With or Without You
A Harry Potter Fanfiction: Book Six
1.
Chase Axel Solomon, Aurelia's boyfriend, was staying with her at the Malfoy Manor together. Her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend Draco's place. Draco's girlfriend, Pearl Florence Sparks was Aurelia's best friend. Draco and Chase were going to be made Death Eaters but still, Aurelia and Pearl tried to make the best of these final happy holidays.
They went on trips to the dandelion meadows. But the Willow Tree had died. They laughed crazily at parties, drinking Firewhisky and sharing kisses. But in the end, everyone cried silently in bed. They met up with Harry, Hermione and Ron, having to pretend that Draco and Chase were alright. But it was almost death itself to hide something from your best friends. And then, it was time. Draco pulled away from Pearl's grip. "Go away, lady."
"Ferret, I- just think-"
"Enough! I'm serving my heritage." Pearl nodded quickly and ran away. "Hello, my dear girl. I see you've met my... hostile... younger self. I hope he didn't frighten you. Me, as your grandfather want you to be loved. Which is why... you are the..." Lord Voldemort's voice became raspy. "New... Saviour of the Death Eaters. The Girl who Lived. Now, bring your right wrist to me, since you are left-handed." Aurelia couldn't do it. Then, the Dark Lord pulled her right hand to him. He pointed his wand at one of her veins. A small lightning shaped Mark slowly appeared. The pain was so strong that Aurelia couldn't feel the pain at all. Chase, standing in the background of the manor, turned away, but the Death Eaters smirked at his pain and turned him back around again. Next, it was Draco and Chase. Pearl Florence Sparks was then told to stay away from her boyfriend. The Dark Lord said, "Your guy friend has a job to do. A job that is ten times, maybe even a hundred, times better than you." Aurelia felt a pang of guilt. What was Voldemort going to assign to them? "Ah, yes. You have an assignment. From me. Kill Dumbledore." Aurelia's eyes widened. Chase simply nodded. Out of his mouth, he whispered, "I'm already a Death Eater. I can't get more cursed than this." Aurelia regretted nodding.
2.
At school again, Aurelia finally got the chance to see Mala. It was Sorting Hat time. Mala grinned at her fellow classmates, but her upper lip curled up when she saw Pearl and Aurelia. Aurelia heard some words spoken by her. "Palmer, who's that?"
"Oh, just some random freak I used to know. She's disgusting. Miss Pearl Florence Sparks." Mala stepped up. "Hate... a Ravenclaw. Hmmm... Cunning pranks! Slytherin... Kindness...? Oh, I know. GRYFFINDOR!" Mala laughed out loud, much to Professor McGonagall's dismay. She joined the kids at the Gryffindor table. Ron, Hermione and Harry looked unsteadily at the girl scoffing down potatoes. Mala smiled, like she was enjoying this experience. Mala was comfortable in her new environment. But Pearl wasn't. Chase nodded at her from the Ravenclaw table. Pearl looked guilty, like last year when Sirius Black had been murdered. This year, Aurelia had so many missions on. One, kill Dumbledore. Two, find out who Aurelia's mother was. Three, actually try to help Harry, Hermione and Ron.
3.
Aurelia's birthday soon came. Her birthday was the 10th of September, and Hogwarts term started in September as well. So, her friends always celebrated it with her.
"Happy birthday, Love." Chase hugged Aurelia, when they walked together to Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Thanks, Sparky."
"You want me to sleep in the Slytherin dorms tonight? Aurelia nodded. Chase was a special Ravenclaw. A Slytherclaw, to be exact. He could attend classes with her. He could even sleep in the same dorm as her. Professor Snape's face lit up when he saw his star students walk into the class. "Ah, yes, Miss Riddle and Master Solomon. Sit down. You're just in time." Classes with Professor Snape always went better than all others. "Oh, and Miss Riddle, happy 16th birthday. I remember my 16th birthday... very well, let's say." Aurelia smiled sweetly and sat down next to Chase. Later, Chase and Aurelia walked to Potions. The new professor, Horace Slughorn was teaching them about Felix Felicis, the Liquid Luck. Harry had found a new book. The Half-Blood Prince's book. But none of them knew who the so-called Prince was. Aurelia took the book and studied the cover. "This is old. Maybe... before any of us were born." Chase looked concerned but swiped the look of his face.
Once classes were over for the day, Aurelia's party started. Some Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were even invited to the Slytherin dorms! Aurelia herself was dressed in a short black skirt and her old Slytherin Seeker jumper.
Chase grabbed two glasses of Firewhiskey. Handing one to Aurelia, he grinned. "Heard you're hanging out at the music rooms at Hogwarts now. I mean, I always knew you could play the piano really well, but..."
"What? It's relaxation. Like how you play the guitar, Sparky."
"Yeah, sure. But I think we should focus on... the mission." Chase's aqua eyes shimmered with fear. Aurelia smiled.
"Let's not think about that." She grabbed his collar and pulled his lips to hers
"We're allowed to go."
So, Chase went into Aurelia's dorm for the night. He was in a Ravenclaw Seeker's jumper and track pants. Aurelia wore her Keeper's jumper and blue shorts. "Oh, Miss Riddle, you look prettier when getting ready for bed." Being themselves in their own company was satisfying. They settled in bed.
4.
Pearl was shocked. Draco had done it. Poisoning Katie Bell with a necklace. She slapped his face. "Stop. Stop this. Please."
"No need for you to say so. It's not like I want to do this."
"Draco. You can pull out. Lucius-"
"STOP. My father is going to get out of Azkaban if I do this. Besides, if I step out, won't your BELOVED CHASE AND AURELIA HAVE TO DO THE JOB?"
"I'd rather you pull out. I'd even let Aurelia do the job and die than you do it." At this time, Pearl was counting money that the Weasleys had given her for setting up their shop. And when I say counting, I mean her staring at the piles of coins.
"450 Galleons, 67 Sickles and 48 Knuts."
"Pearl. Don't ignore me."
"Draco. Please go... I want to practise my violin. I'm doing a duet with Aurelia."
5.
Aurelia visited Professor Slughorn's memories. She had always had a knack for looking in other people's Pensieves.
Once she got there, she saw Chase sitting with Pearl. She walked up to their bench and sat. Pearl had her hands on her face, quietly weeping. Aurelia guessed that this was because of Pearl's party, one that happened with many events about two months ago. Partly, this was Aurelia's fault. It was pretty much time for a flashback session.
At Pearl's 16th birthday, October the 26th. Draco was laughing with most of his Slytherin friends. Nearby, Aurelia frowned. She couldn't have this ruckus disturbing her thoughts! So, she went up to the small group. "Hey! Please, could you guys quiet down? I'm trying to think."
Draco merely grinned. Chase looked worried, with a hint of stress. Draco managed to say, "Look. Miss Riddle. I know you're sad and all that you broke up with me two years ago... but please control yourself." Then he guffawed. "Never mind. You've got a guy. Again. I think I KNOW WHAT YOU EXPECT ME TO SAY. Oh, I'm stupid! Idiotic! And you'll say I'm so insane and run away." Aurelia saw red. She slapped him.
"Hmm... I guess I could say this. I'M SICK OF SPILLING OUT MY SOUL. YOU DON'T EVEN REALISE HOW MUCH PAIN YOU CAUSED ME!"
"Lia... I HATE YOU. I HOPE YOU REALISE THAT."
"Malfoy. TIME CAN HEAL BUT THIS WON'T. EVER. GO AWAY!"
"Wait! Aurelia! Before you go-"
"PLEASE. I'M LEAVING."
"Was there.. something that I could have said to make you feel better about being with me. How you wanted someone else."
"It was never the right time for anything. My feelings lessened, little by little until there was nothing left."
She left him. Again.
5.
Pearl daintily smiled, then left. Aurelia realised how much like a fragile fairy Pearl was. Someone who had experienced so much should be broken by now. Chase turned to Aurelia. "Love. You came to plan. Right?"
"But Sparky. Would I be better off now if I'd let my walls down with Malfoy?"
"Everything ends, Aurelia. I guess we'll never know now. Same with Dumbledore. He's going to be gone soon. Draco's not pulling out yet, but we'll be there when it's time."
"Yes, Chase."
Looking down at her revealed right wrist, Chase frowned at the familiar black shape of Harry's scar. "Look, I'm sorry you got marked."
Aurelia nodded. "And I'm sorry too. For flaring up at Malfoy. But look!" She revealed a beautiful flower-shaped diadem on the back of her head. Chase stared in awe.
"That looks like it was passed down from..."
"Merlin himself. But his wizarding line stopped. So, my family... the Riddles took it from him." Chase suddenly focused on the diadem. Something was wrong. There was a green substance starting to spread on her neck. "Love-"
It was too late. Aurelia Riddle collapsed. Chase had no time to catch her before someone in a black cloak swept her off in the direction of the Astronomy Tower.
6.
Dumbledore stood straight with Harry by his side. Chase and Draco were standing there as well, both wands pointing at the old man. "Lia. You took her, right?"
Dumbledore smiled, an old wisp of happiness in his smile. "Ariana. She reminded me of her. In all the six years I've seen her. I found her at the cave I went to."
Bellatrix Lestrange appeared out of the darkness. She whispered to Draco. "Kill him." Draco could not follow this order. Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Draco... You're not like this." Draco had a defeated look on his face. Bellatrix grinded her teeth. "Don't listen to this fool. KILL HIM!" A body lay beside both brooms of Harry and Dumbledore. Aurelia slightly woke up. Her eyes glowed green. "W-what?"
Chase ran to her.
"Albus Dumbledore... I have never been so grateful in my life. Please live."
"I'm sorry... Master Solomon... I might not be able to fulfill this wish you have.
Snape appeared out of the darkness. One spell echoed out of his mouth.
Avada Kedavra.
Aurelia screamed. Dumbledore's body fell out of the Astronomy Tower window. Chase and she ran to the window frame. Aurelia cried out, "DUMBLEDORE! PLEASE..."
Voldemort appeared in her mind. "Weak child... your parents trained you better than this. I TRAINED YOU BETTER THAN THIS." Nagini hissed angrily. Aurelia snapped out of it. "This principal... sacrificed himself for the better of his students. This man... will always be remembered." Chase bowed his head. Draco sneered.
"Weaklings.:" He ran off.
In the lower half of the castle, Aurelia could hear the remaining Death Eater crashing plates and causing ruckus in the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin dining hall tables. This Hogwarts... was going through a new and different life from what it was used to.
Aurelia made her eyes glow green. A prophecy ran through her lips. In a snake's hissing voice, she read out,
"Without a purpose, the girl will die.
A loved boy with a spark will have to stick together or the world will fall.
Another Undecided must help out
Hogwarts is undergoing uncontrollable pressure
This unstoppable trio will save the wizarding world together..."
Chase's eyes widened. Aurelia went back to normal. He grabbed both her hands and said, "Come with me. We need to escape." She shook her head.
"No. I speak prophecies now. We need to find out how Voldemort gave me these abilities. Let's go back to the Death Eaters."
"No. Let's attend Dumbledore's funeral."
7.
As expected, the whole school was crowded outside Hogwarts to watch the farewell to their beloved principal. Aurelia tiptoed her way to Harry, Hermione and Ron. Harry glared at her. "
So, Miss Riddle. Don't come near me. You didn't do anything to protect him."
"Harry, he knew. He knew Snape would kill him. I know our Headmaster."
"Yes, but it's your fault that you even had faith in Snape."
"No, I have even more faith in him now. He must have a reason."
Hermione patted Harry's back. Ronald Weasley looked disappointed that wasn't him. Hermione started, "Harry. Aurelia's smart. She must be right."
"Oh, and Harry? I speak prophecies now."
Harry looked shocked. "I can figure it out. Please, I'll forgive you. Tell me the prophecy." Once Aurelia repeated the fatal lines, Harry was lost in thought.
"Last time, you were the girl in the first line. A loved boy with a spark... What do you call Chase?"
"Sparky."
"Ok. That's him. Another Undecided... I don't know. Maybe they... are undecided in a certain spell."
Aurelia knew.
"PEARL FLORENCE SPARKS!"
