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**Speaking through the mind: Bold Italics.
Chapter 14:
There was still a strained tension amongst the Company of Thorin Oakenshield as they continued onward, unsuspectingly shortening the distance between them and Rivendell, much like Gandalf stealthily planned.
Packing camp and mounting their respective ponies – and in Gandalf's case, his horse – that morning marked the seventh day of Lux-Vita's departure, and the fourth day of the appearance of the confounding illusion, and since then, none noticed the subtle changes in Gandalf and Thorin.
Thorin was compunctious. He could ceaselessly argue that the race of men and elves tended to treat dwarves abysmally and with such disdain, and had never come to their aid when Smaug attacked Erebor, as well as during the battle of Azanulbizar, therefore sowing the seed of distrust that was practically engrained in the hearts and minds of the dwarves. Nevertheless, obstinacy and pride aside, dwarves were an honorable race and would never deliberately dishonor a woman, no matter her race, and yet, Thorin treated the girl despicably. Oh Mahal, his mother taught him better, especially the proper propriety in regards to the treatment of a woman.
Dís would be so ashamed of him, and he shivered at the mere thought of her reaction. He could already hear her threatening to castrate him. …Mahal.
Whenever he closed his eyes, Thorin was plagued with dreams of the illusion, images of the man who murdered the girl's mentor vivid in his mind: the contorted sneer, the hateful words, the malice, the disrespect to her deceased father… Thorin treated the girl no better. He had initially perceived her as naught but a weakling and a burden, when she was anything but. The traumatized girl was a warrior and her courage was an inspiration. Thorin's natural distrust and grudge against the other races, incited by Thranduil abandoning his people at their greatest time of need, was proving to be detrimental, blindsiding him.
"I pity you. It appears you don't have the makings of being a great King."
Thorin's eyes shuttered, her parting words repeating like a mantra in the recess of his mind. Is her claim true?
He absently ordered his Company to dismount and make camp, allowing them reprieve with a prompt afternoon meal before they journeyed on. "Glóin, Oín, start the fire. Fíli, Kíli, mind the ponies! Nori, Bifur, scout the area." They silently acquiesced, and Bofur, Dori and Ori turned to assist Bombur in preparing stew.
"Lad," Balin approached him, his brown eyes regarding him with warmth and kindness Thorin felt to be totally misplaced. "What is ailing you?" Dwalin grunted in agreement, and the sons of Fundin stared him down, awaiting his response.
Thorin exhaled loudly, eyes beseeching his kin and staunchest allies, "The girl. I am beginning to doubt my behavior. Her parting words haunt me." For the girl hadn't been the only person to make such claims since their departure from Bag End… the elf-witch and Tharkûn both imparted him with similar assertions.
Dwalin's posture turned rigid, a heavy scowl darkening his features. He opened his mouth to predictably spew forth demeaning words regarding the girl, but promptly swallowed them back when Balin shot him a stern glare. Thorin, too familiar with the dynamic between the brothers, recognized the subject of the girl to be a recurring argument, one that they emphatically disagreed upon.
"Thorin, you need to think long and hard about the lass, and why she provokes such unwarranted ire out of you," Balin slowly uttered, shrewd eyes observing his King. "I have never seen you treat a woman as you treat Lux-Vita, and I've known you since you were a wee lad. Something about the lass changes you, and not for the better."
The uncrowned king swallowed the lump from his throat and looked away, unable to further meet his advisor's eye. Accepting a bowl of stew from Bifur, Thorin, Balin and Dwalin ate in an uncomfortable silence. Dwalin obviously disagreed with his brother, yet Thorin could no longer deny his behavior vastly morphed whenever the girl was in close proximity to him and especially, his kin. The two illusions he bore witness to prompted him to accept the girl was a warrior, and immensely brave who unconsciously received respect. The girl sensed their distress and saved them from the trolls, swiftly dispatching them with ease, and yet, she offered the last troll pardon, proof of her compassion.
His deep pondering was abruptly interrupted when his icy orbs fixated on the group of five, huddled together, their faces leaned forward in a conspiratorial manner at a good distance from the rest of the Company. Thorin's eyes narrowed in suspicion… what was Tharkûn planning now?
Gandalf did in fact, have a plan. Having stealthily led the Company a few hours away from the secret cave to Rivendell, he allowed himself to finally act on a certain conjecture that had been plaguing the recess of his mind since the illusion of Lux-Vita materialized before them four days ago. He covertly beckoned Fíli, Kíli, Ori and Bilbo to where he sat on a boulder, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard. The three youngest dwarves and the hobbit were the most welcoming toward Lux-Vita, and Gandalf knew they were extremely worried over her well-being, making them the perfect candidates.
"I have a theory regarding the illusions and why they appeared before us," Gandalf commenced, his orbs twinkling merrily at their instantaneous reactions, certain that he made the right decision; the three dwarves and the hobbit scrutinized him with abated breaths. "When you were captured by trolls, Lux-Vita mentioned a sensation that consumed her, informing her of your predicament. I believe a connection was made. Tell me, four days back, were any of you thinking about Lux-Vita?"
Fíli and Kíli shot each other a clandestine look before meeting Gandalf's twinkling gaze. Fíli nodded, his sapphire orbs alight with wonder, "Kíli and I were discussing uncle and how he behaves around her. Then we, well-" the heir of Durin sheepishly scratched the nape of his neck, "-we brought up our mother, and what her reaction would be once she discovers uncle's despicable behavior toward a woman."
A boyish grin spread on Kíli's youthful face, recognition dawning on him, "I asked Fíli what he supposed Lux-Vita was doing in her world, and that was when he pointed out the burning shack."
"Splendid!" Gandalf jovially clapped his hands together, regarding the four youngest members of the Company with sharp eyes. "Simply marvelous. Yes, yes, Fíli, Kíli. You two prove my speculations to be correct." Noticing Thorin's suspicious gaze penetrating them, he leaned forward and spoke in a hush, "I strongly believe the connection is activated by the bonds she created here in Middle Earth, specifically between us five. Fíli and Kíli were genuinely concerned about Lux-Vita which triggered the illusion, equivalent to how she sensed your predicament and came to your aid."
His thirst for knowledge intensifying, Ori overcame his shy demeanor and excitedly inquired, "If we all think hard about Miss Lux-Vita, will we see her?"
Gandalf beamed at the young dwarf, "That is the question I would like answered. I worry for the girl and I brought you here to ask for a favor; to pool your thoughts of Lux-Vita together in the hopes of another illusion appearing before us." Fíli, Kíli and Ori didn't bother dallying around and immediately conjured images of the human girl in their heads. Bilbo on the other hand, sharply assessed the Grey Wizard, for he, unlike the others, noticed a stark change in his usual demeanor. Gandalf seemed more benevolent with his answers, and more… serene?
Abruptly, Thorin got onto his feet, prompting confused frowns out of the Fundin brothers. Thorin grew tired of observing the meddling wizard from afar, and just as he decided to demand answers out of the group, another illusion struck, inciting cries of alarm.
There was no mistaking the distinctive ruby hair. The girl sat in front of a worn-out tent, a girl with wild brown curls sitting to her right, and a boy with bright orange hair sat a few feet away, tinkering with some odd contraption.
"It worked! It worked!" Kíli whooped, the smile etched on his face threatening to split it in half. Thorin's eyes narrowed on his nephews, Ori, the burglar and most especially, the beaming wizard, and he stomped toward them, "What worked?! What is the meaning of this?"
Gandalf suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at the pigheaded, cantankerous dwarf, "I had a theory, Thorin, and your nephews were a major contribution. It seems, we have a connection with dear Lux-Vita, and if were to sincerely ponder about her well-being, an illusion would introduce itself to us." Thorin's lips pursed into a stern line, but before he had a chance to verbalize his thoughts, the orange-haired boy victoriously cried out, "I've got it, I've got it! Password was 'Albus'! Get in here, Lux, Mione!"
"Those are Lux-Vita's friends from inside the mirror!" Fíli recalled, eyes sparkling with joy at their success, which succeeded in infuriating Thorin even more.
The entire Company, excluding Gandalf, gaped in wonder as actual voices emanated from inside the odd-shaped, metal contraption. "…apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to a number of house calls in our area by those charming Death Eaters," a masculine voice that radiated mischief exclaimed. Gandalf chuckled, and this time, Bilbo wasn't the only soul to capture the flash of recognition in the wandering wizard's eyes… Thorin cocked his head to the side, his sharp gaze traveling from the illusion to Tharkûn.
"That's Lee Jordan!" Hermione breathed out.
"So this 'Lee Jordan' exists inside that metal box?" Bofur generally inquired; confusion plain on his features.
But Gandalf was too busy chuckling at the second and third voices that introduced themselves as 'Royal' and 'Romulus' from within the contraption. The Wizard's exuberant disposition however, died upon hearing Lee's report. "Let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell."
"No!" Lux-Vita's body wracked with a few sobs, her head vigorously shaking in denial, "Poor Tonks." The other two gazed at each other in horror at the revelation.
Thorin and Bilbo were joined by Balin, all three of them gazing at Gandalf in confusion upon seeing the twinkle in his eyes dim.
"A goblin by the name of Gornuk was also killed. It is believed that Muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, both believed to have been traveling with Tonks, Cresswell, and Gornuk, may have escaped. If Dean is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sisters are desperate for news."
Dwalin sneered, his features contorting in revulsion, "Goblins?! Who would ally themselves with those wretched creatures?!" Before Gandalf could offer a retort, Fíli, to their palpable surprise, offered a response, "Maybe Goblins in that world are different. I mean, we have already seen proof that their magic works differently than Gandalf's."
"Meanwhile, in Gaddley, a Muggle family of five has been found dead in their home. Muggle authorities are attributing the deaths to be a gas leak, but members of the Order of the Phoenix inform me that it was the Killing Curse-"the thirteen dwarves and lone hobbit shivered upon hearing the dratted curse that had the ability to kill someone in a heartbeat with naught but two simple words. They recalled the girl's fiancé's death and how he dropped dead, and they were so absorbed in the gruesome image they conjured, that they missed a part of the report, returning to the present to hear the 'Lee' human conclude his speech, "Listeners, I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Bathilda Bagshot, Gornuk, and the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters."
Lux-Vita and her friends bowed their heads in mourning, the silence overwhelming Thorin and the Company.
"What in Mahal's name is happening?" Dori rhetorically blurted out.
"What Lux-Vita mentioned to be looming on the horizon," Gandalf sadly uttered, his eyes never straying from the form of the ruby-haired girl. "War."
Thorin shifted uncomfortably. How could he forget the morbid tale the girl narrated a week ago by the fire. Unbidden, her voice reverberated in his head "My duty is to my people! My duty is to my godfather. My world is at the brink of war." Thorin drowned out all surrounding noise as he concentrated on the girl's form; she looked exhausted, disheveled and emaciated. There were heavy bags under her eyes, her face was gaunt and her emeralds regained the haunted quality from their initial introduction. She resembled a stick and looked fragile, like one gust of wind could blow her away. Her friends fared no better, and an air of sleep deprivation and starvation radiated from the three humans.
"And what would you say, Royal, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be 'Wizards first'?" the voice they acknowledged to be Lee, inquired. A deeper voice that belonged to Kingsley, did not hesitate to reply, not knowing that his words would make a huge impact on thirteen dwarves that existed in another realm, "I'd say that it's one short step from 'Wizards first' to 'Purebloods first', and then to 'Death Eaters'. We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."
Thorin flinched at the appropriate dig at his person, and the twelve dwarves shifted uncomfortably, sheepishly avoiding eye contact with a certain smug wizard as they recognized the situation mirrored their prejudice with the elves. Gandalf huffed, a pride glint in his eyes, "I couldn't have said it better myself. It appears that you lot could learn a thing or two from these illusions." His penetrating gaze burned Thorin's for a brief moment before returning to the illusion.
"-and now, over to Romulus for our popular feature 'Pals of Potter.'"
As a new voice echoed from within the metal contraption, Glóin grunted, "The lass was not hoodwinking us when she claimed to be a famous figure in her realm." Dwalin grumbled in agreement, while Thorin inched closer to better gauge the witch's reaction.
"Lupin!" the three mortals cheered, relief evident on their features.
"Romulus, do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our program, that Lux-Vita Potter is still alive?"
The uncrowned king felt his blood turn cold, but his features remained impassive, flummoxed over the sudden fear that gripped his heart in regards to the girl's welfare. His bemusement abruptly morphed into fury upon seeing his sister-sons palpable concern over the girl and he gritted his teeth.
"Why would they believe Lux-Vita perished?" Bofur asked, Bombur and Bifur sharing their kin's concern.
The one identified as Lupin spoke from within the contraption, his voice firm and unwavering. "I do. There is no doubt at all in my mind that her death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. 'The Girl Who Lived' remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting."
Guilt struck the hearts of those in the Company who treated Lux-Vita deplorably; shame was quick to follow, recalling how they constantly perceived her as an enemy and showed her naught but distrust, while in the other realm, she was a beacon of light, of good, and was well-respected by her people… almost equivalent to a Queen.
Thorin however, was affected the most. With Azog the Defiler dead, his greatest fear was failure… failing his people, failing to defeat the gold sickness, and most of all, failing as a King. Yet Lux-Vita, a girl he mistreated and scorned and derided, ruled without even trying. She was a natural Queen and a courageous warrior. In her realm, she was idolized by the majority of her community, and looked upon with the utmost trust to lead them… Thorin truly believed he failed to recognize the potential and the pure heart in the girl from the moment she appeared in his line of vision at Hobbiton.
Looking intently at the girl he incessantly scorned, Thorin recognized the heavy burden on her shoulders, and the fear of failure written all over her gaunt features, for it mirrored his emotions. The burden of recovering Erebor from Smaug and the fear of failing his people overwhelmed him the moment his grandfather died and his father went missing. Finally, Thorin felt a certain kinship with the girl, and his personal shame intensified.
"And what would you say to Lux-Vita if you knew she was listening, Romulus?"
"I'd tell her we're all with her in spirit," Lupin's voice hesitated slightly. "And I'd tell her to follow her instincts, which are good and nearly always right."
Lux-Vita's eyes brimmed with tears, obviously touched and she let out a watery chuckle, "Nearly always right?" The brown-haired girl they recalled had a bossy voice, embraced the ruby-haired witch in a hug, while the boy piped up, "I bet you anything Lupin took your advice and went back to Tonks."
Gandalf found himself unable to detach his sorrowful gaze from the Golden Trio. He absently listened to the announcements, and his attention waxed upon hearing the report about Voldemort's whereabouts. "Well, who wouldn't want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he's been putting in," was the sarcastic reply to Voldemort being abroad. "Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the fact remains he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don't count on him being a long way away if you're planning on taking any risks. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!"
The announcement of Potterwatch ended with the password for the next broadcast before shrouding the encampment in complete silence. The Company didn't dare utter a word, too interested in overhearing the trio's conversation.
The brown-haired girl was the first to speak, "It's so brave of them. If they were found-"
"Well they keep on the move, don't they? Like us," the orange-haired boy reminded her. Lux-Vita on the other hand, jumped onto her feet, her face shining with excitement and her haunted emeralds twinkling with victory, "Never mind that! Did you hear what Fred said? He's abroad! He's still looking for the Wand, I knew it!"
Óin tapped a hand against his hearing aid, "Did she say 'Hand'?"
Bofur rolled his eyes, "Wand, Óin. Wand! What's so important about a wand anyway?"
"What say you, Gandalf?" Thorin randomly barked out, his sapphire orbs blazing with suspicion upon seeing the Wizard's face dramatically pale; Tharkûn has indeed been acting odd recently.
Gandalf ignored the plethora of inquiring eyes directed at his person, his attention fixated on the two witches' argument, which greatly irritated Thorin. Lux-Vita huffed in aggravation, her gaze swiveling toward the boy who merely shrugged in defeat. "Your stubbornness could seriously make you an honorary dwarf, Hermione. Why are you so determined not to admit it?! Voldemort's after the Elder Wand!"
"No!" Gandalf gasped; however, pandemonium struck at that instant. Before anyone could inquire about the 'Elder Wand' or about Gandalf's distressed cry, an odd piece of equipment lit up and began to spin wildly. Multirole cracks echoed from afar and the orange-haired boy pulled out a strange object from his pocket and clicked it, extinguishing the circles of light from within the tent.
"What the bloody hell is happening?" Lux-Vita frantically hissed as she and the other witch whipped out their wands and magically packed their belongings into two beaded bags before shrinking them. The Company clearly heard a cacophony of menacing voices coming nearer: rough, excited voices that gave them an ominous feeling.
It was Gandalf's defeated statement that perplexed the thirteen dwarves and the lone hobbit, "His name is Taboo."
Kíli's curious query was drowned by a blood-curdling voice rasping through the darkness, "Come out of there with your hands up! We know you're in there! You've got half a dozen wands pointing at you and we don't care who we curse!"
The illusion turned into mist, and the last thing they were able to distinguish before it vanished completely, were three figures running the opposite direction with their wands out, and a yelled "Run!" from Lux-Vita.
"Y-You think they'll be alright?" Kíli hesitantly inquired, his doe-like eyes widened in a mixture fear and concern.
Gandalf offered him a smile, though it belied the unadulterated fear in his grey orbs, "I have faith in them." Thorin and Balin shared a dubious glance, for Gandalf spoke as though he personally knew all three of them…
Before any more questions arose, they heard a disturbance nearby.
Thorin immediately unsheathed Orcrist with the readiness of a warrior, "Something's coming!"
The Company shoved their belongings into their sacks and armed themselves as Gandalf sprang to action with the agility of a tween, "Stay together! Hurry now. Arm yourselves!"
The last thing they expected to discover was an eccentric-looking man with an impressive beard donned entirely in brown robes and a matching, distinctive hat, and excrement dripping down the side of his face, riding toward them in full speed through the forest on a rabbit-drawn sled, hysterically screaming at the top of his lungs, "Thieves! Fire! Murder!"
***Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter***
She rarely hated. Though when she did, she hated murderously.
Glaring through narrowed eyes at the skeletal woman with a nest of matted black hair, Lux-Vita's blood boiled and hatred coursed through her veins, the potency almost threatening to suffocate her. Lux-Vita vowed vengeance against Bellatrix Lestrange, and she always kept her promises...one day, the bitch will die by her hand.
In a shocking twist of fate, Draco Malfoy, her seven-year-long nemesis, feigned uncertainty when asked by his desperate father and unhinged aunt about her true identity…
The moment Fenrir Greyback's sinister voice permeated the air in the forest, Lux-Vita bellowed for Hermione and Ron to run, and the Snatchers pursued them. Ron was the first to fall, tripping over a fallen branch, and Hermione quickly followed, a stray spell colliding with her back; before she got grabbed however, Hermione managed to toss her wand over to the redhead.
Lux-Vita couldn't leave her friends behind, and knew it was only a matter of time before the gaggle of dark wizards caught up with her; she hid behind an oak tree and trained Hermione's wand at herself, promptly transfiguring her hair and eyes a mousy brown and a dull blue, respectively. Three distinctive traits that set Lux-Vita apart was her lightning-bolt shaped scar, her unique ruby-colored hair and her otherworldly emerald gems. Unfortunately, a wizard with inky blue eyes and long raven hair called Scabior caught her off-guard and disarmed her before she could properly conceal the famous scar emblazoned on her forehead.
Recognizing Hermione and Ron as two-thirds of the illustrious Golden Trio, Scabior focused his sharp, assessing gaze onto her transfigured face and reached forward, brushing her fringe from her forehead with surprisingly gentle hands. Unfortunately, in an untimely fashion, Lux-Vita's Potter Luck struck and she was bombarded with visions of Voldemort flying in the air towards some dark fortress, prompting the barely discernible scar to redden. Shrewd inky blues flared and his lips curled into a half-smirk before he forcibly restrained her, pulling her hands behind her back and clasping her bony wrists with one strong hand.
Not long after, Lux-Vita stood in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor, stubbornly meeting Draco's silver-grey gaze. He no longer had an air of arrogance, no… her nemesis appeared to be utterly woebegone, no doubt a result of his father's stint in Azkaban and Voldemort seizing his home. But most importantly, Draco… protected them. Irregardless of Lux-Vita's transfigured features, Draco's features lit up with recognition, and yet, he claimed uncertainty when Lucius and Bellatrix continuously prodded him for her identification.
Lux-Vita's mind whirred with activity as she kept an ear to her surroundings; her beaded bag was still on her, shrunk into her sock, and although Hermione and Ron's wands had been confiscated by Scabior, along with Ron's rucksack, the ruby-haired witch had an array of weapons buried at the bottom of her purse. Sensei Min Chaoi ensured she was deftly educated in various techniques of self-defense and attack, and Lux-Vita was confident that if she were to gain possession of one of her throwing knives or sword, she'd be able to cut her bindings. However, her strategizing was interrupted by Bellatrix's manic scream, her deranged onyx orbs intently focused on Gryffindor's Sword that had been haphazardly shoved into Ron's rucksack before they attempted to flee.
Greyback's hot breath fanned her back, his sharp, blood-crusted nails lewdly groping her as he forced her and Ron along the corridor as per Bellatrix's instruction, Hermione's agonizing screams shaking the foundation of the manor. She was abruptly attacked by memories of Voldemort molesting her, and just as the werewolf turned his administrations to her lower regions, Lux-Vita snapped out of her trance and her training kicked in.
She bashed the back of her head against his nose and snarled at him to never touch her again! Pinching his bleeding nose, Greyback's orbs started to glow a sickening yellow and simultaneously, Ron – who was still struggling with his ropes – positioned himself in a protective stance in front of the redhead.
"Oi! Greyback. Yer s'posed to be lockin' 'em up, not feelin' her up!"
Lux-Vita never imagined her savior to be a greedy Snatcher who had aligned himself with Voldemort for loot, but all the same, she felt nothing but gratitude toward Scabior. The wizard sneered at the werewolf and after a short argument, Scabior escorted them to the dungeons.
Ron bellowed loudly for Hermione the second his rear hit the ground; Lux-Vita, on the other hand, inched closer to the bars and sincerely whispered, "Thank you."
Scabior froze in his tracks and eyed her intently. "What for beau'iful? I am the one who recognized you and brought you to your death," he smirked, though his inky blue eyes raked her features, raptly watching as brown melted into a vivid red and dull blue sparkled with passionate green.
Lux-Vita shrugged, a sad smile pulling at her lips, "I'd rather die than be the werewolf's whore."
A brief silence passed between them. An undecipherable glint passed through Scabior's eyes before he turned his back on her and swiftly departed the premises. Lux-Vita continued to absently stare at the empty corridor, wondering how many witches and wizards were forced into servitude, or took the coward way out by bowing down to the megalomaniac's feet. Scabior didn't seem evil; but desperate, his morality skewed.
"You did the right thing," a very distinctive dreamy voice came out of the darkness. Lux-Vita would recognize that voice anywhere, "Luna?!" Ron ceased yelling for Hermione as a shadow moved forward. "Oh, Lu, I'm so happy you're okay. We've been worried sick," she cried out in relief.
As per Ron's instruction, Luna grabbed the Deluminator from his pocket and a click later, luminescent spheres flew into the cellar, hanging above them like tiny suns and flooding the underground room with light. As she worked on freeing Ron from the ropes with a nail, Lux-Vita scrutinized her surroundings. Poor Mr. Ollivander, he had been taken prisoner the longest; he was curled up on the floor and looked dangerously emaciated. Dean and Griphook however, were a wonderful surprise, having been snatched by the Snatchers shortly before the Golden Trio.
"You are lying, filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell me the truth, tell the truth!" Bellatrix's deranged voice was promptly followed by a terrible, hair-raising scream that solely belonged to Hermione, and as Ron hysterically screamed for her, Lux-Vita remained perfectly still, tears cascading down her face like rivulets as Luna relieved her from her bonds.
Lux-Vita smacked her hand over Ron's mouth, muffling his screams, "Ron, do shut up will you. I'm trying to think of a plan to get out of here. How the bloody hell they managed to break through our protective wards-"
"The name's taboo," Luna matter-of-factly interjected in her typical whimsical voice. Lux-Vita's hand felt numb and limply dropped from Ron's mouth. "It's been taboo for months now. That's how they're locating the remaining members from the Order of the Phoenix."
"Well, damn! That would have been useful information," Lux-Vita venomously snarled, taking her anger out at the wall by kicking it. Hermione let out another agonizing scream and the ruby-haired witch winced, "This is all my fault! I'm the one that sai-"
This time, Ron smacked a hand over her mouth, and by the feverish expression on his face, Lux-Vita instantly acknowledged the master strategist of the Golden Trio had conjured up a plan. "Lux, you can get us out of here! You can apparate-"
Ollivander pushed himself into a sitting position, his frail limbs creaking at the sudden movement and he hoarsely uttered, "There's no way out, Mr. Weasley. This cellar is completely escape-proof. I've been here for a very long time, I have tried everything."
Ron however, didn't look disheartened, a glint in his sparkling blue eyes that was highly contagious. Lux-Vita beamed, catching on to his implication, "Brilliant, Ron! I can't believe I haven't thought of it before! You're absolutely brilliant!" her emerald gaze roamed between the confused Dean, Luna, and Ollivander, and settled on the disoriented goblin that had taken her to her vault at the age of eleven. "I can get us out of here. I have a plan."
"What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"
Ron was half-sobbing now, but he knew the importance of remaining quiet at the moment. It was crucial. Lux-Vita pushed through her tears and suppressed her own memories of the excruciating pain the Cruciatus Curse inflicted as she began rummaging through her beaded bag for her weapons.
"How did you get into my vault?" they heard Bellatrix scream. "Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?" And despite their predicament, a proud smile flittered on Lux-Vita's face upon hearing Hermione's response, marveling at her strength and quick thinking to come up with a convincing lie under torture, "We only met him tonight! We've never been inside your vault… It isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!"
"Dobby!" Lux-Vita hissed, slightly tweaking her initial plan. She knew that Bellatrix would demand Griphook's presence, and she couldn't risk the goblin outing them; she wasn't well-versed in the goblin race's sense of self-preservation and the best course of action would be to immediately remove Griphook from the premises.
A loud crack echoed inside the cellar, revealing Dobby. His enormous, tennis-ball-shaped eyes were wide; he was trembling from his feet to the tips of his ears and Lux-Vita felt a stab of guilt at bringing him back to the home of his old masters.
"Dobby," Lux-Vita knelt down to be on the same eye-level as the petrified house-elf and she softly clasped his bony hands in hers. "I apologize for summoning you back to this place, but I need your help. You can refuse-"
Dobby vigorously shook his head, his ears flapping wildly and the last remnant of fear vanished from his eyes, "No, no. Dobby would be honored to help Luxy Potter."
Emeralds shone with gratitude and after a quick inquiry on whether he could disapparate from the cellar with humans, Lux-Vita gently ordered, "Right. Dobby I want you to grab Luna, Dean, Griphook and Ollivander, and take them… take them to-"
"Bill and Fleur's. Shell Cottage on the outskirts of Tinworth!" Ron interjected; before Bill and Fleur's wedding, Bill took Ron aside and informed him that if anything were to happen – knowing that no matter what, the Golden Trio would not be talked out of their surreptitious quest – to come to Shell Cottage.
The elf nodded in acquiescence, though Lux-Vita's next statement had him hesitate to obey, "And don't return for us. You hear me, Dobby. Once you take them to Shell Cottage, go back to Hogwarts, we'll be fine."
Luna and Dean gaped at Lux-Vita and Ron, horrified and appalled.
"Lux, we want to help," Luna pleaded.
Dean nodded in agreement, "We can't leave you here, we won't!"
Lux-Vita's scar burned worse than ever, and for a few seconds she found herself in Voldemort's head, looking down at not Ollivander, or her friends, not even the loyal house-elf, but an old, thin man who was laughing scornfully, "Kill me, then, Voldemort, I welcome death! But my death will not bring you what you seek… There is so much you do not understand…"
She felt Voldemort's fury, but as Hermione screamed again, and footsteps shuffled closer toward the dungeons, Lux-Vita shut Voldemort out and returned to the cellar and the horror of her own present. "Go!" she beseeched them. "Go! We'll follow, just go! Dobby?"
Grudgingly, the loyal house-elf grabbed the goblin and the wand-maker, and Dean reluctantly gripped his bony elbow. There was another loud crack and the footsteps echoed louder in her ears, but Lux-Vita and Ron found themselves blinking at a smug Luna in shock and defeat. Luna had let go of Dobby at the last second, unwilling to leave her friends behind.
"I'm going to kill you," Lux-Vita hissed, though it lacked conviction. She tossed a dagger each to Ron and Luna, and gripped her sword, waiting for the cellar to be unlocked. Ron left the lights on, and the two seventeen-year-olds and the sixteen-year-old backed against the wall as they heard someone descending the steps outside the door.
"Stand back," came Wormtail's sniveling voice. "Stand away from the door. I am coming in."
Lux-Vita's orbs blazed with hatred, and she addressed the other two, "He's mine."
The door flew open. For a split second, Wormtail gazed into the apparently empty cellar, ablaze with light from the three miniature suns floating in midair. Then Lux-Vita launched herself upon him, throwing a powerful kick against his ribcage. Ron joined the fray, struggling for his wand which emitted sparks.
"What is it Wormtail?" Lucius called from above.
Lux-Vita swiftly punched his mouth, making him whimper in pain. "Back up, Ron," she ordered, venom lacing her words. Ron obediently returned to Luna's side, Wormtail's wand in his possession. The ruby-haired witch steadily met a pair of watering beady eyes, unaffected by the pitiful, traitorous rat. She leveled her sword, menacingly swinging it toward his neck as she listed his heinous crimes, "You betrayed my parents to their deaths. You framed my godfather. And you sentenced me to a bleak childhood and made me an orphan. You helped him return to a corporeal form. You abetted in my fiancé's death and my defilement." Wormtail whimpered pathetically – the last noise he made before Lux-Vita deftly decapitated him with her sword. "Their deaths are finally avenged," she concluded, lowering her bloody sword and ignoring the traitor's head rolling on the ground in favor of glancing at her green-faced friends.
Luna was the first to recover. Stepping over the headless corpse, silver-blues met emeralds in an intense gaze. "When the time comes, imagine the feeling of safety, and think safe haven." Lux-Vita frowned in perplexity, but just as she parted her lips to question her odd friend, she snapped it shut, knowing by know that Luna always had a reason for everything. Lux-Vita had been toying with the idea that Luna had the gift of foresight, but could never test her theory. So she merely nodded and dragged Ron toward the corridor, snapping him out of his disgust.
"Remind me to never to piss you off, Lux," Ron chuckled weakly, tightening his grip on the blade as they ran up the stairs and back into the shadowy passageway leading to the drawing room. They crept along it until they reached the drawing room door, which was left ajar and had a clear view of Bellatrix, a sinister dagger in hand, its serrated edge coated with crimson, looking down at a barely immobile Hermione, who was lying by her feet.
***Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter***
Gandalf beamed at his success once the last dwarf exited the pathway, glancing fondly at the valley below, "The Valley of Imladris. In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name."
"Rivendell," Bilbo breathed out in reverence, his hazel orbs filled with wonder at the heavenly sight. Gandalf nodded, "Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea."
Thorin's anger was inevitable, and the Grey Wizard prepared himself for the onslaught of abrasive words the stubborn dwarf threw his way. "This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy," he growled, his eyes losing its unique sapphire shade as it cracked into chips of ice. The twelve dwarves began mumbling in Khuzdul, their expressions aggravated and showing naught but hostility.
Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves! He inwardly huffed as he looked down at the apoplectic king. Gandalf lost the last vestiges of his patience and his tolerance. The combined stress and worriment of stealthily leading the Company to the hidden pathway that led to Imladris, listening to Radagast's ominous report of the Necromancer, running from orcs and wargs, and fearing the fate of the Golden Trio, Gandalf finally exploded, a dark aura emanating from his person, prompting all but Thorin to cringe backward in alarm. "You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself! Have you not learned from the illusion we recently bore witness to? Are you that obstinate, you would prefer to cradle your bias and hold onto it forevermore?!"
Thorin narrowed his gaze; his exterior appeared to be indifferent, though inwardly, Thorin was in turmoil. The voice in the contraption painted a clear picture; those cloaked murderers serving the Dark Lord were created through their bigotry. "We're all human aren't we?" Shaking his head from his chaotic thoughts and sudden insecurity, Thorin went for a different approach, "The Elves will not give our quest their blessing. They will try to stop us."
A ghost of a smile materialized on Gandalf's weathered face, realizing that not all hope was lost in regards to Thorin Oakenshield. "Of course they will," he acknowledged, his tone expressing that to think otherwise would be most ludicrous. "But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm," Gandalf grinned, banging his staff on the ground as he made to move onward. "Which is why you will leave the talking to me."
Thorin grumbled, recognizing the slight on his person. The Company walked across the bridge to Rivendell, every one of them radiating a melancholic air, almost as though they were walking to their execution. In fact, only Bilbo appeared to be amazed by the heavenly scenery.
Disregarding the dwarves' uneasiness, Gandalf politely greeted Lindir, and after promptly inquiring about Lord Elrond's whereabouts, Elvish horns reverberated in the clearing followed by a group of armed horsemen approaching at a rapid pace. Again, Gandalf ignored the Company's paranoia as they tossed Bilbo into the tight circle they formed with their weapons pointed outward, his only response to their massive overreaction a simple eye roll. The wizard watched in amusement as the mounted elves rode in circles around the dwarves, and his eyes brightened in joy upon seeing his old friend dismount his horse and embrace him.
"Gandalf," Elrond's expression morphed from joy to awe when he pulled back from the hug, comprehension dawning on him. "Mellon nin, you are whole again," a tinge of sadness could be detected, for Elrond understood there to be one reason for Gandalf's wholeness: death.
Gandalf smiled sadly and bowed gracefully, "A tale for a later hour."
A stifling confrontation later between Elrond and Thorin, and they all congregated in the dining hall for a feast.
"Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner," Gandalf chuckled, seating himself beside Elrond.
Elrond smirked at the inside joke, "Well, you never are." He then pierced the meddling wizard with his penetrating stare, "After the feast, there is a matter of importance I need to discuss with you."
"What matter do you speak of?" Gandalf uneasily inquired, noticing Thorin stiffen from the peripheral of his vision. Elrond looked between the wizard and Thorin, his gaze almost knowing, but he merely shook his head, "It is somewhat delicate I believe you may be able to shed some light on-"a sudden hiss escaped his lips, and he automatically reached for Vilya – the great blue stone set in a gold band began to glow ominously.
Elladan and Elrohir sprung out of their designated seats and stood on both sides of their father, all mirth gone, their identical features heavy with concern. Gandalf shot onto his feet and even Thorin was affected by the change in Elrond's demeanor.
"Ada, what is it?" Elladan rapidly inquired, sharp grey orbs boring into the blue stone of Vilya.
Elrond sucked in a sharp intake of breath as he flexed his hand, "Vilya is warning me of intruders."
Gandalf and Elladan gasped loudly, eyes widening in fear. Thorin and Bilbo were utterly bemused, but Elrohir however, had a strong reaction to his father's declaration; he strongly shook his head in a mixture of denial and confusion, "But the enchantments! Nobody could pass the boundary spell without your permission." And despite it being the wrong timing, Thorin glared up at Gandalf, the elf's statement conjuring an epiphany – Tharkûn must have somehow cautioned the elves of their upcoming arrival… how else were they allowed entry into their land?!
"The spell is still intact," a panicked Elrond breathed out. "Whoever these intruders are, they nevertheless ripped through the powerful wards. We have no time for a discussion, Elladan, I ask that you summon Glorfindel posthaste, and both of you meet me by the bridge."
***Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter***
The instant Bellatrix pushed back her sleeve and touched her forefinger to the Dark Mark, Lux-Vita tore through her lower lip with her front teeth in an effort to repress the pained scream from escaping her lips. Her scar felt as though it had been split open again; her true surroundings vanished. She was Voldemort, and the skeletal wizard before him was laughing toothlessly at him; Voldemort was enraged at the summons he felt, for he had warned them, he demanded them to summon him for nothing less than Potter.
"Kill me then! You will not win, you cannot win! That wand will never, ever be yours—"
And Voldemort's fury coupled with the burst of green light snapped Lux-Vita back to the present, her ears ringing with Bellatrix's voice, "And I think, we can dispose of the Mudblood. Greyback, take her if you want her."
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Ron charged forward, armed with Wormtail's wand and a dagger. "Expelliarmus!" he roared, pointing the wand at a shocked Bellatrix. Luna sprinted toward Hermione's fallen form and Lux-Vita pulled a throwing knife from her back pocket, hurling it at Greyback's chest. The werewolf grunted, snarling in pain, but the redhead barely spared him a second glance as she ripped it out of him, not bothered by the squelching sound it made, and twisted around to face Bellatrix, slashing her forearm.
Luna managed to grab Bellatrix's disarmed wand, both her and Ron fiercely casting spells as they stood protectively in front of Hermione's unconscious form. Spells and curses ricocheted off the walls, tearing through the walls, and Lux-Vita deftly ducked them, tucking her throwing knife into her pocket and gracefully swinging her sword with practiced ease.
"Drop the sword!" Draco weakly threatened her, his wand pointing at her. Lux-Vita hardened her gaze at him before she bent down, threw her leg out and kicked the side of his knee, prompting Draco to lose balance and drop onto the ground. Lux-Vita threw her weight at him and pinned him down, her lip a hairsbreadth away from his ear, "You don't want to fight me, Draco. I can tell, you don't want him to win. Stay on the ground lest you force me to hurt you!"
Silver-grey orbs widened on her, and for a split-second, Lux-Vita genuinely pitied him. Receiving a subtle nod of submission, the ruby-haired witch wrested his wand from his grip and cast the stunning spell on him to make it look more convincing on his part. Narcissa and Lucius turned their attention onto Lux-Vita, but Luna accosted them, giving her ample time to duel Scabior for Gryffindor's Sword. Ducking the jet of turquoise light he sent her way, Lux-Vita high-kicked his wand arm and pressed the tip of her sword to his jugular.
Inky blues portrayed no fear whatsoever; the Snatcher was raking her face in awe and he threw her a shit-eating grin, "You gonna kill me, beau'iful?"
"No," she huffed, snatching the sword from his grip. "You still have a chance at redemption." Scabior blinked at her in shock. "Go! Run. No one's looking. Don't waste the opportunity I'm giving you and do the right thing. Don't waste your chance at freedom," she whispered, returning his wand. She watched the Snatcher flee the premises and once she heard his crack of disapparition, joined the battle.
Lux-Vita's scar was blinding her with pain. Dimly she knew that they had moments, seconds before Voldemort materialized before them. "Ron, Luna! Hurry!" she shrieked, using Draco's wand to unfasten the crystal chandelier, allowing it to fall onto Lucius, who stood directly beneath it and was nearly overpowering Luna. Glittering shards of crystal flew in all directions, some impaling into Hermione, Ron, Luna and even herself, as well as Bellatrix and Narcissa, who had succumbed to Luna's full body-bind curse.
Ron carefully approached her, his arms full with Hermione's immobile form. Luna hurriedly collected the stray wands haphazardly strewn on the ground and firmly grasped her right forearm. Bellatrix was the last Death Eater standing, her manic eyes regarding them with malice and armed with a knife caked in Hermione's blood. Lux-Vita gripped Ron's shoulder and closed her eyes.
She ignored the blinding pain of her scar, the hysterical shrieks of Bellatrix and the pressure of Luna's hand. Lux-Vita took Luna's eccentric advice and repeated the words 'safe haven' in her head like a mantra; a small smile tugged on the corners of her lips when she felt her body drift off and the familiar sensation of being hit with the Imperius Curse overwhelming her. Just as an invisible hand yanked her off the ground, a piercing pain struck her chest and she was enveloped by darkness, the flash of flying silver unseen by her.
The four injured teenagers violently collided against lush grass, the pure breeze fanning them, but the soothing echo of a nearby waterfall was heard by two of them.
Ron kept his arms around Hermione, the soft rise and fall of her chest anchoring him to the present and comforting him. He didn't bother to scrutinize their unfamiliar surroundings, unable to relax completely until he was confident that Lux-Vita and Luna escaped unscathed, the blur of flying silver plaguing his mind and consuming him with fear.
"You girls all right?" he addressed the blonde and the redhead.
Luna nodded, out of breath, vaguely identifying a squadron rushing toward them in the distance, "I'm fine. Lux, get up."
Silence.
"Lux? Lux-Vita?" It was an odd sight, observing the dreamy quality vanish from Luna's pixie-like face and her whimsical tone harden. Ron dragged an unconscious Hermione to Luna's side, eyes widening in horror at the crude knife embedded in Lux-Vita's chest, and the pool of crimson accumulating around her and drenching her form.
"No. NO! LUX! Come on, wake up! GET UP!" he bellowed, his voice rough with tears.
Luna fiercely shook Lux-Vita, trying to wake her up, uncertain whether she should pull the knife out or keep it in. "Lux, come on. Wake up. I didn't see it end this way. It's not supposed to end this way!" Her body wracked with violent sobs when the redhead remained immobile, her complexion turning a ghostly white.
Harsh gasps echoed permeated the air from behind them, but Ron and Luna didn't care, they only cared about their friend who had stopped breathing.
Unseen, a certain curio, hidden inside a snitch that was safely tucked away in the moleskin pouch around Lux-Vita's neck, mysteriously glowed.
A/N: This was a long chapter! Whew! I hope you all liked it?! XD
I need to address a few things that might have confused y'all: (1) First of all, Ron never abandoned Lux-Vita and Hermione like he did in canon. I mean, the Horcrux affected Ron, like in canon, but due to the different circumstances, it affected him differently. Ron isn't threatened by Lux-Vita, or jealous of her, like he was with Harry. There is no Harry for him to fear Hermione would choose over him in the romance department. Ron's relationship with Lux-Vita is a brotherly, overprotective one, so the thought of ditching her never even crossed his mind. (2) Second of all, since Ron never abandoned them during the Horcrux Hunt, they never found out about the taboo. Ron would constantly urge Lux-Vita and Hermione to call him 'You-Know-Who' like he did in canon, and Lux-Vita unknowingly slipped up, unaware of the taboo. (3) Third of all, Lux-Vita ended up having her wand snapped in Godric's Hollow like in canon, and Ron accompanied them since he never abandoned them. (4) Luna is a very important character to my storyline, so I had her stick around. ;) I have so many plans for Luna… (5) About Dobby; I decided there was no point in killing him off. I mean, with Lux-Vita able to transport herself due to her Keeper of the Realms powers, she only needed Dobby to send the other captives to safety. It was a gamble on Lux-Vita and Ron's part on whether or not she could transport others with her to Middle Earth. (6) Elrond and Gandalf's conversation in VERY important, please keep it in mind because I will be explaining it next chapter. Every. Single. Word. Spoken. (7) As you can see, Lux-Vita is completely different than Harry so she killed Wormtail without remorse && she spared Scabior's life (that was honestly for selfish reasons, 'cause I adore him for some weird reason, LOL!). (8) If anything I wrote about Vilya is incorrect, then it will be me deviating from canon. :)
So yeah, I think that's all I need to address.
Where do you think they landed? ... Is Gandalf Dumbledore or not? … Will Thorin change his bigotry & why does Lux-Vita annoy him so much? … Is Sirius alive? … Is Lux-Vita dead? … Is Luna fully human?
Stay tuned ;)
R&R.