Whaddup (:
Yeah, I'm not going to even try to explain for my lack of updates, I've been really busy and thats all Im going to say.
Anyways! New Story, hopefully I'll get time to update soon for my others as well.
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Chapter 1 - Awkward Introductions
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So, now you're not there, but your ghost still burns in the air
Finally above us the waves have come
To take you away
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July 15th, 1996
I could feel my blood flowing through my veins, the steady rhythm of my heart quickening its pace. I let out a painful scream as my bones began to change, my insides were twisting and turning. The change had begun.
My week had been a very eventful one, to say the least. With the murder of the wrongly convicted Sirius Black, and the confirmation of the Dark Lords return, the ministry was in an uproar. Extra precautions being taken in all circumstances. I had thought of going to the Order at first, after all, my mother had been a member of the secret society. I decided against it in the end, coming to the conclusion that it would be better to remain alone for the time being. I stayed in a small home in rural town far outside of London, but I had underestimated them. They found me much sooner than I expected.
Fenir Greyback, it all began with him. A shiver sent down my spine at just the mere mention of his name, memories of his cruel, taunting voice, as he circled his helpless prey.
Now I was homeless and on the run. I had left my home no more than three days ago, when I had noticed a particularly suspicious looking hooded figure looking up from the depths of the vast forests that sheltered my home. Packing my few treasured belongings, I dissaparated from my home, knowing quite well that I probably would never return. I did not have any idea where I was going, as far as I knew no one was aware of my existence, my mother kept me well hidden and protected, in fear of the Death Eaters and most importantly the Dark Lord. I do not even believe that they knew I was alive until recently.
You could say that I was quite the accomplished young witch, learning mostly from a small all-witch school in the United States, that I had attended for four years. Earning top grades and showing a intense interest in magic was just who I was as a person. My mother was extremely proud, she would say. A month before my fifteenth birthday, my mother had sent me back home, saying that it was not safe. I didn't understand at the time, but I didn't ask questions.
My scar burned with intense pain, leaving me gasping for breath. A deep growl escaped my throat. The last image that ran through my mind, before losing myself in complete unconsciousness, was the full moon shining brilliantly in the dark summer night.
- -
My eyes fluttered open slowly, confusion overtaking my mind as I fought to remember what had surrounded me, they had found me, they must have followed me. I was done for, they would ask for my services, and kill me if I refused.
"Get Remus quick! I think she's waking," A soft voice yelled harshly, as the sound of creaky footsteps left the room, and returned seconds later.
"Has she spoken?" A deeper voice asked strictly.
More voices filled the quiet room, almost too strained to think, I gave up on trying to decipher the fast whispers. I sat up slowly, raising my shaking hand, and bringing it up to my forehead. I moaned softly in pain, my head was throbbing terribly. But almost as soon as I moved my hand, someone had gently moved it back, replacing it with a cool wet cloth. I felt somewhat calmer in the near silent room. The Death Eaters couldn't have possibly have found me, because as far as I knew, most of them were cruel murderers who didn't give a shit if their captives were comfortable.
"What's your name dear?" A kind motherly voice asked from beside me. I looked over curiously and noticed a friendly looking, slightly plump middle aged woman, she had shoulder length bright red hair, and bright brown eyes. I blinked curiously at the woman, before it hit me, this could be a trap. I sprung up from the couch suddenly, ignoring the pain that multiplied drastically at this sudden movement. The other figures in the room twisted their heads quickly at my impulsive decision. All seemingly drawing their wands and pointing them in my direction, as if unsure of what my reaction would be.
"I told ya' we shouldn't have brought her here!" A rather frightening looking man said harshly, "Can't be trusted!"
My vision blurred at the sudden head rush, I backed up into the wall, searching my pockets vigorously for my wand. They had taken it away from me, they had no right. "Where... where is my wand?" I demanded in a hoarse whisper, my voice shaking unintentionally, "WHERE IS IT?!" I yelled furiously, after not receiving an answer.
"Please be calm," One of the men asked her kindly, he was tall and lean, with light brown hair that seemed to be greying slightly. He held thin scars across his tired face. I stared curiously, wondering what exactly had given him those injuries, for I had only seen injuries like that once before. "We're not going to hurt you."
Shaking my head slightly, I attempted to stay focused on what was happening around me, "How do I know you're not Death Eaters?" I said bitterly.
The man sighed softly, before sticking his hand in his pocket momentarily and pulling out a photograph. Pictured in it was a group of twenty or so people. "Where did you get that?" I demanded. They had gone through my things, that was my mothers photo. "You had no right!"
"Do you know of the Order of The Phoenix?" Another man asked, as his lowered his wand slowly. This man was was quite tall, with a bald head and dark skin. I froze at the question, I had not expected them to know of the Order. My gaze turned back to the others standing in front of me, only one had not lowered his wand. The slightly frightening scarred man, thats when I felt something click in my mind.
"Alastor Moody?" I asked carefully, my eyes squinted as I made the connection to one of the men in the picture, to the man standing in front of me.
He raised his wand higher, "I would take that as a "yes" Kingsley," He said gruffly, "This girl's bad news, she probably works for him. "
I raised my eyebrow, "I take it you are referring to Voldemort?" A few of them winced at the sound of his name, but Moody just continued to eye me suspiciously.
The tall brown haired man stepped forward slowly, "My name is Remus Lupin, I am a member of the Order along with everyone else in this room, we are no Death Eaters." He paused momentarily, "What is your name?"
I opened my mouth, but froze before the words could come out. Could I truly trust these people? I was positive that Moody was a dedicated member to the Order, there was no way he was betray them, unless he was under the Imperius Curse, which was also highly unlikely. I made a split decision, deciding not to think any further into the matter, "My name is Delilah Lunde."
A few small gasps echo throughout the room. Lupin stared on, a look of shock clear on his face. "You are related to Victoria Lunde?" He asked in a surprised tone.
I nodded quickly, "Yes, she is my mother..." I paused, tears threatening to escape my tired eyes as I realized my painful mistake, "Was...my mother," I looked down, no longer wanting to return the curious stares, "She was a member, you are aware of that of course, she gave me that photo of the first Order."
Moody's wand had now disappeared from sight, but the curious stares continued on. "Victoria is...dead?" The plump woman looked shocked.
Lupin had now approached me, stretching out his hand gently, "I think it is best if you return to the couch, you are still not completely healed."
I hesitated at first, but accepted his hand and stood back up on my feet. His hand supported my weight as I walked slowly back over to the long couch in the far corner of the room. The other members were now filing out of the small room, leaving me alone with Lupin, a woman with mousy brown hair, and a tall middle-aged man with ginger hair.
I sat uncomfortably in the couch, knowing that they still had many questions for me. Lupin opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly another member reappeared in the room, the short motherly woman she had seen earlier.
"Here you go dear," She said kindly, passing me a cup of water before turning back to Lupin, "Now don't you go bombarding the poor girl with a million questions, she needs to get some rest."
Lupin gave me a weak smile, "Ah, Molly is right, you will need to regain your strength." Taking this as a cue to leave, the rest of them started towards the door. But before Lupin could exit the now lonely room, he turned back to me, "But, of course, tomorrow I would like to know what has happened to you... those markings on your arm," His gaze followed down to my right arm, "Look familiar."
With that, I was left alone in the room. The only light coming from the bright, but distant moon.
- - - - -
Hot breath left ribbons of thin fog, in the cool night air. A young woman scanned the dark ground for any signs of her wand. Her breathing picked up as a dark shadow approached her, growling momentarily before giving a mischievous laugh.
"Where's...where's my mother?" The girl asked in a quiet voice.
He roared with laughter, as the young woman tripped over her own feet.
"Do not worry," His menacing voice was deep and scratchy, "You'll be reunited with her soon"
A scream echoed through the empty forests.
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I woke with a start, sweat dampening my face, that memory had been haunting my dreams almost everyday since the accident. Looking around the room, I realized where I was, the events from the last few days coming back to me.
I could hear quiet voices coming from the room down the hallway. I made the decision quickly that I would join them, I couldn't stand being in that dark room for one more second.
Getting up slowly, I lifted my legs and brought my feet in touch with the cold floor. Shivering in response, I decided to bring along with me the small blanket from the couch. Wrapping the pale grey blanket around my shoulders, I moved steadily towards the open door, attempting to be as quiet at possible. That turned out to be quite impossible, as soon as I took one step on the old floor, a loud creak emitted from the weakening floorboards. The voices in the other room became silent at once. Sighing at my own stupidity, I quickened my pace towards the doorway.
"Delilah! Good morning dear!" The same lady from last night, Molly I think her name was, had gotten up and rushed over to me as soon as I appeared in the hallway. I gave her a weak smile, not wanting to be impolite. "Now I would like you to meet a few people, then of course I'll make you something to eat."
My stomach rumbled quietly in thanks, I had just realized how hungry I actually was. She grabbed my shoulder lightly and directed me towards the door to the other room, "Come now, don't be shy!"
Walking into the other room, which turned out to be some kind of dining room, I noticed many faces from the night before. Two of these faces of course being Remus Lupin, and Alastor Moody.
"Now of course you know Alastor," She began to ramble on, pointing in the general direction of the scarred man, "And this young lady over here is Nymphadora Tonks..."
"Just Tonks please," The woman said with a sad smile, her focus immediately going back to the Daily Prophet that was laid out in front of her.
"Ah yes, she prefers Tonks, and this over here is Dedalgus Diggle," A short man with a bushy white beard nodded his head with a kind smile, "Kingsley Shacklebolt," He gave a small smile in response, "Oh and that over there is my husband, Arthur Weasley," He gave me a big grin and waved his hand delightfully, "And of course Remus whom you've met already."
Lupin eyed me carefully, but nodded his head politely none the less.
"Come a take a seat dear, I'll fetch you something to eat." Molly motioned towards one of the empty seats across from Lupin, before leaving the room swiftly.
I hesitated at first, I was always quite shy around people I didn't know. I pushed the chair out and sat down on the old wooden chair. Kingsley, Moody and Diggle had began to speak quietly once more.
Staring ackwardly at the tabletop, I remembered something.
"Where's my wand?" I asked quietly, the question directed at no one in particular.
"It is safe, do not worry," I heard Remus respond calmly.
I lifted my head, annoyed by the lack of information they were giving me, "So I take it there's a reason you're not giving it back to me just yet."
He gave a deep sigh, "Well yes, we don't know if we can completely trust you yet."
I looked to the other members, they had all stopped talking now, their eyes now fixated on me. I could feel my cheeks burning, I hated being the center of attention.
"Well if you have questions that need answering, then ask away, I've got nothing to hide," I said in defense.
Lupin opened his mouth slowly, but was interrupted, "Lunde didn't have a daughter, she was part of the Order, she would have mentioned it to someone."
I stared over at Moody curiously, he obviously wasn't to happy with my presence. "She hid me well, wanted to protect me from any harm," I said confidently, "At least... that's what she told me."
He still watched me suspiciously. "Isn't that picture proof enough for you? My mother gave it to me when I went away to school, its one of the few photos I have of her." I continued, my anger escalating.
"We never heard anything about your mothers death," Kingsley explained, "You must understand that it is dangerous times and we must take extra precautions, for all we know you could be a spy."
"They killed my mother," I said viciously, standing quickly, my grip on the table certain to leave a rather nasty mark, "I would never help them."
The room became very silent, an uncomfortable tension filling the air. The only noise that could be heard coming from Ms. Weasley busy preparing food in the kitchen. I sat down slowly, mentally cursing myself for getting so worked up.
My hand instantaneously went to my right arm, I knew this would be the only way to prove it to them. I wrapped my hand around the sleeve of my shirt and gently pulled it up, revealing my deeply scarred arm. Tonks let out a small gasp.
I outlined the deep scars on my arm with my finger, "I never chose to be this way, I would do anything to take it away."
I pulled down my sleeve quickly, still avoiding eye contact with they others in the room, "I left my home three days ago, there were people watching me, following me," I paused, wondering wheither or not I should continue, "Most likely Death Eaters," I muttered, "This..this was my first transformation...you have to understand...I didn't know what to do..."
"...now I just heated up some soup, I hope this is fine dear," Ms. Weasley had walked quickly back into the room, with her a big bowl of a delicious smelling soup and a plate of fresh bread. Her smile had vanished as soon as she noticed the curious and confused looks in my directions. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as Ms. Weasley began to question them angrily. But Lupin's eyes did not leave mine. He no longer directed a look of uncertainty and suspicion towards me, instead he looked more... understanding.
I looked down again, thanking Ms. Weasley quietly for the food before I began to eat.
I've never been good at meeting people.
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