CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Dreary Christmas

Sitting alone in the Gryffindor Common Room early Christmas morning, Harry clutched in his hand the unwrapped gift he purchased at Hogsmeade a few weeks ago. His green eyes fixed on the leaping fire from the fireplace, but amidst the flames he could only envision the picture of the girl who has showed him a great deal more.

Mystyk Rydel.

He couldn't believe it had been three weeks to the day since she died.

She died because of him. She died for him. Just like how his mother died in the hands of Voldemort, the same man who took Mystyk's life.

If it hadn't been for Mystyk's intervention he would have been toast for sure. But instead of feeling glad that he was alive, all he could feel was remorse and guilt. Another innocent died because of him. He still haven't recovered much from Cedric Diggory's death the previews year and now another Hogwarts student was dead and again it was because of him and his never-ending battle with the dark lord.

He remembered Mystyk's final words to him before she blew up into thousand million pieces right before his very eyes.

I love you with all my heart, Harry Potter. I'll be with you always and forever...

Harry closed his eyes as another set of tears threatened to fall.

She loved him. And he loves her back, but she would never know it because she's already dead. She's dead because of him!

When he saw her die right before his very eyes Harry remembered seeing black and his sudden urge to whip out his wand perform the Avada Kedavra on Voldemort seemed right, but at the very last second someone whispered in his ear--could it be Mystyk?--to use the Reclusión Perpua Eternidad instead. Trusting his instincts he did what his gut instinct told him, then stepped back and watch his handiwork blossom right before his very eyes.

Later, after everyone has recovered from the shock of finding Voldemort in Hogwarts Castle and later on rejoicing at the death of the dark lord, Professor Dumbledore asked Harry to meet him in his office for a long overdue talk Harry desperately needed to have with the Headmaster.

"Sit down, Harry." Professor Dumbledore commanded.

"I'd rather stand, Professor." he said obdurately.

"Very well." Professor Dumbledore nodded and rounded his table. "I'm sure you're still reeling from shock at what just happened. But fear not, Mr. Potter, Lord Voldemort will no longer come after you nor will he be a wandering parasite like the last time." he assured his young charge.

"What do you mean, Professor?"

Professor Dumbledore studied Harry very carefully over the rim of his half-moon specs.

"Reclusión Perpua Eternidad is very advanced black magic spell, Mr. Potter. Like Avada Kedavra, Reclusión Perpua Eternidad is a deadly curse along with Muerte Maldición, the one the late Ms. Rydel used on Voldemort. Both curses are well known to those who follow dark magic, but no one of your and Ms. Rydel's caliber could actually perform either one of those spells--not even myself." he explained, watching Harry's face for reaction.

"Mystyk knew Muerte Maldición because her father, Voldemort, planted it in her subconscious when she was a child." he pointed out.

"Even so. But Ms. Rydel was never fully trained as a witch. And although she excelled in her private lessons, still, a young woman of her age could never muster the strength to use Muerte Maldición. A person has to be properly trained to use such curses."

"But neither Mystyk nor I were properly trained to handle using such spells." Harry pointed out.

"Exactly." Professor Dumbledore nodded, "But you both were borne with the inert knowledge of such powers. Especially handling Reclusión Perpua Eternidad the way you did." he met Harry's eyes and held it for the longest time, "Do you know why Reclusión Perpua Eternidad is the hardest dark magic spell to muster, Mr. Potter?"

"No." Harry firmly shook his. Hell, he doesn't even know such spell exists!

"Once Reclusión Perpua Eternidad is used on someone, it doesn't necessarily kill the person. However, the same spell, when executed right, will send the recipient to another world where he or she would exist indefinitely, but he or she won't be able to move on elsewhere. They are stuck in that place in-between for all eternity."

And Harry was stuck between the love he lost and the love he could have had with Mystyk.

Clenching his fists tightly on the necklace and earring he purchased at Hogsmeade. He unclasped his hand and stared down at the emerald pendant and earrings glittering back at him.

"I love you, Mystyk Rydel. Though you never knew about it, but I do love you so." he whispered under his breath, his eyes focused on the jewelry in his hand.

"Good morning Harry." Hermione greeted when she joined him in the Common Room, "Happy Christmas."

Harry looked up from the jewelry in his hand and forced a smile on his face, "Happy Christmas, Hermione."

Hermione sat down beside him and glanced down at the thing he was holding. Slowly she raked her gaze back and met Harry's, "I'm sure she would've loved that gift, Harry." she assured him, patting him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Hermione." Harry smiled.

She returned his smile and got to her feet. "Now what do you say we go down to the Great Hall and have breakfast? I think Ron's already down there chowing down on almost everything served on the table."

"Alright." he nodded and slipping the necklace and earrings in his pockets, he followed Hermione out the portrait hole.

The fire in the fireplace flicked once or twice before Mystyk's face appeared amidst the flames. Her violet eyes twinkling and her lips pulled into a content smile. She followed the departing back of Harry and Hermione before sending him a calming message.

Be well, my love. I promised to be with you always, and I never back down on my words. And I loved your present to me. Too bad I wouldn't be able to wear it in this lifetime...but maybe in another lifetime you'll be able to give it to me...

~*~

THE END

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~*~ alright, so what do you think of it? crappy ending? please let me know what you think of the story. i think i have a "sequel" already formulating in my mind--just watch out for it. for now i would like to thank all of you who read and critiqued this fic. ~*~