Okay, I admit, I hadn't been planning on writing this chapter anytime soon.  I've just started another fic, got some I haven't updated since, November and I've been working on a song fic and an original fic.... but today I was reading some reviews, and I decided that I just had to be writing this!  Thanks to WhetherRose in particular (glad your back Rose!) whose reviews and latest chapter of her fic (go read it, it rocks!) were the main inspiration.  After I finished reading, my fingers just started itching to type this chapter!

All right, I'll get right into this...

Disclaimer: I own the plot (which I'm hoping is original!) and I created the characters, but I don't own them.  They, however, enjoy controlling me and my life (not to mention making a mess of things).  For those brave souls who are actually interested in learning how these OCs really are (like, how they act around me, not how I portray them in my stories) you can read my ficlet, Madness.  The title says all, in my opinion.

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Harry Potter and the Song of Deception

By Hollie

            "It's spelled!" Adele exclaimed hurriedly, wanting desperately to avoid any and all trouble.  She pointed at the tiny cat charm that Kelly was still holding.  The Gryffindor girl's eyes were alight with wonder and something that resembled smug joy; she knew that she had won and was enjoying every second of it. 

            "My father and my uncle made it, so that I could..."

            "Adele!"  A sharp voice interjected, and Adele turned to look at her cousin.  His eyes were wide with fear, his nostrils flared and his skin as white as a sheet.  "Don't say another word," he whispered fiercely. 

            "And why not?" Kelly whispered sweetly.  "Why shouldn't she talk to me?"  She took a few steps and placed her arm around Adele's shoulders, gently leading her to the window.  Kelly hopped up onto the ledge, and motioned for Adele to do the same.

            Adele was then wracked with indecision.  On the one hand, here was this girl who held her family's darkest secret in the palm of her hand, and who had made threats, and clearly had frightened her cousin, whom Adele had previously regarded as fearless.  On the other hand, Kelly didn't seem to want to do her any harm, merely her goal was to find out more about Adele and her family.  She became gripped with the sudden urge to spill all her secrets to this kind girl, who had taken an interest in her when no one else would.

            Unfortunately, for Adele, Kelly was much more conniving then she let on.  She had sensed that Adele was someone who had few friends but who was desperate for one, and, as we know, Kelly's guesses were dead on.  Kelly knew that she would need only a little magic to get this poor trusting soul under her complete control.

            Adele actually reminded Kelly strongly of Ginny.  Both girls were young and unsure of themselves, and both latched on to the first friendly face.  And both girl's had needed only minimal amounts of magic to convince them that Kelly was a "trustworthy" soul.

"Pity that both of them are so trusting... that might result in their doom one of these days.  Got to be very careful whom you trust now... I'm living proof of that!" 

Hiding an impish grin, Kelly kept her countenance to one of concern and compassion, and patted the stone next to her, once again motioning that Adele should join her.  With some hesitation, Adele finally raised herself up onto the stone, biting her lower lip and avoiding looking at her cousin.

Draco's fury was great.  "Adele!" he exclaimed once again, taking a few steps to get closer to the window. 

"Oh can it Malfoy."  With another swish of her hand, Draco was frozen again, the only things that retained motion were his eyes, which darted around furiously.  Adele jumped from the ledge, covering her mouth with her hands.  She was afraid of Kelly again, her trusting nature and Kelly's simple charm now overtaken again by her fear.

"Unfreeze him, please!" she begged Kelly.  "I'll tell you whatever you want to know, just don't hurt us!"

Kelly's heart twinged at the girl's plea.  She had heard those words before; she had spoken those words before.

Adele and Draco watched as Kelly's eyes became glassy with a far-off look in them.  She had hopped off the ledge and now sank to her knees in the soft hay.  She cradled her head in her hands, and to the surprise of the two cousins... she began to cry.

A black shape rushed past Adele and the still frozen Draco, and the massive bird wrapped one of his enormous wings protectively around the sobbing girl.

"You two, get out of here," the bird commanded in his deep, resounding voice, "Now."

Adele, voiceless, looked at Draco, then back at the bird.  With a nod of understanding, the bird waved his wing, and Draco was released from his captivity.  Still stunned, both of the Slytherins turned tail and fled, anxious to be out of the Owlry as fast as humanly possible. 

"Rachel?" Dante whispered, still with his wing wrapped around her.  She lifted her head, cheeks glistening with tears.

"Did you hear what she said, Dante?  Did you hear!  I said that, me!  Four years ago I was the one begging!"  A fresh bout of tears spilled forth from her eyes and she began to rock slightly.  "I can't do this, I can't!  Not to these poor children... I'm frightening them, putting spells on them, lying, deceiving... I'm no better than Him!"

Dante's red eyes flashed at the despair in her voice, and his next words were very stern.  "Don't say that ever again Rachel.  It's not true, and you know that!  One mistake does not make you evil, and you cannot give up.  Not now, not when we are so close!  Think of Kamy, remember her!  Remember her smile, her laugh!  Remember comforting her when she was scared and playing with her when she was happy!  Remember her part in all this; what she must do ere the end of us all.  Remember your responsibility to her, the task you accepted when you took on the care of Kamali Asha.  Remember that and take strength, take heart.  These children will understand when all is over and done with, but will she, if you abandon her?"

Kelly sniffled, then wiped her eyes with the back of her robe's sleeve.  Taking a deep, shuddering sigh, she got to her feet.

"Well, I guess that didn't go so bad… you know, with the exception of my nervous breakdown at the end there."  Kelly let out a weak chortle.  Dante, returning to his emotionless state, stared hard at the door of the Owlry.

"What of those two… do you think they'll go to Dumbledore?" he asked Kelly in their mind-speak.

"Somehow, I don't think they will.  As of now, I'm sure they're too scared and confused to do much of anything but babble."

"But afterwards, when they collect themselves?"

"I think they will keep it between them.  They have a lot at stake too, remember.  If they tell on me, I'm sure that they would think that I would spill their secret on them.  I wouldn't of course, but there's no reason for them to know that."  She trailed off, her eyes sparkling with cold-hearted humor. 

"Then it would seem that we are of agreement."

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Eugh… I'm sorry, this was terribly short. Probably terrible too!  I meant to make this longer, but I rather liked that stopping point… not to mention the fact that I've got three other fics that need updating and homework, housework, fencing practice, yearbook meetings, theater auditions (which will hopefully turn into rehearsals soon!) … the list just goes on and on.  So, this chapter is short, basically because I don't have much spare time, but I really wanted to give you guys a little bit more to read.

I've got some thank you's here…

Torrential Zephyr-  Let me see if I can answer any of your questions… darn it, I can't!  I can reply to one of your comments though!  Yes, it is very sad that Adele is related to the Malfoys.  Who knows though… perhaps something good will be happening to her soon!  Thank you for such kind words… made me blush!  I'm sorry that this chapter wasn't nearly as good as the last one… it really pales in comparison.  The next chapter will (hopefully) be better though!  Thank you again sooooo much!  Also, I saw that Tom Riddle has been updated… This weekend I will hopefully be able to catch up in your fics! 

Quiet One- FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!FARIN! FARIN! FARIN! FARIN!
not legolas.... FARIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that pretty much sums things up… *g* 

But anyways, thanks for being such a cool person and a great reviewer and friend!  You rule!  (even despite that horrid event that took place at the end of chapter 13…)  I hope you update soon though, cos I can't wait to see how you fix that little, er "problem"!  ~tee hee hee~  Now I'm just being obsessive, I know.  *sigh* I can't help it though… weirdness is just a part of me, I guess!  But thanks, especially for that loong review!  I just luv long ones…!!!  As for you're guesses… we'll see!  I must say, you're pretty good at drawing conclusions… but I ain't sayin no more!

FawkesnFlame- Oh, thanks so much!  Firstly for being such an awesome reviewer, and secondly for lending me Filly!  Seriously, she has really helped my plot… It's so much better than the one I had originally!  Thank you again… and I can't wait for the next chapter of Marauders and book 3!!!!!!!!!!! 

WhetherRose- I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD THAT YOU'RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  *does a happy dance*  thank you for all the kind comments /and/ for posting such an incredible eleventh chapter!  " …you'd switch from Draco/Adele and I'd be disappointed to not be able to read more about them, but then you'd go to Kelly or Harry and I'd be riveted again and not want to stop reading about them..."  Hmmm… I know the feeling!!  Reminds me of when a certain story switches from Marauders to Harry's time… hmmm… =D  Oh, yay!  You've asked questions I can answer!!!  Yes, Remus /will/ be playing a part in this!  I haven't finalized the details yet as to just what he will be doing, but he will be in this!!!  And, if you liked Filly, my suggestion is to go and read "The Marauders and book 3" by FawkesnFlame… it's really good and mega-funny!  FawkesnFlame was so sweet in letting me borrow Filly… thanks again Liz!!!  Okay, let's see… I can't answer your questions about Kelly (yet) but things should (if I'm doing this right) be beginning to come together!  Actually, I've been gasping while reading some of the guesses!  Some people (well, like, everyone practically) have made some guesses that are very… well, I won't say, but I will say that *`*`*~*`*`*MY REVIEWERS ARE VERY SMART PEOPLE!!! KUDOS TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*`*`*~*`*`*  =D… if that helps *g* 

Thank you so very, very much for all your amazingly sweet comments!  I was so touched after reading your review… and inspired!  I was like, "my gosh, Rose liked this, I've just got to type up some more!"  Thank you sososo much, you lifted my spirits up really high!

PinkPineapple-  Oh my goodness, thank you!!!  I'm gonna see if I can possibly answer your questions without giving too much away…

1) the cat charm is a little muggle charm, but it's special… and it's extra features will be explained soon!

2) Kamy is a girl(which you knew, of course.  I'm just being a little redundant today) and her full name is Kamali Asha.  If you were to look up that name (well, names) at, like, babynames.com, that might provide a bit more insight on her character.

3) she's gotta do something… =D

4) becos Kelly is

5) She's at Hogwarts because her father moved the family there so they would be closer to the Malfoys.  Why they wanted to be closer to the Malfoys is yet to be explained…

6) you'll see!

7) oh, it'll be interesting, to see what Herm does with her newfound information… very interesting..

8) Yay, I've already answered this!!!  oh good!!!

And see, Adele walked away, unscathed!  Like I said, she's one of my favvie characters as well, so she probably won't wind up hurt, at least, not by Kelly's hand.

I hope this chapter was satisfactory… I dunno how pleased I am yet… Thank you bunches and bunches for everything… oh, and Sira and Seleth!  Sira and Seleth!!!   And we've got to really start badgering Quiet One about the whole Legolas/Kolia/Farin thing… FARIN!!  I'm glad to know that we are not the only Farin supporters anymore tho.. there are a couple others now!  and one last note.. a happy ending for Seleth and Sira please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (oh, and PLEASE consider doin a letter thing LotR stlye… the HP one was just soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funny, I can't even begin to imagine what you could do in Middle-Earth!!!!!!!!!)  Thanks again!!!

Okay, I'm pretty sure that's it as far as thank you's go... I hope it is!  I'm really sorry if anyone has been forgotten, it wasn't intentional, I promise!

Thanks so much guys… all the support really means so much!

luv always,

Hollie