Breathless and Baitless Chapter 1: Its Cold Beyond the Sun, a harry potter fanfic

A/N- Welcome to my second Harry Potter fanfic, inspired by an idea I had for a forum plot. Anyway, I know I haven't been working on Perfect Despair, and I don't think I'll continue it, at least not for a while, but this one is set in a futuristic setting to where I don't feel the need to adhere to some big parts of the books. I hope you enjoy, and please feel free to review. However, I ask for no flames. I don't care if you like it, hate it, or whatever, but flames are just pointless, I'm not trying to cater to everyone, just my own writing needs. I do, however, welcome constructive criticism.

Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, or the places, things, and other people in the books or movies. I am not making money off of this, and the torture of the main characters is for my own sick, sadistic enjoyment. Yes, this is only being written because my mother always taught me to share.

Warning- ::RATED M:: Foul language, minor adult themes (smoking and drinking underage, wizarding and muggle drugs) may be present. Do not read it if you are not of age. Also, if you haven't read all of the books that are out, there may be SPOILERS, especially pertaining to books 6 and 7, due to mentions of deaths of the characters and even their ancestry. Turn back now if you don't want to read them. Yes, now, for even the summary for the story has a spoiler or two.

Story Summary-

Generations have come and gone…

Voldemort was destroyed many years ago, and upon his death, one, Lucius Malfoy was suddenly 'cured' from his 'enslavement' under the Imperius Curse. Harry, having forgiven Snape and even being on good terms with Draco has finally reached a sense of security. Now that the dark wizarding families were no longer causing trouble, and all who survived (save the Malfoys) were imprisoned in Azkaban, Harry was able to move on with his life. It just so happened, everyone would follow suit.

There were casualties, and some people who would not be partaking in moving on, were Fred Weasley, murdered during the battle for the school; Alastor Moody, who died trying to move Harry before his seventeenth birthday; Colin Creevey, murdered, also in the battle of Hogwarts, however he managed to take out a Death Eater or two; and Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, their son Ted surviving. Tears were shed, but slowly the pain lessened. Harry married Ginny Weasley, Ron married Hermione Granger, having weddings to rival that of Bill and Fleur's only, minus Death Eater interruption. Slowly things returned to normal as everyone had children, and their children had children, before our heroes slowly began to die of old age.

The Potter brood, along with the Weasleys, Lupins, and the Longbottoms, ruled the school while they were there, keeping the remaining dark wizarding families in check. However, they had no idea that the clash of the bloodlines and even the species was returning at Hogwarts. Yes, you heard right, species. Vampires and Werewolves (all of them, not just the occasional one here or there) are being admitted in an effort by the ministry to promote camaraderie amongst everyone.

It's a war out there…

Many people, outraged by the news of Vampires and Werewolves intermingling with regular students, began to form organizations to hunt the 'beasts' down.

People are dying, the Ministry's grown corrupt, and no one knows what to do anymore…

Chapter Summary-

Eleanor Lupin and her younger brother Lamont are entering their respective sixth and seventh years of Hogwarts. The summer prior was difficult considering the death of Eleanor's twin sister Ellasbeth. Distraught with grief, the family mourned the tragic loss, despite promises from the ministry investigative team that it had been accidental. Lamont and their parents finally grew to accept the death and move on while the dark cloud still hung over Eleanor who felt she was missing a pivotal link to life without Ellasbeth.

"Ellie," Lamont called down the hall. "Are you ready yet? It's almost 10 and we don't want to miss the train!" Lamont walked into his sister's room, only to find her sitting on the window sill, staring out at the rain that had been falling for three days. "I'll take your trunk down if you want."

Eleanor turned to look at her brother, her eyes red and puffy from yet another night of crying. "Okay, you get that and I'll grab Marvin. I'll see you down there in a minute." She should be happy, like her brother was. After all, he had made Quidditch Captain at last, and she had been made Head Girl. This year was supposed to be the best of her education, and yet she could not rid her mind of the image of Elisabeth's body.

Nodding, Lamont began to drag her trunk out into the hall. "Ellie… do me a favor and try to smile for mom and dad, just for today. They won't worry so much if they think you're happy."

What Lamont didn't know was that it was best for their parents to worry, and it might've been better if they hadn't let their children go to Hogwarts this year. But then, that wouldn't make for an interesting story, would it?

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Breathless and Baitless

Chapter One

Its Cold Beyond the Sun
"Ellasbeth?" Called Eleanor as she sped down the narrow and winding passage. Ellie could hear her sister's screams echoing off the stone, and though there were no lights, she knew she was going in the right direction, Ella's shrieks guiding her like sonar. "Ella, I'm coming! Just hold on!" The tortured sound of her breathing as she ran was not enough to drown out the terrifying screeches. Her heart was in her throat as she thrust her hands in front of her instinctively, preventing her from slamming into the door at the end of the hall. "Please, Ella, hold on!" Time was running out, she knew it, and all she could do was fumble for the handle. Her sister was beyond this door, she just had to be.
"Ella! I'm here! ELLA!" The handle in her grasp she twisted and pulled, the door swinging easily… too easily. Bursting into the room, panting and out of breath, her eyes scanned the area, as pitch black as the corridor behind her. It was then that Ellie realized the screaming had ceased almost immediately. "Lumos," she said confidently, and the pulsing light emanating from the tip of her wand offered little help. "Ella? Are you in here?"
Torches flamed to life, their fire doing nothing for the cold running through Eleanor's blood. Someone walked over her grave as her eyes examined the room, empty, save for one crumpled figure in the corner. Her feet moved of their own accord, ignoring her brain's commands to turn back and find help. Eleanor stood before the figure, draped in black, it couldn't be her sister because she wasn't moving. "Ella?" Kneeling before the figure, the one that couldn't possibly be her sister and yet was, Ellie gazed into the cold black pools of her eyes. "Can you hear me?" Footsteps behind her caused Eleanor to whirl, dropping her wand with a clatter that filled the silence as the light of her wand gave out. A figure in black whipped out the door, which slammed shut with the soft crinkling sound of a lock, and the torches sizzled into nothingness, shrouding Ellie in darkness. The sound of her labored breathing was back as she felt on the ground for her wand. Grasping hold of it she muttered the lighting spell again and bolted for the locked door, the handle refusing to move in her grasp, no matter how much strength she put behind it, or how forcefully she kicked the stupid thing.
Even the Alohamora charm was useless.
"NO!" she screamed.
"Get back here you bastard! Tell me what you did to her!" Tears were pouring from her eyes and a pale hand rest on her shoulder. Turning around she stared into the cold eyes of her dead sister. Her twin, so identical it were as if she was staring into a mirror. If said mirror projected a reflection of what one would look like deceased and decaying at any rate.
"He's coming," Ellasbeth said, her dry lips moving to make a sound so guttural and opposite of the sweet sound Ellie remembered. This was the effect of demise. "He's coming for you Ellie… he won't want to do it, but in the end, you'll make him. Don't go… please don't. I don't want you to join me that way, it won't be what you think."
"Ella? Who did this to you? Please, tell me who it was!"
"You need to wake up Ellie, you need to come to grips with this. Get out of the depression, wake up! Wake up! Please, you'll die if you don't… Wake up Ellie!"

Gasping for air, Eleanor shot up in her bed, her mother's gentle hand on her shoulder… the same shoulder Ella had been holding just a moment before. "Bad dream? I'm sorry dear." The small woman released her daughter from her grasp and stood. "Come on Ellie," she said, the smell of pancakes wafting through Ellie's open bedroom door. "Breakfast is ready and then we need to leave for the funeral."

Nodding, Eleanor climbed out of her bed. It had been another nightmare of her sister's death, but it wasn't real. Ellie hadn't even been there that night, she'd been off at a friend's birthday party, a sleepover actually, and her parents had taken them to see the Grims, a popular wizarding band, and who could pass up an evening of third row-center tickets? Ellasbeth had been working at a nearby muggle shop that night, and during a 'hold-up' had been shot by some idiotic muggle, and died. She would've lived if she'd had her wand, even the Ministry wouldn't penalize her for using magic in a situation like that, but Ella had left it at home, like she always did for work. Regardless, the ministry investigated it, and neither they, nor the muggle police had found him. This settled in the Lupin family as if it hadn't been the 'accident' everyone was making it out to be. Ellasbeth knew someone, or something important, and the person who shot her had targeted her on purpose. No one else had been shot, and it was the only thing they could think of, or rather, the only thing Ellie could think of. Her parents and her brother Lamont had begun to believe the ministry, and Eleanor was the only one left who thought maybe Ella had some knowledge that cost her, her life.

Reading her sister's diary did nothing to squash these misgivings, although it didn't exactly add wood to the fire of her suspicions. Ella was seeing someone at the time of her death, someone no one knew, and while she had a feeling they hadn't killed her, they might know who did. Ella was careful in her diary though, and never once mentioned his name. It pained her to know that her twin had been keeping such a secret from her, but she knew how these things went. She would've told her eventually, since it had just started at the beginning of the summer, her death had been three weeks after they got home, and now they were entering July. Ella had probably just wanted to keep this to herself for a little while, and afterwards, after a week or so, she would've told her.

At least, that's what Ellie kept telling herself as she pulled on the black skirt and blouse her mother had picked out for her. Deciding it would be much too hot for stockings, Ellie opted too wear none and slipped her modest black heels on her feet. Her long brown hair up in a severe bun, Eleanor put on the necklace her sister had given her on their last birthday. It was a white gold chain, with a matching crescent moon charm. It rest perfectly on her chest, going well with the simple black ensemble. Clacking down the stairs of their three story home, Ellie walked into the kitchen, the smell of the pancakes and syrup hitting her like a ton of bricks. Ellasbeth's favorite thing to eat had been their mother's pancakes… She could feel her stomach turn over at the thought of eating them without her, but then, they were eating them for her. It was the day of her funeral and this was her mother's way of coping. She knew that Ella would never eat them again, but it wouldn't feel proper if they didn't have them. Knowing her mother would probably never even make them again for the rest of her life, Ellie decided to deal with her grief and eat them for her sister.

Breakfast was silent, save for the sounds of forks scraping plates as everyone ate everything placed in front of them. None of them wanted to eat it, but the day wasn't about them, it was about the lost member of their family.

The ride to the church was just as silent, and at the service, Ellie couldn't meet the eyes of the many patrons coming to pay their respects. Even the weather was mourning, the sky cloudy over the heads of the wizarding and muggle folk that were there to say goodbye. Ellasbeth had touched so many people. As a cold hand took her grasp, Ellie felt a jolt of electricity pulse through her, and against her will, her eyes met the gaze of a young man, not much older than herself. His eyes were dead with pain and sadness, and Eleanor knew that this was him. This was the guy Ella had been seeing at the start of summer. Despite the distant and lifeless stare, she felt him look into her, and he knew, just somehow knew, that she knew about his relationship with her sister. He didn't seem to mind, but did in fact appear surprised at how closely she resembled Ella. "I'm Desmond," he said, his voice quiet and numb. "I knew your sister only briefly, and I am sorry for your family's loss."

Ellie nodded her head, releasing Desmond's hand. He wasn't a muggle, but he wasn't a wizard either, and Eleanor didn't quite know what he was. "Thank you," she said, her tone matching his, soft and flat. "I'm Eleanor, and I appreciate your coming. I think Ella would've liked that you came." With a last, knowing look, he left her and took his seat amongst the other mourners. Ellie looked to her left, realizing her parents nor her brother noticed, she allowed herself to close off and ignore the rest of the condolences she received.

The funeral was beautiful, and almost everyone had something to say about Ella, how loved she was, how she touched them, what funny things she said and did, and how she brought life and joy to everyone and everything. Her urn sat before them, a picture next to it, and Eleanor couldn't even look at them, she stared at her hands the whole time, until her turn to speak came at last. Standing, she walked to the podium, praying that she didn't trip on the way there. Today was the day she'd be graceful, to show her respect for her sister. "I'm Eleanor Lupin," she said into the microphone. "And Ella was my older sister by three minutes. Our whole life, we had an inseparable bond, and at times it seemed that we even had a sort of mental link to one another. She could always tell when I was troubled, and vice versa, and we never failed to cheer each other up. Everyone will miss her smile, her laugh, her kindness and her generosity, but I will miss the sound of her heart, overpowering the sounds of thunder crackling in the distance during a summer storm. The sound of her soft snores during a night of sickness and stuffiness. And the sight of her dazzling smile when she would sit on my bed, stroking a finger down my nose to wake me up in the morning. I will miss my best friend, my lifeline, my sister. But mostly I will miss the most honest person ever to walk this planet. To Ella, we won't be the same without you."

Returning to her seat, Ellie felt the stares upon her, everyone moved by her words, and as she sat, she heard a soft muttering, as everyone in the church said in unison, "To Ella."

- - -

Weeks following were filled with settling and food from friends and neighbors, and nightmares for Ellie. The letters from Hogwarts, containing Ella's grades on the previous exams, and a certificate of completion, honoring her and stating that in the eyes of Hogwarts, she had known all she needed to be an adult in the wizarding world. The certificate was framed and hung in the entryway of their home. Ellie's parents made a big deal over her receiving the honor of Head Girl and Lamont receiving the position of Quidditch Captain. Their books were bought, and her parents even got them each their own owl. Ellie's was a magnificent spotted owl, whom she dubbed, Marvin the Mouse Mauler. The name made her think of Ella, who would've giggled at the handle.

The night before they were to return to Hogwarts, the whole family came over, along with some family friends. It was a celebratory dinner for the Seventh Years who would soon enter the wizarding world as adults. After everyone had left, Ellie sulked upstairs to her room, unaware of what her brother and parents were discussing in the kitchen.

Theodore Lupin was helping his wife, Helen, and their son, Lamont clean up after the dinner party was over, having already dismissed Eleanor to bed. "Helen," he said, his voice soft and loving, but filled with concern for their daughter. "I want to talk to you about Ellie."

Helen met her husband's eyes, her mouth set in a forbidding line. "I know what you're going to say Ted, and don't even start. Ella and Ellie were twins, it's bound to have a serious effect on her, you know how close they were."

Ted looked at her, astonished. "It's just not healthy to still be sulking. I mean, we all miss Ella, but honestly, she's not even excited about being Head Girl. She's dreamt of this ever since she was a first year, always battling Ella in exams, and now that she's got it it's like she doesn't even care, like she's spitting on her dreams. I've already lost one daughter damn it, and I don't want to lose another one, even if it is to herself!"

Lamont hated this argument, and at times even resented his sister for it. Which one, he wasn't sure, but either way he detested his own feelings, and self for daring to be so callous. "Dad's right mom, I know the twin thing has got to make it harder, we all know about those unexplainable experiences they had, how they seemed to be able to read each other's minds sometimes, but it's like she's a robot. I love her, and I know she's hurt, we all are, but she's ignoring everything and focusing only on the fact that Ella's no longer here. She needs something good in her life, something she can cleave to, but I think she might need some help to do that, a magical boost, a potion, muggle Prozac, anything!"

Helen looked at her family, seeing that she was clearly outnumbered here. Sighing, she threw down her dish towel and sat in a chair. "Well, what do you suppose we do? It can't be healthy to try to force her out of her grief, she needs to experience these things, she needs to deal with it on her own or else she'll never really be better."

Ted took his wife's hand and planted a soft kiss on it. "I know that dear, but how about this? Lamont will keep an eye on her, and if things don't pick up before Christmas, we'll take her to a therapist and see if there's a potion or something to help her deal with this. I just don't want her to ruin her future over grief. Who knows? Maybe all she needs is a change of scenery and something to keep her busy so she doesn't dwell on it. Gods know it hasn't been easy since she and Ella used to share a room and she had to look at all of her things for a month. Putting them in storage seems to have helped a little… but not nearly enough."

Lamont cleared his throat, getting the attention of his parents. "I know it's not really a good thing to spy on someone, but I stumbled across her diary when I stepped in to grab a quill… and it was open, and she's been having nightmares." Ted and Helen nodded, both having gone into her room during one of these nightmares, and poor Ellie looked as if she were being attacked in her sleep. "Anyway, maybe all she needs is something to help her sleep dreamlessly, I'm willing to bet that not having those every night can help a great deal."

Helen stood at this. "No. If Ellie decides to do that, that's her prerogative. I know how horrible those dreams can be for her, but honestly! If she doesn't dream, she can't work through her issues, I'm willing to bend on the therapy and maybe anti-depression drugs, but we will not be taking those dreams from her, she'll need them to deal with this, and if she doesn't, that would be doubly worse than forcing the grief from her with Prozac. That is final and the end of this discussion. Now, off to bed, we need to be up bright and early." She stormed out of the kitchen, the sound of her shoes echoing in the stairwell. Ted and Lamont turned off all the lights and followed, not discussing a thing for fear of Helen's wrath.

- - -

The next morning was a busy one, and after eating a hurried breakfast, Lamont got his trunk packed away in the car before going upstairs to get his sister. "Ellie," Lamont called down the hall. "Are you ready yet? It's almost 10 and we don't want to miss the train!" He walked into his sister's room, only to find her sitting on the window sill, staring out at the rain that had been falling for three days. "I'll take your trunk down if you want."

Nodding, Lamont began to drag her trunk out into the hall. "Ellie… do me a favor and try to smile for mom and dad, just for today. They won't worry so much if they think you're happy."

"I'll try," she said weakly, pulling herself from the sill and grasping Marvin's cage. She looked at herself in the mirror before making the last minute decision to grab Ella's diary and stuff it in her purse with her own. She needed this piece of her sister while at school, and she left her room, leaving the door open. Putting on a smile for her parents she bounded down the stairs, amazed at her ability to act. Her mom looked pleased, and her father looked at her brother knowingly. He appeared to know that Lamont had put her up to this show, but seeing the pleased look on Helen's face, he decided against saying anything.

The goodbyes at Platform 9¾ were heartfelt and teary-eyed, but upon entering the train, Ellie's smile fell from her face. She made her way to the Prefect's compartment where she, and whoever made Head Boy, would greet the new Prefects and explain their duties to them, as was instructed with her letter and badge. Looking out the window and smiling again, she waved goodbye to her parents and the train lurched forward.

Settling down, Eleanor awaited the arrival of her companions, and surely enough there were some cocky looking fifth years that arrived not moments later. She rolled her eyes at them, remembering when she and her sister had become prefects. A sick feeling began to boil in her stomach, would someone replace her prefect status this year? Eleanor and Lamont were in Ravenclaw and their sister had been a Hufflepuff. Both of the girls had been overjoyed to be prefects together and had steadily been battling one another for status of Head Girl. Now, Ellie didn't know who had actually won it, her, or her sister? She decided that it didn't matter, if Ella was the one who was meant to get it, Ellie would just have to make damn sure she did a good job instead.

That was when two people, without badges, appeared in the compartment, accompanied by the Head Boy, one of the Nott children. She knew him, and while she didn't exactly hate him, he wasn't someone she associated with. His name, was Alick. He took a seat next to her and they glanced at the two, un-badged, students. That was when a teacher appeared. It was Professor Shacklebolt, grandson to Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, world renowned Auror. He was by far Ellie's favorite professor, but right now, he looked tense, and the bleak look didn't suit his strong features. He closed the door and drew the shade, which was when Ellie realized the shades on the window had already been drawn.

"Greetings, Prefects, new and old, along with our Head Boy and Girl." Eleanor felt a shudder go through her when she locked eyes with the new Hufflepuff female prefect. It was Ella's friend, Marion. She had been at the funeral, but Eleanor hadn't spoken with her since. Shaking her head, she returned her attention to her professor. "As you can see, we have two new members of our little group, apart from the obvious new Prefects. Miss Merton here," he said, indicating a scruffy looking girl with bushy red hair, "and Mr. Holbrook," a pale boy with delicate features, long dark hair kept in a ponytail behind him, "are representatives of another sort, and have been elected as the speaking voices of their respective groups. Miss Merton, if you would please introduce yourself."

The red-headed girl stood, smiling a smile with teeth too pointy. "Hi there. My name is Kailey Merton, and while my parents originally home-schooled me, the Ministry has allowed me to attend Hogwarts this year, provided I passed the sixth year exams, which were held in my home over the summer. I'm seventeen, a seventh year to be sorted with the first years, and at age nine, I was bitten and became a Werewolf. I'll be representing all Werewolves, who you will see around school, and none of us have houses yet, seeing as well, it's technically our first years." All but Eleanor, Alick, and Marion, and the other seventh years, recoiled at the information of Werewolves, but seeing as Eleanor was a descendant of a Werewolf, she had no quarrel with them and instead smiled brightly at Kailey. It wasn't one of her fake smiles either, this one was genuine, and for some reason, Ellie couldn't help but think the bright-eyed girl would wind up a Hufflepuff for her upbeat and perky disposition.

"And you next Mr. Holbrook," said Professor Shacklebolt.

The pale boy stood, slowly inclining his head towards everyone. He didn't smile, but if Ellie had made the correct guess in her head, she already knew what he was. "My name is Sabriel Holbrook. I am also a seventh year who will be sorted this evening, however, I am one-hundred seventy nine years of age but eighteen by appearance. I was turned into a Vampire at eighteen and was then refused my request to remain at my previous school, Durmstrang. Since Hogwarts is the first school to accept Vampires, I will be completing my education here, and during my time here I will represent my fellow Vampires, who will also be sorted tonight." Eleanor had guessed correctly, and found herself hoping he'd wind up in Ravenclaw, if only for the chance to discuss things with him, for behind his eyes she could see intelligence. For whatever reason, other than mimicry, Ellie found herself not smiling at the Vampiric boy, but inclining her head, as he had done. She couldn't tell if he was pleased, but thought she saw a tinge of pink in his cheeks.

Professor Shacklebolt didn't take well to the silence, but seemed pleased at least the seventh year students were accepting their new classmates. "If you are confused, I assure you that this is indeed happening. Over the summer the Ministry passed a law in its Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and in its Department of Magical Law Enforcement. All humanoid Magical Creatures are being accepted into Hogwarts for a test-run, this year we are admitting Vampires and Werewolves, then we will be accepting Veela, House Elves, and a special water class for Mer-People, and depending on how things progress, all schools will accept all magical beings capable of bearing a wand. I know you may not be…highly enthused about this, but I assure you that any and all precautions have been taken. Mr. Holbrook and all student Vampires are required to take a potion that will allow them to walk in the sunlight, and sustain their hunger, while Miss Merton and all Werewolves will be taking a potion so they maintain their memory, personality, and control during their transformations. This is a test-run, and you will be discussing with your houses, how to make everything run-smoothly. I expect you to squash the prejudices that will occur, or at the very least report them to me, as it is my responsibility, and that goes the same for you two, Mr. Holbrook and Miss Merton, I expect you to remember to come to me with any problems you or the others may experience, do not try to handle things yourselves."

Kailey and Sabriel nodded.

Professor Shacklebolt smiled, clearly relieved. "All right then, you all know your duties, get to them!" He stopped Sabriel, Kailey, Alick, and Eleanor before they could leave the compartment. "I want you four to do rounds together, and Alick, Eleanor, make it a point to stop by the compartments to meet the others, I want you to make sure they feel welcome, Sabriel and Kailey will introduce you I'm sure." Before they knew it, he was off to do his own rounds. Alick turned to the two new-comers. "So, where do we start? Vampires or Werewolves?"

Sabriel's eyes met Ellie's, as if he were ignoring Alick's presence, and his gaze felt penetrating. "Might I suggest the Vampires? The sooner we meet with them, the sooner they could nap. We are trying to change our schedules, but I'm sure they would like a rest before we arrive." Eleanor nodded, letting Sabriel lead the way, Kailey was third in their line, and Alick brought up the rear, trying not to look miffed at his being ignored.

Oh yes, Hogwarts was going to be mighty interesting this year.

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A/N- So, that's the first installment of Breathless and Baitless. Hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think mmkay?