Albus Potter
And the
Secret of the
Howling Mountain
Written by: June Gilbert
Chapter Three: Gifts and Bad Planning
I saw Vivian running from the graphorn. Didn't she have a plan before this?! It soon became apparent that whatever the plan was, it wasn't working with the big bull thing chasing her, both purple bull creature and girl pounding over the rocky scrubby ground. I KNEW this was a bad idea! Especially if it gets Vivian killed... I scolded myself not to think like that. It was a worse idea to do that. Think POSITIVE.
I yelled, "We gotta help her Rose!"
"How the bloody hell do you expect me-us- to do that?! We haven't even learned proper spells yet!"
"I don't know, distract it? You could use a spell, you're always studying them-"
"UGH! You idiot…. I'm not THAT good yet!"
"You bragged enough this summer to make me think you were! Liar!"
Nick, apparently ignoring our bickering, dashed over to a boulder about twelve feet from where the graphorn was plowing after Vivian. Watching him wrap his arms as far as they could go around it, I couldn't help but wonder What the heck does he think he's doing?
I was gobsmacked a moment later when Nick lifted the boulder that was at least twice his size and had to be way more than twice his weight. I was even more gobsmacked when Nick threw said boulder a moment later towards the graphorn. The rock slammed into the side of the graphorn's head, right on target. The bull like creature bellowed angrily, turning its piggy black eyes toward Nick. It looked mad enough to charge, and charge it did. I ran across to my friend, and in a fit of pique I yelled the first spell that came to mind.
"Stupefy!"
I was confused when the stunner actually zinged out of my wand. Bad news, it bounced right off the graphorn's hide, the creature roaring in pain as the stunner bounced onto a rock. The rock promptly cracked in two. I was amazed and proud- if kind of dizzy and weak feeling. But there was still the matter of the humongous beast charging at us.
"Idiot! Dodge it!"
Rose's frightened screaming was very dratted distracting. I wanted to help her, I did. I tried to move, but my legs seemed to be glued in place. My heart was thudding in my ears to the time of the graphorn's hooves slamming on the ground. It was getting closer…
closer…Close!
Too close!
In the nick of time Nick yanked me out of the way, saving my hide as the graphorn plowed into the other side of the bottle neck of mountains the train had stopped in. That was when we heard the music.
Eerily beautiful, the ethereal lullaby played on a flute drifted through the chill September air. Somehow, even over the frightened screaming of the other people around us, running to hide from the graphorn, the deceptively soft notes could be heard. Soon, the screams and even the faint sounds of nature ceased as everything within range was caught up in the spell of the song. Who on earth could be playing such a melody? I thought.
I soon got my answer as I turned my head to see Vivian. Her eyes glowed faintly, like shimmering pieces of jet. Vivian was playing an expensive looking flute with a look of rapt concentration on her features. I started to feel my limbs grow heavy as the melody progressed. Staggering, I foggily wondered how in the world she was doing this…This is no magic I've ever heard of. Or heard before….
Everything began to spin as she reached what I think was the end of the melody. With a bump, everything abruptly stopped spinning as I passed out.
Vivian's POV
Both Nick and Albus had to be fearless.
Or very stupid to be doing what they were doing...
Which involved shooting a spell that zinged off the graphorn's thick purple hide and ended up cracking a rock and throwing impossibly huge things at the graphorn. I didn't even know anyone COULD do spells until he'd been taught at Hogwarts. Rose was hiding behind Albus, much to his annoyance.
Bloody hell. Not the time to be thinking about that, I reminded myself. I put my flute to my lips and blew. My feet were planted strongly on the rocky ground, braced between two triangular gray rocks.
A haunting lullaby blossomed from my flute. Yes, this time my sometimes misfiring magic would work. It has to! The graphorn looked sleepy and dazed as it tried to turn and face me. The big purple beast wouldn't be charging any time soon.
The lullaby drifted to a familiar pattern, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Swaying slightly, I watched as the big beast staggered woozily on the rocky ground. Beginning "The Skye Boat Song", I watched as the graphorn's legs came out from under it.
With a small groan of relief, I ceased playing as I finished up. Blinking to clear my somewhat foggy head, I came to realizing everyone within hearing range had fallen asleep. Albus was curled up on the grass, Rose was flopped in a heap and Nick… Well, Nick was lying out flat as a board. I smiled faintly. These people are so odd…. Well, so am I. I should fit right in….
Wincing slightly, I ignored the pain building in all parts of me and knelt next to Albus. He looked peaceful asleep, but I knew he needed to be awake before the graphorn woke up again. I didn't know how long my sleep-songs would last. I gently started to shake Albus. Sighing in embarrassment as I saw a drip of crimson on Albus' cheek, I carefully wiped it off then continued to shake him. Albus' green eyes fluttered open moments later. My cheeks heated slightly as I realized I had pulled Albus into my lap while trying to wake him up. He sat up slowly, wincing.
"What happened?"
"I happened. I'll explain later, shouldn't we get away from the graphorn while we can?"
"R-right. I still can't believe the thing's asleep..."
Adult wizards in cloaks, appearing out of nowhere, were putting the train to rights. Cracked windows fixed, train cars were put right side up, sobbing and confused students were being soothed and herded back into the train cars as they repaired themselves. I was relieved to discover while watching that nobody had suffered more than a lot of bruises and some scratches. Good. My bad luck hasn't done anyone in yet…. And I hope it never does.
"Vivian? Vivian are you okay?"
I blinked, cheeks heating strangely as Albus waved a hand in front of my face.
I swatted the hand. He grinned sheepishly, and I noticed he had a few bruises on his neck and face, probably from falling down almost face first. Those bright green eyes drew me again, though. I couldn't help but stare as that funny feeling flooded me again. That feeling of déjà vu and safety at once as I looked into his eyes. He blinked, destroying the spell. Al grinned; it turned out to be infectious because I couldn't help grinning as well. Then Al pumped a fist in the air, full out beaming with excitement.
"We did it! We took down a graphorn!"
I was really confused when he pounced, hugging me tightly. His enthusiasm was contagious, though. I began to smile as the bleeding on my lip stopped. We defeated a graphorn! I was dizzied quickly by the realization. Also maybe the fact that I had used a bunch of my power. I moaned a little; I couldn't help it. Getting a little woozy, I felt myself lean on him more than I should have.
"Vivian?"
"I'm getting really dizzy… Let me go and check on the others."
He let me go so quickly it was embarrassing. I sat down hard, barely aware as he moved to check on Nick and Rose. Panting softly, I grabbed the sides of my head and tried to keep calm. No use getting dizzy and all upset. I know I'm feeling weird around him but it's probably because he's a new freind. That's weird enough for me. I collected myself and stood once more. Padding over the scrubby grass, I walked over to Albus, stopping a few feet from him. Al had knelt near Rose, and was trying to shake her awake. His face creased in concern when he couldn't wake her up. Racking my mind for an idea to make him stop frowning and for Rose to wake up, I hit upon an idea.
"Try a word to wake her up."
"Like scaring her awake?"
"Precisely."
"Uummm..."
I sighed, "You're stuck aren't you?"
"No I'm not!"
"Bloody hell," I groused, "Play on her fears Albus! What scares Rose most?"
Albus thought a minute, scowling in concentration. Then he leaned over Rose, and whispered something that made her abruptly sit bolt upright with a yowl. I looked away with a wince as they smacked heads together. Albus had been knocked backwards and was mumbling a few colorful words while holding his head. Oooo, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now...
Albus' POV
With a groan, I finally lifted my head from my hands. I happened to glance at Vivian, which was when I noticed the blood that had dribbled out the corner of her mouth and stained her chin.
"Bloody Hell Vivian! That's what you call okay?!"
Before I really knew what I was doing, I was standing up again and nearly fell over. Apparently hitting your head makes you pretty dizzy. A small form was immediately under mine, bracing me until I could get my bearings. As I stood on my own shakily, I noticed Vivian's hair was unbound and covered her bloody chin from view to the side. I got in front of her, worried and wondering what the heck to do. Vivian, on the other hand, just seemed half bemused, half amused to see me flustered.
"You face down a graphorn and then get all flustered over a bit of blood? I'll be fine Albus. It's just part of what I do," Vivian said, cocking her head a bit. She looked sort of like a raven with her head like that, glossy ink black hair standing in for feathers and coal black eyes reminding me of the curious bird.
"What in the good green Earth was that?"
Vivian answered Rose easily, "I call it my gift. I think it's been my magic all along, but I figured out how to use it pretty early on."
Rose was practically bug-eyed trying to figure the implications of this out. Vivian smirked ever so slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear. At least, as much of her bangs that would stay put behind her ear. She huffed irritatedly when more hair fell into her face. I smiled a little, still worried about the blood on her chin. Then I remembered Nick.
"Oi, what's going on?"
"Nick! You're okay," Vivian said, relief in her tone. I grinned, pounding the blonde's back.
"You scared us for a minute."
"I said what's going on?"
Vivian easily took charge, saying, "We'll explain everything soon. We just have to get out of here. I have no idea how long my sleep-song will last."
Rose stood on wobbly legs, and Nick stood as well. He seemed to regain his balance quicker than my cousin and I. Vivian was looking paler every minute, but she remained resolutely on her feet. I led the way as we headed back towards the train and the relative safety of the adult wizards suddenly swarming the area. Threading my way through the thinning crowds, I was surprised to receive a few dirty looks from the adult wizards. I then heard a soft growl from somewhere behind me, and abruptly the focus of the gazes switched. I glanced back and saw Vivian glaring at each adult wizard in turn.
Every one of them turned their heads away. This left a rather satisfied smirk on Vivian's still-stained lips. It looked eerie...
Trying not to worry about it, I headed towards the train. Faintly, I heard whispers on the way to the train.
"Severus..."
"...the old Snake come back to life..."
"... Slytherin for sure..."
I had no idea who they were taking about, so I ignored it and moved on. With Vivian and Rose trailing behind me and Nick in front of me, we headed to the train and got all the way to the door when Nick suddely stepped aside, a confused look on his face. That was where I was nearly bowled over by a taller, stronger body.
"Ooof!"
"Albus you bloody idiot! You could have gotten killed!"
James was hugging me tightly and scolding me roundly as the rest of my family members on the train clumped around me. Tall, beautiful Victoire was standing aside a little, looking relieved. Dominique noticeably exhaled in relief, even though she didn't look outright relieved like her sister. Lucy and Fred were hugging each other, and Molly was grinning over at me like an idiot. Apparently James had dragged the whole clan that went to Hogwarts along with him, because a couple minutes later and everyone was piling in on the hug, slapping my back and alternately congratulating and scolding me. Rose got dragged into the hug fest too, because I could hear her protesting vehemently a few steps from me. After I untangled myself from the mess of relatives, I staggered to the door of the train and stood there, panting. After I collected my wits, I looked back over to the swarm of family. Grinning a bit, I thought Wow. Don't think they've even noticed I'm gone...
"They're really affectionate, aren't they?"
I looked over to see Vivian, still alone in a corner. Nick and the twins had gotten pulled into my curious relatives, but Vivian was still relatively unnoticed. She looked more worn out than ever, and she was leaning against the wall. Trying to look cool, but only looking more tired. I stood up straight once I caught my breath. A flutter of mischief surfaced as I saw her. After all, she deserved some credit for this since she was the one who took the thing down.
Bellowing to be heard over my loud and curious relatives, I said, "OI! HERE'S THE ONE WHO GOT US OUT OF THAT MESS SAFELY!"
The unusual event of me yelling got their attention. Moments later Vivian was deluged with questions regarding the strange events that had recently happened.
"What did you do to it?"
"Is it dead?"
"Why did you go after it in the first place you little nutter? It could have killed Albus and Rosie!"
"Yeah! Who are you anyways? Who are you to Albus?"
"Why not let the adult wizards take care of it?"
"Are you brave or just stupid?"
Vivian's face was getting redder and redder as more and more questions were directed her way. When I looked, I could tell her breathing was getting faster and shakier. Maybe siccing my relatives on her wasn't such a good plan after all... That idea was confirmed when Vivian fainted, crumpling into a small heap of black, red and white.
A cliffie :3 Maybe it will encourage reviews... I'm not posting for the sake of them though. Just because I think Vivian deserves to be heard. She and Albus are going to have a doozy of a first year at Hogwarts.
Vivian: I remember that year. Albus was so stupid, he'd have potions blow up on him every other Potions class.
Rose: *giggle* And the other times he would melt holes in his cauldron!
Albus: I was not THAT bad!
Rose:*Snicker* You forget...
Me: Enough! No more spoilers you guys! :P I want to leave the readers something to discover.
All in unison: Now, if you liked us, leave a review!
-June
