Disclaimer: I own nothing but the obvious, the rest belongs to JK Rowling.
Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews, and hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Authors Note2: This is the un-betaed version, the correct will be up as soon as my betas finish.
-Chapter Twenty-One-
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Harry nearly grinned as Snape ordered him to stay after class that Friday. He had been looking forward to this all week, awaiting the time the Potion Master would calm enough to ask him to join the RAV.
"Yes sit?" he asked as he stepped up in front of the Professors desk.
The Head of Slytherin rubbed his eyes; it was clearer than Veritaserum that Potter already knew what he was going to ask him about. The innocent tone and the wild twinkle in the boy's green eyes told him so. And he had a feeling the brat wasn't going to make it easier on him.
"Potter-" he began but was cut off as there came a knock on the door. "Come in Theron!" he yelled, using the First Vampires fake name even if he had a feeling Potter knew the real one.
Cian entered and closed the door after himself. "Ah, good I wasn't late." He smiled.
"Excuse me sirs, but what is going on here?" Harry asked and could feel the highly amused look Cian sent him and also the highly annoyed one Snape bestowed upon him. both of them knew that he knew what they were going to ask him about.
"Potter, you know what's going on, don't play dumb." Snape snapped. "Dumbledore's the head of a secret organisation, the Resistance Against Voldemort, and he wants you to join."
"I see you're doing fine here without my help, Severus." Cian said, eyes twinkling.
The irate Potion Master glared at the vampire, who grinned cheekily.
'I think it's best if you join,' the voice spoke up. 'If not it could cause suspicion. Rex Chase declined, and now you – that is if you do, which you're not going to do because I say so.'
'How old are you really?'
'Very old, why?'
'You sound like a five-year-old right there.' Harry deadpanned while pretending to think over the proposition. He really had no choice but to join.
"Well?" Snape asked after a couple of minutes. "What's your decision?"
"I'll join." Harry replied faking eagerness. "I want to see Voldemort burning in hell for everything he has done to me!"
'Don't overdo it, Harry.' Cian's voice penetrated his head.
'Shut up.' Harry replied.
Snape looked carefully at them both. "That would be all Potter, get lost. And Theron, I have something to talk to you about. My office is that way." He pointed to the door to his right and Cian entered. The Head of Slytherin glared at Harry before following.
'Someone's grumpy.' Harry commented as he left the classroom.
'Not only he, Mayon's free in the castle as well. He and Bianca sorted their troubles and now are on a manhunt for you. The only good thing from this is that we finally know what's been bothering Hermione.'
'Yeah, but it came with a high price.' Harry sighed.
~*~*~*~ FLASHBACK ~*~*~*~
Hermione screamed.
Harry jumped up and turned, a curse ready to send the attacker to the deepest regions of hell. But when he saw what had scared the Prefect he relaxed and sat down again.
Three wolves, two grown-ups and a cub, had appeared on the other side of the stream. The stopped and looked at them a bit, before coming down to drink from the water. The Gryffindor girl retreated until she was nearly hiding behind the demon.
(Calm down, they won't hurt you.) Harry told her.
"That's easy for you to say." Mumbled the girl.
Harry looked closely at her. She was shaking, her voice was wavering, her skin was pale as a vampires. And her eyes were fixed on the wolves, watching every move the animals made. The Pretender looked between his friend and the wolves a couple of times, before the puzzle fell into place.
(Wolves!!! You're afraid of wolves, or better said Werewolves!) he jumped up scaring the animals away. (A friend of yours, Remus Lupin, is a Werewolf, as is a Gryffindor first year!)
"H-how do you know about that?"
(I've been feeding off Remus' fears for years, and the first-years ever since I crashed. But what's to be afraid of?) he asked.
"I……… I was out once at the end of last year at the full moon. I was gathering some Moondust flowers for Professor Sprout when a Werewolf attacked. Luckily, or unluckily, a giant Acromantula did the same at the same time. The two beasts collided and I ran off. I collapsed on the Hogwarts ground and when I opened my eyes I saw Remus Lupin standing over me." Hermione looked down.
(You can't let that ruin your friendship with the man,) Harry said, putting a hand on the girls shoulder. (He's like that only once a month, and is given the Wolfsbane Potion. He won't hurt you – the same with the first year. Right now you're being extremely stupid.)
Hermione sobbed and leaned on him, her head settle on the demon's strong shoulder. The skin felt like silk under her fingers and she hugged the boy as close as possible. She let the tears take free reign of her, and cried on his shoulder. She knew he was right, but she was just so scared!
Harry was surprised when Hermione did that, but put his arms around her. (Let it all out, go back to the school and tell Harry and Ron everything. They'll help you get through this. You can tell it to Lupin and Amaris, and let them help you with it as well.)
The Gryffindor girl looked up at the demon, leaned up, puckered her lips and made to kiss him; but Quis stepped out of her reach at once, looking at her as though she was mad. She advanced but he didn't retreat. Instead his eyes narrowed and a black see-through fire appeared around his fists.
(What do you think you're doing?) came the hiss.
"Please, Quis, I didn't mean to-"
(You don't know what would've happened if I'd let you go through with that!) he shouted then calmed. (I think it's time I departed.) He flexed his wings and rose into the air.
"Quis, no! Wait, please don't go! I love you!"
(No you don't,) came the sad answer. (You are meant for someone else, but we'll meet again in the future. Don't forget to call me if you ever need help.) With that he exploded into thousands of little lights that disappeared in thin air, leaving a heartbroken Hermione Granger behind, with tears marring her features.
~*~*~*~ END FLASHBACK ~*~*~*~
'That's Quis out of the picture.' The voice said.
'And Hermione's heartbroken.' Harry shook his head as he stepped up in the Entrance Hall. He looked up and saw a slightly down Hermoine slowly approach Accalia Amaris, and offer her help to the girl with her Transfiguration homework. 'She'll get over it soon enough.' He thought to himself.
'Indeed she will. She's a lioness.' The voice replied proudly.
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That night Harry ventured out into the Forbidden Forest once again. This time, when the Ammon Nuru picked up on him, he didn't retreat but followed the powerful pull towards its source. He stepped through some trees and was at once nearly knocked over by a golden blur of light.
"HARRY!!!!!!! YOU'RE HERE!!!!!!!"
"Giri?!" Harry laughed as the tiny snitch-like bird settled into his hands. "So this is where you've been hiding!"
The bird looked sheepish. "I meant to come and tell you that I would be spending time here, but every time something distracted me. I'm sorry."
"No need, I'm just happy that you're alright." Harry stroked the golden feathers and looked up. He could barely keep his mouth from dropping open.
The Amon Nuru stood in front of him. It was a tiger on the size of a horse, no stripes marred the pure white fur. Huge, white, shining winds stretched from its shoulder blades all the way back to its back legs. The claws and fangs of the creature were made out of diamond, sharper than anything else in the world, and able to cut through stone and bit though bone. The pupil-less silvery eyes glowed in the dark, making the whole creature look like a ghost-like terror.
"Come forth, young wizard." The Nuru spoke with an old, deep voice. Harry obediently stepped forward. The majestic creature stared into his eyes. "Yes, it is you." It smiled.
"E- erm – excuse me, b-but what are you t-talking about?" Harry's legs were shaking in his boots. He was sure that even Voldemort and Dumbledore would be hard pressed to keep looking at the Nuru.
"Nothing at all, just the musings of an old mind." The silvery eyes shined. "You have some questions, cub. I will answer some of them, but choose wisely."
"So as he says Harry." The boy in question looked up at the second voice and grinned. "So we meet again."
"Firenze!" the green-eyed young man exclaimed happily. It was only then that he noticed that the Nuru was surrounded by all kind of creatures. Rabbits, owls, fwoopers, centaurs, wolves, you name it. All of them were rubbing up against the giant tiger like kittens.
"Indeed it is me," the blond centaur smiled. "The questions, Harry." He reminded gently.
"Oh, yes." Harry turned back to the tiger, steeled his nerves and looked the ancient creature straight into the eyes. "Where is the Sword of Excalibur?"
The Nuru seemed amused. "On the island of Avalon, and the only way to get there is with a Royal Eagle. Once there you have to draw the sword from its scabbard and the enchantment on the place will be lifted. After that everyone will be able to fin their way to the island, but few will know its name."
"What is the sword used for?" Harry was sweating. He wanted to look away, but the Nuru was holding him captivated with its gaze.
"It is magic. It is neither good nor evil, but it can be used for both purposes. That depends on the bearer." Came the answer.
"How do I get in contact with a Royal Eagle?" he was starting to shake. He could feel the Nuru running on the paths of his mind, prodding, searching. It hurt.
"You wont need to. The Eagles fly over the castle every night. They have been waiting for this for quite some time." The eyes shone even brighter.
Harry was forced to his knees. "Wh……… why is Vol……… Voldemort after me?" he managed to hiss.
The silvery eyes exploded in a shower of sparks. "That I cannot tell you."
Then there was blackness.
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"Now here are our problems." The silent Death Eaters watched as their Lord and Master paced to and fro in front of them. "One: We've got to capture Rex Chase. Two: We've got to capture Harry Potter; and three: we're going to attack the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix." Voldemort smirked as his men cheered. "Indeed my minions. I think it's a fitting way of letting the public know that I have returned………. That is, if that blubbering fool Fudge doesn't mess it up and blame it on some Muggle terrorist act."
"My Lord," Lucius Malfoy dared to speak up. "When are these things going to happen?"
"Soon, Malfoy, soon. I give you the task of organising the search for Chase; take Nott and his group with you. Avery, you are going to lead the attack at the Phoenix Headquarters. Take most of the death Eaters with you, understand?"
"Yes, My Lord." Avery bowed and left the same way Malfoy had, quickly followed by most of the Death Eaters in the room.
"And Rookwood." Voldemort smirked again. "My most devious follower. I'm going to need your help in figuring out how to get Potter out of that infernal school, and what the hell happened with our spy."
"Yes sire." The tall, thin man bowed deeply before disappearing as well.
#Well my dear,# Voldemort hissed to Nagini. #Everything appears to go swimmingly, to use Dumbledores words.#
#And what if the brat escapes again, Master. What then?#
#He won't have the chance to do so this time, I'll make sure of that. Last time I made a fatal error, I talked too much and gave him time; but I learn from my mistakes, something that cannot be said for him. No, he won't escape this time.#
#If you're sure, Master. I would ssssoo like to taste his flesh.#
#And that you will.# The Dark Lord looked into the fire, his red eyes shining. #That you will.#
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That's that. So, what do you think?
I am also sad to say that there won't be many more chapters in this fic. The end's nearing folks, but then there's the Saga 4 to look forward to.
Thanks to:
Naia, Shadowed Chaos, JerseyGirl03, Anora, Mack, BratPrincess-187, my pen name, godri1, WolfMoon, leaps, Fin-Phoenix, Dragon Tamer 47, Arizosa, Water Fire Girl, Rachel A. Prongs, gaul1, Hitokiri Battousai, SSSRoaB, phoenixrising1, water drifter, chaser1, Lily-Rose3, Miranda Flairgold, Fox890, Witchmaster, ficfan, Makina Kitsune, Jason Potter, neha, Catatonic, Abby, Zrevyx Sharee, Jeah and Twilight Dusk.
Check out the story I got from jess0007, Saga Side Story: The Revelation. Isn't it great?!!!
