Again I just want to say thank you for all the reviews. Sorry this took a
while to come out. And again, thank you Kari, my prereader.
Chapter twelve: A Night of Foreboding
Sitting down near the lake, Bunny sighed heavily. The new term had started, and she found herself alone once more. Quidditch practices had started again, keeping Fred and George busy. Hermione was back, so Harry and Ron were with her in the library once again.
Bunny propped her head up with her hands, and stared distantly out at the lake. The snow had melted, and lately it had begun to rain. Which seemed to be the exact weather she found herself sitting in.
It was cold, but she hardly noticed, and the rain pelted down on her repeatedly in a steady tempo. She sighed again, staring longingly at the lake. She was having too many dreams about the water, and she wondered if she should tell Dumbledore about it. She was supposed to keep them informed about her 'defect', as Pomfrey called it. Only a few knew about it, and she wanted to keep it that way. It was her secret, that only Dumbledore, McGonagall and Pomfrey knew. She was too afraid what anyone would think if they found out.
"Oy Bunny!"
She lifted her head, and looked behind her. She smiled warmly, "Hey Mina."
She patted the wet grass next to her, and the blonde haired girl plopped down at her side. "You would never guess it was early January." Mina shook her head at the weather. "A bummer really."
Bunny nodded in agreement. She pulled out her water bottle from the pocket of her robes, and took a long swallow. She put the bottle away, and turned her gazed back out at the lake. She faintly wondered what the merpeople were up to. Professor Dumbledore, never told her if he had found out why the merman had saved her, or why he had done this to her.
Somehow he had been able to hear her thoughts, and she had heard his. Could he still hear her thoughts? Heat rose to her cheeks, and she greatly hoped not.
"Bunny you okay, you're all red." She nodded, and pushed herself to her feet. "Why don't we go to the Great Hall and get some food, Mina." The blonde nodded, "Sounds good to me."
She looked up when Luna entered the room, with a familiar white cat. "Hey Luna, Artimis." She smiled at the two cats. Artimis was Mina's favorable companion. They were barely ever apart, which meant Luna would disappear quite often.
The black cat jumped onto the bed, and curled up next to her. "How are you Bunny?" Glowing red eyes peered up at her from where her head rested on her paws. Bunny shrugged nonchalantly, "Pretty well. Haven't seen you in a while, what have you been up to?"
Blue eyes scanned the room, landing on a certain white cat. Luna looked away, "I…well Artimis showed me all the good hunting grounds."
"Uh huh." Bunny smiled, as the door to the room opened. Mina entered the room, "Have you seen. Oh there you are Artimis. Come one boy." She scooped the cat up into her arms, and turned to leave. "Are you coming to the game Bunny?"
The blonde looked up from her potions book. She was really getting far behind in her work, but she needed to keep an eye on Harry. She looked down at her schoolbook. Where had all the days gone. It had felt like the other day was December, and she was looking into the mirror of Erised.
But it was February already, the year was slipping by, and soon she would be back on the Hogwarts express going home.
"I'll meet you there okay." Mina grinned, "All right!" She turned, and stalked from the room. Luna lifted her head, staring after the white cat. Bunny smirked, "You can go with them Luna, if you want."
The black cat looked at her, "Are you sure?" When she nodded, the cat climbed to her feet, before jumping down from the bed. "I'll see you at the game Bunny."
The blonde waved, and watched the cat race off after Artimis and Mina. Sighing, she shut her book, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
She had missed most of the last game, but now it was Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff. Shaking her head, Bunny slipped on her shoes, and threw on her robe. Hurrying from the room, she bounded down the corridor. It was quite handy at having the dormitory so close to the exit of the school.
She entered the entrance hall, and ran across the foyer. She threw the doors open, before leaving the school. She could hear shouts from the Quidditch pitch.
Everyone had already arrived.
"How long do you think Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone wanna bet? What about you, Weasley?"
Bunny looked over from where she stood in the Gryffindor stands. Why on earth were the Slytherins sitting with the Gryffindors? She frowned, when Draco went on to insult the team out on the Quidditch pitch.
Her lips formed a line, her eyes slightly narrowing. He could be really cruel when he wanted to be. She shook her head; trying to catch was the boy was saying.
"-You should be on the team, Longbottom, since you've got no brains."
She had reached the stands, just in time to catch the end of the conversation, the game already starting. Ron and Hermione were sitting in the front, staring anxiously out at the game.
She blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts, when Hermione shouted, "Ron! Look!!" She pointed out to the game, where Harry had taken a sharp dive to the ground. Hermione was practically bouncing around the stands with excitement. "You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's must have spotted some money on the ground." Bunny gasped in horror, as Ron tackled Malfoy to the ground, swinging his fists in the air. Next thing she knew, Neville, the round- faced Gryffindor, jumped over his chair, and attacked Crabbe and Goyle.
"Come one Harry!!" Hermione waved her arms around in the air, hooting and hollering for joy. She seemingly went unaffected by the fight just behind her.
Bunny jerked out her wand, and didn't even hesitate, at pointing at Ron, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The red haired boy yelped, his body lifting into the air.
Draco smirked, as he climbed to his feet, "Thanks Moon." But before he could even attack the helpless boy floating in front of them, Bunny replied, "I wasn't pulling him off to help." The white haired boy turned around slightly, just as Bunny threw out her arm.
Her fist slammed into his cheek, and taken aback by the blow, he fell over his seat, landing on the other side. Bunny pulled back her hand shaking it, hissing from the pain. She had never hit someone before, and she never planned to do it again.
"Ron! Ron!" Hermione turned on them, her eyes widening at the mess behind her. "What the??" Her eyes swept over the area, before she shook her head. "The game's over, we've won!!!" She stepped over the fallen Slytherin boy, and threw herself at Ron, pulling him down from the levitating spell.
"Gryffindor's in the lead!" Bunny looked out at the pitch. Harry was holding up the snitch proudly. She grinned, pumping the air with her arm, "All right Harry!!!" The pain in her hand faded, as she cheered for the Gryffindor team, even though that meant her team lost.
"B-Bunny. Its good t-t-to see you." The voice penetrated her mind, like something foreboding. Slowly she turned around to see who had snuck up behind her. "Professor Quirrell!" She practically jumped out of her skin. The pale-faced teacher always seemed to give her the creeps.
She bit her tongue, her face covered in a mask of pained pleasure, as she tried to smile at him. Whenever she found herself alone with him, she always seemed to be in a scary situation. The last time she found herself alone with him, was at a dead end at one of the many corridors in the castle. Now she stood outside the forbidden forest, where she had been heading to Hagrid's hut.
"Enjoying, the g-g-game, B-Bunny?" He seemed to be stuttering worst than usual, and she never liked it when he stuttered so much. Taking a step back, she felt a limb from one of the trees press into the small of her back.
"Yes Professor Quirrell. Harry caught the snitch, and won the game." She smiled thinly, as dread washed over her with a cold sweat. He was acting strange. He kept looking over his shoulder, and nervously shifting from one foot to the other.
"Are you all right Professor Quirrell?"
He looked at her, his eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion, before the emotion vanished without a trace. "I-I'm f-f-fine B-Bunny." He took a step towards her, and Bunny stepped back, even though the branch digging into her skin already hurt.
"What are you doing?" She glanced around wildly, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher moved towards her. Her fist clenched, as a spot on her arm began to itch.
Professor Quirrell smiled awkwardly, stopping his advance on her, altogether, "N-nothing. P-P-Please excuse me." He turned from her, and started off in the other direction from Hagrid's hut. She watched him, as he slipped into the forbidden forest.
"Where is he going?" She glanced over at the school, and took only a second to make up her mind. Dashing off after the stuttering professor, she slipped into the dark foreboding trees.
She could hear him up ahead, moving fast. Where was the weak and terrified stuttering professor now? She ducked beneath a low hanging branch, her heart racing. It was like she had thought, an adventure, a mystery. Her heart swelled, tears formed at the corner of her eyes. It was like it used to be with her mother, when they used to follow people down the street.
She paused at the trunk of a tree, and she had to stop to catch her breath. Her fingers wrapped around the thin clothe of her robes, as she fought back the rising hysteria.
The more she learned of this world, the more she saw, the more it made her think of her mother. She had lived three years, without so much as a break down, without a single falter, when her mother was ever mentioned in a conversation. But now here she was, in her mother's world, and Bunny never felt more miserable, or more heart breaking pain. Everywhere she looked, everywhere she turned, it had something to do with her mother.
Her mother's friends, her mother's pictures, and her mother's death.
The image in the mirror hit her full force, and the memory of it, nearly made her stagger on her feet. It had been a horrible image, something she never thought possible. The Mirror of Erised, the mirror that showed the reflection of ones deepest desires.
Was she filled with that much hate, that much malice, that her deepest desire was revenge? Revenge on the being who took away everything she had?
She closed her eyes tightly, willing the image away. She couldn't think of that now, not when the pain was still so fresh.
"D-don't know why you w-wanted t-t-to see me here, of all p-places, Severus." Bunny's eyes opened, at the familiar quiver in Professor Quirrell's voice. Moving closer, she hid behind the thick branches of a tree.
In the small clearing in front of her, two figures stood, bathed in the light of the warm pink and orange glow in the sky. Her eyes moved from Professor Quirrell's face, to the back of someone else. "Snape?"
"Oh, I thought we would keep this private," he paused, his head slightly inclined, as if he was listening for something. Snape shook his head before he looked back at the other professor. "Found a way to get passed that infernal beast of Hagrid's yet?" His arms folded over his chest.
Quirrell shuddered visibly, as if frightened, "B-b-but Severus-"
Snape's jaw clenched, as he stalked forward, cornering the other professor. He hissed, "You don't want me as you enemy, Quirrell."
Bunny leaned forward, trying to overhear them. She barely made out what Quirrell said. "B-but Severus, I-I don't-"
The greasy haired man pulled back, his face set into a scowl. "You know very well what I mean!"
Somewhere above her, Bunny heard an owl hoot noisily, and something stumbled on the branches of the tree she was hiding in. Ignoring it, and any sign of danger, that might lurk in the darkness behind her, she strained to hear the argument.
"I'm onto your little hocus pocus, Quirrell. I'll be waiting."
Quirrell shook his head in denial to Snape accusation, "I d-d-don't-"
Snape turned from the stammering professor with disgust on his face, and in his voice. "Fine, then we'll just have another little chat, when you have had time to think things over, and decide where your loyalties are."
Bunny gasped, taking a step back, when the potion master stepped in her direction. He was coming back to castle, but he was going to take the path she was hiding in!
Stumbling back, she half turn, half bolted, trying to escape before being seen. "No use running Moon, I already know you're here."
The blonde came to an abrupt stop, her body trembling. Uneasily she looked over her shoulder, the fear evident in her eyes. He was like a creature in the night, dressed in all black, his face pale as snow. The hood of his cloak was pulled up over his head, and Bunny was unable to stop the gasp from escaping pass her parted lips.
"So I assume you heard everything." It wasn't a question, not really a statement either. It sounded much closer to an accusation. He stood behind her, his face twisted with slight anger, and slight annoyance. His black eyes didn't betray the emotions he was feeling. Bunny could read the anger boiling within them.
"Moon follow me."
He stalked passed her, pushing his way through the forest back to the school. Having no choice but to follow, she hurried to catch up to the retreating form of her potion master.
"Professor Snape," There was no use denying what she heard, since she had been caught red handed, so to speak. "What is the Sorcerer's Stone?"
Bunny watched, noting the slight hesitation in his brisk walk, before he ducked beneath the low hanging branch. "Do not ask questions, when the topic doesn't concern you."
She frowned, as she followed his example, and soon found herself out of the forbidden forest. "But Professor!"
He whirled on her, his face contorted with rage. The hood that covered his face fell, and the light of the moon made him look dangerous. His hand rose as if to strike her across the face, but he stopped himself, clenching his hand into a fist. "You will be wise to hold your tongue, Moon. You were told never to enter the forest, and you deliberately disobeyed the rules." He paused, breathing heavily through his clench teeth.
He opened his mouth once more, the angry words spilling from his lips, "If you were in my house, you would be out of this school by dawn. But because you are not, you have just found yourself with a months worth of detention." Tears rushed to her eyes, flooding the blue pools, and her bottom lips quivered.
Her being on the verge of crying, only seem to upset him even more. "You will do well, to mind your own business. Don't you dare start crying!"
But the tears were falling, and she was trembling from the sobs rising up in her throat. The potion master stepped back in disgust, when the blonde Hufflepuff collapsed in front of him, sitting on her legs.
"You are worthless, I have high doubt that you are actually Serena's child!" Snape was shaking his head at her, as he spat at her the most insulting sentence ever thrown at her.
Her not being her own mother's child!
It was all she needed, the final blow to the dam that had blockaded the memories, the thoughts, the pain, and unforgettable anguish that had built up over the last three years. She opened her mouth, and a blood-curdling scream ripped passed the barrier of her lips. It tore from her throat, echoed in her ears rattled her teeth, and jarred her bones. Glass from the window nearby shattered by the force. Her scream ricocheted through the air, bouncing off walls, filling the once quiet empty space.
Snape pulled back in alarm, his hands flying up to his ears, but it could not block out the sound. It was hideous, painful, and so terribly loud. It seemed to expand for miles echoing back from the across the lake. It surrounded him, nearly tearing him apart. It was unearthly, just heinous, that deafened him. He couldn't hear anything else; tears of pain rushed to his eyes blinding him, till he couldn't see anything.
The scream went on and on, never ending, never pausing, going on for miles, only to come back, and just as loud.
The doors to the school burst open, people spilling out. Most recoiled back, the scream too loud for them to bear.
Bunny just sat there, blind to anything around her, but her raging emotions, unceasing images that flashed through her mind over and over again. Thoughts, pictures, tore open old wounds in her heart, and her scream grew, louder and louder, the pain too unbearable. Her head tilted upward, her blue eyes blankly staring up at the silver orb in the inky black sky. Her mouth was wide open, it being her only release of the pain and anger in her shattered heart. Tears fell from her dull eyes; slipping from the dam Snape had broken open.
Professor McGonagall hurried to Snape's side, pulling him to his feet. She struggled, trying to help him up, but he was frozen. Hagrid, who had heard the scream from his hut, came to help. Lifting them both he rushed to put distance between him and the ungodly noise. Students were ushered back inside, the teachers only remaining.
Professor Dumbledore pulled out his wand, and pointed to the girl's body. "Quietus." The scream seemed to distinguish, cut off mid yell, only to continue silently.
There were a collective sighs of relief to the surrounding teachers. Professor Sprout worried her brow, "What caused this Albus? I have never heard something so…so dreadful."
Professor Flitwick nodded, "Yes. Surely there is something wrong with her." He shook his head scornfully at the blonde, who appeared to still be screaming.
Dumbledore moved towards Bunny, his face calm. "We need to get her to the lake." Sprout and Flitwick exchanged looks, while Madam Pomfrey hurried to help. The rest of the teachers kept back near the castle wall, watching.
Dumbledore frowned slightly, when he reached her. Madam Pomfrey knelt down, and felt the girl's forehead. "She has a fever, Albus. We need to get her inside quickly." He shook his head, "No. The lake." He pointed his wand at her once more, and whispered, "Mobilicorpus."
Her body lifted from the ground gently, but Bunny seemed to not notice. "Quickly now." Madam Pomfrey nodded, and helped Dumbledore carry the blonde to the lake. Stopping at the edge, Pomfrey asked fretfully, "Why are we bringing her here Albus? She needs medical attention. She will catch her death out here."
Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and his eyes watched the girl sink into the water. "She is speaking in their tongue, Poppy. For us to understand what is wrong with her, we will need to hear what she is saying."
The nurse turned her eyes from the headmaster, to the lake. Bunny was submerged under water, but visible from the surface. Dumbledore then swished his wand through the air, and countered the spell he had cast, "Sonorous!"
Suddenly the air around them came to life, as the scream rose. But unlike before, the cries weren't shrieks that ripped the air like a knife.
A hand flew to her mouth, as she drew in a ragged breath. "Oh dear." Madam Pomfrey shook her head, tears rushing to her eyes. Unlike before the blood-curdling scream, wasn't one long agonizing sound.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, his eyes softening. "Now we know what is wrong. But all we can do, is wait, and hope that they can fix it." Through the once still night air, heartfelt sobs echoed through the surrounding trees, reaching all the way to the castle.
"I want my mommy! I want my mommy! I want my mommy!"
The words filled the air, and sunk into the hearts of everyone who could hear it.
Bunny barely registered the fact that she was under water, repeating the only thing that meant most to her. She could see the sky above her, the darkness surrounding her.
Something grasped the back of her robes, dragging her back, taking away from her world. Light vanished before her eyes, and the darkness of the lake swallowed her. Images blurred before her eyes, making it hard to capture them. They flashed before her eyes, like a film being played over and over again. Reality slipped from her fingers, as she was drug deeper and deeper into the dark. Bunny plummeted down, her legs leaving the muddy floor, and she felt suspended for the briefest of seconds.
Slowly she began to sink, hardly even noticing. It was becoming hard to breathe, her lungs wouldn't drag in air. It was like her lungs closed, but she was still screaming
She just wanted to continue to scream, to vent out the pain aching deep within her chest. She wanted her mother back, wanted her mother to come and take it all away. Her mother would make everything right again. Her mother would know what to do when the world seemed too hard to live in.
But her mother wasn't going to come. Her mother wouldn't be there to comfort her anymore.
Bunny choked on a sob, dropping her face into her hands. Her screams ended abruptly, and she let the cries break free. The pain was too great, to painful to throw away, like she wanted. She just wanted it to go, but the pain was building again, her emotions about to explode again. But as quickly as it rose, it deflated and just because of a touch.
Something brushed across her skin, and she visibly shuddered, as her toes went numb, her fingers tingling as if they had fallen asleep. She lifted her head, and she was startled as her vision blurred. Her eyes burned, and she quickly shut them. The slimy feeling touched her forehead, and she draw back.
Her blue eyes snapped open, and she found herself not alone, in the watery world. Behind the merman she recognized as her savior, were several others.
There were so many of them, peering at her curiously. She turned her head back to the one closest to her, and through her blurred vision, she make out his outline in the darkness. The shock, jolted her, and when he moved towards her, she jerked back horrified. Air escaped her lungs, and she nearly gasped. Water was filling her lungs, and her stomach heaved.
Bunny blinked rapidly, reality sinking on her. She was sitting at the bottom of the lake, about to drown. She couldn't breath, couldn't see.
Instinctively, she uncurled her legs from beneath her. Struggling with her robes, she kicked with her legs to reach the surface. She felt her heart beating in her head, her blood roaring in her ears. As much as she needed water to breath, she needed air more.
Her eyes burned, her lungs ached, and she struggled to survive. A familiar touch encircled her waist, as her legs grew too weak, her arms falling helplessly at her side. She could see the surface above her, just right there. She was so close, but she couldn't move. Darkness clawed at the edges of her eyesight.
Something was trying to drag her back, and she hit against it, with feeble hands. She wanted to scream, wanted to beg for it to free her.
Please let me go.
The familiar slimy feeling filled her body, when something clamped over her mouth. Help me.
Bunny blinked hard, seeing yellow eyes. They were staring at her, and she realized he was trying to give her air. He wanted her to breath his air. She pushed against him, trying to break free. She needed air, the sweet oxygen just above the surface of the lake.
The bounds around her waist tightened, and he pulled her back, his mouth over hers again. Hold still. As soon as the words formed in her mind, his mouth was pulled from hers.
She wasn't going to make it, she needed air, and it was tempting to grab his face, and breath his air, even if it meant she would become one of them. Bunny looked up, just as her head broke the surface, she and drew in a ragged breath of air. She coughed, gasping, and spluttering. Life flooded her, as she brought in the sweet air into her burning lungs. The binds around her waist, vanished, leaving her at the surface of the middle of the lake. Her arms flail about her, unable to carry her to shore. "Help! Help me!"
"Mobilicorpus!" She froze, her heart nearly stopping in her chest, when she felt her body rise from the water. She looked down, as she floated towards shore, and was set down on the ground next to the headmaster.
Pomfrey swooped down on her, pulling at her robes. The wet cloth was torn from her body, only to be replaced with drier ones. "We need to get you inside."
Dumbledore watched from behind her. Gently he reached out, and touched her shoulder, to peer down into her face. Bunny looked at him, blinking as her vision began to clear. Her throat was sore, scratchy and dry. He smiled at her, his face filled with kindness. "All right Bunny?"
She nodded, her body numb from the cold, her throat to raw to speak. He nodded in return, "Good, good. Poppy I suggest we get Miss Moon into the hospital wing, and into warmer robes." The nurse nodded, "Right, right."
Bunny felt the woman help her to her feet, and using the older woman for support, was able to make it back to the castle. She glanced over her shoulder to look back at the old man. He seemed unaware of her prying eyes.
She turned back around, her mind filled with another image, than the site of the castle. Yellow eyes filled with sadness, gray skin stretched over a sculptured face, and dark green hair framing it. She shuddered, her body remembering the feel of his skin.
Why would he save her again?
But he almost hadn't, he had tried to drag her back into the lake, tried to complete what he had started. But why?
"Its alright Moon. You're going to be okay." Bunny didn't look up, didn't really feel the assuring touch the rubbed against her arm.
Why anything?
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Well there you have it, I hoped you all liked it. :D I have to say I did, even though it took me forever to write. As I said last time, see told ya Snape had a special part in this story. I mean if the pictures didn't give it away I don't know what else would. Well except for his little out burst earlier in the chapter.
Srry for putting this up so late, but yes, Angel of the White Moon you are correct!!!!!! Now can anyone guess why her arm burns?
Umm, well don't think I have to much else to say, except, vote for your favorite couple, the story is quickly coming to an end.
Polls!
Harry/Bunny: 46
Ron/Bunny: 28
Ron/Ami: 5
Ron/Hermione: 2
Draco/Bunny: 28
Draco/Lita: 7
Twins/Bunny: 1
Twins/Mina: 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaser: 9
Keeper: 2
Beater: 2
Well enjoy! Tata for now LP signing out
Chapter twelve: A Night of Foreboding
Sitting down near the lake, Bunny sighed heavily. The new term had started, and she found herself alone once more. Quidditch practices had started again, keeping Fred and George busy. Hermione was back, so Harry and Ron were with her in the library once again.
Bunny propped her head up with her hands, and stared distantly out at the lake. The snow had melted, and lately it had begun to rain. Which seemed to be the exact weather she found herself sitting in.
It was cold, but she hardly noticed, and the rain pelted down on her repeatedly in a steady tempo. She sighed again, staring longingly at the lake. She was having too many dreams about the water, and she wondered if she should tell Dumbledore about it. She was supposed to keep them informed about her 'defect', as Pomfrey called it. Only a few knew about it, and she wanted to keep it that way. It was her secret, that only Dumbledore, McGonagall and Pomfrey knew. She was too afraid what anyone would think if they found out.
"Oy Bunny!"
She lifted her head, and looked behind her. She smiled warmly, "Hey Mina."
She patted the wet grass next to her, and the blonde haired girl plopped down at her side. "You would never guess it was early January." Mina shook her head at the weather. "A bummer really."
Bunny nodded in agreement. She pulled out her water bottle from the pocket of her robes, and took a long swallow. She put the bottle away, and turned her gazed back out at the lake. She faintly wondered what the merpeople were up to. Professor Dumbledore, never told her if he had found out why the merman had saved her, or why he had done this to her.
Somehow he had been able to hear her thoughts, and she had heard his. Could he still hear her thoughts? Heat rose to her cheeks, and she greatly hoped not.
"Bunny you okay, you're all red." She nodded, and pushed herself to her feet. "Why don't we go to the Great Hall and get some food, Mina." The blonde nodded, "Sounds good to me."
She looked up when Luna entered the room, with a familiar white cat. "Hey Luna, Artimis." She smiled at the two cats. Artimis was Mina's favorable companion. They were barely ever apart, which meant Luna would disappear quite often.
The black cat jumped onto the bed, and curled up next to her. "How are you Bunny?" Glowing red eyes peered up at her from where her head rested on her paws. Bunny shrugged nonchalantly, "Pretty well. Haven't seen you in a while, what have you been up to?"
Blue eyes scanned the room, landing on a certain white cat. Luna looked away, "I…well Artimis showed me all the good hunting grounds."
"Uh huh." Bunny smiled, as the door to the room opened. Mina entered the room, "Have you seen. Oh there you are Artimis. Come one boy." She scooped the cat up into her arms, and turned to leave. "Are you coming to the game Bunny?"
The blonde looked up from her potions book. She was really getting far behind in her work, but she needed to keep an eye on Harry. She looked down at her schoolbook. Where had all the days gone. It had felt like the other day was December, and she was looking into the mirror of Erised.
But it was February already, the year was slipping by, and soon she would be back on the Hogwarts express going home.
"I'll meet you there okay." Mina grinned, "All right!" She turned, and stalked from the room. Luna lifted her head, staring after the white cat. Bunny smirked, "You can go with them Luna, if you want."
The black cat looked at her, "Are you sure?" When she nodded, the cat climbed to her feet, before jumping down from the bed. "I'll see you at the game Bunny."
The blonde waved, and watched the cat race off after Artimis and Mina. Sighing, she shut her book, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
She had missed most of the last game, but now it was Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff. Shaking her head, Bunny slipped on her shoes, and threw on her robe. Hurrying from the room, she bounded down the corridor. It was quite handy at having the dormitory so close to the exit of the school.
She entered the entrance hall, and ran across the foyer. She threw the doors open, before leaving the school. She could hear shouts from the Quidditch pitch.
Everyone had already arrived.
"How long do you think Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone wanna bet? What about you, Weasley?"
Bunny looked over from where she stood in the Gryffindor stands. Why on earth were the Slytherins sitting with the Gryffindors? She frowned, when Draco went on to insult the team out on the Quidditch pitch.
Her lips formed a line, her eyes slightly narrowing. He could be really cruel when he wanted to be. She shook her head; trying to catch was the boy was saying.
"-You should be on the team, Longbottom, since you've got no brains."
She had reached the stands, just in time to catch the end of the conversation, the game already starting. Ron and Hermione were sitting in the front, staring anxiously out at the game.
She blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts, when Hermione shouted, "Ron! Look!!" She pointed out to the game, where Harry had taken a sharp dive to the ground. Hermione was practically bouncing around the stands with excitement. "You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's must have spotted some money on the ground." Bunny gasped in horror, as Ron tackled Malfoy to the ground, swinging his fists in the air. Next thing she knew, Neville, the round- faced Gryffindor, jumped over his chair, and attacked Crabbe and Goyle.
"Come one Harry!!" Hermione waved her arms around in the air, hooting and hollering for joy. She seemingly went unaffected by the fight just behind her.
Bunny jerked out her wand, and didn't even hesitate, at pointing at Ron, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The red haired boy yelped, his body lifting into the air.
Draco smirked, as he climbed to his feet, "Thanks Moon." But before he could even attack the helpless boy floating in front of them, Bunny replied, "I wasn't pulling him off to help." The white haired boy turned around slightly, just as Bunny threw out her arm.
Her fist slammed into his cheek, and taken aback by the blow, he fell over his seat, landing on the other side. Bunny pulled back her hand shaking it, hissing from the pain. She had never hit someone before, and she never planned to do it again.
"Ron! Ron!" Hermione turned on them, her eyes widening at the mess behind her. "What the??" Her eyes swept over the area, before she shook her head. "The game's over, we've won!!!" She stepped over the fallen Slytherin boy, and threw herself at Ron, pulling him down from the levitating spell.
"Gryffindor's in the lead!" Bunny looked out at the pitch. Harry was holding up the snitch proudly. She grinned, pumping the air with her arm, "All right Harry!!!" The pain in her hand faded, as she cheered for the Gryffindor team, even though that meant her team lost.
"B-Bunny. Its good t-t-to see you." The voice penetrated her mind, like something foreboding. Slowly she turned around to see who had snuck up behind her. "Professor Quirrell!" She practically jumped out of her skin. The pale-faced teacher always seemed to give her the creeps.
She bit her tongue, her face covered in a mask of pained pleasure, as she tried to smile at him. Whenever she found herself alone with him, she always seemed to be in a scary situation. The last time she found herself alone with him, was at a dead end at one of the many corridors in the castle. Now she stood outside the forbidden forest, where she had been heading to Hagrid's hut.
"Enjoying, the g-g-game, B-Bunny?" He seemed to be stuttering worst than usual, and she never liked it when he stuttered so much. Taking a step back, she felt a limb from one of the trees press into the small of her back.
"Yes Professor Quirrell. Harry caught the snitch, and won the game." She smiled thinly, as dread washed over her with a cold sweat. He was acting strange. He kept looking over his shoulder, and nervously shifting from one foot to the other.
"Are you all right Professor Quirrell?"
He looked at her, his eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion, before the emotion vanished without a trace. "I-I'm f-f-fine B-Bunny." He took a step towards her, and Bunny stepped back, even though the branch digging into her skin already hurt.
"What are you doing?" She glanced around wildly, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher moved towards her. Her fist clenched, as a spot on her arm began to itch.
Professor Quirrell smiled awkwardly, stopping his advance on her, altogether, "N-nothing. P-P-Please excuse me." He turned from her, and started off in the other direction from Hagrid's hut. She watched him, as he slipped into the forbidden forest.
"Where is he going?" She glanced over at the school, and took only a second to make up her mind. Dashing off after the stuttering professor, she slipped into the dark foreboding trees.
She could hear him up ahead, moving fast. Where was the weak and terrified stuttering professor now? She ducked beneath a low hanging branch, her heart racing. It was like she had thought, an adventure, a mystery. Her heart swelled, tears formed at the corner of her eyes. It was like it used to be with her mother, when they used to follow people down the street.
She paused at the trunk of a tree, and she had to stop to catch her breath. Her fingers wrapped around the thin clothe of her robes, as she fought back the rising hysteria.
The more she learned of this world, the more she saw, the more it made her think of her mother. She had lived three years, without so much as a break down, without a single falter, when her mother was ever mentioned in a conversation. But now here she was, in her mother's world, and Bunny never felt more miserable, or more heart breaking pain. Everywhere she looked, everywhere she turned, it had something to do with her mother.
Her mother's friends, her mother's pictures, and her mother's death.
The image in the mirror hit her full force, and the memory of it, nearly made her stagger on her feet. It had been a horrible image, something she never thought possible. The Mirror of Erised, the mirror that showed the reflection of ones deepest desires.
Was she filled with that much hate, that much malice, that her deepest desire was revenge? Revenge on the being who took away everything she had?
She closed her eyes tightly, willing the image away. She couldn't think of that now, not when the pain was still so fresh.
"D-don't know why you w-wanted t-t-to see me here, of all p-places, Severus." Bunny's eyes opened, at the familiar quiver in Professor Quirrell's voice. Moving closer, she hid behind the thick branches of a tree.
In the small clearing in front of her, two figures stood, bathed in the light of the warm pink and orange glow in the sky. Her eyes moved from Professor Quirrell's face, to the back of someone else. "Snape?"
"Oh, I thought we would keep this private," he paused, his head slightly inclined, as if he was listening for something. Snape shook his head before he looked back at the other professor. "Found a way to get passed that infernal beast of Hagrid's yet?" His arms folded over his chest.
Quirrell shuddered visibly, as if frightened, "B-b-but Severus-"
Snape's jaw clenched, as he stalked forward, cornering the other professor. He hissed, "You don't want me as you enemy, Quirrell."
Bunny leaned forward, trying to overhear them. She barely made out what Quirrell said. "B-but Severus, I-I don't-"
The greasy haired man pulled back, his face set into a scowl. "You know very well what I mean!"
Somewhere above her, Bunny heard an owl hoot noisily, and something stumbled on the branches of the tree she was hiding in. Ignoring it, and any sign of danger, that might lurk in the darkness behind her, she strained to hear the argument.
"I'm onto your little hocus pocus, Quirrell. I'll be waiting."
Quirrell shook his head in denial to Snape accusation, "I d-d-don't-"
Snape turned from the stammering professor with disgust on his face, and in his voice. "Fine, then we'll just have another little chat, when you have had time to think things over, and decide where your loyalties are."
Bunny gasped, taking a step back, when the potion master stepped in her direction. He was coming back to castle, but he was going to take the path she was hiding in!
Stumbling back, she half turn, half bolted, trying to escape before being seen. "No use running Moon, I already know you're here."
The blonde came to an abrupt stop, her body trembling. Uneasily she looked over her shoulder, the fear evident in her eyes. He was like a creature in the night, dressed in all black, his face pale as snow. The hood of his cloak was pulled up over his head, and Bunny was unable to stop the gasp from escaping pass her parted lips.
"So I assume you heard everything." It wasn't a question, not really a statement either. It sounded much closer to an accusation. He stood behind her, his face twisted with slight anger, and slight annoyance. His black eyes didn't betray the emotions he was feeling. Bunny could read the anger boiling within them.
"Moon follow me."
He stalked passed her, pushing his way through the forest back to the school. Having no choice but to follow, she hurried to catch up to the retreating form of her potion master.
"Professor Snape," There was no use denying what she heard, since she had been caught red handed, so to speak. "What is the Sorcerer's Stone?"
Bunny watched, noting the slight hesitation in his brisk walk, before he ducked beneath the low hanging branch. "Do not ask questions, when the topic doesn't concern you."
She frowned, as she followed his example, and soon found herself out of the forbidden forest. "But Professor!"
He whirled on her, his face contorted with rage. The hood that covered his face fell, and the light of the moon made him look dangerous. His hand rose as if to strike her across the face, but he stopped himself, clenching his hand into a fist. "You will be wise to hold your tongue, Moon. You were told never to enter the forest, and you deliberately disobeyed the rules." He paused, breathing heavily through his clench teeth.
He opened his mouth once more, the angry words spilling from his lips, "If you were in my house, you would be out of this school by dawn. But because you are not, you have just found yourself with a months worth of detention." Tears rushed to her eyes, flooding the blue pools, and her bottom lips quivered.
Her being on the verge of crying, only seem to upset him even more. "You will do well, to mind your own business. Don't you dare start crying!"
But the tears were falling, and she was trembling from the sobs rising up in her throat. The potion master stepped back in disgust, when the blonde Hufflepuff collapsed in front of him, sitting on her legs.
"You are worthless, I have high doubt that you are actually Serena's child!" Snape was shaking his head at her, as he spat at her the most insulting sentence ever thrown at her.
Her not being her own mother's child!
It was all she needed, the final blow to the dam that had blockaded the memories, the thoughts, the pain, and unforgettable anguish that had built up over the last three years. She opened her mouth, and a blood-curdling scream ripped passed the barrier of her lips. It tore from her throat, echoed in her ears rattled her teeth, and jarred her bones. Glass from the window nearby shattered by the force. Her scream ricocheted through the air, bouncing off walls, filling the once quiet empty space.
Snape pulled back in alarm, his hands flying up to his ears, but it could not block out the sound. It was hideous, painful, and so terribly loud. It seemed to expand for miles echoing back from the across the lake. It surrounded him, nearly tearing him apart. It was unearthly, just heinous, that deafened him. He couldn't hear anything else; tears of pain rushed to his eyes blinding him, till he couldn't see anything.
The scream went on and on, never ending, never pausing, going on for miles, only to come back, and just as loud.
The doors to the school burst open, people spilling out. Most recoiled back, the scream too loud for them to bear.
Bunny just sat there, blind to anything around her, but her raging emotions, unceasing images that flashed through her mind over and over again. Thoughts, pictures, tore open old wounds in her heart, and her scream grew, louder and louder, the pain too unbearable. Her head tilted upward, her blue eyes blankly staring up at the silver orb in the inky black sky. Her mouth was wide open, it being her only release of the pain and anger in her shattered heart. Tears fell from her dull eyes; slipping from the dam Snape had broken open.
Professor McGonagall hurried to Snape's side, pulling him to his feet. She struggled, trying to help him up, but he was frozen. Hagrid, who had heard the scream from his hut, came to help. Lifting them both he rushed to put distance between him and the ungodly noise. Students were ushered back inside, the teachers only remaining.
Professor Dumbledore pulled out his wand, and pointed to the girl's body. "Quietus." The scream seemed to distinguish, cut off mid yell, only to continue silently.
There were a collective sighs of relief to the surrounding teachers. Professor Sprout worried her brow, "What caused this Albus? I have never heard something so…so dreadful."
Professor Flitwick nodded, "Yes. Surely there is something wrong with her." He shook his head scornfully at the blonde, who appeared to still be screaming.
Dumbledore moved towards Bunny, his face calm. "We need to get her to the lake." Sprout and Flitwick exchanged looks, while Madam Pomfrey hurried to help. The rest of the teachers kept back near the castle wall, watching.
Dumbledore frowned slightly, when he reached her. Madam Pomfrey knelt down, and felt the girl's forehead. "She has a fever, Albus. We need to get her inside quickly." He shook his head, "No. The lake." He pointed his wand at her once more, and whispered, "Mobilicorpus."
Her body lifted from the ground gently, but Bunny seemed to not notice. "Quickly now." Madam Pomfrey nodded, and helped Dumbledore carry the blonde to the lake. Stopping at the edge, Pomfrey asked fretfully, "Why are we bringing her here Albus? She needs medical attention. She will catch her death out here."
Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and his eyes watched the girl sink into the water. "She is speaking in their tongue, Poppy. For us to understand what is wrong with her, we will need to hear what she is saying."
The nurse turned her eyes from the headmaster, to the lake. Bunny was submerged under water, but visible from the surface. Dumbledore then swished his wand through the air, and countered the spell he had cast, "Sonorous!"
Suddenly the air around them came to life, as the scream rose. But unlike before, the cries weren't shrieks that ripped the air like a knife.
A hand flew to her mouth, as she drew in a ragged breath. "Oh dear." Madam Pomfrey shook her head, tears rushing to her eyes. Unlike before the blood-curdling scream, wasn't one long agonizing sound.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, his eyes softening. "Now we know what is wrong. But all we can do, is wait, and hope that they can fix it." Through the once still night air, heartfelt sobs echoed through the surrounding trees, reaching all the way to the castle.
"I want my mommy! I want my mommy! I want my mommy!"
The words filled the air, and sunk into the hearts of everyone who could hear it.
Bunny barely registered the fact that she was under water, repeating the only thing that meant most to her. She could see the sky above her, the darkness surrounding her.
Something grasped the back of her robes, dragging her back, taking away from her world. Light vanished before her eyes, and the darkness of the lake swallowed her. Images blurred before her eyes, making it hard to capture them. They flashed before her eyes, like a film being played over and over again. Reality slipped from her fingers, as she was drug deeper and deeper into the dark. Bunny plummeted down, her legs leaving the muddy floor, and she felt suspended for the briefest of seconds.
Slowly she began to sink, hardly even noticing. It was becoming hard to breathe, her lungs wouldn't drag in air. It was like her lungs closed, but she was still screaming
She just wanted to continue to scream, to vent out the pain aching deep within her chest. She wanted her mother back, wanted her mother to come and take it all away. Her mother would make everything right again. Her mother would know what to do when the world seemed too hard to live in.
But her mother wasn't going to come. Her mother wouldn't be there to comfort her anymore.
Bunny choked on a sob, dropping her face into her hands. Her screams ended abruptly, and she let the cries break free. The pain was too great, to painful to throw away, like she wanted. She just wanted it to go, but the pain was building again, her emotions about to explode again. But as quickly as it rose, it deflated and just because of a touch.
Something brushed across her skin, and she visibly shuddered, as her toes went numb, her fingers tingling as if they had fallen asleep. She lifted her head, and she was startled as her vision blurred. Her eyes burned, and she quickly shut them. The slimy feeling touched her forehead, and she draw back.
Her blue eyes snapped open, and she found herself not alone, in the watery world. Behind the merman she recognized as her savior, were several others.
There were so many of them, peering at her curiously. She turned her head back to the one closest to her, and through her blurred vision, she make out his outline in the darkness. The shock, jolted her, and when he moved towards her, she jerked back horrified. Air escaped her lungs, and she nearly gasped. Water was filling her lungs, and her stomach heaved.
Bunny blinked rapidly, reality sinking on her. She was sitting at the bottom of the lake, about to drown. She couldn't breath, couldn't see.
Instinctively, she uncurled her legs from beneath her. Struggling with her robes, she kicked with her legs to reach the surface. She felt her heart beating in her head, her blood roaring in her ears. As much as she needed water to breath, she needed air more.
Her eyes burned, her lungs ached, and she struggled to survive. A familiar touch encircled her waist, as her legs grew too weak, her arms falling helplessly at her side. She could see the surface above her, just right there. She was so close, but she couldn't move. Darkness clawed at the edges of her eyesight.
Something was trying to drag her back, and she hit against it, with feeble hands. She wanted to scream, wanted to beg for it to free her.
Please let me go.
The familiar slimy feeling filled her body, when something clamped over her mouth. Help me.
Bunny blinked hard, seeing yellow eyes. They were staring at her, and she realized he was trying to give her air. He wanted her to breath his air. She pushed against him, trying to break free. She needed air, the sweet oxygen just above the surface of the lake.
The bounds around her waist tightened, and he pulled her back, his mouth over hers again. Hold still. As soon as the words formed in her mind, his mouth was pulled from hers.
She wasn't going to make it, she needed air, and it was tempting to grab his face, and breath his air, even if it meant she would become one of them. Bunny looked up, just as her head broke the surface, she and drew in a ragged breath of air. She coughed, gasping, and spluttering. Life flooded her, as she brought in the sweet air into her burning lungs. The binds around her waist, vanished, leaving her at the surface of the middle of the lake. Her arms flail about her, unable to carry her to shore. "Help! Help me!"
"Mobilicorpus!" She froze, her heart nearly stopping in her chest, when she felt her body rise from the water. She looked down, as she floated towards shore, and was set down on the ground next to the headmaster.
Pomfrey swooped down on her, pulling at her robes. The wet cloth was torn from her body, only to be replaced with drier ones. "We need to get you inside."
Dumbledore watched from behind her. Gently he reached out, and touched her shoulder, to peer down into her face. Bunny looked at him, blinking as her vision began to clear. Her throat was sore, scratchy and dry. He smiled at her, his face filled with kindness. "All right Bunny?"
She nodded, her body numb from the cold, her throat to raw to speak. He nodded in return, "Good, good. Poppy I suggest we get Miss Moon into the hospital wing, and into warmer robes." The nurse nodded, "Right, right."
Bunny felt the woman help her to her feet, and using the older woman for support, was able to make it back to the castle. She glanced over her shoulder to look back at the old man. He seemed unaware of her prying eyes.
She turned back around, her mind filled with another image, than the site of the castle. Yellow eyes filled with sadness, gray skin stretched over a sculptured face, and dark green hair framing it. She shuddered, her body remembering the feel of his skin.
Why would he save her again?
But he almost hadn't, he had tried to drag her back into the lake, tried to complete what he had started. But why?
"Its alright Moon. You're going to be okay." Bunny didn't look up, didn't really feel the assuring touch the rubbed against her arm.
Why anything?
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Well there you have it, I hoped you all liked it. :D I have to say I did, even though it took me forever to write. As I said last time, see told ya Snape had a special part in this story. I mean if the pictures didn't give it away I don't know what else would. Well except for his little out burst earlier in the chapter.
Srry for putting this up so late, but yes, Angel of the White Moon you are correct!!!!!! Now can anyone guess why her arm burns?
Umm, well don't think I have to much else to say, except, vote for your favorite couple, the story is quickly coming to an end.
Polls!
Harry/Bunny: 46
Ron/Bunny: 28
Ron/Ami: 5
Ron/Hermione: 2
Draco/Bunny: 28
Draco/Lita: 7
Twins/Bunny: 1
Twins/Mina: 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaser: 9
Keeper: 2
Beater: 2
Well enjoy! Tata for now LP signing out