"Move! Move! We've got to get her through here! We have to do something quick or we're going to lose her."
I was in a fog. It was far too dark.
"Take her up this way! We don't want to alarm the other students!"
I couldn't fight it. I just fell deeper down into the fog.
"Has someone called her mother? We need to get her in stable condition before Kent can come in. Someone better give him a Draught of Peace. He's already taken a chunk out of my office for being locked up in there."
I hear everything that's going on but I can't get out of it. What's wrong with Kent? Is he hurt? Is something wrong? What was happening?
"James is almost catatonic. He's going to need to be restrained in some way to be checked out. He has a broken rib at least and I think a concussion."
James! What's wrong with James? He's hurt, what happened?
"She's lost a lot of blood…let's just get her through this as of right now. Madame Fey! This is an emergency!"
I don't remember what happened. Who's lost a lot of blood? Who's so hurt? Why am I hearing this?
"Quick! Get her out of that dress and seal the wounds. She's alive but her pulse is very faint. She's only just with us."
Who are they talking about? Why can't I see anything? I fought against the darkness. The mugginess surrounded me, filling every orifice.
"Kaylie! Kaylie! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Sorry for what? What did James do now?
"James, sit down before you pass out. You need to lay here while they take care of you. If you're going to make a fuss you can't be in here."
What's going on? The fog that entered my body suddenly cleared with a vengeance. It all came back to me. I wanted to scream. I wanted to scream so badly. I wasn't alive. I couldn't be alive. Not after that. I felt the knife enter my body more than once. My Dad couldn't survive, then how could I? Warmth spread through me. It was swirling and burning. Why was it burning? I let out a large shout of pain and it actually reached my ears this time.
"The blood replenishing potion is working. When it handles mass degrees of blood loss the new blood being created often stings some."
"Make it stop! Make it stop! Please!" I screamed. There was an anguished cry from across the room. I fought to open my eyes but they stayed shut.
"Here is a sleeping draught. She will sleep right through the pain."
A cooling sensation spread throughout my body extinguishing the pain and then I dipped into a netherworld.
ӿӿJamesӿӿ
"Make it stop! Make it stop! Please!" Kaylie screamed across the room. She was thrashing about on the examination table. I froze. This was the first time I've seen her move since they've brought me up here. She was still stock white and her now naked body was covered in a white sheet that had taken splotches of her blood from her skin. I let out a grateful sob. She was alive. She wasn't dead. My Mum clutched me to her, whispering words of nonsense in my ear and restraining me. I was told I needed to stay still.
"Here is a sleeping draught. She will sleep right through the pain." Madame Fey sighed, taking out a set of pajamas.
"Ginny, dear, do you mind washing and changing her so I can examine James?" she questioned briskly. Mum smoothed my hair from my face and gave her a nod. She stood up and pulled the curtains around her as she went. Madame Fey walked over and eyed me critically. She took my chin in her hands and lifted my eyelid up.
"You definitely have a concussion dear," she sighed. "We can't have you sleep tonight but I'll give you a potion for that. But other than that, the broken rib or two, and the future black eye, you came out relatively unscathed."
"He kicked me a lot," I mumbled. I heard an intake of breath from the direction of the curtains.
"Stand up, please?" she commanded. I stood up and my legs were barely able to hold my weight. She tapped my chest with her wand and the cramped, burning, pain sensation gave way to relief.
"Now, why don't you change out of those clothes and you can rest," she suggested.
"No. I'm not resting until I see her," I replied.
"James, you need rest," Madame Fey argued.
"She needs me!" I shouted. The curtain flew open and Mum emerged. She looked at me, lifted her head up tall and walked to me.
"Susan, it's alright. She's clean now and asleep," Mum explained, gently taking my hand. She led me to where Kaylie was laying. She was un-bloodied now and dressed in a set of clean Hospital Wing pajamas. She looked weak and pale still. The wound on her arm was still pink from where it was just healed. I wanted to lift up her shirt to see that everything else was okay. Mum sat me down in the chair by her bed and gave me a kiss on the forehead before retreating. She took Madame Fey by the arm and led her to the private office leaving me and Kaylie alone.
"Kaylie?" I questioned, knowing she couldn't hear me through her magical slumber. "This is all my fault. I'm so sorry." I whispered, taking her hand and clearing her hair off her face. There was still some blood caked around her hairline and it was tangled horribly. I grabbed the bowl of water and sponge and gently began to dab at it. Her hair meant so much to her. She never did like it dirty. I was still concentrating on my task when the door flew open. Kent came flying into the room. He froze when he saw the two of us. Me in my tattered dress robes with a ruined face and her lying unmoving on the bed. He sunk to his knees.
"You're a little over-dramatic," I whispered, "she's asleep."
"I should've been there," Kent replied from his spot on the floor. "I felt everything, James. Everything they did to her, it was like it was happening to me and I was just defenseless. I should've been there."
"No. They wanted you two. It would've been worse," I answered with a large sigh.
"How're you?"
"Concussion. Broken rib. Nothing Quidditch couldn't give me," I answered with a shrug as Kent came over and took the chair across from me. "Can't sleep tonight, though."
"I couldn't sleep if I tried," Kent sighed, taking Kaylie's hand and looking at her.
"She's alive. She's cured. They're caught."
"It's over," Kent echoed. "Mum should be here soon."
"They can't get you," I announced. Kent nodded and pushed some hair off of Kaylie's face.
"Tell me you got a good couple of punches in his pretty little face," Kent questioned.
"I got a few in…then he massacred me," I sighed.
"You stunned him though," Kent replied. I shrugged and brushed Kaylie's cheek with the back of my hand. He head lolled towards me. She looked so peaceful and serene and beautiful. The potion was starting to work because there was a tinge of color on her cheeks. The doors opened again and my Dad and Kent's Mum rushed in. She noticed the three of us around the bed and brought a shaking hand to her face.
"Kent darling, I think we need to talk," she whispered. Kent looked at her, then at Kaylie once again and nodded. He stood up, gave Kaylie a kiss on the forehead and went back over to his Mum. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a squeeze before allowing her to lead him from the room. I focused my energy back at Kaylie. Her hair was too tangled. Gently I began running my fingers through it, pulling the tangles and knots through my fingers. I was acutely aware of my father's gaze concentrated on me.
"Dad, save the lecture," I sighed. There was a sharp intake of breath and footsteps as Dad settled into Kent's chair.
"I wasn't going to lecture you," Dad replied simply.
"Then what was with the stare?"
"I'm just taking you in. I'm just happy you're alive."
I shrugged and moved onto another section of Kaylie's hair.
"I know I should've gotten McGonagall straight away."
"James, you saved her life. Not just by staying with her but when you shielded her…well if you hadn't it would've pierced her heart. You saved her life." Dad started. "And as for the going to get McGonagall…to be frank I would've done the same thing when I was your age. As a matter of fact, I did. But it went rather off campus and involved stealing a few thestrals."
I raised my eyebrows but kept my eyes trained on Kaylie. The color was steadily gaining in her cheeks and lips. They were almost completely rosy again. I just wanted to bury my face in her hair and hold her to me. Keep her safe always.
"James…"
I looked up at my Dad. He was looking at me with an expression I've never seen before. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"I'm very proud of you, son. Truly I am. You were very, very brave tonight. I just wish you wouldn't give me and your mother such a heart attack."
I gave him a weak smile and gently took Kaylie's hand.
"I wondered how long this would take," Dad laughed.
"How long would what take? For Kaylie's boyfriend to turn completely and utterly psycho?" I snorted.
"No, honestly did not see that coming at all. I was talking about your feelings for Kaylie," Dad chuckled.
"I didn't know about my feelings for Kaylie…not until rather recently to be honest. It kinda hit me like a bludger to the stomach. Came out of nowhere," I admitted, carefully brushing her hair off her face and attempting to gather it in some sort of neat pile. I don't know how she manages it all. Dad sighed and flicked his wand, making it plait itself. I gave him an incredulous look.
"Learned it when your Mum was pregnant with you. Kept it out of the way during the morning sickness," he explained. I nodded and took Kaylie's hand again.
"What if she doesn't feel the same way?" I questioned quietly.
"I don't know, I can't speak for her…just be there for her, James. No matter what her choice is."
"Always," I sighed.
ӿӿKaylieӿӿ
I felt myself swimming back to consciousness. When my eyes fluttered open it was pitch black. I eased myself up and felt a sharp stab of pain in my stomach. I hissed and plopped back down into the pillows with a whimper of pain.
"Are you alright? Is everything okay?"
I let out a small scream as the whisper of the woods came rushing back at me.
"Oh, Kaylie, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to scare you!" James exclaimed, grabbing my hand. I felt the tears well up in my eyes.
"Why are you awake?" I questioned as I started to sob. Before I knew it James was in the bed beside me, cradling me in his arms and smoothing my hair off my face as I cried.
"It's over," he whispered into my hair, planting soft kisses along my head. "It's all over."
Slowly but surely my sobbing calmed down and I lay limp in James' arms, attempting to steady my breath.
"Why are you awake?" I questioned again. James chuckled.
"That's what you ask? Concussion, not allowed to go to sleep. Gave me the potion and everything."
"Are you hurt?" I gasped, attempting to turn around to look at him. I whimpered in pain again.
"You need to relax KayKay. The magic can only heal so much."
I lay down again and sniffed. Suddenly I was very aware of James' arms around me and the kisses into my hair earlier. I tensed slightly. James quickly let go of me and scrambled to get back into the chair.
"No…please, don't…" I choked out. James froze with his hands on the arms of the chair and his body still in the bed. Slowly he recoiled himself and settled next to me. I took his hand in mine and braved a look at him. Everything that blossomed from me earlier, all the feelings and all the wanting, were ridding through me at full force.
"James," I started. He looked at me. His eyes were wide in the darkness of the room. Slowly I eased myself around so I was facing him. "About what you were saying earlier, before all-" I waved my hand generally around. James smiled at me. He hesitantly reached out and tucked a strand of hair that fell from my plait behind my ear.
"We're almost killed and this is what you choose to talk about?" he teased, stretching his legs out on either side of me.
"Well I guess I should ask about…Kent and my Mum?"
"They're here, they're alright. They caught both of them, you know. You're safe," James explained softly. I nodded, feeling the tears well up in my eyes again. James scooted forward and gently wiped the tears that were starting to fall down my face.
"Completely safe," he whispered. I rest my forehead against James' and took a deep breath.
"I wish I could be strong now. I hate crying," I hiccupped.
"I cried," James whispered. I looked at him. "I thought you were dead, KayKay. I thought I lost you without saying the things I needed to say and doing the things I needed to do. I was beside myself. Sobbing like a little baby," he finished with a laugh. I giggled through my tears and gently took his face in my hands, running my fingers through his thick hair. His breath hitched a bit as he pressed his forehead against mine firmer.
"Kaylie…I love you, like more than a friend…I don't know where the hell it came from, but I do." He whispered. I tilted his face up with my thumbs and gently blanketed my lips over his. Something erupted inside me. A feeling that I've never felt before in any kiss. Like everything was warmed completely from the outside in. I pulled apart.
"Are you sure? This is real, this isn't pity or obligation?"
"James, this is a choice. I'm making this choice on my own," I explained with a small laugh.
"Oh…well…wicked," James laughed. I really laughed then, kissing him again through my giggles. He wound his hand through my hair and pulled me towards him, pressing his lips firmer on mine.
"You're brother…is a prat…" he exclaimed through the kiss. I broke apart and looked at him alarmingly.
"We're snogging and you bring up Kent?" I squeaked.
"He's been calling this for ages, that's all," James shrugged. I shoved his shoulder and gasped in pain as I pulled at my stomach. James furrowed his brow and gently collected me into his lap.
"Don't do things like that. It hurts me to see you in pain," he scolded.
"Cause it feels so great for me," I laughed.
"You know what I mean!" James scoffed.
"Git," I grumbled. James laughed and kissed my temple. I turned my head and lightly kissed him on the lips.
"This kinda feels right," James sighed when we broke apart.
"I agree. A bit mad, but right," I replied. James wound his hands in my hair again and kissed me with a smile.
"You should sleep, you know that right?" He declared with a small laugh.
"I should, but that potion sucked all the sleep out of me. I'm awake," I replied, settling into his chest. James laughed and carefully lowered us down so we were lying side by side. He leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the nose.
"We're disgusting," I commented.
"This has been realized. As soon as tomorrow comes around this moment will be toned down to the bare minimum. Trust me," James declared.
"Good, I don't think I could live with myself," I snorted. James let out a loud laugh and then clapped a hand over his mouth, glancing hesitantly at Madame Fey's door.
"Soo, tomorrow shall we just wake up and declare ourselves? We love each other; the rest of the world can just deal with it!" James questioned.
"I figured we'd tell Victorie and then let it spread from there?"
"It's a plan. Can we take a day for ourselves though?" I questioned hesitantly.
"Sounds good to me," James shrugged, giving me another kiss.
"I knew it! I knew it! I've called this for how long now? How long have I called this?"
"Victorie, shut up!" James groaned burrowing his face into the back of my neck and tightening his grip around my waste. It took him a couple seconds before he realized what was happening.
"Oh bloody hell," he groaned, propping himself up on his elbow. I let my eyes barely flutter open. Victorie and Lizzie were staring at us with their arms crossed. Behind them stood Kent, Louis and Fred who all looked rather amused. I don't think anyone knew I was awake yet.
"Haven't I've been saying this for ages?" Victorie declared, plopping down into a chair.
"Injured here, could use a little respect and sleep and such!" I declared groggily. Kent pushed to the front and almost plopped down in Victorie's lap, but stood next to her instead.
"You're awake," he smiled, brushing some hair off my face.
"Are you alright?" I questioned, grabbing his hand.
"Only slightly traumatized but I should live," he whispered. "Mum wants to speak to us now that you're awake. She tried to tell me things last night but I refused to listen without you."
"Shall we give them some time then?" Lizzie suggested hesitantly.
"But I was right, right?" Victorie questioned, looking between James and I. James had plopped back down and was attempting to go back to sleep.
"I'm not answering anything until I have more sleep. Stupid concussion potion kept me up all night," James grumbled.
"We'll be back later, darling. Stay rested, please," Lizzie cut in, coming around and giving me a kiss on the forehead. She lifted Victorie from the chair, allowing Kent to fully take it, and toted her out of the room. Louis and Fred followed, giving us one last smile before shutting the door. Kent looked at us, cocking his head to the side. James had snuggled under the covers again, his arms still wrapped around my waist. Gently I removed them, patting his hand to show no harm, and eased myself up. I was still really sore, but actually less so then the day before.
"Where is Mum?" I questioned hesitantly.
"With Mr. Potter. They have Luke and his father up in McGonagall's office," he explained.
"They haven't taken those bastards to Azkaban yet?" James declared. I looked down on him. His eyes were still closed, but anger etched every line of his face.
"No…Mum wanted to explain first."
"I want to see him before he goes," I stated suddenly. James bolted upright.
"No."
"James."
"No way. You're not going anywhere near them!"
"I have to! I need to see him," I exclaimed, twisting around and yelping in pain.
"Kaylie, calm down! That hurts!" Kent groaned, clutching his side where the stabs of pain were shooting up my side. I gave him a confused look. He looked at me and shrugged.
"Don't ask…but I think I kinda feel your pain…at least I did last night," Kent grumbled.
"Do I feel yours? I mean I've never felt it before. Like when I hex you when you're being annoying or when you get hit by a bludger or something," I whispered, looking incredulously at my brother.
"It's sensitive now," Mum announced, striding into the room. "Traumatic events heighten it."
"Heighten what?" I questioned.
"Your connection. You and Kent aren't ordinary wizards, Kaylie sweetie. You two have a connection between each other. It's how Kent knew you were in trouble and how he felt your pain last night. Don't you ever wonder why sometimes you know what each other are thinking or what they're feeling when they're not in the room?"
"I just thought it was a twin thing," Kent shrugged.
"Well some twins do have a very weak form of what you two share…but it's different between you and Kaylie darling."
"Wicked…it's like you two are superheroes as well as wizards," James grumbled. I absentmindedly smacked him in the stomach and he laughed.
"Can you explain, please?" I questioned, looking at my mother's face. She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I guess I should just start with the blunt, then," she remarked. "I'm not your birth mother nor is your father your birth father."
Kent and I stared at each other then at our Mum. We're adopted?
"WHAT?" I exploded. My lungs burned from the effort and Kent winced.
"You and your brother were put under our protection when you were born. Sweetie, this doesn't mean that I don't love you like you were our own. Your birth parents, they aren't with us anymore, but it was known that you would be special. It was always known you would be special.
"We were the best people suited for it. To hone your connection and keep you safe."
"You decided to wait until we were almost fully grown to tell us that we calling you a false name? Mum and Dad shouldn't have been used…never!" I snapped.
"Darling, it wouldn't have been safe for you."
"So much for that! Wouldn't have been safe? Well that's completely gone bung has it? Considering 'not knowing' almost got me killed!" I exploded. James clutched my hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Kaylie, let me explain. Please. I know I haven't been the best mother the past couple years. Losing your father…it was the most difficult thing I've had to face and I saw how much it destroyed you two. I didn't want you to go through that again…if anything happened to me…I didn't want you to have to go through that ever again," she sighed, her voice shaking. "It was a mistake, keeping you in the dark this whole time. But I didn't want you to lose your childhood on top of everything else."
"Our childhood was gone long ago, once we found Dad…Mum?…are we still calling you that?" Kent whispered.
"Kent! Even though you're not my child by birth you are my children. I love you more than life itself."
"Then why aren't you ever around?" I exclaimed. I wanted to punch something, but my body was restricting me from doing so. I grabbed the blanket and twisted it in my hands.
"Because it was easier for me. It was selfish and wrong, but it hurt. It hurt to love you too much, dear. Because in my line or work, the way I was trained, you don't forge connections of love. It's too dangerous. It was easier to forget that training when your father was around. He made everything much easier didn't he? I'm not so good without him."
"Mum, you're fine," Kent remarked.
"No, I'm not. I'm just so sorry that I wasn't here for you when you needed it most," she declared, taking Kent's hand. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away. "And then I thought I lost you, Kaylie. And I wasn't thinking about how half the key was lost and how the whole project would be gone. I was thinking about how I lost my daughter. My beautiful, brilliant daughter. And I didn't want this job anymore. I just wanted to disappear, because my little girl wasn't going to be around anymore. She wouldn't be in my life.
"I regretted how much I missed the last three years and how I needed to change because my little boy would've lost half himself. I was lost myself but I wasn't going to wallow in it from now on, because I couldn't," she sobbed, covering her face with her free hand. I felt my sharp edge ebb away. I never knew she felt that way or even why she was the person she was. I just always categorized her as not being there for me.
"I'm so sorry," she finished. Kent was looking at me wide eyed as he held our mother.
"Mummy…it's okay…we all went a little barkers when Dad died. It was a piece of joy sucked from our lives. Can we just be there for each other from now on?" I questioned hesitantly. I felt the tears prick in my eyes.
"Sweetie, there is nothing I would like more then to be there for you now and make up for these past three years," she replied, taking my hand and releasing Kent's so she could stroke my cheek.
"What exactly are we the key to?" Kent questioned suddenly. Mum wiped her face and shot a look at James.
"I'm not leaving her Mrs. Scott," James stated simply.
"We'll tell him anyways," Kent shrugged. Mum sighed and nodded.
"I figured that much. You two are the key to reversing death," she explained. Kent and I blinked at her and she sighed.
"We don't know exactly how. You two would have to be brought to the room in the Department and then what happens after that is still quite a mystery to us," she explained with a small smile.
"So we can reverse it…if someone dies? Why didn't we do that for Dad?" I exclaimed.
"You know the answer to that dear. Messing with death is quite dangerous and not to happen," Mum laughed. "As lovely that would be."
"Hmm, so this is quiet a development," James stated, propping himself up on his elbow.
"I don't know whether to be scared or impressed with myself," I remarked slowly.
"That's the best news, darling. There's no need to be scared anymore. We have finally caught the final threat to you two. You're safe, really you are," Mum declared reassuringly. "We can be a proper family again."
"Can I see him?" I questioned again.
"No! How many times do I have to say it?" James exclaimed. I narrowed my eyes and reached for my wand on the bedside table. "Not that I'm telling you what to do or anything," he added, sinking down into the pillows again and giving me an innocent look.
"I need to see Luke before they send him away. I need to show him I'm alive and he lost." I announced, throwing back the covers and starting to get out of the bed. James circled my waist and forced me back in bed. Kent and I gasped with pain.
"Ow, James!" Kent exclaimed, punching him in the thigh.
"Sorry, force was necessary," James grunted, holding me tight to the bed.
"Let go of me," I commanded.
"No, you're not going." James remarked.
"Mum, I need to do this. Closure and all," I begged, looking straight at my Mum and ignoring James persistent protests.
"You're not doing it alone," she replied hesitantly.
"I figured that much," I shrugged.
"I will be there, Mr. Potter will be there, Professor Longbottom will be there and probably a couple Aurors," she explained.
"That's a given," I replied.
"And me," James put in. We all looked at him. "I'm not letting you near him without me there. Not going to happen. Plus, he gave me a concussion. I think I deserve the same closure as she does."
"And me!" Kent piped up.
"No!" Mum exclaimed. Kent glared at her.
"As her brother I can't be there to protect her?"
"I don't know if it's a good idea…" Mum started. "We shouldn't have you two together near them."
"Under the cloak? There's going to be enough armed wizards there to stop Voldemort again," Kent begged. James gave a small snort of laughter. "Okay, not quite but you get the point."
"I guess so. But only under the cloak." Mum relented. Kent gave a triumphant smile.
"I brought you a change of clothes, dear," Mum sighed, handing me a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. "And your Mum sent these for you James."
James took the bundle and grinned at me.
"I'll go change," he remarked, giving Mum and Kent a hesitant look before stooping down and giving me a soft, lingering kiss on the forehead and heading over to the attached bathroom. Kent was smirking at me.
"Kent, could you go over there so I can change?" I questioned sweetly.
"Of course Kaylie…but just so you know I felt that and I'm ashamed at you," he replied cockily. I grabbed my wand and drew the curtains closed, willing myself not to hex him as he walked away. Mum gave me a raised eyebrow and helped me sit up further.
"How long is this shared connection thing going to last?" I grumbled as Kent laughed from across the room. "He's taking advantage of it. I don't like it."
"I don't think it'll last too much longer. By the time you're fully healed everything will go back to normal, the connection only flaring in drastic situations," she explained, helping me take off my top and slipping on the fresh t-shirt.
"Good! Then Kent can't get in my head!" I exclaimed, pouting slightly. Why can't I get into his?
"Why am I not being all share-y share-y of Kent?" I grumbled.
"Because you were the one that everything happened to. Your emotions are too heightened. If you just take the time to calm down and detach yourself you'll be open to Kent as well. This summer I'll teach you how," she explained. I nodded slipping on my sweats. I flicked the curtains open as Mum began to gently comb out my hair.
"You and James?" she questioned hesitantly. I felt myself blush and nod slightly. "Saw that one coming, I'm happy for you dear," she smiled.
"Apparently everyone did but us," I replied wryly as James came out of the bathroom, pulling his old Quidditch shirt over his head. I felt my heart jump in my chest at the sight of James' abs.
"Ugh! Stop it Kaylie! You're making me look at him like that," Kent exclaimed, fiercely rubbing his eyes. James gave him raised eyebrow.
"Are you sure it's not just because I'm so darn irresistible?"
Kent mimed gagging and shook his head fiercely. Mum just looked amused.
"Nothing will ever make me think of you like that, mate," Kent choked out.
"Can we just go now?" I questioned quickly. Mum gave me a small smile and handed Kent the cloak.
"Yes, dear. We can, but please no violence towards Mr. Masters?"
"Can't make any promises, Mum."
ӿӿKentӿӿ
"Put the cloak on, Kent," Mum commanded. Begrudgingly I wrapped the Invisibility Cloak around my shoulders and pulled it over my head.
"So I can punch him right?" Kaylie questioned darkly.
"Not if I get there first," James replied.
"Nobody will be hitting anyone," Mum sighed, touching the gargoyle that lead to the front of the Headmistress' office. It sprung to the side, but instead of the usual stairs that spiraled upwards, these spiraled down.
"Hogwarts never ceases to amaze me," James snorted. Kaylie gave him a small smile and I felt that awful jolt of longing for James.
"Stop it, Kaylie," I commanded in a harsh whisper.
"Sorry," Kaylie shrugged, grabbing his hand. James had a triumphant smile on his face. I rolled my eyes under the cloak as the stairs carried us downwards. I gripped my wand in my fist, the blood pumping through my veins. Everything they did to her, every single thing, I felt. It was like I was there, but completely powerless to help her. In my delirious state of being, I wound up destroying Professor Longbottom's office. I needed to get to her. I needed to help her. They were hurting her, badly. She was so scared. By the time she was brought back, on the verge of death, I was so physically and emotionally wrung out I could barely function. After I saw her, confirmed that she was alive and all that I was feeling didn't lead to her death, Mum gave me a sleeping draught and I slept. Deeply and soundly.
The constant buzzing in my head, the feelings that I didn't know were mine or hers, were subdued but still holding permanent host in my head. It was a weird feeling, like I had two people in me. Two hearts, two brains, two sets of feelings. It was bizarre. We walked down a corridor to a large wooden door. Mr. Potter and Professor Longbottom were waiting, speaking in low tones. They looked up at our footsteps.
"Should've known you'd come, James," Mr. Potter remarked with a small smile.
"I'm not letting her near him alone, plus he kicked me. I want to share the fun," James remarked, rocking on the balls of his feet.
"You're not allowed to kick him James," Mr. Potter sighed.
"Not even a tiny one?"
"No."
James made a disgruntled face but tightened his grip on Kaylie's hand. At least he had a physical hold on her. I put a hand on her shoulder and she smiled.
"Let me at him," she chirped good naturedly. Mr. Potter gave her a small smile and led her into the room. Luke was bound to a chair in the center. It looked like he was sleeping. I longed to send every curse at him that I knew. Kaylie looked behind her and raised an eyebrow.
"Calm down," she hissed. He looked up at this point and smiled wickedly. Kaylie let go of James' hand and stepped forward a few steps. James and I both stiffened.
"Hello love," Luke smiled. James' jaw jumped and he gripped his wand tighter. Mr. Potter put a warning hand on his shoulder.
"All I need is one…" James hissed.
"Oh, don't like that do you Potter? She's your love now, isn't she?"
"You will not speak to him. This is between you and me," Kaylie announced calmly. Part of me felt serene. She really wasn't scared. That didn't stop me from being angry. It pulsed through my veins, overtaking all of her energy and becoming prominent.
"You and I, huh? Well what do you want to know?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to see you. Tell you that I've won, you lost. That simple. How does that feel, Luke? After everything you've worked for this whole year I made it out on top and you got a cell in Azkaban," she stated.
"You bitch! You'll never win, never!" he exclaimed, fighting his restraints. Wands were pointed at him and he stopped, but still smiled sickly at her.
"I think you've won the award for worst ex-boyfriend ever," Kaylie laughed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What can I say? My father raised me well," he snorted.
"Brainwashed you is more like it," James snapped.
"Brainwashed? I'm fighting for the greater good. When we succeed we'll have the power to control who lives and who dies."
"That's not your choice to make," Kaylie snorted as I bit my lip against a retort. Kaylie yelped suddenly and her hand flew to her lip. Guess that was too hard. Luke's eyes flicked around the room briefly.
"Be careful with your emotions Kaylie…you don't want to hurt your brother do you?" He stated slowly. He was looking at Kaylie like they were the only two people in the room. Beneath the hate and disgust in his eyes there was desire. It made me uncomfortable. I never wanted to hit him more than I did right now.
"I can't imagine what would've happened last night if I was left with you longer. No that's a lie. I can imagine it, really I can. I was taught to need you Kaylie, as much as I needed your brother but something did grow. A rather lusting need," he stated. His eyes flicked up and down her body and James suddenly lunged at him, only to be restrained by his father. I wanted to do the same so badly, but someone had rooted my feet to the ground. Kaylie gave him a cool smile.
"Nice to know there's some human in there, Luke. Desire is a human thing to have, so I was proven wrong that you're all monster no human. But guess what, you can't hurt me anymore. Neither you nor your father. Have fun in Azkaban," she stated, turning on her heel and going over to James. He was red in the face with the effort to get his Dad to let go of him. I tried to move my feet so I could go punch him, but they were glued to the floor. Kaylie held his face in her hands and whispered something to him. He calmed down a tad but still looked like he was going to kill Luke.
"It was too easy, Kaylie. To manipulate you this year. That's the fact that will get me through those months at Azkaban. That you were weak. Everyone says you're so clever, but you're really just completely pathetic…really, so easy to manipulate," Luke called out. "And when I get out of Azkaban, one day, I'll come back for you."
Kaylie turned around at this point, her face set completely. Before anyone could stop her, her wand came up and down in a flash and then again. There wasn't even any incantation said before bogies the size of Quaffles flew out of Luke's nose and attacked his face at the same time it erupted into bright red boils. This was before his legs became rooted to the floor. Actually rooted. He was turning into some sort of plant. I looked around bewilderedly. Professor Longbottom was lowering his wand with a triumphant smile on his face. Mr. Potter gave him an incredulous look.
"Really, Neville?"
"It slipped," he shrugged as Kaylie stalked out of the room. I followed, slipping out as the door was shutting. James was questioning his own choice of action loudly as I walked down the hall. Kaylie was sitting on the ground with her knees held against her chest. I took off the cloak and slid down next to her.
"Impressive," I remarked. She looked at me and gave me a small smile.
"What part? The curses or the conversation?"
"Both. You kept your cool. Someone had to restrain me," I laughed.
"I felt your anger. Thanks for hating him so much."
"James was still yelling at him when I left," I remarked.
"I heard. He's great," Kaylie sighed.
"He's never going to get out. You know that right?" I stated. Kaylie nodded and placed a hand over the spot where she was stabbed. I fought to feel what she was feeling. It was a mixture of things. Sadness, anger, relief.
"Get out of my head, git," she laughed, pushing my shoulder.
"How'd you know I was trying?"
"A feeling I guess."
"Why do you think we need to learn to hone our skill?" I questioned suddenly.
"I don't know…but I guess it'd be a smart idea? Interesting at least," she replied. James stalked out of the room, the door slamming closed with a bang. He strode down the hall with his fists clenched at his sides. He was shaking all over. He stalked past us, stopped and retreated before plopping down next to me.
"I punched him," he stated simply.
"Good," Kaylie laughed, giving him a warm smile.
"It was the way he looked at you. I just wanted to-"James made a violent motion with his hands and leaned against the wall.
"You and me both," I put in. We sat in silence for a second before James leaned around me to look at Kaylie.
"Fabulous hex by the way. Not as brilliant as Professor Longbottom's. He was growing branches as I left. We really need to find out what that hex is. We can use it for our sweet," James stated casually.
Kaylie began to laugh then, clutching her stomach as she became hysterical.
"What's so funny?" I questioned, smiling at her mirth.
"We just had probably the worst night of our lives and here we are sitting here discussing a joke sweet like nothing ever happened!" she exclaimed through her giggles. James shrugged.
"Keep moving forward and all that," he declared.
"Wicked year, really," I put in. Kaylie gasped then.
"O.W.L.S! We took them! When do the results come? Do you think that we'll get in trouble for all of this and it'll compromise our scores?" Kaylie exclaimed suddenly. James and I stared at her.
"Your priorities are out of wack, love," James stated suddenly. "You didn't almost get killed or anything."
"Moving forward and all that," she shrugged. "Shall we get breakfast or something? We could go out by the lake or visit Hagrid."
"Shouldn't you still be in the hospital wing?" I questioned hesitantly. Kaylie pouted and James laughed. He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and smiled up at him. They stood staring at each other for a second before glancing at me.
"Just kiss," I remarked, rolling my eyes. Kaylie grinned and stepped closer to James, lightly kissing him. He pulled her closer by the waist and cupped her chin in his hand, deepening the kiss. I shuddered and averted my eyes. The noises coming from them made my want to gag. This was my best mate and my sister. I may have called this little coupling but it was still not anything I wanted to watch.
"Okay, enough. I get it. You two are happy, very happy. Let's just get you back up to the hospital wing," I announced after a few more seconds. I stood up and looked at her expectantly.
"I really don't want to go back," Kaylie pouted.
"Oh, come on KayKay! People bring you sweets and stuff! You get absolutely spoiled when you're in the Hospital Wing," James exclaimed, slipping his arm around her waist. I stood on the other side of her and smiled. The day spread out in front of me. I would stay with Kaylie for a bit, visit Becca so I could make up for last night, probably train for Quidditch later. It didn't matter, because for once everything was right. Completely right and safe and everything was honestly going to be okay. I smiled at Kaylie. Everything that I just felt, she felt too. She nodded and took my hand giving it a squeeze. This connection was strange but honestly it could be all right, a lot of words that didn't need to be said could just be…well communicated.
ӿӿOne Month Laterӿӿ
"Alright, now we just wait," I remarked, giving James a slight smile. He looked up from his magazine and smirked at me.
"How long do you think he'll take?" he questioned hesitantly. I bit my lip and thought. It was a new exercise we had to do, one hiding and the other channeling to try to locate the other. Mum told us that our training was really important. She wouldn't exactly tell us why. Not to keep us in the dark anymore, but to let us make our own decisions about our future. Whatever that means, but she said she'd tell us on our seventeenth birthday. A year from today. But she sure has been laying on the training pretty thick. We've only been on Summer Holidays for a week and she's spent more time with us now then in the last three years. Not that it felt so good on the brain really, but it was nice spending time with her regardless.
"Well…after that grueling mind reading attempt yesterday I don't know if his mind is truly up to it," I replied with a small giggle.
"Have I wished you a happy birthday yet?" James questioned slyly.
"In words, yes," I nodded, settling down next to him and leaning against the tree.
"I should probably do something about that, yeah?" James questioned, flipping through the magazine idly.
"I'd expect that much. You know with you being my boyfriend and all," I sighed. James chuckled and tossed his magazine aside before looking at me. I picked a dandelion from the grass next to me and started to blow the fluffy white puffs off the stalk.
"I put my magazine down for a reason. That was Which Broomstick. A very quality piece of work," he stated.
"Is it?" I snorted, glancing over at him. He gave me a cocky smile and nodded.
"Top piece of literature. Nothing like those huge tomes you call reading," he remarked, rolling on his knees so he could face me.
"Really? Now we insult my taste," I laughed. James crawled closer to me, his face inching closer to mine.
"No, just kinda your intelligence," James stated with a small shrug. I raised my eyebrows at him. "You're just far too smart for your own good. Honestly," he remarked genially. I grabbed his face with one hand as his lips hover over mine. It was his turn to give me an incredulous look.
"I mean sometimes I wonder why you're with a doof like me. You're just far too smart, really," he laughed now.
"You're no doof James. A little slow at times, yes, but very brilliant," I reassured.
"Well thanks, I'm glad to know you have faith in my abilities," he laughed. I closed the gap between us and smiled. James suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me around so I was lying on top of him. He tangled his hand in my hair and glued my face to his, our lips moving in synchronized movements. I ran my fingertips along his jaw, he was stubbly there. My other hand roamed to his stomach, feeling the contours of his abs. His hand sunk lower down my back, his fingertips grazing just under the hem of my shirt. I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled so I was laying on my back now. James broke away, his arms braced on either side of me so all his weight was there, and smirked at me.
"Smooth Scott, smooth," he declared, lowering himself down and kissing me fiercely. He smiled against my lips.
"Some would think you're the guy in this relationship," he laughed.
"Shut up before I punch you or something," I remarked.
"Do it, I dare you," James growled.
"Didn't know you played that way, Potter," I snorted, kissing him deeply and raising my hand to sock him in the chest. James grunted and fell on top of me.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed, rolling over so he was lying next to me.
"You dared me," I giggled.
"Didn't think you'd actually do it…actually I take that back. You'll do anything if I challenge you. Shouldn't have challenged you" he groaned, rubbing his chest.
"At least you know that," I snorted, rolling over so I was facing him. He did the same, giving me an intense look.
"Where do you think Kent is? It's been at least a half hour or so," he questioned. I snaked my arms around his waist and pulled myself closer.
"Hopefully still far away. I'm not done with you," I remarked.
"Dare you to kiss me," James stated seriously.
"Challenge accepted," I replied with a smirk. I had just blanketed his lips with mine when I heard a cough behind us. James continued kissing me. I started to laugh.
"Oy! That cough was a hint to stop and not to continue snogging!" Kent exclaimed, picking up a handful of leaves and throwing them at us. James sat up and gave him a rude hand gesture.
"Honestly! That's the birthday present I get from my best mate," Kent snorted.
"Well my birthday present to her is more fun," James shrugged. I sat up and attempted to brush the leaves from my hair. James reached over and plucked one out, giving me a small smile.
"I found you, now can we get back? No wonder it took me so long to figure you out, you had other things on your mind then your surroundings. That's cheating," he stated pointing at me.
"That's strategy. Do I have to find you? Cause I'm not lending you James," I replied. Kent and James both made identical noises of discontent.
"That was the worst thing to say, ever! You are not allowed to say that ever again," James exclaimed, brandishing a finger at me. I raised an eyebrow at him and he smiled.
"C'mon lets go back to Mum. I'm starving," Kent sighed. I accepted his hand and hoisted he hoisted me to my feet. We followed our trodden path back to the clearing that Mum portkey'd us to.
"So, what are you guys doing for your birthday tonight?" James asked calmly. Kent and I looked at him.
"Why so shifty?" Kent questioned.
"Shifty?" James snorted.
"Yes, shifty," I stated. Kent and I exchanged looks again.
"No reading each other's minds! It sucks to be left out!" James exclaimed.
"We're not, we still don't have that down pat yet," Kent laughed as we reached Mum.
"Time could be better," she shouted at us.
"Kaylie used coercive methods," Kent exclaimed, giving us a dirty look.
"They were completely voluntary methods, trust me," James replied.
"Let's just go back to the house. I think we've had enough training for one day," Mum stated. She tapped the old sneaker we used for the past portkey with her wand and muttered the portus incantation. It glowed blue.
"Alright, give it a touch," she commanded. The four of us touched it and there was the jerking sensation behind the navel. We slammed to the ground, the only one still standing was our mother.
"I hate portkey," James groaned rolling on his back. I pat him on the chest and got to my knees, brushing off the front of my tank top. James slipped the thin strap back on my shoulder. I stood up and frowned at the grass stain on my bare knee.
"Kaylie, clean your hair up a bit?" Mum suggested, coming over and clearing some loose blades of grass out of my long locks. "Kent, get the dirt off your cheek?" Kent brushed at the smudge and gave me a confused look. James smiled at us and almost skipped into our house, closing the door fast behind him.
"Do we need our wands or something?" I questioned hesitantly.
"Why would you need your wands?" Mum laughed. She was French plaiting the top half of my hair off my face, leaving the rest of it loose.
"Shall I make you three some lunch?" she questioned, leading us in front of her. Kent opened the door and a blast of noise hit us in the face.
"SURPRISE!"
Kent and I glanced at each other. We should've known. A ball full of confetti smacked me in the face. I spluttered and wiped it from my lips.
"Fred, was that absolutely necessary?" James laughed, coming over and throwing an arm around each of us. Everyone was here. Like we were back at school. Victorie basically skipped forward and gave me a big hug.
"Happy Birthday!" she exclaimed, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Cute top." I looked down at my loose purple ombre tank top and smiled.
"Thanks, I guess," I giggled, looking around me. Lizzie flounced over next, giving me a huge hug.
"We were guessing that after the time you had last month you two deserved a little fun," she explained. "It was really your Mum's idea."
I grinned and gave them both a huge hug. "Thanks, really, this is quite lovely. Where's Teddy, Vic?"
"Oh, he's coming with Dominique in a bit. He had training and Dom is auditioning for this muggle performing arts camp. I have no idea what it is, so don't even ask," Victorie explained, leading me towards the tub of butterbeer. We passed Kent, who was telling Becca how awful it was during the exercise.
"You need to come with me next time, I beg you. I'm so outnumbered," he finished. I stuck my tongue out at him and he smiled. I allowed myself to be swept away in my friends and my new future. One where there were only friends, James, my family and happiness. James pulled me into his lap as we settled into the living room. He kissed my cheek and I smiled. Things really were great. Not one nightmare had happened since. Not one vision. Things were probably as perfect as they could actually get.
A/A: I have that crying feeling. The one I get whenever I finish a story. Don't worry, I'm already itching to begin my next one. It is, in fact, going to be a Dominique fic. Different right? Thanks for sticking with me through this one. I truly appreciate every single one of you readers. Keep in touch!
XOXO-
Emmie Rose