Chapter 4: Musings

Weaving through a throng of moving people a very confused and not just a little irritated young man made his way forward. His progress was astonishingly fast considering the number of persons around, especially as he avoided colliding with a single one. It spoke volumes of his quick reflexes, a quality that marked a good fighter – or seeker.

But his mind was far from his displayed abilities. It was lingering on the unexpected meeting only minutes ago.

What the hell is HE doing here? Shouldn't he be at Hogwarts or something? he thought, still seeing the other man before his inner eyes.

A shiver ran down his spine leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake as he recalled the fierce intensity of that moment. It had been electrifying - for lack of a better word. Time had seemed to have ceased its flow as their gazes had met, only to rush back with double speed as he had made out an expression of recognition on the other's face. It had been the equivalent of a cold shower, letting him turn around to almost flee the scene instantly.

The whole thing was Bad with a capital B. They were so close to the finishing stage of the Plan that he didn't like such surprises. Didn't like? DIDN'T LIKE? He winced at the almost hysterical tone of his mental voice. That was the understatement of the year! Couldn't his brain come up with a more accurate phrase for this dilemma?

But there seemed to be a barrier that kept all the curses he had learned over the years – and that were quite a few - in check. With guilt he admitted to himself that the probable reason for his lack of cussing was that he had enjoyed the encounter. At least he would have enjoyed it under other circumstances. It had simply been too long since he had seen a familiar face. That's why he was thrilled to see one now, even if it was just Severus Snape.

Actually he didn't despise the Potions Master any more. True, at first he had loathed the man for always picking on him and his friends. But after his secret departure from Hogwarts and the ensuing solitude he had had time to think. And think he did a lot. About himself, his position in the wizarding world, his friends and other people around him. It had made him grow up in a way that would have been impossible had he stayed home.

In his now broader view of the world Severus Snape's behaviour had even helped him survive those last few years. He couldn't recall how often he had come close to the brink of nothingness only to be whisked back by a sarcastic voice in his head that had suspiciously sounded like his Potions Teacher at Hogwarts. Giving up already? Pathetic. I knew you were nothing more than a spoilt little brat, breaking at the first instances of hardship.

Grinning madly he decided to thank the man for his encouragements sometimes in the future. With a camera handy. He would give quite a sum of money to see Severus Snape react to that one. Definitely worth the bodily harm that could result on his part. That is, if he survived the battle.

Shaking his head he banished the thought into the recesses of his mind. There was no time for musings now. Concentrating he started to plan his next step. He couldn't simply walk away as if nothing had happened. Too much was at stake for that. He had to somehow deal with it. And in order to do that he needed more information, which in the end led him to contacting someone. Again not good - but necessary.

He sighed and quickened his pace. Why did his life have to be so complicated? Had he been a murderer in his past life so that some deity had decided to punish him in this one? He sure couldn't remember doing something that awful this time around warranting all the trouble he had to go trough. He just wanted to live in peace.

And if you are lucky, you will soon, he reminded himself. Yes, soon it would be over, one way or another.

He turned around a corner and came to an abrupt halt thus narrowly avoiding running into a young woman.

'Whoa, Ray. Give my poor heart a chance!' she exclaimed clutching her right hand theatrically over her heart, although the smile in her soft brown-green eyes betrayed her amusement.

'Hiya, Becky! How are you?' he answered, while giving the lithe figure in front of him a friendly hug.

'Fine, fine!' she replied while playing with a strand of her shoulder length mahogany hair. 'A few friends and I are going to Riva Bella today, sunbathing and swimming in the sea. You wanna come?' she beamed at him.

'I am sorry. Something came up and there are a few things I have to do,' he told her with regret. He liked the friendly, sometimes childish young woman who had the knack of being there and cheering him up when he needed it the most.

'Awww. It's always work with you. You have to relax Ray, don't be so serious all the time!' she pouted.

'I'll try for you, favourite neighbour of mine.' He smiled at her. 'And have a nice day!'

'That I will. You too. Cya!' Waving she turned around and walked away with a bounce in her step, whistling the melody of A Ray of Sunshine.

He watched her fondly for a moment before continuing his way towards his flat on the other end of the street. A short time later he was standing in front of a door, keys in hand. A black sign inscribed with white letter marked it as the entrance to the residence of one Ray Corvin. Entering he thought that he liked the name although it probably was not the best fit for its owner.

Without bothering to remove his shoes he walked through the hall into the living room where he produced - seemingly out of nowhere - a small stick of wood. Pointing it at a picture on the wall he mumbled the word, 'Abre.'[1]

The picture swung open, revealing a tiny hole behind it. He reached into it and removed four pendants made of silver, laying them out on the low table in front of the couch occupying the other side of the room.

Their design was of Celtic nature. There was a single wide spiral, an artfully woven knot contained within a circle, a broad solar cross and a pentacle. Slowly he let his right hand circle over the first and the second, before hovering a little over the third until finally deciding on the fourth.

Stroking it carefully he lifted the pentacle, hanging it over his head. Clutching the pendant to his chest, he said one word into the empty space of the room, 'Hermione.'

[1] Abre is actually Open in Spanish.