Reasons Why
Chapter One
Summary: We all know, for a fact, that many things had to happen in order for the war to turn out like it did. People had to die, and others lived. But, how is it decided how these things will turn out? Simple. Hidden in the dark corners where no one looks are people who have been wronged in life. There they sit, waiting, watching, and doing. They force actions into happening so things turn out the way they were meant to. So the people who still have their lives can live happily, making the efforts of those wronged justified.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but the invention of the Sanctus Vita Vinculum curse and Basil and Jasmine Sullivan. Thank you.
August 31st, 1991:
The large, ornate library in Hogwarts was almost empty, despite it being the middle of the night before the first day of school. A boy, who couldn't have been older than eleven, with ebony colored skin sat on a round table, a small lantern next to him. His dark brown hair was short, curls falling slightly into his eyes. Eyes that orange near the iris, then a light yellow, before the majority of the eye was a light green color.
In his hands sat a small book, no larger than the size of a muggle paperback. Muttering a spell, a dull light filled the area right before him before it turned into a figure. She was pale and see-through, just like any ghost. She, too, was eleven in looks, but not in age. No. She was far older than that. Her hair fell down to her waist and was tied into a single braid. Despite having no color, her eyes were large and innocent.
"Hello, again. It's been awhile." He whispered, reaching out to grab at her hand. A hand that fell right through his.
"Basil, stop being so depressing. You spent every night here with me this summer, remember?" She smiled. It could have been a trick of the eyes, but he swore that she grew a bit more solid, got a bit more color.
"Yes. He's starting school tomorrow. It's time to add the final preparations, Jasmine." He picked up a quill that had been lying on the table beside him. Dipping it in ink, he began to scratch out the date, his full name, and the password. The lightweight muggle-looking book suddenly transformed into a thick tome. He flipped through the pages with experience that told volumes, looking up only when she began to talk.
"Brother, we shall be fine. Because this is so important, I'll become human once more and we'll parade around as twins again. It'll be like old times." He only nodded, but the pain she saw in his eyes spoke a lot. Her death had hurt them both, but it would help the Wizarding World greatly.
Technically, she wouldn't even be alive a decade from now. The only reason she was here was because of the sacrifice of her twin brother all those years into the future. It was there when he sealed her barely living body into a book, using the Sanctus Vita Vinculum curse.
It could be translated into Sacred Life Bond. In order to preform this curse, a healthy human must be completely willing to sacrifice their life for another. Using the item of their choice, one can seal another living person inside to preserve their life forever, give or take. The one who performs the curse must ritually kill themselves over said item and person, letting their life force seep into them.
Then the person who is saved is bonded to the item and becomes a phantom of sorts, but can never be seen unless they want too. The bonded person is then called a Decider. Their sole role for the rest of their lives is to make sure everything, and I mean everything, happens as it should. The person bonded is then at complete mercy of afore mentioned item. If that item is destroyed, the person bound to it will die with no hopes of ever returning to life.
The person who killed themselves for the other is known as a Guardian. Their job is to cater to the needs and wants of the Decider while also protecting the item with his/her life. If they fail to protect the item but they are still 'alive', the punishment they shall receive is so immense, it cannot be described. It is thought if they are willing to die for this person, they should be able to do it again and again without regrets.
And that leads us here.
"Just wait. Hogwarts will have no idea what hit them!" She grinned, and Basil couldn't help but smile back, eyes twinkling.
"Get ready, we have to leave soon if we're going to make this believable." Basil sighed as he stood and stretched, back cracking. There was small popping noise and was soon faced with a four foot six sister, completely human looking.
She was only an inch shorter, but people could rarely tell because she was always bouncing around. Her black hair had the slightest hint of curls to it, her dark green eyes holding a dangerous glint. Around her iris, there was the smallest hint of a circle of gold. A small smile graced her lips, as if it would be bad form if she stopped.
"Let's go!" For the first time in ages, she grabbed her brother's hand and dragged him out of the library and down corridor after corridor. With a quietly muttered spell, everything that could have alerted their presence suddenly disappeared out of existence. Except for the book, which appeared back into its deceptive form in Jasmine's right hand. She instinctively held it close, wanting to protect her life line with all she had.
September 1st, 1991:
With about half an hour before the train was due to leave, the twins stood within their own compartment. Yes, they were early, but they wanted to avoid as many people as possible. There was always the chance that someone would recognize them, and all their hard work would go down the drain.
"I forget, who are we prodding into action this time around?" Jasmine asked, pacing in the small space while touching everything she could get her hands on. Being without senses could drive one crazy.
"Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy are the big, most noticeable ones. At least, where the students are concerned. We'll have to be careful when dealing with them." Basil was lounging on the seat, reading the large tome.
"Will we get to use our real names?"
"Yes."
"Do we have to separated?"
"Our job would be harder."
"That's a yes then, right?"
"Right."
They spent the rest of the time arguing and bantering playfully, something that they hadn't been able to do a while. A boy entered the compartment, asking if either of them had seen a toad. Both shook their heads, but Jasmine told him that he should ask a bushy-haired, bossy girl for help. Once he left, Basil rounded on her.
"Why'd you tell him that?"
"Because, Harry and Ron have to meet those two sooner or later, sooner being better. You should know that they're key parts in this whole shebang."
"I swear, I haven't seen you so excited since you played nameless pranks on Tom."
"Well, duh. Wouldn't you play tricks on the future 'Dark Lord' for some fun?" Jasmine rolled her eyes and looked at Basil as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"No. I value my life."
"One can't value what they don't have."
"Yes they can. They want it extremely bad."
Once more, they fell into silence. When the five minute call reached their ears, they turned their backs to one another and changed. Being related did have its perks.
They swept out of the compartment, their robes billowing behind them as the walked at a fairly speedy pace. Despite their act a first years, they moved through the crowds with such confidence, they were noticed by some. Mostly Slytherins, as they had a good eye for a grace that many pure-bloods used.
Following the calls of Hagrid, they gasped and looked awed all at the correct times. They didn't have to fake much, though. The view of the castle was still beautiful. Stone piled high and candles flickering, inky black sky surrounding it as a blanket. It was just as they remembered, back in their own time.
They moved with the flow while staying firmly attached to one another. Soon, they'd be separated. For a full seven years.
The giant Hagrid knocked on the large front doors three times, the sounds of other students chattering away filled their ears.
"Will the moon affect me any?" Jasmine whispered urgently as they followed Professor McGonagall. It had been awhile since she was last in the tiny corridor where the Professor would make her speech. Basil leaned up against a wall furthest from the doors, his right arm wrapped protectively around his sister's waist.
"It shouldn't. If it does, it will be small enough to hide." Even though they had been told to leave their things on the train, hidden within Jasmine's robes was her book. Hence the reason Basil was holding her so tightly, he was keeping the book from falling out.
It was a similar speech every time, so only catching snippets of what their professor sufficed in jogging their memory.
"Welcome…banquet…Great Hall…sorted…four houses…Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin…noble…triumphs…rule breaking…honor…Sorting Ceremony…I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while waiting."
"I swear, it's the same speech over and over." Jasmine whispered, bouncing up and down in unrestrained joy. Until she stopped and a look of worry fell over her face. "Who gets the book?" Fear was evident in both her tone and look. They already knew about the so called 'test', so that 'worry' never even entered her mind.
The book was the source of her power and her ability to retain a human form, but she didn't have the necessary strength to actually protect the book if it came down to a battle. All in all, deciding where the book would go could very easily undermine their efforts to protect any and all futures regarding Hogwarts.
And, considering, that they weren't going to be in the same house, in order to further insure that everything would happen according to plan, having the book be with both of them was, simply, impossible.
"You need it more, we'll figure out the rest later. Library?" He whispered, ignoring the fact that several ghosts had just floated through the wall. He noted with strange satisfaction that some screamed while others jumped.
Basil could remember, as if it was yesterday, the first time he had ever went to Hogwarts. Even then, the spirits hadn't bothered him. Growing up in a place where magical creatures reigned made it much harder to be scared when facing certain things.
"Yes, we should meet then. Before breakfast." She kept a serious face before bursting out into giggles. Jasmine commented quietly on how easily frightened this batch of first years were.
"Now form a line and follow me." Professor McGonagall ordered before marching through the opened doors. The pair made sure to be one of the last ones in line. Their name wasn't to be called until later, anyway.
Jasmine smiled broadly at the ceiling, noticing how endless and beautiful it looked. She made to reach up and touch the stars, but stopped before her hand could make it far up enough to be noticed. It was a wistful gesture, Basil noticed. Rarely was she ever able to see the true night sky, so something as simple yet complex as a bewitched ceiling delighted her. It gave her the chance to see out while staying in. A pretty bird stuck within a cage.
He started out of his thoughts when he heard, no, more of felt, his sister giggle. "It's the Sorting Hat! I haven't seen him in so long!" He could easily sense the joy she had for just seeing someone who she knew, someone that she didn't have to hide anything from. And she was even more overjoyed when the hat burst out into song.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Huffepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The noise of applause caused them both to flinched, as they weren't used to loud noises and such. The hat bowed to each of the four tables in turn before freezing once more.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor McGonagall called out before unrolling a sheet of parchment. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A small, blonde girl stumbled up to the hat and put it on. It fell over her eyes and not long after, it called out Hufflepuff. Several other people where called, but they were ignored. Only when "Ganger, Hermione" was called, did the two start talking.
"She looks like a Gryffindor." Basil muttered, annoyance clearly painted on his face.
"But she acts like a Ravenclaw." Jasmine glared at her brother, even though she moved even closer to him as more and more people were called up. He winced slightly as her elbow connected lightly with his ribs.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Basil smirked while Jasmine frowned almost invisibly.
A few minutes later, Draco Malfoy was called and was sorted into Slytherin within moments of the hat touching his head. More people went. Some Slytherins, others Gryffindors. Jasmine was excited that there were a pair of twins. Maybe she could spend time with them?
"Potter, Harry."
Whispers echoed through the Great Hall. All about the 'Boy-Who-Lived'. Jasmine snorted, a rare feeling of anger clouding her forrest green eyes. For anyone who knew them, it was a well known fact that she couldn't stand Potter. Just because someone had failed to kill a baby suddenly made him a hero.
"Someone tried to kill me, but I'm still alive." she muttered darkly, watching as the Hat contemplated where Potter would end up going.
"Technically, we don't even exist." He whispered back to her.
"GRYFFINDOR!" A large cheer filled the entire hall, causing Jasmine to clamp her hands over her ears. After spending most of her time either within a book or in the library, she had learned to hate loud noises. Basil, on the other hand, could tolerate the sounds, as he had been going to Hogwarts ever since the school had been built.
"Sullivan, Basil." Professor McGonagall called. Basil moved away from his sister easily, his eyes half closed in boredom. Despite his perfect posture, he was giving off an 'I-don't-care' vibe. Sitting on the stool and placing the hat on his head, he couldn't help but smirk.
"Back again, I see. And using your real name? I'm shocked."
"Jasmine feels better when we use them."
"I know. So, which house this time? Your usual?"
"Naw. Surprise me. Just not Ravenclaw."
"Ah. So you'll be in-SLYTHERIN!"
Basil winced slightly. Not his norm, but that was okay. The norm could be traced and tracked and if someone was smart enough, they might figure out that they had been here before. Which is why he sincerely hoped Jasmine would be able to keep an eye on Hermione. That girl was too smart for her own good.
Basil took off the hat and made his way over to the Slytherin table. He purposely choose a less crowed spot at the table, and awaited for his sister's turn.
"Sullivan, Jasmine." Jasmine quickly made her way to the hat, a smile still gracing her lips. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach in what could be considered a nervous gesture. In reality, it was all about the book. She needed to keep it hidden.
"Hello! It's lovely to see you again! And your song, just like I remembered!" Jasmine said once the hat and been placed on her head.
"And which house this time, Jasmine?"
"I was thinking Ravenclaw. Ravenclaws and Slytherins get along, don't they?"
"I suppose. Then you shall be-RAVENCLAW!"
"I do enjoy our little chats. I wish we had them more often." Jasmine whispered before placing the hat on the stool and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. A few older students shook her hand before letting her sit down. She glanced over her shoulder to the Slytherin table.
She watched as Basil conversed with the Bloody Baron. Probably trying to convince him there's such thing as reincarnation, she mused before turning her focus to the people near her. Turning her attention to the girl next to her, she held out a hand.
"Jasmine." She said simply, wondering if the girl would accept the invitation of friendship.
"Morag." She replied while shaking her hand. Jasmine quickly noted that her wide eyes, while giving an innocent appearance, still had a jaded quality to them. For some reason, this girl reminded her for her brother.
"Lovely." Jasmine turned her attention back to Dumbledore as he began to speak. He held his hands out in a welcoming gesture, as if he couldn't be happier that another school year had started.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Many people clapped and cheered.
"I like that first word, to be honest. I reminded me of the Gryffindors." Jasmine giggled before grabbing a little bit of everything. Including the peppermint humbugs. In fact she had always been quite partial to them.
Her statement had been good enough to gather a small chuckle from Morag. The two continued to chat during the feast. Neither were startled when the food was replaced with dessert. They just continued on with their discussion.
Basil, on the other hand, didn't have as warm a reception. Not that he cared. He had always let his sister take care of most social matters, as he couldn't care enough to persuade people to see his way of thinking. The few times he did speak, it was to the Bloody Baron. Once again, he had been able to convince the ghost that they had never met. Maybe it was his Grandfather he had known?
Besides, the quiet suited him just fine. In front of him sat Zabini. They had exchanged pleasantries would do the same with words now and then. Mostly, it was on the stupidity of the other houses. More importantly, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Strangely, there seemed to be a small amount of respect between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. It was obvious that neither bothered one another, and, in return, they wouldn't be bothered. It was nice to know that his sister wasn't in an enemy house.
Basil's head shot up when he heard an "Ouch!" From the direction of the Gryffindor table. His eyes connected with Jasmine's.
He couldn't help but let a small smirk grace his face. "First contact initiated." He muttered. Zabini looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but didn't say a word.
Not long after that, Dumbledore stood once more. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem- just a few words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Basil noted, with interest, that very few people laughed. But Harry did. But why Harry? Could it be that he was more drawn to danger than first thought? Basil had a sudden urge to read the book, to find out what it wanted them do to. Alas, he knew that it wouldn't have all the answers. Every little thing he and his sister did in the past affected the future. And it was up to them to make sure that it ended in the best way possible.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!" He waved his wand a bit and a gold ribbon twisted itself into words. Everyone belted out the words to a different tune, causing Jasmine to cover her ears and cower. The confusion of all the sounds was not helping her get used to both noisiness and crowds again.
The last to end were redheaded twins. If Basil had good memory, they were Weaslys.
"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" Dumbledore waved his hands after wiping his eyes.
The four houses all surged forward, separating at different points in order to get to their dormitories. Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were the first to leave, as their common rooms were in the dungeons. But, obviously, the Slytherin common room was farther down in the dungeons.
Basil moved through the halls with a confidence that told people, if they paid attention, that he knew exactly what he was doing and where he was going. Zabini studied Basil. Not even Malfoy knew the twisting turns of the labyrinth dungeons, and he had the most money. Not that having money meant he knew where everything was, but it did have its advantages.
Zabini knew of the Sullivan family. They weren't rich, but they weren't poor by any means. And the only reason Zabini even graced the poor kid with words was for two reasons. The first, was that the family were pure-bloods. Secondly, many Sullivans were gifted with a natural ability to wield magic. The way they worked, it was almost effortless. It was for that reason that their children almost always went to either Durmstrang or Beauxbaton. The fact that two, and twins no less, were sent to Hogwarts meant something. And if there was anything Zabini enjoyed, it was a good puzzle.
Basil sighed when the group had finally reached the hidden door. His ears easily picked up the password, "Tapeworm." He frowned at the uncreative word. He couldn't help but imagine Jasmine rant about uncreative passwords. In fact, that had been one of their many discussions during the summer. The memory brought a small small to his face. An actual smile, not one of his common smirks.
He shuffled in with the rest of the Slytherins. Despite the fact that Slytherin wouldn't be his first choice for a house, the familiarity of it was welcome. His sleep of seven years had kept him in darkness.
The low ceiling gave a somewhat claustrophobic feel to the room. But, after awhile, most Slytherins would come to prefer the security the low ceilings provided instead of tall, seemingly endless ones. All the lighting had a green tint to it, as it kept from extreme changes of light hurting their eyes. The dungeons were dark, and walking into a brightly lit room after navigating through mostly shadows hurt more than it was worth. Hence the green light. Black leather couches and chairs dotted the room. The stone floor was covered with a green and silver rug. Apparently, considering no one had been able to decode it yet, it was a story of one of the four founders, Salazar Slytherin. Basil knew for a fact that it the original rug, as he had been attending the school when Salazar himself commissioned it himself. The fire, which should have been burning a bright red, was a glowing green. Somehow, an enchantment had turned the flames perpetually green. Sitting on tables, hanging from hooks on walls, and some just floating, were skulls. Not only of humans, but animals as well. But, the most common factor, was that every skull was from a predator. It didn't matter, as long as it killed in order to survive, it was there. A skull of a large cat sat within the flames, not burning but causing the fire to twist in unusual ways. Some of the upside down floating skulls held candles, the major light source for Slytherins. Of course, there were many. Over several hundred, if Basil remembered right.
Being herded into the boys dorms, which were down another set of step stairs-first years at the bottom, Basil stifled a yawn. All he wanted was to sleep. In fact, it was vital. He had to meet up with Jasmine in the morning before lunch, which meant waking up earlier.
Jasmine, compared to some of the other students, was well prepared for the climb to the Ravenclaw common room. There were so many sets of staircases, though. It made you wonder how Hogwarts itself was able to keep track of it all. But, considering she had spent over three hundred years memorizing all the stairways and secret passages, she was amazed that she herself had been able to somewhat predict the school.
After finally making to the fifth floor, some navigating of the corridors was in order. Jasmine had to force herself to not franticly sprint to the bronze knocker and answer the needed question so she could just go and sleep. Sure, her body had been resting for the past few decades, but she hadn't been sleeping. When inside the book, sleep is impossible. Since she had no need for sleep, all she had to do was memorize major events and what had happened.
And now, the lack of sleep was catching up to her. She heard the knocker ask a question, an older student answered, and then everyone walked into the common room. Jasmine didn't notice anything abut the room, just that it was blue. But even that didn't register in her head. Following the rest of the first years, fell into her bed and let sleep take over.
She'd think more tomorrow. And she'd talk to Basil. When the other girls in her room had fallen asleep, her curtains closed automatically. The book floated out of her robes and flipped open to a random page. It was still a muggle book, so the words conveyed no hidden message about what the book really contained.
And as she slept, she faded until she was barely visible. Because, in reality, she didn't exist.
A/N: I'm writing this story as I read the books, so things may change depending on what I read. Also, my sister read the books compulsively for several years, so I'm asking her for help whenever possible. Im you're reading this, thanks Adrianne! And if you've been reading some of my other stories, I'll post the next chapter of Untold Memories soon!
Please review, it gives me inspiration and makes me happy. I want to improve my writing, so please help.
