Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. 'Cept for Avalon and her family.

Author's Note: Please, let me know what you think needs to be worked on, what my week points are. This story is for fun, but its also a bit of practice for my writing skills. On an extremely different note, I have no clue who I'm going to pair Avalon with. Maybe I should take a vote…

Chapter 5

The White Flame

A warm fire glowed in the stone hearth. Dumbledore set himself in one of the large chairs before the fire and gestured for Avalon to join him. Without a sound, she sank into the immense chair and stared into the fire. Across from her, Albus summoned two cups of hot cocoa. She accepted the drink and fleetingly pondered if his cure for everything was sweets. Avalon welcomed the warm drink, though, as it wet her parched mouth and soothed her tightening throat.

Still no one spoke, though the silence wasn't uncomfortable, rather, it was calming. The cocoa never seemed to cool despite the amount of time Avalon was sure had passed. Eventually, she sets the cup down on the coffee table next to her, feeling the need to say something—anything—but stopped short. On the table laid an old, tattered book with uneven pages jutting out the sides and gold covering the corners of the hardback.

Avalon picked up the book and her eyes widened as she realized what was on the cover. The face of a white wolf peered up at her and it yawned, appearing to be very bored and impatient. The Headmaster watched her with curious eyes, wondering if she would accept what the book offered. The Gryffindor abruptly looked very uncomfortable and set the book back on the table. With a protesting whine, the book fell into, what appeared to be, a forced sleep.

"There is a magic in this world more ancient then the first wizard's charm," began Dumbledore, sighing heavily as the book locked itself. "The Creator of all placed upon our world two powerful entities. Their energy and power were constantly fluctuating yet remaining balanced. Any extra amount of energy would overflow into the world and form as magic. But too much power is like too much water flowing through thin pipes, they become corrupted and start to deteriorate."

The Headmaster paused, taking a sip from his drink. Avalon was staring into the fire when she spoke up. To his surprise, she continued the story, "It was the battle of Life and Death," a slight shrug. "Something that has yet to end. Death wanted more power so he gave abilities to his most loyal followers and commanded them to steal away Life's own minions. The balance began to tilt and in turn, Life created her own champions. A large battle ensued and the Creator had to intervene to keep the world from being destroyed.

"They were both punished and banished: Death banished to a prison far beneath the surface and Life to the skies above. The story goes that they still have small battles here and there. Small battles in preparation for their final war perhaps." Avalon ended with a slight frown, "At least that's what I've heard. I can't remember who told me, though. It might have been my nursemaid."

The wizened man couldn't help but think differently, yet before he could inquire further, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Enter," answered Dumbledore and a young woman stepped in, "Ah! Professor McGonagall! I'm pleased you could make it."

The young teacher nodded and smiled softly at Avalon, "How are you, dear?"

Avalon managed a half-smile, "I've been better."

"As I'd have imagined," McGonagall shook her head and looked back to Dumbledore. "Mrs. McKay has suggested that Avalon should return home for some time."

"Of course she did," Albus glanced over to the quiet girl, "But we shall leave that decision up to Avalon."

At the mention of her name, Avalon looked to each of their faces and then dropped her gaze to the floor. "If it isn't a problem, I'd like to go…" she lifted her head again, her eyes reflecting unshed tears, "But only for a short while. I'd like to be back by tomorrow evening, if its possible."

Albus nodded and stood, moving behind his desk. "Very well, Minerva? If you would please prepare for Ms. McKay's departure, I'll send a message to her professors."

The Gryffindor rose from her seat then and headed for the door, "Thank you, I'll go and gather some things."

"Avalon?" the girl stopped as Professor McGonagall called her name, "Will you be alright? To stay only for a short time?"

"I'll be fine." She stated matter-of-factly and left the room before any further objections.

"Is there anything else we can do for her, Albus?" inquired Minerva.

"We have done what we can, Minerva. It may be up to her friends now to remind her to live." Albus replied sullenly.

Severus pushed himself further into the shadows, trying to blend and not be seen. Potter dashed by him, too focused on his companions to notice the Slytherin. Severus Snape had been hoping for a chance to catch Avalon alone to apologies and give her his sympathies. But the Gryffindor four were around her non-stop while she prepared to leave. Even now in the Great Hall, the small crowd surrounded her.

"Here are these Quidditch plans for you to look over if you want to get your mind off things," James handed her some rolls of parchment. "You're welcome to join us for practice if you're back in time. Our first game is this weekend."

Avalon smiled and took the rolls, "Thanks, I'll try to make it to practice."

"You don't have to push yourself, you know that." Spoke up Remus, looking very concerned.

She just smiled more broadly at him, "Really, I'll be fine guys." The dark-hair girl chuckled softly, "Now you all should probably be getting to class before you're too late."

Peter rolled his eyes, "You don't think that we could get the day off too? Do you?"

Sirius dug his elbow into Peter's side, "That was rather rude! Apologize you bloke!"

The girl's eyes lit up a bit as she tried to put a tone of seriousness in her voice, "Its okay…please, I need to go now. I'll see you tomorrow."

About that time, Professor McGonagall came down the steps with Lilly behind her.

"…As I mentioned before, Miss Evans," her voice trailed down to them, "They're bound to be all already gathered down here." The teacher reached them and greeted them with a warm smile. "As for you lot, I suggest you get on to class before you find yourselves in detention."

The four boys groaned and forced themselves to start towards their classes. Lilly rushed up to Avalon with a quick hug and then urged the other Gryffindors to hurry. Avalon watched them go, her smile fading away, and then turned to the professor, "I suppose I'm ready now…"

Professor McGonagall nodded, "Very well, if you'll follow me…"

They both turned and exited the castle, leaving Severus feeling a bit bothered at not being able to speak with Avalon. He should probably be getting on to his own classes then, he mused. Yet, as he left the comfort of the shadows, someone gripped his arm firmly, stopping him.

"Don't think I didn't see you hiding there in the shadows!" Severus turned, wide-eyed, to find Avalon smiling at him. His heart seemed to stop in his chest; her eyes were so sad. "I told McGonagall that I forgot something and ran back inside to find you."

"Avalon…" Severus Snape never before felt such a loss of words. "How did you--"

"See you? Because you don't belong in the shadows, Sev." The girl released her grip, and let her body slouch a little. Her smile had faded again. "Why did you stand up for me? You knew what Lucious would do to you if you took my side!"

Severus' gaze fell from her face and down to the floor, "I usually wouldn't care what he did to others. I'd ignore it just like everything else he does. But when you fought back at him…no one ever fights back. You did, though…and I had to respect you for that." He looked up at her again. "I have to apologize for the way I acted afterwards. I was never angry with you…I was just angry with myself for letting him do that to me. That I couldn't be…couldn't be strong like you."

Avalon shifted her weight to the side and watched him with worry. After a hesitant moment of silence, she took his hand between her two and held if firmly. "You have your own strength as well, Sev. You just haven't found it yet. The moment will come, soon or maybe years from now, but you will be able to fight back at Lucious. It may not be physical strength, it may be something else." She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, "And don't apologize…there's nothing to be sorry for."

Severus almost protested aloud when she freed his hand from her grasp. "I need to go now. I'll be back sometime tomorrow…"

"Avalon." The Slytherin found the name sliding across his lips as though it were honey. "Please, if there's anything I can do for you…"

The raven-hair girl replied with a half smile, "You're a good friend, Sev. Don't ever change."

Then she was gone again with Severus finding himself at a loss. Contemplating the past few moment's events and departing for class, the pale boy failed to notice the pair of eyes watching him from up the stairs. Peter Pettigrew stood from where he had been retrieving his dropped wand. With suspicion bright in his eyes, he watched as the Slytherin left the large hall and entered down into another.

The others would certainly be intrigued by this change of events. More then likely, Remus may even become a bit surprised by the idea of competition. With a burst of energy, Peter dashed down the hallway after his friends.

The air was warm and the humidity caused Avalon's robes to stick to her. The girl gazed around at her surroundings, trying to figure out what had happened. She had returned home to her family, seeking out the comfort she needed for and from her family. The house elves, out of their own grief, created an enormous amount of savory meats and vegetables. There was doubt that anyone actually tasted the food; dinner had been almost unbearable with the long silences in between a word or two of babble.

Avalon finally managed her way up to her room, closing the door and sealing up a sense of security. She had been preparing for bed when she suddenly found herself fully dressed in her school uniform and no longer in her room. Or even her house for that matter.

The Gryffindor gazed around once again, thinking of what this place could be. It appeared to be a park and not a very large or impressive one either. A full moon gazed down at her, filling her surroundings with light.

But the full moon was last night…

Voices to her right startled her into jumping and whirling around to find the source. Coming down the path was a group of young muggles, talking boisterously and full of energy. Avalon hurried to move out of sight, not wanting anyone to see her in the wizard robes. The group passed, oblivious of the magical girl within feet of them.

"Crucio!"

Avalon's heart stopped. Hundreds of questions raced through her mind. An Unforgivable Curse! Who used it? Why are they attacking the muggle? Where are they?!

Her eyes darted back and forth across the clearing as the group gathered around their fallen companion. Their shouts of panic did nothing to calm Avalon. Another Crucio was called out and this time the girl could see where the curse was coming from. Almost directly across from her, she could just barely make out three or four figures. A moment later, three of the muggles lay twitching and writhing in pain as the curse tore away at them.

"Stupefy!" A deep, strong voice called out and one of the dark figures appeared to go limp and fall over. Avalon jerked her head to the left at the sound of the voice. A tall, well-built man entered the clearing and she gasped as the moonlight hit his face.

"Dad? Dad!" She called out to him but it seemed to be vain, as he did not hear her.

Then all Hell broke loose. The muggles continued crying out in terror at the unknown. The dark figures across the clearing moved out away from each other, but remained in the shadows. Curses and counter-curses, charms and body-binding spell flew back and forth throughout the clearing. Avalon could see now that her father wasn't alone and she silently cheered him on. The past day vanished from her mind, the newspaper was no more and the silent dinner didn't happen. This was the present, real-time battle. Her father would live, she just knew it!

One of the muggles fell while trying to flee and curled up in a fetal position when another dark figure approached her. The shadow raised his wand, to kill at least one more innocent, his pale arm showing in the silver light, as his robe had been ripped away.

"No!" Avalon wasn't sure if had been her voice or her father's that protested, but in a flash, her father was between the darkness and the muggle. The force of the curse sent his body somersaulting through the air. Other's that had been with Romulus lifted their own wands to stop the shadowed figure but in the blink of an eye, it was gone. He had apparated himself away from the battle.

Avalon was at her father's side at once. She shuddered at the sound he made as he tried to breathe: a tight, rasping sound that signified a great deal of damage to his trachea.

"Father?" Her voice wavered. His eyes were unfocused, staring up at nothing. His breathing was becoming more of a struggle. "Father, please don't leave me!"

His eyes remained unfocused but he reached up a hand towards her, "Avalon…" His voice was barely even a whisper. "You will…always be my beautiful…little girl."

She reached out to take his hand but, to her horror, her hands passed through his. With pain and sorrow tightening her own throat, she tried again and again but she could not touch him. His body became more relaxed now and he exhaled deeply and without signs of trouble. Second ticked by, but he did not inhale again. Avalon choked back a sob and stood up, backing away from the body. A cold rush of wind swept across her as the other wizards darted past her and through her. She held up one hand to her face, horror striking her heart.

No one could see her! No one could feel or hear her! Avalon was on the verge of breaking out in a run when her eyes caught sight of a white flame, burning up in a nearby tree. The flame turned its head to look her and Avalon realized, despite the growing numbness, that the creature was a white Phoenix.

The next moment, she was standing in front of the mirror, her reflection asking if she was feeling well. She slowly turned around and the realization finally sunk in that she was back home, in her bathroom. The park was gone, she could no longer hear the muggles horrified cries, and her father's body wasn't in sight. Sleep did not come easily to her that night.