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3uzz3ee · 01-15-2009, 08:17 PM

Ahh... I love your story so much... Especially the part with Fred and George...

Abi...xox

lilly_luna · 01-16-2009, 09:03 AM

Lovin the fic, now i just have to try and wait patiently again for the next post lol
xlillyx

TriwizardChamp12 · 01-17-2009, 04:54 AM

WOW
thats BIGG!!!

chaostori1985 · 01-21-2009, 10:36 AM

Great post. Sorry it took me so long to post a response. My internet has been down because of bad weather by me. Anyway, it was an absolutely wonderful post. Very ominous at the end, I wonder what's going to happen next. PAMS!! And Pams on your other story too!!!!

~Tori

Krysta · 01-22-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3uzz3ee

Ahh... I love your story so much... Especially the part with Fred and George...

Abi...xox

Fred and George always know how to lighten the atmosphere, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilly_luna

Lovin the fic, now i just have to try and wait patiently again for the next post lol
xlillyx

Well wait no more coz I'm about to post the next part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriwizardChamp12

WOW
thats BIGG!!!

Mwahahaha

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaostori1985

Great post. Sorry it took me so long to post a response. My internet has been down because of bad weather by me. Anyway, it was an absolutely wonderful post. Very ominous at the end, I wonder what's going to happen next. PAMS!! And Pams on your other story too!!!!

~Tori

I love your story! Post more! he he.
I'm glad you liked the post. I always worry that I'm not setting the mood or scene very well but it seems to have worked

Thanks everyone for your comments and sticking with me. This fic is nearly finished, but then I am going to start posting the prequelesque story I wrote, which is set during Sirius Black's trial. I will also (at some point, I promise) start writing the sequel again. I only got as far as chapter 3, but I shall start again when I start posting it.

Krysta · 01-22-2009, 12:37 PM

Chapter 27, Part 2

Harry barely got no chance to respond which was probably a good thing. The tonne of bricks hovering over his head would have to wait since it was rudely interrupted by the dorm-room door being flung violently open.
"Ron, common room, now!" ordered Fred shortly before disappearing again. Ron didn't need telling twice. He was out of the door before Harry could get a word in. Harry leapt to his feet and went to follow before realising he was wearing only his underwear and was forced to quickly throw on some pyjama bottoms before darting out of the door after his friend.
The first thing he saw upon entering the common room was the small cluster of people, mainly fourth year girls in the middle of the room. When he saw what they were gathered around he gasped and dashed forward to join Ron and his brothers who were crouching on the floor.
Lying in George's arms was Ginny, apparently unconscious and whimpering. Harry inched closer and Ron noticed him.
"They just found her. She's been like this for nearly ten minutes, we can't wake her." He explained his voice shaking.
"Has anyone sent for Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked.
"That sixth year went. The tall black girl." Piped up one of Ginny's friends - the little blonde girl. Harry had since learnt her name to be Angel. Harry nodded in response, trust Heather to be on the ball. After all it had been her that had taken the initiative to make sure Wormtail hadn't escaped. How had she recognised him anyway?

Those thoughts were quickly disbanded when he noticed a couple of unfamiliar boys had joined the crowd and were smirking to each other as they looked down at Ginny. A quick look in the same direction told Harry why: her nightshirt had ridden up her legs a little and the boys were undoubtedly enjoying the view. He threw the boys an ugly look and they both immediately looked petrified and quickly turned away. Harry smiled to himself. For once the rumours about his temper and sanity were proving to be useful. After all, who would want to get on the bad side of Ginny's boyfriend, especially when he had a reputation for being violent and just a little crazy.
He turned back to Ginny and pulled her nightshirt back down to her knees. The backs of his fingers brushed her skin and a familiar rush of heat washed through his flesh. The second their skin touched there was an immediate change and Ginny's eyes opened sharply…but they weren't Ginny's eyes.

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock. He'd seen this once before. Fred and George had seen it too. Now Ron looked into Ginny's eyes and Lily's eyes looked back.
"Harry?" asked a soft voice through Ginny's lips but it wasn't hers. Fred fell back on his heels gripping the back of his head with both palms. Harry couldn't speak to begin with. A thousand thoughts and questions flowed through him.
"Mum?" he asked quietly, his voice soft and innocent, his eyes pleading. Anyone who looked closely enough would see them glaze with salt-water.
Green eyes stared back at him confused, Ginny's head shook gently.
"She is there. She is one. Not here." Ginny's lips spoke once more, but Harry didn't understand the words.
"I don't understand." He shook his head.
"Mummy and Daddy are there." She spoke again. Her voice was innocent and childish, her smile gentle and pure.
"Where?" he asked
"In the collective." She said again her eyes sparkling with joy. Harry didn't understand. Was this not his Mother? Was this not Lily? They were her eyes he was sure of it. They were his eyes, just like his eyes. Around him the people were silent watching in fascination. Ron was shaking next to him.

"Who are you?" he asked, almost whispering. The emeralds danced again.
"I am Amy." She whispered back as though telling him a deep secret. Something clicked inside him, something connected and he felt his blood surge. He knew. He knew who she was. It was instinct. It was blood.
His face relaxed and he let the girl crawl into his arms and he held her, holding his breath. His arms tightened around her and a tear finally rolled down his cheek landing silently on his sister's shoulder.

*

He sat on the edge of his bed, silently in the dark. He'd been on the verge of tears for nearly an hour but somehow they hadn't quite managed to fall.
He didn't respond when a figure appeared in the door and made her way over to him. Hermione sat next to him and draped an arm around his shoulder. He didn't move, just stayed hunched in the same position he hadn't moved from for an hour, the photograph album balanced clumsily on his knee. For several minutes neither of them spoke.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
His words hung in the air for a few moments and Hermione released a deep breath.
"Maybe no one knew." She suggested though he could tell by her voice she knew that wasn't true. He gave a look that told her so. "I guess it just hurt too much, Harry." She said wisely and compassionately. He knew she was right but he couldn't ignore the anger that accompanied his own pain.
"I had a right to know!" he cried, his voice breaking in the middle. Her arm around his shoulders tightened and she leant her head against his shoulder.
"I know, Harry." She said gently. "I know."

They both were silent. Harry turned pages in the photo album gazing at pictures of his Mother and Father, scrutinizing the images of his Mother.
"She doesn't show in any of these." He said, his voice monotone. Hermione shook her head.
"Harry, I found something…in the library. I think you have to see it."

They crept silently through the loaded shelves of books Harry letting Hermione lead the way until finally she found what she was looking for. In the reference section she pulled out the largest book Harry had ever seen and between them, they lugged it over to a table coughing as dust swirled up from the pages when it hit the wooden surface. Hermione wiped the thin layer of dust off the cover and Harry swallowed. Black letter glared up at him.

"The Book Of The Dead."

He looked at Hermione shaking his head.
"I can't look in that." He muttered and she looked sympathetic.
"I think you need to. You need to see it in writing." She said carefully. He knew what she meant by it. He stared at the book for what felt like forever and then reluctantly opened the hard cover to reveal the strangest index he'd ever seen.

A face stared grimly up at him, hooded in a dark cloak. The eyes were almost hidden but somehow Harry knew the sockets were empty. It was a face of shadow, a face that was once something more than it now was, a hollow image of its past form. He was looking at death.
A silken voice left its lips.
"Friend or foe?" it asked, the voice void of any kind of emotion. Harry looked at Hermione for guidance.
"You have to answer. You opened the book." She said quietly. Harry shrugged.
"Friend." He answered. He figured that was the best answer. The book shimmered and the lilting voice spoke again.
"Family, friend, colleague." It spoke and Harry frowned. What did it mean?
"It wants you to pick a category." Hermione whispered and Harry understood. This was the index, personalised for him.
"Family." He announced and the book shimmered again and gave him three more options
"Immediate, second generation, descendants."
"Immediate." He announced. The book shimmered and trembled a little. The image of death disappeared and a new face appeared. Red hair spilled across the page and beautiful emerald eyes shone up at him with a smile that pulled at Harry's heart.
"Lily Potter, Mother. Died 31st October 1981. More details or next?" the book asked. He was tempted to ask for more details but that could wait.
"Next." He said, not able to tear his eyes off his Mother's lovely face.
"James Henry Potter, Father. Died 31st October 1981. More details or next?" Harry stared at the grinning face of his Father and felt like he was once again looking into a mirror. He so wish he'd known this man.

"Next." He said his voice grated. Harry stared at the picture and then frowned. No face appeared at all. The page had turned several shades of pink and seemed to be throbbing. As he stared at the page he heard Hermione gasp next to him and he realised what he was looking at. He felt sick. A figure was now distinguishable in the centre of the image. A tiny foetus lay curled up in the sea of its Mother's womb, tiny pink fingers curled around clutching at the space around it. A leg kicked out at the walls of its confines and a miniature pink thumb was in her mouth. She was fully formed and Harry could see the baby's eyes were green. Harry's stomach was turning cartwheels and next to him Hermione was trying to hold back the floodgate of tears. The book spoke.
"Amy Emma Potter, Sister. Died 31st October 1981. No further details available"

*

He didn't know how long he stared into the pages of the book but it was Hermione who finally reached across and gently folded the book shut. He snapped out of the trance and turned to look at her. She flinched when she saw his face. Instead of the pain and bewilderment she'd been expecting she was met with a venomous fury that burned through his eyes. His bottom lip was shaking, his fists clenched and when he spoke his voice was deep and grated.
"He won't get away with this."

Ginny was awake when they silently entered the infirmary. Ron was with her as were the twins who were sleeping soundly in chairs beside their sister's bed.
"How do you feel?" asked Harry, his voice sounding normal and Hermione studied him.
"Ok." Ginny replied softly. Harry leaned forward to kiss her and she inclined her face towards his. She looked a little put out when he placed the kiss softly on her cheek rather than her lips but she smiled anyway.
"Do you remember anything?" asked Hermione dragging a chair over from the neighbouring bed and sitting down. Ginny just shrugged in response. Harry stared at her a mixture of emotions swirling inside him, each fighting to reach the surface.
"I had another little visit from Amy." She replied and frowned a little. Hermione nodded. Harry didn't miss the knowing look the girls shared.
"Do you know who she is?" he asked, his voice wooden and void of feeling. Ginny looked at Hermione questioningly. Hermione just nodded.
"Yes. I've known for a while." She finally answered. Harry sucked in a lungful of air and turned away slightly. He snapped back around again and hissed at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she looked taken aback by the sudden outburst and her mouth fell open to reply but she just shook her head and closed it again.
"I didn't know how to."

Ron stirred a little in his chair and opened his eyes. He sat bolt upright and looked at Harry and Hermione.
"You're back then?" he asked his voice strange.
"Yes. It seems you and I have something in common, Ron." Harry said sarcastically.
"Eh? What's that?" asked Ron looking confused.
"Our sister." Said Harry motioning towards Ginny. Hermione rolled her eyes and Ginny looked extremely uncomfortable.
"OUR sister?" he asked looking at Ginny and then back at Harry. Hermione had folded her arms across her chest and was scowling.
"It would appear that the spirit that's been using Ginny to communicate with Harry is his baby sister." Ron looked at Hermione and then at Harry and then back at Ginny again.
"Eh?"

Their conversation was cut rudely short and the sentence Ron had been planning to say was left in his throat unspoken. Hermione and Ginny gasped and the awake boys looked at them. Harry was about to ask them what was wrong when his question was answered by itself. The ground around them was trembling. It had begun at a gentle hum rising up through the ground. Now the chair Hermione sat on was vibrating. She leapt to her feet and gripped Harry's arm staring at the floor apprehensively.
On the other chairs both Fred and George had awoken and were staring at the people around them in surprise and then at the shaking bed Ginny was gripping hold of by the edges, her knuckles white.

She finally squealed and leapt from the bed when the air was filled with a deafening boom, the sound reverberated and echoed around them. Fred reached out for his sister and held her close to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hid her face against his chest. Another earth shattering boom ripped the atmosphere and they stumbled as the ground and masonry shook. Everyone was looking around them in confusion and fear.
Amid the sounds the trembling walls were making a new sound met Harry's ears. The sound of screaming. Next to him Hermione's mouth had fallen open in horror and Ginny's face had emerged from her brother's jumper. She looked grave but suddenly determined. Harry could feel the unspoken communication between the two girls again.
"You hear it?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded.
"The screaming?" asked Ron, nodding. Ginny shook her head.
"No, Ron." She said. Hermione's eyes closed to mere slits.
"She means can you hear the laughing?"

The halls were filled with frantic students all screaming or burbling incomprehensively at each other, every single one of them consumed with panic.
"Were the vampires back?"
"Were they under attack?"
"Was it an earthquake?"
"Was it giants?"
The half-snippets of conversation that met them were varied. The boys were silent with panic, none of them knowing what to say or do. It had been Hermione that had pulled the door open and half walked, half ran down the stairs towards the great Hall. On the landing they met Professor Snape appearing from the basement stairway. He stopped when he saw Hermione and again there was unspoken communication. He took a step back and nodded. He turned on his heel and dashed away in the other direction.
"Where's he going?" asked George sounding disgusted. Both Harry and Ron glared after him, thinking the same thing. Typical of him to run off at a time like this when there were students running riot in the halls.
"He's going for help." Replied Hermione who had turned again and was heading down the main staircase. They followed her exchanging sceptical expressions. Her wand was out and in instinct so was Harry's.

"Hermione what the hell is going on?"
"Yeah it's quite clear you know. Don't you think you should let us in on the little no-so-quiet secret?"
The twins and ran down the stairs and cornered her at the bottom. She glared at them for a second and then at Ron and Harry who were giving her a similar look.
"Daddy's real angry."
They all turned at the sound of the new voice. Harry recognised the American accent immediately. Heather stood a few feet behind Hermione dressed not in her school robes or even her jeans but in a long black gown that swept around her feet as students bustled around her in panic. Her cloak was also black and the velvet hood was up over her head. Her wand was firmly in her hand and she had a strong urgency about her that made Harry uneasy.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Fred, the panic manifesting itself as anger. Harry was following suit.
"Yeah. I think it's about time you girls stopped playing games and told us what the hell is happening!" he yelled. Heather took a step forward moving closer to him. She opened her mouth to speak but another almighty boom shattered her concentration.
"Heather!" argued Hermione and Heather faltered.
"What's happening? We're in a hell of a lot of trouble that's what's happening." She finally answered.
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Dracus is trying to break free from the Chamber." Hermione butted in and they all stared at her. Another boom and they grabbed for the stair banisters for support. Elsewhere in the Hall people cried out as some fell causing panic to rise.
"But why now? Why hasn't he tried this before?" asked Ron angrily grabbing for Ginny as she stumbled.
"Because he really wants to get out. He has unfinished business. But that's not why we're in trouble." Heather tried to explain.
"It isn't? Then what's the reason?" asked Fred, his anger beginning to spiral out of control.

There was a scream and they all turned to see two blonde girls hanging seemingly in mid air, suspended by invisible claws. Fred and George moved forward defiantly as they recognised the girls. Ginny's friends, the twins were struggling against their unseen foe.
"No!" cried Ginny trying to move forwards to their aid but Ron and Harry stood in her way holding her back. Hermione was looking frantically around her for the source of their demise. Her eyes locked on a figure in black, cloak billowing around him, his hand held high in the air controlling the levitation spell.
"He…" she began pointing towards the figure. "…is why we're in trouble."

Caleb's icy eyes turned even as they watched to fix them with a triumphant sneer.
"Now that I have your attention…" he called, his voice piercing the continued din of frantic, panicked Hogwarts students.
"Heather…the lake." Hermione suddenly turned to the American giving her the order. Heather simply nodded.
"Already there." She said in a low voice. She moved back through the group, slipping away from them discreetly. Hermione never once took her eyes off the vampire prince, and he returned the gesture his eyes chilling Harry to the bone.

Another loud boom shook the entrance hall and Harry grabbed the pillar at the bottom of the banister to steady himself. Caeleb was laughing. The trembling was accompanied by a squeal as a small blonde figure collided with Ginny from behind. Sharon picked herself up and nearly screamed in shock when she saw the vampire. Harry covered her mouth, stifling her and she instead cowered behind him. Caeleb hadn't noticed her arrival; he was too busy gloating.
"That's right, father. Bang all you want. You're never getting out of there." He laughed again as another thunder clap rocked the ground
"Temper, Temper." Caeleb called again in a singsong voice, his eyes gleaming. Harry knew that look: revenge.

"Are you going to keep them hanging there all night?" Hermione suddenly asked, the tremble in her voice inaudible to all except Harry and Ron who knew her too well. Caeleb looked startled for a second but then looked up at the girls still suspended 10ft off the ground as though he'd forgotten they were even there. Harry noticed one of them was nearly unconscious, her twin looking over at her sister with fear and concern.
Behind Caeleb, Harry noticed the door click silently shut: Heather had made it out of the castle. But why had Hermione sent her to the lake? What was going on?

Caeleb looked back at Hermione.
"Well that really depends on you." He announced in a business-like manner. Harry could tell Hermione was trying to remain calm.
"Elaborate." She ordered politely. He vampire smiled, sending another jolt of electricity through Harry's blood. He was surging with adrenalin and one look at Ron said the same was happening to him. Caeleb lowered his arms and the girls dropped to the floor. One cried out and crawled over to her unconscious sister. Fred and George couldn't stand it any longer and dashed to their sides, standing over them protectively.
Caeleb chuckled. Ron now supported Ginny who watched the scene from behind him, her eyes sparkling, her brow low. Harry didn't know what it was but he suddenly feared her.

"A deal." Caeleb suddenly announced. Hermione lifted her chin boldly.
"Go on." She prodded cautiously. Another boom broke the near-silence and Harry realised how empty the Hall had become. Where had everyone gone? Caeleb waited for the trembling to diminish before speaking.
"Kill him."
The order came so abruptly that Hermione didn't have time to react. Her eyebrows raised an inch instead.
"Kill him? Your father?" she asked sounding surprised. Caeleb threw his head back in a blood-curdling laugh, which sent shivers through everyone.
"No, child. Kill HIM!" he said again, this time pointing a long bony finger. Harry's heart stopped dead in his chest. Caeleb was pointing at him.

His stomach flipped and at last he could hear and feel the flood rushing through his veins in a crimson tidal wave. His heart was now pounding in his throat and Hermione's jaw had dropped in horror. Sharon gripped Harry's arm in fear; he could feel her trembling.
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"Why?" Harry added in a voice more obstinate than originally intended. Caeleb shook his head with a kind of insane regret.
"It's nothing personal, boy. It's just that as long as you live, the risk exists that my Father may escape his prison." He explained. Ginny and Ron moved closer to Harry defiantly.
"And I'm afraid I can't allow that." He continued. "You see the last thing I want is my Father dead, far from it. I want him to live long and painful, trapped down there forever; wasting away in eternal death. He-shall-not-leave-that-chamber." His final words were defiant and deliberate.

There was suddenly silence in the entrance hall as everyone mulled over his words.
"That's not true. Voldemort could let him out, killing Harry won't solve anything." Ginny suddenly announced boldly and Ron looked down at his sister as thought she were a stranger.
"Oh no, you see that's what Daddy-darling is so annoyed about." Caeleb replied his eyes gleaming as another rumble shook the room as if to illustrate his point. "See Father knows that Voldemort is no longer loyal to him. He also knows that I plan to kill the boy which is why he's so…agitated." He paused as he chose the appropriate word to describe Dracus' tantrum.
"But getting one of his friends, a sister of Natherra even to do it for me…it's just so poetic." He said with a sickening smile, looking satisfied with himself.
Hermione took a step closer to Caeleb.
"And you'll leave then? You'll leave and not take one life before you go?" she asked. The others all stared at her in horror. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"You have my word." Caeleb told her solemnly taking a short bow towards her.

"Now wait a minute!" cried Harry indignantly.
"Hermione you can't be serious!" Ron added defiantly stepping forward to face her.
"I have no choice, there's too much at risk. I have only one choice." She turned and stepped closer to Harry. He looked into her stern, determined eyes; his own full of disbelief. How could she even consider this?
"I'm sorry..." She began.

chaostori1985 · 01-22-2009, 12:38 PM

That sounds good to me. If people on my story want me to post again I just might post today.

~Tori

Krysta · 01-22-2009, 12:59 PM

Yes you have to post! Go! Go do it now!

chaostori1985 · 01-22-2009, 01:36 PM

That was a great post. Is Hermione really considering killing Harry? or is she going to use a similar spell to make it seem like she's killing him? PAMS!!!!!!

I'm going to post on mine now.

~Tori

lilly_luna · 01-23-2009, 04:40 AM

omg ! ok im reading urs straight after this if i haven't already Tori !

omg is she really going to it, will she kill Harry? PAMS !

xlillyx

TriwizardChamp12 · 01-26-2009, 01:49 AM

well a girls gotta do
what a girls gotta do

Krysta · 01-26-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaostori1985

That was a great post. Is Hermione really considering killing Harry? or is she going to use a similar spell to make it seem like she's killing him? PAMS!!!!!!

I'm going to post on mine now.

~Tori

Not tellin'

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilly_luna

omg ! ok im reading urs straight after this if i haven't already Tori !

omg is she really going to it, will she kill Harry? PAMS !

xlillyx

dun dun dunnn!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriwizardChamp12

well a girls gotta do
what a girls gotta do

quite

Krysta · 01-26-2009, 03:02 PM

I felt like posting some more so here you go

This Chapter is very long and will be in four parts. Here's part three:
xxxx

Chapter 27, Part 3

Harry felt like they stared into each other's faces for eternity. Behind her, Caeleb was chuckling cruelly, wringing his hands together in sadistic glee. It was the look in the vampire's eyes that told him what this was all about. Power. Power over the girl whose destiny it was to destroy him. He'd seen the same insane satisfaction the night Krys had let the vile creature drink from her.
And now he was going to make Hermione kill her closest friend.

"I'm sorry." She repeated and Harry gasped when he saw the object glinting in her hands. He'd seen the dagger before in his dreams but now his friend was holding to his chest. The twisted multiple blades seemed almost alive, writhing around each other as she turned the weapon in her hands. Caeleb had fallen silent and was watching with nervous fascination. He clearly recognised the dagger too.
"Hermione…" began Harry, his eyes pleading with hers. She shook her head sadly and gripped the dagger so hard her knuckles were white.
"This is the only way." She said, her voice shaky but determined. She sounded insane. This wasn't happening it couldn't be. Why was no-one stepping in to stop her? Even Ron had fallen silent, holding Ginny as if for dear life. Harry felt a complete inability to stop her. She was, after all a lot smaller than him and never been in a fight in her life. Harry on the other hand was a good few inches taller and a life with the Dursleys had taught him how to take care of himself. So why wasn't he taking the knife from her, overpowering her and stopping this madness?

Deep down he knew the answer.
He knew in a crazy way that it had to be done. To save the day and win the war sacrifices had to be made. Dumbledore had taught him that. So had his parents' death. But Harry knew it was also something deeper than that; something he'd barely been able to admit to himself. He didn't fear it any longer and a tiny, lonely part of him almost wished it; wished to feel that peace once more.
Harry braced himself, waiting for the blade to strike home. But it never did.

What did happen happened so quickly that no one, not even the vampire had time to react.
Harry found himself pushed to the side and he heard the scream before his eyes could even register what was going on.
Hermione had grabbed a hold of Sharon's tiny frame, gripping her tightly from behind. Sharon cried out again in alarm but suddenly stopped struggling when she felt the cold sharpness of metal against her throat. Caeleb watched with fascinated confusion.
"Child, what do you hope to…"
He broke off suddenly, holding his nose high in the air as though catching the scent of smoke on the breeze. A new horrified expression had filled his eyes and a snarl touched his lips. Hermione's eyes gleamed and Harry and the others stared in horror as a thin trickle of crimson blood ran down Sharon's neck staining her white flesh. What was Hermione playing at?
Caeleb had closed his eyes and was inhaling deeply savouring the scent of Sharon's blood, but when he opened his eyes once more, the fearful anger had returned to them.

"That's right, Caeleb." Hermione crooned. "Now I have a new deal. You leave, get the hell out, and I let her live." She announced firmly. Caeleb snarled and made to leap at them but stopped when Hermione visibly pressed the blades firmly against Sharon's jugular.
"Hermione what are you doing?" hissed Harry, but she ignored him. Her eyes never left the vampire who seemed to be oozing fury from every pore. He swayed erratically as though intoxicated, fists clenching and unclenching his eyes never leaving Hermione and the girl she held captive.
He licked the air like a dog trying to taste the delicious smells that wafted in from a kitchen.
"Smells good doesn't she?" asked Hermione teasingly.
"Hermione, come on let her go." Ron finally spoke up though his voice showed he was just as confused as Harry was.

"You wouldn't do it. She is innocent." Said Caeleb attempting to call Hermione's bluff. Hermione stood her ground, firm and obstinate.
"No one is innocent, Caeleb. Besides, if I was capable of killing my best friend do you not think me capable of killing her?" she paused to let him mull this over. "I would kill her in a second if it meant saving a hundred others." She announced coldly and Harry felt a chill run down his spine at her words. "Are you going to let me? Shall I kill that last of her blood? After Sharon it's all gone, you know that." Hermione told him slowly and almost compassionately. Caeleb's eyes had softened and he appeared to be struggling. "If I kill her now your Father will have won. Is that what you want?" she continued and in his head Harry began to make sense of it all.

It hadn't occurred to him before, but if Krys was a descendant of this insane creature of darkness then so too was Sharon. And she was the last. Hugo Dracus had hunted down and murdered each one of them. Now Sharon was all that was left. Harry remembered back to that night in the forest, the night he had died. He had seen the almost schizophrenic feelings the vampire had for the woman he had called his sister. His instinct to kill her ad destroy the Coven had been overwhelmed by his feelings of love for his blood kin.
His insanity had somehow warped and spliced the feelings, mutated them so the he had come to crave the blood of his kin, to need it like an addiction, it intoxicated him like an elixir and gave him a high so elite that no other blood could ever satisfy him.
But it made him even more insane: the urge to drink, to consume contradicting the urge to reserve his Mother's bloodline.
Now he gazed at his last descendant, pure and innocent as she was and Harry felt like Caeleb's thoughts were inside his head and when he looked at the helpless girl he felt the craving too.

They had him now though, Harry could tell, he could feel it as though they were his own thoughts. Caeleb did not want Hermione to kill his Sister; he did not want that at all. He didn't know what he wanted, but he didn't want that.
"If she dies it will be by my hand, not yours, witch." Caeleb finally relented and Hermione's eyes shrank to sceptical slits.
"Then leave this place." She demanded.
"First I want his word…" Caeleb announced pointing his long, bony finger at Harry who already knew what the request would be.
"As long as I live, Hugo Dracus shall remain a prisoner beneath this castle." Harry announced solemnly and sincerely. Caeleb nodded and looked about ready to take his leave when a final deafening crash shook the entrance hall. Sharon suddenly squealed as her neck was jolted forward against the blades still held at her throat. Hermione cried out in alarm at the sight of blood on the weapon she wielded and in the panic it dropped to floor, metal clattering against stone.

Instinct made Harry grab for it but it flew away from his hand as if moved by an unseen force. Ginny pulled free from Ron to grab it with both fists whilst Harry and Fred caught Sharon just before she hit the ground. She appeared to be alright but blood flowed freely from her wound and Harry realised just how sharp the dagger was as he tried to stop the bleeding with his handkerchief.
Hermione was standing in the same position staring at her blood-soaked hands. Her mouth was open, her lips trembling.
"Hermione!" he yelled but got no response. Just feet away Caeleb was shrieking obscenities.
Ginny held the dagger defensively as though expecting him to attack any second but Caeleb's anger was not directed at them or at Hermione. Instead it was at the cause of the earthquake that had resulted in Sharon's demise.
"She's ok, Caeleb. She's going to be alright." Harry heard himself screaming but Caeleb paid him no heed. Instead he fixed Harry with a look filled with so much anger and hatred that Harry felt as though he had no choice but to do as the vampire was about to request.
"Take me to the Chamber…NOW!"

*

He couldn't believe he was down here again. He looked sideways at Hermione in desperation that she may have some idea of how to get them out of this. She just shook her head, her eyes betraying how scared she really was. She gripped the hand that was draped over her shoulder a little harder as though afraid Sharon would fall to the floor. The girl whimpered and shrank away from Hermione. Harry couldn't blame her after the stunt Hermione had just pulled.
On her other side Ron was taking the majority of Sharon's weight, Hermione simply there for support. Sharon leaned against Ron, her eyes barely open. The wound on her neck would not stop bleeding although the blood-flow had slowed a little. She had become so pale now that her skin was practically white. Sallow, grey smudges had appeared under her eyes and her lips had adopted a sickly blue tinge to them.

Caeleb had made them bring her. All four twins had stayed above ground but Ginny had been dragged along: something the vampire had insisted on. Why, Harry didn't know unless she was just more insurance, another life to exchange. She clung close to Harry, her expression dark and angry. He was impressed and proud. Most girls' reaction would have simply been fear but Ginny held her head high looking Caeleb directly in the eye as he addressed her.
"I'm sure you're beginning to feel right at home down here, my dear." He sneered teasingly. "You better hope your boyfriend does as he's told, girl." He added menacingly and she flinched involuntarily, moving closer to Harry and taking his arm. Caeleb sneered at the gesture then turned his attention to Harry.

"Well…" he ordered and Harry gulped so hard he was sure Ginny could hear it next to him. He turned to the chamber entrance and closing his eyes, taking a deep breath he spoke the parsel tongue once more. With a clunk and the metallic slithering of the snake-shaped locking mechanism the door began to swing open.
Caeleb's eyes burned with hatred as his eyes immediately picked out the figure of his Father waiting on the other side.

Hugo was standing in the middle of the chamber his eyes glaring up at the now open doorway. Suddenly the air had turned thick and hot but Harry's spine shivered. In that moment it felt like Caeleb and his Father were the only two in the room. Finally Hugo broke his gaze to look upon his son's companions. His lips curled into a sneer when he saw Hermione and Harry could see that the master vampire knew exactly who and what she was.
"Brought some arsenal did you, son?" he asked, his voice deep and grated. His screams and shouts of anger had left him almost hoarse. Hugo's eyes locked on Harry. "Ah and the key of course." He added.
His corrupted smile faltered a little when his gaze rested on the red head standing close behind Harry. "Interesting." He said, more to himself than to the other people in the vicinity. He tore his eyes away from Ginny and they instantly lay upon Sharon. Like his son before him he raised his nose into the air catching the scent of her blood. "Ahhh, so sweet." He hissed dreamily allowing himself to be intoxicated. "I was always a sucker for that bloodline…pardon the pun." He added his eyes dancing at his own joke. Caeleb snarled in response and before they knew what was happening Caeleb had launched himself at his Father.

They stood close together watching the battle below them. The fight was extraordinary and reminded Harry of a scene from a Superman movie, where the hero fought against a clone of himself. Both the vampires were strong and full of rage, each violently vicious. They clawed and ripped at each other throwing each other several feet in the air and against the stone statues. But it was the sounds they were making that made Harry's stomach churn. Bloodcurdling screams escaped each of their lips, both screaming obscenities at the other, threats of what they were going to do to each other.
Harry jumped out of his skin when someone tugged at his sleeve. It was Ron.
"Harry come on, look." His friend whispered excitedly. He was motioning towards the open door and Harry suddenly realised that this was their chance.
"Come on, all of you quickly." He kicked into life grabbing Hermione and Ginny's arm trying to direct them towards the door.
"What?" asked Hermione looking perplexed.
"C'mon Hermione whilst we have the chance." Hissed Ron, already halfway out the door.
"We can't." she hissed back looking back at the battle in the background.
"What are you talking about? He's forgotten we're even here now come on!" he hissed again venturing back onto the ledge to grab her arm. She shook her head and pulled free of his grasp.
"We can't leave him." She whispered violently.
"Are you crazy?"
"Of course we can. Two birds with one stone, Hermione. Hopefully they'll kill each other now let's get out of here."

Hermione ignored both Ron and Harry and to Harry's disbelief and dismay began climbing down the ladder.
"What's she doing?" cried Ron in horror.
"She's right, we can't leave him. Hugo will kill him." Added Ginny suddenly. She was already outside the chamber but before either one of them could stop her Ginny had pushed past the boys and began climbing down after Hermione.
"Ginny, what the hell…"
"Ron get Sharon out of here. Do it." Harry suddenly ordered sounding panicked. He was panicked.
"What, are you insane? They'll kill the lot of you, I'm not leaving."
"Ron someone needs to get help. I have to stay; I'm the only one who can control the door. If I need to I can shut them in."
Ron hovered by the door looking at Harry, clearly fighting the inner turmoil. Finally he nodded and practically picking Sharon up he disappeared out of the chamber.

Harry turned back to the battle and picked out both girls now on ground level clinging to each other. Both looked petrified and he could tell that maybe they were having second thoughts about their decision to stay behind.
He began down the ladder at top speed and was at their side in seconds. Both clung to him.
"What do we do?" called Hermione over the deafening booms, explosions of magic and body against rock as Father and Son continued their battle. Harry looked at her in disbelief.
"You mean you don't have a plan? This was your idea, Hermione." He cried back and Hermione looked suddenly extremely worried.
Ginny squealed as a body crashed to the ground near them and Harry immediately pulled the girls back out of the way.
The fight was getting nasty. Caeleb had a gash across his arm and left cheek whilst Hugo's shoulder hung crooked and dislocated, blood pouring from the wound that had nearly severed the ligament. But any fool could see that Father was outfighting the son. Despite the magic he commanded Caeleb couldn't seem to get the upper hand on Hugo and Harry knew that the battle would soon be over. And then what? What were they supposed to do then?

Hugo sent Caeleb flying through the air smashing into one of the giant statues lining the walls of the chamber. The force behind him was so strong the head of the statue broke off with him crashing to the ground with a splash and a thud as it landed in the shallow water. Caeleb groaned and snarled barely able to move. His Father was upon him in seconds sneering down at his dishevelled, beaten son with disgust.
"It's her blood that makes you so weak, boy." He snarled. "Even Krynd Sh'a could not drive the plague of humanity from you. You're a disgrace to our kind." He hissed again as though the words left a nasty taste in his mouth.
"And yet her blood still lives." Caeleb managed to reply, his voice broken and weak.
"Not for long, boy. The Coven is dying. All that's left is this child. And once I kill your darling sisters, it will all be over." Hugo announced pompously.
Beside him Harry could feel Hermione shaking with anger. Hugo had bent down and picked up the head of the statue holding it high above his head.
"Say goodbye." Commanded the master vampire with an insane grin of triumph.

"Ginny no!" Hermione suddenly cried out in alarm. Harry hadn't even noticed the girl had moved. Hugo snapped around in surprise at the interruption just in time for the blades in Ginny's hand to pierce his chest to the hilt.
He stared down at the girl that seemed so tiny next to him and his eyes widened in surprise. He laughed for a moment and then his face fell. The statue head fell from his hands hitting the floor and shattering into a thousand pieces of rubble.
Ginny's hands remained locked on the dagger's handle. She twisted it viciously and Hugo cried out, the sound wet and gurgling. Blood was bubbling and trickling from his lips, the look in his eyes full of wonder and fascination for the girl before him.
"Interesting." He said again, looking right into Ginny's eyes.

Harry and Hermione were transfixed, frozen on the spot; each too scared or shocked to move. Slowly Hugo dropped to his knees and finally Ginny let go of the dagger. She took a step back, but only a step and watched as the multiple blades writhed and twisted in his chest sucking the life out of him, absorbing his immortality.

Harry and Hermione found their feet again and as Hugo Dracus slumped to the floor they both rushed to Ginny's side. She was staring down at the unmoving vampire's body the look in her eyes a mixture of fury and horror. A tiny murmur was escaping her lips and Harry instantly recognised the shock she was in.
"What…what…did I do?" she whispered. Harry didn't know how to reply. He just shook his head and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to him, pressing her cheek against his chest.
Hermione stooped on one knee and began to pull the dagger from Hugo's chest.
"No!" Caeleb suddenly cried and Hermione stopped dead looking up at him. He crawled over to her and pushed her hand from the dagger. She looked at him questioningly for a moment and then suddenly gasped. Harry and Ginny looked down to see what was wrong and discovered that Caeleb had grabbed her and had pulled her away from his Father's body.
"Hey!" cried Harry automatically going to Hermione's aid.
"No, Harry, look." Cried Ginny and Harry turned to look at what she was pointing at. What Harry initially thought was steam was rising from Hugo's body. A second later and he could tell it was white smoke, not steam and Ginny jumped back from the body with a yelp when it suddenly caught alight.

Flames licked where the dagger had entered his body quickly spreading and engulfing him burning almost white hot. The watched in silence as the vampire's body was reduced to nothing more than ash.
The dagger crashed to the ground amongst the pile of dust sending a metallic echo around the chamber. She stopped to pick it up cautiously and exclaimed in surprise.
"What is it?" asked Hermione. Ginny turned the dagger in her hands feeling it all over. She walked over to Hermione and handed it to her and Hermione's eyes widened in surprise.
"What?" asked Harry and Hermione looked up at him.
"It's cold." She said. Harry moved over to her and reached out to touch the metal. They both gasped as the knife jerked in Hermione's hand and flew from her grasp away from Harry's fingers. Caeleb chuckled and staggered towards the dagger, he reached down to pick it up. He stood for several moments staring at the dagger with fascination, turning it over and studying it closely.
"Caeleb." Hermione spoke firmly taking a step towards him. He looked up and nodded gently. He walked towards her and placed the dagger in her outstretched palm. "Good boy." She said calmly.

Caeleb looked over Hermione's shoulder at Harry and Ginny. He looked around him as though searching for something. His eyes grew harsh and cold.
"Where is she?" he hissed the fury returning violently to his manner. He pushed Hermione over in anger causing her cry out in alarm. Caeleb marched ominously towards Harry and grabbed him roughly by the shoulders. "Where is she, boy?"
Harry's mouth fell open to reply but wasn't given a chance to.
"My brother took her out of here…to protect her. We were trying to keep her safe." Interrupted Ginny and Caeleb snarled as he turned to look at her.
None of them had a chance of stopping him. He threw Harry to the ground and moved closer to Ginny. He leaned close and spoke to her but Harry couldn't hear what he told her. And then he was gone, sweeping up and out of the chamber before either Harry or Hermione could even get back to their feet.
Ginny was staring after the vampire a look of confusion and terror on her face. She turned to look at Harry and Hermione.
"We have to get back upstairs…fast."

*

Ron dropped to the floor letting his brothers take Sharon from him.
"Geez, she's still bleeding!" exclaimed one of the blonde twins. Her sister was now awake and on her feet but Ron couldn't help but notice how pale she was.
"We couldn't get it to stop."
"If it doesn't stop soon she's going to be drained dry." Commented George and Fred tried his best to apply pressure to the wound but just succeeded in making the crimson fluid pump out faster. He removed his hands and leant back the frustration apparent on his face.
"What kind of knife was that anyway?" asked Ron, staring at the cut in disbelief. Sharon spluttered and bubbles of blood popped at her lips.
"Don't try to talk, Sharon." Fred ordered quickly. She grabbed his arm however and somehow managed to open her eyes. She spluttered again and her voice just about managed to say one word.
"Lake"
"Lake? What does that mean?" asked Ron, tying the sleeve from his shirt around her neck. He didn't even remember ripping it off, everything he was on autopilot. Some strange bravado had taken over and his fear and panic had taken a back seat.
Sharon's voice gurgled again and she pointed over the blonde girls' shoulder. They all turned to see what she was pointing to.
The two blonde girls screamed and backed off to hide behind Fred and George. But unlike the girls, Ron felt nothing but relief and hope. Looming up on them was an enormous black dog.

3uzz3ee · 01-26-2009, 07:56 PM

Ooh... I love this chapter... I was surprised that Hermione did that to Shannon but... Everything will be okay now Yes?

AND SIRIUS IS BACK!! YAY!

Abi...xox

lilly_luna · 01-27-2009, 05:04 AM

wow.... ur brilliant...i don't know what else to say...

xlillyx

chaostori1985 · 01-27-2009, 08:16 AM

Absolutely great post. Please post again soon. I have to know if they will be able to get the bleeding to stop or not. PAMS!!!

~Tori

TriwizardChamp12 · 01-28-2009, 12:46 AM

i knew that hermione couldn't kill him
i am disappoited in you hermione

Krysta · 02-04-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3uzz3ee

Ooh... I love this chapter... I was surprised that Hermione did that to Shannon but... Everything will be okay now Yes?

AND SIRIUS IS BACK!! YAY!

Abi...xox

Hmmm...will everything be ok? Not tellin ya!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilly_luna

wow.... ur brilliant...i don't know what else to say...

xlillyx

Awww, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaostori1985

Absolutely great post. Please post again soon. I have to know if they will be able to get the bleeding to stop or not. PAMS!!!

~Tori

Next post coming up in a couple of minutes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriwizardChamp12

i knew that hermione couldn't kill him
i am disappoited in you hermione

Well she had to do something! She didn't mean to hurt Sharon, it was an accident.

Krysta · 02-04-2009, 03:06 PM

Chapter 27, Part 4

The girls screamed again as Sirius transformed into his human form, dropping to his knee besides Sharon.
"What the hell happened?" he asked, fixing Ron with a look that said to get to the point.
"Dracus." Ron replied, his answer short and to the point.
"Which one?" asked Sirius.
"Take your pick." Ron muttered glumly. Sirius looked up in alarm.
"Hugo got out of the chamber?" he asked, barely hiding the panic in his voice. Ron shrugged.
"Not when I last saw, but he and Caeleb were knocking the hell out of each other when I last saw them. No idea who came out on top." Ron explained quickly. Sirius looked thunderstruck.
"It always kicks off when I'm not around." He muttered. "Where's Harry?" he asked not bothering to hide the concern.
"In the chamber."
"What?" he cried out in horror. "You left him there?" he asked, anger touching his tone. Ron held up his hands in defence.
"He insisted. Hermione and Ginny decided to stay and play super-witches. He couldn't leave them there. I didn't want to leave either, but we had to get Sharon out of there." He began explaining talking quickly before Sirius could berate him further. Sirius was visibly taking all of the information in.

Finally he nodded and returned his attention to the bleeding child on the floor. He saw the wound and cursed under his breath.
"What happened to her?"
"It was an accident. Hermione…the dagger slipped." Ron tried to explain, not wanting to go into the particulars of what happened in defence of Hermione. He didn't fancy arguing for her right now. Sirius looked up sharply though.
"Dagger? What dagger?" he demanded, his voice stern. "Was it about this big, very sharp with twisted blades interlocking?" he asked, holding his hands about a foot apart from each other. Ron nodded. Sirius had described the weapon perfectly.
Sirius cursed again and looked at the wound helplessly.
"There's nothing I can do for her. This wound won't heal." He announced and the look on the twins face said they were thinking: 'well duh!'
"We know we've tried." Ron replied throwing his brothers a warning look. The girls were still cowering behind them watching the dark man with fear. It was clear they had recognised him.

"Oh you don't need to worry about that, Sirius dear boy."
The voice chilled them all to the bone. Above them half way down the staircase was Caeleb. He seemed to be hovering in mid air, a fire burning in his eyes.
"You." Sirius announced in a low, solemn voice.
"In the flesh." Caeleb replied, taking a sarcastic bow towards the man. Sirius rose steadily to his feet. "Sorry Father couldn't make it…he had an appointment with the blades of Natherra." He informed them, his eyes dancing with glee and triumph. Sirius' eyes widened in surprise.
"Hermione?" he asked, sounding awed. Caeleb descended the stairs a few steps and gave Sirius a matter of fact look.
"Actually no. It was young Miss Weasley. Now there's a turn up for the books, eh Sirius? Didn't see that coming, poor Daddy." He chuckled and Sirius' jaw dropped.
"Ginny?" he gasped, his voice barely audible. The Weasley boys exchanged looks of shock and just a hint of pride. Ron couldn't believe it. His baby sister had put an end to the reign of the most feared Vampire to have ever cursed the earth with his presence. His head was swimming struggling to process the news.

Sirius was shaking his head in disbelief and Caeleb chuckled again.
"I know, I thought the same thing, Sirius." Sirius was still shaking his head in disbelief and Ron couldn't help feel a little offended. Why was it so hard to believe that his sister was capable of such a thing?
"Ginny?" Sirius asked again and this time Fred and George also looked a little annoyed. "With the blades of Natherra?" he asked. Caeleb merely smiled and continued his descent down the staircase.
"I see you didn't see that coming either." He began. "I wonder if dear Krysta knew. I wouldn't be surprised. She has a nasty habit of not telling you everything doesn't she, Sirius?"

That comment had been enough to jolt Sirius out of the dream-like state he had been in.
"Yeah." He muttered, his tone bitter.
"Now I'd love to stay and chat about old times, but if you'll just hand over the girl I'll be on my way." He said casually moving towards them, but Sirius stood firmly in his way.
"Move, boy."
"Not a chance."
"I have business with my little sister here, stay out of it Black." He hissed.
"You said you'd leave, you promised. You said as long as your Father…" began Ron beginning to panic.
"My Father is no longer with us, child, I'd say that deal is rather void wouldn't you?"
"You're not taking her." Sirius insisted, standing firm.
"Don't be foolish, Sirius." Bellowed Caeleb his manner suddenly becoming angry and agitated.
"You couldn’t keep me from your daughter, do you really think you can keep me from this girl?" asked Caeleb dismissively. Sirius however did not take the comment about his daughter so lightly.
He threw himself at the vampire, swearing and cursing the vampire to hell.

Sparks flew around the room but the battle was short-lived. Despite his anger-driven strength, the man no match for the vampire and Sirius was thrown against a pillar with such force, his mortal human body could not take the impact. He crumpled to the floor where he lay unmoving.

"Sirius!" cried Harry in horror and panic. He and the girls had arrived in the entrance hall just in time to see his Godfather flung through the air and smashed unconscious against the stone column. All three of them turned to the small group of people in the middle of the room below them and Ginny gasped in horror as Caeleb advance towards the practically unconscious girl on the ground.
"Harry, do something!" cried Hermione. He stared at her angrily.
"You're the super-witch vampire killer!" he cried back.
"You're the hero!" she argued.
"No, I'm the champion, not the hero…a hero…"
"Stop arguing and do something!" cut in Ginny who was already halfway down the stairs.
They took after her immediately but Caeleb had already sent Ron and the twins scattering with another powerful hex. Ron moaned as he tried to pick himself up. Harry reached him and Ron accepted the hand he offered.
They were too late. Sharon's tiny body was lifted effortlessly by the vampire as though she were a paper doll.

"So, so sweet." Caeleb murmured taking in deep breaths of her blood-scent. He lowered his head towards her bleeding throat, his lips just inches from the wound. Hermione and Ginny were gripping each other, Harry and Ron looking and feeling helpless as Caeleb went in for the kill.

"Caeleb No!"
Nine heads turned together in one direction and several gasps escaped lips in the room. Caeleb lifted his head to face the newcomer who had so rudely interrupted him. He turned towards the figure standing in the open doorway her hand outstretched towards the vampire and the girl hanging lifelessly in his arms.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and Hermione looked about ready to crack open the champagne.
"Put her down, Caeleb." Krysta repeated slowly and calmly, her voice unthreatening. Caeleb studied her with interest and for a moment and Harry actually though he was going to do as he was told.
Harry noticed she was dressed just as she was the last time he'd seen her: all in black, the belt at her waist missing only the dagger which Hermione now held. Her hair flowed wildly around her shoulder and she appeared out of breath, yet somehow composed and in control.

"She's dying." Caeleb announced. Krysta didn't flinch or react in anyway and when she spoke, her voice remained calm and deep, almost soothing.
"Let her be."
"I would have let her live…but there's no hope for her now. I may as well have her." He replied and Harry could see they were bargaining. Caeleb did not see her as the enemy and spoke to her as an equal, someone he had to explain his actions to.

"As long as blood flows there is hope, you know that, Caeleb." Krys told him gently. Caeleb looked put out.
"But she smells so good…" he whispered moving his lips towards Sharon's throat once more.
"No! Caeleb listen…" Krys cried, the panic finally beginning to show. Caeleb grinned, gloating over the reaction he'd invoked.
"…let her go." She repeated. "Let her go…and you can have me."
This got the vampires attention and a new lust entered his eyes.
"You?" he spoke the word more to himself than to her, mulling the idea over. In his arms Sharon was gently slipping out of his grasp and he let her slump to the floor in a heap at his feet. Harry's heart was racing.
"I'll give you me…if you leave the others alone." She repeated her offer and after a slight pause the vampire held out his pale, thin hand to his sister. She returned the gesture reaching out and moving forward to take his hand.

"No." groaned Sirius. Harry snapped around to find his Godfather staggering towards them from the spot he'd been lying in.
"I have to." Krys explained, not even looking at the man.
"No, Krys. There has to be another way."
Krysta turned to look at him then looked back at Caeleb.
"Let me say goodbye." She asked softly. Caeleb's eyes narrowed but he nodded once signifying his agreement. The woman stepped away towards Harry and the others. She stopped before Hermione and reached behind her neck. She unclasped her Necklace and let it drop into Hermione palm.
"This belongs to you now, Hermione. It became yours the day you were born, the day my daughter died. Take care of it…and it will take care of you."
"But the other necklace…" Hermione said, her voice breaking and tears welling in her eyes. "Lily's necklace…who does it belong to?" the girl asked and Krysta smiled.
“I think you already know." With that she touched Hermione softly on the shoulder and turned to face Ron and Harry.
"The Hero and the Champion." She said with a sad smile. "Take care of them for me. They really need you now." She said pulling Ron into a hug. She stopped when she saw the look on Harry's face. She leant forward and kissed his forehead. "It will soon start to make sense, Harry. I promise." She stroked his head and finally turned to Sirius.

He was shaking his head gently in disbelief looking down at the floor then back up at her. She reached out to touch his face but he avoided her touch.
"Sirius." He refused to look her in the eye, his expression a composite of pain, disbelief and anger.
"No." he muttered.
"Sirius, listen. It has to be this way you know that. You've always known that." She suddenly reached up to hold his chin in between her fingers and her thumb, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Sirius, you have to trust me." She spoke in a deep, meaningful voice. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers. Something seemed to click in him and his expression softened. Some unspoken communication was occurring between them.
"Trust me." She said again. This time he nodded and she took a step back. She turned back towards Caeleb and took a deep breath. She shook herself and Hermione gasped but Sirius kicked her and she fell silent. Harry stared at them wondering what was going on. Had Hermione seen something the others hadn't?

"Ok, Caeleb. I'm all yours." She announced calmly moving slowly towards the vampire. Something was mesmerising Harry. It was the way she was moving, slinking across the room, her hips swaying smoothly. He couldn't put his finger on what it was but there was something…something was different.
Caeleb took Krys' hand and pulled her close to him tilting her head back and to one side exposing her neck to him. Her skin seemed to shimmer and Harry swore he could actually see her pulse beating…beating remarkably faster than was normal.
The vampire raised a hand and ran a long, sharp nail across her throat. A paper-thin line of blood appeared across the white flesh and the vampire took a moment to breathe in the scent.
Harry couldn't watch and Hermione buried her face in Ron's shoulder as Caeleb lowered his face to drink.

They didn't know how long they all stood there watching. It was as if they were hypnotised, none of them making a move to stop the atrocity before them.
Caeleb drank deeply from the neck of his descendant, relishing the flavour of her blood as it filled him, satisfying his hunger like no other blood ever could.
She thrashed around, moaning in pain crying out when he drank a little too deeply. It felt like forever. If it was possible her skin became even paler as her life force was drained from her veins.

After what must have been forever she released one last gasp of pain and her previously shut tight eyes flew open staring into space in shock. Caeleb released her neck and almost threw her to the ground roaring in triumph and ecstasy as he felt her blood flowing inside him, replenishing his own twisted life force.
He looked around at the people watching in horror, all huddled together watching him in disbelief.
Krys whimpered and Caeleb looked down at her a sadistic grin on his face. She wasn't quite dead but she wasn't far. Her body spasmed and shook, tiny gasps escaping her lips as she held on to the last threads of her life.

"How did she taste?" asked Sirius suddenly shocking everyone. Caeleb turned to look at him smiling.
"Like honey…soo sweet." He said dreamily, licking his lips and rubbing his hands over his stomach.
"Really? Funny. I didn't think you'd like it."
"Come, now Sirius. A vampire likes to try new things every now and then, don't they Caeleb?" asked Hermione a strange triumphant look suddenly appearing on her face.
"What are you talking about?" asked Caeleb looking confused all of a sudden. He was now clutching his stomach and looking for all the world as if he were in pain.
"What's wrong, Caeleb you don't look so good?" asked Hermione again.
"You're right, Hermione, he doesn't. You look like you ate something that disagreed with you." Sirius added a grin appearing on his face. Caeleb was now bent double, gripping his gut, his face twisted in pain.
Harry looked sideways at Hermione and Sirius. What did they know that he and the others didn't? What was wrong with Caeleb?
Next to him Ginny had gasped and gripped his and Ron's arms.
"Look." She said pointing at the almost lifeless body of Krys. Her eyes were wide open and Harry saw what Ginny had seen and what Sirius and Hermione had obviously seen before. Her eyes were not human. The yellow and black orbs of a panther stared back at him and Harry noticed for the first time the faint smile that played on her blue, bloodless lips.

Caeleb had dropped to the floor practically helpless as the feline blood raced through his body poisoning him. There was nothing he could do about it, nothing that could be done. Nothing could save him.
Harry thought back to the book Neville had read out loud to them when they had all been trapped in the Chamber 6 months earlier. Vampires could only sustain human blood. Any other would poison them, leaving their bodies a wreck, doomed to live in pain and hunger, wasting away forever. The eternal death Caeleb had intended to bring upon his Father was now destined to be his own fate.

Harry stared down at the woman still shaking on the floor, her eyes blinking slowly. He felt nothing but admiration for her. It was genius, pure genius. Somehow she had half transfigured into her animagus form, keeping her appearance and body that of a human whilst somehow turning just her blood into that of the great cat. It was incredible.
He was snapped out of his trance when suddenly Krys gasped and shuddered. A raspy mumble was coming from her lips and instantly he dropped to one knee beside her. The others quickly gathered around her, Caeleb temporarily forgotten. Somehow they managed to make out a word. She was asking for Hermione, who quickly moved forward. Krys raised a hand as though it was weighed down with lead and reached up to Hermione's throat. For a second Harry panicked wondering what on earth the woman was doing. She surprised them all by suddenly shooting the other hand out towards Ginny.
They all relaxed however when they realised what she was doing. She pulled the pendants out from under the girls' clothing and gripped them both in her hands.
Hermione immediately began fumbling in her pocket to produce the third and final pendant, which she forced into Krys' hand. The woman now held all three talismans and something remarkable was happening. Although she still lay weak on the ground the wound on her neck had begun to heal.
Ginny gasped as she and the others saw the pendants all glowing in her hands, the veins in her arms illuminating and spreading down into the wrists and arms, making them glow. Slowly strength was returning to her. After just a few minutes her eyes were wide open and Harry could see the muscles in her upper arms flexing as she tightened them. Her skin tone acquired a delicate pink hue and soon she was sitting upright breathing deeply.

Finally she let go of the pendants and they fell back against Ginny's and Hermione's chest. The third pendant Hermione tried to push back into Krys' hand but the woman shook her head.
"No. It's yours." She gasped, her voice still recovering. "Sharon." She suddenly added her voice panicked, her face full of alarm.
"Oh Lord." Exclaimed Sirius, his joy at Krys' recovery short-lived when he realised they'd completely forgotten about her.
He and Harry rushed over to where the girl was lying, gasping for air. Ron was helping Krys to her feet and they quickly joined them, Krys still very shaky.
"You need to get her to the Lake. Harry, Ron quickly." She ordered. Sirius was giving Krys a strange look, which she was doing a very good job of not noticing. Harry and Ron didn't stop to ask questions, they knew better than that when it came to this woman. Between them they hoisted Sharon to her feet and, sharing her weight, made their way quick as they could to the lake outside with Ginny and Hermione close behind.
"Wait!" Krys suddenly called after them. They all stopped and turned to look at her. She held out her hand.
"Hermione, the dagger." She ordered. Hermione looked surprised for a moment but quickly ran back and placed the weapon carefully in Krys' palm. The two women locked eyes for a second and then Hermione turned on her heel and disappeared out of the front door with her friends.

*

Krys turned to Sirius who was still looking at her strangely. He looked at the dagger she was gently caressing in her fingers like she was greeting an old friend.
"You know it was Ginny that stuck that thing through Hugo's chest, don't you?" he asked. She didn't look up but a smile touched her lips. "You don't seem surprised." He added. She shook her head. "You already knew didn't you?" he asked and she finally looked up at him.
"Yes, I knew." Sirius widened his eyes.
"How long have you known?"
"The moment I met her. And when she started channelling Amy…I realised when her birth-date was…I did the Math." She explained and Sirius smiled faintly.
"Do you think she knows?" he asked and Krys shook her head.
"No. I think Hermione is beginning to put two and two together though. The time loop for instance and again - Amy. The Arinella reacted very strongly to Ginny apparently." Krys said looking up at Sirius.
"The Arinella?" he asked, his confusion obvious.
"When the Nightwraith attacked Hermione it got trapped inside the Arinella. Whenever she goes anywhere near it, it goes berserk. Hermione didn't understand why but she told me that it reacted the same way whenever Ginny went near it." She explained. Sirius let out a long whistle.
"Who sent the Nightwraith after them? Was it Voldemort?" he asked. Krys shook her head.
"It was Caeleb. He couldn't bring himself to end their lives himself so he got some demon to do it for him." She looked down at Caeleb's writhing body on the floor a few feet away. "He was always such a coward." She added. Sirius snorted his agreement.

"Do you think they've worked out who Heather is yet? She's had quite a job covering for herself…and you." He commented folding his hands across his chest. Krys again shook her head.
"I think Harry's beginning to notice something's going on. Luckily for Heather the shock of discovering about Amy has taken precedence in his mind. Hermione already knows." She replied and Sirius nodded thoughtfully.
"So what now?" he asked, his voice soft. She was silent for a while, watching Caeleb writhing in pain.
"There's a battle ahead." She replied. "They have no idea what's coming." She added, her voice distant. Sirius moved closer to her.
"Maybe that's for the best." He said gently kissing the top of her head. She sighed and leant against him for a few seconds. He stroked the back of her head gently and closed his eyes.
"You better get to the lake. See if they've managed to save my niece's life yet." He said and she pulled back just enough to look up at his face.
"Will you be here when I get back?" he asked, already knowing what the answer would be.
"No." she replied, her voice soft and apologetic.
"It's ok." He replied. He released her and she took a step back from him. He made to head for the door.
"I better get going." He said backing away from her not wanting to turn away. He didn't know when or if he'd see her again. She nodded, her emotions parallel with his. As Sirius disappeared from view she looked down at the dagger in her hands and her expression darkened. Her eyes met with Caeleb's and he knew what was coming. She moved closer to him and dropped on one knee in front of him before speaking.
"There's something I have to do."