Hey all back again, sorry for the late update. I finally got rid of that blasted old comp and am now using my brand new laptop! :P tis excellent, I just might be able to update more regularly thankyou to all that reviewed I really appreciate it!
Her hands shook slightly, as they grasped the smooth paper envelope. Briefly running her hand over the inscribed name on the front, the slight indent the ink had made of her own name. Her mothers righting in bright blue ink shone at her, inviting her to turn the object over and open it. Could she though? Turning it over she fingered the lid, gently slipping her finger into the slight gap, she should, what if it was something important? With a determined look she began to tug at the fine paper, when a sudden knock at the door caused her to jump on her bed.
"Karina? Can I come in?" It was Hermione; her intelligent tones came through the oak wood clear and crisp. Was she upset?
"Yes, come on in." While hearing the metal doorknob grind she placed the envelope next to her, just out of sight. Hermione was flushed and her eyes were hard as she stomped over to Karina's bed, plonking down heavily she huffed and muttered.
"Men!" Karina's mouth twitched into a slight smile, undoubtedly it was Ron that had upset her with something he had done, or rather hadn't done.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Her voice was calm and she looked hesitantly at her friend, who for a moment just stared towards the door, seemingly wishing with her mind that it would either burst into flames or give her what she wanted.
"What on earth is his problem?! I mean I was only stating a fact, and he goes off in this arrogant 'I know everything speech', completely ignoring the fact that he was wrong!" The Veela gave her a confused look, what on earth was she talking about?
"Are we talking about…Ron? What were you two talking about?"
"We were talking about the pro…"
Suddenly she stoped, and looked at Karina with wide eyes, seemingly to be noticing her for the first time. "It…It doesn't matter, the point is that he was wrong, well he could be right but he's not leaving any room for other possibilities." Sighing dejectedly the bushy haired witch looked to her hands placed in her lap contemplating something. Karina thought obviously she wasn't to know what Hermione and Ron had been discussing; she was slightly hurt by this. As she considered this witch her friend, but still something's weren't her business and she understood that, no matter how much she wanted to be involved.
Brown eyes spotted the envelope almost hidden behind Karina's crossed legs.
"What's that Karina?" Looking down the Veela contemplated casting it off as nothing, but it wasn't, no matter how much she would wish she had never had reason to have this item, the meaning of having this letter and what must have happened to received it, something she had deeply wished had never happened.
"It's a letter…from my parents, in case anything happened to them while we were making our escape." Her voice was soft but withheld an emotion, Hermione looked at her with sympathetic eyes, the Veela then placed her mask in place, protecting herself from having the urge to receive comfort from her friend. She was stronger than this, she would read it, but in time, not yet. First she had to conquer something else.
"Karina I…" Hermione started but before she could continue the silver haired witch had stood and raised a hand in a silent gesture.
"No, no it's alright, I'm just going to go for a walk okay? Be back later, if any one asks." And with that the Veela smiled at her friend and walked briskly out, she had to an important thing to do, and she was glad to see her path was uninterrupted by anyone, only a few hellos here and there from portraits.
Reaching her destination she glanced over the edge, bellow was a three story drop, the only thing that would cushion her was Hogwarts grass, but she didn't think it was that cushy. Swallowing she closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm sweet scented wind that blew and tugged at her clothing. Frowning she grunted as her wings shot forth, making a slight spray of blood splatter onto the castle stone. She stood on top of a balcony, to her right she could see in a short distance the Quidditch pitch, it's expansive greenery and the three male figures zooming near impossibly fast around it, with her heightened eyes she could clearly see Ron's flaming red hair, Draco's blond and Harry's black. They were chasing something, Karina had never played Quidditch the only reason she knew it was a field specifically for that sport was because she had briefly seen in a magical magazine a picture of one, with the recognisable three hoops at each end.
Slowly turning her gaze to her left she saw the lake and its glass like surface, in-between the both was greenery, not much but enough to give her privacy should she decide to go left. Backing up, her feet felt as though they were full of lead, flying should be instinct but she was as just as scared as she was her first day of flying.
--Flashback--
"Daddy I can't do it!" The small cry came from a five year old girl, silver hair shining in the bright sun's rays. A heavy hand plonked onto the top of her head and she looked up into warm brown eyes.
"Yes, you can Nina, its instinct. Don't think about it just imagine you are the breeze, I'll catch you don't worry." He chuckled at her worried face.
"Come on sissy! If I can do it so can you!" A slightly older silver haired girl totted towards her, black glossy wings absorbing the light. "It's easy, look!" And with that the once earth bound girl ran and took a leap, wings stretching out and then sweeping under the small child's body, catching the up draft Karina's sister hovered twenty metres above the ground, constant flapping keeping her there.
"It's ok Nina, you'll get it, don't be too hard on yourself. Every Veela gets scarred their first time." Her mother's voice floated to her, looking to the graceful figure walking towards her. Small arms wrapped around the older woman's skirt, her own black glossy wings curling around like a cacoon.
"What if they don't work mother? What if I fall?" Karina's searching face looked to the beautiful one above her. Kneeling down, her mother came eye to eye with her child.
"Nina always remember, you are a Light Veela, be proud of your heritage not afraid. Embrace your differences, and embrace yourself, you are beautiful, now…show me how those wings look up in this clear blue sky."
Opening mismatched eyes she looked forward, not down or up. Dragging her right leg back she bent her knees in a running position. She could do this; she's done it a million times before. Setting her mouth into a set line she launched herself towards the balconies edge, as it drew nearer her confidence slipped and she skidded to a stop just on the edge. Panting, the Veela felt disgusted. She could do this, she was a Light Veela! Backing up away from the ledge she prepared to launch herself once more.
XXX
Sweat dripped from his hair and into his eyes; irritably the raven haired wizard wiped it away. He was out of breath but exhilarated, Harry hadn't been able to play a good game of Quidditch in months. Smiling he walked towards the lake, he wanted to wash his face and hands. Reaching the serene picture, he dipped his hands in the chilled water and refreshed his face, enjoying cooling water on his hot and red features. Turning to the castle he smiled, Harry didn't know what he would do if he couldn't come back here, his years at Hogwarts seemed to get quicker and quicker. He briefly thought that after he finished school would he move into his parent's old house. Before he could ponder on the issue a figure caught his eyes, they were standing on top of a balcony, Harry gasped as he realised it was Karina and she was running towards the edge, but she didn't make it all the way to the end, the Veela had made an abrupt stop. He ran closer to the building to notice that her wings were out, relief flooded him briefly, was she going out flying. Harry couldn't imagine what it would be like to watch a Veela like Karina fly, or maybe it was like watching all other Veela's. Frowning, a thought occurred to him, if she was full veela then why didn't she turn into a bird? But his thoughts were cut off as he saw she was attempting it a second time, only this time she ran over the edge and he called out as it seemed her wings were hanging limply at her sides, ground rushing towards her. Panic seized his body and he ran faster. Only a split second later her wings shot out, catching a draft and lifting her upwards, as she steadily continued to move them as though they were merely arms as she gained height and speed.
"She'll be the death of me." He muttered darkly between pants, what on earth was she thinking, what if she hadn't of used her wings seconds later? But he shook his head, well what did he know, she was the one whose probably had them since birth or nearly then.
XXX
After flying around for a couple of hours she decided she should rest, with a clumsy landing she flexed her wings and enjoyed the subtle ache of use flying had caused. Walking slowly towards the castle she suddenly froze feeling a presence near, it was different to the one she often felt, but familiar at the same time, a dark presence was lurking in the shadows. I'll deal with them when they come to me, she thought decisively. Then rounding the corner sudden hot pain raced from her chest, clutching at her shirt she collapsed against the stone wall, gasping for breath. It was a familiar pain that she had in vain hoped wouldn't come back. The sharp pains seemed to be all over her body making her shake, and then as soon as it had come, it disappeared.
"I've got a week…" Karina forced herself to walk towards the door in front of her; she vaguely remembered it lead to the kitchens. At least she could avoid bumping into anyone till she recovered. There was much to be done before the week was out, and the first important thing…, taking a deep breath she straightened her back, was to open that letter.