Warnings: Harry Potter and Crew belong to J.K. Rowling, I
make no profit
Some of the writing may come
out disfigured, I apologize
I do not own Shakespeare's
writing
Also, I do not have a Beta
Reader for this, so I'm sorry if there are mistakes. If you find some, please
tell me in your review.
The poem and chapter title are of the epitaph of
Creagan the Destroyer, a mythical madman who had brought the world under his
power and to its knees many times, only for it to be saved by a band of freedom
fighters. Quoted by Avathar Valcana.
~I am invincible! Actually, I'm just completely better now. Or so I say. Just
in time for Hanukkah and Christmas! I want to apologize to everyone for taking
so long! I had to bring in a crew of people to translate my soda smudged
chapter, but we got it figured out! Then I fell sick. And puked on lots of
people at a concert..which I think Lu-Lee so nicely informed you of. This
chapter is short. Only 6 or 7 pages. But I wanted to get something out before
everyone tracked me down and killed me... ^^;;
It's not as good as the other ones..and you'll be
surprised with what I ended up doing. Why, I don't know. I just did it. It will
make everything so much more complicated, but I'm an idiot, and I do things
that make me regret my past actions! Like I believe Rowling said [or along
those lines], I am deeply sad to have a death in my story, and hope that not
many people are mad about it.
***
There are so many people I have to thank now! Even though I
hadn't been updating, you all still reviewed me, and I'm so grateful!
Capn-BlackRose: I'm so
glad you've liked it, and awfully sorry for the delay! Hopefully I won't have
the world against me when I write the next chapter!
amiee: Picture is served! I hope there wasn't too much confusion
with the links, I'll try them again in this chapter.
Shunsoku: Oof. That is a lot of drugs. I hope you feel better if you're
sick! Reading your review makes me really want to reread my story. I kept
asking myself, 'I have a plot line??' 'I have plot twists???' I guess it's
sad I don't know my story that well...or don't know what I'm doing with it that
intrigues people. ^^;; Aah! I love both those scenes. I wanted Hermione's
death to just be so beautiful it would take your breath away. And I wanted to
inn-keeper's scene to be just so tragically bad you couldn't help but cry. I
don't think I did too well with either of them. ^^;; I too am wondering
where I'm going to go. I have the ending scene in my head. But my build up to
it... that's not quiet planned out. I'm, for now, just going with the flow!
biblios: I hadn't even thought of that scene! I guess I should make some
more pictures if time allows me to, since now you guys only know what Harry
looks like. If I had a better grasp of working with color, or had a computer
program to color in my pictures, I would definitely do that scene, because I
cant imagine it without some sort of color that would have to radiate off Harry.
striped-jaguar: The infamous stripes strikes again! Yes yes..be smug.
You deserve to. -stick tongue out- Next time I just wont do a pic! Hah!
Hopefully this chapter sees you in good health, I worry when you don't leave me
horribly long reviews. I just live off them! Compromises are great, mm?
If you hadn't of told me to draw what I wanted do..this project would have been
much more complicated! Many thousands of millions of thanks to Stripes for
letting me do as I wished! I did as you asked, and made Harry's wings a
big part of the picture. At first I had thought to only show part of them, and
make them faded into the shadows as described in the story, but you would have
been only able to see a little part of them. Plus, since you wanted wings, I
was able to make the whole picture lighter, and I was much easier to draw that
way! Ughh...drawing the girl as an old witch? I shiver with the thought. She
was horrible looking in my head..and I wouldn't want to draw that ugliness of
paper.... Tattoos! Someone remembered the tattoos! [Did you forget that Harry
was also naked in that scene? -smirk-] I drew the eyes without pupils for
dramatic effect. Plus, I couldn't get them to look right with pupils. Urg.
Color. You will be the end of me Stripes!!! I never work with color if I don't
have to. Only in paintings.
And I do!! I fear Stripes wrath, so I hope you enjoy the pictures! Mm.
Sugar. I need that right now! Much love and many thanks!
Luna Aelf Writer: I just love it when people find the simplest, yet most
beautiful scenes to draw! That scene is definitely on my top five to draw if I
ever get the time!
Unclear-Destiny: Thanks oh so very much for the compliment! I had
suggested, in Chapter the Ninth, that since I was being very slow in getting
the chapters out, I'd draw a picture to make it up to all reviewers! I posted
the link in chapter 10, but I don't know if anyone can make it out, so I'll be
posting it in this chapter, and if it still doesn't work, you can go check out
my reviews list, because Professor Z wrote the links in her review. Hope you
enjoy this chapter!
WITCH WERE: I hope you haven't stopped breathing all together! My fic
was actually recommended? Really? Wow. I never would have expected it to be
good enough for people to spread it around. It's such an honor that people
would want their friends to enjoy it also! Don't worry, I'll keep that just
between you and me. And you're recommending it! I'm so grateful! I really hope
whomever you recommend to to will enjoy it! [perhaps that why I've received so
many new reviewers as of late! Many thanks!] I hope you enjoy the links I
posted! Cookies! Yesh, I love cookies! Please, have a cookie for
telling others of my fic, and also a cookie to whomever told you of my fic!
striped-jaguar: Awww. Such a small comment. But I will not complain! No
sirree! You've given me so many long reviews that I should be grateful you even
read my fic anymore! Life is a bitch, and hopefully my bad streak is
over. Enjoy the pics!
ProfessorZ: Many many thanks for the pictures!! For some reason, every
time I posted chapter 10, [which I must have posted 20 times] the links would
never show. I took out the http:// because I figured it was stopping them from
appearing. Then I took out the .com because http:// hadn't worked. Hopefully if
my instructions to add in the http:// and the .com weren't too confusing. I'll
add your links and Ski's to this chapter. I hope they show up! I'm so
glad you enjoyed the pictures!!
sakoi kai: Why thank you! I really needed to reread my story and get
back into it, and now that I have..I'm wondering how I could write
something as nice as this story!
striped-jaguar: I'm so happy you like them! After all..you did
request them in the first place. It took me awhile to do, but I'm very happy
with the way they turned out..even if I hate color drawings.. I made him with
pupils at first..then realized how utter horrible he looked with them..so I
took them out. Besides, I think he needed the whole ghostlike eyes...makes him
more disturbing..lol. Oh the toothaches!!! How I welcome them! Your very much
welcomes, stripes my dear!
DF-default: Mon dieu! This story just popped from the depths of my mind,
and has no story preceding it. Does it seem like it does? I guess it could..
Wow..only the second? I'm honored! How did you topple onto my story? I know
there must be millions of stories out there..cool that you somehow got [stuck]
with mine. I hope it keeps you facinated, and that I don't lose you like I've
lost some others because of its darkness.
Review #2: It did have to be Earl Grey! I thought that I had made Dumbledore so
different then he should be..that I just needed to add something in it that was
like everyone else's portrayel of him. That just happened to be that horribly
nasty Earl Grey. I've never had it, but from what you've described, I don't
think I want to... I'm sorry that I've made you somewhat depressed. It wasn't
my intention...sortof..completely.. Ok.. so I wanted my reviewers to get into
my complicated dark mind and truly experience what I was putting into my story.
Heh. Goth wannabee. Really? Hope you come out of your fump..and if it takes
stop reading my story to get there..so be it!
Review #3: There is no name for the Inn. It was the just the antediluvian inn.
It was so run down and unused that it didnt even need a name. It was known for
just being there. Mm what a good song! The scene can be depicted from that
song. Even if it is a little too upbeat for it.. I don't know if I'll get into
any romance. I highly doubt it, if not for subtle friendly romance. If there
will be any romance, it'll be in the last scene, at the very end.
***
Chapter Eleven: Epitaph of Creagan
Æternus Noctem
Harry
kneeled down next to Alkhuan, eyes trailing over the destroyed body before him.
It was over; Harry could slowly feel himself dying, his heart slowing;
breathing shallow; yet none mattered. Here he stood for centuries, universes
created, universes destroyed; and all his time seemed so short as he watched
the gentle rise and fall of Alkhuan's chest. Alkhuan would be the first to
release his worldly ties; chains broken from Draco's arrows. Arrows to save
Harry. Arrows that now ensured his death.
He could feel again, the sensation stolen by Alkhuan,
his world making no sense since he could not connect to it. But he had seen.
Seen and only now come to understand what had passed. The horrors of watching
Hermione murdered had opened a door inside his soul he had himself barred. And
oh how he hated her. Spited her. Prayed for her to experience the pain of each
layer of skin sliced open over and over. Yet not so strong were those emotions
to conceal that he wished she still remained alive. He could not shed tears for
her, them remaining, still, only for himself, not his to give to another.
And why had Alkhuan brought them back, forced Harry to
save them, if only to die without accomplishing what he sought out to do? All
that Harry could not. Was it his choice now? As Alkhuan so had determined they
would live, not it was Harry's burden to distribute the grace of life, or the
sleep of death? Heavens could not rain his sorrow, Gods could not cry his
frustration, his self trapped so within the desolate chambers Alkhuan had summoned
him to.
Alkhuan. The being Harry had come to hate, yet left
more pain watching him die than Hermione killed. Was their bond so strong?
Would he seek vengeance as Alkhuan had for him? Was his love for Alkhuan
greater than his hate?
"What would you ask of me?" Harry gazed remorsefully
at Alkhuan, face so similar, lines so distinct, love so great. "I would not
give a hundred prayers to live it all again. Though you beg of me, mince was a
happy tale, encased in a coating of ebony, and you were by my side through all.
No, I would not live it over, for it is complete before mine eyes."
Harry leaned his head to the cool grout below,
relishing how the warmth of his tears contrasted so with the sharp bite of
frost held by stone. Could he still save Alkhuan? Harry searched Alkhuan's face
for a sign of life; only present through the slightest rise and fall of his
chest. Red droplets caressed the pale skin it touched, trailing from Harry's
eyes to descend freely onto Alkhuan's cheek.
"Show me," Harry begged, whispering, lips gently
rubbing against the skin they lie upon. "For I cannot do it alone." He close
his eyes, head rested upon Alkhuan's chest as he sought the answers not shown
to him. "Be not silent!" Rage swept through Harry as he felt the heartbeat of
his once foe diminish, mocking his attempts to free them both. Alkhuan had
already given up hope, no faith rekindled through Harry's poor attempts. For
the first time since the summer, panic diffused through Harry at the prospect
of dying. This was not how it was meant to be! Not here, not now! For though he
wished it now, others depended on him. His guidance, his strength, and his
hate; the only means of killing those guilty, of extracting revenge. Of finally
destroying Voldemort.
Alkhuan's body lurched off the ground, a deep breath
of air circulating oxygen through his body. He had heard the call of his true
Harry, and had not the will in him to rebel. He looked into red eyes, so much
similar to his own, intensity speaking words he could not virbally speak. With
all strength he could gather, he reached his hand up to cup Harry's cheek,
tears of blood flowing down his fingers upon contact.
"Why cry you? I'm alright...I'm okay." Alkhuan stared
transfixed as Harry turned his head away, unable to bear the sight and weight
of Alkhuan's words. Pulling Harry's face back towards his own, Alkhuan looked
imploringly into the now dry eyes. "You need my help."
Harry nodded, resigned expression coming to tug at the
corners of his face as he tried to gather himself; it had been so long since he
was this deeply affected. The girl... no. He looked determinedly into the mused
eyes of Alkhuan. His only hope laughing at his feeble attempts!
"Lead me into temptation, for I will embrace the withering
rose that smells so sweet, rather than fall as a feather, caught in Death's
descent of a thousand hands."
Alkhuan could only nod in reply under the intense gaze
of Harry, message boring in to his mind. Such a favor Harry asked of him, yet
surely Harry understood that his hate of the other Ancients was still greater
than Harry's love for them? If Harry submitted, if Alkhuan were to recombine
them, then his zeal of death would be no more subdued than before.
"I love them." Harry leaned his face over Alkhuan's,
eyes searching truth. "I love them." Alkhuan turned his head from the sight
above him. Harry couldn't expect him not to kill them? Yet..
Staring up into the face that had saved him, brought
him from Death's grasp, Alkhuan knew. Reaching to capture the pale cheek in his
palm, Alkhuan slowly pulled their faces together, as he had once done before.
Gazing into closed eyes, Alkhuan smiled sadly. "As I love you," he whispered
before closing his eyes, lips touching to Harry's in their last kiss.
Snape threw open the door to the Headmaster's office,
disregarding the hissing of painting at his lack of respect. The room was as
Alkhuan had left it, furniture spelled back to where they should rightly be,
yet Snape took no notice of any misplacements. His eyes, trained to stare so,
wavered not an inch from the tired look Dumbledore's face portrayed. A tired
look; an act, to save him the time slipping quickly from his fingers. Answers
would be called for, words spoken which none could rightly word. Tales of ages
dead, suddenly brought back to life. All was how it was prophesied to be.
"Tell me!" Snape demanded before Dumbledore could
utter a sound. "Tell me of all you have kept secret. Kept safe within you as
you watched time pass by, watched them grow, watched them learn... watched them
be hurt." Snape cradled his face in his left hand, right reaching out to feel
the chair that he knew would be there. He sat with no importance, back bent as
the torments of thoughts in his mind would not settle.
"And what a story it is to tell..." Dumbledore sighed,
giving in to the quiet thoughts that had always plagued him. Harry had been
their savior. Their hope when all the world seemed lost in a barren wasteland
of despair. Yet somewhere, somehow, in the minutest crevices of the land, under
rock, pebble, grain of sand, in the infinite vortex of the sky, the strands of
time had shifted. Suddenly. Unpredictably. The once beloved had faced a
confrontation he had not started; the enemy had fallen bait. But how had this
come to pass? Never before had Dumbledore stood without the answers. And yet,
the emptiness which assaulted his mind brought for once in his life, peace.
"This is no longer my time, Severus. I am old;
stretched. I had lived too long, hastening to go, yet holding back to live. The
mind is not meant to live after the body has died. I fear my time is over..."
Dumbledore looked to the window, delicate rays of golden light balancing off
the glass. Unheard to him was Severus's cry, his questions, his demands for
answers.
All sound had ceased to exist except for the internal
pulse, lengthening, shallowing. Had it always been so simple? So easy? Why had
he feared what Harry managed to escape? Did death ring so heavily in his ears
that he sought a cure from it's implied disease?
And now, gazing into the rays that would ultimately
leave, casting those under it's influence to fend for themselves, Dumbledore
couldn't help but laugh at his own insecurities, his own greed.
"Yes, yes," he murmured, turning to face Snape with a
smile that graces his eyes. "I believe it's time."
"Albus, time?" Snape felt compelled to grasp the
shoulders of his mentor, confused with childlike innocence as he sat,
bewildered with the passing events.
"I believe you will find all answers in my office,
though they may be difficult to find. Never walk astray, keep your heart
untroubled." Dumbledore gazed about the room, eyes saddening as he saw the
defeated gaze of the forlorn, yet, understanding Fawkes.
"Yes. Yes time," he whispered, low and indistinct;
standing from his seat. No bends of age held Dumbledore towards the ground, his
grave. Years were lifted from his shoulders as he stood tall, proud in all he
accomplished during his life, though some choices were not the best. He cast no
regret, finding none to need regret for. With all choices came consequences,
and though few were bold enough to try them, Albus had always lead life with
nothing to be disappointed for.
"Severus." Who had sat in his seat, reverted back to
the scared fifteen year old, banished from a life of friends, made to turn dark
yet too afraid to enjoy it, stared at Albus Dumbledore with streams of tears
falling from his eyes, rivers overfloaded in grief. "Severus, keep them well.
Keep them safe. I have loved you all, and not one less for the choices we have
made, the deeds we had done. I must go now; the second part of my journey
beckons, and I fear I cannot resist any longer."
With a slight shine to his eyes and an imperceptible
nod of his head, Albus let go of the feeble strands he had clung to, spelled to
himself with all his will power. Though they grew thin, though they grew
tattered, he never released them, revering them with all he possessed. But he
couldn't any longer.
Snape could only watch, spell bounded, as the greatest
wizard in all history disappeared before hs eyes. Transformed into millions of
particles of golden dust, hovering over the headmaster's desk until the windows
flung open, wind pouring into the room to scatter all traces, Dumbledore's
whispered last words of 'Good-bye' hung in the air.
Draco closed his eyes in the pure bliss of sleep, head
snapping up to keep away the temptation of awakened death. Sleep of so close a
nature to his end had always terrified Draco. Sleep in which you could control
no outward action that lead to your ending, your demise, though you wished it
not so. And how was sleep so different from the eternal rest that all must
take? Would lying his head upon the pillow not account for his mental, is not
physical death, for however long his mind shut down, rested? How was he to know
if he never awoke again, trapped so in the confines of sleep? Would he live
only to be whisked away by the one natural act that all kin must become
accustomed to?
"You must rest. For if not for yourself, than for
Harry, when he awakes." Ron opened his eyes, no need to blink with the rays of
sunlight directed into his pupils. He had rested all he could, body
replenished, no need to over rest when there was a world out there that called
him into action.
"How do you know he will wake? How do you know I
haven't...hadn't...that he will awake?" Draco turned his head from Ron's
piercing sight, knowing he couldn't confront the man before him. Man. Such as
Draco had always wished himself to be, yet here he struggled, pitting himself
against his own actions. Had he not control over what he did? Submitted to the
force inside of him? For what? To kill Harry? Since young he wished to kill a
man, if not for the pure joy his father had always spoke of, but for the accent
into his manhood. Token of life be the key into the unspoken club his father
had always hinted at. So much had changed, and if not for the better than what?
He had killed his leader, where was he to go now? What roads would he travels
without his guide to lead him the way, his light in the dark of all life's
tunnels. Nothing else matters...
"He will wake. And when he does, he will look to you,
and thank you. For if you had not pierced him with your arrows, Harry would
forever be trapped in the Lair of Alkhuan. Would you wish him to be stuck so?"
Ron stood, blanket dropped from his waste as he fixed his stare upon the once
strongest of them all. Striding to Draco's side, Ron knelt, hands grasping at
Draco's side, forcing the Dragon to look into his eyes. "Would you wish him to
be a slave?"
"I would wish him to open his eyes, to be graced with
the emerald beauty I remember from times that seem so far!" Draco threw Ron's
hands off his shoulder, body flinching from the loss of contact. He walked to
the window, throwing open shudders that cut air circulation from his lungs,
forced them to breath in the misused, hate-spited filled air.
"But he has changed! You said it so yourself! Do you
wish none of this happened? That you could change fate, bring back the Harry we
all remember fondly?" Ron stared incredulously as Draco all but fell onto the
windowsill, back slumped in defeat. He walked to stand behind Draco, hand once
again fallen onto shoulder that needed so of his contact. No deep sigh was need
to clear his throat, only soft whispered words needed for reassurance. "We
cannot change what comes to play in life, Draco. All we can do is deal with
what is dealt to us, and live life to the fullest though it seems naught but
ruin. He will wake."
"How, Ron, how? I killed him! I felt it in my hands,
through my body." Draco rose arms to stare at his fingers, watching them
covered in blood of his friend. The blood he had spilt. "I felt his heart stop,
his magic dissipate. His life end."
"And yet you feel inside you, though you push it away,
the life force that continues to beat though you tried to put a stop to it."
Draco and Ron looked to Hermione, no trace of sleep in the open eyes. "He is
alive, and if you stop believing in him, Draco, he will surely die. You brought
me back. If you lose sight, you will ultimately fail to bring him back."
Hermione gathered her blanket about her cold body, the dungeons a frozen layer
of stone, sharp pains sending tremors to wrack her frame. She pulled a chair
along with her, resting it beside Draco, throwing the blanket over both their
bare bodies. "Can't you feel it?"
Draco looked into her pure eyes, untainted with the
past 24 hours. Had her death truly brought her peace that she carried unto this
world? Could he too see past the deadly demure of his actions and find within
them light? He closed his eyes, feeling Hermione's fingers grazing over his
face, pausing at his eyes, his nose, his cheeks, his mouth. Soothing his tired
mind as he drifted off, seeking something that Hermione had inspired within
him, yet guided by only himself. No help could be given to him.
Ancient.
The word rung heavily through his ears, echoing off
the walls of the grand hall he had walked in to. Elongated towers of vines held
upon them shallow bowls of fire, lighting the walkway that would lead him into
the throne of his mind. Had Hermione such an experience when she found within
herself that which had been hidden away? Would he find within himself the force
that had defeated Alkhuan with a mere blow?
His feet thread softly upon the ground, leaves
crunching under his coverless toes as he walked over the rug that lead to the
door. Wind blows his hair from his face, no shield to cover him, keep him
hidden from whatever sanctity or threat he would soon encounter. Taking in a
deep breath as his hand reached for the door handle, Draco noticed through the
corner of his eyes all fire go out, the wind howl as his fist clenched the
knob, pulling it open though his whole body shook with fright.
A blinding light shone from the door entrance, forcing
Draco to cover his eyes lest he go blind. Humming drummed through his ears, a
gentle beat to his heart, pulsing through his veins.
"Maegcair."
Draco turned to the source of the voice, eyes
squinting in pain as he tried to see past the unyielding white around him. He
had heard it before, a fuel to his fight with Harry, when all hope seemed lost
within himself. It had saved him, cradling him in its safety though he had
never before met it. A safety that Draco now felt blossom within his breast.
"Maegcair," he replied, smiling though he knew not why
he felt the sudden elation of joy in himself. "Maegcair!" he cried happily,
rushing blindly forward, passing stands holding the white light, crystallized
into millions of rocks, held in hands suspended through the air. All slowly
shifted in place as Draco rushed by, settling back to their positions as he
left them without a care, them not needed to him now, not when he had yet to
call to them.
Draco ran for what seemed like lifetimes, hoping,
knowing, that he would soon reach the one person he wanted nothing but to
embrace with. Tears flew from his eyes as the wind he created pressed against
his body, carrying them away from his unmarked skin, landing on the crystals.
Slight color changed rose up in the rocks, white shifting to blues and pinks,
an unforeseen rainbow dazzling about their core.
Draco slowed in his run, stopping when he knew he had
reached the center of the throne room, the pure white chair before him holding
the outline of a fading form, known only to Draco, though others had heard of
him.
"Maegcair..." Draco whispered, in awe of the man
seated before him. Resemblance bore no default upon the two men; smooth
porcelain skin and star kissed blond hair showing them to be brethren, if not
one in the same. The Greek Sculpture before Draco smiled at him, reassuring all
doubts within his mind. Opening his arms to the still boy before him, Maegcair
beckoned Draco to him, hoping with all his might that his Holder would accept
him, even though he had been born for the sole purpose of Keeping Maegcair's
soul bound to the Earthly Plane. Draco could not reject his older self, his
past self, though his mind fought frantically to tell him it was wrong.
"Can't you feel it?" Hermione pushed him to
understand.
"I can feel you. With every pore in my body. Every
cell thrums in your intakes of breath, vibrates in your exhalations. I know you
in my heart, though we had met only once. I know your eyes, for they had calmed
me when I was afraid, frantic in my battle with Alkhuan.." Draco stood before
Maegcair who sat quietly, understanding and agreeing with all words spoken. A
small smile graced Draco's features as he slowly sat down. "And I understand."
Maegcair cradled Draco's body to his own, closing his
eyes as he had felt Lady Helkoareiel do so before. Not would he take over
Draco's body as Alkhuan had done to The Savior. Though it had taken him ages
upon being trapped in Draco's body to understand, he could not forcefully
replace his Holder. Together they could defeat Helkahir. Surrendering to the
calling Draco had stirred within him ever since he had entered the Glade,
Maegcair centered his mind upon Draco, letting go as Draco had done so before.
Harry let his eyes open, though they burned with an
indescribable fire. Objects held no structure for him, no contours to place
definition. His throat, once key communicator, how throbbed with a dull pain,
scorched from the inside, no longer capable of speech. Toes, though capable of
movement, gave no other instructions to whether his legs worked, or were held
still through the series of events that could have destroyed all means of
movement. He finally was able to focus his sight onto the ceiling; so different
from any he had seen before. Laced through the stone were millions of
protection and defense spells meant to ward away all harm to whomever's room he
currently occupied.
Tentatively, so as not to alert anyone in the room,
Harry painfully raised his hand above his head, flicking his fingers. As
intentionally, but with more power than Harry had ever felt within himself
before, all wards on the room cracked and disappeared without any protest. Had
Alkhuan given him this power? Alkhuan...
Senses roaming
the room, Harry felt the life forces of the four other occupants, capable of
identifying them as his friends. He felt sorrow among all of them, though hope
and love was just as strong. Hoping to notify them of his current
attentiveness, Harry let his senses flow throughout the room, knowing that they
would be able to feel him, if not hear his movements.
Lifting himself up on his elbows, Harry was plummeted
with knowledge from all corners of the castle. Falling limp, while drawing the
attention of the others, Harry could only stare unblinking at the ceiling as
Hermione, Draco, Ron, and the woken Blaise all crowded around him. Tears formed
in his eyes as Hermione lifted his body to hold him to her, knowing he needed
some sort of contact.
Draco administered a glass of water to Harry's dry
throat, soothing away the pain that he had mistaken for his broken vocal cords.
Turning in Hermione's arms, Harry tried to lift himself up on shaking limps,
trying to get away from the suffocating presence the bodies about him sent.
"He's..oh god! Hermione.. please.. he's..!" Harry
stood on knees that threatened to fall, trying to hold onto the shoulder's of a
shaking Hermione, tears of joy spilling from her eyes as Harry was indeed
brought back to them. Not able to take the burden of knowledge running through
his mind, Harry collapsed, body falling to the stone floor, caught only by
Draco's quick hands before he hurt himself more.
Draco lowered him to the floor, wrapping Hermione's
blanket about Harry's shaking body, not understanding what plagued his friend.
He tired to feel Harry, find what was running through his head, but the torrent
of emotions prevented him from finding out what caused such a reaction after
Harry awoke. Surely it couldn't be Alkhuan's death that caused Harry to grieve
so?
Harry whimpered pitifully as he clung to Draco's
shoulders, suffocation be damned. "Draco..hnn..oh gods, Draco.." he cried,
fresh blood leaking onto Draco's clothing, though no thought was given to their
cleanliness. "He's dead... he's dead!"
"Who is, Harry? Tell me, who's dead?" Draco wiped the
tears spilling forth from closed eyes, red staining Harry's pale cheeks though
Draco tried fruitlessly to wipe them clean. His only reply was the fierce
shaking of Harry's head, tremors wracking his body as Harry denied himself the
relief of crying out loud.
"Let him be," Hermione knelt by Draco's side, Ancient
powers settled into her body, allowing her to understand Harry's grief through
his rush of thoughts. "He needs to come to understand his own hate, and the
underlying love he thought dead. Give him time."
"But, Hermione," Blaise protested, his own emotions
rushing to the surface. "What's happened, what's wrong?"
Hermione looked to each face of her friends, knowing
that they craved the knowledge to help. How had it all happened? Once
everything had made sense to her, now everything was as confusing as learning
to walk for the first time. Dare she tell them what even puzzled her? But
looking into Blaise's earnest eyes, Hermione could not deny him.
"Dumbledore is dead."
Epitaph of Creagan
For ages in my crypt I lie,
Controller of men yet to die,
Power to be rivaled by none,
On the day I return as one;
When land, sea, and stone are all rent,
And the spirit of man is bent,
A fighter for random beliefs,
Will brave the quakes and corral reefs;
To a land strange and long since gone,
To right for me an ancient wrong,
Destinies ruins he will search,
An evil place where ravens perch;
He is the one who has the skill,
To bring me back from cold nights chill,
Slayer of men, he conquers all,
Traps are gone as he heeds my call;
First as one, then as three I went,
A blessing in disguise Kos sent,
Evil unequalled in my time,
The deed must be done on fourth chime;
Insanity though some might say,
I will come forth in the next day,
Power over all will be mine,
A cloud of ebony is the sign;
Weep ye now, children of Feägurth,
I come in rain, storm, fire, and earth,
As four and one, you will greet me,
For the worlds ending you will see.
~~~Don't kill me… but go see my pictures!!
seconds-of-silence.deviantart (add dot com here)
and
(put http:// here)hpweb.ninesoft(insert dot com here)/AeternusNoctem/pic1.jpg
(put http:// here)hpweb.ninesoft(insert dot com here)/AeternusNoctem/pic2.jpg