Angel of the Apocalypse
Chapter Ten: Poison
Ginny had woken up from her nap when it was already dark. The vineyard looked like either haunted or sacred ground. Gavin was sitting by the fire poking it with a metallic poker that was found near the fireplace in a stand. She sat up and looked around.
"It's alright. I put up some wards this time," said Gavin with a gentle smile.
"I had a dream on the way here. I saw myself. It looked like I was on fire," whispered Ginny. She sat up when she felt another pain rip through the blades of her back. Gavin stood up when he saw her physical distress and came to her. "Is there something wrong with your back?" he asked.
"Yes. It hurts. I think it's coming from all the traveling we've been doing," said Ginny.
"Perhaps. Do you want me to cast a spell to take the pain away?" he asked.
"No. I was wondering about your people. You never told me what you really were," answered Ginny.
Gavin sighed. "I am a Seraphim. We are the people that the humans call 'angels.' We are considered one of the levels of angels. But for all the power that my people have, they cannot travel to this world safely. As I have said before, I am the only one of my kind who is immune to the sun and the iron of your world. In my world, it makes no difference if you are a wizard or Muggle, any power you have is dissolved when you cross our borders. The only being who comes form this world whose powers are not neutralize is yours," as he said this Ginny found herself even more confused than where she began.
"You mean to tell me that I'm not even human. If I am human, then I should just be like everyone else and have my powers gone when I go into your world," said Ginny.
"You are human, but different from your kind. Just as I am different from my own kind," said Gavin.
"We're outcasts," whispered Ginny as she started laughing softly. Gavin looked at her and shook his head. "Yes, we are. As a child, I wasn't allowed to be around the other children because they would tease me about my bloodlines," he said.
"I find it horribly ironic that my first and only friend isn't even human," said Ginny as she still laughed.
"You're my first and true friend as well," said Gavin with a smile.
~*~
Moira woke up with a start the following morning because Remus was to return soon with word about Godric's Hollow. And also because she couldn't go back to see after that dream. Recently, her memory was triggered and now she knew it was due to the presence of her son, Gavin. She took off her clothes and got into the bath.
Her son was right in front of her, and she didn't even know it. He was there for weeks. Moira could now remember the man who she married. His name was Lord Erolos Skyler. She thought grimly how much Gavin looked like his father. There wasn't any part of her in him it seemed. He didn't know who she was. She pulled her knees up to her chest in the bath tub.
Her mind filled with what happened after her son was born. He was taken out of the room the moment he was born, and she wasn't allowed to even hold him. She was told by the attendants that her baby died when he was born. Moira laid in bed for days unreceptive to the touches of her husband and her lady-in-waiting, Aira. She refused to eat and sleep. Her eyes glazed over. And to top it off, Eros was off doing his duties as lord because his father had died halfway through her pregnancy. Little did Moira know at the time, he was at the other side of the palace with their little boy, attending to his needs.
Finally after a few months of torment and loneliness, save Aira, the physician recommended that Moira couldn't take it anymore and that she would die. He told Lord Skyler that Lady Skyler needed to be with her own kind. So, one night Eros carried his wife to the human world to a place where he knew that she would get immediate attention, a hospital. He held her tightly in his arms as if he were afraid. Moira could close her eyes and see the sadness in them. "Eros, where are we?" she asked as the rain pounded on them.
"You are home. Where you belong," said Eros simply as he placed his hand over of her eyes and used a powerful spell to take the two years she spent with him. He held her tightly as she passed out and kissed her on the lips. He set her down on the cold, wet pavement and waited until the humans came and found her.
Rage filled Moira's heart and spread across her entire being. Her husband, the one whom she trusted and loved, stole their son from her. Worst yet, he made her think that he was dead. After another half hour, she pulled herself together and got out of the tub. She drained it and went downstairs to find her nephew, his friends, and Sirius having breakfast.
"I take it that Remus hasn't returned it," said Moira as her good morning.
"No, he should be back soon," assured Sirius.
"Well, that doesn't mean we're skipping lessons while we wait. Hurry up with breakfast," said Moira as she got some food for herself.
Ron gave Harry a pained look. She was a good teacher, but too good. "Don't say anything bad about my aunt," said Harry immediately.
"I think this is great. We'll be in better shape than everyone else when we get back to Hogwarts," said Hermione happily. Harry was so lucky to have an aunt like Moira. She was intelligent and kind.
"That's what I'm aiming for, Hermione," said Moira.
"Oh, God! There's two of them," exclaimed Ron with a groan.
~*~
The Magi were in different teams. They were using Voldemort's network to find out where the Angel could be. Magnus knew that they were dealing with a Seraphim. He took out his thin tipped sword. It was made out of steel, which was nothing more, but refined iron. He also had a dagger. The Seraphim was a powerful being if he was able to protect the Angel so far. He was the only thing that stood in their way. They had to kill the Angel soon before her powers were uncontainable.
"The crows have seen nothing," said one of the Magi.
"We must keep looking. He cannot take her into the Seraphim realm," said Magnus. "We must be prepared to stop him," he said further as he gestured to the blades he had just sharpened.
"We are no better than the Dark Lord," said the young Magi grimly Magus looked at him as he apparated away. Yes, they were no better, but at least their cause was nobler. The Angel could kill Voldemort before he has a chance of attacking her, or he could destroy her. The Magi were a high holy order, and they weren't about to get their hands dirty killing the Angel themselves like common folk. Voldemort was common folk. And if he killed her, the Magi would know that she wasn't to full power. They would simply kill Voldemort and the Death Eaters when their task was completed.
~*~
Gavin and Ginny got up the next morning and walked outside to an old chapel that was on the grounds. Actually, it was nothing more but rumble. They were practicing with some of Ginny's telekinesis that morning. It started out a good day for her. For the first time in weeks, Ginny actually had a good dream about her powers. She dreamt that people were happy to see her. People who were in pain were healed. The world was renewed because of her power, but she didn't feel like she was there completely. As good as the dream was, she knew that she had a strong possibility of dying if her will wasn't strong enough. How was one supposed to tell that?
They were trying to see if she could shield herself and to see if she could do more and more things. It was exhausting to say the least. They were so distracted in their activities that they didn't realize that a crow had landed on one of the stones and captured a picture of them.
Voldemort and his Death Eaters were not informed of the situation, instead Magnus ordered that they apparate over to the vineyard themselves. They were about to meet the Angel for the first time, and may she have mercy on them.
~*~
Remus came half an hour after the lessons began for the day. He found them all expecting him. He told them what he found, and he went to talk to the villagers and gathered some information.
"I asked the innkeeper there were two people who were there just before the tremor, who paid in full before taking rooms, matching the description of Ginny Weasley and Gavin Skyler. During the tremor, they left, but the strange thing is no one remembers seeing them leave. And there was a dragon sighting just off the Channel," said Remus.
"Are they sure they saw my sister?" asked Ron to make he was hearing correctly. Remus nodded. Moira let out a sigh.
"What are you thinking about, Moira?" asked Sirius.
"I was thinking about how all of this began. Now, all of you have to bare with me," she said with another sigh.
"Okay," said Hermione encouragingly. Moira stood up and turned around. She turned back again with a serious expression.
"What if we take Gavin out of the equation?" asked Moira out loud. Not because he was her son, but rather to make sense of the situation.
"What do you mean?" asked Ron.
"I mean let's play a logic game. Consider this a lesson in analytical thinking. Gavin wasn't here when this all started. It started three years ago. What happened three years ago that was a major event in Hogwarts?" she asked.
"That's easy. The Chamber of Secrets was opened," answered Hermione promptly.
"Yes, and Harry saved Ginny Weasley," added Sirius.
"I don't think that's what kept her alive. Think about it Sirius. Remus. Not to doubt your abilities, Harry, but Tom Riddle was controlling Ginny for weeks. Months. Any wizard or witch under those conditions should have had the life drained out of them by the time Harry got there," said Moira softly.
"Are you trying to tell us that Ginny was the one causing all those things to happen?" asked Ron with an incredulous tone. He stood up and looked defensive.
"Just try and think about Ron. Why did all the strange things happen all within proximity to her? Snape's class, Trelawney's class, the hall of armor, and Pansy Parkinson. I don't know what role Gavin really plays in all this. I do know one thing for certain whatever is happening to Ginny, it's something powerful," said Moira.
"But, what? I don't believe this. It's nothing any of us have seen before," said Harry.
"Believe me. There are some things that you haven't seen, but exists," said Moira. "And now look. The earthquake in Godric's Hollow. Ginny was seen there with Gavin, but he wasn't here when the Chamber of Secrets was opened," she further explained.
It all made sense, even Ron couldn't deny that. "But why did they run?" he asked.
"Ginny was awfully quiet after what happened with Professor Trelawney. Remember what she was saying. 'The Angel of Death,'" whispered Hermione with a shudder. Professor Kelly looked at her.
"You know. I noticed something. Some of the students were more frightened than others during the attack. You were one of them Hermione. I know you. You wouldn't appear really frightened unless it was that bad. Tell me. Why were some of the Muggle borns so frightened?" asked Moira.
Hermione swallowed. She looked at Harry who nodded. "The Horsemen. They were predicted to come by Muggle mystics. The mystics predicted the end of the world. The Apocalypse. It's all in a book called The Book of Revelations. It's in the Muggle document of books called the Bible. The four Horsemen serve as one of the first real signs of the Apocalypse. I never believed it myself. Not many do. I mean the Muggles have spent a lot of time trying to predict the end of the world. However the Book, still has a high place in the minds of many. My parents have a copy of it. I could go home and bring it here," said Hermione.
"You knew about this, Harry?" asked Sirius.
"Yes. I heard about it when I was at Muggle school. We were learning history and a Muggle known as Nostradamus. Some of his predictions have come true, and then we started talking about that book. Muggles know more things than the wizards give them credit for," admitted Harry.
"So, the Horsemen that came were after Ginny!" concluded Ron.
"It appears so. Remember when they suddenly stopped attacking. The lead Horseman said something about the Angel not being there," said Hermione.
"But, what Gavin?" asked Remus.
"Simple. He came as her protector. He was the one who got her out of Hogwarts and away from the Horsemen," said Moira.
"How can you be sure?" asked Ron.
"Because I know him," answered Moira softly.
"How?" asked Sirius.
"It's sort of hard not to know someone who you gave birth to," answered Moira.
~*~
Gavin immediately looked up to see the sky darken above them. What magic was this? He looked at Ginny to see if she was doing it, but she looked up at the sky with the same question burning in her brown eyes. The ground shook beneath them as they jumped further apart from each as the ground cracked.
"What's happening?!" shouted Ginny in a panic.
Gavin scanned the area quickly. His violet eyes narrowed as he saw through the trees and vines. The Magi with their staffs on the ground were casting spells. They were trapping him and Ginny. "The Magi are here," said Gavin finally. Ginny didn't need to be told to run she turned and quickly took off for the safety of the manor with Gavin phasing near her and taking her hand. He couldn't phase both of them. There was too much interference.
The Magi apparated to where they were. "Surrender the Angel at once, Seraphim," ordered one of them; it was Magnus. Gavin pulled Ginny behind him. He held out his hands and out of light he created a bow and an arrow.
"You will have to get past me first, Magi," said Gavin as he shot a powerful arrow. The Magi were quick and apparated away from the arrow as it triggered a light of purification that was supposed to neutralize their powers. Damn ! They're too fast!, thought Gavin as Ginny looked around her.
These were wizards. And they wanted her dead. Gavin changed his bow to a sword and started to deflect off any cures and hexes that they were throwing at them. Magnus apparated right behind them. He was invisible and there was too much going on for either Gavin or Ginny to notice. He grabbed Ginny from behind. "GAVIN!" screamed Ginny just before Magnus clamped his hand over her throat.
The fighting came to an immediate halt. Gavin turned around and his sword which Ginny could see was forged of light, but had metal in it. "Release her at once, Magi," he ordered Magnus.
"I will not. You and your kind have no right to interfere with this world, Seraphim," said Magnus as he tightened his grip on Ginny's throat. The ground started to vibrate again. Ginny was trying to help herself.
"I warned once," whispered Gavin. He uttered something in a foreign tongue. Too foreign for the human world. Magnus released her, but at the same time threw a dagger from the sleeve of his robes. The light from Gavin's sword killed him instantly, and the dagger missed Gavin, but scrapped along his upper arm.
The Magi closed around them. Gavin's eyes widened in sudden pain. The burning pain was coming from the scratch of the dagger that Magnus had thrown. Iron, he thought as his vision blurred. Ginny came running to him to ask him what was wrong.
"Iron," he whispered to her. He couldn't see her face as he collapsed onto the ground.
~*~
Everyone looked at Moira. "You mean he's your son? Gavin Skyler is your son?!" exclaimed Harry. He was the first one to regain his ability to speak. She nodded.
"But, how? When?" stammered Sirius.
"I told you. I lost two years of my life. A spell was cast so that I would not remember. I don't think my husband would not count on me being at Hogwarts. He must have sent Gavin there to protect Ginny. It was seeing him that broke the spell," said Moira.
"Husband?" asked Remus. "I don't remember you ever getting married."
Moira looked away from them all that moment and walked to the window. For a brief moment, she had returned to the place where there was no sun. And after that to the Moors. She was there when she was interested in Herbology. She was studying moss that could only come at night. There she met her husband. He didn't show that he was a noble. No, he looked so human. The only thing that gave him away were his pointed ears. Gavin had his father's eyes and hair, but Gavin was built like most Potter men, not overly tall and they were sort of skinny. He was like his cousin, Harry, in that aspect.
"My husband wasn't human," she said after some silence passed.
"What?!" exclaimed Ron.
"He was a Seraphim," said Moira with a sad smile on her lips.
"An angel?" asked Hermione, remembering the levels of angels.
"Seraphim are not angels. They are magical folk. More powerful than humans and Faerie folk. My husband was the son of Lord Alliuer Skyler. My husband's name is Erolos. I called him Eros for short. Our marriage was not supported by anyone. You would like him very much, Sirius, he was defiant at times to a fault. Gavin looks very much like him, but he's built like you, Harry. I met him when I was exploring the Moors for moss. I never wrote home to tell my cousin about him," said Moira sadly. How would James take the news that she was married to someone who wasn't even human? She would guess that he would demand a wizard's duel as a formality before giving his consent. James always joked and said that if anyone could bet him in a duel, then they were worthy of her.
"Why aren't you with him now?" asked Harry.
"I don't know what happened. I have a feeling that the king had something to do with it. All I know is, my son was taken from me. I wasn't even allowed to hold him. I told Eros before he was born that I wanted to name him 'Gavin.' I asked him if it would be fine to name him that because it was a human name. Eros told me that if it was my desire, then it was fine. I didn't get a chance to name him, but Eros must have named him that. At least the did that for me," said Moira. There was underlying anger in her voice that none of them could miss.
"If he's your son, then my sister is safe," said Ron. He allowed himself to sound a little relieved. He also could tell that no matter how mad he was at Gavin, and no matter how worried he was about his sister, his emotions couldn't match the rage that Moira Kelly was feeling.
~*~
Ginny caught Gavin just before he hit the ground. The Magi were standing around them in a semi-circle. Ginny could feel his forehead. It was burning from a fever. He said something about iron just before he passed out. She pressed her hand against his upper arm and found the bloody cut. That dagger was made out of iron. It must have scratched him. Dear God! No, I'm not going to lose my best friend. My only friend, she thought with determination.
"BACK OFF!" shouted Ginny as she held out her palm. Her powers threw half of them back and off their feet. The others started to make their staffs glow. Ginny focused her powers and ground caught fire. The flames carved a circle around her and Gavin, protecting them from the Magi. Gavin's breaths were getting more and more swallow as she tried to support them. She was too tired because of all the practicing. She could feel the pain he was in. The same spot on her upper arm was also on fire.
Suddenly, a blue-violet flame spurted out of no where. The roar of a large beast could be heard. Ginny smiled slightly. It was Pendragon. He swooped down and landed on two of the Magi, crushing them with his sharp talons. The Magi had no choice, but to retreat.
Ginny sighed in relief, but it wasn't over yet. Gavin was dying in her arms.
AN: I told you more action here. And an evil cliffhanger to boot! I'd like to thank the two people who seem to be reviewing this story. Harmony McKellin and Gemini16. Thanks! ^_^ My Spring Break is going more quickly than I thought it would. The next quarter begins on April 1st. Way to go for April Fool's Day. Um…people's recent interest in this story and the really long reviews, have prompted me to continue this. And to all the people who reviewed this story. See, I read the reviews. And I eventually do something about it.
Disclaimer: I only own the new characters and this story. J.K. Rowling is the truly creative one. =^..^= ß Crookshanks is watching.