Authors note: Rinhunter is back! Finally I have returned to civilization! I'm so sorry that I have been MIA for so long, you don't know how frustrating it had been to have no way of working on my story nor any means of posting new chapters. But it is good to be home, back to my lovely laptop and faithful (only when it wants to be) internet. Praise the heavens, but enough of my excused fulled ramblings. Onward to Chapter 35!
Summary: See Prologue for full summary.
Warnings: Violence, bad language and BoyXBoy romance, self made spells, Oh and I'll just apologize beforehand. If any characters appear to be a bit OC sorry, since I am not the brilliant and talented J.K. Rowling I do not possess the ability to capture the true essence of the Harry Potter characters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to J.K Rowling and The Warner Brothers. I am simply playing around with the characters to satisfy my Drarry desires.
Thanks to:
natsuki23: Luna was merely a vessel used by the Illuniae stellis power, which would be explained more in the next chapter. Thank you as always for the review, and I personally want to apologize to you for the next chapter being so late. Is it weird to say that it makes me proud that you wish for Feranight's death, because that means that I have achieved my bad guy goal! Yay!
imightbeasociopa: Hahaha I just love the tension, but it even drives me mad sometimes when I typing away. It is one of the causes for my stiff shoulders ;) The part with the Shadow Creature was indeed a twist but I couldn't help myself. I just nearly died of laughter at your murdering of Feranight. Thank you so much for the review and sorry for posting the next chapter so late.
Okay so I had a few more reviews but as I feel that they were quite rude I will not be mentioning them here. You are free to have your own opinions but if you disagree with my story why are you reading it? I don't mind constructive criticism or if people correct my mistakes but please learn how to do so in a appropriate manner. Words hurt, you should know that.
Anyway so here you are! Enjoy!
Chapter 35
The sun rose lazily, dragging an unwilling dawn in its wake. Slowly the light spread, illuminating what had been shadowed in darkness the night before. In the distance a grand castle absorbed what little warmth the sun offered in hopes of chasing away the cold fear that had consumed the creatures within its walls. Yet even the light and warmth of the sun could not vanquish the heaviness that clouded the air, created from clashing emotions.
Hogwarts watched the young magical beings continuing with their daily lives and the ancient castle listened as they whispered in hushed voices of what had happened during the night. It could make out the given name of its bonded one, traveling from ear to ear. The magical building had witnessed many such behaviors during the time from its creation to the present. It had always confused it so, with each passing of the silent words, the contents would change, the tones which they are told in would grow harsh or mocking, and a darkness will fill those who listened to it.
"You've grown awfully quiet…" Hogwarts started as the voice of its bonded echoed around it, snatching it away from its observation. "Something on your mind?" There it was again, piercing the walls of Hogwarts existence. The castle's magic swirled, warping as it was drawn to its bonded, and everything dimmed as all of Hogwarts was focused on the young wizard. Panicked by the blindness, the castle bristled, yet it was shocked when it could feel the tremors it had intended on, which should have traveled through its stone structure, was transformed into a shivering of flesh.
In fright Hogwarts forced opened its eyes, staring at the reflection before it. The silvery grey eyes of its bonded gazed back where they rested upon a face, which was pale as death with thin pink lips trembling. Hogwarts lifted a hand toward the reflection, only to be met by a cool surface, the action followed by the image within. For the first time the castle experienced fear when it looked down at the hands of its bonded one, through eyes which was not its own.
"Draco?" Hogwarts started, turning towards the voice but stumbling slightly. A hand steadied it, carrying a warmth with its touch. The boy which had called its bonded's name was laughing softly. "Sorry I startled you. Are you alright? You don't look well." Hogwarts frowned, glaring at the perplexing being before it. It had seen this wizard with its bonded many times as he had been its bonded's companion. The world started spinning, colors dancing before the castle's vision and a pain burnt within its chest but before it could comprehend what was happening, Hogwarts was flung aside back to where it had been observing the students before.
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"Draco!" Damian panicked, holding onto Draco as the older boy lost consciousness. Slowly he knelt down, leaning Draco against his chest. The blond Slytherin was shivering, clutching at his chest. Damian could see the rapid fluttering of Draco's eyes, as if he were asleep having a dream. Damian watched as long fingers curled around the fabric of the other boy's robes, the knuckles turning white with the force. "Draco! Oh please Draco open your eyes." Damian placed a quivering hand on his friend's shoulder, shaking him slightly in the hopes of waking him. Hope flared within him when Draco's grey eyes fluttered open.
"It hurts…" Draco whispered, his eyebrows furrowing and eyes shutting tightly as he tightened the hold on his chest. "What hurts?" Damian asked, already scanning the other boy for any injuries. Worry gnawed at the blue eyed Slytherin's insides when Draco started coughing. "Come on Draco, I'm taking you to the infirmary." Damian stated, slinging one of Draco's arms around his shoulders, wincing as the other gasped in pain. Damian was about to lead the blond towards the entrance when a hand fisted in his robes. He turned his gaze back towards Draco, only to pale when the other boy was assaulted by a coughing fit, his whole body shaking with the force. The color drained from the younger boy's face as dark crimson liquid leaked through the gaps of Draco's fingers which was being held in front of his mouth. The coughs grew worse, causing Draco to fall to his knees, coughing up more clots of blood. Draco was nearly lying on the floor, his forehead pressed against the cold stone, with one arm holding him up as the other was pressed against his mouth. Damian grabbed the quivering boy, tears streaming down his cheeks and his heart thudding heavily in his chest. He didn't care as more blood was coughed onto his robes and only tightened his hold. "God! Draco, what is happening to you?" He cried out, burying his face into the platinum hair of his friend. "Please tell me!"
Damian tried to lift Draco into his arms, determined to carry the other boy to the Hospital Wing, but every touch seemed to cause the blond more pain. He thought about going to find some help, but was too scared to leave his friend in such a state. Confused, Damian failed to notice the change in temperature of the room, as the air warmed up from an unknown magic. The young wizard nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a puff of air against his neck, the sound of an exhale echoing through the room. He could feel a prickling sensation on his skin as the tendrils of the unknown entity traveled down his arm towards Draco. Damian could only watch in paralysis as a strange luminescent creature manifested from nowhere. Its skin shined like starlight with thin luminous fins flaring around it like a silver silken dress. Large dark eyes looked at him, the almond shaped orbs deep and eternal like the universe itself. The creature turned toward Draco, floating closer, stretching its long neck to gaze at the boy curiously. It sighed and placed a small kiss on Draco's lips, the fins glowing a beautiful silver as the creatures magic was transferred to the other boy. Damian watched entranced, and after a few seconds that felt much longer, the creature turned its gaze back towards him. Its fins hovered around it, curling around its starlight skin and with a soft sigh it was gone.
"Wha…?" Damian shook his head, wondering if he had imagined it all. "Illuniae stellis, that is one of its many names." Damian wiped his head around, and sighed with relief when he saw Luna standing by the doorway. She walked towards them and knelt beside Draco, trailing a hand down his face. She closed her eyes, allowing her magic to flow over the Malfoy heir and checking on his vital signs. His throat was a bit raw from the coughs, but other than that it seems the cause of the fit had been healed. After all, Illuniae stellis could easily heal wounds caused by magic rather than a physical force.
"How is he?" Damian asked worriedly, his ocean blue eyes focused on Draco's face. Some color had returned to the blonde's cheeks, which was a good sign but Damian didn't know if he could rely on that. "He is fine now, whatever had caused his pain is gone for now." Luna answered, her voice soft yet an uncharacteristic frown was on her normally bright face. "That 'illuniae stellis' thing… What is it?" Damian asked after he had shifted Draco so that the boy was resting comfortably against his chest. Luna looked up towards the roof of the room, her light blue eyes shimmering.
"The Moonless Starlight, on a new moon when the only light offered to the darkened world is but starlight, the universe creates a certain type of magic in hope of calming the creatures of the earth during the darkest night. It's quite sad really, most humans have lost the ability to feel its peaceful touch, but some still do. If you reach out to it, it would always help you if you need it. The creature you saw was one of the many forms it takes when it wishes to manifest itself to be seen by us." Luna explained and Damian reached out to place his hand on hers. "Thank you Luna…" No more needed to be said, both turning their gazes towards Draco once more.
"I just wish I knew what was happening to him…" Damian sighed. Luna turned her gaze towards Damian and for once, when he looked into her eyes, he saw not the absent-minded gaze of a dreamer, but the soulful gaze of a watcher. He felt as if the pale haired girl could see right into his soul and understand what she sees there. After a moment which felt like an eternity, she looked away and Damian realized he had held his breath during her gaze. Releasing it, he turned to ask Luna if she thought he should take Draco to his room or the infirmary, just to be sure, when he saw her stare intently at the far corner of the room. Turning, he saw a shadow that was strangely shaped. He couldn't quite put his finger on what bothered him, but it didn't look natural. That feeling was proven true when he saw darkness swirling within it and felt the sensation of eyes watching him intently. After a moment, the focus of the gaze shifted.
To Draco.
Damian tightened his arms around his friend and prepared to defend him, but a frail hand resting on his shoulder stopped him. "It is alright, Shadowed One. Stella will be fine and no harm shall come to him. You know I speak the truth." Damian could sense those eyes piercing Luna, looking through her almost, before the shadow seemed to melt and fade away, leaving the normal shadow of a tree outside the window. He didn't understand what just happened, but when Luna happily started humming and skipped out the door, he decided that if it was something he needed to know, she would've told him. Hefting Draco up, he followed after her, the worry gnawing at his heart eased just a tiny bit.
It seemed Draco had more protectors than he thought.
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Meanwhile, an important meeting has been called in the Headmaster's office, to be held between the Headmaster and the Heads of Houses. A sombre silence lied across those in the office, before it was broken by one speaking up. "Albus, you must have an idea of what has been happening?" Professor McGonagall asked with a slight quiver in her voice. She was sitting next to Professor Sprout, holding the other woman's hand with Flitwick and Snape close by. The old headmaster looked at his staff, briefly closing his eyes, before sighing and opening them again.
"Severus, I fear that I can no longer leave everything in your hands. Not when the other students are being endangered." Snape stiffened and grit his teeth, avoiding the piercing blue eyes of his mentor. He shook his head slightly, before turning his gaze on his old mentor, trying to convince him with his fierce gaze alone. He knew what would happen should the headmaster tell others of Draco's situation. And he knew better than the headmaster how it would turn out. The other Professors observed the interaction, not following what was being said. "Albus?" McGonagall broke the silence, her eyes flicking between the headmaster and the Head of Slytherin. Snape's gaze snapped towards McGonagall briefly, seemingly burning into her, but she would not buckle beneath the glare of her old student and she straightened her shoulders. She could hear Flitwick and Sprout shifting uncomforting, but they kept their silence, observing instead. The aged wizard sighed again, hiding his eyes behind a wrinkled hand, before he lowered it and McGonagall could see his shoulders stiffening, as if preparing for a fight. "I am ashamed to say that I have not been honest with you all regarding to what has been happening to Hogwarts, for I had hoped that we could have prevented what I now fear will happen."
"Professor!" Snape exclaimed, seeming to bristle, but was hushed by an ancient hand. "Severus, it is our duty as the educators of this school to protect the students." The Head of Gryffindor could see her old student straightening, becoming even stiffer if possible, the veins bulging in his neck and fists. She had never seen Severus lose control like this and it heightened the dread she could feel brewing in her chest. "So you will abandon him! Albus, you have no idea how deep this runs. You think all will be solved with your solution? You will only make the situation worse and even more danger will be inflicted upon everyone in this castle!" Dumbledore, held out a hand, entreating Snape to listen to him. "My boy, the students…"
"HE IS ALSO A STUDENT!" Snape bellowed. A shocked silence descended upon the office as the professors watched the normally cool and calm Slytherin rein in his temper, his face set in stone. He snapped around, striding to the entrance with his robes billowing, no longer able to stand the old wizard. "He is a student. Sometimes I wonder if you remember that instead of which house he is." Snape growled before exiting the office, his steps echoing through the room and leaving behind a strained and oppressive atmosphere.
"What does he mean?" Professor Sprout ventured cautiously, concerned about all she heard. Dumbledore sighed, resting his chin on his crossed hands. He seemed to age right before their eyes and his voice was laden with regret and sorrow as he spoke. "The cause of Hogwarts's resent antics is because of the bonding between the castle and a student." The others gasped, knowing of how in ancient times wizards and witches had bonded with magical structures and the dangers involved. To think that a child bonded with one of the most powerful buildings in Britain…
"Which student?" Flitwick asked, his voice higher than usual in panic and the headmaster sighed once again, preparing himself to tell the others all he knew. "Draco Malfoy…" Dumbledore continued, explaining to the others all he knew of Draco's situation and the danger that now loomed over them. "Oh Albus, what will we do?" McGonagall asked after she had processed the information he had given them. She almost couldn't believe it and the events surrounding the Malfoy heir suddenly made much more sense. Sprout could feel worry and concern blooming in her chest as she imagined the frail boy she had seen lately and even Flitwick could not find words, as he saw again the cocky, but bright boy of his memories transformed in the silent, dull-gazed boy of the past few months. "I fear there isn't much we can do. Minister Shacklebolt has informed me that someone is on their way to aid us in removing the threat…"
The others were startled when Fawkes flew in, the phoenix landing on the back of Dumbledore's armchair. The beautiful bird crooned, trying to comfort his master as the man scratched its head.
"And that means that young Mister Malfoy will be forced to leave."
Sprout flinched and Flitwick almost tumbled off his chair in shock, while McGonagall pursed her lips. Severus's loss of control suddenly made sense. She could feel her own temper bubbling and she didn't even have a particular bond with the pale boy in question. Yet, as Severus had said, he was still a student and she felt responsible for him after everything he had endured, even if he wasn't one of her lions.
"But Albus, how could we allow such a thing? The boy might have made many mistakes in the past but he had no choice in the matter at hand. It is not his doing! If he is removed who knows what might happen? And what of his trial?" Even as McGonagall listened to Sprout speaking, she could not help the small niggling thought in the back of her mind, urging her that to sacrifice one student to save hundreds more is the path that would be best, yet the Gryffindor in her also rebelled, protesting against that small thought and not allowing it to rise to the surface.
"It has already been decided. To protect the other students this is all we can do… No matter how unjust it is." McGonagall could see her concern and slight anger echoed in the eyes of the other heads, but she also saw a sorrowful acceptance. Straightening her spine, she sipped her tea as she thought about what she could do. Albus was always too absorbed in the picture of the Greater Good that he forgot or disregarded the small sacrifices, no matter how good his intentions. She would have to go see Snape.
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"Draco? Come on Draco, open your eyes." Damian tried again, shaking Draco slightly in hopes of waking him. Though Luna had said that the blond Slytherin was alright, he could not help but worry. Draco had been passed out for more than an hour and breakfast will be served soon. Relief washed over the younger boy when hazy grey eyes finally opened, blinking up at him and joined by a frown.
"Would you stop shaking me, or do you wish me to vomit all over you?" Draco hissed, holding his stomach in hopes of controlling the nausea which assaulted him. Damian smiled down at him, ignoring the glare which was aimed his way as he wrapped his arms around the blond in a light embrace. Draco frowned at the affectionate gesture, but the warmth it provided was welcomed, if not the comfort. The blond Slytherin didn't know why he felt so agitated, he couldn't recall anything happening which could have made him feel this way. The last memory he had was of watching as the Shadow Creature disappeared within the darkness in the corridor, but everything after that was a blur, which raised the question of how he had returned to their rooms.
"Hey, you sure you are alright?" Damian's concerned voice dragged Draco away from his wonderings, and the distressed expression on the younger boy's face made him squirm a bit. Was this an act too? Or was Damian, unlike the others, truly concerned for him? Draco was unsure what to believe, but even though his mind was trying to convince him that the other boy was the same as Harry and his friends, memories of their childhood would pop up to fight against it. He could not help but trust the younger Slytherin, no matter how hard he tried.
"I'm fine, just light headed." Draco brushed of his robes, avoiding his reflection in the mirror. "After what happened, your blood sugar must be low. We should get you something to eat" Damian replied, smiling at Draco before heading towards the entrance. Draco halted, not sure what Damian had been referring to. It was only then that he spotted the blood stains on the other boy's robes. Shocked, Draco rushed towards the boy, grabbing some of the fabric in his hands. It was still wet, which meant it was fresh. "I got rid of the blood on the floor, but can't seem to get the stains out of my robes. Wonder how house elves get that right…" Damian said nonchalantly, his smile faltering at Draco's shocked expression. "Draco?"
Draco took a step back. "What happened?" Damian frowned at the question. "You don't remember? You had a serious coughing fit this morning and ended up coughing up a lot of blood. Luna luckily came by and made sure you were alright, but you had us both really worried." Draco looked up at the younger boy, his eyes large with confusion and the iron taste of blood in his mouth evidence of what Damian had said. How could he not remember something that had happened that recently? It wasn't even as if his memory was foggy but that it was completely blank. He could feel the gap where the memory should have been.
"Draco?" Damian placed a hand on the shorter boy. Shaking his head Draco composed himself and walked toward the door. "You coming?" He asked over his shoulder, snorting as Damian followed him with a grin. He could still see the concern swirling in the younger Slytherin's blue orbs and would try to not bother him with such worries. Hogwarts nudged his core, and Draco smiled at the grumpy presence of the castle as the building sulked at being ignored for so long.
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Harry rushed through the hall, trying to ignore the gossip which had spread like wild fire through the school. It never ceased to amaze the Saviour of the Wizarding World how fast stories could travel, the words, warping with each retelling. He had to hold himself back a few times when he was unlucky enough to hear what new outrageous explanation the students had come up with to explain what had happened the previous night. It reminded the raven haired boy too much of how the students had gossiped and acted during his first few years at Hogwarts. Devouring every ludicrous story they could find and regurgitating each word to the next group of starving rumourmongers. Whispering in hushed voices, behind cupped hands and staring with accusing eyes.
The very thought made his blood boil, he didn't know how people could enjoy it so much. The rumour that was circulating at the moment, was that Draco Malfoy had cursed the students with these nightmare in the hope to gain their sympathy. Harry wanted to laugh in their faces for they had not considered the fact that half of the students that had the dreams didn't even know who Draco was and thus it would have been quite difficult for them to sympathise with him, if they wished to do so. Forcing himself to take a few calming breaths to hose down the anger at the absolute rubbish people could come up with, Harry continued on his way.
The Boy Who Lived had woken early, sleep deprived and slightly grumpy as Ron so profusely told him. He was on his way to see Professor Snape, after having sent the grouchy Potions Master a lengthy and detailed note about his dream of Sola as well as the nightmare Neville had. Professor Snape's reply was short and rude, but Harry could sense the urgency which the curving script held. The brief note specified that they should meet to discuss things further. Unknown to the Saviour, he was being tailed by another.
Upon arriving at Snape's living quarters, Harry nearly jumped out of his skin when Hermione popped up next to him. "So this was where you were hurrying off to." The bushy haired witch stated, shifting the pile of books in her arms into a more comfortable position. The bespectacled boy was about to ask the girl what she was doing there, not to mention how long she had been stalking him when the heavy doors in front of them were pushed open. Professor Snape loomed out of his dark quarters, scowled at the young witch and wizard whose mere presence annoyed him. His dark eyes lingered on Hermione, causing the girl to shift uncomfortably, yet she held her head high.
"I was not aware that my invitation was for two insufferable Gryffindors Potter." Snape drawled but waved them both inside anyway. "I looked up the book title you provided me with and was fortunate enough to have found one of the few remaining tomes." The Potions Master said, not wasting any time with small talk. He walked towards a large wooden chest, opening the rusted clasps with a swish of his wand and removing from its contents a large leather bound tome with large yellowing pages.
"Solatrus-Le Permier Souffle… The story which Narcissa had told Draco within Longbottom's dream had come from this very book." Snape informed them, opening the book and his fingers gliding over the old pages delicately. Harry stared at the innocent looking volume, not able to believe that it truly existed. The Gryffindor had doubted that the Sola from his dreams would actually help and finding out that it linked to Draco's past which Neville had dreamt about made it all the more real. Hermione nudged him roughly, which made him aware that Snape was reading something from the book. Rubbing his aching side, he shot Hermione a reprimanding glare, but turned to listen to his least favoured Professor, yet sadly the one he spent the most time with.
"…The nameless realm, rested amid earth and the starry sky of the universe. Concealed it remained. Sol's creations all blind to its existence, yet it was far from absent. In this nameless world, Sola lives, watching through thin windows which connected to the earth, as the life upon it continued. The Dragon's animosity grew with the passing of time, his observations of the life forms which took their lives for granted becoming the fuel to the burning hatred in his chest. Greed, violence, how humans disregarded the lives they were given. War, murder, how the disgusting beings violated the lives of their companions. Life, how could Sol have seen it as an art, how was such a thing a miracle if this was what it created? The Dragon laughed, the humourless sound joining the storms, which set out to cause havoc upon Earth.
On the night, when the stars shined brightest without being overshadowed by the moon light of Sol's lover, Lunea, Sola would take flight. His midnight hide blending in with the starry night above him. Free from the observing eyes of his father and his creator's bride, Sola could cry out his despair. Howling with the wind, the eerie sound haunting the night. Roaring with the distant thunder and flying among the angry flashes of lightning. Cold showers would fall from his tears, drowning the world beneath him. Despair, anger and sorrow…
On one such night, Sola's cries had been echoed. Drawn to the other, the mighty Dragon followed the calls in which he had come across a strange being. Neither living nor dead. A wavering life, teetering on losing its own existence. Sol watched unfazed as it was being torn, unable to remain in a world which was no longer its own. The cries grew into shrieks, the being clawing itself in hopes to hasten its demise. In which Sola snorted, shaking its elegant head.
"Oh Lost One. A shame it is. There is no longer a place for your existence here." The Dragon mocked. The misery and pain had long since consumed all empathy within him. "Pitiful creation of Sol, do you not wish now to curse God for your wretched fate." Sola chuckled, wishing for once that his father was there watching just so that he could revile in the guilt it would produce in his Creator. The Dragon turned, ignoring the whimpers of the vanishing existence and finding one of the many doorways to his realm, he used his claw, dragging it slowly across the air, slicing open the thin layer which separated the nameless world from Earth. "If only all that existed could vanish like you are, Lost Little One…"
The whispered words vanished into the cool night air and without glancing back, Sola walked through the entrance just as the sun started to rise, basking the world in a golden light. Unaware of the presence which had followed him. The Dragon sealed the pathway and thus the first of the Lost One's had found their way to a world of nothingness. Joining Sola in his life of eternity…"
Snape's voice grew silent as the last word left his lips. He stared at the old scripture which he had just read, his mind repeating all which had just been recited. Harry closed his eyes, playing out the scenario within his head.
"Is it possible that this Realm in which Sola apparently lives truly exists?" Hermione was the first to break the silence, her voice soft. The witch was holding a small journal in her hand, her brown eyes focused on the moth eaten cover. "Nothing is for certain; there are many things in this world we are unaware of." The Potions Master said, closing the book in his hand, brushing a thumb over the faded image which was painted on the cover. "There are quite a few stories of Sola and this nameless world within these pages, but only the one mention anything about the Lost Ones."
"I didn't know a magical world existed before coming here after my eleventh birthday, so the thought that another world might be out there isn't as strange as it might seem. But that still doesn't give us an idea of what exactly is happening to Draco or how to prevent it." Harry added, coming a hand through his messy black hair, the locks curling around his fingers. "It might…" Hermione whispered under her breath, yet Snape's sharp ears caught the hushed words.
"Care to explain how, Ms. Granger?" The older man asked, looking down at the witch with an arched eyebrow, in question. Hermione bit her lip, placing the rest of her load of books on a nearby table, she held out the small volume in her hands. "I found this journal quite a while back. It is in horrid condition and most of the contents had been ruined to the extent of disrepair. I have been able to decipher a few pages though. I am almost certain that it had belonged to a witch or wizard who had been bonded to their own ancestral home. The person had written down their experience as a 'Bonded One' as they called themselves, but most of that information is ruined or we already know about. The last few entries are what have had me confused up till now." Hermione opened the journal and paged through it to the last few pages.
"The person keeps mentioning that they are losing themselves to 'Nothingness' and that they are becoming Lost. Maybe the realm in which Sola remains is actually this 'Nothingness.' The only theory I could come up with is that those who had bonded with a Magical structure start to fade into this other world as the bond grows. Their bodies and mind being consumed by the magic and presence of the building itself." Hermione stopped at the page she had searched for and read what had been written long ago. "I am neither living nor dead, a being of non-existence. Destined to an eternity in the Nothingness."
Harry listened to the words, which sounded much like what Snape had read from the other book. His chest grew tight, knowing that the words of the journal had been written by someone who had experienced what Draco was now experiencing. Everything was coming together, the dreams, Sola's story and now the proof. If only they could find a way to sever the bond before it was too late.
"We have to hurry, the Ministry will try and remove Draco from Hogwarts soon." Snape informed them, much to the two Gryffindor's shock. Snape hushed Harry, silencing whatever angry reply the boy had. "I was only informed of this today, so spare me you accusations Potter." Harry grit his teeth, Hermione wrapping one of her arms around his. "When?" The bushy haired witch asked, her voice quivering with nerves. She had hoped that they would have had more time. It was almost cruel how they finally found some answers, only to be given a time limit.
"A few days at most, we need to inform Draco about what is happening. I had hoped to solve it without him fretting about it but now there is no option but to make him aware." Snape answered, scribbling away on a piece of parchment, frowning at the horrid penmanship his haste was inducing. Harry's heart pace increased at the thought of telling Draco that he might disappear, an ache piercing his chest just thinking about it himself. There was one problem with the plan though…
"Draco is avoiding me, how am I supposed to talk to him when Hogwarts keeps closing doors in my face or orders the bloody Suites of Armour to keep me away?" Harry asked, biting the tip of his thumb, almost hard enough to draw blood. Hermione could only gaze at her friend in sadness, not having a solution to his problem. "Find a way Potter! Even if it kills you!" Snape growled, pointing towards the door in an obvious dismissal. Exiting the Potions Masters chamber, Harry punched the stone wall of the dungeons, feeling the angry prickle of magic which seeped into his bleeding knuckles from the stone. Hermione grabbed his hand gently, healing the wound quickly, not fazed by the outburst.
"All we can do is try Harry." She looked into his emerald eyes, removing his glasses to wipe away the tears which had leaked from them. He lifted a hand towards hers, holding onto it tightly as he gave her a small nod.
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"Talia! Time for dinner love." A woman's voice called, he could still remember the soft and gentle tone. The warmth it carried… "I say, that girl could get lost in this house for hours. Do you want to help me set the table for us dearie?" She asked me. She had always been so kind… Much too kind to something like me. "Oh come now don't pull that face, you will be having dinner with us. Families should dine together you know." Family?
"Mommy, mommy guess what, I made the windows in my room look like that glass thingy we saw in the church with all the colors. Nulzy helped me pick the different colors. It's so pretty, right Nulzy!? …" I nodded in reply, a small smile on my lips. "I'm going to make yours pretty too, and Nulzy's too…" The woman laughed at her daughter's babbling, brushing the young child's golden colored hair behind one of her ears, trying to tame the long unruly locks. After dinner the woman ushered us to bed, curling around us, holding onto me and Talia as she sung us to sleep. It was always so warm…
The peace was interrupted though when red hot flames engulfed the house, the flames licking up the walls, devouring everything in its path. Tears was running down my face as I held onto the quivering legs of the woman, Talia hiding behind a cabinet. The woman had tried to hide me too but I didn't want to let go, fear paralyzing me. There was shouts, angry voices which I recognized. The fire grew, crimson blood soon trying to become the reflections of the red flames as the thick liquid poured on the floor.
With a start the man awoke, sweat covering his quivering frame. Wiping his face with a trembling hand, he laughed, stretching out his tall frame to get rid of the knots in his muscles. He must have dosed off. He could feel the effects the dream had on his body as it continued to shake. "Oh come now, it was only a dream. Stop being such a dammed brat." His body instantly calmed down, though when he walked passed a mirror, he caught sight of tears upon his reflection. "Why must humans be such pathetic beings?" The man asked, wiping away the tears and continuing on his way. There was a knock at the door and after being granted access a cloaked figure entered the room.
"Lord Feranight, the Minister of Magic is here to see you." The other Unspeakable informed him, bowing slightly before taking her leave. Feranight grinned, humming as he exited the chamber to meet Minister Shackalbolt. "It's finally my turn to appear on stage
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TBC as always haha. Hope you enjoyed the long awaited Chapter 35. Please review!