As promised, here is chapter 25! Astonishing isn't it, having two chapter uploads from me within a week...I haven't had the time to do that in ages :D Thank you Alix Jackson for your…erm..devotion? to this crappy story of mines it feels great every time I upload a new chapter after disappearing for ages and then seeing your awesome reviews! So…here you go :)
DISCLAIMER: anything you recognize from HP is not mine.
Note: I notice that some people seem to skip past chapter 24 and going directly here maybe 'cause you think there is only one new chapter but yeah, here's just a note to tell you that CHAPTER 24 IS NEW! Just so you don't read this one and get all confused about what's going on :D
Neville ended up spending years in China, quietly protecting Luna, for he knew that the danger brought on by her mother's notebook was yet to be over, especially since Luna was gradually regaining her memory. Danny had not returned home to Luna ever since that day he broke off his engagement with her and stomped off into the night and since he felt it was partially his fault, well really, entirely his fault, Neville took it on himself to stay by Luna's side every day. He passed his days by offering his knowledge of plants to the citizens, helping cure them of ailments. He earned himself a title as a wondrous local healer, second only to Nanny.
It was raining hard and fast on this particularly dark night. Neville could barely hear the things the funny little moving people on this thing called a 'telly' were saying. Suddenly, he heard someone knocking on the door. Opening it, he squinted to see through the pouring rain. At first, it seemed as if no one was there, but just as he was about to close the door again, he heard a tiny voice pleading, "please sir, please help my mother!" Right at that moment a flash of lightning streaked through the sky, momentarily lighting up his doorstep.
A young girl of no more than 5 years of age stood there, dripping wet and looking utterly miserable. Her hands were clutching a tattered old teddy bear, which too was drenched to its core. Water, whether from the rain or from tears, was streaming down her face as she looked up at Neville's face. "Please sir," she said again, "please help my mother!"
Neville just stood there stunned. Snapping back to his senses, he quickly ushered the little girl into the house, frantically drying her clothes and hair, giving her a hot drink to chase away the bitter cold of the night.
Half an hour later, he had the little girl in his bed, snuggled up under three thick blankets, as he sat at the side watching her peaceful, sleeping face. In that half an hour, he had learned that the little girl was called Ah Fa. Her mother had apparently contracted a terminal disease and no one else they had approached had been able to cure her. Her father had died years ago, and she and her mother had been living by themselves ever since. Seeing such a helpless little girl risking her own life for the sake of her mother touched a deep, deep region within Neville's heart, and there was no way in hell he would let that woman die. In her, he saw himself. That fear that penetrates a young heart when they find out that their parents are beyond their help is something that no one can easily forget. His own parents had sunk into insanity when he was just a little boy, and he too had been so helpless to help them. Thank god he had a grandmother to take care of him though. This girl, she had no one. But Neville decided that from now on, she would have him to lean on.
The next day, Ah Fa took Neville by the hand and ran off to bring him to see her mother. The moment mother and daughter laid eyes on each other, both burst into tears. Ah Fa ran to her mother's bedside and threw her arms around her. "Ma!" she cried, "I've brought the healer to see you"
"Oh Ah Fa, my baby. Why did you run off last night, in the middle of the storm? Do you know how worried I was? Don't ev-" Ah Fa's mother broke off into a coughing fit. She brought a handkerchief up to her mouth and came away with blood. Her whole body racked with each cough and soon her whole face was white, shining with cold sweat. Her eyes rolled and she was slipping away…all that could be heard was the young girls frantic cries of "Ma! Ma!" as she desperately shook her mother back into consciousness.
Neville was seated at the small table, and around him were Nanny and Luna. He started to explain his condition, "…my examination of the lady has confirmed that she has a unique mutation of something similar to that of lung cancer. Something cancerous in nature is eating away at her insides and it's nothing I've ever seen before. I wondered if you could tell me of any herbs or medicinal plants that could cure such an ailment," at this, he looked directly at Nanny, "as you have more experience than I do. I've never seen such a disease before. The woman is mother of a 5 year old daughter; I'm determined not to let her become an orphan at such a young age."
There was a long silence after his words. Everyone around the table seemed deep in thought. Finally, Nanny spoke up. "This is a very special type of disease, I've heard of it before; it is known amongst us healers as 'Si Shen' as it is deadly and almost impossible to cure. There is only one known herb that can cure this disease and it is very, very rare. It's called –"
"'Zhen Xin Xiang Ai'." It was Luna that finished her sentence. Everyone stared at her. Ignoring them she continued. "Nanny is right, this herb is the only thing that will work now. It is a curious herb that is astonishingly difficult to nurture correctly, but it has many almost magical-like properties too. One of them being an intense infatuation experienced by anyone who inhales its scent when grinded – earning it its name, 'True Love'."
"How did you-" began Neville
"Oh, I don't know. It just popped into my head. Probably something I learnt from my mother…there was a time when she was obsessed with all sorts of rare Chinese herbs; they are great for concocting healing potions you know."
Nanny nodded in agreement to what she just said. "Yes, that is correct, what Mia has just told us about 'Zhen Xin Xiang Ai'. I must warn you though, it is immensely difficult to procure, almost impossible, in fact."
"Almost?" asked Neville.
The tiniest hint of a smile flickered across Nanny's face. "Indeed, almost. There have been rumors, though, that one man is known to grow 'Zhen Xin Xiang Ai', but he is a mysterious fellow and will not easily give up such a precious and valuable herb."
"It doesn't matter," Neville said decisively, "I will still try my very best to do obtain it."
"Well, then, here are the directions to find him. I suggest you bring Luna along with you too."
"What?" sputtered Neville. "But…this visit will probably be dangerous, I don't want to expose her to death eaters with only me by her side because whilst I have the means to protect her (Luna knew he was referring to his magic), it is not strong enough…she would be safer in this stone hut! No. She will not come with me."
'Death eaters' was not an unfamiliar term to Nanny and Luna any more as Neville had explained everything to the two of them, with some help from Luna who provided any details of her kidnappers that she could remember. They too, knew of his magic but living in a non-magical society, he rarely used it in front of them to protect his own identity from prying eyes. However, he had secretly cast strong shield and other protective charms over the small stone hut and he was determined that if he were to leave on this journey, Luna was to stay behind these safe walls.
"No buts. Trust me, Neville, you will need her. And unless she says no, you should let her go."
Neville stared into Luna's eyes, wishing with all his heart that she could hear him beg her to stay. Luna understood the pain he would feel if she were to leave, but she was not one to let a person die if it were within her ability to save them.
"Neville..I have to go with you."
Neville hung his head. He knew this would be her answer, yet all the same, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He couldn't help but feel as if she did not respect his wishes, and didn't understand how much he wished she could keep herself safe, for his sake.
"This should be it." Double checking the address written on the scrap of paper that Nanny had given him, Neville glanced at the battered wooden door before him again.
Luna smiled at him, "Yes, this is the right place, I can feel it's aura. Someone very special lives here."
Hearing this, Neville knocked on the door. "Hello? Is anyone here?" After several moments of pounding, the door finally creaked open. A wizened old man wearing a purple robe stood there, looking at the two of them.
"Are you…Mr Kai?"
"Yes." Mr Kai raised an eyebrow. "How may I help you?"
"We heard that you are in possession of Zhen Xin Xiang Ai. A friend of ours has contracted a rare terminal disease, only this herb can cure her. We hoped that you could – "
The man held up a hand to stop Neville mid-sentence. "Yes, I do have this herb, but I'm afraid I can't help you."
With that, he slammed the door in their face. Neville pounded the door again. "Mr. Kai! Mr. Kai! Please! You are our last hope! Mr. Kai!"
Luna placed a hand on his. "Here, let me."
"Mr. Kai. I know that Zhen Xin Xiang Ai is a very valuable herb, and I have heard of it's rumored properties of love; beautiful yet deadly properties that I have yet to witness myself. It could save this woman's life. If there is anything, anything at all that we can do to procure it from you, please tell us." She abruptly turned around and sat on the doorstep.
Neville just stared at her. She patted the ground next to her. "You'd better sit down. This will probably take an hour and seventeen minutes to accomplish."
"But – how...?"
"Trust me."
Of course, one hour and seventeen minutes later, their reply came on the dot. "Come to the Old Man's Pub at 7:00 tonight."
At 7:00, Luna and Neville entered that Old Man's Pub. Surprisingly, the pub was very full, and all of the customers seemed to be young couples out for a romantic night. Luna took Neville's hand. "Come on, let's find a seat."
They ended up pushing their way to the front of the bar, finally finding an empty table right before the center of a large platform. Just as they took their seats, the whole room darkened as a bright spotlight focused on an area on the stage. A man walked out, wearing a smart navy suit, holding a mic.
"Look!" Luna patted Neville's arm, "Its Mr. Kai!"
His voice started to resound out of the loudspeakers around the pub. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to Old Man's Pub! I wish all of you loving couples the happiest of relationships!" A round of applause erupted through the room. Clearly, Mr. Kai was very popular among them, and this pub seemed exclusively for couples.
"Now, let's get to business!" Mr. Kai beamed at everyone. "Today, we have a very special program planned! Coincidentally, I received a request for a very rare and valuable herb called Zhen Xin Xiang Ai. These people greatly hope to obtain this herb, and so today, I am offering it as a prize for whichever couple wins the following game. With it, any couple can ensure that they will continue to maintain a happy and loving relationship for the rest of their lives."
With a flourish, he brought out the herb. It was shaped like a rose, yet it was a dazzling bright purple, and seemed to emit a warm glow. In that instant, the whole room was filled with a softness that shone upon each and every face, making everyone look beautiful in a surreal, godlike way.
"Yes, impressive, isn't it? To win it, you simply have to prove to me that you and your lover are indeed each other's 'true love', the one and only, to be able to truly deserve such a precious herb. Let's hope that the people that approached me today for it would take the initiative to acquire it." He sought the crowd and gave Luna and Neville a meaningful look.
"Any volunteers?"
The whole room fell silent, each person looking at another, seeing who would be brave enough to think that they deserved 'true love'. Just as the whole room's tension seemed to reach a breaking point, Luna stood up. "Let's do this, Neville."
"I – I – " He faltered. "But Luna, true love? You love Danny now, not me…"
"It's okay. We'll win it. We have to. For Ah Fa."
"Well, look what we have here! Aren't they just the perfect looking couple?" Mr. Kai joyfully exclaimed to the whole room. "Let's see if they truly are the perfect couple by passing this test."
"Now, now, no need to be nervous", he said, seeing Neville tightly clenching Luna's hand. "Neville and Luna, right?" (But how? Neville thought. They had never told him their names) Well, we just want to see how well you know each other. I'm going to ask a few questions, and if you can both give the same answer each time, you will win Zhen Xin Xiang Ai."
A little cliffie here again, just to (hopefully) keep you guys hooked into this story. Maybe. Anyway, something a little more romantic coming this way in the next chapter, which means more Nuna of course! x