a/n: I realise it's more than a year since I've updated, but I love this story too much to just leave it. I can't guarantee I'll ever finish it, but it's closer to the end now, so I'll try my best and see how I go. Just bear with me... :p
Special thanks go out to:
Louise - my fantastic beta, without whom I would never have gotten this far.
Emma - who's never stopped pushing me to write.
Holly - for giving me the confidence to post this
and for Adam - who's always there.
Please read and review. All feedback is appreciated.
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Chapter Nine - Becoming
The low light of the candle danced softly upon the chamber wall. The flame was tiring after many hours use and soon the room would be immersed in complete darkness. But that did not worry the couple in the room. They cared not for the light, nor for anything else at that moment other than each other.
Remus kissed Amber passionately; his hands roamed over her body, caressing her curves and tracing patterns on her skin with smooth fingertips that ignited a fire deep within her . She sighed heavily and wrapped her arms around his lithe body, digging her nails into the small of his back as the moment grew intensely heated. She trailed her hands across his bare chest and along the base of his stomach. Remus shivered with arousal, uttering a moan of longing as Amber's hands disappeared under his waistband. She stroked him skilfully, eliciting a soft growl from the young werewolf. Remus pulled her underwear off as fast as his hands would allow: Amber slowly pulled his boxer shorts down, her hazy brown eyes never left his. She shivered under his touch, his fingers caressed her gently but purposefully. She pulled him closer to her, so that their bodies were aligned. Remus smiled at her, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly. Amber nodded, claiming his mouth with her own passionate kisses.
His hands buried themselves in her hair whilst he entered her slowly, moving gently at first then harder, with sharp, deep thrusts that made Amber cry out in elation. They moved together rhythmically, like dancers. Amber kissed him intensely; her tongue wrestled with his as she lost all self-control and succumbed to her the torturous pleasure that came crashing like waves into a cove. She wrapped her legs around him, clenched her fists, thighs and arched her back in ecstasy as she fought to stay quiet.
After all, James, Sirius and Peter were fast asleep in the next beds.
They relaxed and shared a mutual sigh; both were secretly relieved that no-one had discovered their intimate moment. Remus wrapped an arm around Amber, drawing her close he planted a tender kiss upon her forehead. Amber looked up at him with her gleaming chestnut eyes and smiled contentedly.
"You're so beautiful," Remus whispered; her smile grew wider and truer.
"Thank you," she replied. "You haven't told me that for at least a day," she grinned. Remus poked her playfully.
"Well I'll leave it two days before I compliment you again, shall I?" Amber made a 'hmph'ing sound and snuggled deeper into the crook of his arm. Remus pulled a quilt over them, tucking it protectively around Amber's soft shape. She smiled again and hugged his naked torso, kissing his chest lightly.
"Remus..?"
"Hmm..?" he responded sleepily.
"I love you," she said softly, whilst listening to the beat of his heart as his chest rose and fell in time with hers. He ruffled her hair lovingly, which still held the platinum blonde colouring of Tiffany's locks after the botched Potions experiment.
"I love you more.." he replied with a sly smile.
"No, I love you more.." she giggled. They carried on in the same vein until they fell asleep in each others' arms. A faint rumbling of thunder could be heard distantly around the far perimeter of the Forbidden Forest, signifying the approach of a storm...
* * *
"Wakey wakey Tiffy-Birthday!" Tiffany forced her sleepy eyes open to witness Amber Carrington doing a ridiculous dance in a pair of very skimpy pyjamas.
"WhatareyoudoingI'mtryingtosleep," Tiff groaned incoherently; she growled as Amber snatched the quilt away as part of her insane dance.
"It's your birthday! Wake up! You have presents!" Amber shrieked, bouncing with excitement. 'Presents' seemed to rouse Tiffany's interest slightly.
"Oh ok.. Let me get dressed then.." she said tediously as Amber hugged her ecstatically.
Amber bounded down the spiral stairs and into the Common Room half naked, only to be sent back by a stern Remus who insisted she follow Tiff's example of putting on clothes.
Five minutes later, the gang assembled in the vacant Common Room, for everyone else was having breakfast in the Great Hall.
"Wow... you're sixteen Tiff, how does it feel?" asked Lily.
"Erm.. it feels... good?" she replied, her eyebrows raised as though she were puzzled.
"As good as steamy, randy fully frontal sex with your secret lover?" James teased, stepping back just in time to avoid a vicious jab from a glaring Tiffany.
"Actually, it's better than that. Because it's legal steamy, randy full frontal sex with Snape," Tiff grinned mockingly at James's perplexed frown.
"If I had greasy hair, a crooked nose and wasn't devilishly handsome, charming and witty would you sleep with me?" enquired Sirius with feigned sincerity. Tiffany gave him her sideways glance that she specially reserved for him.
"Whatever you say Sirius, darling..." She winked at him, but then her attention turned towards the table that glittered like a treasure cove. Sirius pouted like a small child who had just been told Christmas was cancelled. Tiff rolled her eyes and glanced stealthily towards where the presents lay. "Presents. Now." She pounced upon the pile excitedly but took the time to open each gift with great care. Tiff received many gifts, although the most special one was a joint gift from The Marauders, Amber and Lily. They had all pooled their funds together to buy her a cat from Hogsmeade's Pets for Pleasure and Potions, as Tiff had been rather down after hearing about the sale of her winged horse. The cat was small and black with two white and black speckled paws. Tiff christened her "Siren".
"Why Siren? That's an odd name for a cat." Remus enquired with a bemused expression. Sirius almost instantly butted in.
"Does anyone else see the connection? Siren, Sirius..?" he grinned pointing at the cat, who stared back at him insolently, and then to himself. Tiffany returned the grin and narrowed her eyes mischievously.
"Well, of course that was the idea. After all, who wouldn't name their cat after Sirius..? I know a certain Harmen of Ilianna who most probably has..."
"Tiffany! Honestly, you're as bad as them!" Lily scolded whilst Amber and the boys, with the exception of the slow and/or innocent Peter, smirked at Tiff.
Realistically, Tiff wasn't sure why she had named the cat Siren, but she just felt it suited the cat with cool green eyes. "Thanks so much guys, really, I love her," she smiled happily whilst stroking the sedate cat.
"Are you coming to breakfast Tiff?" Lily asked whilst magicking away the debris from Tiff's presents.
"Umm.. I'll probably join you down there... I have to.... send an owl to my parents.." And go and see Dumbledore about my destiny... she added mentally.
"Ok then," Lily hugged Tiff and kissed her on the cheek. Tiffany grinned as James narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Jealous are we?" she smirked. James mock-glared back.
"Oh yes. So jealous that I'm going to take your darling Snape from behind with passionate violence over the Slytherin table." Tiffany gave James a long look.
"Be my guest. In fact, please do. I'd pay to see the look on his face... ripped and torn..." Tiff grinned maliciously. Amber made a gagging sound that was soon replaced by choking laughter.
"Hehe... kinda like this..." Amber pulled a face that looked scarily like a constipated McGonagall.
Tiff laughed. "Yes Amber, that was possibly the most disturbing mental picture I've ever had."
The Marauders waved goodbye to Tiff and made their way out of the common room. As Tiff turned to go back up the stairs a voice echoed back along the narrow passage. "Bugger, I forgot something, I'll catch you up," Sirius jogged back into the deserted common room. Tiff turned back around to face him. He smiled, standing opposite her.
"Umm.. soo.. Happy Birthday.." he said bashfully averting his eyes to the wooden floor. Tiff smiled radiantly. "Thanks Sirius... er... is that all you wanted?" she enquired, sweeping the room quickly with her eyes, checking for people.
"Erm.. well... no.." He boldly took a step closer and enveloped her in his strong arms. Resting his forehead against hers, he gazed into her violet eyes. "I just wanted... to be alone with you for a second... seeing as we never are truly alone.." Tiff cupped his face with her hands, softly caressing his ear lobe.
"I know..." she whispered, touching her lips against his and moving slowly into a kiss. Sirius returned the kiss, lovingly stroking her hair whilst one hand rested on her waist. They stayed like that for several minutes, until they heard a group of rowdy first years climbing through the portrait. They separated, although kept hand and eyes contact for a few seconds before the first small child ran into the room.
"So, I'll probably see you later then," Tiff said in low tones, catching his eye.
"Yeah, happy birthday again..." Sirius winked then kissed her on the cheek, much to the amazement of Tiffany and the first years who chorused "Ooooh!"
"Hey," Sirius mock glared at the children. "If Lily can kiss her, then so can I!" He grinned at Tiff, then exited the common room at a brisk pace. Tiff watched him leave, her eyes fixed on his back until he disappeared from view. The first years looked at her expectantly. Tiff turned to go to her dormitory and they immediately started whispering furiously.
"..Make a perfect couple.." "...He's soooooo dreamy..." "...I wish she'd look at me like that..."
Tiff grinned to herself, rolling her eyes in exasperation she strode up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Ten minutes later Tiffany found herself standing next to the stone gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office in a way that some of the more strict teachers would class as 'suspicious loitering'. Clutching the ribbon bound box in her right hand, she looked around at the deserted corridor. A brief sigh escaped her lips as she slumped lazily against the cold stone wall.
How much longer am I going to have to wait? Without warning, she felt a strange tickling sensation around her ankles. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and for a moment Tiffany thought she'd been hit with a curse. That was until she looked into the wide green eyes as she found the source of a purring sound that was Siren. Tiff's heartbeat returned to normal as she laughed softly at her own silliness. She crouched down and the cat jumped onto her shoulder. Finding herself eye to eye with a feline was rather daunting, especially as it had sharper claws than herself. However, there was something odd about this cat. It had a look in its' eyes that was even more suspicious than Tiffany's 'loitering'. A look that told Tiff that the cat knew exactly who she was and exactly what she was doing next to a gargoyle.
"So... I guess it's just you and me then?" she said to Siren who nuzzled Tiff's ear in a feline nod.
"Thought so..." Tiff trailed off, following the cats' gaze as it turned its eyes sharply to the corridor from which faint footsteps could be heard.
Seconds later, Minerva McGonagall walked round the corner, carrying what seemed to be a tray with toast, eggs and sausages on it. She stopped dead when she saw Tiffany, almost losing her grip on the tray.
"Miss Zabini... Would you care to explain why you are dallying outside the Headmaster's office?" McGonagall said with a stern look.
"I'm waiting to see the Headmaster, Professor." Tiffany replied with a sardonic lilt to her voice. McGonagall narrowed her eyes for a moment, which caused Tiffany to take a step backwards in caution. "Very well," she said, striding towards the gargoyle. "Blackjack." The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside to reveal a narrow, winding staircase. Tiff followed McGonagall up and through the solid oak door at the top of the stairs. In the office Professor Dumbledore was sat behind a desk, reading the Daily Prophet through half moon shaped glasses and shaking his head slightly, looking perturbed. .
"I brought you some breakfast, Professor." McGonagall set the tray down upon the desk.
"Ah, thank you Minerva, very kind of you..." Dumbledore took several long gulps from the flagon of pumpkin juice on the tray before continuing his sentence. "And Miss Zabini.. I've been expecting you all morning. Happy Birthday. That's a beautiful cat you have there." He said with a kind smile and a nod at Tiff's shoulder.
"Thank you sir," Tiff returned the smile and brought a hand up to stroke Siren, who leaned to her touch affectionately.
Dumbledore turned his eyes to McGonagall and shuffled a few papers around on his desk before retrieving a letter. "Minerva, would it be possible for you to send this letter to Alastor Moody? I'm afraid it's rather important, although I do have urgent business to attend to..." His eyes flicked towards Tiffany momentarily.
"Of course Professor, right away," said McGonagall with a serious nod. She took the letter from Dumbledore's outstretched hand and nodded briefly to Tiffany before exiting the room.
"Now... Tiffany... Please sit down..." He gestured to a chair in front of the desk. " I believe I have a matter to discuss with you concerning a rather intriguing box..." he said whilst buttering his toast. Tiff placed the box on the surface. Siren sprang down from her shoulder , onto her lap and delicately sniffed the box. Tiffany's gaze passed between Dumbledore, her cat and the box.
"Aren't you going to open it?" he asked gently. Tiffany reached out and unwound the silver ribbon with trembling fingers. She lifted the lid, stared at the contents, and then frowned, wrinkling her nose slightly with disdain.
"Is that it?"
Professor Dumbledore rocked backwards and forwards in his chair, roaring with laughter. He wiped his streaming eyes with a long finger and surveyed Tiff attentively.
"Oh Tiffany, dear... You must always remember that things are not what they appear to be. Pick it up," he said, gently smiling at her in a grandfatherly way.
Tiff gave Dumbledore a look that said 'No way am I touching that!'
"I assure you it's quite harmless. And stain free."
Tiff looked down at the infamous "Object". It resembled a jagged lump of coal. The edges were rough, as though the stone had been cut with a blunt axe, however it somehow retained a sense of purity, of indifferent rawness to it. Tiffany reached slowly for it. As her hand closed around the stone she felt an icy chill sweep up her arm and all the way down her spine to the tips of her toes. She instantly let go, recoiling at the surge of dark power.
"What is it?" she demanded, her steely violet eyes staring fixedly at Dumbledore.
"It's a Black Diamond." He replied, holding her gaze.
"A what?" Tiffany shook her head, confused. She stroked Siren, who was perched attentively on her knee, for comfort.
"A Black Diamond." Dumbledore repeated. "One of the only three currently in existence." At this, Tiffany's eyes widened. "Please allow me to explain.. Long ago in ancient Greece there was a mythological Thunder God named Thor. Legend says that he constructed three stones out of lightening, thunder and ice, that would aid the Magickal ones in the new Muggle dominated world. That however, is but a myth.. the true origin of these Stones are unknown, even in the Muggle world they are regarded as a mystery, and are rarer than gold dust. These three "Black Diamonds" are the evolved form of pure white diamond, Muggle science says that they are made from corrupt carbon whereas Native myths say black diamonds are the devil's eyes. Diamonds have always been symbols of strength, courage, invincibility, and ultimately, love. The Black Diamond seems to bring out these qualities in the Bearing witch or wizard. They also have a deep magickal power which when attuned to the Bearer, provides them with a safety net or backup of power. However this can only be used in extreme situations, for example, danger can summon protective energies from the Stone, and extreme distress can cause the Bearer's will to be done..."
"So.. you mean it's involuntary? I mean.. the Bearer can't just.. call on the power..?" Tiff interrupted.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No.. The Stone is part of the Bearer, like the heart or the brain. All power from the Stone is completely subconscious, it cannot be called upon or controlled in any conscious way." Dumbledore smiled ironically. "That is but one of its many inexplicable qualities." The Headmaster cleared his throat before resuming his explanation.
"Anyway, as I was saying.." he started, however Tiffany interrupted him again almost instantly, her young face strained with confusion and worry.
"Professor - Sorry to interrupt but.. Ok, I'm the Bearer right? That's why I'm here. But why? And also how do I 'bear' the Stone..?" she asked quickly, curiosity snatching the reins of her speech.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Well, since the days of Thor, there have been Bearers. At first they were chosen by the God himself, then the responsibility was passed down through generations of families. A Bearer is the only one who can wield the Stone's power.. and they are the only person who can keep it safe."
"But if it's so powerful then why does it need someone to keep it safe? Can't it just.." Tiff wiggled her fingers comically. ".. Zap people..?" She asked, a smile played across her face despite the importance of the conversation. Dumbledore grinned, his blue eyes twinkled humorously at her naivety.
"It's because the Stones are so powerful that they need Bearer's to control them and to keep them safe." Tiffany's smile quickly faded
.
"The Three Stones have always been housed in separate countries, however something has drawn them to England. Your grandparents were originally from Italy?" He raised his eyebrows in question as Tiff nodded , understanding.
"Well.. it appears that the Stones are being drawn together for some dark purpose. The combined power of the Stones could bring about the Armageddon."
Tiff gasped and scooted her chair backwards, springing to her feet.
"I don't want it. You keep it." She stared at the Black Diamond in horror; it simply sat there, winking at her like a dark eye. "I don't want it," she repeated softly.
"I'm sorry Tiffany. This is not a burden one chooses to bear. It is a birthright, a curse if you will. The Stone will reject everyone except a Bearer. I couldn't take it if I tried.." It was then that Tiffany realised Dumbledore hadn't touched the stone at all. When he had said it was 'quite harmless,' he had meant harmless to her..
"It would scald my skin with the a fire colder than an Arctic glacier," he said darkly, as if he had read her mind. Tiffany's hands trembled nervously.
"Give it to another Bearer," she croaked. She was finding it difficult to form sentences.
Dumbledore looked crestfallen. "But alas, I cannot," his voice was soft and laden with regret.
"But why?" Tiffany cried out painfully, her violet eyes filled with confused tears. He looked at her from the top of his spectacles; his blue eyes burned with such intensity that seemed alien to his kind face. He sighed, then said slowly and deliberately.
"Because... the other bearer is.. Lord Voldemort."
Tiffany stared at him, and then the desk where the stone lay; she sank back into the chair and clutched at Siren like a child would at a teddy bear. Several long minutes passed by, the silence was palpable. Finally, Tiffany lifted her eyes to meet the Headmasters, and she uttered the words that would doom her forever.
"What must I do?"
"You have to ingest the stone. There are other methods of course, such as wearing it as a form of jewellery. However, it is always safer inside the body than out. That way, Voldemort can never lay his hands upon it." Tiff bit down on her lower lip, her hands trembled with fear. She had never faced anything like this before, and she seriously doubted her ability to 'bear' this mysterious Stone. Yet.. she knew that she had to do it. It was her destiny...
"I have to eat it?" She enquired as the word 'ingest' sunk in. Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes. You should do it now. If you swallow it like a pill, the Stone will work its way to your heart." he said gently.
"How will I get it out again?" She asked; the corners of her mouth quirked into a smile as she thought about this.
"It will leave your body of its own accord when it is time for a new Bearer." Dumbledore nudged forwards a glass of pumpkin juice. Tiff gulped and took up the glass. Her throat suddenly felt dry as cardboard. She drank a few sips, then reached for the diamond. This time there was no ice chill emitting from the Stone, but a pleasant warm radiance that soothed Tiff's nerves. She felt at ease now. The Stone loved her. It would protect her from harm, heal her when she was sick and help her when there was no-one else to help.
Tiff swallowed it with a loud gulp. Her face flushed, her vision blurred and the office was spinning as the Stone worked its way towards her heart. A sharp burst of pain hit Tiff squarely in the chest and she sank to her knees, screaming in agony. The pain left as suddenly as it had come, it was over. Tiffany opened her eyes slowly, not realising they'd been closed.
"Are you alright Tiffany?" Dumbledore asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Surprisingly, I'm fine," she smiled.
She couldn't explain it, but something inside her had just... clicked into place. She felt complete, strong and wise. There was an overwhelming calmness inside her that made all of her raging fears about being the Bearer evaporate. Dumbledore explained to her that she would have to keep her duty as the Bearer a secret from everyone. Tiffany nodded, she already knew that was what she must do. She was ready to do what she had to do to protect the Stone, and to do that, she had to sacrifice the trust of her friends by lying to them. However, more importantly, she had to stay alive.