| Jarvey
Join Date: May 2008 Location: Leicester, UK
Posts: 567
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Krysta Hedwig
Sixth Year | 
Weeeellll, it is IS Wednesday. I suppose I could put you all out of your misery. 
Chapter 21, Part 2
Heather dropped to the floor, appearing out of nowhere. She joined Hermione's rummage through Harry's school bag and Harry felt a little disconnected watching too girls go through his property as though he weren't even there. Heather was opening all the exterior pockets whilst Hermione was leafing through the papers and books in the main section. Instead of arguing Harry just watched, hoping they would find whatever it was they were looking for. Finally Hermione pulled out two books throwing one to Ginny and the other to Harry she went back to her search.
"Get reading. You never know, there maybe something useful in these." She added, pulling out another, thicker book which she began to leaf through herself.
Harry looked down at the book he'd been passed. It turned out to be his Advanced Potions book and with a sigh he began to thumb through the index hoping a useful chapter would leap out at him. He glanced up to see that Ginny was eagerly going through the fifth year Defence books whilst Hermione, to Harry's shock was intently digesting Harry's Divination scriptures. After the initial shock was over he returned to his own study of the weird and wonderful potions Snape had been trying to drum into their heads this term. Some of them were really quite incredible. Though Harry failed to see how turning the entire school into pixies for a few hours was going to help them. However Hermione and Ginny's strange determination to get them all out of this was rubbing off on him and so he kept looking, scanning every page word for word in a glimmer of hope that the words may begin to make sense to him.
"It's too basic. This is just too basic. These are school texts for goodness sake." Ginny exclaimed and the look in her eyes showed how scared she was getting. Hermione didn't respond however. Something she was reading was obviously extremely interesting and just as Harry was about to ask her what it was she dropped the scriptures and scrambled across the floor towards a sleeping body a few meters away. Heather, who was still rummaging through the pockets of Harry's bag, looked up in surprise. Neville didn't even twitch as Hermione 'borrowed' his bag from under his arm. Dragging it back over to their little newly established study circle, she pulled it open and immediately found what she was looking for. 'The Complete Book Of Runes'.
"What are you going to do with that?" Harry asked a little confused.
"I've been reading up on the Coven." She began, pausing as she began flicking through the pages. "Turns out they used runic writings in their spells and things like that." She added. Harry waited patiently as Hermione found a page and opened the book wide. "I think that the writing you saw in you visions, on the stone tablet, was written by Coven members. You said the land that place was built on is owned by Krysta?" she asked and Harry nodded.
"I asked her who owned it and she said 'I do I suppose' or something like that. I guess that the land could belong to the Coven itself. What you reckon makes sense."
"No, no, the Blue Dragon." Muttered Ron in his sleep and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yes Ron." She muttered quietly so she didn't wake him. "The Blue Dragon owns the land." Harry sniggered a little at her sarcasm.
"Darn straight he does." Ron muttered again and rolled over. Hermione looked at him thoughtfully before returning to the book.
"Harry if you could only remember what those Runes you saw were, we may be able to translate them and…"
"And it may give us a clue. It could help us right? I mean the Coven existed to destroy these monsters. Harry must have been given these visions for a reason, surely." Concluded Ginny looking optimistic for the first time in a long time. Hermione nodded.
"Well that's great but I have no idea what those runes were. Even if I could remember what the symbols were, I'd never get them in the right order."
"Harry you have to try, it could be our only hope."
"Er, guys what's this?" asked an American accent. They looked over at Heather who was holding something in her palm of her hand. At closer examination Harry recognised the object to be the stone Remus had given him for his birthday.
"Oh that's the vampire stone. Tells you when Vampires are near. Ironic really, when you think about it." He said in a deeply grave voice.
"Oh." Heather remarked. "Well that's fascinating. Tell me, does it tell you Vampires are close by glowing?" she asked. Harry studied her face.
"Yes. Why?" he asked as Hermione and Ginny moved closer to Heather to get a closer look at the stone. Heather didn't answer in words. As Hermione swallowed hard and Ginny took in a sharp breath, Heather held her palm out towards Harry. Harry leaned closer and gasped.
The previously grey-black stone was now pulsing with a blood-red glow.
On the other side of the chamber a large black dog was growling, his hackles raised. Heads were beginning to turn one by one towards the round iron door as more and more people were beginning to notice the sounds coming from the other side. A hissing, humming murmur only a few of them recognised for what it was. And one by one students were getting slowly to their feet and moving backwards, not taking their eyes from the door.
Two teachers dressed in black were moving slowly between the students and the door in a defiant but somehow useless barrier.
Slowly but surely the students were moving back across the chamber like mice in a cage, backed into a corner.
The hissing became stronger and more forceful before falling suddenly and sickly silent. Not a soul stirred. Few even dared breathe. All eyes were fixed on the only way in or out of their prison, willing it pointlessly to remain still. Nothing moved; an image in a muggle photograph. And in that silence all ears heard the distinct slithering and final clunk as the door's lock was activated, the metal snake gliding its way around the bolts which were finally released in a deafening click echoing throughout the entire chamber.
Stillness.
The emptiness that everyone was experiencing was short-lived as a new collective fear spread throughout them all. As the door began to slowly, painfully slowly, swing open the children and teenagers of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry moved further back still. Only one moved forward. Only one began weaving their way in between their peers, heading towards the front of the Chamber where the teachers were doing their best to stand between their pupils and whatever horror stood on the other side of that door. For they knew only one other could open that door besides the Potter boy. Only one other knew the location of the Chamber, and only one other could speak the words to release the lock. And they all knew that he was not alone on the other side of the door.
"Harry what's she doing?" Ron tried to dart after her but Harry pulled him back.
"No Ron." They both watched their friend make her way towards the teachers, both wondering what the hell was going through her mind.
"She's crazy. Harry we can't let her." Ron fixed Harry with a determined look and Harry looked at him for a few seconds before nodding determinedly and together they set after Hermione, pushing their way through the crowd that seemed only too happy to let them through.
When they caught up with her she was standing a few feet behind Krysta who was standing just a little further forward than the other teachers, her fists clenched at her sides. They couldn't see her face and Harry wasn't sure he wanted to.
Each of the boys had a grip on each of Hermione's arms to stop her moving any closer. They were just in time to witness the door swing open wide. Harry squinted his eyes to try and make out the figure more clearly. He was in complete shadow but even as they watched he took a step forward into the dim light cast by the torches on the walls. Harry's eyes widened in wonder and he heard a chorus of gasps and murmurs pass lightning-quick throughout the crowd. He could almost feel the hatred boiling in Krysta as the newcomer grinned broadly down at her. His features were dark and to Harry's surprise extremely handsome.
Hermione's face was a picture of wonder and if Harry had turned around he would have seen similar expressions on most faces in the room.
The man took another step forward and Harry could see another darker, shadowy figure behind.
"Voldemort." He hissed to himself.
Harry's gaze was drawn back to the other figure though. He was tall with dark hair that hung thickly around his shoulders. His cloak was crimson and appeared to be of rich velvet. His features were firm and finely chiselled. His smile was intoxicating and Harry just couldn't take his eyes off him. Without warning the man took a leap from the top of the metal ladder landing neatly and lightly on the stone floor. Even on the same level as them all he seemed to tower above them and Harry felt very, very small in comparison.
He scanned the room taking in the surroundings, the terrified souls backed into their corner. Finally his gaze came to rest on the woman standing between them and himself.
That smile returned; the smile that never quite reached his eyes. He took a confident step towards her and the smile broadened. And then he spoke. His voice was deep, smooth and as intoxicating as his smile. It was a foreign accent, European Harry figured, but he couldn't even form full thoughts in his head. It was like he was being sung to sleep and his head felt light like he were not quite connected to his body.
"My dear Krysta." Harry noticed the flinch in Krysta's posture as the man reached out his hand to stroke her cheek with the tips of his long, slender fingers.
"We must stop meeting like this."
She shook his hand violently away from her and he chuckled. Krysta looked over the man's shoulder and motioned to the shadowy figure still standing in the doorway.
"I see your taste in company hasn't improved over the years, Dracus." Harry gulped. It was him. Dracus looked down at the large black dog, which was growling gently by Krysta's side, and then over to Professor Snape who looked away immediately seemingly afraid to look this man in the eye. Dracus' smile turned into a sneer.
"Neither has yours, my dear." He retorted smoothly ignoring the snarl from Sirius.
"Tom do come in, don't hang around in the shadow. Come, you must show me around this wonderful place of yours. It is after all your Chamber." He called over his shoulder before passing his eyes once more over the crowd of students. "But, Tom, you didn't need to provide lunch." He laughed at his own half-joke and Harry suddenly realised that he was holding Hermione back with all his strength she was pulling so hard to move forward.
Krysta acted for him with a blow Harry didn't even see. Dracus was thrown several feet backwards hitting the stone wall behind him. Even caught off surprise he remained un-phased and chuckling gently to himself he straightened his robes and moved forward again.
"Now, now, violence never solved anything you know." He mocked. She went to move forward again but was pulled back this time by Snape.
"Get out of here. I'm warning you." She hissed. Dracus stopped and his face turned serious suddenly.
"Warning me? My dear I hardly think you're in a position to threaten Me." He told her in a low voice, as Voldemort moved close behind Dracus' left shoulder, his eyes glowing in the dim light. Harry could feel the fear in people now. Many of course weren't aware of the identity of this charismatic man before them, but they all knew who the shadow behind him was.
"You're not going to harm these children." She warned him in a low, firm voice, her eyes blazing with hatred.
"No?" he asked, not really requiring a response. "Ok." He announced standing up even straighter and taller then before. He moved aside and Voldemort stepped forward.
Harry heard tiny whimpers of fear behind him. What was he going to do? Harry watched in horror as Voldemort pulled his wand from his robes and with a sneer on his face raised his arm high. The blow came completely without warning as a figure hurled themselves at Voldemort sending him sprawling across the floor. Harry let go of Hermione in shock, staring at the small figure dragging herself to her feet.
"You great bully! We're not afraid of you!" Harry was too gob-smacked to move to her defence and it was too late. Jess found herself lifted effortlessly into the air where she hung helpless, beating at the air in anger.
"My, my this one has a lot of Spirit." Swooned Dracus, moving forward again to get a better look at his accomplice's attacker. Voldemort had found his feet again and Harry had never seen him so angry. Krysta was fighting against Snape, trying to get to the girl before either of the monsters could harm her. And even Harry knew it was in vain.
"He's going to kill her." Whispered Hermione, her face white as a sheet. And the look on Dracus' face told Harry that she was right. The smile wasn't quite right. It was the smile of a madman.
"You're nothing but a bully. An old, has-been loser. You couldn't even kill a little baby! You're nothing! The only power you have is fear, and we're not afraid of you!" Jess continued to yell at Voldemort. Her yelling was soon cut drastically short along with her breath. Her air supply had been completely cut off by the powerful fingers around her throat. Dracus grinned in sick amusement as he dangled her struggling body in the air.
"I love a child with Spirit." He began and Harry was beginning to seriously panic.
"So young, so fresh. They always taste so good." His fingers were tightening around her throat and her face had begun to flush red as her blood circulation was restricted. The monster holding her seemed to grow more excited by the visual sight of blood in her veins.
"Luckily for you, my dear, I've just eaten." He crooned and Harry released a deep sigh of relief. That relief was over in a split second with crack loud enough to echo around the room.
People couldn't believe their eyes and Harry's heart had stopped beating. Jess's body fell to the floor with a muffled thump, her broken neck rolling her head at a sick angle. Snape had released Krysta in the insanity of it all and she just sank to the floor. Dracus moved close to her and dropped to one knee speaking softly to her.
"You're pathetic, Krysta. You're useless. You couldn't save your friends. You couldn't save your Mother. This little girl, your own Daughter. You couldn't save any of them. Your old master, he's dead too you know." This last comment made her look up in horror, her eyes red but not from crying. Dracus smiled. "Oh yes. He's dead too. The old fool thought he could protect you all. I admit he didn't taste particularly sweet, but the power…" Dracus licked his lips. "The power was incredible." She hung her head and now the sobs were apparent. Next to her even Snape looked horrified. Professor McGonagall was clutching her robes around her throat and staggering back slightly. Sirius had sunk to floor, still in K-9 form. Harry caught on to what everyone else seemed to have understood. Dumbledore was dead.
"No." he moaned and felt Hermione gripping his arm and he could feel her shaking. He felt weak and numb like everything was a dream again. He wasn't dead, he couldn't be. He was going to come through that door any second. Dumbledore wasn't dead. He couldn't be.
"So pathetic." Dracus said again. "I don't know why I even bother to hunt you down, you're hardly a threat to me. Killing your daughter was a waste of time, she was probably going to be just as pathetic as you anyway." He rambled on, walking away from her and grinning insanely at Voldemort whose sneer was probably as close to a grin as he could manage. That was his only mistake. Behind him the weak, 'pathetic' figure had risen to her feet. And as he turned to face her suddenly aware of the change of pace an enormous black dog changed miraculously into human form.
Both Sirius and Krysta moved forward towards their nemesis and his grin turned into a smile.
"Oh I'm sorry." He said gently. "Did I hit a nerve?" he asked bowing slightly, mocking them. Snape had joined them and the three dark figures moved slowly closer and closer to their enemies. Voldemort's sneer had become a snarl as he held his wand ready for any attack. Harry was beginning to realise that Jess's comment had been correct. Voldemort's true power was fear and now he was off guard.
"Now, now children." Dracus spoke again. "You know you can't hurt me. What do you hope to gain? Or do I have to kill another child?" Sirius stopped but Krysta moved forward again.
"Why did you come here? You didn't come to feed. If you came for me, then fine, here I am."
There was silence for a few moments as Dracus stared at her in surprise. And then he laughed. A loud, booming laugh and Harry covered his ears.
"Why on earth would I come for you? You are of no consequence to me anymore, my dear." Krysta faltered slightly and she seemed a little confused. "Yes, you see I've had a lot of time to think in my exile. And I've come to realise something. Somewhat of an anomaly had occurred has it not?" Krysta's head was tilted to one side, and she'd taken a step back. She was worried, that was plain to see. "It's been fourteen years since your sister was killed has it not?" he didn't wait for an answer and Harry's blood was boiling at the mention of his Mother's death. "And I'm thinking that the next generation is approaching maturity. I bet they've begun the changes, haven't they?" he asked again, but clearly not requiring a reply. "And the way I see it, my dear, is the one thing standing between them and death…is you." He said fixing her with an intense stare." Krysta's eyes closed and she shook her head slowly to herself.
This was what she had feared. That he would work it out.
"As long as you are alive, I can kill them. And as long you are alive, no new generation shall rise." He concluded, strolling around the floor with his hands clasped behind his back. "So you see, my dear, I need you alive. It's quite ironic don't you think? If you had been co-operative and died when you were told to, all this would never had come about. Your selfish acts all those years ago have condemned these girls to their deaths, and the Coven Of Sk'Natherra shall be completely wiped out." He grinned triumphantly.
"But there is one problem." He said and now he looked serious. His handsome features had hardened and his brow had formed deep furrows as he frowned down at her. "Who are these spectacular young girls? I have absolutely no idea…who they are. You've done a very good job of hiding them my dear. So you see, I knew my plan was pointless. And that's where my friend here came in." he announced motioning to Voldemort, who moved forward holding out his hand. Something fell from his bony fingers and dangled, glinting in the light. Harry recognised the pendant immediately and Hermione's hand went subconsciously to her chest where one of the three talismans was hidden under her clothes.
"Very clever, Krysta." Voldemort hissed.
"Thank you, Tom." She snarled slightly and he returned the gesture at the use of his human name.
"A fake eye of Natherra. How original." Voldemort continued sarcastically. "So our location spell failed. But then we heard of a little incident between Potter…" he spat the word with pure hatred and Harry flinched a little. "…and two other students involving another talisman. Then when you turned up at Hogwarts it was all too obvious. We knew you would protect them at all costs, and instead you led us right to them. Why else would you come here at a time like this?"
Harry was subconsciously pushing Hermione behind him, putting himself between her and them. What if Dracus could sense the presence of the talismans? She had one around her neck right at this very moment.
"So the question is." Voldemort continued. "Which of these potential appetisers are they?"
It was a stalemate situation and no one wanted to make the next move. Harry didn't even know what the next move was. Everyone in the room was holding their breath, their eyes fixed on the figures near the door. How would this end? When would it end? And who would still be alive when it did?
"The Quaffle is in your court, Krysta." Dracus suddenly announced, now in a serious tone. Harry thought he understood. There was a deal on the table here and he knew that Krys was in a terrible position. The power had been put on her, to save every student and teacher in the school. But she had to hand over the coven in order to do that.
Professor McGonagall looked strangely helpless. The woman so used to being in control had had her power stripped from her. She had no cards to play in this game.
Sirius looked torn. He kept looking at Krysta helplessly, feeling the anguish and the way she was being ripped in two spiritually. But Harry knew as well as Sirius did there was nothing he could do, no advice he could offer. There was nothing anyone could do. Their future or lack thereof lay on the shoulders of Krysta Hedwig. And she looked like it was killing her.
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