Chap: 5  From bad to worse…

 

By the end of the first week, he was extremely scared. She spent her entire time on the couch…watching movie after movie…neither speaking, nor moving. He called in reinforcements. Ron…Ginny…George…Fred…any and all of their friends. Harry personally felt like they had swapped bodies. He, Ron and Ginny sat talking about that…What could her parents tell her that would make her go into a state, of comatose like that? Albus said everyone need to keep telling her that they were here for her, that they loved her, But not to say everything would be alright for he and her parents agreed that telling her that would be a lie…for that would surely hurt her even worse. She had nightmares, she would wake up crying, face flushed covered in cold sweat, eyes wide and filled with fear…As if the demons inside her head were so damning that they left a shell of their friend in its wake. They had a week left before they had to go to school and that’s when Harry and the other’s started to feel desperate. Would she ever wake from this catatonic state of depression…would she ever respond to anything? He knew what it felt like to feel this horrible…to feel so despondent to everything…like listening to a broken radio hearing but unable to focus on the words…seeing but not recognizing… Feeling, but not responding. He was still taking care of her, feeding her, bathing her, dressing her, Holding her and waiting for something…other then that fist night she seemed to lose the ability to speak. Her brown eyes dull and lifeless, he actually felt angry at her, He wanted to yell at her, Tell her to get up and over what they said…to take control of her life. Then immediately felt guilty about it. Therefore, he did something else. It was the evening before the start of school. The previous week he had gotten his books, went to Diagon Alley, and got his school supplies and a couple of other things as well. S.A.M.A that’s what Helen told him. He went a jeweler and got a silver and sapphire pendant. An enchanted bouquet of Moonflowers that would forever bloom and never die. A new Alterative rock CD for her the band…the Wizarding band was called Breaking Benjamin and the first Song “So Cold” was one that he could respond to and one he thought she would like as well…then finally the best Asian food he could find. He set the Drawling room up, Remus helping with the magic he couldn’t do. Tonks and Ginny taking over her care for the evening.  By 8:00 the room was ready, The furniture was moved to the side, the T.V off A stereo in the corner play the CD…as table for two with the vase of Moonflowers in the middle, Candles floating in mid air, White table cloth, and the small gray box next to her china plate, filled with her favorite Asian room. Ginny came to see if it was ready took one look at the room, another at Harry dressed in his muggle best then said

 

“If she doesn’t come too after coming into this room I don’t what to do…My god it’s like a dream come true…excellent…I’ll be right back…” Ginny said gleefully as she ran out of the room the smile on her face. Making him feel this would help Mione. He crossed the room and stood at the door. He turned his head at the sound of footsteps and there she walked. A vision in white. The dress was white silk just below the knee, so thin it clung to everyone of her curves, the deep v of the front revealing the lush full breast straining against the thin fabric, the straps of the dress so thin Harry thought they would snap with the lightest of touches. The back or lack thereof was rounded near the small of her back the straps crisscrossing over her smooth skin. The dress left nothing to the imagination. Tonks and Ginny had pulled her hair in loose bun on top of her head, curly tendrils falling around her heart shaped face. Her feet were encased in thin white strapped sandals. He stepped up and offered his arm that she took. She looked at him and for the first time in almost two weeks she smiled, a small smile, not fully reaching her eyes, but all the same a spark. He guided her into the room and closed the door behind them. Her arm fell from his as she looked around the room. From the stereo playing, that song and the words really hit him more now then any other time

 

   Crowded streets all cleared away

      One by One

      Hollow heroes separate

      As they run

 

      You're so cold

      Keep your hand in mine

      Wise men wonder while

      Starved men die

 

She turned and walked to the flowers leaned in and smelled them inhaling as if it were giving her life…

 

      Show me how we end this alright

      Show me how defenseless you really are

      Satisfy an empty inside

     That's alright, let's give this another try

 

 

 She looked at the candles as if disbelieving…her hand reaching to touch the bases…

 

     If you find your family, don't you cry

      In this land of make-believe, dead and dry

 

      You're so cold, but you feel alive

      Lay your hands on me one last time

 

 

She turned and looked at him. The smile lit her radiant face as she walked over to him and put her arms around his neck pulling his face to hers and kissing him on the lips…

 

      Show me how we end this alright

      Show me how defenseless you really are

      Satisfy an empty inside

     That's alright, let's give this another try

 

The kiss was so heart achingly tender, so sweet, he felt a surge of power flow through him as if her warm sweet mouth was giving him life…

 

      Show me how we end this alright

      Show me how defenseless you really are

      Satisfy an empty inside

     That's alright, let's give this another try

 

 

    It's alright… It's alright… It's alright… It's alright… It's alright…

 

  It's alright… It's alright… It's alright… It's alright…

 

 

“I love you…But I can’t see you anymore…I’m sorry” She whispered gently across his lips as she tilted her head back and looked at him her chocolate brown eyes filled with tears turned and walked away…leaving his heart shattered in pieces.

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

If he didn’t feel bad enough after what she said he felt a thousand times worst a few hours later. He walked over to the liquor cabinet grabbed the bottles of Firewhiskey and proceeded to drink himself unconscious. Later when he thought about it. He wonder briefly, if he had gone after her…would she still be here. It was late when he finally passed out on the couch, one and a half bottles of Firewhiskey’s later, the stereo off. Had he or the other’s been awake maybe he would have heard the soft click of door closing, the quiet creaks and footsteps of someone moving down the steps. The creak of the front door opening or the small lone figure walking briskly away from the house and into the darkness of the night…

 

 

“Harry get up…Where’s Mione? Have you seen her…” Ron asked in a ragged voice. Harry sat up, groaned and looked at his freckled face friend. His head pounding from the amount of alcohol he consumed the night before. His vision blurred a sickening taste in his mouth, as he sat up an envelope fell off his chest. He leaned over and scooped it up, he ripped it open and began to read the small neat writing…His face, going whiter and white as each minute passed. 

 

“Get her parent’s, Albus everybody…” Harry said briskly as he stood up…ignoring the pounding of the head, or the feeling of sickness and he walked out of the room, and down to the kitchen. Helen, Edward and Albus looked at him and Helen asked in a worried filled voice.

 

“The drawling room door was locked, where is she?” Helen asked on the verge of tears.

He handed her the letter, her face going paler and paler at each word, by the end she was in tears…

 

“Oh my god Edward she’s gone…dammit…we should have…we should have…” Helen sobbed as she clung to him. Albus picked up the letter and read…his impassive face showing nothing. Then turning it over to Edward. The words echoing in his mind…as if imprinted into his skull

 

My Dearest and truest love,

 

I know the past two weeks have been hard on you…but I’d like to thank you for all that you’ve done and still do for me. I know I said not to use the word you…But I have to say…you are my greatest feeling of hope that I can ever have…It’s my hope and everlasting faith in you that guides the road to my destiny. I felt so shattered that night two weeks ago, but you stay with me, took care of me, and little by little I came to terms with what my mother told me on that stormy night. As you’ve seen I can probably write a book about my feelings and all my thoughts of what was said, but I’m going to make this brief and to the point. Two years ago, my mum and dad told me that I wasn’t Edwards’s daughter, that when my mother was very young she was in accident and suffered a complete case of amnesia. In time, her memories came back and then she told me what happened to her in the orphanage that she was raped and most likely, her nameless and faceless abuser was most likely my father. Someone that worked there but was dead…There was a fire there and she was the only survivor. The story was one straight out of science fiction…But I checked her story and found it to be true…that St. Aerator’s orphanage burnt to the ground in December 23, 1980…No survivors…Except my mum…a miracle in itself. I didn’t doubt it…I believed her and was ok with this…That obviously that evil creature deservered to die for what he did to my mum and I moved on quickly. Edward was and will always be my dad…he raised me he took care of me, loved me, provided for me. That’s my dad. Now that’s changed…For now I know it wasn’t some nameless, faceless evil creature that did that to my mum, but some I know, someone you know, someone everyone knows. It’s hard to think of Voldemort as someone who could do anything kind or something selfless, but he did, when he saw my mother, took her before the fire and kept her for a month, made…love to her and impregnated her with me. I like to believe it couldn’t have been lust completely, but what do I know. As such, I’ve decided to leave and go find him…As my…father,…I just have to know the full truth both my mum’s version and his. Please don’t come look for me… I’ll write soon…I love you Harry.

                                               

 

Love,

                                                    Hermione Anastasia Granger-Riddle

 

 

The meeting that followed was like her letter, brief and to the point. By the end of the meet however he had come to several conclusions. One honesty wasn’t all that great…that in small doses it could be handled easier, Two that Adults could be as stupid as kids were tactlessness was concerned and three…He was going to damn himself for not doing something about this sooner.

 

“I have question for Helen? Why did you give her the news about Voldemort being her father like THAT…WHY THAT WAY…COULD YOU NOT THINK OF A LESS TACTLESS WAY TO DO IT…” Harry yelled as he looked at her. The room silenced and Helen looked at him in shock. His eyes darted to Edward who stood up and made his way across the crowded the kitchen.

 

“WHY YOU LITTLE…” Edward yelled as he pushed his way to Harry before he knew it he was on his feet, wand drawl looking at the man thinking nothing but how he would like to hurt him. His scar tinged and a small voice in his head said

 

“Do it Harry…hurt him the way he hurt her…” a deep venomous voice whispered in his head.

 

“Stop both of you…” Albus said as he got in between both men his hand on Harry’s shoulder and Edward’s as well, but power surged threw him and Albus couldn’t hold him he stepped back keen eyes looking at him…searching.

 

“No, this needs to be said…it was bad enough How I found out my fate, But couldn’t you see I handled it much better then she would…I have been chased all my life by him…Something like this was shocking but not earth shattering. She spent a better part of her life as your daughter….two years ago you changed that, not badly but gently and she was ok with it now, You should have just told her you weren’t sure who her father was but that maybe it was a wizard…then a dark wizard…then finally Voldemort. Not like this. Is that why you let me stay to confirm your story and give her the bad news….to make me the scapegoat…That’s an incredibly cruel way to tell her. Even as tactless as I am I could never do that to her…It your fault she left…your fault that she out there searching for him and your fault I have to leave to go find her. For god only know what will happen to her. So thank you…thank you very much…Impeccable parenting skills…” harry paused taking a breath before saying in a cold voice “Makes me think it’s probably a good thing mine are dead. If they had given me news like that the way you did…I’d never be able to look at them again…” He looked to Helen who was crying softly, to Edward whose face was expressionless. Finally to Albus who looked both fearful, yet proud of him. He held out his hand and Albus took it.  He turned and walked out of the room opening his palm to see the letter wrapped around the silver serpent pendent. He put it around his neck and ran up to his room. He grabbed his cloak, both his father’s and his new black hooded one. The map that he knew would be of no use but all the same always like to keep it on him and finally his Firebolt. He turned to see Ron and Ginny next to the door. She spoke quickly, a note of anxiety in her voice.

 

“Before we go there’s something I need to tell you two…I had no idea what to think of it and even now weeks later, I’m kicking myself in ass for not saying anything…It’s about the night of the D.O.M. Harry. I saw something that just amazed me but makes sense now. When you were in the death chamber and Neville followed, Someone came in, I was almost completely knocked out but was coming around and that’s when I saw him…Voldemort, He was leaning over someone looking at them, I stayed still not wanting him to notice I was conscious. He kneeled there for several minutes, then he leaned more over, there was some noises but I still didn’t know who he was leaning over, He pointed his wand and said Healous…healing that person’s wound…Then he stood up and left. Then I saw it was Hermione and I was completely shocked. I didn’t know what to think. Why was he healing her…Now I know why. She looks a lot like her mum but I can see him in her as well. The Dark hair and eyes, pale skin and blood red lips, I remembered what Riddle looked like when he was younger…They look alike, But you have to know what he looked like to see this…I’m so sorry I didn’t say anything sooner…” Ginny said remorsefully as she bowed her head.

 

“It’s ok, you two sure you want to do this?” Harry asked as he shouldered his broom.

 

“Are you kidding…I’ve been looking forward to this all year…” Ron said with grin.

 

“I think we should go to Fred and George’s first getting some disguises first, we are going to Knockturn Alley right, we wouldn’t last five minutes there with you…” Ginny said as she looked him up and down.

 

“Good idea…I was thinking Borgin and Blotts…that place I was in a few years ago.” Harry said as they walked down the step and out the front door. No one came to stop them had they tried they would have been hexed and curse to no end. The threesome was a sight for the muggles, all in black cloaks, carrying brooms in one hands and wooden sticks in the others. They talked quietly on the underground, till they finally ended up near the stop at the Leaky Cauldron. Walking in Tom greeted them and asked them why they weren’t on the train to Hogwarts. They didn’t answer but asked him if they had seen Hermione and if so when. He said no, but he did see someone come in at around 5 this morning in a cloak, with the hood drawl and walk straight threw to the back door. To the courtyard. They thanked him and went to the courtyard as well. Tapping the third stone from the left above the trashcan, the entrance open and they walked through heading straight towards WEASELY WIZARD WHEZZES …Fred and George’s store who, immediately pounced on them immediately upon entering and asked them what was going on and if it was true.

 

“Is what George saying true…she’s really…his kid…No fucking way…” Fred asked in disbelief.

 

“And you should have seen the way he yelled at the Granger’s. Boy her dad was pissed at you…then He broke down in tears after you left. So you guys going to find her…” George asked as he looked at them.

 

“Yes, and don’t broadcast what we are doing or what you heard...please. We need some disguises…I brought the cloak.” Harry said as he moved his black one to show nothing underneath, his body invisible.

 

“Yes, several, some in charm, potion or combo of both. Here follow me…” George said as he lead them past the long shelves of extreme gag gifts, like skiving snack boxes and ton-tongue taffy, finally to a back door in the store, a sort of work area, caldrons bubbled on a table that filled half the room boxes and crates on either side, a small desk in the back corner filled with stacks of parchment. He went to the wall on the left and took down several boxes.

 

“Long lasting or tough breaking…” George asked as he looked at them.

 

“Long lasting…I wanna go blond again…with green eyes this time, maybe short and curly.”  Ginny said George opened the lid of the box took out four pills and grabbed small bags, he pulled out his wand and tapped each bag. A label appeared on each bag…Blond, Green, Short, Curly, he filled each bag with several pills handing each one to her tapped the bag again and instructions appeared. Then Ron made his request, black, blue, long then George did the same finally turning to Harry.

 

“So Harry, blond, brunette, red head…brown eyes, blue eyes, gray eyes, short hair, long hair, curly, straight, big nose, small nose, we have it all.

 

“Long and black, straight, gray eyes, and can I do something about the scar? And glasses as well?” Harry asked with a grin.

 

“Yes, I was thinking about you when we were making these up…Trying to go for the dead man approach?” George asked coyly…all three knowing that description very well.

 

“Ya, let really make my presence known…” Harry said with a smirk. George grabbed 3 small cloth bag off the shelf and started throwing things Pell mell into them. The bags obviously enchanted to hold more then one would think. They walked back out front and Both George and Fred scoffed at him for trying to pay for items. They hugged one another the Twins telling them to be careful and follow the instructions. Once back on the street the bags went under their cloaks, disguises intact they set off for Knockturn Alley.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

2 hours earlier…

 

 

She looked around carefully. She looked at her appearance…Dark blue jeans, Black t-shirt, Black sneakers and long black cloak. With the hood drawn, no one could see her face, or hair that was pulled back in a tight bun at the base of her neck. The bar made Hogs Head look immaculate…at 6:00 am it was much busier then she had anticipated, but she had to move quick…So what better place to look for him or someone that would associate with him but here. The questions was how to do this. Time was short and Harry and the Order would be coming to find her soon. Tom my not have seen her face when she went through the Leaky Cauldron quickly but they’d ask if she had seen her or someone like her. She took a deep breath and looked to the right of the door at the bar. Straightening her shoulders, she walked calmly up to the greasy brown haired wizard behind the bar whom looked up and grunted in a deep voice

 

“What’ll ya have?” He asked as he stopped cleaning the counter with a filthy rag.

 

“I’m looking for someone…” she stated calmly as she pulled back her hood and looked him in the eye.

 

“Do I look like a phone book…” The man grunted before turning away, as he turned She reached in her pocket and dropped her moneybag several galleons spilling out of the bag. He turned and in a sweet voice she said

 

“Opps I’ve seemed to have spilled my money…” Mione said as she began shoveling it back into the bag. Moving quickly she turned and began to walk away, but before she could take two steps he grunted

 

“I think you missed some..” He said as he cocked his head. She step back and in a low voice, he asked…

 

“Who you looking for…” He grunted quietly.

 

“The Dark Lord…” she whispered as she leaned in. He scanned the room before grunting.

 

“Backdoor 5 minutes…You don’t show and I’ll come find you.” He hissed as he handed her a drink. With a quick nod she turned and walked away heading for a table. She sat down and watched as he walked out of a door at the back of the room. She took a sip of the drink and almost spit it out, before swallowing it, the red liquid burning all the way down her throat. When the five minutes passed, she got up leaving the drink on the table and walked into the door the bartender walked through. She opened the door into found herself in a small office, there was desk in a corner, two chairs in front of the desk and a fireplace on the right side of the room. The bartender was in one of the chairs and another man behind the desk, he turned and she knew at once, who he was. Three weeks earlier, The Daily Prophet wrote how Lucius and several other death eaters got off on a technicality and were acquitted of all charges. Seeing him was not surprising. His smirk widened as his steely gray eyes landed on her.

 

“Miss Granger what a pleasant surprise…” Lucius Malfoy said in a silky voice as he smirked softly.

 

“Thank you…I wanted to see him right away…” Mione said calmly as she looked at him refusing to look away.

 

“Whom, if I may ask…” Lucius purred as he tilted his head to the left.

 

“The Dark Lord Voldemort…” Mione said in a matter of fact voice as if it was obvious.

 

“Really, and what makes you think I know would know where he is?” Lucius asked in a falsely surprise voice as if shocked to her hear say his name. She decided to answer his question with a question.

 

“Do you have the time?” She asked briskly.

 

“Yes, I believe it 6:25…” Lucius said as he lifted his arm and looked at an expensive silver watch.

 

“Ok I’m going to make this quick…in about ½ an hour my parents will wake within ½ of that they be here searching till they find me along with half the Ministry. So unless you want that to get caught again…in illegal activities. I suggest you take me to him straight away. I don’t have time to waste standing here talking to you, But that’s up to you…either take me to him or suffer the consequences.” Mione said in a brisk snippy voice. He sat there for silently looking at before reaching into a desk drawer. The hand holding the wand under her cloak clenched tighter around the maple wood. However, it wasn’t a wand that was drawn but a small glass vile with clear liquid…Veritaserum. He held the vile out towards her, she grabbed it, pulled the cork and in drank 1/3 of it. She put the cork back in the stopper and pocketed the rest. A strange calm settled over her and she felt very relaxed and a little light headed. She sat down in the chair behind her.

 

“State your full name please…” Lucius asked soft voice, as he looked at her the small smirk having grown wider.

 

“Hermione Anastasia Granger…” Mione answered serenely.

 

“Age, blood type and mother’s maiden name…and where do you go to school?” Lucius asked again. His steely grays never leaving her face.

 

“15, AB-, Helen Anemone Sinclair, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.” Mione said in a soft voice.

 

“Ok that will be all…Stay here.” Lucius said as he stood up and walked out of the room. She breathed a sigh off relief once the door shut silently thinking

 

“How did I do that…you know perfectly well your blood type is AB+…” said a firm feminine voice.

 

She sat there for several minutes wonder how it was possible that she could actually lie after taking Veritaserum…was it fake maybe just to make her think it was real and therefore spill her guts. Nevertheless, she felt some kind effect, maybe it was made wrong, but surely Professor Snape most likely made it and that would be impossible. She’d have to ask when she got back to school. If she got back…When she got back. Her head turned as the door open and Lucius came back in carrying a small black bag. He reached in and handed her a dagger, it was small, the blade just mere 4 inches the handle was silver encrusted with small emeralds. Tapping it once and whispering “Portus”, it glowed blue before turned back to its original color.

 

“On 3…” He said as he placed a finger next to her hand on the handle.

 

“2…1…” and with a jerk, they were whisked away in a whirl of color and wind.

 

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

 

4 days later…

 

 

Ginny had done the asking…asking if they had seen this girl? They had spent close to 200 galleons in their attempt money was the key to the way they could find Mione. Even with the disguises, it was still rough. As they sat in the Slater’s place…a rather disgusting bar that made the Hogs Head look immaculate in comparison. Sitting at one of filthy black booths, slowing slipping firewhiskey they’re patience was finally rewarded. When Lucius Malfoy came in flanked by Jeff Goyle and Vincent Crabbe fathers of Draco’s body guards. They resisted the urge to jump up and cheer. They had conceived a plan. Harry was to be imitating his cousin Marcus whom he looked very much alike curtsey of the new pills, Ron was to be his cousin Allen and Ginny was to be Victoria Harry’s sister. They felt if they approached this as if they were trying to be recruited by the Voldemort who’s to doubt it. Not all Potter’s had to be good…All their cousins had gone to school in states. Therefore, who was to doubt their story? They had owled Albus and in return, he had sent Harry’s cousins. They spent the past 2 days holed up at the Leaky Cauldron learning as much as humanly possible about the people they would be playing. Now if the plan worked they could get in. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they had to try. Albus was giving them six weeks…After that they would be suspended for the year and they could not return until next year.  So the sooner this got on the road the better. Harry and Ron though much to their dislike let Ginny a.k.a Tory as they had started calling her, do the approaching who was to say no to a stunningly pretty girl who was willingly to do anything.

 

“Ready?” Harry asked as he looked at her.

 

“Not really, But what the hell this should be fun…” She smirked before standing up the smile evaporating the second she stood and a rather calm expression settle on the pale face. She walked over to the door back over in the corner of the bar and knocked firmly. Harry and Ron watched in nervous anticipation as the door open and she walked in, the door shutting with a snap behind her.

 

“She going to be ok you know…Tory’s a tough one…she can do this.” Harry/Marcus whispered as he took a sip his eyes scanning the room, going from table to table. Ron just nodded his face expressionless, eyes scanning.

 

“It’s not Tory, I’m worried about…You’ve barely slept in 4 days, you barely talk, or eat and you’re drinking why too much…You’re the one freaking me out mate…I know my sister can handle herself fine, but you. I hate to be the one to say this Mark but what if she doesn’t want to come back…what if she stays…with him. It wasn’t like he kidnapped her or anything. She chose to go to him. I’m not saying this because I don’t want to get her but you’re refusing to acknowledge that and you need to Mark…you need to alright. So enough firewhiskey…” Ron said in a cold voice as he grabbed Harry’s glass and set it on the table behind them. The back door open and Tory walked out, face expressionless. She took a seat and with a quick flash of a smile and nodded they knew it worked. They spent about another ½ hour there, talking about nothing before finally leaving for the night. They knew it wasn’t a good idea to talk anywhere in their surroundings so they waited till they were back out of their. They had switched to a muggle Inn earlier in the day and walked their quickly. It was around 10:00 pm when they got back to their room.

 

“Successful…” The real Mark asked as the three tired teens came in and sat down. It was still somewhat strange looking at one another.

 

“Yes, Finally…remind me to thank Gred and Forge for that lilac pill. I had no problem lying to Lucius…he did give me the Veritaserum. 4:00 a.m. tonight…The corner of Market Place and Lexington…Harry you better eat and get some sleep now...Or your going to pass out soon from lack of both.” Ginny huffed as she walked out of the room and into the bathroom. The 4 others grinned and looked away.

 

“I just can’t make anyone happy…and when did you become so damn insightful?” Harry grumbled as he took of his cloak and began unlacing his boots.

 

“I was always insightful I just hide it under a mask of ignorance and hormones…” Ron said blandly as he looked at him. Marcus, Allen and Tory quieted as they looked at the two boys.

 

“Something else that was not told for my protection…” Harry said with a sigh. The silence stretched for several minutes before Ron said calmly.

 

“No, mine not yours…The last Artesian V-Voldemort got a hold of he did a real number on…Nobody is ever in a rush to talk about what I can do…” Ron finished quietly. Ginny came out of the bathroom, red hair falling down her back, wrapped in a violet dressing gown, combing her hair.  She took one look at the 5 people, Harry and Ron looking at one another, Marc, Allen and Tory sitting all with anxious looks on their face.

 

“So you finally told him good…about time you, Now you can take us all up to meet her…” Ginny said brightly as she sat on the bed and began braiding her hair.

 

“Who?” Harry asked curiously.

 

“His spirit guide…he doesn’t like talking about her…But I want to meet her…you took mum and dad up, everyone except me…” Ginny whined. Ron gave her a dirty look before he sighed and reached for his bag, pulling out a tattered old rug. He got up and laid it on the floor.

 

“Well come on everyone in the circle…” Ron said tiredly as he sat down cross-legged on the faded green rug and held out his hand. Everyone Jumped up quickly and took a seat making a circle, each grabbing one another hands.

 

“Now everyone close your eyes and just breathe, slow deep breathes. Just think of nothing, complete darkness…good…now in your head…start counting back from 100…99….98…97…96…” Ron said in a calm voice. Harry and the others sat there, 90…87…then it happened…they felt like they were floating, and they were moving…faster and faster…faster and faster…then nothing.

 

 

When he opened his eyes he was expecting to see the room, but instead He was sitting in a gazebo…he looked at the others all except Ron still had their eyes closed.

 

“Where are we?” Harry asked in awe as he looked around his surroundings in amazement. The place was unlike any place he had ever seen…The mysterious land were colors were so bright and vivid one would think they were fake. The sidewalk leading away from the gazebo in four directions made of solid gold bricks. The gardens with flowers so fragrant the air was lushes to breath in, the river about two meters away with water so blue it looked unreal. 

 

“This is nowhere and everywhere…it looks for different to each person…But we sort of feed off of one another’s thoughts here…When Artie…my guide is here, everything is much darker…speaking of whom….” Ron said as he moved his head to look at something over Harry’s left shoulder. They all turned to see what Ron was seeing.

 

She was unlike anyone Harry had ever seen. She was tall about as tall as Ron, Hair as dark as a raven’s wing, long and flowing freely down her back past her waist. She was olive skined, with eyes so Violet they look like crystallized jewels.  Her face was thin, hallow cheek bones, thin magenta lips and thin pointed nose. She had an hour glass figure, small hands but long fingers and nails that were painted bright pink, she was dressed in a medieval gown of pale green silk, rounded neckline, long sleeves, and flowing past her feet trimmed in gold and a deep plum cloak over her shoulders. She walked slowly, head held high, thin lips pressed line, her face showing nothing, her eyes scanning and discarding. Harry had never met royalty but if he could guess, what a royal would be like, he would say this woman was. When she spoke is was in a soft musical voice, but it was her eyes that told Harry she was not a woman to cross. There was hardness about her…as if to hurt her you would be damned to hell.

 

“Hello, Ron, I see you brought guest… again…You must be Ginny, Harry, Allen, Marcus and Victoria …Artemisia McGillis…pleasure to meet you…So why aren’t you three in school…Your friend will return you know…You’re wasting your time looking for her…Her destiny is not like yours. You should not interfere…Her fate was decided ions ago.” Artie said in softly as she looked at them.

 

“Why…” Harry said as he looked at her…vivid greens narrowed, lips pressed in a grim line as his dislike for this woman growing second, by second.

 

“All of you should know…If you haven’t figured it out by now…then I can’t help you…Even you three who have only just met her should know what she was…what she will be and what she will ultimately is…Use the powers that were given to you. How do you feel when your with her…what do you see when you looking into her eyes…it’s all right there…just waiting to be use. Now you must go…you are vulnerable up here…Go back to school…I’ll know if you haven’t…” Artie said sternly as she looked at them. She turned and glided slowly away.

 

“Merlin that is one scary witch…” Allen said impressed voice.

 

“She’s not a witch. She’s an Illiad,” Ron said calmly. Four jaws dropped at these word.

 

“She’s a demon…How can you trust her?” Tory gasped in shock.

 

“Simple…I learn…I listen and I do as she tells me…she had never steered me wrong. She wasn’t born an Illiad…that’s what he did to her…She was 12 years old when he kidnapped her…she has endure tortures like nothing anyone has ever seen. She survived but just barely…She is highest of Artesians up here…But chooses a mortal life down there. Any way lets get back…She’s right we can talk about this down there. Eyes closed start counting…” Ron said gruffly as everyone closed their eyes and began to count…with a great whoosh they were traveling very fast then stopped abruptly.

 

“Ok were back, what does everyone feel when your around Mione?” Ron asked calmly. As he let Harry and Ginny’s hand go.

 

“Peace…” all five people said at once then chuckled. Ron grinned.

 

“Ok, now see…” Ron said jokingly.

 

“Chesty brunette….” Allen and Marc said together.

 

“Hey…” Ginny and Tory said at the same time.

 

“Ok let’s be serious now…maybe a mark or something about the face…” Ron said as he ticked his fingers much like what Mione did when she was thinking.

 

“She’s got a birthmark on her back…it’s about the size of a quarter…a star…white, but whiter then her skin.” Ginny said softly.

 

“Ok, good, so we feel peace when she’s around and she has a star on her back…smell?”

 

“Like spring…fresh, pure, clean…” Harry said softly.

 

“Hear...” Ron said expectantly.

 

“Musical…like your guide…her voice is very calming.” Allen said.

 

“We’ll I think Harry can answer the last one…Taste?” Marc said with a smirk. Harry grinned.

 

“Like the sweetest of sins…” Harry said with a blush.

 

“Ok, so we got, peace, star, pure, musical and sin…So what kind of magical being fits that descriptions?” Ron asked rhetorically. The 6 sat there in silence for several minutes.

 

“Celestials, Mirages and Heilathines all have stars, Celestials on their shoulders, Mirages on their ankle and Heilathines on their arms, maybe something really old and possibly extinct…” Tory said thoughtfully.

 

“What about parentage…Her mums a muggle and Father’s a half-blood…” Allen said calmly.

 

“I’m not so sure….I mean what do we know about her mum…She grew up in a an orphanage and her Mione’s Aunt married to Bill’s best friend…who’s to say she isn’t a witch or a squib…” Ginny stated reasonably.

 

“So are we staying or going?”  Ron asked as he looked at Harry and Ginny. The three teens looked at one another then nodded. All three telling themselves that what they were doing was ok and that she’d come back on her own free will…

 

 

 

Staind - Its Been Awhile

 

 

      It's been awhile, since I could

      Hold my head high

      It's been awhile since I first saw you

      It's been a while since I could stand

      On my own two feet again

      It's been awhile since I could call you

 

      But everything I can't remember

      As fucked up as it all may seem

      The consequences that I've rendered

      I've stretched myself beyond my means

 

      It's been awhile since I could say

      That I wasn't addicted

      It's been a while since I could say

      I love myself as well

      It's been awhile since I've gone and fucked things up

      Just like I always do

      But all that shit seems to disappear

      When I'm with you

 

      But everything I can't remember

      As fucked up as it all may seem

 

 

      The consequences that I've rendered

      I've gone and fucked things up again.

 

      Why must I feel this way

      Just make this go away

      Just one more peaceful day

 

      It's been awhile since I could

      Look at myself straight

      It's been awhile since I said I'm sorry

      It's been awhile since I've seen the way

      the candles light your face

      But I can still remember

      Just the way you taste

 

      But everything I can't remember

      As fucked up as it all may seem to be

      I know it's me

      I cannot blame this on my father

      He did the best he could for me

 

      It's been awhile since I could

      Hold my head up high

      And It's been awhile since I said I'm sorry...

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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