The first week of summer break was pretty relaxing. Dad and I did a lot of talking. He had recovered completely from the attack of the V League months before. By my eighth day back, I was ready to put into action my part of the plan that Jason and I had cooked up to get our parents to fall in love with each other.
"Dad," I said that evening, "Why did you marry mum anyway?" He looked at me for a minute, surprised.
"Why on earth are you wondering that?"
"I know that most wizards don't marry Muggles, not anymore. So why did you?"
"Well, I was in love with her," he said. "I thought I was, anyway."
"But she didn't love you, or she wouldn't have left, right?"
"I don't know, Lisa. I was a bit confused at the time, and I made some choices that I regret now."
"I see." I sighed and looked out the window at the rain.
"Why?" he asked.
"I was just wishing I had a mum to talk to sometimes. Somehow I don't think mother would be too thrilled if I wrote to her asking for advice about dealing with wizards."
"You could ask me."
"It's just - there's some things that a girl should have a mother to talk to about."
"Ellie would be glad to help you with anything, I'm sure."
"Yes, but she isn't really..." I trailed off, unsure what to say. "Hey, can we have them over for dinner tomorrow?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Sure," Dad said. "I've been thinking that it's about time."
The next evening, Jason and I went straight to my room to talk.
"Any headway?" he asked me.
"Not really. I think that I maybe put the idea into his brain, though."
"Good, keep working. I talked to Mum about Dad - and, you know, she didn't cry once! That's the first time since -since..."
"Jason, I don't mean to hurt you, and you don't have to answer, but, how did your father die?"
"Well," he began. "It was years ago. I was very young - I don't remember much about dad. Mum tells me that he worked for the Ministry, and that he was doing something for them when he was killed. I don't know what. It was top secret; Mum doesn't even know what it was." His face was pained. I changed the subject.
"Hey, I found out some information."
"About what?"
"Remember those dreams we had? Well, I did some research to find out about them, and sure enough, I found information. It's pretty old, but it seems clear." I stopped, waiting to gauge his reaction.
"First of all, spirits like them are called Manes."
"Manes? What's that?"
"An ancient term. Anyway, they are a bit like ghosts, in that they are the spirits of people who have died. Unlike ghosts, though, Manes can be seen by only one person; someone who is enough like that person that -well, it's not too clear, but the book speaks of 'resonation of mind and spirit' and 'kindred sundered by time'. It's all like that, hundreds of pages. Anyway, these spirits can't even talk to other Manes, but they usually know a lot. And Manes are good; they have bound themselves to this world in order to stop an evil or right a wrong. It's not known what they go through, but it is reputed to be - unpleasant." I laughed, feeling a bit nervous. "I sound like Professor Binns or someone."
"Is there a chance that these could be evil spirits masquerading as James and Lily and the others?"
"Perhaps, but I don't think so. I have more research to do, but I think that the Manes are who they say they are."
"Well, I'll take that like you say it. I'll write to Andy and Phil tomorrow and let them know what you found out."
"I'm also researching about Lily Potter."
"What have you found?"
"Not much. There are the standard facts; that she was a Muggle-born, married James, had one son, Harry, died in 1981, a brief description, a few pictures, that she was Head Girl at Hogwarts, and some obituaries. There really isn't much else; a little about her Muggle family, but that's more because they had the raising of Harry than anything else."
"That's very odd."
"It makes me think that there's more to her story than we know."
"After a hundred and fifty years are we likely to find it out?"
"I don't know."
"Jason! Lisa! Time for dinner!"
"We're on our way!"
We had a nice dinner, afterwards going to the library to play. At about eight, Jason and I excused ourselves, saying that we wanted to work on an assignment together.
"This really isn't working as well as I'd hoped," he said.
"Well, it may be too soon to tell. We'll keep at it. After all, this is the best plan we came up with."
"Yeah, Andy's really stunk. Any time people try to use love potions, there are unexpected results, everyone knows that."
That night I dreamed again of Lily. Her face was in shadow, and she spoke in barely more than a whisper.
"Voldemort is coming. Beware, and be careful. Enemies can be anywhere. Trust your friends, but be careful with who else you trust."
"Is it really that bad already?"
"Plans have been set in motion that will mature in later months or years. Evil plans, that I do not know. But I will help you."
"Can you see the others like you? Your husband and Sirius and Remus?"
"Are they like this too? I did not know. I cannot see them; I can barely see the physical world, except through you."
"Through me?"
"In your dreams, I can read your memories, some of them. The things you saw and heard. I do not always know what you think - indeed I rarely do."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm glad you can't."
"I understand. Privacy is important to you, but not as important as making sure the future is safe."
"I'm afraid, Lily. I don't know if I can do this." I wasn't ashamed to admit this to her; it was like telling it to myself, somehow. Except that there was something reassuring about being able to tell her.
"Courage, dear heart. You will not be alone." The dream ended there, and I awoke. It was still night out. I rolled over and slept again, this time dreaming only normal dreams, like turning Malfoy into a frog while playing Quidditch in my underwear.
I went over to see Jason early the next morning. He told me, once we were alone, that he'd had another dream too. We agreed that I'd write to Phil and he'd write to Andy and we'd tell them about our dreams and ask them whether they had any.
Halfway through the day, an owl arrived at Jason's house from Phil. He had obviously written it before he got ours because it said:
Jason - I had another of those dreams last night. Remus was telling me that things had been started that would happen years from now. He also said to trust you, but to be careful of who else I trust.
Did you have one of these dreams? What about Lisa?
An hour later, Jason's owl, Fleetwing, returned with Andy's answer it said:
Yes, I had one of those dreams too! I'll bet Phil had one. I wanted to write to you, but my little sister had dibs - she was writing to a friend who's on vacation in Europe. I wish I had my own owl!
Tell Lisa that if she finds any more information, I'd appreciate hearing it. It is very odd to have your dreams full of long-dead heroes!
The next month, Jason and I tried to have our parents together as often as possible. I also kept dropping little hints to Dad, commenting on the fact that I needed a mother, remarking on how much fun I'd had with Aunt Ellie that day. That was why Jason and Aunt Ellie were in our library on the 31st of July.
We'd had dinner, and were sitting around playing chess, while the adults talked. Suddenly, the windows to the library were flung open and about ten men in black robes came in. They looked surprised to see anyone there.
"Expelliarmus!" Dad yelled, and their wands came flying out of their hands. "Now, do you want to explain why you are coming in the windows?" They just stood there, then tried to leave quickly. Dad shot something at one of them that caused him to loose his balance and fall backwards. He lay there, on the rug, unable to move.
"Patrick! Behind you!" Aunt Ellie screamed. I turned too and saw a man who had come in another window. He started launching lightning bolts immediately. He shot one at Dad, but it missed. The next he shot, though, didn't. It hit Aunt Ellie. With a cry, she fell to the floor.
"Mum!" Jason yelled. We rushed over to her. I saw Dad hit the intruder with something. The man crumpled. Then Dad was standing there.
"I'm all right," Aunt Ellie was saying. But she didn't look it. Her face was white and she was shaking.
"I'm going for a doctor," Dad said. "You two take care of here. Here." He handed Jason his wand, and I picked Aunt Ellie's up from where she'd dropped it. "If they come back, do whatever you have too." He vanished.
Jason and I tried to make her comfortable. We propped her head up on pillows, and told her just to hang on. Dad and the doctor appeared ten minutes later.
"Oh, my, these were nasty people," the doctor said.
"Will she be okay?" Jason asked worriedly.
"Oh, yes, my boy, she'll be fine. Complete bed-rest for a week, I think, though, and she shouldn't be moved too far. Can she stay here?"
"Of course," my dad said. Just then, Ministry workers arrived and started to take care of the V Leaguers Dad had stunned. It was all confusion for the next few hours, and I was glad to crawl into bed and fall asleep when it was all over.
Aunt Ellie stayed with us eight days. Jason stayed too, of course. She did recover completely, but I was a little worried. The V League was very nasty. On the last night that she was at our house, Dad said that the Ministry hadn't managed to get any information out of the Leaguers.
"It's very strange. We tried all the normal spells and such, but it just didn't work. This is definitely not a normal Voldemort group."
"Do you think we should tell him?" I asked Jason later when we were alone.
"Look, even if he believes us, the Ministry isn't. I mean, how convincing does 'a bunch of dead heroes only we can see has told us that Voldemort isn't really dead at all and will be back in a few years' sound?" His skeptical tone told me exactly how he thought it'd be received, and I had to agree.
"When you put it that way..."
"We'll just wait for the next dream and ask them."
So the end of August drew near. On August 31, Dad took me on a walk. We watched the sun set over the lake in the back yard. Dad looked at me.
"There's something important I have to tell you, Lisa."
"Yes?"
"Well, I'm going to get married."
"To who?" I asked, hardly daring to hope.
"Ellie." I let out a wild whoop. "What was that?"
"I'm so glad! That's wonderful! When's the wedding?"
"Slow down, girl," he laughed. "The wedding will be just after Christmas - we want you and Jason to be part of it, of course. I'm very happy that you're so pleased. What do you think Jason will think?"
"Oh, he thinks it's a great idea. We were really hoping you'd-" I broke off, because a grin had crossed my dad's face.
"So that's what all the mysterious business this summer was! I was wondering. You sneaky little..."
"Well, Dad, can't let down the family name, can I?" I gave him the trademark Black grin, and he returned it.
"You know, your mother should be glad she doesn't have to deal with you anymore."
"Race you back to the house!"
"No cheating!"
Chapter 6
We got back into the swing of things at Hogwarts quickly. It was still the same place, we still slept in the same rooms on the same beds, and there were mostly the same people there. Well, the old seventh years had gone, of course, and there was a load of new students, but mostly everyone was the same.
Including most of the professors. I had hoped that Professor Miranda Snape, who taught Transfigurations, might have left or been fired or even died, but she hadn't. So every class, there I sat, with her glaring at me, ready to pounce at the first opportunity.
And Ari Malfoy was still a pain. He seemed to have gotten over his shame at me pounding the daylights out of him last year. Every class in Potions, he found something to taunt us with. The first class it was about the Quidditch team.
"Slytherin's got a great team this year," he was saying to Zabini, one of his thugs. "I mean, superb! And then there's Gryffindor. Only two players from last year still here! I tell you, they won't win a single match. Of course, they haven't won the Quidditch Cup two years in a row for seventy years, so they probably know it's hopeless."
"When was the last time Slytherin won the Cup?" Andy asked Jason airily.
"Oh, about twenty years ago, I think." he said in just as light a tone. Malfoy went red.
I had a mission. One of the books I had read had indicated that not much was known about Manes, but the best source of information on them was a book called Dead or Not: Spirits, Ghosts, Wraiths and Other Beings. I looked for it in our library, but Dad didn't have a copy. So when we got to Hogwarts, I checked the school library. Sure enough, there was a copy. But it was in the Restricted Section, and there was no way a teacher would let me take a book out of there.
I explained to the boys, one evening, what I was looking for.
"There must be a way," Jason said. "I know! Let's see - yes! Tomorrow is our first Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year."
"So? Professor Addled won't let us take out a book like that."
"Addled retired, didn't you hear? I don't know who's teaching, but we might be able to get something out of him."
"I don't know... What if he wants to know why we want it?"
"Oh, we'll think of something," Phil said. "Chocolate frog?" I accepted, but I was nervous while we ate the snacks. There was a lot that could go wrong...
Just then, we were disturbed by a small first year boy who bumped into our table, spilling books to the floor.
"I'm sorry," he said. "So sorry, very sorry."
"Who are you?" Andy asked. We hadn't seen this kid before; he was short, thin, and had mousy brown hair.
"Oh, I - I'm Ronald Harry James Sirius Remus Albus Rubeus Colin Creevey," he said brightly. We all stared at him. My mouth was ajar; Andy and Phil were hiding sniggers.
"Um, why on earth did your parents name you that?" Jason asked finally.
"Well, it's kinda a long story - and a bit embarrassing."
"What should we call you?" I asked. "I don't know if I can remember that whole long thing."
"Call me Bo," he said. "Everyone does." This set Andy off again. Well, you gotta admit, a kid with a name like that saying 'call me Bo'... It really was funny.
"Anyway, I know who you all are," he said with a cheerful air. "Jason Potter, Lisa Black, Philip Lupin, and Andrew Weasley."
"Call me Andy," Andy muttered.
"Yeah... I know all about your families, I mean way back there when You-Know-Who was around. Do you know anything cool about that? I like to know stuff about it, if you know anything..."
"No, Bo, we don't like talking about it," Phil said sharply. I could have hugged him. Here's this little kid, talking about an evil wizard he thinks been dead many years, but who we - four children, and no one else - know is still alive. Bo seemed a little upset. He almost visibly wilted as he walked off to join the other first years.
"Anyway, unless our new teacher's a real idiot, I don't see how we'll get the book," I said.
"Let's see what he's like and then figure out a plan." Jason seemed very confident.
"Good morning, class," said our new teacher as he came in. He was about three minutes late, so everyone was already there. The new teacher was young, male, and dark-haired. He smiled cheerfully at all of us.
"I'm Professor Gray, and I'm here to teach you how to defend yourself from every manner of evil creature. Of course, you already know that. First of all, you can put your books away. We won't use them much in this class.
"Now, you'll be learning some difficult magic, things that could injure you if you are not careful. Therefore, I must demand complete obedience and proper attention from every one of you." I let my eyes flicker briefly to my friends. All of them were entranced by Gray's words.
"Today we'll be talking about ghosts." I looked up. What luck! Maybe we could steer the conversation to Manes. "All of you here, have, of course, met ghosts. You've also met poltergeists and probably hinkypunks, which are similar. There are many types of creatures which are characterized as spirits. Some, like Peeves the poltergeist, were never alive. Hinkypunks are like this, too. Ghosts, of course, are the spirits of dead humans, mostly witches and wizards, although there are some Muggle ghosts. Who here knows why some dead people become ghosts?" Emma Radsson's hand shot up.
"My mother said it's because that person decides to become a ghost, usually."
"That's basically right. However, sometimes spirits do not choose to become ghosts." I straightened and raised my hand.
"Yes, Miss Black?"
"If they don't choose, how do they become ghosts?"
"There are several ways. Some become disembodied spirits because they were evil in life. Sometimes these spirits try to redeem themselves. In that case, they're usually just called spirits. Succubus and Incubus are evil spirits who continue to do as much evil as possible." Now Andy raised his hand.
"Mr. Weasley?"
"Can people who aren't evil become ghosts without wanting too?"
"On rare occasions. These are called Manes." I listened still more closely. "Manes are bound to this earth until their task is complete. The task is usually to avenge their death, if they were killed by an evil person, or they are held here by an oath taken in life." The class was silent.
"Now, let's move on to..."
Well, DADA was a very popular class after that. The next week, Jason and I went to Gray's office to try a plan on him that we'd thought out. He wasn't there, but the door was open, so we went in and sat down. My eye fell on the desk. There was a half-finished drawing of a young girl, no more than twelve, wearing Muggle clothes. I pointed it out to Jason.
"Gray draws? No way! Who do you think this is?" Jason looked disbelieving.
"Maybe he's got a daughter?" I suggested. Still how could he have a daughter this old? The girl looked to be my age and Gray had to be younger than my dad.
"Look, just because your dad couldn't find you for years doesn't mean every wizard has a lost Muggle daughter."
"I know that. Maybe it's his sister."
"These clothes look kinda old. Maybe it was someone he knew as a child?" Just them, we heard footsteps. Leaping away from the desk, we turned to see Professor Gray.
"Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Well, sir, we were talking about what you said last week about spirits," Jason began. He faltered. I stepped in.
"We wanted to get a book out of the library to find out more. But -but it's"
"It's a restricted book," Jason said. "But we only want it for information, we aren't trying to do any spells. It's called Dead or Not." He stopped.
"I see," Gray said. He seemed to consider. "Well, I knew your fathers..."
"You did?" Jason asked.
"Yes. Anyway, I knew them, and I know that even if they'd been up to mischief, they wouldn't lie that way. So I think I can probably trust you two. I'll let you get the book, if you promise that it'll be back in the restricted section in six days."
"Yes, sir," Jason said.
"And don't think you can do this any time you like," Gray said.
"We won't sir," I said. Gray nodded, pulled a quill from his desk, and scribbled a note. He handed it to me. I took it.
I, Professor K. Grey, give these students permission to withdraw Dead or Not from the restricted section of the school library.
"Thank you, sir," I said. We turned and left. Halfway down the hall, I stopped.
"Rats! I left my quill in there. Hold on just a minute, I'll be right back." I hurried back to where the office door stood ajar. I was about to go in, but as I prepared to do so, I saw a strange sight.
Professor Gray was seated at his desk, the half-finished picture in one hand. The other covered his eyes. It looked like he might almost be crying!
I hurried away, wondering what that was about.
AN – From here on there are varying POVs. Each is clearly labeled, so just pay attention and you'll be fine.
Professor Gray
It was on the second Tuesday that I taught at Hogwarts that two students came asking for permission to get a book from the restricted section of the library. Of course, I should have said no, as they were only second years, but -they were the son and daughter of William and Patrick, two boys I had greatly looked up to at Hogwarts as a student. I had been five years younger, but they were heroes to me. So I decided to let their children take out the book. Anyway, it was about ghosts; not many spells and potions they could make using that.
After they left, my gaze fell on the picture I had tried to draw from the memory in my mind that was still so clear, even after all these years. It wasn't right; no matter how hard I tried, I could not get it right. I picked it up, intending to tear it to shreds, but couldn't. I almost thought I felt a tear come to my eyes, but that couldn't be. Not over something that I had given up so many years before. And it was probably one of the stupidest things to cry over I could think of; still, remembering made me lonely even yet.
Just then, Miranda walked in to my office.
"McGonagall wants to see you, Gray," she said. Snape didn't like me. I wondered why, for I had certainly done nothing to get on her bad side. Then again, I didn't even know if she had a good side.
"Thank you, Miranda," I said politely. She sniffed and left. I followed. McGonagall's office was a long way off, and she didn't like to be kept waiting.
"There you are, Kevin," Emily said when I got there. "I have a job for you."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"The new Muggle Studies teacher is arriving in Hogsmeade in an hour. I want you to meet her there and make sure she gets here safely."
"I'll be glad to do that."
"I'd do it myself if it wasn't for my bad leg."
"Will you be all right?" The Headmistress didn't often allow herself to show pain, but I was sure she must be in a great deal.
"The Healers say so. That V League operative clearly wasn't very good. But it's still too sore to use."
"Well, I'd best be off."
It was a beautiful fall afternoon, and I whistled as I walked to the village. This trip brought back so many memories...
The train had just gotten in as I arrived at the station. A young woman was the only person to disembark. I went up to her.
"Hello, I'm Kevin Gray," I said. "I'm a professor at-" I stopped. There was something very familiar about this woman...
"Kev?" She asked, in a quiet whisper, hardly any word at all.
"Kath?"
"It is you! I didn't know-"
"You're a witch?"
"I thought you were a Muggle!"
"I thought I'd never see you again!"
"It's been so long! Oh, Kev, oh, Kev!" She threw her arms around my neck, and I embraced her.
"So," I said when she let go of me, "You're a witch?"
"Yes. I didn't know you were a wizard. Muggle-born like me, I suppose?"
"Actually no. My parents were both wizards, but Dad's job required him to live like a Muggle. We moved back to England when I was old enough to go to Hogwarts."
"So that's where you went. Mum didn't know. I thought so often about writing to you, especially after my letter came, but I didn't know that you were a wizard." She smiled, the same soft smile I remembered from so many years before.
"Well, I am. And I'm a teacher here at Hogwarts, like you. I didn't know it was you, though. McGonagall didn't tell me who was teaching Muggle studies."
"Yes, I got the job. I wrote a book last year, Muggles and Their Environments, by Kathryn Noxi."
"I didn't hear of it. Of course, I mostly read books on the Dark Arts." Noxi? When had she changed her name? Maybe it was just a penname.
"You teach Defense here?"
"Just starting. Come on, this is no place to catch up. Let's go get a drink."
We sat and talked of the years that had passed.
"Do you remember the last time we talked?" she asked softly.
"Yes," I said. "That was when I said that we had to move, that we'd probably never see each other again."
"You kissed me, that day," she said. "I've always remembered that. My first kiss."
"And mine."
"I went home that night and cried myself to sleep. I did that for a long time, even at school. I've never had a friend like you since."
"Neither have I," I said truthfully. "Sometimes I'd dream of flying to your house on my broom and taking you on a moonlight ride..."
"And sometimes I'd look up at the stars and wish so hard that you were there with me."
I looked up, and noticed how dark it was.
"Oh, my! We've lost track of the time! We'd better hurry, or we'll be late."
"What, we'll get detention?" Kath smiled playfully.
"Well, Emily will want to see you right away, and Miranda - well, if you keep her waiting, you'll never hear the end of it."
"We'd best be going, then," she said sorrowfully. I paid the bartender and we headed off for the castle.
"Well, it took you long enough," Emily said acerbically. "What happened, you walk all the way from London?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Kath said in her sweet voice, "But Kev and I were old friends. We hadn't seen each other in fifteen years."
"Oh, I see," Emily said, in a slightly softer tone. "Just be sure to be more punctual for your classes, Miss Noxi."
"I will," she said. She left. I watched her go. Emily turned to me.
"Childhood sweetheart?" she asked.
"Not exactly. We were best friends for four years, but then my parents moved back to England so that I could go to school here. I never knew that she was a witch, and she didn't know that I was a wizard."
"I see," Emily said again. "Well, you'd best be off."
But as I fell asleep that night, my mind couldn't take its' eyes off of the image of Kath, standing in the moonlight. She was more beautiful than I had remembered. I swore then that there was no way I'd mess up this chance.
Andy - a dream.
I realized it was a dream at once, somehow. I stood in a graveyard, as I had twice before in dreams. A huge black dog appeared to me, but instead of running in fright as I had the first time I'd had this dream, I looked straight at it. "Sirius?" I asked. The dog swelled, transformed and stood upright. It was Sirius Black.
"So," he said. "You have returned." The funny thing about all of this was, Sirius had been probably almost sixty when he died, but the man who stood before me now looked only a few years older than me.
"I guess," I said in reply to his question. "I don't have much choice in the matter, really."
"More choice than I have," Sirius said. "If you ever choose, you can choose to never see me again. What consequences that will have, I cannot say. But it is your choice."
"I think I'll wait a bit longer before making that choice," I said. "Can you tell me anything about the threat that we face?"
"Not much," the Mane admitted. "But it does concern Voldemort."
"How do you know that?"
"If it didn't I wouldn't be here. Voldemort killed me, you know."
"History says that you helped defeat him, that he died there in Azkaban too."
"Yes, well, history is wrong. I should have known that it was too easy. He wasn't human enough to die."
"So how are we supposed to get rid of him?"
"He's more human now than he was then. He's had a long time to recuperate. That makes him more vulnerable in the physical world. And when the time is right, my friends and I will attack him in this world."
"Can you talk to each other?" I asked. Lisa had said that Lily had claimed to be unable to do this.
"No," he said. "We can't. But I know that the time for the double attack will come simultaneously. Then we'll know, because you'll know. Or maybe vice versa."
"You're really not helping matters," I said. He laughed.
"You sound just like old Arthur Weasley. He'd say that all the time when I tried to help him out." I laughed. "Anyway, I'd say you have time to train before the final battle will come. But smaller battles may appear any day."
"Gee, you're encouraging too. It's only my second year, for crying out loud, and you want me to fight the greatest dark lord of all time?"
"If you don't, who will?" I didn't answer. "By the way, you'll need help."
"We've got you guys."
"I'd say you'll need more than that. Start thinking now about teachers and students you can trust. Someday you'll need allies."
"I can tell you now that Ari Malfoy won't be one of them," I said, rubbing my nose where he'd punched me yesterday.
"Don't rule him out ahead of time," Sirius warned, "although, I will admit that the Malfoys who have been decent throughout history can be counted on the fingers of one hand."
"More like one foot," I said under my breath. Sirius caught it, for he gave a great laugh.
"Perhaps you are right. But remember; all that is gold does not glitter."
And with that the dream faded away, leaving me caught in a nightmare of Quidditch games played using frogs for balls and hippogryphs instead of brooms.
Phil - a dream.
I could tell that it wasn't a real dream when I looked up at the moon. It wasn't full. It never was, in these dreams, but in almost all of my normal dreams, it hung like a ripe tomato made of silver.
A dark shape came toward me.
"Philip?" he said.
"Hello, Remus," I answered. "What's up?"
"Not much," he said. "It's rather boring, actually. I'm glad you're back. Brings me into better contact with the outside world." He paused. "It's not -easy - existing like this. Life never was exactly pleasant for me, although there were many good times, but this place is rather awful."
"What kind of place is it?"
"Limbo, it's called. I'll be here until Voldemort is gone. So I do hope that you and your friends defeat him. I am -tired, and I want to rest."
"I don't suppose you know when or where the V. League will next attack?"
"No, but it will be soon. I know that. Actually, it could be happening now and I might not know it."
"A lot of help it is, then, you hanging out here."
"Just because I cannot help you with one thing does not mean I cannot help at all."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
"I know. Go now, and sleep peacefully until morning."
I did. Once, my dream threatened to turn into a nightmare; a troll appeared, huge and threatening. But a wolf quickly chased it away, and I fell once more into pleasant dreams.
From the Journal of Kathryn Noxi
Oh, I am so excited to be here! It's the best wizarding school in the world, and I am to teach here! For months I've been trying so hard to get here, and now I've done it. I wouldn't have thought that anything could make me happier. But the best thing is finding Kev again.
We were best friends, and I did have a crush on him for a while. Now, I don't know how I feel, but I do remember how he gave me my first kiss - and my only one. It was always that memory that prompted me to turn down the dates that I was offered throughout school. To find that he is a wizard!
Maybe he can help me. I mean, he is knowledgeable about the Dark arts, and this problem does concern them, I think. I'll ask him on Saturday.
I have to get ready for my first class now. I can't wait! You'd think I was a schoolgirl again, waiting for my first day at wizard school, that's how nervous and excited I am.
Jason - a dream
I seemed to find myself standing by a lake. The moon shone overhead and was reflected by the still waters. I recognized the place; it was the meadow in back of Uncle Patrick's house, where Lisa and I had spent so many hours flying. There was a reflection in the lake of a silver stag, but when I turned to see it, only a young man stood there. His rumpled black hair and glasses shone a little in the dark.
"So, Jason," he said. "It's good to see you again."
"How long has it been?" I asked curiously. I couldn't remember.
"Time doesn't have the same meaning here that it does for you," James said. "I really don't know, except it's been a while. But I've been waiting far longer for you to come at all." he said.
"I can't imagine what it must have been like," I said.
"No, you can't," he agreed. "Who could? I don't remember ever thinking that I'd end up somewhere like here - mind, my memory isn't always good. So many things have faded. Only a few of my memories shine bright still."
"Which ones?" I asked.
"The day I met Sirius... My wedding... the day my son was born... the day I found I was in love with Lily...and of course, the night I died." Let me tell you, it is weird talking with someone who keeps casually mentioning the fact that he is dead. I shivered. "Oh, it's not as bad as that. And I have a purpose," he said grimly. "I suppose you have my cloak and map?"
"Yes. Mum gave them to me at Christmas."
"I'd suggest practicing with them. They often come in very handy."
"I'll do that."
"Good. Tell me," he said, and I heard a note of longing, "When you talk to your friends about these dreams, do they say what the others have said?"
"The say that we have time, like you told me, and that Voldemort's behind this. Not much else. Why?"
"I haven't spoken to them, of course, since I died. I thought perhaps they'd have left a message for me..."
"No, but I can give a message to be relayed on to any of them," I said.
"No, that's fine," he said, but he hesitated first. "Well - you'd best go. I don't know how much longer you have until morning."
Lisa - a dream.
I recognized the clearing as the one where I had twice before met Lily Potter. Sure enough, she was there, seated on a rock. She smiled at me.
"Sit down," she said. I did so.
"So, what's new?" I asked her.
"Really, there is nothing new to tell you."
"Then why bring me here?"
"I have nothing to do with it," she said.
"Really? I had this idea that you were in control here."
"I have been in control of nothing for a very long time," she said bitterly. "I have been able to see the world, but not touch it. I watched my son grow up, ignored and abused, and was unable to help him. I watched him face Voldemort again and again, and was unable to help. I saw my friends die, and was unable to help. I can see people suffering now, and through you is the only way I can help."
"I'll do anything you need me too," I said impulsively.
"I don't need you to do anything yet, but - there's a new teacher here. Muggle Studies. Something tells me she may be important. You might try to see if you can befriend her."
"I'll do that."
"Good. And don't let those boys drag you into too much mischief."
"Did James and his friends get you in trouble when you went here?"
"All the time." She smiled at the memory. "But they'd always help get me out, too. I miss them so much... But you have to go now! It's morning!"
And I sat up in bed, and the sun streamed in through the windows.
Lisa
Sure enough, the boys had had the Manes in their dreams too. We compared notes. Everything that they said about themselves seemed to back up in the book we'd gotten.
"This is very weird," Andy said.
"You've said that before," Jason reminded him.
"Well, it seems like they've given us some pretty definite tasks," Phil said. "Lisa, you're going to try to talk to the Muggle Studies teacher?"
"If I can come up with an excuse," I said. "You guys going to try to sound out some of the other kids?"
"Yes. Any girls you think we can trust?"
"I don't much like them," I said. "We've never been really friendly, you know. Mostly because I hang out with you three."
"And we need to practice with the Cloak," Jason reminded us. "Anyone have any ideas?" We just sat there. "Well, maybe we'll come up with something."
"How well does it work during the day?" I asked.
"I don't know," he said. "I mean, I'm sure it's fine, but we've never used it except at night."
"Let's try to use it tomorrow sometime," Phil suggested. "It's Saturday, and between the Hogsmeade trip and Quidditch practice, there shouldn't be too many people around."
"Perfect!" Jason said.
"I'll try to talk to the Muggle Studies teacher then," I said. "You guys can watch from under the cloak."
"Good idea. Oops, we'll be late for Potions!" We scrambled up, grabbed our books, and hurried to the dungeons.
"Are you guys there?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
"Yes," came the reply from seemingly thin air. "Let's go." I thought I knew where the Muggle Studies' professor's office was. I hadn't met her yet, and I didn't even know what excuse I was going to use.
Halfway to her office, I stopped. A woman was hurrying down the hall.
"That must be her," Andy muttered.
"Sshh!" I whispered fiercely. The woman looked up, and I gasped.
The face was the same as that of the young girl I had seen in the picture on Professor Gray's desk.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Umm, yes, well, I was wondering," I began, and stopped. I tried again. "You teach Muggle Studies, right?"
"That's right," she said. "I'm Professor Noxi."
"Yes, well, I was going to ask you," I began again. Suddenly, inspiration struck me, and I remember something. "You wrote a book, right?"
"That's right. Did you read it?"
"Yes. My dad has a copy. I wanted to see what wizards think of Muggles, you know."
"But you said your dad had a copy?"
"Oh, yes. Dad's a wizard, but mum brought me up and she was a Muggle."
"I see," she said. "So was there something you wanted to ask me?"
"Uh, yes. I was wondering, you know, if you were Muggle-born? Because most of the books on Muggles I've read were obviously written by people who've studied them, but don't understand them. Yours seemed different."
"Yes, I was Muggle-born. That's why I'm so interested in Muggle Studies and such."
"I see."
"Well, I have to go now," she said, shifting the notebook she was carrying from one arm to the other. "I have to see Professor Gray about something. If I can be helpful later?"
"Thank you," I said, and got out of the way. I just hoped the boys were smart enough to stay where she wouldn't run into them.
After she'd gone, I let out my breath.
"That was close. What do you think, guys?" I looked around. "Guys? Are you here?" But they seemed to have vanished.
I went back to the common room and sat. I was very exasperated when they finally showed up.
"Where on earth did you go?" I asked. I think my irritation showed in my voice.
"We found out something very important!" Jason said.
"What?"
"Well, we followed Noxi-"
"You did what?"
"Let me finish, okay? She went to Gray's office. We slipped in and stood in the corner."
"Don't you know not to eavesdrop? Oh, go on, tell me what you found out."
"Well, first of all the two of them knew each other before," Andy said.
"I thought so."
"But there's something weird going on! She says she has a problem and needs his help! It must have something to do with the Dark Arts!"
"What is it?"
"I don't know. They left and shut the door behind them. We had to wait until they were far enough away that they wouldn't notice us coming out."
"Great," I sighed. "So all you found out is that there's something going on here."
"But what?" Phil wondered aloud. "Maybe they're working for the V League together!"
"But then why would Lily have told me to befriend her?"
"So that you can spy on her, of course," Andy said.
"I don't think so. I don't know her much, but I think she's nice. And I can't see Gray mixed up in that at all." I was firm about what I thought.
Kathryn
I hurried around the corner away from the girl who had been questioning me. As I did so, I remembered that I had forgotten to ask her name. Oh, well, I'd get it some other time. She had looked curiously familiar; perhaps I had run into her somewhere without realizing it.
I walked up to Kev's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in," he said. I pushed the door open and walked in.
"I need to talk to you," I said.
"Sure, Kath." He smiled. "I've been wanting to talk to you too."
"No, I mean that I have a problem and I think you can help," I said. He frowned.
"What is it?"
"Well, it's - I don't know, really. If it's what I think, then it's a big problem. I really haven't been sure who to trust, but - I knew you for such a long time. I'm sure that I can tell you."
"You can tell me anything," he said. I looked into his eyes. He seemed to be telling the exact truth.
"Well - I don't feel safe here. Let's go somewhere private."
"All right," he said. We walked from his office, shutting the door behind us. He led me outside, to a spot on the grounds where we could see for a long way around.
"This should be a good place," he said. "Now, what do you have to tell me?"
"When I was researching my book," I began, "I came across some very interesting documents. To be precise, I found a file of letters that appear to be from members of the V League."
"What?" He stared at me. "Did you turn them over to the Ministry?"
"Not yet, because of what they said." I sighed. "If they are genuine, we're in a lot of trouble. Because according to them, Voldemort is not dead."
"How can that be?" he asked, seemingly incredulous. "I mean, there were eyewitnesses, people who would never have lied about that... and it's been a hundred and fifty years! He'd be, what, over two hundred by now?"
"I'm just telling what the letters said," I said. "I've got them here."
"With you right now?"
"No, but in the castle. Somewhere safe, I think." I looked at him. "Kev, I don't know what to do! If they are telling the truth, we're in trouble - but will the Ministry believe it?"
"No," he said. "They won't."
"You seem very sure."
"I am." He looked at me, considering. "I'm afraid I was deceiving you a bit back there, Kath. The truth is, I know that Voldemort is still alive."
"How?" I could barely whisper the words. He smiled grimly.
"When I went to get some practical experience, I ran into some nasty situations. I came out convinced that Voldemort is alive. The Ministry wouldn't believe me at all."
"Why not?"
"They don't want to. Only seven or eight men know what I told them. All but one of them dismissed me as crazy."
"But one, you said."
"Yes. I just got a letter today, from the man in charge of tracking down the V League. He's convinced that I am right. He wants me to come up over Christmas and talk to him about my evidence." He turned to me. "I could tell him about those letters, if you'd like."
I thought for a minute. "I'll go with you, if that's okay with your friend."
"Not exactly friend, although I do know him. But I will send and ask him. Until then, well, sit on it, okay?"
"That's pretty much what I had planned on."
"Good. Now, what do you say we go down to the Three Broomsticks for lunch?" He smiled at me.
"Sounds great."
It was a few weeks until Christmas when Jason had a brilliant idea.
"Why don't you two come and stay with us over Christmas?" he asked Andy and Phil.
"That would be great," Phil said. "I'd have to check with dad, though."
"Andy?"
"Well, I'd love to. If my parents will let me."
"You write to them, I'll write to my mom," Jason said.
"Actually, Jason, I'll write to Dad. We've got lots of empty rooms, you know. They can stay at our house," I said.
"Sounds good to me," Jason replied. Phil and Andy went off immediately to write to their parents. I sat down and composed a letter to Dad.
Dear Dad, would it be all right if Andy and Phil stayed with us over Christmas? Jason wanted to ask them to his house, but I figured ours was bigger. Please? Love, Lisa.
Dad answered back the next day with a yes. He said it would be good for them to stay with us, actually, since Aunt Ellie was selling her house. Andy and Phil got letters from their families the next day. Both of them were to come.
"Great!" Jason said. "You can hang around for the wedding and everything!"
"I get to be a bridesmaid," I said. "Aunt Ellie sent me a nice dress and everything! It's going to be wonderful." We could hardly wait for the Christmas holidays to begin.
Kathryn
Kevin and I decided to go on the train that would take the students to their homes for Christmas, thereby saving us a long broom flight. Kev sent a letter with our plans ahead, and the reply came that that would be perfect, that he'd pick us up at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"What's wrong?" Kev asked me, jerking me out of my daydream. The countryside flashed by outside the train windows.
"I'm a little nervous, that's all."
"Hey, I told you, he already believes us."
"It's not that, it -well, I'm rather shy, you know."
"I hadn't noticed at all. You don't see to be that way."
"Actually, it's not really shyness. It's just that I don't like spending time with most people. Children are different, and the teachers here are all great. It's just that- well, most people are so boring and -and stupid. It's always been my failing. That's why I never had many friends as a child." I blushed, embarrassed to admit my failing.
"You were never that way with me."
"That's because - well, you remember how we met?"
"We were at the same school, and one day you sat near me at lunch and we talked."
"I'd noticed you nearly six weeks before. I didn't much care because all the other children were, well, I thought, stupid. But then I had to compete with you for good grades, and it was hard. That made me respect you enough to try to get to know you. And then, when I asked you over, you beat me at chess." I smiled self-consciously. "I was a pretty self-centered person then."
"I never found you that way." His words made me stop for a minute; I looked at him and saw how sincere he was.
"Well, you were the first kid to ever beat me. I respected that, so I let down my guard enough to know you as a person. And I liked what I saw."
"I see." He looked as if he were about to say more, but turned and looked out the window. "We're coming up to the station." We let most of the train clear before picking up our bags and heading off. Down the platform from us we saw a man and a woman greeting four young people. I recognized one or two of them, but they were all second years; I didn't have any in my class. The man with them looked up and saw us. He said something to his companions and headed for us.
"Hello, I'm Patrick Black. I'm assuming you two are Professors Gray and Noxi?"
"That's right," Kev said. "Call me Kevin, by the way."
"I'm Kathryn," I said.
"Please, call me Patrick. Come with me." He led us toward the woman and children. "Two of my daughter's friends will be staying with me over the holidays," he explained.
"Yes, I know all these mischief makers from my classes," Kev said dryly. The girl -Lisa, that was her name! looked up.
"Professor Gray? Why are you here?"
"Kath and I will be staying with you over Christmas. Your father has some business to discuss with us."
"You'll be coming with me, kids," the woman said.
"Oh, I haven't introduced you yet!" Patrick clapped a hand to his forehead. "Professors, this is Mrs. Ellen Potter, my fiancé. Ellie, this is Kevin Gray and Kathryn Noxi, both of whom teach at Hogwarts."
"Pleased to meet you," she said with a genuine smile.
"The pleasure is mine," Kev said, taking her hand.
"Jason's your son?" I asked as I, too, shook her hand.
"Yes. Is he in your class?"
"No, I teach Muggle Studies. But Kev teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I see." She looked at Kev. "That was my husband's specialty."
"Was your husband William Potter?" Kev seemed fairly sure of the answer.
"Yes, he was." There was sadness in her voice, but not too much, and she smiled up at Patrick Black.
"I thought so."
"Did you know him?"
"Well, I knew your husband -and you too, Patrick -by sight at Hogwarts. But I've heard of him in my field." I heard a note in Kevin's voice, of respect, perhaps.
"Anyway, we'd best be off. Come on, you four," she said to the kids. They followed her eagerly.
"We're making a stop in London," Patrick explained. "Some documents to pick up. I didn't want the kids to know; they have incredible curiosity, from what I know about my daughter and Jason, and what I've heard about the others."
"How long do you think this business will take?" Kevin asked.
"Well, how much time can you spare?"
"As long as you need. Neither of us has to be back at Hogwarts until the students get there."
"Well, I'll say nine days. That should give us time to do everything we'll need to. If you don't mind staying over Christmas?"
"Not at all," I assured him. I thought, very briefly, of my sister. I hadn't seen her in many years. Not since I grew up and left. She didn't much care for wizards. We followed Patrick to the waiting car in silence.
Lisa
"Why do you think those two are here?" Jason whispered as his mum led us to her car.
"I haven't got any idea. Dad didn't tell me anything about it."
"You think it has something to do with the V League?"
"Could be. You know," I said, "Noxi's face has been bothering me."
"How do you mean?"
"I almost think I've seen it somewhere else. Not quite her face, really, but something like it, someone's face."
"Do you know anyone from America?"
"Just my family."
"Your mum is English, right?"
"Actually, I don't think she is. She always talked about growing up in Connecticut. I don't think she was lying."
"Maybe you met someone from Noxi's family and don't know it."
"Kind of an unusual name, isn't it? I mean, she doesn't look like she's any kind of ethnic group, to have a name like that." We fell silent then as we got into Aunt Ellie's car.
"Your dad has to pick up some stuff in London," she said. "So I'm driving you home."
"What?" I asked.
"Lisa, it's nearly Christmas. Don't you know better than to ask those kinds of questions?"
"All right." We fell silent. I was sitting in the front; the three boys sat together in the back.
"That's right," Aunt Ellie said suddenly. "I remember Gray from Hogwarts. He was a few years younger than I was, but I knew that I knew him."
"Did you know Professor Noxi?" I asked curiously.
"No, I don't think I ever met her. She does seem vaguely familiar, though. Oh, well, I'll remember if it's important."
"Mum? What business do they have here?"
"Jason, first of all, you shouldn't ask questions like that. If you were supposed to know, we'd tell you." Wrong thing to say, Aunt Ellie, I thought. That was the best way to get us curious that I could think of. I was convinced that it had to do with the V League. Most things did, these days, it seemed.
Our house was lovely. It was ready for Christmas.
"I hope you don't mind," Dad said. "We have so much to do this year, what with the wedding and everything." Lots of boxes stood everywhere; things from the Potters' house that they wanted, presents, boxes full of books that my dad had bought. It looked as if we were moving out. Jason moved into a room near mine immediately.
"Mum says that our house is practically empty, and I might as well move in now," he said. "She spends all her days and some of the nights here anyway." I'd noticed that. Andy and Phil shared the biggest guest bedroom we had, which was right near mine and Jason's; our other guests had rooms quite a ways away.
"Don't want them kept up all night by you youngsters," Dad had said. "It's not like we don't have the room." The four adults spent most evenings in the library. The first night, we tried to play chess there, but Dad chased us out.
"Something is definitely up," Phil said, pacing my room on the third night. "We've got to find out what!"
"Well, how?" Jason asked dispiritedly. "We can't sneak in; you know they're doing warding spells. We can't eavesdrop because we can't use magic... there's nothing we can do."
"Hold on," I said. "We can't use magic, sure."
"So?" Andy asked. "What are we supposed to do?"
"Muggle stuff," I said. "We'll bug them."
"Look, bothering them won't help," Phil said, but Jason's eyes lit up.
"No, not that kind of bug," he said. "Muggles call it 'bugging' when there are little listening devices hanging around. It won't be magic, so we won't get caught."
"Where do we get the bugs?" Phil asked.
"We'll buy them tomorrow," I said. "Do you have any money?"
"Um, I have three galleons," Andy volunteered.
"Muggle money," I clarified.
"Nope."
"No."
"I've got seven quid," Jason said.
"Dad gave me some over the summer, and I've still got most of it." I grinned. "Tomorrow night, we'll be able to hear what they have to say."
Kathryn
Patrick Black had a very fancy manor house. It had to be centuries old, it had dozens of rooms, and it sat on a large estate. The house was a bit of a mess, but I gathered that Mrs. Potter was in the process of moving in. Apparently, they'd be getting married in about a week.
The four children hung around a lot. I could tell that they knew something was afoot; they kept trying to sneak into the library in the evenings when we had our conversations. All four of them were very bright, but very mischievous.
The first night, we sat in the library. Kevin seemed a bit impatient.
"Will you tell us now what was in all those boxes we helped you carry?" he asked. Patrick smiled.
"Mostly files, things we'll find useful."
"Where did it come from?"
"Oh, some of it is from the Daily Prophet, some is from other sources. Most comes from old League files."
"The V League?" I asked.
"No, an older, and far more noble, League. The League Against Voldemort."
"Never heard of it," I began, but Kev sat up.
"Of course! I've run across mentions of it. There aren't too many facts about it, but it is thought that Voldemort was afraid of the members of the League."
"Possibly why his organization has the name it does," Ellen Potter commented.
"Good point," Patrick said. "We'll go through all these papers, looking for anything that might help us convince the Ministry that Voldemort really is alive."
"How did you get these files?" Kevin asked, curious.
"I -well, to be precise, I stole them." He went a bit red. "Nobody's used them in years, but the Ministry won't let anyone take them. They shouldn't be missed, and we do need them." No one said anything to this. "Right. Well, let's get started."
For three nights we read the files together, searching for clues, but not finding any. Late on the fourth night, Ellie stood, stretched, and said:
"Well, I'm off to bed. I do hope you find something soon, though. I don't want our married life to be this dull." She laughed.
"I guess Grace found it that way," Patrick said. I looked up fast.
"Grace? Was that your wife's name?"
"Yes, it was." He looked at me. "Why?" Pieces of a puzzle were starting to click together.
"Of course," I whispered. "That's who Lisa looks like."
"Lisa doesn't look anything like her mother," Ellie said. "Do you know her?"
"Yes -I think so. And I don't think Lisa looks like her mother. I think she looks like -me." There was a silence in the room. I continued. "I had a sister, a few years older than I was, named Grace. She was Muggle, through and through. In fact, my family didn't approve of wizards or magic. They -well, when I was grown, they basically disinherited me."
"Grace's maiden name wasn't Noxi," Ellen said.
"Kath's name isn't Noxi either," Kevin commented. "I was wondering why you changed it."
"Because they wanted nothing to do with me, so I left and got rid of their name. I had my pride. My sister had already married and divorced you by the time I left," I said to Patrick. "I didn't know her husband's name, and I only saw her daughter once. I'd completely forgotten the girl's name."
"Well," Patrick began, struggling for words, "This is unusual."
"That's an understatement," Kev said.
"I - I need to go to bed, I think," I said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get things so messed up."
"You didn't," Patrick said. "And it'll be nice for my daughter to have an aunt. If you want her to know."
"Oh, sure," I said. I was a bit distracted. "Um, if you'll excuse me..."
"We should all go now," Kevin said. "No doubt the boys will be up at dawn with some explosion or something." We laughed and headed off.
Kev and I stopped in front of the door to my room.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "I just haven't thought much about that time for a while. I was remembering that one science class when our teacher forgot her scissors, and no one else had them either, remember?"
"As I recall, I made a very obnoxious joke," he said.
"It was funny. You said something about not being allowed to bring weapons to school. We'd been hearing about that girl who got expelled for bringing a butter knife, remember?"
"Yes. I suppose it was funny, at that." He grinned down at me. "Hey, you're shaking." His grin changed to a look of concern.
"I'm fine," I said.
"You sure? You look ill."
"I'm not," I said again. I felt -funny. But not sick or anything like that. More like the way you feel when you're about to do something you've been waiting for for a long time, or when you're very nervous. Or both. "I-" I began, and stopped. I reached out and took his hand. He was trembling a bit, too. He pulled me close to him.
"Oh, Kath," he whispered. "I love you."
"I love you," I echoed back. He kissed me, then, gently. It felt just the way I had remembered from so many years ago, at first, but it got firmer in a moment. My hands were twined around his neck, and my eyes were closed. So this is what being in love is all about, I thought. It sure seemed like it was everything that it was supposed to be.
Lisa
The plan worked great. We located a baby monitor in the Muggle shops in the village and bought it. Then Jason, hidden in the Cloak, hid the monitor on a bookcase full of books about obscure potions, venomous plants, and Cornish Pixies. We put the other part in my room.
"I hope the batteries hold out," Jason said.
"What's batteries?" Andy was curious.
"Never mind."
"Sshh!" I thought I'd heard something. Then I definitely heard my dad.
"Where did we leave off last night?" he said.
"We were just finishing off this box," Gray's voice came through loud and clear.
Anyway, I won't record the whole conversation, but it was obvious that they were talking about the V League, and that they knew that Voldemort was still alive.
"That's a relief," Phil said. "They'll be sure to tell the Ministry."
"What if they aren't believed?"
"Jason, of course they'll be believed."
"Hmm," said Jason. "Let's see. 'Hello, Minister, we believe that Voldemort, who you think died many years ago, is in fact alive and behind these attacks. No, we don't have any proof, but we're sure.'"
"How do you know they don't have proof?" Andy asked.
"Oh, come on! If my dad had proof, they wouldn't be sorting through boxes of old papers down there, they'd be talking to the Minister, at least."
"They're breaking up!" Phil said suddenly. "Quick, let's get to bed."
The next night we came into my room again. Half past ten, the batteries gave out.
"Darn!" said Jason. "Stupid Muggle junk. Always dies when we need it. Well, we'd best just go to bed." They left, and I clambered into my bed. It didn't take long to get to sleep.
A clearing, familiar, and Lily. She turned to me. 'You are in danger. The V League will be attacking your home any moment now. Go quickly!'
I woke, panting. The impact of my dream hit me. I jumped out of bed, pulled on my robe, and pulled my wand from the bag near my bed. I rushed out the door. Halfway down the corridor, I met the boys.
"You had the same dream?" Phil asked. I nodded.
"I think they're still in the library. Hurry!"
They were, and the door was locked by magic.
"They'll never hear us through that spell," I said.
"Stand back," Jason said grimly. He leveled his wand at the door and yelled, "Reducto!". It exploded in a blast of sound and light.
"What?"
"Hey!" Confused voices came form within.
"The V League is attacking!" I yelled. Dad rushed to action.
"Get in here!" He pulled us in. The other adults had their wands out and were staring around. Just then, I saw something move in the hall.
"There!" Dad shot something at it from his wand. The shape cried out and lay still. I looked around.
Aunt Ellie looked scared but calm. Noxi -actually, Aunt Kath, as she'd said to call her earlier that day- held her wand ready. She didn't look a bit afraid, but her lips were white. She kept looking at Professor Gray.
The next few minutes were very confused. All I can remember of it was a lot of noise and smoke. Finally, it was all over. Ministry workers arrived about five minutes too late, but just in time to help clear up the mess. It was about four in the morning by the time they all left and took the attackers with them. We were all in the library then, all eight of us. Dad looked at us kids.
"All right," he said, and his voice was deceptively gentle. "How did you know that there was to be an attack?" We exchanged confused looks. Phil and Andy looked at Jason and me.
"Well, they're your parents," Phil said finally, with a shrug.
"Oh, thanks," Jason groaned. "Well, it's a bit of a long story..."
"Go right ahead," Aunt Ellie said dryly.
"Basically, we were warned in dreams," Jason said.
"Dreams?" Dad was skeptical.
"Lisa, you're the one who did all the research. Why don't you explain."
"Great." I faced the adults. "Well, it's kind of complicated. The gist of it is, we see people in our dreams."
"People?" Gray frowned. "Explain."
"Dead people," Andy clarified. "And they tell us stuff."
"You see dead people in your dreams?" Noxi's brow was furrowed.
"Um, yeah." I looked around for help.
"Any particular dead people?" Dad prompted.
"Well, yes. Phil sees Remus Lupin. Andy sees Sirius Black. Jason sees James Potter. And I see Lily."
"So, you're saying you see dead heroes in your dreams?" Dad was incredulous.
"Yes. And they said that Voldemort isn't dead, that's he's coming back. And that we have to stop him. The four of us, that is," I ended miserably. I couldn't say what was dominant in the adults' faces -surprise, fear, disbelief, curiosity, amazement or concern.
"If it was just one of them, I'd say it was clearly a delusion," Noxi was saying. "But the four of them - and those four!"
"But how?" Aunt Ellie looked as though she might faint.
"They're Manes," Phil put in. It seemed rather ridiculous to me how the adults were talking over our heads, as if we weren't there.
"Of course." Gray sounded amused. "That's what you wanted that book for. How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, about a year now."
"And you didn't tell anyone?" Dad stared at me. "You didn't tell me? Why?"
"Let's see, I'm going to say 'Dad, my friends and I have dead heroes coming into our dreams, and they say that Voldemort is alive, and that we have to stop him, and I know I'm only twelve and don't know much magic yet, but I really am telling the truth, even though I have no proof.' Yeah, right."
"This is an unusual occurrence," Gray began. "Let me ask you a few questions."
Actually, it was more like a few dozen questions. It wasn't until we were almost falling asleep on our feet that Dad said that we should go to bed. By now, dawn was painting its way across the sky. I realized, suddenly, that it was Christmas Eve now, and that the wedding was only a few days away. But as I got into bed and fell asleep, I didn't much care.
Kathryn
The attack unsettled me a great deal, and the strange revelation from the four children made me even more nervous. As a result, I was quite happy to go back to London the day after Christmas. Thankfully, Patrick had to go anyway and said he'd drive us up - he needed the car. So I didn't have to go into the same complicated rigmarole and lame excuses that I usually used when... Oh, well, anyway.
We'd agreed that we wouldn't tell anyone about the kids seeing the Manes. Frankly, I didn't think they'd believe us anyway. They'd been awfully shy around Kev and me ever since the night of the attack; I don't think they wanted to push their luck too far.
We booked rooms at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the holidays and tried to plan our next step.
"There must be evidence somewhere," Kev said the first evening. "The V League has some, but I can't see us getting it from them. We've been through what the Ministry has -where else might we look?"
"Wait a minute," I said slowly. "I heard, a few years back, that there was going to be a museum about the struggle against Voldemort. There might be more records there."
"Do you know where it would be?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. It's in the United States. Washington, DC. They've got a real thing about museums there. I think some old wizard died and left his fortune to build this museum, on the condition that it was built there, not here."
"Hmm. We'll have to check it out. It'll take too long to get there the Muggle way - we'll have to Apparate. Are you up for it? It's a long trip."
"No." I said it flatly.
"Well, I can probably find a range-booster in Diagon Alley somewhere. Have you used one before?"
"No."
"Oh, I thought that was standard when learning how to Apparate. They aren't too difficult to use."
"No, that's not what I meant." I took a deep breath and wished I were a thousand miles away. "I can't Apparate."
"You never learned? But surely-" He looked puzzled. I interrupted him.
"No, I just can't do it."
"I've never heard of that before. It's not high-level magic. Fifth years could do it, if they were taught."
"I am physically unable to Apparate. I also cannot brew any type of potion. I am sure you understand why I don't like talking about it." I was always pitied, whenever people knew. I hated that. "But I can do any Charm ever made, and I can speak to any kind of bird." I felt as if I had to defend myself somehow.
"Eyrespeech? That's very rare."
"Yes. So I don't need your pity. I'm fine just the way I am."
"Okay. Well, four days really wasn't enough time to search anyway. Maybe this summer we'll go and make a good long hunt for anything we can come up with. Does that sound good to you?" I stared at him. I hadn't wanted pity, but I was surprised that he seemed so uninterested. He looked at me and seemed to read what I was thinking. "Kath, I wouldn't care if you couldn't levitate a feather, change a match into a needle, or bewitch a beetle. I love you. The fact that you are brilliant, a witch, and beautiful is a bonus, but I think -am sure- that I would love you even if you weren't any of those things."
"Kev, I like you, and you're a really good friend, but I'm not sure that I really love you. What I felt the other night - I don't know if that was real. So I want to take my time here, be sure, all right?"
"Of course. But I wanted you to know that I love you, no matter what." He got up then and left. I wanted to call after him that I did love him, but I felt afraid.
It had been so long since I'd opened myself up to anyone, because whenever I did, I got hurt. I remembered my mother and sister, who had hated me for my gifts. I remembered the girls at school who had shunned me for many reasons. I wasn't going to risk that, not unless I was sure.
But as I tried to sleep, the thought kept coming to me. What if it's already too late?