King and Queen: Stone and Snow
Author's Note: I wish to thank everyone that has reviewed so far. The year is important for timeline purposes for this story. I plan to have this story span over a year, so I think there are gonna be a lot of chapters. So without further ado here are my thanks to those people that reviewed my first chapter: Black's Pheonix, dsfjr1190, Makotochi, Darthme1011, Infusco Necrotis, Incendium, Urgazhi, Do you Know Emily Davinson, Lord Nexus, Ariat Girl, purebloodprince. Thank you all for reviewing.
Italics- character thoughts
Chapter 2: Cloudy Day
(August 29, 1997, Privet Drive #4, Harry's room, 6:00 AM)
Harry sat on the edge of his bed, his hands cradling his head. The thoughts of years past continued to stream through his mind, reminding him of the pain that he had been dealt in his short life. The death of parents that he would never have a chance to know, the death of his godfather, with whom he had only been acquainted with for a short time, and the death of a mentor, who he adored and hated.
It seems everyone I get close to, ends up dying on me. I can't seem to hold anything together. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but were unaccompanied by the usual sobs. Harry's body tensed and he stared into mirror, which cast off a reflection of a broken man, one whose life has been shattered. Those emerald eyes which once shone with mirth, now cast off a dull green, devoid of warmth, love, and life.
Staring into face of a stranger, Harry gave off a low, cold chuckle. Look at me. This is what happened because I decided to get close to people. Harry gave a sad smile and stood up, his arms dangling to his sides, unwilling to move in these wretched times.
Harry shuffled off to his dresser, which matched the rest of the furniture in his room with a marred surface and broken hinges, its state a mirror of Harry's soul. Willing his lifeless arms to move, he pulled out a gray shirt three sizes too large and a pair of jeans fifteen inches too big.
Harry's motions were slow, in no hurry to rush towards Diagon Alley to meet his friends. The wizarding world had brought pain to Harry, as much as it brought joy. It was an escape from his reality when he lived with the Dursley's, a world filled with enchantment and wonder. However, Harry had also gained a share of bad experiences in the same world. There he encountered the man, no monster, who wishes for his demise. In that world were the deaths that plagued his mind.
Ron and Hermione had agreed to come with him to Diagon Alley several days ago, but now that the day was upon him, Harry did not wish to go. Hermione would ask a ceaseless amount of questions to which he did not wish to answer. Ron would make the situation, both awkward and dreadful, with his comments, whatever they might be.
Doesn't matter now, I'm already up, might as well get moving.
Harry cast one more look into the mirror. A heavy sigh issued forth from his lips.
Today's not gonna be a good day. I can feel it.
With that thought in mind, Harry walked out of both room and house, walking towards a bus station to take him into London and into the wizarding world.
(A flat in downtown London, 8:50 AM)
Blaise had woken up from a dreamless sleep, a look of worry etched on her features. Blaise swung her feet over the bed, stepping onto the soft padding of her apartment and walked over to the windows. Her crimson orbs stared into the darkening sky, clouds covering what sunlight could be seen. A howling wind could be heard through the room, even though the window was sealed tight. Her gaze flickered over to the sprawling masses, ignorant of the impending war.
A low rumble was heard in the sky, clouds darkening further. Again, her attention was enraptured by the cloudy ceiling.
This is going to be a bad day. I should stay inside. Blaise sighed as she realized this wasn't an option for her today. She had to go in to Diagon Alley and see about purchasing some items of security for her home.
She ambled over towards the shower, turning it on once she stepped inside. The cold water washed over her body, clearing her mind, allowing her to think. It was a daily mantra of sorts, to awaken with a cold shower; she would feel rejuvenated, her mind would be sharp, ready for the day's trials.
She stepped out of the shower a few minutes later, wrapped up in a towel. After picking out her clothes for the day, a white blouse and a scarlet skirt that went past her knees, she sat down on her bed and began combing her raven tresses, all the while thinking of her future, or lack of one.
After this war is over, I'll go back to living like I should. If I survive that is. Blaise moved towards her clothing, looking at them for any tears before donning them. Blaise shuffled around her flat, looking for her wand. After locating it, she walked out the door an umbrella in hand to repel the rain that had begun to pour.
She walked past the strange faces, moving towards the Leaky Cauldron. About a block away from her destination, a bus pulled up next to her and in her haste to get towards Diagon Alley, she bumped into one of the passengers that had gotten off. Before she could fall, hands clamped around her waist and pulled her back to her feet.
Blaise stared into the eyes of her would be savior. She noted that his skin looked pale and that his hair was an utter mess, sticking out at odd ends. She saw heavy bags underneath his eyes, indicating a lack of sleep. Her gaze flickered over to his eyes, a lifeless green.
His eyes…they look dead.
(Harry's POV)
"Are you okay?" Harry removed his hands from her waist, noticing that it was quite supple. Harry looked her over and found her quite beautiful, but his mind was far from noticing it. It was her eyes that stuck him. She had the eyes that he had. Voldemort. No she doesn't. These aren't filled with malice.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you." She gave him a slight smile.
"You're welcome." Harry turned away and began to walk towards the Leaky Cauldron. In short time he noticed that the girl was following him.
"Excuse me, but are you following me?" Harry's had begun to narrow, suspecting a threat.
"No, I'm heading over to the Leaky Cauldron. You?" Harry picked up an amused tone in the girls voice.
"Same."
"Seeing as how we're going towards the same place and I haven't thanked you properly, want to share my umbrella? It is raining if you haven't noticed."
Harry gave her a bewildered look and turned his head to the sky, noticing that it was indeed raining.
"Yep, looks like its raining." He looked at the girl and saw that she was giggling. For some odd reason, Harry felt relaxed, the burdens of despair lightening.
"Muggle?" She asked Harry with jovial tone.
"No. Walk?" She nodded to his clipped question. Harry took hold of the umbrella, so she would not have to reach so high to cover them both. Their hands touched for the slightest moment, an inexplicable shock coursed through Harry's body. What the hell just happened? I touched her and then…ah, it was nothing.
Arriving at the door to the Leaky Cauldron, Harry twisted the knob and let his mystery girl pass through before he followed suite. Walking towards the brick wall, the girl pulled out her wand, tapping the solid bricks three times. Walking through, Harry handed the girl her umbrella.
"Thanks, for sharing your umbrella."
"Thanks, for stopping me from falling."
They looked at each other's eyes again, the action caused from when they touched hands, replaying through their heads.
"It was nice meeting you." Harry looked into her eyes one more time before walking away.
"Same here." Harry turned around at her reply and gave her a curt nod. Looking forward once more, Harry could see Hermione, Ron, and most of the Weasley clan. His heart, once again took on a saddened state, falling so soon after being so high.
(Blaise's POV)
Hmm…that was interesting. I never caught his name. Oh well, doesn't matter. It's not likely I'll be seeing him anytime soon.
Blaise began to walk towards a shop selling protective items, not knowing that she would be meeting him very soon.
(Narrative)
"Ron, look! It's Harry!" Hermione was practically jumping for joy. Having not heard from Harry caused a great deal of stress to the girl's heart, in worry from losing a friend.
Six heads of flaming red hair turned at her statement, looking towards where she was pointing. Sure enough, there he was the boy-who-lived. Friends, an old lover, and parental figures rushed over towards the boy. Upon seeing his face, their faces became crestfallen.
"Blimey, Harry…you look awful." Ron's jaw was open, surprise on his face as he looked at the figure of his friend. He saw Harry's head and he saw sadness in his friend's eyes.
The women of the party gasped and put hands to their mouths. It was those eyes. Those same eyes that held so much laughter in the years before had become quiet.
"Thanks, mate." Harry's tone was clipped and cold, rough and raw, void of happiness.
"Harry…what have they done to you?" Hermione was visibly shaking, her voice laced with concern.
"They didn't…do anything…terrible did they?" Molly Weasley, the only mother Harry had ever known, had tears in her eyes, dreading the answer.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." That same tone rolled off Harry's lips, frightening them.
"Well they must have done something…"
"Ron, Ginny, and Hermione have been sending letters…"
"All summer, with no reply. Surely…"
"That was their fault." Fred and George finished their ramblings, questions on their faces, pondering what the Dursley's could have done to Harry.
"No." Harry's voice had become slightly harsher, annoyed that they wouldn't stop asking questions.
"It's okay now, Harry. You're here with us." Arthur Weasley looked at Harry and begged to cry upon seeing the hollow look Harry was giving him.
"We'll take care of you Harry. I'll take care of you." Ginny launched herself at Harry and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Harry stood there, non-responsive; his arms lay at his sides, hands in his pockets; his lips like stone, unmovable.
(Harry's POV)
Harry's mood had worsened at his conversation progressed. Annoyed that they thought his condition was to blame on the Dursley's. Didn't they even think that I didn't want to talk to them?
When Ginny had latched herself onto him, Harry's patience grew thin. I had told her it wouldn't work and the first thing she does is kiss me! What the hell is she thinking?!
Harry felt Ginny let go and saw hurt in her eyes. He merely shook his head and looked at all of them in turn. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
"Are you sure you're okay, Harry?" Harry was about to explode on all them for their ignorance in not seeing that he hurt, but saw their faces, concern on every one of them. Harry quickly shut whatever response he had. They don't know how I feel. What else did I expect?
Harry began to nod his head, but stopped. His eyes widened slightly when he saw a black cowl disappearing into an alley. His eyes frantically began scanning the area, looking for more. His eyes looked towards the far end of the street, seeing the familiar black cloak. There's another one. Are they anymore?
"Harry what's wrong?" Harry barely acknowledged that Mr. Weasley was asking him something, so busy in his search, everything else was shut out.
Harry looked towards the roofs and saw a dozen more death eaters, in addition to the twenty he had found on the streets.
"Mr. Weasley. Get as many Order members as you can and evacuate as many people as possible. We have little time."
"What is it Harry? What's the matter?" Harry looked over at Hermione, seeing worry in her eyes.
"Death Eaters."
Author's Notes: Cliffhanger! Before you people start bashing me for Harry's OOC, it is very important to note that Harry is extremely depressed and angry. Depressed with all that's happened in his life and angry because everyone keeps coddling him like a child. I'm sure you noticed that I used the POV in this chapter. It will only come up when I'm dealing with multiple characters that are in the same scene. If you had trouble following it, let me know because I'm having a battle in the next chapter and I'm considering doing the POV thing again.
Also, I know my grammar is horrible, (I never paid attention in that part of class) so if anyone would want to beta this, you would be a lifesaver. Just say so in your review. I wish it would be someone from the age of 16 or 17 and up because the next few chapters are going to be very graphic in terms of the battle.
With that said, I thank you for reading my story. Press the lower-left button!!