HARRY POTTER AND THE SEERS' TRUTH
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 58
The Chamber of Forever
10 REVIEWS. I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 10 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to reviews follow the story.
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. THANKS JK.
--LADY LESTRANGE
(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down FIVE times. --Lady Lestrange)
UP TO THIS POINT: Parvati has been having dreams and visions about the Dark Lord, Harry and a Prophecy Child. So far, they are not sure who the prophecy child is, and it is important for them to find him/her. The Sorting Hat is not sorting, so the students have "little brothers and sisters" to show around. The dream team thinks that The Sorting Hat failing is a plot to hide the Prophecy child from the teachers and anyone who can help insure that he/she stays on the side of light. No one is sure that the brothers and sisters actually belong to the house they are currently in.
The Hogwarts Express has been attacked. Dark Marks have been in the sky. The floo network is compromised. The Minister of Magic has been turned. Snape is now teaching both Defense and Advanced Defense, but it looks like Advanced Defense is just an excuse to let the Slytherins and Ginny and Edward visit the Dark Lord. Mrs. Figg is teaching potions and we know very little about her so far, except that she was against Dumbledore's suggestion to make Poly Juice Potion.
Beatrice is an animagus, a bunny. Edward's granny looks like she could have given the Dursleys a few pointers on cruelty. Slytherin is a house at war according to Snape, divided between Death Eaters and those who want to stay on the side of light. Harry uses his Invisibility Cloak and finds out when it is ripped, the Invisibility spell ceases. There is an unwelcome addition to Myrtle's bathroom, Olive Hornby. Peeves is his usual annoying self, but the Baron seems to have a little less control over him.
Samara, for some reason, lofts some wicked, powerful curses. She doesn't look like she has total control over them, which isn't really surprising since she's learned magic on her own from a book, that Harry is sure is a dark book. She seems to like Draco, but don't assume this is a romance. It is not. Ginny is still hearing voices in her head. Harry's scar is hurting more, and neither he nor Ginny know what this means. Ginny is closer with Harry this year, but again, not romantically. There is Edward, the new Gryffindor, who seems interested in Ginny, but Ginny really hasn't gotten over Tom.
We find out about Neville's powerful auror parents. We learn that Neville has a memory charm that was put on him as a baby. He's a more powerful wizard than anyone ever thought as evidenced by his yew wand and the way he reacts to Snape's ministrations in trying to remove the memory charm. We might wonder why Snape is trying to do this himself, instead of enlisting the help of Madam Pomfrey. Sirius and Lupin are on "fieldtrips" with the sixth and seventh years.
Of course we can also wonder why Snape is so determined to teach his classes advanced spells like the Patronus, or we can just chalk it up to Snape, being mean. The Fifth year class starts apparition classes and we meet Professor Sinistra. We also visit Hufflepuff, where we see The Wall, and Slytherin house, where we discover, to our amazement, a magic room that Draco shares with Samara, but Samara has a very unslytherin use for the room. Ravenclaw to come next weekend.
The chapter, CHAINED AND CHARMED, takes place at the same time as DANCING IS AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE-when Samara was in Slytherin, dancing. It is Saturday afternoon. Harry and the Gryffindors examine Samara's Dark Book, after they come back from lunch. They find an extreme potion, and decide they need to make a trip to the Chamber of Secrets. Ghastly Ghostly Dinner is when Gryffindor's meet with Samara after her little trip to Slytherin. Samara and Beatrice are persuaded by Edward to help him steal his snake back from his brother Ethan. Things get a little out of hand, and Samara learns more about Slytherin than she ever wanted to know.
Now the Gryffindors are mad at her. Samara wants to make up and be friends with them, but is it possible to befriend both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? How far will she go to make up, or will she just find some valuable information to store away for future use? (So, don't you want one of those Tee shirts?)
LIONS AND TIGERS: We see a very stressed out Snap both in Harry's memory of what happened with Snap and Neville and in the actual DADA class. We find out Trelawney doesn't want Samara in her class and Samara decides to take Ancient Runes instead. McGonagall assures Samara that Trelawney has done her a favor. McGonagall further talks to Samara about her experiences in Gryffindor, opening the door to give Samara someone to talk to, if she so chooses. We also learned lots more about animagi in McGonagall's class. Snape dismisses the Gryffifndors and keeps the Slytherins after class. We find out it's because Snape wants them to practice their patronus because the Slytherins are so lousy at the spell. Could it be because there are so few happy memories to chose from?
In DRAGON BREATH AND BLUDGER BATS, Ginny and Edward set the Slytherins up with fire mints, and Samara gets extremely angry at them both because they hurt her friends. In an effort to contain her anger, she goes to the Quiddich pitch where she meets Fred and George. After lobbing a few quaffles at them in her anger, they decide to ask her to be a Beater for Gryffindor. She refuses, but later when she talks to Draco, he is not very nice to her, (hey, who said Draco was a nice guy?) so she wonders whether or not she should take the Beater job.
In WISH IT REAL; WISH IT NOT we see into one of Ginny's dreams. If you don't remember this dream, go and re-read chapter 28. In Chapter 29, THE SPELLING BEE, Samara is feeling homesick and friendless until Draco invites Samara back to Slytherin. Also, includes a short intro into what's coming up in potions class.
In Chapter 30, CHILD OF GRYFFINDOR, Neville and Snape break the Imperio part of the Memory Charm. The trio discusses the Founders' spells, which put their gifts in the Sorting Hat; however they do not have the original parseltongue version of Salazar's spell. Ginny also sees Edward painting and the reader sees a bit of Ginny and Tom's relationship. In SLYTHERIN GAMES—Well, if you don't remember it, you better re-read. Voldemort is finally out and angry—burning and pillaging and we see a little-known inside version of Slytherin through Ginny's eyes. In STICKY SITUATIONS, Samara uses her adhere charm on the Weasley twins, Neville sticks Beatrice's wand to his with bubble gum, and Edward is sticking in Gryffindor.
In OW POST the Slytherins get even for the Dragon Breath Mints, among other things—
In the Ravenclaw chapter—I'm still trying to think of a good name for it—Help me please—we meet a number of Ravenclaws and find out a little more about the characters, in Ravenclaw as well as Edward and Samara. So do you think either of them are really Ravenclaws? Hmmmm? In chapter 35 we meet Sirius again who plans to have a talk with Dumbledore about his keeping Harry safe and of course what that nasty Snape is doing to poor Neville. The Quiddich Game and then more of Neville's awesome Auror parents.
The war is heating up and touching the lives of the children. This story is rapidly approaching –nasty things. Not for the faint of heart. Last chapter, we had a relaxing time at Hogsmeade. Samara bounces from friend to friend and Harry has some nasty dreams, and Harry is shocked to find out that Ron and Hermione are a couple. We knew that already though, right?
In THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS the trio did some exploring, but failed to find the basilisk eggs. They found other things though. Obviously, they have to go back, but first Ginny gives them some instructions.
In THE CHAMBER, THE WALL, THE WAND AND THE WINDOW, Ginny gives the trio some instructions about the Chamber, the Gryffindor boys are having trouble sleeping and Harry's talking to the Snake, Kauket. Parvati has yet another vision, about a muggle and the earlier one about the wand is explored. Trelawney tells Ginny she will open a window to the past—Didn't she already do that? Is Trelawney a little late with this prediction, or does it mean something else?
In NO MORE GAMES we return to ADADA class and Ginny finds out by using the Quick Quotes Quill that the class is more than she planned, but the notes are stolen, so she has no proof to go to Dumbledore with—So she takes matters into her own hands. In PERVIGILO ARMARO, we see part of Ginny's awesome ward. Doors are opened and Tom is out, but he isn't everything we thought he would be. Could it be that he's keeping secrets from us? Puppy Puffs and the Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw Quiddich game offer a little comic relief.
Chapter 44, MORS MORDRE. Ginny gets a dark mark. 'nouf said. BLOOD AND MAGIC MINGLED is Ginny reaction to Voldemort's Imperio curse, and a trip to the Chamber. In THE SEVENTH SUFFERING, We leave Ginny in the Chamber, while we go off with Samara to find out what happened to Ginny in Slytherin this morning, but Samara gets side-tracked, and she learns a personal secret of Draco's—so when is she going to share her secret? Speaking of secrets, Snape has a few, which he unwittingly shares in SNAPE'S SECRET AND SALAZAR'S TREASURE. In SECRETS KEPT AND THOUGHTS SHARED, we at last know what side Snape is on--almost—
And for all those Ginny lovers--awesome Ginny in WHAT IS A DARK WIZARD--where we at last, rejoin the Dark Lord. After that, aren't we all ready for a little fun and games with the Gryffindor/Slytherin Quiddich game? Harry finally confirms Edward's evil intent, although no one believes him, and now, once again Harry is privy to Slytherin secrets in NOTHING HALLOWED, on Halloween night. Halloween continues to the wee hours of the morning with THE BIRTH OF A NIGHTMARE, where Ginny, Voldemort and the Death Eaters free those in Azkaban. The chapter entitled, PORTRAITS, POLYJUICE AND PORTKEYS tells of the aftermath in Hogwarts and then the trio heads to KNOCKTURN ALLEY.
IN INTEGRUM RESISTUERE Restore (him) to his former power. Are the words spoken to the Longbottoms—the reason the Longbottoms are in St. Mongos. This secret is still kept by the Death Eaters who brought Voldemort to life because they will never know how much of Voldemort is Tom Riddle and how much is Salazar Slytherin.. But now, another secret is shattered, the secret of the Anti-disapparition wards around Hogwarts, and Samara escapes from CHAMBER OF CHAINS. Will she find her wand? Will the Gryffindors realize she's the Prophecy Child?
Non-stop action to the end, and now, on to the chapter,
Chapter 58
The Chamber of Forever
It wasn't until Samara and Draco stood on the threshold of the Chamber of Forever that they remembered how they had left it.
The dark and dreary aftermath of Aislinn's death hung in the room like cobwebs—thick giant cobwebs that clung to everything, sucking away the life. It was almost devoid of color. Gray wraith-like images moved through it.
"We can't fix this," said Draco.
"Yes. We can."
"Look at you, Samara. You are exhausted. You can barely stand up. I don't know how—"
"We have to," spat Samara. "Either help me, or leave."
Silence hung in the ruined room.
"I'll help you," said Draco at last.
Samara stared at the bleakness of the room and thought of Dumbledore taking her wand. Dumbledore accusing her—Putting her in that—torture chamber--Her anger, cold as ice took form and the crystals of ice formed on her robe. It began to snow, the cool healing energy of the white snow filling the air with snowflakes. Samara paused, and closed her eyes, resting for a bit.
"Samara, You're asleep on your feet. You can't do this now."
She shivered, but not with cold. Her voice was low and even and angry. "He left me there," she said, "Cold, alone, wandless—Why did he leave me there?"
"He's either a demon or an idiot, I don't know which."
"But I escaped," Samara breathed.
"Yes, you escaped," Draco soothed, "But I'd sure like to curse that old bastard. Putting an empath in a room like that—"
"He-took-my-wand." Each word was like a curse.
"Are you sure you're alright?' asked Draco, touching her face. "You seem to be existing on magic alone—It's dangerous."
"I have a sense that I am in a very dangerous position—without my wand—exhausted--bereft of protection, but I know what I have to do."
"And what is that?" asked Draco.
"Prepare," Samara said. She opened her eyes and adjusted the ice crystals clinging now in the spider webs. They looked better, but still not right—
"Prepare—" Samara repeated.
"But how will you know what you are preparing for?" asked Draco.
"Not what. Who," said Samara, picking up the ice crystals of magic again. "I would assume that my enemies are the ones trying to kill me." She said, weaving a magic sculpture of ice. "But not yet, Not quite yet.
One of the wraith-like images brushed against her, it's eternal cold lingering.
"What are those?" asked Draco. "Not ghosts."
"Memories of broken dreams,' answered Samara.
"But when did we?"
"Not us," said Samara. "Aislinn's."
Draco looked at her, his aura receding close to his body and moving with agitation.
"Worried about your Patronus?" Samara smirked.
"No."
"Don't lie to me," said Samara her eyes alight with amusement.
"A little," Draco agreed.
"Don't be," said Samara. "This should help yours." She held out her hand. "This room is going to be awesome."
"I believe you," he said, taking her hand. "I'm assuming you want to do this together."
"Please," said Samara. "I've read that shared spells are usually stronger—"
"You've read?" said Draco with half a smile.
"Yes—I—" Samara stopped. "You've shared a spell before," she said.
"Yes," said Draco.
"With who?"
"Mostly Mother. Lauren and I are compatible too. Pansy used to be—Mother is the easiest though. She's very good at it. She's had enough practice with her sisters."
"I thought she only had one sister."
"The other is dead," said Draco.
"Oh." Samara looked around the room at the evidence of Aislinn's death and decided that she didn't want to know any more about Draco's dead aunt.
==
Much later, he had gathered her into his arms and she poured her pent up feelings and wild magic into the embrace. Her joy in his arms, her frustration and fear of being muggle born and yet again her elation that it didn't matter to him. She kissed him and let the wanting fill her; then she poured it all into their embrace and into the room. The room had become a riotous, undulating wave of color and sounds—Sounds! Samara was sure she could actually hear the strains of some distant unearthly music playing-- The room was finished—more than finished, but she couldn't quite bring herself to say it was complete, because then they would have no excuse to stay here any longer, and she didn't want to leave..
She felt Draco's body shudder with the impact of her magic as he fumbled with clasps and buttons, trying to get physically closer to her as well. He was panting and hot. Too hot. Suddenly, Samara pushed him away from her. "Draco, release," she said.
With two long shuddering sighs he released part of her magic. His gray eyes had darkened to fiery bits of charcoal and his eyes held hers while he released again.
A sheen of sweat covered the golden hairs on his bare chest. Somehow his robe and shirt lay discarded on the floor. Samara's clothing was in a similar state and she clutched her robe around her as she watched him worriedly.
"Again, I think," she said. But he shook his head. "Not this time. I want to hold a bit of your magic. I want Him to know that you're mine."
"Draco?" She reached out and touched his face. He turned his lips to kiss the palm of her hand.
"You're mine," he whispered again. "I won't let him have you. We have to find a way—"
"Draco, there is a way—but it is a permanent bonding—binding together our magics.
"You're raving," said Draco, smoothing her wind blown hair. "I've never seen anyone contain that much wandless magic. We have to get your wand so that you can siphon some of it off before you pass out."
"I'm fine," said Samara stumbling against him. "A little light headed that's all—There is a permanent bonding" She touched his face and blew a light wind into his mouth, releasing the elemental air through him."
He pulled away from her, gasping. "Breathe woman!" he said. "Do you have any real air in your lungs or just magic?"
"Just magic," she giggled, and let the air blow through his damp hair.
"Yes," said Draco. "Let's do it."
"Do what?" asked Samara.
"This bonding spell you were talking about—"
Samara hesitated, releasing several times and staring at Draco. "Are you sure?" she asked. "When we are finished here, everyone will know that we belong to each other. Are you sure you want that?"
"I'm sure," said Draco, trying to kiss her. When she didn't return his kiss, he held her at arm's length. "I'm sure," he repeated. "Are you?"
Samara didn't answer at first. "I told Snape I wasn't in love with anyone—but"
"Snape?"
"He said that Helga wasted her gift because she was in love with Salazar."
"And you don't want to waste your gift on me," said Draco angrily, but the color of his aura showed hurt, not anger.
"No. It's not like that. It's—" Samara struggled trying to think of an explanation. "I've been reading a lot about Helga Hufflepuff. I think--It's just that Salazar never understood Helga's love. Maybe it's not possible for a Slytherin to understand. It's Hufflepuff love. It's unselfish. Sacrificial even—"
"And I wouldn't understand sacrificial," said Draco sarcastically. "You can say that here? In this room?" He gestured to the wraiths and bits of magic around them. "With Aislinn's memory all around us?"
"Don't get mad at me," said Samara. "I just need to know why you want this." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I know why I want it, but I don't know if your reasons are the same."
"If we both want to be together then what does it matter?" said Draco pulling her close.
"It matters," Samara countered, "Because it cannot be undone. Do you—love me—enough." She hesitated and he held her waiting for her to finish speaking. "Would you be willing--to die for me?" She whispered.
"I don't know," Draco answered flippantly. "Kill for you maybe—but—"
Samara pulled away angrily. "It's not a joke!"
"I know," he said softly. "But I can't think on it too closely. I'm not a Gryffindor, Samara. I'm not that brave."
Draco licked his lips. His aura suddenly flickered. Samara recognized the fear in both the movement and the color. He was terrified, his voice a small whisper. "Do you have any idea how the Dark Lord will react when he realizes that I've stolen his prize? No, of course you don't know." He clung to her suddenly, his face buried in her hair, his lips against her ear. "He will take you, Samara unless you are bound to another—and even then—" Draco shivered. "You do not know him. Wards won't stop him. He will take you and nothing or no one will be able to stop him."
"But do you love me?" Samara asked, but instead of answering he said softly, "I only loved one person once in this world and she was taken away from me. And I won't let anyone take you away from me. I won't let him have you. I won't." He was gripping her so tightly it hurt. His voice was hard with determination and he covered her mouth with his, kissing her with wild desperation as if he wanted to suck out her soul.
Silently, she began winding the tendrils of her magic around his. Still kissing her, he tried to pull her down on the soft Earth, but she resisted.
"Dance," she said, moving an arm's length away from him so that only their aura's were touching, his a violent red, hers a deep healer's green, the same deep green as her eyes. "Dance with me." She said.
==
Samara noticed a shift in the energy of the Room as if the world were shut out and time had stopped. The wraiths began to dissolve in their magic. The Room was now glowing with their colors and only their colors as heady music that they couldn't define filled them. They were moving to the same rhythm although neither of them heard the music. It was inside of them at the intersection of their auras.
"I want to touch you," said Draco in a voice hoarse with emotion.
"Soon," Samara whispered, frantically weaving her magic with his and releasing back into the Earth. "Feed me your magic," she whispered. "Slowly."
Draco's warm gray eyes locked on to hers as he began to direct his magic into her. She wrapped it around and through her own and fed it back to him. He released it again into the Earth until the dirt around them was shining and moving with the overflow of magic, interlocked like a tapestry. They were both panting with exertion
Their auras had fragmented into a cotton candy sunset that surrounded them like a warm blanket, melting the ice crytstals that Samara had earlier formed.. Although Samara tried, it was no longer possible to discern where her rich blue-green and his red separated.
"I can see it," he whispered awestruck. "I can see our magic" And for just a moment, his gray eyes became deep green like hers. He reached out to clasp her hand in his.
Samara was barely aware that the earth beneath their feet had become mud, but as he touched her hand, their magic coalesced into a violet puddle at their feet. The sunset was drenched with mist, and Samara brushed the dampness from his face. "Water," she said, unaware of whether her word added to the magic or if it was just the natural progression of the magic.
Without warning, the ground beneath their feet gave way and they were plunged into the Water Elemental. As they went under, a flash of pain and terror unlike anything she had ever encountered washed over her. She knew what it was. Draco's deepest self. It was a sense of Draco's memories of Aislinn and the curcio--drowning and things he would never vocally share with her, but now she knew and understood. The darkness that she had only suspected before now lay like a gaping chasm before her. Perhaps he never knew love, but he knew hatred. She wrapped her arms around him and brought forth a different type of magic: Her healing. She felt the calm of her Hufflepuff self take over. She knew just what to do. The holes in his aura filled with the rich bluish purple of the Water Elemental. It seemed to take no effort at all. All of the pain of the physical realm was washed away and she felt she was solely made of magic.
As the Water Elemental receded from their feet, rain began to fall from above, first in tiny drops and then by torrents. By touching the water droplets on Draco's face and arms and chest, she gathered the magic and poured thin streams of it through herself, and back to Draco. Finally, he released it again to the Elemental. The Dance was becoming more wild by the minute. It was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. With each successive touch the magic was moving faster and threatening to get out of control. A part of her reveled in the wild dance. She had a suspicion that it was her Slytherin self that loved the wild revelry.
"Draco," she whispered. "Feed me." And they abruptly switched tasks. He pulled magic from the Water Element and directed his magic to her.
It took every ounce of control Samara had to stay focused on her task as he touched her. His fingers sliding against her wet skin released the Elemental magic and she poured it through his magic, mixing them like a potion until they were all three inseparable. Finally as they danced, she released again to the Water. Each touch was on the precipices of a storm. Once when she looked at his wet lips she nearly gave in to the storm, but somehow she waited until every bit of magic that could be held inside of each of them was brought to the surface of the Water Elemental before moving on. Even then, she waited, laying her head on his chest and swaying silently in the mist. Already she was exhausted. She could hear the fast, even beat of his heart. It seemed to her as if they had been together for days—years—and everything was exactly as it should be. It was impossible that they should know each other so well in so little time. Impossible and yet inevitable.
As if on cue, she turned her face up to his and he kissed her. Their shared breath introduced the Third Elemental, Air. If Samara had chosen, she might have kissed him gently and slowly, introducing gentle breezes into the room, but Draco was not prone to gentle moments. He kissed her with all the pent up passion of the passing storm, and gale winds blew into the room, lifting them both from the floor. The force of the wind flung them against the opposite wall.
They fell in a tangle of arms and legs and Samara lost contact with Draco. Immediately some of the power of the spell was lost. Samara cried out with its loss. She felt alone and unwelcome in a world of wizards and unwanted in the world of muggles. She was lost. She was a freak in both worlds. The moment seemed like forever, but later she realized that it only seemed long. After only a second, Draco had her back in his arms, dancing and they proceeded quickly through Earth, Water and Back to Air as he kissed her, murmuring to her between kisses. "You are better than they are. You are not a freak. You are beautiful ---and powerful---and MINE---and I will never leave you alone and lost. Never!" He gripped her as if to remind her of his sincerity and then he wrapped her in his magic. She snuggled against him and turned her face up to his.
As he kissed her, she realized that his eyes were pure green. He was immersed in her fears and now understood her a little better. She wondered for a moment, if her eyes were gray like his when she saw his memories. Then she closed her eyes and gave into the deliciousness of his kiss. It was hard to control the magic when the wind kept blowing it from her hands. It took both of them to hold it now, and there seemed to be no up or down as they literally danced on air with each kiss. Each touch brought the blessings of the Water Elemental although when Samara tried to examine it, she could no longer tell if the water was Elemental or just sweat. The ribbons of their auras were still intertwined like complex braids along a rosy sunset.
"Samara," Draco whispered, his breath in her ear was clear and yet the tumultuous roar of the wind rolled around them like a symphony. It was as if they were safe in the eye of a hurricane—a hurricane created by their magic.
She held her breath for a moment willing him to say the words she wanted to hear—words she wanted to say—I love you—Words she would not say until he did, and yet didn't his aura say enough to her already?
It was a beautiful pure rose, as was hers.
"Samara," Draco said again, "Stop analyzing it and just enjoy it." He kissed her. "Everything around us is just US after all—our magic—joined." He kissed her again, slowly, longingly. "It's been inside of us all along."
"But we need to control it," she said.
"Why?"
"I don't know—"
"No. We don't need to control it. This is not Ravenclaw magic," he said smothering her objections in yet another kiss. "There is no control. Just feel it, and let it be. Feel this." He kissed her again, a kiss that was filled with his magic. It shivered through her soul, and she clung to him allowing her magic to play through him.
"I want it to be perfect."
"Nothing is perfect," he said. "Not the magic. Not each other."
"I've hurt people," she whispered. "When I lost control."
"You won't hurt me," he whispered. " Intent. "Is your intent to make a perfect symphony of wind and a dance of color? Or is your intent—to bind your magic and mine?"
"To love—" she began, but he swallowed her answer in his kiss.
Their kisses were becoming hotter and hotter and hotter.
Samara had already shed her robe. Her skirt was hiked up around her waist and Draco's hand was hot on her thigh. Between kisses, he looked at her. The room had grown quiet, but neither noticed. They only saw each other, and because they saw only each other, the magic around them was still. The last of the magic had been drawn into them and was now held, pent up, and threatening to explode, but this moment it was still. They both knew there was no turning back. "The last Elemental," he whispered, his mouth hot against her skin. His magic turbulent against her aura.
"Fire," she said, clinging to Draco. She was a little bit afraid. The wind had been real wind. It had blown them into the wall and Samara could still feel the bruise. The water had been real water and had threatened to become a storm. The Earth had been the easiest to control. She had no doubt that fire would be real too. How could it not burn them to ash? How could it not, when they had only passed through only one of his crucio spells. She knew without a doubt the other was in some way associated with fire—he knew it too.
"Draco?" she whispered. "Are you afraid?"
"Terrified," he said, blandly. He lifted his face from her skin and gray eyes stared into green, each willing the other to hold the focus where it belonged, on one another. "But Exhilarated."
Suddenly, she knew—or perhaps she didn't care. She was a Gryffindor, and she thrived on the challenge—the risk itself was intoxicating. Samara pulled Draco against her and muttered against his lips, "I've never seen this dragon breath fire." He kissed her again, both so immersed in the air elemental that neither truly breathed. When she finally lifted her mouth from his, she whispered, "So, let's see the fire, Dragon."
==
(A/N: Hey it's PG-13 and that's as far as my 14 year old brain is allowed to fantasize. Maybe this should be a "cookie challenge" on group.yahoo/The_Seers_Truth? Any one want to write the Fire Elemental and post it on the yahoo group or is it too hot to handle?—Lady Lestrange.)
==
Ginny stretched out across Hermione's bed and closed her eyes. She felt like they had been working on the prophecy for hours. Parvati flapping on about Helga predictions. Tom had retreated into her memories so she didn't even have his dry wit to entertain her.
"The woman is pathetic," he had said. "I can't see why Salazar put up with her."
"How he put up with her!" Ginny thought. "He was the prat, and you of all people, Tom should know that."
"If the woman had one drop of backbone, so many problems would have been averted. Do you realize the pain she caused by her inability to act?"
"She didn't mean to—"
"And since when does ignorance alter the spell?" he asked. "If she'd have stood up to him just once, he would have had a little respect for her—"
"She loved him."
"And that's supposed to excuse her stupidity," spat Tom. "She dumped his elixor of life in the garden. Years of work—"
"It was her work! Her blood—
"The blood wasn't for the elixor. That was for the basilisks."
"Still, she foresaw the dangers—"
"There's always danger, but if you think, you can usually outwit it. You can't just go galloping off unheeding into danger like a Gryffindor."
"Gryffindor! What does Gryffindor have to do with this? We were talking about Helga Hufflepuffs visions, and she saw what Salazar had become--tortured, lonely and insane.
"Well I could use a little 'lonliness' right now!"
"Don't –I-wish," Ginny spat and Tom had retreated to some unknown memory.
"In Ginny's attempts to defend Helga, who had become dear to her lately, she had alienated Tom. Of course, she thought wryly. He couldn't exactly stay away for long..
She sighed and went back to looking into the pensive with the group.
"Loyalty is shown twice," noticed Beatrice. "Your creatures do not know what loyalty is for—"
and "A house divided lives whose loyalty is shown."
"Whose loyalty?" wondered Harry Potter. "His creatures? I know in the poem it means the basilisks that guard the doorway to the Chamber, but it could mean his creatures--like Death Eaters.
"It could mean both" said Ron.
"But someone has to find this emerald too, don't they?" said Neville.
"Me," said Ginny. "I have to find the emerald."
"What! " They all looked at her in amazement.
"There's another prophecy," said Ginny. "It was written in Samara's book. It's about me."
They gaped at her, the silence deepening.
"Where on earth is Samara!" wondered Harry.
"Maybe she went to our room," said Ginny. "I'll go see and I'll bring the book."
Ginny felt suddenly free to be out of Hermione's room and away from the prophecy. It was so stifling. She took a deep breath, and for a moment thought about pulling from the Air Elemental just to cleanse her body of the claustrophobic feelings, but she shook off the temptation. She felt like she had just finished an exam instead of a voluntary project to find the prophecy child.
She reached her room, and called out for Samara. The room was empty. Ginny was in no hurry to rush back to Hermione's room. Probably Samara had just forgotten that they were going to work on the prophecy. Samara was like that. If Draco said two words to her, she forgot about everyone else. As she glanced around the room, looking for Samara's book, Ginny thought, "It would be scary to be so enamoured."
"Absolutely. Especially for her," agreed Tom as Ginny filled him in on what the Gryffindors had discovered. "I really don't care what they've figured out," drawled Tom. "Isn't it obvious--
Ginny still hadn't found the book on Samara's desk or nightstand. She saw a book on the floor under the edge of the bed and she scrambled under the bed to pick it up, but it was only Samara's rune's book, open to EHWAZ , the rune of partnership.
"So is that rune for you or for Samara," wondered Tom.
"It's just a chance that the book was open," said Ginny. "It doesn't mean anything."
"Right," said Tom. "Just chance that a book was opened in your first year too."
Ginny shivered and decided to read what the book said about the rune.
EHWAZ , the rune of partnership. This rune implies change or progress on a journey. Also, Partnership, trust, loyalty and faithfulness as between a horse and rider, brother and sister or two halves of a whole—Strength in partnership. See tarot associations: The Lovers; The Magician
"I guess we still don't know who the rune was for, do we?" wondered Tom. "Maybe for both of you," he surmised. So are you still planning on going through her trunk?" asked Tom.
"Well, I don't think she'd mind," began Ginny, drawing her wand, to disrupt the wards, but there were no wards on the trunk. There wasn't even a muggle lock. Laughing Ginny pushed it open. "Well, I guess she trusts us all. We're her friends—"
"Friends aren't that trustworthy," said Tom morosely.
"Well, maybe not in Slytherin—"
"Not anywhere," corrected Tom,
"I'm sorry," said Ginny. "I forgot—" She wondered how she could forget even for a moment about the cult, when it so consumed Tom that it was all he could think of—"We could have used your help with the pensieve," she ventured. "We're still not sure who the Prophecy child is—"
"Not sure?" said Tom. "Ginny, I swear those wizards at St. Mongo's had to suck out some of your brains with those memories. How could you still not be sure?"
"And you know?"
As soon as I was certain it was a girl, that ruled out Harry Potter. It has to be Samara."
"Samara?" Ginny sucked in her breath with a sharp hiss as the burning pain of the Dark Mark hit her like a hot poker piercing her left arm. Her first thought was panic that she wasn't allowed to leave the Gryffindor Common Room. Her second thought was to yank the comb from her hair. Samara and Samara's book were both forgotten.
"Portkey," muttered Tom. "Now!"
But she had already touched the device and reappeared in the corner of Slytherin Common Room. A moment later, Edward joined her.
The Slytherin Common Room was controlled chaos-- Millicent, in cat form, was sleeping on Greg Goyle's lap while he copied someone's homework. A group of first years were playing exploding snap in the corner. Pritch and another animagus scampered out of the doorway. Alvin Nott was doing prefect duty at the door, but he certainly wasn't trying to keep anyone in the Common Room. Lauren was sitting with him while he wrote the names of those who were leaving on a "Sleeping—Do not Disturb" list.
Ginny herself headed for the doorway at a fast walk, Edward at her side, when Ethan ran to catch up with them.
"Ginny! Have you seen Pansy?" Lauren called worriedly.
"No," said Ginny shortly.
"Wait!" Lauren called again. "I just—"
"We can't wait," Ethan hissed at her.
"Perhaps Pansy is a true Slytherin now," added Gloria Snood. "Tell Him I will be his most loyal follower," Gloria added to Edward.
"Mum already has that job," he said.
"I take it your Mark isn't burning," said Ethan.
"No," said Gloria dejectedly.
"Go play exploding snap with the other first years," said Lauren.
"I'm not a first year," said Gloria. "I'm a Death Eater."
"And I thought she was an angel," said Tom.
Millicent yawned and stretched and transformed.
"Your Mark?" asked Greg.
"No." Millicent examined her arm thoughtfully. "And I brought the second highest amount of recruits at Drumstrang." Her bottom lip protruded in a pout.
"He must have been disappointed that the one had it's neck broken," surmised Greg. "He was seriously pissed off at me for dropping that veela when I got burned at Beaubaxtons."
Millicent purred, and turned back into a cat.
Alvin leaped to his feet, clutching his left arm. "Oy Blaise! Is your Mark burning?" called Alvin across the Common Room..
"No," she answered reluctantly.
"Then get your prefect log and take duty for me—" He started out of the door, but Lauren caught him around the neck and kissed him like she may never see him again. He touched her lips gently. "I'll be back," he said, and darted out of the door, leaving his prefect log in Lauren's hands.
"Do you know what he's doing?" said Ethan, practically dancing on the balls of his feet. Ginny was glad to see he wasn't issuing sparks yet. "He's separating the weeds from the chaff."
"That's the wheat from the chaff," corrected Tom in Ginny's head.
"Do you realize what is happening?" Ethan continued.
"His basilisks are hatching," said Tom grimly.
"Yes," thought Ginny with a shiver. "It's time."
"He's chosen us." continued Ethan.
Edward smiled. "The new Inner Circle begins."
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ANSWERS TO REVIEWERS:
~Joda~ This week rocks. Here's your Update Update Update
Reiven Panties? What panties? "Dumbassdore" lol You think that was a cliffhanger? You have no idea. I tried to figure out where to cut the next chapter which is nearly 30 pages to the end. Maybe I'll be merciful and keep it one chapter. If not, you will learn the meaning of Cliffhanger. Don't get an ulcer.
Ilwinterhofal finally caught up, Glad you are back with us.
taju`akiel Counting on you to keep yelling at the slow pokes.
Trillium: Your sister's quote "Any lover can be passionate, not every lover can be kind." You said, this chapter wrecked the comparsion, a little. Now you probably think that it looks like this chapter wrecked the comparison a lot. Well as Draco said, when he met Samara—looks can be deceiving. Only two chapters left?! *sniff* That's kinda sad. Sequel is coming soon.
Sky Okay dose anyone one else really wont to hurt Dumbeldore right now what an ass. The question is: Is Dumbledore stupid or evil?
. Silverfox1 About Harry's apparition. The first time he apparated, Voldemort knew he COULD apparate and that "touch" is what hurt Harry. Since then, Voldemort hasn't been concerned with this apparition from one point of Hogwarts to the other—but maybe he should be. Dumbledore, a true Gryffindor. LOL. And Neville is not super wizard, but he is discovering some strengths. After all, with such awesome parents he knows that strengths have to be there somewhere.
Jager Sending Snape right over with a potion for your illness. Keep reading.
Kemenran
More is on its way. Lots more for poor Ginny to deal with
. Tiamat Warcraft
I liked My Eternal Curse too. My Yahoo IM is carmandoogle. Let me know when you are online. Join the groups.yahoo.The_Seers_Truth and we can talk about homeschool and "evil Harry Potter haters among them." Slytherins are Homeschooled. Evidence: "Carman is the best teacher of the dark arts."
ennui deMorte Ennui? Hello Ennui? Are you still there? Did you leave me about the time Samara and Draco started their dance? Thanks for all you do on the seers truth group. If you haven't visited, go to the groups. Yahoo.com/The_Seers_Truth Ennui has done a marvelous job setting this all up. If only we could get her a pet ferret. The enchantment is actually Voldemort's summons of Snape combined with Samara's magic. The enchantment was set up earlier—when Snape gave his consent to the Dark Mark. The Dark Mark is Voldemort's magic of course, which with Samara's magic added to it, was what ripped the wards. (Read: We will Wait: A Story of Bellatrix Lestrange) to see how the Death Eaters feel the magic of Voldemort and the magic of the sender in the Dark Mark.
No wonder the bad guys always think the good guys are idiots - they ARE! (Isn't this a great quote)
Come to group - you know you want to.
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(A/N: The next chapter is exceedingly long--about 30 pages. I hate to cut it because there is no good spot to do so except at major cliffhangers. For this reason, I think the next chapter is worth 15 reviews. Of course if you only do 10 reviews—I can tell how many have read from advanced stats—then you just have to deal with the cliffhanger. Don't worry, the sequel is waiting in the wings. Thanks for sticking with me through such a long book. –
After you have read this, go to the group.yahoo.com/The_Seers_Truth and answer the questions. Lots of fun discussion and some cool pictures. You are invited to add your own pics related to this story and links to your stories if you have reviewed. ONE MORE CHAPTER.
–Lady Lestrange.)