~Three
Ariana
"Describe the sword," Harry said quickly, looking excited.
"It was very big; it had red stones in it…" I trailed off as Harry smiled a real grin.
"That's it! That's the sword of Godric Gryffindor! Did you see where it was?" He pressed as Hermione reached into the tiny beaded bag and pulled out a book. I shook my head, and his face filled with disappointment.
"Do you have any idea where Albus might have left it? His biography gives nothing away," she said, dropping her book. Glancing over, I saw his eyes. I slowly walked over and picked it up, examining the face on the cover. I could tell it was Albus right away. His eyes were as happy as ever, his nose still crooked from when Aberforth tried to curse him, his short blond hair replaced by long white hair, and a full beard, something I had never seen him with before. I stared at his face for several seconds, trying to realize that he had actually aged and died, while I lay dormant in the ground. I glanced at the rest of the book and frowned at the title.
"The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore?" I read the title angrily. How could someone talk about Albus like that?
"That biography is by the most horrid woman you will ever meet, Rita Skeeter, it's a bunch of lies—" I ignored Hermione and flipped it open, furiously looking through the table of contents, my anger growing as I read the name of each chapter. I turned to the page she had dog-eared and Hermione paled, twitching as if she was going to stand, but she didn't. I read the page, shaking in anger, and then froze as I read the last paragraph.
And how did the mysterious Ariana die? Was she the inadvertent victim of some Dark rite? Did she stumble across something she ought not to have done, as the two young men sat practicing for their attempt at glory and domination? Is it possible that Ariana Dumbledore was the first person to die 'for the greater good'?
"Ariana, it's rubbish, it's not at all legit," Hermione started frantically, anxiously, watching me. My whole body was almost vibrating with the magic, at any time it would release…
"How…dare she." I whispered, the book making a creaking noise as my hands tightened their grip on the terrible biography of my eldest brother, one, I realized, I didn't even know. "How dare she even think that he would kill his own sister, much less write it in his biography?!" I dropped the book, my anger fading, replaced by sadness, making me feel weak. I collapsed back on the chair, fighting back the magic, tears flowing down my face. No one moved. I picked up the book again, turning slowly back to the page, then to the beginning of the chapter.
"Don't, Ariana. It's not worth it." Hermione said quietly, sounding distressed.
"I want to know who he was." I said firmly, not even listening to her anymore as I read. Ice seemed to replace the magic in my veins as I read Albus's letter, realizing at once that he had lied to me. It's just a big joke, Ariana, I don't take it seriously. Neither does Gellert. Relax. I could hear his words in my head as clear as a bell. But he had changed, according to Hermione and Harry. He had become a fierce fighter against the Dark Arts. And yet, as s teenager, he had been obsessed with it. Obsessed with showing Muggles where they belonged, and the Deathly Hallows, that's all he cared about.
By the time I finally closed the book after only reading a few pages, I heard the howling of a storm around the tent, and Hermione had fallen asleep. Harry looked exhausted, turning the Horcrux around in his hand. For the first time, I also found myself to be shivering in the cold air of the tent. I stood, hating the funeral gown I was currently wearing, with its high stiff collar and bell sleeves, and dropped the book on the chair, making Harry look up.
"In the time I knew Dumbledore, he showed nothing but kindness to me. That book is full of lies." He said quietly, setting the Horcrux down. I couldn't believe him, he didn't sound sure.
"Lies he told. I grew up with Albus, just by reading a page of that book, I discovered a lie. How many lies could he have told the world?" I asked rhetorically, picking up my wand with a sigh. "Albus always told just enough lies to keep him out of trouble with my mother, but she deserved it, that's all she taught him. Just lies and deceit." I laughed faintly at the memories and waved my wand, cleaning up the mess of the teacup I destroyed. Then I just stared at the floor, trying to force my tired brain to think clearly.
"Why do you think he left hunting the Horcruxes for me to do?" Harry asked randomly, almost desperately, and I looked up. He had a bit of desperation to his face; like he wanted an answer he thought didn't exist.
"Albus always had a plan, and even if we didn't understand it, it always worked out in the end." I said softly, transfiguring my dress into a tight fitting jacket, and pants similar to Hermione's. Then I changed my high-heeled shoes to the last pair of sneakers I had seen, Albus's, as he came up the stairs. I looked back up to see Harry looking unconvinced. "From what I've heard, you are destined to kill Voldemort. Starting with the Horcruxes will get the job done. Like you said, it's the only way." Hermione stirred, than sat upright, shivering.
"Is it me, or is it colder?" She asked, getting up and peeking outside the tent. I could have sworn I saw something move, but I wasn't sure. Snow was blowing around fiercely, making the tent shake lightly from the howling winds.
"It has gotten colder. We should move to get more shelter." Hermione yawned, and then went around the tent, shoving things into the tiny beaded bag. When they were ready, we Apparated to a dark forest. Hermione started casting protective spells as I set up the tent with my wand. I saw Harry's look of almost envy, and paused.
"Here." I said, holding it out to him. He blinked. "Take it. I was taught all the spells I know by my mother, you went to school. It makes more sense for you to use it, you're certainly more qualified." I said, and he slowly took it, and then looked surprised.
"What is this wand made of?" He asked, examining it.
"Holly and phoenix feather, 14 inches. It was the closest to my original wand, which was pretty much the same thing, but longer. Why?" I asked as Hermione came over.
"Holly and phoenix feather?" Harry asked faintly, and I looked at Hermione, who looked at me, then my wand, starting to smile.
"Yes…is something wrong?" I asked, starting to get worried as Harry started to laugh. He sounded incredibly relieved as he continued to examine my wand.
"Harry's wand was holly and phoenix feather too, but 11 inches, and a different phoenix obviously." Hermione said, "But since your wands are so similar, it will work better for him than mine will." Harry looked thrilled as he pointed the wand at Hermione.
"Expelliarmus!" He said enthusiastically, and Hermione's wand soared out of her hand and Harry caught it, but then threw it back.
"Good. Hold onto it." I said firmly, and then went into the tent, starting to shiver in the cold air. Wishing faintly that I had more clothing, I plopped back into the chair. Hermione and Harry followed, both looking pleased. Harry volunteered for first watch, and Hermione went immediately to bed, but I found I couldn't sleep, despite my tiredness. I sat down with my brother's biography, trying to learn more about him. I had read five chapters when I heard Harry call, "No, come back!" I peeked out of the tent flap, and saw Harry following a silver shape into the woods.
"Harry?" I called, running after, afraid of losing the light and him in the woods, and getting lost in their black depths without a wand. After a few minutes, I caught up. Harry was in a tiny little clearing, wand raised, looking around by its light. The silver light had vanished, leaving the clearing darker.
"Harry?" I called, stepping into the light to avoid being attacked. He flinched, but as I stepped closer, he relaxed. "What was that?" I asked, coming to stand next to him, but stopping as I saw a pool at the far end of the tiny clearing, making my heart stop as Harry said something about a silver doe. He caught my gaze and after a slight hesitation, bounded forward. I forced myself to follow, and from my wand's light, a silver cross was visible at the bottom of the pool.
"Ariana…this is it!" Harry said excitedly, almost breathlessly, after trying to summon the sword.
"Harry, are you crazy?" I said as he passed me the wand and took off one of his sweaters, then another, starting to shiver. "Did you not hear me when I said that you would nearly drown in this pool?" I raised my voice as he took off another sweater, dropping it at the edge. I seized his wrist before he could take off his final sweater. "Harry, my visions aren't always accurate. What if your friend doesn't show?"
"Ariana, that sword will destroy this Horcrux!" He pulled out the Horcrux from under his sweater with his free hand, and it shimmered in the light of the wand. "No matter what, we have to get it out, and this is the only way." He pulled free and took off his sweater, starting to shiver more violently in just his t-shirt.
"Can't you wait? I'll get Hermione, someone with another wand, someone who can get you out of the pool if the red-haired wonder doesn't show. Do you honestly think I can pull you and a giant sword out of the pool, even with magic?" Harry wasn't listening; he was taking off his shoes, then his socks.
"The 'red-haired wonder' is my best mate, he'll show." He said calmly, undoing his pants.
"You're willing to trust your life to the visions of a crazy woman?" I snapped as he pulled them off. He threw me a withering look as he dropped the jeans onto the pile.
"You're a Seer." He stated the obvious, taking off the pouch around his neck, then looked at the pool. I rolled my eyes.
"That doesn't mean I'm always right. Will you at least take off the thing that's supposed to-hey!" I said angrily as he snatched my wand back, and split the ice. "Harry," I fumbled with my wand as he nearly threw it back, "take off the Horcrux! Harry!" I shouted as he jumped in, cold water soaking me. "Damn it!" I cursed angrily, and then jumped in surprise as a red-head ran out of the woods. He must have heard me shouting.
"Go get him before he drowns!" I snapped, pointing to the pool. The red-head came closer, wand pointed at me, looking unsure. "He will drown if you don't pull him out, now go!" I cried and he peeked into the pool, swore, and then dove in. Nervously, I knelt at the edge, and then backed up quickly when the red-head dropped Harry at the edge of the pool, Horcrux in one hand, the sword in the other.
"Are—you—mental?" The red-head spluttered to Harry, wiping his hair off his face. I waved my wand and conjured two towels, and threw one at the red-head, making him start in surprise. I walked toward Harry and threw the towel at him.
"I told you that you would drown, but did you listen? No! Even though I told you that I wouldn't be able to pull you out, even with magic I wouldn't be able to! Do you have a death wish?" I rebuked him, waving my wand with a shaking hand and hot air came from the tip, drying him off.
"Who is she?" The red-head asked, drying off his face, starting to shiver.
"Long story," Harry said finally through chattering teeth, reaching for his clothes.
"Then why the hell didn't you take this off before you dived, like she said?" He asked, shaking the Horcrux in his hand as Harry dressed, and I lowered my wand as he stood.
"I- wait, it was you after all?" He said, looking at the red haired boy like he was a saint.
"I'm the one who's wet, aren't I?" He said, but Harry shook his head.
"You cast the doe?"
"What? Of course not! I thought that was you!" Satisfied that neither of them were going to die today, I turned to go.
"Wait; hold on, Ariana, where are you going?" Harry called.
"If I can trust you not to be suicidal again, I thought it would be good for Hermione to be here." I said, turning and seeing Harry smile sheepishly, while his friend turned a shade of red to match his hair. I turned and almost ran back to the tent, not wanting to be alone in the woods at night. Hermione was asleep, and I almost felt bad waking her up, she looked exhausted.
"Hermione, Harry found the pool with the sword, and his friend Ron showed up," I said once she was up and dressed. Hermione shrieked, dropping her wand.
"What? Is Harry alright, is Ron still there? Is that why you're wet?" She asked, snatching up her wand again, grabbing my wrist and dragging me out of the tent. The night had gotten darker, if that was possible, and snow had started to fall once more. "Where are they? Is it far?"
"Look, they're fine." I pointed to the light coming through the trees, and after a moment, their voices reached us before they did. The man named Ron and Harry were just emerging from the trees, sword and Horcrux with them. When they looked up, Ron stopped, and so did Harry. Hermione walked slowly over, almost like a zombie, and stopped in front of Ron, and it was only then I understood that Hermione loved him; she started punching every inch of him she could reach.