Chapter 4
Second Meetings
After climbing up four flights of moving stairs, dodging missile attacks from above, ignoring cruel stares from paintings, and stopping every ten minutes for Luna to catch her breath, they made it to the Room of Requirement. Iron was at his hip, but when he heard screams from beyond, he removed it from his holster at his side.
Right as Luna raised her wand, the door blew open. A broom flew up, with Harry on it's spine, the behind him was Draco Malfoy, after him raced two more brooms, this time with Ron and Crabbe. Crabbe had tears pouring down his face, then Hermione. She was alone on her broom.
Draco grinned evilly at Lavi and reached towards the broom. Jerking it off to the side, it crashed inches away from him. But the broom rose up and slammed against Lavi's chest, throwing him back. He slid across the ground. Iron falling away from his grasp.
Draco fell nearby. But while Lavi was still trying to remove bits for splintered broomstick from different parts of his body, Draco climbed to his feet and dived for Iron. Iron melted into the ground, much to Draco's surprise. It was the color of liquid silver. She glided over the polished floor. She reappeared a second later beside Lavi's left hand.
Growling in anger, Draco jumped to his feet and snatched Crabbe's sleeve, within seconds they were down the hall.
Luna knelt down beside Lavi, but he brushed her off gently. Picking Iron up by her handle, he replaced her into the holster. He stumbled to his feet, looking at Harry, who stared back and nodded. Harry returned the nod while Hermione ran to Luna and embraced the younger girl.
"What happened in there?" She asked.
"Goyle is dead. His dumbass self decided to light the place on fire! He fell into the flames, poor bastard." Ron said.
Lavi hissed," I could've gotten there in time. Could've saved him, you know?"
All four of them stared at him with wide, confused eyes," What the bloody hell do you mean by that, Bookman?" Ron demanded.
"The Black Order is all about life. So am I." he shook his head in annoyance," But I guess magic users are a bunch of killers, huh?"
"Now-" Harry began, but Luna interrupted," What do you mean by that? You think I'm some crazy person wanting nothing more than to kill? We aren't like that!"
"You aren't like that, huh? That's freaking funny. Then what is Snape? Draco? Those idiot Carrows? Filch? Those Death Eaters? They don't want to kill? Bullshit! IF YOU THINK THAT YOUR KIND AREN'T KILLERS, THEN YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR FUCKING EYES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!" Lavi shouted. He clutched Iron in her holster tight. He felt the skin on his hands burning. The bones grinding together.
"Assholes." Lavi whispered finally. He shook his head, allowing his hair to fall into his face.
He felt tears. He felt sadness. He felt his senses weakening. He reached up, to his eyepatch and gripped it tight. He felt tears slipping through his fingers and falling to the ground. It wasn't them he was angry at, it was himself. No, it was Allen. He was angry at him. Allen Walker, the asshole who allowed the 14th to take control of him. The fact that the 14th killed all the people he loved. The girl he secretly loved. The 14th who took Bak's friends away from him! The 14th who took Allen away.
"Hey, Lavi. Scoot it over, man. I gotta eat!" Allen pushed his way into a seat beside him. Kanda gave him a disgusted look.
"Get out of the way, beansprout. You're taking up all the space!" Kanda growled.
Lenalee pointed a long delicate finger at Kanda," Shush it, Kanda. Let the boy eat, that's all he's good for anyway!"
Everyone began laughing, Allen choked on the dumplings he had shoved into his mouth. For a British boy, he sure enjoyed Asian food!
"Lavi?" He heard a voice in the distance.
"Lenalee?" He reached out, his rough fingers brushing against soft, smooth skin," I'm sorry, Lenalee. I could've stopped Allen. I'm sorry that you died. I'm sorry."
"Lavi? It's me, Hermione."
His eye widened. Hermione stood before him, his fingers on her chin. He yanked his hand away. He reeled back.
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
She shook her head," Don't be."
"Who's Lenalee?" Ron asked harshly, staring at Lavi's hand that touched Hermione's chin.
Lavi faced away from them, towards the doors of the Room of Requirement. Damn his emotions to get the best of him. Damn it all!
"A girl I once loved." He stated plainly, much to Ron's shock.
"Where is she now?" Casting a weary glance over to Ron, Luna offered a smile of sunflowers and daisies towards Lavi. His face turned red, almost as the same color as his hair.
"Buried." He said," She died. Murdered. My friends...all dead."
"Lenalee?" He asked. They stood outside. The flowers, Sakura Blossoms floated around them. The sun casting a pink happy glow across the world.
"Yes?" She said in her soft, gentle voice that Lavi couldn't help but love.
"I have something I need to tell you." He said.
"Oh? What would that be?" She smiled, her teeth white and beautiful.
"I like you." He said. She turned to him, a playful smile on her face that made his heart soar.
"Like how?" She asked.
"Like this." He said, leaning forward until his lips brushed against hers. But before they landed, she pulled back. Now the look of horror on her face.
"Lavi! Move!" She screamed. Lavi turned. In front of him was Allen, no the 14th. He had a cruel smile upon his pale face. The smile that reminded him of the Millennium Earl.
Lavi was pushed out of the way. He fell onto his side. Lenalee was there, her Black Boots activated. Lavi screamed, but she didn't listen. She rushed at Allen.
Allen laughed," What's wrong, Lavi?"
Lavi had tears rushing down his face. Lenalee turned to him, probably to say something. But Dark Matter from the Noah memory formed into a sword. It arched down, slicing Lenalee's back open. She fell forward. Tears and blood mixing together. Lavi screamed, rising to his feet. His legs wobbly. He pulled Iron from his holster.
"Big Hammer, Little Hammer. Grow, Grow GROW!" He shouted. He raised it above his head and charged the ill-grinning Allen. Allen laughed, launching himself high into the air and landing next to the prone body of Lenalee.
"Allen's crying." Allen said," He's so soft! Don't call me Allen anymore. I'm the 14th now, and my name is Neah!"
"You look like him." Lavi growled," Give me my friends back, Noah scum!"
Allen said in a sad voice, putting his arms up in surrender," It's me, Allen. Have you forgotten about me?"
Lavi paused, he knew that sly smile. The one that said it was Allen. Lavi pointed at Lenalee, who lay in a puddle of her own blood. He heard soft gasps as she struggled to breathe. Her short hair falling over her face as she attempted to rise to her feet. Faintly, Lavi heard her try to speak. Ignoring Allen, he rushed over. Falling onto his knees he helped Lenalee sit up. She leaned her head against Lavi's chest, trying to ignore the longing to kiss her, he decided to follow her gaze.
As his eye roamed, it landed on Allen. Allen looked sad, but something was nagging the back of Lavi's mind. As he grasped it, he saw something about Allen's lips.
It was in a slight grin! It wasn't Allen, it was the 14th still! Lavi was too late, though. Allen-no, Neah was already in front of the pair. The smile more evident. Neah reached down and yanked Lenalee from his sweaty hands. Lavi gasped, but it was far too late. Neah jumped up, away from Lavi. Throwing Dark Matter in the form of daggers, they struck Lavi in his chest. He was thrown back 15 feet, his head slamming into the wall. He cried out. Iron was thrown from his hands, his bandana falling loose and covering his remaining eye.
"Lavi!" it was Kanda, his dark eyes lingering on him for a moment before landing on Neah, who still held the limp Lenalee in his hands.
"Allen! What the hell are you doing?" Kanda shouted in horror. Ever since Allen saved Alma Karma and himself, Kanda showed a side to Allen and everyone else that he had never before. Even when the Noah kidnapped him and Bookman, Kanda had rushed to save him. He really likes this new Kanda than the old one.
But now wasn't the time...he had to wake up.
"What the hell is wrong with him? Why does he have that strange expression on his face? Is he in lala land?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head," No. He's lost in memories. I can tell they are bad though. You can tell by the horror in his face."
"Must have something to do with that Lenalee girl." Luna said.
"Yeah."
"Will he be okay?" Luna asked, nervously raising a hand to touch Lavi's shoulder.
Harry shrugged but Hermione answered," I dunno. But we can't just leave him here. He could be killed! Besides, the diadem is destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Harry said, turning to his friends, then smiled," Good. I don't want to know how, as long it was destroyed."
"Who are the Black Order?" Ron asked, turning to Hermione.
"Why do you always look at me for answers?" she asked.
"You're smart."
"A book nerd."
"The brightest one!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed," Well, I do think I read something about it in Hogwarts, A History. Give me a second." she sat down, removing her pouch and pulling her wand out," Accio, Hogwarts, A History!" a book flew out and into her hand. She opened it. Beginning to flip through it she smiled in victory. Laying the book flat, she gestured to the book. Both boys sat down next to her and leaned over.
The Black Order, A History
By. Jonathan Rosen
The Black Orderis a religious organization that works to defeat the Millennium Earl and his army of Akuma. The official, universally recognized emblem of the Black Order is the Rose Cross.
History: Several hundred years before the Black Order was formed, an artifact known as "The Cube" was found by mankind. Inside were details, left behind by an ancient civilization, of a seven thousand year old war against the Millennium Earl. The Cube told of how the Earl was held at bay, and how future generations would be able to fight against the Earl when he returned to attempt to destroy the world again. When the Earl returned as the Cube said he would, a group known as the New World Alliance founded the Black Order and charged it with recovering the shards of Innocence to equip them to new Accommodators. One of the Black Order's founders was an illustrious sorcerer who was the founder of the Chang Clan, of which Bak Chang is the current head. So far, forty-one of the one hundred and nine pieces of Innocence have been collected.
Mission:The Black Order in all of its branches have several main goals that they wish to achieve, regardless of the personal missions of others:Collect Innocence,Find and train Accommodators, Locate the Heart, and Defeat the Millennium Earl and the Noah Clan in the final confrontation.
General Operation: The Black Order is overseen by Central, a subsection of the Vatican in Rome, Italy that exists for the specific purpose of controlling the Black Order when certain matters require that the Order get assistance from a higher source. Different branches of the Black Order are overseen by their own branch heads, and each branch head answers to Komui Lee, who is the official head liaison between Central and the Black Order. Despite there being a specific chain of command, it is not uncommon for higher ups to forgo informing certain officials of orders and operations, especially if the higher up in question feels that the official beneath them who typically handles the distribution of orders is too sympathetic, such as when Malcolm C. Lvellie commissioned the creation of the Third Exorcists without telling Komui Lee, the head of the Black Order. If orders come directly from the Pope, entire chains of command are skipped completely, something that is not uncommon in modern-day military structures. Though the existence of Black Order isn't known by the general populace, government-run services such as train stations and local law enforcement agencies and their employees can recognize members of the Black Order by the Rose Cross they wear on their uniforms, something those who wear the cross use to get themselves free transportation and allows them to override law enforcement if a case is suspected to involve Innocence.
Organization- Structure: There are seven branches of the Black Order (Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania), and each branch is overseen by a branch chief. All branches of the Black Order answer to the European Branch, a.k.a. Headquarters, where branch chief Komui Lee acts as the chief officer. Komui relays orders from Central to the other branches, and controls the movement of all Exorcists. Above Komui are the Great Generals, five shadowed figures whose faces are never seen, though they seem to have eyes everywhere. It is not known who they answer to, though they give orders to the Generals and other officers and have ties to the Vatican. Exorcists who exceed one hundred percent synchronization with their Innocence become potential candidates for the occupancy of the General title (not to be confused with the Great Generals). Though the Generals answer to Komui and the Great Generals, they are usually stand-alone officers, wandering the continents on their own as they search for Innocence and Accommodators. It is not uncommon for them to only check in every few months, though some (i.e. Cross Marian) will go for years without contacting anyone. The exact method by which an Exorcist becomes a General is currently unknown, but exceeding the one hundred percent synchronization limit is one of the standards that must be met. Each branch of the Black Order has seven different departments, each overseen by a section chief, and each with their own duties:
Science Section - Responsible for the research and development of the Innocence, as well as designing the uniforms for the Exorcists.
Intelligence Section - In charge of the Finders, who gather information from around the world.
Medical Section - Responsible for the general health and welfare of the Black Order personnel.
Signal Section - In charge of all communications between Finders, Exorcists and the Order.
Security Section - Guard all entryways (i.e. gates, waterways, etc.) into the facility.
Diplomatic Section - They handle affairs with various countries and arrange for support and cooperation.
Logistics Sections - In charge of day-to-day functioning in the Order, including meals, cleaning and accounting.
Recruitment: Though the Black Order is relatively unknown to the general populace, they seem to have no problem with recruiting those who find out about them (i.e. Chaozii Han's friends, who became Finders after he became an Exorcist, and Emilia Galmar, who joined solely to become Timothy Hearst's tutor). Accommodators become members by default, and there once was a time when people who were found to be Accommodators were made to join the Order against their will (i.e. Lenalee Lee). Since Komui Lee became chief officer, though, Accommodators seem to be given a choice, though this is tentative as the newest Exorcists have all willingly joined (except in the case of Timothy Hearst, where Yu Kanda was intent on forcefully dragging an initially unwilling Timothy back to Headquarters only for Timothy to later decide to come of his own free will). Those who do not join the Order directly often become supporters, and entire families may remain supporters of the Order for generations, such as Anita and her mother did when they converted their brothel to double over as a hideout for Black Order members.
Uniforms: Uniforms vary from rank to rank, as well as in different positions. Branch chiefs each wear a specialized, long white coat that has a silver-colored cross on the back, accenting silver lines on each side of it, silver crosses on their shoulders, and a metal Rose Cross on their left breast. Bak Chan wears an altered version of this, his being a bolero jacket with the same color scheme. Recently, the jackets of branch chiefs have been altered, the metal Rose Cross being replaced with a cloth badge bearing the same emblem, as well as aiguillettes on the shoulders and right breast. The newer jackets have also seen the removal of the silver crosses on the back and arms. All Exorcists wear black uniforms with silver (recently changed to red) trimmings, each one being altered to fit the specific Exorcists fighting style. The outfits are only uniform in that they bear a Rose Cross on the left breast, and, more recently, aiguillettes and other signs of ranking on the right and left breasts. The Generals are an exception to the colour of trimmings, possessing gold trimmings instead of silver or Finders wear long, hooded, tan jackets that cover their entire bodies, with zippered pockets lining both sides of the breast, and all members of the Science Division wear lab coats over their civilian clothing, some choosing to wear dress shirts, vests and ties under their coats and others wearing just pants and t-shirts.
Policies: Once recruited, an Exorcist shall not leave the Order, Compensation may be paid to the families of Exorcists, but contact is not permitted, When personnel die in the line of duty, their remains shall be cremated. The family will not be informed; this is to prevent the possibility of personnel returning as Akuma, All information regarding the status of Black Order personnel is strictly classified. Family may not request information, Blood relatives of Accommodators may be seized for study. (This policy no longer applies; revoked by Komui Lee.), Those who leave the Order must be 'cleansed,' a process that includes drinking an unknown liquid that erases one's memories of their time with the Order.
Exorcists in the Black Order:
Allen Walker, Crown Clown,Parasitic, AWOL; Branded for treason/escaped
Lenalee Lee, Black Boots,Crystal, Equipment(Former), Active
Lavi Bookman,Iron Hammer,Equipment, Unknown
Bookman, Heavenly Compass, Equipment, Unknown
Noise Marie, Noel Organon, Equipment, Active
Daisya Barry, Charity Bell, Equipment, Deceased
Chaozii Han, Arm of Baptism, Equipment, Active
Tina Spark, Unknown, Unknwon, Deceased
Gwen Flail, Unknown, Unknown, Deceased
Sol Galen, Unknown, Unknown, Deceased
Timothy Hearst, Divine Possesion, Parasitic, Active
Kazaana Reed, Unknown, Unknown, Deceased
Chalker Laboun, Unknwon, Unknown, Deceased
Suman Dark, Unknown, Parasitic, Deceased
Miranda Lotto, Time Record, Equipment, Active
Arystar Krory III, Unknown, Parasitic, Active
Hevlaska, Cube, Parasitic, Active
They all looked up from the book, Luna was pointing at Lavi's name then sliding it up to Lenalee and then to Allen Walker's.
"That boy must have something to do with all this." she said, tapping on Allen Walker's name.
"Lenalee?" they all turned to see Lavi, who was out of his trance, looking at the list of Exorcists. He stared at Allen Walker's for a few moments before shaking his head. He kneeled down and grabbed Iron Hammer from the ground.
"Why is Allen Walker branded for treason?" Harry asked.
"He has the Noah Memory." he stated but refused to say any more. Hermione turned the page and began reading aloud; " All humans on Earth are the descendants of Noah and his family, who survived the Great Flood and populated the Earth once more. Every so often, and when there is a vacancy within the Family, a gene within a random human, called the "Noah gene", awakens, turning that human into a Noah and causing them to fall under the influence of his hatred and memories stored within their blood. At their greatest, the Noah Family will have fourteen members, including the Earl of Millennium who leads them. When one of the members dies, an indeterminate amount of time later the same Noah will awaken in a new human, though under a new human name and a new human mindset." Ron narrowed his eyes casting a long glance at Lavi. Hermione shook her head before continuing," Each member of the Noah Family is known as an 'Apostle', and each Apostle has their own Noah name, though a few choose to continue to go by their human name. Members of the Noah Family, when they are in their Noah forms, are distinguished by their darkened skin, amber eyes, bluish black hair and the line of black, cross-like markings that go across their foreheads, called stigmata."
She looked up at Lavi before saying," That's all there is on the Noah." she stared at the page for a moment," How come you and Bak Chang are the only ones alive?"
"Bak?" Lavi's eyes widened with horror," How the hell could I forget?" he turned to Harry all of a sudden," Have you seen him? Please tell me you have!"
Harry shook his head," No, I haven't. I'm sure he's fine."
Lavi nodded," Yeah your right. He's fine. He's fine..." He began to tap the hilt of Iron.
Hermione said," If it bothers you that much, why don't you try to find him?"
Lavi paused. Turning slowly towards Hermione he gestured around him, the tall ceilings, the dark hallways, the millions of stairs. The fact he doesn't even remember what floor he's even on!
"I'm lost." He put it out plainly.
Ron began to say something but realized that Lavi Bookman wasn't a wizard, wasn't aprat of the magical world of wizards and witches. But he was apart of something almost greater than what they were. While they were sitting in classes, fighting some bad guys and hanging out, Lavi had to deal with fighting everyday. Training as an Exorcist and going out on missions. Then the betrayal by Allen Walker. They all could tell that even saying the name brings back horrible memories. But Hermione had to say one last thing.
"What if Allen Walker begins working for Voldemort?"
Lavi dropped Iron, it clanging with the ground and upsetting the dust around them. Once it settled, (after the amazed looks on Harry, Hermione, and Ron's face), they turned to see Lavi staring outside. The view led to the Forbidden Forest. The towering trees and darkness didn't even seem to faze him. Instead, it seemed to anger him.
"What's out there?' he growled.
"Bad things."
"Like what?"
"Large spiders, centaurs, and giants."
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
All four of them began to laugh, Luna was the loudest. They all paused to stare at her, though she hadn't noticed the stares until she caught Lavi's eye.
"Sorry." She grinned.
Suddenly, Harry collasped. Both Hermione and Ron caught him in time and sat him gently onto the ground.
"What the hell is happening?" He said, looking at Ron.
"It's ok." Hermione said," He's in a trance. Like you were before."
Lavi bowed his head slightly," Yeah about that...don't tell anyone that I did that."
"Why?"
"It's kinda flusters me." Lavi said," I have my honor to keep. And if anyone finds out I cried, that would be bad."
"Yeah, no problem."
Harry seemed to be awakening from his little trance seeing he without warning heaved a lenghtly breath.
"It's the snake. She's the last one. It's the last Horcrux. ."
Ron returned to Harry's side," Look inside him, Harry. Find out where he is, if you find him, we can find the snake. And we can end this."
Harry's face began to turn red as he began to concentrate as hard as he could. He was back in a trance once again. After a few seconds of watching him, Lavi stood and retrieved Iron from the ground nearby. He returned to his place near Luna.
"He wants Snape." Harry said.
Bak Chang was never so alone. He was outside, in a freaking battle, alone. Witches and wizards fighting one another. He couldn't summon the gargoyle again, it was on cooldown for ten more hours. He was worthless.
His hair was plastered to his face. Which he hated the sticky feeling that came along with it.
"Bak! Come this way?" It was Fred, one of the Weasley twins. He and his brother, George were nearby, along with Lavender Brown and Professor Slughorn. He dashed over, his feet pounding hard on the ground as he rushed to them. Lavender pointed her wand over his shoulder and shouted something that he couldn't hear. He dived towards the ground just to be on the safe side.
Fred led Bak down the hallway. Bak trusted Fred. And the others without the masks that are known as Death Eaters.
"Bak?" Lavender whispered, nodding towards a large spider that was near to him. Bak didn't fear spiders, he feared snakes. If he saw a snake, he would probably run away in fear. That much is for sure.
"We gotta get out of here. It's a death trap." Slughorn said, looking around at the destruction.
Bak nodded," I can't leave until I find Lavi."
"You care a lot about him, huh?" Lavender said.
Bak nodded,' He's kinda under my care for now. Though he really doesn't need it."
Fred nodded in agreement," He seems to be able to handle himself."
"Kid's tough, eh?" George grinned.
"He's nineteen, just saying."
"We're twenty." They both said at the same time, all the while laughing.
"Hey, no time to be playing around." Bak said, but he couldn't help but brag," I'm thirty."
"Damn!" they both exclaimed, laughing loudly to the point where Bak had to silence the younger men. Lavender shook her head in annoyance," They're the Weasley twins. They're always make trouble."
Fred suddenly rushed off to defend a young girl who's gotten hit by a spell that thrown her back into the wall. She slumped down, it was Cho Chang. The Chinese girl who looked almost like Lenalee. Bak almost broke out in hives.
"Are you ok, Cho?" George said, kneeling beside the girl. She nodded, but Bak knew she wasn't ok, there was too much blood dripping between her fingers that clutched to her wound.
Fred shook his head in anger," I can't let this slide." he turned to Bak," Protect them, please. Don't let anything happen to them."
"Fred!" George said," Don't go."
Fred's eyes seemed to tear up," I'll be back, Georgie. Don't worry."
George nodded," Okay. Be careful. This is the real shit here."
"Don't worry!"he shouted over his shoulder to his twin before he vanished into the rubble.
"He'll be back. Right?" George looked at Bak.
"He'll be back." Bak said.
George nodded, looking down at the now sleeping girl in his arms he suddenly scooped her up in his arms, facing Slughorn he handed her to him.
"What?" Slughorn asked.
"I'm going with my idiot brother." he said.
"No, your not."
"And why not?"
"Because I said so."
"And?"
"He can go." Bak finally interrupted the verbal arguement ensuing between older man and much younger. They both turned to Bak.
"But, Chang?" Slughorn said,"He's just a boy."
Bak shook his head and gestured to the redhead in front of him," Do you see this young man here? He's not a child anymore. He's twenty and very much able to do almost anything he thinks he can. If he feels the need to chase after his foolish brother, then let him go. He's has a strong heart, Mr. Slughorn."
George looked gratefully at the older man," Thanks." then he too, vanished into the surrounding rubble.
Now Slughorn, Lavender, the sleeping Cho and Bak were the only ones left in front of the hall. The big spider was long gone, no doubt after a poor bastard by now. He drew his dagger, knowing if it were nessasary he would summon the gargoyle once again to protect these students. The fact he even believed Shallow Man makes him want to throw up.
"Bak Chang?"
"Yeah, Lavender?" he asked.
"Where in Asia where you?"
"China."
"China?"
Bak nodded," China."
"What about Lavi?"
"London."
"London?"
"Yep."
{Sorry it took so long to put anything out. Thanks for putting my story as your favs and follow =) I really do appreciate it. This is my first story. Please give me some amazing reviews, thanks}