*A/n: I'd made a mistake saying that Chaps 10 and 11 were thirteen pages when it's really sixteen but this chapter IS 13 pages. So much for my only update every Friday thing! The only thing that worries me is the fact that this story is halfway through so that means that once it's done I'll have to put up WTII but I don't have much written with that story and so I'll keep people waiting and I really don't want that so I guess I'll work on it as soon as I finish this chapter.
Chapter 12: Roaring Lions
Helen barely knocked on Dumbledore's office door when it swung open.
"Have a seat." he said gravely.
She sat down in the chair across from his desk.
"So you've seen her." he said, "In the Cryptic Case."
"You didn't tell me!" she shouted.
"I already told you that you needed to find out at the right time."
"So that woman...who looked exactly like me...she was Princess Eumaria."
"Correct."
"So my grandmother was planning on going to find her ancestor's treasure."
"Oh at the time she didn't know it was her ancestor."
"Alby...please...I need to know more."
Albus thought a moment and then placed the pensieve on the desk but then withdrew it.
"Alby!"
He raised a hand to quiet her.
"It will take too much time so I will tell you most of what she told me..."
Helen nodded.
"Jonathan and Anyanka made plans to go by boat to Egypt. What Anyanka didn't know at the time was that Jonathan was a wizard."
Helen looked up in surprise.
"He knew they'd need as much help as possible if they were to fight the demons, spirits, and witches he knew they would encounter. That's where I came in."
Helen smiled.
"The three of us finally made it to Egypt. We met a few other travelers who joined our team...with the help of Anyanka's visions..."
"Visions?" Helen asked.
"Yes. Every night she'd start talking in her sleep. She never knew of course, until much later. Anyway, we finally reached the No Longer Lost Palace of Eumaria. We had to fight all sorts of things you'd never even dream of. Finally at the last battle...Jonathan and Anyanka found the room with the widow's veil. One problem: legend. Anyone who went inside never came back out again. They sat in that room wondering what to do when Anyanka noticed a carving on the wall...it depicted Princess Eumaria wearing an amulet. The same one Anyanka had. She wanted to go in but Jonathan didn't want her to. While in their travels they read that Princess Eumaria herself died because she didn't realize that while she possessed the amulet...she herself couldn't go beyond the veil. The amulet protected her from the Tepso curse but that was all. The Princess would have to send someone else beyond the veil. She did not know this and she became lost."
"Great." Helen muttered sarcastically.
"At that moment one of the travelers burst into the room. They had wanted the treasure all for themselves. They tried to steal the amulet and in doing so...they were tossed beyond the veil."
"So if someone tries to steal the necklace...they died...er...went 'beyond the veil', so does that mean that Anyanka would have to give the necklace to someone willingly?"
"Yes." Dumbledore smiled. "Anyanka took the amulet and placed it around Jonathan's neck. The moment she did that...her skin started to turn grey."
"What?"
"She was an Erium remember? As Princess Eumaria's descendent, and being in Egypt...the amulet protected her from Tepso but when she took it off it caused her to get Tepso. This meant that Jonathan had no choice BUT to go beyond the veil and get the cure...and possibly the treasure."
"Why couldn't she just put the amulet back on?"
"Doesn't work that way. All part of the magic curse."
"Yeah, okay why does this ancient stuff always have to be so complicated?"
"Anyanka doesn't know what happened beyond the veil while Jonathan was gone...but Jonathan said that the spirit of Eumaria made him make a choice. The treasure...or the cure."
"Well since I'm here today I'm guessing he took the cure."
"Exactly."
"So what happened after that?"
"They got married. Had a daughter...your mom. Lived happily ever after."
"You mean that's the end of the story?"
"Yes."
"So where do I come into this whole thing?"
"You are the descendent of Princess Eumaria and Anyanka."
"What happened to the amulet? Where is it?"
"That is for you to find out."
"So...were Voldemort's followers...did they kill my family because they wanted the amulet?"
"Probably."
"Did my mom and dad know about the amulet?"
"Yes but they couldn't touch it. Your mother wasn't a Sacred Keeper. They killed her after realizing that."
"A what?"
"Sacred Keeper; someone with the sacred mark; someone who was born to protect certain sacred items."
"So Eumaria and Anyanka were?"
"Yes."
"Well I'm not...I don't have any sacred marks and I have no clue where the amulet is. But wait... you said Harry would have something to do with this. What does Harry have to do with this?"
"That's what you'll have to find out. Now...go to bed. You have a Quidditch match with the Slytherins tomorrow."
Helen nodded and left.
____________________________________________________________________
Helen finished pulling her hair into a strategically messy ballerina bun and sat down at the table. A few minutes later...
"Eat up! Eat up!" Katie commanded her Quidditch team. She walked over to Helen and dumped eggs, bacon, and toast on her plate.
"Eat!" she yelled.
"Why don't you tell Harry that?"
"Because he's at least eating toast while you're just drinking pumpkin juice!"
"Well hey...this gross stuff is filling me up just fine."
"Pumpkin juice isn't gross!" said Ron.
"We're in for some tough weather." Katie said, glancing at the ceiling. Indeed it was foreboding weather but Helen was in a good mood, mainly because she'd get to murder the Slytherins in Quidditch and in doing so, vent the steam she'd gotten from her fight with Kevin. She knew she had to watch her anger. Muggles had problems with high blood pressure...but hers was worse than that. In a way it was worse than how Veelas turn into fire throwing birds when angry. Helen reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke's chocolate.
"That's not good for you this early." Hermione warned.
"Trust me, Hermione. It is." She said.
"Ready to lose?" came a drawl behind them.
"Yeah we were about to ask you that." Harry replied coolly.
"You can't possibly win with Longbottom on your team. Gryffindors must really suck if they had to resort to him!"
"Shut up, Bobo."
"It's Draco!" he said testily. "I'd watch out if I were you, Helen. Longbottom will probably take a swing at your head, mistaking it for a bludger. You'll have to borrow one of those helmets from the mudblood."
"Geeze, Draco that whole 'mudblood' bit is really getting old. I mean it would totally seem like a disgusting word if you hadn't used it...I don't know...about a hundred times!" Helen replied.
"You-"
"And I mean..."she said cutting him off, "Dirty blood...oh no! I'm so offended! You said I had dirty blood! Oh boy! I'm just going to die I am! You said I had dirty blood! Isn't that just a humdinger and a tumtigger to boot! Only wizards and witches could make up such a stupid statement to mean something horrible."
"You-"
"Now I know..." she cut him off again, "that you'd say it's the feeling behind the word that makes it bad and well...guess what...I'm not going to be brought down by such a stupid supposed insult as 'dirty blood'. I'd be more offended if you'd said I look like you. Grow up, Dreeko."
Draco just stood there open-mouthed and then turned around and left the Great Hall, muttering "It's Draco…and I was referring to Granger as a mud—er—muggle."
"Well..."Katie said, "Let's go team. Let's win this!"
"Yeah! Give the Slytherins a tumtigger!" Ron shouted.
*A/n: Okay might I say that Helen IS pureblood. Her father's side was British-type Purebloods but her mother's side of magic was different because Egyptians studied the books and things in order to GET the power…and through that process (plus mixing with British-type purebloods) their magic was passed down through the generations. Did I confuse anyone, because I think I confused myself a bit.
In the locker room Katie had everyone take a seat.
"Listen you guys..." she started, "This is deadly weather. We need a quick catch of the snitch to win this game. Did everyone do the Impervious Charm?"
They all nodded.
"We have three great chasers. Two unbeatable beaters. A superb seeker. And a good keeper. Now let's get out there and prove that we can win this!"
They all cheered and made their way to the Pitch.
"Welcome students to the first Quidditch Match of the Season where it's Slytherin vs. Gryffindor!" said Bianca.
Harry caught Helen's eye and she smiled. Perfect goodluck omen.
"Too bad Lee Jordan can't do commentating." Ron sighed. "He always made it funny."
"Shake hands!" Madam Hooch ordered to Katie and Bletchly.
"The whistle blows and the balls are in the air!" Bianca announced." Gryffindor in possession. Bell dodges a bludger thrown by Nott. Pass to Ginny Weasley. Back to Bell...no taken by Baddock. Passed to Pritchard...No! Stolen by Cliff! Gryffindor possession. Pass to Bell. Weasley. Bell. Score.
10 to 0. Slytherin in possession...ouch! Knocked in the back of the head by Gryffindor Beater Relle. Slytherin still in possession as Baddock caught Zabini's fallen Quaffle. Baddock heading straight at Gryffindor Keeper Ron Weasley. He's about to throw...Ouch! Knocked out of his hands by a bludger launched by Relle. Gryffindor in possession."
The wind picked up and the rain poured in floods. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the sky. Harry tried desperately to try and catch a glint of gold. He flew around searching.
"That makes it 20 to 10 Gryffindor's lead. Slytherin in possession OoO Zabini drops it. Weasley down the field. Yikes! Crabbe's Bludger misses Weasley but hits Bell but the quaffle is knocked out of Baddock's hand and caught by Cliff. She's making her way down the Slytherin end. Dodges Goyle's fist and passes to Weasley. Score. 30 to 10. OoO foul! Weasley knocked off her broom by a surprise bludger to stomach. Wow! She's caught by Cliff. Will you look at that! Cliff using one hand to steer and the other to hold onto Ginny Weasley! And Ginny is now safely on her broom...yes but Bell scored. 40 to 10. Slytherin Possession. Pritchard has the Quaffle. Beater Longbottom straight ahead. Ouch! Longbottom fails to hit bludger away and is hit! Almost fell off his broom. Pritchard shoots...sco..no saved! That was a foul! Keeper Ron Weasley is out! Zabini used his wand to knock Ron off! The time out is called."
Harry landed and rushed to Ron's side. Luckily Helen pulled another one of her...catching-someone-as-they're-falling tricks but Ron was hit with a Stunner. Helen was kneeling at Ron's side until Professor McGonagall rushed over and sent him to the Hospital wing. Harry as well as the other Gryffindors were beyond furious.
"The whistle is blown and the players are back into the air. Bell takes the foul shot. Woah! That was one forceful throw! Blocked by Nott but almost incapacitates him. 40 to 10 still. Gryffindor lead. Zabini has the quaffle. Taken by Cliff. Cliff speeds to Slytherin end. Foul! Gross! Her hand is bent weird now. Cliff still managed to hold onto the Quaffle long enough to pass to Weasley who scores. 50 to 10."
Harry saw Helen pull out her wand and mumble something. Her hand straightened and both the hand and wrist was wrapped in a cast of some sort. Harry had to find the snitch before anyone else got hurt badly.
"Woah! Baddock is out of the game! He's struck by lightning. OoO this is dangerous weather and dangerous players! Zabini tries to steal and Cliff knocks Zabini in the head with a Quaffle. She's going for the goal...she throws...Nott flying to meet her! Gryffindor score...NOTT! He tried pushing her off her broom! She's off! Oh! Isn't that ironic! Weasley catches her by her good arm. Hahahaha oh my gosh. Is that a foul? I think that's a foul. Weasley swings Cliff into Pritchard..."
Harry saw the snitch! He sped forward but unfortunately it was against the wind whereas Draco was going with the wind and was closer. Harry flatted himself on his broom. His firebolt hadn't failed him yet. Just a little bit faster....it was too late...Malfoy reached a hand and...
"Harry Potter catches the snitch. Gryffindor wins 200 to 10."
Malfoy had been about to touch the snitch when suddenly he flew sideways and Harry's fingers closed around the snitch. He flew to the ground. The Gryffindors' cheers erupted across the stands. The team was hugging each other, covered in mud, rain pouring on their head, but none was happier than Neville. Turned out that Neville knocked the bludger into Draco's ribs and sent him flying.
"YOU DID IT!" Katie screamed as she caught Neville in a bear hug.
"We won! Yes! We won!" Helen screamed. She hugged Harry and then turned around to hug...but then stopped. It was Kevin but her happiness overtook resentment and she hugged him as well. Hermione came running towards them.
"Good job, Harry!" she cheered, kissing him on the cheek. He felt his face redden.
"Let's go tell Ron the good news." Helen said immediately.
"Filch will kill us if we go in like this." Harry answered. Let's go into changing room and then head for the hospital wing."
"No. Miss Cliff, go to the hospital wing now. Your wrist needs healing." said Professor McGonagall with a smile.
"Oh yea...forgot." Helen realized. She defied McGonagall's orders and headed to the changing room anyway to wash away the slick mud in her hair, robes, and everywhere else.
"Ferula." Helen mumbled as she re-put the wrap on her hand and wrist.
"Thanks for the save." Helen thanked Ginny as she tried drying her hair with one hand.
"Thanks too. No more stalling. Hospital wing now!"
The Gryffindor Team made their way up the castle and into the hospital wing.
"We won didn't we?" Ron grinned at the smiles on everyone's faces.
"How are you?" Katie asked, concerned.
"Fine. Madam Pomfry says I can leave soon."
"Good. I expect you to be at practice on Tuesday." she said before walking out.
Kevin laughed. Helen frowned.
"Great job blocking those quaffles." Ginny said.
"Thanks. So how did the ending go? I saw Malfoy led in here. Madam Pomfry's with him now."
They all laughed and told him about Neville's correct aim and Harry's catch.
"Out now!" Madam Pomfry said, pushing them along.
"But Ma-OWWWWWW." Helen screamed. Madam Pomfry had pushed Helen and her bad hand flew forward and hit the wall. Madam Pomfry made a surprise "oh" and steered Helen to hospital bed next to Ron.
"Nice bandaging." Madam Pomfry said as she took it off and mended her wrist and hand. "You and Mr.Weasley can go now."
"What happened to Malfoy?"
"Broken ribs."
She shooed them both away and Ron had to support himself on Helen's shoulder as he was laughing hysterically.
"Serves Malfoy right." Ron muttered. "After all the horrible things he's done and said...and especially after making fun of Neville...look what happened!"
"Yeah Helen is definitely with Harry." came Bianca's voice.
Helen froze and Ron stopped beside her.
"She told you?" Kevin asked.
"No but I can tell when my best friend likes someone." Bianca said.
"Great..."Kevin mumbled. He opened the door and was in such a rush that he didn't notice Ron and Helen jumping behind it. When Bianca came out Ron tried to hold Helen back but she slipped past his fingers.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Helen screamed at Bianca.
"You were listening!" Bianca yelled.
"HOW DARE YOU! YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LIKE KEVIN! WHY WOULD YOU GO TELLING HIM LIES ABOUT HOW I LIKE HARRY?"
"You're so naive, Helen!" Bianca shouted. "You never once noticed how much I freaked out when I saw Kevin! You never noticed how I daydreamed in class thinking about him! You never noticed how much I suffered watching the two of you together! Did you honestly think I wasn't attracted to him? My God Helen! Unlike you I'd liked him since the first time I saw him, so don't you think I deserve to be with him? No of course not! It was always about how much you liked Kevin! You never once asked if I was interested in him!"
"You didn't tell me! How was I supposed to know? I can't believe you! You expect me to lay off a guy that I didn't even know you liked?"
"It's your fault if you didn't notice!"
"How DARE you blame me?"
"You can have Harry, so why not leave Kevin for me?"
"First of all I DONT HAVE HARRY! Secondly YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME! THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR AND OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD! THIRDLY You betrayed me! No matter how much you like Kevin, you had NO right to tell him lies! That is such a Slytherin thing to do!"
"NEWSFLASH! I AM A SLYTHERIN SO GET OVER IT!"
Ron put a hand over her mouth before she could reply and pulled her away from Bianca and didn't let go of Helen until they walked through the portrait hole.
"I am so sick of my friends being so...UGH!" she screamed.
Ron just stood there not knowing what to do. Kevin rushed forward.
"What's going on? Did you have a fight with Cho?"
"NO!" Helen screamed. "NO I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOUR PRECIOUS CHO!"
"Listen Kevin, what Bianca told you wasn't true. That's why Helen's so mad right now."
"Why would she be mad?"
"She doesn't want you thinking she likes Harry" "Because it's a lie." Ron added.
"Why does it matter so much that you'd fight with your best friend?" he asked Helen.
"Because I liked you!' she said defiantly.
"Liked?"
"Yes! Past tense! Liked before you went and had a kiss fest with Cho!"
"It was nothing!"
"Yeah that's what YOU say! Whatever. Who cares right?" she said before storming up to her dorm.
________________________________________________________________________
"Begin." Snape instructed. Helen and Harry were in their Occlumency/Legilimency lessons before Christmas break.
Helen stared into Harry's eyes and saw Hermione getting hurt...Sirius hit with a spell...
"STOP!" Harry yelled.
"Potter!" Snape said angrily. "Don't start this nonsense again! Get up and start over!"
"All this time you haven't told me how exactly I'm supposed to be doing this." Harry muttered just as angrily.
"You aren't concentrating enough." Snape spat.
"Well it's kinda hard when someone's constantly probing your mind!"
"Well then you're just weak, Potter! You're weak if you can't take a little pain!"
"You don't know anything about pain!" Harry shouted.
"Oh don't I? You know...you'd think the death of your godfather would be enough to make you work harder. Clearly deaths of others isn't important enough for-"
"DON'T YOU DARE MENTION SIRIUS AGAIN! IT'S YOUR FAULT HE'S DEAD!"
"Oh really, Potter? If I'm not mistaken you were the one who didn't try hard in your earlier Occlumency classes."
"I WOULDN'T HAVE GONE TO THE MINISTRY IF YOU HAD GIVEN ME A SIGN THAT YOU UNDERSTOOD WHAT I WAS TELLING YOU!"
"I couldn't blow my cover with Umbridge!"
"To hell with Umbridge! Cover isn't important when it comes to Sirius! But of course you wouldn't give a damn! Snivellus."
Professor Snape went white with rage and whipped out his wand, as did Harry.
"Don't!" Helen screamed. "You are a Professor!"
"Let Potter make his first move! Then it will be self-defense!" Snape snarled.
Helen stepped between the two of them and pushed their wands away from each other.
"Let's go Harry." Helen beckoned.
Harry just stood there staring coldly into Snape's eyes.
"Harry...c'mon." Helen almost pleaded. She took him by the arm and threw the door open.
"Don't come back for Occlumency, Potter. EVER. You're on your own now."
Helen pulled Harry out the door and back to Gryffindor Common Room.
________________________________________________________________________
"I know. I know." Helen assured Harry as he stood pacing back and forth in the common room, face red with anger.
"I mean...that ass has been pushing it since day one! I'm so sick of him-"
"I know." Helen said soothingly. "You're doing a really good job keeping it together. He wants to irritate you. Don't let him."
"You don't know what it's like to have someone trying as hard as they can to make your life miserable! No one's ever hated you!"
"I wouldn't know about that..." Helen mumbled.
"Yeah right." he said sarcastically. "Who hates you?"
"Bianca."
"Are you kidding me? She's your best friend."
"Was. Turns out she's been after Kevin and has totally trashed our friendship because of it."
"Oh come on!" Harry sneered. "That's just a stupid girl squabble over a guy! That isn't the end of the world."
Helen frowned but then put on a look of tranquility.
"I never said it was the end of the world. Just right about now she hates me."
"No she doesn't! Something as retarded as that doesn't ruin friendships! God! I wish I had problems like yours."
Helen, still with a calm, collected, expression....
"You're upset. Totally understandable."
"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! NO ONE CAN POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND! YOU SOUND JUST LIKE DUMBLEDORE!"
Helen jumped up.
"No...I couldn't understand what it's like to have Voldemort after you...No...I couldn't understand what it's like to have Voldemort kill your parents. No...I couldn't understand what it's like having people think you have a screw loose and that you are dangerous! No! Only YOU would understand."
Harry felt ashamed of himself for taking his anger out on Helen. She did know how he felt. Voldemort's followers had kidnapped her and killed her family, but what did she mean by having 'a screw loose' and 'having people think you're dangerous'?
"Helen...what did you mean by that last part?"
"Huh...oh. Oh."
"What? What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me!"
"Forget it."
"TELL ME!" he shouted, picking up a book and slamming it on the ground.
"Go ahead." Helen shrugged. "Keep doing that. There're your books."
"YOU'RE JUST LIKE DUMBLEDORE!"
"Thank you." Helen smiled.
"DON'T SMILE!"
"Harry..."
"DON'T 'HARRY' ME! I COULD HAVE CURSED SNAPE! YOU STOPPED ME!"
"I stopped you from making a big mistake! You could be expelled for doing that to a professor!"
"I DON'T CARE!"
"You do."
Harry started picking up everything in his sight and throwing it all over the place.
"Okay Harry. Calm down! Calm down!"
He just ignored her and continued.
"Harry!"
He wasn't listening. He wasn't paying any attention. He was going to destroy anything in his path.
"HARRY!"
She had to stop him. He was going to get into serious trouble if he kept destroying everyone's things.
"Reparo!" she kept shouting at everything, trying to fix them. "Harry stop!"
She grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him a little.
"Get a grip! Look at me! Look at me Harry!"
She made him look into her eyes.
"I know you're hurting...but you've got to take control of yourself!"
Helen stood there, composed and together while Harry was still trying to control his breathing.
"Now...help me fix all the stuff you've demolished." she ordered, reaching into the pocket of his robes and extracting his wand. He reached out to take it and she was about to hand it to him before thinking against it.
"You sure you can handle carrying a wand without ruining anything else?"
He turned a bit red and nodded that he was capable. They spent ten minutes turning the disaster room back to the way it was supposed to be, which was good because everyone was trickling into the common room from their dorms. It was their last night before vacation began. Harry and Ron would be at Grimwald Place. Hermione was spending Christmas with her parents at her Aunt's house and Helen would be staying with Dumbledore at Hogwarts.
________________________________________________________________________
"Bye you guys!" Helen waved as Hermione, Harry, and Ron left the Entrance Hall. They'd be taking the Hogwarts Express out. Helen sighed. She couldn't help thinking how lonely Christmas was going to be. All her Gryffindor friends were gone and Bianca wasn't exactly on speaking terms with her...she'd gone to Salem for the holiday anyway. Helen had no idea if Kevin was still there but she still hadn't gotten the courage to face him. She felt bad after not giving him a chance to explain or anything and she'd snapped at him for no real reason. If he liked Cho that was totally his business. She'd just have to deal with it. Friendship was the most important thing. She'd always told herself that. On the positive side now that her friends had gone she had the chance to go to Hogsmeade and buy them proper presents.
Helen hugged her coat close to her and decided to go to Three Broomsticks.
"What would you like?" Madam Rosemerta asked kindly.
"Guess it's too cold for a Frozen Muggle." Helen laughed.
"How's a butterbeer sound?"
"Great." Helen smiled.
She paid for the drink and started walking towards an empty table.
"Hey, Cliff. Over here."
Helen raised an eyebrow. It was Draco sitting with Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy. She gazed suspiciously at them but decided to go see what they wanted. Bad company was better than no company...at least...she thought that was how the saying went.
"Have a seat." Draco invited.
"No room." She noted. Draco waved a hand and Crabbe gave her his seat. Again, Helen eyed Draco suspiciously but sat down anyway.
"Hey Pansy..." Helen started. "I never mentioned how great it is to see that Madam Pomfry fixed your face and hair. I mean after that potion Goyle made and spilled on you...we Gryffindors had our doubts."
"Whatever." Pansy replied sourly.
"I was just wondering why you'd still be here after the Wonder Trio left." Draco drawled.
"I have my reasons. What about you, Malfoy? Surely your family would be missing you enough to actually want you to visit, especially on Christmas." she said taking a sip of her drink.
"What of your family?" Draco asked only slightly ruffled.
"Oh they're on a vacation of their own, per say. Gone really." she answered. "I wouldn't want to be where they are."
"Nicely put. Well, Helen. I for one am glad I stayed. I'm in the presence of two gorgeous girls."
"Cheers." Helen said, tipping her mug.
"Cheers." he smiled. They both drank, not taking their eyes off each other for a second. It was really weird...the false formalness...drinking with the enemy...
"Hey Helen!" Katie hailed. "Have a seat here."
"Well boys...and...girl...I think...I guess I'll be seeing you." she took her butterbeer, gave them a wave and sauntered away. Good. She'd dined with a foe and made it back without a scratch, something truly amazing these days. Helen took a seat beside Katie, facing two seventh year boys Helen hadn't met but she thought they were Hufflepuffs.
"Great to see you." Katie told Helen.
"I thought you'd be away." Helen admitted.
"Yea well...I met Devon and well...I thought I'd stay." she confided, glancing at the shorter of the two.
"He's no Kevin but he's super nice." Katie mumbled under her breath.
"Hi." said the taller boy. He was pretty cute...good build with curly blond hair and dimples. He reminded her as an older and hotter version of cupid (without the baby fat of course)…Okay maybe the cupid comparison wasn't such a good idea.
"I'm Joseph Stilna" he introduced.
"Helen Cliff." Helen answered.
"I know who you are." he smiled. Boy was he cute. "Those were some moves you pulled at that Quidditch match!"
"Thanks." she blushed. "Do you play Quidditch?"
"I'm the new Keeper." he grinned.
"That was my position at Salem."
"Really? What a coincidence."
"Tell me about it."
"Tell you what?"
"Nothing, it's just an expression."
"So how do you like Hogwarts?"
"It's great. Actually...a little part of me always wanted to go here. I've read Hogwarts, A history and I can tell you...it made Hogwarts sound so exciting...don't get me wrong. Hogwarts IS exciting, but I lived in the US so I couldn't exactly go here."
"I see what you mean." he nodded.
Helen was really happy. So far she'd managed to spend over an hour without being alone. After they'd finished talking and drinking Katie and Devon said they were going to Madam Puddifoot's.
"That place is really popular with the older students." Helen noticed.
"Want to come?"
"No thanks. I've got Christmas Shopping."
"Suit yourself." Katie said as she and Devon left.
"I still have a few gifts to get...mind if I tag along with you?" Joseph asked.
"Sure." Helen said, not even trying to conceal a grin. "More the merrier."
The two walked down High Street.
"I know this really nice little shop that has random items that are perfect as unique presents."
Around the corner was a tiny place called "Peeperz". They went inside and were greeted by the storekeeper.
"Welcome."
"Aloha."
"Have a look at those books."
Helen nodded and her gaze went past a row of books and stopped on one entitled Ancient Magic.
"There's one I'm sure even Hermione hasn't read." Helen said, picking up a copy. "OoO and look at those Chudley Cannon robes! I'm sure Ron would love it! All I'd have to do it put a little charm on the back with his name and it would be complete. Hey...what's that?"
"Hmmm. Don't know." Joseph replied. "It has a description on the back."
"I'll get it...oh and that too...and that..."
Helen picked up the things she was going to buy and brought it to the counter. She turned around to say something when she noticed...Cho. Make that Cho with Kevin in a corner.
"What?" Joseph asked, seeing her expression.
"Uh...nothing."
Cho turned around at the sound of Helen's voice. Helen decided she wasn't going to get upset so she gritted her teeth and faked a smile. Cho picked up a bottle of perfume and walked over to the counter.
"Fancy seeing you here." Cho mused. Helen ignored her and snuck a peek at Kevin. He didn't seem too pleased to see Joseph for some reason.
"Helen...can I have a word?"
"Hmph. I guess."
Helen walked over to a corner with Kevin.
"Helen what are you doing with that guy?"
"Excuse me."
"Are you hanging with him to get me jealous?"
'WHAT! No! He's the friend of a friend. I cannot believe we're having this discussion. Listen, I have to go pay for my stuff. See you."
Helen walked back to the counter and purchased what she wanted. She'd gotten out of there as quickly as possible and tried not to think about it when she and Joseph went to the Adolescence.
After that they went to a few more shops and then headed back to Hogwarts.
"So what was up with that guy?"
"Who?"
"That guy in Peeperz."
"Nothing. Just...nothing."
"You can tell me." Joseph said kindly. Helen looked into his eyes and then noticed for the first time that his eyes were purple. I mean actually purple!
"Your eyes..."
"Contacts." He said smoothly. Helen had a bit of an uneasy feeling. There was only one person she knew who had purple eyes and that was someone she'd pushed out of her mind for good.
"So what was that book you got?"
"Oh." Helen pulled out the book. "Ancient Magic."
Joseph had an unreadable look on his face. Helen suddenly felt she was treading on dangerous waters. Just to be safe…should she probe his mind?
It couldn't hurt to try right? I mean what harm could it do? Helen stared into his eyes and the first vision she saw was enough to make her jump backward and break contact.
"Woah!" Joseph said, rubbing his head. "Flashback."
Helen tried to mask her fright quickly. She had to get to warn Dumbledore immediately. Joseph was no Hogwarts student.
"Oh crap!" Helen yelled.
"What is it?" Joseph asked.
"Professor Dumbledore...he wanted to see me in his office at this time." she lied.
"Why?" Joseph...or the imposter…said in an edgy tone.
"My detention. I...I yelled at Professor Snape."
"I'll walk you to his office."
"No!" Helen shouted. "I mean...I have to make a stop in the Gryffindor Common Room first because I have to show him the...assignment. I got detention because I was angry that Snape marked me low. I have to show him how good it was and the unfairness of it all."
"Well...okay." he said in an almost creepy voice. Helen was struggling not to freak out.
"Bye." Helen ran.
"Wait!" he boomed, grabbed her arm and pulling her tightly to him. Could he know she knew who he really was?
"I really have to go-"
He tightened his grip on her arm, but she wriggled free.
"Sorry." she gave a false smile and ran as fast as she could.
________________________________________________________________________
Helen was out of breath by the time she reached the common room. As soon as she saw Kevin she ran over to him, almost collapsing.
"Kevin!"
"Oh now you're talking to me."
"Omg Kevin! Joseph! He's...he's-"
"I don't want to hear it!"
"No! He's not-"
"You don't get it! I don't want to hear about your date with-"
"WILL YOU FORGET THAT!" Helen screamed. She felt like she was going to cry.
"Why should-"
"It's Neil!" She cried.
"Who the hell-"
"Neil! The guy who helped kill my parents!"
"How could-"
"He is! I'm telling you! We've got to go warn Alby!"
"Listen okay...he couldn't be here at Hogwarts, alright."
"KEVIN! Believe me okay? He's here! Oh God! He's here. He's gotta be here to get me too."
"You're tired. You-"
"Forget it! I was wrong to come to you for help!"
Helen ran. Her worst fears were coming true. Neil was back. He was going to kill her like he killed her family.
*A/n: I'm really sorry readers! I feel like I've been springing all these facts on you! I'm really sorry if the whole "Anyanka" thing is hard to grasp...the amulet...the exact death of Helen's parents...the whole "guardian" thing...her feelings for Kevin...the mysterious reason Helen shouldn't get mad...I'll try really hard to worked out all the messed up details.
Neil was the son of a family friend. His parents died mysteriously and he didn't have anyone left so Helen's parents took him in. Turns out he was working with Voldemort's followers...yea...at the tender age of twelve he helped murder her family. Even worse...Helen had been friends with him before everything happened. Perhaps that's what made her feel so betrayed when it came to Bianca. Having someone turn on you is an awful feeling.
"Pepper Imps!" she yelled, almost jumping through the door.
"Helen...what..."
"Alby!" Helen wailed. "Neil!"
He stood up.
"You know this...how?"
"L.....Legilimency." she panted. She was trying to breathe. She hadn't felt like this since her talk with Harry after that first horrible Legilimency class with Snape.
"Besides...his eyes. His eyes were-"
"Violet." Dumbledore finished. "Helen...this is very important. I need you to relax."
"H...how..."
"Helen. Your health and life depends on you staying calm. I must go. I wish Fawkes was here..."
Dumbledore mumbled more to himself than Helen. "Already on a mission..." Dumbledore added before exiting his office. Helen tried to follow Dumbledore's suggestions and calm down but this was all too much for her. Everything horrible that ever happened to her started flashing before her eyes...she couldn't breathe any longer...she'd die. She was going to die...
*A/n: A little melodramatic? Sounds like it…but it isn't. You'll see in Chapter 13!
