Disclaimer: No I do not own any of the characters, they belong to J.K.
Rowling. I do own Erica, Voula, and brief characters mentioned during the
sorting though.
Hey guys, this is my third chapter. I have updated and fixed things in the first two, but nothing changed the plot. I just tried to make the characters a little less O.O.C. and all of that other stuff. The character is a Mary Sue, what's the big deal? If you don't like Mary Sues why read the story and bother reviewing if you are just going to say that you are p*ssed that it is a Mary Sue? That does not help me fix things. So if you are going to send me a flamer, do not bother. I would prefer a more helpful review.
Thanks to Dopey!!! ; P
Thanks to The Chia Rhino! ~ I'm glad I kept your attention better than most.
~Esgalhothwen~
"__" Speech '__' Thoughts ~__~ Song
Chapter 3
Erica had waited till she was up in the common room with Hermione, Harry, Ron, And Voula to say anything about what had passed between her and Voula. "Hey, Harry, me and Voula were thinking earlier. I told her about the D.A. We want to join."
He replied almost with out any thought. There was just something about this girl that made him trust her like he did Ron and Hermione, and he had only met her a couple hours ago, "alright then." 'This is nothing like I was with Sirius. It took me way longer to trust him, and I know I should be more careful now that Voldemort.'
Erica saw a shadow come into Harry's eyes, she knew he was feeling troubled about something, she just didn't know what. "Harry you alright?" Erica was obviously the only one that could tell there was something wrong with Harry because the others all looked at her with a look that practically said 'What is she talking about?'
Harry came back to his senses and saw Erica looking at him like she could tell he was thinking about Sirius's death. She had practically the same look he did; no one else saw it though. 'Gee, this is weird.' He thought. "Yea, why?"
"I truly do not have any clue. You just had this look and. I guess I had this weird feeling."
"A weird feeling? Like what?"
"Um. well, I think it was like I started to feel depressed and close to tears, just for a second about. I don't know what about. Then I looked at over at you. and you. I think you looked how I felt."
The group was standing for a second just staring at her. They were plainly and openly confused and scared, Erica could feel it. 'Great,' she thought close to tears, 'I knew it, Esgal all over again. Damn it, I ruined it, now they will not want to be my friends.' "Ok, don't worry I understand. I will leave you guys alone the rest of the year," she said and started to walk in the direction of her dorm room.
She was stopped though by Hermione's hand grabbing her wrist, "Hold on Erica. We are not going to just dump a friend because she's a bit different. Besides, Harry knows what being different is like, and his different is way worse than yours."
"Thank you sooo much Hermione," said Harry.
"No problem, Harry."
"Why do you think we would just dump you because you feel things?"
Erica answered, "Well. it has happened before. How are you different Harry?"
Harry was slow to answer; "Umm. well." he was, understandably, a bit nervous because of how his friends had acted in his second year. He muttered something that Erica did not understand.
"Huh?"
Hermione translated, "He's a parseltongue." Harry sat up straight and Erica could tell he was nervous of how she would react. Would she stand up and scream that that was the mark of a dark wizard, that they were all dense in the head, and not want to have anything else to do with him??
"Oh, really? Is that all? You would think that would be cool. It is a very rare gift. Only dark wizards usually get it," said Erica seeming very interested.
Erica saw Harry give an almost visible sigh of relief. Then she looked at Voula. Harry had not thought about her and when he saw Erica look at her he muttered a curse word. Voula had been stunned to find out that Harry was a parseltongue. Her eyes were wide in but it was more in surprise than anything else but no matter how strong she was she could not help being a bit scared. She was suddenly very apprehensive when Erica reminded the group that only dark wizards were able to do that. She was very confused. Harry just could not be a dark wizard. Could he??
"Um. Harry I am going to bring Voula up to our dormitory for a while. Hermione?"
"Yea, good idea. I'll come too. I will see you guys later."
"Cya guys later."
"Cya," Ron and Harry said together and the girls went up to the dormitory.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
Erica spoke first, "Ok, Voula. What's with you? How can you think that Harry can be a dark wizard! A dark wizard killed his parents when he was only a year old! How can you even be considering that Harry would even think of joining the ranks of," Hermione sensed it coming but did not have time to stop her, "VOLDEMORT!?!"
They were quiet. Voula had totally recoiled at the name of the dark lord. Yes, she was brave but anyone would have done what she had at Voldemort's name.
Voula had fallen to sit on her trunk. She had been struck dumb at this shy girl's outburst of rage. Erica had only known him a couple hours and now it was practically like she was his best friend. What was going on with her?
Voula stuttered, "I. I. um. I'm sorry, Erica. I truly did not have time to sort through the details. I would never have thought anything like that if I had had time. But you didn't give me time. also I do not know much at all about Harry."
Erica was surprised at her outrage just as much as the others, "Wow, um, sorry guys. I have no Idea where that rage came from. I have never screamed that loud before. I am so sorry. Harry seemed pretty mad though. Can you guys stop looking flabbergasted and stop feeling afraid of me, Hermione?"
Hermione spoke up, "Wait a moment. how did you. know I was afraid of you?"
"Just like I felt like Harry was mourning or something earlier. I just felt it. I felt what he was feeling. I hate it, it happens whenever I do not want it to. I have no idea how I know what people are feeling. It just happens, it's one reason why I never had any friends at Esgal. They were terrified of me. I was a freak to them. I have been able to do it ever since I remember. I was able to tell when my pets were hurting so it just wasn't with humans. I was able to tell when I was pulling my dog's leash too. When my brother broke his head open on the slide at the park I felt that too. Why are you so excited now?"
"Erica! Don't you know what this is? You cannot tell me that you haven't read any books about magical gifts! Physic Fields for the Utterly Confused? Physic Gifts for the Cursed?" Erica was giving her a confused look. Hermione was ecstatic. "Erica, you have a very uncommon gift!! I cannot believe that you have not thought of it!! Erica, you are a.YOU'RE AN EMPATH!!!!"
Erica was still befuddled, "Huh?" She raised an eyebrow at girl in front of her that was practically jumping out of her robes with the thrill.
Hermione seemed to deflate a bit, and then she leaned down to her trunk and, with an extravagant air, pulled out a book that looked used but was taken very good care of. Erica looked at it, engraved on the cover in silver writing was Physic Gifts for the Cursed. Hermione leafed through it until she found the page she was looking for and handed the book to Erica, pointing to a page titled Empathy. Erica looked at the page and read it out loud for Voula:
"Empathy is the ability to "read" and understand people and be in-tune
with or resonate with others, voluntarily or involuntarily of one's
empath capacity. Empathy often works alongside with telepathy, and
this mutually enhances the strength of these abilities.
Empaths have the ability to scan another's psyche for thoughts
and feelings or for past, present, and future life occurrences. Many
empaths are unaware of how this actually works, and have long accepted
that they were "sensitive" to others.
Empathy is a "feeling" of another's true emotions to a point
where an empath can relate to that person by sensing true feelings
that run deeper than those portrayed on the surface. People commonly
put on a "show" of expression. This is a learned trait of hiding
authentic expression in an increasingly demanding society.
An empath can sense the truth behind the "cover" and will act
compassionately to help that person express him/herself, thus making
them feel at ease and not so desperately alone. It's as though the
empath truly understands, and, in many cases, they do through personal
"firsthand" experience.
Empaths experience empathy towards family, children, friends,
close associates, complete strangers, pets, plants and inanimate
objects. Thus, an empath can feel the emotions of people and things
at a distance. Some are empathic towards animals (the "Horse
Whisperer"), to nature, to the planetary system, to mechanical devices
or to buildings. Others will have a combination of the above.
Empaths are highly "sensitive". This is the term commonly used
in describing one's abilities (sensitivity) to another's emotions and
feelings. Empaths have a deep sense of "knowing" that accompanies
empathy and are often compassionate, considerate, and understanding of
others. Everyone has this natural ability; however, many never choose
to utilize their ability and/or are completely unaware of their
empathic ability.
There are also varying levels of strength in empaths which may
be related to the individual's awareness of self, understanding of the
powers of empathy, and/or the acceptance or non-acceptance of empathy
by those associated with them, including family and peers. Generally,
those who are empathic grow up with these tendencies and do not learn
about them until later in life.
Empathy is genetic, inherent in our DNA, and passed from generation to
generation. It is studied both by traditional science and alternative
healing practitioners.
Empaths often possess the ability to sense others on many
different levels. From their position in observing what another is
saying, feeling and thinking, they come to understand another. They
can become very proficient at reading another person's body language
and/or study intently the eye movements. While this in itself is not
empathy, it is a side-shoot that comes from being observant of
others. In a sense, empaths have a complete communication package.
While there is much we don't yet understand about how empathy
works, we do have some information. Everything has an energetic
vibration or frequency and an empath is able to sense these vibrations
and recognize even the subtlest changes undetectable to the naked eye
or the five senses.
Words of expression hold an energetic pattern that originates
from the speaker. They have a specific meaning particular to the
speaker. Behind that expression is a power better known as "energy".
For example, hate often brings about an intense feeling that
immediately accompanies the word. The word "hate" becomes
strengthened with the speaker's feeling. It is that person's feelings
(energy) that are picked up by empaths, whether the words are spoken,
thought or just felt without verbal or bodily expression, implications
and attributes."
Erica gave it a bit of thought. 'Me? An empath? Could it be possible? That is just so weird, I read these books once or twice before and I never gave it any thought. It certainly explains why I am the way I am though.' Her attention turned back to the room as the other girls' curiosity grew. "Wow, Hermione, I think you are right. This is just so annoying. Is there a way for me to control it do you think?"
"I seriously do not know. They do not mention that in the book, though that's weird, but maybe you should ask Harry. I personally think you should talk to the Headmaster. Maybe Harry would bring you."
Voula spoke, "Hey, do you think that maybe Harry was angry Erica and you could not tell that it was not your feelings earlier? You could have felt his anger and let it out on me when we came up here."
"That would make sense wouldn't it? I read somewhere, now that I remember what an empath is, that empaths can do that and it does not matter how far they are away from a person they can pick up on the feelings if they, the feelings, are strong enough."
Hermione made a comment, "Wow, I have a feeling this is going to be an eventful year," then thought, "Hopefully just not as eventful as last year," she said with a frown. When she had said that Erica had felt the same sense of sadness she had felt earlier with Harry. What could that be from? She hated knowing a feeling and being clueless about it. She also wanted to fix it so she could not feel them.
"Why? What happened last year?"
"You should ask Harry, if you really want to know. I would wait a while though."
"Oh, ok. Should we go downstairs now?"
Voula jumped up and practically overrun Erica's senses with her excitement, "Let's, I think I need to apologize now that I know how I made Harry feel." The girls laughed, linked arms, and went on their now merry and informed ways down to the common room.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
The boys were just finishing a game of wizards chess when the girls sat down in the chairs near them. They all knew that Harry was doomed and just played for the challenge or because Ron needed an upper or for the fact they were practically bored to death. Ron's queen had just snuck up on Harry's king and smashed it to smithereens. The girls finally got their attention and Voula spoke first apologizing for being so stupid, thinking for even one second that he would have joined the ranks of You-Know-Who.
Then Hermione spoke to Harry, "Hey Harry, guess what we just found out."
"Mrs. Norris died?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, we think that Erica is an empath."
"A what?"
Hermione explained while Erica sat there nervous about his reaction. She could not tell which feeling in the room was his. There were just too many people in the room and she was starting to get a headache. He seemed to be fine with it from what she could tell of his body language, he did seem to be trying to hide a bit from her too though. Great, just what she needed. Erica was observing her thoughts when she noticed that Hermione was standing up on her chair.
Hermione called through the common room so all of the Gryffindors could hear her, "Hey everybody! We have two new sixth year transfer students this year!" The common room roared. Hermione made Voula and Erica stand up, "This is Voula Eikosidekas, she is from Greece," Voula took a bow, "and this is Erica from America." Erica was starting to feel nervous because Hermione did not seem like she was going to stop after that, and she didn't. "Guess what guys, Erica is an empath." Erica sat down and waited for the explosion of fear that would come, but it didn't.
Some cheers rose again from the crowd and someone yelled, "Hey Hermione! Think she could get some dirt on the Slytherins and Malfoy for us?"
"Richard! She's an empath! Not a toy!" she laughed and sat down then spoke to the little group again as everyone else calmed down, "See it will be fine. No one will hate you. Oh, and what are you going to do? You said you were going to try and find help? I still think you should go to Dumbledore."
"Yea, I think I will do that. I just don't know where his office is. Damn, too many feelings, I have a very bad headache."
"Harry can you bring her to see Dumbledore? She needs a friendly guide. She wants to find some help to keep others feelings out of her head."
Harry returned to the present, "Yeah, sure. Just let me get some stuff from my room. I'll meet you down here, Erica."
About ten, fifteen for Erica, minutes later they met back downstairs, said their goodbyes and climbed out the portrait.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
Erica and Harry were walking in a hallway on their way to Dumbledore's office in silence a bit later. Erica could tell that Harry was deep in thought, not that it was good thoughts, but she could still tell that it was deep. She didn't like that he was so depressed. Hermione had told her to ask him. She had still said to wait though. Erica didn't want to wait though. His thoughts were making her even more depressed than she usually was because she didn't know how to stop them. She had no control.
"Harry, umm. are you ok? Your thoughts. they feel like you are mourning. or. I don't know. They are sad though. I'm not saying that I know what you are feeling better than you or anything. But, umm.are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?"
Harry was silent. He had stopped in his tracks when she said mourning. His eyes widened in shock. Now that he was facing her instead of his head hanging she could see his reaction and read him better. His eyes had shadows. 'He has been through a lot in the last year,' she thought.
He was searching her eyes. How could she know this stuff? It just wasn't normal. Yet, either was being a parseltongue. Still, it was invasion of privacy. He had been hiding his grief well until she had come along. How dare she? He didn't want anyone to know he was still upset about Sirius. He wasn't supposed to die!
"Harry?"
He was quiet for a few more seconds. "Come on, we should get to Dumbledore's office."
"I'm sorry Harry. I'll try not to do it again. I didn't mean to I swear. I can't control it. This is why I am going for help. I don't want to feel others feelings. It was so overwhelming over the past few years. Until I met Hermione I didn't want to feel anything," she gave a sarcastic laugh, "that was after my best friend was murdered though, a muggle, a pureblood wizard killed her right in front of me. He was a bit mad."
Harry didn't hear most of what he said and did not comment, as he didn't know what to say. They had stopped outside a gargoyle statue. "Tricky Truffles," said Harry and the Gargoyle jumped to the side. A revolving staircase appeared behind where the gargoyle had been. "Well, I guess I will see you later, Erica," and started to turn.
"Hold on Harry, aren't you coming with me? I mean; I will not be able to find my way back. I don't know this castle yet. Please come. I'll need you to get back and I don't know the Headmaster."
"Alright, I'll come. Let's go then."
They stepped onto the stairs in silence and went on to Dumbledore's office with a song playing in Erica's head.
~Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on, I won't let go till it bleeds~
~Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason; my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to e
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on, I won't let go till it bleeds~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on. I'll never live down my deceit~
##### \~ *//^_^\\* ~/ #####
Ok, there's the next chap. It's not my fave. I think I had a much better one with the first one I had but, I typed it and then it didn't save!!! My comp froze or something. I am sooo mad!!! I liked that one much better. I researched empathy and everything and then all of the information I had on it disappeared off of my computer with half of the chap that I wrote so I had to get new info and retype half of the chap!!! So I'm sorry if you don't like it. Some of it was a bit forced. Oh, and the song is called "Bother" and is played by the band Stonesour. It's a bit depressing is it not? I had to use it though; it just fitted. So, please review me!!! I need reviews. I want to know what you think! Thank you for reading! I will try to have another chap up soon!
Hey guys, this is my third chapter. I have updated and fixed things in the first two, but nothing changed the plot. I just tried to make the characters a little less O.O.C. and all of that other stuff. The character is a Mary Sue, what's the big deal? If you don't like Mary Sues why read the story and bother reviewing if you are just going to say that you are p*ssed that it is a Mary Sue? That does not help me fix things. So if you are going to send me a flamer, do not bother. I would prefer a more helpful review.
Thanks to Dopey!!! ; P
Thanks to The Chia Rhino! ~ I'm glad I kept your attention better than most.
~Esgalhothwen~
"__" Speech '__' Thoughts ~__~ Song
Chapter 3
Erica had waited till she was up in the common room with Hermione, Harry, Ron, And Voula to say anything about what had passed between her and Voula. "Hey, Harry, me and Voula were thinking earlier. I told her about the D.A. We want to join."
He replied almost with out any thought. There was just something about this girl that made him trust her like he did Ron and Hermione, and he had only met her a couple hours ago, "alright then." 'This is nothing like I was with Sirius. It took me way longer to trust him, and I know I should be more careful now that Voldemort.'
Erica saw a shadow come into Harry's eyes, she knew he was feeling troubled about something, she just didn't know what. "Harry you alright?" Erica was obviously the only one that could tell there was something wrong with Harry because the others all looked at her with a look that practically said 'What is she talking about?'
Harry came back to his senses and saw Erica looking at him like she could tell he was thinking about Sirius's death. She had practically the same look he did; no one else saw it though. 'Gee, this is weird.' He thought. "Yea, why?"
"I truly do not have any clue. You just had this look and. I guess I had this weird feeling."
"A weird feeling? Like what?"
"Um. well, I think it was like I started to feel depressed and close to tears, just for a second about. I don't know what about. Then I looked at over at you. and you. I think you looked how I felt."
The group was standing for a second just staring at her. They were plainly and openly confused and scared, Erica could feel it. 'Great,' she thought close to tears, 'I knew it, Esgal all over again. Damn it, I ruined it, now they will not want to be my friends.' "Ok, don't worry I understand. I will leave you guys alone the rest of the year," she said and started to walk in the direction of her dorm room.
She was stopped though by Hermione's hand grabbing her wrist, "Hold on Erica. We are not going to just dump a friend because she's a bit different. Besides, Harry knows what being different is like, and his different is way worse than yours."
"Thank you sooo much Hermione," said Harry.
"No problem, Harry."
"Why do you think we would just dump you because you feel things?"
Erica answered, "Well. it has happened before. How are you different Harry?"
Harry was slow to answer; "Umm. well." he was, understandably, a bit nervous because of how his friends had acted in his second year. He muttered something that Erica did not understand.
"Huh?"
Hermione translated, "He's a parseltongue." Harry sat up straight and Erica could tell he was nervous of how she would react. Would she stand up and scream that that was the mark of a dark wizard, that they were all dense in the head, and not want to have anything else to do with him??
"Oh, really? Is that all? You would think that would be cool. It is a very rare gift. Only dark wizards usually get it," said Erica seeming very interested.
Erica saw Harry give an almost visible sigh of relief. Then she looked at Voula. Harry had not thought about her and when he saw Erica look at her he muttered a curse word. Voula had been stunned to find out that Harry was a parseltongue. Her eyes were wide in but it was more in surprise than anything else but no matter how strong she was she could not help being a bit scared. She was suddenly very apprehensive when Erica reminded the group that only dark wizards were able to do that. She was very confused. Harry just could not be a dark wizard. Could he??
"Um. Harry I am going to bring Voula up to our dormitory for a while. Hermione?"
"Yea, good idea. I'll come too. I will see you guys later."
"Cya guys later."
"Cya," Ron and Harry said together and the girls went up to the dormitory.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
Erica spoke first, "Ok, Voula. What's with you? How can you think that Harry can be a dark wizard! A dark wizard killed his parents when he was only a year old! How can you even be considering that Harry would even think of joining the ranks of," Hermione sensed it coming but did not have time to stop her, "VOLDEMORT!?!"
They were quiet. Voula had totally recoiled at the name of the dark lord. Yes, she was brave but anyone would have done what she had at Voldemort's name.
Voula had fallen to sit on her trunk. She had been struck dumb at this shy girl's outburst of rage. Erica had only known him a couple hours and now it was practically like she was his best friend. What was going on with her?
Voula stuttered, "I. I. um. I'm sorry, Erica. I truly did not have time to sort through the details. I would never have thought anything like that if I had had time. But you didn't give me time. also I do not know much at all about Harry."
Erica was surprised at her outrage just as much as the others, "Wow, um, sorry guys. I have no Idea where that rage came from. I have never screamed that loud before. I am so sorry. Harry seemed pretty mad though. Can you guys stop looking flabbergasted and stop feeling afraid of me, Hermione?"
Hermione spoke up, "Wait a moment. how did you. know I was afraid of you?"
"Just like I felt like Harry was mourning or something earlier. I just felt it. I felt what he was feeling. I hate it, it happens whenever I do not want it to. I have no idea how I know what people are feeling. It just happens, it's one reason why I never had any friends at Esgal. They were terrified of me. I was a freak to them. I have been able to do it ever since I remember. I was able to tell when my pets were hurting so it just wasn't with humans. I was able to tell when I was pulling my dog's leash too. When my brother broke his head open on the slide at the park I felt that too. Why are you so excited now?"
"Erica! Don't you know what this is? You cannot tell me that you haven't read any books about magical gifts! Physic Fields for the Utterly Confused? Physic Gifts for the Cursed?" Erica was giving her a confused look. Hermione was ecstatic. "Erica, you have a very uncommon gift!! I cannot believe that you have not thought of it!! Erica, you are a.YOU'RE AN EMPATH!!!!"
Erica was still befuddled, "Huh?" She raised an eyebrow at girl in front of her that was practically jumping out of her robes with the thrill.
Hermione seemed to deflate a bit, and then she leaned down to her trunk and, with an extravagant air, pulled out a book that looked used but was taken very good care of. Erica looked at it, engraved on the cover in silver writing was Physic Gifts for the Cursed. Hermione leafed through it until she found the page she was looking for and handed the book to Erica, pointing to a page titled Empathy. Erica looked at the page and read it out loud for Voula:
"Empathy is the ability to "read" and understand people and be in-tune
with or resonate with others, voluntarily or involuntarily of one's
empath capacity. Empathy often works alongside with telepathy, and
this mutually enhances the strength of these abilities.
Empaths have the ability to scan another's psyche for thoughts
and feelings or for past, present, and future life occurrences. Many
empaths are unaware of how this actually works, and have long accepted
that they were "sensitive" to others.
Empathy is a "feeling" of another's true emotions to a point
where an empath can relate to that person by sensing true feelings
that run deeper than those portrayed on the surface. People commonly
put on a "show" of expression. This is a learned trait of hiding
authentic expression in an increasingly demanding society.
An empath can sense the truth behind the "cover" and will act
compassionately to help that person express him/herself, thus making
them feel at ease and not so desperately alone. It's as though the
empath truly understands, and, in many cases, they do through personal
"firsthand" experience.
Empaths experience empathy towards family, children, friends,
close associates, complete strangers, pets, plants and inanimate
objects. Thus, an empath can feel the emotions of people and things
at a distance. Some are empathic towards animals (the "Horse
Whisperer"), to nature, to the planetary system, to mechanical devices
or to buildings. Others will have a combination of the above.
Empaths are highly "sensitive". This is the term commonly used
in describing one's abilities (sensitivity) to another's emotions and
feelings. Empaths have a deep sense of "knowing" that accompanies
empathy and are often compassionate, considerate, and understanding of
others. Everyone has this natural ability; however, many never choose
to utilize their ability and/or are completely unaware of their
empathic ability.
There are also varying levels of strength in empaths which may
be related to the individual's awareness of self, understanding of the
powers of empathy, and/or the acceptance or non-acceptance of empathy
by those associated with them, including family and peers. Generally,
those who are empathic grow up with these tendencies and do not learn
about them until later in life.
Empathy is genetic, inherent in our DNA, and passed from generation to
generation. It is studied both by traditional science and alternative
healing practitioners.
Empaths often possess the ability to sense others on many
different levels. From their position in observing what another is
saying, feeling and thinking, they come to understand another. They
can become very proficient at reading another person's body language
and/or study intently the eye movements. While this in itself is not
empathy, it is a side-shoot that comes from being observant of
others. In a sense, empaths have a complete communication package.
While there is much we don't yet understand about how empathy
works, we do have some information. Everything has an energetic
vibration or frequency and an empath is able to sense these vibrations
and recognize even the subtlest changes undetectable to the naked eye
or the five senses.
Words of expression hold an energetic pattern that originates
from the speaker. They have a specific meaning particular to the
speaker. Behind that expression is a power better known as "energy".
For example, hate often brings about an intense feeling that
immediately accompanies the word. The word "hate" becomes
strengthened with the speaker's feeling. It is that person's feelings
(energy) that are picked up by empaths, whether the words are spoken,
thought or just felt without verbal or bodily expression, implications
and attributes."
Erica gave it a bit of thought. 'Me? An empath? Could it be possible? That is just so weird, I read these books once or twice before and I never gave it any thought. It certainly explains why I am the way I am though.' Her attention turned back to the room as the other girls' curiosity grew. "Wow, Hermione, I think you are right. This is just so annoying. Is there a way for me to control it do you think?"
"I seriously do not know. They do not mention that in the book, though that's weird, but maybe you should ask Harry. I personally think you should talk to the Headmaster. Maybe Harry would bring you."
Voula spoke, "Hey, do you think that maybe Harry was angry Erica and you could not tell that it was not your feelings earlier? You could have felt his anger and let it out on me when we came up here."
"That would make sense wouldn't it? I read somewhere, now that I remember what an empath is, that empaths can do that and it does not matter how far they are away from a person they can pick up on the feelings if they, the feelings, are strong enough."
Hermione made a comment, "Wow, I have a feeling this is going to be an eventful year," then thought, "Hopefully just not as eventful as last year," she said with a frown. When she had said that Erica had felt the same sense of sadness she had felt earlier with Harry. What could that be from? She hated knowing a feeling and being clueless about it. She also wanted to fix it so she could not feel them.
"Why? What happened last year?"
"You should ask Harry, if you really want to know. I would wait a while though."
"Oh, ok. Should we go downstairs now?"
Voula jumped up and practically overrun Erica's senses with her excitement, "Let's, I think I need to apologize now that I know how I made Harry feel." The girls laughed, linked arms, and went on their now merry and informed ways down to the common room.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
The boys were just finishing a game of wizards chess when the girls sat down in the chairs near them. They all knew that Harry was doomed and just played for the challenge or because Ron needed an upper or for the fact they were practically bored to death. Ron's queen had just snuck up on Harry's king and smashed it to smithereens. The girls finally got their attention and Voula spoke first apologizing for being so stupid, thinking for even one second that he would have joined the ranks of You-Know-Who.
Then Hermione spoke to Harry, "Hey Harry, guess what we just found out."
"Mrs. Norris died?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, we think that Erica is an empath."
"A what?"
Hermione explained while Erica sat there nervous about his reaction. She could not tell which feeling in the room was his. There were just too many people in the room and she was starting to get a headache. He seemed to be fine with it from what she could tell of his body language, he did seem to be trying to hide a bit from her too though. Great, just what she needed. Erica was observing her thoughts when she noticed that Hermione was standing up on her chair.
Hermione called through the common room so all of the Gryffindors could hear her, "Hey everybody! We have two new sixth year transfer students this year!" The common room roared. Hermione made Voula and Erica stand up, "This is Voula Eikosidekas, she is from Greece," Voula took a bow, "and this is Erica from America." Erica was starting to feel nervous because Hermione did not seem like she was going to stop after that, and she didn't. "Guess what guys, Erica is an empath." Erica sat down and waited for the explosion of fear that would come, but it didn't.
Some cheers rose again from the crowd and someone yelled, "Hey Hermione! Think she could get some dirt on the Slytherins and Malfoy for us?"
"Richard! She's an empath! Not a toy!" she laughed and sat down then spoke to the little group again as everyone else calmed down, "See it will be fine. No one will hate you. Oh, and what are you going to do? You said you were going to try and find help? I still think you should go to Dumbledore."
"Yea, I think I will do that. I just don't know where his office is. Damn, too many feelings, I have a very bad headache."
"Harry can you bring her to see Dumbledore? She needs a friendly guide. She wants to find some help to keep others feelings out of her head."
Harry returned to the present, "Yeah, sure. Just let me get some stuff from my room. I'll meet you down here, Erica."
About ten, fifteen for Erica, minutes later they met back downstairs, said their goodbyes and climbed out the portrait.
\~ *//^_^\\* ~/
Erica and Harry were walking in a hallway on their way to Dumbledore's office in silence a bit later. Erica could tell that Harry was deep in thought, not that it was good thoughts, but she could still tell that it was deep. She didn't like that he was so depressed. Hermione had told her to ask him. She had still said to wait though. Erica didn't want to wait though. His thoughts were making her even more depressed than she usually was because she didn't know how to stop them. She had no control.
"Harry, umm. are you ok? Your thoughts. they feel like you are mourning. or. I don't know. They are sad though. I'm not saying that I know what you are feeling better than you or anything. But, umm.are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?"
Harry was silent. He had stopped in his tracks when she said mourning. His eyes widened in shock. Now that he was facing her instead of his head hanging she could see his reaction and read him better. His eyes had shadows. 'He has been through a lot in the last year,' she thought.
He was searching her eyes. How could she know this stuff? It just wasn't normal. Yet, either was being a parseltongue. Still, it was invasion of privacy. He had been hiding his grief well until she had come along. How dare she? He didn't want anyone to know he was still upset about Sirius. He wasn't supposed to die!
"Harry?"
He was quiet for a few more seconds. "Come on, we should get to Dumbledore's office."
"I'm sorry Harry. I'll try not to do it again. I didn't mean to I swear. I can't control it. This is why I am going for help. I don't want to feel others feelings. It was so overwhelming over the past few years. Until I met Hermione I didn't want to feel anything," she gave a sarcastic laugh, "that was after my best friend was murdered though, a muggle, a pureblood wizard killed her right in front of me. He was a bit mad."
Harry didn't hear most of what he said and did not comment, as he didn't know what to say. They had stopped outside a gargoyle statue. "Tricky Truffles," said Harry and the Gargoyle jumped to the side. A revolving staircase appeared behind where the gargoyle had been. "Well, I guess I will see you later, Erica," and started to turn.
"Hold on Harry, aren't you coming with me? I mean; I will not be able to find my way back. I don't know this castle yet. Please come. I'll need you to get back and I don't know the Headmaster."
"Alright, I'll come. Let's go then."
They stepped onto the stairs in silence and went on to Dumbledore's office with a song playing in Erica's head.
~Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on, I won't let go till it bleeds~
~Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason; my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to e
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on, I won't let go till it bleeds~
~You don't need to bother; I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on. I'll never live down my deceit~
##### \~ *//^_^\\* ~/ #####
Ok, there's the next chap. It's not my fave. I think I had a much better one with the first one I had but, I typed it and then it didn't save!!! My comp froze or something. I am sooo mad!!! I liked that one much better. I researched empathy and everything and then all of the information I had on it disappeared off of my computer with half of the chap that I wrote so I had to get new info and retype half of the chap!!! So I'm sorry if you don't like it. Some of it was a bit forced. Oh, and the song is called "Bother" and is played by the band Stonesour. It's a bit depressing is it not? I had to use it though; it just fitted. So, please review me!!! I need reviews. I want to know what you think! Thank you for reading! I will try to have another chap up soon!