Note: This chapter might be a little confusing
He turned around and came face to face with a single blue eye; set on a gnarled face that was scarred and beaten, it came as quite a shock,
"Gah!" Harry yelped as he jumped back a little,
"Sorry, Professor Moody, you gave me quite a fright.
"I told you not to call me that Potter! I was never your Professor." Harry nodded and then spotted where the woman's voice had come from,
"Harry, you're as white as a sheet! You should see your face, it's hilarious!" Tonks stepped out from behind Mad Eye and giggled. Moody interrupted her laughter,
"Yes, yes it's hilarious. Potter, what are you doing around here? You know the boundaries are weaker now." Harry looked at his feet,
"I know, but I had to come, chores for my Aunty." Harry didn't elaborate, Moody looked at him for a while before grunting,
"Been giving us a hard time Harry," Tonks put in "We've followed you everywhere!" Harry blushed a little and Tonks smirked at him,
"And I can't thank you enough for looking out for us, but I'm not a child anymore." Moody scowled at him,
"You might not need it Potter, but Caprice certainly does." Harry looked behind him and saw Ebony glaring at Mad Eye, "Let's get a good look at you then!" Mad Eye demanded. Ebony moved forward a little and drew herself up. "Hm, long arms, good for defence magic, although it will slow you down. Tall too eh? Well that won't help us hide you very well, and what's all this hair? Very unpractical..." Ebony stood there as Moody assessed her and didn't respond once, Harry had to admire her. Moody faced Harry again. "Off home now Potter," Harry turned and walked away with Ebony who remained quiet, "And constant vigilance!" He called after them; Harry laughed under his breath and hurried home with Ebony in tow.
Harry sat in his room once more, in the dead of the night; wide awake.
Ebony was staring at the last phial; she had a frown upon her face as she watched the memories swirl underneath the glass. Harry looked outside his window and watched the moon appear from behind the clouds. Ebony finally jerked her arm and downed the potion, Harry watched her with worried eyes. She began to mutter.
"Accio– Summons a desired item, Aparecium– Turns normal ink invisible...Avada Kedavra... The killing curse. Err"
"Come on Ebony, keep going." Harry said under his breath, she couldn't hear him now; she had just taken her last dose and was in a trance like state.
"Averte Statura– Good for dueling, sends opponent flying backwards,Avis– Several tiny birds will appear...I think? Bubble Head Charm– Underwater breathing charm, Should have used that in the lake Potter... Colloportus– Seals a door...Crucio– Cruciatus Curse, inflicts horrible pain...No,no I won't, I er- NO."
Ebony growled in frustration and her eyes lost focus, "Got to keep going...Deletrius– Disintegrates target, Densaugeo– Causes teeth to grow very large...Now that's weird, didn't Malfoy use that on Hermione? Err- Dilusionment Charm– Causes anything magical to appear blurry to a muggle, funny word...Enervate– Reviving stunned people, know way too much about that one...
"Ebony, maybe you should take a break?" Harry shook her shoulder a little and turned her to face him. Her eyes didn't meet his,
"I'm so close Harry, just a few more minuets...Engorgio– Causes immense swelling,E-evanesco– Vanishing Spell. Expecto Patronum– Fends off dementors, I wonder what mine will be?Ferula– Creates a sling for a broken bones, Fidelius Charm– Makes a person keep a secret...Unpredictable...Finitie Incantatem– Allows no more spells to be cast, Flagrate– Creates a fiery "X" for a short time,Point Me– Four Point Spell, turns a wand into a compass...Could have used that years ago...Portus– Creates a Port Key, Impediment– Causes opponent to slow down and at last...Imperio– Imperius Curse, allows caster to control someone's mind, apart from you Harry..."
Her eyes finally snapped shut and she sat still for a while, Harry put a hand on her shoulder, it must have been tough this time, there had been so many spells. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes. They shone blue for a moment, reliving the memories before returning to their natural deep brown.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked warily, she was usually snappy after taking her dose, but today she looked over whelmed with joy, at finally being on the same level as Harry. All she needed was a wand and she would be ready for Hogwarts. Would Hogwarts be ready for her?
"I'm feeling- Whoa..." She lost concentration for a second and her gaze wondered around the room before returning back to Harry, "I think you have mail." A grin overtook her face and Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw Hedwig flying through the night. He stood and walked over to open to window. Once open; Hedwig hopped inside and stuck out her leg. Two letters were attached. She must have waited for them to reply before flying back. Harry thought mildly,
"Well done girl, here you go." He reached into a pot on his cluttered desk and gave her an owl treat. She hooted softly before returning to her cage where she put her wing over her face and promptly fell asleep. Harry turned back to Ebony, "You don't mind," He motioned to the letters "do you?" "Go ahead, I'll just stay put for now." Harry grinned at her; She was always disorientated after her dose. Harry ripped open the parchment and found Ron's scruffy hand writing, Harry read,
Hey mate!
Yeah, summer's alright, Ginny is driving me nuts (she says hi by the way) and the house seems lonely without Fred and George, (they got a flat above the shop!) I swear they will make the most money out of all of us! Sorry mate, Dumbledore hasn't written, although my parents did get a letter recently, maybe he's explaining it all to them before it's mentioned to me. Hope you're alright though! Sounds like you were attacked again. He's always trying to do you in, eh?
Must be tough living with the muggles for the rest of the holiday...Or maybe not.
Ebony hmm? It does sound pretty weird to me, never heard of a dormant Witch before, I'll ask Dad. The potion must be bloody brilliant! And she will be completely ready? Whoa!
Glad you've had company over the summer mate, and don't worry, she's with us now. She must be something if you've told her everything mate! Can't wait to meet her.
See you on Wednesday, I tried to get Dad to organise some ministry cars to pick you up with us, so that we could travel together, but it seems that the Aurors have got it sorted.
See you around Diagon Alley (I'll remember to check Ollivanders)
Hang in there mate
Ron
Harry sat back in his chair and sighed a little, he hadn't realised how worried he was that everything was going to be alright between them even though everything was changing. He smiled warmly, his friendship with Ron was something Harry enjoyed; they hardly fought and his lay-a-about personality let Harry relax around him, knowing that someone always had his back. Harry moved to the next letter and saw Hermione's neat handwriting, he snorted a little, Of course.
Harry!
Glad to hear that you are alright, although your letter did unnerve me a little. No I haven't heard from Dumbledore!
Harry, I hope you're okay! You've got to realise who you are! By the sounds of it; walking around streets isn't going to keep you safe!
I've had SOME letters from Ronald, and he sounds just fine. Yes, I did have a lovely holiday in Greece this year; I learnt all about the Greek gods and goddesses! It's really fascinating! I'll tell you all about it soon!
This girl is a surprise Harry, I haven't heard of a dormant Witch, well, until I researched it a little. I found out that it's usually a half blood or pure-blooded Witch or Wizard that is occurs with. It states that a Witch (in her case) that hasn't had any contact with magic within the first few years of their birth (when they should have) the gene for magic will become "Dormant" as such. Was Ebony an orphan? If so, this must be why she didn't get a letter or produce any accidental magic, the gene was dormant!
It's all very interesting and I'd like to talk to her more about it! She sounds lovely and don't worry, I'll make her feel welcome (it would be nice to have a girl in the group)
I'll see you and Ebony in Diagon Alley on Wednesday, I'll be with Ron, I'm leaving for his house tomorrow.
Our O.W.L's arrived today, did you get yours?
Good luck
Stay out of trouble
Hermione
Harry almost fell out of his chair, O.W.L results? He stood up and rooted around his desk for a while, maybe Hedwig had come with them, but then he remembered, they would come with a Hogwarts owl. Harry growled in frustration, why hadn't his come today? He turned around and found Ebony staring at him,
"Having a hissy fit are we?" She said in a sweet voice as she tilted her head to the side a little.
"My O.W.L results were supposed to come today." Ebony's eyes widened a little before she clambered up from the floor and held onto his wardrobe for support.
"Wow, okay, are you sure they're due today?" Harry nodded,
"Yeah, Hermione said she got hers today." Harry started to pace a little, he shouldn't get this stressed, and he had been calm minutes before.
"Well maybe yours are on their way, probably just a little late?" Harry made a noise in agreement, he sat down on his bed and ran his fingers through his messy hair, and he took a calming breath before he sat forward a little. "I'm sure you've done just fine Harry." Ebony said softly, he looked at her for a second before smiling,
"Thanks." Ebony stayed quiet for a while before, "Harry?" "Hmm?" Ebony was looking at him with a worried look, "Do you think I'll have to take the O.? It's just that I haven't done any proper papers so I won't be able to get any qualifications because I won't be able to choose a job without any results..." Her sentence slowly ended, she was looking pensive and Harry thought for a few minutes.
"Maybe you should write to Dumbledore?" she groaned,
"I swear he hates me." Harry stifled a chuckle,
"Of course he doesn't hate you; he's just interested in your case. He can be very up front at times; I guess you'll get used to it."
Harry sighed and got up from the bed and stood in front of the window, maybe they were on their way right now, he thought to himself.
"Hey, Harry, can I borrow your potions book, I just want to check something?" Harry absently looked around his room with glazed eyes until he finally spotted it; lying next to the door.
"Sure, it's behind you." Harry hardly realised what he was saying, he needed those results, and he needed them now.
Ebony was lying on her back, looking up at the ceiling, it was dark and Harry had been asleep for hours now. She couldn't tell what time it was, but it felt like she had been awake all night. She didn't want to fall asleep; ever since she had arrived she had avoided dreaming, for they were always haunting. The dreams made her sick to her stomach with worry and guilt. Was it right for her to be living with Harry? She was currently sleeping in the same room as a boy who she should be set against. A boy that was hunted by her last remaining relative, a boy that was alone because of her flesh and blood. Ebony couldn't stand knowing the secrets of her family tree; in fact she had been so worried about covering it up that she had lied to Dumbledore. He'd asked about her date of birth, so she had told him a fake one. Of course she wasn't sixteen, she was only just fifteen and now she was going into a year that wasn't meant for her, but maybe that was alright, at least she would have Harry. Ebony remembered their talk, how she had felt when Harry told her the date of his parent's deaths. The same day as her birth... It was a sign, she wasn't meant to know him, or come into contact with him. She still felt anger well up inside her when Harry's eyes searched her own, like he still didn't trust her, or maybe it was because he was afraid of her?
Ebony rubbed her forehead, she was exhausted, the learning was overwhelming her, but it was truly amazing, how could she even think of complaining when she was getting the chance to change her life forever? Ebony was just waiting for her wand, which was when she would feel completely part of this world, the world Harry was from. She wondered what it would feel like to wield it. Her fingers itched to try the new spells that circled her mind with flashes of red or white or blue.
Ebony wondered if this was what he was like, of course Voldemort must have been power hungry, but Ebony didn't think she was, was she? He must have also been exited about his new life; Ebony wondered what his upbringing had been like, what his parents were like, and if they knew what they had created. Ebony remembered his cold voice and flat snake like face, with those eyes, those eyes which burned in her very skull, she could never forget him, it was like he was constantly whispering to her when all else fell silent. She laughed harshly into the night air, Voldemort and she did have one thing in common; that voice, Ebony could tell why Harry jumped when she used her most cruel tone, he was remembering the night in the graveyard. Every time he looked at her with those frightened eyes her heart sunk, of course he tried to hide it, but Ebony always caught that look, the look that screamed loathing and fear mixed as two. She had to be very careful to keep her cool, she had to carry on as if she had noticed nothing. Harry couldn't find out who she was related to, he might have his fears but he had yet to connect the dots and Ebony had to keep her poker face, otherwise Harry would discover her secret and then Ebony would lose him to hate. How else could he react to her when he found out? No, he mustn't find out, ever.
Ebony's lids became heavy and she slowly drifted off into the steely grasp of sleep.
"You've evaded me Ebony..." A voice drawled out from the darkness, Ebony blinked and looked around; she was at a deserted train station, everything seemed to be coloured gray and the voice had echoed like it would be the only thing she would hear. Ebony looked down and the train tracks and noticed the rust covering the metal, she looked up and really looked around her; everything was old and rusting. There was paint peeling from the benches and the glass windows were covered in grime. Bricks crumbled and Ebony wondered how this place was still standing."Look at me." The voice spat, and Ebony turned her head to the figure that was slowly approaching her.
"Oh no..." Ebony whispered to herself and Voldemort smiled wickedly and lifted his wand and gestured around him.
"This place is wrong Ebony, can you see it? Can you see how all of it is senseless?" Ebony stared defiantly back at the man, she would not grant him with an answer, "Wordless, I see. I can tell from your mind that you do not fear me Ebony, your thoughts are impractical Ebony, and your hatred will not harm me, unless you use that source." Voldemort walked around her while he talked, his words washed over her mind and she couldn't help but flinch, Voldemort's voice was so much like her own, and they way he talked to her reminded her about how she would retaliate when under influence. Ebony felt the anger build slowly inside, he was merely playing with his prey. "Ebony," He whispered with a cruel edge to his tone, "You mustn't abuse the power you could hold, why listen to those who are afraid to grasp it? Listen to me Ebony, I could teach you so much more." Ebony snapped,
"I won't join you." Ebony growled but Voldemort only laughed in response "You'll never turn me." Voldemort's eyes narrowed and he hissed before replying,
"It won't be I that delivers you to me, for it only takes one... Slip and they'll all turn against you." Ebony didn't reply, she was scared to admit to what he was implying, "You think that Potter will accept you after he knows? You think that Dumbledore will trust you when he finds the proof? I know what you said to that muggle loving fool, an incorrect date of birth won't sway him."
" Don't-" He chuckled and pointed his wand at her
"Come on Ebony, where is that flare? You can't hide behind them for long...Death will find them soon enough."
"I believe death will find you quicker." Ebony said in a low tone before she could think of anything else, Ebony closed her eyes in exasperation, she couldn't let him get at her,
"How wrong you are my dear, for I have beaten death, and even Dumbledore himself hasn't discovered how." Ebony stared at him, surly he couldn't be immortal, she had seen his rebirth, he had died once, he must be able to die again, and he had to.
"You can't scare me with words." Ebony was trembling but she made sure her voice was strong, she couldn't falter under his gaze, she wouldn't.
"Oh no, not with words, I see that Ebony. I can see what you really fear." And with that another figure walked from the shadows. It was Harry, his shirt was torn and muddy, his glasses were crooked on his face and blood ran down his cheek from a nasty cut just under his eye. Ebony held her breath,
"No, you can't" She whispered desperately, she even took a step closer to Voldemort who watched her with a look of triumph displayed on his white face,
"Ebony?" Harry croaked and she shivered, "It isn't true, right?" Ebony looked at him and her heart sunk, his voice was so weak, and his eyes never left her own,
"Harry-I"
"You can't be, I trusted you, and you've kept that from me all this time?" Ebony was close to tears,
"Harry, I'm sorry I- I just couldn't, I was ashamed, please, don't go." Harrys face changed and an ugly sneer fell upon his lips,
"I should have known, I saw the sign's, they were all there. You're just like him-"
"No-"
"You manipulated me, like him"
"Harry, please-"
"You lied, like him"
"I didn't mean-"
"NO, I've seen enough, get away from me!" Harry turned away from him and faded into the shadows once more. Ebony stood, with her hand reaching out, feeling more empty than she had in her entire lifetime. She fell to her knees and her vision faded.
Then she heard Harry's tortured screams, he was lying in the mud surrounded by Deatheaters and at the centre stood Voldemort. "You really think that you could ever trust her?" Voldemort sneered as he watched Harry writher under his spell, Harry shivered on the ground and spat out blood, Voldemort lifted his wand and Harry glared at him through the cracked glass,
"You leave her out of this." Voldemort smiled and turned to his Deatheaters,
"Ah, yes! The infamous Ebony Caprice, Harry, tell me, do you see the truth behind her said innocence?" Harry looked at him and flinched,
"What do you mean?" Harry looked interested yet annoyed that his attention had been grabbed so easily.
"Ebony Caprice is a lie." Voldemort said in a high voice that was so bitterly cold. Ebony panicked
"No" Harry didn't say any more, he was waiting for the reply,
"Her name is Ebony Gau-"
"No- n- NOOOOO! You can't, please! Don- Don't tell him!" Ebony felt hands grasping her shoulders, somebody was shaking her and before she found out what Voldemort said, she was ripped from the vision, the vision that had to be a lie.
"EBONY! Wake up, it's alright!"
She breathed once more
Harry was writing; scratching away with his feather, Ebony smiled as she listened to her music, she would miss this when the battery finally died. Ebony was a little jealous that Harry had correspondence, but maybe she was more jealous of his friendship with them. Harry had known Hermione and Ron for years, how could she possible compete, he would trust them over her any day, and it was Harrys' trust that she craved the most. Voldemorts' vision still repeated itself in her mind. After she had woken she had to remind herself that he was showing her what he wanted, not what had happened, but Ebony could still see those eyes full of pain and anger, from the betrayal she was still adding to now. Ebony felt a slight drip from her eye and Harry stood up and rubbed his scar, Ebony placed a frantic hand over her cheek and gasped, he yelled and fell forwards and Ebony could only watch in horror as he yelled in anger, before falling sideways onto the bed, she closed her eyes for a moment but Ebony refused to be taken under once more
His life is mine to take Ebony...
She growled as the voice filled her head, and she pushed herself upright once more. Harry continued to mutter and he moved within his vision, Ebony tried to move to help him but it seemed like someone was keeping her in place, for front row seats of Harry's agony. Harry began to talk a little louder,
"You failed me-" It didn't sound like Harry at all and Ebony panicked, what if he found out about her? What if Voldemort was turning him against him at this very moment? There was a strain in the air and Ebony fell off the bed and took Harrys shoulders in her hands. She shook him but he would not wake. Ebony was starting to lose it, he couldn't find out now, not ever.
"Harry!" She said in an exasperated tone, she shook him one final time and his eyes fluttered open just as his Uncle collided with the bedroom door,
"Boy! Stop making such a noise, get up and make the breakfast and bring the girl down, she can help you; pay us back for having her stay here." Ebony rolled her eyes, she didn't let Harry remember anything else,
"Come on Harry, let's burn his bacon."
Ebony sat staring at the potions book, not really focusing on the page, her mind was wondering once more but she had to focus on the task ahead. It had been too many times that the mark had appeared on her face, she had been lucky, but if anybody ever saw... Ebony was looking for something that she could take in order to banish the mark from her being, from what she understood; the mark was acting like a curse, she just hoped it wouldn't be too strong. She couldn't really concentrate with Harry pacing constantly; it was really starting to get on her nerves.
"Harry! Would you stop it! You're going to wear through the floor!" Ebony gave up on the book for now and slammed it down on the floor. Harry completely ignored her, "You're so wrapped up in worry that you haven't even noticed it yet?" Harry stopped and looked at her,
"What are you going on about?" Ebony had spotted a bird approaching the window. She pointed and Harry spun around so fast that he knocked a couple of books from his desk. The bird reached the window sill and Harry unfastened the letter as fast as he could. Ebony smiled to herself and stood up again and felt the world tilt slightly; the affects of the memory potion hadn't worn off just yet. She watched Harry carefully as he looked through his results, he remained quiet until Ebony couldn't stand it any longer,
"well? How did you do?" Harry smiled brightly at her and let out a sigh before giving her the letter. Ebony ignored the rest of the writing and focused on the grades
Charms E
Astronomy-A
Care of Magical
Creatures-E
Charms-E
Transfiguration-E
Potions-E Defence
Against the Dark Arts-O
Divination-P
History of Magic-D
Ebony looked up at Harry who was still grinning like a maniac, "Well done, Potter." Ebony said with a grin and Harry stuck his tongue out at her. He flopped down on the bed and let out a laugh,
"I didn't fail my O.!" Ebony couldn't help but laugh with him; she lowered herself to the floor after putting his letter back on his desk. They were both silent before Harry sat up and rubbed his hands together, "So," He said in a smug tone "Diagon Alley next then?" Ebony felt excitement flare inside of her and all of her worries were forgotten about,
"Bring it on."
OH MY GAWD IT'S 5:20 AM AND i HAVE TO GET UP AT 10:00 AM TOMORROW!
Wow, okay, I am very very VERY tired to I'm excused from any mistakes tonight *this morning*
Sorry, I was hoping to get 10 chapters before Hogwarts but I guess I had too much to write about before then, orginally this was going to have Diagon Alley in, but the chapter would of been way too long to digest properly
I hope I explained the dormant Witch thing xD
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...I think we know how this goes
Reviews are always welcome and ask anything
(I promise there will be some real action soon, instead of this vision junk xD)