Child of Darkness, Child of Light
By: Fyre Fairie Rated R (For mature content and violence) Summary: Harry finds out he has been lied to all his life. After GOF he travels to lands forgotten until he is ready to face the friends he abandoned, the love he will encounter, and the evil he must conquer. Just now when he has finally found his family will they all survive the war?
Chapter 2: Parting Words
Emerald watched as Kamian came closer to her, his pupils dilated and staring straight into her soul. He was the kind of person that made her feel like he knew all her secrets, all her faults and rotten deeds. It made her quiver but she didn't show it. Just like she was taught to she never cried out, she never showed fear and never succumbed to another.
She lay still knowing he wouldn't do anything but still fighting back the bile that rose in her throat as he touched her with his rough hands. Kamian was the kind of man that held an arrogant air around him even though he was no better than the servants that scrubbed the very floors under her feet. He wasn't handsome either, or clever, or funny. He was just a sadist. She watched as the weak light in the chamber reflected off his golden hair and his crystalline eyes. If she didn't know any better she could have confused the man for a Malfoy, with his pale skin and sharp features.
Kamian was tracing the Elemental marks on her body; taunting her with the knowledge that with the binding spells cast on her they were no better than tattoos. She had four of them, one on each bicep and one on each ankle. Basically the Elemental guardians, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air bestowed them upon her. Signifying that the elements had chosen her to carry their power and deemed her worthy of it. It may actually be the greatest honor that could befall a human.
The one on her right arm was a ring of fire, red ringlets and lashes encircled her bicep and when activated would pulse and burn. But never hurt her, because she was their child and the elements were her guardians they were better than family. On her left was a ring of vines with beautiful green leaves encircling her bicep. Normally she would feel their silky presence but now it was nothing. On her left leg was a ring of light blue lines and waves, made to look like water encircling her ankle. It would feel cool and calming, soothing her soul and mind when needed. Then last but not least was the one on her right leg was a ring of rain drops, air could also be known as weather they were after all pretty much the same thing in magical sense.
She froze when Kamian bent down and traced the fire sign with his tongue. Maybe he was serious about this. But no he couldn't be that thick, Desa may not have his head but when King Solomon found out he would. Her great- grandfather was a ruthless and heartless man to the public. The perfect Slytherin leader. That assumption was not true in all aspects though, the man had a weak spot for his family and the Slytherins were known for having male heirs. When she first met Solomon she automatically became his pride and joy, without even asking he showered her with gifts and plenty of love. He was the family she always desired and she wouldn't let the man down. In some way she could sense the old man was in a rage about his grandson, Marvolo whom killed his own daughter Liliana as he called her. He must have loved Lily as well even if they never met.
Emerald didn't make a sound she just relaxed taking her mind away from what was happening, sort of like retreating into herself. A few years back she had learned that everyone has a safe valley in their minds and when worst comes to worst you can escape there to find peace and to block things out. Many people use this kind of thing as a method of meditation and often you can read into your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind actually holds many secrets and answers that you normally wouldn't be able to answer. But hers was much stronger than a regular witch's; hers actually contacted her working mind where she could use it at her own will.
Although that part of your mind can be a safe haven it can be very dangerous as well. If you're not focused enough you may even get stuck in your own mind and become no better than the shell of a person who's been kissed by a Dementor.
But before she was able to fully retreat an image came to her. It was the blades that were recently bonded inside her flesh. As if floating out of her body and watching a totally different scene from what was really happening she watched herself looking up towards the ceiling then angling her wrists so that her knuckles were facing the chains keeping her down. With a small smile toward herself the blades sprang out like claws on a cat and sliced through the metal and rock shackles like sharp knives through melted butter.
That was all she needed to get the idea of her situation. Her mind already knew if she didn't stop Kamian a new form of torture would form; rape. Her arms were already healed and there were no traces of them ever being punctured or abused at all. Willing the blades to pop out just like they did in her vision Emerald prepared herself for the sharp pain of them traveling through her flesh and ripping right between the knuckles of her fist. It was painful but she didn't wince, just waited for the flesh to heal around them and sprung up.
She slashed the surprised Kamian across the face ferociously and freed her legs of their bonds before rushing out the door. The whole process had only taken five seconds and by the time she was a long ways down the hall and working out of the dungeons Kamian was most likely just starting to recover so she ran faster.
//This is it.\\ She thought. //It's time to go back home, back to Hogwarts and back to my friends.\\ After all it was already May and it would be ten years at the end of June. She had fulfilled her part of the deal even with all the lies worked into her head. Whatever Desa had said that day years ago wasn't all truthful. She had said her fair share of fibs as well as facts. Like the time difference here in Ambrosia, she had lied about it being only ten years to the mind when the body only ages two. Although Ambrosian people stopped aging at the age of twenty years then continued when they reached one hundred. So she would essentially continue to look and feel twenty until she was ninety-nine years old. Non-the less time passes by slower on the isle and now she wasn't sixteen as promised but instead twenty-four!
Who knows what else the old bat had lied about, maybe she was trying to brainwash her. It was even possible that Dumbledore wasn't guilty of all that she had accused him of. She'd have to wait to find out the truth later though, right now was the time of escape.
Emerald rounded a few corners before getting into the main area of the temple, or otherwise known as the one for noble use. There she had to be careful and sneak in the shadows, sometimes hiding behind large tapestries, statues and suites of armor to keep the servants and guards from seeing her. She would have to make a clean escape that meant no one could notice her. Even Lorenz whom was her grandmother's cat. Sometimes she feared Lorenz could be related to Mrs. Norris. Both cats would mewl at her presence and give her away. How typical though! Desa was using animals to spy on her own granddaughter. It was an ultimately sad life they all led.
Tip toeing across the corridor and opening the door a crack Emerald looked in to make sure none of the servants were inside. When satisfied that the room was empty she immediately snuck in. If things were going to be as easy as they are now then escape would be easy all she had to do now was change, pack and make a stop by at the palace to say goodbye to King Solomon. She couldn't well leave without talking to him, besides he might have some answers she was looking for and perhaps a mode of transportation to get to Hogwarts.
Of course it would have been possible and convenient to use a portal much like the one Desdemona created to transport them from London to the temple but in order for that to work you'd need a large mirror. See portals are really gaps in time and space that one can open by pulling on the dimensions with magic. The problem is that mirrors host dimensions so you can create a portal out of thin air but in order for it to deposit you somewhere it needs a proper exit. The first time she used one as Harry, she never noticed they had stepped out of a mirror. Later on when taught the complicated form of magic she also learned that there were great risks in taking suck a portal.
Portals are controlled by the Eternals, thus if they believe you aren't worthy to travel in one then the hallway you've opened will disappear and you will simply drift through time and space until the end of eternity. The dynamics were very scary to think about, especially if time and space go on forever therefore there would never be an end to it and you would simply drift.
There were other aspects of opening the right portal. Each person has to create his or her own hall of space and be able to open it. It was simply impossible to try and get into another person's hall on purpose but not by accident. If you happen to pull on the wrong dimension and open god knows what space then try to use it you will be doomed in a never-ending space until the Eternals see fit to let you go.
Personally Emerald thought that the Eternals were a bunch of old dodgers too grumpy to have any fun and enjoyed watching people suffer. After all it was their fault she was the Girl-who-lived because of them and a few other major purposes.
Emerald opened her wardrobe and picked out the usual Amazon wear. It fit actually, considering Morgana was the last royal Amazon the Le Fey's still wore their traditional clothing. Quickly she changed into a leather halter top/bra and bikini bottoms of the same material. The outfit was all white completed by a silk skirt that went all the way down to the ankles and had slits starting from the waist band on the sides and becoming wider as they got down. It was more of a long flap rather than a skirt but it allowed her to move comfortably and didn't cause her to sweat in heat. Then putting on a pair of white leather moccasins she was almost ready to pass for royalty.
Earlier that day she had outlined her eyes in wet eyeliner and put a light coat of silver eye shadow on, it was still there and un-smudged in fact. Last was her jewelry. Her crown was easy enough it was more a of a gold headband with diamonds and emerald on it that kept her hair out of her face and instead of using golden spirals to put on her biceps she used two gold snakes that Solomon had presented her with the first time they met. The snakes were loyal pets and were extremely rare and poisonous. Next was something of a gold collar that extended a bit to her chest, in Ambrosia it was called a Tiba, it looked much like the ones the Egyptians wore.
Emerald laughed at herself softly while gazing into the mirror. She had no idea when she'd become so concerned about her looks really. Perhaps it was when she'd transformed to her original state. NO, that wasn't it. She became vain because of her grandmother. Desdemona wasn't lying to her when she said she'd train her to be the best, to be perfect. But the price of being perfect was part of your humanity. It is widely known that all humans have flaws, its in their nature to have them and its impossible not to.
But that seed that the Eternals had planted in her gave her an advantage. They had essentially made her a demi-goddess. She was a mortal with an immortal soul, just like Voldemort. But Voldemort wasn't anywhere near perfect. He didn't have vanity, he didn't have true power, all he knew was Dark Magic and corruption.
In order to become what she is now her grandmother had to literally take her soul apart and piece it back together to her liking. It was like being born again. You unlearn all your previous habits and start anew. For instance, if someone asked her which hand was her wand hand instead of saying right like it used to be she'd say 'either arm, I'm ambidextrous.' If someone asked her which position in Quittich she played she'd say 'I can play all seven with the specialty of Seeker.' And things went on like that, never stopping, never short of a special talent. Well she was tired of being perfect, she was twenty-four years old and it was time to stop playing games in Ambosia and time to get down to some real business.
Emerald surveyed herself in the mirror one last time before going to pack. She stared right into her own eyes and smiled slightly trying to practice for her grand entrance back to Hogwarts. She wasn't sure if Dumbledore even knew her real identity, if he didn't then he would as soon as she arrived. She looked too much like her mother to be anyone else. Everyone used to say she looked like her father when she was still Harry Potter. Well this time is the reverse, the only thing that didn't change were her eyes, they were the same unnatural green. //Just like Prince Marvolo's and mothers eyes.\\ another thing she shared with that slimy snake. Her green eyes actually came from the Slytherin royal family. In fact Salazar had the same exact shade.
Emerald ran her eyes over her frame and sighed. She didn't know if it was a curse or a gift. One thing she did know was it wasn't anywhere near Lily's shape. Lily was short like Desa and at times she looked childish in the pictures she had. But Emerald was definitely a woman. Her face looked mature with its high cheekbones and full lips. Her eyes were bright and a bit bigger than Desa's; they were more Lily's size. Her nose was straight with a slight upturn at the end. She kept her eyebrows perfectly tweezed, something that witches don't normally do. Emeralds hair was like the rest of the Le Fey lines', it was a vibrant red, darker than the Weasleys' hair and straighter as well. It fell down to her lower back almost down to her butt. She never cared for cutting it.
Although her grandmother and mother were short, she was not in the slightest. Out of all her ancestors she looked the most like Morgana. A true Amazon. She was at least 5'8 now and thin, leanly muscled just like the women of the country were expected to be. Although they never met those expectations, exercise was in her opinion a dreadful thing. Yes all women wanted to be her and all men wanted her. But alas she was the 'forbidden treasure', as the courts often called her. When she'd been introduced for the first time in society her grandfather had made it clear that she was untouchable. It was a sickening display. The noble men often boasted about how they had made eye contact with her or kissed her hand upon permission while the commoners weren't allowed to look her in the face. Yes, she was beautiful and even exotic, it was rare to find a red head with a golden tan, but in her opinion these procedures were medieval and even though she went often, court was her least favorite place. In court the ladies had to wear gowns with tight corsets. She didn't even understand the use for a corset, all they did was push up her chest so that her cleavage was displayed to the world. Many times she was afraid her bust would fall out of her dress, that's how big her chest was.
Yes, her body was definitely a curse. And her bust size was worse. Many times it would be stared at more than her eyes. It wasn't very comfortable the first time that happened nor the last time. To tell the truth Emerald still wasn't used to being a girl. But at least she wasn't running around like a headless chicken when Desa had changed her back.
**********************************FLASHBACK********************************* *******
Harry sat on the large four-poster bed in the room that Desa had left him in preparing to face the change. He was a bit uncomfortable sitting in a night gown but it was recommended considering the fact that he'd be in a deep sleep for a good five days and when he woke up he'd no longer be a he but a she. It was a scary matter really. His grandmother had gone to brew a sleeping potion that would last for the duration on the transformation. This way it would not only take effect faster but he wouldn't have to experience it. He'd be in a sort of coma.
He sighed miserably thinking of what will be missed. Flopping down straight on his back and propping his head on a pillow Harry raised the neckline of the gown and looked down at himself. "In just a matter of days all of this is gonna change. Just my luck too I was finally starting to grow!" he growled out in frustration then exhaled and whispered " Goodbye guys it was nice knowing you." He said to his bits and pieces and lowered his neckline back to its earlier position.
He closed his eyes breathing in even intervals. Deep and long breaths calmed his nerves often; it was his own form of meditation when his scar would act up. It wouldn't totally release him from the burning sensation but it kept him from fainting often.
In mid exercise Harry heard the heavy doors to his chambers open and close. He didn't even bother to open his eyes when he heard the soft padded footsteps of his grandmother walking towards him. Maybe she would leave him alone if she thought he was asleep. As it turned out no such thing happened as she shook his shoulder and handed him a glass vile with a fizzing violet potion in it.
Harry grunted and wrinkled his nose when the potions putrid smell reached his nose. For some reason potions always tasted bitter and vile, it was enough to make a person vomit up their last meal.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" he asked her, holding the potion uncertainly. He really didn't care if she was or wasn't there if anything he was just delaying the procedure.
"Yes!" Desa shrieked in exasperation and pushed the potion towards his mouth motioning for him to swallow it. Which he did, in one big gulp before passing out right then and there. The last thing that Harry remembered seeing was her gray eyes. They were different somehow, when he first met her they were so lively and loving but now they seemed hollow and cruel.
It was too late now however. What's done is done and he'd deal with it when he woke up next. The words were similar to the ones Hagrid had said and for the first time in his life Harry actually wondered if his Half-giant friend was a seer.
For the next several hours Desdemona continued to apply and reapply the right charms and incantations to reverse the work her daughter had done. It would have been fairly simple if the boy were still an infant because its body would be new and not fully developed. Even though Harry's body wasn't fully developed either it was on its way and it was a lot harder to stop the process and turn it around into a completely different thing. Thus it would take at least five days to complete.
Each day Desdemona would come back to check on him and each day changes were slowly taking place. The first few days his appearances changed. His hair became lighter and lighter until it reached a shade of red. His face took on a feminine quality and his body took a different more delicate shape. He was starting to look more like a female as the days passed by. And with the final days his reproductive system and internal system changed. Pheromones and hormones took on a different quality. Genes and DNA twisted and morphed into new structures.
In the Bible it says that God created the world in seven whole days. But not everyone is god and it's quite an accomplishment to do what Desdemona just did. She created a whole new person in five days. Not a miracle if magic is involved but certainly something special and unique.
It was very early on the sixth day that that pale eyelids shakily opened framed by long curved eyelashes and green eyes peeked out. The figure in the bed stretched its new body sleepily and sat up scratching its neck with one hand. Emerald had finally awoken.
Her hand dropped from the spot on her neck that it was scratching and bumped against something on her chest. Looking down those green eyes widened with shock. "OH BLOODY HELL!!!!" she screamed, her voice more high pitched than before. She shot out of bed and ran toward a large mirror that stood by her dresser. //Merlin! I have huge jugs!\\ was her panicked thought. .
"Well look at the bright side! I've always wanted to know what they felt like." //Well not on me at least but you can't have everything.\\
Emerald swept her eyes over the length of her new body and sighed running a hand through her shoulder length hair. It was just like her mothers used to be. So alike. For a moment she just stared off into space getting used to the thought of her new body when she realized something. The pressure on her bladder had built up over the past few days and now she was about ready to burst. A panicked look entered her eyes and she crossed her legs tightly and bent her knees frantically looking for the bathroom.
"Oh no! Where's the loo?" She hopped a few steps forward and looked around for any visible doors. "Never mind where the loo is, how do I use it?!" The though just seemed to jump into her mind. She knew that girls sat while using the bathroom but she didn't know if there was anything else to it.
"DESA!!!" she hollered hoping her grandmother would hear her and help. After waiting several seconds she heard no answer. Deciding to go look herself she flung open the door across from her bed and peered in. It was a hallway with two more doors it seemed. Hopping over to the first door she saw it was a closet and slammed it shut. //Damn I need to go! Where is the bathroom!?\\
The next door was a bit farther down and it turned out to be a study and across from it were two more doors. //Finally!\\ The bathroom was a large one with marble floors and a large porcelain tub. Making her way over to the toilet she hastily hiked up the gown feeling it somehow wrong to do so and sat down to relieve herself. //Thank God!\\ She slumped down slightly resting her elbow on her thigh and her chin on the palm of her hand.
Blowing out a large breath to get her hair over her face she nearly jumped when her breast brushed against her arm. "I'll never get used to these. Well I should consider myself lucky, every guy wants to get into a girl's pants. While they keep trying I could get into my own." Emerald tried to laugh at her own joke but failed miserably when she remembered how she used to like Cho. She shuddered disbelievingly and thought about someone else. The first person that popped into her head was Sirius. //Now there's a thought! I wonder what Padfoot would say about this. No doubt he'd laugh his head off.\\ She grimaced. //No, I correct myself. Ron would be the one laughing Sirius would probably yell his head off. He looks rather sexy when he's mad though.\\
"NO!!" she yelled out loud in horror. "My godfather is not sexy!!!!" She screamed it so loud the whole world probably heard.
"I should rather hope not." Came a voice from the doorway. Emerald squeaked and pulled the front of her nightgown down when she saw Desa standing there, the corners of her of her lips twitching and threatening to smile in amusement.
"OY! This is not funny Desa! I just thought of my godfather in..well you know. THAT WAY!" She answered in a huff and already turning the shade of red. "That's wrong isn't it?!"
Desdemona looked considerate for a moment then chuckled. "Well you are a woman now, you desire men instead of other women. Of course the fact that you desire your godfather is slightly. well how should I put this? Disturbing? No, disturbing isn't the right word maybe different would do it or strange even. All I can say is that at least you aren't lusting after that Weasley boy that you consider your friend."
"And what exactly is wrong with Ron?" She half shrieked in anger. Although she didn't find Ron appealing in any way he was still her friend, her best friend and she wouldn't let anyone defile him no matter what.
At her harsh tone Desdemona raised a finely sculpted eyebrow and smirked. "He has the beginnings of a traitor my dear, and don't you forget it."
If Emerald hadn't been sitting on the toilet at that moment she would have walked up and slapped her own grandmother. Sure Ron had a temper and tended to get jealous but he would never betray her! If he hadn't been in Gryffindor he'd be a Hufflepuff for his loyalty. Ron was her first friend and was like the brother she never had.
"I don't know where that came from Desdemona but I don't ever want to hear that again. I may not know as much about magic as you do but I know my friends and Ron would never turn on me or his family." She answered in a cold steady voice. Green eyes burning fire into gray and dared the older woman to contradict her.
"That's what your father thought as well but in the end Peter really did betray them. You can keep telling yourself that it isn't true but your best friend is not as loyal as you may think. He's Pettigrew all over again. And don't you say I'm wrong, you'll see what will happen."
"Would you mind getting out?" Emerald demanded rather than asked and flushed right to the roots of her hair when she remembered her embarrassing position. For now she would just forget this conversation took place. It didn't matter what Desa said, she was lying because her best friend would never become anything akin to a Death Eater.
Giving her granddaughter one more imploring look the older woman spun on her heel and exited the suite.
//Foolish girl you have no idea what lies in store for you and of what you will under my careful eye become.\\ Desdemona smirked and pushed one of the servant girls scrubbing the floors too slow to get out of her way with her foot. The girl gave a muffled cry but picked herself back up and resumed work.
The older woman smiled cruelly showing off sharp incisors and continued on her way down the hall.
*******************************END OF FLASHBACK***********************************
Yes she had changed much, very much. But one thing that would never leave her was her scar. That hideous mark that she bore. Proclaiming her The-Girl- That-Lived and as the number one person on Volemort's hit list. She didn't have fringes to cover it and since the curse scar itself is so full of magic it could not be covered with glamours or illusions she had to resort to other means. She used makeup to cover it then reinforced it with magic. That way the makeup wouldn't come off and her scar would stay covered. It wasn't a very hard procedure but it becomes tiring to repeat every single day as the reinforcing charms on the cover up only lasted 24 hours or so.
Nodding her approval she went about packing. Normally Emerald didn't use magic for her everyday needs. Like in the old times she followed the tradition of respecting it. Magic was considered a gift from the gods and wouldn't be taken for granted back in the time of Morgana. It would only be used if necessary and cherished beyond riches. The courts would even hold tournaments back then, muggle style combat between the nobles and royals. Mothers would fight daughters, fathers would fight sons and brothers would fight each other. The tournament was established to amuse the deities and then the loser of each match would be held as a sacrifice to them.
The tournaments were primary and disgusting at that time but the hideousness of the methods would be overshadowed by the beauty of the competitors. After all the gods did deserve only beautiful things and people would come from even Atlantis to watch the shows. Now those competitions were only held every century and sacrifices never offered. The same gruesome techniques would never be lost of course.
Ignoring the rule Emerald used magic to throw everything she owned into several large trunks then shrunk them to the size of her palm before putting them in a leather pouch that she slung over her shoulder.
Once that was done Emerald went in search of her wand. The long piece of wood was nearly discarded since she had arrived in Ambrosia and it was a rare site to see her using it. And if you did catch her using it then you'd be thoroughly surprised, at least any Ambrosian born would. Since it is necessary for a person to have a high magical potential in Ambrosia wands were not sorely needed.
In all essence a wand is used to not only boost your magic using the core but to center and channel it using the wood. But if you are trained enough a wand becomes a petty inconvenience and is often left somewhere under a pillow. In this case Emerald would need hers. Not only did it have the same core as Voldemort's and would ultimately help her defeat him it wouldn't cause people to fear her as much once she was in the wizarding world.
In the Wizarding world wandless magic was never seen by any average wizard or witch. Of course the occasional warlock would be able to do a simple unlocking spell with his wand nothing more could be done. And it would be more than likely that if she showed up in a flair using wandless magic it would have the Aurors on her in no time and Fudge would be on her ass probably followed by Dementors to administer a Kiss. People feared the unknown and powerful, that is how they lose allies and fall to havoc.
The wand turned out to be inside one of the drawers of her vanity and with a simple twirl of her fingers it spun around and lengthened into a staff with a round crystal on top. The crystal was very much like a wand core except its magical potential was much higher and it itself had a core. Several complex spells secured that upon a few gentle twirls her wand would become a staff worthy enough to use in combat. When it changed then the core changed slightly as well. Once were there was a Phoenix feather the crystal was made of one of her hairs and the feather melded together. The core was so fine Ollivander himself would faint with excitement over it.
The hair of a Charmer, which she was, was very valuable and rare. Just like Parseltongues they were rare. Very much like Veelas Charmers were both extremely beautiful, hypnotizing, and dangerous. Emerald often hated to admit to herself but now that she was what she was, she was a monster. Veela when threatened turned into bird like creatures but Charmers when threatened grew fangs very much like Vampires. Although they were not endangered by crosses, sunlight, garlic, and such they did have other features. One of the reasons why her top was always a halter top was because it left her shoulder blades bare. That itself was significant, when threatened she could grow large wings with pitch-black feathers. Her wingspan would total up to nearly 8 feet. It was no wonder why she flew well on a broom, her natural instincts called her to the skies and upon transformation her cat like eyes would scavenge the land searching miles ahead, it was also no wonder she was a Seeker.
Like Werewolves, once a month her incisors would grow and her eyes would change to those of a cats, her hearing would increase as well as her sense of smell. But only on a new moon, not a full one. The same things happened to Desdemona. It always saddened her to look in the mirror on such days, to see a monster nobody could possibly love. Her friends used to love her but they only knew her as Harry Potter who was now currently missing from the world for two years.
Shaking her head of depressing thoughts Emerald waved her hand and pulled on the dimensions with her magic trying to open the right portal. In front of her the air started to mist and shimmer gold before becoming a solid but rippling passage. She stepped through into her own special hall and walked past several doors with plaques to the fourth one which read, "Slytherin Palace, Emeralds suite" she opened it and stepped through a large mirror with silver borders into a green furbished room. Her suite in the palace was much bigger than the one in Morgana's temple but no less grander. Every nook and cranny was exaggerated with gold, silver, and magnificent carvings.
Her intent was not to look around the room but rather to find King Solomon and have a little talk with the man before her departure.
As suspected the hallways were empty of any servants or residents of the palace and Emerald rushed through them turning corners and jogging up staircases. When she finally reached the fourth floor Emerald kept track of the turns she took and finally arrived at her destination. Her 'papa' as she often called him spent most of his time in a large study filled with books, maps and idol entertainment, standing in front of a large set of mahogany doors she looked them over a bit nervously trying to salvage her confidence. Normally she wouldn't have anything to worry about but Emerald didn't know her papa's view of her situation. And she didn't even want to get on the wrong side of him.
The polished and waxed wood swam in her vision as the carvings of snakes and smoke made a strange illusion after a while of staring straight at the doors. Placing both palms onto the surface she whispered the password and cracked a smile at it. 'Emmy' turned out to be the password this week. Her papa's nickname for her, Emmy inspired the shortened version of her name Emma to be used among her cousins in the other kingdoms. Once she had thought that the Dursleys were the only blood relatives she had left but when Desdemona said that the Le Fey's married into all four kingdoms she wasn't kidding either. Soon after being introduced in the courts Emma had found out that she indeed had a rather large family.
King Solomon sat in his large cushioned armchair by the fire holding a glass of Brandy in his right hand and a quill in the other. Currently he had a notepad situated on his thigh and several scribbles on it. His great great-granddaughters birthday would be up in a couple of months but preparations would have to be made ahead of time to get the east ballroom perfect for the occasion. It was a risk taking such measures, her ten years were nearly up and by the way she talked about her home in the wizarding world gave him little to no doubt her departure would be quick to follow the deadline.
He sighed wearily and sipped his Brandy, letting the liquid warm his throat and relax his mind. Immediately tensing up when the alarm to the study doors went off he stood ready to send an icy glare to anyone who was disturbing him.
Upon stepping into the room Emma was met by a pair of glaring hazel eyes, which softened immensely when recognizing her. Cracking a smile she strode over and enveloped him in a hug which her returned.
"Always so quick to throw daggers with your eyes eh, papa?" she mused to him when she stepped back.
"Well I wasn't planning on being disturbed. What gives me the pleasure of your presence today my little Emmy?" he asked his eyes shining with complete adoration. Not many people have seen this side of King Solomon, not even his own daughter had.
"I'm afraid the time to leave has finally come. I must leave immediately and wished to say farewell before going. I've already been here too long papa, my friends need me."
This is what he'd been fearing for quite some time. Taking a few calming breathes Solomon sat back down with the anguish of losing yet another on of his heirs. First his daughter left, then his grandson, he never once met his great-granddaughter Liliana, but now the girl that had brought some joy into his life was going as well to fight her own grandfather non-the-less.
"You are leaving to go fight for the light side, to get the revenge you've thrived for since you could remember?" he asked her staring into the fire.
"Nye papa, you know me better than that this isn't about revenge. This is about saving innocent people. Don't you see Marvolo is nearly unstoppable he's become like Morgana.except his morals are extremely twisted and his plans are more than idiotic. He doesn't even deserve the title of the Dark Lord or to be feared! Your Prince Marvolo is nothing more than a copy cat with amateur tactics. Yes I admit that I want a little revenge but it's not about that completely I'm trying to stop the cycle. I don't want anyone to suffer like I did. I'm the only one who can stop him..Desdemona said so herself." She replied vehemently and shook her finger at him warning him to cease his argument while they were ahead.
"Eyi, you have a good heart but I believe there is a little more to it than that. You mentioned your friends to me before. What of them? How are you going to tell them of yourself or even start with your plans child? You do realize that now that you are fully trained in a higher degree of magic you will only be permitted to stay outside of Ambrosia for a limited time before the Coucil of Magi steps in. You know they are afraid of the Le Fey women. They will fear you mental stability there, after all the land there will not suck on your powers and with that magical overload it can become stressful."
Wide eyed she perched herself on the coffee table in front of him and fiddled with a lock of her hair. "Nobody has mentioned I'd have a limited time. Is there anything I can do to change it and if not how long can I stay?"
"Three months" he answered, "Unless you bind yourself to a beloved of your choice, that way your energy pools will be combined and the strain will be shared."
Looking him right in the eye she sat up straighter and that glint of determination she often got shone brightly. "Then I'll find a proper soul mate and bind myself." She told him simply making him chuckle and pat her hand with his much larger one.
"It is not that easy, you cannot chose your soul mate my little Emmy, he is already chosen for you. The problem is finding the right person. And I suggest you start with the closest people to you I have a feeling you shall find each other. As for your friends and telling them, maybe you should delay that and go incognito?"
"How would I be able to lie to them for so long. It's been ten years papa, I miss them and I don't think I'd last to long without at least telling Sirius." She whined. Her situation was becoming more devastating with the minute. Three months wouldn't be enough time to find the ideal soul mate! And hiding her true identity from her friends was worse. Maybe she would go mad by then, at least she wouldn't have to worry about Voldemort because the Coucil of Magi would grill her if they gathered enough force.
"Ah yes your godfather. He cares for you does he not?" The old man asked with a hint of amusement.
Quirking an eyebrow and giving her papa a curious expression she sent a sort of 'Duh!' answer just with her stance. "Of course he cares for me, the reason he escaped Azkaban was to save my life." //He came to save Harry Potter not Emerald Le Fey. He doesn't even know about me though.\\ Another obstacle to work around.
As if reading her thoughts the older man put a comforting hand on her shoulder and was relieved to find that through her frustration she didn't use the elements and heated her skin. It has happened a few times before that he burned the skin off his hand. Even if fire didn't harm her it did harm others.
"If he truly loved you Emma, then he wouldn't care what your name or gender, you are still very much the same person. Still the child of Liliana Potter and don't you forget it."
That wasn't the first time Emma noticed King Solomon never mentioned her fathers name. Throughout the whole time she knew him he'd always refer to her as Liliana's daughter but never James'. Why was that? Did her papa still hold a grudge to the Gryffindors?
"The daughter of James and Lily Potter." She corrected him. "You forgot to mention my father."
"That is of no consequence." He replied blankly staring ahead as if it made no difference in the world whom her biological father was.
"Oh but it does have consequence! The reason I am who I am is partially because he was my father."
"ENOUGH!" Solomon boomed while keeping his face completely taut and devoid of emotion. The king had never once raised his voice to her in anger and this was a first. It scared her somewhat, she didn't even know the reason for his little outburst. IT was most likely due to the fact that she'd worn out her welcome. Or maybe even her father was a touchy subject; perhaps Solomon felt James Potter hadn't done enough to protect Lily and her.
"I'll leave then, I can see you can't talk like a normal human being today." She began to get up off the edge of the table when a muffled "Wait" came from the man across her.
"I didn't mean to yell but I have my reasons." He whispered this time signaling that subject was closed and she nodded her understanding.
"Fine, what about Dumbledore? Surely he will know who I am the moment I step onto the threshold of the school." Yet another obstacle that she would have to be wearier about. Dumbledore was a smart man. Maybe a few sandwiches short of a picnic but no less brilliant.
Rubbing his temples slowly with the pads of his fingers the old man let out a frustrated noise and slumped into the chair he was situated in. Dumbledore was never his favorite person of favorite subject for discussion but then again not many people were. But he realized for the sake of peace and his great great-granddaughters life he would talk.
"Now I'm only saying this once and you had better listen to me understand?" Emma nodded curiously and waited for him to go on so much like Desa had.
"Dumbledore neither is or ever will be my favorite person." He paused gathering the right words for what he wanted to tell her. "I don't know what Desdemona told you but I have a fairly good idea. I strongly urge you not to believe a single word she says about people. Your grandmother is slightly deranged Emma, she believes in the ways of Morgana just as Marvolo believes in Salazar Slytherin. Since the Council of Magi will not grant her free reign with her powers Desdemona was ready to make you into her little pawn. Part of her plans was to get rid of Albus Dumbledore." Resting his parched throat for a minute the older man let his granddaughter get the full meaning of the situation before continuing.
"Desdemona is highly biased but even I must admit that some of the things she says are true to an extent." He stretched out and repeated the word 'extent' for good measure to show just how much false hood had breached her head.
"Dumbledore did everything in his power to keep you safe, and considering who you are or were it wasn't easy. Yes, he did plant clues and set you up but that couldn't be stopped. Your destiny was already written in the stars and all those things had to be done. He kept you alive long enough to get you here. Now I know that you don't believe in Divination, neither do I however there are certain truths to it and everything that was found on your particular destiny has come true in one aspect or another it fits perfectly."
"I feel like my brain is being molded over and over again with what people tell me papa, there are so many lies that I just can't seem to believe one anymore. I can't take these lies and hidden truths anymore I want everything out in the open. Why does all this have to happen to me? I mean look at me I'm a monster I'm no better off than a werewolf!"
The cat like creature that made up the inside of a charmer was stirring again. Tonight was after all the new moon and her pupils already turned into slits, her canines grew sharper and her senses became much more sensitive. If thoroughly threatened she would transform into a feline. It depended on the situation to which cat form she would transform into. The transformation was almost like animagi, it only took a mere second to switch but it was as painful as sin. Her bones would break and regrow within fractions of a second not even giving her enough time to react. The only upside was that she had several forms to chose from and she had avid control over each one unlike the werewolf which upon transforming on a full moon completely loses all its human senses.
It was widely known that a werewolves only true enemy was a charmer on the full moon.
She might just yet have a bit of a problem with Remus Lupin at that time of the month.
King Solomon saw the true despair in his grandchild's voice and felt more than enough pity for her. She was after all a child when all of this started. She had survived so much and seen so many horrifying things that they often haunted her dreams.
"Brave child, cunning child, beautiful child, don't give up hope yet you may just find happiness with someone soon. For now I shall pray to the Eternals for you, they shall watch as will I but I'm afraid that this adventure you must do without my help." He told her softly.
"Then you are dismissing me papa?" she asked with a slight quiver in her voice. There were so many problems and she was expected to solve them all.
"Not yet. You must be prepared before you go. I assume you have brought your battle uniform and weapons?" he asked wanting to make sure she'd be well prepared just in case.
"Yes I packed everything and shrunk it but I think I need one last thing before I go." She paused and whatever he was expecting it was not this. "I need to cut my hair it's too long and it's a hazard."
There have been too many times when Kamian had tugged painfully on her long red locks, when Desdemona had yanked on them while they practiced combat, and when they got tangled or stuck somehow.
Rubbing his chin he shrugged and went to a stack of books in the far corner of the room. The book that he picked out was his late wife's. She had been a pretty blonde in her youth and only passed just that past year. No matter how much he loved the woman though she was always a tad vain and he would often find her hovering over that book using different spells to change her hair cut and style.
Handing the book over to his granddaughter he smiled, "This will help, pick out a style and do the rest. It was Queen Adelyne's. Keep it. I'm going to leave you for now in the mean time suit up and meet me in the library when you're done we shall arrange transportation for you."
With that the old man left Emma to he own musings as she carefully looked over the many styles in the book handed to her and finally settled on one. It wasn't such a short cut nor was it long. Her hair now barely came to the middle of her neck and had fine layers giving it a windblown look. She decided it suited her quite well; it wouldn't get in her way any longer. Now for the next part of her plan was her uniform. Carefully and quickly she enlarged several of her shrunken trunks and took out all the needed materials.
Her uniform while comfortable and safe against many forms of attacks on her and was also somewhat muggle-like. Emma found a long time ago that magic wasn't always as quick and effective as muggle weapons and methods. While magic was made to strike out on person at a time and gave the person a fair shot of warding off the spell or dodging it, muggle weapons such as guns and throwing stars were much quicker and gave almost no warning of their attack.
So now she stood in a black leather unisuit that was more like a second skin than anything else. She pulled the zipper starting from her belt to her neck to just above her chest for it to be more comfortable and looked in the nearby mirror to make sure nothing was out of place.
Sure enough everything was fine. Almost every patch of her skin was covered except her face, fingertips and shoulder blades. Her knee-high boots were made of strong dragon hide leather and sheathed two daggers in their guards. Her forearm guards hosted smaller dagger and one of them hid her wand. She had a belt with a pitch-black buckle and a platinum lightening bolt mark on it showing off her magical signature. The belt also sported several throwing stars and four more daggers, two of which expanded into twin Japanese blades that were light but extremely sharp, impenetrable almost. Then there were a pair of gloves that only exposed her fingertips and now had three slits between the knuckles to make way for her metal claws. The last parts of her uniform were the two guns that were holstered around each of her thighs.
It finally looked like she was ready for whatever came next. This time she wouldn't be taking Hagrid's advice on crossing the bridge when she reached it but instead she'd prepare ahead of time to insure success.
Her grandfather had been waiting in the library of the third floor for the past half hour when she came striding in. Her uniform new and intimidating and the rest of her belongings were shrunk even smaller to fit in a pouch that was attached to her belt.
"You are ready then?" he asked her wishing in every part of his mind that this girl that was like his own daughter to him wasn't leaving. The pain of it was like his own daughter Clarissa leaving with her unborn child.
"Yes, I'm ready but I haven't gotten a mirror located on the other side that I can exit out of."
Waving his hand dismissively as if assuring her it wasn't an important matter he spoke, "Done already. But I have a few things I want to bestow upon you as going away presents." He smiled at the blush that she sported when being given gifts. Nearly ten years of gifts and riches and the girl was still as modest and selfless as the day he first met her.
"You didn't have to get me a thing I assure you papa." Saying it was still a bit different from what she was feeling. Of course she did not need gifts but now that they were mentioned she couldn't help but wonder what they were.
"This," he said holding up a small golden key "is a key to an account in Gringotts, it was Salazar's when he lived in the wizarding world and it will get you anything you need. It's a rather good thing I didn't bestow it upon Marvolo."
After she took the key Solomon took out a medium sized wooden chest that upon opening it had fluffy velvet cushioning. Inside lying on the crimson velvet was an egg. It was a large gold egg with bright red spots upon its surface and looked to be very valuable.
She'd seen those in books many times but to have one was beyond rare. It was the egg of a phoenix. Her mouth still dropped open in a state of awe and her eyes staring mistily at it Solomon decided to say something to break the silence.
"As you know phoenix's, dragon's, and pegasus' are the only animals that can travel in and out of Ambrosia and I wanted you to have some way of writing letter to your family here. It was actually going to be your birthday present I was prolonging the hatching until then."
"Thank you so much!" she cried flinging her arms around him and hugging him until she was afraid the man might break from the strain.
Carefully taking the box she closed and shrunk it to place it with her other belongings.
This was pretty much it then. Their parting. It was saddening to think that she may never see her 'papa' again. Nobody knew if she would survive her encounter with Voldemort.
Taking her right hand in his left Solomon waved his own right hand in the air a few times opening a similar portal to her own. He'd keyed a large mirror in Dumbledore's office to his hall while she was getting ready. Stepping in he kept a firm grip on her hand and led her through to a door with a plaque saying "Hogwarts: Headmaster's office".
Before opening the red door he spoke briefly to his 'Emmy'. "Make sure to be cautious." He paused and out of the corner of his eye saw her nod. "Take care of your friends and that godfather of yours and above all stay alive and come back in one piece for a visit when all of this is over with I would very much like to meet your chosen soul mate."
Goodbyes were always hard for him and he always managed to sound so aloof. So moving quickly he opened the door and gave her a gentle push through from which she automatically took a bigger step right through the selected mirror to keep from tripping and within seconds the portal closed back up with a flash.
Emerald brushed herself off and looked up to meet the gazes of three surprised people. It seemed that Dumbledore was not alone in his office and each one of them looked as if they had seen the Dark Lord. She herself was quite surprised to have a tall dark haired man leap up with a shout and envelope her into a hug shouting, "Oh Merlin! Lily is that you? Where's James is he with you?! This is impossible we thought you were dead! Where were you? How did you get here?!"
Currently having the breathe out of her smothered all she could manage was "Sirius let go I can't breathe with you squishing me!"
By: Fyre Fairie Rated R (For mature content and violence) Summary: Harry finds out he has been lied to all his life. After GOF he travels to lands forgotten until he is ready to face the friends he abandoned, the love he will encounter, and the evil he must conquer. Just now when he has finally found his family will they all survive the war?
Chapter 2: Parting Words
Emerald watched as Kamian came closer to her, his pupils dilated and staring straight into her soul. He was the kind of person that made her feel like he knew all her secrets, all her faults and rotten deeds. It made her quiver but she didn't show it. Just like she was taught to she never cried out, she never showed fear and never succumbed to another.
She lay still knowing he wouldn't do anything but still fighting back the bile that rose in her throat as he touched her with his rough hands. Kamian was the kind of man that held an arrogant air around him even though he was no better than the servants that scrubbed the very floors under her feet. He wasn't handsome either, or clever, or funny. He was just a sadist. She watched as the weak light in the chamber reflected off his golden hair and his crystalline eyes. If she didn't know any better she could have confused the man for a Malfoy, with his pale skin and sharp features.
Kamian was tracing the Elemental marks on her body; taunting her with the knowledge that with the binding spells cast on her they were no better than tattoos. She had four of them, one on each bicep and one on each ankle. Basically the Elemental guardians, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air bestowed them upon her. Signifying that the elements had chosen her to carry their power and deemed her worthy of it. It may actually be the greatest honor that could befall a human.
The one on her right arm was a ring of fire, red ringlets and lashes encircled her bicep and when activated would pulse and burn. But never hurt her, because she was their child and the elements were her guardians they were better than family. On her left was a ring of vines with beautiful green leaves encircling her bicep. Normally she would feel their silky presence but now it was nothing. On her left leg was a ring of light blue lines and waves, made to look like water encircling her ankle. It would feel cool and calming, soothing her soul and mind when needed. Then last but not least was the one on her right leg was a ring of rain drops, air could also be known as weather they were after all pretty much the same thing in magical sense.
She froze when Kamian bent down and traced the fire sign with his tongue. Maybe he was serious about this. But no he couldn't be that thick, Desa may not have his head but when King Solomon found out he would. Her great- grandfather was a ruthless and heartless man to the public. The perfect Slytherin leader. That assumption was not true in all aspects though, the man had a weak spot for his family and the Slytherins were known for having male heirs. When she first met Solomon she automatically became his pride and joy, without even asking he showered her with gifts and plenty of love. He was the family she always desired and she wouldn't let the man down. In some way she could sense the old man was in a rage about his grandson, Marvolo whom killed his own daughter Liliana as he called her. He must have loved Lily as well even if they never met.
Emerald didn't make a sound she just relaxed taking her mind away from what was happening, sort of like retreating into herself. A few years back she had learned that everyone has a safe valley in their minds and when worst comes to worst you can escape there to find peace and to block things out. Many people use this kind of thing as a method of meditation and often you can read into your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind actually holds many secrets and answers that you normally wouldn't be able to answer. But hers was much stronger than a regular witch's; hers actually contacted her working mind where she could use it at her own will.
Although that part of your mind can be a safe haven it can be very dangerous as well. If you're not focused enough you may even get stuck in your own mind and become no better than the shell of a person who's been kissed by a Dementor.
But before she was able to fully retreat an image came to her. It was the blades that were recently bonded inside her flesh. As if floating out of her body and watching a totally different scene from what was really happening she watched herself looking up towards the ceiling then angling her wrists so that her knuckles were facing the chains keeping her down. With a small smile toward herself the blades sprang out like claws on a cat and sliced through the metal and rock shackles like sharp knives through melted butter.
That was all she needed to get the idea of her situation. Her mind already knew if she didn't stop Kamian a new form of torture would form; rape. Her arms were already healed and there were no traces of them ever being punctured or abused at all. Willing the blades to pop out just like they did in her vision Emerald prepared herself for the sharp pain of them traveling through her flesh and ripping right between the knuckles of her fist. It was painful but she didn't wince, just waited for the flesh to heal around them and sprung up.
She slashed the surprised Kamian across the face ferociously and freed her legs of their bonds before rushing out the door. The whole process had only taken five seconds and by the time she was a long ways down the hall and working out of the dungeons Kamian was most likely just starting to recover so she ran faster.
//This is it.\\ She thought. //It's time to go back home, back to Hogwarts and back to my friends.\\ After all it was already May and it would be ten years at the end of June. She had fulfilled her part of the deal even with all the lies worked into her head. Whatever Desa had said that day years ago wasn't all truthful. She had said her fair share of fibs as well as facts. Like the time difference here in Ambrosia, she had lied about it being only ten years to the mind when the body only ages two. Although Ambrosian people stopped aging at the age of twenty years then continued when they reached one hundred. So she would essentially continue to look and feel twenty until she was ninety-nine years old. Non-the less time passes by slower on the isle and now she wasn't sixteen as promised but instead twenty-four!
Who knows what else the old bat had lied about, maybe she was trying to brainwash her. It was even possible that Dumbledore wasn't guilty of all that she had accused him of. She'd have to wait to find out the truth later though, right now was the time of escape.
Emerald rounded a few corners before getting into the main area of the temple, or otherwise known as the one for noble use. There she had to be careful and sneak in the shadows, sometimes hiding behind large tapestries, statues and suites of armor to keep the servants and guards from seeing her. She would have to make a clean escape that meant no one could notice her. Even Lorenz whom was her grandmother's cat. Sometimes she feared Lorenz could be related to Mrs. Norris. Both cats would mewl at her presence and give her away. How typical though! Desa was using animals to spy on her own granddaughter. It was an ultimately sad life they all led.
Tip toeing across the corridor and opening the door a crack Emerald looked in to make sure none of the servants were inside. When satisfied that the room was empty she immediately snuck in. If things were going to be as easy as they are now then escape would be easy all she had to do now was change, pack and make a stop by at the palace to say goodbye to King Solomon. She couldn't well leave without talking to him, besides he might have some answers she was looking for and perhaps a mode of transportation to get to Hogwarts.
Of course it would have been possible and convenient to use a portal much like the one Desdemona created to transport them from London to the temple but in order for that to work you'd need a large mirror. See portals are really gaps in time and space that one can open by pulling on the dimensions with magic. The problem is that mirrors host dimensions so you can create a portal out of thin air but in order for it to deposit you somewhere it needs a proper exit. The first time she used one as Harry, she never noticed they had stepped out of a mirror. Later on when taught the complicated form of magic she also learned that there were great risks in taking suck a portal.
Portals are controlled by the Eternals, thus if they believe you aren't worthy to travel in one then the hallway you've opened will disappear and you will simply drift through time and space until the end of eternity. The dynamics were very scary to think about, especially if time and space go on forever therefore there would never be an end to it and you would simply drift.
There were other aspects of opening the right portal. Each person has to create his or her own hall of space and be able to open it. It was simply impossible to try and get into another person's hall on purpose but not by accident. If you happen to pull on the wrong dimension and open god knows what space then try to use it you will be doomed in a never-ending space until the Eternals see fit to let you go.
Personally Emerald thought that the Eternals were a bunch of old dodgers too grumpy to have any fun and enjoyed watching people suffer. After all it was their fault she was the Girl-who-lived because of them and a few other major purposes.
Emerald opened her wardrobe and picked out the usual Amazon wear. It fit actually, considering Morgana was the last royal Amazon the Le Fey's still wore their traditional clothing. Quickly she changed into a leather halter top/bra and bikini bottoms of the same material. The outfit was all white completed by a silk skirt that went all the way down to the ankles and had slits starting from the waist band on the sides and becoming wider as they got down. It was more of a long flap rather than a skirt but it allowed her to move comfortably and didn't cause her to sweat in heat. Then putting on a pair of white leather moccasins she was almost ready to pass for royalty.
Earlier that day she had outlined her eyes in wet eyeliner and put a light coat of silver eye shadow on, it was still there and un-smudged in fact. Last was her jewelry. Her crown was easy enough it was more a of a gold headband with diamonds and emerald on it that kept her hair out of her face and instead of using golden spirals to put on her biceps she used two gold snakes that Solomon had presented her with the first time they met. The snakes were loyal pets and were extremely rare and poisonous. Next was something of a gold collar that extended a bit to her chest, in Ambrosia it was called a Tiba, it looked much like the ones the Egyptians wore.
Emerald laughed at herself softly while gazing into the mirror. She had no idea when she'd become so concerned about her looks really. Perhaps it was when she'd transformed to her original state. NO, that wasn't it. She became vain because of her grandmother. Desdemona wasn't lying to her when she said she'd train her to be the best, to be perfect. But the price of being perfect was part of your humanity. It is widely known that all humans have flaws, its in their nature to have them and its impossible not to.
But that seed that the Eternals had planted in her gave her an advantage. They had essentially made her a demi-goddess. She was a mortal with an immortal soul, just like Voldemort. But Voldemort wasn't anywhere near perfect. He didn't have vanity, he didn't have true power, all he knew was Dark Magic and corruption.
In order to become what she is now her grandmother had to literally take her soul apart and piece it back together to her liking. It was like being born again. You unlearn all your previous habits and start anew. For instance, if someone asked her which hand was her wand hand instead of saying right like it used to be she'd say 'either arm, I'm ambidextrous.' If someone asked her which position in Quittich she played she'd say 'I can play all seven with the specialty of Seeker.' And things went on like that, never stopping, never short of a special talent. Well she was tired of being perfect, she was twenty-four years old and it was time to stop playing games in Ambosia and time to get down to some real business.
Emerald surveyed herself in the mirror one last time before going to pack. She stared right into her own eyes and smiled slightly trying to practice for her grand entrance back to Hogwarts. She wasn't sure if Dumbledore even knew her real identity, if he didn't then he would as soon as she arrived. She looked too much like her mother to be anyone else. Everyone used to say she looked like her father when she was still Harry Potter. Well this time is the reverse, the only thing that didn't change were her eyes, they were the same unnatural green. //Just like Prince Marvolo's and mothers eyes.\\ another thing she shared with that slimy snake. Her green eyes actually came from the Slytherin royal family. In fact Salazar had the same exact shade.
Emerald ran her eyes over her frame and sighed. She didn't know if it was a curse or a gift. One thing she did know was it wasn't anywhere near Lily's shape. Lily was short like Desa and at times she looked childish in the pictures she had. But Emerald was definitely a woman. Her face looked mature with its high cheekbones and full lips. Her eyes were bright and a bit bigger than Desa's; they were more Lily's size. Her nose was straight with a slight upturn at the end. She kept her eyebrows perfectly tweezed, something that witches don't normally do. Emeralds hair was like the rest of the Le Fey lines', it was a vibrant red, darker than the Weasleys' hair and straighter as well. It fell down to her lower back almost down to her butt. She never cared for cutting it.
Although her grandmother and mother were short, she was not in the slightest. Out of all her ancestors she looked the most like Morgana. A true Amazon. She was at least 5'8 now and thin, leanly muscled just like the women of the country were expected to be. Although they never met those expectations, exercise was in her opinion a dreadful thing. Yes all women wanted to be her and all men wanted her. But alas she was the 'forbidden treasure', as the courts often called her. When she'd been introduced for the first time in society her grandfather had made it clear that she was untouchable. It was a sickening display. The noble men often boasted about how they had made eye contact with her or kissed her hand upon permission while the commoners weren't allowed to look her in the face. Yes, she was beautiful and even exotic, it was rare to find a red head with a golden tan, but in her opinion these procedures were medieval and even though she went often, court was her least favorite place. In court the ladies had to wear gowns with tight corsets. She didn't even understand the use for a corset, all they did was push up her chest so that her cleavage was displayed to the world. Many times she was afraid her bust would fall out of her dress, that's how big her chest was.
Yes, her body was definitely a curse. And her bust size was worse. Many times it would be stared at more than her eyes. It wasn't very comfortable the first time that happened nor the last time. To tell the truth Emerald still wasn't used to being a girl. But at least she wasn't running around like a headless chicken when Desa had changed her back.
**********************************FLASHBACK********************************* *******
Harry sat on the large four-poster bed in the room that Desa had left him in preparing to face the change. He was a bit uncomfortable sitting in a night gown but it was recommended considering the fact that he'd be in a deep sleep for a good five days and when he woke up he'd no longer be a he but a she. It was a scary matter really. His grandmother had gone to brew a sleeping potion that would last for the duration on the transformation. This way it would not only take effect faster but he wouldn't have to experience it. He'd be in a sort of coma.
He sighed miserably thinking of what will be missed. Flopping down straight on his back and propping his head on a pillow Harry raised the neckline of the gown and looked down at himself. "In just a matter of days all of this is gonna change. Just my luck too I was finally starting to grow!" he growled out in frustration then exhaled and whispered " Goodbye guys it was nice knowing you." He said to his bits and pieces and lowered his neckline back to its earlier position.
He closed his eyes breathing in even intervals. Deep and long breaths calmed his nerves often; it was his own form of meditation when his scar would act up. It wouldn't totally release him from the burning sensation but it kept him from fainting often.
In mid exercise Harry heard the heavy doors to his chambers open and close. He didn't even bother to open his eyes when he heard the soft padded footsteps of his grandmother walking towards him. Maybe she would leave him alone if she thought he was asleep. As it turned out no such thing happened as she shook his shoulder and handed him a glass vile with a fizzing violet potion in it.
Harry grunted and wrinkled his nose when the potions putrid smell reached his nose. For some reason potions always tasted bitter and vile, it was enough to make a person vomit up their last meal.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" he asked her, holding the potion uncertainly. He really didn't care if she was or wasn't there if anything he was just delaying the procedure.
"Yes!" Desa shrieked in exasperation and pushed the potion towards his mouth motioning for him to swallow it. Which he did, in one big gulp before passing out right then and there. The last thing that Harry remembered seeing was her gray eyes. They were different somehow, when he first met her they were so lively and loving but now they seemed hollow and cruel.
It was too late now however. What's done is done and he'd deal with it when he woke up next. The words were similar to the ones Hagrid had said and for the first time in his life Harry actually wondered if his Half-giant friend was a seer.
For the next several hours Desdemona continued to apply and reapply the right charms and incantations to reverse the work her daughter had done. It would have been fairly simple if the boy were still an infant because its body would be new and not fully developed. Even though Harry's body wasn't fully developed either it was on its way and it was a lot harder to stop the process and turn it around into a completely different thing. Thus it would take at least five days to complete.
Each day Desdemona would come back to check on him and each day changes were slowly taking place. The first few days his appearances changed. His hair became lighter and lighter until it reached a shade of red. His face took on a feminine quality and his body took a different more delicate shape. He was starting to look more like a female as the days passed by. And with the final days his reproductive system and internal system changed. Pheromones and hormones took on a different quality. Genes and DNA twisted and morphed into new structures.
In the Bible it says that God created the world in seven whole days. But not everyone is god and it's quite an accomplishment to do what Desdemona just did. She created a whole new person in five days. Not a miracle if magic is involved but certainly something special and unique.
It was very early on the sixth day that that pale eyelids shakily opened framed by long curved eyelashes and green eyes peeked out. The figure in the bed stretched its new body sleepily and sat up scratching its neck with one hand. Emerald had finally awoken.
Her hand dropped from the spot on her neck that it was scratching and bumped against something on her chest. Looking down those green eyes widened with shock. "OH BLOODY HELL!!!!" she screamed, her voice more high pitched than before. She shot out of bed and ran toward a large mirror that stood by her dresser. //Merlin! I have huge jugs!\\ was her panicked thought. .
"Well look at the bright side! I've always wanted to know what they felt like." //Well not on me at least but you can't have everything.\\
Emerald swept her eyes over the length of her new body and sighed running a hand through her shoulder length hair. It was just like her mothers used to be. So alike. For a moment she just stared off into space getting used to the thought of her new body when she realized something. The pressure on her bladder had built up over the past few days and now she was about ready to burst. A panicked look entered her eyes and she crossed her legs tightly and bent her knees frantically looking for the bathroom.
"Oh no! Where's the loo?" She hopped a few steps forward and looked around for any visible doors. "Never mind where the loo is, how do I use it?!" The though just seemed to jump into her mind. She knew that girls sat while using the bathroom but she didn't know if there was anything else to it.
"DESA!!!" she hollered hoping her grandmother would hear her and help. After waiting several seconds she heard no answer. Deciding to go look herself she flung open the door across from her bed and peered in. It was a hallway with two more doors it seemed. Hopping over to the first door she saw it was a closet and slammed it shut. //Damn I need to go! Where is the bathroom!?\\
The next door was a bit farther down and it turned out to be a study and across from it were two more doors. //Finally!\\ The bathroom was a large one with marble floors and a large porcelain tub. Making her way over to the toilet she hastily hiked up the gown feeling it somehow wrong to do so and sat down to relieve herself. //Thank God!\\ She slumped down slightly resting her elbow on her thigh and her chin on the palm of her hand.
Blowing out a large breath to get her hair over her face she nearly jumped when her breast brushed against her arm. "I'll never get used to these. Well I should consider myself lucky, every guy wants to get into a girl's pants. While they keep trying I could get into my own." Emerald tried to laugh at her own joke but failed miserably when she remembered how she used to like Cho. She shuddered disbelievingly and thought about someone else. The first person that popped into her head was Sirius. //Now there's a thought! I wonder what Padfoot would say about this. No doubt he'd laugh his head off.\\ She grimaced. //No, I correct myself. Ron would be the one laughing Sirius would probably yell his head off. He looks rather sexy when he's mad though.\\
"NO!!" she yelled out loud in horror. "My godfather is not sexy!!!!" She screamed it so loud the whole world probably heard.
"I should rather hope not." Came a voice from the doorway. Emerald squeaked and pulled the front of her nightgown down when she saw Desa standing there, the corners of her of her lips twitching and threatening to smile in amusement.
"OY! This is not funny Desa! I just thought of my godfather in..well you know. THAT WAY!" She answered in a huff and already turning the shade of red. "That's wrong isn't it?!"
Desdemona looked considerate for a moment then chuckled. "Well you are a woman now, you desire men instead of other women. Of course the fact that you desire your godfather is slightly. well how should I put this? Disturbing? No, disturbing isn't the right word maybe different would do it or strange even. All I can say is that at least you aren't lusting after that Weasley boy that you consider your friend."
"And what exactly is wrong with Ron?" She half shrieked in anger. Although she didn't find Ron appealing in any way he was still her friend, her best friend and she wouldn't let anyone defile him no matter what.
At her harsh tone Desdemona raised a finely sculpted eyebrow and smirked. "He has the beginnings of a traitor my dear, and don't you forget it."
If Emerald hadn't been sitting on the toilet at that moment she would have walked up and slapped her own grandmother. Sure Ron had a temper and tended to get jealous but he would never betray her! If he hadn't been in Gryffindor he'd be a Hufflepuff for his loyalty. Ron was her first friend and was like the brother she never had.
"I don't know where that came from Desdemona but I don't ever want to hear that again. I may not know as much about magic as you do but I know my friends and Ron would never turn on me or his family." She answered in a cold steady voice. Green eyes burning fire into gray and dared the older woman to contradict her.
"That's what your father thought as well but in the end Peter really did betray them. You can keep telling yourself that it isn't true but your best friend is not as loyal as you may think. He's Pettigrew all over again. And don't you say I'm wrong, you'll see what will happen."
"Would you mind getting out?" Emerald demanded rather than asked and flushed right to the roots of her hair when she remembered her embarrassing position. For now she would just forget this conversation took place. It didn't matter what Desa said, she was lying because her best friend would never become anything akin to a Death Eater.
Giving her granddaughter one more imploring look the older woman spun on her heel and exited the suite.
//Foolish girl you have no idea what lies in store for you and of what you will under my careful eye become.\\ Desdemona smirked and pushed one of the servant girls scrubbing the floors too slow to get out of her way with her foot. The girl gave a muffled cry but picked herself back up and resumed work.
The older woman smiled cruelly showing off sharp incisors and continued on her way down the hall.
*******************************END OF FLASHBACK***********************************
Yes she had changed much, very much. But one thing that would never leave her was her scar. That hideous mark that she bore. Proclaiming her The-Girl- That-Lived and as the number one person on Volemort's hit list. She didn't have fringes to cover it and since the curse scar itself is so full of magic it could not be covered with glamours or illusions she had to resort to other means. She used makeup to cover it then reinforced it with magic. That way the makeup wouldn't come off and her scar would stay covered. It wasn't a very hard procedure but it becomes tiring to repeat every single day as the reinforcing charms on the cover up only lasted 24 hours or so.
Nodding her approval she went about packing. Normally Emerald didn't use magic for her everyday needs. Like in the old times she followed the tradition of respecting it. Magic was considered a gift from the gods and wouldn't be taken for granted back in the time of Morgana. It would only be used if necessary and cherished beyond riches. The courts would even hold tournaments back then, muggle style combat between the nobles and royals. Mothers would fight daughters, fathers would fight sons and brothers would fight each other. The tournament was established to amuse the deities and then the loser of each match would be held as a sacrifice to them.
The tournaments were primary and disgusting at that time but the hideousness of the methods would be overshadowed by the beauty of the competitors. After all the gods did deserve only beautiful things and people would come from even Atlantis to watch the shows. Now those competitions were only held every century and sacrifices never offered. The same gruesome techniques would never be lost of course.
Ignoring the rule Emerald used magic to throw everything she owned into several large trunks then shrunk them to the size of her palm before putting them in a leather pouch that she slung over her shoulder.
Once that was done Emerald went in search of her wand. The long piece of wood was nearly discarded since she had arrived in Ambrosia and it was a rare site to see her using it. And if you did catch her using it then you'd be thoroughly surprised, at least any Ambrosian born would. Since it is necessary for a person to have a high magical potential in Ambrosia wands were not sorely needed.
In all essence a wand is used to not only boost your magic using the core but to center and channel it using the wood. But if you are trained enough a wand becomes a petty inconvenience and is often left somewhere under a pillow. In this case Emerald would need hers. Not only did it have the same core as Voldemort's and would ultimately help her defeat him it wouldn't cause people to fear her as much once she was in the wizarding world.
In the Wizarding world wandless magic was never seen by any average wizard or witch. Of course the occasional warlock would be able to do a simple unlocking spell with his wand nothing more could be done. And it would be more than likely that if she showed up in a flair using wandless magic it would have the Aurors on her in no time and Fudge would be on her ass probably followed by Dementors to administer a Kiss. People feared the unknown and powerful, that is how they lose allies and fall to havoc.
The wand turned out to be inside one of the drawers of her vanity and with a simple twirl of her fingers it spun around and lengthened into a staff with a round crystal on top. The crystal was very much like a wand core except its magical potential was much higher and it itself had a core. Several complex spells secured that upon a few gentle twirls her wand would become a staff worthy enough to use in combat. When it changed then the core changed slightly as well. Once were there was a Phoenix feather the crystal was made of one of her hairs and the feather melded together. The core was so fine Ollivander himself would faint with excitement over it.
The hair of a Charmer, which she was, was very valuable and rare. Just like Parseltongues they were rare. Very much like Veelas Charmers were both extremely beautiful, hypnotizing, and dangerous. Emerald often hated to admit to herself but now that she was what she was, she was a monster. Veela when threatened turned into bird like creatures but Charmers when threatened grew fangs very much like Vampires. Although they were not endangered by crosses, sunlight, garlic, and such they did have other features. One of the reasons why her top was always a halter top was because it left her shoulder blades bare. That itself was significant, when threatened she could grow large wings with pitch-black feathers. Her wingspan would total up to nearly 8 feet. It was no wonder why she flew well on a broom, her natural instincts called her to the skies and upon transformation her cat like eyes would scavenge the land searching miles ahead, it was also no wonder she was a Seeker.
Like Werewolves, once a month her incisors would grow and her eyes would change to those of a cats, her hearing would increase as well as her sense of smell. But only on a new moon, not a full one. The same things happened to Desdemona. It always saddened her to look in the mirror on such days, to see a monster nobody could possibly love. Her friends used to love her but they only knew her as Harry Potter who was now currently missing from the world for two years.
Shaking her head of depressing thoughts Emerald waved her hand and pulled on the dimensions with her magic trying to open the right portal. In front of her the air started to mist and shimmer gold before becoming a solid but rippling passage. She stepped through into her own special hall and walked past several doors with plaques to the fourth one which read, "Slytherin Palace, Emeralds suite" she opened it and stepped through a large mirror with silver borders into a green furbished room. Her suite in the palace was much bigger than the one in Morgana's temple but no less grander. Every nook and cranny was exaggerated with gold, silver, and magnificent carvings.
Her intent was not to look around the room but rather to find King Solomon and have a little talk with the man before her departure.
As suspected the hallways were empty of any servants or residents of the palace and Emerald rushed through them turning corners and jogging up staircases. When she finally reached the fourth floor Emerald kept track of the turns she took and finally arrived at her destination. Her 'papa' as she often called him spent most of his time in a large study filled with books, maps and idol entertainment, standing in front of a large set of mahogany doors she looked them over a bit nervously trying to salvage her confidence. Normally she wouldn't have anything to worry about but Emerald didn't know her papa's view of her situation. And she didn't even want to get on the wrong side of him.
The polished and waxed wood swam in her vision as the carvings of snakes and smoke made a strange illusion after a while of staring straight at the doors. Placing both palms onto the surface she whispered the password and cracked a smile at it. 'Emmy' turned out to be the password this week. Her papa's nickname for her, Emmy inspired the shortened version of her name Emma to be used among her cousins in the other kingdoms. Once she had thought that the Dursleys were the only blood relatives she had left but when Desdemona said that the Le Fey's married into all four kingdoms she wasn't kidding either. Soon after being introduced in the courts Emma had found out that she indeed had a rather large family.
King Solomon sat in his large cushioned armchair by the fire holding a glass of Brandy in his right hand and a quill in the other. Currently he had a notepad situated on his thigh and several scribbles on it. His great great-granddaughters birthday would be up in a couple of months but preparations would have to be made ahead of time to get the east ballroom perfect for the occasion. It was a risk taking such measures, her ten years were nearly up and by the way she talked about her home in the wizarding world gave him little to no doubt her departure would be quick to follow the deadline.
He sighed wearily and sipped his Brandy, letting the liquid warm his throat and relax his mind. Immediately tensing up when the alarm to the study doors went off he stood ready to send an icy glare to anyone who was disturbing him.
Upon stepping into the room Emma was met by a pair of glaring hazel eyes, which softened immensely when recognizing her. Cracking a smile she strode over and enveloped him in a hug which her returned.
"Always so quick to throw daggers with your eyes eh, papa?" she mused to him when she stepped back.
"Well I wasn't planning on being disturbed. What gives me the pleasure of your presence today my little Emmy?" he asked his eyes shining with complete adoration. Not many people have seen this side of King Solomon, not even his own daughter had.
"I'm afraid the time to leave has finally come. I must leave immediately and wished to say farewell before going. I've already been here too long papa, my friends need me."
This is what he'd been fearing for quite some time. Taking a few calming breathes Solomon sat back down with the anguish of losing yet another on of his heirs. First his daughter left, then his grandson, he never once met his great-granddaughter Liliana, but now the girl that had brought some joy into his life was going as well to fight her own grandfather non-the-less.
"You are leaving to go fight for the light side, to get the revenge you've thrived for since you could remember?" he asked her staring into the fire.
"Nye papa, you know me better than that this isn't about revenge. This is about saving innocent people. Don't you see Marvolo is nearly unstoppable he's become like Morgana.except his morals are extremely twisted and his plans are more than idiotic. He doesn't even deserve the title of the Dark Lord or to be feared! Your Prince Marvolo is nothing more than a copy cat with amateur tactics. Yes I admit that I want a little revenge but it's not about that completely I'm trying to stop the cycle. I don't want anyone to suffer like I did. I'm the only one who can stop him..Desdemona said so herself." She replied vehemently and shook her finger at him warning him to cease his argument while they were ahead.
"Eyi, you have a good heart but I believe there is a little more to it than that. You mentioned your friends to me before. What of them? How are you going to tell them of yourself or even start with your plans child? You do realize that now that you are fully trained in a higher degree of magic you will only be permitted to stay outside of Ambrosia for a limited time before the Coucil of Magi steps in. You know they are afraid of the Le Fey women. They will fear you mental stability there, after all the land there will not suck on your powers and with that magical overload it can become stressful."
Wide eyed she perched herself on the coffee table in front of him and fiddled with a lock of her hair. "Nobody has mentioned I'd have a limited time. Is there anything I can do to change it and if not how long can I stay?"
"Three months" he answered, "Unless you bind yourself to a beloved of your choice, that way your energy pools will be combined and the strain will be shared."
Looking him right in the eye she sat up straighter and that glint of determination she often got shone brightly. "Then I'll find a proper soul mate and bind myself." She told him simply making him chuckle and pat her hand with his much larger one.
"It is not that easy, you cannot chose your soul mate my little Emmy, he is already chosen for you. The problem is finding the right person. And I suggest you start with the closest people to you I have a feeling you shall find each other. As for your friends and telling them, maybe you should delay that and go incognito?"
"How would I be able to lie to them for so long. It's been ten years papa, I miss them and I don't think I'd last to long without at least telling Sirius." She whined. Her situation was becoming more devastating with the minute. Three months wouldn't be enough time to find the ideal soul mate! And hiding her true identity from her friends was worse. Maybe she would go mad by then, at least she wouldn't have to worry about Voldemort because the Coucil of Magi would grill her if they gathered enough force.
"Ah yes your godfather. He cares for you does he not?" The old man asked with a hint of amusement.
Quirking an eyebrow and giving her papa a curious expression she sent a sort of 'Duh!' answer just with her stance. "Of course he cares for me, the reason he escaped Azkaban was to save my life." //He came to save Harry Potter not Emerald Le Fey. He doesn't even know about me though.\\ Another obstacle to work around.
As if reading her thoughts the older man put a comforting hand on her shoulder and was relieved to find that through her frustration she didn't use the elements and heated her skin. It has happened a few times before that he burned the skin off his hand. Even if fire didn't harm her it did harm others.
"If he truly loved you Emma, then he wouldn't care what your name or gender, you are still very much the same person. Still the child of Liliana Potter and don't you forget it."
That wasn't the first time Emma noticed King Solomon never mentioned her fathers name. Throughout the whole time she knew him he'd always refer to her as Liliana's daughter but never James'. Why was that? Did her papa still hold a grudge to the Gryffindors?
"The daughter of James and Lily Potter." She corrected him. "You forgot to mention my father."
"That is of no consequence." He replied blankly staring ahead as if it made no difference in the world whom her biological father was.
"Oh but it does have consequence! The reason I am who I am is partially because he was my father."
"ENOUGH!" Solomon boomed while keeping his face completely taut and devoid of emotion. The king had never once raised his voice to her in anger and this was a first. It scared her somewhat, she didn't even know the reason for his little outburst. IT was most likely due to the fact that she'd worn out her welcome. Or maybe even her father was a touchy subject; perhaps Solomon felt James Potter hadn't done enough to protect Lily and her.
"I'll leave then, I can see you can't talk like a normal human being today." She began to get up off the edge of the table when a muffled "Wait" came from the man across her.
"I didn't mean to yell but I have my reasons." He whispered this time signaling that subject was closed and she nodded her understanding.
"Fine, what about Dumbledore? Surely he will know who I am the moment I step onto the threshold of the school." Yet another obstacle that she would have to be wearier about. Dumbledore was a smart man. Maybe a few sandwiches short of a picnic but no less brilliant.
Rubbing his temples slowly with the pads of his fingers the old man let out a frustrated noise and slumped into the chair he was situated in. Dumbledore was never his favorite person of favorite subject for discussion but then again not many people were. But he realized for the sake of peace and his great great-granddaughters life he would talk.
"Now I'm only saying this once and you had better listen to me understand?" Emma nodded curiously and waited for him to go on so much like Desa had.
"Dumbledore neither is or ever will be my favorite person." He paused gathering the right words for what he wanted to tell her. "I don't know what Desdemona told you but I have a fairly good idea. I strongly urge you not to believe a single word she says about people. Your grandmother is slightly deranged Emma, she believes in the ways of Morgana just as Marvolo believes in Salazar Slytherin. Since the Council of Magi will not grant her free reign with her powers Desdemona was ready to make you into her little pawn. Part of her plans was to get rid of Albus Dumbledore." Resting his parched throat for a minute the older man let his granddaughter get the full meaning of the situation before continuing.
"Desdemona is highly biased but even I must admit that some of the things she says are true to an extent." He stretched out and repeated the word 'extent' for good measure to show just how much false hood had breached her head.
"Dumbledore did everything in his power to keep you safe, and considering who you are or were it wasn't easy. Yes, he did plant clues and set you up but that couldn't be stopped. Your destiny was already written in the stars and all those things had to be done. He kept you alive long enough to get you here. Now I know that you don't believe in Divination, neither do I however there are certain truths to it and everything that was found on your particular destiny has come true in one aspect or another it fits perfectly."
"I feel like my brain is being molded over and over again with what people tell me papa, there are so many lies that I just can't seem to believe one anymore. I can't take these lies and hidden truths anymore I want everything out in the open. Why does all this have to happen to me? I mean look at me I'm a monster I'm no better off than a werewolf!"
The cat like creature that made up the inside of a charmer was stirring again. Tonight was after all the new moon and her pupils already turned into slits, her canines grew sharper and her senses became much more sensitive. If thoroughly threatened she would transform into a feline. It depended on the situation to which cat form she would transform into. The transformation was almost like animagi, it only took a mere second to switch but it was as painful as sin. Her bones would break and regrow within fractions of a second not even giving her enough time to react. The only upside was that she had several forms to chose from and she had avid control over each one unlike the werewolf which upon transforming on a full moon completely loses all its human senses.
It was widely known that a werewolves only true enemy was a charmer on the full moon.
She might just yet have a bit of a problem with Remus Lupin at that time of the month.
King Solomon saw the true despair in his grandchild's voice and felt more than enough pity for her. She was after all a child when all of this started. She had survived so much and seen so many horrifying things that they often haunted her dreams.
"Brave child, cunning child, beautiful child, don't give up hope yet you may just find happiness with someone soon. For now I shall pray to the Eternals for you, they shall watch as will I but I'm afraid that this adventure you must do without my help." He told her softly.
"Then you are dismissing me papa?" she asked with a slight quiver in her voice. There were so many problems and she was expected to solve them all.
"Not yet. You must be prepared before you go. I assume you have brought your battle uniform and weapons?" he asked wanting to make sure she'd be well prepared just in case.
"Yes I packed everything and shrunk it but I think I need one last thing before I go." She paused and whatever he was expecting it was not this. "I need to cut my hair it's too long and it's a hazard."
There have been too many times when Kamian had tugged painfully on her long red locks, when Desdemona had yanked on them while they practiced combat, and when they got tangled or stuck somehow.
Rubbing his chin he shrugged and went to a stack of books in the far corner of the room. The book that he picked out was his late wife's. She had been a pretty blonde in her youth and only passed just that past year. No matter how much he loved the woman though she was always a tad vain and he would often find her hovering over that book using different spells to change her hair cut and style.
Handing the book over to his granddaughter he smiled, "This will help, pick out a style and do the rest. It was Queen Adelyne's. Keep it. I'm going to leave you for now in the mean time suit up and meet me in the library when you're done we shall arrange transportation for you."
With that the old man left Emma to he own musings as she carefully looked over the many styles in the book handed to her and finally settled on one. It wasn't such a short cut nor was it long. Her hair now barely came to the middle of her neck and had fine layers giving it a windblown look. She decided it suited her quite well; it wouldn't get in her way any longer. Now for the next part of her plan was her uniform. Carefully and quickly she enlarged several of her shrunken trunks and took out all the needed materials.
Her uniform while comfortable and safe against many forms of attacks on her and was also somewhat muggle-like. Emma found a long time ago that magic wasn't always as quick and effective as muggle weapons and methods. While magic was made to strike out on person at a time and gave the person a fair shot of warding off the spell or dodging it, muggle weapons such as guns and throwing stars were much quicker and gave almost no warning of their attack.
So now she stood in a black leather unisuit that was more like a second skin than anything else. She pulled the zipper starting from her belt to her neck to just above her chest for it to be more comfortable and looked in the nearby mirror to make sure nothing was out of place.
Sure enough everything was fine. Almost every patch of her skin was covered except her face, fingertips and shoulder blades. Her knee-high boots were made of strong dragon hide leather and sheathed two daggers in their guards. Her forearm guards hosted smaller dagger and one of them hid her wand. She had a belt with a pitch-black buckle and a platinum lightening bolt mark on it showing off her magical signature. The belt also sported several throwing stars and four more daggers, two of which expanded into twin Japanese blades that were light but extremely sharp, impenetrable almost. Then there were a pair of gloves that only exposed her fingertips and now had three slits between the knuckles to make way for her metal claws. The last parts of her uniform were the two guns that were holstered around each of her thighs.
It finally looked like she was ready for whatever came next. This time she wouldn't be taking Hagrid's advice on crossing the bridge when she reached it but instead she'd prepare ahead of time to insure success.
Her grandfather had been waiting in the library of the third floor for the past half hour when she came striding in. Her uniform new and intimidating and the rest of her belongings were shrunk even smaller to fit in a pouch that was attached to her belt.
"You are ready then?" he asked her wishing in every part of his mind that this girl that was like his own daughter to him wasn't leaving. The pain of it was like his own daughter Clarissa leaving with her unborn child.
"Yes, I'm ready but I haven't gotten a mirror located on the other side that I can exit out of."
Waving his hand dismissively as if assuring her it wasn't an important matter he spoke, "Done already. But I have a few things I want to bestow upon you as going away presents." He smiled at the blush that she sported when being given gifts. Nearly ten years of gifts and riches and the girl was still as modest and selfless as the day he first met her.
"You didn't have to get me a thing I assure you papa." Saying it was still a bit different from what she was feeling. Of course she did not need gifts but now that they were mentioned she couldn't help but wonder what they were.
"This," he said holding up a small golden key "is a key to an account in Gringotts, it was Salazar's when he lived in the wizarding world and it will get you anything you need. It's a rather good thing I didn't bestow it upon Marvolo."
After she took the key Solomon took out a medium sized wooden chest that upon opening it had fluffy velvet cushioning. Inside lying on the crimson velvet was an egg. It was a large gold egg with bright red spots upon its surface and looked to be very valuable.
She'd seen those in books many times but to have one was beyond rare. It was the egg of a phoenix. Her mouth still dropped open in a state of awe and her eyes staring mistily at it Solomon decided to say something to break the silence.
"As you know phoenix's, dragon's, and pegasus' are the only animals that can travel in and out of Ambrosia and I wanted you to have some way of writing letter to your family here. It was actually going to be your birthday present I was prolonging the hatching until then."
"Thank you so much!" she cried flinging her arms around him and hugging him until she was afraid the man might break from the strain.
Carefully taking the box she closed and shrunk it to place it with her other belongings.
This was pretty much it then. Their parting. It was saddening to think that she may never see her 'papa' again. Nobody knew if she would survive her encounter with Voldemort.
Taking her right hand in his left Solomon waved his own right hand in the air a few times opening a similar portal to her own. He'd keyed a large mirror in Dumbledore's office to his hall while she was getting ready. Stepping in he kept a firm grip on her hand and led her through to a door with a plaque saying "Hogwarts: Headmaster's office".
Before opening the red door he spoke briefly to his 'Emmy'. "Make sure to be cautious." He paused and out of the corner of his eye saw her nod. "Take care of your friends and that godfather of yours and above all stay alive and come back in one piece for a visit when all of this is over with I would very much like to meet your chosen soul mate."
Goodbyes were always hard for him and he always managed to sound so aloof. So moving quickly he opened the door and gave her a gentle push through from which she automatically took a bigger step right through the selected mirror to keep from tripping and within seconds the portal closed back up with a flash.
Emerald brushed herself off and looked up to meet the gazes of three surprised people. It seemed that Dumbledore was not alone in his office and each one of them looked as if they had seen the Dark Lord. She herself was quite surprised to have a tall dark haired man leap up with a shout and envelope her into a hug shouting, "Oh Merlin! Lily is that you? Where's James is he with you?! This is impossible we thought you were dead! Where were you? How did you get here?!"
Currently having the breathe out of her smothered all she could manage was "Sirius let go I can't breathe with you squishing me!"