THE ORPHIC

Disclaimer:All characters are the property of J. K. Rowling, and Time Warner.This is strictly for non-profit Internet entertainment use.

Chapter 12: Reasons

Roger turned around and saw a brunette who was wearing a mask ask him something. "Excuse me", he said," I don't think I recognised you."

Amanda furiously removed the mask from her face."Why?" she asked looking into Roger's terrified eyes.

"Couldn't you trust me? You left me alone in an alien land when you had promised me that you would be with me forever.You pretended to die, for gods sake! Don't you love me anymore?" said Amanda, her eyes brimming with tears.

Gently, Roger cupped her face and said, "It's not that I don't love you. I love you more than my life. Amanda, you know my father. He forced me to join the Death Eaters, to betray Harry...to betray you...he said that he would kill Mom if I didn't do as he wished. Amanda, you know how much I love mother. i was in a dilemma, I had to choose between my love and my mother. But the choice was taken out of my hands. Amy, he killed mother", he started sobbing," and he threatened to kill you."

In the shadows, Ron clenched his fists. Amanda hugged Roger as he started crying, whispering soothing words into his ears. After a couple of minutes she said, "Roger, nothing can ever happen to me. I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me". Suddenly something striked her mind.

"Roger, did you tell the Dark Lord about the horcruxes?" she whispered urgently. When Roger shook his head, she looked relieved."Thanks to your Occlumency lessons I was able to conceal that part of the information", he said.

After a long, awkward silence, Amanda asked,"So, whose side are you on now? The Death Eaters or the Order?"

"At heart, I'm with the Order. But, my father will not allow me to aid you", he said sadly.

"Roger, if I tell you something, will you do it for me?" asked Amanda. Roger nodded his head. She leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Roger looked shocked at hearing what she was saying. He was quick to shook his head but Amanda was persistent and finally he nodded in defeat. He asked her to follow him and led her towards the staircase.

But, a figure came in the middle. Mr.Fernando." What a pleasant surprise! Amanda, when did you arrive?" he asked silkily.

Amanda smiled and said," Just now, Mr. Fernando. A friend of mine invited me here for a party.Really sweet of her! The party seems really interesting!" Roger was surprised to hear her talk so pleasantly. 'She was always a diplomat and a snake charmer', thought Roger, wryly.

"Roger did you tell Amanda that we are now living in this house? No? Well, I told her, now.Amanda, you are going to stay here with us till the end of your visit to England. I won't hear a no for an answer", said Mr. Fernando.

"I accept your offer. How kind of you! It was extremely unfortunate that Hogwarts closed down isn't it? Mr. Fernando, please excuse us. Roger was about to show me around the house", she said, brightly.

"Of course, my dear", he said. Kissing her hand he departed giving a pointed glance at Roger. Roger smiled nervously and led her up the stairs, the other four following in their wake (in two Invisibility cloaks of course).

As they passed through the different corridors, Draco felt nostalgic. As though sensing his nostalgia, Hermione took his hand in her own.

Roger entered a room. He walked across it and opened a locker behind a painting.He opened it and took out a scarlett ruby from it. He handed it over to Amanda who made its duplicate with a flick of her wand. They placed the duplicate in the locker and Amanda slipped the ruby into her pocket.

Amanda quickly walked towards the door but as she was about to open the door and slip out two arms caught her from behind. Roger pulled her to himself and kissed her with a passion. Ron clenched his fists, his teeth grinding and the nerves on his neck protruding. Harry patted him on his back absentmindedly.

They broke apart and Roger said," I' really sorry, I didn't tell you about the plan. I had no choice. Will you forgive me?"

"Only on one condition. You must do what I told you. Agreed?" said Amanda. "Agreed." replied Roger. Amanda stared at his head for some time, then nodded.

"Oh, Yeah! And one more thing. I'm not alone this castle right now. The others are with me", she said.

"They are?" asked Roger, frightened. Amanda nodded. Roger was about to say something, when Amanda shrieked with pain but she quickly pretended to laugh.

"How silly can you get Roger! Of course they are not here. How do you expect them to enter this household. I left them by the way! I said that I am going back to India but in real I came here to help you", said Amanda.

"How did you know I was not dead?" asked Roger suspiciously.

"Oh! You know me Roger, I know everything", said Amanda, brightly. Hesitantly, Roger nodded.

Someone knocked on the door and Mr. Fernando entered the room." Amanda, I came to tell you that the arrangement has been made. You can stay here with us from now on. And there is no need of your luggage. I arranged for new clothes", said Mr. Fernando.

"How kind of you!", said Amanda, dramatically. Nodding, Mr. Fernando went out of the door glaring at Roger. Visibly, Roger gulped.

" Uh..mmm Roger, where is the washroom over here?" asked Amanda, looking as though someone was dragging her somewhere. Roger showed her the way. Draco, who had gripped Amanda's hand, and Hermione moved towards the washroom. But, Ron hesitated.

"How can we go inside?" whispered an embarrassed Ron.

"Why not?" asked Harry and pulled Ron into the room where Amanda quickly closed the door shut. Turning back, she asked,"Well? What do we do now?"

"You have to stay here", said Hermione, troubled. Amanda nodded.

"Can't you decline?" asked Draco with a worried expression. Amanda shook her head. "It was either accepting him or he would force me to", she said," though he does not look intimidating, he is really powerful and mean".

"I have gotta stay here.I'll extract information about the other horcruxes, I promise", she said. Before the others could reply, Roger called out,"Who are you talking to Amanda?"

"To myself, who else will I be talking to?" she yelled. Lowering her voice, she said," You guys leave now, I'm sure i won't be able to owl you and you guys don't owl me. I'll return to the Burrow in three days, I swear".

The others put on their Invisibility cloaks, nodding. Harry hugged her and then vanished into the air. Amanda opened the door and let them all out, and stepped out herself. She felt, Ron squeeze her hand and then they all set off. Taking a deep breath, she faced Roger with an odd smile.

"Where is my room?'' she asked, squaring her shoulders.

A/N: Please review.