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A Year in Hiding- Sa16+ All recognised quotes, characters, places, ect. Belong to J.K Rowling. Everything else is my own creation. A Year in Hiding Chapter ONe, Part One: Memory Lane I’ve always been taught to embrace my visions, to let them run their own course. Not to run from them, not to fight them. So why am I running now? Oh yeah, I forgot- the Death Eaters. Isn’t it bad enough that Dumbledore’s dead? That Mad- eye’s dead? That George has lost his ear? They didn’t have to destroy a wedding and kill the Minister of Magic- even though we weren’t fond of him. Then there’s the small fight in Tottenham Court Road. So now we’re hiding in Grimmauld Place while Death Eaters stand outside the square, while Kreature hunts down Mundungus Fletcher and while we have no news from the Burrow. If I was here without Jamie, I’d be going insane. At least I can still reach the others if we ever need to talk to them. “Will you stop it!” Hermione said loudly as the room was plunged into darkness yet again. I heard Jamie sigh as he continued to stare out the window. He was watching the Death Eaters while Hermione read Beedle the Bard and Ron played with Deluminator. Just two of the things that Dumbledore left to us in his will. “Sorry! Sorry! I don’t know I’m doing it!” Ron said quickly. The Deluminator clicked again and we were sitting in a lit room again. I watched as Harry slipped out the room again as they sat bickering. I sighed and stood up, causing Jamie to turn round and look at me. I smiled slightly as I walked over to him. “Anything?” He said quietly as Hermione and Ron continued to argue behind us. “No... I guess that no news is good news, really” I said in a whisper. I was determined to keep my worry out of his head. He didn’t need to know everything that I did. “Filth! Scum! Blood traitors!” We glanced at each other as Mrs Black’s screams echoed up the stairs. I was last to the door, letting the others rush past me. I already knew who it was. “Hold your fire, it’s me, Remus!” “Oh, thank goodness” Hermione said, redirecting her wand towards the portrait. With a bang and a shower of red sparks, the curtains closed, so that I walked down the stairs in silence. I saw Ron and Jamie lower their wands. “Show yourself!” Harry called, his wand still pointing at the figure hidden in the dust. “I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf, sometimes known as Moony, one of the four creators of the Marauder’s Map, married to Nymphadora, usually known as Tonks, and I taught you how to produce a Patronus, Harry, which takes the form of a stag” “Oh, all right” Harry said, lowering his wand as I passed them on the stairs and moved to hug the new arrival. “But I had to check, didn’t I?” “Speaking as your ex- Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, I quite agree you had to check. Ron, Hermione, Jamie, you shouldn’t be quite as quick to lower your defences” Remus said as the others came down the rest of the stairs. “No sign of Severus, then?” He asked as he hugged Hermione. “No. What’s going on? Is everyone okay?” Harry asked as they shook hands. “Yes, but we’re all being watched” Remus said, looking exhausted. “There are a couple of Death Eaters in the square outside-” “We know... I’ve been watching them” Jamie said quickly and Remus nodded. “You have to Apparate precisely on the front step to make sure they can’t see you” He said, glancing round at our faces. “They can’t know you’re in here or there’d be more people outside- I’m sure of it... They’re staking out everywhere that’s got any connection with you, Harry” “Let’s go down to the kitchen instead of standing in this dark hallway” I said in a dead voice, moving towards the door. They followed me, Hermione lighting a fire in the empty grate. Remus pulled out a few Butterbeers from under his cloak as we sat down at the table. I stared at the long scorch mark that Fred and George had caused two years previously. “I’d have been here three days ago but I needed to shake off the Death Eater tailing me... So, you came straight here after the wedding?” I tuned out of the conversation as Harry told him about the Death Eaters in Tottenham Court Road. Something wasn’t right. :val5: Abi |
Hello, and welcooome to the High Security Vaults. Hope to see you update often. ^_^ |
Eeeep! I love it, Abs! I really like the idea of having Jamie and Alicia along for the ride! Please PAMS! I'm very intirgued how everything will turn out with seer tagging along. :val5: |
Memory Lane “What are they saying they want Harry for?” I asked, frowning at the table. I felt Jamie’s eyes on me for a second. “Here... That’s their reason” I looked up to see Remus pull out a copy of the Daily Prophet. I felt sick. I closed my eyes and tried to push Harry’s thoughts out of my head. The conversation moved away from the article almost immediately, towards the Ministry. “Now that Dumbledore’s dead, you- the Boy Who Lived- were sure to be the symbol and rallying point for any resistance to Voldemort. But by suggesting that you had a hand in the old hero’s death, Voldemort has not only set a price upon your head, but sown doubt and fear amongst many who would have defended you. Meanwhile, the Ministry has started moving against Muggle-borns” That part of the conversation caught my attention. I looked up quickly. “Look at page two” I grabbed the newspaper off the table as Hermione lifted her hand, too. The Ministry of Magic is undertaking a survey of so-called ‘Muggle-borns’, the better to understand how they came to possess magical secrets. Recent research undertaken by the Department of Mysteries reveals that magic can only be passed from person to person when wizards reproduce. Where no proven wizarding ancestry exists, therefore, the so-called Muggle-born is likely to have obtained magical power by theft of force. The Ministry of Magic is determined to root out such usurpers of magical power, and to this end has issued an invitation to every so-called Muggle-born to present themselves for interview by the newly appointed Muggle-born Registration Commission. “People won’t let this happen!” Ron said quickly as I stopped reading, gripping the paper tightly, and feeling sick again. “It is happening, Ron” Remus said quietly. “Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we speak” “But how are they supposed to have ‘stolen’ magic?” Jamie said, sounding slightly angry. “It’s mental, if you could steal magic there wouldn’t be any Squibs, would there?” Ron said, his fist hitting the table. “I know... Nevertheless, unless you can prove that you have at least one close wizarding relative, you are now deemed to have obtained your magical power illegally and must suffer the punishment” Remus said and I saw Jamie glance at me and Hermione. So did Ron. I switched off again, my thoughts elsewhere- like the Forbidden Forest where my Centaur family was. “What’s Voldemort planning with Hogwarts?” Hermione asked and I chose to listen again. “Attendance is now compulsory for every young witch and wizard- it was announced yesterday” Remus said quickly. I stared at him with wide eyes as her spoke. “And it’s another way of weeding out Muggle-borns, because students must be given Blood Status- meaning they have proven to the Ministry that they are of wizarding decent- before they are allowed to attend” This time, I wasn’t the only person who felt ill at the latest news. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Jamie shared my thoughts. “It’s... It’s...” Harry said, struggling for words. “I know” Remus said quietly before hesitating. “Don’t even bother, Remus” I said quietly, causing the others to look over at me. “You already know that we can’t tell you what we’re doing” I saw understanding cross Harry’s face at my words. “If Dumbledore didn’t tell you, I don’t think we can, Remus” Harry said as I continued to stare at the old professor. “But I might still be of some use to you. You know what I am and what I can do. I could come with you to provide protection. There would be no need to tell me exactly what you were up to” :val5: |
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I'm glad you like it! And 'cause you're the first poster... CHAPTER TWO IS NOW DEDICATED TO YOOU! :lol::lmao::lol: :val5: |
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Fantastic post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
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Hello:hello: Abi! I 'm finally here!!!:glomp: Very well written, love Alicia and Jamie:loved: Great job!!!!:D PAMS PAMS K xx |
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:val5: Like I promised, This chapter is for EMILY! I shook my head, trying to rid the thoughts out my head. I didn’t have the time to think about the past anymore... We were never returning to Grimmauld Place again- now that Yaxley could get in. And I was probably never going to see Ron again either, due to the fact that he had argued with Harry and Jamie a couple of nights ago and left. It was my turn on watch duty, so I was sitting in the mouth of the tent, staring up at the clear night sky. There was a single star in the sky, nothing of great importance there, then... “Alicia?” I started at my name. I was under the impression that Harry and Jamie were asleep. I could still hear Hermione sobbing into her pillow. I turned round to find his face peering out at me. Hermione sniffed quietly. “What’s the matter?” I whispered, watching him climb out of bed and stumble towards me. I summoned his blanket and wrapped it round us as he dropped to the floor beside me. “Nothing... You’re all right, aren’t you?” He asked and I frowned up at the moon. “What do you mean?” I asked, glancing at him. I tugged at the chain of the Horcrux to give my hands something to do. “I mean, you’re all right with all of this? Not being able to contact anyone? Not knowing if they’re okay or not?” He said, his voice barely audible. “I’m fine... I’ll know if something bad happens to them or not- I see the future, remember” I said, smiling slightly. “I know that- but lets say you see something bad, you know we can’t do anything to stop it, don’t you?” I sighed and put my head in my hands. He seemed to regret saying that. “Don’t be sorry for upsetting me- it’s not your fault... If anything, I get angry with myself these days” I said into my palm. “I know that I can keep watch over Ginny and Fred and Rosalie and the others but I can’t see them, can’t hug them or talk to them face to face...” “I know... You get some sleep... I’ll take over if you want” He said and I leaned against him. I wasn’t planning on falling asleep but three nights of no sleep is bound to catch up to you soon. So, when I woke, we were someplace new. I just glanced out the doorway, not bothering to ask where we were. It didn’t seem relevant to me anymore. It was just the same, near silent routine these days without Ron: get up, pack up, relocate, discuss the Horcruxes, eat, sleep, get up, pack up, relocate, discuss the Horcruxes, eat, sleep... :val5: |
Awe, I really like it. And it's exactly how I imagined it; so repititious and everything. I feel bad for ALicia; seeing things but not able to actually do anything about most of it. Great post and thanks again for dedicating it to me :glomp: Please PAMS! :val5: |
Chapter Two, Part Two: A Bad Mistake “I’ve been thinking...” I looked up from the book I was reading to watch as Harry spoke to Hermione. Jamie was out trying to find some food. “I want to go to Godric’s Hollow” “Yes, I’ve been wondering about that too... I really think we’ll have to” Hermione said, hunched over the story book again. I ran my hand through my hair as I looked over at her. “What are you going on about?” I asked, frowning at her. Harry seemed just as confused as me. “I can’t think of anywhere else it could be... It’ll be dangerous, but the more I think about it, the more likely it seems it’s there” Hermione said, still not looking up. “Think about what?” I said, totally lost, as Harry said “Er- what’s there?” Hermione finally looked up, bewildered. There was movement behind me and Jamie appeared. “What’s happened?” He said quickly, looking down at me. “OH!” I said suddenly, catching on. “Gryffindor’s sword! I get it! We’re leaving in a couple days” I added, getting a shocked look from Hermione and a confused look from Jamie. “Leaving to go where?” He asked, staring at me again. “I can’t believe we’re doing this...” Jamie whispered as we crept down an alleyway. “Look, you need disguises... So you need hairs” I retorted, staring out into the bustling crowd. “We can’t be recognised- what if a Death Eater saw you and decided to go after your parents?” Jamie cringed at my words. “Exactly...” “What if the sword isn’t there?” Jamie whispered after another couple of minutes. I rolled my eyes. “I’m serious, Alicia” “I know you are... Look, I know that you care about me but I can take care of myself when I have to, Jamie” I said, my eyes following a teenage boy with him mother. “Accio hair” He jumped as the hair was pulled out of his head. “That’s not what I meant” Jamie muttered, snatching the hair out the air and dropping it into the glass vial. “Let’s think about this when we’re there, okay?” I said, gripping his hand tightly. He sighed and I reached up to kiss him. He turned on the spot, Apparating right outside our temporary home. Yippee... “Here...” Jamie said, passing Hermione the hair. She crossed something off a sheaf off parchment. “Right... That’s all the hairs sorted... Alicia’s going as herself” Jamie frowned at that but Alicia ignored it. “All we need now is a day” “Tomorrow” Harry said, walking into the tent with a small bag. “I found some berries outside” He explained. “Tomorrow?” Hermione and Jamie said together, sounding shocked. “Yeah... We should go tomorrow” Harry said and I shrugged. I wasn’t really bothered about when we went to Godric’s Hollow- I knew Harry’s reasoning on wanting to go anyway. :val5: |
I love it! I love reading about Jamie and Alicia. They're perfect together :loved: I wonder how it's going to work out with Jamie and Alicia there. Please PAMS! :val5: |
Great job Abi!! I kind of forgot about this and I'm really sorry. I have subscribed now:lol: PAMS PAMS K xx |
Chapter Two, Part Three- A Bad Mistake I dropped onto the floor at the mouth of the tent, huffing angrily. “Alicia, look-” Jamie said as he walked up to me, vanishing the footsteps in the snow behind him. “I don’t want to talk about it- get in the damn tent and leave me alone” I said through gritted teeth. He stood there for another second before stepping past me, sighing. I glared at a patch of snow as he bustled round behind me, making annoying tinkling noises. I heard the sound of Harry and Hermione Apparating and huffed again. Jamie paused for a moment before the irritating noise started again. I’m perfectly able to look after myself like any other person- maybe even better because I get a warning first... So why am I staying behind with Mr Kill-Joy while the other two go to Godric’s Hollow? I pulled out my compact mirror that Dumbledore had left and turned it round in my finger. I closed my eyes and raised it to my lips, flicking it open. “I want to see Ginny” I whispered, so low Jamie didn’t hear me. I lowered it again and watched as my reflection became fuzzy and an image replaced it. I saw Ginny laying across her bed, staring at a photograph on her bedside table. “Here...” I snapped the mirror shut as Jamie’s voice sounded above me. He was holding out a cup of tea. I turned away from him, not taking it. “Alicia- why are you mad at me?” He said, setting the cup down by my knee. “I said leave me alone” I muttered and he sat beside me. I rolled my eyes and glared at the snow again. “Is it because you have to stay here?” He said and I half-glanced at him, giving myself away. “I’d rather you stayed with the tent, Alicia... It makes it easier for the others-” “Who are on their own and probably walking into a trap! But they wouldn’t know because I’m here! How does that make life easier? We shouldn’t split up anymore!” I snapped and I saw Jamie’s eyes tighten. That usually happened whenever the conversation steered towards Ron. “Even without my cousin we can split, Alicia, there’s four of us” He said sharply and I looked at him, laughing slightly. “Oh, so you think that because there’s four of us it’s okay to split up?” I said, glaring. He nodded once and I stood up, knocking the cup over so that it stained and melted the white snow. “Right then, I’m going to get some food then. I don’t know how long I’m going to be- don’t wait up” I said as I grabbed my long, black button-up coat from the chair and stormed off through the thick snow- he didn’t try to stop me. I Apparated in an alley beside the supermarket. “Idiot...” I snarled, kicking a bin in frustration. I pulled a large rucksack from thin air and pulled out the mirror again. I kept the chocolate brown wavy hair and changed my black eyes to blue. Putting the mirror away again, I stepped out into the street. I was taking a big risk, coming to this supermarket- my family done their shopping here because it was always open. I walked through the sliding doors and strolled towards the canned foods, grabbing a basket on the way. I got lost in my own little world as I walked up and down the aisle, picking up things like baked beans and meat balls. As I reached for a can of spaghetti letters, so did someone else. "Oh- sorry!” I said quickly, pulling my hand back. I looked up and then straight back down again. “Don’t worry- I don’t know why I went to get them... My sister loves them...” Emmett said, his eyes still on me. “I do, too” I mumbled to his knees, worried that he would recognise me. “I like to write messages in them” “That’s exactly what she does” Emmett laughed, dropping a can into his basket. “I don’t know why though- it’s just one of those things that make her Alicia, I guess” From that statement, I could hear the pain in his voice. “It sounds like you miss her a lot” I said without thinking. His eyes darted to my face immediately. “Do I know you?” He asked quietly, staring into my face. I could read the hope forming in his head. I couldn’t look away from his frowning face. “You look real familiar...” “Erm, no- I don’t think so” I said in a nervous voice. He was suddenly grinning at me. “I know who you are” He said, hugging me tightly. I dropped my shopping and hugged him back. “How did you know?” I whispered, refusing to let him go. He laughed quietly in my ear. “I’d know you anywhere- if you’re eyes were to change to green all the time” I laughed with him. “I missed you so much” I whispered as we walked round together. He had tipped both baskets into a trolley by now. “We missed you too, Al” He said as we passed a shelf crammed with chocolate. He threw a couple of selection boxes into the mess of tins. “They’re yours by the way” “Em, I haven’t got that much money and I need to get stuff that will last” I said as he added a large chocolate cake too. “Alicia, it’s Christmas Eve- you five deserve a treat!” he said, adding fruit and bread. “Christmas Eve? Really?” I said, amazed as I stared up at him. He nodded and laughed. “Have you been living under a rock or something?” He joked and I pulled a face. “Nearly... We’re in the middle of Snow-ville No-where right now, freezing our ar-” “What do you mean, right now?” He asked, throwing a couple of cards into the trolley. I shrugged. “We move around a lot... So we’re not caught, you know” I said, blowing it off with a wave of my hand. “We should go pay for that lot now... Jamie will probably be going spare” I said, nodding towards the till. “I’ll get this for you... As a present to the others” He said, his face vacant from the smile for the first time. We both knew it was time to say goodbye. “Okay, can I have that in writing for future reference please?” I said, trying to lighten the mood. It worked- he laughed loudly and tousled my hair, which was longer than I had started with. I bagged the shopping and he handed over the money. I walked to the car with him, where we split the shopping. I pulled out a few cards from my inside pocket, making him frown. “You get used to it if that’s the only way you can survive...” I muttered, grabbing the pen out of the glove box. “What are you doing?” He said, peering over my shoulder. “All the owls are being searched, Em... Can you take these to the Burrow for me? There’s one for Ginny, Fred and George and Mr and Mrs Weasley- oh, and Jamie’s parents... This one is for you lot at home” I said, sealing them all. “Tell them that I miss them and I love them” I whispered, duplicating my bag and packing the food away quickly. “Will you come round?” He asked, hugging me tightly. My head was filled with his pain. “I can’t Em- the house is probably being watched...” I said, tears pooling in my eyes. I stepped back and smiled at him. “Love you” I turned on the spot- Emmett’s face being the last thing I saw. At first, I thought I was still with Emmett- it was so dark but then I heard Jamie’s voice. “You’ve been gone ages... Alicia, I’m sorry for shouting at you” He said, taking one of the bags off me. “From now on, no more splitting up... Where have you been?” I frowned slightly as I told him what had happened. He didn’t seem angry- he was happy to know that I was happy after seeing my brother. I put my hand into my bag and pulled out another Christmas card. “Here- Emmett wrote it...” I said as he opened it. We started to unpack the bags, sorting it into two piles- Emmett’s last gift in the middle of the table. We left the fruit and bread out on the table and packed everything else away- apart from my chocolates, which we shared as we sat on the couch, staring out into the darkness. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew I was in my bunk. Someone swore loudly and I sat bolt upright, cracking my head on the higher bunk, making me swear too. “What’s going on?” I said, blinking at the shapes round me. Jamie was standing by my head. “The others are back... Hermione’s sorting Harry out” His voice was scared, making me frown. :val5: |
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Alicia should have definitely went; she could have seriously helped! Their idiots for splitting up. Quote:
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Fantastic post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
I’d slept right through the whole thing- Hermione and Harry Apparating right outside the tent, Harry being seriously ill and Hermione’s quick explanation. It was Jamie’s shout that had woken me up- Hermione’s severing charm had caught his finger. Harry was awake now, on watch, while Hermione thumbed through a book. It was past midnight- almost dawn. Jamie had gone back to sleep while I was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the back of Harry’s head, reading his thoughts. We’d moved as soon as I’d woken up, to another snow covered valley. I frowned slightly at his thoughts as Hermione stood up. “Here, Alicia” She said after a minute, passing me a cup of coffee. I stood and walked over to Harry with her. “Harry?” “Thanks” He took one of the cups Hermione held out as we crouched down beside him, the book still under Hermione’s arm. “Do you mind if we talk to you?” I asked and he shook his head. “Harry, you wanted to know who that man in the picture was... Well- I’ve got the book” Hermione said quietly, pushing the book into his lap. I glanced at the title- The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. “Hermione- where did you get that?” I asked, astounded, while Harry stared from Hermione to the book as she explained how she had got it. Harry’s thoughts turned bitter and his face contorted in anger. “You’re still angry at me, aren’t you?” Hermione said, fresh tears running down her cheeks. I heard movement coming from where I’d left Jamie and stood up, resting a hand on Harry’s shoulder as I did. “Alicia?” Jamie mumbled as I sat back down on the bed. “Yeah, it’s me...” I said and he rolled over to look at me. “Are you okay?” I asked, laying my hand on his cheek. The conversation about Harry’s broken wand had swung so far towards Ron, his name had been mentioned. “Yeah, I’m good... How’re the others?” He asked, glancing behind me. “They’re fine- they’ve made up” I said, smiling slightly. “Jamie, you hungry?” He nodded so I stood up, summoned four plates from the kitchen and began to make breakfast. The eggs and bacon were on the cooker while I tried to toast the bread. It was a bit burnt but it would do. I started to plate it up. “THE DUMBLEDORE WE THOUGHT WE KNEW DIDN’T WANT TO CONQUER MUGGLES BY FORCE!” Harry shouted, jump and shriek. I dropped the frying pan full of bacon over the floor, Jamie sat bolt- upright, smacking his head- like i had- and swearing. I stared over at the two by the door- Harry was pacing up and down while Hermione just stood in the door way. “He changed, Harry, he changed!” I could hear the pleading in Hermione’s voice as she stared at him with wide eyes. “It’s as simple as that! Maybe he did believe these things when he was seventeen, but the whole of the rest his life was devoted to fighting the Dark Arts!” I was still as I stared over at them, watching with narrowed eyes. Jamie appeared beside me. “Dumbledore was the one who stopped Grindleward, the one who always voted for Muggle protection and Muggle-born rights, who fought You-Know-Who from the start and who died trying to bring him down!” I looked up at Jamie with a panicked expression that he didn’t see. “Harry, I’m sorry, but I think the real reason you’re so angry is that Dumbledore never told you any of this himself” Hermione’s voice was no longer pleading. It sounded slightly scared. “MAYBE I AM!” Harry bellowed and I jumped again. “LOOK AT WHAT HE ASKED OF ME! RISK YOUR LIFE, HARRY! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN! AND DON’T EXPECT ME TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING, JUST TRUST ME BLINDLY, TRUST THAT I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING, TRUST ME EVEN THOUGH I DON’T TRUST YOU! NEVER THE WHOLE TRUTH! NEVER!” It fell oddly silent as the snow was suddenly lit up- the sun had finally arrived. “He loved you” Hermione said quietly. I saw Harry was about to retaliate. “I know he loved you” I whispered and Harry turned to look at me. “I don’t know who he loved,” Harry said quietly, his voice dripping in a bitter sadness. “But it was never me. This isn’t love, the mess he’s left me in. He shared a damn sight more of what he was thinking with Gellert Grindleward than he ever shared with me” “Harry-” Hermione started as Harry bent to pick my wand up from the snow. “Thanks for the tea. I’ll finish the watch. You get back into the warm. Sorry for waking you up, Jamie. And for scaring you, Alicia” I returned to the breakfast, which was now slightly cold. I warmed the plates up and handed them round the now silent tent. |
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Fantastic post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
I took over the watch at midnight- the whole day consisting of silence and the eating of a Christmas dinner. It was snowing, blocking out the stars. Hermione joined me after a while, seeing the worry on my face. We both heard something- or someone- moving round in the snow. I frowned, punching the snow in front of me, I couldn’t hear any thoughts apart from those in the tent and I hadn’t seen anything in forever. We packed up early, disapparating under the cloak to the Forest of Dean. I helped Hermione unpack while the boys made our small clearing safe. As soon as the tent was up, we pulled on every jumper we own. Hermione conjured up the bluebell flames like she used to at Hogwarts- it made me feel a pang of home sickness- and scooped them into the jars I’d conjured so we could stay warm. Harry took watch during the night, letting us sleep. The next thing I knew, Harry was shaking my shoulder roughly. “Alicia!” He said, some sort of emotion in his voice. “What?” I murmured as I rubbed my eyes. “Are we being attacked?” I asked as Harry woke Jamie and then Hermione. “No-” He started and I swore. “Leave me alone then” I said, planning to lay down and return to my dream. Someone chuckled quietly and I scowled in the direction of the noise, still half asleep. “Everything’s fine- more than fine... I’m great” Harry said as I sighed and rolled out of bed. I headed towards the kettle, shaking my bright orange hair out of my face. “So why have you got us all up then?” Jamie moaned as my foot caught the edge of the carpet. Someone caught me before I could hit the floor. I frowned. They were soaking wet and felt icy cold. I looked up and gasped, suddenly wide awake. “Alicia?” Jamie’s voice was suddenly sharp as he scrambled out of bed, pushing his hair out of his eyes. “I’m... Fine...” I said faintly. I raised my hand to the new- comers cheek slowly. “I think...” “What do you mean? Oh- ” He said, lighting the lamps with a wave of his wand. Hermione slipped off the bed and moved forwards slowly, exactly like a sleepwalker. Jamie’s hands appeared on my shoulders, pulling me backwards, my eyes unmoving from the face that had just starred in my dream, again. Hermione’s reaction matched the one running through Jamie’s head. It took a shield charm and me diving at her to stop the attack. I looked at Jamie as I got to my feet, waiting for him to start his attack. “Enough, Hermione!” I said, my eyes still on Jamie’s face. I was on one side of the invisible wall while Ron was on the other, explaining what had happened to him once he had left. “A gang of what?” Jamie’s voice was cold as Hermione pushed herself away from me and into a chair. Harry dropped the shield charm and I went to take Jamie’s hand, committing the sound of Ron’s voice to my memory, not listening to his explanation. |
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Great post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
Great posts:) Sorry I haven't been keeping up to date:D Sorry:P Loving all of this Abi!!!!:glomp: |
Hermione was sitting in the mouth of the tent, reading again, while Harry and Ron scavenged for berries. Jamie sat at the small round table, twisting a small shell over in his fingers while I moved around the tent trying to keep busy. “I don’t know why you’re so angry at him- he’s apologised to you several times now” I said, bringing up the whispered conversation we’d had last night. “I don’t see why you’re so ready to welcome him back with open arms or to forgive him for skipping out on us” Jamie answered back in a hard voice. His hand contracted into a fist, crushing the tiny shell. “Like I said, he’s apologised for doing that so I’ve forgiven him, so has Harry... Com on Jamie, he’s your cousin! Reparo” I added, fixing the shell, which I took off him. “And please don’t touch this again, it’s to remind me of where we’ve been” “Sorry... If I forgive him, will you get off my back?” He said in a resigned voice. I grinned in victory. “I’ll forget all about it- promise” I said, kissing his cheek. “Now, go and make the most of the sunshine- I don’t know what the weather will be like” I added, pulling a face as I levitated everything on the table so I could wipe it down. “Still feeling bitter?” Jamie asked as her cut five pieces of cake and put them on plate. “I wonder why you can’t see anything...” He murmured, passing me a plate and then heading for the door. “You forgot the forks!” I called after him, waving a hand so that they bobbed along in his wake. Hermione took a plate and a fork as Jamie vanished into the sunlight. Sighing I walked towards my bed. Instead of cleaning again, I hung upside off the edge of the mattress, my fingers rubbing small circles at my temples. I hadn’t seen anything since leaving the Burrow in August and I was getting worried. I knew the others were counting on my visions to speed this whole thing up but I was getting nothing, no matter what I tried. So I was taking advantage of the peace and quiet. The sound of people entering the tent made me press my fingers harder to my head, probably giving myself bruises in the process. I wasn’t sure it was hours, minutes or seconds passing me by as I remained silent. Then, I caught a flash of bright warm sunlight. Relief flowed through me. Tomorrow’s weather! I hadn’t lost my visions! “I don’t care!” Ginny’s voice exploded into my head, making me freeze in shock. The image that went with it followed shortly. Ginny was standing in the middle of the kitchen at the Burrow, a chair thrown out behind her as if she had jumped to her feet. Aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur were still seated, staring at the red head. “You have to, dear! There’s not much we can do- ” Aunt Molly said, looking at the girl with an apology in her eyes. “We can go into hiding- like Kingsley, or Alicia! Or leave the country! Please don’t send me back there!” Ginny begged, her voice trembling with tears of rage. “We’re not discussing this, Ginny- you have to go back to Hogwarts whether you want to or not- no more arguments” Uncle Arthur said sternly, stopping the fight from going any further. Ginny made an angry noise and stormed out the room, kicking her chair over. I blinked. The tent was dark- so hours had past by me. Harry was on watch duty while Ron drummed strange rhythms out on a wooden radio, mumbling to himself. Hermione was re- packing the beaded bag again, humming to herself. I sat up and found Jamie beside me, a small frown on his face. “I saw something, Jamie!” I whispered happily, flipping scarlet curls over my shoulder. I saw his eyes on my hair- it had been a while since they were this colour. “I saw Ginny, and Aunt Molly, and Uncle Arthur! It was still crystal clear, too! My vision isn’t slipping away!” He smiled at me, playing with one of my curls as I rambled about my vision, too happy to understand his thoughts. “Alicia, can you sort out the clothes for me? I’m trying to re- organise this mess...” Hermione called over her shoulder and I frowned at Jamie, my happy mood bursting like a bubble as I caught up on what I had missed. “We’re going to Luna’s?” I asked, pursing my lips. My new found visions gave me another glimpse of the future. A round black cylinder set against the bright blue sky on a grassy hill. “Yep... Guys, it’s sunny tomorrow- and warm” I said loudly, waving a hand so that the clothes folded and stacked themselves in neat piles next to Hermione. “Thanks for the heads up, Alicia” Harry mumbled from the door way. I just grinned before deciding to try and focus on what we were really out here for- Horcruxes. I returned to my earlier position and closed my eyes. I felt Jamie move, his head resting on my stomach. |
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I feel bad for Ginny-I wouldn't want to go back either. But I get why she'd have to. Great post, Abs! Please PAMS! :val5: |
“You will stay for dinner?” Xenophilius said, his voice snapping me back to the present. I’d tuned out the whole of Hermione’s story- telling and then had a vision, missing the following conversation. “Everybody always requests our recipe for Freshwater Plimpy soup” “Yeah, probably to show the Poisoning Department at St. Mungo’s” I murmured as Luna’s father vanished down the stairs. Harry and Ron laughed slightly as Hermione tried to continue with the conversation that I had missed. Jamie turned round to talk to me. “I missed everything... I heard the first part of the story and then tuned out- so don’t ask me anything” I said quickly, receiving a dirty look from Hermione. “Never mind the story” Jamie said impatiently, making it his turn for the dirty look. “What did you see?” “That is a brilliant question” I muttered, frowning as I glared out the window. “All I know is that we’re still here in it” I said, sounding unhelpful. “Harry, What are you doing?” Hermione’s voice was quiet but sharp. “I don’t think you should look around when he’s not here!” I turned and watched as Harry stood up and then freeze, staring upwards. I rose from my chair, waving away Jamie’s attempts to follow, and walked to the stairs to stand beside him. “That’s a painting... It reminds me of Luna’s work” He said quietly, cocking his head to the side. I put my foot on the metal staircase and started to climb. Harry followed after me. “Alicia!” “Stay down there, Jamie” I called over my shoulder, not turning round. We emerged in a bedroom. Harry was right- it was obviously Luna’s room. She had painted seven faces on her ceiling- Harry’s, Ginny’s, Hermione’s, Ron’s, Jamie’s and mine. They were also linked with golden chains, or so I thought at first glance. “It’s the word ‘FRIENDS’ repeated who knows how many times” Harry whispered, still staring upwards. I glanced round the room, catching my reflection in a small mirror- my hair was a icy blue colour. “Can’t you feel that?” I asked, wrapping my arms round myself. Harry frowned as he looked at me. “The coldness?” His frown deepened as his eyes swept the room once. “The wardrobe’s empty... The bed hasn’t been slept in...” He whispered and I nodded. “Xenophilius is lying to us- Luna hasn’t been here in months, Harry” I said and he turned and vanished down the staircase. I bit my lip, wondering where Luna was for another second before following him. “What? What is it?” I heard Hermione ask Harry as the room slowly came back into view. I saw Jamie glance at my face and jump to his feet. “What?” He asked in a anxious voice but as I stepped off the stairs, Xenophilius appeared at the top of the stairs from the kitchen. “Mr Lovegood? Sir?” I started in a voice which plainly said that I was shocked. He froze, the tray trembling slightly in his hands. “Where’s Luna?” Jamie stepped to my side, his eyes darting from me, to Harry, to Xenophilius and back again. “Excuse me?” The man said in a quiet voice and I felt the faint hint of anger touch the blood in my veins. I was slightly shocked with myself- I hadn’t been irritated for a long while now. “Where’s Luna?” Harry said, stepping in quickly. I guessed that my appearance had changed again, giving my mood away. “I- I’ve told you, she’s fishing down at Bottom Bridge” Xenophilius said in a shaky voice. Something crossed his thoughts and I frowned at him, not understanding it one bit. “So why have you set that tray for six?” I pointed out as Hermione and Ron stood too. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. We waited patiently but still nothing. “I don’t think Luna’s been here for months... Her bed hasn’t been slept in, her clothes are gone... Where is she? And why do you keep looking out the window?” I half- shouted, making Jamie put a hand on my shoulder. I knew that my hair would be short and black by now. He dropped the tray but I was quicker, pointing my wand at him. Jamie caught on quickly and drew his wand, causing the other three to do the same. “The printing press will stop in ten seconds” I added, my voice full of venom. Ron turned to the machine as it fell silent, spilling Quibbler’s over our feet. “Harry, look at this” He said, grabbing one and holding it out for us to look at. I frowned at the cover. “The Quibbler’s going for a new angle then?” Harry said coldly and I felt heat flush my face. “That’s why he went into the garden... Sending an owl to the Ministry” I said, anger mixing with disgust. Jamie’s hand put more pressure on my shoulder. “They took my Luna, because of what I was writing... They took my Luna and I don’t know where she is, what they’ve done to her...” I felt the fire inside me died a little as the horror gripped my heart- poor Luna. “But they might give her back to me if I- if I- ” The fire regained it’s former level of heat. “Hand over Harry?” I spat and Hermione hissed in anger behind me. “No deal- get out the way, we’re leaving” Ron said but I shook my head, stumbling backwards in horror. Jamie caught me as my legs gave out. “It’s too late! They’re on their way! Harry, we’re not going to get out in time!” I whispered, staring out the window behind Ron. “HARRY!” Hermione shrieked, pointing at the figures on brooms- unmistakably Death Eaters. Harry, Ron and Jamie turned to the window but I turned towards Xenophilius, who drew his wand. “NO!” I shouted, lunging towards Jamie and catching his knees. Harry knocked Ron and Hermione out the way as the Stunner soared across the room. It hit the Enrumptment Horn, which exploded, practically tearing the room apart. Sorry about the mix- up! |
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Fantastic post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
Hmm:hmm: Malfoy Manor with Alicia and Jamie??!! Curious to see how this works:P Loved these:D I'm so clumsy at keeping up to date with this:lol: K xx |
I missed out a whole chapter! I'm going to edit the last post to make it five and then re- post chapter six! Sorry! :val5: |
I woke again, sitting upright and cracking my head- I could feel a bruise throbbing painfully. “Jamie?” My voice sounded child-like to me so I bit my lip. “I’m here, love... What did you see this time?” He asked, his voice filled with nothing but curiosity. I wrapped my arms round his neck, burying my face in his shoulder length hair. “I saw more of what happened to us” I mumbled as his arms appeared around my waist. “I saw Luna’s father look at us from over the top of a cabinet and then we were falling...” “Yes, Hermione blasted a hole in the floor so we could get out... Ron and I were under the cloak, remember? Hermione Apparated us to that field” He said in a comforting voice. “Why can’t I remember what happened?” I was honestly worried about myself- I’d woken up inside the tent with no memory of how I had got there and no idea who Jamie was until he touched my face, his eyes full of worry. “You got hit in the head with that bust of Rowena Ravenclaw when that Enrumpment Horn blew the house apart and then you fell and hit your head once we were back here...” He said, smiling at me as I looked up at him. “Oh...” Was all I manage. He chuckled once before I heard Harry’s voice through the darkness. It sounded like he was arguing. “Don’t worry, love” Jamie said quietly, sweeping mahogany curls out of my face. “He’s arguing with Hermione again” “Obsession?” I recognised Hermione’s fierce voice and climbed out of the bed, my hand wrapped in Jamie’s. “We’re not the ones with an obsession, Harry! We’re the ones doing what Dumbledore wanted us to do!” Ron was sitting behind Hermione, who was glaring at Harry. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” Harry said calmly, his anger gone as he quoted his parents tombstone. Hermione raised an eyebrow. “I thought it was You- Know- Who we were supposed to be fighting?” Hermione retorted and I watched as harry shrugged and walked away, towards the mouth of the tent. “What is he thinking? Focusing on the Hallows as if they’re real...” I let Hermione’s angry whispers fade into background noise as I looked at the back of Harry’s head. “Alicia...” Harry said in a bored voice, half an hour later, turning to look at me. I grinned innocently and he gave me a small returning smile. I skipped towards him and dropped to the floor, handing him a plate of food. “I know how you’re feeling, Harry- I’ve been there” I whispered and he froze, the piece of sausage falling off his fork. “Your visions, I mean” “I thought my visions were frowned upon?” He said, returning to his dinner. I bit my lip and glanced over my shoulder. Jamie was flicking through one of the books we’d brought with us, Hermione had her nose in The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore again while Ron was muttering to the radio in the corner again. “Forget what I’ve said in the past, Harry. Your visions are just as important as mine- we know how he feels, where he is and what he’s doing... It’s that old Muggle saying all over again, isn’t it? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer” I said quietly, sounding older than I actually was. “Wow, I sound like my mum...” He cracked a smile at me, which faded slowly. “But- ” “They’re not as clear as before? That’s happened to me as well, Harry” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “He probably knows what he wants but doesn’t know how to get it” I grinned evilly at him. “Like when you was constantly thinking about Ginny last year... I kept getting faint flickers of the two of you- not to mention certain dreams I never wish to have again, thank you very much” I added and he grinned impishly. “Sorry...” He muttered, his cheeks burning. I laughed and Jamie looked over at us. “I’ve got it! I’ve got it! The password was Albus! Get in here, you two!” Ron called, making us all jump. I heard the books hit the carpet before two pairs of feet walked across the small room. We listened as our friends voices issued out of the tiny wooden wireless- Lee, Remus, Kingsley and Fred. I bit my lip, listening carefully. I remained silent as they listed the dead and then laughed as they mentioned Hagrid’s Support Harry Potter party. Then it turned to the subject I was interested in, making me lean forwards in concentration. “As our listeners know, unless they’ve taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You- Know- Who’s strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You- Know- Who’s running around the place” Fred’s voice announced and I nodded my head once. Even here, on this windy little hill, I could feel the panic gripping at my heels. “Which suits him of course” Kingsley said and I pursed my lips slightly. “The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself” “Agreed. So, people, let’s try to calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You- Know- Who can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That’s a Basalisk, listeners. One simple test- check whether the thing glaring at you has got legs- ” I started laughing, missing the rest of the report. I was still laughing as the lights went out from behind the screen and the radio fell silent. Jamie grinned as he swept scarlet curls over my shoulders. I kissed him quickly before Harry’s voice busted my happy little bubble. “But did you hear what Fred said? He’s abroad! He’s still looking for the wand, I knew it!” “Harry- ” Hermione and I said at the same time. Her voice drowned out mine, loud with denial and disbelief. “Come on, Hermione” He said, cutting her off, not hearing my silent whisper of warning. “Why are you so determined not to admit it? Vol—” “NO!” I shrieked, at the same time Ron shouted “HARRY! IT’S TABBOOED!” “—demort’s after the Elder Wand!” He continued as I froze, fear locking my muscles into place while horror made my hair turn grey as it fell into my eyes, which closed slowly. I heard the victorious thoughts over the sound of our protective spells vanishing, the approaching footsteps and the spinning Sneakoscope. I heard Ron fumble for the Deluminator and opened my eyes, searching the sudden darkness for Jamie’s face. Fear crackled down my spine as a familiar voice broke the silence. “Come out of there with your hands up! We know you’re in there! You’ve got half a dozen wands pointing at you and we don’t care who we curse!” “I bet you don’t!” I shouted through the darkness and I heard muttering from outside. This is right now :whistle: |
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Now, shall I just repeat what I said last time? :lol: Quote:
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Fantastic post, Abi! Please PAMS! |
No problem:D We all get mixed up at some point:lol: I loved the poison part:P Great post:) K xx |
“Get. Off. Her!” Jamie and Ron shouted as we were wrestled out of the tent. I saw one of the Snatchers hit Ron in the stomach from the corner of my eye. “NO!” Hermione screamed as I started to fight back. “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” I shrieked as he turned towards Jamie. I caught the Snatcher holding me in the groin and jumped between him and Jamie. I was slapped across the face, nails cutting into my cheek. I hit the floor, hissing in pain, as Jamie was punched in the stomach and hit on the back of the neck, falling forwards too. Before I could do more than push myself up off the floor, I felt long nails dig into the top of my arm. “Delicious girl... What a treat... I do like the softness of the skin...” I stiffened, my back ram rod straight. The man who had me was Fenrir Greyback. My hair was suddenly short and black as fury trickled through my veins. “Hmm, a Metamorphagus... Lovely... Let’s hope your pretty friend here isn’t on my list” Fenrir purred in my ear, his eyes on Hermione. “Now let’s see who we’ve got” I was dragged towards Hermione, who shook with fear. “What’s your name, girly?” “Penelope Clearwater” Hermione squeaked, terrified and convincing. “Blood Status?” Greyback barked and I narrowed my eyes. “Half- Blood” She squeaked and I was able to glimpse at her face before I was dragged towards Harry. “I’ll need Butterbeer to wash this one down... What happened to you, ugly?” Greyback asked and Harry remained silent, unsure on what to say. “I said, what happened to you?” The werewolf asked again, kicking him in the chest- he laughed as I shook with fury. “Stung- been stung” Harry muttered, barely able to see in front of him. “Looks like it... What’s your name?” Another Snatcher asked while the rest laughed. Greyback was looking over each of us careful, his thoughts making my skin crawl. “Dudley” Harry said, no hesitation at all. I felt the smile spread across my face at the name. “And your first name?” Fenrir ordered and Harry hesitated slightly, making the werewolf tighten his grip on my arm. The feel of the warm blood trickling down my arm made me nervous. “I- Vernon” Harry said after a second and Greyback backed away from him. “Check the list, Scabior” A blonde man with a sheet of parchment rolled into a scroll nodded and I was dragged towards Jamie, who was still on the floor. “Name?” I hissed as the man’s eyes glided over Jamie slowly. “Williams” Jamie spat, his eyes dancing with fire as they darted to my livid face, the marks on my cheek, the hand round my arm, the mans face and back again. “Emmett Williams” “Blood Status” Greyback ordered and my hissing grew into snarls. Jamie threw me a warning look as he pushed himself up onto his knees- Fenrir would recognise my snarling. “Half- Blood” I was dragged along once more as Jamie was thrown to the floor again. “And what about you. Ginger?” “Stan Shunpike” Ron said immediately and I glared at him. We were obviously in danger, having Fenrir this close to finding out who we really were, so using Stan’s name could be disastrous. “Try again, Ginger” Greyback sneered, hitting Ron in the face. “I’b Bardy” Ron said, spitting a mouthful of blood. “Bardy Weadley” “A Weasley? So you’re related to Blood Traitors even if you’re not a Mudblood” I saw the fury flash across Jamie’s face as I hissed through my teeth in anger and pain. “And your name, feisty?” Greyback said, shaking my arm. I spat at him. I saw Jamie smile at me quickly before it vanished quickly- Fenrir raised his free hand and slapped me again, cutting my other cheek. “What’s your name?” “Sorry, I don’t think you’re my type” I retorted and he released my arm, throwing me to the floor. I knew that I was going to pay for being defiant, but I couldn’t help myself- this man helped Severus Snape kill Dumbledore, this man scarred Bill’s face, this man made Remus a werewolf... “What’s. Your. Name” Greyback rasped, each word punctuated by a blow. ‘Just answer him!’ I obeyed Jamie’s thought automatically. “Jayme” I lied, spitting blood and wiping my mouth. “Jayme Alicia Brand... Pureblood” “What House you in?” The werewolf ordered and I raised my chin slightly. “Does it matter?” I answered back and the next thing I knew, I was on my back, sprawled across the dirt. “What House?” “Slytherin, only one in the entire family and proud of it” I hissed and Greyback walked away. “Bind them up with the other prisoners” He ordered and I felt hands close round my arms, making me hiss in pain as they caught the marks from Greyback’s nails. They released me and I thought about running for half a second before a hand became wrapped in my hair. I gasped as I saw where we were being taken. A Goblin and a boy were tied together under a nearby tree. The boy- who was far too familiar- opened his mouth to say something but I glared at him. I was bound to the boys right side while Jamie was tied to my left. “Anyone still got a wand?” Harry asked in a whisper as the Snatchers walked away. “No- they ransacked the tent and took the damn sword too, listen” I said as they discussed it. “Alicia, we- ” Jamie started quietly but someone spoke over him. “Harry? Alicia?” The boy whispered, recognising Hermione and Ron but not Harry or me. “Dean?” Harry replied, his voice full of shock. “It is you! If they find out who they’ve got!” Dean’s sentence was cut short by my terrified gasp. “What is it?” Jamie said immediately and I ignored him. “No... Oh no! The paper! I can’t raise my hand to change it!” I said, fighting against the ropes. “’Ang on a minute, Greyback! Look at this, in the Prophet!” Scabior emerged from the tent and handed the newspaper to the werewolf. I felt the others round me stiffen. “What? What, Alicia?” Dean breathed silently, not knowing what was going on. My hair fell into my eyes, pure white. I focused on changing it but I could only manage a light blue curl that was still in my vision. “Hermione Granger and Alicia Starlight, the Mudbloods known to be travelling with Harry Potter...” At Greyback’s words, I felt Harry’s scar sear in pain. “You know what, this picture looks a hell of a lot like you, girly” He said, walking over and showing Hermione her own photo. “It isn’t! It isn’t me!” Hermione squeaked, terror shaking her voice. She spoke so quickly that it gave us away. The small clearing we’d camped in fell oddly silent. “Alicia Daniels, a Mudblood Metamorphagus known to be with Potter...” Greyback said, his eyes scanning the page. “I’ve met her before...” His boots creaked as he crouched in front of me. “Drop the disguise, Daniels” Greyback whispered and I spat at him, my hair turning scarlet. He laughed again as he stood up and I hissed through my teeth, fighting the ropes again. “Known to be travelling with Harry Potter...” I heard it click together in his head and stopped fighting, snarling under my breath at him. “Calm down, Alicia” Dean murmured quietly as Greyback moved towards Harry. “This changes things...” He muttered to himself as he glanced at the paper again. “What’s that on your head, Vernon?” I watched as Fenrir raised a finger to touch Harry’s painful scar. “DON’T TOUCH IT!” Harry shouted and Greyback smirked. “I thought you wore glasses, Potter?” He breathed and I hissed again, breaking the silence. Jamie made an angry noise as a Snatcher produced Harry’s glasses. “It is! We caught Potter!” |
Hey Abi:hello: You haven't posted in a while, glad this is back:P Loved this post, funny how Jamie and Alicia fit in so well. If you don't post soon I will....I'll.... oh I don't know what I'll do. Just PAMS :lol: K x |
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I missed posting, actually :lol: I'll post soon- PROMISE! Abi :val5: |
AH, that was awesome, Abi! I love how well Alicia and Jamie are incorporated into the scene and what not! Fantastic post! Please PAMS! :val5: |
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:val5: |
Here you go... :val5: “They say they’ve got Potter” Narcissa Malfoy said in a cold voice. I could feel Harry fighting to remain in his own head as Jamie shook with anger. I was rigid, torn between fury and terror. “Draco, come here” I glared as the familiar face drew nearer. I was abruptly grabbed by my hair and forced to turn so that Harry was in front. “Well, boy?” Greyback rasped, his hand still in my hair. I saw Harry and Jamie glance in the gilded mirror in front of them. Hermione’s terrified breaths started to reach my ears. “I can’t- I can’t be sure” Draco muttered, seeming scared to look at Harry as he kept a distance from the werewolf, who finally let me go. “There’s something there... It could be the scar, stretched tight...” I hissed angrily as Lucius came close to Harry’s face, staring avidly. “Draco, come here, look properly! What do you think?” Draco obeyed his father for thirty seconds. “I don’t know” And I stared as Draco walked away again. “We must be sure, Lucius, before we call him” Narcissa called in a clear voice- I guessed that her voice was just permanently cold. “Remember what he did to Rowle and Dolohov?” “What about the Mudbloods then?” Greyback growled, sounding slightly put that they didn’t believe him. I felt his fingers in my hair again. “Wait,” Narcissa said quickly, her cold voice turning sharp. “She was in Madam Malkin’s with Potter! Look, Draco, isn’t it the Granger girl?” “I... Maybe... Yeah” Draco said without turning round. For the first time in my entire life, I felt something other than hatred for Draco Malfoy. “We know this one is the Daniels girl” Greyback said, pulling my head up. “We’re sure on it” Draco spun round at my surname. “How can you be sure? Daniels is a Metamorphagus” He said quickly, his eyes looking me up and down. “Actually, there is something familiar in the face... Draco” Lucius said, making me bare my teeth. Draco stepped between his parents slowly. “I’m not sure...” he said, his eyes probing my face as a small frown appeared on his face. Lucius looked to my left- at Jamie. “This is the Starlight boy!” He said happily and he stared down at Jamie, who glared back darkly. My eyes were still on Draco’s face as I sent them a startling bright blue for a couple of seconds. ‘Thank you for trying to help us, Draco’ I thought quickly as his mother straightened up. ‘I won’t forget this’ He jumped as my words entered his head but then stared into my face. ‘They need to know who I am though- please, Draco, tell the truth’ A slight frown crossed his features. “It’s Daniels- watch” And he leant forwards as if to kiss me. Instead, he whispered in my ear. “I’m not doing this to help them- I want out of this whole thing” And then his voice rose so that his parents could hear. “We got to your family” My hair turned a sickly green colour. “Your sister, Rosalie, was screaming for you- so she was silenced” “NO!” I screamed, making him jump backwards as I started to struggle with the ropes again. Jamie was pulling against the restraints too as I caught the two words in Draco’s head. ‘I’m sorry’ I spat at him, my hatred magnified. “And then that must be the Weasley boy!” Lucius said, elated at his son’s brutality and their new found discovery. “What is this? What’s happening, Cissy?” Bellatrix said as she entered the room and walked forwards, her dark eyes falling on Hermione. “But surely, this is the Mudblood girl? This is Granger?” I snarled at the woman fighting to get free. As I heard the thoughts in the Death Eater’s head, I fell silent and tuned out of the conversation, ignoring the evidence of our fate. I closed my eyes and concentrated on Ginny, praying that she was at the Burrow. I heard the laughter before I saw them. Fred, George and Ginny were playing exploding snap. The laughter came from Sean, Jamie’s father, who watched as the cards caught Ginny’s long hair. Molly, Arthur and Sophie, Jamie’s mother, were talking quietly round the coffee table. I was suddenly self- conscious of the ropes that were still round my Astro- projection self. “It feels ever so lonely at ours with just the two of us... I kept expecting Jamie to come down the stairs or Alicia to appear in the fireplace-” Sophie cut off, her eyes flicking towards me as I stood in front of the fire. “You see,” She said sadly, waving a hand towards me. “I’m seeing her now” She finished and Molly followed her gaze. “ALICIA!” She screamed and everyone jumped. Ginny sprang to her feet, her head whipping side to side. “Where?” She shrieked before her eyes fell on me. “Alicia! What- How- Where- I miss you!” She ran at me but I shook my head. “Don’t panic, I’m Astro- projecting... Don’t mind the ropes; we’re just in a bit of a situation, that’s all...” My eyes flicked towards the adults. “You need to get everyone out- now. Go to Aunt Muriel’s or something- the Burrow isn’t safe anymore... Sean, Sophie, you need to hide too- go to mine if you have to but- take of my family for me, they got to them” “Who did?” Sean said quickly, standing up and I smiled at him. “The Death Eaters, of course... You need to move now- there isn’t much time- they know we’re with Harry, hence the ropes...” I heard Ron and Jamie shout in my ears. “I’m sorry- I love you all” I said quickly as a sharp pain appeared on my hand. I opened my eyes and was back at Malfoy Manor, my hand throbbing from the pinch Jamie had just given me. “You can have me!” “Don’t you dare touch her!” I opened my eyes as the shouts cut off. Bellatrix was stepping back from Jamie, who had a hand print on his cheek. I watched as the witch threw Greyback his wand and drew a silver knife from inside her robes. She stepped towards Hermione and I froze, dreading the worst, but she slashed through the ropes holding her to the rest of us and threw her into the middle of the room. She then turned and cut me loose, dragging me towards Hermione as the others were shunted out of the room, towards the basement. |
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I can't wait to see what happens!! Great posts! Please PAMS! :val5: |
For the first time in the whole of my life, I was terrified. But not for myself- for the others. I wasn’t sure what would happen next but I knew it would be bad. Hermione was unconscious at Bellatrix’s feet and I was standing in the middle of the room, face to face with Draco. “I want the truth, Daniels, and you will give it to me. Draco will see to that” Bellatrix said as she stepped away from Hermione. I took the chance and cast a wordless protection charm round her just in case. “Alicia- ” Draco whispered and my eyes snapped to his face- fire dancing in them. ‘I thought I could trust you for a second back then- the way you were lying about us. I guess you can’t change a person over time, can you?’ I saw him flinch slightly but he began to stare at me in a way I’d only seen on Jamie’s face. ‘It wasn’t my idea, Alicia! It was Bellatrix! She thought that you would come running to their rescue but you didn’t- I wasn’t involved’ I let the frown form on my face as I met his eyes. I noticed that, for once, they weren’t’ full of hatred. ‘Swear on it’ I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly as I brushed scarlet curls out of my face. ‘I swear on Albus Dumbledore’s grave, Alicia, I wasn’t involved’ ‘I believe you’ I thought, feeling totally insane. ‘I’m going to help you out of this, Draco, but you have to do what I say’ Insaina must have sat in now. ‘Anything’ I heard before someone tutted nearby. “If you won’t act, Draco, I’ll let Greyback do it!” Bellatrix threatened and I smirked. Draco let a small frown cross his features. “Yeah, Draco, don’t you want to fight me? Are you too scared? Why don’t step aside, little boy, and make room for the big bad wolf” I said, laughter in my voice, and I heard Greyback snarl. Draco stood there for a second so I sighed. ‘You said anything- so attack me. I’m not going to be too hard on you- promise’ He got the hint then, pointing his wand at me and sending something my way. After a few minutes of me dodging everything that Draco sent my way, Bellatrix got bored- bored enough to send the Cruciatus curse my way, which hit me square in the back, sending me flying face first into the carpet, screaming in pain. ‘What do you want me to do?’ Draco thought as the pain lifted. I rolled over, gasping for air. ‘Hurt me’ I replied before Bellatrix aimed at my chest, making feel as if my lungs were on fire. I heard Draco’s silent refusal under my screams and tears. ‘Do- it- Draco- I- want- you to- hurt me’ I thought round the pain. As I lay on the floor, I caught a glimpse of his face as he raised his wand again- it was full of disgust. Bellatrix didn’t lift her wand while Draco sent the Severing charm at me again and again. “That’s enough” Bellatrix said after a while, making Draco step back, his thoughts nothing but apologies. She raised her wand and I curled into a ball trying to breath. “Fetch me the Goblin, Draco” I watched from the floor as he ran from the room. Bellatrix wrapped her hand in my light grey hair and I gasped in pain as I was forced to my knees. I felt the warm blood run down my bare skin in little trickles, my shirt and jeans ripped open, showing my underwear. My vision flashed and I saw Draco enter the room in the basement. My eyes were locked on Jamie but I noticed that there were more people down here- Luna and Mr Ollivander. I watched as the prisoners lined up against the wall and Draco dragged the barely conscious Goblin from the room. I blinked to find myself face to face with Draco again. ‘Are you okay?’ He thought and I glared at him. His lip twitched slightly and he turned away from me. I caught his eye run down the length of my body. ‘I will kill you if you look at me in that way again- that is a promise’ I threatened and I saw his cheek turn pink as a loud crack met our ears. I concentrated on the basement room and caught Ron’s thoughts- Dobby had arrived to save us. |
The last bit was funneh! Can't wait to see what more happens with Draco and the others! Please PAMS! :val5: |
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:lol: “And now, we call the Dark Lord!” Bellatrix said, triumph in her voice. I was face down on the carpet and screamed when her finger touched the ugly mark on her arm. Bellatrix laughed evilly. “And I think we can dispose of the Mudblood’s. Greyback, take them if you want them” I felt the werewolf’s glee spike before I froze in shock. “NOOOOOO!” Ron’s shout mixed with three sets of footsteps and I turned my head to the side to see Harry, Ron and Jamie run into the room. I tried to push myself up, forcing myself to help them fight, but I couldn’t- and it was already too late. “STOP OR SHE DIES!” I looked towards Bellatrix’s voice and felt fear stab my stomach. She had pulled Hermione off the floor and held the silver knife to her throat. I was only a couple of feet away from them- if I could just do something. “Drop your wands!” Bellatrix whispered dangerously. “Drop them or we’ll see exactly how filthy her blood is!” I was suddenly torn- tell them to listen to the crazed woman and let all of us die or tell them to fight and lose Hermione. I looked at my best friend, at her calm, emotionless face, and chose. ‘Do it’ I thought quietly. I felt Jamie’s eyes on me but didn’t meet them. “I said, drop them!” Bellatrix screeched, pushing the blade into Hermione’s skin. I saw the bead of blood roll down her neck. “NOW!” I yelled, my face screwed up in pain. I heard the wands clatter to the floor as Draco’s apologies sounded round my head again. “Good! Draco, pick them up! The Dark Lord is coming, Harry Potter! Your death approaches!” Bellatrix leered as I watched Draco obey his Aunt’s order. As soon as he had them, he hurried back to his family, standing close to my head as I struggled to push myself up. ‘Are you okay?’ He thought and I was suddenly amazed by him again. ‘I’ll be fine... Look, the fight is going to start again in a minute and I want you to take cover’ I thought quickly, my eyes on his Aunt. “Now, Cissy, I think we ought to tie these little heroes up again, while Greyback takes care of Miss Mudblood here, Draco can deal with Daniels” I felt Draco mentally cringe. “I am sure the Dark Lord will not begrudge you the girl- or girls, Greyback, after what you have done tonight” A grinding noise had suddenly started and everyone looked up. The crystal and gold chandelier trembled, creaked and began to fall. Bellatrix screamed, threw Hermione to the ground and leapt to the side. I screamed as it moved towards the floor, right on top of Hermione, Griphook and me. Narcissa had dragged Draco out of the way just in time. “ALICIA!” Jamie yelled as I screamed as it made contact with the carpet and us. I felt something embed into my side and the sudden warmth as the blood started to flow. “Stupefy!” I heard Harry shout as the sound of people digging in the wreckage met my ears. I saw Jamie’s face, pale with fright, appear and his hands helped me to my feet. The room pitched and rolled as my vision blurred slightly. “DOBBY!” Narcissa screamed, her wand pointing at the doorway. I saw Bellatrix freeze. “You? You dropped the chandelier?” I was engulfed in panic as the elf trotted into the room, a shaking finger aimed at Narcissa. “You must not hurt Harry Potter” He squeaked and sadness gripped my heart for some unknown reason. Jamie helped me limp across the room. “Kill him, Cissy!” Bellatrix ordered, her eyes darting from the house- elf to my face to Harry and back. Her sister’s wand spun across the room with a crack. “You dirty little monkey! How dare you take a witch’s wand, how dare you defy your masters!” Bellatrix shrieked, pointing her knife at the elf. Harry had wrestled the wands from Draco’s grip and shot a stunner at Greyback as he stalked towards Jamie and me. “Dobby has no master!” Dobby squeaked loudly. “Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!” I was inside Harry’s head for a second as the pain pulsing through his scar blinded him- we only had seconds left. “Ron- Jamie, catch and go!” Harry yelled, throwing two of the wands into the air. I winced as Jamie snatched it from the air. He apologised and shifted me so that I wouldn’t be in pain. Harry grabbed the goblin and Dobby’s hand. Ron threw Hermione unceremoniously over his shoulder as the three boys spun on the spot at the same time. The last thing I saw before blacking out was Bellatrix throwing the silver knife at Harry and Draco’s pale face, his grey eyes locked on me. |
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Great post, Abi! Please PAMS! :val5: |
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BTW, Just to say that I've finished this on paper and all I have to is type it up... Unfortunately, I think I may have got too carried away nearer the end... Chapter Eleven- Control, Grief and the Past I knelt beside the elf’s still body, silent tears leaving tracks on my cut cheeks as I watched Harry, Ron and Dean work among flowers. Jamie was holding a lamp so that they could see what they were doing, his eyes trained on my face, calculating every miniature facial expression I made. Harry had related the death of Dobby to the loss of Dumbledore- but I couldn’t do that- I wouldn’t do that. I had added Dobby’s name to my mental list of people I hadn’t said goodbye to and was praying that it was the last, that Draco had been lying. “You won’t see anything” Jamie whispered, his voice barely a breath. “Not with that still hurting you” His words brought a small fraction of the pain I felt to the front of my mind. I was refusing help until I knew about my family, letting the blood stain my blue shirt and white jeans as it flowed from the large gash in my side- the twisted piece of chandelier still lay where I had dropped it, a single crimson stained crystal droplet swinging in the breeze. “Thanks for reminding me” I retorted, my voice barely a whisper, flat and emotionless, almost uncaring. Jamie’s eyes looked over my face once more before they moved towards the three in the flowerbed. I let mine drift over the cliff edge, towards the blackness that had consumed the sea. A faint, out of focus image flashed through my thoughts and I pushed it away- I didn’t care what was happening now- what Voldemort was doing. A small part of my exhausted brain noticed that the image hadn’t affected Harry, showing that Harry had finally gained control over his visions. Hermione would be proud... “We should close his eyes” Someone said from behind me, announcing the arrival of the others. I obeyed the voice automatically, sliding Dobby’s eyelids shut with two shaking fingers. As soon as I pulled my hand away, I felt the urge to run- so I did. I stood and turned my back on the small funeral, heading for the cliff edge, where I lay on my uninjured side, staring out into the darkness. I didn’t even notice the stars vanish. Rosalie stormed past me into the kitchen, Emmett right behind her. “Rose, just listen for a minute!” He said in a persuasive voice, which didn’t work. Rosalie turned to glare at her twin. “No- you listen- I don’t want to leave or hide, Emmett! I can’t!” Rose half- shouted, her voice close to breaking. “Every memory I have of her is here- in the house, in this street, in this tiny little town in the middle of the countryside! I. Am. Not. Leaving!” I watched from the doorway that lead into the living room as the rest of my family stood in front of me, watching the two siblings. “What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice echoing, making me frown. They all ignored me. “Rose, love, we’re going to have to, as a precaution” My dad said, stepping forwards. “We don’t! They won’t come here- we’re not witches or wizards! They have no reason- ” “Alicia- they’ll come here about Alicia!” Emmett shouted and I saw everyone wince at my name. I felt the guilt spread through me as I realised the pain I’d put my family through. “Look, the paper has her photo in it- she’s wanted by the Ministry- who are now totally in the power of those lunatics she’s afraid of!” “She isn’t scared of them! She’s brave enough to stand up to them and fight- twice!” Rose retorted and I was shocked at the amount of love she had in her face. We’d always hated each other- I’d never really seen how much my sister loved me before now. Emmett hit the table with his fist, making her jump. “You’re stalling, Rosalie! That’s what this is!” He roared at her. “She isn’t coming back- Alicia is never going to come back!” “She was perfectly fine at Christmas!” Rose shouted back. Emmett covered his face with his hands, ignoring her. “She’s dead, Rose” His whisper broke, letting the pain escape. “No, I’m not!” I shouted, reaching out to touch my mum’s shoulder, to let her know I was behind them. “I’m alive- ” I cut off, staring at my hand as it passed through my mum’s shoulder as if I were a shadow. “I’m not sure about that, but I know you are” I spun at the familiar voice as a curse flew over our heads and hit Emmett squarely in the face. “NO!” I yelled, turning to glare at Bellatrix, as she stood alone, in the center of the living room, her wand aiming at her next victim- Jasper. “I hope little miss Seer sees this and comes running to your rescue, just a little too late” She aimed again as Jasper dropped and Rosalie screamed. “ALICIA, NO- ” “NO! NO!” I screamed, trying to run forwards. “Ali, it’s okay! Alicia! Wake up!” Jamie’s voice made me freeze, suddenly disoriented. I was awake, wasn’t I? I was standing in the center of my living room at home, right? “She ‘az lost a lot of blood, Jamie, Zee wound was veery serious- let ‘er rest” Fleur? Suddenly, I was bolt- upright with a shaky gasp, my eyes wide open. “Alicia!” I felt Jamie’s hand on my arm as I gasped, tears spilling over my cheeks, which were healed. I flinched away from him, ignoring the shocked looks from the faces surrounding me. “Ali? What is it, love?” I ignored him, my tears slowly turning to sobs. “Alicia, sweetheart, you’re at Shell Cottage, remember?” Bill said quietly, leaning round Jamie, his voice paced slowly. I nodded, feeling my sobs become hysterics. “Family... Gone... Bell- Bell- Bellatrix... Draco... T- T- Truth... Mistake... Help...” I said, throwing the quilt away from me. I was wearing nothing but an overlarge t-shirt and my underwear. I could feel tight bandages round my waist. “I am cleaning all your zings, to get rid of all zee blood” Fleur explained in her accent and I guessed the top was Bill’s, who was pushing me back onto the pillows. “No, you don’t... Rest” He ordered, pulling a orange curl away from my face. I was suddenly tired, so I stopped resisting and flopped back down. “Jamie?” I whispered and I felt him sit on the edge of the mattress. “I’m sorry... I love you” I said and he took my hand, kissing it. “I love you too, Rainbow” He whispered, using my dad's old nickname for me. Fleur wrapped the duvet round me again and I drifted into a dreamless sleep. TaDa! :val5: |
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Wait, what does that mean? What did you do?!? Quote:
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Fantastic post, love! Please PAMS! :val5: |
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Well... I- um- accidently, sort of... killed someone... :whistle: Quote:
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Okay, so, I've been thinking and I've decided to be mean :shifty: I'm going to finish this a bit early and then turn the battle scenes into a new fic... Or should I just leave it? :val5: |
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It's fun! I think I will... LEAVE IT! Making it into two fics is too much hard work! :lol: :val5: |
Shell Cottage was beautiful, with it’s shell- encrusted exterior walls and it’s ocean views. I skipped out on every meeting with Griphook, either sitting by Dobby’s grave, flicking at the green shoots or standing at the cliff edge, watching the waves roll towards me. Yesterday, during one of my ‘private times’, as Bill was calling them, I’d seen Sean and Sophie bury my family. I vowed to visit them after I was free from hiding. “Alicia?” I turned at Dean’s voice without a smile. “Are you okay?” “I’ll be fine... Did Jamie get you to come out?” I asked, my eyes darting to the window with closed red curtains. “No... I was coming to say thanks, for getting us out of the basement... And to wish you luck with whatever you’re doing” He said, joining me at the very edge. I saw his eyes dart to my feet, where my toes were hanging over the edge. The ground was slowly crumbling away underneath them. “I’m not going to jump, Dean” I said calmly and he seemed to relax slightly. “We’ll see you after this is all over... Can you do something for me?” I asked without looking at him. “Course I will... I owe you a favour” He said, a smile in his voice. “Tell Ginny that I love her and that I’m sorry about skipping out early the other day... Tell her that I miss her” He agreed and then went back inside to finish packing, leaving me alone again. I looked out over the ocean again, sighing. Plans were being made by the others to leave our sanctuary and break into Gringotts, leaving more hurt behind us. I had broken out the dresses again. I was wearing a red cotton dress, the wind blowing the skirt flat against my leg and blowing my long blonde hair over my face. I must have looked like one of those old school movie stars, who wait at the cliffs for her beloved to return home after a war. It made me want to laugh- I was hoping that my family would somehow return to me. “You will get ill, standing out ‘ere” Fleur’s voice scolded as she came up behind me. I turned and waved at Luna and Dean as Bill led them to the boundary line. “’Ow eez your side, today?” “Fine, thank you... Look, Fleur, I know that you know we’re planning to leave again” I said and she sighed. The red curtain twitched, giving Jamie away. “We don’t want to hurt anyone else, so it’s for the best” “You are not ‘urting anyone, Alicia! Zis eez where you are safe!” She said, taking my hands in hers. “We can look after you ‘ere!” “I can’t let you do that, Fleur- what if someone found out we were here? You’d be in even more danger! If anything happened to you or Bill...” I couldn’t finish my sentence, swallowing back tears. “We look after ourselves, Alicia... I want to keep you all safe, too” Fleur pleaded and I tried to sooth her. “Okay... I’ll see if I can convince the others that we can stay here” I lied, knowing I wouldn’t even open my mouth. She smiled, leading me inside and asking if I wanted to help with dinner. I sliced up the raw steaks with a fake smile. I kept quiet during dinner, sitting beside Jamie with my fake smile still on my face. Fleur kept glancing at the others and throwing looks in my direction. Bill glanced at me as if I were insane. “What do you want for dinner tomorrow? We’re going shopping in the afternoon” Bill said in an attempt to break the awkward silence. “Surprise us” I said in a flat voice, gaining every eye on my face. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” Bill asked, using the usual name and leaning forwards in concern. “You seem...” He paused, trying to find the right word. “Off” Jamie said helpfully, patting my knee in a reassuring way. Harry’s face said ‘Don’t worry, we’re leaving in the morning’. “Did you see something?” I looked up at Jamie as he tried to help me out of the corner and then at Bill’s worried face, nodded and felt tears pool in my eyes. “What did you see, dear?” Fleur asked kindly and I blurted out the truth- well, sort of. “I saw Sean and Sophie bury my family...” I whispered, using my vision from yesterday as an excuse. “Sorry...” I pushed my chair back, ran from the room and up the stairs, locking myself in the small room I was sharing with Hermione. I breathed deeply, getting control of myself before pulling my backpack out of Hermione’s charmed silver clutch bag. It was my favourite- shiny red vinyl in the shape of a corset, complete with the black lacing on the front- a present from Rosalie and Emmett when I had started Hogwarts. Unzipping it, I set about repacking everything I had bought with me- several dresses, shirts, jeans, heels, boots, a pair of black plastic welly boots, books, photo albums, the box of small mementos and the miniature dragon toy Jasper had given me before I had left. “Alicia?” Bill’s voice came through the door and I froze, my bed covered in my things. “Alicia, love, just hear me out for a minute” He said and I flicked a hand towards the door as I dropped onto the bed, my face in my hands. Bill walked in and didn’t mention my half packed bag. “It’s just too hard...” I explained and he nodded his head. “I hate goodbyes” “I want to tell you something that I haven’t even told Fleur” He said, one arm round my shoulders. I rested against him, listening curiously. “Last year, when Greyback attacked me” I stiffened. I hadn’t spoken about the fight since it happened. “I thought I was going to die. I was ready for it- without saying goodbye to anyone... But then he got distracted” He said, nudging my slightly. “The brave woman sitting next to me said something that I remember to this day” “Don’t you dare give up... You’re better than giving up” I said, remembering what I had shouted at him. “Exactly... Fleur told me where she found you this afternoon... She was worried about you- being that close to the edge...” “I wouldn’t jump- I couldn’t do that to Jamie” I said quietly. “Well... Let me give you some advice... You’re better than giving up, Alicia, so don’t give up” I smiled and he nudged my arm. “I’m not giving up...” I said and he shook his head. “That ‘s what it feels like to you- to the rest of us, we can see that you’ve lost your fight... I want you to promise me something” He said and I jumped at the chance to do something for him before leaving. “Anything” “Promise me you won’t give up... I may not be a Seer, but I know something’s going to happen... I want you to look after Jamie and Ron, you know how they are” I laughed and he smiled at me. “That’s the Alicia I want to see” “I promise” I said, nodding my head. That night, I thought about what Bill had said and was still awake when Harry’s thoughts ran through my head in the early hours of the morning. ‘Time to go... Tell Hermione to drink up’ “Harry says time to go” I whispered, shaking Hermione awake. I dressed in tight black jeans and a short sleeved black shirt. I’d spent a good couple of hours drawing the Dark Mark onto my forearm with a permanent marker pen earlier. I slipped my feet into a pair of matt black, rounded- toes heels as Hermione took a swig of Polyjuice Potion. “That’s just creepy” I stated, looking over to see Bellatrix bent double on Hermione’s bed. “She taste’s nasty” She said, pulling a face. I laughed and threw some robes at her to change into before slipping out of the door. The boys were already outside waiting for us. “Nice...” Jamie said as I walked towards them in the faint light from the sunrise. I twirled and giggled as Ron pretended to vomit. “Like my tattoo?” I asked, flashing the Mark at them. “It looks real” Jamie said with a frown. I laughed and kissed him quickly. Ron mimed vomiting again. “I should hope so- it took me two hours and four permanent marker pens, not to mention cramp. Hermione’s just checking the bag” I said, screwing my face up. “Try shoulder length... Black? No, it still looks like you” Ron said and I changed the shape of my face, going for heart- shaped. “Better... Your hair, try longer... Longer... Longer... Perfect” He said and I opened my eyes. My black hair was now down to waist. I pulled at a scarlet ribbon that was tied round my wrist and pulled my hair out of my face. “I think your eyes should stand out... Like orange or something” “I’m supposed to be a Death Eater, not a cat, Ron” I said, frowning at him. “Well... I think you should be different- look at Bellatrix, she sticks out ‘cause she’s insane” Ron countered and I pursed my lips. “All right... You’ve got a point... How’s this?” I asked, blinking and turning my eyes a bright yellow. “Weirdly, it suits you” He laughed and I went to punch him. “No, seriously!” He said, dodging away from me. “What about a name?” “How’s Tiger Lily?” Hermione said, appearing in the doorway. “The Indian princess from Peter Pan?” Harry snorted, glancing at me. “Oh, I get it now... You do look something like her” “What’s Peter Pan?” We ignored Ron and I started to transfigure Jamie. We’d come up with fictional characters for him and Ron. Jamie was to be Warren Peace, my husband. Ron was a Transylvanian who Bellatrix was supposed to be showing around. Harry and Griphook were going to be under the cloak. “Right, stories straight? Let’s go” I said, cracking my knuckles. Hermione threw the cloak over Harry and Griphook and we Apparated away from Shell Cottage. |
Last Updated: 23/04/2011 |
Reactivated on authors request 27/06/2011 |
Chapter Thirteen Gringotts Escape “We’ve been discovered!” Griphook said as he looked up at the waterfall. I made an angry noise, pushing my self to my feet. Harry pointed his wand at the old goblin again as I shook out my black hair. “What now?” I snapped, kicking a pebble. “We keep going” Harry said as Hermione’s head snapped towards the tunnel. “Harry, I think I can hear footsteps!” She said, panic in her voice and making me roll my eyes, which Jamie saw. “Come on” Harry said, following Bogrod. The others started to move but Ron noticed that I hadn’t moved. “Alicia?” He asked, making the others halt. “Come on” “I’ll catch up” I said absently, taking a step towards the oncoming danger. Jamie’s hand wrapped round my wrist tightly and I glared at it. “Let go” “Don’t be an idiot” He said sharply, pulling me along. “You can’t do any good when you’re in Azkaban” “Is this a female thing?” I said through my teeth, trying to yank myself free. “Do you think I can’t look after myself?” “You know I don’t think that!” He said angrily, yanking me round a corner. “Right- so explain this sudden bout of protective behaviour then! Not letting me go to Godric’s Hollow, now this!” I tried to break free again and his grip tightened, making my hand go numb. “Look at what happened! It was a trap! Look at what happened to Harry!” He snapped, glaring at me over his shoulder as we turned another corner. The others, who were plainly ignoring us, saw the dragon and ran back round the corner. “If I went, that might not have happened!” I shouted, pushing my hair back over my shoulder as the dragon spat fire towards us. I raised a hand palm up towards it, making the fire part round Jamie and me as I glared at the blonde. “This is ridiculous!” Jamie yelled, throwing my wrist away. “You can’t prevent everything! Why are you trying to start an argument?” “I don’t have to try!” I shouted back as the fire continued to roar round us. “Ever since Christmas, you’ve been treating me like I’m a porcelain doll- like I could break at any moment! It’s gotten worse since Malfoy Manor!” “Maybe because I care about you!” Jamie shouted, his face red. “I don’t want to see you hurt anymore!” He made an angry noise and stormed away, meeting the others as they came back into the tunnel. “Don’t walk away from me!” I snapped and Ron glanced at us nervously. “Shut up, Alicia” Jamie said coldly, launching a pair of clackers at my head, hard. I snatched them out of the air, glancing and muttering angrily. “Both of you shut up” Harry said, his patience gone. “Find the cup- Alicia, try to find a way out” “The dragon?” Jamie yelled as we flew high over London. “That was your great idea?” “I channelled my inner Hagrid! At least we’re out!” I shouted back, looking over my shoulder. Harry was looking over the side of the dragon behind me, Hermione sobbing behind him and Ron swearing loudly behind her. Jamie was glaring at me over Ron’s shoulder. “If you’re going to start arguing, can you please do it later?” Harry yelled over the wind, making me smile and fall silent. Jamie turned to watch the land fly away underneath us. “Is it just my imagination, or are we losing height?” Ron shouted after a while, peering over the side of our scaly ride. “I really want to say it’s your imagination, but we are” I yelled, following it with a sleep deprived, hunger- fuelled, half- mad laugh that cut off dramatically when Harry said jump. In the fall, I somehow ended up in Jamie’s arms, clutching him tightly and squeezing my eyes shut. We hit the freezing water hard, the shock making the breath fly out of my mouth in a rush of bubbles as I opened my eyes to see the green world we’d landed in. Jamie grabbed my waist and kicked us out of the mud, towards the surface. We emerged last, a bit of weed in my ice blue hair, making the others glance at me as I started to sob. Jamie laughed, pulling me towards the shore. “Why are you crying?” He asked as Hermione pulled a bottle of Dittany from the beaded bag and started handing out dry clothes. “I don’t know!” I cried as he pulled my shirt off, my teeth chattering and making him laugh. I wrapped my arms round myself as he pulled my shoes off and tipped the water out of them before yanking my jeans off and pulling a black halter neck dress with a skull and crossbones design on it over my head. “Come here” He wrapped me in a hug after he’d changed into a pair of dry robes, letting me cry into his chest. “It’s okay, we’re okay” He repeated, stroking wet hair, which was still icy blue. Harry glanced at me and I knew his thoughts- this was the colour my hair was when we first met. Hermione gave Jamie two bottles of pumpkin juice and he helped me open mine due to my shaking hands. “Well, on the up side, the lovebirds are friends again and we got the Horcrux” Ron said, watching his hands heal and not seeing Jamie’s rude hand gesture. “On the down side-” “- no sword” Harry said, shooting a confused glance at me as I stopped crying and hiccoughed. “That double crossing little scab…” Ron muttered as I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Harry pulled the cup out of his jacket pocket and set it on the grass. “What’ll happen to it, do you think?” Hermione asked suddenly, staring across the lake at the dragon. “Will it be all right?” “You sound like Hagrid” I said, smiling while Ron shook his head. “It’s a dragon, Hermione, it can look after itself. It’s us we need to worry about” He said seriously. “What do you mean?” Jamie asked, frowning at him as he pushed his hair out of his eyes and picked the weed out of mine. “Well, I don’t know how to break this to you, but I think they might have noticed we broke into Gringotts” Ron said, making us all burst into laughter. Once we’d started, it quite very hard to stop, but we managed it, all of us sprawled across the bank on our backs and coughing or hiccoughing. “What are we going to do, though?” Hermione said as I wiped my face, leaning against Jamie’s stomach. “He’ll know, won’t he?” Her words seemed to trigger my ability because my vision blurred and I was jolted sideways as the blue sky vanished, being replaced by a dimly lit room. Voldemort was standing in front of a group of Death Eaters, a terrified goblin kneeling between them and their master. “What did you say to me?” Voldemort said, his voice high and cold, making me narrow my eyes. I glanced around, spotting Bellatrix in the crowd, her face bruised and pale as she stared at the trembling goblin. “Say it again!” Voldemort murmured, but the creature stayed silent. “Say it again!” “M- my Lord” The goblin stammered and I saw his wide, terrified black eyes glance up quickly. “M- my Lord… We t- tried t- to st- stop them… Im- imposters my Lord… Broke- broke into the- into the Lestrange’s V- Vault” “Imposters? What imposters?” Voldemort questioned as Bellatrix turned completely white. “I thought Gringotts had ways of revealing imposters? Who were they?” “It was… It was… The P- Potter b- boy and the- and the Da- Daniels girl and th- three accomplices…” The goblin stuttered. I stared at Voldemort, wondering why he was interested in me and watching as fear rippled across his face quickly. “And they took?” He said loudly, the fear entering his voice, making it higher and colder. “Tell me! What did they take?” “Don’t answer, don’t answer- please don’t sat it!” I said, glad I wasn’t able to be seen or heard. “A- a s- small golden c- cup, m- my Lord…” The goblin muttered, visibly shaking. Voldemort let out a terrifying scream of rage, the Elder Wand slashing through the air. The gobbling fell and the Death Eaters scrambled for the door quickly as the Wand fell again and again, some of them falling with each flash of green. I watched as Bellatrix and Lucius, who looked slightly battered too, threw people behind them in their hurry for escape. “What are you thinking?” I said as Voldemort stopped killing and began to pace through the dead. His snake-like face contorted in thought. He changed direction, striding over bodies to the door and into the garden, where he said something in Parseltongue. I cringed as Nagini came out of the shadows beside me, slithering towards her master. I sat up, gasping, and head butted Jamie in the nose, making him lose his worried expression. “Sorry! Sorry!” I said quickly as he swore, clutching his nose. Blood trickled through his fingers and I apologised again as he moved his hand for me to fix it. “Episkey… I really didn’t mean to do that” I added, waving a hand over his face. He winced as his nose reset before speaking. “I know… What happened?” I asked, glancing round to find Ron and Hermione leaning over Harry. “Same thing as you, I guess… it’s only just happened” Jamie said, tapping his nose nervously. “What did you see?” “You- Know- Who finding out about the cup… it was scary” I said, grabbing the beaded bag and thrusting my entire arm inside in, routing through the mayhem inside. “You know, I still don’t like that snake of his…” I shivered as I pulled out my backpack by one of the wings. “Why did you bring that thing?” Jamie asked, frowning at the red plastic heart shaped bag with black leather wings. “In case of an emergency, I packed a few things of my own” I said, dropping the beaded bag next to Hermione and walking away from the others, Jamie following me. “What sort of emergency?” Jamie frowned, watching as I pulled out a pair of black leather trousers and a black leather corset top, which I changed into. “Alicia, what sort of emergency?” “A really big emergency where a dress would get in the way… Can you tighten that leg for me?” I said absently, motioning to the laces up my left leg. He did as I asked, still frowning. I then pulled out a pair of heels that had buckles high up my thigh, which I fought with for a second. “Stop” He said finally, catching my hand as I reached for the bag again. “I want you to tell me what you know” He said, putting both hands on my face, making me look at him. “I told you- I saw him find out about the cup” I said, not looking at him directly. His fingers smoothed the skin behind my ears, making me glance at his face. “I said what you know, not what you saw” He said patiently. I sighed and decided to dodge the answer. “You know, while you were in that vault, I had another vision” I said slowly, watching the light shine behind his eyes. I knew that it would always be there whenever he looked at me and it made my heart squeeze. “When we find the Horcrux, that only leaves You- Know- Who and his creepy snake… We’ll go after them… it’s really dangerous” “Have you seen someone die?” He said, jumping to the worst conclusion. “No!” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Nothing like that… But, if they was to happen, what would you want to do before?” “I don’t get it” He said simply, staring at me. “Are you talking about…” He raised an eyebrow at me and I felt the smile tilt my lips slightly. “Naughty…” I said, tapping his nose lightly. “I meant something that was permanent… that you haven’t had yet” I said, watching him carefully. He seemed more confused than before and I giggled. “You know… something that’s linked to that ring in your back pocket” I added and he sighed, pulling it out. “Can’t keep anything secret…” He mumbled, looking at it. “Fine… you can have your surprise early then” He slipped the band onto my third finger on my left hand. I ignored it, cold against my skin and wrapped my arms round his neck, pulling him closer. “Well… If we find the Horcrux quick enough…” I smiled slyly and he kissed me roughly, making me giggle again. He let me go as Harry sat up, sweat pouring down his face. He explained that he’d seen what I had, also saying that the last Horcrux was at Hogwarts. I pulled my longbow and a quiver of arrows from the bag, strapping them to my back before covering them with a light weight black cloak with a large hood. |
Chapter Fourteen GOing Back Home “Right then, we need to think of the best way to get you out of here” Abenforth Dumbledore said after we’d finished the bread, cheese and mead he’d given us. “Can’t be done at night, you heard what happens if anyone moves outdoors during darkness: caterwauling charm’s set of, they’ll be on you like Bowtruckles on Doxy eggs- I don’t reckon I’ll be able to pass off a stag as a goat a second time” I stared at the man sitting opposite me, so like his brother, not understanding what he was saying. “Wait for day break, when curfew lifts, then you can put your cloak back on and set out on foot. Get right out of Hogsmeade, up into the mountains, and you’ll be able to Disapparate there. Might see Hagrid” Abenforth added, glancing at me as a scarlet streak appeared in my long black hair. “he’s been hiding in a cave up there with Grawp ever since they tried to arrest him” “We’re not leaving” Harry said calmly and I nodded. “We need to get into Hogwarts” I added, watching the man as he laughed at us. “Don’t be stupid” He said and I raised an eyebrow at him, making Jamie put a hand on my knee. “We’ve got to” Harry said, his voice still calm. “What you’ve got to do is take your friends, including miss Centaur foal there” Abenforth said, jabbing his thumb in my direction. “And get as far away from here as possible” “Have you heard anything about the Centaurs?” I asked quickly and he shook his head. I slumped in my seat, making Jamie take my hand. Harry took my left hand and glanced down when he felt my engagement ring. “Later” I said sadly, answering his unsaid question. “You don’t understand” Harry said, letting my hand go and leaning forwards. “There isn’t much time. We’ve got to get into the castle. Dumbledore- I mean, your brother- wanted us- ” “My brother Albus wanted a lot of things done...” Abenforth started and I stood up, excusing myself to the bathroom. I stared at my reflection in the grimy mirror, thinking about my remaining family. Jamie and the others were trying to argue their way into Hogwarts. Hagrid was in a cave somewhere in the mountains with Grawp. Ronan, Magorian and the other Centaurs were playing happy herd in the Forest, not giving a care about what was happening. Firenze was actually inside the castle, where who knows what was happening. “Ali? You still in here?” I jumped, clutching my throat as Jamie’s voice came through the wooden door. He cracked the door open, glanced inside, and walked up to me, snaking an arm round my waist. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you” He said, studying our reflection in the mirror. “I was lost in thoughts… What is it?” I asked, twisting in his arms to face him, wrapping my arms round his neck. “What were you thinking about?” He asked, watching my face as he swept a lock of black hair out of my face. “Hagrid, Firenze, the herd, you…” I shrugged, turning back to face the mirror. “We’ve got a way into the school” He said quietly, making me pause as I watched the candle light flicker off our faces. “It’s a tunnel behind that painting of the fireplace” “You sound like it’s a bad thing” I noted, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “You’ll understand in a minute, come on, we’re ready to go” He said, offering his hand. I pushed it out the way and clung to his side, making him smile. We walked back into the main room and I froze in the doorway. “Alicia? Is that really you?” The new arrival said, staring at me. “Wow. That’s all I have to say, wow” “N- Neville?” I stammered, rendered completely silent. He laughed at my gobsmacked face and I ran forwards, tackling him in a hug so hard he took several steps back. “What- how- when…” I said, refusing to let him go. “Ali, let him breathe” Jamie said in a worried voice and I stepped back, looking at Neville properly. “What, in the name of Merlin, happened to you?” I snapped, frowning as I let my fingers hover over the injuries on his face. “This is nothing, you should see Seamus” Neville said, batting away my hand and shrugging it off. We followed him into the tunnel, listening to the brief pieces of information he gave us and answering what questions we could as mysteriously as possible. “Nev, what about Firenze?” I asked, unable to stop myself. “He’s fine, now” He said, walking backwards to look at the five of us. The heat was quickly sucked from my body. “I mean, he’s fine, Alicia” Neville backtracked quickly, seeing Jamie’s hard look. “What ha- happened?” I asked shakily, making Jamie and Ron grab my arms. Neville looked at Jamie awkwardly and I shook my head. “Tell me, Nev, please” I pleaded, staring at him. “He’s part of the little family I have” My words seemed to have swayed him, as did the little nod from Jamie. “The Carrows happened” Neville said darkly. “Those Death Eater teachers?” Jamie asked, still leading me forwards. “Yeah, that’s them” He retorted, spitting. “When they first started, everything was almost normal- apart from Snape and them and people missing, obviously- then, one day they heard Ginny and Luna talking at breakfast, wondering where you lot were and if it was safe to try contacting you, Alicia- and the Carrows went overboard with the punishment, torturing them for information… Firenze exploded into the Hall, fury clear on his face and pulled the girls away, rearing and shouting at the Carrows- nearly took Alecto’s head off, too” I smiled weakly, seeing it play out in my head. “They decided to focus on him, then- it wasn’t pretty, I’m telling you… Someone must’ve gone for Snape, because he burst into the hall next and tells the Carrows to stand down” He turned to look at my shocked expression. “Snape? The Snape?” Ron asked, clearly shocked too. “The one and only… He told them ‘stand down! The Dark Lord wishes the Centaur remains unharmed!’” I stumbled as Neville spoke, making Jamie wrap an arm round my waist. “Keep going” I said faintly, closing my eyes as things slowly started to become clearer. “Firenze didn’t like that, shouting at Snape about being a disgrace and a traitor and no matter what he does, her blood will always be on his hands” Neville gave me a questioning glance, but I just shrugged weakly. “Snape turned even paler than normal and glowered at him. It looked like he was going to let the Carrows continue, but he said ‘do not bring up the past, Centaur, especially one you know nothing about- your Alicia wouldn’t be grateful if her soon- to- be remaining family member is killed, would she?’” Neville said, imitating Snape’s voice for a second time. “Firenze bristled and snapped something at him- all anyone could make out was your name, which was the first he’d even mentioned you, by the way. Snape just smirked and came out with the best part of the argument- ‘we’ll see how long it takes before little Alicia’s heart draws her back to you, then she’ll do the Dark Lord’s bidding’” “Never” Jamie snarled, pulling me closer. I felt my legs shake as I clutched him to me tightly, never wanting him to let go. Neville’s eyes caught the glimmer of the ring on my finger and I nodded absently at his unspoken question, willing him to continue. “Firenze’s exact reaction, but Snape just laughed… Said something like ‘she’ll do as she is told for once- especially with you and her precious Starlight in the equation’- Alicia!” He stopped, worry on his face as my legs gave out and Jamie and Ron caught me before I hit the ground. “Sorry!” I wouldn’t sure if the apology was to me or Jamie. “It’s okay, Neville, she would’ve made you tell her anyway” Jamie said, waving the others on. “I’ll carry her, don’t worry” He held me close, swinging me into his arms as he followed behind the others through the tunnel. “So, at least he’s still alive, right? We didn’t know what we were walking into, did we?” He seemed to be talking to me, but his voice was quiet and far away. So. He wanted me to his dirty work for him. He knew the only way to get to me was through those I cared about the most. He’d killed my parents to flush me out of hiding. Well. He had done his homework on me. He knew all my buttons. Threaten my friends and family, and see me flip out and do something stupid. “Snape’s right” I whispered eventually and the colour drained from Jamie’s face as he stopped talking quickly. “If Vol- You- Know- Who wants me, he certainly knows how to get me… I’d never be able to abandon you, or Firenze, or even Hagrid- they know I’d come back to them, with you right beside me” “Ali, please” He whispered, the sound pained. “Think about it… With me as his prisoner, he wouldn’t need Death Eaters on lookout- he’d use me. He wouldn’t need to torture people to get inside their heads- he’d use me. He wouldn’t have to use different Death Eaters as spies- he’d use me. He wouldn’t even need an army- he’d just use me” I felt him flinch underneath me every time I whispered the word me. “He can’t have you” He said after a while of silence, making me jump slightly even though the words were barely a whisper. “He can’t have you” He repeated, his voice slightly louder as he locked his eyes on mine. “You’re mine” “I will always be yours” I whispered, unhooking an arm from his neck and touching his cheek lightly. “You’re good, and kind, and loving, and… And… I won’t let them touch you” He said, looking up, away from my face as we reached a set of stairs. “I’ll walk now, love” I murmured and he set me on my feet, taking my hand and paying with my engagement ring, still not looking. “Sweetheart” I said softly, using my still raised hand to gently push his eyes back to mine. “I know you won’t let them touch me” I said, brushing my finger- tips over the corner of his lips. “He’d never get me, anyway” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood. “He wants me alive, they’d have to kill me to capture me” “Not even remotely funny” He said, pulling me in for a kiss and shaking his head seriously. “Sorry” I managed to whisper quickly, before I was effectively shut up. Neville said something loudly that I didn’t quite catch and then pushed open another hidden door and jumped out into a roar of noise. Hands appeared from the other side and Harry, Ron and Hermione vanished into the noise too. Curiously, we neared the place and were sucked into the room beyond by more hands. We were immediately separated, Jamie being pulled to the left while I was hauled forwards, into hugs and laughter. I knew the people round me, but shock at seeing them all together like this robbed my voice, just like with Neville. I hugged the huggers, and answered the callers, my eyes darting quickly round the head of blonde hair I would recognise immediately, and spotting it in the crowd, next to another familiar blonde. “Guys, I- er- I’m going over here” I said, pushing my way through the crowd, who seemed to know where I was heading, and split quickly, earning my gracious smile. “Catch me!” I yelled, popping out of the crowd and leaping on Jamie, who did as I said and spun me round, forgetting Lavender beside him and kissing me hard and long. The crowd whistled, making my hair turn scarlet and tumble into our eyes. “Jeesh, you act like you can’t be separated for a single minute” I broke free, gasping for air and glanced round at the voice. “Well, funny you should say that, Lavender” Neville popped into existence beside the girl, smiling broadly as his eyes told me not to start any trouble. “Alicia and Jamie are engaged!” More whistles and shouts erupted in the room and Lavender crossed her arms moodily, sulking into the mob of people that began it’s weird tug of war with us again, this time making sure we were together, until we ended up under the doorway we’d just been yanked through. :val5: |
Chapter Fifteen Odd thoughts and actions We ended up at the front of the room with the others, the entire crowd pressing in on us as they asked questions. Voices washed over me, but I only heard a loud ringing in my ears as my vision blurred. I gripped Jamie’s hand tightly, expecting to have a vision, but what happened next completely shocked me. “I’m going to be sick!” I yelled, letting go of Jamie to clamp my hand over my mouth. Several girls ran forwards and surrounded me, leading me towards the bathroom that sat in the corner, the door slamming shut behind us. “Here…” I turned to find Pavarti holding a wet towel out and nodded thanks, wiping my mouth with a shaky hand. “Get the others, pleas, I need to talk to them” I whispered and a couple of my entourage vanished. “Are you okay?” I nodded, giving Pavarti a warm smile. “Fine… Probably a bug I picked up somewhere” I said absently as the door opened and the others were pushed in. More of the girls left, leaving Pavarti standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. “It’s okay, Pavarti, you can stay if you want” “No, it’s all right… I’ll just give you some space” She backed out, smiling kindly. “What is it?” Ron asked, looking slightly nervous. “I thought I was going to have a vision, but then…” I waved a hand dramatically. “My ears started ringing, vision blurred and I felt like I was going to- ” I made a gagging motion, making Hermione roll her eyes. “Do you have any idea why?” She asked, ignoring Ron’s squeamish reactions. “I told the girls it was a bug, but they don’t believe me… They think I’m pregnant, which I’m not” I added quickly, seeing the colour drain out of Jamie’s face. “I think it was a reaction to the vision I didn’t have, which has never actually happened before” “We really don’t need more stuff to ponder over” Harry said, sighing. “I know that, but I have nothing to go on… I have a feeling it’s got something to do with the castle, though” I said, scrunching my nose as I thought about it. “Well, let’s go put the masses to rest, shall we? There’ll be more rumours going round otherwise” I heaved myself to my feet and wrapping my arm round Ron’s shoulders. “What’s your view, dearest cousin of mine?” “You know, you’re not actually married, so we’re not cousins yet” He pointed out, smiling slightly. “Whatever” I said, frowning and pushing away from him again. “Okay, before you start asking questions, I need you to listen very carefully” I said, addressing the room. “I. Am. Not. Pregnant. Do you really think that we’ve had time for that while we’ve been on the run?” “Ali” Jamie’s voice was calm, but I heard the warning in my name easily. My lips twitched slightly and I took a step back. “Try focusing on things outside this room, okay?” Translation: ignore them and try to figure out what the hell just happened, oh, and see if it’s safe to actually be here. “Yes, sir” I said, dropping to the floor by Harry’s feet and saluting him. He ignored me and started to address the crowd, who were asking questions again. “Stupid visions… Why are you changing?” I grumbled quietly, leaning my head into my hands. Behind my closed eyelids, odd flashes and images appeared, as if they were being flashed at me secretly, too fast to make sense and several times so I could slowly piece it together. A series of stills of people fighting hooded figure on the lawns, people on brooms overhead, giants, Acromantula, Dementors, fires burning slowly on rubble littered round the grounds, arrows flitting through bodies and hitting their targets. Then, as if it was slapped across my face, another image appeared, lasting much longer tha the others. I studied the background first- the Forbidden Forest, that was easy to see. It was one of the small clearings I used to use for star-gazing when I was younger- close enough to the castle so I couldn’t get lost, and far enough in the trees to be completely silent. As I focused on the scene in the clearing, the sick feeling started again, so I jumped up, one hand over my mouth and the other pressed to my stomach. This time, the crowd parted and I stumbled to the bathroom on my own, everyone’s attention on Harry as he argued with Neville over something. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I gasped and spun to find Pavarti with another wet towel, which she held out to me. “Yeah… It turns out my visions are now linked to my gag reflexes, or something like that” I said, shrugging and slapping the towel over my face. “You’re throwing up because of what you’re seeing?” “Yup… It’s happening to me, and even I’m confused” I sighed, pushing away from the counter and glancing at the door. “The thing is, I need to understand what it is I’m seeing, so I know I’ll be in here again” I sighed as we walked out together. “Thanks for following me, by the way” “When you’ve been living like this for a while, you get used to caring for others” She shrugged and I laughed. “What?” “I’ve been living with them four and all learnt was I’m the only good cook, Hermione’s the person for helping with injuries and the boys like to argue and sleep in a lot” I said, shaking my head. “Well… I’ll leave you with your odd visions, then” She said, grinning. “Hey, just so you know, I’ve really missed you” I said, catching her hand as she turned. “I missed you too, Alicia” She said quietly, hugging me. “Oh, so have a lot of the boys, but if Jamie finds out, I didn’t tell you” I laughed and pushed her away playfully. She winked and vanished into the crowd. I sighed and tugged on Jamie’s arm, catching his attention. “Hey, I feel bad for Pavarti having to keep following me to the loo when I’m sick… I know what’s making it happen, but if I tell you, I’m going to…” I trailed off and made gagging motions again. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the bathroom, pausing to talk to Hermione quickly. “If something happens, let us know” She nodded and we locked ourselves in the small room. “Normally, I would say something about being locked in here with you, but I know what I’ve got to say next, and it’ll kill the mood” I said, hopping up onto the counter by the sink. “So the vision’s bad?” “It’s not actually a vision, to be exact” I said, focusing on the tile directly opposite me instead of looking at him. “It’s more like someone’s taken photos of the future and their showing them to me, really fast” “But you caught what they were?” “Obviously” I said, rolling my eyes. I hesitated, wondering just how much to tell him. “There’s a fight… People against masked figures- ” “Death Eaters” He cut in, beginning to pace. “Giants wrestling with each other, using ripped up trees as clubs to knock people out their way if they don’t stand on them… Dementors swooping round and giving the Kiss to anyone they can…” I stopped again, making him look at me. “The Acromantula attacking the castle, which is over-run with fighters from both sides… Then- then- sorry” I jumped off my makeshift seat and bent over the toilet, seeing the last scene in my head again. Jamie held my hair away from my face, which I would’ve made a joke about. “It’s fine… You don’t need to apologise, it’s not your fault, is it?” he said, rubbing my back in soothing circles. “No, course not” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, which was shaking like mad. “There’s fifty bodies in a line, in the Hall… The fighting’s over and they’re all on our side” “That’s what’s making you…?” He said, waving a hand awkwardly. I nodded, refusing to tell him the truth. :val5: |
Hey, I'm new here, but I've been reading your stories! They are awesome, you've been putting such great details into them! Alicia and Jamie are quite the characters, good job creating them. :) |
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I'm glad that you like it. I hope you're enjoying the rest of SS, too! :val5: Abi |
Surprise After Surprise After Surprise “You need to focus on now” I said, grabbing Jamie’s face and forcing him to look at me. “Forget the future! We’ll change it- we have to!” I was talking more to myself at that point, but he nodded, pulling my hands away and kissing my palm. “Live in the present, I know” He said, planting a kiss on the inside of my left wrist quickly. I stiffened as a faint stabbing pain started in my temple. “What?” I ignored him, turning to pull open the door as Hermione stumbled to a stop. “Situation with Harry” She said, turning and retracing her steps. I glanced back to see Jamie drawing his wand and nodding. “Are you all right, Harry?” I heard Neville ask as we hurried to the front of the crowd. “Do you want to sit down? I expect you’ve got what Alicia’s got-” “No” I snapped, making little shooing motions at him and he stepped aside quickly. “Harry’s fine, aren’t you?” “We need to get going” He retorted, staring at me. I felt the colour drain from my face and I half glanced at the others to see the same reaction. “See? Fine” I mumbled, stepping back. “What’s the plan?” We all stared at Seamus with different reactions. Jamie and Hermione looked confused, Harry looked strained, Ron looked completely lost and I was positive I had a look of total shock plastered on my face. “Plan?” Harry repeated, glancing round to catch the look of understanding dawn on my face. “There’s something we- Ron, Hermione, Jamie, Harry and I- need to do” I said slowly, my hair turning the colour of golden wheat. “Then we’re leaving” The room fell deadly silent and every eye fell on me. “What do you mean?” Neville asked, confusion clouding his face. “We haven’t come back to stay” I said calmly. “Leave it alone” I added, slapping Harry’s hand away from his scar. “There’s something important we need to do-” Harry said, frowning at me, and Neville rounded on him. “What is it?” “We- we can’t tell you” Harry’s words made Neville’s eyebrows contract and caused a ripple of mutinous muttering to surge through the listening crowd. “Why can’t you tell us?” Neville countered, his eyes cutting from Harry to me and back again repeatedly. “It’s got something to do with fighting You-Know-Who, right?” “Well, yeah” Harry said, frowning at me as I slapped his hand away again. “Of course it does, Nev” I started, trying to diffuse the mounting tension. “Then we’ll help you” Neville cut in, sweeping an arm across the crowd of DA members, who were nodding or standing up. “You don’t understand” Harry said, starting to sound tired. “We can’t tell you. We’ve got to do it- alone” “Why?” Neville ordered, sounding much older than he looked. “Because…” Harry trailed off, shooting me a desperate look. “Because Dumbledore left the five of us a job, and he wanted just us to do it” I said, brushing strands of chocolate hair out of my face. “We’re his Army” Neville started, and I stifled the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m not saying you’re not!” I got in quickly, but he continued, ignoring me. “Dumbledore’s Army. We were all in it together, remember? We’ve been keeping it going while you’ve been off on your own-” “It hasn’t exactly been a picnic, Neville” Ron said quickly, and Neville glanced at him. “I never said it had-” “Good, because we’ve been through hell- and Alicia’s just found out her family is dead-” Jamie added, his wand still held tightly in his hand. “And we’re sorry about that, really” Neville said, glancing at my face quickly. “But I don’t see why you can’t trust us!” He said, his voice getting louder. “Everyone in this Room’s been fighting and they’ve been driven in here because the Carrows were hunting them down” Neville’s serious gaze swept over us and landed on Harry. “Everyone in here’s proven they’re loyal to Dumbledore- loyal to you” “Look-” Harry started, looking awkward. “We got your message, Neville!” I spun round so fast my hair, which was now bright green and down to my waist, whipped Ron round the face, turning pure white. “Hello you five, I thought you must be here!” “Lu?” Jamie frowned, lowering his wand as he helped her climb down from the tunnel entrance. Seamus’s roar of delight told me Dean was with her. “Hi, everyone! Oh, it’s great to be back!” Luna continued, smiling happily and ignoring my look of utmost shock. “Luna, what are you doing here? How did you- ?” Harry said, completely distracted. “Neville” I hissed, rounding on him as my hair slowly turned to black. “I sent for her” He said, ignoring me and holding the fake DA Galleon out for us to see. “I promised her and Ginny that if you turned up, I’d let them know” “Ginny?” Ron repeated, frowning and becoming distracted himself. “You- you all thought that if we came back, it would mean revolution- that we’d overthrow Snape and the Carrows” I said into the silent room, my messy black hair turning into sickly green curls. I felt Jamie step up behind me and leaned into his chest, closing my eyes. “Of course that’s what it means!” Luna said brightly, not catching on to the strained atmosphere. “Isn’t it? We’re going to fight them out of Hogwarts?” I turned my head away and down as Jamie rubbed my arms soothingly. “Listen, I’m sorry, but that’s not what we came back for!” Harry blurted in his panic. “You’re going to leave us in this mess?” Michael Corner’s voice demanded. “No! What we’re doing will benefit everyone in the end!” Ron said loudly. “It’s all about trying to get rid of You-Know-Who-” “Then let us help you!” Neville said angrily, and his anger broke through my thoughts. “We want to be a part of it!” There was a scuffling sound behind us and I looked up to see Ginny, Fred, George and Lee climbing into the Room. Ginny gave Harry a blinding smile, who just stared at her, while the twins gave me a tight double hug, waving to the crowd. “Abenforth’s getting a bit ratty” Fred said, as Lee replaced him, hugging me quickly before joining the crowd. “He wants a kip and his bar’s turned into a railway station” I just stared at the tunnel entrance, my hair a sickly green still but now streaked with white as Cho appeared next. “So, what’s the plan?” George’s question brought back my anger at Neville, causing my hair to curl and darken. “There isn’t one” Harry answered automatically, raising a hand to his burning scar. “Just going to make it up as we go along, are we? My favourite kind-” Fred said, grinning up until the point where I cut him off. “You’ve got to stop this!” I yelled at Neville, who took an automatic step back as the room fell deathly silent. “What did you call them all back for? This is insane-” “Alicia!” Ginny gasped, shocked. “We’re fighting, aren’t we?” Dean said, cutting me off and offering his fake Galleon. “The message said you were back and we were going to fight! I’ll have to get a wand, though-” “You haven’t got a wand-” Seamus started, but Ron caught my attention as he stepped between Harry and me. “Why can’t they help?” He asked quietly, turning to glance round at each of us. “What?” Harry and I said together- him confused and me outraged. “We don’t where it is, and we’ve got to find it fast. We don’t have to tell them it’s a Horcrux” Ron explained, just loud enough for us to hear. “No” I said cuttingly, glaring at him, which he pointedly ignored. “We can’t get them involved!” I hissed. “It’s too dangerous!” “Everything we’ve done so far is dangerous!” Ron countered, and Jamie’s hands appeared on my shoulders. Harry’s gaze swept over us quickly. “I think Ron’s right” Hermione said, speaking at last. “We don’t even know what we’re looking for, we need them” Harry looked like he was agreeing with me. “You don’t have to do everything alone Harry” Harry’s thoughts started churning and I glared at him. “Listen to me! You’re nothing like Dumbledore! You have us- you’re not alone! We get them involved, and it’ll end badly!” I snapped but I knew I had lost. “All right” He murmured, glancing at Ron, Hermione and, surprisingly, Jamie. “You agree with this?” I ground through my clenched teeth, turning round to glare at him. “After what I told you?” “What if that happens because we leave them out?” He countered, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you” I spat, glaring at the three of them before turning to the crowd, who fell into an excited and alert silence immediately. “There’s something we need to find, something that’ll help us overthrow You-Know-Who” I said slowly, gazing into the faces carefully. “It’s here, at Hogwarts, but we don’t know where” I paused, glancing at Harry quickly and sighing. “I’m certain it belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. Has anyone heard or come across an object of hers? Something with an Eagle on it or something?” I asked, my gaze lingering on the little knot of Ravenclaws on the far right of the group. Terry glanced at Michael, who shrugged and turned to look up at Padma, who looked to Cho, who gave me an apologetic look. “Well, there’s her lost diadem. I told you about it, remember, Harry? The Lost diadem of Ravenclaw? Daddy’s trying to duplicate it” Luna said from the arm of Ginny’s chair, which was close to where we stood. “Yeah, but the lost diadem is lost, Luna, that’s sort of the point” Michael said, rolling his eyes. “Luna, remember we told you Daddy almost killed us?” Jamie said, making the twins snort with laughter at his tone before they realised what he was saying. “Enough” I snapped, whacking Jamie in the stomach and glaring at the twins, who fell into a silence only reserved for a friend’s death bed. “When was it lost?” I demanded, my gaze sharp as I refocused on the Ravenclaws. “Centuries ago, they say” Terry said immediately, looking slightly panicked. “Professor Flitwick says the diadem vanished with Ravenclaw herself. People have looked, but nobody’s ever found a trace of it, have they?” Cho continued, glancing round at the others, who shook their heads. I turned to Harry, raising an eyebrow and giving him a ‘well, I told you so’ look. “Sorry, but what is a diadem?” Ron said and despite my still slightly high temper, my lips twitched up at the side. “It’s a sort of crown” Padma said from her perch on Terry’s chair arm. “Ravenclaw’s was supposed to have magical properties, enhance the wisdom of the wearer” “Yes, Daddy’s Wrackspurt siphons-” “Enough, Luna” Jamie sighed, making me hit him again. “And none of you have seen anything like it?” Harry asked desperately. They shook their heads again and he swapped a disappointed look with the others, ignoring me. “If you’d like to see what the diadem’s supposed to look like, I could take you up to our common room, Harry? Ravenclaw’s wearing it in her statue” Cho said nervously and I turned to narrow my eyes at her. The room pitched suddenly and I staggered under the immense pain that suddenly appeared in my temples as Harry swayed. Whatever Voldemort was doing, it was suddenly affecting me, too. “He’s on the move” He said quietly, pulling us closer together. I saw him glance over his shoulder at Cho, and I locked eyes with Ginny for half a second. “I know it’s not much of a lead, but I’m going to look at this statue, at least I can find out what it looks like. Wait here and keep the other one safe-” “You are not going into the castle on your own!” I snapped, glaring at him. “We promised that after Christmas and when- when Ron came back, we weren’t going to split up again!” I said, faltering slightly over my sentence. “Ali, we can’t all go strolling through the castle!” Jamie retorted and I squished the urge to roll my eyes at him. “I know that, Captain Obvious, thank you” I shot at him and he smirked. “No problem, Sargent Sarcastic” I ignored him and looked Harry directly in the eye. “I’m coming with you” “No way” Jamie said sharply, his voice going flat with supressed anger. “Look, I can send you all an image of the diadem telepathically, and foresee any dangers” I said, giving Cho a quick glance. “Fine, just be careful” Jamie sighed, sensing I wasn’t going to change my mind and kissing me briefly, making the twins wolf- whistle. |
Really good!! I love it! I can't wait to continue reading more. Though, I ssuppose I'm getting bits of it confused with the one you and Emily are writing. :D -Rach :) |
“No” I turned, a small smile on my face, as Ginny spoke in an overly fierce voice. “Luna will take Harry, won’t you, Luna?” “Oooh, yes, I’d like to” Luna said, hopping up happily while Cho sat down, looking rather disappointed. “Slightly uncalled for, Ginny” I muttered, sidling up and bending to reach her ear. “I’m going with him” “I’m not taking my chances” She mumbled and I quickly stifled a laugh. “Well, no competition here, love, I’m all Jamie’s” I flashed her my ring, which I finally looked at. “It’s an arrow!” I stared down at my hand, barely hearing Ginny’s gasp. “Are you serious?” She yelled, grabbing my hand and drawing everyone’s attention. “Jamie!” I moved away from her, smiling as Jamie appeared beside me. “You’re engaged! To Alicia!” “Who else would I be engaged to, stupid!” “That’s our cue to leave!” I said loudly, turning to Harry and Luna. “Neville, how do we get out?” He motioned for us to follow him and I blew a kiss to Jamie and Ginny over my shoulder, who were still arguing with each other about keeping secrets. “It comes out somewhere different every day, so they’ve never been able to find it” Neville said and I could sense a flaw coming up. “Only problem is we never know where we’re going to end up when we go out” Neville shrugged, proving me right. “Be careful, they’re always patrolling the corridors at night” He warned and we nodded. “Hey, sorry for shouting at you earlier” I said, touching his arm softly. “It’s okay, Alicia, I’ve missed you yelling at me” He laughed and I stuck my tongue out at him. “Alicia, hurry up!” Harry called and I scrambled up the steep staircase after them. “Get under here” He said, flinging the Cloak over us as we reached what appeared to be a dead end. I smooshed myself against him, hanging onto his arm. “Not that close, Alicia” He muttered, giving the wall a little push so that it melted away. “For the first time in fourteen years, I’m terrified to be inside the castle” I whispered in his ear as he pulled out the Marauder’s Map and studied it, giving me a startled little look. “We’re up on the fifth floor” Harry said, trying to calm me down. “Come on” We walked in silence, keeping to the shadows even though we were under the Cloak, listening intently for any sounds that weren’t us. When an owl soared past the window, it’s dark shadow falling over us, I almost shrieked out loud, but Harry quickly covered my mouth, frowning. “Sorry!” I mumbled, holding up my hands. “I’m sorry!” “What’s with you?” He whispered, still frowning as we paused in the shadows. “One minute you’re amazingly happy, then you’re snapping at everyone, and now you’re terrified!” As he spoke, a thought flickered through my head, scaring me more than being in the middle of a school full of Death Eaters. “It’s- it’s nothing… I’m over it now… Let’s go” I said, my voice shaking slightly from my revelation. We set off again, Luna pulling us out of the corridor we’d turned into and up a dizzying amount of tight stairs that led to a plain wooden door with a brass eagle-shaped knocker, which Luna reached out and knocked gently, the sound making both Harry and me flinch. “Which came first, the phoenix of the flame?” A musical voice asked, coming from the knocker itself. “What do you two think?” Luna asked, looking like she was thinking really hard over the question. “What? Isn’t there a password?” Harry hissed, staring at her. “Oh, no, you’ve got to answer a question” Luna answered absently. “Because Ravenclaw house is home of the clever and wise” I mumbled. “What if you get it wrong?” “You have to wait for someone else to get it right” She said cheerfully, smiling at us. “That way you learn, see?” “The trouble is, Luna, we can’t really afford to wait for anyone else” Harry said quietly, his words rushed. “And we’re Gryffindors- our traits are bravery, courage and chivalry, not brains” I added, glancing round nervously, making me look like a liar. “No, I see what you mean” Luna said, suddenly serious. “Well then, I think the answer is that a circle has no beginning” “Well-reasoned” The knocker said and with a sound like a soft sigh, the door swung open. We scrambled inside and I couldn’t help but look around in wonder. My eyes were drawn upwards, where stars where painted on the domed ceiling, and also found them on the midnight blue carpet. I noticed that the dark colour seemed to be the dominant colour, so I made my hair match automatically, letting the soft curls spill over my shoulders. Harry found the marble statue immediately, and he stepped out from under the Cloak, approaching it. “Wait for me!” I hissed, slipping out and hurrying to his side. “She’s so beautiful!” I gasped, my fingers hovering inches away from the marble face. “I think she had hair like mine” I murmured absently. “So black it looked blue” “Alicia, shut up” Harry sighed, shaking his head. “There…” He nodded towards a delicate-looking tiara set among the statue’s curls, which looked uncannily like mine. “That’s writing” I said, narrowing my eyes slightly. We both clamoured up onto the plinth, leaning close to the cold stone. “‘Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure’” Harry read, running a finger over the etching gently. “Which makes you two pretty skint, witless and witless” We both twisted round, lost our balance and crashed towards the floor, which made Alecto Carrow cackle even more as she pressed her fat finger to the Dark Mark on her arm twice- once for Harry, and once for me. “Dammit!” I said angrily, pointing at her as Harry stumbled while scrambling to his feet. My Stunner merged with Luna’s and resulted in a tremendous bang, which sent Alecto sprawling across the dark carpet. “Dammit!” I repeated as the sound of footsteps echoed from above. “I’ve never Stunned anyone except in our DA classes” Luna said with mild interest as I grabbed Harry’s upper arm. “Luna, where are you? We need to get under the Cloak!” Harry hissed and Luna’s feet appeared as she hoisted the Cloak up. We scrambled towards her, and in a panic, I tripped on Alecto’s wand and put my hand straight through a glass-fronted cabinet. “Er- ow” I gasped, diving towards Luna’s feet as the door that stood between us and the Ravenclaws burst open. “Um, Alicia?” Harry whispered as the students surrounded the unconscious Death Eater warily. “Your hand’s bleeding pretty badly” I glanced at it and sighed. “Great…” I gritted my teeth and pulled out all the glass I could, my eyes darting towards the students every now and again. Once I’d cleaned it as best as I could, I fumbled for the edge of my cloak, waiting for the right moment. “I think she might be dead!” A First-year squeaked, bravely prodding Alecto in the bottom with his big toe. “Oh, look! They’re pleased!” Luna said happily. “Yeah… Great” I muttered, rolling my eyes as Harry swayed slightly, telling me he was sneaking a glimpse of whatever Voldemort was doing. Then, there was a sharp rap on the door, making the Ravenclaws fall silent and the three of us turn round slowly, so that the Cloak didn’t flap. I was still clutching the edge of my cloak, waiting to rip off a make-shift bandage. “Where do vanished objects go?” “I dunno, do I? Alecto? Alecto?” I recognised that uncouth voice- Amycus Carrow, Alecto’s dim-witted brother. “Are you there? Have you got ‘em? Open the door!” Terrified whispering broke out behind us, which was punctuated by squeals of fright as a series of echoing bangs made the door tremble. Several terrified students tripped over their feet as they raced back up the stairs. “ALECTO! If he comes, and we haven’t got Potter, or Daniels, or both of ‘em- d’you want to go the same way as the Malfoys?” His words reminded me of my promise to help Draco, which I had forgotten about. “ANSWER ME!” The door shook under Amycus’s attack on it, but, thankfully, it stayed firmly shut. Under the cover of the bangs, I ripped a length off my cloak and wrapped it quickly round my torn-up hand, which had gone numb, and then caught wind of Harry’s thoughts. ‘Harry! You can’t attack him! The students will see you!’ He glanced at me as my thought rang through his head and I saw him back down slightly, even though his grip on his wand remained white-knuckled. “May I ask what you are doing, Professor Carrow?” I felt my lips turn up in a dazed smile as Professor McGonagall’s voice drifted through the door during a pause in the Death Eater’s attack on the door, which started back up immediately. “Trying- to get- through this damn- door!” Amycus yelled at her between bangs. This time, Harry’s warning sounded round my head. ‘We can’t do anything, remember?’ “Go and get Flitwick! Get him to open it, now!” The man demanded. “But isn’t your sister in there?” I heard a barely detectable amount of coolness, mixed with distaste in McGonagall’s voice. “Didn’t Professor Flitwick let her in, earlier this evening, at your urgent request? Perhaps she could open the door for you? Then you needn’t wake up half the castle” “She ain’t answering, you old besom!” Amycus yelled, ditching his attack. “You open it! Do it, now!” “Certainly, if you wish it” I recoiled from the iciness in my Head of House’s voice, which was followed by a soft tap. “Where do vanished objects go?” “Into non-being, which is to say, everything” She answered smoothly. “Nicely phrased” The remaining students sprinted for cover seconds before the door swung open and the Death Eater burst in, his beady little eyes falling onto his unconscious sister immediately. “What’ve they done, the little whelps?” He screamed as McGonagall stepped over the threshold and stooped down to examine the witch. “I’ll Cruciate the lot of ‘em ‘till they tell me who did it- and what’s the Dark Lord going to say?” He clapped a hand to his forehead, standing over Alecto. “We haven’t got ‘em, and they’ve gorn and killed her!” “She’s only Stunned. She’ll be perfectly all right” McGonagall said impatiently, getting to her feet. I noticed she didn’t reverse the jinx. “No she bludgering well won’t!” Amycus bellowed at her. “Not after the Dark Lord gets hold of her! She’s gorn and sent for him, I felt me Mark burn, and he thinks we’ve got Potter and Daniels!” “‘Got Potter and Daniels’?” McGonagall repeated sharply. “What do you mean, ‘got Potter and Daniels’?” “He told us they might try to get inside Ravenclaw Tower, and to send for him if we caught them!” “Why would Harry Potter and Alicia Daniels try to get inside Ravenclaw Tower? They belong in my house!” In those last five words, I heard the small amount of pride that was buried under McGonagall’s disbelief and anger, and felt a rush of affection for the professor. “We was told they might come in here!” Amycus snapped. “I dunno why, do I?” I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying he didn’t know very much, and saw McGonagall’s sharp gaze sweep the room twice. “We can push it off on the kids” The wizard continued, looking suddenly crafty, and I felt sick. “Yeah, that’s what we’ll do. We’ll say Alecto was ambushed by the kids, them kids up there, and we’ll say they forced her to press her Mark, and that’s why he got a false alarm” I watched in disgust as he paced quickly, nodding at his plan. “He can punish them. Couple of kids more or less, what’s the difference?” It was only Harry’s shaking hand on my arm that stopped me from stepping forwards and hitting the Death Eater. “Only the difference between truth and lies, courage and cowardice” McGonagall said, her face pale. I felt the sudden urge to hold her upright. “A difference, in short, which you and your sister seem unable to appreciate. But let me make one thing very clear. You are not going to pass off your many ineptitudes on the students of Hogwarts. I shall not permit it” “Excuse me?” Amycus said quietly, stepping round his sister and getting offensively close to the professor. She didn’t back down, but looked down at him with a disgusted look on her face, earning my total respect forever. “It’s not a case of what you’ll permit, Minerva McGonagall. Your time’s over” he said, his voice still low as his face hovered inches from hers. “It’s us what’s in charge here now, and you’ll back me up or you’ll pay the price” Then, he done the wrong thing- he spat straight into her face. Harry and I both stepped out from under the Cloak, our fury ruling us at that moment. I whipped my bow off my back and notched an arrow in it so fast the actions blurred while Harry raised his wand. “You really shouldn’t have done that” Harry said, making both adults spin round to stare at us. “Crucio!” Harry’s Unforgivable curse caused my arrow to miss and embed into the wall as the Death Eater flew, writhing and screaming, through the air before crashing into the cabinet I’d put my hand through earlier. “You are so lucky that missed, you pathetic little man” I spat at him as McGonagall clutched at her heart. “I see what Bellatrix meant” Harry said casually to me as I shot him an unhappy look. “You need to really mean it” I grinned, my hair turning into scarlet curls. “Well, duh!” I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Potter! Daniels!” She gasped, her eyes wide as she stared at us. “Potter- Alicia- you’re here! What- ? How- ?” We waited patiently for her to be able to form a complete sentence. I notched another arrow and kept it trained on the wizard. “That was foolish!” “He just spat at you” I said, deciding that Amycus wasn’t going to be bothering us for a while and lowering my bow, turning to her. “I- that was very- very gallant of you both- but don’t you realise- ?” “Yeah, we do” Harry said, his voice calm and reassuring. “Professor McGonagall, Voldemort’s on the way” “Oh, are we allowed to say the name now?” Luna asked, a faint interest clouding her voice as she pulled the Cloak off, too. I caught McGonagall by the elbow as Luna’s appearance seemed to overwhelm her and guided her into a chair as she clutched at the neck of her dressing gown. “It doesn’t really matter now, Lu” I said casually, as if we were discussing the weather. “He knows we’re here, so…” I shrugged, perching on the arm of the chair. I glanced at Harry, who gave me access to the part of his brain connected to Voldemort’s. “Close… Not much time, is there?” I sniffed, making him smile slightly. “You must flee” I gazed at the woman beside me, an eyebrow raised slightly. “Now, as quickly as you can!” “Have I been gone that long, professor? You act like you don’t know me” I said, shaking my head. “We can’t” Harry said, taking a step forwards. “There’s something we need to do. Professor, do you know where the diadem of Ravenclaw is?” “Oh, way to be subtle about it, Harry” I muttered, rolling my eyes at him, which he ignored. “The d- diadem of Ravenclaw? Of course not- hasn’t it been lost for centuries?” She sat up a little straighter and I jumped up, unable to sit still for long, giving my injured hand a little shake to try and get some feeling into it. “Potter, Daniels, it was madness, utter madness, for you to enter this castle-” “Well, you know me…” I said, grinning. “Can you shut up?” Harry shot at me, and I held up my hands in surrender. “We had to. Professor, there’s something hidden here that I’m supposed to find, and it could be the diadem- if I could just speak to professor Flitwick-” With the sound of clinking glass, Amycus began to come round, cutting Harry off. I raised my bow and aimed right between his eyes, but McGonagall beat me to it. Rising to her feet, she pointed her wand at him calmly. “Imperio” He stood, shook glass off his robes, shuffled over to his sister, picked up her wand, moved towards us, handed it to McGonagall, and then handed his own over. I kept my bow aimed at him as he returned to his sister and lay down on the floor beside her. With a wave of her wand, the professor conjured a length of shining silver rope, which snaked round the Death Eaters and bound them together tightly. “Potter, if He Who Must Not Be Named does indeed know you and Miss Daniels are here-” She said, making me sigh. “Ignore the person trying to lighten the mood, that’s right” I muttered as I lunged towards Harry, who swayed and almost toppled over. His hand clamped down on Luna’s shoulder and I grabbed his upper arm tightly, wincing at what he was going through. “Potter, are you all right?” McGonagall said sharply, looking concerned. “This is the normal now, don’t worry” I said calmly as Harry came back, blinking rapidly. “We’re seriously running out of time” “Voldemort’s getting nearer. Professor, we’re acting on Dumbledore’s orders, we have to find what he wanted us to!” Harry said, an edge of impatience seeping into his voice. “But we’ve got to get the student’s out while we’re searching the castle- it’s us two Voldemort wants, but he won’t care about killing a few more or less, not now…” I added more calmly, letting my voice trail off as I locked eyes with Harry, who finished the sentence in his head. ‘Not now he knows we’re hunting Horcruxes’ “You’re acting on Dumbledore’s orders?” McGonagall repeated, wonder in her voice and face for a second, before she drew herself up to her full height. “We shall secure the school against He Who Must Not Be Named while you search for this- this object” “Is that possible?” Harry asked, getting distracted. “I think so” McGonagall said dryly, raising an eyebrow. “We teachers are rather good at magic, you know” I snorted with laughter at her sarcasm, earning a very small smile. “I am sure we will be able to hold him off for a while if we all put our best efforts into it. Of course, something will have to be done about professor Snape-” “Let me- ” Harry started, but McGonagall continued talking over him, glancing at me. “And if Hogwarts is about to enter a state of siege, with the Dark Lord at the gates, it would indeed be advisable to take as many innocent people out of the way as possible. With the Floo Network under observation and Apparition impossible within the grounds-” “There’s a way” I said quickly, making her pause in her lecture. “There’s a tunnel that leads from the seventh floor to the Hogs Head Inn, and it isn’t being guarded- well, except for the DA, but they don’t really count” “Daniels, we’re talking about hundreds of students- ” “I know, professor, but if the Death Eaters and Voldemort are concentrating on the school boundaries, they won’t be interested in anyone who’s Disapparating out of the Hog’s Head” I said sneakily, and her lips gave a little twitch to the side as I pulled the arrow out of the wall. “There’s something in that” She agreed, pointing her wand at the Carrows. “I’ve been known to have brilliant moments” I beamed, watching as a silver net dropped out of nowhere and hoisted the Death Eaters up into the air. “Come. We must alert the other Heads of House. You’d better put that Cloak back on” McGonagall said, glancing over her shoulder at us as she marched from the room. Luna handed the Cloak to Harry, who threw it over us and we followed her quietly. I winced as I knocked my injured hand on the wall as we descended in tight circles and followed the three silver tabby cat Patronuses McGonagall had sent ahead of us. “Wait!” I hissed after we’d gone down two floors, making the others halt mid-step, even the teacher. “We’re not alone” In response, Harry and Luna gripped their wands tightly, and McGonagall raised her as if preparing to duel. “Who’s there?” She demanded, spinning round to peer into the darkness. I wrapped my fingers round Harry’s wrist, pinning him to my side. “It is I” Even though I knew it was him, at the sound of his voice, hatred flowed through me thickly, seeming to blend seamlessly with Harry’s. Snape stepped out from behind a suit of armour, wearing his usual black, and mimicking McGonagall’s readiness to fight. “Where are the Carrows?” “Wherever you told them to be, I expect, Severus” She snapped coldly, her eyes narrowed. Harry raised his wand, ready to attack, and I raised my bow as Snape’s eyes flitted over us as if he knew we were there. “I was under the impression, that Alecto had apprehended intruders” Snape said slowly, still taking small steps forwards. “Really? And what gave you that impression?” McGonagall said, raising an eyebrow. As if the response was automatic, Snape flexed his left arm slightly- he’d felt the Mark burn twice on his arm. “Oh, but naturally, you Death Eaters have your own private way of communication, I forgot” Snape ignored her, still moving closer as he scanned the air for any trace of us. “I did not know it was your night to patrol the corridors, Minerva” Snape’s voice had taken on an odd tone, but I knew better than to try and see inside his head- it would just give me away. I started forwards, not daring to lift my feet off the floor in case my heels made a noise. “You have some objection?” McGonagall became defensive, raising her chin slightly. “I wonder what could have brought you out of your bed at this late hour?” A prickle of unease made me roll my shoulders and I knew what he was doing. “I thought I heard a disturbance” “Really? But all seems calm” He finally looked at McGonagall, but not her face- her feet. “I also thought I heard heels, but I see you are not wearing any” I met Harry’s gaze quickly, a guilty look on my face, but he shook his head quickly. Then Snape met McGonagall’s eyes. “Have you seen Harry Potter or Alicia Daniels, Minerva? Because if you have, I must insist that you- ” McGonagall’s wand slashed through the air faster than I thought possible, but Snape’s Shield Charm was just as fast, forcing her back a few steps. She pointed her wand at something above us, and we managed to duck out the way as the torch spat flames into the air where we’d been standing, which turned into a massive ring that flew at the wizard. He flicked his wand and it became a large, black snake, which McGonagall blasted into smoke and then into lethally sharp daggers. Snape pulled a suit of armour in front of him just in time for the weapons to sink into it. I raised my bow, aiming carefully. “Minerva!” Professor Flitwick’s voice caught my attention and I glanced over my shoulder to see him and professor Sprout sprinting towards us, a panting professor Slughorn just behind them. “No! You’ll do no more murder at Hogwarts!” He squealed, raising his wand and aiming. Snape’s make-shift shield came to life with a loud clatter and seemed to give him a bone-crushing hug, which he managed to wriggle out of, sending it flying towards us. Harry grabbed me from behind, forcing me to the side as it crashed against the wall and shattered. Snape turned and fled, three out of the four professors tailing him closely. I tore off after them, leaving Harry and Luna behind me, and passing Sprout quickly. “Alicia?” I heard her say as she stumbled slightly. I sprinted past her, my heels loud against the stone floor and past Flitwick. “Miss Daniels!” “Move” I yelled, taking aim at Snape’s back as a classroom door was blown off its hinges. McGonagall glanced back and dived to the side as I let loose with deadly aim, the arrow slicing through the air and hitting his shoulder. He stumbled, giving me time to reload. Then, he did something I didn’t expect- he ran straight across the room and dived through the window. I automatically lowered my bow, racing to the window and looking down. Nothing. “There!” McGonagall said, stepping up beside me and pointing to the sky. I took aim again, but then yelled in frustration as he got out of range. “Alicia, my dear!” I turned to look at professor Flitwick, but noticed my bloody arrow strewn on the floor. “How- ?” “Coward! COWARD!” McGonagall cried suddenly through the window, making me jump. “What’s happened, what’s happened?” I heard Luna say from far down the corridor. “Professor Flitwick, professor Sprout, it’s nice to see you again” I said stiffly, picking the arrow up and giving them strained smiles. “Well, maybe if the situation wasn’t as terrifying, it could be better” “My dear, it’s always a pleasure” Sprout said, giving me a surprised smile. “He jumped” I said bitterly, motioning to the smashed window, as Harry and Luna skidded to halt in the doorway behind the two confused professors. “You mean he’s dead?” Harry sprinted past me, repeating my mistake and looking down as Flitwick and Sprout yelled in shock. Obviously three wanted teenagers in one place was a bit of a surprise. “No, he’s not- yet” I said bitterly, using the bloody arrow to point at the bat-like shape flying towards the perimeter. “He still had his wand, and his master’s been teaching him new tricks… I’d love to shoot him out of the air, it would just make my day” I said murderously, glaring after him. Heavy footfalls and loud panting made me turn round as Slughorn finally caught up. “Harry! Alicia! What a surprise… Minerva, do please explain… Severus… What…?” He said eventually, massaging his chest and completely ignoring Luna. “Our Headmaster is taking a short break” McGonagall said, copying my bitter tone as she pointed to the window. Just then, Harry crashed sideways into me, his hands pressed firmly over his scar. I cringed away from him for a second, before hurrying to support him. “Minerva! Our time limit just shorter! He’s coming now!” I shouted, trying to ignore Harry’s immense pain, but the contact seemed to make it worse. Using her name seemed to shake her out of her bitter thoughts. “Very well. He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is coming” She said, turning to the others. Flitwick and Sprout gasped while Slughorn groaned. “These two have work to do in the castle on Dumbledore’s orders. We need to put in place every protection of which we are capable, while they do what they need to do” “You realise, of course, that nothing we do will be able to keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely?” Flitwick squeaked. I opened my mouth to say something, but professor Sprout beat me to it. “But we can hold him up” “Thank you, Pomona” McGonagall said, a grim look passing between them that I didn’t want to understand. “I suggest we establish basic protection around the place, then gather our students and meet in the Great Hall. They should be evacuated- ” “Those who are over-age and want to fight should be able to” I cut in quickly, my voice like steel, making sure nobody argued with me. “As well as every member of the DA” “Agreed” Sprout said immediately, surprising me. She was already turning towards the door. “Minerva, I shall meet you in the Great Hall in twenty minutes with my house” She jogged towards the exit. “Tentacula. Devil’s Snare. And Snargaluff pods… Yes, I’d like to see the Death Eaters fighting those” She muttered to herself. “I can act from here” Flitwick said, moving to the window that he could barely see out of. “Professor” Harry said suddenly, causing everyone to look at him. “Professor, I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is important. Have you got any idea where the diadem of Ravenclaw is?” He asked, approaching Flitwick as he waved his wand in ways that would have killed my hands instantly. “Protego horribilis- the diadem of Ravenclaw?” He squeaked. “A little extra wisdom never goes amiss, Potter, but I hardly think it would be much use in this situation!” “We’re not interested in wearing it” I said loudly, making the tiny wizard glance at me. “Do you know where it is? Have you seen it?” Harry continued. “Seen it? Nobody has seen it in living memory! Long since lost, boy!” Harry thanked him, his face contorted with desperate disappointment. “We shall see you and your Ravenclaws in the Hall, Filius!” McGonagall said, motioning for us to follow her. We reached the doorway as Slughorn found his voice. “My word…” I looked at him, taking in his large, pale, sweaty face. “What a to-do! I’m not at all sure whether this is wise, Minerva. He is bound to find a way in, you know, and anyone who has tried to delay him will be in most grievous peril-” “I shall expect you and the Slytherins in the Great Hall in twenty minutes, also” McGonagall said sharply. “If you wish to leave with your students, we shall not stop you” “But if any of you try to take up some sort of resistance against us, remember that we’re fighting to kill” I threatened, making him give my bow and me a shocked look. “Alicia! My dear girl- !” “Alicia is right, Horace” McGonagall snapped, giving me a quick bow of her head. “If you attempt to sabotage our plans, or try to take up arms against us, we duel to kill” “Minerva!” “The time has come for Slytherin House to decide upon its loyalties” She said, cutting off his shocked remark. “Go and wake your students, Horace” With that, she turned and ran through the door with Harry, Luna and me right behind her. “Piertotum- oh, for heaven’s sake, Filch, not now- !” “Students out of bed! Students in the corridors!” He shouted, hobbling into view. I saw Harry snatch the Cloak off the floor and shove it into his pocket. “They’re supposed to be, you blithering idiot!” McGonagall shouted at him, and I wondered vaguely how long she wanted to call him that. “Now go and do something constructive! Find Peeves!” “P- Peeves?” “Yes, Peeves, you fool, Peeves! Haven’t you been complaining about him for a quarter of a century? Go and fetch him, at once!” Filch left, muttering under his breath. “And now- piertotum locomotor!” Statues and suits of armour burst into life around us, and I guessed it had happened all over the school from the distant crashes and screams. “Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!” They stampeded past, yelling and making a lot of noise. I grinned at her, giving her thumbs up. “I’ve always wanted to use that spell” I laughed heartily as we continued down the corridor. “Harry- take Luna and get the others to the Hall” I ordered and he glanced at me. “I’ll meet you in there- tell Jamie I’m fine” I added and he nodded. “Professor- you’re the figure of authority round here, get to the Hall and I’ll get the Gryffindors” She gave me a shocked look. “I think it’s time our Headmistress was reinstated” “V- very well” She stammered and I had the weird image of her hugging me. “The password is Dragon Root” We parted at the next staircase- McGonagall going down, Harry, Luna and me going up. We ran in silence until it came to parting again. “Behave” I demanded, hugging Luna hard and kissing Harry’s cheek. “Say hello to everyone for me- and I mean everyone” I didn’t give them a chance to ask, turning and taking the stairs two at a time. The empty corridors echoed the sounds coming from the floors below, making it all seem surreal. The familiar route to Gryffindor Tower took a little amount of time, and I skidded to stop in front of the Fat Lady, who was snoring loudly. “Hey!” I shouted, tapping my foot impatiently. “WAKE UP!” I yelled and she gave a startled snort. “Where did you come from?” She asked, frowning at me. “Never mind- it’s a long story” I said, glaring. “Dragon Root” She swung open and I moved aside quickly for a statue of Godric Gryffindor to climb out. I glanced at him over my shoulder, shrugged and scrambled inside, heading straight for the boys staircase. “UP! GRAB YOUR WANDS! GET UP! DOWNSTAIRS! COME ON! UP, UP, UP! GET UP!” I yelled, kicking open the doors as I passed them. “WAKEY, WAKEY! HURRY UP! GET UP AND GET DOWN TO THE COMMON ROOM WITH WANDS, NOW!” “Alicia?” “Alicia Daniels?” “Daniels?” I ignored the voices and charged up the girls’ staircase, repeating myself. “UP! GET DOWNSTAIRS! WAKEY, WAKEY! UP, UP, UP! THERE’S NO TIME TO DO YOUR HAIR! GET YOUR WAND AND GET DOWNSTAIRS! GRAB A CLOAK OR A DRESSING GOWN! WHAT PART OF NOW DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?” “What’s going on?” Someone called across the room, the entire house crammed themselves into the Common Room as I climbed onto a table. “Where did she come from?” “Alicia!” “Alicia!” “HOLD IT!” I yelled angrily, holding up a hand and creating purple sparks above me. “All houses are being called to Hall for an emergency meeting!” I said clearly, glancing round at them. “Why?” Someone yelled from the back. “Has Sirius Black broken in again?” “Sirius Black was innocent of all the crimes he was charged of, and if I ever catch someone bad mouthing him, I’ll personally see to your painful deaths- am I understood?” I threatened, and the room fell silent. “Good. Yes, I know, it’s quite a shock to see me back and all that, but we have a very precise deadline we’re working against- I need you to get to the Hall without being complete idiots” “Where’s professor McGonagall?” “She’s busy” I said, waving it away quickly. “Right, if I tell you something, will you listen to me and do as I say?” I shouted as muttering started. “While I’ve been gone, I’ve learnt a lot of things that you can’t learn here- one of them is how to survive” I said into the silent room. “I had to be prepared to kill to stay alive, so I won’t hesitate if you mess me about! I don’t want to scare you, but I’m losing my patience!” There was a moment’s pause, where the only sound was breathing. “I need everyone to go to the Hall, without being complete idiots, where you will be told what is going on. If you’re still having trouble understanding me, let’s say I’m your temporary Head of House, appointed by the Headmaster himself” I lied, flashing my fake Mark to the room. “Now, follow me” It worked. They followed silently, falling into two lines. I felt bad about lying to them- they were my family away from home. The crowds of scrambling students seemed to part for us, and I felt eyes fall on my fake Mark. We reached the Hall and I walked straight past the Gryffindor table, which the students filled silently, and headed for the High Table, which was filling with teachers. “H- how’d you get them to behave like that?” McGonagall frowned, taking in their sombre faces. “Lies, threats, and a Dark Mark” I said awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. She frowned at me and I sighed. “I know, I know… as soon as they sit down, I’ll tell them the truth” “Good” She said, turning away from me. “Hang on- I’ll need a professor’s support! They just see Ali, the girl who was always top of the class- I’m not her anymore” I said quickly and she gave me a long look, which lingered on my bow. “That, Miss Daniels, is obvious” “The Centaurs taught me how to shoot” I explained, even though I knew she already knew. “Come along- we’ll tell them quickly” She led me to the head of the table, and every face turned to us. “Alicia was told to bring you here as a favour to me. There is a situation where I couldn’t collect you myself. I admit, her methods need a bit of work, but Gryffindor house is the first house organised, and I’m proud of her for that” She called, granting me a small smile. “As for the threats she may had made, I’m sure she didn’t mean them” “Nah… Well, except for that one about Sirius- sorry” I added innocently, catching her raised eyebrow. “You can still trust Alicia, as she is still a member of this house” With that, she motioned for me to follow her back to the High table. “Have we learnt what threatening our house-mates does?” She asked, tugging on one of my black curls. “Yes, professor” I grinned, my hair turning scarlet. “Alicia?” I froze mid-step, dropping my bow, and McGonagall carried on without me. “Is it true?” “It depends on the rumour” I whispered, not turning round and closing my eyes tightly. “I heard that the lower school Divination teacher argued with the Death Eaters that had taken over the school about his daughter- is that true?” “Yes” Was the only answer I got. “Is it true that the lower school Divination teacher’s daughter dropped out of school to break into the Ministry of Magic, barely escaped from Death Eaters just after Christmas, got captured by Snatchers, was tortured by Death Eaters, escaped said Death Eaters, broke into the wizarding bank and escaped on the back of a dragon, only to return to the place she had left, where she then attacks two of the Death Eater teachers in the Common Room of a house that wasn’t hers, and then shoots the Death Eater Headmaster in the shoulder, all while holding off the greatest Dark Wizard the community has seen in centuries?” “Sounds about right, yeah” I said weakly, making him chuckle. “Although you missed out the part where she gets her friends in danger a couple of times because of her short temper, she nearly dies in the attempt to escape the Death Eaters- twice, she brings a war down onto the school… What else?” I turned, throwing myself into Firenze’s arms. “Oh yeah, she got engaged and she thinks she might be pregnant” That made him pause, lean back and stare at me. “Wait for it, that’s just the tip of the dung heap for the daughter’s story yet!” I said, glancing up into his pale blue eyes. “She has visions of the future, see? So nothing can surprise her- but when she’s has a vision showing her scenes from the war that’s slowly starting round her, ending in her dead body, she decides that the pregnancy scare is just that- a scare” :val5: |
Hey Abi! Wonderful post!!! Ok, what is going on at the end of this post, I can honestly say that I am confused. Starting from: Quote:
And what is the freakin realization she has?!?!? Tell me! Sorry about the impatience. ;) And is the pregnancy really just a scare? |
Alicia and Firenze are recapping everything dramatic that's happened to them, by pretending that they're talking about other people... It's sort of their way of getting straight to the point. And I can't tell about the 'scare' yet! Chapter Eighteen: Taking Charge “You think?” He repeated, making me frown at him. “Out of all of everything we just listed, you only repeat the word think?” “It is you- you never think” He said plainly, touching my cheek lightly. “Is that a compliment?” I frowned again, making him chuckle. “Oh, how I’ve missed you!” He said, hugging me tightly. Instead of releasing me, he pulled me onto his back and joined the teachers at the High Table, who suddenly started to recognise me. “Alicia!” I turned automatically at my name to find professors Vector and Sinistra staring at me with shocked expressions. “Hey, it’s nice to be back” I said, giving a little wave. “Okay, so, what do we do?” I asked, resting my chin on Firenze’s shoulder. “We go against everything I have ever taught you” Firenze replied, glancing back at me. “We fight against your vision, and make sure we change it” “I’m thinking that’s slightly easier said than done” I muttered darkly and he jolted me a little. “Hey! What was that for?” I demanded, clutching his shoulders and frowning. “For being negative” He scolded. “You have not told Jamie about your vision or your thoughts” “Why would I do that?” I said, rolling my eyes. “The way we’ve been fighting lately, you’d think it was Jasmine and me” He made an amused sound that mixed with something sour, and I moved on quickly. “He’d probably lock me in one of the dungeons to keep me from danger” “It would stop the vision, I guess” Firenze said, sounding like I’d just given him a good idea. “No, it wouldn’t” I countered in a sing song voice. “I’d end up killing myself just for the sake of it” “Hilarious, young one” He said dryly. “I see your humour has improved” “You bet!” I said cheerfully, grinning fakely. “I’m a great big bundle of joy after ten months in a tent in the middle of nowhere!” A block of red caught my attention then, and I glanced at the door. “They took their time!” I slid gracefully to floor and skipped forwards. “Save my seat!” I called over my shoulder, getting a chuckle in response. “There you are!” Bill caught me up in a breath-taking hug as I stopped beside him, beaming. “We thought you’d already done a runner” “Correction- you all thought” Jamie said, coming up behind me as Bill set me down. “I told them you’d be with Firenze” “I’ve just met up with him, actually” I said, spinning and kissing him quickly and Bill laughed while Fleur swooped in for a hug. “I was rounding up the Gryffindors” I motioned to them grandly, curtsying when they clapped. “Thank you, thank you, you’re too kind! So, where’s Percy hiding?” “I also told them that they couldn’t hide things, but do they listen?” Jamie said, smiling smugly at Bill, kissing my temple and then turning to face the doors. “PERCE! I FOUND HER!” I saw several red-heads streak towards me and I darted behind Bill, who tried to push me away quickly, but they crashed into him. “How old are all of you again?” Sean said, following the sound of laughter and appearing with the other adults and Firenze. “I’m not sure about the others, but Alicia is eighteen going on six” “No fair, Firenze!” I scowled as everyone laughed. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked pointedly in the other direction, dropping to the floor and grinning. “You can’t prove it!” I said in a childish tone, which made them laugh harder. “If we’re quite finished, Miss Daniels” I stood quickly, smiling innocently at McGonagall’s stern look. “Thank you. I assume you’re going to join us for the briefing?” She said, turning to look at the adults. “We think we should join the children, seeing as they’re so immature” Bill said, glancing at his uncle, who nodded. “Bit hard, really, seeing as I’m at the briefing, too” I said, sniffing at their surprised looks. “I’m the Seer, remember?” They shrugged and moved away to sit at the Gryffindor table. “It shall begin shortly, Alicia” McGonagall said, her voice stern still. “Be quick” She nodded to the older Weasleys, and then turned away. “Be quick… Okay, I can do that” I hugged Percy tightly, making him wince. “Glad to see you’ve come to your senses” “It was bound to happen at some point, right?” He said, smiling slightly. “At least it happened” I shot at him before I let go. “Well, if you spread that hug round, I think that counts as quick” I gripped Firenze’s forearm and let him hoist me onto his back. “Okay, who’s coming- wait, where’s Ginny?” “Room of Requirement still” Remus said, taking my outstretched hand and kissing it. “My Lady” “Funny” I said, rolling my eyes. “I would say hello, but you left Tonks at her mother’s” “To look after Teddy” He countered, which I waved away absently. “Whatever… As I was saying, who’s coming with me?” Jamie went to take my hand for me to pull him up by I glared at him. “No, you’re helping Harry, Ron and Hermione. Somebody else?” Nobody said anything, making me shrug. “Okay, just me then. I’ll see you and Kingsley up front” I said to Remus, who nodded as Firenze set off. “Quicker than I thought you’d be” McGonagall said as I jumped to the floor beside her. Remus and Kingsley joined us after a few minutes of teacher’s gawking at me and then we launched into a very quick plan-making meeting. “Quiet!” The four house tables fell silent as McGonagall stepped forwards. “As you may have seen, a few people have joined us, including a few familiar faces” She waved vaguely to the Gryffindor table and to the members of the Order that mingled with the teachers. Several people caught sight of my fake Mark, which was still on my arm, and started whispering. “Sorry! I forgot about that” I tapped it absently, making it wipe itself off. “Now shut up” “Thank you, Miss Daniels” McGonagall shot at me before turning to address the school again. “They’ve joined us because we are preparing to barricade the school against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-” Again, whispering broke out throughout the tables. “We have agreed that it would be safer to evacuate all students from the school. Alicia?” “The evacuation point is up on the seventh floor, opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls ballet. Dumbledore’s Army has made sure the evacuation point remains open, so if you get separated from your house, you know where to go” I said loudly, pulling my long black hair up into a high ponytail with the same piece of scarlet ribbon I used for breaking into Gringotts. “I’ve explained everything to our lookout, so she’s waiting for the first group of students. Unfortunately, we haven’t got people to Apparate you out once you’re on the other side, so you need to group up with someone can” I said, watching as Harry appeared in the doorway, his eyes falling on me. “The evacuation will be overseen by Mr Filch and Madam Pomfrey. Prefects, when I give the word, you will organise your house and take your charges, in an orderly fashion, to the evacuation point” McGonagall continued. ‘You okay?’ He looked lost as my thoughts echoed in his head. ‘He’s at the gates’ That cheerful thought-message had my hair turning a sickly green. I nodded absently and Harry began skirting the walls, glancing round at the petrified students. “And what if we want to stay and fight?” Ernie Macmillan shouted as he stood up at the Hufflepuff table. McGonagall went to answer, but I touched her arm, stepping forwards again. “He’s one of ours” I muttered and she nodded, letting me take the floor once more. “The DA members are expected to do their part, naturally, but if you are of age, you can stay” That news was met with a smattering of applause and the twins chanting ‘DA, DA,DA’ over and over. “What about our things?” A girl called from the Ravenclaw table. “Our trunks, our owls?” “There’s no time for possessions” I answered sharply, making the adults glance at me nervously. “The important thing is getting you lot out safely” “Where’s professor Snape?” I didn’t answer the Slytherin girl at first, letting a bitter look of disappointment fall across my face. “He has, to use the common phrase, done a bunk” McGonagall replied, her words being followed by a load cheer from the other tables. “He’ll be doing more than bunking off if I get him in range again” I said, over the noise, making the professor nod in agreement. I noticed that Harry had started to draw attention to himself then, catching the faces that turned towards him and the whispers that broke out every few feet. “You can’t take Snape, Alicia” Remus said calmly, causing McGonagall to glance at him. “She almost had him a few times tonight” She shot at him. “Due to people getting in the way and his knack of being able to slip away, he still lives” Remus gave me a shocked look, and I waved my bow at him, which was already notched with a waiting arrow and held in my hand. “I don’t mean to brag, but I can hit a moving target from twenty seven feet away, in the dark” I said, smiling slightly. “The Centaurs don’t call me Huntress for nothing” “She is lethal with a longbow” Firenze chimed in as the noise died down. “We have already placed protection around the castle, but it is unlikely to hold for very long unless we reinforce it. I must ask you, therefore, to move quickly and calmly, and do as your-” “WAIT!” I screamed, cutting her off and running to the nearest wall, pressing my hand against it as an uneasy prickling falling over my skin, making it twitch uncomfortably. “I know you are preparing to fight” Loud enough to drown out the startled screams, Voldemort’s voice echoed through the room, seeping out the walls themselves. “Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood” I raised my bow uselessly, aiming at the ceiling as I locked eyes with first Jamie, and then Harry, in the pressing silence. “Give me Harry Potter, and Alicia Daniels, and none shall be harmed. Give them to me, and I shall the school untouched. Give them to me, and you shall be rewarded. You have until midnight” Silence fell over the Hall again, more pronounced than ever. “But they’re there! Someone grab them!” Pansy yelled, rising from the Slytherin table and alternating pointing between us. Firenze forced my bow to the side and down before I could take aim, un-notching the arrow just in case, while the other three houses stood to defend Harry. “Thank you, Miss Parkinson” McGonagall said, her words clipped short. “You will leave the Hall first with Mr Filch. If the rest of your house could follow” “Wait” I called, glaring at the Slytherin. “Jamie, throw something when I say so” I saw him stand and snatch something off Fred. “If any of you try to fight against us while inside this castle, know how quickly I will kill you” I said, my quiet threat echoing in the silence. “Now” Jamie launched an apple into the air, and with blinding movements, I notched an arrow, aimed and released. There was a collective gasp as the arrow pierced the apple, pulling it through the air and pinning it to the door on the other side of the room. “Think yourselves warned” “You may leave now” McGonagall said, not attempting to lighten my threat, but making it heavier by watching the retreating Slytherins carefully. “Good shot” She added, glancing at me briefly. I nodded in thanks as a couple of teachers whispered frantically behind us. “Ravenclaws, follow on!” She cried and I scrambled for the Gryffindor table quickly. “You’re scary, did you know that?” George said, giving me a weak smile. “That’s with a bad hand, too” I said, grinning and holding out my hand as evidence. “I sort of tripped and put my hand through a glass door in the Ravenclaw Common Room” I added quickly, catching the look on Jamie’s face. “I’m only here for a few seconds, then Kingsley will want me back up there-” As I said it, his smooth voice travelled over the sound of the leaving Hufflepuffs. “Alicia!” “Hold your Hippogriffs!” I yelled at him, rolling my eyes. “As I was saying, you need to get going, don’t you?” I said meaningfully to Jamie and Harry. “And where are Ron and Hermione?” “That, is a good question” Harry muttered, glancing at me as I made an annoyed sound. “For Merlin’s sake! We don’t have time to play games!” I snapped, frowning at the ceiling. “Alicia!” “I know!” I yelled, scowling in Kingsley’s direction. “Well, there’s no point crying over spilt potion, is there? Go and find them, then get busy! I’ll be a half-thought away, okay?” I said, backing away slowly as McGonagall came down to move along the younger Gryffindors who had stayed in their seats. “Dennis! There’s no way you’re staying!” I snapped, pulling him to his feet and giving him a little push towards the door. “I love you, be careful, don’t die, and all that” I continued, watching Jamie. “Alicia!” I blew kisses to them and turned, storming through the crowd. “Don’t get your wand in a knot, Kingsley! I’m coming, aren’t I?” I shouted and several people laughed. “See? I’m here, now! I have priorities, you know!” I snapped, waving my ring in Kingsley’s face erratically. There was still a fair amount of noise in the Hall, making me sigh in frustration. “Do I have to do everything round here, now?” I muttered, making Remus try to stifle a laugh. “HEY! Listen up!” The room fell silent immediately. “Shall I talk for you?” “We’ve only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast!” Kingsley said, stepping forwards as Remus pulled me into a headlock. “A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts, the Order of the Phoenix, and Dumbledore’s Army. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall are going to take groups of fighters up to the three highest Towers- Ravenclaw, Astronomy and Gryffindor- where they’ll have a good overview, excellent positions from which to work spells” “Meanwhile, Remus- who’s an idiot” I said, pushing him off me and pointing to him. “Arthur” Uncle Arthur gave a little wave from the Gryffindor table. “Kingsley” I jerked my head towards him as I stepped up beside him. “Firenze and I will take groups into the grounds. We’ll need two very important twins to organise defence of the entrances of the passageways into the school” “Consider it done” Fred said, giving me a wicked grin. “And, as a few last minute extras, I want all those who were on the Quidditch teams on brooms for an aerial attack” I saw Oliver Wood receive a high-five from Angelina across the table. “And I want the DA to spread out through the groups evenly, which is about everything” “All right, leaders up here and we’ll divide the troops!” “No matter what, I want Luna!” I added, making the blonde laugh. |
Last Updated: 30/10/2011 |
Reactivated on authors request. |
But I have managed to catch up to where I was! Chapter Nineteen: Tortured and Captured My group was forced to scatter as a foot appeared above us. Luna tried to stay with me as long as possible, but I gave her a light shove towards the castle. “Go, Lu- I’ll be fine” I said, nodding encouragingly. She gave me one more wide-eyed look before vanishing into the fight. There was a shattering bang, and I watched as part of the castle wall exploded, revealing fighters in the exposed corridor while Acromantula scaled the building. “Alicia” I spun at my name. Remus was fighting with Dolohov, whose mask was forgotten. “Get to the castle- now!” “Do you even know me?” I retorted, shaking my head as I worked my way towards him, firing arrows at passing Death Eaters. As I reached him, three figures detached themselves from the crowd and ran at us. I automatically shot at them, but they knocked the arrow away with a wave of a wand. “Don’t shoot!” A man shouted and I lowered my bow quickly. “Sorry!” I said as Sean, Sophie and another figure appeared. “What are you doing here?” “I couldn’t stand it, not knowing” Tonks said, accepting my fierce hug. “Mother has Teddy, she said she’d look after him for us” She directed at Remus, who nodded, still fighting Dolohov. “I can’t believe you shot at us” Sean said to me, shaking his head. “You came straight at me during a war- what d’you expect?” I said defensively, hitting a Death Eater in the shoulder as they came at Sophie. “I wasn’t exactly going to take my chances, seeing as they’re meant to be here for me” “Exactly- which is why you need to get to the castle” Remus demanded as Sophie and Sean began to duel with two masked Death Eaters. “Wait- what?” Tonks said, frowning as she rushed to help her husband. “Oh right, you missed it- Voldemort wants me to join him while he wants Harry dead” I shrugged, trying to get a clear view on Dolohov, but Remus kept getting in the way. As I went to snap at him, a ringing laugh started in the darkness. Sean and Sophie turned towards the sound, and were blasted off their feet. “Sean! Sophie!” Remus shouted, trying to reach them. I rushed to their sides, dropping my bow and fumbling to find pulses. “Please, please, please!” I cried, knowing Tonks had moved to stand over me protectively. “Yes!” Relief washed through me as I felt the steady beat of life in both wrists. “They’re alive! They’re alive!” I said happily, glancing up at the witch. Before I could perform the counter-curse, however, the laughter started again, this time closer than before. Tonks and Remus both looked round, but I spotted her first, snatching my bow up and taking aim. “You” I snarled, making them both spin round. “Remus- watch your fight!” I snapped, feeling like the professor for once. “Manners, pretty girly” She scolded, malicious laughter echoing across the space between us. “Remember to respect- your- elders” She shot a Cruciatus curse at me with each word, making me duck to the side. “I hope you don’t mean yourself” I said cheerfully, taking aim into her face, but her attention had turned to Tonks. “Aunt” She spat, glaring. “You are no family of mine” Bellatrix snapped, her wand slashing through the air. Tonks retaliated, snapping at me to take care of Sean and Sophie. I grabbed the back of Sean’s robes and dragged him out of harm’s way, then done the same to Sophie. “Rennervate” I said quickly, waving a hand over their faces. “What happened?” Sean said immediately, sitting upright. “I think it was Stunners, I’m not sure” I said, standing between them and offering them both a hand. “You scared me for a second, just to let you know” “Sorry” Sophie said sincerely. “Where’re Tonks and Remus?” “Remus is still fighting Dolohov” I said, watching the two fights from our safe spot. “That laughter was Bellatrix- Tonks is fighting her. She told me to take you someplace safe, so I did” “Since when have to listened to advice?” Sean teased, and I pulled a face at him. “I’ve always listened to Tonks- she’s like another sister to me” I added, and I spotted the pity cross their faces quickly. “We need a plan” Sophie said, watching the fighting through the trees. I leaned against a pine tree, resting my bow against my legs. “I think Alicia should stay in here-” “Sorry?” I said, frowning. “It’s safer in here than it is out there” She said quickly. “No offense, but you can see those Acromantula out there, can’t you? They’re not exactly hard to miss” I snapped, pointing towards the castle. “Their Hollow has obviously been turned into a camp for the enemy- so nowhere is safe anymore” “Nobody knows the Forest like you-” “Voldemort knows enough- he lived in here during my first year” I said, motioning to the trees behind us. “Jamie may have mentioned that to us before” Sean allowed, sounding awkward. “What if she stays with us?” He said, looking at his wife. “We can keep an eye on her, keep her out of trouble” I snorted, which they both ignored. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much” I said defiantly, crossing my arms over my chest. “The girl you knew hasn’t come out of hiding yet” I added, my voice softer. They both looked at me for two seconds. “You stay with us, fight with us- like an equal” Sophie said eventually. I nodded, reaching for my bow as I scanned the battle ground. “Where are they?” I said, snapping upright, my bow forgotten at my feet. “Where’s Tonks and Remus? I can’t see them” Both adults looked out, searching. “There!” Sophie said, pointing. I sprinted out of the trees, towards the two fighters, leaving my bow behind me and causing Sean to swear as they followed me. Then it happened- the two Death Eaters had the couple back to back and the jets of green light illuminated the area, hitting both Order members squarely in the chest. “No!” I shouted, pushing myself faster. I heard Sophie stumble to a halt behind me, but Sean continued to chase after me. “No!” I skidded to a stop, falling to my knees beside them and fumbling for their wrists, trying to check for a pulse. I heard Bellatrix laugh as Dolohov loomed over me, his wand pointed into my face. “Alicia” Sean said, swiping his wand through the air and forcing the Death Eater back several steps. “Gone” I whispered, dropping their wrists and wrapping my arms round my head, hiding my face in my lap. “All my fault… Shouldn’t have run… Because of me-” “Are you feeling guilty for your friends deaths, pretty girly?” Bellatrix’s voice breathed in my ear, making me scramble to my feet, my hand groping for a bow that wasn’t there. “Your boyfriend’s mummy and daddy are too busy to help you” She said, walking round my in a close circle, a hand running through my long lavender coloured hair, making me jerk away from her. She was right- they were both duelling Dolohov, who was sneering at Sophie. “They were brave too, just like you- it took six of us to kill them, and they were cowards” “Gideon and Fabian were heroes!” Sophie shouted, her wand slashing furiously. “So, I think we should play a little game, don’t you?” Bellatrix said, whispering into my ear as she rested her chin on my shoulder again. “You’ll have to catch me first” I hissed at her before sprinting for the tree line. Her laughter echoed behind me as she followed. Running into a Forest with a crazy killer witch behind me without any way to defend myself wasn’t exactly one my smarter plans, but I did it anyway. “You know death is the only option you have left now, Alicia” Bellatrix called as I dived behind trees and jumped thorn bushes. “The Dark Lord doesn’t need you to join us once your little friend is dead” I ignored her taunting, continuing through the Forest at high speed. “Everyone you love is dead, Alicia- or dying, well, at least they will be soon” She laughed and her curse hit me in the small of my back, making me fly towards the ground face first. Pain erupted, spreading quickly from where the curse hit until it consumed me, making me scream in agony. I didn’t know how long it lasted- seconds, minutes, hours maybe- but eventually, Bellatrix raised her wand and came to crouch beside, grabbing my hair and forcing me onto my back. “Go to hell” I whispered, glaring weakly up at her and making her laugh as she let my head go, letting it smash against a sharp rock that was embedded in the leafy floor. I felt the blood begin to seep through my hair, which was a snowy white colour. “You’re very persistent, aren’t you?” She said, cocking her head to the side as she watched me. “A fighter till the end, I see. Crucio” This time I knew it was coming- I could read it in her dark eyes. Again, I wasn’t sure on the time passing by, gasping for breath as the pain receded and Bellatrix’s face loomed above me again. “Most would have given in by now- begged for death. But not you” I managed to spit at her between breaths. “Naughty, naughty” She scolded, smacking me lightly on the arm. I’d hit my head again on the rock, this time at the front of my head, so that the blood trickled into my eyes. “What shall we do- oh” Her tone changed and she glanced down at her exposed Dark Mark seconds before Voldemort’s voice echoed round the clearing and the grounds, calling his Death Eaters back to him and giving Harry and me a deadline to hand ourselves over. “Well, doesn’t that make it easier” Bellatrix said happily, wrapping her hand in my hair and forcing me to my feet. “Let’s go for a little walk, shall we?” It was only a few minutes of stumbling over tree roots and fallen braches till I spotted a flickering light ahead of us. Bellatrix threw me forwards as we entered the Acromantula Hollow, where I rolled towards the large fire in the middle of the clearing. I felt the weight of every eye on me as I pushed myself to my feet, swaying once. “Very good, Bella” Voldemort said, appraising me. I met his cold red eyes with a glare, my hand balling into a fist. “I assume you know our other- guest” He motioned to the left, but I didn’t take my eyes off him. “Do you not trust me, Alicia?” “Alicia!” Hagrid’s voice caused my head to whip round, making the Death Eaters laugh at me. “Hagrid” I said, taking a step towards him. Several wands appeared, all pointing at me, and I turned statue-like, my eyes returning to Voldemort. “What do you want?” “You, of course, my dear” He said calmly, a cold smile appearing on his face. “You would be welcomed into our family with open arms” “I think I’d rather die, if I’m honest” I said, matter-of-factly. Anger flashed across his face quickly. “So, what will you do with me now, seeing as I’m a fighter till the end- that is what you said, isn’t it?” I asked Bellatrix innocently. Voldemort held up a hand, halting the witch’s attack on me. “Hi, by the way” I added, glancing at Hagrid, who was watching me with a terrified expression. “You’re not afraid, are you?” Voldemort questioned, taking a step towards me. “Not in the slightest” I answered honestly. “You see, I know the only way I’ll get out of this place is as a corpse-” “Ah, that is where you are wrong, my little Seer” He said, smiling again. “You see, I have a use for everyone soon enough. I can see your engagement ring- I think you will be useful as a hostage. Your other half wouldn’t want to risk your pretty little head, so he’d stop fighting- as would your remaining friends and family” He paused, giving me one last look before motioning to one of his Death Eaters. “Secure her separately from the half breed” My hands were tied behind my back, then my arms were pinned to my sides and a length of rope was tied round my neck like a noose. As an extra precaution, I was gagged as well, then shoved to the other side of the clearing, which still showed traces of the Acromantula. |
Aaaaah! No, Alicia can't die... you just can't kill her, Abi! If you do... you know my previously said threat. :evillaugh I can't believe she had to watch Remus and Tonks die. That had to be so hard. Poor girl :( Wonderful post though, Abi! Perfect! And I'm glad you're back :) -Rach :) |
It wasn’t as eventful as I thought it would be, sitting in the lair of the enemy. Voldemort just remained silent while he paced, rolling his wand between his fingers. The giants cast shadows over some of the circle, and I knew those were the Death Eaters watching me. Bellatrix was entranced by Voldemort, nearly forgetting about me and Fenrir Greyback was posted in front of me to keep me in line. Wha’ are yeh doin’ here, Alicia? Having a picnic, what’s it look like? I retorted, throwing an eye-roll in Hagrid’s direction and catching the unimpressed look he was giving me in response. I’ll try again… Wha’ are yeh doin’ HERE, Alicia? Bellatrix killed Tonks, then chased me into the trees and brought me here as you saw. And yeh didn’ figh’ her? Of course I did! I fought her off and managed to escape! Then, because I was totally bored, I decided to let her catch me again and bring me here… I left my bow in the Forest when she killed Tonks, and didn’t think of fighting back. “Are you comfortable, my little Seer? ” Voldemort said quietly, his voice travelling through the clearing. I glared up at him as the gag was ripped away. “I wish you’d stopped calling me that, you know” I said in an overly fake cheerful tone. “And I hope you’re prepared to be disappointed, because Harry would never hand himself over to you” “That’s where you’re wrong, yet again” Voldemort said, stepping closer and taking hold of my chin lightly with his frigid fingers. “You see, he will hate that those he love are dying around him, for him, and he will come to stop that” I caught sight of Hagrid’s sharp head shake and bit my tongue against the reply I’d come up with. “We’ll see” Was my witty comeback instead, causing Voldemort to grip my chin harder. “Yes, we shall” He let me go and stepped back. “No, leave her as she is” He ordered as a Death Eater stepped forwards to gag me again. I gave a large smile to both of them and then continued to stare at the tree opposite me, as I’d done for the past half hour. Yet more time passed, and the only thing of interest to me was the brave little squirrel that was perched in the tree I was staring at, his head cocked to the side as he took in the scene below. He glanced behind him and then turned to look at me with dark round eyes as a sound echoed from the shadows. The two Death Eaters that Voldemort had sent to patrol the area around the Hollow returned, and announced that they hadn’t seen Harry, which made my heart lift slightly. If the fighting continued, then Jamie or Ron or Hermione would realise I was missing and come find me- hopefully with adult backup, including Firenze. “I told you s-” My witty remark was cut short as Harry appeared in my eyesight- under the Cloak. That explained why the guards couldn’t see him. ‘NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? TURN AROUND BEFORE THEY SEE YOU! ’ I screamed into his head, but he just blinked at me slowly and calmly. ‘HARRY, PLEASE! JUST TURN AROUND! IF THEY FIND OUT YOU’RE HERE, THEY’LL KILL YOU!’ My warnings were ignored and I watched with horror as Harry pulled the Invisibility Cloak off of himself and stepped forwards into the circle of light. Everything seemed to be a mix of colours and roaring sounds around me as I watched on without realising. The only thing that caught my attention was the little squirrel. He watched on until the blinding flash of emerald green light filled the Hollow and then scampered away as my vision blurred from my tears. “Harry… Harry” I whispered, drawing attention to myself which wasn’t exactly a good thing. Bellatrix’s cackle washed over me and my eyes started to itch as they dried. Blinking slowly, I managed to pull my eyes from Harry, who wasn’t moving, to the witch, who was slowly saundering her way towards me. “No. If Hagrid will carry the boy, the girl will walk beside them. Let them all see their precious Chosen One is gone forever and that their Seer is no longer theirs” I heard Voldemort’s words as if they were far away. The ropes were cut away from me and I fell onto my knees, my legs unable to take my weight. “Harry…” I whispered again, my head bowed to the leafy ground. |
Aaaaahhhhhh! Poor Ali!! I can't imagine what's going on in her head! That's awful that she just watched Tonks and Remus, and now has to watch Harry... plain horrible! Grreat post Abi! -Rach :) |
I promise I'll post as soon as I can! :val5: |
Hagrid was sobbing behind me, and I focused on that, to keep myself sane. Voldemort had killed my entire family, my friends, had killed Harry in front of my eyes, and here I was, walking behind him as a prisoner-of-war. The leers from the Death Eaters broke into my concentration and I looked up from my feet. “Alicia!” A male voice shouted, shock and anger evident in their tone. “Ronan!” I answered immediately, finding the chestnut coloured centaur among the watching herd. We both moved towards each other at the same time and were stopped immediately. Bane put his arm out silently, catching Ronan across the chest as Bellatrix caught my hair and yanked, causing me to stumble. “Are yeh happy now, tha’ yeh didn’ fight, yeh cowardly bunch o’ nags? Are yeh happy Harry Potter’s d- dead…?” Hagrid said, breaking down into sobs again. I felt eyes flickering from me to Harry, who was in Hagrid’s arms, looking for the truth as my own tears restarted, sliding silently down my cheeks, hidden behind the straight curtain of navy blue hair. The walk continued through the trees of my childhood with the soundtrack of monsters and murderers playing around me. As I managed to stop my tears, we hit the edge of the forest, right in the front of the castle doors. The Dementors seemed restless, watching greedily as the group spread through the trees. I was shoved to the front, and forced onto my knees, where I stayed- silent and staring at the grass. “Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone” Voldemort lied, his voice magnified so that he could be heard inside. As he paused, I turned to glare at him as he stood behind me, spitting angrily. Bellatrix cackled quietly as my punishment was administered by Fenrir Greyback and herself. A wave of Voldemort’s hand stopped it and I collapsed at his side. “The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters,” my breath caught and I could hear the smile in Voldemort’s voice as he continued. “And you have lost your Seer. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered as will every member of their family.” I thought of all my friends who had already lost so much. “Come out of the castle, now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together” Another wave of his hand and the line of Death Eaters moved closer to the castle, someone kicking me along with them, so that I felt the bruises start to form on my ribs and face. I waited silently as they stilled, curled into a ball at the side of Voldemort, as the sound of footsteps echoed from the Entrance Hall. “No!” McGonagall’s scream ripped through me, and I twisted round, so that I was facing the doors. “No!” “No!” “Harry! HARRY!” I reacted more to Ron, Hermione and Ginny’s voices, attempting to push my top half up off the ground, my head hanging down low. “Alicia!” Jamie’s voice was strong and furious, and I looked up, hunting the crowd of familiar faces for him, but failing as my arms gave out and I hit the grass again. “You *******s!” Jamie shouted as his parents caught hold of his arms. The shout worked as a trigger, setting off more insults from those around him, then spreading through the survivors. “Silence!” Voldemort screeched, following it with a silencing charm. “It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!” I saw Harry appear beside me and reached out a shaky hand to the arm that fell towards me limply. I touched wrist, expecting it to be cold and still. But it was warm. And I could feel a strong pulse. ‘Harry James Potter! Are you alive?’ I demanded, digging my nails into his skin. Receiving the response was nothing short of a miracle. ‘Don’t react, Alicia! We need to keep it a secret!’ Voldemort had been pacing behind us, gloating to the crowd again. “He beat you!” I heard Ron yell, breaking the spell so that the yells and shouts could be heard again, until a second silencing charm wiped them out. ‘Harry, the charms aren’t holding! You’ve done what your mum done for you, but on a bigger scale!’ I thought, feeling my spirit mend itself at the knowledge that Voldemort wouldn’t be able to deal any major damage to anyone. I managed to push myself onto my knees as Voldemort started speaking again, only to interrupted by a lone figure flying towards us from the opposite crowd. |
Oh Abi, I loved it so much! It was awesome! The last bit was the best part of it :) I loved her yelling at him in her mind ;) (I totally would too) and her last statement about Harry and how he did what his mom did; it's true but I still liked it a lot. Loved! -Rach :) P.S.-- When are ya gonna stop by mine? I miss seeing your lovely face on my story :) |
...and? What next? This is excellently written - dialogue, characterization, action, descriptions, you've got it all down to a "t". Incredibly engaging - which means you need to post more, and soon :D |
The flash of a spell disorientated me, and I saw Voldemort throw something down in the grass beside me. “And who is this?” Voldemort’s head cocked to side, as if he was watching something amusing. “Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?” Bellatrix was laughing as she stepped forwards, her eyes dancing between the newcomer and me. “it is Neville Longbottom, my Lord!” her voice dripped with sadistic delight as my head shot up. “He is the boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?” “Ah, yes, I remember. But you are a Pure-blood, aren’t you, my dear boy?” Voldemort asked, watching as I slowly crawled towards Neville, whose wand was now hidden down the front of my leather corset. “So what if I am?” Neville spat, defiant. “Here, Alicia” I looked up to see Neville bend and offer his hand. “Neville” I whispered, barely smiling and gripping his wrist. Voldemort watched with curiosity as Neville helped me to my feet, then held onto my waist to keep me upright. “You show spirit, and bravery, and loyalty,” he said slowly, his eyes on me. “and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom” “I’ll join you when Hell freezes over!” Neville shot back immediately. “DUMBLEDORE’S ARMY!” he yelled, deafening me. The cheer from the crowd behind us masked my laughter. “Very well,” my laughter cut off quickly at the silky tone Voldemort’s voice had taken. “if that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head, be it” as Voldemort’s wand came up, I finally found my voice, strength and balance. “NO!” I shouted, stepping in front of Neville, who released me. “Alicia! What- ?” he whispered, but I shook my head slightly, cutting him off. ‘What are you doing? Are you stupid or something? Do you have a death wish?’ ‘Leave off, Harry! You’re dead!’ I retorted, my eyes never leaving Voldemort’s face. Bracing myself in front of Neville, I took a steadying breath through the pain coursing through my body. “you will not touch him!” I ordered furiously, making Bellatrix take an angry, uncontrolled step in my direction, but Voldemort held up a single white finger. “Things have changed, Alicia, my sweet” Voldemort said smoothly, his voice travelling through the silence like a hot knife through butter and causing me to spit in his direction. “your, ah- services, shall we say, are no longer required. I cannot have rebellious, hormonal women following me, causing trouble” I flinched painfully and noticeably at the word hormonal, making him smile wickedly. His wand slashed through the air and I felt my feet leave the ground as I flew backwards, hitting the ground hard before rebounding into the watching crowd, who stumbled and fell like dominoes. ‘Alicia!’ “Alicia!” Neville and Harry called my name at the same time, both of them more worried about me than themselves. ‘DON’T YOU DARE MOVE UNTIL I SAY, HARRY POTTER! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?’ I screamed into Harry’s head, staring at his body with that much concentration I saw his fingers twitch slightly. “Ali! MOVE! Alicia!” I heard Jamie’s voice over the sound of people fighting their way through the crowd, but it was professor Flitwick’s face I recognised first. “Are you okay, Miss Daniels?” he asked, his filled with concern as they checked me over quickly. “A little busted up, but it can be fixed” I shrugged, wincing at the stabbing pains that produced. “did I land on anyone?” my question made the professor smile a little. “Several people broke your fall, but they’re fine” “Speak for yourself” I heard from beside me and Ron appeared, his eyes a little red round the rims and several cuts on his face. He was rubbing his chin and limping slightly, but he winked at me as Jamie popped into the small bubble of space around me. “Ali!” he cried, dropping to the floor beside me. “Baby! I love you too, and all that, but don’t touch me!” I said quickly and he lent back quickly, forgetting about the hug he was planning to give me and deciding on a quick hair ruffle instead, which earned him a glare. “So, how do I look?” “You look like Hell” Ron said cheerfully, making Jamie aim a punch at his kidney. “Thanks- Neville!” I shouted, making everyone who was listening to me jump, as something flew over us, heading the way I’d just come from. I tried to stand but it was rather difficult with a broken leg. “Jamie!” I cried in desperation, but he just watched what was happening out on the grass, already on his feet as Neville’s screams rent the air and I could see the flickering of flames through the legs of those in front. “Fix me up!” I demanded, staring at the tiny professor. “Now! I need to help him!” Flitwick obliged immediately and I scrambled to my feet, grabbing hold of the back of Jamie’s robes for a little extra help. “Ali-!” Jamie started, but I shook my head, stopping him before he could protest. ‘BANE! Now would be a really good time to make up for your mistakes!’ I sent, and in response, the sound of hooves echoed from the trees, followed by arrows appearing through the dark. “Catch!” Ronan’s voice sound over the noise around me as people swarmed over the perimeter wall, led by Charlie and proessor Slughorn. My bow and quiver soared towards the crowd and I jumped onto the low wall next to me as a boost to climb over the top of the crowd, using them as leverage to launch myself into the air. Grawp galloped round the corner of the castle, swinging his gargoyle club as he shouts deafened all of us. Before I touched the ground, I had caught both objects, slug the quiver over my shoulder and loaded the bow. ‘Now, Harry! GO!’ I watched with a small smile as Harry vanished from sight amongst the newly created chaos. “Ali?” Jamie said, watching me closely as I skipped towards him, letting arrows fly towards any Death Eater who got too close to the castle. “Baby, you still got a little bit of fighting left in you?” I grinned and he pulled his wand out of his pocket. “That’s my boy!” I kissed him quickly and pulled out Neville’s wand. “Get this to Nev, as quickly as you can! GO!” |
Oh my gosh Abi!! Crazy... but I loved it! :) Wonderful job. I love how she's yelling at Harry (I would be too) and how much everyone cares for her. Ron's joking is perfect in that, even though he's lost (so he thinks) his best friend , he's still make small comments. Loved! Can't wait for more! -Rach :) P.S.-- Glad you're back :D |
Chapter Twenty Three: Dying and Surviving This fight was more intense than the first. I could feel anger and desperation emanating out of every fighter surrounding me. The unending wave of arrows forced the Death Eaters forwards, towards the remaining fighters and reinforcements. I was glad for the refilling spell I’d placed on my quiver, as arrow after arrow hit my targets, forcing Death Eaters to fall dead, stumble, or drop their wands and duck for cover. Hagrid was the first to notice Harry’s sudden disappearance, then the rest of the crowd began to, searching the ground for the body between fighting as everyone swarmed into the Entrance Hall. The attack from the House-elves came as a surprise, especially with Kreature leading them, forcing me to think that Dobby should be there, and standing next to him. My hunt for Bellatrix kicked up a gear, and I started elbowing people out of the way, pushing down hard on their heads to force them to duck spells and curses. I’d lost track of Jamie, and Ron, and everyone else, my mind focusing on nobody but her. Then I found her. She was standing in the middle of the Hall, a few feet from Voldemort, duelling Ginny, Luna and Hermione. I scanned the room, taking in the long line of bodies at the other end. Colin. Lavender. Tonks. Remus. Fred. Fred Weasley was dead, and Bellatrix was laughing as she duelled his little sister- his only sister. My soon-to-be cousin. Without warning, I ran head first at the red-head, rugby tackling her to the floor. “Alicia! Get off me!” She snarled, fighting against me. “No,” I snapped, my voice a dagger. She froze and stared at me, fear in her eyes. “Ronan.” I ordered, and the Centaur took the girl off me. “Be careful, Huntress,” he said quietly, his fingers brushing my forehead briefly. I nodded and then ran back into the middle of the hall, dropping to the floor and sliding towards the Death Eater, aiming to take her down. “Mine. That’s what you are!” I yelled at her as I collided with her legs, knocking her down. She laughed briefly, before I resorted to Muggle fighting and starting landing punches on her. “Letting your anger take control, pretty girly?” She cackled, covering her head with her arms. I hissed and went to punch her in the stomach area, but she had managed to reach her wand and I was shoved backwards. “Let’s go back to magic, shall we? I hate that barbarian way of fighting” I heard the blood-status comment but it just washed over me. I hadn’t realised that Ginny had escaped Ronan and rejoined Luna and Hermione until Bellatrix’s killing curse missed her by inches. “HEY!” I screamed, aiming curse after curse at the witch, making her focus on me again. “You know, for someone who’s going back to Azkaban shortly, you’re not really putting up much of a fight, are you? Did you enjoy it in there?” I saw the small snarl appear on her lips. “I wonder what you’d have to think of though… I’m sure the image of your poor husband with one of my arrows through his heart isn’t really very happy, is it?” “You’re going to die, Mudblood!” She screeched, pointing her wand at me. I laughed, my hair turning scarlet as I held my hands out to her. “Take your best shot! You’ve had all night to do it!” I taunted, dodging each spell she aimed at me as I took slow steps towards her. “Hurry up, Bella! Time is ticking!” I ducked another curse and realised I had drawn a lot of attention from around the room. I could see students fighting against professors to reach me, Jamie was surrounded by his family, every eye bloodshot. “DO IT!” “Not my daughter, you *****!” I heard Molly Weasley’s voice smother my own, and spun as a spell soared over my shoulder. At the same time, several pairs of hands grabbed me and pulled me out of the way. Bellatrix laughed at her new opponent and then finally managed to hit me with a curse. Everything turned black. Pain racked my body from every inch of skin. I knew what was happening. My vision was becoming real. I was dying. I had tried to survive, like Firenze had told me to, and I managed to survive the Forest. I thought I would be safe. Obviously not. Muggles say that their lives flash before their eyes. I guess that was what you could say was happening now. The blackness was interrupted by a still image, like a muggle photograph. Jamie. The pain increased, but I was focusing on something else, trying to make myself numb to it. It had always been Jamie, from the very first moment I saw him, heading down towards the vaults at Gringotts seven years ago. That one second glimpse was all I needed for my abilities to tell me that he was the one. Harry. Ron. Hermione. Ginny. Neville. Luna. George. Alicia. Katie. Angelina. Lee. Oliver. Faces started to flash before me, showing me my friends futures. Children, marragies, grandchildren. They seemed so happy and carefree. At least I knew that Harry would survive the final confrontation with Voldemort. I watched as every person I knew grew old and had a family, waiting for Jamie’s future to appear. Then, as the pain reached an unbareable level, I saw it. Jamie was sitting in a chair beside a fire, a small child sitting on his knee. The girl had his eyes. Their hair was the same colour. I watched as the image grew wider so I could see the rest of Jamie’s future family. One, two, three… I stopped counting the children and focused on the room itself. There, on the table beside Jamie’s chair, was a photograph. Of me. Light blinded me as I opened my eyes, screaming. I was still in the Great Hall and the pain had suddenly cut off. Sunlight was pouring in through what was left of the windows, and Bellatrix was gone. I managed to stop the blood curdling scream and glanced around. Someone was moving her body out of the Hall, as well as Voldemort’s. We had won. People were celebrating. Harry was walking towards me, a smile on his face. I looked up and found Jamie’s eyes, the worry disappearing from them quickly. Slowly, noises came into hearing. People were cheering. Jamie was asking if I was okay. Harry knelt down beside me and took my hand, saying it was all over. Hooves clopped against the floor as the Centaurs surrounded me. I found Firenze’s smiling face as he said two words to me. ‘You survived’ I smiled, and grabbed Jamie’s hand, forcing it down to just above my bellybutton, and saw his immediate understanding. I knew we’d argue about this- me not telling him sooner, us arguing all the time, me risking my life and the baby’s life by joining the battle, but I didn’t care. No more secrets. No more fighting. No more hiding. We won. We survived. :val5: |
Oh my gosh! Only one more post!! Really?! Nooooooooooo!!!!!!! (as long as there's a sequel :)) Loved it Abi :) I loved Alicia tackling Ginny... perfect :) Her and Jamie will have their hands full now ;) cute post Can't wait for the last post (and the sequel)! :) -Rach :) |
I'm sorry about the long wait! :val5: Chapter Twenty Four: Becoming A Super Hero Kingsley came over to the Gryffindor table where my group was sitting quietly, reflecting on what we’d done and who we’d lost, and tapped my shoulder lightly. “There’s a meeting at the top table that you have to attend, Alicia” he sounded apologetic, his eyes lingering on the cuts I had refused to have healed. “Sure thing,” I said, nodding slowly. Everything was still too bright and loud to me since I’d come round from my little experience, as Jamie and Firenze were calling it, so I was moving slowly. “help me stand?” I added, holding out a hand. Kingsley reached for it, but Firenze beat him to it, dropping to the floor and using my outstretched arm to pull me onto his back. “I have to attend this meeting too, Young one, so we shall go together,” he explained, noticing my questioning look. I nodded absently and leaned against him, feeling tired. “Jamie, you too,” I heard Kingsley say as Firenze started to move away. “What’s going on?” I asked, pushing myself into a sitting position and making Firenze pause. “Why does Jamie have to come? Why do they need me?” “You are the Seer, Alicia, not me,” was the only reply I got, which caused me to sigh and wince when it hurt. “You okay?” Jamie said, as he and Kingsley caught up with us, touching my leg briefly. “Yeah, I forgot about the bruises, that’s all,” I said, giving him a faint smile. “before you say it, I’m still not getting them healed- I want to heal the Muggle way,” I added, seeing his face. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this, but okay,” he said, shaking his head. I smiled at him again as Firenze started to move again. Eyes followed the four of us as we moved through the groups, half celebrating, half mourning. The adults were watching from the top table, with a backdrop of loss and sadness behind them. My eyes lingered on Fred, Tonks and Remus for a second before I had to look away, which was a mistake, cause I glanced at Jamie, who was staring at his cousin silently. “What is this about?” Firenze said as we reached the others. I let Kingsley lift me off his back and leaned against Jamie for support. “There are a few things that need to be sorted out before today is over,” McGonagall said in quiet voice. “You’re the headmistress, nobody can take that away from you,” I said, drawing all the attention to myself. I saw several people nod in agreement. “Thank you, Alicia,” the professor said, her voice even more quiet than before. I heard the gratitiude and love in her voice and gave her a smile. “next is who will take over as Minister, considering the last Minister was under the Imperious Curse- ” “And is now an overgrown sea-urchin, thanks to Percy,” Jamie added, making several people chuckle quickly. “Kingsley should be Minister,” “I don’t think- ” “Kingsley, I agree,” I said, cutting off the Auror. Until that precise moment, I didn’t realize just how much people looked to me for guidance. He nodded, placing a hand on Jamie’s shoulder in thanks before standing up straighter. “Very well,” McGonagall nodded towards Kingsley and then paused for a second, and I realized what the next subject would be. “The families should be informed, and then they can make the choice of what to do with- the bodies,” I said, my voice quiet. “We are already informing the families of the students lost, Miss Daniels,” professor Flitwick said softly, his gaze darting behind him quickly. I wondered who he was glancing at, but didn’t say anything. “I think Alicia have proved herself to be more than just another student, professor,” Kingsley said, looking at Flitwick with an unreadable look, making me glance at Jamie. “and, I think we should be calling her Mrs Starlight if we’re going to be formal about things,” “Wait, what?” I said, pushing away from Jamie and grabbing his arm, making him look at me. “You two are engaged, correct?” he said, and we both nodded. “well, considering the circumstances, and your importance to the Wizarding world, I think even a quiet event would be scrutinized, so this is just a better way to do things,” “I didn’t want the usual big wedding anyway, Kingsley,” I said, feeling the need to defend myself. “who would I invite, the only family I have left is Firenze, and then I have friends I count as family,” “Ali, baby, he understands, that’s why he’s saying what he’s saying,” Jamie said, touching the small of my back and making me turn into him as I realized the heaviness of my words. I was alone in the Muggle world. “do you want this?” “Are you retarted? Of course I do!” I said, forgetting my loneliness and frowning at him. “Well, then, you two are bonded,” Firenze stated, resting a hand on my shoulder. “There’s something else we want to offer you, Alicia,” Kingsley said, motioning towards himself and the professors around us. “We wan’ yer to come and live ‘ere at the castle, permanently,” Hagrid said, grinning down at me. I just stared at him, my mouth open slightly. “Of course, there would be a catch, as you would say,” McGonagall added, sounded more like a professor with every word. “you would be given your own quarters on the ground floor so that it isn’t difficult for Firenze and the other Centaurs to visit, and you would be allowed to do with it as you wish, but only professors are allowed to reside in the castle,” “Are you trying to say that you want Alicia to teach? Here? At Hogwarts?” Jamie said, sounding as shocked as I felt. “That is exactly what I’m saying, Mr Starlight,” McGonagall stated calmly, nodding. “What am I supposed to teach?” I asked, still reeling from this news. Everyone knew my O.W.L’s were perfect in every subject, they had been printed in the Daily Prophet. “I haven’t even done my N.E.W.T’s!” “We’re starting a new subject next year,” McGonagall said, smiling slightly. “Self-defense and Preservation” “How to survive?” I said, shocked. “Well, didn’t you say to your house-members that you had learnt how to survive?” McGonagall looked at me knowingly. “Sort of, I was threatening to kill them at the time,” I admitted, making everyone stare at me. “what? They were abusing Sirius and I knew they wouldn’t listen to me,” “So you threatened them?” Kingsley said, sounding surprised. “We’re not the same people who were at Bill and Fleur’s wedding, Kingsley,” Jamie said casually, a hand on my shoulder. “When you spend ten months living a life which could kill you, you learn a few things,” “Bu’ yer goin’ ter take the job, righ’?” Hagrid said, completely ignoring Jamie and still grinning at me. “I need a while to process and think,” I said, stalling. They nodded and moved away, meaning the meeting was over. “Well, that was…” I said, walking towards the exit with Jamie, who took my hand. “Tell me about it,” was all he said. “we’re going for walk, we’ll be back soon,” he added as he passed his parents, who were watching us carefully. “So, what are you going to do?” he asked as we paused in the destroyed Entrance hall. “Would you want to live here?” I asked, glancing at him. “Sure, we have a lot of memories in this place,” he said, pulling me outside. The devastation was even worse out on the grounds. Pieces of the castle were scattered across the grass, which had murderous patterns scorched into it. “A lot of them horrendous, now,” I sighed, kicking a dismembered wing from one of the flying boar statues. “But even more of them happy,” he countered, gesturing towards where Hagrid’s cabin once stood, the Forest, the Lake and the Quidditch pitch. “There are ghosts of lost friends here now,” I argued, gesturing all around us. “I don’t think I could live with the ghosts of friends who died because of me,” “Baby, don’t think like that,” Jamie said quietly, wrapping an arm around my waist. “none of this is your fault, nor Harry’s,” “It doesn’t feel like that,” I sighed, resting against him. “You’d be giving every single person who comes through this castle a chance of surviving if they ever have to go through what we did. Look at it as paying respect to Tonks, and Remus, and Fred,” I watched his face as he looked at me. “You’d be closer to your family, Alicia,” he knew he’d got me with that. Firenze was the most important person to me after him. “I did consider becoming a professor once, but that feels like a long time ago- and after what we’ve been through, I still think I prefer becoming an Auror,” I said, weighing the differences. “Who’s to say you can’t do both?” Jamie said, smiling. “What if teaching and protecting the Wizarding community clash?” I said, grinning at the idea he was laying down in front of me. “I think another talk with Kingsley is in order,” “So use your super powers and summon him here,” he joked, poking me in the ribs, which made me wince slightly. “okay, so I totally forgot about that!” he apologized, kissing my forehead quickly. ‘Kingsley, are you busy?’ I sent, grinning away his worry. ‘Not really, we’re discussing the clean-up, why?’ ‘Can you come outside? I want to discuss something with you’ I turned away from Jamie and stared out across the lawns. “Super powers, huh?” I said casually, and I heard him laugh. “Every super hero has powers,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “and to a lot of people, you are a super hero because of what’s you’ve done and been through,” “So, would you be your wife’s side-kick, Mr. Starlight?” Kingsley voice sounded behind us and made me turn round. “I’m glad that you know Muggle references, Minister, but please do not suggest that I am better than my husband,” I said, smiling. “well, that felt amazing to say,” I added, my hair curling loosely. “Sounds amazing,” Jamie added, his fingertips sweeping a stray curl from my face, making them turn light pink. “I assume you didn’t call me outside to talk about Muggle stories?” Kingsley said, smiling at the two of us. “We were talking about McGonagall’s offer,” I said, gazing at him intently. “I think it is a very good idea, Alicia. Who better to teach the younger generations than the famous Alicia Daniels,” he said, nodding. “But what if I wasn’t famous, Kingsley? What if I didn’t have the abilities I have?” I said, and he paused for a minute. “Ali, for a while, your visions didn’t even make an appearance, and when they did, even you said they weren’t a look of help,” Jamie said, taking a step towards Kingsley. “Still, would it make a difference?” I pressed, rolling my eyes at Jamie. “No, it wouldn’t Alicia,” he answered finally, gazing at me. “Would my unwanted celebrity status compromise any chance of me becoming an Auror?” I questioned, returning the gaze intently. “Not at all, Alicia. Look at Mad-eye, he wasn’t exactly an unheard of Auror. Then there’s Harry- ” “Harry?” I said, surprised. “I get offered a teaching role and Harry gets offered job at the Ministry?” Kingsley just nodded. “It feels like you’re trying to use us a little, Kingsley,” “I can see where you’re coming from, but I can assure you that isn’t the case,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I know, but letting people know the truth can’t hurt,” I said, shrugging. “What if I could use my abilities to do more than just teach?” “Are you talking about joining Harry at the Ministry? I know we’ve spoken about you becoming an Auror before,” he said, smoothing the front of his robe. “Would it be possible for me to do both? Teach and become an Auror?” I asked, cutting straight to the point. “I mean, most of the professors were in the Order, and Alastor was both, so I don’t think it would be a problem for me,” “I see your point,” Kinglsey said, and I knew he was thinking of the possibilities. “I’m positive it won’t have any effect whatsoever. Welcome to the team, Mrs. Starlight,” he said, smiling at me. “And that, is how you make me feel like a super hero,” I said, grinning at Jamie. |
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