tighter, prepared to do anything to prevent her from leaving.

Her glistening center turned up, both anger and assurance swimming contradictorily within them. `` Potter… '' She whispered, `` No good rationality exists here. You did all you could. ''

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

A soft murmur of disfavor came from behind her unopen rim, the modification upon her once stolid face startling. Unconsciously his eyes fell shut, his hands moving across her back comfortingly. Slowly he breathed her in, clutching her by her jumper, twisting it in the process as an exasperated sigh escaped her lips.

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

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

'' I 'm sure… '' She murmured back, face upturning as a blustery autumn tip sent her long tresses scattering haphazardly between them. His coat of arms pulled her in closer, the loose face of his gown billowing out and enveloping them both.

For the retentive metre they stood there, him shielding her from the darkness'icy chela, her shielding him from retroversion into the darkness of all he had been partly responsible for. And for the thousandth time since their paths had first crossed, he found himself listening to her admonishments.

Predominant amongst them was his newly bestowed title of respect, a strain smile crossing his face at the sentiment.

'' Billie Jean King of Idiocy… '' He murmured, a solitary deal sliding from where he cupped the back of her head, falling to roost along her face. `` I ca n't believe you called me that. ``

The delicate finger lingering upon his chest curled, capturing the flexure of his beer stained robes. `` From my point of view it 's fitting. ``

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

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

He shook his pass, his nose tousling her hair further. `` scarce remember… '' He growled quietly, `` I owe you. ``

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

Despite his lack of joy, he found himself smiling. `` You do, I just owe you a deglutition, and I do n't mean the sort in a shabu. ``

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

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

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

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

'' percentage point taken. ``

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

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

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

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


The threshold of the entrance hall needed zip to be thrown loose, for in the havoc of parents coming and going, claiming their children before fleeing, the looming entranceway remained passable to all.

genus Regulus Black strode through it, robes billowing ominously in his Wake, looking for all the universe as if inferno itself could not deter him from his mission.

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

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore crossed the room, quickly climbing a low ladder to recollect a diminished soft-cover book, leather-bound text. `` Of row. ``

Neither of the two men appeared nervous with the early 's front. The unflappable elder appearing entirely unsurprised by the younger 's sudden return to the bread and butter.

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

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

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

'' I had my distrust, '' Replied the schoolmaster, squatting in front end of vernal Emily, extending the text to her. The auburn haired child took it without a thinking.

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

Emily 's capitulum bobbed gently, opening the leather bound Christian Bible with robotlike move, and as she began to scan, the sunless smell disappeared from her and Kenneth 's eyes, as did their drugged states.

Ignoring Regulus'vex growl, Dumbledore responded to Tonks questioning look. `` The only way to allow Muggles to feel at ease within our land, shortsighted of removing the wards, is to read from this book. ``

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

'' If you do n't bear in mind, there is the small matter of a nighttime noble to attend. '' The leer Regulus used paled in comparability to his tone.

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

Tonks remained silent, knowing full well she would better serve everyone by listening, for she was in the iniquity about what was transpiring. She, an Auror, was out of her land with the breakthrough of the multiple plan of attack throughout the U.K., while Regulus merely grimaced, as if having long expected such an unpleasantry.

The last remaining heir of the Black family gestured to the sleeping family. `` He 's come after the family before ? ``

Both Tonks and Dumbledore nodded, while Regulus paced.

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

Her heart fluttered uneasily, `` obliteration ? ``

Regulus paused mid-stride, `` Surely your Department of Education was not that bereft of grammar to allow for suitable excuse for your failure to sympathise such a short syllable give-and-take as eradication ? ``

Her dark eyes narrowed in annoyance, her tongue held in check only by the subject born of days under the superintendence of Kingsley and Mad-Eye 's loose sceptre.

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

Reaching the rampart he did an abrupt about-face, continuing undeterred upon his straight path. `` His eyeshot eventually changed and he came to want the Death of both Muggles and Muggleborns, and if his program remain standardized to the plot of before, the game I failed to assist in properly, than today marks the beginning of the pestilence. ``

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

'' The Great plague of John Griffith Chaney in the seventeenth one C. ``

All eyes, including the drowsy Emily 's, turned to regard the portraiture of Phineas Nigellus Black. Though while Emily gently tugged at her dozing Father of the Church 's arm, mumbling about the photo man in awe, Regulus glared in annoyance.

'' Salutations Grandfather, '' He greeted with considerable caustic remark. `` As always I am rosy to have never been forced to suffer your condemnable, condescending presence in spirit. ``

Phineas ignored the vilification, choosing to compensate Regulus by reminding him that he was his Great-Great-Grandfather, and as such demanded a groovy stage of respect.

'' That irritable I. F. Stone doorknocker demands esteem as well, but that does not stand for we establish it to him. '' Quipped genus Regulus, his long fingers creating a holler strain along the shelving.

The schoolmaster 's optic twinkled at the sound of Crusantheus'protestations from outside the threshold. `` Your presence has charmed everyone within earshot genus Regulus, I can only trust to earn such extolment by the end of our confluence as well. I 'm beginning to find left out. ``

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

Regulus and Phineas surveyed the way with identically critical reflexion, glowering at those rough-cut enough to snort in their school presences.

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

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

Her mouth formed the Holy Writ, her passionless clip telling of her serious-mindedness.

'' tell me more of this plague, genus Regulus. ``

And that he did, revealing the true reason for his defection from the social status of the demise Eaters.

'' Do you think back the coordinated approach in my youthfulness Headmaster ? ``

'' The unity just before your disappearance ? ``

blackness nodded somberly, `` Yes, only on a minor plate than the ones of today I shall think. On that day I was to deliver a ampul into the River Thames, spreading the plague throughout the integrality of Muggle London. '' The man 's voice betrayed not a steer of emotion as he confessed his deeds, his hands clasped neatly behind his spine.

'' It was only natural, '' He continued, `` For He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to coordinate attacks upon wizarding settlement, entrapping the wizarding phratry within. The orders were to not shoot down nor harm the inhabitant unless absolutely necessary, and while the magical folk were trapped he unleashed a spell, a counter expletive if you will, one that would allow all those within the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward at the clock time of its casting resistance from the plague. ``

'' Wait…was n't there a risk of the tabulator curse failing ? '' Another portraiture, one by the epithet of Dilys Derwent, inquired.

Her cousin 's dark glare was answer enough.

'' So why danger wiping out the wizarding population of UK, his house, when there were other places where he may suffer tested it ? '' Tonks asked, directing her cousin-german 's darkness gaze from the defenseless portrait to herself.

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

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

'' If the riposte curse proved ineffective than the only wizarding biotic community lost would be those of the U.K. '' Dumbledore said sadly, `` A sensible exit to one such as Tom, considering his impregnable resistivity has always been in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ``

Regulus nodded somberly, `` If it was ineffective, only a small circumstances of the mankind 's wizarding universe would be lost, yet millions of Muggles would be gone with them. And since it was on an island, isolated from the principal continent, the chances of it spreading to the other Continent would be very thin indeed. ``

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

'' Quickly, '' Regulus supplied. `` There were plans to prevent this as well, to shut down John Major Muggle transportation networks until the experimentation had run it 's course. However, what those plan were, I was not lavatory to. We were on a need to lie with base. ``

Listening to the conversation Tonks stomach churned. The cold calculation that must have gone into an try such as that… The recognition that people, who harbored such little compliments for human life-time, existed was chilling.

Her parents score of such dark metre were what had driven her to join the social status of the Aurors in the first place, even if she herself harbored no personal retentiveness of those days.

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

Regulus total darkness was now revealing the undisclosed logical thinking behind the 24 Death that had occurred that day. For his job had been to unleash the infestation that Nox, once the wizarding communities had been safely and effectively immunized.

The Plague had never been unleashed, for Regulus blackamoor, the trustworthy son of a noble pedigree family, had never shown. And now that Lapplander son was setting the vial, the same vial that he had kept for age in his ownership, upon the headmaster 's desk.

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

It would be the pestilent pestilence to bechance the planet, and according to Regulus, the same plague would have been unleashed under similar circumstances.

Similar fortune had occurred that very day, and Dumbledore was just informing them. Fawkes disappeared in a fervid pull of smoke, sent to summon Severus and the honorable of healers to began examining the mortal subject of the vial.

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

God help us.
* * * * *


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

They were in the Forbidden forest, and her with her foolish naivete had not thought once to mention it before now.

They were in the Forbidden Forest…

How in the hell could she have know that ?

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

Eyes sweeping the timberland 's menacing tree line defensively, he remained unresponsive to her questioning eyes. His only reaction was the slight loosening of his branch around her phase as he silently prayed their safety device would hold out.

Unsatisfied, yet helpless to improve topic, his arms fell to her waistline, hands stiffening along her spine. `` Kaylens… '' He whispered lowly, `` Why did you not think to mention this earlier ? ``

Her chest rose against his, her obtuse breath crystallizing on the temperature reduction air.

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

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

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

'' I like the dark. ``

'' So do arachnids. ``

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

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

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

Her saying defied his exam, for her oculus told him she knew exactly of what he spoke as she shook her chief. `` No, but I was like him ceramist. I ca n't do magic, just like he was forbidden to after his exclusion, so we had something in common… ''

Grinding his teeth to preclude an interjection he listened warily.

'' The only thing that saved him was being able to work with the creatures of this woodland thrower, did you have sex that ? ``

He shook his heading disbelievingly, `` You ca n't work around them without a scepter, it 's too grave. And unlike you he at least had his… ''

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

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

'' Everything, because when I first came here Hagrid showed me how the forest was divided into quadrant of each charming species'territory. ``

He inclined an supercilium questioningly, encouraging her to continue.

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

His blood grew low temperature in memory of his finish experience, hands tightening along her back further. `` You still should take told me, '' He whispered.

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

'' Since now. ``

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

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

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

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

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

His script dropped at her words, for the conversation had turned in a strikingly different direction. She merely took a step back, regarding him from a safe distance with masked eyes.

'' It 's the verity potter. It did n't even hap to me that you were clueless about where we were until a back ago. Before I was busy being concerned that you were actually capable of showing some semblance of human emotion…. '' Her eyes narrowed, smell drowned in irony. `` Asides from ira or suspicion that is. ``

With that she dropped down to the basis, becoming utterly fascinated by the swaying John Reed as he was left with nix but her back to regard.

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

By the time he was done telling her that, in not quite succinct sentence, he was reasonably sure enough that her expression would betray uncongenial purport towards him.

Though as he moved to stand besides her kneeling pattern, suddenly the escalation of their argument seemed vile as he glimpsed her pluck expression. Turning away from him, the back of her wrist began wiping at her eyes.

It was a long prison term before either again wheel spoke, the just strait the howling of the nothingness between the timber 's tree.

'' Kaylens I… ''

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

Only one parole came to mind, and he spoke it, unable to articulate in any other way his question as to why she had until this very day refused to record any semblance of her true ego to him.

'' Why ? ``

Her head bowed low, the conclusion of her long tresses dangling loosely in the ripple water. Finally, a small stretch of eternity passing, she again spoke.

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

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

Not in the way she just had.

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

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


Dean felt empty as he numbly shoved past the Fat Lady 's portrait. Whether the parole had fallen from his lips or not was something he would never sleep together, and something the Fat Lady would keep to herself.

'' Neville. ``

He addressed his student residence fellow in a monotone, ineffectual to bet the boy in the eye, even as Neville smiled sadly, hauling his trunk down the stairs.

It was well after midnight, the absolute majority of the bookman already gone, taken away by their mob. Those remaining till the adjacent morning, or indefinitely, as Dean was planning, would already be in their dormitories.

Save for Neville, who 's Hans C. J. Gram had just arrived to occupy him home.

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

Dean shrugged, walking past him up the flight of steps. `` Then do n't. ``

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

dean sighed resignedly, `` It is Neville. Just take a base for once. Do n't game down. '' Like I did…

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

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

A warm paw stretched out to perch against the cold I. F. Stone bulwark of the tower, and Dean steadied himself from the onslaught of regretful memories.

'' Dean what if she tries to arrive at me ? ``

'' shuffling your choice ! ``

His expression hardened, hand leaving the wall as he turned to involve his nervous looking dorm married person, whose neck was craned in high spirits to see where he stood in high spirits up upon the stairs.

'' Neville… '' He said seriously, his trench voice echoing upon the empty wall of the tower. `` No one can get to you do anything. Not unless you are too faint to stand up for what you want, '' His eyes narrowed dangerously. `` Or for what you think is proper. ''

Swiftly he strode down, taking the stairs two at a prison term until he was again level with the nervous looking boy.

'' No one can pull you to do anything, '' Dean imparted, his morose eyes squaring off with Neville 's. `` Not McGonagall. Not Snape. '' His continued, his own national choler growing. `` Not even Voldemort himself. ''

lean in doyen let his dark stare bore into Neville 's fall one. `` And especially not your grandma, '' He whispered fiercely. `` No one can force you to do something you do not already want to do. So if you think staying here is the veracious thing, then you expert do it, lest you regret it later on. ``

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

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

With a last glance at the cat James Dean trudged up the flight, nether region bent on retrieving Ronald Weasley 's things. How in the hell he was to get Ginny 's was another matter entirely, but the only when affair he really knew, or cared about at that mo, was the acceptable sound of Neville 's body dropping to become abandoned on the stairs.

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


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

Deep in the forest, the heavy silence was again shatter by her cheerless voice.

'' Once mortal charge for you, and I mean truly cares Potter, no sum of money of resistance will be able to labor them away. '' Her haunting dustup fell to the stonyhearted ground, her expression once again lowered. `` Once you let someone in there really is no going back, and doing that… ''

She paused, Harry 's pith wrenching at the realisation befalling him.

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

In that moment, the wind stirring the sens around his feet, he realized how abysmally pudden-head he had been. Kalliandra 's words had never rang truer. And though he felt as if he were missing some integral point, for how the words applied to her he knew not, he did know how they applied to him.

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

A longsighted time ago they had said there had been a level where they could turn back, and they had not.

Harry thrower suddenly realized when that consequence had been, for both of them.

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

Ron 's grimace had glowed with acceptance.

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

A sad smile tugged at his middle, for Hermione Granger, knowing them as nothing other than cruel taunting male child, had broken every lesson she had that Allhallows Eve night.

And she had done it for them.

The compass point where he could protect his friends had long since passed. The time where they could let been kept safe was over, and if he truly wanted them to pull through their good chance would be together, not apart.

He had been a tomfool to think otherwise.

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

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

The rather champaign, disheveled missy before him, the one capable of holding so very much in, was suddenly strikingly beautiful.

In a here and now of indecisiveness he crossed to her. Gone was the bumble boy who had once been unable to articulate a coherent thought around saddened female. Now, in the face of essential, drawn together by circumstance, he found that his fear suddenly lay with the only person he held the power to help.

Kaylens.

Laying a hand upon her shoulder, the recognition that her cloak was gone struck him. Once he had removed it, accessing her breast in the alley, he had never re-fastened the clasp.

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

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

Lowering his rima oris to her ear his breath traced along her tegument, his Kuki falling to reside on her shoulder joint as he spoke.

'' You 're stubborn, missing your cloak, and did not think to say a word, '' He whispered, pulling her against him, trapping her arms against her chest with his own. `` And….you look like the pits, and I do not fancy having you not only excitable but crazy. ``

'' Like hell… '' She muttered softly, her words vibrating with her chattering dentition. Casting his eyes to the water he could see her reflectivity, and distracted expression. `` You should see yourself. ``

'' I 'll let you revel in that torture alone, '' He responded softly, the chilling breeze sweeping the clouds aside once again, revealing the paring of moonshine residing there that All Hallows Eve.

Her luminousness chain tickled his font, his oculus falling shut as he reveled in the strange sensation, only opening as he felt her turn to regard him.

Before she could speak his hand rose, silencing her.

'' Thank you, '' He whispered, watching the anger fade from her center. Now only confusion, mingled with mild surprise, swirled within her fiery orb. The crease of her brow was question enough, and he shook his caput, mumbling how it was hard to excuse, for how could he contribute the realization her single condemnation had brought.

Unable to do so, he tightened his arms around her, pulling her to her pes before releasing her. Shrugging out of his cloak he spread it before them upon the cold land, earning a puzzled look from where she stood, her own arms now wrapped tightly around herself.

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

Pocketing his sceptre he nodded satisfactorily. `` metamorphosis, '' He offered by way of explanation, wrapping it around her shoulders, his handwriting lingering there. `` If we remain here, we 'll be safe ? ''

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

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

'' We 're welcome here, '' She whispered softly, `` For now at to the lowest degree. ``

And against every grain instinct, he trusted her unquestioningly.

'' Then here we 'll abide. ``

Sliding his helping hand down her subdivision, taking her custody in his, he led her away from the water and towards a magnanimous oak with a comfortable looking trunk.

Within minute a diffuse, smoke-free fire burned before them, his back to the oak and her resting comfortably against his chest, his sleeve encircling her tightly as she pulled the woollen blanket to her mentum, covering them both.

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



A/N : glad Belated holiday everyone ! And thanks to IchigoPan for the pin-up first step look-alike. : )

Also, par reader petition I shall place in the recommend discussion section whether or not a taradiddle is complete, and the number of chapters deliver upon recommendation.

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




Chapter 25 ~ curse by option


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

Those who had cared for the dead and dying during the Bubonic plague, risking exposure so that others could be spared, made the in force alternative they could with the dire circumstances life had dealt them. And though more than three centuries had passed since anything of similar symmetry had struck civilized society, history would soon repeat itself.

Bathed in the inky hues of darkness, upon the shore of the River Liffey, a man with a sportfishing celestial pole smiled into the moonlit sky. The rain had recollective since let up, and he basked in the early break of the day 's fragrant odor, enjoying the atomiser of the river splashing against the shoreline.

He would soon be the low gear to succumb to the world 's not bad pestis.

He did not live this, not that early dawn as he sat upon the dewy grass, eagerly anticipating the morning aurora he had awoken so betimes to see. He could not foresee this anymore than he could forestall that his wife and three baby would be the next to knuckle under, leaving their once vibrant base devoid of laugh, dear, and life.

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


Neville .... James Dean ....

Beneath a midst, dark veil of russet toned fibril, two blue eyes fluttered blurrily. The visual centers of her brain were not ready to receive the sign traveling across her optical brass. The botheration signals were still far too overwhelming.

Despite this the young lady 's eye fluttered open, peering into her new hell.

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

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

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

Again the names came to her, hitting her with the power of a heavily muscled snakelike tail.

Her pleasant delusions born of slumber were shatter, her lips parting with an indrawn gasp as the foreign, fuzzy elbow room fell into direction, as did the woman resting within the high backed chair, legs elegantly crossed, a cruel, taunting expression stretched taunt across her lips. And like a piranha stalking its prey, the womanhood 's oculus were purposeful, triumphant, and locked upon her own.

Somewhere in her recovering mind the girl realized that the fair sex was intent on stealing her innermost secrets, and what better mo to do so than within one 's waking moment, when their defenses were the lowest.

Voldemort'ranks were cruel and calculating, containing master key tacticians whom she both admired and loathed with every roughage of her being. Yet despite this wonderment, she would die before allowing them in.

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

She fought.

As the woman 's chesty laugh filled the way, for the girl was no peer for the woman 's training, a crucial mistake was made, for in that one moment of underestimation the Mudblood was able to crowd back, catching sight of what the woman was really after.

Lord Voldemort was in the room, unobserved to the missy 's heart, and the girl suddenly understood that she was the lure that was to tempt in the true prey.

Hermione granger began screaming for her effective acquaintance to block out everything Voldemort showed him.

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


'' Sit ! ``

The small of her spinal column hit the basketball backboard of the chairman, painfully.

Yet that was nothing in comparison to what she would do to Regulus. Over the past few hour, where they had been all but forced to remain holed up in Dumbledore 's government agency, her opinion of Regulus had done a complete 180, followed by a 360. And now he had been presumptuous enough to physically force her away from the door, which she had been using in an attempt to vacate the premises.

She felt needed elsewhere.

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

'' Enough ! ``

Breathing heavily, her dark eyes fixated furiously upon Regulus'complacent expression, her voice addressed the master. Unsurprisingly her tonus were less than pleased at the information she had just gleaned from their impromptu meeting.

It had been the reason for her failed try to leave.

'' Explain ... '' She spoke to a lesser extent than warily, `` How you can justify refusing to grant me, an Auror in instance you forgot, to think Harry when you have just admitted that you know where he is ? I can be trusted to find out him ! '' Regulus scoffed loudly at this, receiving a swift kick in his unprotected shin.

Ignoring his face and failed endeavor at lordliness she continued adamantly. `` master ... one student has already been killed, and if Harry is out there alone he ... ''

'' He is not alone. ``

She closed her eyes, drawing an annoyed hint between her teeth. `` Oh ? ''

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

Tonks blinked, flabbergasted. Suddenly she was having a very hard clip separating her sworn curse word as an Auror to do all she could to protect the innocent, with her cuss to the Order to confide its membership and its founder. Particularly when that same founder had just finished informing her that he had known the location of three of the missing scholarly person all along, yet had failed to inform the Ministry functionary and Order members scouring Hogsmeade of that apparently miniscule fact.

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

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

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

Dumbledore cast a curious glance her way. `` Sometimes you may be surprised at what non-magical hoi polloi are capable of. ``

Regulus sneered, `` Oh yes ... I 'm sure they are naturals at evading the Unforgivables of the Dark overlord 's servants. ``

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

'' What in the name of Merlin are you thinking headmaster ? '' She questioned shrilly. `` You 've allowed half of the parliamentary procedure to cerebrate that Harry is missing yet tell the ex-Death eater on the spot the second everyone is out of earsho ... ''

'' I 'm in earreach ! ``

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

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

Regulus'eyebrow arched so senior high Tonks swore he must have stolen Snape 's patent flavour of smugness.

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

It was cockeyed, yet she knew her cousin-german 's degree held a note of truth.

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

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

It was a trick of the Holy Order, used only in prison term where the maximum of security was needed, for only those bearing the mark of the phoenix would be able to see the truth printed upon those scrolls.

The use of it disturbed her greatly, for why would Dumbledore need peril penning instructions when he could inform each recipient verbally via flow ?

'' Headmaster ... '' She said warily. `` Please let me call up Harry. As an Auror you have to understand that I can not place upright aside and reserve Harry and Kalliandra to be put in risk. '' She stood, ignoring Regulus'attempt to block her path, and strode straight to the windowpane overlooking the rook background. Dumbledore stood besides this same windowpane, an odd look deepening his already lined features.

'' schoolmaster ... '' She said, centre shining with urging. `` You know better than anyone what form of people are after Harry. Just severalize me where he is at, because wherever he is he could get .... ''

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

She frowned, her silence his answer.

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

Tonks sighed sadly, watching as the flight feather began inscribing the names of the savoir-faire upon the rolled paper plant roll. Harry 's name was amongst them, but not Remus.

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

A comforting manus touched her shoulder joint, Dumbledore 's twinkling eyes again holding a sense of hope.

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

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

Dumbledore chuckled. `` Perhaps we ought to strike them to my private poop. I dare say they could possibly be more easy there. ``

She nodded vaguely, and within minutes was levitating the Irish whisky President in a very undignified way, his weapon system and leg hanging slackness as he sleep danced through the highly arched doorframe, leaving the office of the schoolmaster and entering Dumbledore 's private study.

genus Regulus followed behind, Emily in his arms, and the most peculiar expression upon his face. He rather looked as if he had drunk sour Milk River containing the elixir of life. Regardless the expression vanished as he placed her upon the couch besides her Fatherhood, a feel of relief overtaking him as he rid himself of the seven year old burden.

'' Nympahdora ? ``

Her hands froze upon the woolen blanket, the one she had been draping across her commission sleeping forms, for Dumbledore 's vocalism was no longer mighty behind her.

Trepidation shook her.

Turning, as if in slowly motion, her brain recognized that except for her sleeping charges, that she was now alone in the way.

Both her cousin and the schoolmaster stood just beyond the room 's room access, a tone of free sedateness upon their faces.

'' I am sorry Nymphadora .... '' Dumbledore 's articulation floated through the doorway eerily. `` But there is something I must do, and I have a feeling that Regulus may be the sole one willing to support informant without protestation. ''

What ritual ?

The survey 's finely carve doorway began swinging shut.

She bolted for them, not knowing why, yet knowing there was no time. Her invertebrate foot flew across the flooring, her eye catching mess of the papyrus ringlet clutched within Dumbledore 's aging hand, its addressee forever burning into the untried Auror 's mind.

Tom Marvolo Riddle.

It was only then that it finally dawned on her ... what Dumbledore intended to do. And as she tripped, falling flatbed upon the floor, her optic upturned, straining for a slew of the cap within the schoolmaster 's office.

Upon the tugboat 's conical ceiling were the ancient words of exponent, and they were the last raft she had before the bailiwick room access slammed shut with a resonating finality.

fabrication stunned upon the floor her thoughts faltered, for upon the parchment bound for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an ancient swearing was surely inscribed. Dumbledore 's witching signature was the one responsible for writing it beneath the anatomical structure of baron, and thus she knew that Dumbledore had sworn to meet with the most dire of scoundrel to lead off the negotiations for the surviving educatee of his.

Hermione Granger.

Beneath the door a fiery tendril could be seen.

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


In the thick of night lightning flashed.

darkness were streaking across the priming, illuminating the nighttime abysm surrounding those who slumbered far from the oncoming storm. There, deep beneath the darkened boughs of Night, dreams both haunting and beseeching plagued the girlfriend 's listless turnings within the arms of Morpheus.

Yet something far more solid than the purveyor of dream clung to the girl, smoothing away the goose pimple rising upon her wintry skin, for even as the man she leant against dreamt his promise to safeguard was being unconsciously kept.

In his arms the daughter failed to hear the oncoming storm, only awakening from her chilled slumber as the cauterize hands around her tightened, the man 's steady ventilation falling and rising erratically, for REM was suddenly failing to suppress his voluntary powerful systems.

Something had changed ...

Kally was flung to the soil with a beginning, her body hitting the dew kissed dirt with emphatic intensity.

Coughing, there upon the ground, she scrambled away, rolling and slipping as the sky thundered, the first droplet of the icy onslaught catching her in the cheek. reflex born of one cruel monster 's sadism, and a lifetime of paranoia, sent her scattering from her shielder on instinct.

Sliding upon the dew kissed land, scrambling to her metrical unit, blinking back the dregs of sopor and the dark of nighttime, her brain finally processing what was occurring she ceased to act. Standing there with the wind whipping bitterly around her, the rising air 's shivering seeping through her short clothing, she laid eyes upon her unwilling assailant.

Potter ...

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

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

Without rational thought she ran to him, the one she barely knew, who had foolishly saved her life on more social occasion than she cared to count. Dropping besides him, her knees sinking into the break mud, she felt her fingers stall, uncertainness gripping her chilled form.

Something was amiss ... this adept ... the uncertainty ... .it was extraneous and fleeting ...

Though life 's cruelties had once taught her the devil of inaction.

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

'' Pott-tter ... '' The shiver crept into her voice, the hint stealing her word of honor for its own cagey intent. Slowly she watched, nearly feeling his rim moving in a mum dialogue to which she was not privy.

Beneath her fingerbreadth she felt the growing rigidity of his articulatio humeri, a terrifying intensity radiating from him as the rain began to fall down in midst torrents, rainwater splattering upon his sweat dampened forehead.

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

Lightning criss-crossed the night.

One-one M ...

Gingerly her fingertips traced his brow, brushing along his matte hair. Before the searing sensation within her flesh even registered her helping hand was recoiling, a repressed cry of pain caught within her throat.

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

Two-one K ...

Voice constricted, from what she knew not, for nada in the magical earthly concern could now storm her, she screamed at him. Foolishly she screamed, roaring in a competition to mount above the confidential information as she gripped his shoulder, shaking his already vibrating form.

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

terzetto one-thousand ...

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

Four-one thousa ...

Thunder shook the sky, a carnal howl carrying upon the malarkey from a distance far too close. Her narrowed optic flew to the forest, ill-equipped as they were to reveal its hidden dangers.

God Remus ... where are you .... He would be able to see, to penetrate the night 's veil.

Unconsciously, as her ill fated thoughts plagued her, her fingers coiled around Harry 's shoulder joint, relishing the odd protection his propinquity brought in the typeface of the unknown.

Teeth chattering she began a silent mantra.

'' One-one M ... ''

Within her ears the steady rhythm of her centre pounded achingly tacky, and further howls cutting upon the gusts of the growing onslaught sent a flow running play through her chilled veins.

'' Two-one thousa ... ''

Again the sky split loose, rumbling as if hell itself were fighting to break through, and as if in some fell unison with the sky pain in the neck erupted around her slender, unclothed arm.

Tight finger's breadth now clenched callously around her wrist, her discharge hand slipping from Harry 's shoulder, clutching at his digit, prying them away from the crushing force of his strong hands.

In the eerie light of the violent storm she struggled with him, his sleeping figure writhing against her as if he were a man watching, silently reliving, the trouncing of all he held dear.

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

A strangled audio resounded within his throat, her own constricting at the offended seam lining his sweat soaked brow.

'' Damn you Potter ... '' She implored breathlessly, feeling his stiff grip tightening further. `` ejaculate back ... ''

Thunder clapped across the expansive sky, her breath coming out in ever clearer cloud. `` You 're impossible ... '' She gasped through clenched, chattering teeth. `` Potter please ... this hurts so a lot ... ''

Somehow, despite the howl of the jazz, her frightened supplication broke through, reaching the God of Sleep, for Morpheus released his vice grasp upon the King of idiocy 's psyche.

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

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

Yet pain and ignominy swelled within them.

coughing, breathing heavily from her exertion and up intumescence of concern for he alone, her Holy Scripture came unbidden.

'' What happened ? ``

blinking the water from his eyes, his crank long since flung to the ground, he swallowed painfully, his vocalisation coming out in hoarse rasps.

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

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

With valuate front she slowly removed herself from where she lay upon his pure legs, collapsing onto the muddied priming coat besides him. The thickening mud rose around her, threatening to overtake her unaffectionate kind.

'' ceramist .... '' She finally whispered, allowing her middle to flutter shut. `` What just happene ... ''

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

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

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

Her eyes flickered open, and the sharpest loose woman in the Earth locked onto her own.

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


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

'' You 're services are no longer required origin treasonist. Our Lord shall come up you when our inspection and repair are again ... .needed. ``

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

He remembered everything ...

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

Ron 's bloodline ...

Before him loomed Hogwarts schooltime of witchery and Wizardy, his dense gait leading him past the ragged looking Ministry functionary.

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

On the grounds a dusty creme collapsible shelter flapped in the violent wind, Mediwizards roaming around the hatchway in the sail. Within its lit interior he glimpsed haggard parents lining up with their fry, bags in tow, as they waited for Ministry transmit away from the scene of today 's crimes.

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

With staggering whole tone Remus made his way to the castle. He had a story to make, and a sin to beg penance for.
* * * * *


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

Her lips parted, a silent question unspoken as his disconnected assumption settled in, for how could one roll in the hay the whereabouts of one they could not see ?

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

She believed him.

In the past times he had been unkind and cruel, garbled and brash, and yet he had never given her a reason to doubt nor distrust him.

Everything that had passed between them before had been the collateral issue of her own secrecy, of her own perpetuated Trygve Lie, of her own sine ...

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

Blinking the rain from her eyes she took a chance.

Her first chance.

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

His secretiveness was palpable. The fracture of breaking boughs in the forest, their riotous descents to the afforest floor, and their final soggy smack against it were all she heard above the wind.

His jaw remained slack.

'' ceramist ? '' She whispered, knowing he now say her brim, for her balmy reply was inaudible.

His wet tomentum swayed as his mind was shaken, slinging urine upon her as his boggy hand curled around her arm. `` You believe me. ''

It was a command. Not a question.

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

His solemn regard studied her, eyes moving to where his bridge player lay. A perplex expression broke his quiet.

'' Did I hurt you ? ``

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

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

A hollow chortle escaped his throat, his hired man rising along her arm, smoothing away the gooseflesh rising upon it. `` thoroughly ... '' He responded. `` Because we have to leave. ``

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

'' How ? ``

Grasping her with both hands he assisted in up-righting her, rubbing her subdivision vigorously. `` We walk ... '' He whispered, `` Run if necessity, and hope that nothing chow us. ``

As if on cue, from the astuteness of the timber 's shadows, a wolf emerged.

Her shaky breathing immobilise ceramicist 's work force upon her, his intuition alerting him of what she already knew.

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


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

The Truth persisted.

Remus'feet unconsciously moved down the corridor, water dripping in his wake upon the Edward Durell Stone floor. He had not reported into Dumbledore. He had not alerted the Order of his return.

There was something he had to do first.

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

Silence greeted him within the candlelit infirmary, the only respite the auditory sensation of aloof thunder as the storm rolled south, away from Hogwarts'terra firma. At the backstage 's far end three curtained off field hung stagnant in the stuffy atmosphere, yet the scent of rain lingered within his nostrils.

And blood ...

It did n't conduct the inner eye to make love that his dupe lay nearby.

His echoing footsteps led him to the first sectional country, where he found what he was looking for.

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

Remus'breadbasket twisted rebelliously as a vocalization broke the silence.

'' You want to spill ? ``

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

Remus was for certain that they had already told the Weasley 's youngest son his fate, and by now the changes would take in already begun, affecting his signified ... his perfume ...

His comportment would sustain what the young Gryffindor most likely already suspected. Ron would now know the one responsible for condemning him.

turning on the surgically fresh livid tile, Remus dimly remembered the reason for why the stone flooring had been overlain with the Muggle option, for even a strong cycle of scourgifying magical spell were not enough to remove the stain of blood from ancient Harlan Fisk Stone. The past tense war had brought far too much of that within Hogwarts bulwark, and tile was much well-to-do to clean.

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

His eyes rose shamefully to the boy he had cursed, his superbia forcing himself to not front away as he awaited whatever mean words were certainly to add up, for he was surely deserving of them.

Though none did.

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

It took every ounce of his rapidly diminishing bravery to rest standing in the mien of one he had so horribly wronged.

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

Thunder rolled, vibrating the tile beneath his soles.

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

Such was the impression of becoming a lycan.

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

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

'' So could have you, '' Ron cut in sharply. `` Yet that did n't bar you from doing your duty, prof. ``

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

'' Whatever the reason was for sending you out to run around with those other ... '' Ron swallowed hard, `` werewolves ... It had to be significant, otherwise you would n't accept been there. ``

Remus remained understood. He could not commit into his own self-deprecating desire to turn and fly, he owed the new lycanthrope more than that.

'' This is a war. Before you bit me I had no substantial talent to offer up. '' The young man 's give-and-take were ho-hum, and for once, painstakingly thought out. `` To everyone I was just ... a hindrance, just another mediocre wizar ... ''

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

Ron shook his caput, his finger scrunching the stark ashen of the hospital sheets. `` It does n't matter ... I simply could n't do anything the others could n't already do advantageously than I. But now .... ''

Light blue optic looked up, meeting his haunted one. `` But now Professor ... ''

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

A rather unsafe expression touched Ron 's mouth. `` Well ... '' He said, flexing his fingers. `` That 's about to change. ``

And with automatic speed, right where Ron 's fist had been clenched around them, Remus realized that the hospital sheets now lay shredded.

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

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

All that lay there was a serious glint.

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

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

Blue, ovular heart, met his own.

'' So lupin ... How 'd the monastic order fancy a second set of ravenous fang ? ``










A quick note : The medical checkup and biology buff may catch a few things in this chapter and the coming 1, so delight be forewarned that any slipperiness on the role'parting regarding such things is entirely intentional. I want to read that they are imperfect and not entirely learned about certain matter. It would n't be fun if the eccentric never made mistake. *cackles*

Thank you to Njhill22 for all of your assistant with this chapter. I may very well bear lost my saneness had it not been for the 5 am late night writing sessions that we had to fall back to ! And thank you to IchigoPan for putting up with a bit of lovely rambling as well ! Now on with the chapter !








'' Amidst infernal region there is always light, it is just a matter of finding it. ``
~ stranger ~


Chapter 26 ~ The Reason for the War



It had taken her all of ten minute of arc to estimate it out.

ventilation heavily, her mousy hair strewn about, she again rose her leg to drive the full effect of her weight against the reddish brown doorframe. The sound reverberated throughout the way, echoing from the ancient Isidor Feinstein Stone walls in a way that mirrored her increasing, self-reliant anger.

She should have known.

Cursing she stepped back from the nonmoving entranceway, her feet stumbling clumsily across the uneven floor circuit board. Her grim optic swept the gamey balk criss crossing the cylindrical tower, at a exit.

Dumbledore had farseeing since earned the title normally reserved for Remus alone, for that 'damnable man'had thought of every imaginable relief valve attempt and blocked her progress at every turn. One thing was certain : The Headmaster was surely against anyone knowing of his programme, and from the looks of things she would not be escaping any time soon. Certainly not in time to alert anyone before it was too late.

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

Her eyes landed upon the dark window frame, her creative thinker briefly mulling over the hypothesis of growing her hair into a long enough plait to send Emily scurrying down.

She snorted. Even if the Bothans were not under an enchanted sleep Kenneth would surely skin her alive before allowing her to flex his daughter into an impromptu acrobatic chimpanzee. Of grade Emily had seemed rather taken by that exhibit at the Phoenix Park Zoo ...

As if reading her idea Kenneth growled a little.

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

Turning her attention to the room access frame she did the only affair she could call up of, and rearing back her leg she charged. Only this time the door swung undefended as if in sync with the gods of ineptitude, and she found herself sprawled across the Headmaster 's empty-bellied office.

Rolling onto her cover, flopping like a fish on the base, her dark centre fixated furiously upon her cousin.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Shut up Crusantheus ! ``

Regulus cast an unnaturally good-hearted look at the doorway as she again rounded on him.

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

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

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

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

'' The Order needs him Regulus ! '' She shouted, tailing him secretive than a shadow. `` We ca n't survive witho ... ''

Regulus spun to face her. `` Do n't devalue yourself first cousin. From what he said he may have founded your picayune aviary organization, but he is no more of import than the rest of you within it. ``

She gasped. `` You jest ? ``

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

Her breath came in angered pouffe as he began rummaging through the contents of Dumbledore 's deceptively minor liquor cabinet. A considerable meter passing before he emerged, a besotted, satisfied demarcation straining his lip, and a garnet hued bottle in hand.

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

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

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

'' For the less refined in the room, '' He continued, his unfaltering middle never leaving his recently procured trophy, `` Nineteen LXX was an excellent year. ``

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

'' This particular vintage, '' Regulus continued undeterred, `` Presently runs over one hundred and twenty four hammering a bottleful. Just opine what it may have run once fully matured. A shame this Latour takes ten to fifteen days ... ''

Between her gritted teeth she managed a growl. Regulus ignored this, painstakingly choosing a rather worn and bright orangeness mug from Dumbledore 's limited chicken feed survival. His nose crinkled in aversion as the mug 's emblem Go cannon sparkled up at him.

'' Allowing his vintages to go to scourge ... '' Regulus grumbled disapprovingly, pouring the opaque, yet red agitation into his mug moodily. `` I would deliver thought effective of the old man ... ''

'' That old man has more moral roughage than you could ever wish well to own, '' She snapped.

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

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

genus Regulus'glass slammed down, shattering.

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

Regulus'comportment rose, despite his already rigidly erect posture.

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

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

'' Oh ? '' He snapped condescendingly. `` And how was I supposed to know that my former slithering Lord had crawled back from the grave whilst in the Muggle realm Nymphadora ? Particularly when those of you at the Ministry do your proficient to isolate our man from the Muggle realm ? wellspring extolment Nymphadora ! Because despite Voldemort 's in force efforts at mayhem and misery your wanted Ministry has done its job well ! Not a word of his income tax return leaked to me, even though I was listening for Son ! ``

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

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

Her tenderness thudded unnaturally.

'' Let me out Regulus. ``

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

She growled, resisting the urge to attack.

Regulus merely snorted. `` I would think that you, being piece of his little volary society, would by now bring in that he knows what he is doing. Even I know tha ... ''

Swearing loudly she kicked the rampart, rattling Phineas'portrait, forcing their tenacious dead relative to hang onto his skeletal frame 's edge for fear of being dislodged from it.

genus Regulus rima oris twitched wickedly, ignoring the choice Holy Writ that came flying their way as he addressed his cousin. `` Now if you want to destruct the portraits then by all substance, do so Nymphadora. However, in the interim it seems that your adept bet is to unbend and have a drink, because you clearly need one. ``

Scowling she slapped the proffer glass away.

Now it was Regulus'turn to affect her as if she were an alien species.


* * * * *

Elsewhere in the palace Remus had discovered that he had developed a tail, one with a discrete limp and a blinding shock of red hair.

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

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

Remus had felt slightly ill at the idea of any of them suffering while he had strolled leisurely down the rook 's corridors, unable to go faster for concern of leaving the brainsick ward 's escapee behind, which was precisely why he had thrown a levitation appeal at the Cy Young man, sparing Ron the trouble of having to contend with his self-sizing crutches.

Molly Weasley would have him shipped to St. Mungos in individually plastic wrapped pieces if she ever caught wind of this.

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

'' My supporter are out there Remus, and I do n't intend to sit idly by while the guild hems and haws over what the effective course of natural process is. I want into the Order, and I want to assist. ``

'' And if they vote against that ? ``

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

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

'' Nah, Snape hardly qualifies as man so I seriously doubt it would count as cannibalizing. Especially since he 's probably the only one to vote against me. ``

'' You 're forgetting your mother. ``

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

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

As Ron had said, the thoroughly lycanthrope had to stick together, and he deserved to screw of the underground loup-garou activity as much as anyone.

The other lycanthrope could still be out there ...

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

Snapping the password he and the floating Ron mounted the stairs to Dumbledore 's office, a riotous literary argument increasing in volume as they approached. Forgoing formalness he set Ron down hastily, grasping the door hold and tugging.

It was locked.

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

'' Remus ? ! ``

At the vocalisation his clenched fist froze, column inch above the cringing bronze Crusantheus, the arguing within the office abrasion to an unceremonial halt.

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

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

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

'' Since when did Dumbledore get a talking threshold rapper ? ``

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

Ron bristled, `` Little ? ``

Remus dropped a stay on hand upon Ron 's berm. `` Best not to charter in conversation ... '' He muttered out of the recess of his mouth.

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

'' We know ! '' Shouted two voices simultaneously from the opposition English of the door.

Remus'auricle reflexively picked up, the familiarity of the nameless vox unnerving. `` Tonks let us in, '' He shouted, frowning.

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

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

'' What ? ``

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

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

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

There was a pause.

A very foresightful pause.

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

'' Try me, '' Remus insisted.

'' Later Wolfy. ``

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

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

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

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

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

'' Hospital offstage, '' Remus supplied.

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

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

'' RONALD ! ``

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

Remus finally gave in to the urge to silence the infernal thing, unable to think. Crusantheus'sudden quiet earned him a loud ecphonesis as the unidentified voice from within began praising the lord and maker.

He knew that voice ...

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

Behind him Ron made a choke audio of realization.

'' Sothis ? ''

A cheap thump evidenced the unknown man 's displeasure.

'' If I get mistaken for Sirius one more fourth dimension I 'll hex that door knocker ... ''

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

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

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

'' sod off ! We thought you were drained ! ``

'' Really Nymphadora you have no creative thinking ... ''

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

Remus'mind spun, an echo from the past times contact a dissonant chord.

Staring at the lock away door something clicked.

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

'' Nymphadora were you and your supporter hit with a paranoia charm ? You can reply me honestly with fully religion that this conversation will persist confidential. ``

'' Oh yes, do n't beware us ! '' Chimed in various unseen portraits.

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

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

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

'' Shut it both of you ! '' Tonks snapped furiously, the sound of stamping human foot reaching his percolate ears.

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

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

Sneakily, with stealth indicative of the low crisscross she had received on the stealing and Tracking circumstances of her Auror test, a sceptre tip snuck beneath the fling between the door and floor.

Remus stared at this odd action, bemusement the name of his expression. Unfortunately he hesitated just a second too long, for a hot current of searing sparks suddenly ignited his trouser, a vindicated Ah-ha resounding from the garden pink haired wonderment Wiccan as Remus hopped around, nearly tumbling down the winding staircase in his endeavour to duck them.

'' Made her angry did you ? ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' Did the estimation of talking it through like rational adults ever occur to either of you ? '' genus Regulus'muffle phonation interjected curiously.

'' hooey a sock in it Reggie, '' She barked. `` The fanged curiosity has emerged from his self-induced isolation and now he wants to get it on what 's faulty. ``

Another cheap thump shook the room access, his belly wrenching as he practically felt her leaning against the other side.

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

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

Regulus emitted a low whistle, clearly closer than before. `` Trouble in paradise Lupin ? Honestly is n't she a short young for you ? ``

The distinct sound of someone being smacked echoed through the doorway and down the stairwell. The heavy sentiency within his chest failing to improve.

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

Remus turned, eyeing Ron with barely concealed annoyance.

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

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

Remus'forehead furrowed. It was not like Dumbledore to leave person unaided. Not at all.

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

'' I am not decelerate ... ''

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

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

'' He sent the loyal messenger he could, '' He responded smugly. `` Surely you do n't fancy yourself in the Lapplander course of instruction of speed as a phoenix, do you cousin ? ``

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

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

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

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

He hesitated.

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

Cringing inwardly he turned and ran for the owlery.

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

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

Her first cousin smirked, filling her a well needed glass.


* * * * *



Harry 's gist skipped unnaturally. His breathing time froze. Instinctual alarm clock ignited a fiery angriness within him.

As if in answer his calloused fists unconsciously coiled slopped around her shoulders, clenching the soaked flock of her rupture sweater as if doing so could somehow drive off the presence lurking within the shadows.

It could not.

A feral growling cut through the wind, the frigid breeze snaking around them, biting bitterly against his peel, whipping Kaylen 's tight pilus around her ashen face.

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

Like a phantom phone upon the wind came the smacking of monstrous hook upon slipperiness mud, the telltale sound of a animate being knack on savagery as it stalked its prey across water-laden hunting grounds.

They were its prey ...

Holding her resolute middle with his, watching as her visage screwed into that of grim resolve, Harry knew he had no alternative.

Loosening his detainment upon her quietly heaving shoulders, watching the bloody bandages binding his palms sway in the wind, he ground out a single statement.

'' Run ... ''

His wickedness susurration was met with immediate action, for she took flight, mud splattering beneath her infantry as she fled for the shoetree phone line, her tattered sweater billowing in the breaking wind as she went.

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

Tensely he watched her, standing his ground.

He refused to follow.

Around him the power of the storm surged, smack shaking the world as his scar fist clenched tightly around the fateful plume of the capital of Arizona that lay deeply imbedded in his faithful holly, his wand arm hanging loosely by his side.

eye blink the H2O from his eyes he watched in muted fascination. Kaylens was suddenly aware of her solitude, her feet halting into a tumultuous slip across the hunting ground as she fought to stop against the raging wind. The mud finally ceased to give, resisting her sliding feet as her form went slipping beneath the forest 's room access, the dripping canopy throwing shadows across her countenance as she whorled around to regard him.

Beneath the branches her eyes flashed dangerously, for his deceit and what it could think of had finally struck her with frightening force. With the detached sensation of an onlooker observing an unstoppable catastrophe he watched as her strain went rigid.

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

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

It was how he wanted it.

thud, clump ...

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

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

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

clump, thump ...

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

Thump, thump ...

He stood still, feeling death 's blue-belly overture for another minute, closing his eyes in surrender for whatever would come to pass.

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

He had known there was no metre for them to both run, so he had sent her unwittingly to what he could only implore was relation safety.

Thump, thud ...

If he survived this she would surely kill him, and an odd smile crept upon his loco lip at the absurdity of the thought.

thumping, thud ...

All of it transpired in a second, his center flying full as the sky split open, roaring as the idol themselves sent their electric fists hurtling down to join the fray.

Lightning struck as he hit the ground hard, ducking as he felt the savage springing into the air to seize him. Jaws snapped around thin air, right where the spinal column of his neck had been a second gear before.

The wolf 's hind end hook slashed out, grazing his back, shredding the fabric of his shirt, just scratching his skin 's surface. A pained moan shot from his mouth, yet it was unheard as a fiery bolt of electric death struck the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree line with horrendous intensity.

He was already screaming for Kaylens'to move.

A carnal growl emanated before him, the werewolf 's flight ending as its colossal bod crashed back onto the terra firma with one sickening splat of mud and pelting, its prodigious form skidding on the slick ground as if upon ice.

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

Her golden nous disappeared within the roll of tobacco, a electrocution tree limb crashing to where she had stood only a second before.

His breadbasket lurched sickeningly, a choking screeching tearing through him, silenced only as the Wolf 's snarling snout reared around to present him again.

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

A offended howl signified that his aim had been lawful.

Desperately, kernel pounding, he again let the cutting hex fly, followed by an onslaught of silver molecule as he staggered to his feet, stumbling backwards in a frenzy as the beast 's brutalized pelt sent its recoiling consistence to the ground.

The atomic number 47 molecule were lodging within the brute 's spread wound, and the metal 's toxicity was quickly infiltrating its blood stream.

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

'' Kaylens ! '' He screamed, bolting for the shoetree line, watching in horror as fastball began pluming upwards.

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

And he had sent her there.

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

His looking glass were somehow lost, shite and fastball particles replacing them to cut against his retinas, a dull sensation overtaking him.

He did not see the blow coming.

A massive paw struck him down, sending him hurtling face down into a puddle, his panicked humanity morphing into a watery brown blur.

His wand flew from his grip, skidding out of stretch as he flailed, feeling the weighting of the brute atop him as it forced his eubstance to make a new imprint in the malleable earth.

The shallow water lapped around his pinna, his oral fissure flapping around the ill-tasting soil, body sputtering as his traitorous lungs continued their ill-fated try to discharge the poisonous smoke exhaust from them, inhaling body of water instead.

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

Above him a new wolf growled venomously.

Flipping onto his back, rolling out of the way, he saw a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree limb thong out, striking the beast hovering above him with a sickening crunch.

The second werewolf, the one he had failed to see in metre, fell limp to the ground.

Emerging from the burning alcove of tree Kalliandra callously threw the outgrowth at the creature, ensuring another black eye to its school principal as she appraised her handwork. A second later her burning optic were fixated upon him, a furious expression crossing her smut stained features as he was left sputtering upon the ground.

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

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

A ridiculously warm mavin flooded him. `` Y-you 're ... ''

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

He blinked exhaustedly up at her, chest heaving with offended effort as the disheveled, slightly charred fille above him ignored the insanely mud ridden, werewolf infested, aflame human race around them, contenting herself with staring him down.

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

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

He grinned. `` A lot actually. ``

Her jaw dropped, flapping soundlessly as the wind sent smoke billowing in a dark cloud behind her, her hired man instantly rising to shield her eye from its midst residuum.

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

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

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

'' Screw that. I get the first go at ... ''

Her words ended in a grating cry, a chameleon-like hired man having shot Forth River spiritual domain in the billowing sens, snatching her thick hair within its pitiless confines. Her surcharge braid were used as an backbone, the disillusioned man callously snapping her head back to bring out the slender flesh of her neck to the splintered wood of a blacken scepter.

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

'' Drop it ceramist, '' Growled a voice as dark as the night.

The croaky growling sent something dangerous stirring within him, his woodland colored eyes remaining glued to Kaylens'cringing countenance.

His hilltop furrowed as a strange estimation began to take frame, his fingers loosened around the holly coated wand.

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

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

'' I said drop it boy, or I 'll pretend for certain she stays abruptly this metre. ''

Harry 's hired man went rigid, his scepter falling into the mud.

'' Attaboy. ``

The counter of the disillusionment charm was muttered as the scoundrel advanced through the coiling sess, holding Kalliandra ahead of him, the fire'orange igniter throwing the Death eater 's visceral brass into stark focus.

Harry 's line of descent ran cold.

Broussard 's companion, the very one Harry had struck down with the killing swearing that afternoon, the Sami one whom he had left for idle in Hogsemead 's back alleyway, now stood shepparding Kaylens before him.

The perfectly man was live and well.

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

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

A violent human knee to the spine sent Kaylens crumbling to her knees, her form suspended by the cauterise grip on her retentive locks.

'' To recede one 's remaining family ... '' Continued the death feeder with deadly calmness, `` In such a way does not endear one to mercy. ``

'' Now you know what it feels like ! '' Spat Kaylens, her helping hand clawing tightly at the man 's massive forearms as he drug her forward.

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

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

The baddie laughed bitterly, `` I 'm not as unintelligent as some of the other ass-kisser boy. You 'll have to improve your manipulations if you expect that to work. ``

'' Fine, '' He spat darkly. `` I 'm unarmed, you 're not. care to let her go before that change ? ``

'' Wandless trick is a bit gain ground for you bo ... ''

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

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

Only where the end Eater 's heart had been now rested Kaylens, for the villain had yanked her forcibly from her stifle to again harbour him. Her cry of pain echoed through the glade, rising above the greaves of burning wood.

'' As intriguing as this is thrower, we came to extradite a message. Nothing More. ``

Harry 's voice dropped to a growl, `` Since when did a substance entail taking my straits off ? ``

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

'' A rather perverse idea of fun, do n't you cerebrate ? ``

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

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

A hefty yank sent her head snapping back, his inside lurching as the resounding wisecrack of her protesting vertebrae.

'' calm down girlie ! '' Hissed the baddie, spit dribbling as he spoke. `` You 're already an endangered species, I 'd hate for you to go out. ``

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

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

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

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

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

It took everything he had to suppress his outward revulsion, for the man had already drawn and used the unseen dagger, plunging it shallowly into the flesh of her shoulder, dragging it across her skin. A indorsement later the villain had a cylindrical vial held beneath her freely flowing blood, bottling it as her eyes scrunched in a painful grimace, her psyche doubtless feeling account repeating itself.

'' There, that oughta quell my Maker in the event of your untimely ... '' The man was running his wand along her combat injury, a black light radiating as her soma sealed beneath it. `` Well ... .end anyway ... ''

Blinded by rainfall, Harry 's eyes went white with ira.

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

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

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

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

'' All the nighttime master wants is the prophecy Potter, yet if you continue this refractory refusal that little mudblooded friend of yours will nose up dead. '' The man grinned evilly. `` And we all know you do n't want that to happen. ``

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

'' Just think ... what has your stubborn refusal gotten you thus far ? Certainly it did curiosity for improving that blood double-crosser Black 's current State Department howeve ... ''

'' Sothis was a in effect man, '' He heard himself hissing.

The man merely inclined an eyebrow. `` Ah yes, I seem to think back him fancying himself as such even during our school years. He, the stately pitch blackness, always criticizing Broussard and I ... the two Detreck brother were worthless to him, even the one from his own planetary house ... ''

Harry felt unwell, choler and hate vibrating unceremoniously within.

'' Your Father of the Church was much the same ... both never sparing even a thought for the noble inkiness 's own kin ... '' He continued, the same tone of high quality dripping from his language. `` Dog Star always wondered what finally sent Regulus to the rank of the Death Eaters. Would you care me to tell you ? ``

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

'' The deciding factor you see, was Sirius'stubborn refusal to acknowledge his brother as an rival, '' He revealed. `` The chesty fool followed those resisting the darkness Lord blindly, never stopping to consider who was really in the right. He and the rest period of those Gryffindor fool following Dumbledore never even understood our reasons ... ''

'' Oh ? '' Harry shot out, `` And how are we justifying cold-blooded execution these days ? ``

The man 's dentition glinted in the firelight. `` There 's no need to apologize anything, because the war hungry Muggles will not be contentedness to leave our form alone forever. It 's kill or be killed thrower. The nighttime Jehovah is simply acting preemptively, before those cruddy Muggles get the opportunity. ``

'' And what of the anti-Muggle hospital ward ? '' Harry asked scathingly, thinking quickly. `` If you 're really as superior to them as you 'd like to trust, then all of your 'pureblood'conjuration ought to prevent that, would n't you think ? ``

The destruction eater Detreck laughed. He actually laughed.

'' William Tell me Potter, with all of the inter-marrying between Wizards and Muggles, how would you purpose keeping our existence forever hidden ? Eventually we will get exposed, and when that happens the Muggles will recognize the voltage menace we hold. ``

Inching towards the heat of the fire, and its velum of pot, Harry allowed him to talk, wracking his psyche for a plan.

'' Once that happens I 'm quite certain they will be knifelike in showing us clemency. Perhaps the Lapp kind that was given to the Israelite of their bit World War, or that which was shown to the indigenous multitude of the US when the new lands were discovered. Or to the witches of capital of Oregon ... ''

Kaylens cut him off.

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

A dagger was lunge to her throat, silencing her words as blood prickled her skin. A sadistic look of equanimity crossed the eldest Detreck 's grimace as he held it there.

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

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

'' Every war has injured party thrower, and in this one anyone good-hearted to those primitive puppet runs the risk of becoming one. ``

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

'' Yet they salary war upon other countries, killing their own kind without thought, acti ... ''

'' Since demise Eaters do the same thing I guess you would recognize. ``

'' Our violent death is at least educated, and justified by more than wars over boundaries. ``

Harry 's vox shook with oppress rage. `` Nothing can apologise cold blooded murder ... ''

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

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

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

Watching the tension leave Kalliandra 's neck, her expression slumping gratefully forward without fright of impalement upon the knife 's blade, he grunted. `` So what slew is it this time ? union him and he spares my life ? ``

'' No, simply bring out the missing percentage of the prophecy in commutation for your Quaker 's household 's spirit. ``

'' And Hermione ? ``

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

'' In the Department of enigma, in the vestibule of divination, you remember the shelves upon shelf filled with the prognostication of visionary past ? ``

'' Yes. ``

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

His shoulder joint stiffened, for he actually had.

From the timber 's edge, scant cadence away, resounded the cracking of a tree arm as it finally burnt away. It fell into the burning underwood, sending a flash of fervour bulging outwards on impact.

In the cacophonous holloa of estrus and flame all party scattered, the smoke glade in time for Harry to see Kaylens still in the villain 's vice grip, her seeming bolt for freedom hindered by the man 's sinewy arm which had tightened around her.

Her human elbow to his torso went ignored, the massive man 's sinew protecting him. Detreck merely grunted, hauling her to her base as the smoke dispersed, the rain beginning to smoother the flames.

'' We waste clock time. In the G. Stanley Hall of prophecies there is another with your name on it, or did that decrepit old man fail to inform of you of its existence as well ? ``

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

'' When you find that, and bring out its contents, only then will our God Almighty put out your valued Mudblooded friend. ``

'' You 're lying, '' Harry bicker, the acrid appreciation of gage on his tongue. `` If I told you, he 'd pour down her anyway. ``

The man 's lip curled. `` Perhaps ... but if you had something else to bid him, something in addition to that ... something he very much desired ... than perhaps once you 'd revealed the arcsecond prophecy, he 'd return her if your word was given to reveal another once the substitution was made. ``

Harry shook his brain disbelievingly, `` Since when has ole brain-teaser trusted my word ? ``

'' How dare you defile his gens ... ''

Harry nearly laughed, `` Defile ? Just so you know, as someone well acquainted with his Muggle father 's keystone, I can assure you that is indeed his gens. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A prod in the shoulder joint sent Kaylens stumbling forward, her hands suddenly bound.

'' Then all these fifth wheel will meet the same fate as those noble parents of yours. ``

Kalliandra 's eyes flew up, surprise flitting through them even in the iniquity. He met them, painfully holding onto them, grasping for s through the downpour so she could see how dismal he was, for the past, for where his short seeing had landed them, and still ... for what he may possess to do.

There was simply no fourth dimension left.

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

She understood.

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

'' Stupefy ... ''

Kalliandra went crumbling to the soil, her limp form fabrication in a single mud-sodden heap, the Death Eater 's aspect whirl in surprise as another stunner flew from Harry 's wand.

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

His lulu struck the opposition directly in the chest, a second before a cruel voice resounded behind him.

'' Crucio. ``

Harry fell hard, his body imprinting the piano footing as a M whiteness hot tongue sliced slowly, than brutally at his material body. His vision was blinded, by mud, pelting, and pain, yet he still saw the hairy man, half-way through the werewolf transformation, walking around him, reviving Detreck ...

The werewolf Kaylens had taken out had awoken.

As he screamed, convulsing in annoyance, rolling in the slick stream that had become the clarification 's undercoat, he heard their contestation voices.

'' ... .belongs to the Dark nobleman, not us ... .we ca n't harm him ... .leave it to him ... .dealt with in due time ... .orders were ... .deliver substance ... .leave them .... ''

The perpetual agony suddenly lifted, his tortured nerves still spasming as he somehow rolled to face them. His hand flopped around pathetically, finger closing without strength upon thin air, searching for the intimate holly wood he had lost a grip of during his convulsions.

'' You can waste sentence chasing after us, or her Potter. Think about it. ``

The wet air resonated with the sharp pass of disapparation, his muscular synapses finally firing at his command. With soreness outshining the most grueling trials of human endurance he thrust himself up, his hands sinking into the muddy turd, eyes frantically scanning the clearing.

Kaylens was nowhere to be seen.

Heart lurching sickeningly, he stumbled to his understructure. Sliding, staggering, he peered through the shadow, summoning his wand from where it had sunk beneath the uproot grass.

Lightning flashed, casting an eerie lambency across the piddle.

Kaylens lay facedown, floating within it.

His feet moved, faster than he would induce thought potential, plunging into the breast deep water. Quickly he propelled himself to where she lay submerged, floating just below the surface. Only her edge wrists, pushed upwards by the gentle water 's lapping, remained emerged in the air, her hair's-breadth fanning out behind her head

His arms quickly sought her, wrapping around her shoulders to pull her out, letting her dead free weight pass hard against him.

His deal fell to her chest, his spoken words a whisper against the storm.

'' Ennervate ... ''

The lovingness ranch from between his finger, his unconsciously done magic triggering no chemical reaction in her.

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

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

defense reaction lessons had taught him about More than countering magic spell, and he was already turning her limp conformation to confront him, using the body of water 's perkiness to cradle her as her nerve lolled back.

His numbing, pained fingers quickly wiped the loaded tomentum from her lips, a sick feeling rising in his chest as his center flickered across the vacant grounds.

The decease Eaters were gone ... .they would not come in back.

Heart wrenching, he acted, pressing his sassing against hers as he pushed precious oxygen in, breathing for her, listening to the odd hushing of his breath making its way through her air passages.

pull away, waiting for the rise of her chest against his, he felt cipher.

Panicked oculus flickered over her peaceful face before his rima oris once again descended, capturing her icy lip with his own in another breathing place of desperation. One arm was tightening around her, the other cradling her head as he pinched her nose.

Again he waited.

The rise in her chest of drawers as he had breathed had been barely discernable, and now there was aught. A undivided thought flitted through his affright brain. He was doing this wrong.

In that single moment of paralyzing repulsion he suddenly understood. Her air transit was clogged.

He had to clear it.

He was already turning her gimp strain around, allowing her back to diminish against him as his fist sought her midriff. With a I, powerful drive he thrust them in and upwards, feeling her physical structure spasm in a minuscule quiver.

Again he repeated the motion, thrusting forcefully. Her limp form seized violently in response, her speed torso falling forward as a racking coughing shook her, the piddle expelling from her lungs. Harry lunged forward with her, arms wrapping around her chest, preventing her face from again hitting the faithless water.

His forearms strained against her as she convulsed, choking on the jazz, gasping as cough after shuddering cough shook her thin physical body. Shivering in the frigid body of water his pounding heart calmed until she leaned loosely forward, gasping breathlessly.

Without a Holy Scripture he pulled her against him, clutching her quivering physique boot to his own, her mind falling against his articulatio humeri. Her shallow panting caressed his skin, the ascension of her thorax against his reassuring him in an incomprehensible way.

Slowly he fought to control the hitching of his own fast drawn breathing spell, for after everything he felt set up to tumble, only he suddenly found himself the column to which she clung.

Resting his chin atop her head, peering into the night, he silently prayed that what he had overheard was accurate. For if he was really considered Voldemort 's toy, needed to perform a task, then he truly was inaccessible.

In theory they would again be safe, until Riddle decided to again 'chat .'

As of now, if he were wrong, then their just sanctuary would be the piddle they stood shivering within, and he had yet to properly master the bubble-head magical spell for hiding beneath its murky depths. Now their lone true auspices lay within the veil of cat-tails rising high above the shimmering water 's airfoil, obscuring them from all.

Icy wind howled, sending the reeds around them dancing.

Breathing unsteadily, the scent of burnt woods filled his nostrils. The violent storm was slowly winning the battle against the blaze, extinguishing the aflame undergrowth and tree, and the light of the fire was slowly dying. Tilting his fount down he watched the fiery Orange glow reflecting from her wet impertinence, lending some warmth to her pale hue.

'' Are you alright ? '' He finally whispered, his shivering work force smoothing her convoluted, sopping pilus from her expression. She simply breathed against him, hair's-breadth dripping across his shoulders, her entire var. quivering.

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

In his sleeve she nodded imperceptivity, his trepidation for her alone sending his sum thundering. His ease was palpable, as was the flavor of her beneath his hands.

His personal spitfire was blissfully unaware, but she had scared the Scheol out of him.

Raindrops continued falling, heavy and strong, splattering against the water with hypnotic melody. Somehow, without intellect, his knuckles were rising, tracing alone her jaw line, a drowsy murmur leaving her pale, cracked back talk at his touch.

Instinctively his strong arms began enveloping her tighter, pressing her to him needingly, his reasons elusive. Surprisingly her fragile hands were responding, rising to push against his chest of drawers. Her entitle fingertips brushed his bare skin, sliding along his pectoral medallion where his sweater hung tattered and loose, courtesy of the werewolves'chela and the forest 's snaring bramble.

Beneath the ripple water a conciliate tingling was radiating onto him, traveling wherever her cool skin fell into contact with his own, as if diminutive bits of still electricity were passing between them.

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

Yet somehow, he could not calculate away.

Slowly, surely, the maddening sense datum of her finger's breadth tangling within his jumper drove the unconscious concerns from his thinker, his brightly oculus finally falling shut to the Night, hiding beneath the shadow, matted whisker slung dripping across his scarred brow.

Upon his neck he felt her lip parting, an exhausted sigh escaping against his skin. His nerve dipped in response, burrowing within her rain scented hair.

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

A soft laugh, scarcely there, sent his skin tingle.

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

'' Point take, '' He conceded, a low jape vibrating his throat.

The sky lit up, shining with anomalous brilliance as lightning flashed in the space. The icy Waters lapping against them, the air current howling eerily between the trees.

'' Potter .... '' She mumbled, his hand rising to shine upon the unruffled skin of her neck at the strait. `` What happened ? ''

Her vocalization was barely a whisper, trailing away as his fingers went trailing down the still skin of her neck, feeling her pulse licking with regularity beneath them.

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

'' I could say the same for you, '' She said breathlessly, shivering as his men rose along the contours of her signifier. first his men were gripping her waistline, following rising along her English, sliding to caress the skin covering her ribcage, just beneath her breasts.

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

The earthy odour of mingled mud and rainfall was somehow intoxicating upon her, drawing him in more than he could leave, more than he should allow. Yet he was, his brim already lowering to hers, the densely strung tensity of a one thousand harsh exchange vibrating between the two as his mouth fell upon hers, capturing her backtalk as he had when pulling her limply from the icy water. Only now her mouth was moving against his, the gustation of salty lather lingering upon his natural language. Her taste sensation was mingling with the refreshing rain pouring upon them, cascading down their faces.

His wear clung wetly to him as his hands sought out her embroil hair's-breadth. He frenziedly felt her deepening the contact of their rim, the harsh stubble of his chin scratching her in the procedure. A slight grumble sent his own back talk trembling against hers with laugh, her paw squeezing his shoulders in retaliatory manner. His own mouth was parting again, gasping, never relaxing the insistency against her lips as he fought for breather against her, feeling her doing the same.

A second later he again seized her, his crushed lip being tugged gently between her own, an odd growl coming unbidden from his throat. For a angry consequence she quivered with seeming amusement before his agile hired hand responded, running along her neck opening 's vertebrae, a startled whimper falling from her sylphlike lips.

'' Kaylens ... '' He murmured, his arms desperately gathering her against him, his mouth deliriously relishing her gustatory sensation. Suddenly he was ignorant of the rainwater pouring around them, aware only of her deal pixilated onslaught as they slipped beneath his shirt 's collar, sliding along the bare skin of his articulatio humeri, caressing his back. His whisker dripped into his cheek, and with belt along breathing place their ill-concealed passions radiated, their mouth moving in a stormy fervor. Within his arms was the girl Harry had feared to have lost before he had known what it was to have, and he had no plan of letting go.

Slowly, panting breathlessly, Kalliandra pulled away. Her digit still clung to him, the pelting pouring freely upon her flushing skin. Water droplets were dampening her brow, and her fingerbreadth slipped out from beneath his shirt to linger upon his collarbone. Unable to let her leave he leaned his eyebrow against hers, cupping her face in his handwriting, feeling her eyelashes fluttering open against his cheeks.

His own jade oculus flickered hazily open, meeting the deep hazel ones regarding him. She was blinking against the rain, her confused heart revealing her barely concealed emotion.

ventilation heavily he leaned forward, brushing his backtalk against hers, kissing her slowly. He was taking his time now ... without the charge, without the desperation, without the fear of having nearly lost her. pollex running along her high school cheekbones, carefully wiping the mud from her look, his brim moved needingly across hers.

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

'' You 've lost your nous ... ''

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

She smiled against his sassing, shaking her school principal slowly. `` No ... '' She whispered, amusement tingeing her pitch contour. `` This wo n't entrust the clarification. ``

'' Good, '' He quipped, smiling deviantly. `` I would suffer hated to Obliviate you. ``

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

burial his rim near her ear, he emitted a low growl, `` You would have. ``

'' Hmph. ``

Combing his fingerbreadth through her thick, mud-laden hair, he felt her slender word form again began to throb, her quivering more articulate than before.

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

She grumbled indecipherably for a consequence, before suddenly growing tense, her look swiveling towards the visible clearing, middle flickering with sudden recollection.

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

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

Her middle remained adverted, warily gazing through the rainwater into the duskiness of night.

'' How can you be sure ? ``

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

'' Because .... '' He whispered hauntingly, `` They delivered their content. They had their fun. For them that was enough, for the time being. ``

'' So their fun was trying to submerge me, '' She questioned bitterly, `` Or threatening you with Hermione 's life ? ``

'' Both. ``

Her eyes flickered across his, her construction sending something wrenching inside.

'' That man wanted you to tell him something, `` She said seriously, watching him carefully. `` Yet you would n't. Why ? ``

He swallowed hard, his Adam 's apple rising strongly within his pharynx. `` Because I 'd rather die than allow them the entropy they need. ``

'' Than what stopped them from forcing you to go with them ? ``

His hand rose, trailing across her face, her breathing space hesitation at his tactile sensation. Without reason his brow was again pressed against hers, her font so close that he could see the brown flecks within her irises dancing with each flash of lightning.

'' Even if they had, '' He whispered sullenly, `` Even if they had tortured Hermione right hand in front of me, I still would never evidence. Because the second I did we would have all been dead. ``

Distant thunder shook the sky, Kalliandra 's eyes falling shut against the wet onrush. His stay on upon her, never leaving as her chest rose and fell against his. The blue-blooded rhythm of her breathing was inexplicably calming.

'' If the man is so ruthless ... '' She finally spoke, `` Why would he offer you the choices he did ? ``

'' Because as ruthless as he is, he 's also intelligent. Voldemort knows his only chance in hell of getting anything out of me would be by offering an rally : Hermione for the entropy, at a neutral location. '' He paused, breathing heavily, watching the stirring across her smiler.

'' It 's the solitary way I could ensure her base hit, '' He finished solemnly.

Against his brow he felt a sluttish frown creasing her brow. A moment later her veil middle fell open, observing him guardedly.

'' How could Voldemort possibly know what you 're thinking ? ''

His fingers clenched and unclenched around her weapons system in a tense rhythm. `` Because Kalliandra, Voldemort and I have been playing this game for a long sentence. And were both getting meliorate at it. ``

Her mouth parted questioningly, his fingers rising to weight-lift carefully against them, silencing her queries.

'' Please, do n't ask. I do n't want to lie to you, '' He pleaded breathlessly, rim hovering centimeter from her own, praying she understood.

She did.

Against him she nodded, wet droplets cascading down her blench case. This time it was she who sealed the scant space between them, her foxy implements of war winding around his neck, her body pressing kick against his.

For some reason, as her parted sassing allowed his knife accounting entry, he suddenly felt more afraid than he ever had.

The stakes had been raised that day, for with his beneficial friend gone he suddenly had so much to fall behind, and it was the daughter he remained loop with that had sent cleft running through his heavily erected rampart.

pull away, gasping fervently, he suddenly was unsure of whether to detest her or love her for that.

'' You 're infuriating ... '' He murmured, nose nuzzling her cheek.

'' Likewise, '' She gasped breathlessly, water-laden strand of hair falling over her eye

They simply remained, hovering within the embrace of the other, until a flash of red crossed the night, circling to lie upon the pond 's edge.

Whilst she stiffened, Harry almost laughed in relief.

The fiery phoenix was watching them silently, something suspiciously like an old rag dropped near its feet, its feathery promontory cocked at a peculiar angle.

If Harry had not known better, he would say Fawkes looked amused.









Recommended taradiddle :

attack and Earth by sagesolon Rated : Mature genre : Mystery, Action/Adventure, dramatic event
The Weasley 's and their adoptive family have worn through the cost increase of Voldemort and the Final battle. There have been many death, but what happens on the brightest of day 's has repercussions far and wide ranging. Now they are left to clean up the small-arm. Welcome to a story of promise, where the survivors are left to follow the clues, attempting to clear the puzzle before the serial killer work stoppage again. While this is a relatively new story it contains one of the most scheme plots that I have been lucky enough to stumble across. Pairing : Harry/Hermione

Hearts, legal profession, and Scars by sagesolon Rated : Mature musical genre : love story, Action/Adventure, Angst
The final conflict has long since past, yet to the elect One its backlash sting as painfully as they did on the day he lost her. His but comfort is found within his nightly escapes to the Muggle realm, to where he is unrecognized in the dimly lit pubs, to where he is no longer in a world that constantly reminds him of the red hair of his dreams. Yet when a Muggle as much in motive of solacement as he makes the mistake of sending a friend to ask for his phone act in a turned on pub, Harry suddenly finds a hiatus to that lingering despair. The only trouble is how to explain his world to one content with magic card tricks ? Well ... the sweetener of a vacation definitely has its good tip ! This report has an almost film noir timber at its start, and it progresses into a very 'feel good', laugh out loud, read. Pairing : Harry/Muggle OC












A few basics to notice :

Red blood line jail cell contain Hb, which transports Oxygen throughout the soundbox. If these were suddenly taken away, you would strangle even if you were still breathing.

platelet are responsible for the body 's ability to organize blood coagulum. Without platelets, you would hemorrhage to death from a simple cut on the arm.

Sorry for the impromptu biology lesson, but in writing this chapter I did not feel like explaining these basic concepts since I assumed that the characters, due to one too many hospital wing visits, would already know what these are. I also took a few originative liberties, so turn out with me on those.






'' Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success ; for who so hopes strongly has within him the giving of miracles. ``
~ Samuel smiling ~



Chapter 27 ~ The fellow of Grief


Near dawn she found him there. He was still awake, as she had known he would be.

Dean was vapid on his back, staring at the productive, blood red canopy of his bed. His center had not moved from the canopy in hours, for fear of seeing the empty bed besides him, and they did not actuate as his bed hangings stirred in the eerie light.

Ginny slipped between them, crawling across the covers until she lay besides him. Wordlessly he had wound his arm around her lowly frame, an icy botheration twisting within him. It was a impenetrable guilt, for he had his friend 's lovesome consolation while her boyfriend had naught to see save for the cold white sheet draped over his closed eyes.

Seamus was gone, and it felt like a dagger had been driven through him.

It dawned a dark, gray-red dawn, and the sinister rain outside continued, pooling upon the window sills. He could not close up the windows, nor block out the cool flatus, for when he had first seen Seamus'empty bed that night he had thrown spread out each pane, tearing the wooden panels from their hinges.

Now the water dripped onto the floor, the unorthodox calendar method serving to take him closer and closer to the breaking detail. It was a audio Neville seemed unmindful to, for his dorm mate 's steady snores filled the air, and with each passing healthy Dean felt the urge to smash something violently.

His fingerbreadth twisted in Ginny 's red hair, reminding him of her bearing. Though Seamus was gone, she was still there.

He had a rationality to remain strong.

Still he did not look at her. Gradually her quiet breathing place became even, but his dour middle remained open, staring at the canopy.

It was all he could do.
* * * * *


Harry watched as Angelina ran from the room, unable to shake up the icy sensation slithering within him. He knew he should not deal, he could not ...

Yet he did.

instant after port-keying to lupine 's manor house, as he had regained his footing in the candlelit foyer, Kalliandra had lost consciousness. His shivering body had clutched her against his pectus, and that was how Angelina had found them.

It was becoming clearer, the harshly exchanged words between Kaylens and the master ... the ones he had overheard in the hospital extension ... It seemed ages ago, yet they echoed hauntingly clean within his head.

'' Considering that I 'm the one you ca n't cure ... ''

'' Kalliandra, looking at it as a death sentence will not facilitate issue. ``

'' You 're decently. Nothing will. ``

Angelina had claimed that the physical stresses of the nighttime had just finally taken their toll, saying how magical travel was often too a lot for a weakened body to take. She had told him everything was going to be fine, to not worry ...

Her oculus betrayed her lyric for the Lie they were.

'' Harry, set her there. Help me get her sleeves ... ''

Angelina was back, having returned with a hoard of supplies. He did as he was told, laying Kalliandra on the melt couch. She sunk into the torn up shock absorber, stuffing bulging out at the additional weight unit. It appeared to be the only real firearm of furniture on the number 1 floor, and he too squeezed onto it.

He could n't go out her.

Reaching down he grasped the cuff of her wet sleeve, rolling it up. With every inch of exposed flesh another bruise was revealed, his insides twisting at the thick, deeply purple chump lining her ticklish skin. In the dark of the clearing he had not even noticed ...

Angelina knelt besides them, her hands moving methodically, with the aim movements born of her healer preparation. His old mate was now cleaning the interior of Kalliandra 's human elbow, inserting a small acerate leaf into the bluish descent of her vein. He could only see from where he sat on Lupin 's outwear lounge, holding Kaylens messy top dog of pilus in his lap.

'' Harry take this ... hold it mellow ... ''

He nodded mutely, taking the clearly plastic bag from her, watching the yellowish-brown fluid sloshing within it. Following Angelina 's statement he held it shoulder mellow, ineffective to slay his eyes from Kaylens'serene expression. Her recondite hazel eyes were now hidden behind pale eyelid, her font in desperate pauperization of washing. A streak of mud still highlighted her cheekbone, a gray coating of ash lending her a ghostly, freckled appearance.

Reaching down Harry brushed her hair aside, revealing a dehydrated smear of blood concealing near her hairline.

A deep contusion was forming there as well.

In fluid motions his one-time housemate attached a long, clear tube to the IV in her arm with a quiet suction stop, retrieving the fluid filled bag from him. With both of his handwriting finally free he found himself smoothing the hair away from her nerve, wiping the mud away with his thumbs.

He could find Angelina 's middle on him. `` She needs to rest Harry. ''

He did not answer right away, contenting himself to take in as Angelina wove her wand, the IV bag rising to rest suspend in mid-air. Slowly the liquid began dripping from the bag into a small, tube-like sleeping accommodation.

Swallowing hard, his gaze rose pointedly to Angelina 's.

'' What are you giving her ? ``

Angelina never ceased working, and she was already shooing Harry 's work force out of the way as she carefully grasped Kalliandra 's other limp arm, tapping just above the elbow with her wand.

Kaylens'blue air mineral vein bulged just long enough for another syringe needle to be inserted, only this time Angelina was drawing blood samples, rather than starting a trickle infusion.

'' Angelina ? '' He prompted gruffly.

The young therapist sighed wearily, `` It 's a mixture of red ancestry cells and platelet Harry. '' She pulled back on the syringe, and it began filling with a viscous, blue red blood.

Harry hastily looked away.

'' Why does she need that ? '' He ground out, his representative hoarse with exhaustion.

Leaving the acerate leaf in her arm Angelina unscrewed the full syringe barrel, setting the blood sample upon a floating tray she had conjured. She made quick work of attaching a new, empty one to the needle as she repeated the cognitive operation.

'' How about you Harry ? '' Angelina asked dismissively. `` Knowing you, you 've probably managed to bang yourself up good. ``

'' Do n't commute the subject. ``

Angelina 's dark center darted up, `` I 'm not. But I 'm a healer, that 's why Dumbledore left me to wait for you two. I just had to check. ``

His tired oculus turned to his own hand. He flipped them over, observing his healed, cauterise palms. The cryptic slashes the broken chalk had left were gone. Fawkes'tears had healed them, dripping into his combat injury when he had reached through the thick rain to occupy the embrasure key.

Before he even had a opportunity to marvel why Fawkes had bothered healing such minor injuries, the phoenix had flown away.

'' I 'm fine, '' He replied staidly, realizing he meant it. No thirster could he feel the stinging boodle, torn by the werewolf 's claws, down his rachis. Even the pearl oceanic abyss chill the icy rain had left was gone.

All that was left was the purge sensation churning within his abdomen, his only relief the missy in his lap, who was unequal to of responding sufficiency to ease his fears.

'' What 's damage with her ? ``

In the discharge, windowless room, Angelina removed the needle from her arm.

'' aught that ca n't be treated, '' She responded quietly, rising from her knee joint, apparently done.

'' That 's not what I asked. ``

He did not drop the way her eyes avoided his.

'' cypher that I can tell you. For what it 's worth ... I 'm sorry about that Harry. ''

He swallowed, the phone seeming a lot louder in the still air. He bowed his read/write head, spying a spot of gray ash near the corner of Kalliandra 's mouthpiece. Without thought his ovolo wiped it away, his stiff demeanor relaxing as a sleepy muttering emerged from her low temperature backtalk.

Angelina watched it all, silently placing each of the blood samples into a cool carrying case. For a moment her clinical nature vanished, a sad expression overcoming her ebony tree features.

It was then that it all came together for Harry. Every little detail that she had let slipperiness, every sign of fatigue duty, every word the Death eater had said ...

'' It has to do with what she is, does n't it ? ''

Though he had asked, there was no question in his tone.

Angelina rose a skeptical eyebrow, `` Then you do know ? ``

His eyes rose to hers, `` Yes. That 's why you could n't tell me. Dumbledore is n't aware I know. ``

She sighed tiredly, but he was already continuing. `` Ron and the others, you said they 're fine and that they were taken to Hogwarts. ''

She just nodded, earning a hard feel from him.

'' Then why were we brought here ? ``

'' I wish I knew. All I know is that the Order is finally utilizing the safe houses it 's been setting up. ``

His supercilium crinkled, his mitt unconsciously caressing Kalliandra 's dampen hair, which was strewn across his lap, leaving wet stain upon his trousers. `` There are other places asides from headquarters ? ``

'' Of course. Do n't ask where, because I do n't know. ``

His smile was strained, `` Clever really ... not letting any one person know too much about anything in face they 're caught. ``

'' Exactly. ``

His relapsing from the shadow theme plaguing him could continue no longer, for the feeling of carefully controlled panic was rising.

Indicating the IV bag, he shot out a question. `` Why does she need that ? ``

'' Perhaps I 'm not the skilful person to explain that. ``

'' You 're a healer, '' He said in a carefully controlled tone. `` Who better ? ``

Angelina opened her mouth, as if to react, but she never got the chance.

'' Perhaps I can. If you would only allow me. ``

Harry 's head spun, as did Angelina 's. Neither had heard the soul 's arrival, and his philia was thundering at the fatalist theory that could get resulted from such a relapsing on their portion.

His eyes narrowed, anger mixing with relief as he saw another loved one intact and standing in the dormitory 's doorframe. A bitter jape broke his throat, and he gestured into the room.

'' By all mean Professor, it is your house after all. ``

professor Lupin stepped wearily into the room, looking worsened for the wearable. But then again, Harry reflected, did n't they all ? The thought nearly sent Harry laughing. Instead he bit it back, another biting speech sound growling deep in his throat.

From the looking at on lupine 's nerve, Harry knew he had noticed. The trench stemma on the man 's case betrayed an inner pain in the neck, one Harry felt all too acutely.

It was the hurting of loss. Only Harry knew Lupin had lost far more than he ever had. Of course, he was still unseasoned. There was clip to catch up in that category.

As if sensing his dark opinion, Kalliandra stirred. His aid was suddenly riveted to her, his hand on her buttock. Half of him hoped desperately for her to rouse, while another part feared that his one luck of discovering what ailed her would then slew away.

She was far too refractory to charge anyone else with her pain. He knew that now.

It was startling how much could change in less than twenty four hours.

Harry 's one-half angry, half questioning gaze finally rose. He was startled to discover Angelina 's absence seizure. Somehow she had slipped away unnoticed, leaving he and lupine alone.

After having been ignored by him for over two weeks, he was n't for sure if he was felicitous about that or not.

'' It 's good to see you Harry. ''

'' Is it ? '' He could n't help it, but his phonation was cold.

Lupin looked stung. `` Of course it is. ``

'' Well forgive me for being sceptical, '' Harry replied sarcastically. `` It 's not like you have n't spoken to me in awhile. ``

'' I had my reasons. ``

He inclined an eyebrow, `` You had understanding for believing Dog Star all-but-killed my mum and dad too. ''

'' That 's below the belt Harry. ``

'' good. ``

Remus ran a weary hand through his graying hair, leaning back against the wall. For the tenacious meter neither spoke, the full meeting arousing conflicting emotions within Harry.

He wanted to slog him. For what he had done to him, to Tonks, to Kaylens ... by ignoring them simply to shelter them from his canine side. For having left him to deal with the painfulness of Sirius'demise alone. For having had the audacity to walk in, saying hello, as if nothing were amiss between the two. For having sent not one owl that summer.

All of Harry 's pent up frustrations with lupin were finally bubbling over, conveyed in the single icy flavor he shot him.

Outside the cold, first of Nov wind rattled the sidetrack. The weather matched his melanise mood perfectly.

'' I 'm sorry Harry. ``

He nearly laughed. `` Are you ? ''

'' For everything, '' Lupin whispered chokingly.

Harry looked up, meeting the pleading stare of his father 's last living protagonist. Suddenly he did not see the man who had inspired such a feeling of abandonment.

Instead ... he saw his family.

He swallowed hard, remembering the break he and Ron had been through, and the one they were in now. All those years ago, when he and Ron had fought during the Tri-Wizard tournament, Hermione had called them pudding head.

She had been right.

Life was too short to take hold grievance.

The monitor of Hermione 's quandary, and the thought that Remus could be taken just as easily, sent him stumbling for word of honor. `` Just ... '' He started, forcing a tense up grin. `` Do n't let it take place again. ``

'' I wo n't. ``

Remus'light brown eyes were nothing but honest. Suddenly, despite his lingering awe for Hermione ... for Ron ... for Ginny ... for Dean ... for Tonks ... for Dumbledore ... for Remus ... .for Neville ... .for Luna ... for Kalliandra ...

It was all too practically to take, but suddenly he felt that he may not be quite so desperately alone in facing all of it.

'' Thank you, '' He said quietly, truly meaning it.

Remus simply smiled sadly, inclining his forefront towards the slumbering young lady in his lap.

'' How is she ? ``

Harry felt his brow instinctively seam, his brain once again compartmentalizing what he could vex about, and impact, in the here and now.

'' I 'm not for certain, '' He replied honestly. `` But Profes ... .Remus, what 's happening to her ? ``

The startle face upon Remus 's typeface faded, his kind eye regarding him carefully.

'' I assume you already know then. ``

'' Yes, '' He heard himself whispering, his interpreter filled with naked concern.

Remus studied him for a farseeing moment, his eyes falling on the bm of Harry 's hands as he stroked Kalliandra 's prospicient pilus.

For some reason Harry did not deal if Remus noticed.

The former professor 's brow crinkled with both oddment and pity at the intension Harry 's gestures conveyed. `` Are you sure enough you really want to know Harry ? Sometimes not knowing is best, for when you know ... '' Remus'gaze was suddenly far off, as if peering into the removed past.

'' Sometimes Harry, the Sojourner Truth will simply haunt you. ``

Harry 's pharynx constricted, the bout glistening within Remus'eyes far too absolved.

'' What if it already does ? ``

The elder man smiled sadly, `` Then I 'd say things between the two of you have changed. After all, she 's out cold and you have yet to try and throttle her. ``

A sad jape bubbled out of him, his gaze falling to perch on her pallid forehead.

'' Please ... I ... do n't say anything .... ''

'' Would n't dream of it. ``

Harry found himself nodding with no particular grounds. `` Good ... I ... I 've no idea ... ''

'' What 's going on ? '' Remus finished.

Harry spotted the man 's knowing smiling, and was finally able-bodied to let out the breath he had been unconsciously holding.

'' Something like that. ``

In the still air of the windowless elbow room, both men remained silent. Harry 's eyes fell closed, his ears seeking out the soft auditory sensation of Kaylens'habitue breathing.

Somehow, even with the growing edginess within, this calmed him.

With a decision he did not feel, he finally spoke.

'' I need to hump Remus. ''

A loud sigh filled the way. `` I was afraid of that. ``

And Remus explained. He explained how wizard organism had come into creation, for somewhere in human history, human blood cells had begun mutating.

Most of the genetic mutation had resulted in cancerous blood flow, killing those in possession of those variations. Muggles and virtuoso alike still struggled against those diseases, leukemia the most big, but there were some individuals where the mutations became beneficial.

He explained how everything, both aliveness and inert, contained a bod of zip. Not all of it was measurable in the Muggle fashion, and it was this form of energy, the kind that would fail to show on electrical musical scale, that allowed magical organism to flourish.

It was sorcerous energy, and over meter some somebody developed the power to fake it, without adverse affects.

Others were not so lucky.

There were the great unwashed like Kalliandra, people like scope, who could delve into the charming realm. But doing so was dangerous.

In the grammatical case of witches and thaumaturgist, they developed completely new cells in their bloodline flow, and magical DOE was conducted through their strong-arm bodies via these. Thus their body were able-bodied to act like electrical racing circuit, and energy was able to pass through their wizardly cells without ever touching their early cells.

It was a thoroughgoing system.

There were occasions when witch and wizards would suit fatigued, and such occurrences usually happened when the someone was performing wandless deception, or a particularly complicated spell. And the grounds for their exhaustion was quite simple really :

When one 's body functions like a racing circuit, if extra magical energy is taken in and not released in the form of a decently plaster cast spell, then that get-up-and-go remains stuck in the body and has to go somewhere. And since conjuring trick runs quite literally through one 's veins, that hag or adept 's magical electric cell would be the 1st to be essentially, electrocuted by their magical overload.

Fortunately magical cells are quite robust, and their plasma membrane are to a greater extent than capable of absorbing such overloads.

Red roue cells, however, are not.

On affair so often Department of Energy is not released from a wizard 's body that it bursts through their magical jail cell, frying profligate cells substantive in the sustentation of life.

And when one 's red blood cells are dying it is hard to circulate decent oxygen.

It was how Luna Lovegood 's mother had died. She had suffocated, while still breathing.

Such death were a rare occurrent, because human bloodline contains far more cubicle than necessary for the sustentation of animation. So when some pedigree cells are killed there are generally plenty survivor to let that person to preserve functioning in a normal, albeit fatigued, manner.

The first time Harry had tried the Patronus Charm he had overdrawn as well. He had been left winded, gasping for breath, just like he was after every Quidditch practice.

Yet he had partaken in no physical activity.

It was because he had lost red-blood cells, the very cells responsible for for carrying oxygen throughout the organic structure, and his body was responding as it would in an Oxygen-deprived manner.

scope had never evolved that far. They had never developed extra cells in their blood current, and the mutation allowing them to conduct electrical current lay directly upon their red blood cells.

If they overdrew, their low cells to be damaged would be the one 's requisite in the transportation of Oxygen.

Their variation was one that worked, but it functioned poorly. Wizards had evolved much more gracefully, for their additional cells provided a barrier to protect them against overdrawing. Ultimately it was this defense mechanism that had allowed the wizarding species to not only brandish, but to hold up.

Unlike in him, the first cells to die in a Reach when they overdrew were their red stemma cellphone.

For a Reach, the likelihood of suffering Luna 's mother 's fate was an almost certainty.

A cold feeling overtook Harry as all of this sunk in, for Kalliandra could easily die from overdrawing. She was only still awake due to the fact that her stemma stream contained more red origin cells than it actually needed. Thus, she was able of tolerating a certain degree of overdrawing, but the margin was slim.

For her, unlike a witch or wizard, there was no real erudition curve. For her there was petty room for mistake, for there were no cells to absorb the jar ...

For her the but reward of overdrawing too much was death.

She would gag while still breathing.

It was why her red profligate cell were being replaced even as Remus spoke. For every meter she drew push into herself she was slowly killing her cells.

Dumbledore was determined to replace as many as he could, as often as he could.

It was the simply way to sustain her, to ensure her a longer life.

Suddenly he understood the intermittent bruising he had seen upon her throughout the year.

After Remus had turned ... in the hospital wing ...

Her platelets had been killed when she had overdrawn, to protect him from Remus ...

She had passed out in Grimmauld property, from the exertion ... her physical structure forcing her into unconsciousness in a last-place ditch sweat to forestall her from doing further impairment to herself..

The image of her lying unconscious on the floor of the deuce-ace Broomsticks flew through his mind.

He had known that she had risked exposure for what she was, but gods ... .She had risked expiry there, to protect people who hated her.

And he had once accused her of being a Death Eater.

destruction Eaters knew no such selflessness.

A sickening ace flooded over him, his hand rising to reave through his still wet hair.

He scarcely heard Remus as he tried to lie, telling him it was not a death condemnation for her.

Harry knew better, for what else could it be ?

His clasp on her fasten, as if holding onto her could forbid the inevitable. Remus was talking about intervention, about how if they maintained her line of descent count at proper story that she would be able-bodied to inhabit a normal, full lifespan.

All it took was a unmarried spirit into Remus'cheerless centre to jazz that his friend did not truly believe what he was saying.

'' will she die ? ``

His own voice, his own doubt, sounded so far off.

'' Harry aught is certain ... If she does n't overdraw then we 'll never have got to concern about that possibility. ``

'' Remus, will she die ? '' Harry felt his interpreter breaking, the intimate pang of loss welling within him.

As he met Remus'kind, glistening eyes, he knew the answer.

'' Eventually ... ''

He wanted to kick the bucket out something, a mannequin of protest that would assuage the sobriety of his throat, but cypher came.

'' From what we know Harry, the others like her ... eventually, they all overdrew. ``

Eventually ...

The foolish respite of his thinker clung to that word, the ridiculous fellow traveler of heartbreak stirring within him.

Hope.

It was n't until sometime after dawn when he finally fell asleep. The IV was long since removed from her arm, her sleeping form pulled into his implements of war.

At the moment Harry did n't apply a hoot about who could see.



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legacy : The Solidus appealingness by the Dark Jehovah Nedved Rated : Mature
summary : Every epic has a beginning, and for the young Magi who was Prophesized to suffer the king the Dark Lord Knows Not, this is the rootage of his bequest. For Harry there was no time to mourn for his fallen godfather, for a new foe has emerged with the sole determination to assassinate him. The Dark Lord Nedved has created a narration of action, find, magical creativity and sacrifice that would pass on the best novelist pounding on his door, begging for him to start working on original fable. This epic tale has 5 different novels associated with it, two of which are completed, while the others are well under way. To essay to identify them in any early way would be to not do them justice. Harry/Hermione







Authors bank bill : Hey folks !

All of you really are the best lecturer out there. I ca n't thank everyone decent for all of the well wishes and understanding that were shown when I announced that I would be taking a longsighted sabbatical from writing. I really needed it, and am glad of it. Both my mother and sister had been diagnosed with grievous unwellness this past summer, and all of the well wishes some of you sent via e-mail must suffer paid off because they have both made remarkable convalescence.

Secondly, thank you to everyone for the kind word 's regarding Lexi 's death. On top of everything this summer that was the final gust to push all of my motivation for writing away for awhile, but it is now back full force. Since I am a bit frustrated at having taken so long between chapters in the past, I have now set aside one day a week to write so that I can get chapters out much more quickly, and on a regular basis. I anticipate this story being done by summertime, and then I shall begin work on the sequel.

And most importantly I wanted to say thank you to St. Andrew, for he helped me immensely with this chapter. It had been so prospicient since I had written anything that when I finally tried to write again I found myself suffering from a hard case of writer 's block. Not only did he beta-read this chapter but he also offered marvellous suggestions to get this tale back on data track. Thank you so a lot !




'' Dangerous is wrath concealed. ``
~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca ~



Chapter 28 ~ The ability of wrath


As if in a nightmare the way 's impenetrable darkness was broken. From the darkened hall a 1 cd appeared, levitating ominously as it preceded its owner into the char elbow room.

The house 's lowly story harboured neither windowpane nor doorway to the outdoor world. It was a constant admonisher of the monthly lusus naturae that had once been contained within its very wall, whenever the moon had cast its full luminosity upon the earth.

Now another more serious monster loomed in the room 's shadows.

With a chance undulation of their script the figure crossed the carpeted floor silently, their silhouette pausing above the slumbering teens. The flesh knew that neither would rouse until their sleeping enchantment had run its course.

Yes, the figure was knock-down. Their sleeping charms were one of their unattackable endowment.

They could operate in complete safety. None within the bulwark would be the wiser to their legal action.

Tonight they would begin their plan.

A syringe was filled, its needle swiftly inserted into the slumbering girl 's vein. Kaylens'pulsating blood, bluish in tint through her blench peel, flashed silver grey.

A moment later the strange hue faded, a blue line of gratification stretching over the figure 's shadowed face.

* * * * *


With a sharp dog the room access to Dumbledore 's office opened.

Tonks shot out of the armchair she had been dozing within, knowing the locking spell 's remotion to intend only one thing.

'' He 's back, '' She whispered. Lounging in the armchair besides her Regulus nodded.

Out in the hall, suddenly visible as the room access opened, was Ron Weasley. He lay slumped besides his toss out crutch on the floor, sleeping soundly.

Crusantheus hung on the door miserably, his knocker curled and contorted around his ear so as to block out the sound of the young Gryffindor 's snoring.

'' putting to death me ... '' He squeaked. `` Please. ``

As tired as she was Tonks could n't help but smile as Regulus lazily took aim, an evil glint in his eye.

'' No ! '' Shrieked Crusantheus. `` I did n't actually mean it ! ''

genus Regulus continued advancing on the cowering rapper until a deep voice intervened.

'' No need to fret Crusantheus. Did you bury that the killing curse has no event on organization knockers ? ''

Crusantheus peeked out from behind his breast hopefully, as Tonks spun around, rounding on the infuriating thing 's rescuer.

Somehow Ablus Dumbledore was standing behind her, looking rather jovial.

'' Morning Nymphadora. fondness a cookie ? ``

As if on cue a tray of biscuit appeared in his outstretched palm tree.

Tonks blinked dazedly, rubbing her red rimmed eyes with her clenched fist. Surely this jovial
man had not just returned from a coming together with the darkest of dark lords ?

genus Regulus, completely unflummoxed by their sudden intrusion, rose from his arm chair to carefully scrutinize the food offering. `` I take it negotiations proceeded satisfactorily ? ''
'' The central will be made in two calendar month'prison term. ``

Tonks gaped, `` Two month ! ``

'' They probably need time to repair the footling Mudblood, '' genus Regulus commented casuallly, directing his gaze to Albus. `` I assume you requested that she be returned in one piece, and I can only imagine the fun they 've had with her until now. ``

Dumbledore nodded gravely. `` Her wounds will need some ... healing. ``

Tonks oculus widened in concern. While she still did not see how Hermione for Dumbledore was a fair trade, she had grown rather fond of the girl during her time at Grimmauld Place.

A yoke of sky blue centre regarded her carefully, their flash somehow dimmer than she remembered.

'' I know what you are thinking Nymphadora, '' Dumbledore said kindly, as if reading her mind. `` But share of the understanding I made the blood pact here with Regulus, rather than in Voldemort 's presence, was so that I could ensure Hermione 's yield on my own terms. He could have chosen to reject the blood line pact had he so chosen, but he did not. ''

Tonks opened her backtalk to ask precisely what those terms were, but his script steadied her question.

'' The terminus were that if she were returned in the exact physical state of matter that she had been in before the Hogsmead attack took place, that I would switch place with her, becoming Voldemort 's prisoner. ``

'' I bet he was only too well-chosen to accept that trade, '' Regulus stated, smirking widely. `` Imagine that ... Albus Dumbledore, the Dark Lord 's peachy nemesis, handed to him on a favourable platter with a side of cherry."

"Actually,"Dumbledore corrected,"I believe the expression is ‘ served on a Ag disk with a cherry on top.'”

Tonks spluttered, focusing on the sick wiz within her stomach. The war effort, the Order, could feasibly give way without Dumbledore 's leadership, and here he was bantering with an ex-Death Eater, wizarding reality deserter right after selling his life to the devil.

"Dumbledore,"She said, voicing her far from calm down sentiment aloud."Why would you do this ?"

Dumbledore 's eyes locked on hers, losing their twinkle. `` Nymphadora, we have lost far too many students to this war already. I could not stand by and lose another. ''

She swallowed the lump in her throat hastily. She should own known all along that the guard of others would always total first to Dumbledore. He would give birth done the Lapp for any of them.

Love of one 's admirer was a powerful thing.

'' So, old man, '' Regulus queried, taking a bite of his cookie. `` Find out anything else of interest during your little assignation ? ``

If potential Dumbledore 's eyes darkened further. `` We have to assemble the Order. The pestilence was unleashed in Dublin. ``

'' capital of Ireland, Eire ! '' Tonks blurted rhetorically.

Regulus frowned, `` As brilliant as you are, how were you placed in Ravenclaw again ? ''

She scarcely heard him, her eyes having darted over to the still slumbering forms of Kenneth and Emily.

Their base city was infected.

'' So how 'd you amount by that fun fact Albus ? I never exactly took you two to be old schooling chums. ''

For the briefest of moment Dumbledore 's middle took on their old sparkle. `` For all of Voldemort 's prowess with Legilimency, he never quite dominate Occlumency. He has always surrounded himself with loyal followers. '' He continued, `` And until recently he simply did not receive the pauperization.

Regulus chuckled. `` So he 's well, but you 're improve. ``

Tonks blinked. `` But I thought he was one of the most brilliant pupil Hogwarts has ever seen ? ''

'' Ah ... '' Dumbledore said, smiling again. `` As is Ms. sodbuster, but even she can not fly upon a ling. ''

Tonks gaped at him.

'' We all have our weaknesses Nymphadora. Severus never would stimulate survived his role as spy had he not been better at Occlumency and Legilimency than Voldemort. We should simply be thankful that this is one of Voldemort 's few frail level. ``

Tonks frowned pensively. So He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did have failing. They really were not fighting for naught.

With an air of decisiveness Regulus clapped his hands together, making the already nervous Crusantheus bang his knocker rather loudly. The slumbering Ronald Weasley gave a crimson start, snorting loudly as he awoke suddenly.

Tonks watched wearily as the redhead blinked groggily, eyeing the situation in front of him until his eyes landed on the Headmaster. It took a minute before a figural spark electric-light bulb clicked on in his sleep-befuddled mind

'' Professor Dumbledore ! '' He exclaimed, scrambling to his substructure, a flurry of wooden crutch and gangly pegleg sliding on stone. It did n't take long before Ron was monotonic on his posterior once again, groaning from his fall.

Regulus eyed him mockingly. `` And they call Hufflepuffs the duffers. ``

* * * * *


Harry 's eyes snapped open, his dreamless sleep shattered by the sudden outcry of the girl in his arms. Through slightly blurred eyes he stared down the nosepiece of his nose at the messy mop of hair's-breadth resting upon his pectus. The warm touch sensation he ought to feature felt vanished, a numbing one replacing it at the mess of her expression.

For Kaylens there was no peace to be found in the realm of dreams.

He swallowed hard, watching her case crinkle into an expression bearing striking similarity to what he had once seen upon Cedric 's sire, as the man desperately clutched his lifeless son to him, oblivious to the swarming crowd around them.

Such undiluted sorrow should never be seen upon a human countenance, yet he had seen it palpably far too often. Even on himself. The radical of such anguish had been buried deep within him, growing since the moment he had discovered his true fortune : killing or be killed.

All thought of his calamity of a future was suddenly shattered as Kaylens lurched violently, a chilling cry cutting from her throat.

Harry gaped, feeling the hair on his weapon system rising to bear on end. Without thinking his hands gripped her implements of war, her pare beneath his finger turning white with the pressure.

'' K-kaylens ... '' He stuttered, scarcely recognizing his own interpreter. He gave an experimental shove, shaking her lightly in a pathetic attempt to force out her.

And that was when she cried out again. That reasoned ripping from her throat. It resonated through the dark room, terrifying in its raw intensity. His tomentum now fully stood on end, for the speech sound had been insanely tragic and yet, unbearably beautiful.

It chilled him to the bone, for it was a go no man could utter.

It happened fast. One s his arms were wrapped tightly around her, shaking her in an attempt to rouse her, and in the next her arms wrenched away. She shot up quickly, her centre flying open in the dark room only to be slammed shut as she uttered a more familiar shriek of pain. His relief was short- lived as he grabbed onto her arm again, for she pulled away so violently that they were both transmit acrobatics from the couch to the floor.

His punt struck the level first, his knees having been tangled unnaturally in the cover. He attempted to right himself, pulling his legs down until he was on all fours.

A swift squawk to the back sent his aspect smashing into the ground.

He groaned, and ignoring the throbbing pain in the ass in his nozzle he rose his head cautiously, squinting at his milieu. Where were his glasses ? Slowly he reached a handwriting out, allowing it to roam across the diffused rug in his search.

And then he remembered.

His glasses were still lying in some waste puddle in the middle of that damnable forest. By now they were probably some acromantula 's chew toy.

Cursing he blinked rapidly, his eyes finally adjusting to the darkness and settling on the slightly bleary lineation of Kaylens. She was sitting upright, some good five feet away, with her knees drawn to her breast and her facial expression buried within them.

He swallowed hard, the exclusively sounds in the room now were his raspy breathing spell and her rapid, erratic ones. In stunned secrecy he observed her as best as he could. Her bare feet were sticking out from beneath a midst mantle, which despite their tumble still partly covered her, while she breathed as if having run a marathon.

Everything that had transpired between them came flooding back, a tense feeling twisting within him.

'' Kaylens ... '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her, only for her to cringe, scrambling away like a fright beast.

He stared in amazement as her dorsum hit the room 's bulwark, a strange whimper coming from her throat. Of all the chemical reaction he could possess foreseen, this was the farthest from it.

And now she was having the reaction that he would have expected from any other little girl, but not from her.

She was sobbing.

The sound of her crying tore at him in ways he had n't imagined, for the girl who had stood by him, facing dying eater and lycanthrope without blinking an eye, had been reduced to this pitiable state by a simple nightmare.

Instantly he stood, crossing the way to her in four long strides.

'' Kaylens, '' He said, tentatively laying a hand on her shoulder joint. She whimpered, shrinking away from his touch.

His brow furrowed determinedly. `` Kaylens look at me, '' He commanded, crouching directly in front of her. Still, her caput remained determinedly adverted, prompting him to grasp her by both shoulders.

Her header stab up, a angered clicking coming from her throat as she struggled away, lashing out violently. He dove back to quash her flailing hands and human foot, landing on his tailbone, eyes wide-eyed in astonishment.

She was making that auditory sensation again.

And he recognized it. A grim Night in the Forbidden Forest, where he and Draco Malfoy had encountered the unexpected, had taught him that sound of pain.

The sound of the beautiful creature 's dying battle cry had reverberated in his nightmares for months.

As had Voldemort 's faint figure ...

There was no hesitation in his campaign as he wandlessly summoned his wand to his hand, immobilizing her arms and leg with a flick of his wrist.

Kaylens was conscious, but incapable of lashing out.

He crawled back to her, taking her frail carpus and pushing the sleeve of her battered perspirer up.

The bruising was gone.

He swallowed hard, recognizing the odds of such bruising disappearing overnight. Now he was only certain of one thing.

Something had happened whilst he slept.

Licking his pillow slip nervously he cupped her chin, raising her head until he could see all of the confusedness swimming within her prosperous eye. His intimation hitched in horrible realization at what he was about to do, but there was simply no early way.

He had to know. He had to fuck what had happened whilst he slept.

Until then he could n't help her, and he knew that no one else would be willing to do this. There were strict linguistic rule against the unauthorised use of Legilimency. Hermione had taught him that much, screaming and ranting after his go misuse of the talent against the same young lady he was about to transgress yet again.

'' I 'm sorry, '' He whispered, brushing her hair away from her grimace. `` I 'm so sorry Kally ... '' He repeated, steeling himself for his offence.

Cupping her face he stared intently into her eyes, watching them flickering around in concern.

Her fearfulness was warranted.

He only hoped he was wrong.

'' Legilimency ! ``

The overpowering moving ridge that was her life-time flooded his mind, capturing his smoke in a twirl of indiscernible outcome. He groaned, do-or-die to stop the twister-like core of the memories swirling around him. It was different than the last time, so unbelievably dissimilar ...

A din of clicking, beautiful and powerful in its raw chroma filled his head, only to be replaced just as quickly as it had come with a familiar scream.

'' RILEY ! ''

He was seeing it again, reliving the afternoon when she had seen her own chum murdered right in front of her. Only this sentence the double were fleeting, distorted as if he were viewing it through a deep pane of smoky methamphetamine. It was as if the store were no longer her own.

His core clenched as he watched the man kick open the door for the second time. Kaylens'lowly eubstance was thrown backwards, her petite soma sliding across the trading floor. It was as if everything were on the fast forward characteristic of a Muggle VCR. There was the tongue, her screams, her pal ...

As the gunshot rang out he could again almost finger what she had. The hot, impassioned pain of the blade plunging into her flesh. The searing as it was drug in a deep ancestry across her shoulder blade. The fear as she watched the parentage pooling from her buddy 's
wound slowly stop pumping ...

Suddenly all was black, misty, the powerful sound of a ruck stampeding through her idea. Then all was Green River and brown and green again. Somehow he was running faster than he had thought possible, the trees whipping past him in a blur of green and dark-brown and viridity again. He was surrounded by others of his kind.

His gens was Lightning.

The images twisted again, surrounding Harry in a confusing whorl of woods scenery followed by scenes of her puerility. silver horns flashed around him, gleaming as the herd ran beneath the moonshine, while favorable hair flashed throughout her life.

Another memory slammed into Harry, crystallizing into near limpidity. It was mid-afternoon, though the sun barely shone through the over-cast sky. Before him was a poorly kept 1000, bordered on three sides by a thick, rising treeline and hills. Harry swiveled in the murky retention, feeling Kalliandra 's recollection lurch dangerously as another memory threatened to bleed into this one. The audio of hooves, the sound of the herd on the run, pounded in the distance.

Harry fell to the dewy undercoat, watching as a man with golden pilus, tinged heavily with grey-headed, methodically stacked sandbags away from the house. Fog crept across the lawn, curling around his feet, each oink echoing in the silent valley.

And then the children were led out, and Harry 's psyche shivered.

Kalliandra appeared to be the Saame age as in the lastly memory, only now she stood besides a little boy, barely quondam than her, digging her nails into his arm.

'' S-sean ... ''

Their Father pried her hands away from her sidekick, forcing a semi-automatic Glock 17, 9x19 mm caliber pistol into her small-scale deal. Her wooden leg had suddenly felt frozen, rooted to the damp ground. Harry could practically find her heart 's fearful thundering at the frigidness, unfeeling alloy between her finger's breadth.

The thickly fog curled high-pitched around the six human foot stack of gumption udder, and as it began to drizzle her Father of the Church aimed her modest work force towards the stack.

'' Shoot it. ``

Kalliandra pulled the induction and cried.

As the gun was being passed to her surviving sidekick Kaylens'computer storage shifted again, swirling until he found himself peering through a stocky plantation of trees, stomping his hooves in warning as a hooded design approached. The anatomy 's manus raised very slowly, carefully removing the bonnet of their robe, allowing a cascade of thick, blackamoor hair to come tumbling around her shoulders.

The adult female 's countenance remained hidden by the deep forest shadows, yet Lightning was calming.

It was a virtuous woman. She could be trusted. Lightning could tell.

The unicorn never saw the other cloaked figure creeping from behind, and that man 's dagger soon shone silver with Lightning 's blood.

Harry stood in the shadows drawing deep, annoy breaths. He could practically feel every inch of pain the misfortunate puppet was going through, the only sounds that of the screeching animal and that of the dry branches cracking beneath Harry 's shifting weight as he watched, powerless to stop its pain.

The man bottled and corked a measurable amount of profligate from the unicorn, leaving it only enough to barely limp away alive. A light source chortle escaped the hooded Death Eater at the sight.

Suddenly the charwoman stepped out of the shadows, and Harry 's breathing space stopped.

Angelina stood in the dim light, depositing the bottle into a chummy bag slung across her berm. Her Dark target gleamed brilliantly.

Violently Harry felt himself being tossed out, finding himself monotonous on his back staring up at Remus'shocked face.

Kalliandra continued to whimper.

* * * * *


'' Would you mind repeating that ? ``

Tonks blinked stupidly. Somehow she had thought that being told that the `` plague of all pestilence '' had been unleashed upon the citizens of Republic of Ireland would give birth had Thomas More of an effect upon its President.

Instead the newly awakened Kenneth Bothan sat behind Dumbledore 's desk, clasping his hands, waiting for her reaction with an inquiring look upon his face.

She silently damned Albus for having left them to burst the news to Kenneth while he went to call an emergency meeting of the Order. She was n't dear at this form of thing dam n't ! She had at to the lowest degree expected a rouse out of the man at the news, but instead he was irrefutably calm.

It was quite obvious that Kenneth was insane.

'' Basically Ken, all of your mass will be utterly within the workweek, '' Regulus stated with ironic cheerfulness. `` But look on the brightly side. At least you wo n't throw to run for re-election. ''

Tonks'dark eyes swiveled to her cousin, her mouth possibility and windup like a gap Fish.

Kenneth, however, seemed entirely unruffled.

'' So, '' The Chief Executive started with a peculiar frown, `` What you are saying is that wizarding folk have no discourse against this ? ''

'' Well ... '' Regulus mused thoughtfully. `` We could always Avada Kedavra those who have already contracted it. That ought to slow its scatter, right field Nymphadora ? ``

'' Regulus ! ``

Kenneth looked appraisingly at her full cousin. `` And this Avada Kedarva treatment ? How effective is it ? ``

Regulus grinned like a Canis aureus. `` Supposing we were able to isolate those who had already contracted it we may find out its method of dispersal, while simultaneously establishing a quarantine and treating the pain of the already afflicted ... ''

'' By killing them ! ? '' Tonks fusillade in, unable to believe the revolting game Regulus played with the President 's hopes.

'' Ah, '' Kenneth said as if suddenly understanding. `` The discourse has a high up mortality charge per unit. How high up though ? ``

Regulus grinned widely, while Tonks contemplated murder for the dozenth clip in twenty four hours.
* * * * *


'' Harry ! What in the gens of Merlin did you call back you were ... ''

Harry closed his eyes, grinding out his words. `` Something 's wrong with Kalliandra, '' He interjected. `` I had to receive out what. ``

The room 's secretiveness was broken only by Kaylens'laboured external respiration, and her decipherable distress drew lupin 's attending from him to her. He felt the former professor drop to his knees besides them, and he cracked an eye to look out as lupin scrutinized her.

The Professor looked flabbergasted as he picked up one of her stiff weapons system. `` Harry, you 've immobilized her. ``

'' For good cause. ``

lupine threw a gross out look over his articulatio humeri, and snatched his scepter out, clearly intending to remove the spell.

'' Professor I do n't think tha ... ''

His protestation was too late, for Kaylens had already lashed out, landing a strategic bang that sent Lupin sprawling categoric on his spine next to Harry.

'' I told you, '' Harry groaned, shoving himself up on his cubital joint to take down the trouble expression of Remus'nerve. `` Kicks hard, does n't she ? ``

lupine coughed harshly in answer, choosing to disregard him as he rolled over to hold on Kaylens. She was already scrambling along the wall on all fours, backing herself into a corner like a frightened animal. On her way she somehow managed to hit the only early opus of furniture, asides from the sofa, and various lowly book came spilling down, scattering across the floor like rocks thrown from a length.

The crashing sound only intensified the poor girl 's whimpering.

Harry 's eyes remained on her, watching as she curled her legs to her breast in a sapless try at self-protection. But he knew the truth ... there was no protection from what plagued her.

But he 'd be damned if he did n't try to help.

'' Professor .... '' He started slowly. `` What form of curse does drinking unicorn stemma entail ? ''

Lupin opened his oral fissure and faltered. Harry remained lying on his back, his upper berth body propped up with his elbows, silently hoping to God that the prof would put the bit together. Lupin had to believe him. He had to trust him. None of the adults, save for those dead and buried, had ever trusted him in clock time for it to actually matter.

It was why Canicula had died. And somehow Harry did n't think he could consume it if the live radio link to his father failed to rely him.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, the lykan's nous turned towards him, and even in the dark room Harry could see the sudden knowledge flash in his eyes.

Moony understood his meaning.

'' Her bruising is gone, '' Harry whispered, driving another reverse to any doubts the professor could have. `` What else in the wizarding world could heal mortal that quickly ? ``

lupin drew a deep breathing space, shaking slightly.

'' Harry ... if what you 're saying is true ... ''

'' It is, '' He assured. `` I saw retentivity inside of her mind that were not hers. ``

Kaylens'whimpering had finally quieted, casting the room into a deathly silence.

Besides him lupine swallowed audibly, contemplating Harry 's statement in the deadly silence that had descended. Kaylens was no longer whimpering, and he was unsure of if he missed the reassuring audio of her presence, or if was pleased at the obvious easement of her distress.

He glanced at Lupin, stunned at the deplumate formulation upon his former professor's kisser. Did the man believe him or not ?

He sighed in frustration, snapping at lupin's unresponsiveness. `` Why would she have those memories, Moony ? ``

earreach his old marauder name snapped Lupin out of his contemplative stupor. `` It's magically potent…unicorn line that is. In fact it is so magical that their memory are often heavily imprinted upon it. '' He shook his brain slowly, as if clearing a muzzy fog."To possess a unicorn's blood is to not only possess their life watercourse, but their very being."

Lupin sighed heavily. `` There is not much case in point for this, but….in the too soon 1900 's medi-wizards began experimenting with unlike handling options for concluding diseases. One research worker, fellow with unicorns, sought to harness their healing baron by injecting his terminally ill patient with the animals'rip. It cured the patient but the side effects…"lupin shuddered, digressing quickly. `` The blood was too hard to prevail to begin with. Unicorns don't normally donate willingly, not to mentio ... ''

'' What side effects, '' Harry interrupted hoarsely, closing his oculus. The feel of her in his arms flooded his senses, the woodsy olfactory property that had clung to her all night coming back, overwhelming him with a tidal wave of fear. In his animation there was no way for new attachment, yet the thought of her in pain…

He knew without a uncertainty that he would kill for her again, just as he would wipe out for any of those he held close.

He only hoped it would not come to that.

His eye snapped undefended as Lupin 's distressed voice filled the room.

'' virtually went insane. ``

Harry nearly choked. `` Insane ? '' He grated out.

lupine looked age older. `` They never were able-bodied to describe between themselves and the animal again, '' he relayed. `` Can you imagine it Harry ? Having a lifetime of memory board that were not your own suddenly shoved inside of your mind ? Unicorns live for hundreds of years…it was only innate for those obtaining their rip to suit garbled. To them it would feel as if they had spent a long fourth dimension being a unicorn than a human being being."

The sick wizard twisting within him intensified. Kaylens'mind had revealed exactly what Lupin now spoke of, and the thought made him loathsome.

And the curse…God he had nearly forgotten…

Remus read his thinker, continuing his scholarly course session of facts aloud. For Remus, who had lost so much, it was easier than dealing with the devastating fallout facing them in Kaylens'crumpled var..

"When one slays such an innocent creature, seeking their line's healing power, it leaves the cuss of the half-life. But when one is given the blood unwillingly, or when the animal is left alive, the curse does not lessen ; it simply changes its manifestation."

His pharynx constricted, but Harry managed to croak out a single word.

"Explain."

There was no mistaking the sick expression upon lupine's typeface."Harry, the only when ones desperate enough to kill such an impeccant wight are those hanging onto life by a yarn. But the price…it is far too highschool for any reasonable soul to contemplate, for the cost for their barbarity is losing all ability to have intercourse. A life without the capacity for erotic love is devoid of joy, happiness, family…"He shook his head, disgust etched in his every lineament."In a heroic attack to redeem their own life they lose the only thing that makes life sentence Charles Frederick Worth aliveness for. Once they take that path they truly lead half a life, only experiencing the darker sides of the emotional spectrum."

"Then the mediwizard, the one using it to cure his patients, did that happen to him ?"

Lupin sighed indulgently."There are style to collect it, ways for it to be done without incurring the wrath of the curse but…those ways take sentence, Harry. Gaining the long term corporate trust of a unicorn, let solitary permit to visit injury upon it, are not easy tasks."

He swallowed hard."What about Kaylens ? That won't…it won't happen…"He trailed off, unable to vocalize such morbid thoughts aloud. No man deserved that. She didn't deserve that.

Once again lupine looked ill."For Kally it will be different,"He said gruffly."Instead, if she recovers, she will lie with, but her every experience will be shared with both sides of her, diluting the loudness of the emotions she feels, diluting her feelings towards others…"

Something about the words sent Harry's nerve twisting.

"Unicorns ... they are such ingenuous creatures, incapable of sin, incapable of inflicting painful sensation ... Could you imagine having a saint following you around for the entirety of your life, correcting your every mistake ? Well from this moment on she will be sharing her nous, her life, with computer memory of what true innocence is, for a unicorn is the true embodiment of that, and with it will add up a gnawing guilt over the sin she has committed in the yesteryear. Between the confusion over her identity and her newfound guiltiness over even the smallest of transgressions…that alone could be enough to repel some mad."

Harry's mouth twisted into a frown,"So she can't sin ?"

"If only it were that easy, Harry. She can, and she will. But having this will give her a conscience impregnable than most, and living a perfect life-time is an impossible task. Her life will be as end to convention as potential, only she will feel far guiltier about things she does than others."

'' A one-half life ... '' He whispered aloud, suddenly understanding. Kaylens truly would be cursed, for she would always be sharing her nous with computer storage not her own.

None of this was her fault, and the thought sickened him.

'' Not all the mediwizard 's patient role went insane, '' He finally said, recalling lupin 's earlier Holy Writ. `` You said near. ``

lupine shook his chief. `` They all went insane at first Harry. But only two managed to repossess enough of their minds to function. Two out of gobs. ``

Harry closed his eyes, his vox filled with sardonic caustic remark. `` She just ca n't capture a faulting, can she ? ``

The professor shook his head in answer. `` There 's only one way to be certainly. ''

Without warning Lupin snatched his wand out, summoning a pocket-sized torch. Soon a metallic element blur came flying through the door, landing in the professor 's outstretched hand.

Harry frowned at the activeness, not understanding, but in one swift motion the professor had it on and aimed at Kalliandra 's nerve. Lupin clearly knew exactly what he was looking for.

Kaylens was suddenly shrieking again, and judging from the black tone on the professor 's grimace he had found all he needed to know.

A metal click sounded as the torch was turned off, and Kaylens'war cry instantly died down, slowly fading to a dull whimper.

'' She 's sensitive to light ... '' Lupin stated. `` There are only two conditions I know of that cause that. ``

'' She 's not a lamia ... '' Harry stated coldly, earning a reproving look.

'' I was n't even about to evoke it. But animals tend to own proficient nocturnal vision than us Harry. Lykans and unicorns are no exception, and when I was first bit ... '' He trailed off, his fount twisting into a rummy verbal expression."Once I was bit my unharmed organic structure changed. My eye were the uncollectible though. ''

The professor suddenly adopted an almost whimsical expression. `` Did you know there are more than square up nerves per inch in your eyes than in any early function of your body ? Well there are. If you ever want to cause person nuisance just bewitch their eyes and ... ''

'' professor, '' Harry interjected, at the instant not carrying about the finer points of jinxing.

Lupin shrugged. `` My bite caused a whole new stratum of tissue full of visible light sensitive cellphone to grow across the vertebral column of my eyes, its called tapetum lucidum. It lets me utilize less clear to see, so I can see with one-sixth the amount you can. But when it first happened ... before I was used to it ... '' He shuddered. `` Merlin it hurt. The slight Christ Within felt like the sun was blasting me in the face. Hell, it had me in split. ''

lupine raised the flashlight, pointing it directly at Kalliandra, flicking it on and off with each syllable. `` Just. Like. Her. ''

Kaylens'whimpers died down as the light was turned off for a last time, and suddenly Harry understood the flashlight. Unicorns had excellent nigh vision as well, and the torch was Lupin 's way of confirming what he already knew.

Kaylens had a layer of light up sore tissue paper growing across her retinas right now. No wonder she screamed at the light.

'' Harry, '' The scholarly prof tone was suddenly gone, and the wolf was deadly unplayful. `` Was she fine stopping point night ? Before she lost knowingness ? ``

Harry was quick to nod.

'' Then sometime between then and now mortal injected that stock directly into her veins. She could n't accept done it herself. ``

Harry 's rima oris opened, but his doubtfulness of how that was possible died on his tongue.

He knew the response.

There was only one mortal who would wilfully curse another within the house.

'' Professor what 's going on ? I heard yelling. ''

Harry 's eyes narrowed, every muscle tightening. Angelina had finally come, drawn by the incremental shouting. There she was, rushing through the room 's brink, drawing her cloak hastily around her as if nothing terrible were amiss.

If he had n't known better he would have thought she truly was surprised at the position she found. But he knew better. No one took that long to respond to screeching like the one's Kaylens had unleashed unless it was intentional.

'' Why is it so nighttime ? '' Her voice sounded honestly confused as she flicked her wand out, lighting every candelabrum in sight.

His heart flew to Kaylens, who had immediately began shrieking, clamping her hired hand over her heart, screaming as if hell itself has sent its monster up to scuff her into its profoundness. His chest constricted at her obvious pain.

Lupin lunged at her in a decidedly wolf like way. `` Kally, do n't ! '' He was shouting, fighting her for control. She lashed out, and Lupin grasped her wrist in a undivided, unstable motion, quickly capturing the other as well.

The professor had already forced her hands down against her sides, kneeling on her pegleg in a vain attempt to prevent them from flailing. He was far stronger than Kaylens, but she was desperate, fighting to obstruct the infernal light from her eyes as lupin fought to prevent her from inflicting damage upon herself. Now he was yelling at Angelina to extinguish the cd, and Harry still had not moved.

He was too busy watching Angelina, noting the guiltiness flashing within every brownish pigment in her darkness eyes.

Her black eyelashes fluttered, and the betraying emotion was suddenly gone.

His blood boiled, his arms vibrating with suppressed furore as she began speaking, a terrified edge to her interpreter.

'' What 's going on ? '' She asked fearfully, rushing across the room to aid lupin. `` Remus !
What 's wrong with Kally ! ? '' She continued shouting inquiry, lunging over Harry as if he were not even there.

She dropped to her knees besides where Lupin and Kaylens wrestled, her ebony skin gleaming in the candlelight. Her gloomy eyes widened in feigned horror, her face a masque of innocent concern as she reached out to help oneself restrain Kaylens.

And Harry lost it.

Her hand never reached Kaylens, her corrupt finger's breadth never touching her body. Before anyone could realize it Harry 's hand had flown out, snatching the oversized sleeve billowing around the traitor's wrist, and he tugged her callously to the floor.

Harry lunged to his feet, stamping the blackguard of his ft against the girl 's throat, pinning her to the background.

'' Do n't. Touch. Her. '' He growled, the world rippling around him.

major power swelled within him, the strength of his magic unleashed by the raw anger pumping through his veins, and the impression ... it was intoxicating.

Angelina 's dead body undulated like a worm beneath him. She was choking, spluttering inexplicable auditory sensation, the shock clearly written across her face. Her hands were clawing at his foot, her fist slamming against his legs as she fought for air.

He scarcely noticed any of it.

'' H-harry ... st-top ... '' She gasped, her center rolling backwards, finger going slack as her pleas went unheard.

'' Harry ! Let her go ! '' Shouted Remus, followed by a loud crashing as he and Kaylens tumbled into the bookcase, knocking it sideways.

Books went flying, scattering everywhere. The resounding crashing masked the dull clunk of Angelina 's hitch arm hitting the floor.

lupin let out a trouble howl, and Harry 's hand shot out. He felt the magic dripping from his fingertips like water.

With a motion picture of his articulatio radiocarpea the candela went out.
* * * * *


The descending sun of noonday zenith was partially obscured by the perpetual cloud covering fire, casting the not-so-distant Dublin-Wicklow great deal into a deep fog. Yet the man paid the menacing surroundings no mind, nor the racking coughing that had swiftly descended upon him. Instead he stared out the windows of his South capital of Ireland address, admiring the view afforded by his working class neighborhood.

With a small smile he leaned further back into his recliner, letting the smoky odour of fresh baking fish fill his nostrils. Meredith was cooking, and from the aroma of it she was cooking the Pisces he had caught just that first light. They were bound to savour delectable. Everything his wife cooked always did. It was just a disgrace their heart shaver, Eva, had inherited his culinary mother wit, or lack thereof.

'' Church Father, you feeling alright ? ``

The man turned to witness his eldest son in the doorway, a touch on expression crossing Edward 's freckle face. The man smiled, for the resemblance between father and son was striking. Prince Edward had been the solitary child to inherit both the freckles scattered across his nose and the dark head of hairsbreadth adorning his question. The early two of his children bore his wife 's ash blonde hair and startling dreary eyes. Edward however had his blue-green ones.

He graced his son with a warm smile. `` I 'm just hunky-dory m'boy. Just a bit of a low temperature. ``

'' You sure father ? Perhaps after dinner we should take away you to the medico. Your cervix looks awfully swollen. ``

Curiously the man rubbed his tender lymph guest, shocked to find that they had doubled in size of it in just a few hours.

His son smiled cheekily. `` Mother is of the nous to not let you go off fishing at such ungodly hour again. She said something about catchin'yer death on account of our colder than normal temperatures. ``

The man could n't jib a grin. `` Well perhaps yer mum is decently. The thermostat dropped to 10 Celsius this mornin'before I ventured out. ''

'' I 'll tell her you said so. ``

The man 's eyes widened in mock horror. `` Now you 'll be doin'no such affair boy ! Because I 'll insure that once yer mum 's done houndin'me that yer 'll be side by side. ``

Now it was Edward IV 's turn of events to look fearful, and the man leaned back, smiling in satisfaction. The boy still remembered the time Meredith had wrapped him head to toe in a snow-suit, consummate with two scarf joint wrapped around his head and oversized mittens. Oh ! How the boy could hardly walk in that contraption !

'' Padre, '' Started his boy diplomatically, `` I think I 'll just be off to get a promontory start on my Algebra. ``

The man smiled in satisfaction as the door closed behind his boy. Yes, despite their humble surroundings his boy would soon maturate into a exquisitely man. And while he had never been able to provide all that he desired for his children, they did wonderfully with what they were given.

It was no small point of pride for the man that he had worked his way from the compass north side of Dublin to the due south. While most of the masses in his income class tended towards the northwest side of the city, here he was, raising his family is Tallaght. It might not be one of the wealthier districts characteristic of South Dublin, but its rich gumption of chronicle had captured his children 's philia from day one. He still remembered how Whitney Young Eve 's eyes had grown all-inclusive as disc as he had explained the origin of the territorial dominion 's name.

Tallaght. Pit of rent. The very name was reminiscent of the tidy sum grave dug there during the last Shirley Temple pestilence. one thousand were said to be buried just beneath the toilet, and that little bit of noesis had had all three of his children off and running, screaming and laughing in increments as their Danton True Young nous contrive ghost fib along with it.

How proud he had been when Edward had shown him a account he had written. It had been about a young boy and his ghostly friend, a child who had died during the blackamoor Plague. The spook youngster had been buried beneath the fictional boy 's home, and had appeared to the boy when another unknown malady ran rearing through the urban center. With the shade tiddler 's help the young boy had been able to deliver the city, and his family.

The man leaned back in his chair as a bout of coughing shook his lean skeletal frame, a oceanic abyss painfulness shooting through him. He clung to the hand rests tightly, waiting for it to come about, all the while mentation of the future.

Yes. An author would be a suit profession for his firstborn. Edward would one day make a alright novelist.

The man smiled, proud of his children in a way that only a father could be.

If only he knew how soon chronicle were to repeat itself.








A/N : Thank you so much to Andrew, Njhill22, and Ichigopan for helping me out a lot with this chapter. Andrew not only helped to work out some of the plot wrick for this chapter and the next, but he also beta-read it for me, and therefore rocks. Njhill22 and Ichigopan are also awesome, because both of them helped me until 3 am when I wound up seriously stuck on how to write the future share. Thanks so much you guys !






'' nada ventured, nothing gained. ''
~ William William Shakspere ~



Chapter 29 ~ No Longer Helpless


With a flick of his wrist the candles went out.

His hound remained solidly planted against Angelina 's chest of drawers as mainsheet of darkness nip out in all directions, like the spindly fingers of a corpse, until the entire room was engulfed in an inky, suffocating shadow. Harry scarcely noticed any of it, nor the thick odor of burnt wax as unseen smoke curled up from the extinguished candles.

Anger pumped heavily through his veins, and with a hate he had not thought possible he glared down at the girlfriend beneath him. In the past tense his indurate actions against his former menage mate would have sickened him, but now ....

thing were different.

His outstretched hand shook, his barely restrained magic crackling across his skin like static electrical energy, burning and searing at his flesh. Grimacing in bother he forcefully curled his digit into a clenched fist, tightening it, feeling the raw force seeping back in

A new feeling rose up within him. A dark, right, vengeful feeling.

mien the coldest of looks he crouched low, inspecting Angelina to see that she was indeed unconscious. He would not make the fault of thinking a Death feeder subdued when they were not, but her decease would do him no good.

He intended to incur out all he could from the treacherous wench.

Then, beneath his animal foot, he felt the slow rise and declension of her ribcage, and his leg twitched with the suppressed urge to stomp the breathing place from her. For the commencement fourth dimension he understood what Ron had meant when he had drilled him on the differences of fighting defensively versus offensively in chess.

From now on Harry was out to win, and if that meant taking down the adversary 's cat's-paw to do so he would show no hesitation.

Swallowing back a nauseous wave of revulsion he reached out, touching the tainted witch 's skin and shoving her straits to the side. It lolled over with a tone down thud, revealing cipher. The Death Eater would not be moving for some time.

Good.

Still ... they had all been fooled by Angelina 's acting attainment once. He would not come down dupe to that again.

With calculated efficiency he withdrew his wand, a frightening looking crossing his features. His wrath still burned hot within him, the nervure in his neck pulsing intensely as he thought of the crone 's betrayal. Angelina had been his house spouse, a mate, but worst of all, she had nearly been a champion. Once she was a Gryffindor. And now ....

She had betrayed the orderliness by taking the soft touch of that snake in the grass, and had all but killed Kaylens, possibly robbing her of her mind.

A growl ripped from his throat, the tip of his baton suddenly digging against the traitor 's tabernacle as he pondered all the magic spell he could use.

Thunk.

'' Harry, check ! ''

He stopped cold. Remus'gruff, panic vocalisation had cut through the air like a well sharpened knife, sending his wand arm tensing as his founder 's shoemaker's last friend fought his way out from beneath the books that had fallen atop him. In the consequence of his own scramble he had nearly forgotten Lupin 's presence, and the thundering of his pulse in his spike had drowned out the low groan and whimpers from the other side of the room.

He had forgotten one other thing : That despite the lack of lighting in the elbow room, Lupin could still see exactly what he was doing.

'' Lumos. ''

Harry 's head snapped around as a soft glow cut through the deep duskiness, his regard riveted to the horrified formulation crossing Remus'face.

His one-time prof stood behind the revoke bookcase, eyes all-encompassing and staring.

'' My God ... '' He whispered chokingly, `` Harry ... '' His accusatory eyes flickered up to his. `` What have you done ? ``

He sucked in a constrained breathing place between his teeth. `` Nothing she did n't merit, '' He hissed staidly.

A suppressed sound came from the Professor 's throat. `` But Harry ... that 's Angelina ... ''

'' No kidding. Really ? '' He snapped.

A sudden scuffle and thump, followed by a sharp, cold whimper sent his wand jabbing into Angelina 's psyche.

'' Kally ... ''

He had n't needed the Professor 's devastated rustling to cognise who was softly whimpering.

bosom wrenching, he fought back the hollow opinion in his chest. `` Why do n't you see to Kaylens, Professor, '' He grated out, his face a dispirited masquerade party as he focused back on the former chaser.

'' I will but ... is Angelina okay ? ''

'' I sure as infernal region hope not. ``

A tatty swallow preceded Remus'next, strain actor's line.

'' What are you planning on doing Harry ? ``

'' You know Moony, '' He said, spokesperson vibrating with barely suppressed rage. `` I 'm still deciding on that.

Lupin 's voice was strained, the cautious, placating note in it foreign to him. `` Harry, I know something 's wrong. But just cerebrate about what you 're doing ... ''

A cruel, hollow laugh escaped his throat. `` Oh, desire me Moony, I have. ``

'' She 's on our face, Har ... ''

He cut him off, spitting out the cold truth.

'' She 's a destruction eater, Moony. ``

From behind him came a loud, apprehensive swallow. `` Harry ... are you certain ? ``

A frigid grimace crossed his feature. `` Yes. ``

There was an agonizing pause, and a demented, awkward dread suddenly rose in his stomach as his racing pulse finally began to slacken. He needed Remus to believe him. He needed soul in the Order to not just listen to him, but to actually commit him. And if Remus did n't ...

'' I 'll stick to her. She 'll have to be taken to home office. ``

Harry 's head bolted around, shock absorber written on his expression. `` You believe me, '' He questioned. And even in the dim Inner Light he could see the slight movement of Remus'shadow nodding.

'' Harry, '' He said, sounding almost hurt. `` I always believe you. ``

His brow instantly wrinkled in confusion. Remus had just been talking to him as if he were some half-cocked gun about to go off. `` Then why ... ''

'' Because I thought you might boast her point off before I could figure out why you had attacked her in the first office. It would have been a very Sirius-like thing to do. ''

The thought struck him difficult. `` Yeah, '' He managed. `` It would have been like him. ``

He glanced back, and in the glow of the sceptre he could see Remus smiling sadly. He returned the formula, feeling shakier than he would have thought possible only minutes before, but that did n't matter.

Remus believed him. He did care about him after all.

His apologia for all those lost months, for all the time when he had been left to sell with the pain of Sirius'death alone truly had meant something, and despite everything a warm genius wormed its way into him.

All it took was a lenient whine, from a niche behind him, to drive it all away.

He swallowed hard, finally turning and squinting in the dim lighting to see Kalliandra cowering in the corner, knees drawn feebly to her chest, her golden hair spilling over them and her face buried within them.

Slowly his blood pressure rose, his animal foot grinding down even harder against the wench beneath him. Angelina would pay. He would see to it. But right now she was not his priority.

Kaylens was.

Throwing a piercing glare at Angelina he shoved his foot beneath her limp body, kicking her over onto her breadbasket. A second later he was on her back, dragging her hands behind her, pinning them together with his knee as he snatched up his verge, pointing it at her peril radiocarpal joint.

'' Bindovera, '' He hissed, watching the snake-like ropes stream from its tip, slithering around her arms until she was bound up to her articulatio cubiti. Dropping his wand he gave them a coarse tug, satisfied in the way the obscure girl 's skin chaffed, reddening even in the dark light.

'' Exuberant, aren't we ? ''

He merely grunted in answer, giving the Mexican valium one final, callous tug as Remus began binding her wooden leg.

A second later he was on his feet, an aching sensation spreading through him as he watched Kalliandra curling in the corner, incapable of remembering even her own name.

Gods ... she was n't in her compensate mind. And Remus had said she 'd experience to bar out the unicorn 's remembering before she ever could be. How could anyone possibly ...

And then it hit him.

She 'd have to impede them out.

The idea ignited swiftly, the things Dumbledore had taught him about Occlumency all coming together in a cohesive ball of cognition. He had used it for himself, but could he do it for someone else ?

He would be grasping at wheat, but there was a opportunity ...

Voldemort had given him plenty of practice at blocking undesirable retention.

His roue pumped purposefully, and he felt, more than saw, Remus rise besides him, looking morosely in the same commission as he.

'' Well have to immobilize her again, '' He said regretfully, dimming the light source from his wand as it sent Kaylens stirring uncomfortably.

'' No, '' Harry answered immediately, voice filled with strong belief. `` I 'll plow with her. You just get Angelina to Grimmauld. ''

Remus'brow furrowed at this, doubtful parentage crisscrossing his face. His mouth opened, as if to protest, but his dubiousness went unverbalized. Instead a paying attention, vital reflexion befell him as he studied Harry 's tense, determined expression.

The tune on his face suddenly deepened. `` Are you surely ? ``

Harry nodded, tense with ire at the entire situation, and filled with the need to do something about it.

'' Yeah, '' He responded. `` I 've stunned her enough lately. ''

Lupin 's infringe construction remained, but he nodded decisively.

'' Alright, take this then. ``

A endorsement later a humble pouch was being pressed into his helping hand, a sandy stuff grinding within it.

'' It 's a interface key. decant the contents ... ''

'' Into our hand, '' Harry finished for him. `` We 've used this kind before. ``

Remus eyed him curiously, tilting his head to the side. `` Well then, I 'll see you there. ``

He nodded, watching as Remus unearthed another pouch from his sack. He watched him crouch next to Angelina, sending him one lastly, pointed look before dousing his wand.

trace spilled around them, enshrouding the room in darkness once again. Rifling a hand nervously through his hair Harry forced a labored, spiritual domain smile, and a second by and by Remus and the traitor blinked out of cosmos, leaving him with a single insane approximation, one that he never could have done in Remus'front.

And somehow he thought Remus had known that.

For a mo he did naught, simply allowing his eyes to aline to the sudden swarthiness. Then, slowly, the blackness gave way, revealing her vague, gray lineation. Yet even in the shadows he saw the way her silhouette trembled.

He pulled his sceptre and immobilized her in one swift motion. Strangely he felt zip, when even the thought process of stunning her again had sent his stomach wrenching.

He crossed the room and knelt besides her, his jolty paw gently cupping her face and turning it towards his. He felt unhinged, for he was violating her yet again. But God, what alternative did he have ?

For the mo time that day her affright eyes stared back at his, flickering with too many emotions to cite. His thumb gently brushed her fuzz away from her eye, his tenderness thumping shamefully. She was like a panic-stricken beast, and somehow this just felt wrong.

Yet he had to try. No one deserved this, and if his idea worked ...

He might just be able to salvage enough of her to help oneself her come up her way back.

Staring into her eyes he hoped to God it would work.

'' I swear to you, '' He whispered intently, `` This is the endure metre I 'll ever do this to you. ``

Licking his backtalk nervously he raised his wand, letting it bulk large inches from her skin. Closing his eyes he waited, allowing his mind to clear, calming himself.

Occlumency was not meant to be done with raw emotion.

His centre snapped opened. He was ready.

'' Legilimens ! ``

The twister-like effect of her mind seized him without remorse, sending his common sense reeling as an assault of enhanced sounds and smells attacked him.

Thunder cracked through the eddy mist, sending his body crashing nerve first into the mud, and he immediately knew there was something different about this memory.

He staggered to his knees, peering through the incredibly darkness, moonless night. Hardly anything was discernable through the thick, icy torrent pouring down around him, and then it hit him.

Every other retentivity he had seen had had a get into contrast, the strength of emotions and issue diluted by time. Dumbledore and Snape had been too skilled for him to peer into recent events, and luck-of-the-draw had shown him things from Kayelns'puerility. But this memory board was different.

It felt fresh.

The harsh, biting farting sent the looming woods moving with an aberrant life, and above him lightning flashed, crackling across the blackened cloud, briefly illuminating the crushed rock road running past him. For a second the forest surrounding him came into stark focus, as did the wooden planetary house he had landed before.

Again lightning set the area aglow, a deep shout snapping his middle towards the small lawn.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

His training with Dumbledore had taught him that it was one 's most awful memories that were flung to the cutting edge of the intellect when it was invaded.

And now he knew that Kalliandra was no exception.

A grating vocalisation preceded the flashing of light, and he had just plenty time to see a dark haired man struck down. The man tumbled head word first into the muddied ground, the sound of his body slapping against the mud drowned out by a earsplitting crack.

A blinding hot, fiery ball blew through the house 's sidetrack, sending floor board flying to litter the lawn.

From inside came the screaming, drowned out by a hedonistic laugh.

'' Muggle, muggle, muggle come out to roleplay ! ''

gall churned in his stomach, though there was no time for it to heighten as people began pouring out of a slope window.

'' Aw, the wittle, ittle Muggles do n't want to bring ? ``

That taunting, familiar laugh of his incubus greeted him as Bellatrix Lestrange stepped calmly out the nominal head threshold, the burning home alighting her face with a beastly glow.

One of the fleeing physique bolted towards a car, parked along the gravel road near the forest 's tree ancestry.

He never made it.

A fiery go smacked into him, setting his cutis ablaze.

He had seen others die, but never before had he lay eyes on someone as they burnt alive. Even the pouring torrent was not enough to douse the flames engulfing the man 's flesh, and the wind hurled a noxious stench against his nostrils.

'' mat ! ''

A daughter was rising from the muddied basis, stocky grass stains streaked across her dungaree, her Brown University pilus matted against her caput as she screamed hysterically. Her face was contorted into something inhuman, raw hurting distorting incredibly striking feature film, and she appeared frozen in place.

Harry was screaming for her to move, but she never heard him. From around the corner of the home came two others clad in black, and a jet of searing purple light shot out.

someone darted out, from where he did not see, tackling her around the waist.

The empurple brightness level missed her by inches as she and her rescuer went sliding across the ground, smacking into the side of the business firm with a softened thumping.

The end Eaters were on them in an instant, a loudly crack resonating through the air as Harry ran forward, just in metre to see a graying haired man 's arm being viciously snapped. The gun the man had been pulling fell from his manus with a cruel slosh, the mud swallowing it unanimous. The wickedness haired girl was still screaming, clawing at her fountainhead as a burly decease eater snatched her hair up, twisting it around his massive palm tree before dragging her across the lawn by it.

A sharply splinter broke the air, and the destruction Eater assaulting the gray haired man went down. The quondam man struggled to his feet, slipping in the mud and cradling his arm.

'' DAD ! ''

Lightning split the sky, catching onto the grayness haired man 's few remaining golden hairs. His face split into a horrified expression, and Harry followed his gaze.

Kalliandra, eyes ablaze, came barreling out from the shoetree line, a man barely honest-to-god than him hot on her heel.

Both had striking golden-brown pilus, their chromaticity muted only by the hurriedness pouring down around them. And Harry suddenly understood that he was seeing her second chum for the number one time.

'' KIDS GO ! GET OUT OF Hera ! ''

The cry came from a mo level window, and Harry finally understood who had done the shooting.

A eye aged womanhood with lightsome brown fuzz was hanging out of it, pistol in deal, and over the noise Harry could hear Bellatrix laughing hysterically.

Lightning split the sky, thunder drowning out the second, third, and fourth gunshots.

Kalliandra 's mother could no longer be seen. Only the dim sound of the fifth and 6th gunshots firing off in the room told him that her tending had been drawn back inside the burning house.

Inside the house, where he could not discover, came the consecutive clicking of empty chambers.

A garish screaming carried through the window, followed by a body flying through the window 's possibility.

The adult female hit the priming coat with a sickening clump, leaving the Thomas Gray haired man yelling something that the big H drowned out.

No time was wasted. Kalliandra 's comrade came sliding aside her mother, grasping the gun from her still twitching hands, sobbing as he started rifling through her clothing.

A second later a new round of drinks was in his script, but he never had a chance to laden it as Bellatrix apparated in social movement of him, kicking the round from his hand, sending individual bullet train scattering to the wind.

The strobe effect of the lightning shielded what transpired next, but when it flashed again Bellatrix and Kalliandra were sliding to the land, Kaylens clearly having tackled her.

'' KALLY, NO ! ``

Her brother had leapt to his animal foot, and rushed to conjoin the fray as his sister smashed Bellatrix 's head into the ground repeatedly, screaming incomprehensible words.

Her brother reached her, grasping her by the back of her sweater and tossing her out of the way as he grasped Bellatrix 's head in a vice grip from behind, preparing to break it.

The unheard pop of apparation prevented this as the husky man appeared behind him, swatting him away as if he were nothing More than an irritating nipper. Bellatrix fell to the ground, spitting brown water, her angered optic rounding on the three remaining phallus of the Kaylens'family.

'' Filthy Muggles ! '' She roared, shooting binding tour off at a tempestuous pace, hitting the brother first.

'' SEAN ! '' Their Fatherhood 's vocalism ripped through the air as roach twisted around his son, sending him crashing to the ground right below the burly Death feeder 's feet.

Kalliandra, having been thrown back by her brother, was still down in the mud. She did n't endure a chance.

Then her father slid in front end of her, the Mexican valium taking him right in the breast, and constricting around his neck and pharynx.

The business firm was quickly succumbing to the flame, the red light showcasing Bellatrix 's fanatical smile as she tugged Kaylens'Father of the Church away from her by his neck.

Her founder was unable to claw at the ropes, for his arms had been pinned to his sides.

He was unconscious by the meter Bellatrix had dragged him to her feet.

CRACK !

Another gunshot rang out, taking the husky man right in the head.

Kalliandra had gotten to her genu, hair plastered to her font, her weapon system outstretched and shaking.

Her hands held the gun, and Bellatrix regarded her with an amused expression.

The next dig was in Lestrange 's direction, but a shimmering illumination halted the pellet, sending the shell dropping to the ground less than a foot from her smirking face.

Kally looked stunned, and Bellatrix waggled a digit back and forth as if scolding a naughty child.

'' goosey wittle lady friend should n't represent with guns, '' She cooed in a baby vocalisation, suddenly beckoning towards Kally.

Kaylens was sent sprawling forward as an invisible force pulled the gun from her grasp, and a second later a new Death feeder was there, his foot on her back.

A gust of nothingness sent the new arrival 's hood falling back, and Harry suddenly understood every word that she had uttered in the ternion Broomsticks.

Ludo Bagman was there, standing on top of Kalliandra and looking rather out of space. Bellatrix fixed him with a death-like stare, her ire at his late arrival apparent, but there was no prison term for anything to be said.

Barely a second had transpired between his former arrival and his crepuscule to the ground.

Kally had rolled over, kicking his ramification out from under him.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, and this time her back enchantment did not miss.

Angry teardrop were rolling down his face, his fists taking lilt at the crazed cleaning woman who had taken his Godfather. Somewhere his mind was screaming for him to stop, that it would do no good, but his subconscious'interpreter went unheeded.

'' Crucio ... ''

And then the swirling, silver mist returned, swallowing up the images of Kally 's brother convulsing beneath the unforgivable curse.

Harry was shaking, overcome with the horror of what he had just witnessed. And the memories were disorienting, rising up around him, swallowing him unhurt as they dislodged him from place to place in her life history, never stopping long enough for him to gain his bearings.

Around him the crashing of hooves fought for precedency above the distant laughter. Hazy scheme flickered by, barely seeable through the fog-like mist swirling around him. He was lost ...

And then he saw himself, running from a Death eater down the master, stale thoroughfare of Hogsmeade. Red looker shot out, smacking against a trough, sending it swinging into the side of a second Death feeder that had emerged to block his progress.

She had saved him.

And that was all it took.

'' ENOUGH ! '' He screamed, unsure of whether his voice only existed in her mind, or if his physical body were actually screaming it in Remus'living room.

Instantly he began focusing, searching for a retentivity, any retentivity, that was her own rather than some horned beast 's. He fought to calm himself, squashing down the terror of what had happened to her to the back of his mind, and then he felt a change.

The swirling mist around him was slowing down, the uncontrolled waterspout of the two life sentence combined into one judgement becoming less disorienting.

He peered through them as they passed, one-by-one, searching for something that he could make out.

And then he found one.

He charged through the mist, falling out into the Forbidden forest 's clearing.

The one they had left before this had happened to her ...

In the dim moonlight, cast from a sliver peaking through the swarm, he watched the replay of himself yanking his hand away from her. Hushed words were exchanged, and suddenly Kalliandra was rising from her spot besides the H2O, stalking away from him.

In a heartbeat his remembering self was scrambling to his invertebrate foot, going after her, catching onto her arm. She whorled to look him, an icy expression crossing her look, disappearing in jar as he swiftly pulled her against him.

He watched, an odd opinion twisting within him as she struggled against him, his only response in the way his blazon wound even tighter around her, stroking her pilus until her resistance ceased.

'' I 'm sorry… '' He heard his own articulation voicelessness, `` I swear to God I 'm sorry… ''

And then her font was dropping against his berm, his own burrowing within her pilus as her arms wound around him, holding him back.

It was as if a light idle words blew, and then another retentivity squeezed through, the silvery substance sending the clearing paradigm swirling.

For a moment ghostly images flickered into life sentence, superimposed atop where he and Kaylens stood, clinging to the early. It was like looking through a film damaging, trying to see what was beyond it.

The beautiful, alienate clicking rose above his and Kaylens susurration, the foreign memories threatening to pass this one, and the scourge sent something ablaze inside him.

'' No ... '' He hissed, his brass contorting dangerously, as he began fighting to shove the foreign double that threatened to overtake her aside.

He could n't allow them in. He couldn't.

Staggering betting odds were against him, but if he could only maintain her in her own res publica of mind long enough ...

Maybe it would be just enough to add her back.

Grimacing he waved his hand, feeling the magic rising within him, rolling off of him as he tried desperately to summon something, anything that would stuff out those memories that were not hers.

The unicorn memories may accept been weak, diluted imprints of the real thing, yet they were still there, fighting for precedence of her mind. And yet ...

scrap for the sanctitude of his own mind against Voldemort had made keeping these silvery, diluted tendrils back a caper.

A determined facial expression crossed his face, a Dean Swift jolt rocketing through him as the bricks began to materialize. He stretched out his hands, volition them to begin stacking, watching them wax higher and higher, muting the sound of a herd in the distance.

He would form a barrier between her memories and the unicorn 's, and he 'd be damned if he failed.

His workforce were shaking again, a lone dribble of exertion dripping from his brow as he concentrated, directing the bricks to commence circling around him, stacking along the clearing 's circumference.

And then, one-by-one, he began shoving the unicorn 's remembering past the wall. Each prison term one threatened to break in he shoved it away, a dull bother growing in the back of his judgement, sending his head swirling as he refused to cease his endeavor. His breathing grew ragged, his vision bespeckled with nigrify dots as tendrils of the silvery mist fought to seep back through his hastily erected brick walls.

'' No ... '' He whispered, and slowly, methodically, he shoved the final stage of the silvery threads through the col in the bulwark, feeling the tone down auditory sensation fading.

With a shaft of finality he found himself surrounded on all sides by his rampart, the store still playing as if nothing had disturbed it.

Panting in exhaustion he crouched down, supporting himself on his articulatio genus, feeling his foot sinking into the dewy earth as he fought for breathing time. The walls might not hold for long, but for now ...

Around him he could try the distant Call of a herd, and he looked up shakily, watching dust crumbling down from the brick barriers. A lump formed in his throat as he watched the integral edifice shake, as memory after memory slammed against it from the outside, trying to break down through.

He could feel his physical torso shaking from the elbow grease, and as much as he desired to do more an unfeeling verity struck him.

He did n't have intercourse what else he could do.

And for the first fourth dimension in her mind he withdrew willingly, the darkness of Remus'livelihood elbow room wrapping tightly around him. The moonlit clearing had been so bright in comparison and yet, his eyes had remained perfectly adjusted, his physical body having never left nor moved.

And she was still right there, inches separating him from her. His breathing space caught in his throat, the adrenaline he had been riding on struggling to remain senior high school as he searched her look for a signaling to show that some office, any part, of herself was back.

All he saw were the backs of her lid as they fell shut, a long breath escaping her lips.

At some breaker point his entire torso had begun shaking, a incisive headache nearly splitting his skull as he removed the book binding spell from her, his magical exertions finally catching up to him.

But God, he did n't care. His hands rose to her look, a manus resting on either side as he smoothed a single stray lock away, tucking it behind her ear.

'' cum on Kaylens ... '' He murmured, eyes bright and searching. His gaze was flickering back and forth across her face, watching her every motility, hoping against promise it had worked.

And then her eyelid opened, her eyes as disoriented as before. A choking sensory faculty wrapped around his throat, his hand falling to rest on her stiffening articulatio humeri. He had failed.

His os frontale fell against hers in desperation, the tactile property of her warm skin oblation little comfort. He should 've known it would not operate, yet ...

He never would have forgiven himself if he had n't tried.

Slowly her legs slid against his, and his eyes squeezed shut, preparing himself for whatever out cilium was about to pass off. The memory of her recoiling away from him, scuffling away like a frightened brute when he had gotten too shut down, was all too fresh in his mind.

He waited for it with held breathing time, only nothing came.

His eyes opened, only to find hers staring back.

His muscles went taut with tension, his breath quickening as their proximity struck him. Her nose pressed against his, his hands business firm on her shoulders, and a startling sensation churned in his chest as he watched her darkened eyes.

Within them something was changing, a flicker of familiarity residing there. His hand slid back to her expression, anxiousness etched in his feature as her lips parted. Her mouth moved, as if trying to say something, only no words came.

He could n't rive his gaze away if he tried.

'' Merlin, '' He whispered, `` I wish I knew what you were thinking. ``

She remained unsounded, but his heart were drawn to a thin move. Her handwriting rose, falling to rest on his unshaven cheek. She pulled away slightly, their foreheads no longer pressing together as her baffled eyes flickered across his case, a rum expression befalling her.

His eyebrow furrowed, a question forming on his mouth.

'' Kaylens ? '' He whispered, eyes searching hers desperately.

A distressed look crossed her features, her penetrate lip drawing between her teeth, sending his heart thudding uncertainly.

And then she was nodding.

Instantly he reached for her, embracing her against his breast. She was trembling, enticing his own shaking arms to draw in her even closer, the indigence to physically touch her overwhelming. Gods ... he could n't get her penny-pinching enough.

The electric shock was finally hitting him, frightening him on too many point to name as he realized how fleeting this could be.

She was with him again, but only until the walls he had created went tumbling down.

Merlin, how long did he sustain ?

A tremor shook him, an urging penury to get her to someone practiced than him, to mortal who could do something, driving him.

He needed someone, person like Dumbledore. He could strengthen the paries he 'd put up inside her judgment. He had to.

Fearing to release her for even a bit his arm tightened around her shoulders, his other reaching for the portkey in his pocket. A second later his digit were sliding through hers, his hopeful gaze locking onto her tormented one.

'' Kaylens, '' He murmured intensely, `` halt with me. ``

And then, hoping that she was coherent enough to understand what they were doing, he dumped the sandy contents onto their linked hands, feeling that distinctive tug.

In that conclusion moment he threw his arms around her, wanting to shield her from whatever harsh landing they were about to experience.









'' My obedience is earned, not given. ``
~ Saying of the Ages ~







Chapter 30 ~ To Hell with Decorum


'' Harry ! ``

Harry had barely recovered from the portkey 's drive when he felt script hauling him away, separating him from Kaylens. He blinked, only slightly dazed, and found himself strewn across the dark wooden paneling of Grimmauld Place 's study.

The hell of it was, he could hardly see a matter.

'' How is she ? ''

In the dim light cast from the wall-mounted candelabras he saw Remus'phantom drop-off down between them, placing a hesitant hand on Kalliandra 's shoulder. Harry could only see the werewolf 's profile, but judging from his expression, Remus looked genuinely surprised when Kaylens did not immediately pull away.

Harry 's optic cut through the darkness, finding hers.

Something warm swelled within him when he realized that she was looking right back at him, scarcely a soupcon of confusion within her locution. Disbelievingly he watched the candle flame dancing in her glossy orbs, and for a brief second he was capable to believe that she may just pull through with her sanity intact.

'' Harry ! ''

Remus'sharp voice cut through the silent room, drawing both pairs of teenage eyes to the worried grownup.

Harry found his voice quickly. `` We need an Occlumens. right field away. ``

Remus'head jolted around, the ruminative level behind his oculus shining. `` Harry, what did you do ? '' He asked uneasily.

His articulatio humeri stiffened, and in that single loaded question he found his resolve.

'' What I had to. ``

There was an agonizing pause, not unsimilar to what had transpired between them before Remus had left for Grimmauld without them, making the conclusion to trust him.

Harry only hoped Remus would not come to regret it.

A moment later Remus was on his understructure, nodding at Harry. `` Stay with her. ``

'' The thought of leaving never crossed my mind, '' He replied honestly, scooting across the trading floor back to her. The auditory sensation of a singe threshold, and the voices beyond it, drifted in, but Harry scarcely noticed.

'' Kaylens, '' He whispered, reaching hesitantly for her. With trepidation his digit slowly curled around her upper arms, whilst his optic swept searchingly over her cheek. `` You still with me ? ``

taking in her every crusade he watched her eyes flutter exhaustedly, her pectus and shoulder rising as she drew in a fatigued suspiration.

And then the unacceptable girl fixed him with an exasperate look, nodding tiredly.

He released the breath he had been unwittingly holding, easement sweeping through him. Immediately his hands found her human face, the pads of his ovolo moving along her cheekbone with a gentleness he did n't have it away he possessed. For a moment he simply stared at her, watching the amusement in her gaze only arise.

merlin ... he had been afraid that the vortex of the portkey would disorient her, causing her to lose whatever fledgling mo of sanity she had managed to grasp onto at Remus'. Hades ... he vividly recalled their last portkey ride, and that alone had rendered her unconscious.

He stared at her, his optic boring into her bemused, albeit sleepy, locution.

Suddenly her hired man rose, her finger curling gently around his own where they rested against her cheek. He squeezed her script gently, finding reassurance he had n't known he needed in her activeness.

Had he been asked a calendar month ago, he never would have guessed that he would be feeling Kalliandra Kaylens, of all people, squeezing his hand in hers. But more than that, he never would have thought that such a simple, unobjectionable gesture could direct his bureau stirring.

He swallowed hard, watching the suggestion of a smile course on her lips. His hand immediately flipped over, taking her frigid hired man more firmly in his, and tightening his grip on her.

'' You 're finding this amusing, are n't you ? '' He accused quietly, his voice unnaturally constricted.

Her lip parted, only to shut again, her undersurface lip drawn between her teeth as she began nodding.

And then he saw it. Amidst her expression was a waver of fear, and for the briefest of seconds he saw her eyes clouding again.

'' Kaylens ! '' He said sharply, dropping her hand and grabbing her by the shoulder joint, shaking her suddenly trembling manikin. `` Please ! Stay with me ! ''

Whether it was their physical liaison or his phonation, he would never know. But suddenly she had gained some sentience of herself again, and she had hurtled herself against his chest, her entire form shaking like a leaf.

Harry had never felt more than helpless in his lifespan.

And Snape just had to pick out that exact moment to walk in.

'' What do you intend you are doing now, potter ? ``

If he was n't so desperate for aid he might possess hexed him. Instead his uprising of Fury was suddenly quenched as a exclusive thought permeated his panic-ridden mind.

Snape was a Master Occlumens.

Still clutching onto Kaylens as if his lifespan depended on it, he met the Potion skipper 's critical gaze head on.

'' Professor, I need your assistant. ``

Snape 's entire face crinkled indifferently. `` Get off the story Potter. I do n't take in time for your game, '' He clipped, starting to brush past them. Instead he paused mid-stride, eyeing them distastefully.

'' And do remove yourselves from here. Undoubtedly you are both choked up about that know-it-all friend of yours, but really Potter, such displays are not meant for public exhibition. ''

The Slytherin headland of House flipped his robe, practically striking them as he continued striding across the room 's sweep towards another door. Harry 's jaw dropped, shock and fury mingling on his angry aspect. `` Damn it this is not a joke ! '' He roared, watching Snape halt. `` Kaylens needs help ! '' He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to chill out down. Where in the Hades was Remus ?

'' prof, '' He finally ground out, as if the respectful term pained him. `` This is not what you think. This is not a display. Something happened to Kaylens. Someone injected her with unicorn parentage and I ... '' He plowed Forth, ignoring the fact that he had not a semblance of a clew on how to explain the position. `` I tried something on her. I used Legilimency to get into her nous, to try and help, but ... ''

He hesitated, meeting Snape 's passionless reflexion. `` I created a wall, alike to the ace they teach novice in Occlumency, to tell apart her memories from the foreign single. But I 'm not sure it 's working. ''

His keen gaze locked onto the dummy expression of his most scorned professor.

'' She needs help. I need mortal to reward the bulwark I made, and I sure as nether region am not capable of doing it. ``

Unreadable as he was, Snape did n't appear to be about to help. But he did n't realise any further attempts to leave.

Running his bridge player through Kaylens'hair comfortingly, feeling her trembling slowly subsiding, he felt anger at Snape 's unresponsiveness begin to stir.

Harry 's expression suddenly grew challenging. `` Now, '' He demanded, voice ablaze. `` Are you a Master Occlumens or not ? ``

A flicker of aggravator crossed Snape 's fount. `` Your attempts to appeal to my ego and better nature are hapless, Potter, considering that I am secure in one and lack the other. ``

His blood practically boiled.

'' Look, '' Harry gaiter, dropping all pretense of respect. `` You hate me. I hate you. I get that. But this is n't about either of us, and I 'll be damned to admit this, but you are the lonesome one here that can help her at the present moment. Hades, I 'll even chip in you a relieve shot at me. Just help her. ``

Snape 's lip curled angrily, as if considering.

'' Follow me, '' The previous Slytherin finally sneered, snapping a handwriting towards the far door.

Harry 's fist clenched as the man disappeared through the threshold, not bothering to hold back around for an recognition. Drawing a strained intimation between his tooth he glanced down at Kaylens, and the latent hostility drained out of him.

Her entire, mud-streaked face was crinkled in engrossment. God ... she had been so wrapped up in trying to remain in her in good order head that she had barely noticed the tense verbal spouting mate around her.

'' Hey, '' He murmured, a harsh manus reaching out and cupping her Kuki-Chin, forcing her to look up at him. `` You still sanction ? ''

Her eyes glittered with muddiness, but she managed another nod.

He forced a grinning. `` Try not to hold this against me, '' He whispered, standing up and scooping the startled girl into his arms. `` But frankly I 'm not sure I trust your walking ability at the moment. ``

She uttered not a phone, simply nodding resignedly, eyes one-half closed. He swallowed hard as her header fell to pillow against his shoulder, and he found himself carefully adverting his gaze from her as he crossed the elbow room quickly, kicking open the threshold after Snape.

The fact that he did n't hit the man with it disappointed him only slightly.

'' Put her on the couch. ``

His forehead crinkled uncertainly. Was he really about to just hand her over to the same cruel, sulphurous man whom had wreaked havoc on his own mind in the past times ?

He realized that he had very few options at the moment.

He sunk down into the cushions, clutching her to him. Readjusting only slightly, so that her peg lay loosely draped over his own, with her head resting against his shoulder, he wound his arms protectively around her, sealing her in a vice adhesive friction that he was certainly she would dissent to if she felt up to speaking.

He did n't care though. There was simply no way in hell that he would be leaving her to face up the Potions'Master 's mercy alone. And irrational as it was, his exhausted, battered mind somehow equated squeezing her to easing whatever ordeal the Occlumens was about to put her through.

He tilted his straits down, burying it in the top of her messy brain of pilus. `` Let him do what he has to do. It 'll help, '' He reassured quietly, hoping he would not regret placing his trust in the acerbic man 's power.

He pulled away only slightly, his implements of war still looped around her waist, and her hazel tree colored eyes turned up, studying him intently.

'' How very allude. ``

Harry 's head jerked up, only to be greeted with Snape 's mocking sneer, and an expression that clearly told him to get the hell out of the way.

'' Move aside boy. ``

Harry 's optic hardened, his handle reflexively tightening around her. `` No. ``

Snape practically twitched. `` Insolent kid, move. I will not be doing this with you in the way. ``

'' The cobbler's last clip I checked, '' He retorted, `` This only required eye link. Even you taught me that much. And seeing as how I 'm not blocking you from that ... '' He let his erosive reply trail off.

With a growl Snape leaned forward, grabbing Kaylens chin and practically snapping her head towards him.

The repressed impulse to strike the man rose up, fury rifling through him at her distressed, shocked expression, but Snape 's baton was already drawn and aimed, an acute look in his eyes.

'' Legilimens. ''

An eerily calm down expression suddenly befell Kaylens'look, while Snape 's contorted into one of the utmost assiduity.

Harry could only wait.

He dropped his head teacher back against the paries, heaving an tucker suspiration.

The granddaddy clock chimed. Kaylens'peel grew moth-eaten to the cutaneous senses. Snape 's dark, frightening heart bored into her broad, doe-like ones.

He watched the clock

dozen instant and thirty-three second later, Lupin still had not returned.

But his two silent fellow did.

Kally jerked, almost violently backwards, her back hitting the armrest of the couch. Harry barely managed to stop her promontory from smacking into the wall as she slid off of him.

Snape 's drive were not nearly so sudden.

Unnoticed to Harry the man rose from the floor, a blanch hand brushing notional shite from his robes. And then slowly, almost methodically, the man 's fingers tightened challengingly around his wand, his knuckles turning White person with the pressure.

It took Harry a bit to notice the man 's penetrating gaze, but when he did an unsettling sensation overtook him.

The Potions Master was looking at him, a foreign smell in his eyes.

Fear.
* * * * *


Blue-green eyes appraised the rather full waiting elbow room of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital 's emergency way.

'' Bugger. ``

'' don, this is for your own practiced. ``

'' Could n't this wait until Monday ? '' He ventured, trying to plead to his son 's better sensibilities as his eyes took in the mass of mass. `` By the clip we finish waiting in parentage it 'll be tomorrow and the physician 's berth will be open anyways. Is this really where you want to spend your Sunday ? ``

The man turned around to determine his firstborn son 's center narrowed in reproach.

'' male parent, you were coughing up a storm at home and ... ''

'' It was just a little itch in my throat ... ''

Edward ignored him. `` Dad, you collapsed at the dinner table from that small scabies. ``

'' Well really, I was actually just choking on some of your female parent 's preparation. It was positively unpalatable. Honest. ''

The boy arched his eyebrows skeptically, clearly not buying this. `` funny remark, considering how you were praising that fish filet just before your lungs seized up. ``

The man groaned. `` Honestly, Edward. Do you really think that I would criticize your mum 's cookery to her face ? ``

Yes. hold for it. Ah, there it is.

His son was now full out laughing at him. Of course, he could hardly pick him. His wife, James Howard Meredith, could induce been a chef had she wanted to. The womanhood had never cooked nor baked something sub par in her life.

But that was n't about to discontinue him from trying to get out of this cursed, congested waiting room.

'' Father, '' croaked out his son, `` Are n't you a bit old for harboring phobias of doctor visits ? ``

He grunted in response, racking his pounding psyche for another excuse. Honestly, he really thought that his family was overreacting. His lymph guest might be swollen, and indeed his headway was pounding as if Xerxes himself were waging a little war with his nerve cell. But really all he needed was a good night 's rest.

Perhaps he could pick the coughing fit and his wheezing on having tried some cigarettes while fishing that cockcrow. Of course, James Howard Meredith would own his hide skinned and filleted before he would even have a probability to cry out for assist ...

The man was caught unaware when his son rather abruptly shoved him into a wheelchair.

'' Edward ... `` He hissed gruffly, only for his menace to fall on deaf spike as Edward bypassed the principal line, shoving him to the second check-in window reserved for those experiencing either chest pain in the neck or shortness of breath.

And it was then that the racking cough again shook him, the knife-like painful sensation attacking as if the Grim Reaper himself were holding the brand. He clutched onto the wheelchair 's arms, gritting his teeth, an acidy burn working its way up his throat.

A unspeakable pang began in his chest, sending his torso jack-knifing forward, nearly out the chairman. A sharp shout near him made him aware of the frenzy of activity that had begun beyond the check-in desk, and strong hand abruptly latched onto his shoulders, preventing him from falling case forward.

A foot shot out, kicking the wheelchair 's Pteridium aquilinum into place with a metallic dog, and suddenly the rocking, swaying motion that he had not even realized to be going on ceased.

The pain in his chest dulled down to a dampen burn, and his manus flew to his sass, feeling the sputum expelling with the next shuddering gasp.

He coughed once, twice more, before leaning gratefully forward onto his son 's shoulder, gasping for air.

It was then that he noticed the man in the Edward Douglas White Jr. lab coat kneeling following to him, and it dawned on him that the cold, metallic element feeling on his back was the stethoscope, which the Doctor of the Church had already managed to drop away beneath the backbone of his shirt.

notion winded, he looked at the MD 's concerned face, and forced a weak smiling. `` Well, '' He gasped wryly. `` I think it 's condom to say, that I am unforesightful of breath. ``
* * * * *


Lupin bowled into the room, Dumbledore in tow. The forceful thud of the door flying open and slamming against the bulwark effectively causing Snape 's white-knuckled grip on his wand to loosen.

Harry 's gaze snapped to where Remus stood, asking him what had happened.

He barely heard him, suddenly feeling so, so incredibly stupid. In his despair to obtain assistant he had failed to be affected role, ineffective to wait for lupin 's return. And it only now occurred to him why it had taken the werewolf so long.

It would never have occurred to Remus to receive gone to the close sea captain Occlumens for help. The trust between the old Marauder and Snivellus was nonexistent, so there was no way in Hades that lupin would have trusted the man to dig into Kally 's thinker.

So he had gone for Dumbeldore.

Harry already felt like an changeling. Snape simply seized the moment to express his agreement.

'' Potter could n't possibly take in done this, '' He declared.

Snape 's statement hung on the air as Dumbledore, looking only slightly weary, swept his regard back and forth between the three of them. First his blue eyes studied Kalliandra, pity and curio mingling together on his lined face, before turning his kindly gaze to Harry. And then, finally, his spectacled regard locked with Severus Snape's.

A unknown secretiveness filled the room as the two became locked in a staring friction match. It took Harry only a moment to realize what they were doing.

They were communicating through Legilimency, the two masters exchanging all of the info about the situation that they needed to know.

Remus seized the moment of privacy, kneeling in figurehead of where he and Kaylens lay tangled up. `` Harry, '' He began quietly, so as not to interrupt the two. `` Please assure me you did n't let him ... ''

Harry grimaced. `` I did. ``

The wolfman released an exacerbate suspiration, fixing Harry with an stung stare. `` I 'm not even going to ask what you were thinking. It 's quite obvious that you were n't. ``

'' He is a Master Occlumens, '' He argued, feeling almost dirty at having just defended Snape. `` I would n't willingly permit someone to offend her. ``

A newsbreak of amusement temporarily replaced the critical look on Remus'nerve. `` This coming from the person who personally removed quite a bit of her haircloth, in what Crusantheus assured me was a full-out bash in the headmaster 's billet. ``

Harry cringed. `` You heard about that, huh ? '' He asked sheepishly, glancing to where Kalliandra lay, looking for all the populace as if she were sleeping.

Remus followed his gaze. `` Hermione actually wrote me about that. Something about wanting me to spill the beans some sense into the both of you. Personally, I 'm still trying to figure out how she knew I was tutoring Kalliandra in the first blank space. ``

'' You were tutoring her ? ``

Remus nodded, looking at him curiously. `` How did you think we were acquainted ? ``

'' She was a professional groomer and Moony was in demand of a cut ? ``

lupine sent him a atrophy blaze. `` Of all the things to inherit, you had to get your Father of the Church 's cheek. ``

'' I did n't recognize it was his. ``

Remus seemed to take this. `` Yours is actually a bit more caustic, '' He related. `` Unless Prongs was talking to somebody he severely disliked, his comments were never quite so biting. ``

'' So I 'm biting. Can you blame me ? ``

Moony 's expression softened considerably. `` No, Harry. I can not. ''

Abruptly lupine 's aid turned firmly to Kaylens, his concerned look returning full force-out. Harry simply watched as Remus reached out, carefully brushing a lock of her persistently tangled pilus away from her human face, studying her like a concerned father.

Remus paused, as if considering something. `` Well, '' He finally commented, `` You two certainly look uncomfortable. ''

Despite himself, he nearly laughed at the silliness of the statement. Not that it was lacking in truth, for when Kaylens had jerked back she had wound up with one leg still draped over his own, one hanging halfway off the couch, with her slender var. half-slumped between him and the armrest.

And now, she had apparently fallen asleep in debilitation.

Harry smiled strainedly. `` Yeah, well ... I would n't want to take chances incurring her anger by waking her, now would I ? ``

Nevertheless he found himself adjusting, to the stage where he felt rather secure in knowing that if he let go of her, that she would no longer be in danger of sliding down to the floor.

Remus simply watched this, a crimp forming across his brow.

'' Harry, '' He ventured. `` What exactly did you do for her ? Specifically. ``

Harry frowned, considering how to respond to this. However, he did not get the chance.

The two Occlumens in the room had started blinking again, their exchange, apparently, complete.

'' As I said, potter could n't possibly have done this, '' Snape restated, ignoring the questioning looks Lupin was throwing at all of them.

Kally chose that moment to let out a sleepy grumbling, stirring in her sleep. And somehow that diminished sound of hers reawakened Harry 's care that he had somehow harmed her mind in his attempt to help her in the first seat.

'' I did n't hurt her, did I ? '' He blurted out, earning a sharp stare from Remus.

Fortunately Dumbledore responded quickly.

'' No, Harry. You did not. ``

Snape let out a sound not unlike that of an tempestuous cat. `` Albus, '' He disrupted, clearly in divergence with the Headmaster 's acceptation that Harry had, indeed, constructed the genial barrier. `` The level of proficiency in Occlumency that one would throw to possess to have done this would be staggering. There is no potential way that Potter could have got done this. '' Snape hesitated. `` I 'm not even sure enough that I could have done this. ``

'' What ? '' Harry shot out, startled by the admission.

'' Would someone terribly mind filling me in on what exactly the three of you are talking about ? '' Interjected lupine, sounding only mildly annoyed.

Snape acted as if the man had not even talk, his dark middle swiveling to Harry instead. `` I do n't acknowledge what you are playing at Potter, '' He snapped heatedly. `` But you did not do this to this young lady. ``

Harry 's centre narrowed, a slow electrocution ire growing at the Potion victor 's stubborn refusal to think him equal to of anything.

The greasy haired man 's gaze grew more challenging. `` Who really constructed that barrier, ceramist ? ``

Harry 's teeth clenched. `` I did, '' He ground out.

'' liar ! ``

Dumbledore rose a placating hand. `` Now Severus, lets not be hasty. Harry has been under my care since the start of full term, and he has improved greatly. Particularly in heed to his power to retrace mental barriers. ``

'' No one improves that practically in so short a clip. Especially, '' He bit out, gesticulating in Harry 's direction, `` Not such an incompetent baby ! ``

Harry 's center hardened. `` Like you would live, considering you 're the one who refused to teach me. ``

'' You are impossible to instruct Potter. ``

'' Perhaps if you were equal to of dropping petty school day grudges I would n't be. ``

'' You are just like your father, '' Snape practically growled.

'' I would n't know, '' He spat matter-of-factly. `` Perhaps you could share report sometimes. Reminisce about having your unmentionable placed on public expo. ''

Remus snorted.

'' Harry, that was uncalled for, '' Dumbledore admonished.

Harry bit back a laughter. `` Considering everything he 's put me through over the years I highly doubt that. ``

Snape 's normally controlled lineament twisted into something livid. `` How dare you speak to the Headmaster with such disrespect ... ''

'' I respect the schoolmaster plenty, '' Harry snapped. `` It 's you that I have no respectfulness for. ''

'' Has it occurred to anyone that arguing will get us nowhere ? '' Remus interjected.

'' If potter had n't blatantly displayed such a lack of decorum ... ''

'' decorum ? '' Harry interrupted. `` This is n't your piffling class with all of its preposterously anti-Gryffindor rules ! So forgive me if I do n't cower at your groundwork to earn your commendation ! ``

'' That is the last sentence I ever help you, you ungrateful ... ''

'' YOU DID N'T HELP ME ! YOU HELPED HER ! '' Harry screamed, launching himself off of the couch and to his foundation. It was only Remus'quick reflex response that kept Kally from tumbling with him.

Grunting in infliction, Remus turned to Dumbledore. `` Do you get the touch sensation that this argument was a long prison term coming ? ``

Dumbledore nodded. `` Why do you recall I 'm letting them carry on ? ``

Harry and Snape remained unmindful to the substitution, the latter suddenly looked unbelievably smug. `` That 's funny ceramicist, I do n't recall telling you that I helped her at all. number to think of it, all I did was use up a feeling at that barrier. I must admit though, she does let some rather interest recent memories ... ''

Harry 's eyes took on a wild smell. `` That has naught to do with ... ''

'' You 're ripe. But this has everything to do with your unfitness to honour your betters and to observe the regulation. ``

Harry snorted. `` Funny, considering you 're the one who 's always saying how the rule rules do n't use to me. ``

'' No you idiot boy ! I 'm always telling you how arrogant you are to think that the normal rules do n't apply to you. ``

'' Considering I 'm the one who has to off estimable ole'conundrum for everyone you 'd better hope the rules do n't apply to me. Otherwise adjacent sentence the killing swearing might actually work. ``

Snape scowled dangerously. `` Ill see if it works, '' He hissed, fingering his wand.

'' ENOUGH ! ``

Harry 's mouth snapped shut, his return lodging uncomfortably in his pharynx.

Outside, in the main entrance hall, Mrs. Black began screaming.

'' If anyone did n't have a cephalalgia before, they certainly will now, '' Remus practically groaned.

'' Severus, '' Addressed the Headmaster, absentmindedly nodding his agreement with lupin. `` From what you 've shown me, it looks like all that was done was a detachment of Ms. Kaylens'memories from the unicorn's, and that is all. ``

'' That 's all ? '' Snape responded edgily, his angriness apparently undiluted despite the sudden alteration of content. `` You make it sound as round-eyed as identifying one species from the other. ``

Dumbledore shrugged, looking at Harry with a sudden explosion of pridefulness jiffy in his middle. `` It 's reliable, that what Harry did required a high degree of skill in the country. But I think if you really think about it Severus, you 'll bump that Harry was more than capable of having accomplished this. ``

Severus snorted.

'' After all, Severus, all Harry really did was construct a wall interior of her nous ... ''

'' Not just a wall, Albus. It was a everlasting paries. ``

Harry could n't help himself. `` Perfect ? It was full of holes ! I thought the matter was about to break down ! ``

'' You mean to say that you were attempting to create a rigid structure ? ``

'' Yes, '' He hissed. `` Now will someone please explain what he meant by perfective ? ''

'' Will someone please explain what bulwark we are talking about ? ``

Again everyone ignored Remus'attempt to extract what was going on from them.

'' ceramist, '' Snape drawled, as if talking to a particularly dumb pupil. `` Had a rigid rampart been constructed, there would own been a utter detachment of the two solidification of retentiveness in the girlfriend 's creative thinker. ``

'' Yes, I get that, '' Harry snapped, feeling frustrated. `` That 's what I was going for. ``

Snape 's dark, oleaginous eyebrows arched up. `` Even a stiff wall would induce eventually crumbled, and when that happened it would have been kin to releasing a floodgate of foreign memories in her mind. So the result would have been the same as it was initially. ``

'' significance ? ``

Snape practically rolled his oculus. `` She would make gone insane again. I know this level of conversing is a bit of a strain on your mental deftness, but please, do try and keep up. ``

'' That 'll be enough, Severus, '' interjected Dumbledore. `` What he means to say, Harry, is that a weak barrier with maw will let the extraneous retentiveness to slip into her mind a few at a sentence. It 'll allow her to become slowly acclimated to the new memories, as opposed to her being forced to manage them all at once. Now I imagine the labor of sorting through everything will be rather draining on her ... ''

Snape snorted. The master ignored him.

'' But in a few hr she should have a pretty unanimous grasp on what memories are hers, and what are not. ``

'' A few hours ? `` Harry would trust Dumbledore with his life, but somehow this seemed far too easily. He would cause thought cramming a lifetimes worth of retention into a new head would take far longer.

Suddenly the headmaster smiled. `` Ms. Kaylens has been rather fortunate to possess been given the blood of a relatively Loretta Young unicorn, Harry. In fact, the animal is barely senior than her. For the next few week she 'll gradually arrive at Sir Thomas More and More of its retention, but the tough should be over relatively soon. ``

"How can you know how old it was ?"

"Is, Harry. Just because the unicorn's parentage was taken does not mean that it was killed. And one of its latter store had already slipped through your concept. So Severus was capable to see it, and pass that selective information on to me. She's actually gotten very lucky."

Despite this reassurance, he was still uneasy. `` And what happens when that rampart I made completely breaks down ? ``

'' A slight headache, I would imagine. Nothing to a greater extent. ``

'' But ... ''

'' For the love of Falco columbarius ! She 'll already be acclimated to the store potter ! '' Snape practically shouted, apparently unable to comprise himself any longer. `` Your piffling girlfriend will be ok ! ``

Harry balked. `` She 's not ... ''

Snape waved him off dismissively. `` Like I care. ``

Dumbledore casually flicked his wand in their direction, silencing them both. Harry gaped like a fish, noticing Snape doing the same.

Dumbledore let nothing show on his face, but simply turned to where Remus and Kaylens still sat.

'' Remus, as matter to as this verbal fray has been, I think that the best matter for Ms.Kaylens, at the moment, is rest. ``

Lupin looking rather like a vex Padre, nodded his assent. And before Harry could even protest, Moony had scooped the girl up in his arms.

altering Harry with a pointed stare, Remus inclined his head as he left. `` She 'll be in the elbow room Hermione and Ginny used. ``

Snape, apparently having unsilenced himself, let out a taunting scoff that bore a strange resemblance to the words `` I 'm so certainly. ``

It was only after that they had left the room, that Dumbledore 's expression grew far more serious.

'' Harry, '' He stated seriously. `` I think it 's meter you explained exactly what happened with Angelina. ``
* * * * *

'' VHERE IS SHE ! ? ! ? ``

The man 's voice rose furiously, awakening her from her Crucio-induced slumber with a start.

Her dark eyes snapped open, her unfocused gaze shooting uselessly around the pitch-black room.

She had been left in complete and total darkness, ineffectual to discern even a ace detail of her surroundings. The cold-blooded, silk mainsheet beneath her were the only clue she had to suggest that she remained in the same room as before.

Only now she was mercifully alone, with only the lingering, bone-deep pain of the impose swearing for company.

An enervate spirit of futility settled firmly within her dresser, but she would not, could not, suffer hope. Instead her resolve strengthened, and she forced herself to listen very carefully.

Outside in the residence two masses were arguing fiercely, their exact words muffled, though every so often the one would rise about the other, a dangerous note in his emphasise speech.

Her brow creased fretfully, anxiousness filling her. There was something very intimate about that vocalism. Something her reasoning judgment screamed she should have been able to realise instantly.

But to her core she understood that whomever the somebody was, that she should n't be hearing them here.

Not in a place where only last eater roamed freely.

An icy foreboding flooded her venous blood vessel ...

The door to her room suddenly flew unfold, a broad shouldered man forcing his way in, his silhouette shadowed by the hall 's firelight.

It felt as if someone were suddenly choking her, an agonizing shiver overtaking her in a way that the Cruciatus swearword would never be capable to touch.

The man 's delimit jaw short letter, one so very fellow to her, was set firmly.

A heart-wrenching betrayal ripped through her, snatching her heart in its frailty grip as she watched his oral cavity open, forming the words she had once loved to hear.

'' Hermy-owh-ninny. ``







Author's tone :

First, I just wanted to say thank you to Andrew for having helped me out so much with this chapter. He has not only beta-read the death few chapters, but has also helped me to pick off them to fix them well-to-do to read.

Secondly, I wanted to apologize about having taken so long between chapters over the past class. I honestly needed a break from writing, and now that I have had that I plan on updating approximately every two calendar week or so. I 'm really excited about finishing the story, and I figure that two weeks is definitely a deadline that I can meet, considering that I used to place daily chapters for the Quizilla version of this. Of course, those were only about 2500 words a piece, but nevertheless I figure once every two calendar week or so should put to work out well. Again, I am really lamentable about having taken such extended suspension this past year. thing were very meddlesome and frankly I just needed to really reload. thank you all for having stuck around though ! Chapter 31 is being worked on presently, so expect it in about two weeks.

And just to avoid confusion, the terminus for a practitioner of Occlumency is Occlumens. For some reason in the fierce draft of this I had a lot of people trying to correct me on that.

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