Unraveled
Chapter Thirty-Two: Through the Looking Glass
Lady Desdemona had tea set up for her and Fiona. "Please have something to eat," she said gently. Most people wouldn't label her as gentle. She was far from that. Cold. That was the word to describe her. The only warmth she had was for Fiona.
"Thank you, Lady Desdemona," said Fiona as she took a sip of tea.
"You are a very talented young woman. You remind me of myself when I was your age," said Lady Desdemona.
"I do?" she asked in disbelief. "I'm not like you. You are the most powerful witch in the world."
"There was a time when I was not. Tell me something, do you wish to learn the magic of this isle?"
"I don't know. I would rather stay with my father," admitted Fiona. She was very attached to him.
Lady Desdemona had suspected as much, but she couldn't understand it. "Do you know what you did to Draco's father?" she asked.
Fiona shook her head. "No. I don't."
"You used earth magic. It is the most powerful magic from Avalon. The magic of Avalon runs thick in your veins. It is more natural to you than the magic you are learning in Hogwarts," said Lady Desdemona.
"What do you want from me?" demanded Fiona suspiciously. Now she knew that there was more to the High Priestess.
"I want you to learn what is rightfully yours, Fiona. You are supposed to honor your heritage."
"What heritage? What the bloody hell are you talking about?!"
Lady Desdemona gave her a stern look. "Remember you manners child. I know that your mother taught you to be respectful."
Fiona found the courage to speak again after a moment. "How do you know that? How do you know anything, Milady?" she asked, but she couldn't hide her growing animosity towards this woman.
"You are truly your father's daughter," said Lady Desdemona as she gave her a smile. She stood up and walked towards her. She cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. "It's such a shame that you have your grandfather's eyes." Her voice sounded sad.
Fiona felt a rush of sympathy for her. "I don't understand completely, Lady Desdemona. Did you know my mother?" she asked.
Lady Desdemona nodded slightly. "Barely."
*
Draco charged at Harry with a wooden practice sword, but he was blocked. Both of them broke apart again. Sensei Ran was truly impressed with Harry's progress. He was a fast learner with the sword. Both boys were almost equally matched, but Draco proved to have a better technique than Harry. He had learned how to fence when he was younger. He coupled that with the techniques that Sensei Ran had taught him.
Harry was inexperienced, but he made it up with speed and agility. He was able to duck and move quickly. He blocked well, but when he attacked it was easily blocked. Sensei Ran knew that the boys had unpleasant feelings towards the other.
Finally, Draco disarmed Harry. "End match. It goes to Draco," said Sensei Ran. He was certainly proud of both of them.
Harry caught his breath. "Why are we doing this?" he asked, not that he didn't like it. He thought that they were going to do some magic lessons, not swordplay.
"Because you will need to know how," said Sensei Ran with a twinkle in his eye.
"But why would I?" asked Harry.
"Potter, you just don't want to continue because I beat you," said Draco.
"Shut up Ferret!" snapped Harry.
Sensei Ran started laughing. The boys would never be really friends. Like Sirius and Severus, they merely had a common interest: Fiona. They were both on the same side now. Sensei Ran knew what made Harry Potter so special. It went beyond the scar on his forehead and his past history with Voldemort.
"That's it. Why don't we have a wizards' duel?" drawled Draco.
"I can beat you at that Malfoy. We both know that," growled Harry.
They drew their wands and dropped their swords at the same. Harry was still faster than Draco. Sensei Ran just watched with a grin on his face. This was very amusing for him.
"What's going on here?" demanded Mrs. Weasley as Gwendolyn led them there. "Don't tell me you're just going to let them duel like that. Ha—"
Sensei Ran held up a hand to disrupt her. "Boys will be boys, Mrs. Weasley," he merely said. "Don't worry, if they hurt themselves, they can be easily healed."
Sirius gave a short laugh. "I don't think you should step in, Molly. I doubt we should get in the crossfire."
Remus added. "I also recommend that we take a few paces back away from them."
Neither boy could hear the conversation that the adults were having. Harry kept his wand in front of him just as Draco pulled his back to hurl a hex. "Expelliarmus," said a voice from behind the adults.
Fiona had arrived with Lady Desdemona. She caught Harry's and Draco's wands deftly as she smirked at them. "For the love of God, grow up. Both of you," she muttered. The boys looked slightly stunned for a moment, neither could say a word.
Sirius and Remus started laughing. The Weasleys soon joined in with Professor Dumbledore. Sensei Ran chuckled softly. Severus shook his head at the whole situation. Fiona walked forward a bit before she threw the wands back to the boys. She then twirled her wand with her fingers, threw it, caught it, and flicked it back into her sleeve. It looked like American Old Western gun twirling.
Harry and Draco looked at each other. "Show off," said Draco finally.
Lady Desdemona watched the whole thing with unvoiced amusement.
"So, what did I miss?" asked Fiona, ignoring Draco's comment. There really was no need to fight him just for one little comment.
"You missed Harry's first fencing lesson," replied Sensei Ran. He looked past Fiona to Lady Desdemona. "How did your tea go?" he asked.
"Fine," said Fiona quietly. Sirius looked at Lady Desdemona suspiciously. What did she do to his daughter?
"Tonight is a ceremony. The Gathering is coming," she announced. "The scouts from the outside world are all returning. You will be allowed to attend if you wish."
"The Gathering?" asked Bill.
Lady Desdemona didn't answer. There was a gust of wind whipping in the place where she had stood.
*
The afternoon lulled by slowly. The High Priestess allowed herself a moment's solace. She took her hair out of silver circlet. Her long brown hair hung lose, draping down her back in rich waves. She looked much younger. She wore a white dress with lace and embroidery. There were no trimmings of gold or silver like the previous one. Her long bellowing sleeves whipped in the wind as she looked at her isle. It was her isle. She was the conductor to the Goddess.
"Desdemona," said Professor Dumbledore as he walked up to her. She was standing at an open part of the castle. He took the stairs up there.
"Albus," she whispered.
"You are letting your feelings show," he said.
"I cannot help it. I have to keep them buried for so long because of my duties," she whispered. "I have given so much to my duties. My heart, soul, body, and mind. All but my life."
"It is a heavy burden," agreed Albus.
"I want him dead. He wants him to pay for what he did to me. For what he did to my Thalia," she whispered coldly. "I will not let him win this time. He will die."
"Killing is strictly forbidden," he reminded her.
Suddenly, her body burst into flames. Her body burned because of the fury she felt. "My life. I will not lose it to him. He may do what he wishes with the rest of you. My duty is to the isle and to the Goddess," she roared as the flames extinguished and her body was solid once again. Her eyes shined with unshed tears. "He took her from me, Albus. Not once, but twice. And now he wants Fiona. There was a point in my life where I would have sold my soul for Avalon's sake. I have. However, I must stop what is unstoppable. I could not protect my Thalia. My heart. I will not give him what is left of me. He destroyed the best part of himself to increase his powers. It is by Thalia's thinking alone that prevented him from gaining any of the powers that Avalon grants its children."
"Then you must tell her why. She must understand why you want to fight him," pointed out Albus patiently.
Desdemona gave him a hollow laugh. "For each day that passes, the more like him I become. The more I have to fight myself. And it is not because of this," she said as she revealed the mark on her shoulder.
Albus saw that she was perhaps Voldemort's most dangerous victim. However, he knew that she had bartered with fate to have all the power she possessed. She had sacrificed too much to gain so little. She was the most powerful woman in the world.
"I have spent decades trying to appease my anger and sorrow, Albus. However, I have had time to think. Time to plan. Voldemort will be destroyed this time. Even if I have to break the will of the Goddess and Avalon to do it with my own hands. It will happen," she told him.
"What about Harry? He is my concern," said Albus.
"That boy is not ordinary. He is destined for greatness. He already feels the connection that is here for him. He has to be ready. It's waiting for him. It has waited since Merlin has been sealed," she told him.
"And Draco?"
"Your grandson wishes him to be trained in Avalonian magic. He will make a fine scout. He has no other guardians. This isle has already welcomed him. He deserves the chance because of all the protection he has provided for her."
"Fiona is extraordinary. Her magic is surprisingly strong. I didn't expect her to be able to seal Lucius Malfoy the way she did," admitted Albus.
Desdemona granted him a smile. "Yes, I saw that. She truly is extraordinary. There is hope for her. I already discussed it with her partial. She seems to have inherited her parents' stubborn streaks. I have a hand in part of that." Her voice sounded almost happy. "She's far too spirited for her own good. I expected her to display fire magic first because of it."
"It is truly a gift for either of us to be surprised," he told her.
She nodded. "Indeed." She paused for a moment because she sensed someone else's presence. Sirius and Remus had gone looking for Professor Dumbledore. They stopped when they heard them talking. They had only come when Professor Dumbledore mentioned Harry.
"What gives you the right to discuss my godson and daughter?" demanded Sirius. Remus had his hand on his shoulder, but he couldn't stop him.
"You do not tell me what I have the right do to, Merlianian," said Lady Desdemona coldly. She looked straight at him. Her hair blew in the wind. The look in her eyes was absolutely cold.
A realization dawned on him. "Who are you?" he whispered as he looked at Professor Dumbledore. "Who is she?" He looked back at her. "Answer me!"
"You truly are an unpleasant man. I have no idea what she saw in you. Perhaps it is because you aren't anything like her father. That's a blessing. I suppose," mused Lady Desdemona. "Furthermore, I do have a say in Fiona's future."
Sirius glared at her. Remus finally said something, "Sirius. You're not looking at her. Look at her again." Sirius glared at him, but looked back at her and did just as Remus had recommended.
He looked. He finally realized what Severus and Remus had seen earlier. His features softened. "You look like my wife," he concluded softly. He was trying not to think too much about Thalia. It was painful enough with Fiona looking so much like her.
She gave a hollow, haunting laugh. "I find that highly unusually most people think that Thalia looks like her father. Before losing his original body, of course."
"No, you do look like her. It's her coloring that she gets from her father," corrected Sirius. "You are Thalia's mother, aren't you?"
She nodded solemnly. She looked at Remus. "You are very wise indeed, Mr. Lupin. I was getting a little concerned that my son-in-law would be so dense." She looked at Sirius on the last part.
Sirius felt his insides go numb. This powerful woman was Thalia's mother? If she were alive, she would have tried to make them get along. "This is a bit of a surprise for me, Lady Desdemona," he managed.
"Looks like we can see where Fiona gets her looks from," observed Albus. True enough, Fiona's beautiful features came from Lady Desdemona. The high cheekbones, straight and short nose, and somewhat cherub lips. Her body structure was the same as Thalia's, tall and graceful.
"What did you discuss with Fiona?" demanded Sirius.
"I discussed her magic. She should train here with me in Avalon," Lady Desdemona told him.
Sirius didn't like the idea. "Would she be able to leave?" he asked.
"Not until her training is over, but you will be allowed to visit every once in a while." she replied, thinking that would be satisfactory.
"Every once in a while? No."
Lady Desdemona narrowed her eyes at him. "You are trying my patience, Merlinian. She is a child of Avalon. It is hard enough to pass power down a line, but it is harder to achieve the spell she cast, even accidentally."
Sirius didn't like the way she was addressing him. He was sure that she knew his name, but she didn't like him enough to use it. He knew why, but she didn't seem like a very fair woman at all. He could see parts of Thalia in her, but he was truly puzzled now. How could such a loving woman come from two people who were completely heartless?
"You're not any different from him. You want to take my daughter from me," he concluded with a furious glare. He didn't care. He would defy the evil of the world and the will of Avalon to protect his daughter.
"But she belongs here," insisted Lady Desdemona. "I saw my daughter in crisis after crisis. Not once did I see her use her powers. They all but withered to nothing because of my consort's doing."
"Voldemort. You were his consort!" exclaimed Sirius with increasing revulsion. He didn't really want to think of that. He felt a sickening pit in his stomach.
"I would rather not discuss that myself," said Lady Desdemona coolly, but her expression remained unperturbed by his insolence and disgust. "Think of me what you will, Merlinian. I have no idea what my daughter saw in you. I thought that perhaps seeing you in person would make a difference, but it has not."
"Sirius," said Remus. "Don't fight with her. Think about Fiona."
"You are no better than Voldemort. You have no right to judge me as a father or as a man," said Sirius. "I don't care if you're the Goddess herself. Or whatever it is you call her. You've done more damage than me. You left your daughter at Voldemort's mercy. You weren't much of a mother, now were you?"
Lady Desdemona didn't get angry at his comments. "I have my reasons. They are mine to keep. I do have one good thing to say about you: you are a good father. Now, think about what you want for Fiona. Do you want what's best for her? Or do you want what's best for yourself? You want to cut off part of her heritage because you cannot accept it."
Sirius felt cut off at the knees. Only he could have a mother-in-law like her. It was between a rock and a hard place with his in-laws. He didn't want to deal with his father-in-law either. She was the lesser of two evils. "I accept everything about my daughter. If I can't, then I can't accept myself," he said solemnly.
"Then, she must train in her Avalonian heritage. Otherwise her powers will diminish to nothing. I saw it happen with her mother. I won't let it happen to her," said Lady Desdemona.
Sirius' fury picked up again. He didn't care who she was. She wasn't going to tell him how to raise his daughter. That decision was still his. "No. I won't let you take my daughter anywhere. She will go to Hogwarts because I think that's what's best for her. You've already done enough damaged. You can stay in your ivory tower and on your hypocritical moral high horse."
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Perhaps, it would be best to let Fiona decide for herself what she wants and where she wants to go," he suggested.
"Sirius, you know that Fiona isn't going to listen to either of you, if she knows she's being forced into something. You can't trick her either. She's too smart for that. Just present your cases and let her decide," added Remus.
Lady Desdemona nodded as she looked pointedly as her son-in-law. He was like a child to her. Sirius gave a very reluctant nod. He would rather Fiona not know anything about this at all. "I think there's something else you're hiding," he said slowly.
"All will be revealed in time," said Lady Desdemona with a note of finality.
Something in her tone told Sirius not to test her patience.
*
There were rafts arriving en mass towards Avalon. Fiona could see the bonfires burning as a welcoming beacon. She wondered where her father was. Harry and Draco were taken to do some more swordplay with Sensei Ran. Fiona didn't know what else to do, but return to her room and wait for the big gathering that night.
She couldn't see the people who were coming. She'd lost interest in watching everything. She was bored out of her mind. However, she realized something. This was the first time she had been truly left alone in months. She looked around. Maybe I should call Gwendolyn in here. No. I don't need to. I can be alone. I'm fine. I'm just not used to it anymore. No one's given me this much space in a while, but why am I so scared of being alone? I haven't been alone since Mom died, she thought.
She pulled her knees to her chest. Yes, this was the first time she had been alone since her mother died. The time at the park didn't count because Sensei Ran was there at the time in his Animagi form. All this time other people had kept her distracted. Furthermore, even her grandmother wasn't watching her. She was never really alone. She didn't know how to cope with it.
She clutched the crystal. It was her mother's blood. She was there with her, but it didn't make Fiona feel any better. It made her feel sadder and guiltier. She started to rock back and forth, holding in her tears. Her heart felt like it was breaking. It had been months now. Why was she feeling so sad?
The sun dipped down into the horizon. Fiona felt tired, but she was also restless. She wondered why no one had come to bring her to the gathering. She supposed that they were all distracted by events that were taking place. She would have been correct in assuming so.
She stood up and stretched out her limbs. She decided to go and find her own way to the gathering. Fiona soon realized how big the castle was compared to Hogwarts, especially without a guide. As she walked down corridors, the lanterns lit up, but she soon got hopelessly loss just looking for an exit or a place that had people in it.
"Hello? Can someone help me?" called Fiona. Her voice echoed, but there was no reply. "I'm so stupid. It looks different at night. I wonder if they have something like the Marauders' Map. I can't believe it." She muttered to herself.
She stopped when she reached a room with an open door. It was a large room. The largest she had seen so far. There was a great mirror hanging on the wall. It was too large to be a simple full length. She saw her reflection in it.
Her hair framed her face. For a fleeting moment, she fooled herself into thinking that she was seeing her mother. She bit her lip wistfully. She wasn't her mother. She couldn't be her. She was too perfect. Fiona could only see herself full of flaws. She reached out to touch the mirror.
Her fingers felt the coolness of the glass. She pulled back and found that it had become a sheet of water. The water rippled as she pulled back. "Uh-oh. I don't think that's supposed to happen. What did I do now?" she said out loud. Somehow, she doubted that Lady Desdemona would be too happy with her if she broke something important.
The mirror became solid again, but it wasn't reflecting anything in the room this time. Fiona stepped back from it because she recognized it as the house she grew up in Virginia. She gasped because the vision went into the living room. She saw her mother at the piano playing a song.
Thalia stood up and walked to the kitchen to check on whether or not Fiona had something to eat as soon as school as over. Fiona sank to her knees as she realized that her mother was wearing the outfit she wore the day she died. The view she had was like a camera.
Thalia went through the kitchen door. Fiona's view was from behind. She could see Voldemort. He was standing in the middle of the living room. Fiona had no idea what people meant before when they said he had a new body. He didn't look remotely human. Fiona felt the bile raise up her stomach.
"Father," said Thalia, unsurprised by his presence. "I was wondering how long it would take you to find me."
"I am disgusted at my own daughter for living like a Muggle," he told her.
Thalia folded her arms over her chest. "I like living like a Muggle," she told him. She stood far enough from him to avoid any hitting.
"You wouldn't have to live like this, if you weren't such a stubborn girl. You can join me again," Voldemort offered.
"I would rather not," said Thalia.
He picked up a picture of Fiona that was sitting on one of the tables in the room. "Is she a witch?" he demanded.
Thalia laughed. "Like I would tell you anything about her, Father."
"Never mind. I can always read you, Thalia. The child does have magic. Otherwise, you would not have fought so hard to keep her a secret from me," he said.
"Unlike some parents, I protect my daughter from everything," said Thalia. There was a defiant glint in her eyes. "I have also taught my daughter that you cannot rely on others more than yourself."
"How wise of you," said Voldemort sarcastically. "Considering what her father did to you both. He's no better than your grandfather. I never abandoned you."
"I would have been better off if you had," said Thalia icily.
"Yes, you left me as well. You chose the Muggles over your own father," said Voldemort with building fury.
"And I would do it again," said Thalia as she tilted her chin upward. An expression that Fiona had obviously inherited from her.
"I have been more than patient, Thalia. Much more than many have deserved because you are my flesh and blood. However, you have gone too far," he said as his wand flicked out.
Thalia braced herself for what was to happen. She seemed to expect it. He lifted his wand upwards and sent a force that knocked her off her feet. She quickly got out her wand to defend herself, but she didn't have enough power to it.
"What's happened to you? Have you lost the ability to use your powers because you spent all this time with the Muggles?" spat Voldemort as he raised his wand.
Thalia was thrown against the wall with bone breaking force. "I will give you one more chance to make the right decision," he said as he walked up to her. He clutched his claw like hand around her throat and pinned her to the wall.
"No," she whispered. Not once did she utter a single spell to counter him or to protect herself. She allowed him to do his worst.
Voldemort's features seemed odd for a moment as if they had softened. He released her and pulled away from her. She staggered forward until she reached the middle of the living room. He pointed his wand at hers and destroyed it. She looked at him and saw the look in his eyes. It was a sad, almost human look. "From this life to the next," she whispered.
"Avada Kedavra," said Voldemort as he pointed his wand directly at her. A green light emitted from it and hit Thalia on the chest. She sank to the floor, lifeless.
Fiona watched the terrifying scene. Her vision blurred. She couldn't see the last part. Voldemort walked over to Thalia's body. Her eyes were wide open, staring straight into his. He closed her eyes in a strained voice, he whispered, "Goodbye, my dear Thalia."
It took that to break Fiona. She let out a terrifying, ear piercing scream. At the same time, the crystal lit up.
*
Sirius wondered where Fiona had gone. All the other people were gathered for the gathering. "Harry, have you see Fiona?" he asked Harry who had come in with Draco and Ryu Ran.
"No," replied Harry. Sirius looked at Draco, who also shook his head.
"I'm sure she'll turn up. This is pretty big," assured Charlie as he looked around.
The opening ceremony was unlike anything any of the guests had seen before. There were swirls of fire that appeared out of no where. The swirls materialized into human beings. "Fire magic," said Ryu.
The air suddenly began to chill as a gusts of wind flew in from all directions. "Air magic." The next group were still human, but their bodies converted into water and rematerialized again. "Water magic."
Lady Desdemona appeared at the front of the gathering. She raised her arms up with her palms opened. Plants started to grow up from the ground covering the top of the open temple. It was the best display yet. "And earth magic," said Ryu.
"Incredible. They become the elements themselves," observed Mr. Weasley. He had never learned about another way of life that was even more fascinating than the Muggles before.
"It is truly powerful magic," added Percy in awe.
"Only a few children are allowed to train in Avalon. Some are born into it like Fiona. Other's are given the opportunity to train here," said Ryu.
"Wait, you mean that Fiona is born into this?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes," said Sirius gruffly as he continued to look around. Yes, he was impressed with everything just like the other guests, but he was more concerned that he hadn't seen Fiona in a while. Where could she have gone?
Lady Desdemona opened her mouth to speak, but she suddenly stopped. She didn't sense her granddaughter's presence anywhere nearby. She looked in the crowd to see Sirius without her.
"There's something wrong," said Severus as he watched her. "Where is Fiona, Black?" he asked Sirius.
"That's what I've been trying to figure out," said Sirius as he looked around.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light that was even brighter than all the spectacles that everyone had seen. Lady Desdemona's body began to transform into air.
"There is something wrong," said Remus as he gestured at Lady Desdemona.
"It came from the castle," said Harry. "Sirius…the light—"
"It's the same light from Hogwarts. That's Fiona," interrupted Severus. "Let's go." All the guests took off running, despite urges from the others not to leave. The other Avalonians sensed that there was a great power in the air.
Lady Desdemona returned to her sitting room. She landed in the balcony. She saw Fiona laying on the floor in a fetal position. Her eyes were wide open and her breathing was shallow. Lady Desdemona looked at the reflection in the mirror and understood what had happened.
She dropped the façade she kept as the Lady of the Lake. She suddenly became a grandmother. She walked up to Fiona and pulled the distressed child into her arms. She wasn't even shaking. It looked like her body had shut down.
"Hush child," she said softly. "Nothing will hurt you as long as I am with you." She cradled her gently. "I know how you feel, my child."
Lady Desdemona could feel the pain going through both the bodies at the same time. She had avoided embracing her for that reason. She could feel that part of Fiona that was missing. She clutched her even closer.
She didn't care that people were coming. Gwendolyn had joined them to help them find their way. Sirius was the first one through the doorway. He stopped when he saw what was happening. He had never seen Fiona in such a state before. She looked like she was in an of shock. It wasn't all that he could see. He saw that part of Lady Desdemona's left sleeve had slipped down. He could see a mark on her upper left shoulder.
He took a sidelong glance at Severus who was looking at the mirror. He grabbed his left wrist. "Black! What the Hell are you doing?!" demanded Severus as he tried to wretch his arm back.
"Sirius," said Harry as he looked back and forth between him and Fiona.
"Sirius, what's wrong?" asked Remus.
"This!" shouted Sirius as he pulled down Severus' sleeve. The Dark Mark was practically glowing. Severus' wretched his arm free. "Look," he said walked up to Lady Desdemona. "Let my daughter go."
"Sirius, why are you so angry?" asked Harry. "Look at her."
"That's why I want her to get away from her. I won't let you or her grandfather hurt her. I don't even want to know what the Hell you did to her!" shouted Sirius.
Lady Desdemona merely looked up at him. "She did this to herself. She shouldn't have touched the mirror," she whispered. "Gwendolyn, touch the mirror. See what she was looking at just before she trigged the crystal."
Gwendolyn touched it. The mirror became water than solid again. It was the last scene. Thalia was lying dead on the floor. She looked like she was asleep, but there were bruises on her ivory skin.
Sirius stepped back from the mirror. "You see now what I am saying, Sirius. Her water magic is strong. It's the strongest power she has among the elements. Do you understand?" asked Lady Desdemona.
"Yes, I was once Voldemort's consort," she announced to the others in the room. "Thalia will always be my daughter." Her voice sounded softer. She would have spoken more loudly. She kept Fiona close to her.
Harry stood still. He looked at Draco for a moment. Neither could say a word. "I would defy the will of Avalon myself, Sirius, to protect what I have left. Even from you," whispered Lady Desdemona.
No one could tell if Fiona was aware of what was going on. She had seen how her mother died. It was like losing her again. It was more than her heart could take. Sirius knelt down and placed his hand on her back.
"At least we can agree on one thing," said Sirius. "But you still haven't told us what you have in store for Harry and Fiona."
"Now is not the time think of such things," said Lady Desdemona.
"Now that's two things we agree on," said Sirius. Perhaps there was hope that they could compromise after all.
*
Harry's mood didn't improve, causing his attendant to worry about him. He was worried about Fiona. He didn't like it. He knew what had happened to Fiona's mother. He had heard things in his sleep before, but he didn't dare repeat them to her. He wanted to comfort her in some way.
He understood what she was going through more than anyone, even Draco. He remembered why the Dementors bothered him so much. He thought about how his father had told his mother to run. His mother had begged Voldemort to take her instead and not him. He looked across the way to see that there was no light coming from the other side.
"Lord Harry, you must eat something," said Griffin. He realized who he had just given an order to and quickly corrected himself, "I mean you shouldn't worry yourself, Milord."
"What should I do then, Griffin? Should I wait until something worse happens to her? I have to do something for her. I can't stand this. It feels like it's hurting me, too." He let out a ragged sigh as he looked out again towards her quarters. "Why did Lady Desdemona put us so far apart?"
"The distance is only physical, Milord. It is something that can be corrected," said Griffin wisely. "Try to get some sleep, Lord Harry."
Griffin made his exit, leaving Harry with an idea. Just a physical distance. He knew exactly where she was. He went the door and looked around to make sure that no one could see him. Then, he slowly opened the door and silently walked down the empty corridor. He didn't bother with his invisibility cloak. He somehow doubted they would able to tell he was there.
He continued until he got the quarters that were assigned to the Blacks. Their name was on the door. He gently touched the door handle, and the doors swung open to allow him to come inside. He saw Fiona sitting in the balcony. She was staring outside at the pixies fluttering in and out of the trees. Her eyes were glazed over.
"Fiona," said Harry softly. She looked at him. "Where's your father?" he asked. She gave no answer as she turned back to look at the stars in the sky. Her crystal was sitting on the coffee table in the living room. Harry walked forward until he reached the balcony. It was very chilly. "Come on, it's cold here. You're going to get sick." He walked up to her and touched her skin. He noticed how cold she was. Her lips were still pink and soft. He resisted the urge to kiss her, but he picked her up. Her body was limp and she didn't bother to fight him.
He set her down on the sofa. "Three months," she whispered softly.
"Since when?"
"Since she died. Since he murdered her. Three months. It's already been three months," she whispered.
"It will always feel like yesterday. No matter how far you get from it. It's always going to be there, but you have to continue. No matter how much it hurts, you have to. You can't live for her, but you have to live for yourself. She would have wanted that for you," said Harry. He looked at her. He saw the tears gliding down her cheeks. She gave no sobs. He couldn't stand it. It tore his heart to see her in that much pain. He sat down closer to her and caught the tears in his thumb.
"I can't believe it. She just gave in like that," whispered Fiona. "I thought I knew my mother, Harry. Every time something happens, it just reminds me how little I knew her. The only person who really knew her was herself. I never knew her. She just showed different sides and different masks to people. She spent her whole life living a lie."
"At least you know that much. I never knew my mother. Not the way you do," said Harry without any harshness.
Fiona quickly wiped the tears away from her face at that moment. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be sitting here and talking about this. Not after what's happened to you. I don't have the right to do that," she said, but a sob escaped her lips.
"No, you have a right to feel sad. I don't have the market cornered on that. I've had years to not cry over what happened. I used to when I was younger. I used to dream that someone would take me away from the Dursleys. I used to cry at night when I was younger. I had nightmares, but no one cared to help me. You're the only person I've ever met who cares about me like that. You're the only person who makes me feel like I'm whole."
"How can I do that if I don't feel so complete myself? I feel like something's missing in me."
"I would love you no matter what. What you're doing to me is crueler than anything the rest of your family has done to me so far," he whispered. "You pushed me away. You don't trust me. You trust Draco over me. Yes, I was jealous before. Maybe I should stop talking, too. I'm turning this around on myself."
"It's okay. I've never heard you talk about yourself like that. It's like I'm finally getting to know you," she said. "I feel cold still."
Harry stood up and locked his arms around her. He could feel her skin chilling him, but he felt very warm being so close her. He pulled her down with him onto the sofa, holding her close. "Please just hold me," she whispered.
"You don't need to ask," he told her. He still wondered where Sirius had gone. Not that he was worried about him barging in and seeing anything he shouldn't. He was wondering why Sirius wasn't there when Fiona was in so much pain. He held her tightly, even after she fell asleep.
Harry stared at the crystal. He remembered the dream he had had. Sirius had explained what the crystal really was. Harry pondered something. He remembered seeing the last impressions of the people that Voldemort had recently killed when his wand locked with his.
He wondered if Thalia's last impression was in the wand. Voldemort used the Killing Curse to gain more power. Thalia's mother was the Lady of the Lake, so she would have a lot of power of her own. The crystal was made to prevent it. Harry came to a startling conclusion: Thalia's spirit never left this world. It was trapped between this one and the next.
Harry pressed his lips against Fiona's forehead. He held on to her as she slept, until he finally closed his eyes.
*
Sirius strolled outside for a moment. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts. He carried Fiona back to the suite and left her in her room. He sighed to himself. They were having the same feelings. During the whole afternoon, he didn't think for a moment that Lady Desdemona was right.
However, he was starting to doubt himself. Was he really doing what was best for Fiona? Thalia did a much better job at raising her by herself, than he had done in the past three months. He wondered if he was doing the right thing by insisting that Fiona stay with him. She was very special. Not just to him, but to almost every single person she encountered. He wanted his daughter to stay with him. He didn't have anything else, but her.
Lady Desdemona had power and a group of loyal followers. He thought about how lonely she looked clutching Fiona. He noticed how much the three women looked alike. He wanted to give his daughter the one thing that Lady Desdemona and Thalia didn't have: peaceful happiness. He wanted his daughter to be happy more than anything else, even at the expense of his own happiness.
Sirius' parents taught him that as a father he would have to make sacrifices. That was why he scoffed at the idea. First off, when he was younger, he was selfish. Second, he didn't think anyone would do such a thing for another person. He learned how to compromise from Thalia, but now he was learning what it meant to give up something. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his daughter.
A ghostly figure watched him from behind. She had left her father long enough to pay him a visit. She watched him wistfully. She didn't like to see him like this. She had spent her time protecting their daughter. It was time to give her love some solace as well.
"She has your spirit that's why she causes so much mischief," whispered Thalia. Sirius heard her voice and turned. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came. He could see that there was a steady glowing light and that she as transparent. She gave him a smile.
"Thalia…" whispered Sirius. He reached out to touch her, but his hand felt the coolness of the air instead.
"Why are you alone?" she asked.
Sirius couldn't answer her. He felt his throat constrict. His heart seemed to stop for a moment. "I'm not now," he managed in a harsh whisper.
"What's wrong?" she asked, seeing his blue eyes fill with tears.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Please forgive me. I'm so sorry. Please."
Thalia gave him a smile. "I already did a long time ago. How could I not? I love you. I always will," she told him.
"I failed you. And Fiona. I couldn't protect you. I couldn't even protect my best friends."
"Then you have to forgive yourself."
Sirius looked at her. "I don't want you to live like this, my love. I don't want you to live because I couldn't. I don't want you to live for Fiona. I want you to live for yourself. I want you to forgive yourself," she whispered.
"Don't leave me," he whispered.
"I have always been on your side, my love," she whispered him. "Always." A lock of her hair hung down one of the sides of her face. It always happened.
"I love you," whispered Sirius.
"I know. I've always known. I will love you no matter what you do," Thalia promised him. She leaned in close to his lips. She couldn't kiss him, but he felt the air close around him. "I have always believed in you. I knew that you'd love our Fiona very much. I had no worries because I knew you'd be there for her. I trust you."
Sirius realized that no one else would love him as unconditionally as she. "Thank you. I'll do my best," he whispered. "Thank you for giving me everything, even if I didn't give you much."
"No. You gave me life. I wasn't alive until I met you. You gave me hope. I had nothing before I met you. Thank you."
She faded away. "No, don't go!" pleaded Sirius.
"I can't stay. The crystal, Sirius. It's the key. She's only half of what we need to stop him. I love you," said Thalia as she faded away. The air had returned to normal.
"Don't go," he whispered. He stood still for a moment, taking in everything. He realized that was why the crystal was so important. He also knew what Thalia meant by other half.
Harry.
AN: I had extreme difficulties with this chapter. There's just so much emotion running high here. I wrote the last scene while listening to the song, "I Will Love You" by Fisher. It's a very sad love song. The conversation is short, but sweet. It's for all those people who keep asking about Thalia coming back. Harry's about to find out something major about himself. Fiona is learning to trust him more and more.
Yes, Fiona is aware of who Lady Desdemona is despite the cationic state she was in. She could hear everything. The next chapter is where they present her with her options. You will also learn more about Lady Desdemona's past with Voldemort.
For further details, analysis, previews, or any kind of mutterings, go to http://remyelf.livejournal.com.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.