Chapter 54

For the Long Haul Competition

WC: 1,292

A/N: Have fun with this chapter! Sorry for taking so long to update, I've been having computer problems. But I have FINALLY gotten a new computer, so everything's all fast and I don't get kicked off my internet and my computer doesn't freeze on me, so yay! Though here's a question - how do you guys feel about a chapter focusing on the political side of it? I don't wanna just focus on drama or anything, you know. Gimme feedback. On to owls. :)

Owls

Thanks to Wings of Illusion, AlexTBlue, ReadBetweenTheLines1220, horselady2243, Arianna Le Fay, sarahmichellegellarfan1, phoenixmoon25572, AgentGarbo, and Anrheithwyr for the follows!

Thanks to horselady2243, Arianna Le Fay, sarahmichellegellarfan1 and AgentGarbo for the favorites!

Uni: (52) Hopefully this chapter changes your opinion? But yea, some shit hits the fan. Drama ensues. Cue diva. (53) HERE IS - SOME - UM - ok so there's some yelling going on, but it's not from Sîrya... but yelling is beneath her. She doesn't lose her cool. She too good for that. But I promised you yelling, and so there is yelling. :D

Willowspring: (52) Don't we all want a boyfriend like James? He's the nicest guy ever. If only he were real. But we can dream, right? (53) :) I needed something happy. So you got some Jena adorbs. But back to the stress in this one, sorry. :P

Wings of Illusion: (28) Yea she sucks.

Lady Eleanor Boleyn: (53) Yea, I gotta throw in the fluff so it doesn't get too depressing.

saramichelle...: (1) mind if i don't write out your full name? (2) thanks... (3) I would answer that but you're gonna go to chapter 4 and answer your own question. (4) or maybe not. No she lives in an orphanage, she just stays with the potters sometimes. (5)by the time you read my responses you won't actually remember what you reviewed... (6) thanks. good to hear. (7) Mr Ollivander is da bomb diggity. (8) there is a fly in my room right now and I'm going crazy. (9) Lucy probably doesn't. (10) yup. (11) faey magic. they deal with glamours. a silly old invisibility cloak isn't gonna stop her. (12) legit don't remember this chapter. (13) nor this one. (16) or any of those. I should really reread my story... (18) I like Lena too. (20) *cue christmas music* (22) that is one fat happy face. (30) oh just wait. I got much cuteness in store for all you lovely gremlins. (31) you too. (32) you too. (33) pooh you too. :P (34) when I see that face (:O), I think something entirely different than what it means. but cool. I surprised you. (38) yay! :D Everything else: sorry I got bored and I have to go somewhere soon. BUT THANKS FOR ALL THOSE REVIEWS! Even though it spammed my inbox a bit, it felt cool to check my phone at my lunch break and have like 40 notifications for gmail. XD

Paradox: aw thanks babe! Glad you liked it.

Ali: (52) Hopefully this clears things up a bit. :) (53) I love Jena too. :) And lol yea I posted that in a rush (this too, so...) but I'm gonna go back after I finish and just fix up all my errors.

QueenOfAwesome:When you get here, you'll see this. Hopefully you'll have enjoyed the journey. :) and cool to being James' birthday twin!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!

Go read now.


The morning after their midnight Quidditch game, James woke up alone in the Gryffindor common room. He and Lena had crashed on the couch the night before after coming in around three in the morning, much to the Fat Lady's displeasure. Now, instead of waking up to his girlfriend's wonderful smile, he saw his little sister, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a note in the other, a displeased look on her face. He took the coffee and the note without a word, ignoring Lily's protests as he downed the drink.

The note was from Lena. 'Dear James,' it started, 'I've gone to talk to Sirya about what happened at the end of exams. I'll be back in time for practice. Love you, your Lena'

"Well?"

He looked up at his sister, then rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Well what?"

"Well what are you gonna do about it? You know Sirya's going to have some magical explanation for this that's going to drag Lena even deeper into their trap. This is our chance to get her away from these people!"

"I honestly don't think we should do anything about it. Let's just hope that whatever happens doesn't affect her too much. We just need to be there for her, okay?"

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Just because you like to snog her, James Potter, doesn't mean you can't step in when she needs it, even if she doesn't realize she needs help. I'm going to help her, even if you won't!" she snapped, and turned on her heel, leaving her brother with an empty cup and a growing sense of uneasiness.


"Sîrya?" Lena stopped in the clearing where she usually met her mentor for training; no one was there. "Sîrya, come out, I want to talk to you."

"I'm behind you, faeyling."

Lena didn't turn around, didn't speak. The emotions she had tried so hard to bury since the attack welled up inside of her and choked her throat, closing off her words.

"What is it you wanted to say, faeyling?"

Silence.

"Silena-"

"Why did you do it?" she cried out, tears glistening in her eyes. She whirled around, fists clenched and her whole body trembling in distress. "Why did you send the manticore then? Why couldn't you have tested me here, among the faey? Why?!" Her entire body was coiled and taught, like a wild animal ready to pounce.

Sîrya remained still, merely cocking her head to the side. "Why are you upset?"

Lena scoffed, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation. "Why am I upset? You put my friends in danger. You could have injured innocent children, whose parents are well respected in the wizarding world. One of the girls was a professor's daughter. Hell, you could have killed James Potter, and where do you think we would have been if you gave the Ministry of Magic that ammo? It would have been war! Is that what you want?" she yelled.

Sîrya stayed silent.

"Merlin... that's what you want, isn't it? The faey want a war. That's why the Queen has been so evasive about resigning the peace treaty, it's why you've come to find and train me..." She sat down heavily on a nearby rock.

"I never said I wanted war." Sîrya's voice was low and serious, and she softly knelt before the girl, looking into her eyes. "You know I cannot lie to you, so trust me when I say this - I want no war between our two people. My vows are to protect the faey at all cost, and to protect the throne. I cannot break those vows."

"Then why are you doing this?" Lena whispered, and Sîrya broke eye contact, for the first time appearing to be ashamed of something. "Sîrya?"

"Oh, my child, I wish I could explain to you..." she breathed, then shook her head and stepped back, the stone-faced mask dropping over her features once more. "My vows are to serve the true queen and protect her throne, and I cannot reveal classified information to those not approved by the queen. I can't explain anything else, faeyling. I only ask that you trust me and continue your training as planned."

Lena stood, and the two women faced each other, backs straight and chins up, both defiant as they faced off. "I can't train to be a killer. I refuse to be a pawn in your petty fight," she spat. "If you can't tell me anything else, I'm afraid our deal is done." She turned to leave.

"You passed the test, you know. You performed admirably."

"I don't care about your stupid tests. I have enough to worry about."

"Even your mother is proud," Sîrya said softly, and Lena froze. She turned around slowly, hesitating, barely daring to hope.

"Is my mother still alive?" she whispered.

"You know I cannot answer that, faeyling."

"I know, but... is she?"

Sîrya remained silent, and Lena turned away in disgust.

"You know, if you continue your training... there's a chance you'll finally find the family you've been looking for."

Neither spoke for a second, but neither left, either.

"Training resumes Tuesday. I'll give you time to rest after your final Quidditch match. I understand it is important to you. May the moon guide your path," Sîrya prompted, and Lena sighed in resignation.

"This doesn't mean I'll return, Sîrya. Just that I'll think about it. May the stars guide you home," she whispered, then ran from the clearing.

She had a lot of thinking to do.


"Lena! There you are!" Lily yelled as Lena ran out of the forest. Her friend was waiting for her, arms crossed and foot tapping.

"Hey Lils. What's wrong?"

"Did you quit your training?"

Lena shrugged.

"Lena! What about the manticore incident?"

"No one got hurt, Lily."

She laughed humorlessly. "I can't believe I was right."

Lena stopped. "Right about what?"

"I knew you wouldn't have the spine to get out while you can. They're using you, and you know it, and yet you still go back? What kind of idiot are you?"

Lena stopped and stared at her friend. "Really, Lily? I know exactly what I'm doing."

"They sent a manticore after some first years!" Lily shrieked.

"Only one of them was a first year! The rest were second years!" Lena yelled back.

"So? They're still twelve. But do you think Sîrya cared? Did she care that you and my brother risked your lives to pass some silly test?"

"Lily, Sîrya isn't like the rest of them. Something's happening in the faey clan and she's trying to stop it!"

"Those are lies, Lena. Can't you see it?"

"Faey can't lie!" she yelled.

"Merlin, Lena, how do we even know that's true? The Faey deal in prophecies, twisted tales, and half-truths. They manipulate and make you think they tell the truth, but they leave out details. How do you know she isn't playing you just like the rest of them?" Lily was half in tears at this point, but Lena was through.

"I know what I'm doing," she said coldly. "If you don't like it, that's your problem."

"I'm your best friend, Lena. I can't believe you would choose them over me," Lily spat.

"I can't believe you would make me choose," Lena said sorrowfully, and then turned on her heel and ran back to the castle.