Chapter 25: Beyond the Veil

January 1996

"Expecto Patronum!" Haley had mastered the spell two years ago. She was only demonstrating to Luna how it was properly done as the blonde had been struggling previously.

"A weasel?" she inquired, a knowing smile spread across her dreamy face. The older girl couldn't help but to blush and chance a glance at Fred. Fortunately, said twin was busy trying to cast his own patronus and hadn't noticed anything (she'd yet to tell him of the form hers took no matter how many times he asked).

"It means nothing," the Gryffindor replied lamely, aware that it was hardly true.

"If you say so," Luna merely kept smiling, knowing the truth.

"Try again," Haley eagerly switched the subject. Nobody in the D.A. had managed to succeed and she hoped one of the Ravenclaws (Luna or Maggie) would get to be the first, aside from Harry and her. Amaryllis would've been more than capable, but unfortunately couldn't make it this night for a reason she knew not.

"Expecto Patronum!" Luna gave it her all.

Haley watched as a misty blue rabbit sprung from the fourteen year olds wand and witnessed it prance about the room.

"Fantastic, Luna!" Harry complimented his girlfriend who beamed at him for it.

It didn't take long for the others to catch on. Cho's patronus turned out to be a swan, while Neville's oddly took the same shape as Haley's own. She could only assume it had something to do with his and Ginny's relationship. Maggie's ended up being a fox, which took everyone who knew her a bit by surprise. Hermione's otter didn't at all, especially Luna who seemed very adept at reading into the true meanings of things.

Haley had been about to find out what Fred and George's were when the Room of Requirement's walls began trembling fiercely, causing everyone to freeze in place.

"Bombarda Maxima," they heard an all too familiar voice say. Moments after, the entirety of Dumbledore's Army was exposed to Umbridge, Filch, Draco, and his sister.

"Rye?" the name escaped Haley's lips almost inaudibly. She shook her head, not wanting to believe what she was seeing.

Ten Minutes Later

Once everyone had been sentenced to detention for the next several months, Dolores took the two raven haired siblings straight to Albus' office, each Malfoy trailing behind.

"She tricked me," Amaryllis told her friend quietly as they reached the talking gargoyle. "I would never-"

"Save it for someone who cares," Haley spat. If looks could kill, the Slytherin would be in a coffin at this point.

"Please, you have to believe me," she refused to give up.

"No, she doesn't," Harry reminded her bitterly.

"Silence, all of you," Umbridge demanded, ending their little conversation immediately.

Three Months Later

Haley desperately wished she could join in with everyone and laugh as the Weasley twins fled Hogwarts, leaving behind a fantastic firework show in their place, but she simply couldn't find it within herself to do so.

The seventeen year old felt slightly betrayed. How could they just abandon her? The two hadn't even mentioned their plan, let alone say goodbye properly. So, to say she was hurt would be an understatement.

"Haley," someone tugged on the sleeve of her robe, pulling her out from her depressing train of thought.

"Hermione, what is it?" she noted the concern the brunette's eyes held.

"Harry," she pointed at her brother for all but two seconds before rushing to his aid.

"I think he's having a vision," the head girl could only assume as Harry stared off blankly.

"He is," Hermione concurred. "Should we wait?"

Haley nodded, "It wouldn't be good to snap him out of it at this rate." She knew this from experience. Training with Severus, it seemed, hadn't helped Harry with his Occulemency as much as they had hoped.

"Sirius," the boy suddenly called out in a panicked fashion.

"What about him?" Haley asked calmly, not wanting to unnecessarily worry him or Hermione furthermore.

Instead of replying, Harry stood briskly and ran into the castle.

Two Hours Later

"Just hand him the prophecy, Harry, you don't need it," Haley whispered into his ear so that Bellatrix and Lucius wouldn't hear.

"No," he held his ground, "I won't let Voldemort have it."

"You dare speak his name?" Lestrange shouted, her expression coming off as crazed. "You filthy half-blood!" she tried insulting him.

"Why are you doing this?" Amaryllis spoke to her father, standing just behind Maggie (who remained at Haley's left side).

"Do not speak to me," Lucius hissed. He'd wanted nothing to do with the girl since she moved in with Andromeda and had tried taking Draco with her.

"Father-"

The aristocratic man abruptly directed his wand at her, causing all of the other teens and Bellatrix to go into defense mode.

"You are no daughter of mine," he informed her venomously.

"Have it your way then," Rye gave up. The man was clearly beyond her help. "Stupefy!" she began the attack, missing Lucius only slightly.

"Run!" Ron shouted, taking Hermione's hand just before fleeing from the deatheaters.

Haley quickly latched onto Harry and took off as well. Soon, each sibling began casting numerous curses at anyone who tried harming themselves or one another.

Amaryllis ran off after her father, determined to make him pay for the words he had said; and Maggie, who knew it wouldn't be wise to let her fight this battle alone, didn't hesitate to follow.

Ginny and Neville had mimicked Ron and Hermione's actions while Luna had mistakenly been left behind.

Fortunately, however, the entire group was eventually reunited (albeit rather clumsily as they'd all clashed upon simultaneously turning the same corner).

"Luna, are you alright?" Harry felt beyond terrible for having been so distracted that he'd forgotten her.

"I'm fine, truly," she assured him in spite of her busted lip.

He was about start apologizing when a clan of deatheaters found them.

"Stupefy!" Ginny acted reflexively.

Being too powerful for the redhead's own good, the teens eyes widened in both awe and horror as the thousands of prophecies began falling from their shelves.

"This way!" Harry took Luna's arm, thereafter leading the lot of them to a small black colored door.

Fifteen Minutes Later

"I killed Sirius Black, I killed Sirius Black!" Bellatrix sang as the man's godson chased after her.

Remus hadn't been able to go after Harry as Tonks required his help shortly after the boy had escaped from his grasp. Severus, unfortunately, didn't notice the teen take off as he'd been preoccupied with trying to keep his daughter away from Lucius (who currently carried on in his duel against both her and his own child).

Percy (who had joined the Order after declining to work for the Ministry when Haley, Harry, and the rest of his family had all but begged for him not to) only had eyes for Ron at the time since the younger boy had been badly injured and required his full attention.

Alastor and Kingsley also had their hands full as they were busy keeping the other students out of harm's way.

Needless to say, nobody noticed the fifteen year old leave, other than Lupin who couldn't afford to do anything about it.

Half an Hour Later

"It is not how you are alike, but how you are not," Dumbledore said determinedly.

"You can fight this, Harry," Severus kept encouraging his ward to overcome Voldemort's hold on him.

Haley and the others chose to watch from a distance as they knew their help wouldn't make much difference at this point.

Yet, it wasn't until Harry met his sister's gaze that he was finally able to push the other wizard from his mind.

Memories of all the happy moments he shared with not only her, but also with Luna and his friends played themselves out in his head. The love he felt for each moment had been enough to shove Tom out.

"He's back," Fudge gasped.

Maggie and the others held their breath as the Dark Lord vanished, leaving an unconscious boy and befuddled Minister in his wake.

Summer (the same year)

Haley had gone to the Diggory's place, as she did each holiday, while Harry opted to visit Luna for the week his sister would be away. Severus thought it best that they each get out of the Manor and take a much needed break from one another. It had been unhealthy the way they kept themselves locked up in their Library each day, reading everything containing information about the Veil. At first, he didn't see the harm in it, but later realized Harry should not be holding onto the false hope that he could somehow bring Black back.

"So you're going to work with your father?" Cedric asked as he and Haley sat on the grass in his backyard underneath a shade tree.

She nodded, "I'll be like an intern of sorts."

"Do you think you will take over for him some day?"

"Most likely," Haley confessed. Her passion for potions was hardly a secret. "I may work for the Apothecary once Harry finishes his last year."

"Wouldn't Professor Snape retire by then?" Cedric thought this to be so.

"I don't think he's sure yet," she told him truthfully. "Working for the Apothecary is just a backup plan in case he decides to stay at the school for a while longer."

"That's a good idea," he assured her.

"Thanks," Haley smiled at the teen sitting just across from her person.

"Do you suppose any of the other professors would be willing to have someone working under them?" Cedric inquired in a hopeful manner.

"Still no luck finding a job, Diggory?" Haley teased.

"I've looked," he spoke defensively, smiling nonetheless.

"You just want to work at Hogwarts so that you'll be closer to Cho," she brought the obvious to light.

"It's not the only reason," Cedric said, being ever honest.

"Why else?" Haley desired to know.

"I happen to like Transfiguration," he admitted. "I'd like to teach it someday."

"Truly?" she checked, having already known of his love for the subject.

Cedric nodded, "Is that so hard to believe?"

Haley shrugged, "Not really," she then noted the look her friend was giving her. "I take it you'd like me to speak with Minerva for you?"

"I would be grateful if you did," he grinned appreciatively.

"Then I'll see what I can do," Haley smiled back, aware that she would be able to convince the professor. She was her mentor, afterall. They had been close since day one.

"Thank you," Cedric said sincerely.

"Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding," she half-joked with him, inwardly hoping that he would end up with Cho.

"I'd never," he promised, although slightly embarrassed by the notion of marrying his girlfriend any time soon. They were far too young.

"Good," Haley laughed and stood from her place. "Now, let's head inside before it starts raining."

TBC by 4/18/13 …