*~* Chapter One: Let Freedom Ring *~*
In a northern town of Minnesota, a teenaged girl opened the doorway from the attic she slept in and quietly peered to the left and right of the stair landing.
No one.
Slowly, silently —oh ever so silently— she made her way down the hall, guitar slung on her back, leather-bound scrapbook clutched tightly in her hands. As she passed the room that George and Susan slept in she was extremely slow and cautious, her eyes to the ground to be certain that she didn't step on the loose floorboards that would announce her escape to all light sleepers.
When she finally reached the back door and turned the knob, she let out the breath she'd been holding. The small amount of oil that she had managed to put on without her relative's notice had done the trick, and the lock would no longer emit a rusty squeak.
She let herself out quickly, lest she be discovered escaping now that she was so close to freedom. As she shut the door behind her, she looked out at the yard. The sun had not yet risen, but it was easy to see that it would shortly. A misty fog hung low to the earth, and the only sound besides the girl's breathing was a few birds singing sweetly, filling the air with their melodious tunes. She stepped off of the porch, into the dewy grass, and walked briskly towards the forest that she had come to know so well.
Slipping under the canopy of trees, she traveled quickly to her special place . . . her favorite place. Here there was a small brook, and five great trees that formed a circle: Two willows, one pine, and two maple. The ground was soft and mossy, and a few wildflowers grew near the stream. She breathed deeply of the fresh air and sighed happily, at peace for the first time since having had come home a week prior.
She climbed the great maple tree, coming to rest on a strong, wide branch that she had rested on numerous times before. She adjusted the guitar that had once belonged to her brother so that it was resting against her chest and leaned back against the strong trunk of the majestic tree. Paying no mind to the guitar, she instead went straight to the scrapbook, untying the ribbon that held it closed and reading first what was written on the inside cover.
KayKay,
While you and Harry grew closer, I took the liberty of capturing the moments, both funny and sweet, knowing that they were something that you would certainly treasure. With the help of Megan, I gathered enough "memories" and put this together. I also made one for Harry. I hope to see you again someday . . .whenever it is.
Love you!
Hermione.
Smiling, KayKay began to flip through the book yet again as the sun began to rise, making a warm honey-like light filter softly through the trees. She looked at the pictures as she had done throughout the entire flight home from England, where she had attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a year on an exchange program.
Ah, memories. Not long after KayKay had arrived, she had met the very cute, very sweet, very friendly Harry Potter. She'd tried to stop herself, but she had fallen head over heels for him, despite how much she wished not to. KayKay had trusted him deeply, fully, and he completely deserved such trust. The pair had grown close very quickly, and KayKay had felt like she was in Heaven. To that day, she could still remember the taste of his kiss.
Then, midway through January, Fleur Delacour, a young woman who was part Veela, tried to split the couple apart. She set something up so it appeared to KayKay that Harry was simply using her. And KayKay was sorry to say she had believed her.
Turning another page of the book, KayKay laughed at the picture, as she did every time. It was of the day that she had seen Fleur kiss Harry, and she had been positively livid. In the animated photograph, it portrayed how she had screamed at him during dinner and dumped a pitcher full of pumpkin juice on his head. The caption below read: I was unsure of adding this picture, seeing how it was during a particularly difficult time for you, but it was very funny, and you two made up when all was said and done, so I decided to anyhow.
Which was quite true . . . however, they didn't make up until KayKay had almost died twice . . . the first time in an attempted suicide, which she was now ashamed to admit. She had been overcome with grief, grief assisted by the spy Voldemort had placed at Hogwarts in the hopes of KayKay's death. All the bad things in her life had been pulled to the front of her mind: witnessing her family being murdered when she was seven, being put in an abusive home with her cousin, and the one guy she trusted fully turning out to be a cheater. KayKay had cut her wrist deeply, and had almost died . . . but Jake, her guardian angel, had saved her from Death.
The second time KayKay had almost died had been some time later, around the start of May. The school had gone to Hogsmeade, and while there, Draco Malfoy had pushed her to her snapping point. She had beaten him down . . . and given him a good shiner too . . . when suddenly, a Deatheater hidden in the Shrieking Shack, only the first of many, had cast the Cruciatus Curse on her. All she had known was extreme, blinding pain, and then sudden darkness, as Draco punched her sharply in the temple. Had he hit just slightly harder, she would have suffered from a concussion. All this was what she later found out from Harry and Chad Kilman. Chad had driven Draco away while Harry actually carried her . . . in his arms . . . to where he could get help. At this point, they were still broken up, but despite it, Harry spent all the time he could sitting in the chair next to her bed, holding her hand. KayKay had been out for about two weeks when she saw Jake come to her. She had cried, afraid she was really going to die that time, but he simply said "Believe him". She woke suddenly, and Harry was sitting above her where he quickly explained that what she had seen between him and Fleur wasn't true, and that he was sorry, and best of all . . . he told her "I love you." KayKay was almost floating on air as she forgave him and apologized profusely for not believing him. She was most happy to say that the whole incident had only made them closer.
Then, in late June, Lord Voldemort captured Harry and KayKay. And who was the one to bring them to him but . . . Fleur Delacour. KayKay had been most certain that if there had been a spy, it was Viktor Krum, for he was most threatening towards Ron, and always seemed busy with secretive activity.
Voldemort had turned his wand upon KayKay, prepared to speak the words that had killed so many, when something amazing, unexplainable, and miraculous occurred. Harry, in apparent rage had broken free of the Deatheaters holding him and, as time somehow slowed down before their very eyes, ran to KayKay, kneeling down in front of her so as to block the curse from claiming her life. However, as he grabbed her hands when skidding to a stop and dropping to the floor, a strange radiance of power seemed to emanate from deep within them. After a long stretch of silence had passed without Harry falling to the floor beside KayKay, dead, she chanced a look up.
A protective shield, crackling and fizzing with power, surrounded the two. It was pale blue, and it glowed with strength. Try as he might, Voldemort could not get in . . . and Harry and KayKay could not get out. A Deatheater had been killed by the curse that rebounded, apparently it was the shield that made him die. They took his body with when they finally escaped . . . the man's name was Peter Pettigrew, and his present body could mean the freedom of Harry's Godfather.
The pair would have died if it weren't for their birthright . . . and their love. They were the only possessors of an ancient power that had been lost to the magical world for centuries, ever since the great Godric Gryffindor passed on. They were called the Powers of Light and Darkness, and whoever wielded them was . . . in the simplest sense . . . invincible.
The powers had split between Gryffindor's twin children, and through many years, KayKay now had the powers of attack, and Harry had all the powers of protection. When holding hands or something similar, the powers could be used, but in all other times, the laid dormant.
It was this power that that made Voldemort determined to kill the Potters, and his Deatheaters later determined to kill her own family. The young children had stood as the threat that could mean life or death for the ruthless killer even in their young age. Because no magic could destroy the power-hungry Dark Lord anymore . . . no power except for theirs.
Besides finding out that one could say the fate of the world was resting on her shoulders, while in England KayKay had found out that she still had one living relative that she hadn't been told about . . . Remus Lupin, an uncle. Sadly, she couldn't live with him because he was a Werewolf, and Dumbledore was most certain that she would be safer with George and Susan . . . more commonly called Joe and Sue.
Leaving Hogwarts and all her friends was one of the hardest things KayKay ever had to do. Harry had been allowed to accompany her to the airport, and after a tearful goodbye, he reminded her that he loved her, and always would . . .
"Hey there KayKay!" a voice shouted up from below. KayKay looked down at her neighbor who stood below, smiling as much as anything. "I thought I'd find you here!"
"Hello Emily!" she grinned, sitting up straighter and closing the scrapbook. "How are you? I haven't seen you since last August!"
"Oooh!" she squealed, "KayKay, that's so cute!"
"What is?" KayKay asked in complete confusion, looking at her clothes, scrapbook and guitar, wondering what Emily was referring to.
"The way you talk . . . God, that's adorable! You must have picked it up during the school year!"
"How do I talk?"
"With that cute little English accent! You must have gotten that from being in England for so long!" Emily exclaimed.
"Oh, yes, that" KayKay said with a slight blush. "It's not like I'm trying to or anything . . ."
"Which is what makes it so neat" Emily supplied, sitting down on the ground, legs sprawled out before her.
"Well, if you say so . . . oh, and Happy Fourth of July!" KayKay replied as she turned to climb down the tree. For indeed, it was July fourth.
"I'm the one who should be wishing you a good day . . . Happy Birthday, KayKay." She handed KayKay what appeared to be a small piece of paper. She held it close and read it.
ADMIT ONE: Valleyfair
Underneath there was more. KayKay didn't bother reading it, but instead looked back at Emily in shock. "This is for me?"
"Yes, silly" she giggled. "I'm going, and I want you to come with!"
KayKay wanted to . . .she wanted to so very much. But Joe and Sue would never allow it.
"I can't," she said glumly handing back the ticket. "I'm very sorry Emily, I can't. Joe and Sue would have a fit"
"KayKay, you have barely any fun! You work all summer, and you have barely a moment of peace. Surely Joe and Sue will let you come, if not because of that then because it will get rid of you for the day."
This was true . . . "But Emily, these tickets cost so much. I can't possibly— "
"Hey, it isn't everyday you turn sixteen, is it? I want you to have it KayKay, and I want you to come with me"
KayKay looked at the ticket, then back up at Emily with a happy smile.
"Thank you" she said, crouching down to give Emily a hug. "By the way, when are we going?"
She smiled. "Today"
"Today?" KayKay cried in shock.
"Yeah, today." Emily repeated. "The Fourth of July celebration is always spectacular. There's always an amazing fireworks show after dark, and it's open later than on normal nights . . .
"After dark?" KayKay echoed weakly. "There's no way . . . I mean, Valleyfair is at least an hour from here . . ."
"An hour and a half," Emily supplied, "But why get technical? This was my idea: you and I are going to head there in my truck—"
"'Your' truck?"
"Yes, my truck. I got it in March when I got my license. Anyhow, we'll go in my truck, my parents will come in the car with Jackie and Melissa, and we'll meet up a few times during the day. Then, at night, we'll stay at this hotel that isn't too far from the place." Emily explained as the excitement in her face getting more and more obvious. "And if we want to go, it should be soon."
"But Emily, Joe and Sue . . ."
"My parents will talk to them. Come on KayKay . . . how about it?"
KayKay pondered carefully. It wasn't an issue of not wanting to go . . . who wouldn't want to go? Valleyfair was an awesome amusement park . . . it was gigantic for one thing, and it was filled with all the heart-stopping roller coasters to make even the greatest daredevil content. Not only did it have that, but a ton of other wild rides, an I-Max theater, and an entire water park. A kid who didn't like Valleyfair was alien.
The only actual problem KayKay could find with the idea was her cousin. She despised letting KayKay have fun of any sort, and she would get annoyed if KayKay wasn't around to do chores and dishes. But, it was only for one night, KayKay reasoned, and if Emily's parents talked to Sue about it, she could do no worse than not let her have supper . . . not that it would matter. KayKay, when not constricted by her guitar and such, could climb precariously down a tall Elm from the low window of the attic and sneak down to the grocery store to buy a bit of food with money she had saved and stashed behind a hidden panel.
"Sounds great!" KayKay said finally, with a grin as large as Christmas. "I'll just need to get a few things from my room, and I'll be ready to go!"
* * * * *
KayKay left her things with Emily in the grove and went quietly back to the hose, expertly avoiding being seen. She'd sneaked around many times before, and she knew exactly where it was safe to walk in the open and when she had to duck behind a rosebush or garden statue to not be caught.
Grabbing the lowest branch of the tree on the side of the house she both called home and prison, KayKay hoisted herself up. She was able to climb quickly, until she got about to the second floor. There, the branches got much less stable, and KayKay had to go slowly, swaying dangerously close to the walls of the house. She finally was high enough to grab the windowsill with one hand, using the other to keep a hold on the tree. Pulling herself up, she grabbed the sill with both hands and, in a practiced motion, pulled herself up and swung her leg over the sill and into her room. She had left the window open as was normal in the summer, seeing how air conditioning didn't affect the attic and there were no screens to speak of put up on the windows.
KayKay straightened and looked at the small area she was given to live in. It was an empty alcove of the attic, mostly bare and unlit. There was a cot hammock in a corner, the place where she slept. When she'd first come to live with her cousins, it had been a mattress placed on the floor. It had a couple pillows and a few sheets and the blue blanket that she had made many years ago for her older brother. No heavy quilts were needed, since KayKay lived there only in the summer.
Next to the cot there was a small bookshelf. On the top were a few pictures of her family that had been salvaged from her house when she was a child. The pictures were somewhat faded, but they were worth gold to KayKay. The second shelf held a few magic textbooks and one or two mostly-blank journals. KayKay had gotten diaries and journals as gifts before, but was never able to establish a daily habit. On the third and final shelf were a couple notebooks, broken-tipped pencils, job flyers and job applications. It just so happened that KayKay had applied at the YMCA again, like she had the previous summer, and would be teaching indoor and outdoor rock-climbing, in addition to lifeguard duty on weekends. Her job started Friday.
But that didn't matter yet, for today was Sunday, and KayKay's sixteenth birthday besides. She had a friend waiting for her.
Dashing quickly through her "bedroom", KayKay began to throw some things into her empty bookbag. Being in the United States, KayKay would have much preferred a normal backpack, or even a duffel, but seeing how she didn't own either, her bookbag would have to do.
A pair of pajamas, a change of clothes, her red one-piece swimsuit that she'd soon be wearing while on-duty at the Y, and a handful of money from the secret panel KayKay had discovered years ago in the walls of the near-ancient house were the first to be shoved into the bag. As an afterthought, KayKay also added a towel. She didn't particularly want to walk around in a wet swimsuit after going to the water park.
KayKay froze mid-track when she heard a thump from downstairs. Had she been too loud? Not hanging around to find out, KayKay swung the stuffed bag over her shoulder with the strap across her chest and hurried to the window.
This was the scary part. KayKay dangled one leg out of the window, sitting on the sill. Taking a deep breath, KayKay glanced down again at the position of the tree branches. There hadn't been much of a change in their location since the summer prior, so KayKay figured she'd be fine. Closing her eyes, she twisted her body so the other leg was dangling out, and she tightened her grip on the windowsill. Her hands were now all that kept her from falling, and the tight hold she had on the sill was causing her knuckles to turn white. Using her right foot, as normal, she probed the air for the branch she normally stepped to next. Finding it, she shuffled over a few inches with her hands and put her leg down on it, relieving much of the tension from her arms.
Which was when things went wrong.
The branch gave way beneath her and, not being prepared for it, KayKay lost her grip on the wooden edging. She was able to catch herself just in time, nails breaking as she scrabbled at the edge of the windowsill. It was a miracle that she didn't cry out in surprise and attract the undesired attention of her cousin. Kicking her legs, she was finally able to get them against the side of the house to brace herself a bit as she pulled herself up higher on the sill, her fingertips the only things keeping her from falling almost three stories, down to the hard ground.
In an amazing show of strength (or stupidity), KayKay let go of the windowsill with one of her hands and instead grabbed a branch of the tree, forgetting how thin and pliant the branches were so high up. Almost instantly after KayKay added her weight to it, it cracked, and this time she lost all hold on the windowsill and began falling downward, everything seeming to go by in both slow motion and a blur at the same time. KayKay would not have been able to scream even if she had wanted to . . . she was in a state where no sound could be issued from her mouth, no matter how hard she tried.
She hit the hard ground with a thud, landing on her back. She closed her eyes and lay there for a moment, trying to steady her racing heart after her ordeal, and attempting to steady her gasps for air. Slowly, she rolled off of the protruding tree root she'd landed on with a groan. She sat up, holding one hand to her head as the world righted itself.
"Well, that was an adventure," KayKay muttered to herself, examining the damage. Besides the fact that the top few branches of the tree were broken and that she'd never trust the tree as a method of transportation again, some things had fallen from her bookbag (which had somehow fallen off and was laying a few feet away), there was a hole in her jeans, and she could feel a bump forming on the back of her head. Aside from the bump, however, she appeared to be uninjured, and her back was only a mild irritation as she stood up to gather her things quickly, before she was seen. All in all, KayKay decided that it could have easily been worse. Fate must have been treating her kindly in honor of her birthday.
* * * * *
"So, when are you taking your driving test?" Emily asked KayKay nonchalantly as she backed her blue pickup out of the driveway. KayKay's things were in the backseat with Emily's (all things besides her photo album, of course), and they were ready for a day at Valleyfair.
"Well, I dunno. It depends on if I ever learn how to drive" KayKay drawled sarcastically, looking at Emily.
"What? Girl, you mean to tell me that you're sixteen and have never even sat behind the wheel of a car?" Emily exclaimed as she looked over at KayKay incredulously.
"Hey, eyes on the road!" KayKay cried, "I'd like this to be my first trip to Valleyfair, not my last!"
Emily muttered something about "backseat drivers", but nonetheless looked back at the road.
KayKay rolled her eyes and leaned forward, fiddling with the radio dial.
"Hey! Where's the country on this thing?" she exclaimed after tuning to many different stations and not hearing one western song.
"Mmmm . . . try 102. I think that's a country station." Emily replied as she started down a freeway ramp, narrowly avoiding a collision with a Suburban. The driver of the other car voiced his anger by honking his horn loudly and shouting at Emily, "What are you, blind? You could have . . . "
Emily rolled up her window with a sly grin, and pressed her foot to the gas, effectively cutting off the angry man's shouting, and causing KayKay to fall back against her seat roughly because of the momentum.
"I did mention that I'd like to remain in one piece, didn't I?" KayKay questioned slowly, pushing herself back to an upright position. Emily's eyes flickered in KayKay's direction, but she didn't turn her head.
"I wasn't aware that you cared so much." Emily retorted jokingly, merging lanes so quickly that KayKay, who was unprepared, fell against the passenger door.
"Well as a matter of fact, I do-ooo!" KayKay squealed the last part as Emily changed lanes again.
"Why the change from last summer?" Emily asked as if she'd done nothing wrong.
"Because!" KayKay huffed, straightening up. "I have to at least live past graduation so I can . . ."
KayKay immediately stopped speaking. She'd almost said, " . . . so I can find Harry and we can pick up where we left off", but she'd caught herself just in time. Who was she kidding?
But Emily wouldn't give up so easily. "So you can what?"
"Nothing" KayKay replied too quickly. " I wasn't gonna say anything."
"Yes you were, what was it?"
"I wasn't going to say anything! I was just gonna say 'so I can' and than . . . stop" The excuse even seemed lame to KayKay.
"Right, suuure you were."
"I was! Now be quiet, I like this song!" KayKay snapped. In truth, she had no idea what song was playing, but it didn't matter to KayKay. She liked almost all country songs except . . .
. . . The one that was playing. Inwardly, KayKay groaned, but rather than voice this to Emily, she opened her photo album again and listened to the song as she flipped through pages. But it seemed so different from before. The song, that is. It seemed to just . . . take on new meaning.
. . .That feeling that someone
Is standing behind me
And I turn around and there's no one there.
It's the sensation
That someone just whispered,
Yeah and I still hear your voice but you're not really here.
Your memory is like a ghost,
And my heart is it's host.
I can still feel you just as close as skin
Every now and then.
All by myself, in a crowded—
KayKay leaned forward and switched the station abruptly. A new song came on.
. . . We'll join our hands again someday
And trade kisses before night
And talk of the times we had
We'll be together oh someday
And look up the stars at night
And laugh at the fun we—
KayKay switched the station again, gritting her teeth. Honestly, the DJs were trying to drive her mad!
. . . Will I see you again?
'Cause time will pass me by,
Maybe I'll never learn to smile,
But I know I'll make it through,
If you wait for me . . .
And all the tears I cry,
No matter how I try,
They'll never bring you to me—
"I swear, everyone is out to get me!" KayKay hissed, giving up and turning off the radio altogether. She flopped back in her seat with a huff, then glanced slowly at Emily. The truck was at a stoplight, and Emily was scrutinizing KayKay carefully and suspiciously.
"What?" KayKay asked, beginning to feel uncomfortable under her stare.
"KayKay, what's up? You're being way strange . . ."
"Nothing."
"KayKay, there's definitely something different, I just can't put my finger on it. Your personality is . . . I don't know . . ."
"I am not different." KayKay insisted.
"But—"
The light is green, Emily." KayKay cut her off, looking away from her friend and out the passenger window. As the truck started moving again, it began to pass other vehicles on the road. One of them, however, stayed at the same speed. KayKay looked at the person driving, and jumped when she saw that he was looking at her.
He looked to be about the same age as KayKay and Emily. He watched the road again, but still glanced now and then at KayKay. He had dark brown hair and medium brown eyes, and he was wearing a constant grin. KayKay soon wasn't really seeing the guy that was there, but instead, a picture of Harry formed in her mind. She propped her elbow on the armrest and rested her chin in her hand as she daydreamed.
She couldn't believe how much it was that she missed Harry! It was rather ridiculous, said the part of her mind that could still reason logically. They had only known each other for maybe seven months, and seven months, in a grand scheme, was not long. And for her to have trusted him as she did was even crazier, although he had certainly deserved the trust.
But moreover, they were only teenagers. Simple teenagers—well, not simple teenagers—but all the same, too young to feel so committed. KayKay felt as if to not remain loyal to him would be a horrible fault, to which her logic complained was even stupider . . .
The boy in the next truck over winked at her and she quickly looked away, a blush rising in her cheeks. She and the boy both knew that she'd been staring. Not intentionally, of course, but the boy didn't know that. KayKay was so mortified, that she didn't look out of her window for the whole remainder of the trip.
* * * * *
"Just leave it in the car and bring in your swimsuit and towel. You can buy a bag to carry them in for like, 25 cents once you get in the park, and you don't want to drag that bookbag around" Emily instructed KayKay. They were in the Valleyfair parking lot, ready for their fun day. It was still only a quarter to nine, since they had both been up early and made good time.
"Sounds good" KayKay replied, quickly extracting what she needed and throwing the bag back into the truck. "Are we ready to go?"
"Let's see . . . tickets, money, swimsuit, sunglasses . . . yep, all here!" Emily replied as she checked her own bag.
"Great, let's hit the park!" KayKay said, closing the door to her friend's truck. The excitement she was feeling was enough to chase away her romantic pining, at least for the time being.
The two friends hurried into the park. A young lady who worked at Valleyfair took their picture and gave them a ticket, saying that in two hours they could go to the photo desk and see if they wanted to buy a copy.
"That's nice . . ." KayKay commented lightly as she and Emily resumed walking. They were not yet fully iin/i the park . . . they were more in a small courtyard, surrounded by shops to the left and, to the right, the photo desk the photographer had mentioned. Emily ushered KayKay along, and as they skirted the fountain in the center and got all the way through to the main park, KayKay stopped and looked around slowly.
There was every ride imaginable! A giant . . . and that means giant . . . and vicious looking roller coaster in the distance. A bit closer was a very tall tower, three in fact. There appeared to be people in harnessed seats going up to the tops, which were at least 200 feet high, and then being dropped in a free-fall. There was a Giant Floom, with a bridge passerby could stand on and get drenched at, a merry-go-round, miniature roller coaster, and the ever-popular Strawberry Ride for some of the little kids . . . That was just naming a few. In fact, KayKay thought as she looked around, there were enough rides to satisfy even the wildest of hearts.
"KayKay. Earth to KayKay. Come on, girl!" Emily said, snapping her fingers in front of KayKay's face. "We didn't come all this way just to look at the rides! What do you want to go on first?"
"I want to . . . I want to . . ." KayKay pulled out the park map and scanned it quickly. She grinned, and pointed to an illustration.
"I want to go on that"
* * * * *
"That" was the Corkscrew, a twisting, turning, loop-de-loop roller coaster. Emily groaned a bit, but came nonetheless went on the wild ride with KayKay. She stepped off looking okay but not eager to repeat the experience, and KayKay came off wanting to do it all over again.
"That was brilliant!" KayKay exclaimed, all but jumping up and down.
"Brilliant?" Emily asked KayKay oddly. "Care to translate?"
"Oh!" KayKay hadn't even realized that she'd picked up slightly on Ron's way of speech. "That means awesome. Sorry, England mode again." She was slightly embarrassed, but got over it quickly. "Come on, let's go to the Water Park!"
So saying, she grabbed Emily's wrist and the pair ran between the masses of people, feeling carefree and light. They reached the Water Park about ten minutes later, it being on the opposite end of the park. Changing as quickly as they could, Emily and KayKay stashed their things on top of the lockers rather then having to pay ten dollars just to rent a locker.
"Oh my gosh." KayKay said slowly when they had emerged from the locker room and looked at the water rides. A wild grin was slowly creeping across KayKay's face, and she knew immediately what ride she wanted to go on first.
It was a tall slide that had an almost vertical drop before leveling out horizontally at the bottom. Someone was even going down now; arms crossed across their chest tightly eyes closed even tighter. To KayKay, it looked like nothing but fun.
KayKay pointed slowly, the grin of a maniac spreading across her face. "I have got to go on that one."
Not even waiting for a response from Emily, she began to walk hurriedly towards . . . she looked up and read the sign . . . Panic Falls. She was perfectly content to wait in the line that wound down the long path . . . it wouldn't take as long as it appeared. There were two of the steep slides, and three speed slides besides. It would go quickly enough.
"Hey, get back here!"
KayKay barely had a chance to register the blur that flew past her in the front before another one collided with her, knocking her to the ground painfully and making her scrape both her hands on the concrete.
KayKay looked up angrily. "Hey, next time watch where you're go . . . going . . ." She froze when she saw who it was that had inadvertently knocked her to the ground so roughly.
"Well, hi there." It was the exact same boy that she'd seen on the car ride to Valleyfair! The one who'd caught her staring at him. "Long time, no see, huh?"
He gave her another one of those winks and offered her a hand up. His grip was strong, but gentle, and he quickly got her back on her feet.
"I'm sorry I plowed right into you like that . . . are you alright?" The boy's face was one of concern, and KayKay looked again at her hands. They were scraped up pretty
badly . . . bits of sand had gotten into the wounds as well. Wordlessly, she showed them to the boy, who immediately took her by the hand gently and led her out of the line and over to a first aid tent right near the locker rooms.
As the lifeguard cleaned her hands, and the side of her leg, which she had also scraped up and not noticed, KayKay cast surreptitious looks at her "attacker". He seemed to be truly sorry for knocking into her, judging by the expression of his face. Speaking of his face, he seemed to be a nice guy, if one could tell so easily. His chestnut-brown eyes had the appearance of an ever-present smile, and he was both frowning because of his clumsiness and smiling because of . . . well, why ever it was that he was smiling. KayKay wouldn't have thought it possible for someone to frown and smile at the same time, but that was what he was doing, and it served to fascinate KayKay.
KayKay's mind had been wandering so much that she had barely even noticed the sting antiseptic used to sanitize her scrapes. So it came as a bit of a shock when the lifeguard said, "Done! Now, you should probably steer clear of the water until they scab over, which will probably take a few hours. But when they do, swim all you want" She smiled at KayKay as she began to return the medical supplies to their proper place.
"Oh, thank you . . . thank you a lot!" KayKay said brightly. The boy . . . KayKay briefly wondered what his name was . . . again offered her a hand and helped her hop down from the table she had been seated on. Side by side they left the tent. The boy spoke up first.
"I just want to say again that I'm real sorry you got hurt. That looks painful."
KayKay looked briefly at him, his concerned eyes leaving a lasting impression in her memory. She looked away again and commented, "I wouldn't worry about it. Believe me, I've had worse." Thinking of her confrontation with Voldemort, she added in an undertone, "Much worse."
"What was that?" he asked, leaning closer in an attempt to hear her better.
"Never mind. By the way, what's your name?" KayKay smoothly changed the subject.
"Matt" he answered instantly. "What's yours?"
"I'm KayKay" she replied absentmindedly, scanning the crowd for Emily.
"Are you from England?"
This gained a look of shock from KayKay, but remembering how Emily had also said she had a touch of an English accent, she answered simply.
"No, I'm from here. I went to England, on an exchange program"
"Really? A few kids from my school went on those, maybe we go to the same school! I mean, you are old enough, right?" Matt asked in a rush.
"Yes, I'm old enough. I'm sixteen . . . but I don't go to your school." KayKay answered evasively, resuming her search for her friend.
"How can you be sure?" Matt asked, turning and walking backwards in front of KayKay so he could look her in the eyes. "I mean, I just started at a new school last year. If you were overseas, we wouldn't have met yet."
"Believe me," KayKay laughed, "If you went to my school, I'd know you" Of this, KayKay was certain . . . even new students were announced in her large wizarding school.
"Ah, social butterfly? Well still, you might be surprised . . . what school do you go to anyhow?" Matt asked KayKay persistently.
"I go to a boarding school on the other side of the country. You wouldn't have heard of it." KayKay said simply. Matt was still walking backwards, facing her, which greatly blocked any view of Emily. "Excuse me," KayKay said crisply, putting her hands on Matt's shoulders and moving him to the side for a moment, "thank you."
It took only a moment for her to find Emily once Matt was out of the way. "Emily!" she called. "Emily, wait up!"
The shouts and laughter in the park were too loud, or else KayKay's voice was too soft. Whatever the reason, Emily didn't hear KayKay, and she continued the direction she was heading in, which incidentally, was for the Lazy River. Perhaps she hoped to catch a glimpse of KayKay while floating on a tube that circled the whole Water Park. Either way, she was gone before KayKay got to her, and she had no choice but to wait.
"Oh well." KayKay sighed, dropping her arms in defeat. "I suppose I have some time to kill now."
"I'd be happy to assist you in waiting" Matt offered all too readily. "If you don't mind."
"Well . . ." KayKay considered. "Alright."
"Cool. Here, let's find somewhere to sit." Finding a couple empty chairs quickly, he indicated one and bowed his head slightly. "Your seat, m'lady"
Not certain whether to groan or to chuckle at his odd behavior, KayKay wisely seated herself in silence. Matt pulled up a chair next to her and began the conversation.
"So, what brings you here today? Family outing?" he looked at KayKay inquisitively.
"A family outing?" KayKay laughed. "I'm sorry, but if you knew my family you'd ask how I got here alive and how I'd keep myself from being killed when I go home."
"That bad, huh?" Matt asked with a crooked grin that, to KayKay, was painfully similar to Harry's. "Well if you're not here for that, then what does bring you here?"
KayKay replied, "It's my birthday today. Sweet Sixteen, and my friend treated me to an escape from reality." KayKay laughed again, pleased that she was able to feel comfortable with someone so quickly.
"Whoa, a true American, huh? Well, Happy birthday . . . and I'm correct in assuming that a birthday kiss isn't something you're hoping to receive?"
KayKay would have readily protested if it weren't for the fact that the grin on Matt's face clearly proved that he wasn't thinking of doing anything of the sort. So instead, she asked her own question.
"Are you here on a family outing?"
"Nah." Matt said casually. "I'm here on a job. Every Fourth of July, Valleyfair has tons of awesome fireworks and music . . ."
As Matt spoke, KayKay found herself studying him again. She nodded in reply to what he was saying, but she was barely hearing a word, caught up in her own thoughts.
Matt was interesting, that was a fact no one could argue. The expressive manner in which he spoke led KayKay to believe he was possibly involved in theatre at whatever High School he attended, or perhaps the Debate Team. He seemed to have an informed but not arrogant nature about him that suggested he was relatively smart, but that he didn't care. His eyes were lively and animated, which only further proved his eagerness.
Yes, he was eager, but not annoyingly so. Instead, it was actually rather charming. There was something not quite right about him . . . something KayKay couldn't quite figure out. It was a kind of feeling that he was hiding a big secret. It only served to make KayKay more interested in him.
" . . . So I get most of the day free. At seven o'clock though, I have to go start setting up for the concert. I'm sort of a . . . tech man, you could say. Do you like country music?"
"Country music? I love it!" KayKay exclaimed. "Why? Who's gonna be playing?"
"Oh, only Garth Brooks" Matt said, pretending to look bored but being betrayed by the sly grin spreading across his face. "I don't suppose you—"
"I love Garth Brooks!" KayKay squealed. "Hey, why didn't Emily tell me?"
"Maybe because she wanted it to be a surprise?" a voice suggested from behind the pair. KayKay and Matt both turned around to see a drenched Emily standing with her hands on her hips. "Thanks a lot, dude."
"Whoa, sorry about that. I didn't know . . .
"Chill out, I was joking. So, KayKay," Emily said to her friend with a fiendish grin, "aren't you going to introduce me to your new . . . friend?"
"Oh stop it!" KayKay exclaimed, swatting at Emily. She knew full well the implications of Emily's statement and they were not true. "This is Matt who is kindly talking with me because I couldn't find you because I was taken for first aid because I was banged up because I fell when Matt barreled into me because . . ." KayKay paused, " . . . because I must now be the queen of run-on sentences."
"Well, sorry I ruined the surprise." Matt said to Emily after their laughter had died down. "I'll make up for it, I promise. See you later, I hope." Matt added to KayKay, giving her a wink before walking away. KayKay watched after him slowly, wondering what on Earth her new friend had up his sleeve.
* * * * *
"Hey Valleyfair, are you ready to party?"
The crowd gathered near the music stage cheered loudly in response to the young man who had come onstage.
Cheering along with them was KayKay and Emily. KayKay looked up in mild shock at the large difference between this young man and the Matt she had met in the morning. He was wearing blue jeans, a white, western-style, button up shirt, black cowboy boots, and to top off the ensemble, a black cowboy hat.
In KayKay's mind, he looked like a perfect cowboy.
"Let me hear you!"
The crowd shouted louder, KayKay pulled along with.
"That's awesome. Now, I've been up here long enough, and I'm sure I'm not the one you came to hear. If you did, you can find me around back where I'll be on-call for tonight's performer."
As he said this he looked at KayKay in the first row and winked that adorable wink of his.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for Garth Brooks!"
The thunderous response as the famous country singer came out surpassed any previous noise. Garth Brooks jumped immediately into his first song, and KayKay watched as Matt slinked back into the shadows of the stage and then, presumably, through a door.
And I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free . . .
Oh, it was the best birthday she'd ever had, KayKay decided. She and Emily had left the Water Park, seeking other rides and thrills . . . and goodness knows they found them. Over the day they went on at least two dozen rides . . . not to mention that they eventually went back to the Water Park and KayKay got to go down the slide she'd wanted to in the first place. She begged Emily to come with, but KayKay's friend simply shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but suicide isn't on the top of my list of fun things to do at Valleyfair" Emily had answered decisively. So KayKay had gone alone . . . and she had both hated and adored it at the same time. She didn't go on again though . . . she chose instead to go on the Raging Rapids tube ride, which was equally fun and much less scary. Afterwards, KayKay and Emily went on the lazy river, talked about nothing in particular, and glared when a group of boys almost tipped their tubes. All in all, it had been a wonderful day.
"Thank you! Thank you very much," Garth Brooks said, pulling KayKay back into the present as she realized he'd already finished one of his songs and was now talking to the audience. "Now, all of us here are American girls and American guys . . . but I've been informed that there's one girl in particular out there that is one more so than others. Everyone, please wish a happy Sweet Sixteen to Miss KayKay Determan! Where is our girl?"
KayKay was frozen, unable to reply, but that didn't stop someone else from speaking up for her. She realized with a start that Matt was back onstage, actually standing next to Garth Brooks. And he was pointing at her.
"Come on up, KayKay. Come on!" Matt urged quietly, gesturing for her to come as another song began.
"A very happy birthday to KayKay, and considering it's her sixteenth, I'll go out of my normal play list . . ."
" . . . You come on like a dream, peaches and cream
Lips like strawberry wine
You're sixteen, you're beautiful and you're mine . . ."
"Matt, if you think I'm about to get up on that stage, you have something else coming!" KayKay managed to say. "There is no way I'm about to get up there in front of everyone else!"
" . . .You're my baby, you're my pet
We fell in love on the night we met
You touched my hand, my heart went pop . . ."
"Please? I'll give you a cookie." He offered with a grin. KayKay shook her head in disbelief.
" . . . You walked out of my dreams and into my arms
Now you're my angel divine
You're sixteen, you're beautiful and you're mine . . ."
"I don't think so, Matt."
"Come on, please? Pretty please?" The way he was pleading was humorous. They were interrupted as Garth Brooks, who was listening to them now that it was a music interlude, took his hat off and tossed it down to KayKay.
" . . . You're sixteen, you're beautiful, and you're mine
You're sixteen, so beautiful, and you're mine
You're sixteen, you're beautiful, and you're mine . . ."
As the stunned girl caught it and put it on her own head, she knew she was positively beaming. She still replied to Matt calmly, however.
"Read my rosy-pink lips. N-O" KayKay said firmly, but she knew she was grinning. As the song ended, Matt shrugged helplessly at the famous singer who was watching the exchange with amusement.
"She your girlfriend?" he asked Matt with a knowing look.
Matt looked at KayKay, and then back to Garth.
"One can dream"
* * * * *
"Ooh, That was awesome!" KayKay told Emily happily as they left the park. " I had the best time ever!"
"Whee" Emily replied, obviously not sharing her friend's enthusiasm. KayKay pouted.
"Well, excuse me for expressing my enthusiasm. I was just trying to help you understand how much fun it was!"
"I understand how much you loved it," Emily replied patiently as they turned down another path, this one void of anyone else, "by the other ten times you said so."
"I'm sorry, Emily. But this has just been the very best birthday of my life!" she exclaimed, happy again as she gave Emily a crushing hug. This seemed to change Emily's attitude somewhat.
"Aw, I'm glad you had a good time, KayKay." she replied, hugging her friend in return. "Now here, I'm gonna use the bathroom before we leave. You coming?"
"Nah," KayKay said with a wave of her hand, "I'd rather stay out here. Who knows, maybe look at the stars or something. You go on."
Emily went up the small parting path to the bathrooms, and KayKay watched after her for a moment before turning her face heavenwards. The stars twinkled merrily in the jet-black sky, like small candles flickering in a sacred sanctuary. They reflected in KayKay's chestnut eyes, until she closed them tightly.
"Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight," she murmured softly, the burning image of the very brightest star still fresh in her mind, "I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight."
In her heart, in the farthest depths of her very soul, a single, most blessed wish was uttered. It rang, repeated through her entire body, until her whole self was hoping, praying, longing that this one simple fantasy come to reality. Taking care not to speak this, for even the simplest wish is bound to remain as such . . . a wish . . . if spoken aloud, the Earth seemed to be in momentary silence and tranquility. So quiet was it that KayKay's heart leapt in her chest when she felt someone's strong hands on her shoulders and heard a boy with an English accent speak.
"Making a wish, KayKay?"
"Ohmygod!" KayKay exclaimed in shock, her eyes flying open as she whirled around, "Harr—"
She stopped short in dismay. It was not Harry, but Matt. Again. She quickly realized that although she'd turned, Matt's hands had remained on her shoulders, so now she was almost in an awkward embrace with him. Ignoring the blush that quickly spread to her cheeks, she demanded of him, "Why did you do that? It's not nice to get my hopes up like that!"
"Get your hopes up?" Matt questioned with a chuckle. "Why KayKay, I didn't know you cared."
"Oh, nevermind, it's ruined now." KayKay sighed, looking away.
"What's ruined? The mood?"
"The wish" KayKay corrected immediately. "It's a long story anyhow. Just to forewarn you though, if you come after me with a fake English accent like that again, I will wound you."
"Ouch, so harsh art thou, m'lady. 'Twas merely an attempt to make you feel more at home." Matt replied apologetically.
"Whatever, Shakespeare. Did you sneak up behind me for a good reason, or were you simply trying to scare the daylights out of me?" KayKay questioned, her sudden hope and dashed dream still hanging in the front of her mind.
"Actually, yes," Matt said, speaking normally once more. "I wanted to wish you a happy birthday again, KayKay. You had a good day, I hope?"
"Yeah, it was great! And, ah . . . thanks for the whole concert thing. It was embarrassing at first, but all in all it rocked. And," KayKay pointed to the cowboy hat on her head, "I have proof of it. I have to say that it was the best birthday I had. There's just one
thing . . . "
"Yes?" Matt prompted.
"You said that you were a technical man. Excuse me, but spokesperson of one of the best country singers alive isn't exactly technical crew."
"So, I was a bit vague in my explanation." Matt shrugged. "Go ahead, sue me."
KayKay laughed, then said, "You know, there's just one thing missing to make this the best day of my life . . ."
"A goodnight kiss?" Matt suggested with a charming smile.
"No, not a—" KayKay didn't have time to finish as Matt quickly bent forward and gave her the briefest of kisses. KayKay inhaled sharply, unconsciously taking a step back.
"I'm sorry, was I too forward?" Matt asked with concern.
"No— I mean, yes— I mean . . . I gotta go!" KayKay exclaimed, turning quickly and dashing further up the path where Emily was just emerging from the bathroom. She didn't speak to Emily, just bit her lip in a vain attempt to hold back the tears starting to sting her eyes.
She felt as if she had just betrayed someone. Then again, hewas to one to kiss her, KayKay reasoned with herself. She couldn't be blamed for the impulsive actions of a hormonal teenager. And what could clearly be seen was that she hadn't asked him to kiss her . . . she hadn't even wanted him to! He was being abrupt, and although KayKay could recall that many were like that in the States, taking things quickly, it was nonetheless too rash and sudden.
And beside that point that Matt was the guilty party, even if KayKay had wanted to be kissed by Matt . . . which she hadn't . . . Wasn't it KayKay herself who had suggested to Harry that they move on? And hadn't he agreed? She was sure Harry wouldn't wait up for her, and probably didn't expect her to wait up for him . . .
. . . So why did she feel like such a cheater?
* * * * *
"Ugh, I am exhausted! I think I'll just fall asleep like this." Emily commented, sprawled across the hotel bed in a most uncomfortable way.
"I wouldn't suggest it" KayKay commented dryly, setting down her duffel bag, scrapbook, and guitar on her own bed. "I'll be back in a minute" she added, grabbing her duffel and heading to the small bathroom to change into pajamas.
"Yeah, sure, whatever," came Emily's muffled reply. KayKay sighed. She didn't feel quite so bad now that she'd had some time to calm down from Matt's actions, but she still felt a deep guilt inside, like she had willingly cheated on her boyfriend. Who wasn't actually her boyfriend per se, but still was a guy she once dated and trusted deeply.
As she filled the sink with water to wash stinging chlorine and salty tears from her face, she delved deeper into her thoughts.
Harry had trusted her too. They'd both trusted each other. And now, even though they weren't technically dating, she felt she'd betrayed his trust again. Deep down, she knew it was because even though Harry had said he'd move on, at her request, and even though she'd told herself that he wouldn't wait up for her, KayKay knew he wouldn't date again. At least, not for a long while.
I suppose, KayKay thought as she splashed her face with the water, clearing away both old and new tears, that that's the reason why I like him so much.
He wasn't the type who'd dive right into another relationship. He was faithful and honest, and here she was, already been kissed. Perhaps she didn't request it, but it would never have happened if she hadn't been so familiar and open towards a guy who was obviously interested in her.
Bat KayKay believed that the biggest reason she felt so horribly guilty was because she knew that deep down, far inside her, she still loved Harry. It had only been proved earlier that night when she wished for nothing more than to be beside him again. That wish had come from the very center of her soul, and those kind of wished could never lie about your true feelings.
Which led her into another thought. It was odd for her to feel so connected to someone when she was just barely turned sixteen. Perhaps it was the knowledge of the powers, or even the powers themselves. It just felt like there was a predestined path for her, and that what she said or did would have little impact on what happened in her life. For all she knew, there could even be a prophecy saying as much . . .
"Hey KayKay, did you drown in there?" Emily called. KayKay jumped in surprise at this sudden intrusion of her thoughts, but quickly shook it off and replied.
"No, unfortunately. I'll be right there."
KayKay wiped her face dry with a towel, inspected herself in the mirror and, finding no traces of shed tears on her face, hung the towel back up and emerged.
Emily was still sprawled across her bed, but was propped up on her elbows and looking through what KayKay recognized to be the scrapbook Hermione had made for her. Emily looked up as KayKay sat down beside her.
"This is wicked cool," she grinned, "the pictures move. That is so freaky!"
KayKay couldn't help but laugh at her friend's fascination. "Yes, that they do." She replied, flipping to the next page.
Emily was a muggle, and probably shouldn't have been one to know about KayKay's magical qualities, but it was somewhat unavoidable. She'd been the one present when KayKay had opened her letter of acceptance to Escondito School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the pair kept regular correspondence during the year. Naturally, this wasn't possible from England, so KayKay simply wrote to Emily and forewarned her. That was how Emily had already known that she'd been to Hogwarts.
"Who's this?" Emily asked, pointing to one person in particular, "He's in almost every picture."
She was pointing to Harry. She was still near the beginning of the book, so there weren't sufficient pictures to illustrate their relationship.
"That's Harry,"" KayKay replied, almost dreamily, as the unsummoned ghost of a smile lit her face. "He is . . . I mean, he was," KayKay corrected, looking down at her hands, "my boyfriend."
"Oh? iOh/i." Emily said, first curiously, then sadly in understanding. "I see. So that's why you were acting so . . . different. Yeah, you must have really liked him" she confirmed, turning a page and seeing a picture of KayKay and Harry resting peacefully in each other's arms. "Do you miss him?"
"Only all the time," KayKay answered with a sigh, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. "You can't even imagine how wonderfully sweet he is. If only . . ."
Emily looked at KayKay after she left her statement unfinished, letting it hang in the air. "If only what, KayKay?"
"If only I could see him again. Even for a minute. I would do almost anything . . ." KayKay shook her head silently, and stood up.
"It's been a long day . . . fun, but long . . . why don't we get some sleep?"
Emily nodded in agreement, not so much tired as realizing what a painful subject this had to be for her friend.
"Can I just ask you one more thing, though?" she asked as KayKay got into her own bed.
"Shoot."
"Are you going to see him again? Do you plan to?" Emily asked.
KayKay bit her lip in thought only briefly before answering decisively, "Yes. I am. I don't know when or how, but I will."
Neither of the two spoke after that, for the finality in which KayKay had stated her oath left no room for questioning. Silently, they switched off the lights and slipped slowly into a peaceful sleep, the radio playing a soft patriot's lullaby.
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
