Chapter 10: Memories, Conversations and…California Dreaming?
Jamie Potter Strikes Again
By: Rita Skeeter,
"Bella…Kaira…what is it?" Jamie asked in concern as she took a seat next to her friends in the library.
Bella and Kaira exchanged a concerned look before Bella got up the courage to ask "Have you seen today's Prophet?"
"No, why?" Jamie asked completely confused as to why the Prophet would be making her friends act the way they were. "Did someone I know die or something?" she asked jokingly but the looks on Bella's and Kaira's faces made her sober quickly. "What is it? Come on guys, if it's got you that worried would you at least tell me or better yet do you have a copy of the Prophet? That way you don't have to worry about telling me since I can read it for myself."
Bella shot Kaira another concerned look before handing over her copy of the day's Daily Prophet.
Yes dear readers you read that headline right. Jamie Potter has struck again and this time her victim is none other than her own boyfriend Draco Malfoy. The very same Draco Malfoy she jilted six years ago when she married his very own father, one Lucius Malfoy, who died at her hand not even six months after their marriage on New Year's Day.
Mr. Malfoy was arrested last week on charges of kidnapping and assault…
Jamie's face paled once she got a look at the headline splashed across the front page. As she continued to read, whatever colour that had remained in her face vanished and her hands started to shake. "I…ah…I gotta…I better…go," Jamie stuttered as she rose from her spot and bolted for the door.
"Poor Jamie," commented Kaira as she watched her cousin bolt from the library. "She's made so much progress, I hope this doesn't cause some kind of set back for her."
"Me too, Kaira, me too," agreed Bella.
After running from the library, Jamie had no idea where she was going; she was just letting her feet take her wherever they wanted to. It was not long before she found herself in a part of the castle that was not generally used by the students. Continuing to let her feet take her wherever they may she continued to wander in the unused part of the castle. It was not long before she found herself standing in front of a vaguely familiar portrait.
"Hello there Snake Child, it has been a long time since last we saw you?" hissed the portrait causing Jamie to jump slightly when she realized she could understand what the portrait had been saying.
"Hello," she hissed in return. "You know me?"
"Of course Snake Child, there are not many who we can speak with so we remember those that we can. We last saw you a number of years ago when a tall blond Snake Man lived in these rooms."
/-/Lucius,/-/ Jamie thought sadly to herself. "Listen I don't remember the password to these rooms and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to grant me access. I'm trying to remember my past and for some reason my feet brought me to you. I have many questions and feel that some of the answers I seek are hidden behind you, in the room that you guard."
"Of course Snake Child, you may enter anytime you wish. These are your rooms. They belong to you and the blond Snake Man," instructed the snake before opening to allow Jamie to enter the rooms beyond.
As Jamie made her way into the room, the images that had appeared to her after her return to Hogwarts seemed to solidify in her mind as more memories of her time with Lucius here in these rooms started coming forth. As Jamie wandered around the rooms she could almost see herself and Lucius in the room. It was almost as if they had left a part of themselves there in that room. Everywhere she turned she could see something that had happened in that room. The longer she stayed, the more she could feel Lucius near her but yet the longer she stayed the more her heart broke, knowing that she would never again feel his loving arms embrace her.
Walking towards the fireplace she noticed something on the mantle; she reached up and took the crystal whiskey decanter down. She did not know what it was about this particular piece but for some reason she felt drawn to it, much like she had towards Abraxas' portrait. As she examined the decanter she was suddenly hit with an unexpected memory flash and soon found herself being drawn into it, dropping the whiskey decanter as her head fell into her hands.
A few minutes later Jamie's vision cleared, the memory sliding back into her subconscious. Rubbing her temples lightly to try to ease the massive headache she now had, she carefully made her way from the room in search of her friend, who she hoped might have some answers for her…as well as something for her head.
Ten minutes later Jamie had found Isáwien and dragged her outside to find some privacy as they walked through the school gardens. "So you found Lucius' room." Isáwien summarized after hearing the first part of her story.
"I didn't intend to but that seems to be what happened," Jamie replied quietly. "It was weird; it was like with Abraxas' room…my feet just seemed to carry me there. I was so out of it and wasn't really paying much attention to where I was going until the portrait started talking to me. I didn't even know the password but for some reason it let me in anyway. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"It's okay Love. Talk, I'll stay silent as long as possible," Isáwien promised with a smile.
"It's just that when I was in that room…I...I felt him Isá…there in that room…it was like he was there, like I could see him…"
Isáwien made a noise that was a mix between a cough and a choking sound, catching Jamie's attention.
"Isá?" Jamie asked in concern as she started rubbing Isáwien's back. "Are you all right?"
Clearing her throat Isáwien nodded. "Yeah, I just breathed wrong." she assured her friend. /-/Lucius were you in that bloody room? You were weren't you? Bloody bugger my throat didnot need me trying to mask my almost laughing at the absurdity of the situation!/-/
/-/Of course I was in the bloody room Isáwien. How the hell was I supposed to know she was coming here? But I did not reveal myself to her. I stayed hidden under the invisibility cloak in the corner and just watched her if you must know./-/
"If you're sure you're alright," Jamie commented, a slight note of worry in her voice.
"I'm fine love," Isáwien replied with a smile. /-/hehehehe Poor Lucius…had to watch his wife walk around not ten feet away from him. muhahahahahahahaha/-/
/-/Isáwien…/-/ Lucius growled. /-/There was something more to her time here than just wandering around. I think she remembered something./-/
/-/No shite Sherlock. Why else would she have sought me out immediately afterwards,/-/ Isáwien replied rolling her eyes. "Anyway love, as you were saying, you could sense Lucius in the room."
"It was if I could see us there in that room together. It's not like he was actually there or anything…it was more like I was seeing…our essence or something…traces…images of us…does that make any sense at all or am I finally going crazy?"
"Love, you're bonded to him. You can sense him just from that. But that room was very important to you both. Being there would probably just help release your memories."
"That's actually why I dragged you out here. Remember when I was hit by those memories that had absolutely no trigger?"
"Of course."
"Well they all fell into place. I remember everything about those particular memories but when I was in the room…it was weird; I was looking at the fireplace when something on the mantle caught my eye. I picked it up and that's when the latest memory hit. What I want to know is why…why did they do that to us? I thought they cared about us."
Closing her eyes Isáwien sighed softly and nodded towards a bench. "They did care love," she began softly.
"Then why Isá…why did they do it?" Jamie asked as she took a seat on the bench.
"They thought that they were doing what was best for us. In their minds they only saw Lucius as an evil being. Just as you yourself did just months ago," Isáwien paused with a shrug. "Not ten years ago I thought of him the same way. Harry, Draco, and Severus were so lost in their beliefs that they had to protect you from the world that they missed seeing that you didn't need them to protect you. And when I tried to tell Severus and Draco otherwise, they started thinking I was just as confused. By the end, they were so far down their spiral that they didn't even realize they were doing what they were doing. Except for maybe Severus, he did seem to come out of his arse long enough at the meeting to realize some of the things Draco was saying. But it wasn't much longer before he had joined the two back in the black hole that is their stupidity."
"Oh…so that's why we left then. I still can't believe that Draco basically threw our pasts in our faces like that. I'm feeling trapped Isá, trapped in a relationship that I may never break free of."
"Love, you can break free of Draco. For Merlin's sake baby girl, you are the strongest person I know. Draco is in Azkaban now, but when he does get out eventually, there are ways to keep him away from you. We both know that Draco probably won't like it if you break up. But you are the true owner of the Manor; you can set up wards to keep him out of the house unless you invite him in. Sort of like the wards that block a vampire from entering without permission... Whatever you choose Jyn, you know I'll support you, and I'll do everything I can to make sure you get what you want and need."
"I know Isá…it's just…for everything he's done to me I still love him and I know that we fight a lot and this year has been…well not the greatest but…Draco has been the one constant in my life. He helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life and as much as he may hate Luc and what he was to me, Draco has always been there for me over Christmas. How can I turn away from that?" Jamie asked quietly.
"Jamie... I know you have reasons to be thankful to him. But just because you owe someone gratitude, doesn't mean you have to give up your happiness. Sweetie, I know you, and I know Draco. As much as we all care about the prat, nothing is worth sacrificing your own peace of mind and happiness. Because then you'll only grow to hate him more, and you'll also hate yourself..." Isáwien trailed off looking down at her hands.
"I don't think I even know what happiness is anymore Isá. That part of me died that day in the Throne Room. I don't know what to do anymore…what to think…and don't even ask me what I feel because I haven't felt anything in so long that I don't think I know how to feel anymore."
"Jyn girl, you do still feel things. That's proven everyday when you react to the things that are happening in your life. As for happiness... you may have forgotten what it's like, but you still know, in your heart you still know. And believe me, the only thing that died in that room was Tom. You just lost touch with that part of you," she continued softly as she plucked a daisy and handed it to her.
Jamie could not help but chuckle as she took the daisy from her friend. "Why does life have to be so bloody complicated?"
"Because the fates love watching us struggle," Isáwien replied with a smile. "I'll leave you be for now baby girl," she continued as she stood and headed towards the castle. /-/By the way, your laugh just proved you still can get in touch with that part of you,/-/ she called as she disappeared around the path.
"But it grows harder and harder everyday," Jamie commented quietly as she too rose from the bench and started making her way back towards the castle until a noise behind her caused her to stop in her tracks. "Who's there?" she demanded as she tried to find what caused the noise. "Show yourself!"
"It's only me, Jamie."
"Draco?" Jamie asked in disbelief as Draco cleared a bend in the path, bringing him into view. "What are you doing here? How did you get out?" she demanded as she started to back away from him.
"Please, just hear me out," Draco replied softly.
"Why should I trust you after what you've done to me?"
"I know, I know. You have no reason too. But please just give me a chance. You have no idea how sorry I am."
"Fine, you have five minutes and we stay within sight of the castle and Hagrid's hut, understood? And you bloody well should be sorry for what you put me through," Jamie ground out.
"Thank you," he replied with a slight smile. "Jamie I shouldn't have done what I did. I know it's no excuse, but I wasn't thinking straight. If I could take it all back I would..."
"You weren't thinking straight! My Gods Draco you knock me unconscious and then wake me after you've tied me to a bed! Do you have any idea what that did to me? You and Harry found me the day that the Gryffindors ra…raped me. You know how they did it and yet you proceeded to kidnap me in the exact same fashion. Even your Father realized what I must have been remembering when he pinned me to the bed and then woke me after taking me to Manor that first night because according to him I reacted exactly the way that I did when you woke me the other day and yet you didn't even notice what was going on. All you cared about were your precious answers," Jamie snapped, glaring intently at Draco.
"I know. I know," Draco replied softly. "There has to be a way we can get through this. Please tell me there's a way," he pleaded.
"I honestly don't know Draco. Believe me I wish there was a simple answer that I could give you but there isn't. I know you probably don't believe this but I do love you Draco. I have for years but you need to accept the fact that I loved your Father as well and that I was married to him. Tell me something…what do you see when you look at me?" she asked quietly.
"I see the most beautiful woman in the world, both inside and out. A woman I love, and have loved since I was a teenager that didn't know what was right in front of him."
"Then why do you try so hard to deny who I am…who I was. Dragon, the more you deny my past the more you push me away. I love you Draco, I do but the more you deny my past, especially where your Father is concerned, the harder it is for me. If you love me as much as you say you do then you need to accept me…all of me, which includes my love for your Father. Draco I know I hurt you deeply when I married Lucius but you have to understand what my life was like at that time…"
"Jamie please..." Draco interrupted.
"Please what Draco? What do you want me to say? That I never loved Lucius? That marrying him was the biggest mistake of my life? Because I can't Draco; if I did than not only would I be lying to you, I would be lying to myself, which is even worse. It would be denying who I am. As much as I hate to say it Draco, I think the best thing right now for both our sakes is space, space to come to terms with everything that's happened. I need time to come to terms with everything that I'm remembering and I think you need to sit down and do some serious soul searching about what you want out of life Draco. Believe me when I say that I love you, but I can't stay with you if you continue to deny who I am…who I really am and you come to terms with my past, both the good and the bad. You are welcome to stay at the Manor in the rooms that we shared, as I will be returning to the Master Bedroom the next time I return home. I'm sorry Draco," Jamie finished, a tear running down her cheek as she turned and made her way back towards the castle doors.
"Jamie!" Draco called out, desperation in his voice.
Jamie stopped and slowly turned back around; a few tears could be seen falling silently down her cheeks. "Draco please…just go."
Closing his eyes Draco nodded slowly before turning around and walking away.
Once he was gone Jamie turned back around and continued on her way to the castle. Slowly she made her way through the halls of Hogwarts, going unnoticed by all as classes were in session. She soon found herself standing in front of a portrait she had found earlier in the day. Without a word the portrait opened to allow her entry. She made her way through the rooms towards the bedroom where she collapsed on the bed finally letting out her tears. A short while later Jamie was sleeping quietly, her body wrapped tightly around one of the pillows. Having cried herself to sleep, she was unaware of the other person in the room that now sat down on the bed next to her, lightly brushing her hair off of her face. "Oh my Darling, what has become of us," Lucius commented quietly to himself.
Sighing softly Isáwien glanced over at the clock and shook her head. She was starting to think that girl would be late to her own funeral. True she was not late that often...but over the past few weeks it seemed Jamie's head was anywhere but where it was suppose to be and had been that way since their talk in the garden. But so far Jamie had not said anything so she did not push...
"Hey Isá, sorry I'm late," Jamie said as she rushed into the Headmistress' office. "But I ran into Peeves who thought it would be great fun to try and douse me with water balloons. Bloody poltergeist," Jamie cursed under her breath.
Isáwien snickered under her breath and shook her head. "That's okay. Luckily we were leaving early anyway."
"Thank the Gods for your obsessive planning," Jamie laughed. "Shall we? I believe L.A. is calling."
"But of course," Isáwien replied with a smile. "Oh, and just so you know you and I are the only ones who can see Shields."
"That's good to know but what if someone tries to stand where he is? Won't they feel him there?" Jamie asked as she stroked Shields' head.
"Believe me; the Muggles will just think they are imagining things," Isáwien shrugged. "Or that some other person bumped into them. You should see Dawn take Shamira to the airport to purposely drive people crazy. She loves watching them fight. She says it's like watching a bunch of teenagers go crazy over the last candy bar. Or something like that," she finished with a shrug
"Sounds like quite the time," Jamie commented trying to hold her giggles in as she grabbed a pinch of Floo powder and threw it into the flames. "THE LEAKY CAULDRON!" she cried out before disappearing from sight.
Shaking her head Isáwien and Shields followed her lead. Moments later they joined her and waved at Tom as they walked through the building. "We might want to change our clothes before we leave."
Jamie stopped in her tracks and looked down at her robes. "Good idea." She pulled out her wand and transfigured her robes into a comfortable pair of jeans and a lightweight blue sweater. "How's that?"
"Lovely," Isáwien replied with a smile as she transfigured her own clothes into a pair of white hip huggers and an emerald halter that had beads hanging from just under her breast bone to the top of the jeans. "You go for comfort, I'm going for fun," she smirked as she tied a matching scarf around her ponytail. "Oh, and no bugging me about the tattoos again," she grinned as she turned and walked towards the door.
"Don't worry about that Isá. I have no intention of bothering you about those, since I seem to have one of my very own if you recall," Jamie commented as she rubbed the small of her back. "Only difference being mine is more of a brand than a tattoo."
"Yours isn't a brand, baby girl. Not like it was originally intended that is. And believe me; you've given me enough teasing about mine over the years. Which is funny seeing as you've only seen three of the four, which reminds me, I'm thinking about getting a new one while we're in LA. To spite your father. And also make up for my last one," she shrugged slightly and Isáwien got them a cab outside. "London Heathrow Airport please, Terminal 3," she told the driver as they got in.
"Okay, so our flight leaves at 11:05. Do you want to get something to drink or eat while we're waiting?" Isáwien asked after they had checked in and gone through security. "Jyn? You okay?" she asked when she did not get an answer.
Jamie was standing there with her eyes closed, looking for all the world like she was about to start crying. What people did not realize was that she was fighting an internal battle with herself.
"Baby girl, what's wrong?"
"I just…Isá…I don't know if I can do this," Jamie commented through gritted teeth as she tried to shake off the feeling creeping over her.
/-/Jyn what is it? Concentrate on me baby. Block everyone else out if you have to./-/
/-/It's just that the last time I was around so many Muggles we…we were…/-/ Jamie trailed off as she finally opened her eyes allowing Isáwien to see the blackness fighting for supremacy in her gaze.
"Baby girl, think about Desi. Think about your friend we're going to see. Think about something that will get your mind off the past. We're going to get our little butts up to that terminal. AND there should be less people up there..."
Jamie nodded before quietly asking, "Would you mind holding my hand? I know it sounds childish but I think it might help ground me."
"Sweetie, of course I don't," Isáwien replied with a slight smile. "Think of this as a grand adventure. We're the only two girls I know of from Hogwarts who have flown to America. Even your brother hasn't been on a plane." /-/You can hold this over his head for the rest of his life./-/
"Oh think of the hours of fun I'll have with that one," giggled Jamie, her eyes finally returning to their normal blue.
"Think of the years of fun I'll have," Isáwien replied with a grin.
"Can we head off to the terminal now?" Jamie asked nervously. "The feeling is starting to come back. Maybe if we got something to eat it would help."
"Wonderful idea," Isáwien replied with a smile before they quickly made their way up to the Terminal, passing through security on their way.
The two witches enjoyed an early lunch at one of the many eateries inside the terminal before it came time to board their flight. As their flight was called the witches made their way to their gate and got into line with all the Muggle tourists heading off to California as well.
/-/Isá are you sure this is a safe way to travel?/-/ Jamie asked in concern as they neared the ramp leading towards the airplane.
/-/Trust me love. It's completely safe./-/
/-/I'm just not overly thrilled with the idea of willingly locking myself in this thing when it's hundreds of miles in the air, especially for what eleven hours?/-/ Jamie commented as she threw a concerned look back at her friend as Isáwien ushered her onto the plane.
"It's gonna be fine love. People do this everyday. You have more of a chance of dying in childbirth than you do getting hurt flying. And seeing as we've both survived your childbirth experience, I think fate owes us a good flight."
Jamie took a moment to think about what her friend just said before, "HEY!" she cried as she punched her friend in the arm and sticking her tongue out at her
"What!" Isáwien asked looking at her in surprise. "It's true. Desi was a pain in the arse when she showed up. She put us through hell. And after that, those blasted women owe us big," she continued as the attendant checked their boarding passes.
"And just how exactly did you survive my childbirth experience?" Jamie asked raising a questioning eyebrow in a manner very similar to that of her husband.
/-/You mean to tell me you don't remember me having to put silencing spells around the hospital wing because the silencing charms weren't strong enough?/-/ she responded with a snort. "Even Albus was wondering if the child would let you ever find peace."
"Oh Gods!" Jamie groaned as she slumped down in her seat dropping her head into her hands. "At least I chose to forget about that." Looking back up at Isáwien, she continued, "Have I ever told you that you are a saint and I don't know what I ever did to deserve a friend like you."
"No, but I could get use to hearing it," Isáwien replied with a grin. /-/And believe me, I wasn't a saint. I was about ready to suggest we go in after her if she hadn't come out when she did. Simple spell to send you to sleepyland, and we could get her out lickity split. Of course...on the other hand...Desi was even worse than you over the years./-/ "I think the Fates decided to get back at me for my moment of weakness in the Wing, or they were just having a good laugh...one of the two."
"I'll take your word for it," Jamie commented quietly, a look of sadness crossing her features momentarily as she fastened her seatbelt and looked out the window at the rapidly retreating terminal.
"You'll get you're chance Sweetie. You may have missed out on Desi's more interesting points, but that could be a good thing...But you'll get your chance to deal with two am feedings and all that."
"You don't know that Isá since the only way for that to happen would be for Luc to come back to me since the brand prevents any pregnancy without his blood and the way things are going I don't think he'll be returning to me anytime soon," Jamie replied quietly as she continued to gaze out the window trying to hide the lone tear that had fallen.
"I do know baby girl. Because somehow the mistakes I made have still worked out to some good. Draco still has the daughter he shouldn't have. That shows me you are going to have you're second child as well." Isáwien replied softly.
"Only if Luc has some of his blood and uhm…hidden away in one of the family vaults somewhere," Jamie said sadly turning to look at her friend once again. "Without that…I'll never be able to have his child."
ffrumph... cough cough cough cough cough... "Are you trying to make me die before I can marry your father?" Isáwien asked as she finally managed to stop coughing. "Cause I think he might be a bit ticked if you succeed. And you keep throwing things like that mental image at me, and we'll be having a funeral this summer instead of a wedding," she continued shaking her head and smiling softly. "And Jyn, don't try to reason. Just trust what your heart is saying. And my bet is that it's telling you to stop worrying and enjoy the ride. We have a movie to watch, and airplane food to eat, and you get to try and talk me out of my latest plans for the tattoo parlours in America... and most of all. You get to spend your time the way you want to. And meet a friend that you've wanted to meet for a while now."
Jamie merely turned her attention back to the view out the window for a while before the steward came by to serve them some drinks before the movie started.
/-/I think the Steward is trying to catch your attention,/-/ Isáwien commented some hours later
/-/Hmm…/-/ "What?" Jamie asked as she turned back to her friend. "Oh…sorry," Jamie blushed in mild embarrassment. "What was it you wanted to know?"
Isáwien lost it and started laughing, trying very hard not to be too loud. /-/He's trying to flirt with you woman,/-/ she managed to send through her fight. Although she was growing quite red, this of course brought said steward over.
"Is everything all right?"
"E…everything is fine," Jamie replied shyly, not really making eye contact. "But would you be able to bring my friend here a glass of water? She seems to have choked on a peanut or something."
/-/A Peanut? I seem to recall us being served pretzels./-/
"Of course," he replied before hurrying off.
/-/SHUT UP!/-/
Isáwien merely made some noise that sounded like a strangled snort just before the steward came back. "Thank you," she replied with a slight smile as she took the water and drank a sip as he ran off. "Well, I'll give him this. He does have a lovely bum."
"Isá!" Jamie hissed through her teeth not realizing it had come out as a hiss.
"What? It's true. Although compared to Kurt Browning I have to say he's a 4. Now there's a man with the perfect butt," she sighed. "He's the only reason I watch ice skating."
"Gods I must be more stressed then I thought," Jamie commented tiredly as she let her head fall back onto her seat. "Course the fact that you were completely oblivious to it must mean that you're under even more stress than I am or you're off in your own little world again."
"Huh?" Isáwien asked looking towards her. "Oh, sorry, was mentally remembering Kurt skating in blue leather pants. What was that? Oh, never mind. You must have just realized you hissed. And that I actually responded."
Jamie looked at her friend in disbelief. "You understood what I said? That's never happened before. Even Luc was never really able to understand it when I spoke like that. Only Tom did…and Harry would of course, if he knew."
"Whoa Jyn, no I have no idea what you said. I just assumed from you basic demeanour and tone of voice that you were yelling at me for my comment," Isáwien explained with a shrug. /-/Believe me; I'm still nice and Snake-illiterate. Four languages is enough thank you very much./-/
"Oh…" Jamie said in mild embarrassment. /-/It's just that when you mentioned he was flirting with me I didn't know how to respond to that./-/
"Of course you didn't. You've never been able to flirt as long as I've known you. Don't you think it's time you had some fun and had some practice? We'll probably never see him again."
"Just drop it Isá...please?"
"All right…for now," Isáwien replied looking back over at the steward and shaking her head softly.
"Thank you," Jamie said as she pulled a book out of her carryon and turned her attention towards where she'd left off.
/-/Jyn girl, time to rise and shine./-/
"Hmm…wha?" Jamie asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.
"The plane just landed. We should be at the gate soon," Isáwien replied with a smile.
"Oh…" Jamie yawned as she straightened up in her seat. /-/Remind me again how I ever managed to get top marks in my History of Magic class? This stuff is so boring./-/
/-/Because you learn about history from other books besides that annoying text book./-/
"Thank the Gods for small miracles," Jamie commented quietly as she packed her book back into her carryon as the plane taxied into the terminal.
"So very true. You know, you missed quite an interesting flight sleeping away."
"Really?" Jamie asked raising a sceptical eyebrow questioningly.
"Aye. You're steward was very sad to see you asleep," Isáwien replied with a smirk
"Isá," Jamie groaned as she got to her feet rather stiffly. "He is not my steward."
"Then what should we call him. Jack the Ripper perhaps?"
/-/I thought you were going to drop this,/-/ Jamie growled smiling innocently at the steward as she made her way off the plane.
"I was. But I said I would for now remember," Isáwien replied smiling at him as well.
"What will it take for you to drop this permanently?" Jamie snarled as they made their way through the airport.
"What? I just think that since we're in L.A., away from my idiot nephew and my dearly loving, yet equally idiotic at times lifebond, a.k.a. your father, that you should do some things that you normally wouldn't do in England. Take the chance while it's given to you," she replied innocently.
"Alright…fine…would kissing the next cute guy I meet suffice?" Jamie asked as she hailed a cab.
"Works for me," Isáwien said as they hopped into a cab. "Hyperion Hotel please."
A few minutes later the cab came to a stop outside the hotel. "Are you ladies sure you have the right address?" asked the driver. "This place has been deserted for years."
"We're sure," Isáwien replied with a smirk as she opened the door. "How much do we owe you?"
"Thirty bucks ma'am."
Shaking her head Isáwien handed him the money before they watched him drive away. "See, I told you Muggles never see what's in front of their faces. I bet he never even noticed Shields in the front seat next to him. And we both know how much room he takes," she smiled down at the tiger. "And I promise baby, as soon as we're in the building the spell will be off."
"I'm just glad to finally be here. I'm tired of all this travelling. I don't know how the Muggles manage it. And I thought portkeys were bad," Jamie said as she turned and began making her way into the hotel.
"You and me both," Isáwien replied with a smile.
As Jamie and Isáwien made their way into the hotel, Jamie stopped shortly after walking into the main lobby. /-/Oh Bloody Hell./-/
/-/What?/-/
Shooting her friend a death glare, Jamie dropped her bags where she was standing before stalking towards the group of people already in the lobby, who were staring rather intently at the new arrivals. /-/I am so going to kill you for this Isá…Luc, if you're out there somewhere please forgive me for this,/-/ Jamie thought as she walked up to the gentleman closest to her, grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. It was not long before he came out of his shock and began kissing Jamie back, enveloping her in his arms to the astonishment of everyone watching.
/-/Ooo, Good choice Jyn,/-/ Isáwien thought before glancing over at the others. /-/So unfair, I always wanted to be able to kiss him at least once. But he was taken last time we talked. Oh, and you definitely shocked the natives./-/
"Well well, what have we here?" came a sarcastic voice from the other side of the room. "It looks like big bad Angel has his hands full with quite a hot little number. See I told you Buffy, Angel can take care of himself."
"Since when can't Angelus take care of himself William?" Isáwien asked with a smirk, knowing he had not seen her yet.
"Bloody hell…Isáwien?" Spike growled as he stalked around the group to get a better look at the person standing on the other side of the kissing couple.
"No. It's mother back from the dead," she replied rolling her eyes. "You knew that our plane came in today, you shouldn't be so surprised to see me. Unless you've been up to things that you shouldn't be William dearest," she suggested raising her eyebrow.
"Would you stop bloody well calling me that woman," growled Spike.
"Why? It is your name isn't it? William?" Isáwien couldn't help but tease. /-/Oh, and Jamie love, believe me when I say go for it. But there are others in the room. And I know you don't like to have an audience when you are anymore ahem... shall we say, completely absorbed in someone? I still remember what happened last time I was an innocent audience member. Oh, and you might want to make sure his jacket doesn't fall off anytime soon. We've already shocked the natives enough I think.../-/
Jamie instantly stilled and pulled back from Angel, her face going the same shade as her hair. "Oh Gods…I am so sorry…I didn't…I didn't mean…it's her fault," Jamie stuttered as she pointed at Isáwien.
"Hey! Don't blame this one on me. I only told you to learn how to flirt, not go off and make out with one of the hottest vampires this side of heaven and hell," Isáwien replied rolling her eyes as she walked over to Angel. "Hello Love, I'll remember to call you Angel, promise. And you might need this," she dropped her voice to a whisper as she slipped a tissue into his hand. "Lip gloss and all," she continued with a wink. "Oh William, just to let you know, I don't have Lucius with me. So there's to be no fighting, right?" she asked walking around Angel and looking at him sceptically.
"I thought I told you to stopcallingmethat," Spike ground out. "My name is Spike. Get it through that thick Malfoy head of yours."
"Oh calm down Spike or I'll let Shields get rid of his energy from being cooped up on the plane by chasing you around the Hotel," she replied as she removed the spell on the tiger and he looked up at Spike from the spot in front of his feet. "You really need to learn how to take some teasing. Honestly man, you're how old? And yet you still can't handle being called by your birth name? Oh, and while I'm on it. My thick Malfoy head? Look who's talking Mr. I will never talk to the only other family members you have because he was forced to try and recruit you for my late husband's forces."
"Isáwien, you don't have a husband. I remember you being betrothed to that Parkinson prat who as far as I know is still sitting in Azkaban where he can rot for the rest of eternity for all I bloody well care. And you're good for nothing brother had the audacity to try to recruit me to work for some pansy assed Dark Lord. And to think I'm the one the family chose to shun because of my being a vampire of all things. At least I'm not so blindingly arrogant that I would lower myself so much to serve some half-blood psychopath who has the nerve to consider himself a Dark Lord and equal to those of us that are pureblood."
"You might want to watch what you say Spike," Vld commented, his voice carrying across the eerily quiet room as he glanced over at Jamie in concern.
"And why would I want to do that?" Spike asked, voice full of self-assured arrogance as Jamie stalked towards the blond vampire.
THUD!
"Ow!" Jamie cried quietly as she held her hand to her chest after punching Spike in the jaw.
"Because Jamie will hit you," Isáwien replied as she walked over and knelt down next to him as he sat up and rubbed his jaw. "Oh and Spike, If I ever hear you call Tom a pansy assed half-blood psychopath again, you won't have to worry about staying out of the sun and finding your next meal," she continued evenly. "You know how I can be when I'm angry, but you haven't seen me truly pissed since I bonded myself to Tom," she dropped her voice to a whisper before standing up and offering him a hand up.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude or anything but who are you, how do you know Spike and why did she just hit him?" Fred asked Isáwien.
"Here, this should help," Angel said as he laid an ice pack over Jamie's sore hand.
"Thanks Angel, sorry about earlier," replied Jamie blushing slightly.
"Don't worry about it."
"Oh come off it Isáwien, I'm evil remember?" growled Spike as he got back on his feet without her assistance.
Jamie tried very hard to hold in her giggles at hearing Spike's last comment.
"Evil?" Isáwien asked raising her eyebrow as she looked at him. "My dear dear Spike, whatever are you trying to say?" /-/The other mortals in the room can wait for answers, don't you think love? Right now I at least would much rather hear my dear cousin's answer./-/
"Hello…vampire…" stated Spike
"And what…that automatically makes you evil?" Jamie asked, still desperately trying to contain her giggles but not being very successful at it.
"That still doesn't explain your comment," Isáwien pointed out as she crossed her arms over her chest and started to drum the fingers of her right hand against her left arm.
"Oh come on Isáwien, do you actually expect me to believe that you, Isáwien Malfoy, defender of the light, of all people would willingly marry the so called Dark Lord Tom Riddle defender of all things pure and dark who was nothing more than half-blood himself? I can't believe you of all people would be stupid enough to follow that imbecilic bastard your father called son, who was always too busy with his whores and beating his wife, oh, and let's not forget serving his and your father's Lord, to notice that he was contributing to your abuse."
"Why you…" Jamie snarled as she lunged towards Spike at the same time as Isáwien, unfortunately for Jamie her progress was stopped rather abruptly as Angel grabbed her around the waist.
"Damn it Spike. DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY BROTHER THAT WAY!" Isáwien growled as she banged his head against the floor in time to her statement. "Lucius is not an imbecilic bastard! And he did not contribute to my abuse you grudge carrying idiot!" she continued, still hitting his head against the floor with each word as she sat on his chest.
"Angel would you letmego," Jamie growled as she tried to get out of the vampire's grasp.
"Sorry Jamie but I can't," he replied sadly. "You'll only get yourself hurt."
Jamie could not help the snort that escaped at Angel's comment, neither apparently, could Vld.
"Are you TRYING to strangle me to death woman!" Spike roared as he finally managed to flip Isáwien on her back. In her shock she had let go of his throat and he held her hands against the floor over her head. "HAVE you lost your ever loving mind? What the bloody hell are you doing protecting Lucius of all people? This is your brother we're talking about. You know the man who just walked away when you were a child and your father was raping you," he reminded her shaking his head in disgust. "Come on Isáwien, this is Lucius Malfoy. Riddle's right hand; he killed hundreds of Muggles, probably after he raped those that were women. We both know what he was like with his whores for crying out loud. Oh, and let's not forget what he put Narcissa through, and how about Draco? You know, the nephew you were determined to keep from coming out like him. Lucius is an evil bastard without any morals. AND that's coming from me of all people. For Gods sakes woman he had bounty hunters after you for years so he could kill you and get the family money and houses back that your father left you and your mother. Speaking of her, aren't you the one who thought he might be responsible for her poisoning…"
The longer Spike went on, the angrier Jamie got and the angrier she got the more her magic responded causing both her hands to glow ominously, her eyes to go black and things to start rattling. Finally breaking away from Angel, Jamie began to stalk towards where Spike had Isáwien pinned to the floor.
"Shite," Vld cursed as he noticed Jamie's current state and rushed to try to intercept her. "Angel we have to stop her!" he called out as he stepped in front of Jamie and grabbed her by the arms. "Jamie stop…don't do this…" He never got to finish what he was saying as Jamie put her hands on his chest, focusing her magic there causing him to fly backwards, slamming into the far wall before crumpling to the floor unconscious.
"You bastard," Jamie snarled as she stopped a few feet away from Spike, her hand raised. "Crucio!"
"What the..." Spike had begun when Vld went flying across the room before being hit by the spell. "Holy shite...not this again," he managed to get out as he clenched his teeth against the pain. After a few moments he let go of Isáwien's hands as he unconsciously curled in on himself.
"Oh, can the poor little vampire not handle a little pain?" mocked Jamie sadistically as she continued to hold the curse. "Get this through your head Spike, family or not, I will not stand by as you insult Lucius. Is that understood?"
"Jamie girl, could you possibly let him out of the spell?" Isáwien asked. "As much as I love watching him finally get a clue. There's something about having him curled in on himself while he's still on top of me. And I can't help but feel sorry for the poor thing. It has been a couple centuries since he experienced the spell."
"Fine," replied Jamie as she let her hand fall to her side, ending the spell.
"Oh thank God," Spike groaned as he rolled off Isáwien.
"No, I think you should be thanking the fact that Jyn listens to me every now and again Spike."
"Well then, it's about time he became reacquainted with it isn't it?" Jamie snarled as she once again began approaching the vampire.
"Jamie, believe me, I'm just as pissed at him as you are. But do you honestly want to take away the only other family member I have? Especially when I want him to walk me down the aisle this summer?"
"Well then maybe you should tell your cousin that it would be in his best interests if he kept all his opinions about my husband to himself because I can assure you that if he doesn't…"
"Believe me fireball. I'm going to keep my opinions to myself about Lucius," Spike drawled.
"Would somebody kindly tell me what the hell just happened here?" asked Angel in concern.
"Spike here thought it would be fun to insult my brother and late husband. A big mistake on his part seeing as Jamie is very protective of her husband. And it's pretty much a given I'm protective of Tom. So she put a spell on Spike, the Cruciatus Curse to be exact," Isáwien explained with a shrug.
"But wouldn't a spell or curse of the magnitude that that one obviously was require an awful lot of magical ability?" asked Buffy
"It can't be," commented Wesley under his breath. "They're nothing but myth and legend."
"What? Who? Giles what is he talking about?" asked Willow in confusion.
"I have a suspicion." Giles began slowly. "But we haven't been formally introduced," he continued walking over to the two women. "I'm Rupert Giles. But everyone just calls me Giles."
"Hello Giles. I'm Isáwien Malfoy. Spike is a distant relative. And my dear friend, who is at the moment having a problem controlling her emotions, is my sister-in-law, Jamie Potter-Malfoy."
"Hi," commented Jamie, not raising her eyes to meet Giles', or anybody else's for that matter.
"That explains the last few minutes," Giles mused after nodding towards them. "And Wesley, I believe this is proof that they aren't myth and legend."
Isáwien snorted and rolled her eyes. "Myth and legend? Jyn, did you hear that. We're nothing but myth and legend. Bet that would make the Weasleys happy."
"You're telling me," commented Jamie.
"Would someone please explain to me what's going on here? And how it was that she was able to hurt Spike the way that she did with a single word?" Buffy asked in concern. "I mean the last time I saw anybody do anything of that magnitude was Willow about a year or so ago when…" Buffy trailed off as she stalked over to where Jamie was standing and forced her face up. "Look at me," she demanded.
"No," Jamie replied quietly.
"Look at me," Buffy growled, tightening her grip on Jamie's chin.
Jamie laid her hand on Buffy's chest before opening her eyes. Before Buffy could say anything she soon found herself flying across the room. "Is this what you wanted to see?" Jamie asked the room at large, looking at each person individually with her black eyes.
"Well, it seems we aren't making a good impression today are we Love. Take a deep breath and try to get control back, baby girl. We don't need to be helping Angel redecorate his hotel after all. And what exactly were you looking for Buffy? Trying to see if we have dark powers or something? Well that is a resounding yes. Just ask your two members of the Watchers Council. And just because we have dark powers, it doesn't give you the right to force us to do anything. Although I will say this, you haven't changed much since you were in high school. Still stubborn as a mule, and still having to deal with painful after effects as a result," Isáwien finished as she tilted her head and looked between Buffy and Spike. /-/I think Buffy may have even picked up some of Spiky's stubbornness along the way too./-/
"I'm sorry about all the damage Angel," Jamie apologized as she turned to the vampire. "I still have trouble controlling my magic sometimes when I get overly emotional and Spike's comments about my husband earlier didn't help much."
"Don't worry about it Jamie," replied Angel as he hugged Jamie tightly. "I understand how you feel."
"Not to interrupt the moment, but what was she talking about?" Willow asked looking at Wesley and Giles.
"A number of years ago a very powerful, very dark wizard was gaining power in Wizarding Britain. It was believed he was part of a prophecy," Wesley commented as he walked over to the office and started searching for a book. "The prophecy foretold of the coming together of four individuals from four very powerful bloodlines," He continued as he re-emerged from the office with a very thick tome. Setting it down on the counter he began flipping through it, obviously looking for something. "If the four were to be united they would be well nigh unstoppable. Ah here it is…"
"What is it Wesley?" asked Angel.
"The prophecy," replied Wesley.
"Well what does it say?" asked Fred.
"During a time of great struggle, four ancient and noble lines will merge. Two of the lines, the lion and seer will seek out the serpent and fallen angel for strength, healing and love. As the four merge, mind and magic, they will become one, unstoppable," read Wesley.
"I hate to interrupt. But you're copy is wrong. There were five bloodlines joined that day. Not four," Isáwien commented.
"What do you mean five?" demanded Wesley.
"What's so hard to understand? There were five bloodlines. Higginbotham through me, Malfoy through Lucius, Slytherin through Tom, and Gryffindor and Ravenclaw through Jamie," Isáwien replied rolling her eyes. "I swear your bloody council needs to get their information straight." /-/Bloody idiot./-/
"The Higginbotham line died out centuries ago. There has been no record of anyone from that line being born for more than two hundred years," argued Wesley.
"What? You want proof?" Isáwien asked narrowing her eyes.
"Yes actually, I do," Wesley snapped, not noticing the purple lightning jumping between Isáwien's fingers nor the way her eyes had flashed black.
"That's enough!" Jamie cried interrupting the argument. "Just take our word for it Mr. …"
"Wesley."
"Just take our word for it Wesley unless you want to be the reason everyone in this room ends up dead save for Isá, me and possibly Spike over there," Jamie commented pointedly. "Five bloodlines merged and the Dark Four were born consisting of Tom, Isá, Lucius and I."
"Why would everyone be dead except the three of you?" Fred asked confused.
"I can answer that one." Spike began with a slight smirk. "Isáwien here seems to be losing control over her own magic. It seems you owe me twenty gallons Isáwien," he continued as his smirk deepened. "Anyway, she can go into an Expelling. Something only the Higginbotham family members can do. She does that, all the magic in her is thrown from her body. Seeing as we are all in the room, we'd all be hit by said magic. You thought what Jamie did to me was bad. It's nothing compared to being in the room during an Expelling. And as for why I'd make it, Isáwien and I are family; more to the point there's a connection between every member of the Malfoy family. So the Expelling would not affect me. As for Jamie, it's probably because she's married to Lucius. No doubt she bonded herself to him. Thus linking herself to Isáwien," he finished with a shrug.
"This Dark Four that you speak of, I take it they weren't the nicest of people," commented Willow as she helped Vld to his feet.
"No offence. But I find that highly insulting," Isáwien said as she turned and started to pace around the room. "Especially from a fellow witch; you shouldn't judge us until you know all the information. You don't find us judging you because you were a witch who didn't come into her powers until her late teen years."
"I didn't mean to insult you Ms. Malfoy. I was simply stating a theory based on the information that we've been discussing. And how in the Goddess' name do you know I'm a witch?" demanded Willow.
"I can sense the magic around you. It's fairly obvious as there are only two other witches in the room. As to how I know that you came into it in your late teen years... well when we met, you didn't have any powers then. So put two and two together," she finished with a slight shrug. "And I'm sorry for snapping. We weren't exactly the nicest of people anyway. Doesn't mean anyone needed to try and kill us. We weren't that evil."
"Ah, Isá, I think that view might be a little subjective," Jamie commented quietly.
"Yeah, well it's only the Gryffindorks and the Weasleys who thought we were completely evil. Well, them and my nephew. Every one else was smart enough to realize that there is a good side and dark side in everybody. Too bad it took them till after they killed my husband to figure that out," Isáwien replied bitterly.
Jamie could not help the laugh that escaped when Isáwien finished talking.
Isáwien stopped and turned to Jyn raising one eyebrow. /-/Please tell me you aren't laughing about Tom's death./-/
"I'm sorry Isá," Jamie said between chuckles. "I'm not laughing about Tom; you know I would never do that seeing what you go through ever year. It was your reference to the Gryffindorks actually."
"Oh. Let me guess, you finally remembered that day at Hogwarts. You know I still haven't been able to use that on anyone. Although it is lovely how much Ron is still terrified of me, and all I did was threaten him... Although, we really should go find him and convince him to leave the cave he's living in. The twins need him back at the branch in Hogsmeade."
"I don't think he'll be setting foot in Hogsmeade anytime soon, not with both of us at Hogwarts. Oh and Vld," Jamie turned towards her friend. "First off, I am so sorry for blasting you and secondly, don't worry about my attackers. They got what they deserved at my own hand. Give it a couple chapters and you'll see what I mean."
"That you most certainly will," Isáwien agreed with a smirk.
"Okay, they lost me again," commented Fred in confusion. "Chapters? And how do you know Vld if you're from England?"
"Vld and I know each other through my life story. I'm posting it on a website and he contacted me that way after he learned of the attack," Jamie explained.
"Why are you posting your life story on the Internet and how do you even know about the Internet for that matter?" asked Wesley. "I thought most pure-blooded witches and wizards in England looked down on anything and everything Muggle, including Muggle-born and half-blooded witches and wizards, especially the Malfoy family."
"For your information Wesley, I am posting my story on the Internet as a way to help me remember my past. My idiot ex-brother Ron hit me with an Oblivate spell wiping away most of my memory and by posting it online it is helping to solidify what I've already remembered and helping to unlock what I haven't. I know about the Internet and computers and all other things Muggle because of my dear friend and sister-in-law Hermione Potter, a Muggle-born witch. And another thing Wesley, just because I'm a Malfoy doesn't mean I'm a pureblooded witch. My mother was Lily Evans, a Muggle-born witch and she married James Potter, who was a pure blooded wizard, a descendent of Godric Gryffindor," Jamie finished, her eyes flashing black once again.
"Jyn girl, breathe," Isáwien reminded with a smile. "Oh, and Wesley dearest, you really need to watch what you are saying. You've already seen her pissed. I've almost lost control of my dark side. And yet you are still having a problem getting your foot out of your mouth."
"Wait a minute," interrupted Spike before Wesley could answer. "Did I just hear the little Fireball correctly? She's a half-blood and Lucius the great ponce actually lowered himself to the level of actually marrying a pathetic half-blooded daughter of a Mudblood witch?"
Spike's comments caused a rather unexpected reaction in Jamie. Instead of lashing out at him she simply stood where she was, frozen in place.
"Spike, you bitter old coot. Didn't you stop to consider that my brother fell in love? And didn't give a shite what her family was."
"Lucius in love?" Spike asked incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me. What in the bloody hell have you been smoking woman? Lucius was a bastard, always has been, always will be and if you think he's so great than why doesn't he walk you down the aisle. Better yet, why isn't he here with his wife if he loves her so much. You and I both know that Lucius was incapable of loving anyone but himself. If he truly loved the Fireball as you say then where the hell is he? Why has he left her alone for so long? If you ask me it's because he never cared for her, he was just using her for his own purposes, just like all his other whores and let's not forget what he did to his first wife Narcissa."
As Spike continued, Jamie began whimpering quietly as she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms protectively around herself.
"William Malfoy shut your stupid trap!" Isáwien yelled as she stalked over to him, her eyes flashing once more and the lightning starting between her fingers. "Don't judge him. You didn't see him with Jamie and as to where he's been, did you stop to consider that six years ago he, Jamie and I were involved in a battle with the Order, a battle that cost my husband his life. He was thrown across the room with enough force to kill any mortal. He has been missing these six years since that night. None of the Order took the time to take care of him. So he ended up among Muggles no doubt. Muggles who don't know how to treat someone who has been exposed to the Cruciatus curse for fifteen plus minutes. A Cruciatus curse that only got more powerful by the second. We both know Muggles don't have treatments for that. So he probably had to heal the old fashioned way. And the amount of damage that spell could have done, plus being thrown against a wall...the least amount of time that it would take for Muggles to fix him would have been a year, maybe more. By then, maybe he thought Jamie was happy and didn't want to ruin her life just so he could have her back in his. Or maybe he lost his damn memory. Hmm did you ever think of that? If anyone should know, it's you and me, just how much your mind can take before it locks down. That night he would have felt Tom die, felt me go through the unbinding, felt Jyn's pain, and on top of the physical pain he felt, his mind could have locked everything away rather than deal with what happened. Next time you go jumping off the deep end and start saying things that are that damaging to a person's name and those that care about him, think about other options you bloody git!" she growled as she poked him in the chest, sending just a slight shock to him. More like getting shocked when you have too much static electricity.
"Shut up…just shut up…please," Jamie pleaded her hands over her ears as she continued to rock back and forth.
"Jyn?" Isáwien asked whipping her head around and looking towards her. "Oh bloody hell. Baby girl?" she asked softly as she moved towards her, flicking her wrists to stop the lightning.
"He's right…Spike's right…about everything…"
"No, he isn't," Isáwien replied kneeling down next to her. "He isn't Jyn. He's wrong, so very wrong."
"Is he? Is Spike wrong?" Jamie asked quietly, her voice carrying around the silent lobby. "Isá, I know what I remember and I know what you've told me but I also know what I feel and what my head and my heart are both telling me and right now I'm afraid. Spike's words…"
"Lucius loves you, more than his own life, and he's coming back. Believe me. He is coming back."
"Then where is he," Jamie growled as she forced herself to her feet where she swayed unsteadily.
"He's coming back to England," Isáwien replied softly.
"You keep saying he'll come back Isá but the longer he's gone the more Spike's words seem to ring true. Have you forgotten what led to our marriage in the first place? For all I know Hermione could be right about me suffering from Stockholm Syndrome," Jamie argued.
"Jyn. He's coming back to England," Isáwien said once more, more forcefully than before.
"I don't mean to interrupt or anything but why would this Hermione person think you were suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?" asked Fred tentatively.
"Because I was held as Lucius' captive for an entire week before I married him," Jamie replied quietly.
"See Isáwien!" growled Spike. "Lucius never changed and he never will if he's even still alive. The girl said it herself that she was his prisoner before she married the ponce…"
"He gave her her freedom Spike. Lucius did change. If he hadn't then I never would have allowed him access to my mind and the memories of what father did," Isáwien hissed towards him. "Jyn, even Hermione had to admit that there was something different with Lucius when he was around you when we were still at Hogwarts. She doesn't believe that anymore than you do. The only reason she mentions it is to pacify your git of a brother."
"That still doesn't mean it isn't true Isá. Look, can we just drop this, we're never going to agree on it and I'm really tired all of a sudden."
"All right love. So which rooms did we get in this big place Angel?"
"Come on, I'll show you," he said as he led the women up and out of the lobby, leaving the others behind.