JKR owns the people and places, I own Karista and the dream
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Chapter 2: Lost

Karista slammed the pillow hard with her fist. Once again, no matter how early she went to bed, she couldn't sleep. Instead, she would be tossed into a dream realm with her boyfriend Harry who was in London at the moment, hopefully sleeping soundly. There was a visible difference this time to the pre-sleep dream that Karista had. It had seemed so real, including since it involved the necklace that Karista had bought and charmed for Harry. She felt a strange desire to check on it, knowing that it would probably still be in her trunk, waiting for her to wrap it for his birthday.

Struggling with the mad urge to lay in bed until she fell asleep, Karista removed the sheets that cocooned her body and stumbled towards her trunk, where it was ajar.

"Funny…I remember closing it," Karista whispered into the dark. She carefully shifted objects out of the way until coming upon a small black velvet box. She picked it out and crept back to her bed, hopefully not waking her friend Raquel and family in the near midst of the night. She slowly lowered herself onto the mattress, shuffling the sheets around her until finally comfortable. Then, almost as if the box were going to bite her hand, she lifted it to find it empty.

"Shit," she muttered under her breath, hastily turning on the light on her bedside table. "Why at this hour?"

After snapping the box shut and hurriedly looking for Harry's new necklace, she realized exactly what time it was.

"11:30…I have been up for an hour and a half looking for a necklace that is probably stuck in the bottom of my trunk somewhere," She cursed, picking herself up and falling noiselessly upon the bed. In a few short hours she would be taking a flight back to London to stay with Ron Weasley's family over summer. The bad part about the whole plan was that she didn't know any of Ron's family except Fred, George, Ginny and Ron himself (unless you count his mother). Besides that, the only person she really wanted to see was Harry, and she wasn't even sure when he was going to be at the Weasleys.

"Might as well fall asleep," Karista muttered, rolling over onto her stomach and drifting off rather easily into sleep.

***

"Harry, it's good to see you again! Almost thought you had forgotten about us!" Bill said heartily, shaking Harry's hand. He had just entered in the door of the Burrow from a rather 'strange' farewell from the Dursleys.

"Well, Harry dear, we might as well put our stuff into Ron's room," Mrs. Weasley cooed, glaring at Fred and George to make them move everything upstairs. They grinned back at their mum and started heaving his school trunk upwards.

"So Ron, what have you been up to?" Harry quizzed, sitting out in the sunshine of the backyard with Ron and Hermione.

"Absolutely nothing. Hermione is in Greece for another week, then she is coming to stay- what is that around your neck?"

Harry started to blush furiously, quickly tucking the necklace under his shirt. He was too slow for Ron.

"Where did you get it?" Ron asked, a mysterious look in his eyes. "I don't recall ever seeing you with this on before."

What was Harry going to say? He found it and put it on? Harry knew that Ron would never fall for that getup, even if he tried to show it in his face. Better the truth than nothing, Harry said to himself, jerking the chain out of Ron's hands.

"Karista."

"Karista? When?" Ron asked, his eyes reducing themselves to slits.

"Um…that's a little…er…private," Harry said, blushing as Ron hit him on the head with a rolled up piece of newspaper.

"First off, you and Karista just 'hook up', then you are inseparable, and now you are giving each other the weirdest things," Ron laughed, running away from Harry before he could get a good swing at him.

"A game of quidditch?" Charlie asked from the doorway, clutching his shooting star over his shoulder.

"We'd fancy a game," Fred and George yelled from inside. In a matter of seconds both were rushing outside, kicking off the ground hard.

Soon Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ron and Harry were out in the pasture behind the Burrow, playing a Weasley Quidditch tournament.

***

The limousine ride was long…too long for Karista's liking. The driver soon announced that they were outside Ottery St. Catchpole, yet were still at least thirty minutes away from the Burrow. Bad mood wasn't good enough to describe what kind of stupor she was in at the moment. First she had lost the prized necklace that she planned to give Harry for his birthday, then she had yelled at her friend Raquel to help her find it and finally realized that her best muggle clothing had been ruined by her transfigured-history-of-magic-book cat Quinton.

"One of these days I will transfigure the ogre back," Karista cursed to herself, silently reeling over the day's events in the back of the limo. After what seemed like days, they finally pulled up to the curb where in front of her laid the most strange looking, yet coolest wizarding houses that she had ever seen. The driver opened the door for her and began taking her belongings out of the trunk. Once everything was out on the curb and had been toted to the door, he gave a gentle bow and sped off.

"Not in a rush, I take it," Karista seethed sarcastically, knocking on the door. The sound of hurried footsteps could be heard on the other side, along with the click of a lock. And finally, after a moments pause, the door swung open, revealing a rather tall, balding man with stark red hair and billowing wizards robes in a deep burgundy.

"You must be Karista! I am Arthur Weasley…and this is…Molly! Come here!" Arthur called over his shoulder. Amidst a small clatter and one too many cuss-words, a short and plump Mrs. Weasley came forward, a broad smile on her face.

"Karista dear! How good to see you again!" Molly exclaimed, grabbing her into a large hug. For such a small woman, she was quite strong. "Dear! The boys are outside playing Quidditch with…Harry."

Karista could feel another blush creeping up her cheeks. She didn't expect Harry to be there, yet it was inevitable.

"Please don't tell them I'm here yet. I am rather tired and I know that…well…they are going to be rather happy to see me," Karista said, a gentle smile crossing her lips.

"Oh, of course dear! I know that Fred and George would be happy to see you. Harry especially. How long was your trip, dear?" Molly asked as Karista bent down to pick up some of her bags. Arthur simply flicked his wand and everything began to float up the stairs.

"I'd say somewhere between 12 and 14 hours, not to mention how long it took me to get here," Karista said, stifling a yawn.

"Dear me! You must be tired. Well, I'll show you to your room. Are you hungry?" Molly smiled, leading her up the rickety stairs. Finally, after gentle persuasion and reassurances of Karista's hushed arrival, Molly left a very tired Karista in Ginny's room. Immediately she sat down and pulled out her most comfortable pair of clothing. Then, without a second thought, she drifted of to sleep on her makeshift bed.

***

The Weasley's that sat at the table, including the now present Ginny and Harry, were all in giddy spirits, that is, until Fred and George finished desert.

"Now you two had better keep it quiet, otherwise you've got another thing coming to you," Molly snapped, pointing her finger at the boys, who to no one's surprise, were grinning mischievously.

"Don't worry mother…we'll…behave," George said slightly. Behave was clearly not a word in their vocabulary.

After one last glance from Mrs. Weasley, who rose and crossed over to the sink, all the Weasley children and Harry went outside.

"And now, to celebrate the dearest arrival of Harry," Fred sniggered, pulling a box out of his cloak labeled Filibuster's wet start, no heat fireworks. "We shall commence with the entertainment; our screeching mum."

Harry, Ron, Ginny, Bill and Charlie broke into laughter as George pulled out a bucket of water.

"Sit down, little children, the fun is about to begin!"

All at once a magnificent burst of green shot into the sky, followed by red and silver sparks. The noise was deafening, causing Ron and Harry to laugh at the site of Mrs. Weasley storming outside.

"DOES IT EVEN MATTER TO YOU THAT SOMEONE IS SLEEPING IN OUR HOUSE AT THIS VERY INSTANT?" She bellowed, causing the surveying garden gnomes to take shelter in their respective bushes.

"What do you mean, mum? There are only nine of us!" Ron laughed, poking Harry in the ribcage. "And all of them are now awake!"

"Actually, one of them you didn't know came," an amused voice called from the back entrance. Everyone's neck shot around to the caller only to realize that they couldn't see her.

"Who's here mum?" George asked, scratching his head.

"For your goon's information, Karista's plane came in early and she arrived this afternoon. She's been sleeping until you baboons decided to wake her!" Molly yelled, a sympathetic look crossing her face. Everyone looked around to see the tall blonde figure wrapped in a blanket, looking tired yet amused.

"I actually enjoyed the show, although it is a rather nasty way to wake up," Karista chortled walking towards the group on the grass.

"Karista! Mom, why didn't you tell us she came?" George said, nearly bashing Karista into the ground with a hug. Fred, Ron and Ginny followed. Harry was simply too stunned to move.

"Karista, this is Bill and Charlie, my older and better-behaved sons," Molly said sharply, glaring at Fred and George who's color rose significantly. Karista shook their hands gingerly, smiling and engaging in polite conversation.

"Harry, say hi to her," Ron whispered, nudging Harry in the arm making collapse to the ground.

"I…I…" was all Harry managed to say. What is she doing here? Harry muttered to himself. He was too shocked by her presence to say anything more.

Finally Karista turned her attention to Harry. Her smile widened instantly as she crossed the yard to where he was laying flat on the ground.

"Jeez, I almost thought you were passed out or something…to much pumpkin juice," She laughed, sitting next to Harry.

"I didn't know you were coming today otherwise I would have written you a speech," Harry said sarcastically, pulling her into a hug as he sat up. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Karista murmured into his ear. She could feel the tingle slowly spread from her fingers to her spine as the held him closer. He pushed her away long enough to look into her eyes and kissed her.

"Going for gold there, eh Harry?" Fred laughed hysterically, causing Karista and Harry to draw back blushing. When Karista looked around at Harry again, it was to notice something silver dangling from his neck under his T-shirt as he talked to Ron.

"Harry…I am sorry to interrupt, but where did you get this?" Karista asked wearily, tugging the chain from out of his shirt.

"You told me Karista gave it to you, Harry," Ron said questioningly, looking from Harry to Karista.

When she finally managed to get the necklace out of Harry's shirt, she nearly screamed.

"HARRY! Where did you…how," Karista shrieked, causing the whole family to turn and look at them.

"Harry…how could you do that to her?" Ginny said, the anger pouring across her face.

"What are you talking about? Do what to her? She gave it to me!" Harry shouted back at the curious faces staring at him.

"I…It was with me in New York until last night," Karista began, hesitating. "I was going to give it to you for your…your birthday."

Harry froze. Yes, it was true that she was in New York when he had acquired it from her, yet he wasn't sure that he wanted to tell her about the dream.

"How did you get it then?" Fred asked curiously amid the nods from his siblings.

"Well…I don't know," Harry said heavily. He knew perfectly well how he got it, he just didn't feel comfortable sharing this. Karista sensed this immediately, then snapped her fingers.

"No wonder I didn't remember sending it to you! Jeez, I'm sorry Harry!" Karista said apologetically, finally laughing. Harry nodded his head while the rest of the Weasley's set off to light the rest of the fireworks.

"You are telling me about this later, aren't you?" Karista whispered into his ear as soon as the attention was put off them.

"Yes, of course," Harry muttered nervously, wrapping his arm around Karista as they watched multi-colored sparks dance across the sky.

***

It was possibly midnight when everyone had finally gone to bed. Karista and Harry, however, were the only ones awake. Harry, who had been laying silently on his bed until around two o'clock in the morning, finally picked his invisibility cloak out of his trunk and threw it over himself, immediately disappearing from view. As quietly as he could on the rickety stairs, he tiptoed down to the second to last flight and opened the door to Ginny'' room. Karista was wide-awake and smiling with anticipation as she sprang from her bed and crossed the room to where Harry was waiting, his head bobbing in mid-air. They wandered down into the kitchen and out into the warm night air, where they quickly found spots to sit on the grass.

"Fancy meeting you here," Karista purred, pulling a blanket out from under her arm that she brought with her. She sat in Harry's lap and pulled the blanket over herself, snuggling closer. "Okay, now that you are mesmerized by my beauty, spill about the necklace."

Harry stifled a laugh, then continued on with telling her about the dream, how it was so real that he could have sworn he was at Hogwarts yesterday morning. He also went on about how she had put on the necklace and he had become warm and tingly and the clasp had disappeared.

"Well…at least we know it works," Karista smiled sheepishly, leaning further against Harry's chest.

"What exactly is it?" Harry said curiously, resting his chin on her head.

"The ancient Egyptians used to wear amulets as protection against evil. A specific charm was performed, and depending on the person, the little pictorials would appear in the cartouche," Karista said, gently examining the charm in front of her. "It was basically for protection. There are other types of amulets…good, evil…some that hold things inside of them."

Karista stopped. She had become precariously close to disclosing the bloodstone amulet of Voldie's, of which she had had no word of since the end of term.

"That is interesting. So it protects me?"

"Yes…that is the general idea. You see, the more you wear it, the safer you become, including with that particular one you are wearing there," Karista pointed at the cartouche and smiled. "Each one's protection is different, and I think yours is the oddest one, possibly instead of mine, that I've seen."

Harry took a closer look at his amulet. It certainly was a pretty thing, and he loved it all the same. He wouldn't take it off even if someone would have paid him a million dollars. Harry looked at his clock, which to his dismay read 3 AM.

"I don't know why, but I think I have a curious affinity with this time," Harry chuckled, showing his watch to Karista. "I always wake up or go to sleep at 3 AM. Either that, or I realize that that is the time."

Karista smiled and stood up. "Even though I took a 5 hour long nap, I am deadly tired."

"Okay, fine…you win. I was actually almost scared that the garden gnomes would attack us."

Karista giggled and pulled Harry up off the ground, leading him inside. Once outside Ginny's door, Karista pulled him into a tight hug.

"Happy early Birthday," Karista murmured sleepily, kissing him gently on the lips. Once Karista entered the room, Harry walked merrily up to Ron's room, where he was waiting.

"Spill…now…otherwise you're mine," Ron said wickedly, a mild grin on his face.

"Okay, okay," Harry said tiredly, lapsing into that nights events. Once he was through, he laid his head down on his pillow, and drifted once again into a welcomed sleep.

***

"My lord, Harry Potter is out of the care of his aunt and Uncle," Lucius spat, pacing the room. It was rather dark for Voldemort, not to mention the fact that he happened to be sitting hunched over in a chair, almost crying.

"I realize that, you fool! With my…niece…with him, I am unable to get hold of him," Voldemort muttered angrily, staring into the fire. "I never thought she could do it…never."

"Never mind that! We have to worry about the people coming out of the amulet! They get back Leonda Gringle or Relidius Micheals, we'll have some serious trouble, my lord," Lucius said casually, sitting in a chair across from Voldemort. "Or even worse, the Potters."

It seemed as if Voldemort shuddered at the mention of his parents. Slowly, Voldemort looked up.

"We must have the death eater soldiers find them. Be on guard…on the lookout. If I hear of one more of my 'victims' reach Dumbledore, people will suffer greatly."

"Yes my lord," Lucius mumbled, stepping haughtily out of the hall. The room began to blur slightly, yet Harry could still hear Voldemort.

"You will not win, Harry. You will not win," he murmured, resting against the back of the armchair.


Harry could feel himself wake up, and it had been probably one of the strangest dreams he had encountered, other than the one with Karista. His scar didn't hurt, which was also unusual. Slowly, he lowered himself back onto the bed. Surely what he said isn't true, Harry said to himself, rolling onto his side and falling back into a sleep. He would not remember the dream when he woke up.