Let's begin the sixth chapter of Rachele's story. She's a young women now with two friends she's entrusted her life's secret to.

Enjoy!

Chapter One – Origins

Prologue – 10 000 years ago

For as long as we have known, human-kind has been split into two genders; male and female. For centuries they have co-existed, seeking each other out for the purpose of multiplying life on earth. But this was not the same for all, for once upon a time, two immortal races existed for the sole purpose of war; their only goal was conflict for centuries on end. One of these were known as the White Sorceresses, women of light that lived to watch over the mortals and protect them from harm. They were good, pure, flawless in every way, with powers beyond imagination; Goddesses of legend that the mortals regularly prayed to.

But where there is light, there is always darkness. The Lords of the Night, a powerful band of dark wizards who took it upon themselves to spread chaos wherever they travelled. They despised the Goddesses for always interefering and sought out a way to remove them from existence. In the time when there was a hundred years of peace, these wrothful beings searched through every plains, determined to destroy the Goddesses of Light; and destroy them they did. One intelligent wizard forged what was known as the Shadow Blade, a weapon writhing with so much dark energy even the Sorceresses would struggle against them. They created one for each of them, going forth as a indestructable army, wiping out homes and lives of the innocent to draw their enemies out. The plan worked, the Sorceresses descended upon them within moments not realising the trap they were falling into. They were caught by surprise. The Dark Lords thrust their new weapon towards them, burying the blade deep within their one weakness; their hearts. The Sorceresses possessed a unique magic inside them, a living energy source they relied on to draw breath. It was not blood that was needed to pump through their veins, but the magic alone to flow through and give them life. The heart was mearly a tool, a power source for the magic to feed on to refuel. If any damage came upon this vital organ, the user's life was at high risk. And the Lords of Night knew this all too well, they had researched endlessly of their foes weakness, taking full advantage as they slowly picked off each woman, one by one. But one thing they didn't know, one secret the records did not give them, was the survival instinct the living energy had for itself. Every time one of the Sorceresses was killed, it would eject from her body, split itself into pieces and divide evenly into whoever was left, leaving the survivors twice as strong as they were. After weeks of a gruesome extermination, only one Sorceress was left standing and she was more powerful than the Dark Lords could comprehend. Her light easily overpowered them, and she spent many a day ridding the world of these ruthless wizards, until there too was only one remaining. In her last days, she searched far and wide for the Shadow Blades, using enormous amount of her power to destroy them. But the last dark wizard refused to let her find them all and he knew it was only a matter of time before she found him. He buried the dagger in a lost, forsaken land, a place so corrupted and overcome with evil, those with any light in their hearts would not dare venture there. Before his death, he poured every last ounce of his magic into the blade, stating that in the future generations, no matter how powerful the light may be, it would hold the power to extinguish that light for all eternity.

When the Sorceress found him, she could see he had sacrificed his powers and become nothing more than a mere mortal. She showed mercy and allowed him to live out the rest of his days as an old man, but cursed him to ensure he would never take a life again.

Before her own death, she too cast her own invocation of the future of her descendants. Every hundred years, a worthy young woman would be chosen to be the Guardian of the Earth. Each generation will be more powerful than the last, fighting off evil, protecting innocent humans, maintaining the earths pure form. This path will be a lonely one, for she will live much longer than most mortals, she will watch loved ones die of age long before her time. She can choose friendship, love and enjoy life, but it will end in heart-break. When her time comes to leave this earth, to pass her mantle to her eventual successor; she will die alone for the sake of her duty to the world.

That...is her destiny.

Present Day – London

Three teenagers sat cross-legged in a large living room. One was a sixteen year old brunette, long flowing brown hair with purple tips, blazing green eyes that rivalled the brightness of fire. She had just finished reading from a long piece of parchment and was staring expectantly at her two companions. The male of the group, also sixteen, messy dark brown, dark brown/black hair with stunning blue eyes which were as wide as they could be. He was rendered speechless as he took in the information he had just been given. Next to him, a smaller girl of fifteen, thick curly black pigtails, bleach blonde fringe and soft golden eyes. She too bore a composition of shock, but her gaze also held one of understanding and comprehension. The two girls had become as inseperable as sisters. Their level of appreciation of each other ran so deep blood could not bring them any closer together.

"So..." The brunette, known as Rachele, was staring at her friends warily, eyes darting back and forth for any kind of reaction.

"Wow..." The boy, Robert managed to say.

"Really that's it? No questions? Nothing?"

"It's a lot to take in." Answered Claudia. "It's not every day you find out your best friend is immortal."

"I'm not immortal." Rachele corrected her. "The original sorceresses were until their race was wiped out. The last one was greatly weakened after destroying all those blades." She shivered.

"I thought immortals couldn't die." Claudia said.

"They couldn't by any natural means." Rachele told her. "But they still possessed human bodies so death was still possible."

"So basically they just didn't age."

Rachele smiled and nodded. "Pretty much.

"What about the last Shadow Blade..." Robert ventured. "Does it still exist?"

Rachele turned to him. "It does, but I don't know where it is." She pointed to the scroll. "Like it says, it's hidden in a place I wouldn't dare go near."

"Could Voldemort go there?"

Rachele could detect the tremour in his voice and knew what his fear was. "It's okay Robbie." She smiled at him. "I won't let that thing kill me." She paused. "But if by any chance it does hurt me, I need you both to remember..." They leaned forward attentively. "It can only kill me if it punctures my heart. If I'm stabbed anywhere else; legs, arms or even my stomach, then I have a chance of survival. But I will be incredibly weak and will need to time to recover." She took a breath. "The dark energy inside that blade will try to overcome and corrupt me, worst case scenerio I will be in a self-inflicting comatose state so I can internally rid it from my mind and body."

"You make it sound like a living thing." Claudia commented.

Rachele nodded. "In a way it is, it's like a parasite that infests whatever hosts it touches. So if it's inside me, it will try to take control."

"Hypothetically speaking, what would happen if you lose?" Robert asked shakily.

She looked at him sadly. "Then I'll become darkness, an evil sorceress so powerful nothing could stop me. But thankfully the magic has a counter-affensive if that ever happens."

"Like what?" asked Claudia.

"This magic exists only for the light, it cannot be changed. If darkness overtakes me, then the life source will abandon my body and find someone more worthy."

"If it leaves your body, what happens to you?" Robert asked dreading the answer.

"I die, I can't live without it."

Claudia frowned. "But you still have your heart don't you? Wouldn't you just become a normal mortal?"

She shook her head. "My heart doesn't function like others. Here feel this." She held out her wrist. "Feel my pulse."

Robert did so, gently pressing two fingers to her skin. He frowned when he felt nothing. "There's no pulse."

She smiled. "Because I don't have one, my heart isn't pumping. My magic alone is what helps flow my blood around, keeps my organs workings." She pulled her wrist away. "Without that energy, I'm just an empty shell." She sniggered at their dumbfounded expressions. "You guys hug me a lot, didn't you notice the lack of heart-beat from my chest?"

Claudia shrugged. "Wasn't paying any attention."

"Yeah too busy...ya know...hugging you." Robert said blushing slightly.

Rachele laughed. "You guys are adorable."

"I have another question." Claudia asked, receiving a nod. "You said your age is extended longer than ours. How old do you live to?"

Rachele's eyes flickered slightly. "Two hundred exactly."

Two jaws opened in shock. "How do you know that?" Robert asked.

"I just do." She shrugged. "It's a knowledge I was born with, something I've always known. Although..." She smiled. "Albus did fill in a lot of blanks, he dedicated himself to learning everything about my kind."

"He means a lot to you huh?"

"He raised me as his own." She said softly. "He's like my father, or grandfather if you consider his age."

"You told me he found you near your hometown right?" He asked daringly. Rachele could sense where he was heading.

"Yes he did, where my parents live." She sighed. "I guess I should tell you my real last name huh?"

"Um... I have a confession to make." Claudia timidly rose her hand. When they turned to her she blushed. "I...a few years ago I overheard a conversation I probably shouldn't have. But I've kept it to myself ever since." She hesitated, gazing intently at her best friend who had attentive eyes locked on her. "That year Hermione was petrified, you were with her in the hospital wing." She looked down. "I heard everything..."

Rachele's eyes grew incredibly round. That was a one-sided conversation she considered extremely private, she was sure no-one was around that night.

"I didn't tell anyone I swear!" Claudia waved her hands frantically. "I promised myself I would keep it a secret unless you told me yourself. Otherwise I would've taken it to my grave."

Rachele sighed yieldingly. "It's alright Claudia, I trust you." She grinned. "Thank you for not telling anyone."

"Uh...I'm sorry I'm lost." Robert said feeling out of the loop. "What did she hear?"

Rachele smiled. "Why don't you tell him Claudia? I can see you're just about to burst."

Claudia's cheeks reddened slightly as she turned to Robert. "Um...Hermione is..." She exhaled deeply. "...Hermione is Rachele's sister." She smiled at the older girl. "Rachele's real last name is Granger."

A grin broke out on Robert's face. "Seriously? That's amazing!" He looked at her in awe. "How have you kept it from Hermione all this years?"

Rachele sighed sadly. "It hasn't been easy. Being her best friend for a while only tempted me more, there was so many times I almost caved and spilled everything. But I always thought of her safetly first, that's the only thing holding me back."

Robert frowned. "What do you mean by safety?"

"Let me start from the beginning."

From the very moment I was born, the dark forces was alerted to my existence. Along with the prophesy about Harry Potter, Voldemort also came across the scroll containing the history behind my magic. He found a secret passage that read the time period on when the next light Sorceress was brought into the world. He knew I would be a threat to his plans, so he sought to kill me when I was a defenceless baby since I had not yet matured into my powers. The only problem was, he did not know what family I was born into, I could've been either pure-blood, half-blood or Muggleborn; he had the entire wizarding world to search for me. As for me, I spent only six months with my family. Because of the extent of my powers, my physical growth as a child accelerated faster than others. By the time I was six months old, I could walk, talk and even looked like a three year old toddler, but held the maturity of a six to seven year old. But I do remember my parents loving me unconditionally, along with my twin sister. Yes, Hermione is my faternal twin sister, but due to the events that happened soon after, she grew up with no memory of me. One night I was invaded by a disturbing vision, a nightmare that would frighten even a grown adult. I saw Voldemort and his followers searching the lands for me, thirsty for my blood. They were torturing and killing anyone who had any knowledge of my whereabouts and I feared they would come after my family next. So I did the only rational thing a terrified child would do; I ran away. I erased any evidence that I was related to the Grangers. I left a message, a magical recording of my voice for my parents, telling them to move on, forget me and never let Hermione know she ever had a sister. Make her believe that she is an only child. I promised I would watch over them, protect them from afar but I couldn't promise where or when I would see them again. To this day they remain clueless whether I'm alive or not, and as long as the dark forces chase me; it has to stay that way.

"I didn't make it far before Dumbledore found me." Rachele said. "I remember being so distraught, so desperate for acceptance I told him everything. He listened to every word, comforted me, promised he would take care of me." She smiled. "And he did. I had a happy childhood with him. He spoilt me rotten. On the side he gave me personally training, teaching me everything about the world, taking me all over the world to broaden my experiences." Her gaze darkened. "Those travels are the reason I can see Thestrals. We ran into countless Death Eaters that had been sent across the oceans to find me and often engaged in battles with them." She sighed sadly. "More often than not, an innocent bystander would get caught in the cross-fire, becoming a casualty I couldn't avoid."

"The Sullivans being one of them." Robert added.

She nodded, turning to Claudia. "I hadn't told you this yet, the Sullivans were an old couple that took us into their home. But the Death Eaters caught wind of their involvement and tortured them to death. I used their last name as my disguise in their honour. I was eight"

Claudia looked very sorrowful. "Those poor people, that's horrible." She held Rachele's hand. "And you were so young."

Rachele smiled. "Just another day in the life of being me."

"I have something to confess as well by the way." Robert said shifting the topic.

Rachele blinked at him. "Don't tell me you overheard something too."

He chuckled nervously. "Actually, it's more I saw something." When she raised her eyebrows he said. "Back in first year, I saw you sneak out real early one morning." He rubbed his neck. "You gave your wings a stretch...so I've kinda always known about them."

Rachele let her face drop into her hands. "Bloody hell, so much for being subtle." She sighed with her face towards the ceiling. "Oh well guess everything's out of the bag now."

"How did you get your wings?" Claudia asked.

"I was born with them, it's a inherited trait from my ancestors." She held up the scroll. "All the Sorceresses of Light possessed wings as well, it was a common way for them to travel. Here I'll show you something." She stood up, turned around and lifted up her shirt exposing her entire back. From her shoulder blades down was a large tattoo of two white folded wings. "This is the form they take when I'm not using them." She shot them a grin over her shoulder. "They have to go somewhere right?"

Robert was nodding, looking away with a face red as a tomato. Claudia gazed with delightful amazement at her best friend's back. "That's amazing..." She whispered.

"I have to stretch them every once in a while." Rachele said pulling her shirt back down. "It's like sitting on your hands all the time, it's sorta uncomfortable."

"Can I..." Claudia fidgeted. "Can I see?"

Rachele smiled. "Sure let's go out back."

She led them into the backyard, far out into the grass so she wouldn't hit anything. She gestured for them to stand back for a moment, relaxing her shoulders and allowing her majestic wings to sprout outwards. She folded them slightly, letting them relax. She then permitted her friends to come over and see. Claudia circled her thoughtfully, taking in every etricate detail of each feather. Robert was stroking one tenderly, relishing in the softness of it. Rachele had a giggle at their antics.

"Wait..." Claudia peered closely. "This type of feather looks familiar." She gently held up one with her finger and examined it. "This looks exactly like the feather I found on the school grounds."

Rachele turned to her in alarm. "You mean that feather on your shelf? I thought that was a pegasus!"

Claudia looked at her with astonishment. "I did too. But I was wrong...it's yours."

Rachele laughed. "Go figure." She looked back at her other friend. "You alright there Robbie? You're awful chummy with my wing."

Robert froze; the end of the wing pressed against his face. "Uh...it's nice and soft."

She giggled. "Alright give her back Mr. Cuddles, I have to put them away now." He blushed and released the wing, allowing her to fold them back into her skin. "Let's go back inside."

As they headed back in, the sound of Rachele's phone could be heard echoing through the house. She answered it and excused herself from the room when finding it was Hermione. An awkward silence hovered between the two introverts; Claudia still not accustomed to being alone with him and Robert unsure what to say to someone so shyly withdrawn.

"You love her don't you?"

Robert looked, startled at the younger girl whose hands were clamped over her scarlet face. "What?"

She let her hands fall. "S-sorry. I w-wasn't thinking...just sorta...-s-slipped out."

"It's alright...you just surprised me." He cleared his throat. "I uh...didn't think anyone noticed."

Claudia scratched her face nervously. "Y-you're not very subtle. You...you stare at her a lot." She mumbled the last part but Robert heard it.

"Heh...caught out." He admitted with a blush. "But yeah...I do...I love her." He sighed, relieved to finally say it out loud, even if it wasn't to who he had hoped.

Claudia smiled slightly. "I can tell."

"Do you..." He lowered his voice slightly. "Do you think there's a small chance she feels the same way?"

Claudia shrugged. "It's hard to say. She has a lot of her plate. You'll just have to patient." She said wisely.

He sighed. "I feel like I have been."

Claudia felt her heart go out to him. He really was in love with her best friend. "Just wait a little longer, for her sake."

Robert slumped and nodded. "I can't ever say no to her."

"Don't worry. I won't say anything to her." She promised. "Even if I do hate keeping secrets."

He chuckled. "Thanks I appreciate it."

"Hey guys!" Rachele bounced over to them. "What'd I miss?" She looked between them, Claudia was awkwardly glancing around the room while Robert just stared at the floor blushing. "What the hell is wrong with you two?" No answer. "Bloody hell can you two ever not be weird around each other? Sheesh." She didn't see the secret smile her two best friends shared.

After an afternoon of relaxation, chatter and more than one failed attempts at using the television on Robert's part, (how did all the people get in there? Get them out! They're trapped!), very soon it was time to call it a day. Robert claimed he needed to return home before his mother sent a search party for him. The girls saw him out, both giving him a hug goodbye (he lingered with Rachele) before turning in themselves. Instead of splitting ways, they sat on Claudia's bed to talk more.

"Are you ever going to tell Hermione who you are?" Claudia began, steering herself away from her short conversation with Robert.

Rachele looked down at her hands. "I really want to...more than anything. It's eating me up inside keeping this from her."

"But...?"

She looked back up. "Like I said, I have Death Eaters all over the world looking for me. If Voldemort finds out who I really am, the first thing he'll do is target my parents and my sister." She sighed deeply. "Until they've been dealt with, she can't know anything."

Claudia nodded in understanding. "I get it, you're protecting her. But she's in danger anyway, being Muggleborn and being Harry Potter's best friend."

"Exactly, I'm don't want to add onto that risk."

"That makes sense I guess." She was silent for a moment. "Hey Rachele?"

"Hm?"

"You said you'd become darkness if the blade manages to overcome you...right?"

"Yeah."

"Well...has that ever happened to any of your ancestors?"

Rachele was taken back by the question, but nodded sorrowfully. "Once. About five hundred years ago." She leaned forward. "I forgot to mention one thing earlier Claudia...I can't kill anyone."

Claudia tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I literally can't kill anyone. The magic symbolises purity. Taking a life is against its' nature. If I'm ever tempted it shows resistance." Her expression grew somber. "But there was one who managed to push past those boundaries. It was an accident, but it was enough to make her snap. She was having an argument with a friend of hers and the row became rather heated. They ended up screaming at each other, cursing and pushing until something inside her just cracked. She lashed out with magic, naturally meeting that barrier, but she pushed past it and ended up fatally wounding her friend." She gazed at Claudia sadly. "As that friend died in front of her, that's when she realised the mistake she had made. Guilt, grief, sorrow, heart-break, self-hatred; all of these emotions consumed her, eventually turning into resentment, hate, bitterness which slowly darkened her heart. She spread destruction throughout the lands, wiped out entire cities and destroyed millions of innocent lives." Rachele leaned back on her hands. "Through all this, the magic tried so hard to reach out to her, to help her find whatever light was left inside. But she had abandoned that light the moment she had taken a life...she had forsaken her own innocence. The magic had no choice but to leave her body, and this sorcereess died alone, still mourning the death of her dear friend. That's the price we have to pay if we ever committ murder."

She looked back at Claudia. "So that's why I can't kill anyone. I have to keep myself pure if I'm ever to fulfill my duty as the earth's guardian."

Claudia was gazing at her, drinking everything in. "No wonder you're such a nice person."

Rachele laughed. "Hey just because I can't kill anyone, doesn't mean I can't inflict pain. I can still get pissed off."

Claudia giggled. "Like with Umbridge?"

Rachele groaned. "Don't remind me of old toad-face, I was starting to move on."

"What happened in her office anyway? All I know is you scared her real bad."

Rachele chuckled and relayed the story; seeing the lines in Harry's hand, feeling the fuels of rage course through her, storming through the school, kicking down Umbridges door, yelling at her and finally warning her with a fist through the wall.

"Woah..." Claudia gaped. "You punched the wall? You're really strong."

"Not really." She laughed. "I enhanced my strength with magic. If I had done that normally I would've broken my hand."

Claudia giggled. "It's still cool though." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Hey wait...that's how you did it!"

Rachele blinked. "Wha...?"

"That's how you found my secret room...with these powers of yours."

She grinned. "Yes and no. I have the ability to walk through walls, but to do it I need to clear my head. I was a emotional mess when I found you, I wasn't kidding when I said I stumbled in. I had no idea where I was."

Claudia smiled. "That would explain it then. I made sure it was invisible to everyone, including Professor Dumbeldore. So when you said you 'stumbled' in, I thought it was impossible. For so long I've been trying to figure out how you got in."

Rachele shrugged. "Well now you know." She leaned in. "Any other questions?"

Claudia shook her head. "No, I think I'll get some sleep now."

Rachele nodded. "Good idea, it's pretty late." She gave her best friend a warm hug. "Night Claudia."

"Night."

She pulled back with a smile. "Thanks for accepting me."

"You're welcome. Like I said, always there...no matter what."

Rachele beamed. "You're the best. Night."

She entered her bedroom moments later, smiling at the large stripy ball of fur curled up near her pillow. Turns out she was right about him staying home; after the girls had returned to school after Christmas, the tabby's laziness had gotten the better of him and he had decided to remain home. Rachele had firmly scolded him for making her worry, but quickly forgave him with a crushing hug.

She lay down beside him, idly stroking his head which brought his deep purrs. Her mind lingered on everything she had revealed to her best friends and she felt a strong weight lift off her shoulders. This is what she had been missing, wanting, craving her entire life; friends that stood by her and supported her knowing what and who she was. Comrades that had her back in both good and bad times. But more importantly, she could feel the devoting love that they all shared. They were loyal, trusting and never left any room for doubt which is why Rachele relied on them with the truth. These were people she could envision a life with in the decades that were to come. And as sleep overtook the young sorceress, she gladly allowed her dreams to take her into the promises of her future.

(Weeks later)

"Rachele! Help!"

Rachele raced into the kitchen at the distressed yell. "Robbie? What's wrong? What are yo-...what the hell are you doing?"

Robert was poised defencively with his wand withdrawn. "This thing won't stop beeping at me! I think it's gonna attack me!"

Rachele looked over where his wand was trained on and had to bite her lip to muffle her laughter. "Robbie...that's a microwave. I was just warming up some food."

He stared at her. "Warming up food?"

She nodded and opened the microwave door. "Yup! See?" She presented a plate containing a steaming hot meal. "Nice and hot!"

Robert looked between her and the contraption. "How does that work? Did you put a spell on it?"

She giggled, shaking her head. "It's called electricity. It's a form of energy Muggles use to make things operate. Here watch." She reached up and pressed a few buttons on the the microwave. "You put in how many minutes you want, right now I'm doing five for example. Then you press 'start' and your food will cook. The beeping is just it's way of telling you it's ready."

Robert gazed like a child who was given a shiny new toy. "That's amazing...no wonder Muggles don't use magic, they don't even need it."

Rachele chuckled. "That's one way of putting it. Come on I'll share this with you."

"Hey Rach." He said as he followed. "How come Claudia knows how to work everything? She's pure-blood too."

She chuckled. "She's lived here since Christmas Robbie, she's had plenty of time to learn. Isn't that right Claudia?" She smiled at her best friend who was waiting for them at the table.

"What did I learn?" Claudia asked softly.

"Muggle technology."

She giggled. "Yeah, it wasn't easy."

Rachele nudged her playfully. "You did alright, you caught on pretty quick."

"Smart little cookie." Robert muttered.

"Don't be a sour puss." Rachele said. "You'll get it eventually." The girls had a giggle when he pouted.

They were interrupted by an large tawny owl tapping on the living room window. "That's my mum's owl." Robert said standing up to let the bird in. It hopped inside and held out it's leg. Once he plucked the letter away, the owl immediately took off.

"What's it say?" Rachele asked as he sat back down.

"Not sure. Give me a minute." He unfolded the paper and began reading. His eyes furrowed deeply as he skimmed it.

"Everything okay Robbie?" Rachele asked reading his expression.

"I dont know..." He said unsurely. "My parents both want me to come home immediately. Say it's something urgent involving the whole family."

"Sounds important." She said. "You going now then?"

He nodded, still staring at the paper. "Yeah I should. Do you have Floo Network?"

"Yeah come over here." She led him over to the large hearth and held out the vase containing the powder. "So...guess we'll see you on the train then?"

"Definitely." He grinned at the girls. "See you then." He gave hugs to both of them, grabbed a handful of floo powder, yelled out his address and thrust it at his feet. Once he was gone, Rachele let out a long deflated sigh. "Well that was a buzzkill."

Claudia looked at her. "What was?"

"I wanted us three to hang out more."

She patted Rachele's arm. "The term starts next week, you'll see him then. Or sooner if he visits again."

She huffed. "I have this feeling he's gonna be busy."

"What'd you think it might be?"

"I have absolutely no idea. I just hope everything's okay."

(London Train Station)

For the remaining days leading up to the new term, Rachele was a bundle of nerves. Robert hadn't once contacted the girls since his sudden departure that one afternoon. She wasn't sure why, but Rachele was paranoid about seeing him. Something about his urgent family business made her nervous. Now here she was, Claudia sitting opposite her, fidgeting restlessly as they waited for their male friend.

Their heads turned to the sound of running footsteps thumping loudly down the train. Their door banged open revealing a breathless Robert who slammed it close behind him.

"Bloody hell...is she gone?"

"Um...hey Robbie."

He looked over at Rachele and Claudia who were regarding him with peculiarity. "Oh hey girls, how've ya been?"

Rachele took in his dishevelled appearance. "Did something happen?"

He gazed wide-eyed at her. "You will not believe what happened to me." His blue eyes darted to Claudia. "Your sister is nuts."

Claudia raised an eyebrow. "Tell me something I don't know."

He slumped down next to Rachele. "So remember that letter I got at your place?" They nodded. "Well when I arrived home, there was some...unexpected guests waiting."

Rachele tilted her head. "Who was it?"

But Robert was staring pointedly at the girl across from them. "Your family Claudia."

Two set of jaws fell open. "WHAT?"

He groaned. "That's not the worst part. It's the reason they were there."

"Don't leave us in suspence Robbie, what's going on?" Rachele's gut was twisting painfully for some unknown reason.

"They...uh...attempted a betrothal."

The knot in Rachele's stomach worsened. "B...betrothal? With who?" Robert mumbled something under his breath. "What was that?"

"G-gertrude."

Claudia fell into a massive coughing fit while Rachele just stared expressionless at him.

"Luckily my parents outright refused. They're branching companies but I wouldn't call them friends. This was just their attempt to combine businesses."

"What did...um..." Claudia swallowed. "What did Gertrude do?"

He shivered. "She won't take no for an answer. She's turned into this obsessed crazy stalker." He glanced at the girl next to him, noticing she seemed a bit lifeless. "Uh...Rach? You okay?"

Her eyes flicked back life, holding a vivid fire within them. "Where is she?" She asked, her voice was laced with venom.

Robert stared. "W-who?"

"Your stupid bleeding fiancee!" She stood up.

"Wha-? She's not my fiancee..."

"WHERE IS SHE?"

"Woah!" Robert rose and grabbed her shoulders. "Easy Gryffindor, deep breaths."

Rachele inhaled and let out a shaky stream of air. "Right, sorry...thanks."

"Alright let's sit back down." He guided her back to her seat. "You good?" She nodded. "Okay...now stay." He chuckled when she glared at him. "Yikes...if looks could kill..."

She pushed his arm bringing out a laugh from him. "Shut up Slytherin." Neither noticed the exasperated sigh and eye roll Claudia directed at them.

Calming Rachele down was only temporary since only minutes after the train pulled into the station, and the trio trudged down the path towards the carriages, Robert was yanked back by an unknown force. Rachele and Claudia turned back to see an unwelcome witch clinging tightly to his arm.

"Hello there Robbie." She purred. Rachele felt her eyebrow twitch. "I missed you."

"Great...get off me." He said attempting to wrench his arm away.

"Get the hell off him Clarken." Rachele stalked towards them with a growl.

"Oooohhh don't get your panties twisted Sullivan." Gertrude sneered. "You stole my toy, now I'm going to steal yours. Besides..." She ran her hand up Robert's chest. "He's better off with his own kind."

Something inside Rachele, she didn't know what, snapped and snapped hard. She stalked up to the pair and gave her nemesis a rough shove. "I said get the hell off him!"

Gertrude growled dangerously. "Watch where you're touching Mudblood!"

Rachele stood protectively in front of Robert. "Keep your slimy eel tentacles to yourself. Twisted sick evil psycho!"

"Back off Sullivan. Haven't you heard?" She smirked. "Robbie's my fiance now."

"Like hell ya ugly whore." Robert spat. "My parents rejected your offer, weren't you there?"

"Ooohh." Gertrude licked her lips. "Naughty boys in denial, that's so hot."

"Let's go Robbie." Rachele grabbed his elbow and pulled him away. "Before I tear her spleen to bits." She placed a arm around Claudia's shoulders for extra protection. "See ya tart." She flipped two fingers at the Slytherin girl who yelled loud profanities at their backs.

When they joined the other Gryffindors on a carriage, Rachele was still steaming and sat low in her seat with her arms crossed.

"What's eating you?" Hermione asked.

"Infestation problem." Rachele growled.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Robert who mouthed 'Gertrude.' and realisation dawned on her.

"How was your summer guys?" Ginny asked lightly. She was surprised when Rachele's scowl deepened, Robert exhaled and Claudia fidgeted not making eye contact. "Wow...that bad? Sorry I asked."

With a ducked head, Claudia was carefully studying her best friend. Rachele's foul dispostion only appeared when she heard the news about Robert's almost betrothal, and worsened when discovering it was with her deranged sister. Was it possible there were feelings buried deep within Rachele that she was not aware of? Was she bothered by this latest development because of something more than friendship? Was she...dare she hope..."

...Jealous...?

End of Chapter

We finally know the full truth behind Rachele's powers :333 She's a powerful one isn't she? And very difficult to kill.

Oh Gertrude...you're tredding on dangerous waters there. But Claudia's right, why is Rachele behaving so irratically over Gertrude and Robert's attempted betrothal? Is she just protective of her friend? Or are there deeper feelings she has yet to discover?

See ya next chapter!