Chapter Thirteen: Visitors

The revelations from the book Aubrey found had shaken Lucy. She sat in class and dwelled on the fate of the leader of the resistance, wondering if there was anyone who even knew her name. Lucy spaced out during charms and may have set fire to James and Fred's desk. Professor Flitwick was not pleased with her taking away five points from her house. Lucy could not bring herself to care. She had more important things on her mind.

Ollie pulled her aside after class, Lucy would have noticed he worry in his eyes if she had less on her mind and if she had a better ability to read people. "Luce, I think you need to put the journal away for a while. Think about something else for a while."

"Like what?" Lucy snapped, sarcasm dripping from lips. "Quidditch?"

"Maybe? Quidditch makes everything better." Ollie said brightly, seeming to miss Lucy's sarcasm or just ignoring it entirely.

Lucy felt her glasses slide down her nose, her friend was very single-minded. "Really Ollie?"

"I could teach you to fly, play quidditch maybe?" He threw his arm over her shoulders and gave her a look like an overly eager puppy. Lucy felt her eyes slowly leave their sockets as her shoulders got squeezed in a one armed hug just a little too hard. "Just put the journal away for a couple of hours and relax."

"I don't relax." Lucy managed to slip out of Ollie's death grip. "I'm going down to the grounds. You want to come?"

"Sure! I need to go to Quidditch practice anyway." Ollie followed Lucy down the stairs. They walked down in a companionable silence. That was one of the best things about Ollie; he was quiet when he knew Lucy needed to think and happy to talk when it was necessary or wanted. Most of the time. Though he could drive her up the wall occasionally, he was her best friend.

The grounds were covered in patches of white-grey slush that made wet noises under Lucy and Ollie's feet as they walked. Lucy looked at the group of professional looking people some distance away talking while standing in a circle the way adults tended to do. Lucy grabbed Ollie's robe sleeve and pulled him over behind a large rock close to the group. They looked over it and Lucy smiled widely as she stood up much to Ollie's confusion.

Lucy made a mad dash for the tall red haired figure talking to the other Ministry officials by the lake, stopping short to stand behind him with her hands behind her back innocently. The man standing across from her grinned and pointed causing her dad to turn around, he broke into a smile and pulled Lucy into a hug. "Hi dad."

"Hello Lucy," He tightened his hold for a moment before finally letting her go. "I'll be done here in a few minutes."

"Okay." Lucy went to go sit on the dock nearby, Ollie following at her heels.

As Lucy made herself comfortable, her feet were dangling over the icy water and her rucksack leaning against her, the diary now in her hands she looked back at Ollie who was standing behind her.

"I need to go to practice. I'll se you this evening." Ollie said looking a little worried about something. Lucy thought she knew what.

"Don't let Slattery get you down."

"I won't." Ollie ran down the dock waving at Lucy over his shoulder. Lucy smiled as he walked away and turned her attention to the diary.

They found us. I don't know how that did but we were found today. Black hoods, cloaks, and masks to hide their faces. Cowards.

Poet managed to get a small group of us away. Myself included. I looked back after hearing these horrible anguished screams to find a small battle forming with our home for the past months burning. I hid in a nearby tree while the others flew away as Poet turned back and back into the fray. It took them less than a minute to take him down. I saw Trench Coat, the old man, the Bride in rather rough looking condition nearby. They were taken away for trial. Their fate will not be pleasant.

I will never forget them. They saved my life.

I found myself back at the sight of the attack to retrieve my journal after the Death Eaters left. It smelled like ash and a horribly disgusting smell that I was unable to place at the time. Haven was ruined, by fire and powerful spell work. Upturned earth and trees covered in burns showed signs of a battle. I tripped over more than a few items before I made it to the hallowed tree where I hid my journal.

The tree itself was blackened around the base, but the fire never reached the empty space. It felt good to have something familiar in my hands again. The wand I was given feels awkward and stiff in my hands. I may need to replace the cover, but do I really want to?

I turned to look at what remained of my home for the past few months and felt an overwhelming sadness as I moved closer to the smoldering remains. The ghastly smell grew stronger and I was able to piece together what it was. Flesh. I saw what looked like a charred hand sticking out of the skeletal remains, and nearby another hand that seemed smaller and more feminine. I puked. Well I tried to; there was nothing in my stomach.

I apparated away. I'll gladly take my chances far away from where Haven used to be; maybe I'll flee the country. I've always wanted to go to the Netherlands. Look at some windmills perhaps? I need a couple of days to get back on my feet before I leave.

"Hello again Miss Weasley, it's nice to see you in such good health." Lucy turned around to find sharp eyes and hawkish nose of Nicodemus Singleir looking back at her. "Are you interested in the anniversary memorial?"

"I thought we already had one in the castle? I polished it last year." Lucy said as she looked up from the heart pounding terror the pages of the journal. She closed the journal and set it in her rucksack.

Nicodemus laughed. It was rich and merry. "My dear child, those old plaques' will be removed from that unsightly spot and new ones will be out in the memorial garden. You should be happy to know that you will have the May Second Holiday off for this event." Lucy smiled; she would need to check a calendar to be sure about which classes she would be missing. She hoped to miss a double class with the Slytherins. "It should be an interesting affair. Famous witches and wizards from all over are coming for the celebration. It promises to be a momentous occasion, a mark of twenty years of peace in our world. Do you think your Uncle Harry will find the time to give a speech?"

"I have no idea sir. He's like my mum, neither one of them like's public speaking." Her mum kind of froze when being stared at by large groups of people, even if she knew the people or not.

"Your mother is very bright; I read a paper of hers some time ago about the many theories involved with magic and how they all came from the same source material. Is she still working under the Septenary's mark?"

The giant squid's tentacles could be seen in the middle of the lake waving at Lucy. She waved back and it disappeared under the surface again. "Yes, mum says she'll work nowhere else."

There was another shape standing on the other side of the lake. A dark horse-like one with bat like wings. It stood alone. Lucy smiled at it and looked at it, it took off into the sky and Lucy tilted her head back to watch it ride the air currents and disappear from view.

"Can you see it?" Nicodemus asked, with a bit of disbelief in his voice. "The thestral, I mean?"

"Is that what it's called? Can you see it to?" Lucy asked as she turned her attention back to Nicodemus.

"Yes, only those who have seen death are able to see thestrals. One who saw the life of another snuffed out like a candle."

Lucy stepped back and grinned, that explained why Ollie could not see what was pulling the carriages. He had never seen anyone die. Lucy had. "Thank you for telling me that."

"You are welcome. Would it be rude to inquire about how you came to see these creatures?"

"I barely remember it. I was caught in the Diagon Alley Riot. I really don't remember what happened."

Nicodemus smiled, "I remember that quite well. Things sort of… got out of control."

"But what started it?" Lucy asked, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders.

"People being people," there was a sound from the assembled group of Ministry employees who were now joined by Headmistress McGonagall. "Plays for power, ruthless ambitions."

Lucy tilted her head quizzically, "I don't get it."

They were silent for a minute before Lucy got an answer. "Imagine this my dear, let's say that you wanted something. I'll say for this exercise that it is a high paying job within the government. Now imagine your archenemy is in the same position desiring the same job, and has more qualifications then yourself and has been there longer. It seems like you have no chance for this position, but you have something your enemy lacks. Cleverness. You use this skill to take her down a notch and rise a few points in the eyes of your employer. Did that help?" Lucy nodded and Nicodemus looked back at the group. "I believe it is time I took my leave." He smiled at her, "I hope to see you soon Miss Weasley." He tipped his hat and walked away, leaving Lucy with quite a bit to think about.

Cutthroat ambition. Did Nicodemus think Lucy had it in her to be that ruthless and cruel if necessary? Did Lucy believe it?

Lucy slid down lower to dip the toe of her shoe into the cold water. Was it wise to cut other people down for one's own advancement? To desire more then what one had? To take down one's opponent with cleverness and political maneuvering?

"Lucy," Lucy turned to find her father standing at the other end of the dock with Grimalkin rubbing against his leg. He stepped delicately over the cat and Lucy got to her feet to go to him. He put an arm over her shoulder, as Grimalkin jumped into her arms. "How's school?"

She thought about the writing on the wall. "Good. How's work?"

"Excellent and that is all I'm going to say about it. Have you thought about what classes you'll take next year?"

"That's not 'til later, dad."

"Never too early to start thinking about your future and what classes you will want to take at the OWL level. Now, I'm recommending Ancient Runes, if only for the fact you know how to read it but you can go ahead and get your OWL in the subject. Maybe Muggle Studies or Divination, those would be good if you want to learn about something different."

Lucy had no doubt she would receive a letter detailing this at a later date with input from her mum.

Oo0Oo0

May Second 1998, the war is over.

Lucy flipped the pages to find there was quite a bit more after the war ended. After all, he seemed to be describing the era that her parents did not talk about. She smiled widely and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. This could be fun.

The world is in complete chaos. Nobody knows what they are doing anymore. The Ministry is barely functioning; the people are filled with rage that can be cut like a knife. I've found employment at a muggleborn shelter for now. We receive the ones who are half starved from being on the run and those disturbed and traumatized from an extended stay in Azkaban. It's a job, but-

His handwriting grew shakier and hard to read, the page was covered in ink splotches that would make her father retake his notes entirely.

I hate this. Damn the Ministry and the purebloods to.

There is a woman here named Bianca, she's been wasted away by the dementors of Azkaban. I'm sitting next to her as I write this. She's rail thin and has a lot of nightmares. This facility is full of support from many kind people. Healers are here daily to check on their physical health, people like me are here in case they need to talk. She likes fruits and vegetables. I'll grab her some extra at every meal. She's also very fond of berries with cream and sugar on top. I have no idea why I wrote that down, maybe it reminds me of something and gives me hope that she will recover completely.

I admire Bianca, when she's awake and talking to me, she seems very strong, sincere, doesn't cry and say why me. Bianca lost her entire family to the Dementors and the Muggleborn Registration Commission. She's very strong. No matter how strong she is, if she's holding something back, and not talking about it, it will come out someday stronger then what it was in the immediate aftermath. We were talking today and she told me that she had very few memories of her months in Azkaban. That she just remembered waking up in Saint Mungo's after the war ended. I think she repressed a number of things, if she did those memories might come back. Or she does not want to think about it, I know I wouldn't.

She went back to sleep holding my hand. I was able to get it back so I could write this entry.

The name Bianca sounded familiar to Lucy. Bianca… Bianca Harrington perhaps, the lady who was being endorsed for the Minister position by Silvern, was this the same woman?

The Bianca here seemed to be very high in Sullivan's esteem. If she lost her whole family, it would give her reason to join up with the Reformation.

Lucy closed the book; she would read more this evening. She moved from her seat in the window and began to walk up the stairs to the tower with Grimalkin at her heels. The cat would occasionally weave between her legs and run ahead of her and wait for Lucy to catch up. Lucy wondered if she could get Aubrey to play chess with her if he was done with his homework. He was a more challenging opponent then Ollie and Lute.

Grimalkin made a low growl and suddenly slunk up the stairs quickly. "Grim wait!" She did not want to be caught out late by Filch and Mrs. Norris looking for her cat. She broke into a run and suddenly found herself following Grimalkin to a familiar floor. Lucy slipped in something and found herself on the floor looking up at a familiar message.

Those who protect the guilty must pay the price.

Beneath that statement, was something horrible. It was a small stick figure with x's for eyes appearing to be in extreme pain, to Lucy's right, the body of a boy with messy red hair and glasses on the floor next to him.

"James?" Lucy turned him on to his back and gave him a shake. She slapped him in the face, James groaned. Lucy slapped him again. "Wake up!" She looked around wildly for some kind of help. She heard footsteps down the corridor and Professor Merryweather stepped into view. "Professor help!"

Merryweather ran over and took Lucy's place next to James with an unreadable look on his face and he levitated him into the air down to the hospital wing. "Go back to the tower Miss Weasley." Grimalkin jumped into Lucy's arms as they both disappeared from sight.

Author's Notes: I want strawberries and blueberries covered in sugar and whipped cream. That stuff is good. But now I have McIntosh apples to eat. Oh well, if one thing goes with the changing seasons, there is always something else on the horizon for snacking on. Now onto the other things.

Sulliavan's journal is beginning to come to an end. A couple more entries I think. Nicodemus makes another appearance and his little chat here left some room for speculation. And James, I wonder what got him?

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