Hello! Well, This is the ever-so-lovely Chapter 3 and I realized that I haven't ever left an author's note at the beginning or the end of any of these! (silly me...)
Well, my name is epicconfusion (if you didn't already know) and I am a newer user here on fanfiction. I have read many stories here on fanfiction but finally decided to put one of my stories up on this site after some of my content got deleted on another website for... mature content.
I was very excited to post this (so excited I forgot to leave a note) and I hope you enjoy. Feel free to message me, rate, critique, or simply comment on the story. All commentary is welcome and greatly appriciated.
P.S. I'll try and update frequently. I try to be a few chapters ahead so if you're really nice, I'll release 2 chapters in a week. XD
~epicconfusion
Sunlight illuminated the earth. The morning doves sang their sweet tune into the late July air as the grass danced in the wind. Trees shook out their stiff limbs and the bright morning took it's first breath of the day. The small garden gnome stuck its head out from it's home and cackled. Seeing that the coast was clear it crept to a row of plants. The small creature looked both ways quickly, then moved it's tiny hands tword one of the stems poking out of the ground. It grasped the top and tugged with all its might. A great pull and a pop later, the gnome flew back, an orange vegetable in hand. The gnome squeeled and hugged the carrot as if it was the greatest treasure to behold.
Crack.
The gnomes ears pinned back.
Heavy breathing.
It's eyes narrowed.
A russel came from behind the critter.
Pumph.
"EEEEEEEEEEE!" the gnome squeeled. Its precious carrot in hand, it ran to its home in the ground. Foot steps trailed behind him. The creature looked over its' shoulder and squeeled again as the footsteps came closer and closer. It jumped into the hole and it was soon covered. A boy growled above. The gnome cackled again, triumphant to return with food.
"Ste-rugglin' Ron," Alisha laughed making her way to the dirt-covered teen. He grumbled and stood in front of the girl. She was only a few inches shorter than him. Her copper brown hair, again up in a bun, shimmered in the light. Her once fair skin looked darker from being outside so much. Her blue-grey orbs flickered playfully and she smirked. Wearing only a green tank-top and a pair of white sport shorts, she lifted her forearm. The ground beneath them shook and from the hole, the gnome, the carrot, and a fountain of soil erupted from the earth. Alisha snatched the creature as the fountain began to flow back to the ground. It struggled against her grasp, trying to break free. She took the carrot and the creature began to wail reaching back for the stolen vegetable. The gnome pouted in defeat.
"Show off," Ron mummbled under his breath. He was still adjusting to the whole "mage" thing. Alisha had been at the Burrow for a little over 2 weeks now and he still would get a little freaked when she would use her powers. Thankfully she was getting used to the home now. She was a little frightened when she met the twins, but they got along famously now. Everyone at the house was so welcoming. She was really getting attatched to Ginny and Ron.
"Just wait 'till you get a load of this, Ginger," she said. She then tossed the gnome into the air. A loud, long squeal escaped its mouth as she used air to blast the gnome far away into the country. "I'd like to see him find his way back," she said, clapping her hands together. She turned on her heel and resumed the scavange for more devious gnomes.
"Show-off," he mummbled again. The two walked several times around the garden then went back inside for some food. Today was their last day at the Burrow for a long time. They would soon be going to Grimauld Place, the dingy headquarters for the Order, and probably wouldn't return to the Burrow until the end of the war. It was a wonder why they were able to stay for so long in their countryside home, but no surprise that it was time to leave. Voldemort was recruting again and killing anyone who was against him. The Burrow was probably one of the most dangerous spots on the planet. Not only was the house filled with "Blood Traitors", but it also hosted the Elemental. Yeah. Feel real safe at home.
"Oi! Ronnie-kins! Be a dear and set the table for your ol', dear brothers," one of the twins yelled, shoving an armful of plates into him.
"And wash the dishes too for me," the other twin said. Ron scowled as the two gave him a pat on the back and dashed out the door. Ron set the plates down on the table and distributed them to their designated places. Alisha helped him, grabbing forks and spoons and placing them on either side of the plates. Ron called to the rest of the family and everyone crowded into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley placed pots and pans filled with food on the table as everyone began to dig in. The entire family (minus the twins and Percy) was home for the very last time. Bill and Fleur were there. Charlie had gotten back from Romania to join the Order. The twins, although not there at the moment, were off at the store doing some last minute business. Arthur didn't have to be at the Ministry until later in the day. As they all filled their plates, the rare topic of school came about.
"Oh, Alisha, you're a shoe-in for Griffindor"
"Not a doubt about it"
"Eye zink shee'll bee in Ufolpuff"
"Don't be absurd, Fleur, I'm sure she'll be in Slytherin"
"Hey, watch yourself Ginger. I've heard the stories," Alisha said pointing her fork at Ron. Ron grinned mischieviously as she raised one eyebrow at the boy. Everyone else resumed eating. After breakfast (and Ron doing the dishes :P), everyone went upstairs to pack their belongings and prepare to go to Grimauld Place. Alisha and Ginny folded their clothes into their suitcases in silence. Tears began to form in Ginny's eyes as she packed away her final piece of clothing.
"Alisha?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think we'll ever come back?" she said zipping one side of the suitcase.
"I'm sure we will Gin," she reassured. She walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her upper arm.
"I mean, will we all ever come back? Everybody," she said. Her stiffled a few sobs and reached for Alisha's hand. Her eyes became redder by the minute and tears streamed down her delicate face. Their eyes locked and the two searched for the true answer in eachother, but found nothing. Ginny looked down.
"Gin. it'll be okay. We just have to wait, and stay strong. Stay strong, for everybody," she cooed. 'Stay strong, for everybody.' That's what they had to do. That's what she had to do. Be strong for Ginny, for the Weasleys, for the world. She wrapped her arms around her for a long hug. The two went back to packing, this time even quieter than before.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Just hold onto me and we'll be there sooner than you know it,"
"But I hate apparating!"
"Alisha, this is not a time to be difficult!" Mrs.
Weasley scolded.
"But- but-"
"Just do it you baby!" Ron sneered, "I just want to get there so we can see Harry."
"Jeeze is that all you talk about, Ron? Your perfect, little boyfriend Harry-"
"He is NOT my BOYFRIEND!"
"Ronald! Alisha! Stop this instant!" Mrs. Weasley cried, "You will apparate with Charlie and I don't want to hear you teasing him like that. You, will not call her names!" Ron's head dropped and his father akwardly placed his arm around his son.
"Very well then. Best be on our way," Mr. Weasley said. He raised his wand and with a pop, they were gone. Next, Bill and Fleur apparated separately closely followed by Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.
"Just take my hand and you'll be there before you know it," Charlie said reaching his hand out to her. She sighed and grabbed his hand, defeated. He raised his wand and suddenly she felt like she was being pushed through a tube that obviously didn't want her to get through. Then, as quick as the pain came, it left. She took a deep breath but started a coughing fit. The dust and humitity of the new surroundings was overbearing. She opened her eyes to find herself in was appeared to be a poorly lit living room. Bill and Fleur were standing in the entrance of the room. Mrs. Weasley was behind them with Ginny trying to get past. Mr. Weasley and Ron were nowhere in sight.
"Hermione!" someone exclaimed. Ron. Alisha sighed and made her way past Bill and Fleur. Ron was hugging a shorter brunette with curly, slightly frizzy hair. They pulled away from eachother and made eye-contact. Her eyes were a deep brown and they sparkled slightly.
"Good to see you too, Ron," she said. Alisha could see the back of his ears turn a slight shade of pink. 'A-ha! So this is his true lover' Alisha thought devilishly with a smirk crawling across her face. The girl, Hermione, then turned to Alisha. "And you must be Alisha! I've heard lots about you. I'm Hermione Granger," she said with a warm smile. Alisha returned the smile and shook her hand.
"I hope they aren't bad things, knowing Ginger here... but yeah, I'm Alisha, obviously," she said. Hermione laughed.
"Ginger? That's a new one," she said turning back to Ron. He turned and even deeper shade of pink and Alisha giggled. Hermione then greeted Ginny and the others, all with hugs and smiles.
"Where's Harry?" Ron asked Hermione when she was done. 'Gosh, can't stop thinking about Harry now, can he? I guess sweetheart Hermione has some competition,' Alisha thought. She diverted her attention to Hermione, who's smile had disappeared.
"He's upstairs. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you, but... you know," she replied. She bit her bottom lip and Ron nodded. He and Ginny began to climb up the stairs. They were about to disappear from sight when Ginny beckoned the two to follow. Alisha looked at Hermione who started after them. She shrugged her shoulders and followed Hermioned up the stairs. The dark stairs creeked with each step. Mounted on the walls were heads of house elves. They walked by a window with tattered curtains. Suddenly, the curtains of the "window" opened with a loud shriek. A picture of a woman began screaming.
"TRAITORS! MUDBLOODS! OH, THE SHAME! IN MY HOUSE! WHY? WHY IS ONE OF MY OWN BLOOD FOLLOWING A MUDBLOOD! OH, THE SHAME! THE DISGRACE! MY OWN BLOOD!" the portrait shrieked. Hermione rushed down to the picture and began tugging at the curtains.
"Oh, come on you stupid woman! Quiet down!" Hermione yelled pulling with all her might at the curtain. Charlie then came into view and started pulling at the other.
"ORDERS! I'M RECIEVING ORDERS FROM THE MUDBLOOD! OH KREACHER! HELP MISTRESS! THE SHAME, THE SHAME!" the portrait cried, "OH MY OWN BLOOD, HOW COULD YOU BETRAY ME!" Bill came up the stairs and took the curtain that Hermione was at. "MY OWN BLOOD! MY OWN BLOOD!" she shouted over and over again. Hermione then glanced at Alisha then back at the portrait. She looked over Alisha carefully and then observed the woman one last time before the brothers closed the curtain over her yelling face. Hermione looked at Alisha again, looking her up and down.
"What?" she asked akwardly.
"Sorry, just, oh, nevermind," she said, "Up to meet Harry now! You'll like him, he's just going through a rough time right now. Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," replied Alisha. Hermione brushed past her and continued up the stairs. Alisha followed, climbing the steps to her new home, not really knowing who she was about to meet. Little did she know... so little.
Hermione continued walking up the stairs until they had reached the first floor. She took a right turn and Alisha followed closely at her heels. The creaked underneath, the whole house seemed to be a disaster. She could hear voices, angry voices, nearby. She picked up one of the voices to be Ron's, but the other was undefinable. The closer they got, the louder and angrier the voices got.
"I don't need a bloody bodyguard!"
"Harry, it's for your own protection! Besides, you don't even know her!"
"Exactly! I don't know anything about her! Nothing! What if we can't trust her!"
The two of them had reached the room.
"I trust her Harry, so does Ginny, my whole family, the Order, you're the only one who-"
"I'm the only one? If I remember correctly, you were with me when we first found out!"
"Both of you stop it!" screamed Ginny.
"Yeah! You tell 'em Gin! Whoo-hoo!" Alisha hollered. Just then, all eyes turned to the doorway where Hermione and Alisha stood. There stood Ron and another boy she didn't know, presumably this Harry she'd heard so much about, and Ginny sitting on a chair across from the bed. Alisha akwardly shifted her weight to her heels, folding her hands infront of her. "Sorry," she explained, "just wanted to join in on the... fun..." Ron rolled his eyes and Ginny gave a small sigh of relief.
"Thank you," she mouthed to Alisha. Alisha nodded and walked over to the stranger who had given up and sat on the bed.
"Hi. I'm Alisha. Sorry about interrupting your little shouting duel it just looked like so much fun and I just had to join," Alisha said extending her arm. The boy looked at her hand as if it were a deadly disease that would infect him if he did so much as think of touching it. He hesitantly shook it and cleared his throat.
"I'm Harry Potter," he said.
"Well Harry, can I clear a few things up for ya here?" she asked. Harry rose an eye brow and she quickly responded, "Yeah, I don't know if you need a 'bloody bodygaurd', but 1. I'm not bloody. Well, I am on the inside, but when I think of bloody, I think covered in blood. If after that you still think I'm bloody, it's time to visit the eye doctor again and 2. You don't really have to think of me as a 'bodyguard'. I'm here to live my life too you know. Now if the people around you care about you so much as to displace me from my home and move me all the way out here, leaving my friends and family behind just so I can protect you if need be, then you better damn well be grateful." She then quickly exited the room. Ginny ran after her, Ron rolled his eyes again and Hermione and Harry were dumbfounded.
"That's Alisha for you," Ron said after a few moments of silence. Hermione walked over to the chair and sat down in a trance.
"I certainly didn't expect that," she said running her fingers through her hair, "She seemed so nice-"
"-She is nice, 'Mione. Just give her time. I just don't think she appericiated-"
"-Appericiated what, Ron?" Harry interjected.
"You distrusting her before you even knew her!" He replied hotly. He clenched his fists together about ready to hit Harry. He may be his best mate, but who was he to be saying this about the girl who was practically his sister?
"Both of you stop! We are not going to reinact that previous scene!" Hermione shouted. Ron's fist began to uncoil and Harry turned away. Ron gave a pleading glance at Hermione and she nodded. "Harry, you have to give this a chance. Give her a chance. If the Weasleys like her and trust her, I think you and I can too," she said. Harry sighed.
"But how can I trust her when I know nothing about her?" he asked.
"Best thing I can tell you mate is try to get to know her. She's really cool once you do," said Ron giving him a pat on the back. The trio sat in silence for a few moments.
"It's strange," said Hermione. The two looked at her.
"What is?" asked Ron.
"When we were coming up here, Mrs. Black's portrait opened up," she said.
"That bloody portrait, when will they just take it down?" cried Ron.
"As I was saying, when I looked at the portrait, I saw a lot of resemblances between her and Alisha. Minus the hair, of course. But I found it strange. It was like looking at the same person, twice," she said. She looked up at the other two who were staring at eachother.
"I should probably go talk to her, shouldn't I?" Harry said, defeated. He looked up and both of his friends nodded. With another great sigh, he stood and walked out of the room to find the girl.
"I can't believe he's so insensitive!" stormed Alisha, pacing about the room. Ginny sat in fear on the bed as the room quickly rose in temperature. "Who does he think he is? The king of the world? How could he speak to his own best friend like that? I can't believe he'd be so upset just because there was now someone there to protect him. Ungrateful little- I had to leave a lot you know! All my friends, Ming, my ex-boyfriend... my mom," she began to tear up a little, but her sorrow quickly transformed into rage. "I don't even know if she's alive! I can't believe someone could be so selfish and self-righteous! 'Well, I don't need a bloody bodyguard!' I mean seriously! He's lucky that I haven't left to get on the next flight back to America!"
"Alisha! Calm down! He's just going through a really tough time right now. I'm sure he doesn't mean it-"
"Sure as hell he doesn't mean it! Tough time- tough time! Hell, I had to leave everything- everything just so I could be the protection if he needed it! He probably doesn't even need it, he probably doesn't do anything besides go to school and mope all day!" she raved. The room was getting hotter and hotter and Ginny began to sweat.
"Alisha, you're making the room really hot. Calm down!" she yelled in desperation. Alisha immediately stopped her pacing. She took a deep breath in and then took a cool breath out. The room instantly went back to it's normal temperature and Ginny relaxed. Alisha sat down on the floor infront of Ginny, cross-legged with her head in her hands.
"What am I supposed to do, Gin? Beg for his forgiveness just so he'll like me when I did nothing wrong?" she asked nearly in tears.
"I wouldn't say that you'd have to do that, but keep in mind that you're not the only one who's endured hardships. From what I've heard, the reason why he doesn't want a bodygaurd is because all the people he's around end up getting hurt or killed. He's afraid of people dying because of him," replied Ginny. Alisha looked up at her. She looked like an innocent child who had just found out that they had told a lie and that lies were wrong. Her eyes glimmered in the lamp light and her face shone with fresh tears. Ginny stood up and wiped the tears from her face. "He's just stupid for trying to be noble. I'll leave you alone. If you need anything, I'll be downstairs," she said and left the room.
'... the reason why he doesn't want a bodygaurd is because all the people he's around end up getting hurt or killed. He's afraid of people dying because of him...' replayed in her mind over and over again. 'That must mean that some have died and he blames it on himself,' she concluded. With that, there was a knock on the door. She took a deep breath.
"Who is it?"
"Uhh... It's Harry. Can I come in?"
"I don't know, can you?"
"Excuse me?"
"I certainly don't know your abilities, let alone you know anything about you. Or you me,"
"What?"
Sigh...
"May I come in?"
The door opened and there stood Alisha right before him. Her eyes were puffy and a little red around the edges. The tip of her nose was slightly red as well and her cheeks were a light shade of pink. He stared straight into her eyes and was caught off guard. Her blue-grey eyes shined with a dark intensity and her face was as stiff as a stone.
"May I help you, sir?" she sneered. Harry sighed and looked down to the floor.
"Iwurnteddo-"
"-What? Sorry, it's hard to understand when your mumbling."
"I wanted to-," he said very loudly then paused, realizing how loud he was, "I wanted to- apolgize for my behavior earlier. I'm, sorry."
"Okay," she said, emotion unchanged. He stood there akwardly in the doorway wishing she would say something else. When she didn't, he was about to speak but then she sighed and said, "You gunna just stand there, or what?"
"Sorry?"
"You can come in, you know. Unless you perfer just standing out here-"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, may I?" he said blushing. She smiled and ushered him in when he felt something weird, as if his heart skipped a beat. He ignored the feeling and walked in. Standing in the middle of the room, she walked past him and jumped onto the bed. Lying on her back with her hands behind her head, she looked quite different. She was actually very pretty, her brown hair sprawled out on the pillow, her small but curvy frame resting on the mattress. He remembered her eyes and the way they bore into his own-
"Pop a squat, Harry," she said patting the mattress. He snapped out of his thoughts and sat down on the bed beside her. She twirled her hair and he glanced about the room. The bedside table was covered with dust as well as the objects upon it. It was a small room, one full size bed, a bedside table, a dresser, a window, and a few pictures adorning the walls. The window was covered by dirty, torn curtains and small insects infested the cloth. Everything in the room was coated in a layer of dust besides the bed. He looked from the foot of the bed all the way up to the head, observing Alisha. 'Very pretty,' he thought. Her skin looked like porcelain and her lips were a rosy red. Her cheeks were an even lighter shade of pink now and her eyes sparked with energy. "So what was the real reason why you are so upset with my presence?" she asked. She turned her head towards him and folded her hands over her stomach. "Assuming you still are upset of course," she finished.
"No, I'm not really- well, I am- but- I don't hate you. I just don't want- want you- here," he said nervously. He looked at her to see her with one eyebrow raised.
"Thank- you?" she said.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, not like that. I'm just... I'm just a- magnet for-"
"Danger?" she finished. Harry sighed and looked away. He then felt a warm hand on his own. He looked down to see her hand wrapped around his. "Look, I don't even know you. I don't know what you've been through, what's happened to you, what your middle name is. All I know is that I'm supposed to be here to protect you and help you in any way needed," she said, "I don't know a thing about this war except you and this Voldy-freak and I can't imagine what your going through. Well, that would probably be because I don't know anything about you but that's not the point. The point is, I'd like to get to know you so this whole 'protecting' thing can be a lot easier. Who knows? Maybe we'll end up being friends." She smiled at him and gave his hand a light squeeze. She then put her hands back under her head and scooted over on the bed. "Go ahead and lie down if you'd like. I'd think it to be a little more comfortable and not to worry, I don't have cooties," she said. He smiled and lied down next to her. His body was still tight, still feeling akward lying down next to a girl who he hardly knew, not to mention an attractive girl who hated him not to long ago. "So tell me a little bit about yourself," she said.
"Like what?" he asked.
"How about... your middle name," she answered. He laughed and he felt his body relax into the mattress as time progressed. They began talking and they never stopped. Just one question after the next. He'd ask, then she's ask, he was enjoying himself so much.
"So, got a girlfriend?" she asked. Harry felt himself go red at the cheeks. He could feel her smile as she looked over to him and he blushed even more.
"This one girl, Cho Chang. Last year," he answered truthfully. He saw one eyebrow rise and he laughed nervously.
"Details?" she inquired.
"She cried the first time we kissed and ran out sobbing on our first date," he said with a sigh. She sighed two and they sat in silence for a few moments for the first time in a while.
"Man... that bad, eh?" she said. He nudged her and she laughed and placed her hands back behind her head. "I'm just teasing you, Potter. What's the real reason why she cried?" she asked.
"Well, her ex-boyfriend had just died a year earlier. I was there when he died. I guess I reminded her of him or was a connection to him for her some how," he said. Alisha turned onto her side, facing him, her head proped up underneath her elbow.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice soft. Harry sighed and told her of the Triwizard Tournament and the graveyard. He then went into an in depth explaination of Voldemort, how he had defeated him, all the times he had tried to reincarnate himself, and his experience at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic. He told of his parents, Cedric, and Sirius's deaths and began to cry silently when he spoke of Sirius. He felt her hand find his and intwine with his fingers. The temperature of her hands rose to a nice, warm heat. Her touch was soothing and comforting. He then turned to her and saw her staring at him. They lied there for a long time, just looking into eachothers eyes, hands intwined, in silence. She gave his hand a light squeeze and let go of his hand. Part of him wished that she hadn't but he pushed those thoughts aside. "Sorry if me holding your hand was akward," she said breaking the silence.
"No it-" he swallowed, "-it wasn't." They sat in silence again for a while. "Thank you, actually. It... helped," he said. She smiled and he returned the smile. Her smile was... beautiful.
'Shut-up Harry!' he thought, 'You barely even know the girl.'
'But you've already told her her life story basically'
'So! Doesn't mean I know her'
'Doesn't mean it's weird to think that she's pretty'
'Well... whatever. I still don't know her'
"You okay, Harry?" Alisha asked, inturrupting his thoughts. "Didn't mean to take you outta your little reverie there-"
"No, it's fine. I'm okay," he replied, his smile even bigger. He observed her facial features carefully now. Suddenly, a spark flew back into his memory. Mrs. Black and Alisha. There were so many resemblances. Another spark. Sirius. Maybe she could help him. Help not only by protecting him, but by being his friend. Help him through his pain. Help him through grieving. Help him through everyday life. Help him accept his future. Maybe, just maybe, she could his Reason. The Reason.
