Dear Readers,

Woohoo, 3rd chapter in 2 weeks! Keep a-reading!

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

CHOSEN ONES

Adonna walked up to the vine-covered building. She had been in places like this before and it was always the same…but not this time. The reason behind why she was there made it different. She made her way to the Nurse's Station.

"Excuse me," Adonna asked, "But I'm looking for Victoria Haynes? I'm here to interview one of her patients, Elizabeth Stevenson." The receptionist looked at her as soon as the healer had said Lizzy's name.

"Oh yes, you're the woman from Social Services that Madam Haynes had mentioned a week ago," the auburn woman said politely. "I'll let her know you're here," she said, before entering a smaller area behind the desk.

Adonna didn't have to wait long because within moments a severe looking older woman walked out of the smaller room and stopped in front of her.

"You're Adonna Tonks, I presume?" Victoria said with some brusqueness. Adonna nodded her head and shook Victoria's hand. "I found it rather odd that they sent you out here after so long."

"Well, we found something of interest about what happened to Lizzy," Adonna said. Victoria's expression changed slightly.

"You mean Shantiel Peterson?" Victoria questioned the tall healer knowingly.

"Pardon?" replied Adonna with confusion.

Victoria sighed and explained, "When she came here almost ten years ago where we told about the drama that damaged Elizabeth's mind. How the little girl she was watching was kidnapped and possibly killed in front of her. As a result of the trauma, Elizabeth adopted the little girl's name and personality. She barely escaped herself; they found her unconscious on the ground. Her parents didn't know what to do so they brought her here."

"I see. May I speak to her?" Adonna asked, becoming more intrigued in the story and connecting the puzzle pieces together.

"Yes, but I don't know how much you'll get out of her. She is rather subdued and has the behavior of a child," Victoria warned as they started walking down the hallways. She stopped outside of a door before knocking softly and entering, "You have a visitor." She moved aside to let Adonna in and shut the door behind her.

The young woman had dull almond hair that hid her face as she sat in the chair by her bed and her sullen hazel eyes slowly made their way up to Adonna's.

"Hello," the young woman said softly. "Who are you?" Adonna smiled warmly at her as she sat down next to her.

"I'm Madam Adonna, and I was hoping you could tell me what happened before you came here?" Adonna said, kindly hoping to ease the girl's nervousness. Lizzy averted her eyes and remained quiet for a few moments before speaking again.

"No one else really believes what I tell them," Lizzy said, even more quietly. Adonna remained just as quiet but also understanding as well.

"You can tell me what happened, I'll listen and I promise I won't judge you in any way," Adonna said with the same softness as the girl. Lizzy sighed and said, "I've heard that before. But you won't leave until I tell you, right?"

Adonna smiled ruefully and said, "Not necessarily, but it would help me if you did mention it. You may call me 'Adonna', by the way."

"Okay, I'll tell you," Lizzy replied wearily, "We were playing games and stuff for awhile before I went to bed. Then these bad black-robed people came and they hurt me and hurt my babysitter. They hurt us with wooden sticks that had green lightning coming out the end of them. I blacked out and when I woke up my friend was gone…" Tears ran down her face at the end of her story. "These people came saying they were my parents but they weren't and they were calling me by a different name." Lizzy concluded.

"Then they brought you here?" Adonna questioned delicately. Once more the girl nodded in response. "I need to do something but it won't hurt at all," said Adonna as she pulled out a stopper from inside of her pocket. She gently placed the tip of her wand to Lizzy's temple and drew out a silvery strand and placed it inside of the stopper. "Thank you for everything."

"I just wish I could tell my friend that I'm sorry…" Lizzy said remorsefully. Adonna smiled sadly and nodded. "Thank you," Lizzy said as she looked out the window. Adonna sighed and as she surveyed the room, something on the nightstand caught her attention. It was a battered looking diary and for some reason Adonna felt drawn to it.

"Is this your diary?" Adonna asked as she picked up the book.

"No," Lizzy said as she shook her head, "I think it belonged to my mum. They brought it here with me. It's all I have left."

"Oh…" Adonna thought about how to approach this without causing uproar. She cautiously continued on, "Would you mind if I took this to a girl who is going through something like you? I feel that this may help her."

Lizzy remained silent again only in thought, Adonna prepared herself for any type of outburst that may occur. Lizzy's response caught the Healer off caught, "Yes, you may take it if it would help someone else." Adonna smiled and nodded in thanks. She bade the young woman farewell before leaving the room. Though not much, they now had two things that could unlock everything to the mystery surrounding Shantiel and what happened all those years ago.

~*~*~*~

The bell rang for lunch as Shantiel returned to the school after Hagrid's intriguing lesson on Pegasuses. He had found a foal and adopted it. Ginny said that it wasn't uncommon for Hagrid to "adopt" any animal he found or got, and especially dangerous animals. She had told the blonde about the baby dragon, Norbert, whom Hagrid hatched but had to have Ginny's brother Charlie come and take Norbert back to Romania. She also explained about Buckbeak.

Shantiel sat down at her usual spot but before she could get settled, she saw Jayden coming her way.

"Hi, Jayden," Shantiel said tersely. She really did not want to talk to him. And by the look on his face, she could tell he didn't really want to be around her either. "What do you want?"

Jayden ran a hand uncomfortably over his perfect light-brown hair and cleared his throat.

"I need to talk to you," he said, making Shantiel even more cautious about why he had come over. He took her hand and led her out to the foyer. "Shan…I can't do this anymore… I'm sorry. It just isn't working between us," he added before turning back to the Great Hall.

"Jayden, wait!" Shantiel called out. It felt as if that lovely day were crumbling around her. "What do you mean? If you don't--" the blonde girl started to hiccup on her words in spite of herself, "--if you don't want to be together anymore, you at least owe me an explanation!"

"Fine!" Jayden spat, "Make this all complicated! It got back to my parents how I'm dating a Gryffindor," he said the word as if he'd tasted something particularly nasty. "And you—you actually like other Gryffindors! They're your friends! I thought you were just being nice to them. Your father was Slytherin, haven't you got any pride? Any sense of propriety about how a girl of your station should behave?" Shantiel could feel herself withdrawing mentally from the situation. This was so much like any other time Matilda had yelled at her. Unfortunately, Jayden wasn't finished yet.

"I can't believe I was ever attracted to you. We're all wrong for each other, can't you see? Don't you know how I could never be seen anymore with somebody like you? A misfit who came to school four years too late and committed the grievous mistake of being Sorted into Gryffindor House!" Jayden whirled around in the direction of the Slytherin common room, leaving Shantiel behind him in his turbulence.

The young woman stood there dumbfounded and frozen in shock about what just happened. She hardly heard the person speaking from next to her.

"Hey, are you all right?" Harry's voice asked from her left, she blinked several times almost as if she'd imagined the entire thing. "I saw what happened..."

"Not quite sure," Shantiel replied numbly. Vaguely she noticed how every face in the Great Hall was staring in her direction. Evidently, almost the entire school had heard what had just transpired between her and Jayden. But it wasn't even real, was it?

Harry was talking again, "Come here. Follow me—I know just what you need." He was leading her, towing her along with him, but she didn't know where...nor did she really care. Before she knew it, they'd both arrived at the Room of Requirement in the DA room.

Harry closed the door as Shantiel slumped down onto the couch. He knew all to well about breaking up. He'd felt a slight twinge of guilt, because he had broken up with Cho Chang in a nearly identical way as Jayden had just broken up with Shantiel. Or at least—that's what he assumed. He didn't know it, but Shantiel was trying to think of a way to let Jayden know she didn't wish to be with him anymore. That was all because of the incident that happened after the Christmas Party. However…this was something she hadn't anticipated—Jayden insulting her about who she was just because she wouldn't do what he wanted her to. And…it…hurt…bad.

Harry walked over and awkwardly sat next to the girl in silence. At least he hadn't insulted Cho's character in front of hundreds of people though. Harry wanted nothing more than to give Jayden Larsen a good punch in the face. Any boy who treated a girl the way Jayden had just treated Shantiel needed a sock to the mouth. Not knowing what else to do, Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders for comfort. She laid her head on his shoulder and began mumbling.

"Does Ginny know you're here?"

Harry smiled. "Who do you think sent me out of the Great Hall to find you? She figured it was better to send another boy in case Jayden didn't leave on his own. I wanted--" he stopped himself before confessing what he really wanted to do and instead said softly, "I'm sorry that he hurt you like that. That was so wrong."

"I don't know," Shantiel replied, "maybe he is right. Maybe I was stupid to ever think somebody like him could love somebody like me."

"How can you say that, Shantiel?" Harry was clearly surprised. Then he shared something personal with her, "I lived with relatives who shout stuff like that at me all the time when I'm with them. That doesn't make it okay."

"But you do it, too," she said so quietly, as if fighting back tears.

"What? When?" Harry asked fearfully, almost a whisper.

"When we're practicing for Quidditch."

Harry sat there, stunned. As much as he wanted to deny it, she was absolutely right. He felt foolish, guilty, and had nothing to say at all except for, "You're right. And I'm very sorry."

"It's okay, I know that deep down you were just trying to help me be the best player I can be."

"Is that why you've been less feisty? Because Hermione told you what I told her?"

Shantiel nodded, blushed a little, and looked up at him with glistening eyes, "Yes."

"Thank you for understanding me," he replied.

"Same," she said as tears started flowing freely now. It was quite some time before she could stop and she soaked the one side of Harry's shirt with her hot tears.

"We keep meeting up like th-this," Shantiel hiccuped, "I'm sorry."

"Don't mention it," Harry said, "I think you're a bit entitled, considering what just happened." He stood and knelt in front of her. "Know what might help?" Harry asked, taking her hands in his.

"What?" Shantiel answered miserably.

Harry got up and stood with her. "If you cast your Patronus. Just think of the happiest memory you have ever had," Harry said from next to her.

Not really seeing how this would help at all when she felt so depressed, Shantiel did what he suggested. She withdrew her wand from her robe and closed her eyes in search of her happiest memory. She knew she had few so she had to go deep within her mind and her past. However, it didn't take nearly as long as she expected to find what she needed.

"Remember to let that light fill you up," Harry reminded, "mind, body, heart, and soul. Once you do that, nothing can stop you."

"Expecto Patronum!" Shantiel yelled, with her wand raised high. A feeling of serenity fell over her as silver wisps came forth from her wand. They quickly formed into a large animal with hooves. Harry judged by the size that it was probably a Hippogriff or horse, but he was wrong. It transformed into a beautiful white Pegasus with expansive wings. It cantered across the length of the room, almost matching the majestic style of his Stag. The Pegasus faded after a few moments. Shantiel turned to face Harry who still had concern written on his features, "Thank you again, Harry," she said with a peaceful look on her face. She was no longer crying..

Like the gentleman he was, Harry made sure Shantiel returned back to the Great Hall. Ginny met up with them and immediately hugged Shantiel.

"Are you alright now? That stupid git, I was starting to believe that he wasn't like the rest of those pompous idiots," Ginny said, balling her fists. "At the next Quidditch game I'm sending a Bludger to his head." They all laughed at this which made the blonde girl feel even better.

"Thank you so much, guys," Shantiel said, hugging both of them.

"S'wot mates're for, right?" Harry said with a reassuring smile. Each went their separate ways to class.

*~*~*~*~*

Shantiel was walking down the fourth-floor corridor one night when she noticed the Divination professor. It was of particular note since Trelawney rarely ever left her classroom. Hoping to avoid being noticed, Shantiel slinked by until the teacher greeted her.

"Good evening, dear."

Shantiel mumbled a reply and avoided looking at her until Trelawney appeared to be having some kind of fit. The blonde young woman was thinking about getting Madam Pomfrey when Trelawney spoke again but in a deep raspy voice.

"The season of death is nigh. The Dark Lord and his minions have wrought destruction in every manner possible, having left mayhem and misery in their wake.

"The twin Vanquisher has approached, learning what needs to be learned, changing as needed to be changed. Our lion amongst serpents shares much with the first Vanquisher, part snake and part griffin. Upon hearing this prophecy, both Vanquishers will know, with certainty, their destinies together as The Chosen Ones.

"They must be vigilant and wary of the danger, lest they be destroyed. As long as the Vanquishers remain together, their force is unstoppable. The power the Dark Lord knows not shall be his downfall, and all shall be made right once more..." Trelawney slowly came out of her trance shortly after. She jumped slightly as she noticed Shantiel and frightening the young woman more in the process.

Shantiel wasn't quite sure what to think about what Trelawney had said or done. How was she to know that this wasn't part of Professor Trelawney's infamous off-the-wall random predictions or an actual prophecy? It unnerved Shantiel to no end.

"Are you okay, dear?" Professor Trelawney asked with a good amount of concern. Shantiel nodded, and ran quickly away as the professor turned around and walked away in the opposite direction.

Shantiel turned a corner and Draco walked rapidly towards her, a wicked smirk spreading across his face.

"So maybe the old loon is good for something after all," Draco said icily as he kept moving closer to the girl. She knew that Draco was unhappy about his failed attempt of using her to kill Dumbledore.

"What do you want from me now? I thought that you would tire of playing these games," Shantiel got her wand out and aimed it.

Suddenly Draco caught her off guard as he shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Shantiel's wand flew outward but she dodged behind a nearby pillar. She tried to quiet her panting as she heard Draco coming closer to where she was. She waited for the right moment.

"Why do Gryffindors have to make things so damn hard?" He was a hands' reach away from her, his wand was aimed.

"Accio, wand!" Shantiel bellowed from her place of hiding. With in seconds, her wand had flown into her grip. "Stupefy!" she shouted.

Draco dodged it without batting an eyelash and just as quickly regained his composure to attack again.

"Deprimo!" he hollered, Shantiel has just felt the wind of the spell and the ground-shaking explosion as she ran into the girls' bathroom.

~*~*~*~

Harry barreled around the corner and what he saw was that Draco had Shantiel cornered as he pointed his wand at her. She dodged the curse but Draco followed her into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Harry immediately charged after them. His entrance made the Draco momentarily loose his original target.

The blonde boy wheeled around and smirked darkly as he spotted Harry, "Look who came to save the damsel as always. Crucio!" Draco shouted, but Harry was able to dart away toward where Shan was hiding. The curse bounced off the wall causing another loud bang that echoed.

"What are you doing here?!" Shantiel yelled to Harry, simultaneously annoyed and grateful.

"It's a long story," he replied, keeping his wand at the ready, "suffice it to say I was following Draco."

"What'll we do now?" Shantiel said, "he has us cornered!"

Harry remembered one of the spells that he had come across in the Prince's book now was the perfect time to use it.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry yelled, within seconds blood spurted from Draco's face and the front of his robes.

"Harry…?" Shantiel said as she crept out of the stall unsure of the silence. She gasped in horror as she saw a paler then normal Draco lying on the floor bleeding everywhere.

Harry quickly ran over to Draco with a million different thoughts running through his mind. It was true that he loathed Draco with a passion but he would never mean to kill him. He knelt next to Draco with Shantiel behind him just staring in disbelief for a few seconds. She then ran out to find help and in minutes Madam Adonna and Snape who looked very livid pushed passed both teenagers. Adonna knelt down and started tracing the deep wounds while chanting a spell over and over. The blood flow seemed to ease. Shantiel tugged on Harry's sleeve as he watched still in a horror-stricken trance. Her voice drew him out of his trance.

"Harry? Are you alright?" The blonde girl asked softly, her voice spoke volumes of concern. Harry was now staring at her as if for the first time; he knew exactly why Draco tried attacking her and so did she. She pulled him out into the empty corridor quickly.

"I—I think Trelawney made a real prophecy…I'm the Second," Shantiel said, in a solemn tone. "Draco heard it too that's why he attacked me." Harry continued to stare at her as his brain raced to catch up to what had been said. They had it all wrong, it wasn't Neville or Ginny but someone Harry didn't even to think about being the one. It was slowly all making sense.

"But Draco--" said Harry, walking back around the corner.

"--is none of your concern," Snape said tersely. "He will live. Barely."

Two more students showed up, helped Snape put Draco on a stretcher and carried him away to the hospital wing.

"We need to talk to Dumbledore," Harry said.

"Yes, you do. I'm very disappointed in you, Harry. I never thought you would've used a spell such as that against an enemy."

"I didn't know--"

" You used an unknown spell against a classmate?"

Harry nodded miserably and looked at the floor.

"I hate to do this, Harry, but you must be disciplined. You will be banned from Quidditch the rest of the season. Go see the headmaster this instant. You as well, Shantiel."

Harry hung his head as he led the way to the Headmaster's office. They remained silent the whole way both wondering what this meant and what would happen now.