***This chapter is dedicated to all the people who died in the WTC and Pentagon attacks***
Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi- Old Latin proverb
&q!@_(#$&q@_($&q!@(%&q(*#)^%)(#%(*&q)_&q!*$_(*$&q#
Chapter 23: Testimonium ante Bellum
The holidays dissolved quickly around Hogwarts and soon the carriages were approaching, full of students still raving about their awesome holidays. Harry simply sat in the Gryffindor common room, looking out the window towards the lake and instantly remembering the second task...something he hadn't spoken about, let alone thought about in almost two years. He remembered waking up in the library to Dobby's excited squeals, stuffing gillyweed into his mouth and plunging into the ice cold water. It all came back pretty quickly before the common room boomed with muggle music and a full-swing end of holiday's party had begun. What was strange about it was the fact that one person, who was almost all the time noticeable at these parties, was missing from it.
Karista, after their little `encounter' in the common room merely a day ago, hadn't left her dorm room; Harry didn't even bother her. He didn't, for one thing, feel like being tossed out the window of Gryffindor tower, and for another, he didn't think that he could talk to Karista without beating her over the head with a saucepan. She was avoiding him as well as Hermione and Ron for a good reason, and she was rather smart to do so. Harry couldn't help the small sigh that escaped his mouth thinking about the little escapade that he and Karista had led only two days ago. He knew that the cruciatus curse must have hurt her, but for her to not say anything, well that was just uncalled for.
He stood up from his seat by the window and went to join the masses of Gryffindors dancing in front of the fire. Many chose to just sit and chat with each other while a few chose the option of attempted sleep. Hermione and Ron were up on top of a table bumping their hips together and laughing hysterically, while Ginny and her friends danced in a large circle.
Karista should be here, he thought to himself before flopping down on a loveseat away from the masses of people. But to his surprise, he was almost scared of her. That fear came from not knowing what it was on her arm, including since he hadn't gotten a good enough look at it to be able to look it up. Resigning to drowning in his own thoughts, he didn't notice the slim figure approaching him from the girls staircase, or the way her violet eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light of the common room.
"Harry," said a croaky voice from his left side. He turned his head slightly before his eyes widened uncontrollably at the person that stood before him. "I think you need to understand something."
"Well...tell me, then," Harry said uneasily. Only a few people around him noticed the dangerous tone to Karista's voice as she spoke.
"Not here-."
"Why not?"
Karista shook her head before scratching at her left arm. She then relaxed, her arms falling to her sides and frame becoming less taught.
"You probably know already Harry. Realization just hasn't hit you yet," she said quietly, letting her gaze drop to the floor.
"Well, it would help if you clarified all of it for me."
Karista looked up and moved her mouth like a fish, trying to find the correct words to use. Finally, waving her hand at the floor, she spoke, her voice barely coming above a whisper.
"Harry...if Voldie is my uncle, and we are of the same blood line, I am the next heir to Slytherin."
Harry's blood stopped cold. He hadn't thought of this, and never thought Karista, of all people, would be the Heir of Slytherin. But it all made sense now. The Slytherin serpent (which by now he was almost positive it was) emblazoned on her forearm where a dark mark would be, the parselmouth ability, and not only that, the cold look in her eyes that gave away the relation to one of the most feared wizards in the world. Come to think about it, he had seen that look more often on her face.
"Speak, Harry," she pleaded, her voice still the same deathly quiet. He noticed Ron and Hermione were watching the situation closely, yet no one else had acknowledged it.
"Say what? Compliment you on how much you are like your uncle?"
His voice was barely above a harsh whisper, and it was colder than he had ever thought was possible. Karista's eyes flickered for a moment before she shook her head.
"I don't want you to hate me," she began, but Harry held up his hand to stop her.
"I think it is just a little too late for that, Flannigan."
Anger controlling his every move, he shot up from his seat and nearly sprinted out of the common room and up to the boys dormitories. Ron and Hermione watched the scene carefully before Ron followed him up the stairs. Thankfully, no one noticed other than Hermione and Ron, yet the damage had been done.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to the Great Hall early that morning; Harry hoping that he wouldn't have to speak to Karista. After telling Ron and later Hermione what Karista had said, Ron had vowed that she was nothing but trouble while Hermione expressed pity for her predicament.
"We can't blame her, Harry. We just can't," Hermione had pleaded after sitting down. Even if she was almost terrified of another Heir of Slytherin on the loose, she couldn't help but know what Karista was supposedly like on the inside.
"She's becoming more and more like him everyday," Harry said quietly. "I mean, she is now getting...er...'physical' in dealing with her anger and not only that, everywhere she goes, it feels like there is this `force' or something of evil."
Ron looked at Harry for a long moment before he spoke.
"Is this the end of you both, then?"
Hermione looked slightly shocked at his question, but when Harry shrugged his shoulders, she let her questions get the better of her.
"Harry, you can't be serious! You love her!"
Harry looked at Hermione hard for a moment before starting up again with his porridge. He could feel the anger and betrayal build up in him again when the door opened and a very tired and frail-looking Karista strutted into the hall, her head held high and proud.
Harry turned bright red with anger. So, he thought savagely to himself, she is proud of being the Heir of Slytherin. I'll make her see through that shroud quickly. She walked up to an empty spot on the other side of Hermione and was about to sit down when Harry spoke up.
"So, the heir to Slytherin finally decides to make her presence."
Harry was at first shocked to find that the words had come out of his mouth. Hermione, Ron and a few nearby Gryffindors turned their heads to Harry. She paused briefly, staring into Harry before making her move to sit down again.
"I think you have the wrong table, Karista."
The way he spit out her name turned a few heads and even drew a few surprised gasps, including from Ron and Hermione. Karista, finally giving up on her quest to sit down, stood up facing Harry. Harry, noticing the `challenge' in her eyes stood up to draw equal with her. Her eyes narrowed with anger, and to Harry's great surprise, he was on the verge of calling her Voldemort.
"Drop it Harry. Fuming about it won't make it better."
"Don't be telling me what to do, Slytherin."
Karista's eyes opened wide with shock as he saw the curious faces on the faculty. Even Dumbledore was watching carefully.
"Oh Harry, don't tell me what to do either. I am no more Slytherin-."
"Than your Uncle is a good law abiding citizen. Drop the act, Flannigan."
Karista flinched at the harshness of her name used against her, including coming from Harry.
"Can it, Potter. You've said too much already."
"What, afraid of your 'destiny' or something? Why don't you tell everyone the real reason that you didn't join up."
Harry, for the life of himself didn't know what made him say that. For all he knew, it was here-say as to why she didn't join the Order when approached in the first place. By now Karista was trembling with rage, clenching and unclenching her fists. The power in the room seemed to be pounding in her chest, and she immediately knew that she was about to lose control.
"Go on, tell Dumbledore what you have now."
Harry could see Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye looking at Karista and himself. He could see the small snake from behind Karista bob its head up and down before hissing to Harry.
"Harry...don't do this...she is about ready to explode..."
"Don't you want her to see her error? See why she doesn't belong here?" Harry replied viciously in parselmouth.
"What are you getting at, Potter?
Harry didn't even know what he himself was getting at. All he knew was that his anger was taking control of himself, as well as his dignity and pride of not being a Slytherin.
"Why don't you tell everyone that you are the Heir of Slytherin!"
SLAP. The sound reverberated around the hall as Karista drew her hand back, her own face surging with pain and fury. Harry clamped his hand over his already red face yet still stared coldly back at Karista.
"Say it again Potter and you will wish you never messed with me."
Harry was shaking with anger by now, as well as embarrassment. Ron and Hermione could hear the conversation quite clearly, yet no one else could make it out.
"Go sit with your own d*** table, Flannigan. You aren't a Gryffindor. You shouldn't even be near here. Slytherin is where you belong...Manipulative, deceptive, lying, just like your Uncle."
Karista was shaking violently by now, her face burning red from embarrassment and anger. It was true. She was every bit like her uncle, yet she couldn't let him see it. Instead, she turned and walked out of the hall without a backward glance. Ron and Hermione simply stared at her retreating form. Soon the clatter of plates from other tables could be heard, yet the staff table still stared at Harry. Before long, Dumbledore turned to Snape and McGonagall before rising from the table. McGonagall walked over to James and Lily and stooped over to whisper in their ears. Meanwhile, Snape went over to Vanessa and whispered into hers. All five of the people stood up and left the staff table before leaving the hall. Dumbledore went over to where Harry had sat down, glaring at his plate.
"Harry, I think it is about time you...understand...a few things."
Harry looked up at Dumbledore cautiously before standing up from his seat and left the hall.
***
Harry, James, Lily, Vanessa, Snape and McGonagall sat in Dumbledore's office, waiting for him to return. All the adults kept on looking at Harry with genuine curiosity as Harry sat fuming in his chair, looking at the ground.
"Harry, it was just a little tiff. She'll get over it," Lily cooed, gently patting her son's back.
"Oh, if only you knew," Harry sighed, letting his head fall back against the chair. James and Lily looked at each other before hearing the door open and watching as Dumbledore entered.
"I feel it is time, Harry, that you understand a few things that have happened this year," Dumbledore said softly. He then took out his wand and placed it in his lap. "Now, who would like to begin?"
Snape and McGonagall looked to each other. Snape took a deep breath and began telling about the Bloodstone Amulet. He told how it worked, who performed the spell and why.
"She did it Harry, not only because she was the only one who could, but because it could bring back your parents," Snape said coldly before relaxing his shoulders. "As a matter of fact, she specifically said that if it wouldn't bring them back, she wouldn't do it."
Harry realized his jaw was hanging open and snapped it shut.
"But Harry, there is more."
Harry looked up to Dumbledore and waited.
"She is connected to the stone as well as Voldemort. She can and has been visiting Voldemort for some time now, without a choice," Dumbledore emphasized the last part with a piercing tone to his voice. "She is the Heir of Slytherin, not by choice but by association."
Harry knew it had to do with the tattoo on her arm, yet didn't know what to think of it all.
"Why didn't she tell me?" he managed to whimper.
"We told her not to."
Harry shook his head wildly. She didn't have a choice, he thought. After running his fingers through his hair causing it to stick out at more wildly than before, he crossed the room and exited Dumbledore's office.
***
Harry ran outside of Hogwarts, Marauder's map firmly clutched in his fist. He had gone up to Gryffindor tower in hopes of finding her, yet she was no where near him. In one last attempt to search for her, he had unrolled the Marauder's map and found her, sitting by the lake. He could feel the bitter snow crunching underneath his feet as he followed the tree line towards a small inlet that carved its way from the rest of the lake. Karista was sitting on the ground, her legs pulled up against her chin. She was obviously crying and shivering at the same time. Harry slowed his pace to a solemn march before stopping all together a few feet away from her.
"Kar," he murmured, placing the map in his pocket and adjusting his glasses.
"Go away."
Her voice was thick from sobbing and speaking through her robes. She managed to pull her legs closer to herself, almost as if she wanted to disappear.
"No. I will not," he said defiantly clenching his fists together to maintain his blood flow. She dropped her head onto her knees and began crying much harder than before. "I'm sorry."
She stopped abruptly causing herself to break into a hiccup. She looked up into his eyes, her tear streaked face glowing brightly under the glowing sun.
"What are you sorry for?"
"Not listening to you. I should have given you a chance to explain things. Instead, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape had to tell me what was wrong."
Her face scrunched up as though she was going to cry again, but she held it in. Harry, sensing his own weakness, dropped to her side and pulled her towards him. She went limp under his touch as he snaked his arms around her body and rested his chin on the top of her head. She began crying softly into his robes and he could feel the wetness touch his muggle clothing, then his skin.
"At the rate you're crying there, I might die of hypothermia," he chuckled, trying to soften the mood. He could hear he soft giggle as they sat there in each other's arms, small snowflakes swirling around them.
(#@*&q$!)(@&q$!_(@&q%*)#(@$&q!_($@&q(&q@$(*)^%)*(!^$*
Awww....Karista and Harry, sitting in a tree...s-n-o-g-g-i-n-g...
Coming Next:
Arthur Weasley, Minister of Magic?
raw=war...
Il incideus corpeus maximus...
Deprograming Callidus
And...Kryssy pulls a missle out of her pocket and asks the question..."Do you want to live?"
Okay, just kidding...high profile warfare isn't my specialty.
Okies, Kryssy
Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi- Old Latin proverb
&q!@_(#$&q@_($&q!@(%&q(*#)^%)(#%(*&q)_&q!*$_(*$&q#
Chapter 23: Testimonium ante Bellum
The holidays dissolved quickly around Hogwarts and soon the carriages were approaching, full of students still raving about their awesome holidays. Harry simply sat in the Gryffindor common room, looking out the window towards the lake and instantly remembering the second task...something he hadn't spoken about, let alone thought about in almost two years. He remembered waking up in the library to Dobby's excited squeals, stuffing gillyweed into his mouth and plunging into the ice cold water. It all came back pretty quickly before the common room boomed with muggle music and a full-swing end of holiday's party had begun. What was strange about it was the fact that one person, who was almost all the time noticeable at these parties, was missing from it.
Karista, after their little `encounter' in the common room merely a day ago, hadn't left her dorm room; Harry didn't even bother her. He didn't, for one thing, feel like being tossed out the window of Gryffindor tower, and for another, he didn't think that he could talk to Karista without beating her over the head with a saucepan. She was avoiding him as well as Hermione and Ron for a good reason, and she was rather smart to do so. Harry couldn't help the small sigh that escaped his mouth thinking about the little escapade that he and Karista had led only two days ago. He knew that the cruciatus curse must have hurt her, but for her to not say anything, well that was just uncalled for.
He stood up from his seat by the window and went to join the masses of Gryffindors dancing in front of the fire. Many chose to just sit and chat with each other while a few chose the option of attempted sleep. Hermione and Ron were up on top of a table bumping their hips together and laughing hysterically, while Ginny and her friends danced in a large circle.
Karista should be here, he thought to himself before flopping down on a loveseat away from the masses of people. But to his surprise, he was almost scared of her. That fear came from not knowing what it was on her arm, including since he hadn't gotten a good enough look at it to be able to look it up. Resigning to drowning in his own thoughts, he didn't notice the slim figure approaching him from the girls staircase, or the way her violet eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light of the common room.
"Harry," said a croaky voice from his left side. He turned his head slightly before his eyes widened uncontrollably at the person that stood before him. "I think you need to understand something."
"Well...tell me, then," Harry said uneasily. Only a few people around him noticed the dangerous tone to Karista's voice as she spoke.
"Not here-."
"Why not?"
Karista shook her head before scratching at her left arm. She then relaxed, her arms falling to her sides and frame becoming less taught.
"You probably know already Harry. Realization just hasn't hit you yet," she said quietly, letting her gaze drop to the floor.
"Well, it would help if you clarified all of it for me."
Karista looked up and moved her mouth like a fish, trying to find the correct words to use. Finally, waving her hand at the floor, she spoke, her voice barely coming above a whisper.
"Harry...if Voldie is my uncle, and we are of the same blood line, I am the next heir to Slytherin."
Harry's blood stopped cold. He hadn't thought of this, and never thought Karista, of all people, would be the Heir of Slytherin. But it all made sense now. The Slytherin serpent (which by now he was almost positive it was) emblazoned on her forearm where a dark mark would be, the parselmouth ability, and not only that, the cold look in her eyes that gave away the relation to one of the most feared wizards in the world. Come to think about it, he had seen that look more often on her face.
"Speak, Harry," she pleaded, her voice still the same deathly quiet. He noticed Ron and Hermione were watching the situation closely, yet no one else had acknowledged it.
"Say what? Compliment you on how much you are like your uncle?"
His voice was barely above a harsh whisper, and it was colder than he had ever thought was possible. Karista's eyes flickered for a moment before she shook her head.
"I don't want you to hate me," she began, but Harry held up his hand to stop her.
"I think it is just a little too late for that, Flannigan."
Anger controlling his every move, he shot up from his seat and nearly sprinted out of the common room and up to the boys dormitories. Ron and Hermione watched the scene carefully before Ron followed him up the stairs. Thankfully, no one noticed other than Hermione and Ron, yet the damage had been done.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to the Great Hall early that morning; Harry hoping that he wouldn't have to speak to Karista. After telling Ron and later Hermione what Karista had said, Ron had vowed that she was nothing but trouble while Hermione expressed pity for her predicament.
"We can't blame her, Harry. We just can't," Hermione had pleaded after sitting down. Even if she was almost terrified of another Heir of Slytherin on the loose, she couldn't help but know what Karista was supposedly like on the inside.
"She's becoming more and more like him everyday," Harry said quietly. "I mean, she is now getting...er...'physical' in dealing with her anger and not only that, everywhere she goes, it feels like there is this `force' or something of evil."
Ron looked at Harry for a long moment before he spoke.
"Is this the end of you both, then?"
Hermione looked slightly shocked at his question, but when Harry shrugged his shoulders, she let her questions get the better of her.
"Harry, you can't be serious! You love her!"
Harry looked at Hermione hard for a moment before starting up again with his porridge. He could feel the anger and betrayal build up in him again when the door opened and a very tired and frail-looking Karista strutted into the hall, her head held high and proud.
Harry turned bright red with anger. So, he thought savagely to himself, she is proud of being the Heir of Slytherin. I'll make her see through that shroud quickly. She walked up to an empty spot on the other side of Hermione and was about to sit down when Harry spoke up.
"So, the heir to Slytherin finally decides to make her presence."
Harry was at first shocked to find that the words had come out of his mouth. Hermione, Ron and a few nearby Gryffindors turned their heads to Harry. She paused briefly, staring into Harry before making her move to sit down again.
"I think you have the wrong table, Karista."
The way he spit out her name turned a few heads and even drew a few surprised gasps, including from Ron and Hermione. Karista, finally giving up on her quest to sit down, stood up facing Harry. Harry, noticing the `challenge' in her eyes stood up to draw equal with her. Her eyes narrowed with anger, and to Harry's great surprise, he was on the verge of calling her Voldemort.
"Drop it Harry. Fuming about it won't make it better."
"Don't be telling me what to do, Slytherin."
Karista's eyes opened wide with shock as he saw the curious faces on the faculty. Even Dumbledore was watching carefully.
"Oh Harry, don't tell me what to do either. I am no more Slytherin-."
"Than your Uncle is a good law abiding citizen. Drop the act, Flannigan."
Karista flinched at the harshness of her name used against her, including coming from Harry.
"Can it, Potter. You've said too much already."
"What, afraid of your 'destiny' or something? Why don't you tell everyone the real reason that you didn't join up."
Harry, for the life of himself didn't know what made him say that. For all he knew, it was here-say as to why she didn't join the Order when approached in the first place. By now Karista was trembling with rage, clenching and unclenching her fists. The power in the room seemed to be pounding in her chest, and she immediately knew that she was about to lose control.
"Go on, tell Dumbledore what you have now."
Harry could see Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye looking at Karista and himself. He could see the small snake from behind Karista bob its head up and down before hissing to Harry.
"Harry...don't do this...she is about ready to explode..."
"Don't you want her to see her error? See why she doesn't belong here?" Harry replied viciously in parselmouth.
"What are you getting at, Potter?
Harry didn't even know what he himself was getting at. All he knew was that his anger was taking control of himself, as well as his dignity and pride of not being a Slytherin.
"Why don't you tell everyone that you are the Heir of Slytherin!"
SLAP. The sound reverberated around the hall as Karista drew her hand back, her own face surging with pain and fury. Harry clamped his hand over his already red face yet still stared coldly back at Karista.
"Say it again Potter and you will wish you never messed with me."
Harry was shaking with anger by now, as well as embarrassment. Ron and Hermione could hear the conversation quite clearly, yet no one else could make it out.
"Go sit with your own d*** table, Flannigan. You aren't a Gryffindor. You shouldn't even be near here. Slytherin is where you belong...Manipulative, deceptive, lying, just like your Uncle."
Karista was shaking violently by now, her face burning red from embarrassment and anger. It was true. She was every bit like her uncle, yet she couldn't let him see it. Instead, she turned and walked out of the hall without a backward glance. Ron and Hermione simply stared at her retreating form. Soon the clatter of plates from other tables could be heard, yet the staff table still stared at Harry. Before long, Dumbledore turned to Snape and McGonagall before rising from the table. McGonagall walked over to James and Lily and stooped over to whisper in their ears. Meanwhile, Snape went over to Vanessa and whispered into hers. All five of the people stood up and left the staff table before leaving the hall. Dumbledore went over to where Harry had sat down, glaring at his plate.
"Harry, I think it is about time you...understand...a few things."
Harry looked up at Dumbledore cautiously before standing up from his seat and left the hall.
***
Harry, James, Lily, Vanessa, Snape and McGonagall sat in Dumbledore's office, waiting for him to return. All the adults kept on looking at Harry with genuine curiosity as Harry sat fuming in his chair, looking at the ground.
"Harry, it was just a little tiff. She'll get over it," Lily cooed, gently patting her son's back.
"Oh, if only you knew," Harry sighed, letting his head fall back against the chair. James and Lily looked at each other before hearing the door open and watching as Dumbledore entered.
"I feel it is time, Harry, that you understand a few things that have happened this year," Dumbledore said softly. He then took out his wand and placed it in his lap. "Now, who would like to begin?"
Snape and McGonagall looked to each other. Snape took a deep breath and began telling about the Bloodstone Amulet. He told how it worked, who performed the spell and why.
"She did it Harry, not only because she was the only one who could, but because it could bring back your parents," Snape said coldly before relaxing his shoulders. "As a matter of fact, she specifically said that if it wouldn't bring them back, she wouldn't do it."
Harry realized his jaw was hanging open and snapped it shut.
"But Harry, there is more."
Harry looked up to Dumbledore and waited.
"She is connected to the stone as well as Voldemort. She can and has been visiting Voldemort for some time now, without a choice," Dumbledore emphasized the last part with a piercing tone to his voice. "She is the Heir of Slytherin, not by choice but by association."
Harry knew it had to do with the tattoo on her arm, yet didn't know what to think of it all.
"Why didn't she tell me?" he managed to whimper.
"We told her not to."
Harry shook his head wildly. She didn't have a choice, he thought. After running his fingers through his hair causing it to stick out at more wildly than before, he crossed the room and exited Dumbledore's office.
***
Harry ran outside of Hogwarts, Marauder's map firmly clutched in his fist. He had gone up to Gryffindor tower in hopes of finding her, yet she was no where near him. In one last attempt to search for her, he had unrolled the Marauder's map and found her, sitting by the lake. He could feel the bitter snow crunching underneath his feet as he followed the tree line towards a small inlet that carved its way from the rest of the lake. Karista was sitting on the ground, her legs pulled up against her chin. She was obviously crying and shivering at the same time. Harry slowed his pace to a solemn march before stopping all together a few feet away from her.
"Kar," he murmured, placing the map in his pocket and adjusting his glasses.
"Go away."
Her voice was thick from sobbing and speaking through her robes. She managed to pull her legs closer to herself, almost as if she wanted to disappear.
"No. I will not," he said defiantly clenching his fists together to maintain his blood flow. She dropped her head onto her knees and began crying much harder than before. "I'm sorry."
She stopped abruptly causing herself to break into a hiccup. She looked up into his eyes, her tear streaked face glowing brightly under the glowing sun.
"What are you sorry for?"
"Not listening to you. I should have given you a chance to explain things. Instead, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape had to tell me what was wrong."
Her face scrunched up as though she was going to cry again, but she held it in. Harry, sensing his own weakness, dropped to her side and pulled her towards him. She went limp under his touch as he snaked his arms around her body and rested his chin on the top of her head. She began crying softly into his robes and he could feel the wetness touch his muggle clothing, then his skin.
"At the rate you're crying there, I might die of hypothermia," he chuckled, trying to soften the mood. He could hear he soft giggle as they sat there in each other's arms, small snowflakes swirling around them.
(#@*&q$!)(@&q$!_(@&q%*)#(@$&q!_($@&q(&q@$(*)^%)*(!^$*
Awww....Karista and Harry, sitting in a tree...s-n-o-g-g-i-n-g...
Coming Next:
Arthur Weasley, Minister of Magic?
raw=war...
Il incideus corpeus maximus...
Deprograming Callidus
And...Kryssy pulls a missle out of her pocket and asks the question..."Do you want to live?"
Okay, just kidding...high profile warfare isn't my specialty.
Okies, Kryssy
