D/C: I do not own Harry. I do not own Ron. I do not own Hermione. I do not own Dumbledore. I do not own Hagrid. I do not own Sirius. I do not own Hogwarts. I do not own Quidditch. I do not own Bertie Bott. I do not own Fred. I do not own George. I do not own an owl. I do not own an animagus rat. I DO own robes.
Chapter 23: In the Guise of Innocence
"How in the bloody hell did that get there?" Ron stuttered ogling at the first page of the missing chapter in Hermione's hands.
"That's the mystery, isn't it?" Hermione said quietly, shaking her head as she turned the book around to look at the text. "The pages have been dogged-eared and marked—it look's like Jade was a bit keen about reading it."
Harry moved behind Hermione to read over her shoulder, swiping a hand quickly over his dampened brow.
" 'Manifested powers', " Hermione read out loud as Ron stepped beside her as well. " 'objects or 'existences' (later discussed below) that are sources of great power. They are created when one invokes his or her magic into a form and binding it to said vessels'—We learned about this in Defense Against the Dark Arts last term—" She looked surprise when she glanced up to find Harry craning his neck in anticipation of the rest of the text. He took the book from her hands, unable to wait and read the rest of the passage.
" 'The origins of using manifested powers are unknown, but were first documented in Arabic around 200 CE. A simpler form of this power is believed to have been used in religious rited practiced by pre-historic Pagans in Europe, but it later evolves into a way for powerful practice of more traditional magic. One prime example of manifested powers are those of the healing kind marked upon the "Giant's Stones" of Stonehenge, which were placed there by the great wizard, Merlin—one of Merlin's greatest power, healing, is 'solidified' in that formation.
"The use of manifested powers was not predominately performed in the Dark Arts until the seventh century. It began to spread in wide practice among Dark Wizards after it was discovered to be the cause of the legendary King Arthur's death as well as used as a potent catalyst of the Saxon take over in Briton.
"Manifested powers are not innately bad. A form of such magic is evident in the later use of staffs, pendants, and wands."
"I don't see how reading this got Jade all hot and bothered," Ron insisted.
"Shut up, Ron," Harry said, intently flipping through the pages. "Dark Existences—'The creation of a power vessel bonded to a certain characteristic. It is used to preserve the power of a wizard, so that his magic may exist after his death. The actual vessel of a Dark Existence does not by philosophical definition exist: though it does take the form of a human or animal, it has neither a soul nor a life cycle—it is created and continues to be and is very difficult to destroy. The Existence is merely a phantom without consciousness and is controlled by either the wizard who created it, or an appointed holder who it is magically bonded too.
However, non such Forces are believed to be currently in existence today, as it demands a large, powerful surge of hatred and power, as well as the life of the wizard to produce something of that magical magnitude. In any case, the possibility of such a magical vessel and it's potential for great destruction should be noted.' "
Harry didn't look up when he finished. He just continued staring at the open book in his hands. The Guardian in his dreams—it was a Dark Existence, an object forged from manifested powers…and his parents went after it to prevent Voldemort getting to it first. But there was something else that suddenly surged into his mind…
That connection he was sure he felt with Jade from the moment he saw her—did that have something to do with what his parents went after that night? It was absurd and it made no logical sense…but yet the pendent that hung from Jade's neck looked hauntingly like the one his mother had had around hers.
Absent-mindedly, Harry reached up and touched his scar, remembering the agony that had shot through his body as Jade's lips brushed the razor-thin line of marred skin. When Dumbledore had asked him his thoughts about what possibly caused the pain, he had answered instantly, Voldemort. His scar after all, since his first year at Hogwarts, acted as some sort of alarm for a Voldemort attack…it had always hurt before when Voldemort was near or on the verge of something horrible. The pain had nearly crippled Harry when he came face to face with the Dark Lord his first year, and later in his fourth. But yet, in the back of his mind, the memory of what happened the night of the promenade continued to play—his scar had hurt when Jade touched him.
"What do you reckon, Harry?" Hermione asked shaking his arm a bit. Blinking, he looked at her, mildly confused at the concern on her face.
"Why is this chapter back now?" he responded slowly. "Why was it missing in the first place?"
"D'you think that's what Jade was reading just now?" Ron asked. "She seemed even more upset than after the night you—well, you know…"
"It doesn't make any sense though," Hermione insisted. "Why would this bother her?"
"I don't know," Harry half lied. He didn't know what to make of it, but he began to wonder if Sirius's suspicions could be justified. Could Jade be some sort of elaborate trap set up by Voldemort to kill Harry? Dumont and Price seemed to believe something along those lines…and so did Snape. But Jade's parents were found—they were respected researchers, not a trace of bad blood in them.
And she's my friend, Harry reasoned. Not to mention she's only a teenager…would Voldemort have youthful followers? It was then Harry paused and realized he could easily imagine Draco Malfoy, who was their age, as a Death Eater. But what if, what if the jade pendent she wore was actually the manifested power…how could she have gotten a hold of it?
"What's that?"
Ginny was now standing near him pointing at the book, he, Ron, and Hermione were huddled around. Harry instinctively slammed it shut.
"Lesson book," he explained quickly.
"I'm helping Harry with his homework," Ron blurted out.
"That's rich," Ginny snorted before noting the red stain on the book's cover. "Is that blood?"
"No!" all three of them returned loudly. Ginny's eyebrows rose in surprise, but being quick as she was, she got the hint.
"Just wanted to tell you it's your turn to write mum, Ron." She gave a small wave, and a curious look before making her way back to a group of her mates.
"We should go talk to Jade," Hermione finally said. Harry swallowed unable to shake the feeling of unease from his mind no matter how much he wanted to believe in Jade's total innocence.
"Tomorrow."
After an exhausting Quidditch practice, dinner, and a few futile attempts at studying for end of term exams, Harry dragged himself up to bed. He mulled over his thoughts well into the night, and didn't fall asleep until his dormitory had long filled with the sounds of snoring and sleepy sighs.
"I can't believe it," James muttered, falling back into Lily. "No, they can't be…"
Harry was there again, watching as his parents gazed at the two dead Death Eaters, their masks clenched in James Potter's hand. The scene played out as Harry, long used to the repetitive images, observed quietly, refraining from sighing aloud as he watched the familiar events.
The dream looped and he saw his mother questioned by the menacing water demon, battle the rock creature with the curiously accurate sword, and finally taking possession of the Guardian. Harry stepped forward and once again, and for a fleeting moment, he thought his mother had seen him again. The image of the Guardian, her faded gold outlines vanished into Lily as the curious jade pendent rested onto her neck.
A manifested power, Harry thought, staring at his mother and the simple necklace. That would explain everything…even why Hermione couldn't find any books about it.
A new scene appeared. It had been a long time since Harry had any new dreams to accompany the now very familiar ones.
Lily was sitting with Dumbledore, James just behind her. They appeared to be in the Headmaster's office, Lily's belly swollen with her first and only child.
"We can't just destroy it," she was saying. "We can save her—"
"It is a product of evil, Lil!" James insisted heatedly again. "It's caused death, havoc, destruction—the thing was created to crush everything! Tell her professor, knock some sense into her, please."
"You don't understand, James," Lily shot firmly. "Professor…I can feel more than just power from it…from her."
"Lily," Dumbledore said quietly. "You know I trust your judgment, after all you must know better than anyone. But how? How can what you say be true? And if it is, is there any way to make it impossible for Voldemort to get?
"Yes," she replied evenly. "Yes, there is a way."
Harry shook his head growing slightly infuriated with the images, wondering how or why he was seeing them. He was grateful to get a chance to see the vibrant lives of his parents as they should be, but every time he saw them, a bit of him ached to reach out and touch them. Harry turned away to find his face pressed against his pillow, vision miraculously clear in the dark room. Why am I seeing them?
"Because something wants you to know."
The voice was hollow, familiar, and cut through the hot, night air like lightning. Harry shot up from the bed to find Jade standing near the edge, staring at him.
"ARGH!"
"What is it?" Dean shouted, cursing as he lit his lantern.
Harry's eyes snapped open to find everything blurry without his glasses. Frantically, he scanned the room, emerald irises flashing in the dim light. Jade was nowhere to be seen. It had been a dream.
"Harrywassamatter?" Ron asked shooting up from his covers pale-faced and bleary-eyed.
"No-nothing," Harry replied, and despite the warm night, he shivered. Grinning weakly, he pointed at the foot of his bed.
"Thought I saw a spider."
Seamus groaned, leaned over and blew out Dean's lantern, plunging them back into darkness.
"You sure you killed it, Harry?" Neville's voice called out uncertainly.
"Neville!" Dean and Seamus groaned in unison.
"Sorry."
Harry looked over at Ron who was faintly lit by the quarter moon. Flashing a reassuring smile that he was sure Ron could see, Harry slipped from his bed and made towards the door. He wasn't completely out in the hall before Ron stopped him.
"Was it the dreams?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah."
They stood there, barefoot and in their pajamas for a while in utter silence.
"I'm just getting some water," Harry finally said. "Go back to bed, Ron."
"I'll come with," Ron insisted. "Can't get back to sleep now, anyway." Despite himself, he yawned. Flashing a sleepy grin, he added, "maybe we can play a game of chess?"
Harry grinned back appreciatively. He had enough of contemplating unexplainable things by himself.
They made their way down the spiral staircase, stretching kinks out of their backs and legs and were surprise to find a dimly lit lantern in a far corner when they reached the common room. Harry led the way towards the sole light source, curious as to who was crouched over the table at such an ungodly hour.
"Hermione!" He said surprised. Before he could help himself, he added, "studying this early? A bit keen, are we?" He was silenced by the torn look on her face.
"What is it?" Ron said uncertainly, pulling up a chair and sitting beside her. She avoided both boys' eyes and instead gazed at an unfurled letter written on crisp white stationary. It had irises printed in the corners, and beside it was a blank piece of parchment over which her hand was poised, as if preparing to write something.
"Hermione—,"
"I'm real clever, aren't I?" she said her voice quivering a bit. "Thinking I could actually intercept a letter from Dumbledore—"
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked quietly, brushing a bit of her hair from her averted face.
"This just came," she said flatly pointing at the artful stationary. "My parents got the notice about You-Know-Who after all"—her nose wrinkled as she attempted to hold back tears—"they want me home by this weekend…they've sent a withdraw request to Dumbledore and everything." Harry's jaw dropped. First Cho, than Jade, and now Hermione…he couldn't imagine a school year without her and one glance from Ron told Harry his friend felt the same way.
"It's not their fault really," Hermione continued quietly. "They just want me to be safe—but I can't help being so angry. I can't leave now, what if I can't come back? What happens then?" Ron looked as if he wanted to say something, but he could only mouth wordlessly like a fish out of water.
"I've spent the last hour trying to figure out how to convince Mum and Dad my place is here. If they don't withdraw their request, I'll have to go." She sighed looking horribly pained, but grinned at her best friends just the same.
"What are you two going to do without me?" she asked wryly. Harry could only stare at her in disbelief. Voldemort's return had resulted in this. Ron swallowed loudly and patted Hermione's shoulder. Then, surprising all of them, he wrapped his long arms awkwardly around her. At last, the grin faded from her face and she finally cried a little, before quickly pushing away and mopping up her tears looking rather embarrassed.
"But Voldemort is a threat to both the magical and non-magical community," Harry said still rather shocked. "Maybe you can convince your parents that Hogwarts is the safest place to be—"
"I've only got until Sunday," Hermione explained. "I'm going to try to, but let's be reasonable—" she and Ron jumped as Harry slammed his hand down onto the table.
"It's not fair," he said. He meant everything from his friends' displacement, to his lack of understanding, and even his parents' death.
"At least I'll be able to catch the game Saturday," Hermione said weakly.
"If only Fudge would do something," Harry growled. "He's got so many people that would fight." Hermione crossed her arms and stood up, knitting her brows.
"Enough," she said. "I've only got three more days here—don't make it a bad time for me." All three were silent for uncountable minutes, the flickering of the candle making their shadows dance.
"I can't believe you have to go," Ron muttered.
"Let's not talk about it for now," Hermione said folding the letter and blank parchment and pocketing them in her dressing gown. "There's no use in moping because of it"—pausing, she eyed them both curiously—"What are you two doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep," Harry said just as Ron blurted out, "he had another dream." Hermione's eye's widened.
"Was it different from before?" she asked. At Harry's silence she added, "go on, help me keep my mind off having to leave."
"Yeah," he admitted. "They were a little different." He shivered as he remembered the strange conversation between his parents and Dumbledore…but mostly when he remembered Jade's face a short distance from his own. He could have sworn she was actually standing beside his bed.
Harry got up and paced near one of the windows that overlooked part of the lake.
"That Guardian my parents were after, whatever it was," he started. "My mum wanted to do something to it…she kept on saying she wanted to 'save her', whatever that means. Whatever the case, Voldemort killed them for it." Ron and Hermione stared at him in disquiet anticipation.
"That chapter in Jade's guide book—it all fits. That pendent was an object of a Dark Existence—I think it had something to do with the death of two Death Eaters the night my parents went after it." Harry stopped in his tracks and faced the window, examining the stone working around the glass.
"But why would my mum not want to destroy something so dangerous?" Harry asked to no one in particular. "What would want me to know that?" He looked up to find the grounds weakly lit by the quarter moon. He straightened when he noticed the hut in the distance tucked near the forest, its windows brightly aglow.
"Looks like we're not the only ones who can't sleep," Harry murmured. Hermione and Ron got up to have a look out of the window for themselves.
"Harry no," Hermione said instantly catching his drift. "You know we're not allowed on the grounds unattended…and at night? Forget about it, we'll get into loads of trouble."
"I hate to say it," Ron added, "but she's right. Filch has been doing double rounds since Dumbledore's address. Where are you going?" Harry was already half way up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. He needed to get out even if it was for a few minutes and loosing points hardly mattered to him.
"Getting my Invisibility cloak," Harry answered without stopping. "I don't want to get caught. Don't worry, you two won't have to go."
Harry returned minutes later, but before he could place one foot out of the portrait hole, he was pulled roughly back by the collar of his pajamas.
"Didn't you hear Hermione?" Ron demanded. "You can't go onto the grounds unattended."
"Sorry, Harry," Hermione added leading the way out. "But I'm the prefect, so what I say, goes."
After nearly being held up by Peeves and skirting Mrs. Norris twice, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found themselves huddled uncomfortably under the cloak before Hagrid's door.
"Put on weight, Hermione?" Ron grumbled earning a well-deserved elbow to the ribs. Harry warned them to be quiet before knocking on the large door.
"Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid muffled voice called out, within a few seconds he had flung open the door. "Didn't expect to see yeh—hello?"
"It's us, Hagrid," Harry said pushing his way in and pulling the cloak away from his sweaty brow.
"Harry!" Hagrid exclaimed in bewilderment. "Blimey, yeh—yeh know better an' wondering by yerselves on the grounds—at night and all!" He furrowed his wiry brows, pushing them all inside. "You all know what's going on and yer still don't mind the rules!"
"We're sorry, Hagrid," Harry said truthfully. "We just—we just came to visit, seeing that your lights were on."
"There's no excuse," the half-giant huffed, though a small smile crept onto his lips at the sight of the three of them. "Breakin' the rules on account of me, you deserve detentions, the lot of yeh…deserve ter…ter loose hoards o' points…yeh lot want some tea?" The three of them grinned at each other and obliged.
"Why up so late, Hagrid?" Ron asked pouring milk into his tea. The half-giant plopped down a large pound cake (that was so dense Harry was sure it'd go through the table), noticing as the three curiously glanced at the piles of parchments littered before them.
"Now don't yeh mind that," he said firmly, taking off his kitten-print oven mitts, and hastily putting the letters away. "I am lettin' you kids off for extreme rule breakin', mind you."
"Any signs of Voldemort?" Harry asked soaking a bit of pound cake in his tea. Hagrid shivered noticeably, but shook off Harry's apologies.
"Dumbledore sure thinks so," Hagrid said slowly. "It's why you three should be more careful…'specially you, Harry. That Ministry bloke Price says that sorry excuse for a minister knows You-Know—Voldemort is back too, but he's refusing to admit it."
"So Professor Dumbledore trusts Price?" Ron asked raising his eyebrows.
"And why shouldn't he?" Hagrid asked offering Hermione a huge slab of the golden cake. "Price may be young and arrogant, but god knows, he's damn well informed. Used teh go here as well, was a Gryffindor and all."
"D'you remember when he and his sister left?" Hermione asked. Hagrid choked on a bit of cake.
"How'd you know 'bout his sister?" he asked.
"Long story," Hermione explained. "But anyway, we know Professor Dumont's his sister. Don't worry, we haven't told anyone." Hagrid gave all three of them a pained look that was neither new nor sparsely used when it came to conversations with them.
"They certainly don't have many get-togethers," muttered Ron. "Last time they were in the same room, I thought there'd be a lot more blood."
"I s'pose that happens when yeh grow apart," Hagrid replied uneasily. "I remember when they left…it was shortly after their parents were killed—never thought I'd see the day students would be leavin' Hogwarts again…just like when You-Know-Who was in power…" They fell silent once more, Harry barely aware of Fang's heavy snores from across the room.
"D'you hear Jade's leaving on Saturday?" Ron said quietly.
"I did," Hagrid sighed. "She was getting along so well here, and all." Harry was staring at the scrubbed table.
"She hasn't been the same since—," Harry attempted.
"I know," Hagrid interrupted. "She's a good soul, yeh three keep at her…even though she's leaving in a few days." Harry suddenly realized how short a day or two was. Even with guilty suspicion about Jade's innocence lurking deep in the pit of his stomach, he wanted desperately to help her before she left for home. She was a good friend, and she deserved at least that. He suddenly looked up, remembering another face he was going to have to say goodbye too. Hermione cleared her throat and sat up straight, a muscle throbbing along the line of her jaw. She looked sadly at Harry and Ron and without warning, a single tear slid down her chin.
"Hermione, what is it?" Hagrid asked slightly bewildered, fishing in his pocket for a handkerchief.
"Jade's not the only one leaving," she said quietly. Hagrid looked up, surprise somehow dulling the twinkle in his beetle-black eyes.
"Voldemort's already displacing everyone," he sighed handing her a handkerchief. "And he hasn't even made an appearance yet."
After consoling them, Hagrid walked them back up to the castle just as the sky began to grow gray as the tea they had finished off minutes before. When they were safely inside the Entrance Hall, he made them promise to abide by the rules from then on, before wrapping them in a huge bear hug and departing into the twilight. Hermione's spirit was lifted considerably as they had spent the time in Hagrid's hut making suggestions on how she'd convince her parents to let her stay. Hagrid had said he'd be sure Dumbledore wouldn't let Hogwart's most clever witch go without an argument or two. Her mentality lightened with every step and so did Ron and Harry's.
They were just passing the library when Peeve's shrieking voice cut through the darkened corridor.
"STUDENT OUT OF BED!!!"
"Quick!" Harry hissed throwing the Invisibility Cloak over them just as the bow-tied apparition bolted through the library doors just to their right.
"STUDENT OUT OF BED! BAD, BAD ICKLE STUDENT IN THE RESTRICTED SECTION!!!"
Just then, the library doors were flung open and a dark figure streaked into the hall. Harry and Ron both clapped a hand over Hermione's mouth to prevent her from gasping at the sight of the person who had just appeared. It was Jade.
Wide eyes visible even in the half-darkness, Jade turned and dashed down the corridor right into a second figure Harry couldn't make out. Stumbling backwards, she fled in the opposite direction, the figure making no move to follow her.
"PEEVES! Where are they?" Filch huffed having pushed through a tapestry just as Jade disappeared down the far hallway, his lantern dangling from his gnarled fingers. Harry bit down on his lip as the light from the lantern swung across them in a wide arc and fell upon Dumont.
"Good evening, Professor," the caretaker said approaching the young woman, whose gray eyes flashed in the lantern's glow. "Did you see 'em? The student out of bed, I mean."
"I didn't see anyone," she said simply giving him a politely confused smile. "Was it a student making all that ruckus?" Filch raised his eyebrows at her looking a bit taken aback.
"No, no," he finally said, turning from the professor. "It's that menace, Peeves. Up to his tricks again. Now don't worry, Professor. I'll have him taken care of."
* * *
"Why was Jade in the Restricted Section?" Ron muttered to Harry and Hermione the next morning at the Gryffindor table. Jade had shown up to breakfast late and seated herself as far away as possible from them, amongst some first years who had shifted nervously away from her.
"I don't know," Harry said blinking to clear his eyes as he looked in her direction, "but we're going to find out today."
"She's looking even more distraught than before," Hermione noted worriedly. "What I'd give to know what she was thinking." Harry silently agreed with her, hoping that Sirius's suspicions, his own growing qualms would prove to have no grounding.
The rustling of many feathers through the open windows signaled the arrival of the morning post. From amongst the cloud of brown and tawny, a snow-white bird made its way toward Harry, landing gracefully between him and the pumpkin juice pitcher.
"Hi Hedwig," he greeted her, handing over his serving of bacon. She hooted and nipped his fingers as if apologizing for her lack of letters.
A large gray owl dropped off a few letter for Hermione and her issue of the Daily Prophet, before fluttering off. She sighed heavily as she opened the first one. It was her train ticket home along with a comforting letter from Dumbledore himself explaining that he had already sent letters to her parents in attempts to convince them to let her stay.
"I won't even be here for exams," Hermione moaned, violently stuffing the ticket and letters into her rucksack. "It's not fair—" She cut herself short upon noticing the front page of the wizarding newspaper.
"What is it?" Harry asked as Ron sipped from his goblet and glanced over it. Before Harry could completely register the headline, Ron choked and spat out a mouthful of pumpkin juice all over Neville. Without bothering to apologize, he snatched up the paper to get a better look, his face growing steadily paler.
"Ron," Harry said just as Ron pushed back from the table and stumbled towards the exit. Hermione and Harry followed after him, ignoring the Slytherins who were gathered around Malfoy.
"I'm guessing, Weasley, the Ministry won't be getting back their medal," he hollered in a singsong manner. Your father's probably hocked it for a decent pair of robes."
"Shut your cakehole," Harry spat as he passed, Hermione shooting the laughing group an indignant glare.
"Ron—," Hermione said stepping up beside him in the Entrance Hall. The lanky redhead was shaking, a mixture of disbelief and anger apparent on his face.
"What is it?" Harry asked. Ron didn't say anything, just shoved the newspaper under his nose. Harry flipped it open and felt his jaw drop at the sight of the headline.
Conspiracy within the MinistryLast December, Arthur Weasley, head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department was rewarded an Honorary Actions award for his brave and skillful capture of three alleged Death Eaters. His actions seemed to end any further dark wizard activity as from then on, the Death Eater related murders that had began to grow in number shortly after the incident at Hogwarts had stopped. However, in the past few days, rumors have once again been flying high about You-Know-Who's followers and their return to Britain along with the Dark Lord himself.
"It's absolute rubbish," says Minister Fudge of the rumors. "It's unsupported information disguised as a leak from within the Ministry in attempts to undermine our hold over the situation…if there even was one."
Weasley was revealed by anonymous whistle-blowers to be involved in the conspiracy to cause immeasurable chaos within the Ministry and Wizarding community. It seems that one Award for civil service wasn't enough for the father of eight. He most likely dispelled such fear-inducing and false information in efforts to embark in more opportunities to be the hero. The prestigious medal awarded to the Ministry official has been revoked because of his actions, and he has been given an order of mandatory suspension as he waits to stand trial for conspiracy in the coming weeks.
"Oh no," Harry muttered.
"I can't believe it," Ron hissed turning from him and Hermione. "I don't bloody believe it."
"Don't worry," Hermione tried helpfully. "Your dad'll get out of this mess, I'm sure of it."
"It must have been Percy," he continued on, his pale face turning red.
"The Ministry can't hide Voldemort forever," Harry inserted.
"They're going to put my dad on trial!" Ron exclaimed as if he hadn't heard him. "He must be humiliated, and all because…because he's trying to do his part in this goddamn fight against Voldemort!"
"The saddest part is that I think Weasley's dad got it right."
They turned to find Malfoy leaning against the doors of the Great Hall, a bemused and malicious smirk clinging to his lips.
"Why don't you sod off?" Harry demanded.
"I'd tell that to Granger there if I cared," he replied. "Just for her safety of course. You-Know-Who's back, and I don't think he'd mind doing yet another mudblood in. Sucks for your dad though, eh Weasley?" Ron growled low in his throat and only failed to pounce because Hermione and Harry each had a firm hold of his robes.
"Your dad's probably having tea with Voldemort right now, Malfoy," Hermione hissed.
"Better the Dark Lord than you, Granger," Malfoy said lazily. "I hope your parents can protect you better than Dumbledore can against You-Know-Who." He made to depart, but paused and turned to add one more thing.
"Maybe my dad's not the only having tea with Voldemort," he said slyly. "Maybe your nutcase of a 'Potter-killer', Jade has invited him for a get-together as well."
* * *
Ron was late to herbology that morning, as he had stayed behind in the Great Hall to share the horrible news with Ginny, and the twins.
"We just go a letter from mum," he said sitting down next to Hermione, pulling on a pair of thick, rubber gloves. "Says she didn't tell us sooner because she was hoping it'd all just go away. In any case, Bill and Charlie are arranging to be home for the trial. The date hasn't even been set. Sorry about spitting pumpkin juice all over you, Neville." Neville shrugged and smiled weakly from his seat across from Ron.
"I didn't like that shirt anyway," he said neatly trimming the atrociously purple leaves of the strange plant they were pruning.
Neville left before the class was let out, as he was going to meet his parents again today. He had mentioned that Dumbledore would be visiting later to speak with them and accompanying him back to Hogwarts.
At last, the bell rung and it was time for the rest of the class to depart. Jade quickly stuffed her things sloppily into her bag before darting through the doors. Harry, Hermione, and Ron pushed their way through the greenhouse doors in attempts to catch her.
"Jade, wait up!" Harry called. She wasn't dangerous; he had to make her understand that…even if he wasn't sure he believed it himself. Malfoy's words had struck a nerve. She only quickened her pace, but in the end, all three of them caught up with her in the castle.
"Come on now!" Ron huffed. Harry sidestepped Jade forcing her to stop.
"Bugger off, Harry," she said sourly.
"Not until you tell us what's wrong."
"Nothing, I've just got loads of packing to do." She brushed past him and he took care to move out of her way.
"Wait a minute, Jade," Hermione said quickly, taking off her pack and extracting Jade's battered Defense Against the Dark Arts guide. "Just thought you'd like this back." Jade turned, the empty and cold look in her eye momentarily melting into panic.
"You didn't read anything in there," Jade said hastily. "Did you?"
"Well yes, but—" Hermione explained.
"No, no, no," she spat incoherently snatching the book from Hermione's hand. "No, you can't know." She turned away looking a little like the water demon, Gollum from Harry's dreams. His breath caught in his throat. She had changed so drastically.
In Jade's haste she walked right into Lupin, but didn't stop to apologize.
"She's been a little distracted lately, hasn't she?" Lupin said quietly, watching her disappear towards the hospital wing.
"We've tried everything," Ron sighed. "She's just gone and closed herself up."
"You can only do so much for her," Lupin said honestly. "In any case, your friendship has helped her more than any of you know. I'm glad to see you three are still going at it."
"There's something so completely wrong," Harry blurted out, pushing his hair from his eyes, feeling frustrated and beset. He was overwhelmed by everything that was happening, all the mixed emotions coursing through him.
"Why would she turn from us like that?" he added.
"Whatever happened during the Promenade," Lupin said. "It's traumatized her in maybe the same way that whatever caused her to loose her memory in the first place did. I think she may be remembering her past, and it's frightening her."
"But isn't that good?" Hermione asked. "Isn't that what we're shooting for?" Lupin looked at them thoughtfully.
"Sometimes the past can hurt," he answered.
"Hello, Professor Lupin," Dumont called out making Harry jump. "You're late to class. Your fourth years are waiting with bated breath." Lupin nodded her a greeting and smiled at them.
"Punctuality shall be the death of me," he said lightly. "I should be off."
* * *
"If Harry's scar hurting at the Promenade's made Jade get her memory back, I don't see what's the big deal," Ron said hurrying after Harry. Care of Magical Creatures, their last class of the day had just let out, and everyone but Ron, Hermione, and Harry were peeling off their robes and heading for the lake. They were much do busy trying to weed out Jade from the crowd.
"Didn't you hear Lupin?" Hermione said pointedly. "She may be remembering what caused her to loose her memory. She could be in denial…I honestly hope she'll be all right."
"Me too," Harry said honestly, feeling worried and nervous about Jade all the same. "There she is." He pointed to the sole figure going in the direction of the castle. Quickening their pace, they drew level with her.
"D'you want to hang out in the common room with us?" Hermione asked
"Can't," Jade replied flatly. "I'm meeting Price and Dumbledore right now."
"We'll walk you," Harry said.
"Perfectly capable of walking myself, thanks."
"Why is it you keep avoiding us?" Harry shot heatedly. "All we've been to you are good friends, we at least deserve an explanation!" He glared at her, wanting her to give him a reason to ignore the suspicion that was lurking in the back of his mind.
She didn't respond, taking the stairs up to the second corridor two at a time.
"Can't we at least talk?" Ron demanded, matching her quick steps with his long stride.
"No."
"We know it was you in the Restricted Section last night," Harry blurted out. "What were you doing there?" Jade stopped in her tracks. A sort of crazed fear danced across her eyes again.
"Studying," she managed slowly before proceeded towards her destination.
"Ice Mice," she said, stepping onto the hidden staircase without so much as a glance back at her friends. Harry's jaw dropped. How could she act as if they weren't there?
"No you don't, Jade," he said jumping onto the moving staircase after her, pulling Hermione and Ron along for the ride. "You don't get to slip away that easily."
"Are you so sure?" she replied, the smugness in her voice making Hermione frown. Harry and Ron looked at her with confusion written on their faces.
"I'm going to a meeting," Jade said, "about me leaving."
With that, she pushed open the heavy oak door. Driven to help Jade, Harry, Ron, and Hermione pressed in right after her.
"Ah, Misters Potter and Weasley, and Ms Granger," Dumbledore welcomed them politely. "So nice of you to escort Ms Cordonnier." Seated in front of his desk was Price, smartly dressed, top hat in toe. He stood to greet them, looking just a bit uncomforted by their company.
"Headmaster," Price said. "This is a personal meeting about Ms Cordonnier's travel arrangements—"
"The meeting hasn't started yet, Logan," Dumbledore replied stepping towards a door to the right of his desk. "Let me just attend to another business of mine ever so quickly. Hermione, Harry, and Ron make for very good conversation." With that, he slipped through the door, shutting it tightly. There was an awkward bit of silence that followed, and soon, Price, unable to take it anymore started up a sort of strained, conversation.
"Do well on your exams, the lot of you?"
"We hope so, sir," Hermione answered for them.
"Summer holiday not to far away."
"Not very."
Price, paced about the room, stopping every few steps to exam the curious contraptions set on display within the circular study. He seemed to be searching for more subjects of small talk when he caught sight of the sword just behind Dumbledore's desk.
"That's beautiful," he said staring at the ruby-encrusted hilt. "What a dream to fight with something like that." He turned and smiled something nostalgic as he came across the Sorting Hat.
"I still remember my first day here," he said quietly. Ron cast Harry and Hermione an uncomfortable look, and Harry knew he was thinking about Dumont and Price's troubled childhood.
"I was a Gryffindor, you know," he added. "My sister and I…what house are you lot in?" He looked up at Harry.
"Gryffindor," Harry replied stiffly.
"And what about you, Ms Cordonnier?"
Jade looked startled at being addressed as she had been quite part of the background since Dumbledore had left.
"I—I don't actually have a house," she answered.
"Pity," Price said. "I wonder why Dumbledore didn't get you sorted?" He reached forward and took the hat gently in his long-fingered hands as if it were a babe.
"Wonder if it still works," and with that, he plopped the beaten leather onto his head. A moment later it yelled out, "Gryffindor!" A sort of quiet smile appeared on his lips.
"You want to try?" he asked brandishing the hat towards Jade. She looked at it wide-eyed, biting her lip.
"Go on, it won't bite." With shaky fingers, she reached forward for the tattered brim, taking the hat from the young man. She was just going to place it over her head when Dumbledore re-entered the room.
"Now my head is clear for other things," he announced, then spotting Jade with the hat inches from her head, added, "is it all right if you give that old thing a go later? I'd like to make sure you get home safely, even if I am sorry your parents have decided to ask you to return this early."
"We'll wait outside," Hermione said pulling Ron and Harry towards the stairs by the back of their robes.
"I kind of feel sorry for Price," Ron said as the gargoyle stepped back into place. "Parents killed, then having a sister who's completely off her plot…probably glad Dumont changed her name."
A quarter of an hour later, Jade appeared. Her face was unreadable, or as Harry thought, blank—devoid of any sort of emotion or thought.
"So," Ron said. "How'd it go?"
"The Ministry's set up a Port Key that'll take me directly to France," she said. "It'll be in Hogsmeade. A port key won't work anywhere in Hogwarts now that Dumbledore's placed loads of new reinforcements on the grounds. Price will accompany me; he's got business with the French Ministry's head of International Magical Cooperations. We're set to leave tomorrow morning at ten."
"You're going to miss the game," Harry muttered flatly.
They followed her back to the Hospital wing, but this time Jade didn't argue. She pushed open the door and led the way in, promptly sitting behind a table that had been set up at the foot of the corner bed she occupied. It was littered with fraying spools of gauze and linen bandages. Picking up a pair of scissors, she began to pick up where she had obviously left off, snipping off the unraveled ends of the linen strips.
"I've got to earn my keep somehow," she said dryly. "I don't s'pose you three will leave, so I won't bother insisting." Ron sat uncomfortably down on Jade's bed, fidgeting with a corner of her gray covers. Hermione chose a sit next to Jade near her packed items looking tired and near tears again.
"Are you excited?" Harry asked Jade leaning on the front of the table. "Seeing your parents again, I mean."
"More like for the first time," she replied. "I haven't got a memory, or did you forget? Bullocks, I do hope it's not catching."
"Will you stop?" he said exasperatedly. "Are you acting this way because you think you did that to me the night of the dance? Well, you didn't. Only Voldemort can do that, and unless you happen to be a snake-man hybrid in a skirt, I doubt you had any part in my scar going crazy!"
"And how can you be so sure?!" Jade exploded back, throwing a particularly large spool of bandages across the room so hard, the sound made Ron stumble backwards, crashing to the floor, pulling down her sheets and all.
"You don't really know me," Jade was yelling. "I don't even know me! You'd think you'd be worried after all the warnings about me—!" She stopped, red in the face glaring at Harry.
"What's this?" Ron interrupted. He was still sprawled on the ground, his feet still on Jade's bed. Her covers were wrapped around one arm and littered around him were what looked like pages torn from books. Hermione knelt down beside him and scooped up a handful of the loose parchment.
"Did you take these from the books in the Restricted Section?" Hermione asked quietly. Jade just stared at the fallen pages, her mouth ajar. She didn't seem to notice when Harry moved to take a look at the torn parchment himself.
Hermione's eyebrows suddenly furrowed as she noticed the text and diagrams on each page. Ron pulled himself up and looked over her and Harry's shoulder. Manifested Powers, Bound Entities, Unnatural existences…every heading of every page Jade had allegedly ripped from the books in the Restricted Section were about Manifested Powers. Harry's throat tightened…but it was the last page that left him cold.
Hermione's hands trembled as she unearthed it from the pile. The Jade Guardian was written in scrolling letters across the top, and just below it were the words The Spirit of Vengence: "immeasurable power yielded to it's holders". Under that was a painting of a rectangular green stone on an unremarkable thin chain…it was identical to the one around Jade's neck.
"Get out," Jade growled now aware that they were staring from the picture of the pendent to the jade stone she wore. She reached up and stuffed the pendent into the neck of her robes, hiding it from view.
"How did you get that necklace?" Harry demanded quietly.
"Get out," she repeated, her voice steadily rising.
"But—," Ron
and Hermione began.
"GET
OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!!" she began shrieking at the top of her lungs, spitting
as she threw down the pair of scissors in her hand.
"WHAT is going on here?!" McGonagall had just burst into the wing, square spectacles askew. Her lips were pressed in a thin line at the sight of the four students. Dumont was right beside her, her gray eyes wide with curiosity.
With lightening quick moves, Jade reach forward, grabbed the papers and stuffed them into her pocket.
"Nothing," she said collectively. "Harry, Hermione, and Ron were just leaving." Harry numb with disbelief found himself apologizing and leading the way out. McGonagall continued to look from Jade to Harry and his company, looking as if she didn't quite believe the girl.
"I hope it's nothing," the Professor said straightening her glasses and returning her attention to Dumont. "What was that you were saying?"
"Just that someone's taken my sword," Dumont said, catching a glance at Jade just as she followed McGonagall out. "I know I left in Professor Lupin's class—but for some reason, it's gone missing—"
Harry didn't hear the rest of the conversation, as he, Ron, and Hermione made for the opposite direction.
* * *
"Come on, Harry," Angelina urged pushing the plate of fried tomatoes and eggs under his nose. "You've got to eat if you're going to be good competition for Dina McKennett."
"Lay off, Ang," Fred huffed, uncharacteristically glum. The twins, Ginny, and Ron had been particularly down since they received news their father's award was going to be revoked. Ron was still insistent that it was Percy who ratted, and nothing Ginny said would convince him otherwise.
Angelina frowned and sat back down, reaching over and squeezing Fred's shoulder affectionately. She flashed Harry another pleading look, and just to satisfy her he grinned and choked down a mouthful of eggs.
Harry left the team breakfast early, heading back to Gryffindor common room to meet Hermione and Ron before the last match of the season that morning. He wanted to tell them all his suspicions, and reveal his dreams to them in detail…down to the unnerving appearance of Jade in his dormitory. His thoughts went back to his mother, how his parents were sent to destroy the very thing Voldemort wanted, how his mother had decided she couldn't do it, and what it all led to. What if Jade was wearing that very pendent? Was that why his scar hurt that night? But why would Dumbledore, if he knew, allow Jade, a girl with no memory, no past, into Hogwarts with such a dangerous source of magic?
"Harry, I've been looking for you."
Neville Longbottom met him at the end of the corridor, looking a little pale and slightly distraught.
"Hi Neville," Harry said, offering a weak smile. "How'd visiting your parents go?"
"Fine," he replied attempting to return the smile, but failed. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." He paused and swallowed nervously, looking as if he were inches from telling Harry to forget about it and dashing away.
"What is it?" Harry asked now curious as to what Neville had to say.
"Well, you know Professor Dumbledore came to speak with my parents last night," he began shakily. "I wasn't in the room, but I was outside—and I heard everything."
"Where are you going with this, Neville?" The round-faced boy swallowed loudly, drawing in a shuddering breath.
"My mum and dad…they talked about your parents…I didn't understand all of it, but they said that the night your parents were killed—they were out and got news that You-Know-Who knew that they had some sort of Guardian. My parents tried to get back to your parents in time to tell them to get rid of the thing—they didn't know that the Potters were already dead—but they were intercepted by a group of Death Eaters. They wanted to know where this Guardian was."
"Neville—,"
"The Death Eaters wanted the Guardian even after the Potters where dead, and You-Know-Who was gone—the servants didn't want to find their Lord…they wanted to betray him. You-Know-Who was after whatever your parents had, but for some reason, your parents didn't have it, and he was nearly destroyed." He swallowed nervously, looking at Harry straight in the eyes.
"I thought you'd want to know…even if—" Harry shook his head and licked his lips.
"Neville…thanks."
An hour later, Harry was sitting between Hermione and Ron in the empty bleachers of the Quidditch pitch. The game wasn't for another thirty minutes, and they had taken the opportunity for privacy to discuss Jade, Harry's dream, and Neville's news.
"There were Death Eaters who wanted that thing for themselves," Ron breathed.
"D'you think that Jade has this Guardian?" Hermione said. "I know the resemblance between her pendent and the Guardian's pendent is uncanny—but it's as farfetched as her being dangerous."
"Yeah," Ron added. "If Jade really had the thing, why would Dumbledore just open Hogwart's doors to her, pendent and all?" Harry's brows knitted and he looked towards the green field.
"She doesn't have any memory of what happened before she came here," Harry said. "I'd say it's highly unlikely Dumbledore would just let something like a powerful vessel for dark magic slip into Hogwarts under his nose…but what if he took precaution to make sure Jade wasn't dangerous? Or what if my parents did destroy the Guardian like Snape said?"
"But then her necklace couldn't be the Guardian—," Ron noted.
"But then there's something else—," Harry added, "what if Lupin's right? What if Jade is getting her memory back, and why she's been getting all nutters on us is because she's remembering why she has something Voldemort wants?"
"But if that's true," Hermione said slowly. "That would mean why Voldemort is back in England is—,"
"To get the Guardian."
"But she's leaving for home," Hermione insisted just as a hot breeze blew over their faces, carrying the sound of carriage wheels to their ears.
"Price is here," Ron muttered. "We should go see Jade off."
They made their way towards the front gates just in time to see the young Ministry head and surprisingly, Percy step from the carriage. Jade, McGonagall, and Dumbledore awaited them at the top of the front steps.
As they finally reached the small gathering, Harry felt Ron bristle beside him at the sight of his brother.
"Hi Ron," Percy said forcing a strained smile onto his face. "How's everythi—?"
"Why don't you ask Dad?" he asked heatedly.
"Mr. Weasley," Mcgonagall said weakly. "If you please…" Ron kept quiet, turning away from Percy.
"We better get started towards Hogsmeade," Price said, straightening his top hat with a gracefully movement of his hand. "Our port key—," Jade nodded emotionlessly.
"We came to say goodbye," Harry spoke up. Jade didn't look at him, Ron, or Hermione. Instead she turned to Dumbledore and McGonagall and said, "Thank you for everything." Dumbledore winced apologetically at Harry, catching his eye for a second before he directed his gaze back onto Jade.
"Your things have been sent and will be waiting for you when you arrive," Dumbledore explained to her. He reached out an ancient hand and firmly shook her's.
"Well, looks like we should be off," Price spoke up, and Dumbledore let her go. She turned and followed Percy and Price down the steps.
"And Jade," Dumbledore called. "If you remember who you are, I promise no one here will forget. I hope you and your parents won't hesitate to schedule your return." She barely turned her head to acknowledge the words and pressed on, passing Hermione, Ron, and Harry without so much as glance. They watched her go, disappointed and confused.
Harry looked up at Dumbledore, wondering if the wizen form knew of his fear.
"We can only try to do good for others," the Headmaster said looking down at the three. "And you all have done admirably."
"Potter," McGonagall spoke up softly. "I believe you've got a game in a few minutes."
Harry nodded and walked towards the pitch. He left Ron and Hermione at the locker rooms and went down to fetch his Firebolt and hear Angelina's pep talk. He didn't really comprehend a word she was saying…there were things other than Quidditch on his mind, even if this game was with Hufflepuff—who's captain happen to be Cedric Diggory's cousin, Dina McKennett. Much less excited than usually, he followed the uncommonly quiet Weasley twins onto the pitch. Jade had left, he thought, and he'd never understand why she had become the way she was…and he hated to admit a part of him was glad she was gone. Even if she had the Guardian, knew how to use it, she and that damned rock his parents died for where gone.
Madam Hooch's whistle sent all fourteen players rocketing into the air.
"AAAAAAAAAND THEY'RE OFF!" Lee Jordan announced.
Harry dived around the players, dodged bludgers, and found himself applauding McKennett's seeker prowess. He'd dare say she was better than Cho, who was quite good. He forced himself to pay attention to the game enough to eventually catch sight of a flicker of gold in the bright sunlight. McKennett, however, had already spotted it and began shooting upwards. Instinctively, Harry darted towards it, pressing his body low over his broom. He reached out as the snitch's wiskery wings whipped it away, feeling the sandy-haired, Hufflepuff seeker right beside him. They were both so close, it could go either way—Lee was screaming over the loud speaker.
BOOM!
A thunderous crack resounded so violently through the air, Harry could feel the shockwave ripple beneath him. Beside him, Dina gasped.
A familiar, faint tingle began to burn a trail along Harry's scar. The crowd had grown eerily silent as all eyes turned towards Hogsmeade.
"We're under attack!" Somebody suddenly screamed from far away. Harry winced, and pressed his hand to his head, hardly able to believe the sight before him.
The dark mark, in all its menacing glory, was glowing brightly over Hogwart's neighboring village.
A/N: Ta-dah! You've now reached the conclusion of chapter 23. I hope you enjoyed and now that you've finally finished (wasn't it hideously long?), rest ye poor eyes and get ye self to ye olde review box! Love it, hate it? Desiring my address so you know where to send the howlers? Hey, lemme know. Also, apologies for taking this side of forever; I've been horribly busy especially now that finals are (once again) on the horizon, and prospects of money-making are in the agenda…well, you could say I'm just a little short on time. The only reason this chapter's written is because my bouts of insomnia are rather productive…well, when it comes to this fic anyway. Right then, my friend, you all take care, do review, and check out the thanks below!
Leaking with mad thanx,
Jess
Ginny Potter: Thank you so much for reviewing! As always, love hearing from you…speaking of chapters, isn't someone *ahem--you* behind in updating? That's right, get those chapters up! Summer's a-comin', and I need entertainment while I'm at the office :)
Seraphim: Thanks for stopping in, I'm so utterly happy you like what's going on so far, hope you liked this chapter!
Mistygurl: I hate you. Thanks for reviewing, you're Ab-fab, but I still hate you. *sigh* I hope you're having the time of your life in England, please bring me home some Peppermint humbugs (my all time FAV candy), and do still me a cast member from the Harry Potter set…I want to start a collection. And all those tests/exams/AP poop? BAH to them, you probably did fantastic!
Dark Jedi Princess: Dude, I'm so happy you liked it! I hope you're computer gets better; IM me some time!
Linj: Glad you found it interesting, thanx for reviewing!
Lukias: You're back!…and you're such a bastard! Dude, I was ready to send you hate mail after the first line…but then I read the rest of your review and was like, "yeah, I love lukias". Thanx for reviewing and entertaining me with your dialogue: honestly, you're more amusing then tin foil, and that's saying something. BAH to advance math (I hated calculus myself)! So it made things like television, and the internet possible…pfffffffft, that's what I say to that. Keep it real, my friend :) hey, I put ginny in this one for you.
Eleanor: I'm so sorry about taking so long to write, I hope you can bear with me as there are only three more chapters after this one left! On top of that, summer is just around the corner; so in between work, school, parties…er…did I say parties? Well, in anycase, I hope I can get the last few chapters out a little quicker. Thanx for being so awesome and reviewing, I am totally flattered :-)
Veronica Lupin: *gasp* didn't someone say ch.10 of padded cell should be up really, really, soon? Hmmmmm? Yeah, that's right…you get to your computer! But on a brighter note, props to your guest writer for doing such a good job. Anywho, thanx for reading and reviewing…as for whether or not Jade's evil? That shall be revealed in future chapters. And yes, I figured, I might as well put my "learnin's" to good use…*sigh* practically had to sell my kidney to the UC system to afford learning about Descartes…well, go Spanish history, see you around!
Bloodmoon: yay! You're back! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Yes, Deus does mean god, but "Deus Deceptor" means "evil god" or "almighty deceptor"…bah—philosophy, no more. Anywho, I don't know "why" any thing is happening in this fic yet….but I promise all will be answered in the next three chapters :) Thanx for stopping in !
Leigh: Thanks a bunch for reviewing, glad you like it! I'd love to check out your fic, and I promise to do so as soon as finals are over (Wednesday…can't…make…it…), so until then! Cheers!
Sirius Kat: hee hee, Sirius….ooh, sorry, right—Thank you so much for reviewing! I laughed reading your review—I'm a fan of random subject tangents :) Anywho, your guess is as good as mine, but you'll find out if you're right soon—as for where I'm from? Southern California: 90 min. from L.A, 10 from Orange county (they made a movie about us!)…something like that. Hope you liked this chapter!
Pete B: PETE! You're back! It's so nice to hear all your amazingly intricate thoughts about this fic! I love how you're so thorough, and I'm sorry you had to subject yourself to ch. 22 more than once! Well, I hope this chapter answered some of your questions if not set some of your worries at ease…yes, I was heavily inspired by what you noted, but I must say it made writing this chapter a big pain in the neck! In any case, your ideas kept me on track with the HP characters, and I really value that since they are, of course, not mine, and I don't want to insult JKR in anyway. I hope life's good to you, how's the teaching credentials coming along? Cheers!
Sugarquill: thanks so much for reviewing! As for how I write so much? Insomnia and lots of useless brain activity. It's all secondary energy though, so I can't really use it to make my braincells work, but hey, it gets the fic written, right? I've read one chapter of Leo Potter, but I haven't reviewed since I read it in the University library and for some reason, the review-box doesn't work in there…hmmmm…keep up the good work yourself!
To me, InsertNameHere, and Couldn't Bother to Sign In: I'm assuming you are all the same person, but if not, I invite all three of you to virtually kick me and call me sally. Thanx for the quirky comments (hee hee, waffle…), hope you like the chapter 23! I'm wrapping up at ch.26, so this fic will be finished before long! Thanx for reviewing!
JoshWitt: Thanx for reviewing, Josh! I'm so happy you're enjoying what's happening in this fic. I hope you try writing someday, I think you'd be great! This fic is coming to a close in three chapters, but I'm kinda excited…hmmm….I wonder what's gonna happen? Oh wait…that was an "inside the head" thought…ooops. OH, and BOOK 5! DUDE! I'm going through withdraws here! Gah—
Fae: Dude, your review was great! Thanx for fending off the evil people kicking you off the computer to write it! Glad you liked it, hope that's how you feel about ch. 23!
Erin Dark: student by day. Bad mutha tootin' undercover agent by early evenings….What? she's got finals in the morning! She can't stay up to all hours of the night kicking bad guy ass! She's got Calc! Hee hee, thanx for somehow (god only knows the horrors of what goes on in your half of the brain) applying torques to my cliff hangers…I'm a bit afraid, but I can promise you, my insurance does cover accidental Cliff-hanger incidents. I love you! You're the best—by the way? This summer, we play chess…and Code Name: Dark? You're going down. Thank you for being the best beta reader/syco-therapy buddy ever!
KatzeGreat: Hey you! You're very welcome for the review, you deserve it. I hope you liked ch.23, it was a bit of a doozy…Anywho, happen to have any more of that "luck" you were giving out? I could use a bit more for my Physics final BAH!. Thanx for reviewin'!