Dark World

CHAPTER FIVE: THE ROOM ABOVE IT ALL

"Death aims with fouler spite

At fairer marks."

Francis Quarles

I followed Professor Flitwick to a gargoyle on the wall in a high tower. He stopped and cleared his throat.

"Butterbeer." I raised an eyebrow curiously as the gargoyle jumped to live and moved out of our way. It closed quickly as I had stepped through. I followed the professor up a small set of windy stairs. We reached a door and Flitwick knocked swiftly three times.

"Come in." I heard Dumbledore's voice behind the door and it opened to a cozy sitting room. I stepped in behind the professor and into the office of Albus Dumbledore. Standing and sitting around the fire was Prof. Snape, Prof. McGonagall and Dumbledore. I looked around confused.

"Miss Carter, I think you should take a seat." I sat in the seat McGonagall said getting up and motioning for me to sit. I sat down and looked confused at the teachers.

"Miss Carter, we have just received this memo for US government." I raised my eyebrows and took the piece of paper from the headmaster. I searched his eyes from emotion; they were void of any save calm and comfort.

(LETTER)

'Miss Sari Carter,

We are sorry to inform you but on October 11th, 2002, the city of Snowdem, Colorado was attacked by terrorists. We (the United States Government), along with the help of the Council of Magic, are currently searching for survivors. We have not determined whether the kamikaze pilots were magical or non-, but we are assuring all family members of the former residents we will get as much information as possible.

We are also sorry to say that we found your parents as of two hours after the attack. We extend our deepest regrets. We also ask that you stay at your school until your grandparents come to fetch you or have arranged otherwise. Your headmaster has informed us that you are welcome to stay at Hogwarts as long as it is necessary. The Ministry of Magic is arranging a long term staying program for you.

Again we are sincerely sorry and will keep you informed.

Yours truly,

Jack Davis

Council Head of US Government Magical Relations'

(END LETTER)

I shook as I finished the letter. The three professors stood silently watching and Dumbledore looked intently at me as if studying me. I balled the paper in my hands and stood and threw the letter angrily into fire. I began to shake uncontrollably as I felt confusion, fear, uncertainty, and for once in my life no sense of control, sweep over my body. I had been holding my breath and the world began to fade in and out. Professor Flitwick hurried to my side.

"Breath Miss Carter!" He commanded. I sucked in air shakily and looked up at Professor McGonagall the only female in the room. She walked swiftly over to me and swept me into her embrace. I sobbed into her shoulder. I knew she wasn't one to show much affection for anyone and yet I found her rigid hug comforting.

"Shhh . . ." She whispered in my ear softly while gently rubbing my back. I just let it all flow until I couldn't cry anymore. Then the professor helped me up and kept a protective arm around my shoulders as Dumbledore stood.

"Miss Carter, you are welcome here as long as you like. I hope the Ministry of Magic will set up a permanent residence for you. Your parent's will is enclosed in the envelope. I know this is a very big bomb shell to drop on you at night, I'm sorry but I thought it best to inform you as soon as possible." Dumbledore began to sit down and start on some of his work, "Good night." McGonagall started to lead me towards the door when I stopped, clutching the envelope in my hands I turned.

"Lord Voldemort was behind this wasn't he?" I asked, a little bit of fear and anger edging into my question. Dumbledore looked up, I don't know whether he was more surprised on why I thought that or that I said his name.

"That is merely what I believe, I have no other accurate guesses on why a small seemingly unimportant town would be attacked." I nodded and gave a small smile.

"Good night, Headmaster." I said and turned with McGonagall's arm still around my shoulder. She bid me good night when we reached the portal and gave me a swift hug before leaving.

I went up to the dormitories. The girls were getting ready for bed as I opened the door feeling suddenly tired. I walked over to my bed and flopped down. I looked dully at my picture of my family on my bedside table.

"Sari?" Jill asked, I looked up and saw all the girls looking at me worried. A tear rolled down my cheek. My anger suddenly exploded with in me.

"DAMN VOLDEMORT! DAMN HIM AND HIS WHOLE FUCKING LOT OF ROTTING DEATH EATERS! DAMN TERRORISM! DAMN LOVE! DAMN THE WHOLE FUCKING WORLD!" I screamed hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

"So the little girl finally cracked?" Kayla asked walking through the door. I glared at her.

"You better pick out a black outfit." I mumbled to her.

"Why?" She asked glaring at me. I didn't have the energy to glare back.

"Because Snowdem is gone . . . but you probably already knew that." She frowned.

"What do you mean it's 'gone'?" She inquired stepping closer to me.

"I mean it's gone, kaput, annihilated, wiped from the face of the plant, big boom now more city." I said my voice straining in its normal volume, "Everyone is dead!" Her eyes grew large and for that minute we were finally equal. We were to American's from a city that didn't exist any more. Tears welled in her eyes and she dashed into the bathroom slamming the door loudly behind her. I just fell on my bed exhausted.

"God you hate me don't you?" Was the last thing I asked before drifting into a dreamless sleep.

I awoke that morning finding myself under my sheets with my pajamas and undergarments on. The girls must have dressed me in my pajamas before tucking me in. I sat up and opened the drapes of my bed.

The room was deserted and the warm sunlight streamed in through the curtains. I spotted a small house elf sitting on the window waiting patiently. She perked up noticing my movement.

"Good morning, Miss, if Tomi may ask how you are this morning?" The small male house elf asked jumping onto my bedside table.

"I'm fine thank you. How about you?" He smiled.

"Tomi is just fine Miss. Headmaster said Tomi should give this to you and get you breakfast. Headmaster also said you had to eat and Tomi must stay here until you eat the breakfast you ordered all up." He said handing me a scroll of parchment and pulling out a small piece and a quill, "What does the Miss want for breakfast Miss?" He asked. I smiled at him; he was a charming little creature with his big ears, tan skin and large brown eyes. His dark brown hair was cropped short and I leaned back on my pillows.

"I guess I'd like some oatmeal with honey and raisins on the side with a croissant, if it is not too much trouble." I said. He scribbled it down.

"Warm oatmeal, Miss?" He asked. I nodded.

"Tomi be back soon!" He said and had hopped away before I could thank him. I sighed and opened the scrolled parchment.

(LETTER)

'Miss Carter

You are excused from the next two weeks of classes. Your grandparents will be arriving later this week, as well as Ministry officials to decide how we should proceed in this situation.

Dumbledore'

(END LETTER)

I sighed and sunk back in the pillows. Although I'd be glad to not have any other pressures it would have been nice to have something to take my mind off this. I yawned and stretched. A few minutes later Tomi appeared, as I was about to open the envelope.

"Tomi is back Miss!" He said as he and a few other house elves carried a breakfast tray to my bed and hopped up and set the nice tray in front of me. I smiled at them and patted their heads.

"Thank you, Tomi. Thank you others too." I smiled at them and they blushed and scurried away. I ate my breakfast under the supervision of Tomi who was quite a stand-up comedian. I found myself very taken with the cute little elf.

"Well, I'm all done. If you find any extra time in the school year, I'd be more than happy to see you." He beamed.

"Tomi will remember that Miss!"

"Oh call me Sari, or Miss Sari." I said. He nodded.

"Yes, Miss Sari. Tomi must be going now." He hurried off towards the shadows.

"OH! Tomi wait! What time is it?" I asked.

"It is a little before the tenth hour of morning, Miss Sari. Tomi must go now. Bye-bye!" He disappeared into the shadows. I stretched and headed for the bathroom. The will could wait I wanted to feel clean. I felt as if I hadn't taken a shower in ages.

I stepped into my stall and poured in raspberry scented bubble bath into the scalding hot water of the bath. I put my hair up and sunk down into the sooth water and almost fell asleep. I heard the chimes ring ten and I pulled myself from the warm bath into the shower. I washed and put on a pair of black robes. I put my hair up and did a little bit of a smoky eye makeup. Stepping out into the dormitory I picked up the envelope with the will.

(WILL)

'(A|N: I don't know the legal crap that goes in front of it so I'll skip it all)

To our daughter we leave everything. All of our possessions, money, and assets. We love her dearly and hope she finds some use in everything we have.'

(END WILL)

There was a long list of possessions for me. I sighed, none of that I would have, except for the money. I picked up a letter telling me I would receive any of the salvaged material I wanted. I folded the letter and put it underneath the picture of my family. I smiled fondly at it.

My parents waved as I rolled my eyes thinking being swept into a hug was not cool at all. I blew a kiss to my parents and winked at myself who winked back.

"Now to find Harry Potter." I said more to myself than anyone else. I pushed the portal open and headed for the more busy hallways. I few minutes later I found myself wondering around in the gardens. I assumed it was because I had always found garden tranquil and calming but as I heard voices approach and my heart beat quickened I knew I was here for a certain kind of comfort.

Oliver Wood and James Winterfeld turned the corner deep in discussion about Quidditch and I felt my heart beat return to normal. I sat down dejectedly on a stone bench in front of the fountain. I stood to go down to the lake when I heard the voices I had been waiting to hear.

The Weasley twins rounded the corner and stopped upon seeing me. They exchanged nervous glances and then at me but pointedly avoiding eye contact.

"Umm . . . Dumbledore announced it at breakfast this morning," Fred said awkwardly. George fidgeted.

"Our dad's on the Ministry so we found out about it last night . . . Sorry." George said. I shrugged and sighed looking at the fountain.

"The only thing guaranteed in life is death." I said philosophically.

"Anyway our dad is offering to let you stay at our house over the summer or any break, you know until you get things together." I smiled at Fred.

"That'd be nice staying with someone I knew." I assured the nervous boys.

"Yea, well, Jill Sun's father is offering and they want to give it to her." George mumbled. I smiled at them.

"No offence guys but Jill's a girl and you surely don't want to be stuck with a girl over the summer." I grinned, "I doubt you'd survive it." The boys rolled their eyes.

"We have a sister." I smiled at them. I went over and gave each of them a hug. I lingered a bit on George taking in his masculine scent more than Fred's. I memorized the way his warmed my whole body when he wrapped his arms around me.

"It's nice to know you want me so bad." I smiled and blew kisses, "I have to go find Harry Potter and ask how it's like to not have parents." I said heading off to towards the castle. Soon the halls were bustling with life. I spotted the Gryffindor Three in the halls. I hurried over to them.

"Hello, Mr. Potter." I said, "May I talk to you . . . alone?" Harry looked from me to his friends.

"We'll catch you in Transfiguration." Hermione said dragging Ron off. Harry stood alone with me. I motioned him to walk along side me.

"So what's it like living with relatives?" I asked. He shrugged.

"You shouldn't ask me. I don't have the best example." I smiled at the stories of Muggles Fred and George had developed from the stories of the Dursleys.

"From what the twins say I guess not." I said as we walked along in an oddly comforting silence.

"I'm sorry." We both said at the same time. We looked at each other and grinned largely.

"Thanks." I gave a pained smile.

"I guess the pain for my parents has somewhat died away. I mean it's weird not going home for Christmas, but I know my parents loved me and still do where ever they may be." He smiled a mature smile at me, "I bet your parents are the same way." I looked at the famous, younger wizard.

"You know, Harry," I said addressing him informally, "you're really smart for your age. Just remember to be a kid sometimes 'kay?" I told him and placed a kiss on his cheek. I walked away from the Transfiguration classroom. I turned to see him staring after me. I winked and waved, "See ya' round, Harry."

I turned the corner not sure where to go. I decided to get a sketchpad and go draw something. I hurried to the empty RavenClaw tower. I grabbed the pad and collection of pencils and erasers from my dorm room and swept out of the common room. I paused at the portal. Turning I looked at the common room, I didn't really need to memorize the room anymore but it was nice to know the place I was going to be staying from the rest of the year was a comforting place.

Closing the picture behind me. Renowa RavenClaw caught me off guard.

"I'm sorry dear." I looked at her surprised, she had never talked to me beyond the simple words of 'Hallo' or 'Welcome Back'.

"It's not your fault." I smiled weakly at her, "I wish you wouldn't be sorry, just reminds me of them. You know?" She smiled gently.

"Of course dear, but I do feel bad. You're the first orphan into RavenClaw since the first uprising." I sat down in front of her. She was a tall, thin woman. Her figure was well rounded and she was rather beautiful. She reminded me of a softer McGonagall. She had deep chestnut eyes and long, brown hair pulled into a medieval style of an up-do. Her dress was a medieval cut as well in a deep, sea-blue velvet and silver trim. Her features were not to sharp or soft and her posture as she stood with the lake from a window in the background. A tapestry bearing the RavenClaw coat-of-arms hung on the side and her hand was placed daintily on a globe and her other hand held her wand. She reminded me of many Muggle Elizabethan era paintings.

"Dear are you listening?" She asked gently. I shook my head snapping back to reality with her calling.

"Oh, terribly sorry, I was studying your picture." I confessed as the bridge of my nose warmed. She smiled at me.

"That's okay dear. What do you think? I always thought the painter was a little off making me look so regal." I smiled at the painting.

"No, you're just splendid. You remind me of a cross between my mother and Professor McGonagall. You look like a true Elizabethan lady." I said, and my mouth twitched with a smirk, "Though to hang out with somebody like the founders of Gryffindor and Syltherin, I doubt you were anything but." She grinned at me.

"You are a very charming girl. Yes, I do find myself wondering why I became such good friends with those two. Men are just puzzles, Dear, don't forget that. By the way, what is your name?"

"Sari Carter." I told her.

"Oh, lovely! After that old lady in the Bible I suppose?" She asked. I nodded, "Quiet a boring book if you ask me. Oh! Don't get me wrong I'm a devout Anglican, but I still find the Bible one of the most horribly dull books." I giggled.

"I won't say I don't agree." I told her. She smiled at me, "What do you think wizards were like back then?" She shrugged.

"Haven't got the foggiest idea." She replied, "I suppose they were in Rome or somewhere in Greece. They never were much for the Middle East, still aren't I suppose. Except for well . . ." She looked at me.

"Voldemort?" I asked finishing the sentence as other painting's inhabitants cringed. She smiled.

"Yes, him. Dreadful man. Rather rude if I recall correctly. Would walk around pestering the paintings, sometimes he would splash paint on the other house founders. Oh, he poured bright green paint all over me! Took that horrible caretaker two weeks to clean me off. Trust me two weeks down below with give you the frights to stay up all night for the next year." I grinned and looked up at her. I had been sketching her in a different position. She peered at my work.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Drawing you." I replied and showed her the half-done sketch. She squealed with delight.

"OH! I might get to accompany you around the school! I do wish to see the school so much." I smiled at her.

"Well, I finish this up right now and seeing I get the next two weeks off you can show me all sorts of fun places in the castle." She grinned.

"Deal." I went back to work sketching quickly but carefully. I smiled at the replica of her sitting down. She smiled back and stretched from her position of having her hands on her lap. She shook her arms.

"Much better, nice to finally sit down." I smiled at the painting.

"Be seeing you." I told the picture. The almost dull painting nodded.

"How'd you do that?" I asked. She shrugged.

"It's a spell paintings just know. It's rather complicated really, don't want to go into the details. Just be careful what paintings you sketch." I nodded and as the eleven o'clock bell chimed she directed me up a staircase of dusty stairs.

"I doubt anyone rarely goes up here. Only the other three and I used it often," I assumed she was talking about Hufflepuff, Syltherin, and Gryffindor. "Now take a right." I did as she commanded and thanked God for the large amount of sunlight and windows. Soon I had taken so many turns and gone up so many staircases I thought I'd never find my way out.

"Here!" She cried happily, jumping from her seat. In front of me was a door obviously worn with age as the cobwebs clung desperately to it.

*****

I opened the door as it gave a rusty creak before swing open to reveal a large room at the very top of the castle. A table and four chairs sat near a large fireplace across the room from a huge floor to ceiling window. I walked over to it looking down over the gardens and was able to see Hogsmeade in the distance. I peered over the tall trees of the Forbidden Forest.

Walking the length of the long room I reached the table where above it on the wall opposite the window was a smaller window that light poured in from now. This room I realized was meant to be used at sunset or late at night. Walking around, my robes swirled up layers of dust from the unused floor. Around the room were to wall scrolls each with the coat-of-arms for each house. In the middle, hanging underneath the window was a tapestry bearing the school shield. I recognized it as the same one that hung in Dumbledore's office. I looked at the RavenClaw and realized an identical one hung in the common room. Renowa bounced with glee and urged me over to the RavenClaw tapestry.

"Look behind it!" She whined and I peeled the tapestry that was heavy with dust from no use away from the wall. I saw a break in the solid bricks. Transparent bricks showed a dark blue tapestry behind them. At Renowa's encouragement I stepped through cautiously and found myself behind the tapestry in the common room. I turned to find the bricks behind me.

"To anyone they appear there, if a person doesn't believe it's there it isn't. For anyone who does believe they can walk through the bricks into the room." She told me. I grinned gleefully at my new secret. I stepped back through the bricks and found myself behind the dusty, blue RavenClaw tapestry in the old room again. I hurried over to the school tapestry.

"Where does this lead?" I questioned.

"The Headmaster's office, of course." She said giggling as if it was a stupid question. I rolled my eyes and peeked through to see Dumbledore at his office mumbling about something.

"Hello Headmaster." I couldn't resist. Dumbledore looked up surprised and turned to see me. He smiled upon seeing me peering from behind his tapestry.

"Hello, Miss Carter. I believe you've been talking to Renowa RavenClaw, am I right?" I grinned sheepishly and pulled out my drawing.

"OH! How clever!" He said, "Good morning, Ms. RavenClaw, I suppose you'll be guiding our new Marauder around the school?"

"Good morning, Albus. I suppose, it wasn't fair that Godric got have all the fun." She told him smiling.

"Excuse me but what's a 'Marauder,' Headmaster?" I asked curious.

"WHO is a 'Marauder', Miss Carter." He said, "Before the uprising of Voldemort, we had a group of students that became to know the school through a sketch of Godric Gryffindor by Lily Evans." I looked at him with raised eyebrows, "yes, Harry's mother. She and her husband-to-be and his friends would prowl the school on an occasional whim. I believe Harry has the map they made. But I believe your drawing and guide will be just as good." I grinned as the twelve o'clock bell rang.

"Well, Miss Carter would you like to accompany me to lunch in the Great Hall or should I send a house elf up to you?" I shook my head.

"I'll join you Headmaster." I said. Renowa looked bewildered.

"I do wish I could eat, but I don't need to. I guess it's a good thing a drawing never gets hungry." I smiled.

"Ms. RavenClaw would you like to stay in my office? I believe Fawkes would like to have a chat." Dumbledore said motioning to his phoenix. She smiled.

"I'd like that Albus, as long as you bring Sari back with you." He nodded and we left for lunch.

A quiet hush fell over the student body as I entered with the headmaster. I smiled and bid him goodbye and sat down to my friends.

"I'll be back so you can pick up your things from my office after lunch." I smiled and nodded.

"You're leaving?!?!?" The seventh year-girls asked loudly hushing the just re-starting conversations. I rolled my eyes.

"Of course not." I told them, "I was just wondering the halls and happened to come upon Dumbledore he introduced my to his pet phoenix and the lunch bell rang. I left my sketchpad there and he said it be okay to get it after lunch." I covered smoothly. I wasn't lying either, I just neglected to add some other rather important details. Oh, well I'd tell them later. Maybe we could become Marauders, even in our seventh year.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Jill sighed relieved. The other seventh year-girls nodded.

"Well, what'd you do all morning?" Amy asked. I shrugged.

"Walked around, basically became a little more familiar with the castle. Might as well, seeing I'm staying here." I said.

The next few days passed my uneventfully. Thursday rolled around and I still hadn't told Jill or Amy about Renowa. I had now memorized the way up to the top room and found myself doing my work up there. I had received light work from my classes, I knew no classes with out any catches was too good to be true. I walked down to the train station with McGonagall wondering about my grandparents. I was wearing my deep blue robes and a black cape with the Snowdem School shield at the bottom left. It was small but you could still see it. A RavenClaw house badge was pinned to my robes over my heart and it shone in the early morning light. My hair was pulled back in a medieval up-do with I had learned to do from Renowa.

The morning was crisp and nothing out of the ordinary for a mid-October day. McGonagall wore her usual high-necked, deep burgundy robes with a black cloak. Her Gryffindor broach clasped the neck of her cloak together. Her dark black hair with visible gray streaks was pulled into a tight bun at the top of her head. She walked swiftly beside me.

Hagrid nodded to us as we passed his morning class.

"Mornin' Prof. McGon'gall, M's Sari." He said. She nodded briskly and I smiled and waved.

"Morning Hagrid." I called and the second years looked at me. I followed McGonagall down stairs to the station as the train came chugging around the bend. I watched as it screeched to a halt with a billow of smoke. Through the smoke a pair of old looking wizards wearing dark black robes hurried towards me. I was swept into a huge hug with my grandparents.

When I was released I saw several people in suits standing around. I forced back a giggle. The Ministry officials looked like FBI agents and their sleek sunglasses didn't help to deter from that look. One man stood out with his bright red hair and rather mussed looking outfit. I giggled. He looked at me and flashed a small grin. There was no doubt in my mind that that was Mr. Weasley. A couple also stood apart from the Ministry officials. They were dressed in dark green formal robes.

"MUM! DAD!" I heard Jill cry from behind us. She hurried onto the platform panting for breath, "Sorry, I forgot today was Thursday." She grinned sheepishly and hugging her parents.

"Honestly, Arthur! I can't carry all these presents by myself!" A plump, cheery woman that reminded me immediately of a redhead, female Santa come from the settling smoke with a large amount of brightly wrapped packages. I looked on with interest as the redhead man scurried to help the woman. A few of the other officials looked on with disgust. I smiled.

"Molly come now. Why did you have to bring these for the children?" The man asked. So that was Mrs. Weasley. My grin widened wondering what they would be like for in-laws. IN-LAWS?!?! Where the hell did that idea come from?!?! I hit my forehead with a loud, "PSHAK!"

"Well, if you'd follow me," McGonagall motioned towards the school and we hurried after her brisk step. We passed by Hagrid again and he was showing them a large picture of a blasted end-skewrt. He smiled and waved as the other acknowledged him with a curt nod.

"Hey Hagrid! Great to see you again!" I said giggling. I was unusually energetic this morning and found a little of the most common things amusing. What did they put in that pumpkin juice this morning? I wondered. Trotting after my grandparents, whom I had only seen a couple times in my entire life, we went into the castle.

"Welcome, welcome." Dumbledore said smiling brightly. And again there were curt nods from everyone but me.

"Good morning, Headmaster." I said nodding politely. He smiled at me and led us off with a swift turn to a room near his office. He entered and offered us plush chairs for seating. I found myself forced down on a large couch stuck between my grandparents.

"Well, I think we all know why we're here," He started. I raised my hand and he looked at me expectantly.

"I'm sorry Headmaster, but I don't really understand why there as so many people here. I understand that my custody is the main reason for this meeting, but why are so many people required?" I asked. The professor smiled.

"Well, Miss Carter, those are easy matters to explain. The Weasleys and Suns are here because they have offered to give a place to stay outside of Hogwarts until you are able to support yourself. The representative from the Ministry of Magic are here to make sure the paperwork and all the transfers go smoothly." I eyed the FBI-look-a-likes wearily. They stiffened under my annoyed glance and shifted a little.

"Oh . . ." I said ending with a pregnant pause. The room's inhabitants shifted uneasily and Jill let out a small moan, "Thank you."

"You're quiet welcome, my dear. Now with that cleared up let us move on. Miss Carter if you wish to accompany your grandparents back to the States you are more than welcome to and we will arrange for you to pick up your studies at another American school. But please hear out you other options.

"You have the choice of living with the Weasleys or the Suns for the remainder of the school year. You'd be considered part of their family and you'd be expected to behave as such. I believe each set of families probably have their own discipline system and would hopefully discipline you as their own child. You can visit them on a trial basis over the course of the new post-Halloween break. You'll have three days with each family and you may come to you decision afterwards.

Your other and last option is to finish school and began to live on your own immediately and support yourself. I suggest you think these over thoroughly before giving me an answer." There was a short pause. I turned to my grandparents.

"As much I love you both, I could never see us being a true family. I don't know you that well, you were never big role players in my family." I turned to Dumbledore, "And as much as I find the option of living on my own intriguing I don't think I'm mature enough for that. So with the only option left I'd like to try living with the Weasleys and the Suns." I smiled.