Zach followed behind the young woman completely stunned, not paying any attention to his surroundings until "finally you're here" snarled Alastor moody when the man he was seeking walked into his office followed closely by his new Assistant.
"keep your pants on moody, poor miss bones had to bowl me over to stop be escaping" Zach laughed with a wink at the young woman.
The smile she shot Zach's way had moody narrowing his eyes in suspicion "CONSTANT VIGILANCE" he barked, making his two colleagues jump, with a satisfied nod at scaring the two Alastor sank down in his comfortable brown leather office chair with a grunt.
"I need a favor White" growled moody
"let me guess, you want me to call?" the youngster stated sarcastically one eyebrow rising in question
"if you would White, Chambers was supposed to do it but sent me an owl before the end of your shift, saying you'd cover for him" moody finished laughing, the look on the young Aurora's face was priceless and Alastor knew had never agreed to it with his partner.
"so that's why he ran for it" Zach sighed "I should have known, Alastor I'm tired, but I'm sure I'll manage it" the Auroraconcluded nodding his head stiffly
"we'll pump you with coffee if need be White, were short staffed tonight" Alastor admitted with a sigh.
Just as Zach opened his mouth to reply he heard raised voice's from the hallway outside "what's in merlins name?..." Zach wondered out loud, quickly following Alastor example Zach and the young witch withdrew their wand's pointing them towards the door moments before it burst open, revealing a rather disheveled old lady her robe's were white and wrinkled and rather tasty looking her hair escaping from the tight bun it had been previously secured in, a
team of areas surrounding her wand's pointed to every spot on her body, but the old woman paid no mind to the men and women surrounding her, her eye's grew wide as she looked at Zach and she took a hurried step forwards gesturing her hands frantically at him.
"Cassandra Trelawney?" Moody asked in wonder she was a female seer and rightly so all of her prophecies to date had been correct much to the wizarding world's surprise.
Cassandra, however paid no attention to mood and continued forward towards Zach, whose eyes were widened in surprise, had already lowered his wand, knowing the woman was harmless, he let out a sharp gasp as the old woman grabbed on to his forearm Fiercely with more straight than Zach would ever think she had, her eyes were staring blankly into Zach's, clouded and unseeing Zach knew what was going to happen before it did the sinking feeling of dread weighing on him.
Cassandra began to speak in a voice that did not belong to her...
"The one with the power to vanquish the Darkness approaches...
born as the tenth month rises...
she will have power the world knows not...
the darkness must die at her hand...
for neither can live while the other survives..."
On the last word Cassandra collapsed in a heap, Aurora's came rushing in to aid promptly getting the woman on to a stretcher and whisking her out of the room, leaving Zach, Moody and Miss Bones rooted to the spot absolutely stunned at what just happened.
"what in Merlin's name was that about?" Zach gawked open-mouthed at Moody
"not the foggiest... but I know someone who might give us an idea... hang on" Alastor grumbled rummaging through his pockets for some flea powder, he threw it into the fire-place sighed and stuck his head into the green flames
"Albus can I ask you to my office immediately, please" moody asked, withdrawing from the fire before Albus could reply.
"Good evening everyone" Dumbledore said humbly as he stepped out of the fire, his blue eyes sparkling over his half-moon spectacles "did I hear the word prophecy just as I stepped out of the fire or do my ears deceive me?" "Cassandra Trelawney practically kicked down " Alastor said angrily "why did she grab Zach like that?" Amelia asked bluntly to the room at large "good question miss Bones, any idea Albus?" moody asked all three areas turning to look at Dumbledore for answers
"what was the prophecy if you don't mind me asking" Dumbledore inquired looking pointedly at Zach.
Zach blanched, he couldn't really remember every word the woman had told him and judging by the look on Alastor's face, he wasn't the only one, thankfully Amelia stepped in and quoted Cassandra word for word much to Zach's Relief at least one of them had listened properly
"vanquish the darkness... vanquish the darkness" Albus mumbled to himself starting to pace the others let Albus continue to brainstorm for a few minutes until Zach cleared his throat to gain the man's attention
"the erm prophecy wasn't for me was it?" Zach asked in a calm voice even though he was anything but calm, in truth Zach had never given much thought to prophecy's and divination it was never something he'd been interested in so tended to ignore the subject.
Albus stared at Zach intently "no I don't think the prophecy was about you, however, if Cassandra she went to the trouble to get here I can only assume the prophecy was for you"
Zach shook his head in confusion "but none of the prophecy makes sense or applies to me in any way" his determination and denial in every word
"unfortunately" soothed Albus "prophecy's tend not to make sense until everything suddenly clicks together piece by piece, the she in question may yet not even exist and may not for centuries, surely someone so strong would be known to us if they were already here" Albus frowned at his own words "Merlin, prophecy's give me such headache's" the Professor sighed conjuring himself an armchair to sit down
"well I recon until we can figure out any clue's I say business as usual, are we agreed White?" Moody cut in before Zach could ask the Professor any more questions, Zach glanced at Albus who was rubbing his temple's an intense frown on his face as he started in the fire.
"I still have a lot more question's" Zach replied letting his irritation show
"I am aware you have many questions as do I,but all I could offer you is my guess'" Dumbledore spoke tiredly still massaging his temples
"if your willing to share them ill be happy to listen" Zach replied in a neutral tone
Dumbledore let out a soft sigh it was clear he didn't wish to pursue the subject right then he would rather had slept on it and come up with idea's with a clearer mind and lighter heart but one look at Zach's eye's Albus knew he had to tell the man what he suspected.
"there are many path's a prophecy can lead down,perhaps she is a person who does not yet exist like I said before" Albus closed his eyes momentarily knowing his next guess would cause the young aurora unease "perhaps she is someone significant in your future, a wife,or a daughter or some relative of any kind"
Zach's heart began to beat quickly as the realization hit him "ill...ill know this person then,one way or another?" his eyes begged Dumbledore to tell him this wasn't happening
"im almost certain yes" Albus nodded gravely "Cassandra came all this way and went to all this trouble to tell you,which lead's me to believe that in some way you and this person's fate's are intertwined"
Zach nodded in acknowledgement but cast his eye's down hoping to hide the silent tear that had escaped 'she's doomed from the start,i cant risk having a child and handing her this fate' the realization hit him slowly and it was much more painful than he ever thought it would be
"anything else Albus?" Moody asked in his attempt to divert the attention away from Zach even momentarily,which Zach was extremely grateful for
Albus sighed ignoring Moody's attempt to distract him "Zach you must understand if we assume the prophecy is correct this meeting will be inevitable,when she is discovered the ministry must not under any circumstances learn of her existence,even if it's in 50 years time,they will only view her as a threat and seek to destroy her" Albus concluded wearily
Zach suddenly felt like his heart had been ripped open and stamped on,the overwhelming feeling to protect this unknown person taking over every sense "if they so much as touch a single hair on her head i will destroy them" he spat out
Amelia let out a gasp of shock at the conviction behind his words and Alastor's eyes widened momentarily.
"spoken like a true Gryffindor" Albus smiled proudly.
After saying goodbye to Albus,Zach and Amelia walked down the hall together heading to the staff fire places to floo home,Zach noticed Amelia kept throwing him significant glances as they walked but didn't attempt to start a conversation with her Albus had given him a lot to think about this evening, they came to a halt at the fireplaces and Zach started rummaging in his coat pocket's for his pot of floo powder, while finally extracting the pot and unscrewing the lid he glanced sideways at Amelia noticing she was staring at him with a fierce look in her eyes
"you need some powder?" he asked offering her the pot
"yes actually" she replied the tell-tale blush returning,which made Zach smile a little "but that's not why I've thrown you hints the past few minutes" she told him calmly taking the pot from his hand.
"oh" was all he managed to get out,it was obvious that she wanted to talk about what had happened in the office "i don't think it's a good idea to discuss anything here Amelia" he told her watching her brow furrow a little "would you like to come back to the manor with me for a cup of tea?" he offered half hoping she'd say no so he could try to get some sleep.
"id love to" she replied in a heart beat.
Zach's smile was strained and he knew it,he took the powder back from Amelia popping the lid back on "ill appreciate us there if you have no objections?" he asked raising his eyebrows and offering his arm,Amelia gulped slightly but nodded and stepped forward to place her arm through his and held on tight.
A split second later they were standing at Zach's garden gate,Amelia looked around in surprise, it was just a normalmuggle street, the house in front of her was handsome painted white with big double windows the frames painted black though the door Zach had led her to was painted a bright sunshine yellow which amused her a great deal,the tiny garden was made up of mostly pebbles but a beautiful rose-bush bloomed right in the center,Amelia stepped forward using the street lamps to see properly and let out a giggle when she saw the roses were yellow,almost as yellow as the door.
She heard a soft chuckle directly behind her and turned to see Zach standing close by watching her
"they're beautiful" she beamed at him,but again the tell-tale blush gave away her embarrassment Amelia was suddenly very happy it was dark so he couldn't see it.
"thank you,watch out though the house elf might cry with joy if you tell her that" he replied shooting Amelia a mischievous grin "come on then we'll catch our death out here"he told her a minute later he grabbing her hand to lead her to the door.
Amelia's smile grew even wider when she entered the house the hall was painted a soft teal color and the carpets were white as snow,everything gleamed and shone 'its all so clean' she thought looking around in awe even the portraits inhabitants were cleaner than the day they were painted
"this is ineradicable" she said out load prompting a genuine laugh from Zach
"the house elf's work hard" he told her not wanting any credit himself
"you have more than one elf?" she asked raising her eyebrows in surprise
"yes i have three,Dilly and Dax and their son Dobby" he told her love pouring out at each of their names.
"Master Zach you is late" a high pitch voice said sternly as a tiny female house elf came dashing down the stairs,hair rollers jumping around in danger of falling out.
"yes i know Dilly im terribly sorry I got held up at work,and im on call tonight too" he told her grumpily
"that mister moody is a bad boss,overworking my master" the elf stated in clear disgust hands on her tiny hips,
Amelia couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips at the elf's words, she'd never met such a bold,fearless house elf 'this is one remarkable elf' she thought while smiling fondly at Dilly whose eyes grew to the size of saucers looking at Amelia,making her laugh even more even Zach had joined seeing the utterly gob smacked expression on the tiny elf's face.
" a guest!" the tiny elf hopped on the spot in absolute joy
"yes Dilly this is Miss Amelia Bones,she's working with me tonight I thought we'd earned one of your wonderful latte's " he hinted at tiny elf with a smirk
"Amelia this is Dilly,best house elf in the world" he was looking at Amelia like he was waiting for something important to happen,'the elf is clearly very dear to him' Amelia released.
Amelia got down on her knee's so she was more on Milly's level "its lovely to meet you Miss Dilly,I hope you don't mind me stopping by" she told the elf smiling as she extended her hand to the elf.
Amelia didn't think the elf's eyes could have grown any larger but she was wrong Dilly stared at the witch in absolute adoration
"I is pleased to meet you miss Amelia" the elf almost whispered extending her hand to shake Amelia's. "I is making you coffee's now,how do you like yours miss Amelia?"
"creamy with lots of sugar please Milly" Amelia said raising to her feet still beaming at the elf
Zach roared with laughter as he watched his tiny elf walk down the hallway towards the kitchen glancing over her shoulder constantly so she could shoot smiles at Amelia from different angle's.
"she's just lovely" Amelia told him as the elf walked into the kitchen shooting Amelia another smile
"thank you Amelia...i think Dilly really needed that" Zach told her with tears in his eyes he strode towards the witch and gathered Amelia up in his arms for a tight hug.
'Merlin help me im a goner" Amelia thought as his aftershave filled her nose hugging herself to his broad chest a little tighter.
They'd moved to the living room for their coffee's,neither had said much since the hug in the hallway but it was a comfortable silence as they both sat on the sofa's staring at the fireplace contently
"ill keep your secret Zach" Amelia whispered still staring at the fire
Zach panicked for a moment before he realized what Amelia ment
"thank you Amelia,I cant tell you how much i appreciate that" he told her reaching for her hand,they sat like that for a while just happy to be near each other until again Amelia couldn't help but break the silence
"I'd like to help...to be apart of it" she looked up finally meeting his gaze
his grey eyes studied her deep blue for a few minutes but Zach knew she was being genuine
"i wont drag you into this mess Amelia you're a bright witch going places i wont let myself burden you,and the girl when ifind her" Zach finished feeling a pain in his heart he'd not had for a while,he knew he could happily date Amelia,she was definitely everything he'd ever dreamed of, but the prophecy would never go away,what if he was supposed to take this other woman as his wife
"don't give me that shit Zach" Amelia snapped startling Zach out of his internal pity party "like you said im a bright witch and I can make decision's for myself" she nodded like trying to convince herself of her words,Zach sighed he knew Amelia was right she was in no way a damsel in distress she was fully capable in making her own decision's
"i'll hate myself if I hurt you" he told her quietly,so quiet in fact she almost missed his words.
"try" she told him sternly "please lets just try,i don't think ill forgive either of us if we don't at least try,this" she gestured between the two of them "feels so right in so many ways so please Zach just try"
he didn't need convincing any further he lunged at Amelia scooping her up and sitting her on his lap, she let out a burst of giggles that made his insides feel like jelly
"its a date then" he whispered in her ear
'oh screw it' Amelia thought exasperated as she brought her face slowly up to his lips,their lips brushed softly and Amelia's breath caught in her throat when suddenly
"oi lovebirds"
