Disclaimer: I didn't own Harry Potter and the characters except the Watchmens, the rest is belong to JK Rowling…oh yeah, borrowed some others from other games and animes…..are we done here?
Chapter 1
When Good Day Turns Bad..No..Chaotic…
Inside a totally out of control Scientia aircraft….somewhere on Scotland airspace, a young pilot cursing, trying her best to stabilize the experimental craft. Warnings and alerts screaming wild, red lights flashes wildly on the cockpit. Even common people could say that the ship was already hopeless.
"Great!!...Holy Lilith!! Just what I need to make my days better….a test-run gone wild!!" Fiona muttered under her breath. She had an uneasy day already after her fight with her brother…her dear brother….and she thought she could relieve it with some test. "Lukav!! I thought this ship has been equipped with anti magic shielding?!?!
The person on the comm-link just gives a questioning look before finally replied.
"Fi? I thought you knew that today we're going with fault simulation? I'm very certain that I had informed it to your mail just yesterday…" said the person called 'Lukav'.
And that leave flat faced Fiona….shocked…
"YOU WHAT!!!!!!!!!"
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At Hogwarts…Harry and his companions (that is, Ron and Hermione) just resting idly at the lake shore in the middle of a hot day. The lake always becomes their favorite spot at these times because of its cool breeze. It was another weekend. While the others decided to go to Hogsmeade, Harry and his friends decided to have rather quiet day.
"Damn season! When this heat will go away?!" shout clearly annoyed Ron Weasley. He really didn't like summer heat, especially this summer.
"Ron! Watch your mouth!" said Hermione Granger. "You know, if I must constantly tolerate your foul mouth like that, I won't help you with your homework!"
Knowing how dangerous the threat is, Ron immediately begging for her forgiveness, which cause Harry to smirk. If Ron is not one of his best friends, he would gladly give him a good silencing charm.
And that's just when a loud boom crashing trough the sky, followed by unknown object ripping trough the summer cloud from afar, and descending. Then it's clear where the object would crashed….the lake….
"Oi Harry, pinch me will ya? I must be dreaming or something…" ask surprised Ron. Instead of pinch, he got a fist from Hermione, square on his face.
"No you're not, Ron!" said Hermione, which now starting to panicked." Harry, what should we do?"
"Umm...run?" he responded, ready to get moving.
"Good idea."
With that, the trio run frantically just in time to get off from the shore before the object, its obvious now that it was an aircraft or something, about to hit the lake surface….or it supposed to be….
What happened is, the…'thing'…are floating about a feet above the lake surface, as if it's hold by invisible hand…stopped abruptly in the mid-air. Soon the canopy, as Hermione mentioned to her friends, forcibly removed from the inside (kicked, literally). The passenger of the craft then climbed out. Wearing a sight of unusual outfit for muggle and wizard, the young pilot looks around the same age as them. A boy dressed in unique sleeveless white tight shirt with long back and front matched with black loose trousers.
"A pilot? Did he survive?" comment Hermione…with obvious answer.
"He looks fine…" Harry said.
Ron about to make his comment as well when his jaw dropped for the sight of pretty unusual display.
The unknown person reveal something like a butterfly wings…brilliant blue butterfly like wings…growing from his back, glowing as if its made from pure energy…He then fly away from his craft, and by only grasping his hand, crush the entire craft into smaller chunk of metal, until it's size is not bigger than Harry's trunk.
"Holy…"
Ron never finished his sentence, because Hermione give her another fist to shut his mouth. All of them still shocked after those display, even Hermione and Harry, much less Ron. And to add more shock, the unknown boy suddenly collapsed when all of sudden his wings disappeared…and he fell to the water…hard…fortunately, not too far from the shore…
Harry immediately comes to his senses, jumped to the lake and swim, trying to give some help. Ron soon follows. They drag the body to the shore. But Ron's uncoordinated moves cause them to stumble, while the boy falls atop of Hermione. Hermione shrieked, but soon realized something else.
"Harry, quick…he swallowed too much water…use your spell!" command Ron.
They work fast. Soon the boy coughed all the water he swallowed. Harry took the initiative to carry the boy to Madam Pomfrey. And then he realized something that Hermione just find out before.
"Umm…Harry…careful with her, ok? And yes Ron…'he' is a girl…" add Hermione to surprised Ron beside him.
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Fiona eyes fluttered open. She soon realized she was in some sort of room….castle room…Her quick senses, thanks to all the training she received from her brother, immediately realized where she is….Hogwarts…She tried to remember what happened, the plane crash, and nothing of the rest. Her tired body tells her to stay, so she decided to stay still on the bed. Still, she created a beautiful azure butterfly from her energy. The butterfly flying around before rested on her index finger.
She then heard something like "…check on her.." before a girl opened the curtain. The girl seems surprised with what she saw. With that, the butterfly flying away to the window and become a blue burst of light, moving in a flash to the west.
"Whoa…that was really beautiful…" She said in awe.
Fiona, not used to receiving compliment, blushed and muttering a silent thank you. The blonde seems didn't predicted Fiona's reaction, are pretty much surprised with this little display of innocence.
"Err…uhh…I-its good to see you awake…I'll call Madam Pomfrey…just wait, okay?" she said. But before she leaves, she turned back and ask Fiona again. "My name is Granger…Hermione Granger. What is your name?"
"Winnicot…Fiona Winnicot…" Fiona replied. "Are you the one who bring me here?"
"Well…we did…me and my friends…" said Hermione. "Oh, right…I'm gonna call Madam Pomfrey. You take rest now, alright?"
Fiona just nod, then the girl smiled again as she move out to call somebody else. Fiona could hear the girl called somebody 'Harry'.
"Must be Harry Potter then…" she thought to herself. "Oh dear brother, I jeopardized your mission again…I'm such a fool…."
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Everyone knows not to make a 'Crimson Butterfly' angry, and everyone knows not to make certain Crimson angry. Kevin Winnicot is on the bad mood today….especially since her sister reported missing…Not to mention that he always over protective with his sister….possessive as well…which his sister doesn't seem mind it at all…He walks to Senan Airport Runway. Though his horn didn't show, sometimes his crimson wing bursts out in a sudden before disappear in flash.
Stepped on to the runway, he walked to a small catapult line. Lukav Shevant, his childhood friend, awaits him there.
"Sorry Kev, I swear that was an accident…" said Lukav to him.
"It's alright, I understand…it's not your fault…and we all know she was too strong for that…" he responded, calming down his friend. "She able to send her butterfly, yes?"
"Yes, we received her butterfly earlier…but seems her mental messages insisted you to come. That's why I called you…" Lukav said.
"And for that, I thanked you….." he said in calm manner. "I'm not mad or anything Lukav, just in a bad mood….and that girl deserves a little punishment after this…"
"Don't be too hard on her, or you'll just make me feel guilty even more…" Lukav said. "The craft is nothing, it's scheduled to be crashed anyway…though I hope it's not 'crushed'…"
Kevin stepped on his air board, ready to be catapulted. He then waiting for a 'go' signal from Senan City Aero Control.
"Seems I must go on mission a bit earlier…."
With a 'go' from Senan Control, his board catapulted into open air below Senan airport. He soon find a good trapar waves as he ride it, leaving Floating City of Senan behind.
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Just that afternoon, Fiona Winnicot lost all her appetite. She has sent a butterfly to inform headquarter about her status now. But she directed the message, or to be precise, thinking too much about a single person when she made the message…
Kevin Winnicot…her brother….the very same person who just had a fight with her yesterday…
Of course it's just another brother-sister fight…but to add something, she has brother complex…Fiona can't even bear to think that her brother angry to her. And to think her brother to hate her, that would kill her…almost literally…Furthermore, now it's almost certain that her brother will come to pick her up. After all, he is the leader of Uluz Fleet which she belongs in.
"What's happened, dear? Why don't you finish your eating?" Ask Madam Pomfrey, a soft, concerning tone in her voice. "Are you sick? Is there another symptom that I didn't know about?"
"No, Madam…it's just…my mind seems occupied with things…" she answered, trying to give her a weak smile. " I am completely fine, but thank you for your concern…"
Madam Pomfrey takes a deep breath, before finally talk again to the poor girl.
"So you better eat now…Professor Dumbledore will talk to you soon…" she said. "We are very sorry, but this is something that….you know….unusual for us…Fortunately there is no any students that witnessing those accidents else than Mr. Potter and his friends. We don't want things become more complicated…"
"I heard…I heard that Professor Albus Dumbledore is…a very nice person…" Fiona asks. "I hoped that I didn't cause too much trouble for him…and Hogwarts…"
"So you know about him, hm?" she ask. "Trust me, he is the nicest person I ever meet. And don't worry about things, there is nothing Albus can't take care of…"
Its just then Fiona heard something from outside the door, sounds like some people arguing or something.
"…But we don't know who…"
"It's alright, Minerva…she meant no harm to us…"
"But Albus! You saw that thing! She crushes that thing as if it's nothing!"
"Calm down, Minerva…She has a harsh day, that's for certain…Now, I believe you didn't want to scare that girl now, don't you? "
With that, the other person stopped arguing
"Good, now I would like to meet her. But I have a favor, would you call Severus for me, please?"
"You mean…Ah, alright…I'll bring him here right away…"
With that, the door swung open. An old man with bright purple robe and a matching purple wizard hat entered. He had certain aura with him, not an intimidating one, but consorting…Unmistakably, Fiona thought, must be Albus Dumbledore, Professor of Hogwarts…She was about to sit on her bed to at least greet the professor properly, but with a small gesture of his hand and a smile, Dumbledore ask her to stay.
"I am sorry for interrupting, Popkins…but may I have a little word with your guest?" He asks to Madam Pomfrey. "I promise it won't be too long. After all, she need some rest tonight…"
"Not at all, Albus. Just don't ask her too much, alright?" answered Madam Pomfrey.
"Of course."
Albus Dumbledore then takes a seat at a chair beside Fiona's bed.
"Well, I am very sorry for my delay to welcome you to our school, young lady. My name is Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts…And this young lady might be…" said Professor Dumbledore in professional yet friendly manner.
"Fiona Winnicot…of Scientia Watchmens, sir." Fiona replied. She know this person is nice and didn't want to interrogating her, but given the situation she already in (not to mention she messed up, a bit), she couldn't help it.
"Now, now, please don't feel like that. I would never going to interrogating you, but may I just asking some few question to fill my curiosity?" Dumbledore mean it in his tone. To his relief, the girl seems relaxed a bit, then nodded.
" Ah, good, good…By the way, when you mention Scientia, was that the same faction that assist us in repelling one of Death Eaters attack several weeks ago?" ask Professor Dumbledore. Fiona nodded in response. "Ah….I see…"
The door opened along with several people coming inside the room. Fiona immediately recognizes one of them as Severus Snape from his brother watch list. Along with them several other adults, which supposedly the professors or member of Order of Phoenix. Information about Order and Hogwarts general situation is a basic knowledge given to senior Uluz team member as they supposedly work on this mission in a few weeks, including Fiona. But apparently, Kevin is forced to make some changes due to Fiona's unexpected arrival at Hogwarts. Remembering this made her feeling down again.
Professor Dumbledore then introducing the teachers to Fiona, which she returns the greetings. Professor Snape standing at Dumbledore side and give him a vial containing a clear liquid. Fiona's eyes unconsciously locked into the vial. She had guessed it, but she will make it certain. Remembering everything her brother taught to her in matter of seconds, she inhaled a deep breath, and return with determination.
"Veritaserum…" She spoke, in now calm manner. "It is not, sir? And I am supposed to drink it, no?"
Everyone suddenly looked a bit tense, but Professor Dumbledore didn't affect by her question at all. In fact, he is smiling to her.
"I heard that Scientia have little knowing about our wizardry world since they are parted way with us since a long time ago, but you seems have some knowledge of us and our world, young lady." said Dumbledore with friendly smile.
"Please, Fiona is fine, professor." She responded. "And yes, some of us do have knowledge, since we are actually planning to re-establish contact with current muggle and wizardry world."
"Very well, Fiona…And now, if you don't mind…" Dumbledore give Fiona the vial, which she took gently. Without hesitation, Fiona opened the vial and drink its content it in one gulp. She doubts that potion would work for Watchmen's Clan body, but soon her body tells the otherwise…it works…
"Now, would you mind to brief us about this Scientia? That would help us very much to understand the situation?" ask Professor Dumbledore kindly.
Fiona then starting to explain about Scientia Watchmen. As an organization founded immediately after the fall of Atlantis, this community choose to hide themselves from the rest of the world. Governed by City States, much alike ancient Greek, Scientia manage to develop advanced technology using both science and magic. They, as Fiona described, lived above the cloud on several floating continent, hidden by technology and magic.
"Most of you might classify us as magical races, since our body has become quite different from common human. We also lived much longer than normal human, as for example this year I'm currently 109 years old…" she said. Some professor seems a bit surprised, but Dumbledore seems interested. "But I have not reached my maturity age yet, so please treat me just like before…"
"That's very interesting information…Now, lets move onto more recent topic, shall we?" said Dumbledore. "What happened about our…earlier accident this morning?"
"That was an accident during a test run for our new aircraft. I am the test pilot. I supposed to land it somewhere south from here, but my navigation system are disabled due to my carelessness…" she replied. "I am very sorry for the trouble that I've caused. I believe our official would come to explain about this matter very soon."
To discover that Fiona was not a Death Eater or at least somebody who can endangering Hogwarts or Harry bring great relief to everyone? But Fiona, realizing that the official would be likely her brother, feeling the opposite. She feels anxious…
At that moment, a blue butterfly coming in from the open infirmary window. The butterfly flies across Fiona's face, and in instant Fiona realize whose butterfly it was. With a red dot and thin line on its wings, no doubt, it belongs to her brother…
Fiona about to catch it, but the butterfly itself seems want to play with her, flying around, avoiding Fiona's catch. This of course drawn the attention of people in the room, seeing Fiona still trying to catch the butterfly frantically.
"Umm…Miss Fiona? What are you doing?" ask Dumbledore.
"My brother….This is my brother's…" she said in panic. Each butterfly act as a carrier for its user's mental image. This butterfly definitely didn't want Fiona to catch it, means her brother must think like that too. Fiona didn't know what her brother thinking and afraid that he is mad to her, but then again, she has a complex…
Finally the butterfly flies around Dumbledore's hat, before finally rest atop of it, then disappear in blue dusts that immediately disperse in the air…
"Now that was interesting…" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "I heard a boy's voice from the butterfly, which supposedly is your brother, telling that he is the official and will come here at the early morning tomorrow. The message was directed for me…"
"Did he….did he mentioned about me, sir?" Fiona ask hopefully…
"…Unfortunately not…" was his response. "I'm sorry…"
"…I see…" Fiona said. It hurts for her…almost too hurts that she can't think straight…
"Well then, we are very sorry for disturbing your time, Miss Fiona…Please have some rest until tomorrow then…" said Dumbledore. "And don't hesitate to ask Madam Pomfrey if you need anything…"
Fiona only give weak nod in response.
"Alright then…Now, if you excuse us…"
With that, the teachers leave the hospital wing, leaving only Fiona and Madam Pomfrey. Madam Pomfrey then sit on her bed.
"Dear, I don't know what's in your mind right now, but you must rest…your body is exhausted from whatever you have done earlier…" she said. Madam Pomfrey then give her another vial of potion. "Now I want you to drink this potion and have some good sleep until morning, alright?"
Fiona nod and take the vial, then drink it. She hoped that this will work well, and that this will save her from a bad dream of her brother tonight. Luckily for the poor girl, she quickly fallen asleep after that…..
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Next early morning…Monday…
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood waiting at the castle backyard along with Professor Dumbledore and the other house head. Hermione is the first notice that the girl they met yesterday was already standing beside Professor Dumbledore. At first, they protested for being wake up so earlier. Yesterday night, they received a letter from Professor McGonagall mentioned them to wait at castle backyard at sunset. While they arrived, Professor Dumbledore (who already waiting them) told them that they will greet an important person. They didn't have any clue of who that person might be…
Not so long, a trail of soft green light appeared from horizon. Then it gradually become clear, a figure riding something in the air. "Apparently not someone riding a broom," add Harry.
Kevin Winnicot riding his favorite ref-board, making some slide to reduce speed, before finally landing several feet away from the people. With a flick from his wrist, his board disappeared into his vector trap on his back. He then walked to the people who has been waiting for him. In appearance of a teen with similar attire with his sister, he looked almost too young to become an important figure.
"As the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Allow me to say 'Welcome to our school'. My name is Albus Dumbledore. It's truly a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Winnicot…" said Professor Dumbledore greeting the person. He then shake that person's hand, which being returned in warm handshake.
"The pleasure is all mine, Professor. It's an honor to meet you as well…" Kevin said. He dressed in same outfit as his sister, but his shirt has a cross insignia on his back. "I am very sorry for the problem my sister has caused. I will explain the situation to the ministry immediately, if necessary…"
"Oh, please don't be haste…It has been taken care of. The student didn't see what happened, and anyone that might have clue has been made sure not to remember it again…" said Dumbledore. "And might I add, there is no way ministry magic will able to detect anything from the event. The only person who knows it is only people in this yard, including Mr. Potter and his friends, that is."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione almost dropped their jaw. They couldn't believe what they heard. Dumbledore ordered to obliviate anyone who might have clue of what happened? Why did he doing something that far? That's so not Dumbledore-like.
"I cannot express my gratitude. That was more than enough. We do not want the situation become complicated, and I really appreciate your help, Professor."
"Oh, believe me, I don't want it happened as well. We barely manage with all problems for this school, and we really cannot appreciate ministry to give us tons of additional question and complaints."
"Thank you for your concern. But…may I speak in private with my sister…just for a moment?"
"Certainly. Please, take your time."
"Very well then….Fiona!"
With that, Fiona followed her brother, separating from the group. Her head looking down to the ground all the time, because she did not dare to look into his brother's eyes. Their normal color is azure blue, but this time…they looked like the color of glass red…
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After they quite far enough to speak in private, Kevin suddenly stopped.
"Brother? What..."
Fiona never finished her sentence. Her brother slapped her, backhand, across her face. It's not very hard, but it hurts more to her heart. Not that she didn't expect that, though…
From the corner of her eyes, she could see the girl, Hermione Granger, almost jumped to Kevin in reaction. Some other people there also quite surprised with her brother act. Without she noticed, her tears started to well up on her eyes.
Then suddenly her brother embracing her so tight, pouring her all sibling affection in a single, yet simple embrace.
"You stupid girl...Do you want to kill me? Can't you realize how worried I am? You are not linked to the constabulary yet and you suddenly disappearing like that...How if you killed? How can I live by myself after that?"
Then Fiona realized, her brother voice was shaking...not in anger, but worry, sadness, and relief...With this, she can't hold her tears any longer. They both sobbing and embracing each other, muttering "I'm sorry" between every each breath. As if the world around them replaced by an unexplainable feeling.
It took a while...until finally they releasing each other. Kevin cupped Fiona's cheek, regretting her act earlier...
"Does it hurt still?" he asked, while streaming his energy to heal the skin and the tissue below.
"A little...but I deserve it...for making my brother worried..." she replied.
"I'm so sorry..." he said, kissing her cheek, the one that he just slapped a while ago. A kiss to remind the sacred sanctity of their brother-sister relationship...as well as if it's asking for forgiveness...
Kevin, on the other hands, had a most dear feeling toward her. He has girlfriends, of course…but none of them hold as much importance as Fiona. She is still the most important woman in his life. Although, as sacred as their feeling is, their act sometimes shows the opposite. Even after a hundred years, they still often sleep together…doing something in the border of their brother-sister relationship and even more 'dangerous' relationship…They loved to stay very close to each other, only separated by an inch of empty space, face to face….many 'scary' things like that…and they happy with it…
Fiona no longer cried, and her brother dried her tears. This time, it's replaced with a soft blush and a pleasant feeling. But no matter how happy she is now, she has already content with the fact that her brother no longer mad to her...
"Brother dearest...you are the official, are you not?" she asked, reminding her brother of his other duties. "It is improper to keep Professor waiting, it is not?"
Kevin pulled back, looked a bit disappointed, before finally replied with a short "You are right...". He then kissed his sister temple for the last time, which she sighed in the content feeling it given...Then without any words, they returned back to the teachers.
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"Can't you see that?! He just slapped her! So why you keep me off!" shout furious Hermione while Ron desperately tried to hold her. "Let me go, Ron!!"
"Hermione! You can't just barge into someone personal matters" Harry tried to reasoning with his friend. Harry could understand that he dislike the display nearly as much as her, but he couldn't understand why she's being furious.
Hermione's reasoning finally taking over. After she calmed down, she jerked off Ron's hand.
"I'm alright now…" she said. "But I still don't like him…"
"Why are you so furious?" Harry said, speak close to Hermione. "That's so unlike you, Hermione."
True. Even Hermione wonder why she became so furious. Her logic trying to find suitable reason for this. But she winced when a thought flashed in her mind.
Could I fell for her? Am I liking girls? No way...but...
No, no, it's impossible. We just met, and there is no way I am gay, she thought aloud in her head. But she couldn't deny when she had some feeling when she saw her. Maybe that's because of her unearthly beauty. But she believes that was just adoration, nothing more. Then, unable to find satisfying answer, she sighed in defeat.
"I don't know, Harry…" she said in a weak voice. "I wish I know…"
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"I am very sorry for the delay, Professor..." Kevin said once he returned. "It's just that...well..."
"I might crossing the line, Mr. Winnicot..." Hagrid suddenly. "But I think you shouldn't be too hard on her"
"Hagrid is right, Mr. Winnicot...It's considered improper to treat your sister like that..." add Professor McGonagall.
Before Kevin opened his mouth, Fiona defends him.
"I just had what I deserved…and that he didn't do that with ill feeling, but because of worried of my well being, is what matters to me…" she said in soft tone. "Please, I am the one to blame, not him…"
With this, no one made any further comment. Hagrid almost open his mouth, but he speak nothing.
All of sudden, Kevin did the only think he could manage to think of this time. He bowed deep.
"I am apologizing…for everything you've saw and happened here…" he said. Fiona immediately grabs his shoulder and raises him again, which he did hesitantly. "I am not such a good brother…but for my act earlier…I am regret it truly…"
Anyone sees Kevin's face at this moment could easily tell how much regret he had inside his heart…This even could made Professor McGonagall loss at words. Uncomfortable silence floating on the air for a few moments before Professor Dumbledore breaks it.
"Its too bad, but what's done is done. Originally, I had some interesting things to talk with you, Mr. Winnicot…but given the time, lets we call it a day for now…" said Dumbledore wisely. "I would like to show you your quarter. Would you please follow me?"
Fiona then interrupts, as if she suddenly remembered something.
"A moment, Professor…May Mr. Potter and his friends come along with us? There is something that I would like to talk with them…" she said.
"If you wished so…Harry!"
Harry walked to Dumbledore. He looks wondered why he suddenly is being called.
"Yes, sir? Is there anything I could help with?" Harry replied.
"I would like you, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley to come along with us…" Dumbledore said. "Our guest wanted to have some words with you all…"
"Very well, sir…but how about our class?" Harry asked.
"I will inform Professor Sprout about your abstinence, so don't worry about that…" Dumbledore said in kind. "Now, don't make the guest waiting, Harry…"
"Yes, sir."
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Harry, Ron, and Hermione now sit together in the guest quarter along with Winnicot siblings. Kevin's cheek still a bit sore from Hermione's slap earlier, complete with red hand imprint. Hermione slap him in outburst as soon as Professor Dumbledore leave the quarter, which of course bring surprise to everyone there. Not even Harry and Ron, much less Kevin and Fiona, ever expected her to react like that. Kevin knows what that is slap for, so he just stand still and receive it.
Flashback
SLAP!!
Unprepared, Kevin Winnicot caught off guard and received a slap from Hermione, who look absolutely furious. She can no longer control her outburst after Professor Dumbledore leaving the room.
Meanwhile, Fiona watched in surprise. Seeing her dearest brother receiving such treatment, yet she knows what that treatment for, she can do nothing against it. Still, she tried to put the tense atmosphere down.
"Please, Miss Granger…that's enough…" she said.
"He deserved that!" Hermione hissed to Kevin, there are poison in her words.
"Please…I deserve of his punishment and I am well aware of that…" Fiona said, clutching her brother suit protectively. "I really appreciate your concern for me, but I believe you should not being too far…"
Hermione eyes opened wide in surprise. She didn't expect her to say something like that. It's as if their relationship is not brother-sister, but more like master-slave.
"B-but…how could you…" Hermione stuttered. "Do you expect to be punished and willingly accept it?"
"Doesn't everybody?" Fiona replied shortly, while she caressing her brother cheek, as if trying to soothe the stinging pain.
Hermione Granger can't believe it. Her logic failed twice in a day, but this one hit her the hardest. How could a girl, being slapped by her own brother, and still adore him?
End of Flashback
"Actually…I wish to properly thank you all for helping my little sister…as for Miss Granger, it's not like I didn't expect that, though…" Kevin said, bowed to them, so does Fiona. "I beg your all forgiveness…"
Harry and his friends bowed in response, along with hesitant Hermione, though she still somewhat awkward.
"And we also would like to give you this…" Kevin said. He does so while conjuring a clear azure crystal on his palm, and then give it to Harry.
"That's Mr. Potter, is what we called 'soul shards'. It's our customary to give this to person who doing some deed for us. Please accept it…" Kevin said. "This is my token of thanks as I represent the Winnicot family…"
"Thank you, Mr. Winnicot…" Harry said. "We really appreciate it…"
"You're welcome…just call me Kevin…" Kevin smiled. "And…may I call you Harry?"
"Of course…"
Then Kevin suddenly ask Harry.
"Harry…from what you seeing…what do you think of me?"
Harry took a moment, and then replied.
"It's not my right to prejudice, but I think you are actually a nice person…" he said. "However, I think you shouldn't be too hard to your sister…A good family is a thing that I could eternally thank for…"
"I understand…thank you…" he replied. "At least you are honest..."
Fiona, meanwhile, made her own crystal and stepped close to Hermione. She put it on Hermione's hands and whispering to her ears.
"Please accept this…I have just done something unjust to you, and I'm willing to make up for it…Could you please return to the backyard this afternoon?" she whispered to her in mild, yet somewhat seducing tone. Even Hermione shivered when Fiona talked to her like that…Though without her knowing, Watchmens, or Akzeriuths in their language, are close in comparison to veela…
With a silent nod from Hermione, Fiona said 'Thank you' in return. Unconsciously, she hold Hermione's hand a little tighter, before her hands slid away from Hermione's hands, all in smooth and discreet manner.
"What was that, Mione?" Ron asking.
"Nothing, just some girl talks..." she answered. "You won't be interested."
"Oh..."
"Miss Granger...I hope you would forgive me...I truly regret my display earlier..." Kevin suddenly said.
"...I would overlook it then...I guess..." Hermione said in response. "Just make sure that wouldn't happen again...or if you must, not in front of me, at least..."
"You have my words..." Kevin bowed to her.
"Alright...now, I would like to hear some explanation..." Hermione demanded.
The siblings telling their story about the Akzeriuths, their origin and culture, and other relevant matters. Most of it somewhat didn't make sense to our young Gryffindors, or perhaps that's because wizardry civilization relies heavily to magic so that science really didn't make sense to them…nevertheless, for Harry and his friends, it's almost like listening to an amazing fairytale…
"You all living on the skies?" Ron eagerly asking.
"Yes. My hometown, Zephireth, is kept floating thanks to the Gardo Continental Drive, "Fiona answering kindly, if not a bit proudly. "So does other cities."
"If you all can fly on your own, why bother make airplane?" Harry turn to ask.
"Because airplanes can be armed and shielded, " Kevin answered. "We need some means to effectively protect our self. You see…during history, we often wage small scale war to keeping balance of the world. With our possession of technology, they often called us demon, but that's our job as watchmen, so we can't really complain…"
"War…you mean….you've killed?" Hermione ask.
"My personal record state around 200 to 300 from since I've joined military roughly 90 years ago…so yes, I've killed a lot…" he answered.
"And mine is around a hundred…we at Naudiz Crisis Control Intelligence only killed the dirtiest of people after all…" Fiona added.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron froze to this blunt answer. These young sorcerers know the feeling of hate people so much that they wish their death, but never actually killed somebody. And these people in front of them just admitted that they killed a lot people as if it's a daily routine or nothing to be bothered of.
"I believe that our previous statement was bothering you?" Fiona ask. "We are very sorry…we really don't mean it that way…"
No matter how much uneasiness they had, an innocent-regret-faced Fiona is simply irresistible.
"I-It's alright…it's just…." Hermione tried to response. "It's just all things happened recently are overwhelming…that's all…"
Fiona seems a bit relieved. She did not like to make others feel uneasy or sorts. But being an Akzeriuth can really come into quite a lot of culture difference it seems.
"As much as I would like to chat with you all, I believe it's about time for your lesson." Kevin suddenly interrupt. "Professor Dumbledore made me promised that I wouldn't delay you more than this next lesson. And I'm afraid Professor Snape would be very unpleasant if you all not present."
Hearing 'Snape' being mentioned bring them back to reality. They immediately rushed after saying proper goodbye. But Fiona is holding Hermione's hand before she stepped out from the door.
"Will you really come?" Fiona ask her.
"I promised am I?" she answered with a little smile. "I'll be there…"
"I…." Fiona said, unable to spill out what she about to say.
Instead she put her index finger on Hermione's forehead, transferring a swirl of blue lights, before backing away and run to her bedroom, slamming the door. She leaved Hermione which still looked kind of shocked.
"Are you alright, Miss Granger?" Kevin asked with a bit worried and concern.
"Fine…Yes, I'm fine…It's alright…" she replied incoherently. "Excuse me…"
With that, she run along the corridor to the dungeon for her next Potion lesson.
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Hermione's extensive knowledge are never impress Snape at Potion class. But today, she really messed it up. Her potion is just as black as octopus ink, blurting and gobbling loudly in her cauldron with nasty smell, which make Snape giving her another sarcastic commentary.
Not that she really care about it.
She is starting to understand the idea of image transfer. Somewhat like telepathy, but its copy the person thought at certain moment to the others. The amount of data transferred and its complexity are far beyond telepathy.
And what she just received from Fiona…is a mix of adoration, joy, regret, nervousness, anxiety…swirling inside a shell as if it don't want her to peek and see what feelings are they…
Oh…and a little…but unmistakable...love…A small pieces that seems didn't want to be found inside of that shell…but nevertheless, it's there…
Now her mind is completely fried…
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