PRELUDE
"What have you got?" the eleven year old asked.
"Now that is a secret," her father replied.
"Aww…" she pouted.
Her father smiled softly, and held a finger up to her lips in a hush. He glanced suspiciously over his shoulder at the cracked door, and moved closer to his daughter. "You must not speak of this to anyone." She nodded enthusiastically, and he pulled a small green box from his cloak. "Many years ago I had wandered into a magical garden filled with tall, wild trees and vines. I was turning to leave the garden when I heard a soft weeping… I followed it and it led me to a beautiful, young girl. She told me she was lost and couldn't find her way out. I took her hand and care-"
"Aw, daddy…" she softly hit him, "I hate these kind of stories."
"I'm almost done," he smiled.
"This sounds like another one of your romance, Fairy Princess stories."
Jack frowned, and changed the ending of his story. "Maybe this isn't another 'Fairy Princess' story.'" She looked at him skeptically, but he went on, "As I was saying, I took her hand and carefully led her from the garden. Then, just as I turned to kiss her on the cheek-"
"She turned into a Fairy Princess?"
"No, she slapped me," he answered, grinning.
The girl giggled and nudged him, "Then what?"
He opened the small, green box and replied, "She gave me this."
The girl's eyes widened in awe, "What's that?"
He held up the necklace; it was a milky blue orb stranded on a silver chain. "She said to me, 'Whenever you're alone or afraid, hold this and turn to the sky. You are in the favor of the Faes, and they will always protect you.'"
"It reminds me of the moon," she whispered.
He opened the clasp of the necklace, and placed it around her neck, gingerly reclasping it. "Whenever you're alone or afraid, hold this and turn to the sky. I will always be there to protect you… but now it's time for bed."
She gently touched the pendant, and looked back at him with wide eyes, "Can't I hear another story?"
"I thought you hated my Fairy Princess stories?" he winked.
"Fine," she pouted, and lied back onto her pillow. He pulled the sheets up to her neck, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Goodnight, Va-"
"Leave me alone!" the slam of a door, "I hate you!" Vevila's voice ripped through Jack's memory; it seemed so long ago when she was his sweet, little princess. It had been years since he had tucked her in. She was a teenager now, and five years had suddenly become a decade.
"Teenagers," his wife huffed.
He tore his eyes from the fire he was gently churning his thoughts in and turned to his wife, "What's wrong, Virginia?"
She dropped down on the couch next to him, and slouched in weariness. "Vevila wants to go out with some friends, but I told her not to leave after dark. She doesn't understand, Jack." A thick tear rolled down her cheek as she sighed, "It's dangerous times… I only want to protect her."
Jack was watching his wife in concern, and slowly wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Don't cry, sweetheart… she just doesn't understand. She's not a child anymore, she's an independent teenager… she doesn't want us telling her how to live anymore."
"But she's my child," Virginia wept.
Jack pulled her closer, "She's my child too… but she also has my independence and my daring personality. She sees life as a story book, and there's always a happy ending… but when there isn't, she doesn't accept it or believe it."
"That's why we disagree so… I'm always the one to prove her wrong. Life isn't about living in the clouds, and I'm not always the villain. Horrible things are happening, Jack… more and more families are killed, children are disappearing… nobody is safe, it's dangerous times. I can't just let her wander out of this house, thinking I will never see her ever again. I love her, Jack… more than life itself. Why doesn't she understand that?" She looked up into her husbands deep brown eyes, "Why doesn't she love me like she loves you?"
Her husband sighed and pulled her close for reassurance, "These dark times will pass…" He slowly let go of his wife, and carefully stood up. He squeezed her hand and said, "I'll talk to her."
~+~+~+~+~
I'm Just a Kid
I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that it's not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
having more fun than me
Jack knocked on his daughter's bedroom door. He touched the chips on the wooden frame and smiled. Each chip symbolized a year of Vevila's life. "To think she used to be so small… why do they ever have to grow up?" he whispered to himself. He heard Vevila's voice close to the door; "I thought I told you-" she began in irritation, but cut herself short.
"Vala?"
"What do you want?" She growled, hiding her shock; she hadn't expected to see her dad.
His eyes caught a glint near her collarbone, and he noticed a silver chain around her neck. "I see you still wear it," he commented softly.
Vevila's eyes dropped, "Do you want something?" Jack stepped past his daughter and into her room. He looked the room over and realized things had changed drastically. No longer did she keep a dollhouse in the corner, or a pile of stuffed animals on her bed. The pale pink walls and bedspread no longer existed, nor did the play makeup or fake perfume. Awkwardly, He sat down on the black comforter spread across her cluttered bed, but Vevila stood with her arms crossed.
His gaze bore into her eyes, "You've upset your mother… she doesn't think you love her anymore."
"I don't," she grumbled.
"It hurts her to have you push her away."
Vevila sighed and rolled her eyes while taking a seat next to him. "It's all the little things, dad… Look, she can't even come up here herself. How can I respect someone so timid?"
"Would you have given her a chance?" he countered.
"No, but I would think more of her," she admitted.
"Or hate her for speaking her mind."
"Do I hate you for speaking your mind?" Vevila challenged, her eyes flickering to her dad.
He sighed sharply and continued, "She's not like us, Vala… she can't always stand up for herself or be as independent. She's entirely different from us, but I love her for that. I accept that part of her, can't you?"
"It's just so hard…" she complained.
"How? She constantly shows love for you, she would give her life for you… she loves you endlessly, even when you scorn and criticize her."
"I don't feel like talking about it," she grumbled.
Jack glanced at the blue sphere around her neck, and back to her eyes. She had her father's eyes, deep brown with tints and shades of cinnamon and gold. "We're always here to protect you." He stood up, and quietly left her room.
She sat on her bed, and as the door was closed she whispered, "She was never there…"
~+~+~+~
"I thought you couldn't come out tonight," Geneva greeted in amazement.
"I snuck out," she answered.
"Ooh… your parents are gonna kill you," Geneva teased, but before Vala could retort she change the subject, "Guess who's here?"
"Saxon?" Vala whispered in excitement.
"Even better…" she grinned. "Bill Weasley."
Vala's shoulders sank, "Oh. What's he doing here?" she asked, losing interest.
Geneva slapped her arm, "Be nice… he's a sweet guy, and besides… he likes you."
"Unlike some people I don't date every guy who's remotely interested. Besides, that guy's odd." It wasn't so much that he was odd as that he wasn't Vala's type. Bill, though Head Boy, had a punk twist to him. Vala simply wasn't interested.
"I don't date every guy who likes me," Geneva huffed. "Give him a chance. You haven't seen him since before school let out."
"That was only a week ago, and I'm dating Saxon," Vala reminded.
"So? Bill's cuter!"
"Then why don't you date him?" Vala asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because he likes you, not me… and there he is now," she waved her arm and shouted, "Hey, Bill!"
Vala's eyes widened, "Don't you dare, Geneva… I will never forgive for this." Vala had never considered Geneva much of a friend. She was obnoxious and Vala felt she was stuck with her for life. Vala didn't turn around, but she could hear the crunch of the leaves under his feet as he drew near. She passed a hand over her eyes and sighed, "Merlin's beard." Tall and lanky, she thought critically, how attractive.
"Hey Geneva… oh hey, Vala… I didn't see you," Bill greeted.
Vala smiled graciously, and tried not to notice how much Bill had changed. She was dating Saxon, she didn't have time to look at other guys. And she hated to admit it, but Bill was kind of cute.
"I was just telling Vala how cute you are, Bill."
Vala glared at her friend and grumbled, "I'm sorry… you'll have to excuse how immature she is." Vala looked away and across the field filled with teenagers. They were all training to become witches or wizards, and often hung out in a deserted field; it wasn't much, but it was a place everyone could be together. Parents became more suspicious with each passing day, and their children weren't allowed to have many friends over. The Field was like a club, and everyone was invited. Anyone was welcome, and everyone trusted each other. Few problems occurred, and there was always someone there to help you.
You never know who might show up,
Vala thought bitterly, if only Saxon was here. Saxon was a tall, Quidditch player with ebony hair and eyes as blue as the night sky. He played on the Slytherin team, and was in his last year at Hogwarts. Saxon was Vala's boyfriend of one year, and she thought she loved him. When he kissed her, she felt as if she could love no one else, and they were meant to be together forever. She often pictured herself as the beautiful princess and he, her handsome prince. She had always hated fairy tales, but when she gazed into Saxon's eyes she forgot that. Those were past memories, and she could only think of the future with him. There was only problem, Saxon had left school a few weeks early and she hadn't seen or heard from him since."Who are those in the bushes?" Geneva whispered, "I don't like the looks of them."
"Slytherins up to no good," Bill shrugged. He sure seemed more passive than Vala remembered.
"The whole lot's in with You-Know-Who… disgusting Slytherins," Geneva snarled. Surprisingly enough, Geneva was a Beater for Hufflepuff's House. Quidditch had strongly inflicted her judgement on Slytherins, and she knew them for their lying and cheating. Vala, however, knew them for their honesty and charm. She knew how adventurous the Slytherins were, and often envied them for their boldness.
"That's an awfully sharp tongue for a Hufflepuff." Geneva was quick on her feet and sharply turned to face the insulting man. Geneva may be a Hufflepuff, Vala observed, but she has got some wicked reflexes.
"Sod off," Geneva snapped.
"Filthy Mudblood," the offending male sneered.
Vala blinked hard through the dark, "Saxon?"
He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do I know you?"
Vala cocked her head to the side. "You're Saxon Malfoy aren't you?" It was too dark for her to really tell.
"Malfoy…" Bill growled. He may be passive, but be still hated the Malfoys; a type of Weasley tradition.
Saxon grinned, "Pleasure seeing you here, Weasley. Never thought that overprotective mother of yours would let you leave the house. Though, I suppose she's too busy worrying about that poor excuse of a wizard she's married to."
"My father is a highly respected wizard, and more honorable than any father of yours." Bill's fist clenched and reclenched as he glared at Saxon. "We have high morals, and my mother wouldn't have anything to worry about if it weren't for sods like you. I don't suppose people like you have much to worry about."
"What are you implying, Weasley?"
"Nothing, of course. I just know you'd have to be real whacked out to attack a Death Eater, let alone the nephew of Lucius Malfoy."
Saxon glared piercingly at him, "Choose your words carefully, Weasley." He stepped steadily towards Bill, his hand resting on his wand. All he had to do was pull the wand out of his pocket, curse Weasley, wipe the other's minds and walk away. He'd do it fast and neat… it seemed so perfect, but Vala had to interfere.
With hardened eyes she stepped between Bill and Saxon. Taking Saxon's arm she led him away from her friends, "What has gotten into you?"
"What has gotten into you?" he snarled. "Do you even realize what you're doing?" He pointed at Geneva and Bill, who were too far to hear his harsh words,
"Associating with a Gryffindor and a Hufflepuff? Let alone a Mudblood. Are you mad?" he stared at her in disbelief before adding, "How revolting and disgraceful."
"What's disgraceful is your behavior," she snapped.
"I won't allow it, Vevila. No girlfriend of mine is to be seen with such lowly creatures."
"No boyfriend of mine will tell me how to live as he sees appropriate. And those lowly creatures are my friends," she defended. That was a lie, and she knew it, but somehow it seemed like the right thing to say.
Saxon bent low to look her directly in the eye. His eyes were like two chipped pieces of ice; the blue so pale it was chilling. He bore deeper into her eyes, studying them steadily, watching her every movement. "The eyes are a curious instrument, Vevila… they allow us to see all, but to some they are our greatest fault… Bill is annoying, is he not? And Geneva is a grand slut. Or shall I say… Scarlet Woman?" She had the horrible feeling that he could read her mind. It was impossible, right? It had to be. "It's a shame you spend so much time wondering if you're stuck with them for good… We all have such fools following our every step. They are curious beasts of devotion, are they not?" He smiled and chuckled softly to himself. "They are not your friends, Vevila. They never were. And though they may think you are theirs, you have never considered them yours."
Vala raised a hand and slapped him. "Knock it off, Saxon," she demanded.
He didn't skip a beat. "And what do you think of me? Well, you think I am acting like an inconsiderate jerk, but that doesn't matter… because you think you love me," he mocked.
Her eyes began to water, "Stop it, Saxon."
"You think we'll get married, and be there for each other all through eternity. That nothing will come between us… after all, we're soul mates aren't we, Vevila?" A wicked smirk curled his lips in satisfaction. "Have I hurt you now, Vevila?"
A tear dropped from her eye, "Why are you doing this? I hate you…" Vala slowly lowered her head as tears streamed down her face. What has gotten into him? What's changed him? If only she knew that his father, the dear brother of Lucius Malfoy and Death Eater, and just crossed Saxon over.
"Oh, now, now, now…" he tsked. "You are speaking out of spite, and my words haven't faltered your love for me in the least." He lifted her head, and peered into her eyes, "You're like a child in a fairy tale, Vevila… when will ever grow up?"
Vevila sucked air between her teeth, but just as she was opening her mouth a loud explosion interrupted her. She instinctively moved closer to Saxon, and he grinned as he wrapped an arm tightly around her.
"It sounds as if the Death Eaters have preformed another attack," Saxon predicted. It was a lame guess, as he already knew the answer.
Vala pulled away from him, "Another attack?" Something struck her heart, and she realized it was fear. She wiped her forehead, and gulped. "I… I have to go, Saxon."
"What is it? Do you fear it was your family?" he asked cynically.
Vala drew her eyebrows together. Suspicously, she asked, "What are you talking about?"
Saxon reached out and grabbed her wrist. He pulled her closer, and held her up against him. He licked her cheek and hissed, "I can taste the fear on your skin." It was an odd gesture, and to say the least, it freaked Vala out. His voice was so empty and emotionless that she struggled against him. This wasn't the Saxon she said goodbye to last year, the Saxon she kissed and hugged… this was an animal; an emotionless beast of darkness and hopelessness. She pushed against him and he let her go. She sprinted several feet from him before glancing back. She said goodbye to everything he had ever given to her, and she broke into a run; hoping to never see him again. Saxon, however, only grinned in pleasure.
