Hey guys! As usual, sorry for the long wait. It's finally spring break though, so I'll hopefully have more time to work on the story! Installments will be slow (as they have been up to this point) until school lets out for the summer. Once I'm out of school I'll have more than enough time to update my heart away! :) Just bear with me for the next two months.

Anyway, for now enjoy the next chapter! There's much more stuff going on in this one, so you won't want to miss it. Let me know what you think! The more reviews I get- the more motivated I am. :)


Previously:

"Now are you ready?" Bill held out his arm.

"Definitely," I linked my arm with his, making sure one was still gripping my trunk. And with that, we apparated to Bill's flat in Egypt. Little did we know that another pair of eyes peeking from around the side of the house was watching us disappear into the night.


Chapter 8- Imposter

FLASHBACK TO THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE…


Haydn's POV

"Excuse me, Holly," I asked the girl sitting outside the castle gates with a book under her arm and a basket on the other.

"Haydn," she smiled. "How may I be of service to you?"

"I have been wondering if you have knowledge of Gina's whereabouts?"

"I have seen her most previously at the castle. Unfortunately I do not know if she is still presently there. I was sent to the market." She raised the basket to prove her statement.

"Thank you," I said before running to the gates.

"Halt!" One palace guard stepped out to block my entrance to the castle.

"It is I, General Haydn," I responded.

"Very well," he gave me a polite nod before granting me access.

I made my way through the courtyard and up to the front entrance. Before I could knock, Malia threw open the doors.

"Oh! I deeply apologize, Haydn. I was not aware you were there," Malia put a hand on my shoulder. "Have you had any sight of Gina?"

"No, ma'am," I shook my head. Where could she be?

"Oh," Malia put a hand to her forehead. "This cannot be happening again!"

"Do not worry. I will set forth and locate her," I reassured her.

"Will you? Oh, we all would be ever so grateful. Thank you, kind gentleman!"

"It will be my honor."

With that, I set back into the forest, remembering what Gina had told me before. She has been in contact with the dangers of 'the other side'. I had no idea what would be waiting for me through the trees, but I had no choice. Gina could be in danger and it was my duty to go after her. I went to the Nightfall's Army base to alert the other soldiers of my plan.

"Do you need any assistance?" one soldier, Samuel asked.

"No, I feel it is best I go alone," I replied. "More soldiers are needed here to be on the look out for more Loviatar. Samuel, will you take responsibility while I am departed?"

He nodded. "It will be my pleasure."

"I expect you all will give Samuel your full respect as Reserve General while I am gone. If there are any complications whatsoever, you will be answering to me later. Is that clear?"

The soldiers nodded, some glancing at Samuel with envy.

"I will not let you down," Samuel said in a low voice as he shook my hand.

"Fine," I snatched my sword and shield from the wall, and put on my cloak. "I am putting my trust in you."

Samuel saluted me as I left the base. When I walked outside, I let loose one of the army horses from the stable. She was a marvelous black steed with much strength- the one I always used. Her full name was Maia Eunomia, but I favored just Maia.

"Maia, we have an important assignment," I said as if she were a human being. "We must locate the princess and return her home safely."

Maia whinnied and moved her head in such a way that made me believe she understood. I mounted the glorious horse and took off into the woods.


BACK TO THE PRESENT…

General POV

Ron yawned yet again.

"Up for another game?" he asked.

Harry seemed half-asleep already, leaning against the couch with the chess board in between him and his best friend.

"Not tonight," Harry glanced at the clock. 12:39 AM. It had been a while since Fred and George went to their room saying something about checking on their sink-holes in the garden for the gnomes to get trapped in in the morning…

Harry almost drifted of once more.

"Harry!" Ron called, not fully awake himself.

"Wha-?" Harry replied. "Let me sleep."

"You two are pitiful," Hermione laughed, causing both of them to jump.

"Hermione? I thought you left," Ron stared at her.

"I was only in the armchair, reading."

"Of course," Ron stood up. "Typical Hermione."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione put her hands on her hips.

"It's too late for arguing!" Harry stopped the pair. "Someone help me up!"

Ron reached out a hand, and Harry stood up. They all started to walk up the stairs, when Ron stopped.

"I forgot my chess set. I'll be right up, Harry."

Harry nodded sleepily and ascended the stairs, Hermione turning into Ginny's room for the night.


Ron's POV

I stepped down the last few stairs, almost tripping down them in the process. I spotted my chess set and made my way over to it, blinking numerous times to bring my eyes back into focus. I groggily picked up the pieces and set them in their places inside the container. Once that was done, I stood up to leave, turning my head past the window and toward the stairs.

Was that a horse outside? I had to do a double-take back to the window. I rubbed my eyes, believing it was only an effect of being so tired. But when I looked again, there was a large steed standing on the other side of our front yard. I went to the window to get a closer look when a head popped up right on the other side of the window I was looking out of.

I yelped, leaping back from the window and dropping my chess set. Then I realized it was only Harry.

"Harry," I said partially annoyed, but also relieved. "You scared me!"

From outside, Harry looked at me and looked confused.

"Wait," I approached the window again. "How did you even get out there? You were just upstairs-"

"Are you ok, Ron?"

I whirled around to find Harry standing at the bottom of the stairs behind me.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on?" I looked back toward the window but the head was gone.

"Ron, why don't you come upstairs? I think some sleep would be good for you right now," Harry raised an eyebrow at me.

"No, Harry," I tried to organize my thoughts. "How did you do that? You didn't use that time-tuner again, did you?"

"Why would I use a time-turner?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Then can you explain why I just saw you outside?"

"I wasn't outside, Ron."

"Then you suddenly have some twin that was?" I couldn't make sense of it all.

"You're tired! You don't know what you're talking about."

"Harry, look outside and tell me you don't see anything out of the ordinary," I crossed my arms.

Harry walked to the window, clearly annoyed. "I don't see anything."

"WHAT?" I turned to the window and didn't see the other Harry or the horse. "Come on…"

"Ron, you obviously need sleep." Harry nudged me toward the stairs.

"But… but," I couldn't believe it. Harry thinks I'm mental!

"Harry, I swear I'm not lying-" I tried.

"Tell me again in the morning. I'm too tired to argue now," Harry said. I couldn't disagree even though images of that horse and of another Harry were still imbedded in my mind.


Haydn's POV (A little while before…)

I rode through the trees, only thinking about finding Gina and returning her home. As soon as Maia and I made it out of the forest, we were in a very peaceful bit of land.

"Such serenity," I murmured while observing the glittering lake and the fresh green grass. It was a beautiful place… much like Nightfall Kingdom was before the Loviatar appeared. Maia grew impatient and whinnied. I figured she must be in need of a rest seeing as she galloped through the woods and onto the 'other side'. I jumped down from her back and fed her a handful of sugar cubes while leading her on foot. I enjoyed strolling through the soft grass, and feeling the gentle breeze caress my face. I closed my eyes for a minute to enhance the peace, when something hit my foot and I very ungracefully fell to the ground.

Maia jumped and whinnied again, certainly frightened by the interference.

I opened my eyes as I hit the ground, and scanned the area for the culprit. I saw another face look toward mine, and the creature stood up. It was extremely tiny with an unsightly appearance. I was appalled by its expression and fumbled to get back on my feet. The creature started waving a tiny fist at me and shouting something I couldn't understand. All I knew was that it was alarming my companion.

I grabbed a hold of Maia's reins and led her away from the minute beast, who was still animatedly jumping around shouting incomprehensible statements to me. I backed up the small hill, making sure the creature wouldn't attack. When we were a safe distance from it, I turned around to continue my search for the princess. The moment I turned around, I was greeted by the sight of a uniquely designed residence. It was like nothing I've ever seen before. It looked like a common village house, but with more layers added on. I stood in wonder for a little too long in Maia's opinion. She nudged me with her nose, and I laughed.

"Very well, Maia," I pat her nose and led her near the house. I heard shouting coming from inside, and made sure to stay near the bushes in case of any danger. I stood there for quite some time, wondering what I should do. I had no idea whether I should barge into the house and demand answers or wait here for some kind of clue. Maia was content with nibbling on the greenery outdoors, and before I knew it, the sky started darkening.

I internally debated what I should do for a little while longer. Once I made up my mind to enter the abode, the door swung open and I dashed under the bushes once more. I looked through a hole in the plant to get a look at who it was. It was too dark to see for sure, but one of the voices had the beautiful gentility of Gina's. I knew it had to be her. Before I could act on my thoughts and rush to her aid, the two figures disappeared into thin air. I gasped, Sorcery!

Should I turn back and gather an army? Surely whoever was behind this magic was significantly more powerful than I had anticipated… And what were they going to do with Gina? She didn't sound distressed, but I didn't know where she had been taken to.

That was it. I needed to rescue her. I would bring her back to Nightfall, or die trying. It was my duty to protect the kingdom. What kind of soldier would I be if I didn't save the princess?

A new sense of vigor inflating my actions, I approached the house. Maia saw me leaving, and neighed, trotting alongside of me.

"Maia, no!" I put my hands up to slow her down. "I must do this alone."

She shook her head and snorted at me.

"You must protect yourself," I led her back to the bushes, securing her reins on a plant. "Stay. Good girl."

I began to approach the house again, stealing glances toward the horse to ensure her obedience.

Once I came close to the door, I took a breath, preparing myself to enter. Before I was able to proceed, I heard approaching thumps on the ground.

I rotated to witness Maia trotting in my direction once more.

"Woah!" I tried calming the steed. She was looking inside the window.

I turned and approached the figure on the other side of the glass to find out if there was any trace of the princess. The person jumped back, startled, and I continued to look.

It couldn't be… but there was no other explanation. There was Prince Rylan in peasant clothing inside of an ordinary house on the 'other side'. I was about to ask him what was happening, but he spoke first.

"Harry. You scared me!" he said.

Why did he address me as Harry? Gina did the same when I retrieved her from the 'other side'… It wasn't possible that it was only a coincidence.

"Wait. How did you even get out there? " the Prince Rylan impersonator began to approach the window again. This action startled Maia and she began to panic. I quickly grabbed her reins to calm her, before she galloped to the safety of the bushes, dragging me along as well.

"Maia!" I scolded the horse, disappointed that I didn't learn the truth of the fanatical encounter. I saw the light from the house dim, and realized that it was too late for further investigation. I sat at Maia's feet and wrapped my cloak around me, forcing myself to ignore the numerous questions swimming in my head and just rest. I closed my eyes, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.


Harry's POV

I woke up earlier than Ron, not able to sleep any longer. Thoughts of last night played through my head. Ginny leaving, playing chess, and then Ron's episode. What was it he was talking about again? Me having a double who was roaming around the outdoors at night? I chuckled to myself contemplating just how tired Ron must have been to think up a scenario like that.

Then I thought about Ginny again. We had really been growing closer in the past day or two, and I was actually more upset at her leaving than I let on. Before she left, she asked me to owl her while she was gone. I decided to take her up on that offer.

Trying not to wake up Ron and earn questioning from him, I quietly opened my trunk and took out a spare piece of parchment and a quill. I scratched down some pathetic-sounding heading that read:

Hey Ginny,

So… you told me to owl you. I thought I would. I mean, because you wanted me to and I was bored and

I shook my head. How pathetic am I? I wadded up the paper and threw it into my trunk, rummaging for another piece, vowing to myself to not sound like an idiot. Why was it so hard to talk to her? It used to be so simple, but now that I have confirmed to myself that I like her… Well, I'm not the usual brave and courageous Harry Potter around her. I'm a love-struck idiot. I hope it wasn't obvious to anyone else… especially to her though. She'd laugh at how pitiable I am.

I tried again:

Hey Ginny,

How's Egypt? I'm sure it's more exciting than around here… The most eventful happening here was Ron's lack of sleep last night. He started making up a story of another me outside with a horse or something. It was very bizarre. You would've gotten a laugh out of it!

Anyway, owl me back when you have time.

Your friend,

Harry

I opened the cage holding the sleeping Pig, and gently lifted it out. Pig woke and started hooting happily as I tied the letter to its foot.

"Shh! We don't want to wake Ron," I whispered. I opened the window and sent the petite owl on its way.

"Harry?" Ron asked groggily. "Close the window! I'm freezing."

"It's not that bad, Ron," I said. "Actually, I think I'll take my broom out for a ride."

"Be my guest," Ron threw the blankets back over his head. I rolled my eyes at my friend and slipped my clothes on before heading out the door, broom in hand.

Mrs. Weasley was already up and making breakfast when I went downstairs.

"Oh, hello Harry!" she smiled. "Breakfast won't be ready for another half an hour or so."

"I'm going for a little ride, but I'll be back shortly," I said.

"Go ahead, dear," Molly said.

I stepped out into the crisp air, taking off into the morning on my broom.


Haydn's POV

I woke to hear something cutting through the otherwise peaceful air. I raised my head to see a figure flying in the sky. I panicked, remembering the magic I witnessed last night.

"Maia," I turned to my companion.

"Maia?" She was nowhere in sight.

I stood up and scanned the spot for any sign as to where she had gone. I could not afford to lose yet another cohort. My grumbling stomach interrupted my thoughts, and suddenly all I could visualize was food. The aroma of delicious breakfast confections wafted through the cool morning air. Letting my stomach guide the way, I drew near the residence. Concerned as to what might happen, I hesitantly knocked on the wooden door.

I was greeted by the bright smile of Malia.

"Back so soon, dear?" She urged me inside. "Breakfast is almost done!"

"Great," was all I could utter. I was shocked at finding Malia in a place like this. Why were she and Rylan here instead of at Nightfall's Castle? Before I had the opportunity to inquire these questions, she left to attend the food.

I observed the room and all of its contents. One image on the wall was of Gina, but it was moving. I examined the portrait and saw her slightly freckled face smiling up at the viewer with a glint of amusement in her eyes as if she was laughing at someone. I could not help but reflect her expression as I continued to watch the beautiful girl.

"Good morning, Harry," a voice interrupted my hypnosis. I glanced at the speaker, confused at the third offense of my false name.

"Holly, is that you?"

She stared critically at me.

"Hermione," she said. "You know that, Harry."

"My apologies," I thought through the confusion, attempting to make sense of it.

"My apologies?" She entered the room. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Splendid," I pretended I was not becoming insane, even though I was convinced that was true.

"Harry, really. You're not acting yourself," she reached a hand onto my forehead. "Are you sick?"

"No," I removed her hand from my head.

"Breakfast is ready!" the Malia imitator called.

Suddenly, many redheads emerged from various areas of the house. I was greeted with many 'Good morning's and 'Hello, Harry's.

I could not think of anything else to do except appease my hunger. So I sat down along with everyone else at the table. Just as the group began to assemble their meals and eat, another figure arrived at the door.

"Does anyone know why there is a horse in the backyard?" he asked while placing a broom stick in the corner of the room.

"Harry?!" Holly's look-alike dropped her fork with a clatter.

"What in the blazes-" the elderly redhead shouted.

My twin looked me in the eye and I stared back with the exact same expression. I stood from my seat and unsheathed my sword, pointing it directly at the imposter. The eldest woman screamed and the others stared with wide eyes.

"Who are you and what have you done with Gina?"


Wooh! There was chapter 8. Please leave a review because the more reviews I get, the more motivated I am to update sooner! Let me know what you want to see happen next :)

~Megan