Wings of Hope
Author's Note: IT WASN'T OBVIOUS, MAYA! YOU CAN'T PROVE A THING! ...Ahem. This is another dramatic chapter. Sorry for those of you waiting for another happy chapter. It's me being me again. Now...part of this was chapter 6, but I needed it in this chapter, and 6 was getting long anyway. So here it is.
Chapter Seven: Hoping Beyond All Hope
How could you? You sold me out!
-Nuriko, Fushigi Yuugi, by Yu Watase
Great costumes, you guys! Aureilia grabbed Harry's hand and spun him around in a circle. Not bad at all! You could pass for actors at a festival de cultura!
She released Harry and grabbed Hermione's wrists, pulling her through the crowd. Hermes, come on! I'm thirsty! Girls are supposed to travel in groups!
Hermione stumbled after her. Ah, Rei, wait up!
Ron asked, and George snickered. That's Rei for you.
Don't you dare get mushy on me, Fred warned, we just started getting you back to normal. Come on, those Slytherins are about to try those chocolate frogs we planted!
A moment after the twins had left, Aureilia and Hermione came zooming back to Harry and Ron. Aureilia carried three large cups of punch, and was balancing a plate on the wing part of her costume. I brought stuff for you two. Eat up, this is hard to balance!
Harry took the plate off the wings and grabbed his cup. Hey Rei, how'd you make those, anyway?
Aureilia smiled. Magical technology. Don't you just love it?
Before anyone could say another word, she went white. Harry put a hand on her shoulder. Rei? What is it?
She pointed at Angelina, who was anxiously making her way over to them with Alicia and the twins. Before she could speak, Aureilia blurted out, What happened? What is it? Something bad happened, I know it. You're practically emanating distress from every orifice.
Rei, we don't have time for your jokes, Angelina said distractedly. Dumbledor's postponed the match against Ravenclaw tomorrow for another week. Apparently there have been some attacks on Muggle towns getting progressively closer to the school by Death Eaters, and he doesn't want to risk it.
Harry's eyes widened, and Ron groaned. Another week? What a gip!
Hermione whispered, and nodded at Aureilia. The girl was visibly shaken. The attacks are getting closer, you said?
Angelina nodded. I just heard. We won't be holding practice for a few days, either. I don't want to risk anything if Dumbledor's worried.
Aureilia gulped, and nodded emphatically. Absolutely. Don't take any chances with those guys. They're...they can be ruthless when they have an objective.
Harry said quietly, tapping her shoulder. She brushed his hand away lightly, and looked back at Angelina. So, how close exactly are they getting?
Ron managed to change the subject. he said curiously, tugging at one of the wings on her costume, what did you make these out of, anyway? Some sort of synthetic fabric?
Aureilia turned, pulling the wings out of his grasp. Nope. All natural. I just have a knack for it, I guess. It's a family trait.
What, making cool costumes?
Aureilia shrugged. Something like that.
Who are you supposed to be? Hermione asked. I don't remember winged people in King Arthur.
Aureilia flashed them an evil grin. Morgan Le Fay of the fairies. Claro que si.
She turned suddenly, and waved. Seamus! Over here! Join the party!
Seamus Finnigan walked over, swinging a club that looked eerily like a canoe paddle and wearing a bright green furry cape and shorts. Ron's eyes widened, and Aureilia began giggling madly. Hermione was more discreet. What costume is that, Seamus? she asked sweetly.
Seamus spun around proudly. I know it looks a bit strange, but me da helped me figure it out. I'm an Irish barbarian. What do you think?
Aureilia let out another shriek of laughter, and ran off, the crowd parting around her as everyone stared at the shimmering wings. Seamus looked after her with dreamy eyes. I think she likes it.
Something like that, Ron muttered. George's eye were blazing almost the same shade as Seamus' cape. Fred pinched his elbow. Oi, George, come on! Alicia's still got our food.
The twins walked off, George mumbling something under his breath, and Fred shaking his head exasperatedly. Harry looked at Ron, who shrugged, and Hermione rolled her eyes. Boys. Honestly!
What an interesting set up.
Draco swaggered over, his black cape swirling over his shoulder, grinning sardonically. A
mouse queen, a king with glasses, and a knight with second-hand armor. Very interesting indeed.
Get lost, Malfoy, Harry said, noticing Ron's reddening face.
Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Draco smiled wider. This is too good an opportunity to miss.
Hey hey! It's the man of the day! Aureilia suddenly appeared behind Draco, hands on his shoulders. Well, if it isn't Draco Malfoy himself. I don't believe I've had the pleasure.
Draco turned, and bowed. We have. But then you were still...
Aureilia said, I remember that perfectly. I said I've never had the pleasure. Every moment was agony.
Draco's eyes narrowed. You must've been spending too much time around these...
Are you flirting with me? Aureilia suddenly burst out with a smile.
Draco jumped back, eyes wide. No! No! What are you talking about?
Aureilia smiled wider. You so are! Hey everyone! she yelled, turning. Get this! Draco's got a crush on the ex-retard! She danced around madly, laughing. The bad boy of the school likes me! That's soooo funny! I don't know what to think!
Draco's eyes narrowed in anger, but his ears flamed red. You're as pathetic as the rest of your friends!
Aureilia stopped her spin, and looked at Seamus. Mind if I use that cape? I might have to mop up the vomit from my disgust at this thing here, she continued, pointing at Draco, and I don't want it to clash with anyone's costume. It match yours though.
Seamus blinked, and Draco snarled furiously. Save it for someone who cares! he snapped, and stalked away.
Aureilia giggled, and shivered suddenly. It's getting cold here. I'm going to get a cloak or something. This dress isn't very warm.
She waved as she exited the hall. Be back soon!
Hermione raised an eyebrow, then shook her head with a smile. Told you she would be nice once we got to know her, she said pompously to Ron, taking his hand. Come on. Let's dance.
She dragged him off into the party, leaving Harry and Seamus to hear Ron's protests. Hey! Stop! Why me? Hermione, I don't want to dance! Geroff! Hermione!
*
Aureilia wandered down the hallway, talking practically to herself. She's lost Harry and Ron a while ago. Then they tied him to a chair and covered him in whipped cream and...wait, did I ever tell you about how I tormented my landlord before my cousin got her own house by making stuff disappear out of his room and reappear in the fridge? I did. Then once I put the computer in there, so I never got to finish the story line with Mako-chan and Usagi. It was so annoying. Morons at ten o'clock.
It took Ron and Harry a minute to register that they'd stopped right in front of the library, and Draco Malfoy and group of his cronies were standing in front of them. Draco grinned. You sounded smarter when you didn't talk.
Aureilia rolled her eyes. Oh. How creative. Move now.
Draco moved closer as the trio tried to move past him. Miss Rose. The perfect girl. Smart, but has a life outside of studies. Funny, the greatest flier in school history, the one with the strange talents, the great relationships with the teachers, the looks, the voice...everything. Even the best Halloween costume. It's so very perfect. Something has to be wrong.
Aureilia suddenly went very white, and stepped back. Hey. Knock it off, man. You're going to get yourself in trouble.
Draco grabbed a fist full of her robe. Not for revealing the truth, Rei.
Aureilia tugged at the cloth in his hands. Let go! I mean it, Malfoy! I'll hurt you!
He grinned maliciously, and pulled harder. Ron stepped forward. Hey! What do you think you're doing? You're gonna rip her clothes off or something!
By now, students in the library were filing out to see what the commotion was. Aureilia kicked out at Draco and her foot connected solidly with his kneecap. He winced as the crack echoed through the hall, but yanked a little harder. Aureilia clawed at his hands furiously. Stop it! You don't even know what you're doing, you stupid git!
You're going to rip that!' Harry yelled as he heard the sound of a tear starting to form in Aureilia robes. He and Ron rushed forward, but Crabbe and Goyle stepped forward and held them back easily. Aureilia twisted frantically. Malfoy! Stop it! Please! Her voice grew hysterical. Please, I'm begging you! Stop it now!
Draco grinned, and gave on final tug.
The black robe ripped down the front, and Aureilia fell backwards out of it. Ron covered his eyes, and several other boys leaned forward to get a closer look. Within moments, most of them had stepped back with a gasp, and several girls were whispering to themselves over the sight. Aureilia rubbed her elbow, shook her head to clear it, and sat up. She shivered, and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. The sheer layered sleeves barely covered her arms at all, the white lavender dress was dirty and wrinkled from her fall, and the bright, iridescent wings trembled in the cold hallway.
Wings that sprung from her bare back between her shoulder blades. Wings that were now all too clearly real.
Aureilia looked around, eyes wide, teeth chattering in the winter cold of the castle. She finally managed to stand, and turned around, looking at everyone watching. The crowd shrank back in mixed fear, revulsion, and uncertainty. She whirled on Malfoy, and her fist connected with his nose with a wet crunching sound. Draco screamed, and covered his face, blood spewing from his fingers.
You bastard! Aureilia screamed furiously before she turned and ran away from everyone as fast as her legs would take her. I hope you die of blood loss, you bastard you bastard you bastard!
*
Aureilia crawled under her covers, clutching the exposed locket desperately. I hate him! I hate him! All of them! They're just standing there gawking at me, like I'm some sort of freak. They don't get it. They don't understand. It's not my fault! I didn't ask to be like that!
She closed her eyes against tears, holding the locket tighter. Kari, you understood. No one else did. I shouldn't have gotten in that fight with you. I shouldn't have done any of the things I did the last time I saw you. Kari, Hikari, it wasn't supposed to end like that!
Aureilia choked back a sob. It's not fair! If those Death Eaters hadn't found us...if Voldemort hadn't been so insistant...I'd still have people that understand. Lilith and Jared don't, they didn't get the wings. Mama, Papa, Andrei, Rico, Abuelita y Abuelito...all of them gone. No one left how understands-not the wings, not the magic, not the fear, not the loneliness...not...not...
She couldn't keep back the tears this time. They streamed down her face. Kari, Hikari, my friend, my dearest and most precious friend, no one understands how much of me died with you. I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I shouldn't have fought. I should have told you that you really were my best friend, and half of my world...I should've been able to standup to you that day, to say we should be in school...Kari, Hikari, it's been so long already and I miss you more, not less, and I don't think I'll ever be able to have a friend again...not and risk losing anyone like I lost you.
Aureilia curled into a ball on her side, hair tangled on the pillow beneath her head, biting her lip till it bled, trying not to cry again. It did no good. It never brought her back in time to that moment when she could have stopped everything.
There was a creak as the door opened, and a moment later Hermione pulled the covers away from Aureilia's head.
*
Rei? What happ- Hermione blinked. So. It's true then. I knew that costume was too good to be true.
Rei glared. That's not funny. Leave me alone.
Why, Rei? I want to help you. You're my friend.
I don't have friends! she yelled. Don't you get it? I have no friends! I do everything I can to make sure I don't make any friends! Haven't you figured that out yet? Or is that brain of yours just for show?
Hermione narrowed her eyes. You know, just because you're new here doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules.
Aureilia snapped, so sorry I'm not following your little rules of conduct. Perhaps I should discuss this with you over a cup of tea and some crumpets?
I meant, Hermione said icily, that you're missing class. I got permission to leave to find you. What's your excuse? I'm the only one who knows where you ran off too. Just because you're a little upset doesn't mean you can shirk your studies, you know.
I told you to go away! I don't care about school! I don't care about anything!
You're a very bad liar. Hermione looked at Aureilia's wings again. Do all freaks look like you? Are they all as rude? Or are you just a little freakier than usual?
Aureilia sat up, fists clenched. Take that back!
See? You do care.
Go to hell!
Hermione sat down on Aureilia's bed. You could try and be a little less touchy, you know. You're so mean to the rest of us. You yell at us and get angry about all sorts of things we don't understand, act like we should know better, and storm off. We don't know anything about you.
Don't give me that. You know more than enough about me. Aureilia stared sullenly at the ground. You all probably figured out things I don't want you to know, too.
No, we haven't, Aureilia. We know next to nothing about you. You don't tell us a thing. Hermione began to count off on her fingers. You're name is Aureilia Rose. You come from New York City-probably Queens, if I'm any judge of accents, which I'm not, so that's just speculation. You transferred here from Littlevane. You didn't speak for a year, but no one knows why. You know an awful lot about magic that the rest of us don't, but haven't told us about it at all. You lived with two of your cousins for the last year. Your entire family was killed by Death Eaters trying to carry out You KNow Who's orders posthumously, and only Harry, Ron, the teachers, and I know that. She looked up, holding up the seven fingers. And now we know you have wings, but how or why, no one knows. You don't tell us anything, Rei. How are we supposed to know when we're going to set you off?
She crossed her arms. You're the touchiest person I've ever known. It's ridiculous. Now if you would like to act like a human being and talk about your problems, I'll be in Potions. She stood to leave, then paused, shooting a final look at Aureilia. Oh, wait. You're not human. I forgot.
Hermione closed the door. Aureilia glared after her, then hurled a shoe at the door. Good riddance! she yelled. I don't need help from you, Miss Hermione Granger!
She slumped onto her pillow, glaring at the ceiling. I don't need help from any of them, she muttered. I was fine on my own for the last year. I don't need help now.
A voice in the back of her head reminded her of the tiny picture in the unopened locket. Aureilia sat up, tore the necklace from her neck, and flung it out the window. I don't need anyone! she yelled after it. I never did! I never will again!
She stared out the window for a long time.
*
Aureilia didn't show up for classes or meals the rest of the day, nor did she appear during breakfast the next morning. So everyone was surprised when she showed up in Arithrimacy first class of the day.
Everyone with the exception of a certain brunette prefect.
Hermione didn't say a word as Aureilia slid into her seat next to her. She wore a new black robe, and her hair was pulled out of her face with a simple red headband. She stared ahead at the teacher. Hermione did the same, and passed over the gold locket she'd found outside the tower the previous day. There was a new chain on it, replacing the one Aureilia had snapped tearing it from her neck. This is yours, right?
Aureilia took it silently. Neither girl looked at each other. Hermione whispered again. I didn't look in it. I couldn't figure out how to open it.
Aureilia carefully put it back around her neck and tucked it into her robe. She and Hermione didn't say a word the rest of class.
But occasionally, Aureilia's hand drifted to the spot on her chest where the locket lay against her skin, and at the end of class, she flashed Hermione a smile before hurrying off for Divinations.
