Disclaimer: The HP universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and I do not, by any means, declare ownership of it.
Story title: Of Love and War
Chapter 1: Return of Darkness
~*~ Darkness… twilight… tree… shouts… a flash of light…darkness… tree… twilight…The scenes flashed before his eyes repeatedly like a movie being replayed – only, he had no control over what he was seeing. The horrible nightmare played in his mind – the grounds of Hogwarts and the single solitary tree… the Whomping Willow, the thrashing braches… a flash of light… a spell… over.
The moonlight fell open the panic-stricken faces repeatedly and fear and panic swept through him at the familiar images. He couldn't stop what was happening, it was too late. He trashed out wildly, calling out, trying to warn them of what was coming but it was no use. What had happened could not be reversed. The dead could not be brought back to life.
Silence reigned over the grounds suddenly and everything whirled out of focus. Something pulled him back, away from those horrible scenes. Somewhere, even in unconsciousness, he knew he'd be back.
He sat up, finding himself in his bed… as always. In his nightmares, he'd feel transported far away where he'd see those horrible scenes again and again till his nerves could no longer stand it and he'd be pulled back to consciousness. Like the previous night and the night before and in fact all the nights since he had returned to the loneliness of his so-called home, he had awoken sweating all over, his body trembling with emotions and feelings that were now all too familiar to him. Cold, freezing fear and wild panic tingled in his very skin as his breath came in gasps. How could he stop the nightmares when he hadn't been able to stop what had happened? How could he forget it could have all been avoided? He couldn't forget anything… what had happened was his own fault. How could he deny that?
Sadness and grief overcame the wild panic and silent tears slipped down his face and he turned onto his side, the dark sky looking down upon him through the window. He shut his eyes suddenly, wondering, worrying, he was being watched from up above by… by all the people that had died because of him.
His hearth thudding wildly at first, then slowly regaining its normal pace, he slowly drifted back to sleep.
Somewhere, miles away, someone heaved a sigh of relief and leaned back against the wall. The whole incident was a mystery but the nightmare was very much, related, that was evident. Nothing could have caused that effect except the fresh, terrible memories of that incident. It happened every night and all efforts to help to stop them, from so far away, were useless. Waiting, trying to balance the pain and suffering, all the while not really knowing what had happened that night, was all that could be done from that distance. But if it continued so… all through the summer… was survival possible? How could anyone… how could he remain sane when the night made him relive everything that had happened? They were scary and sad thoughts but they could not be avoided when even rare whispers of his nightmares caused the body to tremble. So how could he bear the real, full form of the nightmare?
Immensely worried and scared for him while partly relieved that it seemed to be over, at least for the night, she laid her head back on the cool pillow and slowly, just like him, drifted off to sleep.
~*~
Author's Note: Hi there! Yes, I'm back with the sequel very, very soon! I guess the first chapter, or prologue, being short is easy to write. Yes, this is short but a prologue like this one was really necessary.
The sequel has officially begun and very hopefully, I will end it before the next HP book comes out. Also, here I have to mention something VERY important. It's that this sequel to TCE does not cover Harry's sixth year, which should have been, considering TCE was about his fifth year. However, I have followed Imogen's example, the way she did in her Carpe Diem series. So, yes, the sequel covers his seventh year. The events of the sixth year will not be forgotten and will be mentioned during the course of the story as they have a great role to play in the setting of the story. You must have realized that partly from this chapter/prologue. I realized that I had to do this as, firstly, there are not many significant events in the sixth year except for a few and secondly, if I wrote the sixth year, HP book 5 would probably be out before I finish with Harry's years at Hogwarts! Hehe…
So there, enough of my babble! Please excuse me for that. :) So, I was sincere in completing my part of the bargain… I put this up earlier than expceted along with "Memories" and "Yours Eternally" – two short, single-chapter stories! I really hope those who haven't read those go ahead and read them and review too. Thankyou to
-ADPOTTER, Esperanza, teazer, Tinabedina, Bucky, biggerstaffbunch, Epitaph Munku-JGSTPTV, Arien S
for reviewing those two stories! Biggerstaffbunch, did you know that I cried too while writing the last part of "Yours Eternally"? I can't tell you how much your review meant to me… for someone to feel the same emotions I did, its thrilling… thankyou so much. And Munku, thankyou too for the lovely review.
Again, I'll be waiting for your reviews. I know this isnt much of a chapter with nothing much to review about… but do tell me if your interest in picqued! :) And do stick around for chapter 2!
Love,
Ameera (Aimen at fanfiction.net and Gryffindortower.net)
Ameerak86@abba.zzn.com
