Disclaimer: I do not own anything that JKR owns. I only own my own themes and all that jazz. The quotes don't belong to me either. God does anything belong to me? * picks up a blank piece of paper* ALL RIGHT!!





Notes: Well lets see. It took me almost a week to finish this chapter. I have been staring at a blank computer screen for what seems like a million days. Anyway thank you to everyone who has been reviewing on the site and via my email. I really really appreciate it. Special thanx to Lindsey (aquacrazy @aol.com ) for being my number one supporter. THANX LIN!!!! Also thank you to Laurie (Xx0GreeneyeZ0xX@aol.com) you always leave the greatest reviews. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. Its practically the pivotal chapter in the story. Its not to shabby. And when your done don't forget to review! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







Chapter 11- Books Hold More Than Information





Reality isn't the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are." -Robert Ringer





Molly Weasley rushed to the door and threw open her arms.

" Oh my children, how wonderful to see all of you! " she gave Ginny and Ron kisses and hugged Hermione. She stopped once she got to Krista. " Oh and you must be the girl that Ron has told us about. " she hugged Krista, " Its so wonderful to finally meet you. " she hugged her harder and Krista looked at Ron for help.

" Well mum now that you have given her nightmares for the next month would you mind telling us where Dad is? " his mothers face had dropped ten feet and she sat down in one of the kitchen chairs.

" Oh Ron it just keeps getting worse and worse. " she placed her face in her hands and cried.

" What does mum " Ginny had pushed her way through and was kneeling at her mothers side.

" Your father has been beside himself at the ministry, all these strange things have been happening and yesterday...." she stopped

" What happened yesterday. "

" The ministry found a few bodies of witches...they were from muggles...and the dark mark was still hovering above their heads. " she shook a bit , " they were dead when they found them...it was the unforgivable curse..."

It hit rather harshly and Hermione let a small squeak escape her lips. Ginny placed her head on Hermiones shoulder and tried to hide the tears that had begun to fall from her face. Ron's facial expression didn't change at all. In fact he looked as though he had been expecting this for quite some time.

" Did he say anything else? Anything about You-Know-Who? Whats he after?" Ron placed his arm around Krista's waist and pulled her close. He was tired of death, tired of panic, if Voldemort wanted Krista he was going to have to kill him first.

" No dear, he didn't say. " she rose from the chair and glanced over at the clock. Fred and George's hands were on traveling. Rons and Ginnys said home, Percy's said Diagon Alley. Bill, Charlie and Arthur's said work and even Harry's said home. No one was in any danger, but for some reason Molly could not shake the feeling that something was happening. " But..." she looked back at the worried faces of her children " he did mention something about locating a group of giants. He said that it seems as though all of You-Know-Who's creatures are heading off towards the Malfoy mansion. " Ginny winced a bit and Ron gave her a severe look. He didn't need his mother to break down again. This times because her daughter was dating a death eater.

" But it doesn't make any sense " Hermione began pacing the floor, " If he was coming back to power why would he make it so obvious that his army of creatures where heading towards one destination."

" Maybe because that's not where he is?" Krista suggested, looking from face to face.

" Yes that would seem logical, but who knows where it's safe anymore? " Molly put her hand to her cheek. " So what do you children have in store for today? " she touched Ginnys hair.

" Well I still need to go Christmas shopping, I figured we could all go to Diagon Alley, but now with everything going on I don't know if that's such a great idea. " Hermiones eyes wandered to the group and soon the front door swung open.

" SURPRISE! Happy Christmas " Fred yelled and threw a wreath around the door.

" Fred Christmas is still 2 days away. " Ginny crossed her arms. Her brothers always annoyed her.

" Oh Ginny don't get upset with the yelling, we don't want Malfoy to put a hex on us. " George laughed and then realized what he had just done. His mother's face had gone blank and before they could say anything else Hermione grabbed Ginnys arm.

" Well we best be off to Diagon Alley. "

" That seems like a wonderful idea Hermione lets go. " The children grabbed the floo powder and ran to the fireplace. Molly Weasley sat tongue-tied in the kitchen chair.

' Did he say Malfoy?' she put a finger to her lip, ' Oh dear '





*********





Diagon Alley was loud and crowded when they arrived via the floo network. The shops were decorated with beautiful decorations and the windows were lined with spectacular gifts. There were several owls flying over head carrying large packages, most of them probably Christmas presents, and cheery songs were in the air. Hermione sighed and took in a deep breath of cold winter air. The air smelled of firewood and pine, it was the most lovely aroma to fill her nose. Somehow Harry had located through the crowd of people and although she was still upset with him, the thought of the holiday made things easier.

" Hey 'Licia " Fred called through the crowd, " Ok lets all meet at that new café at umm lets say...3:30?" he tapped his watch and the group nodded in unison. " Great we will see you later" Fred grabbed George by the arm and dragged him through the crowd and over to Alicia and Angelina.

" Well I for one would like to go take a look at the new broom grips in Quality Quidditch Supplies. " Harry motioned over towards the store.

" I think I'll go with Harry, do you girls want to go?" Ron looked between the three girls and they shook their heads rapidly. " All right then the Pixie Palace Café at 3:30. " he kissed Krista's cheek and bounded down the street with Harry.

Ginny looked impatiently through the crowd of people and then suddenly it lit up with delight. " I'll see you guys later as well " she ran off into the crowd but Hermione and Krista knew it was because she had seen Draco.

" Well it looks like it will just be the two of us. " Krista sighed and clapped her hands together.

" Actually Krista I have a lot of places to run around too and I don't want to hold you back from your shopping..." she squinted a bit hoping not to upset Krista too much.

" Oh...ok that's no problem, I was gonna spend most of my time in Flourish & Blotts anyway."" Great I'll see you later then" she patted Krista on the shoulder and skipped down the street.' Well Im glad to know that everyone wanted to get rid of me. ' She rolled her eyes and headed for Flourish & Blotts.

The bookstore oddly enough was almost deserted when she opened the door. There were a few people already purchasing and only a few others were actuality browsing. Krista was glad it wasn't crowded because now she could take her time searching for the book she wanted. She strolled over to a set of books that were about enchanted items and she picked one off the shelf.

" I can't believe it..." Krista glanced over her shoulder at the tall woman

who was gawking at her.

" Um...is there a problem? " she looked around at the other people, and they didn't seem at all interested in the situation.

" Well Im not sure...I mean I thought--didn't you and Jam--" she gawked some more, and Krista felt an uneasy pang in her stomach.

" Im sorry I don't understand anything you are saying. " Krista put the book back on the shelf and then faced the woman again.

" I just cant believe it..." she lunged forward and embraced Krista in a tight squeeze. At first she stood there, unsure of how to react to the whole situation, but soon she found herself pushing the woman away.

" Im sorry I do not know who you are. " Krista didn't mean to sound rude or snotty but when the words came out she could hear the unpleasant tone in her voice.

" Oh Im terribly sorry, " the womans hands were now covering her face. " I can't believe how silly I sounded. " A cry sounded from her lips and she turned to walk away.

" Wait..." Krista wasn't sure why she called her back but her heart felt like it was the right thing to do, " May I ask you, who you thought I was?"

" Oh of course, " a smiled formed across her face as she touched Krista's hair, " its uncanny really....the resemblance is terrifying. " her eyes scanned Krista up and down as though she were an item on a clearance rack.

" And the resemblance is that of...."

" Oh right Im sorry, Lily... Lily Potter..."





****************





Sirius paced rapidly across the office floor. He had sent Dumbledore an owl stating that Harry would be out for the day so it would be a good time to discuss some recent events. But just like every other time he had been there, Dumbledore was late. He sighed deeply and peered out the window. Fawkes screeched a bit and Sirius smiled, he loved being back at Hogwarts, it always made him feel calm. But now under these circumstances everything was a bit different.

" Sirius its so nice to see you today...especially out of that dog costume you wear so very well. " Dumbledore snickered behind him and took his seat at his desk.

" Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Albus." he backed up from the window and took a seat in the empty chair in front of him.

" Before you begin would you like to press your luck with a Bertie Botts? " Dumbledore extended his hand that was holding the box of Bertie Botss Every Flavor Beans.

Sirius shook his head and took a deep breath. " Professor..." he shook his head. The words he wanted to say were so hard to find. " Before Lily and James..." his breathing quickened, he couldn't understand why t was so hard to get it off his chest.

" Sirius I know, " he held his hand up slightly, beckoning Sirius to stop the struggle he was fighting inside.

" I don't understand " he looked into the wise old face of the Professor he had come to trust so dearly.

" Sirius, There have been many students to come to this school. And many times before there have been mistakes and the students will start a year or so late. But when her name appeared on our list, there was something strange about the whole ordeal. When she came here over the summer, I knew then exactly who I was looking at. " He placed a Bean into his mouth and smiled.

" Then how do we tell her? She does have a right to know the truth...." he fidgeted around with his hands.

" She will learn soon enough. "

" But don't you think it would be wise to tell her now? I mean all the trouble that is happening at the ministry. She should know the truth...."

" Sirius...." He rose from his chair and strolled over to the window that Sirius had been looking out earlier. " Inside of ourselves we all know the truth already, it is the reality of life. All we need to do is be pushed in a certain direction, and the world will unfold before your eyes. "





*****************





" Excuse me? " Krista blinked a few times before finding her way into the closest chair. She wasn't expecting an answer like that. She could feel a slight buzzing in her head and everything was swirling into a sea of colors.

' Perhaps I heard her wrong '

" You look exactly like Lily Potter. "

' Nope, she had definitely heard right ' She shook her head and thought hard about the situation. It wasn't every day that someone compared you to your friend's dead mother.

" I know I sound a bit batty to you, but honestly, I was very good friends with Lily...have you ever seen a picture of her?" Krista shook her head. She remembered seeing a picture of Harry's parents in his dorm but she never really looked at it. " Oh...well hold on a minute. " The woman darted behind one of the bookshelves and disappeared. Krista twiddled her thumbs, nervous beyond belief. She wasn't sure why exactly but the largest lump of dread had curled itself into the back of her throat. She tried to swallow it but the more she did the harder and stronger the feeling set in. She saw the woman emerge from behind the shelf a few minutes later. She carried a large book in her arms and Krista squinted at the title.

' Faces of History ' she read, wiping the sweat off of her hands. In a way she was glad no one had accompanied her. It would have been awkward to have others compare her to Lily Potter.

" Here we go..." she dropped the book down on the table in front of her." Oh by the way Im Narinda Delvacoor. " She held out her hand and Krista shook it accordingly. " Ok now lets see here...." she flipped through a few pages, pictures whizzed past, smiling and waving happily. She saw a picture of Dumbledore flip by and she swore to herself that he had winked at her. Her breathing had quickened as she waited to see the picture and then there they were, Harry's parents looked up at her and smiled. Krista gasped immediately. She had somewhat believed Narinda but now as she looked down at this picture she felt as though she was looking into a mirror.

" I....uh..." the words were lost inside of her. Her eyes were transfixed on the picture and even if tried to pull them away, she couldn't. Her eyes floated down to the caption under the picture: ' Lily and James Potter. Murdered by Lord Vodemort 1981. Proud parent's of The Boy Who Lived. ' Her eyes moved back up to the picture, and she could see Lily wipe away the tears from her eyes. James had placed his arm around her shoulder and together they stared back at Krista, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

" She was a wonderful person...." Krista jumped a bit, forgetting that Narinda was still with her. " And her and James were so much in love..." she stifled a cry and turned her head. Krista placed a hand on her shoulder, although she didn't know her she felt as though she owed her something.

" She must have been wonderful...he son is just about the nicest person I have ever encountered. "

" You know Harry?" she raised her eyebrows

" Well, yes we go to school together...we met this year. "

" Oh..." she looked back at the picture and then put a finger to her head. " You know if you and harry stood together you would look frighteningly like this picture. " she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. " Well Im sorry to have taken up your time. It was nice to meet you. " She bent down to pick up the book but Krista placed her hands on it first.

" I'll put it back, don't worry about it. " she smiled at Narinda who had put her hand to her face.

" And your even as sweet as her...well my my my...." she turned and left.

Krista glanced down at the book and picked it up with shaky hands. Her hands were shaky and numb and she felt as though she might pass out. She looked at her watch and saw that it was a few minutes after three.

' Might as well get there a bit early ' she took the book over to the counter and paid the owner. It was heavy in her arms as she wove through the crowded street but she didn't care. Something had compelled her to purchase the book, and she was glad that she had.

The café was a bit crowded when she entered and she stood on her tiptoes to look around. There were a few tables open in the back corner, and figured once everyone arrived, they could sit there. She spotted a head of red hair at the front bar and excited to see Ron she ran over. She grabbed his arm and then felt her face drop as she realized it wasn't him at all. Instead it was another man with red hair, and definitely older.

" Oh Im sorry I thought you were someone else...."

His face lit up when he looked at her " its not a problem at all..." he looked down at the large book in her hands and his face lit up even more. " You read a lot? " he pointed at the book she carried.

" Well I do study often, I mean Im not a book worm if that's what your thinking...I just like to read. " She smiled at him and sat down on the stool next to him.

" Are you new around here? I don't recognize your face..."

" Well that's a relief...." she muttered

" Pardon? "

" Oh nothing I just said, yes Im new to the area and such. Just waiting for my friends to arrive. " She used some rather unusual hand motions and he gave her a strange look.

" Im waiting for friends as well, but now I think I would rather just sit here with you" he smiled at her and she turned a bright shade of red. " Can I buy you a drink of some sort?" Krista shook her head and turned back towards the door.

' Where are you guys ' she turned back to the stranger and smiled. " So..." she tried to break the uncomfortable silence that was forming. She clapped her hands together and rolled her eyes. She was definitely going to kill them all once they got there.

" You know, " he inched his stool closer to hers, " Your eyes are beautiful. " he leaned in to touch her face and before he could Krista jumped from her chair causing him to fall over. The fall had rocked the bar and the next thing she knew his drink was spilling down over his head. She tried to stifle her laughter but instead it sounded as if she was choking.

" Way to go Percy..." Krista turned around to George and Fred who were laughing themselves to the floor.

" Good way to pick up the ladies " George turned to Fred and then in a mocking tone, " Oh your eyes are so beautiful, now don't mind me as I fall off this chair and spill pumpkin juice all over me. "

The Fred chimed in, " Well maybe if Im lucky I'll get to lick it up. " they both laughed some more and Krista cleared her throat so they could see just exactly who they were taunting.

" Oh this day gets even better! " Fred threw his hands in the air and looked back over to Percy, " Not only did you make a complete arse of yourself, but the girl you choose to hit on is none other then your brothers girlfriend. "

Percy's face turned a bright red and Krista mentally smacked herself. Now she realized why he had red hair. He was a Weasley. The two stood there bellied over in laughter as Percy got up from the floor.

" Sorry about all that " he said to Krista, which made the twins explode even more.

" Hey what's so funny " They all turned around to see the rest of the group. Ron was standing there with his hands across his chest and when the twins saw that it was the final straw. Fred fell to the floor crying tears of laughter while George trued desperately to tell them what happened. In between laughs and sobs he finally managed to get out all of what he needed to say. Harry had laughed a bit when the whole story came out and even Hermione smiled mischievously, but Ron was furious.

" Percy! How could you do something like that?" he glared at his brother with an evil eye.

" Oh get off it Ron I didn't know who she was. " he shook his head and pointed to the table in the back corner. " Lets all go sit back there. " they all walked to the back corner, trying still to hide the dumb smiles that were plastered to each of their faces.







***************





They gathered around the table and took seats according to availability. Ron and Krista naturally sat next to each and he smiled when he looked at her. He loved her more then he had thought his heart was capable of loving. He prayed each night that when they would graduate from Hogwarts she would want to continue the relationship. He squeezed her hand a bit and kissed her cheek. He loved her more then his own life. He looked around the table at his friends. They were all laughing and teasing Percy still but something in Harry's face caught his eye. He was looking at Krista in a peculiar fashion. No, he knew he wasn't checking her out, cause then he would have to hit him, but it was almost a look as though he was seeing her for the first time. He moved in closer to Krista's ear and whispered.

" Harry is giving you weird looks, smile and make him happy. " Krista looked over at Harry and when their eyes met they both turned away quickly.

" Are you feeling ok, your acting strange as well?" Ron placed his hand to her forehead and she pulled away.

" Im completely fine Ron" she snapped, surprised that she could sound so terribly mean. She pulled the book into her lap a bit tighter and soon he was tapping its cover.

" Is this what you bought in Flourish & Blotts today? Let me see it...." he gave a small tug to the book and Krista sprung to her feet.

" Don't touch this book..." the tone of her voice made the entire table shoot her surprised faces. " I mean.... it was expensive and I don't want it ruined. "

" I just wanted to look at it, not roll around with it in a mud puddle. " Ron began

" I don't feel very well..." she lied, " I think I'll meet you all back the Burrow. " she threw a few knuts on the table to pay for her drink and then she ran from the café.

The entire table exchanged worried looks. The whole scene that was just put before them was very un Krista like. In fact they had never seen her act so peculiar. At first there was silence and Hermione put her hand on Rons.

" I bet she just had a long day. " she rubbed it gently and he pulled away.

" No it had something to do with that book. The way she acted about it was odd. " He looked at Percy, " do you know what book she had? "

" I think it was a History book. "

" Well that's funny, she has so many history books. What could be different about this one? " Ron questioned.

" No, I mean it was a History book on people. You know famous people. " He took a gulp of his drink.

" Well I don't understand why it would be so important to her. " he looked at the faces of his brothers and his friends and they all shrugged in unison.

But on the inside Harry felt an unusual chill run through his body.





**************





Krista found herself tumbling through the fireplace and rolling into the kitchen into someone's leg. She rubbed her head for a second and looked up to see Arthur Weasley extending his hand for help.

" Ah you must be the Krista we have heard so much about. " he smiled a genuinely sincere smile and Krista found herself smiling back.

" Yes, that's me, Im sorry for um-er rolling into you. " he helped her up and she bent back to pick her book from the floor.

" Well where are the others, don't tell me they got lost? " he looked at her and back at Molly.

" No I wasn't feeling well so I came back early. The others should be back soon though. " She looked back towards the fireplace, wishing she hadn't been so harsh with Ron.

" Well dear why don't you go up and rest and we will call you for dinner. " Molly began guiding her to the staircase, " Your things are up in Ginnys room. " Krista nodded and made her way up the stairs.

She climbed slowly, the book still pressed deeply into her chest. She knew that everyone would be talking about her odd outburst but at the moment she really was tired and some sleep didn't sound like such a bad idea. She located Ginny's room and placed the book delicately on her night table. She stretched her arms high above her head and flopped onto Ginnys bed. Closing her eyes the only image that came to mind was the picture in the book.





**************





It had been about an hour or so since Krista stormed out on them. So when they all tumbled in through the fireplace every ones first question was where she was. They had promised not to talk about her outburst, but they were all still concerned with her sudden display of hostility.

".... and she said she wasn't feeling well so I sent her to get some sleep. " Mrs. Weasley fiddled with a few pots, making sure dinner would be on schedule.

" Well if she's sleeping..." Ron figured he would talk to her later, " How is everything going dad? " he was reluctant at first but he knew it would be good to know what was going on in the ministry.

" Oh Ron..." his father shook his head and leaned against the wall. Most of the others had gathered around him, ready for anything that might come from his mouth. " We are having such a terrible time locating those pesky dementors and now with the giants roaming free and the vampires out at night and the veelas being called...." He rubbed his temple and looked back at their faces. " We think that they are all being summoned back to the dark lord. " there were a few gasps, " we think that they are all headed for Malfoy Mansion, we believe Lucius is organizing it but we are yet to prove it. "

" Yes mum told us that part...." Ginny whispered

They all exchanged looks of worry and soon they were all jabbering about what they could do to help.





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' The green light flashed vividly in her mind and each time she screamed the light grew larger and brighter. She saw the book lying open to the page of the Potters and she saw the two grasping each other tightly. A dark shadow loomed in and out of her mind and each time she tried to see its face the green light blinded her from seeing. There was a blood splattered in various directions and when she looked at the floor she was almost sure she saw something that looked a bit too familiar. Her orb sat in a deep pool of blood and instead of the clear crystal she was used to seeing, it was glowing a disturbing color red. She ran to the necklace and picked it up. It burned her hands beyond belief. She tried to clasp it around her neck but the sensation was unbearable. She tossed it back to the floor and it exploded. The green light shined brighter and she felt her body twist into intolerable pain....'

Krista sat up quickly and felt her naked neck. It was still bare and cold and she wished that somehow she could find her beloved necklace. She sat up in Ginnys bed and swung her legs over its side. She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep for, but she could hear the voices of the others back downstairs. She crept over to the door and opened it slowly. She didn't want to disturb their conversation. She eased down a few steps and sat on the staircase, she wanted to overhear everything just to make sure it wasn't about her.

" ....and the muggle witches that were killed were identified as direct contacts of Lucius Malfoy. They were ex-death eaters..." She heard Rons father tell them this and she felt herself go pale. Hermione said something next but Krista could not make out what she was saying.

" ....its unlikely Hermione I mean if you really think about it..." the voices hushed again and she strained her ears to hear them.

"....it wasn't like that at all when I saw it...." It was Harry who was speaking now, she could tell it was his voice no matter how muffled they all sounded. " ...I used to dream about it all the time. " there was a slight pause and then a few sighs. " every time I saw my parents die by the Avada Kedavra curse there was always a bright green light...."

Krista gasped and threw her hands to her mouth. It didn't matter what they were saying now because all noise had been silenced in her ears. Her body was shaking as she quietly returned to Ginnys room. She opened the door and ran over to the book she had placed on the night table. With great speed she flipped though the pages of the book until finally the page revealing the Potters lay open in front of her eyes. They smiled and waved to her again and Krista so over come with confusion began to cry. Why was she thinking like this? She had parents who loved her very dearly and even if she looked nothing like her family, just because she looked like Lily was just coincidental. She wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep reassuring breath. She was not going to over exert herself on something so trivial. Taking one last breath she glanced quickly at the picture again and went to close it, but something caught her attention. She picked up the book and looked closely at the two. James was still smiling and waving, occasionally winking at her, but Lily was holding her neck. Krista brought the book so close to her face, she felt as though she would be sucked into the picture. She squinted and almost died when she saw what she was looking at. There around Lily's neck was the orb that Krista had worn for her entire life.







DUN DUN DUN....YEAH CHAPTER 11 !!!!!!





SNEAK PEAK OF CHAPTER 12









The sun came through the window and hit Ginny's face with a warm welcome. The night had been hard on Krista; she had tossed and turned many times. But Ginny slept well, mainly because all she did was dream of Draco. She sat up in her bed and cracked her back. She was planning on going back to Diagon Alley today...Draco was meeting her. Stood up and stretched some more and looked over at Krista. She still had that silly book clutched in her arms as if it was a million galleons or something. Ginny went over to the window and pulled back the curtains. Yes Today was going to be a wonderful day. She turned back around towards the center of the room and what she saw made her scream the loudest she had ever screamed in her entire life.







ALSO IN CHAPTER 12: More Christmas holiday, reading, another picture, a flash, Lupin, Ginny and Draco, A message, and a letter.

HOORAY FOR CHAPTER 12!!!!!!