My head is pounding when I wake. I can't see for the first few moments, but I can feel silken sheets around me. My vision clears, only to find myself in a gothic hotel-like room. I almost fall to the floor when I try to get up. My body feels like it literally has had a ton of bricks toppled on it. Eventually I make my way towards the door. Locked. I groan and look around. No windows either. I groan again. Then I spot my bag next to the bed. Oh well, at least it's some form of entertainment until someone comes to explain what is going on. I randomly flip through my notebooks, reading forgotten stories and poems, correcting errors in different places, and even writing new poetry. I don't know how long I'm there until I hear footsteps outside my door.
"Do you really think she has the horcrux?" A deep-voiced male asked.
"Positive. She was found being attacked by death eaters, and the last clue lead straight to her." Another male asked. He was lighter in voice. The last was the most mature, where the others sounded like adolescents.
"Now don't jump to conclusions just yet. We still have tests to run and questions to ask." I hear the lock turn and situate myself into more of a scholar's posture.
The door opened to reveal three men. Two are younger around my age. The other is in his mid-forties. The first teen is very tall, towering above the others. He has distinct red hair and sea blue eyes, freckles protruding about porcelain skin. The second is more athletically built. His hair is a dark brown, almost black, with captivating green eyes. The third reminds me of a wolf in a way. His hair is a dull orange color, grey streaks occasionally showing through. His face has a tired look to it, wrinkles from beyond his age showed from apparent stress.
I raise a brow at them. "Are you here to tell me where and why I am here?" I ask calmly. The older male nods and pulls up a chair next to me. He then extends a hand to me in a friendly manner. I keep my caution and do not return the gesture. He sighs and leans back.
"I am Remus Lupin; here behind me is Ron Weasely and Harry Potter." I nod.
"Joyce." I do not give my last name, still holding extreme caution.
He sighs again. "I suppose you'd wish to know why you are here with us." I nod
"That was the first thing I asked." He seems taken aback at my arrogance, but continues.
"You are at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. This is Mr. Potter's home and you are welcome to stay as long as you like." I could tell though the invitation was more of a statement. They weren't going to let me leave and I knew it. "We brought you here because two days ago you were attacked by two members of a terrorist group called Death Eaters, whom follow a man that is bent on total world domination. It seems that you have in your possession something of great value to both our groups." I raise a brow.
"And this object is?"
"Well, it's rather complicated, but we believe it's embedded in your body." Realization clicks and I stare at him in disbelief. How does anyone know about that. When I was little I had an MRI in my chest cavity. The reason I don't remember but what they found was odd. There was a ruby about the size of a ping pong ball embedded into the side of my heart. The doctors were absolutely baffled at how it got there, but one thing was for sure: The ruby's ejection from its' threshold would mean my death. That's how deep it was.
"The ruby?" The man Lupin looked at me in disbelief.
"How do you know?"
"They do MRI's on the heart." I reply. The man Lupin and the red-head boy look confused.
"What the hell's an Em-are-I?" I look at the red-head, I think he was called Ron, like he had grown a second head. Then I shook my head.
"Never mind. I just know it's there." I paused for a moment. "And you plan to do what with me?" They seem reluctant to answer and I wait patiently.
"Well, take it out and destroy it." My muscles tense up, for I wasn't going down without a fight.
"We won't hurt you of course." The raven boy replies quickly. "We can get it out safely, we just have to find the right spell." I stare at him blankly and they stare back.
"This may take a bit of explaining." Lupin begins and explains to me of this strange 'Wizarding' world filled with mythical creatures, spells, and a secret society. By the end I am pale and shaking.
"Ron," The raven boy began "go get her some tea and something to eat.
"So, I was hit with a curse that causes pain?" I ask when he finishes. Lupin nods. Then my mind goes to Aaron. "My friend, he was with me. What spell hit him?" There was a long pause.
"The killing curse." I don't remember much after that.