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Sounds. A quantity of different sounds made by things and beings and nature itself filled the air of Diagon Alley. They blended into a dissonant symphony that would make a true connoisseur of harmony cringe. But to her ears it was the most beautiful music in the world. After fifteen years of complete silence being able to hear these sounds made her feel alive.

Emotions. Visions. Like smooth arrows, fired from the minds of those who surrounded her, they passed through her mind. A new gift… She had yet to learn how to control it. So far she had managed to tame it a little bit. Her head was still heavy and overfilled, but at least it didn't feel like it was going to blow up anymore. She knew that she had no right to complain. Natural – not acquired by means of hard work – Legilimency, especially such a strong one, was a very rare ability. It gave its owner a significant advantage over other human beings. Her new gift allowed her not only sense other people's feelings and know their thoughts (or rather see the images that stood behind those thoughts), but also - it was the most important part - control their emotions. The latter was discovered by her only today.

She had three more days to collect herself, learn how to deal with her new powers and obtain as maximum knowledge as possible of what was going on during the past fifteen years. And then the hood of the long black cloak that was covering her now will go off and she will face them. She had returned from hell to be guided by Love and Revenge...

*~*~*~*~*

FLASHBACK *Four days ago*

In eternal darkness, in a world beyond the reach of any living creature, a tormented spirit began to glow. In a few seconds it was surrounded by a swirling cocoon of flickering light. Slowly the vortex began to subside revealing a beautiful woman standing where the spirit once floated. She opened her eyes and slowly ran the palms of her hands over her shoulders and down to her stomach. Her head lowered and her astounded eyes inspected her body.

Within a few meters from the woman, right in front of her, another glimmering light appeared. The woman snapped her head upward and directed her attention to the intriguing phenomenon. The luminescence did not last more than ten seconds and as it grew feeble it was replaced by a strange creature dressed in black loose overall. Tall and lean, with long neck, torso, arms, legs, even fingers and pointed claws, with gray skin and even darker shade of gray hair and goatee, with angular face, thin dark lips and black pupil-less eyes, the creature could be unmistakably called evil. Two pairs of eyes locked with each other: the ones filled with shock, confusion, fear and curiosity were staring into the cold and expressionless black holes. The woman tried to say something, but no sound came out.

"No need to voice your questions. Your thoughts are open to me."

She knew that the emotionless and crispy voice she had heard in her head belonged to the mysterious creature, although she did not see his lips move.

"Yes, human. Your assumptions are correct. I am the one your soul belongs to. I am your master."

Sensing her thoughts he continued.

"No. What you see now is not my true form. I am energy and darkness. I cannot be seen for I exist, yet I don't. What your eyes see is an illusion I created for you, an image of me that your mind is capable to grasp."

The woman nodded her head in understanding.

"I have decided to grant you freedom…and life."

Her eyes became rounded from surprise and shock.

"You want to know why, don't you? For a very long time species like you and those like me co-existed with each other. You are aware that 'creatures' of my type feed on emotion that only humans have in a needed amount – love. Every emotion produces a different kind of energy, as you know. The most valuable and powerful is made by love. You love and we gather the energy. You humans call us evil for what we do, when in reality what we do is neither bad nor good. Or maybe both. By consuming the energy that your feelings of love produce we do not allow a layer of this energy to form around your world. If it did form, all humans would quickly reach a very high level of contentment, happiness and serenity. You wouldn't need to love because the energy of love around you would be able to satisfy you completely. It is something you are subconsciously trying to reach. And it is something that we are taking away from you, indeed. But you must understand that while such a layer doesn't exist, species of your kind have the ability to love. Somewhere in the depth of your mind lies the knowledge that love is the greatest and most powerful thing in the world. This subconscious knowledge, the instincts that you have, make you want to love and seek love from others. So, as you can see, we need each other to keep the balance."

The creature paused for a moment before continuing.

"We co-exist, but my kind never interferes in the affaires of your kind. With the exception of the cases when the Deal is made. The structure of this world, it's ancient magic does not allow us to influence your life directly. Even when the Deal is made we do not do anything to help you except refrain from consuming the energy of your love, which is very powerful at the moment when you make the Deal. It is your love that saves the ones dear to you, not something we do. But back to the point of this conversation or rather monologue. Like I said we cannot interfere in the lives of humans, but species of your kind can influence our existence. If humans would stop loving we wouldn't have enough energy to consume. That would lead to our demise. It is exactly what is going to happen very soon if no-one does anything to prevent it."

Again, he paused. She knitted her brows a little, clearly confused.

"The one who calls himself Voldemort is back and in full power."

She gasped.

"As his previous attempts to gain control over the whole world have failed, he invented a new plan that should help him to reach his goal. He knows that he is not going to succeed before he destroys his most powerful enemy – love. He can kill hundreds of humans but he knows that one, who's heart is filled with enough love, is enough to wipe him out from the face of Earth, even if only for some period of time. It is a threat he cannot live with. So he decided to eliminate love. He may not be able to do away with it completely nonetheless his actions will lead to a catastrophe. Hate will take possession of humans' hearts and both your kind and my kind will die out."

Her eyes were round with horror.

"And that is exactly the reason why I am granting you freedom and, like I said, life. We cannot destroy Voldemort, but you can. We are giving you the knowledge of his plans and your life, so that you could go back to your world and do away with what happens to be a threat to both humans and us. Consider it a Deal done backwards."

Her eyes were now shining.

"You will need to destroy Voldemort completely this time. Making another Deal with us will not help the matter for he will again find a way to return. I have also decided to give you a gift. A very valuable gift – three powers that will help you defeat the enemy."

With that the creature waved his hand in her direction, and she saw hundreds of tiny balls of light flowing to her and surrounding her still frame.

"It is our collection of magical powers that were sacrificed to us. Relax. The powers will choose you themselves. You will find out what they are in time."

The woman closed her eyes and forced herself to relax. She soon felt tingling sensations and knew immediately that the powers were entering her. When the tingling stopped she opened her eyes and looked at the creature again.

"And now, I bid you farewell."

He inclined his head and dissolved into darkness. She felt an unknown force pulling her down into the black void with enormous speed. And the woman fainted.

END FLASHBACK

*~*~*~*~*

People were wary of her as she made her way through the crowd. She could feel it. Her attire, that was supposed to hide her identity, drew unwanted attention to her persona. But she could do nothing about it for now. She had to get some money and buy a wand first.

Gringotts. The woman stopped at a short distance from the building and took a moment to glance over it. She always loved the magical bank. It's architecture, the atmosphere that surrounded and filled it, was cozy and forbidding at the same time. Strange, but from the first time she saw this bank she associated it with the bank from the "Around the World in Eighty Days" tale. It was a paradoxical mix of miracles and pragmatism, a blend of childhood memories and realities of adulthood.

The woman entered the bank. There were only two other wizards inside and, as always, many busy goblins. She hadn't seen any of the ugly little creatures look at her, but she knew the goblins were aware of her presence. She also knew that they regarded her with suspicion. She paid no attention to it though and continued to walk toward the most distant desk in the hall, where the senior goblin sat. He was writing something. When the woman approached the table he finally raised his head and stared at her above the spectacles silently, waiting for her to speak first. So she did.

"I need to speak with the head goblin."

Her voice was smooth, calm and firm. She raised her head a little but the hood still covered most of her face. The goblin looked at her from above the glasses.

"I am afraid it is not possible at the moment. The head goblin is very busy. Maybe I will be able to help you?"

"No. The matter I want to discuss can be discussed only with him. It is urgent and important. Tell him… Tell him Flos Aureus* wants to see him."

"I will see what can be done."

The little creature nodded and hobbled away. The goblin returned after about five minutes of absence and motioned her to follow him.

They boarded the little trolley car and set rolling to the heart of the bank. By the time they reached their destination she felt sick. She wasn't ready for such a speedy and curvy ride. However she managed to overcome her dizziness and regain her confident stride. The creature knocked on the big wooden door. In a moment it opened and the little goblin stepped aside to let her enter the luxurious-looking room. In the far end of the room, behind a bulky table sat the head goblin. As soon as the other goblin left the room and closed the door, the woman took off her hood and looked straight at the general manager of Gringotts. At that same instant the creature's eyes rounded, than narrowed.

"You?"

* Flos Aureus (Latin) – Golden Flower