Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters, the plots, the critters, any of it. I am making no money from this so don't sue. Wouldn't be worth the time anyways. This disclaimer covers this entire story. I'm sure you don't need to read it every chapter anyway
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Chapter 1.
Galadriel Liandra Goldhart had the perfect life. She was 15, beautiful, intelligent, popular, and her parents were not that un-cool. Come to think of it, all her friends thought her parents Audric and Alyssande Goldhart were downright awesome. Her parents were two of the best Aurors in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, in fact, they were quite possibly the best witch and wizard in the entire Bureau of Magical Affairs. The fact that they were friends with many wizard celebrities and threw fabulous parties which Galadriel's friends were welcome to attend didn't hurt their status either.
The Goldhart family lived happily in their spacious suburban home, entertaining whenever Audric and Alyssande were home, and Galadriel attended the prestigious Goldwood Academy of Magic, the best magic school in America. At Goldwood Galadriel was one of the most popular girls; she and her best friends Guinevere Lyons and Helena Thermopolis were centerpieces of the In Crowd. They were the stars of the Aerobatics team, performing death-defying broom stunts during rallies for the Varsity Quodpod team or at local wizarding events. Galadriel was also a member of the Goldenwood Gazelles, the school's dance team. Goldenwood's philosophy stressed the importance of a well rounded education, and provided countless clubs, teams, activities, and diversions to that end. There were plays, dances, elections, debates, teams, clubs, and seminars, almost all of which Galadriel and her friends participated in.
But, unfortunately, the Fates are very fickle and thus nothing lasts forever. So it was revealed when Galadriel Goldhart's perfect world came to a terrible crashing end one gorgeous summer day, which is where we will truly begin this story.
It was the end of June, summer vacation was in full swing, and Galadriel had spent a perfect day with perfect friends at the perfectly pristine lake, perfecting her tan.
"Gala!" Helena called, wading out of the lake and attempting to push several locks of damp black hair out of her eyes. "Gala, you'll be at Helena's party Saturday? And you can't forget that Wednesday we're meeting at Rowena's!"
"I'll remember," Gala muttered sleepily from her towel.
"No you won't. You missed Hunter's birthday bash last week, and Aislinn's party before that!" Guinevere complained from her spot on the towel beside Gala's.
"You're one to talk," Galadriel sat up and glared at the auburn-haired girl. "You totally forgot about my Midsummer Eve party!" Helena snickered.
"Yeah, but you got her back, Gala- she had to hear about Aislinn and Val's fight scene from you…"
Guinevere turned to look at her best friends, prepared to sulk… her jaw dropped suddenly, "Oh my god Gala… did you put something on your hair? It's streaked platinum!"
The blond laughed. "I had Mom put a color-change spell on it… it was solar activated."
"Sweet!" yelped Guin admiringly. "I wish my mother would even consider being so nice! I swear she lives in Gidget land." Guinevere clasped her hands and gave a sigh, "Dye your hair? Boys never pin girls with dyed hair! And Gee whiz, what would Moondoggie think?"
Gala and Helena laughed, remembering a night long past when, bored and restless, they'd found the movie Gidget at Guin's house (her father wax a wizard, her mother a muggle) and had made the unfortunate choice to watch it. But before more memories of that particular movie could be dredged up, they were interrupted by the abrupt Apparation of Helena's mother. Circe Thermopolis had worked with the Goldharts for several years and her clothing was always tailored, her ebony hair impeccable, her make up flawless. Yet now she looked slightly windblown, and her flawless face had an oddly pale and pinched look.
"Girls, I'm afraid we need to leave. Now." She was using her Official Orders voice. The teenagers simply stared.
"Mom, we were getting ready to… we'll be home in a few minutes!" Helena said.
Her mother shook her head firmly. "I said 'now' Helena. Hurry girls. We must hurry," she said, looking around quickly at the nearly deserted beach. It was only then that Galadriel realized Mrs. Thermopolis was holding her wand.
Exchanging glances the three friends stuffed their towels and lotions into their bags, moving as quickly as possible. The entire process took only a matter of seconds. Mrs. Thermopolis nodded approvingly. "Ah, here's the car." She led them up the slop of the beach to the lake road, where a white sedan was waiting with Helena's latest soon-to-be-stepfather behind the wheel.
The girls climbed into the back seat, unusually silent, and the car sped off. "I wonder what's happened?" Guinevere whispered. Gala shook her head.
"I haven't the foggiest," she said.
Helena was thoughtful. "Mom's upset. I mean really upset… she's never even been that ruffled over one of her divorces."
The car slowed, pulling into the driveway of a large Tudor-style house. 'Home,' Gala thought, 'what are we doing here?'
Helena's stepfather opened the door for her and she climbed out, thanking him without using his name. She couldn't remember if he was Wallace or Jason… or was it Oliver?
She led the way to the front door, but as her hand touched the knob she hesitated. She didn't want to open it. No, better to go back to the lake and talk about parties… The door swung in on its own, revealing a person Galadriel had not seen in years. A tall elderly man with flowing white hair and a beard he could easily tuck in his belt, and a very crooked nose. "Grandpa?" she asked, only half hearing the gasps from Guin and Helena.
Her grandfather smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, whose usual sparkle seemed to have vanished. "Who else would I be, my dear?" he said.
"Grandpa!" Gala hugged him, "What are you doing here? Mom and Dad never said you were coming!"
The smile faded from his face. "No, I daresay they didn't… Come," he put a hand on her shoulder and guided her toward the sitting room. "There is much to discuss."
Gala stopped short in the doorway to the sitting room. Something was drastically wrong. Mrs. Thermopolis sat with her husband and Mr. and Mrs. Lyons. Mrs. Lyons was crying silently. There was another man there, standing uncomfortably by the bay window. Gala took a moment to recognize him as Varian Kotas, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,
"Galadriel," her grandfather said quietly, "I'm afraid there has been a most dreadful accident…"
She couldn't seem to hear properly. The voices kept fading in and out… accident…dead… raid… dark magic… trap…
She felt cold. 'Maybe I was outside too long. I bet so. I need to sleep. Definitely sleep.' She felt her knees slip, felt herself sinking to the floor.
Someone was shaking her. Galadriel blinked, staring at Guinevere as if she'd never seen her. "Galadriel, snap out of it!" Guin whispered.
Gala shook her head, her blue eyes filling with tears. And then she was crying on Guin's shoulder. Helena put her arms around them both, her tears joining theirs. They stayed there, forming their own circle, drawing strength from one another as their world began to tilt.