Chapter 8:
What guides us
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's Note: "What guides us to our future are our own choices we make." Chronos the Fallen Angel
J.K. Rowlings created Harry Potter and its characters, Marvel owns the X- men, and DC owns Supergirl, and any other characters that they had created. Anything I created is mine.
* * * * * *
Hermione was in a panic, Harry's birthday was a week away, and she still didn't have a present. For the past week she was working for Roland, cleaning up and organizing his library trying to make some money to buy Harry the perfect gift. But working in his library gave her a chance to search for more information on the Fallen Angel.
But she didn't spend all her time in the library, only about an hour or two a day. The rest of it was either with Harry, or Hermione's new found friends: Heather, Jean, and two girls named Rogue and Kitty. Jean had taken them out shopping, and Hermione had bought some new cloths, a bathing suit, and some more books. She enjoyed have friends for once, Hermione never really had any close girl friends, and now she finally did. It was fun for her to hang out with people her own age, and try to do something normal for once.
Even Harry was making friends, he found friends in two boys, Bobby Drake, who was going out with Rogue, and Piotr Rasputin, Kitty's boyfriend. Often, when he wasn't with her, Harry was outside, playing some sort of sport, with the two boys and Scott. Hermione really like Jean and Scott, they seemed like such a nice couple. They had treated her and Harry with great respect, and she felt love from them every once in a while.
They're powers had only grown, but Hermione refused to fly again, but she did learn how to use the air currents to make her self glide across the floor. Harry had learned how to swim beneath the ground as if it was water and pass through solid stone. Both of them had increased their control over their other powers. Indeed, Roland had said often, you're powers have grown, in more ways then one.
The final day had come from working in Roland's library. It was finally organized alphabetically. "Roland," she asked, walking up the spiral stairs after her final day of work, the library was finished and she had earned a decent amount of money. But her cousin had yet to pay her for the day's work.
"Yeah," he followed her up, his sleeve robe floating just above the ground. Roland wore it often, saying that he was just being prepared, but never said for what. Hermione never did get the chance to ask, for he was always moving, whether to play cards with Heather, or to work out in.
"I was wondering if you could take me to Portabello Road?" Hermione had stopped at the top of the stairs, and looked back down at her cousin, waiting for him to finish climbing the stairs. /his knee must be killing him,/ she thought, /Heather said that climbing up stairs always hurt him. Why does he do it?/
"Because, asking for help it a sign of weakness," Roland grunted out, using the railing to pull himself up to the top. Hermione gave him a confused look. "I sensed that you were worried about someone in the room and since-"
"Your door isn't open," Hermione replied looking back at the closed door, "And your knee would be the only thing that I should be worried about, right?"
"Very good," Roland said, breathing deep breathes.
"Why don't you ask for help?" Hermione asked, placing her hands on her hips. "Asking for it isn't a sign of weakness, Roland."
"To me it is," he replied, bending forward, "Don't ask why, it's just a way I feel alright?" Roland shifted his sunglasses; as the blinds were wide open in the room.
"Fine, now about Portabello Road?"
"Yeah," Roland stood up straight, exhaling deeply, "That shouldn't be a problem. Why may I ask?" Hermione started to answer. "Don't tell me, Harry's gift." she started to blush; Roland took his wallet out of his back pocket. "Here's what I owe you for today, and something extra for finishing the job." Roland handed her two bills.
"Roland," Hermione stared at the two bills; two faces of Benjamin Franklins were staring right back at her. "You can't give me-" She started to complain, just holding the bills in the palm of her hand.
Roland curled her fingers up. "Take it and consider it a thank you for your help." He limped over to the dresser in his room and took a binder off it. "Catch," and the binder flew over to Hermione.
She did catch it, and looked at the title. "Symbiosis Mutation? What's this?" she looked up at her cousin.
"It's your condition, I think," Roland limped back over. "Just read it, then we'll talk afterwards." He offered a smile. "Now, I'm thinking the thirtieth, will that work?"
"The day before Harry's birthday, isn't that cutting it close," Hermione asked. "What if we don't find anything?"
"You will, Hermione," Roland replied, "Now, Harry's probably waiting for you."
"Thank, cousin," she said, hugging him.
"No prob', Hermione," Roland let go.
"See you later," she yelled at him, as she exited his room.
"Take care, Hermione," Roland said softly, "for I feel that you'll need it." He limped back over to the bed, and laid down, just as Heather walked in. "hey," he said, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey," Heather took a seat on the other side of the bed. "Knee still hurting you?"
"As always," Roland sat up. "So what do you want?"
"The girls were planning on going over to the mall, and I was wondering." Heather trailed off and looked at the floor.
"What?" Roland stared at his friend.
"Would you like to come?" Heather asked, looking for his approval.
"Isn't it a girl's only thing? That's what I heard from Kitty."
"No, Jean had got Scott to go, so the rest of the girls are bringing their boyfriends." And she trailed off again.
"You don't want to feel felt out," Roland placed a hand on her shoulder, "But of course, Heather. I'm always willing to help a friend." He stood up and walked over to his closet, he removed his robe. "After the last time I went." It was his turn to trail off, but a smile on his face.
"Why," she crawled over to the other side of the bed, sitting on her legs. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I just destroyed some property, attacked a few guards-"
"Roland!"
"I know," he took off his shirt and Heather looked away. "That's way I'm not wearing all black." Roland pulled a Hawaiian golf shirt out of his closet and pulled it on. "Ready to go." Heather looked back. Roland had his hair falling on his forehead, and his sunglasses hiding the absentness of his eyes. "You'll need to guide, as I'll be a blind man." A blind walking cane appeared out of the shadows in his hand. "Let's go." He limped over to her and wrapped his arm around hers, using it to hold his weight up.
"Are you sure you'll be up for this?" she asked.
"Of course, now lead the way, and be careful where you're going, I'm remove my shadow film over my eyes. Time for some rest."
Heather smiled at him, as she helped him walk out the room. She knew that no one was going to make fun of either of them, as they were afraid of what Roland could do. After all, he was the master of the shadows, and the power had he had shown so often was frightening to those who, /to use a line from Roland,/ she thought, /'cross his path.'/ Heather couldn't help but giggle a bit.
"What you laughing about?" Roland asked.
"Nothing," was the reply, with a smile still on her face.
* * * * * *
Hermione walked around the mansion with Harry, the sun as just setting. "It's beautiful out here," Hermione said, resting her head on his shoulder, as she had done so many a times.
"All I'm looking at is the beauty next to me," Harry replied, causing Hermione to blush again. They sat down on one of the benches that was in the courtyard of the school
"Stop it Harry," she playfully hit his arm, "you know how." Hermione sat up and pulled away from Harry, she had a small smile on her face.
"How what, you like my comments about your beauty, about how you enjoy me talking about you, or," Harry started to tickle her rib cage, Hermione began to laugh.
"Harry, please, stop," she barely got out, hold her sides. Harry was laughing along with her. Finally he stopped. "Thank.you." Hermione was taking in deep breaths, and was about to say something else, then Harry moved forward and kissed her, and she forgot everything and anything else in the world. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held the back of her head. After a few minutes of bliss, Harry pulled away, much to Hermione's dislike.
"Or how you like it when I kiss you," he said slowly, still staring into her eyes.
"You know me too well, Mr. Potter," she said, and moved it to kiss Harry again. He graciously accepted her and ran his fingers through her hair. Chills ran down her spine, but Hermione didn't pull away. Again after a few minutes, they pulled away from their passionate kiss, both breathing hard.
"Thank you Hermione," he said, still running his fingers through her hair, Hermione just stared at Harry dreamily, not say a word. The sun had begun to set. Harry took her hand and stood up, holding her hand and looking into her eyes. Finally they began to walk again, heading back into the mansion.
"So, what did you think of today?" Hermione asked, staring up at him, but he was staring forward, watching where they were going.
"It was alright," Harry replied.
"What did you think of Heather and Roland?"
"What you mean how they acted like a married couple, how they are so blindly in love that-" Hermione stopped him and he looked down at her.
"Roland is the only one who is blind, Harry," Hermione said. "I think the professor was right about him and her."
"Yeah, he was, Roland was calm today, which was interesting because the security guard kept on following us all day."
"And the fact that every store clerk was rude to him."
"And that a kid tried to steal his wallet."
"You'd think that he'd beat the hell out of the kid," Hermione said with a smile.
"Now, 'Mione that isn't very lady like," Harry said.
"Harry, when have you ever known me to be lady like?" Hermione asked. Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and Hermione placed her arms around Harry's neck.
"All the time," Harry said, and kissed her, she accepted the kiss with no complaints. She pulled Harry closer. When she let go of her boyfriend, Harry was silent for a moment before saying "that is until you and I started going out."
"Is that a problem, Mr. Potter," she let go and turned her back away from Harry, a smile on her face.
"Hermione," Harry wrapped his arms around her again, "I never meant it that way." She didn't say a word. "Please, Hermione, I'm sorry." He tried to turn her head to face him, but Hermione pulled away again. "'Mione please." She stopped and looked straight into his eyes.
"I can never resist that name from you," Hermione replied, seeking his arms.
"I'm sorry," he replied, looking down into her baby-blue eyes.
"Harry, Hermione," Logan yelled from inside the mansion. "Get in here now. You've got a room for that." He closed the windows with a smile on his face and two blushing students.
"Well, you heard him," Hermione said, and started to walk away, but Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her back for another kiss before they returned to the mansion. He gently touched her cheek with his fingertips.
"I love you, Hermione, and I don't think that I'll be able to live without you," Harry said. He then picked Hermione up off the ground.
"Harry James Potter," she replied, excitedly, "what are you doing?"
"Carrying you in, my lady," he said, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, and smiled at him. /you are the reason why I live, 'Mione,/ Harry thought, /I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here./
* * * * * *
Six days had passed and Hermione was ready to go to Portabello Road. A knock came from his door; Roland blinked for a moment and checked his internal clock. /5:30 in the morning,/ he thought. /who the hell is up this early?/ he stood up slowly from the floor. Heather had been using his bed, while he had the couch. But every night Roland was on the floor, his back waking him up from the pain. Roland rubbed the back of his head, his shoulder length black hair tied back in a ponytail. /this better be important./ he opened the door. "Aylo?" He said groggily.
"Don't you remember what day it is?" Hermione said, her hands were on her hips and she was already dressed. She eyeballed her cousin for a moment; he was wearing on a pair of black workout paints. "And you didn't have a ponytail yesterday."
"That's because I put my hair up," Roland replied, then yawned. "Give me twenty minutes, I'll meet you in the main hall." Roland didn't give her a chance to answer as he just closed the door on her. /Damn girl, too hyper for her own good,/he thought as he walked over to his closet. Roland pulled out a pair of pants, a black sleeveless shirt and his cowboy hat. He limped over to the dresser and removed a fresh pair of boxer for the day. /I don't think I've been up this earlier since, well never./ He growled as he walked over to the bathroom for a quick shower.
With in ten minutes Roland was out and already dressed. Heather was starting to get up. /Great I woke her up,/ he thought. /that's a first./ he walked over to her. Heather looked around the room for a moment, before seeing Roland. "Hey," she said, then yawning. He walked over to her.
"Just relax, and try to get some more sleep," Roland said. "It's too damn early." He stopped in front of the mirror and began to comb his hair back, leaving a few bangs to curl onto his forehead.
"Then why are," a yawn interrupted her, "you're never up before ten."
"Taking Hermione to Portabello Road, she wants to get a gift for Harry." He waved a hand over her. "Sleep well."
"I don't want you're pity.sleep.Roland," she said, before yawning again and lying back down. A smile was on Roland's face as he stood up and walked away, picking up his sunglasses and coat from the coat rack. He walked back and grabbed a knee brace that was next to the T.V. /no better time then now./
Roland walked over the door and it with a shadow extension from his back. He slowly put his sunglasses on, and then swung his coat around, sliding his arms into their respective positions. He limped down the hallway and to the main hall. "Nineteen minutes, seventeen seconds," Roland said as he walked down the stairs. "Took my less, probably could've talk for a few more minutes."
"Ready?" Hermione stood up, Roland gave her a quick look, she was wearing nothing special a white blouse and a pair of jeans.
"Always," Roland said, he stopped right in front of her.
"So, how are we getting there?"
"Flying of course," Roland smiled at her, watching his cousin bear a face of horror.
"Roland, I'm not flying after what you did."
"Relax," Roland turned around and faced the front of the hall. "There are more then one ways to skin a cat." Roland focused for a moment then waved his hand, opening a black oval. "Ladies first."
"And you're sure about this," Hermione stared at her cousin.
"Hey, trust me," Roland said, "now let's go, I'll think that you'll want to look around for a while before buying anything."
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes and walked straight into the black portal. She felt alone and empty for only a moment, before she appeared on the other side, in a busy street. Roland stepped right through then took in a deep breath, "got love this place."
His cousin was just staring at all the wizards and witches walking about, bartering with each other from the carts in the middle of the street. There were shops lining the road as well as little carts in the middle, people were talking loudly, trying to get the best deals that they could from the vendors. "C'mon, Hermione," Roland said, touching her shoulder gently.
It had been a long time since Steven had hurt her, and Hermione was finally getting over it. But it was only because Harry was there with her, now she felt his presence missing, she felt all alone and scared. "Hermione," Roland repeated, "Hermione?" She was just staring at all the people, afraid that Steven was out there, or someone like him was in the crowd. She suddenly felt like she was with Harry again, his presence was missing. Hermione just felt loved and happy again, all the fear was gone. She looked up at Roland, whose right hand was on her shoulder, and was pitch-black.
"Roland.what's happening?" she asked, staring at his hand.
"Shh, just remember that Harry is always with you," Roland pulled a small amulet from his pocket with his free hand. "He asked me to create this for you."
"What is it?" Hermione took the amulet and looked at it; it was a simple jewel on a necklace, her birthstone as the central gem. It was small enough so that it looked just like a pendant. But it opened up, showing a picture of Hermione kissing Harry her fourth year. Tears came to her eyes. /oh, Harry./
"Look on the inside cover," Roland removed his hand, as he felt the happiness grow inside of Hermione.
She did as she was asked, the inside cover had an inscription, 'When ever we're apart, just remember, I'm already there by your side.' Now Hermione couldn't hold back the tears. "He wrote it himself; Harry's quite a poet, Hermione." Roland was caught off guard when Hermione hug his stomach.
"Thank you," she said through her tears.
"Hey, you should thank Harry," Roland replied, gently patting her back. "I just helped out." Hermione let go of him. "What did you plan on getting Harry?"
"I was thinking a new broom, but I don't think what I have will be enough."
"I think you will," Roland replied, "Now, I know the best place for brooms." He started to walk away, but looked back at Hermione. "Coming?"
Hermione looked down at the pendant that Roland had given her. /my first gift from Harry./ she was just staring at it. /he always knows how to cheer me up./ Hermione never noticed the man walking up behind her. Harry's face on the small picture had a look of horror on it. Hermione turned around just to see the man reach for her. And the first action that she thought of was to scream "Harry!" Roland was next to her in moments, and had punched the man unto the ground.
"What the hell is your problem, freak?" The man asked, rubbing his jaw. "Boys, get him." He pointed at Roland, and three men had their wands drawn.
"Mister," Roland taking off his sunglasses, and pushed Hermione behind him, "you have no idea who are you fucking with here." His long black coat was beginning to float off the ground; a black mist began to from him. "You messed with the elemental wizard, pal." Roland pointed his left hand at the man and a black wand popped out of his wrist. "STUPFEY!" In a single breath Roland threw back all three of the wizards. "WINGARUDIUM LEVIOUSA!" Roland picked the man up off the ground and pulled him to his feet.
"Mr. Childe, I didn't know she was with you," he stammered.
"She isn't, you sick perve," Roland grabbed the man's collar, "she's my cousin." Roland stared the man straight in the eyes, "I catch word of you doing something like that again, I will personally make your life a living hell." He threw the back onto the ground. "Get out of my sight, you pathetic excuse of a man." Roland turned around, his black mist disappeared and his coat calmed down. He looked over at Hermione.
"Who.what-" she was stumbling over her words, still surprised and scared about what she had just seen.
"That man is the local asshole, Hermione," Roland replied, "He picks on anyone whom he deems vulnerable and were pursue it to the ends of the earth. Believe me, I've seen it happen once too many times." A look of sadness was on his face as he placed the sunglasses back on.
"Thank you, Roland," Hermione said, "I've only seen-"
"That much power in Voldemort," he said the name as if it meant nothing. Hermione flinched at the sound of the name. "But you need to understand, power isn't everything, it's how we use it." She simply nodded, still in shock from what she had just seen. Roland placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and led her into the crowd. Much To Hermione's surprise, no one had made a big fuss about what had happen. Though a few people did congratulate Roland on telling off that old man. After a few minutes, a crowd did begin to form not to congratulate him but to get his autograph. "Please, I have some shopping that I need to get done." Roland said, holding up his hands. Hermione was just laughing at her cousin. "Hermione help, please."
"No, cous," she replied, "you got yourself into this." Hermione just was standing back and watch her cousin.
"Fine then," He said to her, "If I do one trick, will you all leave me alone." They all nodded quickly, apparently, Roland must be very good at something for them to agree to this. Roland placed his palms together and his body began to turn blacker and blacker, until finally, there was no detail left, only a form. The crowd was clapping, one kid touch his shoulder after Roland didn't move for a while. The entire form collapsed into a pile of sand, and it was blown away by wind that appeared out of nowhere. The crowd became panicky. "Where did he go?" "What happened?" "Somebody find him."
After a few moments, Hermione began to get worried. "Boo," a voice said softly behind her. She jumped and turned around to see that Roland was there, hiding in the shadows. "C'mon, the store is down this way." He grabbed her hand and led her down the alley. They came out on the other side to another street. "The shop that we are looking for is just up ahead." He pointed down the busy street. "Afterwards, you will probably want to look at Flourish and Blotts."
"They have a Flourish and Blotts here?" Hermione replied excitedly.
"Yes, they're like a Muggle Barnes and Noble," Roland said, "C'mon." he lead her down the street and straight over to a store called Excalibur Brooms.
"Roland," Hermione said as they were walking over to the store.
"Yeah?" he replied, carefully watching the street, trying to avoid being seen.
"How are you so powerful?" Roland stopped in his tracks and looked down at Hermione.
"I, um," he stumbled over his words, then just stood there in silence, "I just am." Roland smiled at Hermione, who then had a grateful look on his face after seeing her accepting his answer.
"I want a more complete answer later," she said as she entered the store. Roland sighed, /I should've known that that was coming./
They entered Excalibur Brooms, and Roland carefully closed the doors. With the doors closed, he focused and sent a shadow to cover the windows in order to hide them. "Roland," an old shop keeper came walking over to them. He was hunched over with white hair flying out all over the place. "is that you my boy?"
"Sure is Grandpa," Roland said, hugging the old man with a smile on his face.
"Grandpa?" Hermione repeated.
"It's just a name that we use in Portabello Road; he was kind to all us kids when we came here to get our supplies." The old man was gleaming with pride. "He asked us to call him Grandpa Horis. Or Grandpa for short."
"Well," Hermione replied, sticking out her hand, "Hello Mr. Horis."
"Hogwash," he replied, sweeping up Hermione in a hug. "Just call me Grandpa." When he put her down, Hermione pulled her blouse down.
"Okay, Grandpa." She said, still uncomfortable with it.
"That's better," Grandpa said, "Now Roland what can I help you with?"
"Me later, my cousin here first," Roland pointed to Hermione.
"Very a beautiful one at that," Grandpa replied, elbowing Roland. Hermione turned a dark red. "Who's the lucky boy, someone I know."
"I doubt that, Grandpa." Hermione had begun to look at the brooms. "It's a boy from Hogwarts, the school where she attends."
"And a great school at that, my boy," the old man added.
"Anyways, she's liked him for the past," Roland called over to Hermione who was too busy looking at brooms. /maybe a new Firebolt,/ she thought, /I doubt he'll want anything less./ "what five years?"
"Huh?" Hermione said.
"You've like Harry how long?" he repeated, Hermione blushed again, turning her back to him. "Five years, Grandpa."
"Oh and how long they've been going out?" Hermione was turning a brighter and brighter color of red. /why do they have to talk to me?/ Something finally caught her eye. A gold and red broom was hanging in a store case. The front edge had been carefully whittled so that it looked like a sword. Hermione looked at the small card in front of it. 'The Excalibur is a new age broom created by the greatest of broomists, it control, speed, strength, and altitude that it can fly at is higher then any broom created. Only three of them have been created.' She looked down at her pendant, opening it and looking into Harry's eyes. /yes Harry will like that,/ she thought. /it's has our Gryffindor colors and everything./
"Roland, Roland," Hermione said, running over to her cousin, "I found the broom that I want to get for Harry."
"Please show us," Roland replied, as she pulled him over to the case. "Marvelous, Hermione."
"Yeah," Grandpa said, "that just so happens to be my favorite broom, all three were made for me."
"Can I get it?" she asked looking with puppy-dogged eyes up at Roland.
"Sure, you can," Grandpa replied. "I've have one more that was made just for me. This one will work for anyone, better for seekers though."
"It's perfect, Roland. So can we?" Again she stared at him with her puppy dogged eyes.
"It's you're money," he said.
"But I don't think that you have enough," Hermione sounded downhearted.
"Nonsense, missy," Grandpa said. "Any friend of Roland's is a friend of mine. How much you got?"
"Five hundred dollars, American." Hermione pulled out a small envelope.
"I'll sell it to you for four hundred," Grandpa spoke with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Grandpa," Hermione hugged the man, the awkwardness gone from before.
"It's quite alright, lass," Grandpa said, "Like I said, any friend of Roland is a friend of mine." He opened the show case and pulled out the broom. "Would you like it wrapped?"
"Yes please," Hermione replied. The old man walked away holding the broom
"But put it in a box, Grandpa," Roland said, a smile crossed his face, as did an idea. "And I'll take some of the broom polish, one of your cleaning kits, a book about Quidditch and."
"Roland what are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Buying Harry's gift," Roland smiled, "Just make sure that he opens mine first."
Hermione realized what he was doing. "Okay then. Just don't out do me."
"I never could, cous," Roland replied. "And I'll five pairs of your Neo- binoculars." Grandpa came back with Hermione's broom in a simple white box with a red and gold ribbon tied into a bow and all of Roland's items.
"That'll be a thousand dollars, Muggle of course," Grandpa said. A smile was on the old man's wrinkled face.
"Of course," Roland answered, and pulled out six on hundred dollar bills, Hermione placed the remaining amount on the table.
"Thank you, Roland, Hermione," Grandpa added. "And have a lovely day." He picked up the bills and put them into the cash register.
"Okay, I'll see you about a week before I leave," he yelled back, holding his bags and a smiling Hermione walking right next to him as the left.
Outside the sun was directly overhead, /noon/ Hermione thought. She looked at Roland, who was carefully looking up and down the street. "Roland," Hermione said, "I think I want to go home now."
"Alright," he understood, "you sure you don't want to check out Flourish and Blotts?" She noted a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"I'm sure," she replied. "I just want to be with Harry until tomorrow."
"Okay," Roland sighed out, it sounded as if he wanted to go. /that would be so like me,/ she thought, /if I didn't have a boyfriend./ Roland focused for a moment and waved his hand. A black oval appeared in front of them, and so did the screams of a thousand people. "There he is." "Let's get his autograph." "Maybe he'll marry me."
"Hermione go," Roland said, she jumped into the portal, no longer did she feel alone and afraid, Harry was with her. There was still that empty feeling, but Hermione knew that by being with him, it would be gone. She appeared in the mansion, right where they had left. Roland popped in a few seconds, just as the portal disappeared.
"You have to explain that to me one day," Hermione said, brushing herself off with her free hand.
"Fine then," Roland smiled, "Do you want to hold onto the gift, or let me hold it for now?"
"Where's Harry?" she asked. Roland focused for a moment, Hermione smiled. He had explained to her about his tracking system using both Muggle technology and his empathic abilities. It was quite ingenious how he got it to work.
"He's in the court yard right now." Roland had to smile at his own genius. "So, you could hide it under your bed for now. Hide these too." He tossed her his gifts for Harry, Roland still held the a bag. Hermione looked at what she gave him, it was everything save the Neo-binoculars. "And say they're from me and Heather, alright."
"Roland, you and I need to have a talk," Hermione said.
"Look, I know all about the birds and the bees," Roland replied with smile, but got a glare from Hermione. "After Harry's birthday, alright?"
"Thanks," she kissed him on the cheek then ran up to her room, clutching Harry's gift like it was the world. /you'll love this gift, Harry./ she was so proud of herself, finding the perfect gift for her boyfriend.
* * * * * *
Roland had a smile on his face as he walked back to his room. "Chronos," Jean's voice booms through the hallway.
Roland sighed. "Not now, Phoenix," he answered, tired of his arguments that were becoming a weekly habit of theirs. She showed up once a week while he was walking to his room. Also she had informed him about how he needed to project Harry and Hermione, but never giving any useful information. And since he couldn't get her to stop calling his Chronos, he just called her Phoenix, saved him a lot of headaches. "I've used a lot of my energy today, and I just want to relax."
"This is important, Chronos," she said, walking over to him. Her fiery red hair looked like it was burning, snapping around her head.
"As is my well being," Roland replied, he stopped at his door and began to fumble with the keys. He stopped. "What do you want?"
"You need to protect them, Chronos," the Phoenix said.
"I'm doing the best I can with the limited info I'm getting." Roland looked at the deity. Two fiery wings appeared on her back, and floated behind her. "All you've told me to protect them, from what though?"
"From what is to come," she replied.
Roland couldn't help but laugh, his black mist beginning to form beneath him. "I could've bet you'd say that." The phoenix hadn't stopped moving forward. She was but a few feet away from him. "You knew all this time and I still don't know."
"Know what, Chronos?"
"Why me," he face filled with concern. "After all I'm no saint."
The Phoenix laughed, "You never were, Chronos." A long period of silence pasted. Roland began to think long and hard about what was to come
"I'm transferring over to Hogwarts," Roland said. "Heather too."
"Good, she'll keep you under control." The phoenix laughed again. "You two make a great couple. When do you plan on asking her?"
"I don't know what you're taking about," he said, replied with a smile. /Jean, you're a nice person but mind your own business,/ he thought. /for once./ "Now about matters that concerns me."
"All matters concern you, Chronos," the Phoenix replied.
He ignored her statement. "What have you learned about this presence in my mind?" He leaned against the door, his black mist spreading farther down the hallway.
"I can't say," the Phoenix said.
"You can't, or you won't?" Roland asked.
"Both, Chronos," the Phoenix replied. "it is important that you find out on your own."
"Sure it is, Phoenix," Roland turned around and opened his door. "Just leave me alone for the day." He rubbed the back of his head. "I've had a long day."
"What guides us, Chronos, are our choices," the phoenix said, backing slowly away from the shadow master, "make sure you make the right ones."
"Why not the left ones?" Roland asked, but suddenly grabbed by a large burning hand that appeared out of nowhere.
"Chronos," the Phoenix's dark voice boomed through the hallway. "This is no laughing matter."
"Life is a laughing matter, Phoenix," Roland replied, struggling to get out of the grasp, he began to sink into his alter self, his fallen side. "You just need to relax." The anger was beginning to filling his very soul. /no one ever pushes me around. No one./ "But if you insist on being serious." A black hood appeared over his head, and Roland's face slowly sank back into darkness. "Then so be it." His black robe appeared, taking the place of his coat. Roland slipped through the burning hand, and landed on the ground. He just stayed there, in his crouched position. The hood had fallen off his face.
"Eonos," the phoenix said, "What are you doing here?"
Roland no longer spoke, nor was he in control of his body. For a moment, his mind went blank, and out stepped the presence from his mind. "My little pretty," spoke a man's voice. It had no accent of any kind. Only a kind light voice spoke. "I see you have found your true powers."
"What do you want, Eonos?" The Phoenix asked.
"I am here to guide my dear and faithful friend to his rightful place, next to my master." He slowly rose to his feet, and the black robe that Roland wore disappeared, turning into a pure white robe. "he is more powerful with the wizard finishing his job that he started so long ago."
"And Chronos will stop you." The Phoenix pulled her arm back, staring at Eonos with hatred.
"Chronos will do nothing of the sort," Eonos replied, walking over to her. "He had no idea of what is come or has pasted, Phoenix."
"He will learn," she said, taking steps away from the man.
"I won't let him," Eonos answered, he was but a few feet from her. And his transformation was complete; no longer did he have black hair, but pure white. And his eyes, the sunglasses that were covering them had fallen off when Roland hit the ground. They were a hazel color. "He will never learn."
/but he will, Eonos,/ Professor X's voice boomed in the man's head, he reeled back in pain, holding his head. /Chronos will protect those when it is needed./
"Damn you Charles," Eonos said, backing away. Roland's pitch black eyes took his white ones' place, and slowly so did the hair. As Eonos tried to run away, Roland's black robe took his place. He just collapsed onto the floor.
"Jean, help him into his room," Xavier wheeled himself over the fallen student. He's burning up; literally, smoke was coming from his body. Roland rolled over to his side and grabbing his sides too. "Hurry."
But Roland pushed the telekinetic power away, just as Jean lifted him off the ground. He landed hard on the floor and groaned again. "I don't want help," he got out, "I don't need it." He slowly got up, his body still smoking. "No one needs to help me," Roland grumbled. He then said something under his breath as he entered his room, staggering left and right. He nearly collapsed again, but used the door handle to hold himself up. Slowly, he opened the door and walked in, slamming it shut with one of his shadow extensions.
"Professor, that isn't like Roland," Jean said. She walked quickly over to her mentor.
"I know, Jean," Xavier replied. "That man that I saw was influencing him. Even when Roland was at his weakest, he knew was polite and kind. Now."
"He wasn't," jean said simply. "And I felt that Eonos was influencing him just now."
"Yes, he was. What Roland grumbled really disturbed me."
"What was it?" Jean had a scared look on her face. She knew the power of Eonos, even if he wasn't at his full potential.
The professor said, and began to rub his brow. "He said that no one wants to help him." Jean was stunned by it. Everyone in the mansion wanted to help Roland more then their problems for he always gave of himself before asking for himself. "And Jean before you say anything, that was the presence talking, not him."
"So Eonos has been influencing Roland then," Jean thought for a moment.
"You need to tell me about this Eonos and why Harry and Hermione as so important," Xavier said.
"Alright let's talk in you study, no one should be in there," Jean placed a hand on the professor's wheel chair as he wheeled himself away.
Harry finished walking up the stairs, for the last fifteen minutes, he just sat there listening to what had happening, looking up once or twice to see what was happening. "Why are me and Hermione involved?" he asked himself, walking to his room. "Maybe Hermione will know." Harry was confused as every, but Hermione always solved the problems.
What guides us
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's Note: "What guides us to our future are our own choices we make." Chronos the Fallen Angel
J.K. Rowlings created Harry Potter and its characters, Marvel owns the X- men, and DC owns Supergirl, and any other characters that they had created. Anything I created is mine.
* * * * * *
Hermione was in a panic, Harry's birthday was a week away, and she still didn't have a present. For the past week she was working for Roland, cleaning up and organizing his library trying to make some money to buy Harry the perfect gift. But working in his library gave her a chance to search for more information on the Fallen Angel.
But she didn't spend all her time in the library, only about an hour or two a day. The rest of it was either with Harry, or Hermione's new found friends: Heather, Jean, and two girls named Rogue and Kitty. Jean had taken them out shopping, and Hermione had bought some new cloths, a bathing suit, and some more books. She enjoyed have friends for once, Hermione never really had any close girl friends, and now she finally did. It was fun for her to hang out with people her own age, and try to do something normal for once.
Even Harry was making friends, he found friends in two boys, Bobby Drake, who was going out with Rogue, and Piotr Rasputin, Kitty's boyfriend. Often, when he wasn't with her, Harry was outside, playing some sort of sport, with the two boys and Scott. Hermione really like Jean and Scott, they seemed like such a nice couple. They had treated her and Harry with great respect, and she felt love from them every once in a while.
They're powers had only grown, but Hermione refused to fly again, but she did learn how to use the air currents to make her self glide across the floor. Harry had learned how to swim beneath the ground as if it was water and pass through solid stone. Both of them had increased their control over their other powers. Indeed, Roland had said often, you're powers have grown, in more ways then one.
The final day had come from working in Roland's library. It was finally organized alphabetically. "Roland," she asked, walking up the spiral stairs after her final day of work, the library was finished and she had earned a decent amount of money. But her cousin had yet to pay her for the day's work.
"Yeah," he followed her up, his sleeve robe floating just above the ground. Roland wore it often, saying that he was just being prepared, but never said for what. Hermione never did get the chance to ask, for he was always moving, whether to play cards with Heather, or to work out in.
"I was wondering if you could take me to Portabello Road?" Hermione had stopped at the top of the stairs, and looked back down at her cousin, waiting for him to finish climbing the stairs. /his knee must be killing him,/ she thought, /Heather said that climbing up stairs always hurt him. Why does he do it?/
"Because, asking for help it a sign of weakness," Roland grunted out, using the railing to pull himself up to the top. Hermione gave him a confused look. "I sensed that you were worried about someone in the room and since-"
"Your door isn't open," Hermione replied looking back at the closed door, "And your knee would be the only thing that I should be worried about, right?"
"Very good," Roland said, breathing deep breathes.
"Why don't you ask for help?" Hermione asked, placing her hands on her hips. "Asking for it isn't a sign of weakness, Roland."
"To me it is," he replied, bending forward, "Don't ask why, it's just a way I feel alright?" Roland shifted his sunglasses; as the blinds were wide open in the room.
"Fine, now about Portabello Road?"
"Yeah," Roland stood up straight, exhaling deeply, "That shouldn't be a problem. Why may I ask?" Hermione started to answer. "Don't tell me, Harry's gift." she started to blush; Roland took his wallet out of his back pocket. "Here's what I owe you for today, and something extra for finishing the job." Roland handed her two bills.
"Roland," Hermione stared at the two bills; two faces of Benjamin Franklins were staring right back at her. "You can't give me-" She started to complain, just holding the bills in the palm of her hand.
Roland curled her fingers up. "Take it and consider it a thank you for your help." He limped over to the dresser in his room and took a binder off it. "Catch," and the binder flew over to Hermione.
She did catch it, and looked at the title. "Symbiosis Mutation? What's this?" she looked up at her cousin.
"It's your condition, I think," Roland limped back over. "Just read it, then we'll talk afterwards." He offered a smile. "Now, I'm thinking the thirtieth, will that work?"
"The day before Harry's birthday, isn't that cutting it close," Hermione asked. "What if we don't find anything?"
"You will, Hermione," Roland replied, "Now, Harry's probably waiting for you."
"Thank, cousin," she said, hugging him.
"No prob', Hermione," Roland let go.
"See you later," she yelled at him, as she exited his room.
"Take care, Hermione," Roland said softly, "for I feel that you'll need it." He limped back over to the bed, and laid down, just as Heather walked in. "hey," he said, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey," Heather took a seat on the other side of the bed. "Knee still hurting you?"
"As always," Roland sat up. "So what do you want?"
"The girls were planning on going over to the mall, and I was wondering." Heather trailed off and looked at the floor.
"What?" Roland stared at his friend.
"Would you like to come?" Heather asked, looking for his approval.
"Isn't it a girl's only thing? That's what I heard from Kitty."
"No, Jean had got Scott to go, so the rest of the girls are bringing their boyfriends." And she trailed off again.
"You don't want to feel felt out," Roland placed a hand on her shoulder, "But of course, Heather. I'm always willing to help a friend." He stood up and walked over to his closet, he removed his robe. "After the last time I went." It was his turn to trail off, but a smile on his face.
"Why," she crawled over to the other side of the bed, sitting on her legs. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I just destroyed some property, attacked a few guards-"
"Roland!"
"I know," he took off his shirt and Heather looked away. "That's way I'm not wearing all black." Roland pulled a Hawaiian golf shirt out of his closet and pulled it on. "Ready to go." Heather looked back. Roland had his hair falling on his forehead, and his sunglasses hiding the absentness of his eyes. "You'll need to guide, as I'll be a blind man." A blind walking cane appeared out of the shadows in his hand. "Let's go." He limped over to her and wrapped his arm around hers, using it to hold his weight up.
"Are you sure you'll be up for this?" she asked.
"Of course, now lead the way, and be careful where you're going, I'm remove my shadow film over my eyes. Time for some rest."
Heather smiled at him, as she helped him walk out the room. She knew that no one was going to make fun of either of them, as they were afraid of what Roland could do. After all, he was the master of the shadows, and the power had he had shown so often was frightening to those who, /to use a line from Roland,/ she thought, /'cross his path.'/ Heather couldn't help but giggle a bit.
"What you laughing about?" Roland asked.
"Nothing," was the reply, with a smile still on her face.
* * * * * *
Hermione walked around the mansion with Harry, the sun as just setting. "It's beautiful out here," Hermione said, resting her head on his shoulder, as she had done so many a times.
"All I'm looking at is the beauty next to me," Harry replied, causing Hermione to blush again. They sat down on one of the benches that was in the courtyard of the school
"Stop it Harry," she playfully hit his arm, "you know how." Hermione sat up and pulled away from Harry, she had a small smile on her face.
"How what, you like my comments about your beauty, about how you enjoy me talking about you, or," Harry started to tickle her rib cage, Hermione began to laugh.
"Harry, please, stop," she barely got out, hold her sides. Harry was laughing along with her. Finally he stopped. "Thank.you." Hermione was taking in deep breaths, and was about to say something else, then Harry moved forward and kissed her, and she forgot everything and anything else in the world. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held the back of her head. After a few minutes of bliss, Harry pulled away, much to Hermione's dislike.
"Or how you like it when I kiss you," he said slowly, still staring into her eyes.
"You know me too well, Mr. Potter," she said, and moved it to kiss Harry again. He graciously accepted her and ran his fingers through her hair. Chills ran down her spine, but Hermione didn't pull away. Again after a few minutes, they pulled away from their passionate kiss, both breathing hard.
"Thank you Hermione," he said, still running his fingers through her hair, Hermione just stared at Harry dreamily, not say a word. The sun had begun to set. Harry took her hand and stood up, holding her hand and looking into her eyes. Finally they began to walk again, heading back into the mansion.
"So, what did you think of today?" Hermione asked, staring up at him, but he was staring forward, watching where they were going.
"It was alright," Harry replied.
"What did you think of Heather and Roland?"
"What you mean how they acted like a married couple, how they are so blindly in love that-" Hermione stopped him and he looked down at her.
"Roland is the only one who is blind, Harry," Hermione said. "I think the professor was right about him and her."
"Yeah, he was, Roland was calm today, which was interesting because the security guard kept on following us all day."
"And the fact that every store clerk was rude to him."
"And that a kid tried to steal his wallet."
"You'd think that he'd beat the hell out of the kid," Hermione said with a smile.
"Now, 'Mione that isn't very lady like," Harry said.
"Harry, when have you ever known me to be lady like?" Hermione asked. Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and Hermione placed her arms around Harry's neck.
"All the time," Harry said, and kissed her, she accepted the kiss with no complaints. She pulled Harry closer. When she let go of her boyfriend, Harry was silent for a moment before saying "that is until you and I started going out."
"Is that a problem, Mr. Potter," she let go and turned her back away from Harry, a smile on her face.
"Hermione," Harry wrapped his arms around her again, "I never meant it that way." She didn't say a word. "Please, Hermione, I'm sorry." He tried to turn her head to face him, but Hermione pulled away again. "'Mione please." She stopped and looked straight into his eyes.
"I can never resist that name from you," Hermione replied, seeking his arms.
"I'm sorry," he replied, looking down into her baby-blue eyes.
"Harry, Hermione," Logan yelled from inside the mansion. "Get in here now. You've got a room for that." He closed the windows with a smile on his face and two blushing students.
"Well, you heard him," Hermione said, and started to walk away, but Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her back for another kiss before they returned to the mansion. He gently touched her cheek with his fingertips.
"I love you, Hermione, and I don't think that I'll be able to live without you," Harry said. He then picked Hermione up off the ground.
"Harry James Potter," she replied, excitedly, "what are you doing?"
"Carrying you in, my lady," he said, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, and smiled at him. /you are the reason why I live, 'Mione,/ Harry thought, /I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here./
* * * * * *
Six days had passed and Hermione was ready to go to Portabello Road. A knock came from his door; Roland blinked for a moment and checked his internal clock. /5:30 in the morning,/ he thought. /who the hell is up this early?/ he stood up slowly from the floor. Heather had been using his bed, while he had the couch. But every night Roland was on the floor, his back waking him up from the pain. Roland rubbed the back of his head, his shoulder length black hair tied back in a ponytail. /this better be important./ he opened the door. "Aylo?" He said groggily.
"Don't you remember what day it is?" Hermione said, her hands were on her hips and she was already dressed. She eyeballed her cousin for a moment; he was wearing on a pair of black workout paints. "And you didn't have a ponytail yesterday."
"That's because I put my hair up," Roland replied, then yawned. "Give me twenty minutes, I'll meet you in the main hall." Roland didn't give her a chance to answer as he just closed the door on her. /Damn girl, too hyper for her own good,/he thought as he walked over to his closet. Roland pulled out a pair of pants, a black sleeveless shirt and his cowboy hat. He limped over to the dresser and removed a fresh pair of boxer for the day. /I don't think I've been up this earlier since, well never./ He growled as he walked over to the bathroom for a quick shower.
With in ten minutes Roland was out and already dressed. Heather was starting to get up. /Great I woke her up,/ he thought. /that's a first./ he walked over to her. Heather looked around the room for a moment, before seeing Roland. "Hey," she said, then yawning. He walked over to her.
"Just relax, and try to get some more sleep," Roland said. "It's too damn early." He stopped in front of the mirror and began to comb his hair back, leaving a few bangs to curl onto his forehead.
"Then why are," a yawn interrupted her, "you're never up before ten."
"Taking Hermione to Portabello Road, she wants to get a gift for Harry." He waved a hand over her. "Sleep well."
"I don't want you're pity.sleep.Roland," she said, before yawning again and lying back down. A smile was on Roland's face as he stood up and walked away, picking up his sunglasses and coat from the coat rack. He walked back and grabbed a knee brace that was next to the T.V. /no better time then now./
Roland walked over the door and it with a shadow extension from his back. He slowly put his sunglasses on, and then swung his coat around, sliding his arms into their respective positions. He limped down the hallway and to the main hall. "Nineteen minutes, seventeen seconds," Roland said as he walked down the stairs. "Took my less, probably could've talk for a few more minutes."
"Ready?" Hermione stood up, Roland gave her a quick look, she was wearing nothing special a white blouse and a pair of jeans.
"Always," Roland said, he stopped right in front of her.
"So, how are we getting there?"
"Flying of course," Roland smiled at her, watching his cousin bear a face of horror.
"Roland, I'm not flying after what you did."
"Relax," Roland turned around and faced the front of the hall. "There are more then one ways to skin a cat." Roland focused for a moment then waved his hand, opening a black oval. "Ladies first."
"And you're sure about this," Hermione stared at her cousin.
"Hey, trust me," Roland said, "now let's go, I'll think that you'll want to look around for a while before buying anything."
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes and walked straight into the black portal. She felt alone and empty for only a moment, before she appeared on the other side, in a busy street. Roland stepped right through then took in a deep breath, "got love this place."
His cousin was just staring at all the wizards and witches walking about, bartering with each other from the carts in the middle of the street. There were shops lining the road as well as little carts in the middle, people were talking loudly, trying to get the best deals that they could from the vendors. "C'mon, Hermione," Roland said, touching her shoulder gently.
It had been a long time since Steven had hurt her, and Hermione was finally getting over it. But it was only because Harry was there with her, now she felt his presence missing, she felt all alone and scared. "Hermione," Roland repeated, "Hermione?" She was just staring at all the people, afraid that Steven was out there, or someone like him was in the crowd. She suddenly felt like she was with Harry again, his presence was missing. Hermione just felt loved and happy again, all the fear was gone. She looked up at Roland, whose right hand was on her shoulder, and was pitch-black.
"Roland.what's happening?" she asked, staring at his hand.
"Shh, just remember that Harry is always with you," Roland pulled a small amulet from his pocket with his free hand. "He asked me to create this for you."
"What is it?" Hermione took the amulet and looked at it; it was a simple jewel on a necklace, her birthstone as the central gem. It was small enough so that it looked just like a pendant. But it opened up, showing a picture of Hermione kissing Harry her fourth year. Tears came to her eyes. /oh, Harry./
"Look on the inside cover," Roland removed his hand, as he felt the happiness grow inside of Hermione.
She did as she was asked, the inside cover had an inscription, 'When ever we're apart, just remember, I'm already there by your side.' Now Hermione couldn't hold back the tears. "He wrote it himself; Harry's quite a poet, Hermione." Roland was caught off guard when Hermione hug his stomach.
"Thank you," she said through her tears.
"Hey, you should thank Harry," Roland replied, gently patting her back. "I just helped out." Hermione let go of him. "What did you plan on getting Harry?"
"I was thinking a new broom, but I don't think what I have will be enough."
"I think you will," Roland replied, "Now, I know the best place for brooms." He started to walk away, but looked back at Hermione. "Coming?"
Hermione looked down at the pendant that Roland had given her. /my first gift from Harry./ she was just staring at it. /he always knows how to cheer me up./ Hermione never noticed the man walking up behind her. Harry's face on the small picture had a look of horror on it. Hermione turned around just to see the man reach for her. And the first action that she thought of was to scream "Harry!" Roland was next to her in moments, and had punched the man unto the ground.
"What the hell is your problem, freak?" The man asked, rubbing his jaw. "Boys, get him." He pointed at Roland, and three men had their wands drawn.
"Mister," Roland taking off his sunglasses, and pushed Hermione behind him, "you have no idea who are you fucking with here." His long black coat was beginning to float off the ground; a black mist began to from him. "You messed with the elemental wizard, pal." Roland pointed his left hand at the man and a black wand popped out of his wrist. "STUPFEY!" In a single breath Roland threw back all three of the wizards. "WINGARUDIUM LEVIOUSA!" Roland picked the man up off the ground and pulled him to his feet.
"Mr. Childe, I didn't know she was with you," he stammered.
"She isn't, you sick perve," Roland grabbed the man's collar, "she's my cousin." Roland stared the man straight in the eyes, "I catch word of you doing something like that again, I will personally make your life a living hell." He threw the back onto the ground. "Get out of my sight, you pathetic excuse of a man." Roland turned around, his black mist disappeared and his coat calmed down. He looked over at Hermione.
"Who.what-" she was stumbling over her words, still surprised and scared about what she had just seen.
"That man is the local asshole, Hermione," Roland replied, "He picks on anyone whom he deems vulnerable and were pursue it to the ends of the earth. Believe me, I've seen it happen once too many times." A look of sadness was on his face as he placed the sunglasses back on.
"Thank you, Roland," Hermione said, "I've only seen-"
"That much power in Voldemort," he said the name as if it meant nothing. Hermione flinched at the sound of the name. "But you need to understand, power isn't everything, it's how we use it." She simply nodded, still in shock from what she had just seen. Roland placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and led her into the crowd. Much To Hermione's surprise, no one had made a big fuss about what had happen. Though a few people did congratulate Roland on telling off that old man. After a few minutes, a crowd did begin to form not to congratulate him but to get his autograph. "Please, I have some shopping that I need to get done." Roland said, holding up his hands. Hermione was just laughing at her cousin. "Hermione help, please."
"No, cous," she replied, "you got yourself into this." Hermione just was standing back and watch her cousin.
"Fine then," He said to her, "If I do one trick, will you all leave me alone." They all nodded quickly, apparently, Roland must be very good at something for them to agree to this. Roland placed his palms together and his body began to turn blacker and blacker, until finally, there was no detail left, only a form. The crowd was clapping, one kid touch his shoulder after Roland didn't move for a while. The entire form collapsed into a pile of sand, and it was blown away by wind that appeared out of nowhere. The crowd became panicky. "Where did he go?" "What happened?" "Somebody find him."
After a few moments, Hermione began to get worried. "Boo," a voice said softly behind her. She jumped and turned around to see that Roland was there, hiding in the shadows. "C'mon, the store is down this way." He grabbed her hand and led her down the alley. They came out on the other side to another street. "The shop that we are looking for is just up ahead." He pointed down the busy street. "Afterwards, you will probably want to look at Flourish and Blotts."
"They have a Flourish and Blotts here?" Hermione replied excitedly.
"Yes, they're like a Muggle Barnes and Noble," Roland said, "C'mon." he lead her down the street and straight over to a store called Excalibur Brooms.
"Roland," Hermione said as they were walking over to the store.
"Yeah?" he replied, carefully watching the street, trying to avoid being seen.
"How are you so powerful?" Roland stopped in his tracks and looked down at Hermione.
"I, um," he stumbled over his words, then just stood there in silence, "I just am." Roland smiled at Hermione, who then had a grateful look on his face after seeing her accepting his answer.
"I want a more complete answer later," she said as she entered the store. Roland sighed, /I should've known that that was coming./
They entered Excalibur Brooms, and Roland carefully closed the doors. With the doors closed, he focused and sent a shadow to cover the windows in order to hide them. "Roland," an old shop keeper came walking over to them. He was hunched over with white hair flying out all over the place. "is that you my boy?"
"Sure is Grandpa," Roland said, hugging the old man with a smile on his face.
"Grandpa?" Hermione repeated.
"It's just a name that we use in Portabello Road; he was kind to all us kids when we came here to get our supplies." The old man was gleaming with pride. "He asked us to call him Grandpa Horis. Or Grandpa for short."
"Well," Hermione replied, sticking out her hand, "Hello Mr. Horis."
"Hogwash," he replied, sweeping up Hermione in a hug. "Just call me Grandpa." When he put her down, Hermione pulled her blouse down.
"Okay, Grandpa." She said, still uncomfortable with it.
"That's better," Grandpa said, "Now Roland what can I help you with?"
"Me later, my cousin here first," Roland pointed to Hermione.
"Very a beautiful one at that," Grandpa replied, elbowing Roland. Hermione turned a dark red. "Who's the lucky boy, someone I know."
"I doubt that, Grandpa." Hermione had begun to look at the brooms. "It's a boy from Hogwarts, the school where she attends."
"And a great school at that, my boy," the old man added.
"Anyways, she's liked him for the past," Roland called over to Hermione who was too busy looking at brooms. /maybe a new Firebolt,/ she thought, /I doubt he'll want anything less./ "what five years?"
"Huh?" Hermione said.
"You've like Harry how long?" he repeated, Hermione blushed again, turning her back to him. "Five years, Grandpa."
"Oh and how long they've been going out?" Hermione was turning a brighter and brighter color of red. /why do they have to talk to me?/ Something finally caught her eye. A gold and red broom was hanging in a store case. The front edge had been carefully whittled so that it looked like a sword. Hermione looked at the small card in front of it. 'The Excalibur is a new age broom created by the greatest of broomists, it control, speed, strength, and altitude that it can fly at is higher then any broom created. Only three of them have been created.' She looked down at her pendant, opening it and looking into Harry's eyes. /yes Harry will like that,/ she thought. /it's has our Gryffindor colors and everything./
"Roland, Roland," Hermione said, running over to her cousin, "I found the broom that I want to get for Harry."
"Please show us," Roland replied, as she pulled him over to the case. "Marvelous, Hermione."
"Yeah," Grandpa said, "that just so happens to be my favorite broom, all three were made for me."
"Can I get it?" she asked looking with puppy-dogged eyes up at Roland.
"Sure, you can," Grandpa replied. "I've have one more that was made just for me. This one will work for anyone, better for seekers though."
"It's perfect, Roland. So can we?" Again she stared at him with her puppy dogged eyes.
"It's you're money," he said.
"But I don't think that you have enough," Hermione sounded downhearted.
"Nonsense, missy," Grandpa said. "Any friend of Roland's is a friend of mine. How much you got?"
"Five hundred dollars, American." Hermione pulled out a small envelope.
"I'll sell it to you for four hundred," Grandpa spoke with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Grandpa," Hermione hugged the man, the awkwardness gone from before.
"It's quite alright, lass," Grandpa said, "Like I said, any friend of Roland is a friend of mine." He opened the show case and pulled out the broom. "Would you like it wrapped?"
"Yes please," Hermione replied. The old man walked away holding the broom
"But put it in a box, Grandpa," Roland said, a smile crossed his face, as did an idea. "And I'll take some of the broom polish, one of your cleaning kits, a book about Quidditch and."
"Roland what are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Buying Harry's gift," Roland smiled, "Just make sure that he opens mine first."
Hermione realized what he was doing. "Okay then. Just don't out do me."
"I never could, cous," Roland replied. "And I'll five pairs of your Neo- binoculars." Grandpa came back with Hermione's broom in a simple white box with a red and gold ribbon tied into a bow and all of Roland's items.
"That'll be a thousand dollars, Muggle of course," Grandpa said. A smile was on the old man's wrinkled face.
"Of course," Roland answered, and pulled out six on hundred dollar bills, Hermione placed the remaining amount on the table.
"Thank you, Roland, Hermione," Grandpa added. "And have a lovely day." He picked up the bills and put them into the cash register.
"Okay, I'll see you about a week before I leave," he yelled back, holding his bags and a smiling Hermione walking right next to him as the left.
Outside the sun was directly overhead, /noon/ Hermione thought. She looked at Roland, who was carefully looking up and down the street. "Roland," Hermione said, "I think I want to go home now."
"Alright," he understood, "you sure you don't want to check out Flourish and Blotts?" She noted a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"I'm sure," she replied. "I just want to be with Harry until tomorrow."
"Okay," Roland sighed out, it sounded as if he wanted to go. /that would be so like me,/ she thought, /if I didn't have a boyfriend./ Roland focused for a moment and waved his hand. A black oval appeared in front of them, and so did the screams of a thousand people. "There he is." "Let's get his autograph." "Maybe he'll marry me."
"Hermione go," Roland said, she jumped into the portal, no longer did she feel alone and afraid, Harry was with her. There was still that empty feeling, but Hermione knew that by being with him, it would be gone. She appeared in the mansion, right where they had left. Roland popped in a few seconds, just as the portal disappeared.
"You have to explain that to me one day," Hermione said, brushing herself off with her free hand.
"Fine then," Roland smiled, "Do you want to hold onto the gift, or let me hold it for now?"
"Where's Harry?" she asked. Roland focused for a moment, Hermione smiled. He had explained to her about his tracking system using both Muggle technology and his empathic abilities. It was quite ingenious how he got it to work.
"He's in the court yard right now." Roland had to smile at his own genius. "So, you could hide it under your bed for now. Hide these too." He tossed her his gifts for Harry, Roland still held the a bag. Hermione looked at what she gave him, it was everything save the Neo-binoculars. "And say they're from me and Heather, alright."
"Roland, you and I need to have a talk," Hermione said.
"Look, I know all about the birds and the bees," Roland replied with smile, but got a glare from Hermione. "After Harry's birthday, alright?"
"Thanks," she kissed him on the cheek then ran up to her room, clutching Harry's gift like it was the world. /you'll love this gift, Harry./ she was so proud of herself, finding the perfect gift for her boyfriend.
* * * * * *
Roland had a smile on his face as he walked back to his room. "Chronos," Jean's voice booms through the hallway.
Roland sighed. "Not now, Phoenix," he answered, tired of his arguments that were becoming a weekly habit of theirs. She showed up once a week while he was walking to his room. Also she had informed him about how he needed to project Harry and Hermione, but never giving any useful information. And since he couldn't get her to stop calling his Chronos, he just called her Phoenix, saved him a lot of headaches. "I've used a lot of my energy today, and I just want to relax."
"This is important, Chronos," she said, walking over to him. Her fiery red hair looked like it was burning, snapping around her head.
"As is my well being," Roland replied, he stopped at his door and began to fumble with the keys. He stopped. "What do you want?"
"You need to protect them, Chronos," the Phoenix said.
"I'm doing the best I can with the limited info I'm getting." Roland looked at the deity. Two fiery wings appeared on her back, and floated behind her. "All you've told me to protect them, from what though?"
"From what is to come," she replied.
Roland couldn't help but laugh, his black mist beginning to form beneath him. "I could've bet you'd say that." The phoenix hadn't stopped moving forward. She was but a few feet away from him. "You knew all this time and I still don't know."
"Know what, Chronos?"
"Why me," he face filled with concern. "After all I'm no saint."
The Phoenix laughed, "You never were, Chronos." A long period of silence pasted. Roland began to think long and hard about what was to come
"I'm transferring over to Hogwarts," Roland said. "Heather too."
"Good, she'll keep you under control." The phoenix laughed again. "You two make a great couple. When do you plan on asking her?"
"I don't know what you're taking about," he said, replied with a smile. /Jean, you're a nice person but mind your own business,/ he thought. /for once./ "Now about matters that concerns me."
"All matters concern you, Chronos," the Phoenix replied.
He ignored her statement. "What have you learned about this presence in my mind?" He leaned against the door, his black mist spreading farther down the hallway.
"I can't say," the Phoenix said.
"You can't, or you won't?" Roland asked.
"Both, Chronos," the Phoenix replied. "it is important that you find out on your own."
"Sure it is, Phoenix," Roland turned around and opened his door. "Just leave me alone for the day." He rubbed the back of his head. "I've had a long day."
"What guides us, Chronos, are our choices," the phoenix said, backing slowly away from the shadow master, "make sure you make the right ones."
"Why not the left ones?" Roland asked, but suddenly grabbed by a large burning hand that appeared out of nowhere.
"Chronos," the Phoenix's dark voice boomed through the hallway. "This is no laughing matter."
"Life is a laughing matter, Phoenix," Roland replied, struggling to get out of the grasp, he began to sink into his alter self, his fallen side. "You just need to relax." The anger was beginning to filling his very soul. /no one ever pushes me around. No one./ "But if you insist on being serious." A black hood appeared over his head, and Roland's face slowly sank back into darkness. "Then so be it." His black robe appeared, taking the place of his coat. Roland slipped through the burning hand, and landed on the ground. He just stayed there, in his crouched position. The hood had fallen off his face.
"Eonos," the phoenix said, "What are you doing here?"
Roland no longer spoke, nor was he in control of his body. For a moment, his mind went blank, and out stepped the presence from his mind. "My little pretty," spoke a man's voice. It had no accent of any kind. Only a kind light voice spoke. "I see you have found your true powers."
"What do you want, Eonos?" The Phoenix asked.
"I am here to guide my dear and faithful friend to his rightful place, next to my master." He slowly rose to his feet, and the black robe that Roland wore disappeared, turning into a pure white robe. "he is more powerful with the wizard finishing his job that he started so long ago."
"And Chronos will stop you." The Phoenix pulled her arm back, staring at Eonos with hatred.
"Chronos will do nothing of the sort," Eonos replied, walking over to her. "He had no idea of what is come or has pasted, Phoenix."
"He will learn," she said, taking steps away from the man.
"I won't let him," Eonos answered, he was but a few feet from her. And his transformation was complete; no longer did he have black hair, but pure white. And his eyes, the sunglasses that were covering them had fallen off when Roland hit the ground. They were a hazel color. "He will never learn."
/but he will, Eonos,/ Professor X's voice boomed in the man's head, he reeled back in pain, holding his head. /Chronos will protect those when it is needed./
"Damn you Charles," Eonos said, backing away. Roland's pitch black eyes took his white ones' place, and slowly so did the hair. As Eonos tried to run away, Roland's black robe took his place. He just collapsed onto the floor.
"Jean, help him into his room," Xavier wheeled himself over the fallen student. He's burning up; literally, smoke was coming from his body. Roland rolled over to his side and grabbing his sides too. "Hurry."
But Roland pushed the telekinetic power away, just as Jean lifted him off the ground. He landed hard on the floor and groaned again. "I don't want help," he got out, "I don't need it." He slowly got up, his body still smoking. "No one needs to help me," Roland grumbled. He then said something under his breath as he entered his room, staggering left and right. He nearly collapsed again, but used the door handle to hold himself up. Slowly, he opened the door and walked in, slamming it shut with one of his shadow extensions.
"Professor, that isn't like Roland," Jean said. She walked quickly over to her mentor.
"I know, Jean," Xavier replied. "That man that I saw was influencing him. Even when Roland was at his weakest, he knew was polite and kind. Now."
"He wasn't," jean said simply. "And I felt that Eonos was influencing him just now."
"Yes, he was. What Roland grumbled really disturbed me."
"What was it?" Jean had a scared look on her face. She knew the power of Eonos, even if he wasn't at his full potential.
The professor said, and began to rub his brow. "He said that no one wants to help him." Jean was stunned by it. Everyone in the mansion wanted to help Roland more then their problems for he always gave of himself before asking for himself. "And Jean before you say anything, that was the presence talking, not him."
"So Eonos has been influencing Roland then," Jean thought for a moment.
"You need to tell me about this Eonos and why Harry and Hermione as so important," Xavier said.
"Alright let's talk in you study, no one should be in there," Jean placed a hand on the professor's wheel chair as he wheeled himself away.
Harry finished walking up the stairs, for the last fifteen minutes, he just sat there listening to what had happening, looking up once or twice to see what was happening. "Why are me and Hermione involved?" he asked himself, walking to his room. "Maybe Hermione will know." Harry was confused as every, but Hermione always solved the problems.