NOTE: Bah, so here it is, the next chapter.  Sorry it took so long to update…for those of you who didn't know, I got my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday morning.  I do hope that didn't affect my imaginative writing style…eek!  Anyway, here it is…mainly a transition chapter, but important nonetheless.  ENJOY!  Hugs to all my reviewers!

Chapter Twenty-Two

The First Warning

Two days.  Two whole days since she had seen him last.  Since he had held her in his arms and kissed her forehead and slept next to her.  Two days since she had lost herself in his misty eyes and stroked his pale hair and melted into his strong arms.  Two whole days.  It was driving her crazy.  Why hadn't he returned?  What could be so incredibly important that he couldn't steal away a moment just for her?

Reign stretched out on the ledge of the Astronomy Tower, letting the sun's rays seep into her skin and warm her soul.  The tint of her bronze skin had darkened since her night with Lucius...since she had started to come there more often to think and ponder why he hadn't returned.  Why hadn't he returned?  The elf tapped her fingers against the brick impatiently.  She could feel the afternoon sun heating her face and the fire from the heated bricks burning her flesh through her shirt.  Her eyes closed slowly as her mind raced.  Her fingers scraped the age-old blocks of the ledge as the wind rustled her hair and clothes.  It picked her up and sat her on the edge, her legs dangling childishly beneath her.  Another bright day...was there anything but days like this at Hogwarts?  She tilted her head down to the trees below.  How incredibly bored she was.  Without Lucius, without Severus...oh Kor....Severus.  What would he think if he found out about them?  Did she even care?  Of course she did.  Lucius was just a replacement...wasn't he?

The breeze refreshed her senses as she sat dangling on top of the tower, trying desperately to think of something to entertain herself.  The woods beckoned to her; they sent her small sacrifices—leaves.  Leaves of all colors floating on the cool breeze on an unusually warm day in November flew gracefully toward her, some brushing her cheek, her hair, and others landing in her lap.  She picked one up and examined it closely.  The slender spine of the leaf reminded her of something she had lost long ago.  Or what seemed like very long ago—her bow.  And her arrows.  More weapons that she had gotten rid of when they became too much of a burden on her tired body.  She cursed herself silently for ever leaving her bow.  The arrows she could have cared less about; arrows were not hard to come buy, and even if they were, were not hard to make.  But her bow...

Reign raced down to her rooms.  Inside her wardrobe she retrieved her sword and dagger and strapped them on to her back and thigh.  She had finally decided what to do with the lazy day she was having—she would make another bow and more arrows for herself.  Her robes were left on the edge of the bed as she bolted out the door, her saphie dancing about her shoulder as she walked swiftly through the castle and outside to the Forbidden Forest.  She could tell by the absence of students that classes were still in session for the day, and she was grateful for that fact—for she would go unnoticed into the woods.  The first step she took immediately led to the next, and soon she was bathed in darkness.  Though the day was bright the trees frowned upon the sunlight and refused its admittance into their humble abode.  It was much cooler amongst the trees, also, and Reign shook her head in disgrace for leaving her robes.  As she walked deeper into the woods her arms hugged her body tighter and closer.  The trees groaned and loomed over her as if they were spying on the intruder.  At the slightest snap of a twig or rustle of a branch, Reign would freeze.  Her eyes darted through the trees, searching for any sign of company, welcome or not.  Though the trees had been the ones to summon her into their home, she was not so sure she was entirely welcome.  They seemed to glare at her as she walked on, and she felt herself shrink away under their stare.  She was about to turn back when she nearly tripped over something in her path.  Upon looking down her eyes settled upon an old leather container of some kind.  As she picked it up an odd feeling rushed over her and dragged her eyes deep into the woods.  Her vision could have easily been tricking her, but she could have sworn she saw a dark shadow gliding far ahead of and away from her.  Chills spread through her body as she held her old quiver in her hands, with plenty of arrows still protruding from within its depths.  She eyed the case curiously; where she had lost it, she had no idea.  She reached into her mind but could not remember this sight that lay before her.  It seemed odd that she would stumble upon it here, and she had a very peculiar feeling that the shadow had laid it there for her to find.  Nevertheless she strapped it to her back, determined not to unnecessarily frighten herself.  It felt good to have that same weight distributed over her back as there once was so long ago...when she was a true elf...a proud warrior and youthful spirit.  With her newfound pride she advanced further into the depths of the forest, her arms now hanging loosely at her sides—one holding her sword, and the other longing for a bow.  Then suddenly she stopped.  Before her was a tree that seemed oddly familiar.  It was hardly conceivable that it was, for it seemed that all the trees in the forest were the same—dark, large, and ominous.  But the feeling settled in her gut.  Yes, this was the tree she had climbed so many years ago on that night of all sacred nights.  The night she had performed the zotîkos ritual to renew her elvin strength and magic.  She smiled as she vividly recalled the night that Hagrid had found her there and they had become friends.  Her feet carried her across the ground and her hand rested upon the trunk of the massive tree.  Whether it was her imagination or not, she almost felt as if the wood relaxed under her touch.  She looked up to the leaves and whispered,

            "Gïo goláro ïta, el terà ugïra moëye." (Great and powerful spirit of this tree, I wish to become one with you.)  The tree bent its great kindling down to get a better look at the creature addressing it.  "Satrïo ay sôr tiãno, et el yöe gestàto aíy stríko et veriñatoe." (Lend me one of your branches, and I will replace it with one of strength and power.)  The tree tilted its branches, staring curiously at the elf.  She waited patiently underneath its cover as it contemplated giving up one of its precious commodities.  Eventually it gave in and straightened back to its normal proud position and waited as the elf lifted her sword and leapt high into the air.  The blade struck with a surreal force, slicing one of the higher, longer branches as one would slice a tomato.  It came crashing to the ground.  The rest of its brothers quivered with uneasiness as Reign picked up the sturdy branch and placed it to the side.  Then she flew up to the stump where she had pulled the limb and laid her hands over the wound.  Her eyes closed as brilliant strings of light escaped her fingertips and entered the tree.  After lightly kissing the stump, she fell back to the ground and watched as a new bough took the place of the old one.  The great tree stretched its new limb and rustled its leaves as it settled down into the earth.  Reign thanked the tree spirit and gathered her branch.  After replacing her sword she made her way back through the woods, that same uneasy feeling slowly creeping up on her once more as she walked.  By the time she had reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, she was jogging.  When she reached the sacred grass of Hogwarts' lush green grounds she dropped the branch and crouched down, letting her breathing return to normal.  As it did a familiar noise met her ears—a song.  The soothing song of a wooden flute.  She smiled as she raised her head and gazed at the back of Hagrid as he sat on his front steps and played his instrument for all who were willing to hear.  She clutched the limb tightly under her arm and made the ascent to the hut.  When she had almost reached him, Fang barked rather loudly and viciously, startling Hagrid and ruining his concentration.  He turned to see what all the commotion was about.

            "Oh, Reign!" he cried, his face softening as he noticed the elf coming toward him.

            "Hello, Hagrid.  No classes today?" she asked as she took a seat by the giant.

            "Not right now, it's lunch."

            "Why aren't you in the Great Hall then?  Feasting with the rest of the school?" she asked suspiciously.

            "I dunno.  Guess somethin' pulled me out 'ere."  He turned toward Reign.  "Perhaps it was you."  The elf blushed beneath the large man and he let out a laugh that rang inside her head, causing her to smile.  He was still chuckling as he brought his flute back up to his lips and returned to his playing.  Reign pulled her dagger from her side and began carving her branch, reciting an ancient spell to help her work faster.  When Hagrid had finished his playing, so too did Reign finish her bow.  His eyes widened as they fell upon the great and slender weapon carved with elvin symbols and great care. 

            "Ye never cease to impress me, Reign," he laughed as he patted her on the back.  The force of the gesture nearly sent Reign flying head first into the ground. 

            "Haha.  Well, what can I say?" she said innocently.  The two friends leaned back against the steps and lapsed into silence.  Then Hagrid sighed and said,

            "So 'ave you an' Professor Snape straightened everything out yet?"  Reign gazed at the stone walls of the castle, wondering what he was doing at that very moment.

            "As much as we could, Hagrid.  I have a feeling it's a lost cause, though."

            "Really?"

            "You know Severus."

            "Yeah..." he drifted off a moment.  "Ye don' seem that upset about it--" he noticed.

            "Well, I've done all I can.  It's up to him now.  Frankly, I could care less what happens between us."  Hagrid straightened up.

            "That don' sound like you," he said with drawn eyebrows.  Reign looked into his dark eyes and smiled.

            "Well, perhaps it isn't.  I've changed, Hagrid.  I've realized that.  Whether it's a change for better or for worse, I'm not sure yet.  Only time can tell."  Hagrid still looked confused, but Reign had ignored him.  As she was talking, an elaborate carriage had just pulled up to the front gates of the castle.  Her body tensed as she watched the door creep open and a man step out into the afternoon sun.  His white hair fell gracefully over his broad shoulders.  His black attire the same as always.  His vicious cane grasped in his gloved hands as he stepped forward and the door shut behind him.  The look he gave the castle was one of disgust, but the elf was too far away to recognize it.  But she was not far enough away from Hagrid for him to not notice her change in behavior.  He looked from the now beaming elf to the evil man standing atop the hill.  He rose when she did and glared down at her, the wheels in his head turning.

            "Reign, I know that look.  Don' tell me...don' tell me you...and Lucius!" he shouted.

            "Oh Hagrid, relax."  She brushed off his outburst as if it meant nothing to her, but it meant something to the giant—it hurt.  He shook his head as Reign gathered her things and began to walk toward the man waiting for her.  He had caught sight of her standing below him and now stood frozen waiting for her. 

            "Reign...wait!"  The elf spun around as Hagrid stumbled toward her.  "Ye shouldn' git involved with him.  Not Malfoy.  He's bad news."  Reign placed a hand on his chest and grinned warmly at him. 

            "Hagrid, don't worry about me so much.  I'll be fine.  I always am."  She turned to leave.

            "Please Reign--"

            "Hagrid, I may have changed, but I am still your friend.  Don't ever doubt that."

            "Just...just be careful." 

            "I will.  I promise."  And with that she turned away, leaving Hagrid to stare hopelessly after her.

***

            "Where have you been all my life?"  Lucius asked as Reign came within arms' length.  He seized her and kissed her forehead softly; something he knew she absolutely adored.

            "What do you mean?  You're the one who's been missing for two days!"

            "I told you, I had some urgent business to take care of at the Ministry."  She stood back from him with her hands on her hips and a suspicious eyebrow raised.  Lucius smirked and came toward her, lacing one arm around her waist and using the other to lift her face to his.  How she had missed those cool lips, and how he had missed the power he had over her.  When he pulled away, he spoke softly into her cheek.  "Besides, I told you I would make it up to you, didn't I?"  Reign nodded slowly as they walked through the front gates.  The woman rested her head against Malfoy's chest as they entered the castle, and Lucius still had his arm wrapped around her as a dark and familiar shape entered into their view.  All three figures stopped in the main hall, but Reign did not pull away from the man holding on to her.

            "Severus!  Wonderful meeting you here," Lucius said with dripping sarcasm.

            "Likewise," Snape sneered, glaring at the couple that stood before him.  He had been meaning to talk to Reign for some time.  Two days, in fact, but had never gotten up enough courage to do so.  And now here she was, standing before him, in the arms of the very man he was supposed to warn her to stay away from—and it broke his heart.  He had been on his way to retrieve her, to convince her to stay away from him.  And perhaps, if his mind would let him, apologize to her.  But now, now his heart hardened again, and the last thing he really wanted to do was have a chat with her.  He glared down at her as Helena's voice screamed at him within his mind.  "Can't you just swallow your pride for once in your life?"

Reign avoided his glare, looking instead to the new bow in her hand.  It seemed so long ago that she was once again at peace with the world—laying on the ledge of the Astronomy Tower, drifting through the woods, sitting quietly with Hagrid underneath the afternoon sun.  Unfortunately that was all gone now.  All that was left were two humans—one that she had loved, and the other who she was falling fast in love with.  Her mind and heart were tearing themselves apart.  She refused to look Severus in the eye, yet she could still feel his glare burning into her skin, setting fire to her heart.  If Lucius hadn't spoken when he did, she was sure she would have collapsed in front of them both.

            "Is there something we could do for you, Severus?"

            "No," he whispered, never taking his eyes off of Reign.  "Not you," he finally said, meeting Malfoy's gaze with a malicious glare.  He walked slowly toward the elf and raised her head with one pale finger.  "But you...when you are not...preoccupied, I wish to speak with you."  He turned once again to Lucius.  "In private, if it's not too much trouble."  Lucius rolled his eyes.

            "Of course," Reign whispered, finally looking into Snape's eyes.  Both men looked shocked at the sound of her voice.  "Perhaps after dinner would suffice?"  Severus looked from the elf to Lucius, who was now holding a dangerous glint in his eye.  The Potions master nodded and glided away, the familiar billowing of his robes sending shivers down Reign's spine.  Lucius noticed her shaking body and pulled her closer. 

            "Why do you still bother with him?  I'm here now," he said, lightly grazing his lips over her cheek. 

            "I know, Lucius, I know.  But things need to be settled between us once and for all."  The man holding her sighed deeply and dragged her away from the spot in the hall.

Just moments later, more cursing and smashing could be heard deep within the depths of the castle, as the Potions master took out his frustration in the normal fashion.