Disclaimer: All characters (except for some OCs) and most places mentioned in this story don't belong to me. The songs mentioned in this story don't belong to me either.

Summary: The singer of a famous Muggle rock band joins the trio at their last year at Hogwarts. Without knowing it she gets involved in the war and finds unexpected comfort in the arms of a certain hero. (HP/OFC, other minor pairings possible)

Warning: This story is AU, which means it takes place in an alternative universe. All the events that took place in OOTP and HBP have not happened in this story (except for the foundation of the Order). There is also at least one important OC in this story – though Candice is not really Mary Sue-ish it's always better to mention it.

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Feels like the weight of the world

Like God in heaven gave me a turn

Don't cling to me, I swear I fix you

Still in the dark, can you fix me?

Freefall, freefall, all through life

If you love me, then let go of me

I won't be held down by who I used to be

She's nothing to me

Feels like the weight of the world

Like all my screaming has gone unheard

And oh, I know you don't believe in me

Safe in the dark, how can you see?

Freefall, freefall, all through life

If you love me, then let go of me

I won't be held down by who I used to be…

"Weight Of The World" by Evanescence

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0. Gurvelon

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You belong to me

My snow white queen

There's nowhere to run

So let's just get it over

Soon I know you'll see

You're just like me

Don't scream any more my love

'Cause all I want is you…

"Snow White Queen" by Evanescence

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Watching. Waiting.

That is all I can do right now. I'm watching your every step, follow you wherever you go. Always in the shadows, for I cannot be with you during the day.

Your beauty has captured my heart, my very soul. Porcelain skin, long golden tresses gleaming in the darkness… I can only imagine what you would look like in the sunlight. You look like a vision, my love. No one else can compare to your ethereal beauty.

But it is not only your stunning looks that have mesmerized me. It is your kind heart, your selflessness and your trust in this ugly world that surprise me. Even after all the pain you have suffered you still believe in the creatures that dwell on this planet, be it magical or non-magical ones, Muggles or wizards. I can feel your love for them radiating from every word you speak, every small gesture.

That is something I will never understand. My sweet, innocent love, have you not noticed that you cannot save them? I have been watching you for such a long time and I can feel the despair inside you growing stronger every day.

You watch them failing and it's tearing you apart. Even though you try everything to warn them, you never succeed. Some day you will realize that it had been all in vain. And then I will be there for you. I will be the one to wipe the tears from your cheek, hold you close to me.

They do not deserve your kindness, they are unworthy of your affection. Still you spent all your time around them, put their needs before your own. You cure them with your magnificent voice, give them hope and try to warn them.

It hurts to watch you walking past me. I can see you hurrying down the long corridor into the direction of the stage. Again you haven't seen me but that's alright. I will make sure you will notice me soon enough.

The crowd outside is cheering as you stand in the doorway and wait for the other band members to arrive. Another evening where you will perform on stage, bewitch the audience with your angelic voice.

Soon you will only sing for me, my love. I am the only one who should appreciate your splendour. I will make you mine but there are other things I have to take care of before.

I take one last look at your silhouette, then I turn around and leave the backstage area as silently as I have entered it.

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The small hall was almost empty.

A large table had been put up on the far side of the room but only few of the seats were occupied. The old man sighed and shook his head when he noticed that there were even less people left than twenty days ago, when he had last called them. Three of his best spies were missing and he could only imagine what had happened to them. He dreaded the day when his suspicions would be confirmed and he would have to tell their families that they were dead.

As he surveyed the small group of his followers, he felt a sharp stab of pain in his chest.

Guilt. Desperation.

He could feel their hopelessness, their grief. Too many people had already lost their lives in the last few months and he knew only too well that there would be much more that would die before the war was finally over. They all knew it and he himself knew only too well how weary they must feel right now.

But the war had just begun and there was still a chance for them to win. He had to be strong for them – he knew it was not too late. It never was.

So he straightened his back, lifted his chin and entered the dimly lit hall. The people stopped talking and looked at him. He saw anxiety, misery and fear on their faces and it pained him to see them suffering like this.

When he reached the head of the table and sat down, motioning for the rest to follow his example.

"My friends", he started, once everyone had taken their seats. "I am glad you have come here this evening to attend our secret meeting. You may find it surprising that I insisted on secrecy this time but I assure you I will explain it to you later."

He gazed at his most trusted allies who were staring back at him or at each other, surprise clearly written all over their faces. It was unusual for him to invite only a few people to a meeting – usually the whole Order would attend the regular meetings every week.

"However, I would like to ask you first if you have heard anything about the missing people."

A woman, who was sitting on the left side of the table, rose.

"The ministry has no valuable information on this matter. There are so many people missing, Wizards, Squibs and even some Muggles who interacted with Wizards."

The old man sighed. Of course they had no helpful information… they never had. He didn't expect any support from that direction.

"I didn't know that they had started to chase Muggles again", he said, narrowed his eyes and filed this piece of information away for later references.

"Anything else you could tell us, Armelia?" he asked her but she just shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Albus. I didn't know you would summon us tonight so I could not prepare myself for this meeting properly."

"I understand."

Suddenly he heard someone on the opposite side of the table stand up. When he turned his head, he saw a slightly dishevelled-looking man with dark hair staring at him.

"What is it, Sirius?" he asked, surprised by the younger man's action.

"I want to know why you did not allow Harry to attend this meeting. He will be angry when he finds out he was not invited."

Albus Dumbledore chuckled. "We are getting to this point in a minute. There is a reason why Harry is not here tonight. Where is he, anyways?" he asked, not really knowing what the man ad told his godson.

"Hermione and Ron took him to some kind of Muggle rock concert," Sirius Black replied and again the older wizard smiled.

"Very well. That was just the kind of distraction I had in mind." After the animagus had sat down, he turned to the other members.

"If no one has any further information, I shall tell you the reason why I have invited you to this secret meeting. It is important that you will not talk to anyone else who is not attending tonight about what I am about to tell you." He looked at every single person with a stern look. After everyone had nodded – more or less hesitantly – he continued.

"As you all know, our forces are not as strong as we would like them to be. Though we have been able to form alliances with some other magical creatures our troops will never be strong enough to face the Dark Lord."

Albus saw the participants exchange troubled looks. Of course they were aware of their present situation but to hear their leader talk about it was not what they wanted to hear. They wanted better news. So he would have to comply with their wishes.

"I have managed to contact one of the oldest races that still dwell on earth – the elves."

He heard some people gasp in surprise and when they started hushed conversations with their neighbours, he stood up and lifted a hand to motion for them to stop talking.

"The elves usually stay neutral in times of danger. And no one has seen them for centuries!" Sirius exclaimed. "It is said they have disappeared completely." He was just as shocked as the others were. Albus nodded at his comment.

"You are right, my friend. But I can assure you it is but a rumour. The elves still exist and they have agreed to participate this time."

"In what way could the elves be able to help us?" a deep voice drawled from the far corner of the table. The old wizard turned his gaze to Severus Snape, who was sitting on one of the chairs by the fireplace, glaring at the other members. The contempt in his voice was evident as he went on. "They are peaceful creatures who spent their days deep in the woods, communicating with nature and summoning spirits. They won't even consider touching a weapon or a wand."

Albus smiled at the potion master's words. "That is true. They will pray to the spirits to protect us. But there is something else they have offered."
The anticipation in the room was almost tangible. He waited for a moment until everyone was silent. Then he said: "Gurvelon."

"A Sacrifice?" Sirius yelled. "They offer us a Sacrifice?"

"For who?" Remus Lupin, who was sitting beside the animagus, asked.

"It doesn't matter, Moony. We cannot accept their offer! A Sacrifice, damn it!"

Loud shouts and excited mumbling filled the hall. The old man closed his eyes. He had expected this kind of reaction. Well, he had been astounded himself when the elves had made their offer. His first reaction had been similar to Sirius'. They could never accept it. But then again there was no other way. It would increase their chances of winning the war.

"Please, calm down. There is more I need to tell you." After some time everyone was quiet again but now he could feel the puzzled and disbelieving gaze of about twenty people carving holes in his skull.

"At first I thought about rejecting the offer. But that would be a foolish thing to do. I have accepted it." When he saw Sirius open his mouth to protest, he raised his hand to interrupt him. "I know how you are feeling about it. I still have my doubts but I don't see any other way. There is only one Gurvelon left. And I have been told she does not know about her heritage yet. Her memory has been erased – she will be no threat." He looked at his friends expectantly. "You may not like the idea now but I'm sure you will be able to accept it in due time."

The wizards looked at each other, some still uncertain, others distressed and some obviously fearful. After some time Remus repeated his former question.

"For who?"

Suddenly everyone in the hall went silent. Albus Dumbledore looked at his allies, then he sighed and prepared himself for what was to come.

"Harry Potter."

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