Author's Note- Hey, all! This is chapter 30. Speical thanks goes out to all
who like me enough (why, I ask?) on their favorites or author alert. You
guys are the best. Thanks to all who reviewed and have been ever so patient
with me (seeing as how this chap took so long). I think that's all I'll say
today. READ AND REVIEW!
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the great and wonderful Harry Potter People, of whom I am not a member.
Erika – The Legacy of Lily and James
The morning of my return to Hogwarts was hectic, starting at 8:12 am, when I woke up.
Mrs. J, Sarah, and Becky came over for breakfast. I wasn't much ompany, running around looking for various things. First it was my Charms book, then my Potions homework, my broom, and, finally...
"Harry! Where's my wand?" I demanded, walkinginto the living room.
Everyone looked up from the breakfast table.
"Is it in your room?" Harry asked.
I shook my head, "I looked."
"Try the hall stand," Ron suggested.
I shrugged, and ran into the hall. The little stand was covered with various pieces of opened and unopened mail, plus some keys, a hat, and a paper hot dog carrier they give you when you buy a hot dog at the park.
I dug through it and found my wand buried under the mail from two days ago.
"Found it!" I called.
"Told you!" Ron replied.
I walked back into the living room, annoyed.
"Bugger off, you," I grummbled.
"Do you have all your homework? Charms? Transfiguration? Potions? History of Magic?" Sarah asked.
I nodded.
"Broom?" Harry asked.
"Yep."
"Books?" Sarah asked.
"Yes."
"Are you forgetting anything?" Ron asked.
I shook my head, "I don't think so."
"Good," Harry said, "We should leave in a half an hour. The Johnsons are going to come, too. Becky wants to see the platform."
"Okay," I agreed, and went into my room where I closed my trunk and dragged it into the living room.
A half hour later our little group took the Underground to King's Cross, which was filled with people, as usual. We led Mrs. J and Becky to the platform, and showed them how to get on.
"I wonder if Meg and Anya are here yet," I said, "Meg likes to get here early, but Anya doesn't much like to get up in the morning."
Harry nodded, "They're here. Anya's over there."
Anya was standing next to the train, talking to Meg through one of the train windows.
"I'll be right there," I called, dragging my trunk onto the train.
It took me a minute to find Meg's compartment. She was leaning out of the window, talking to Anya. I pulled myself up to the other side of the window.
"Made it," I announced.
"How long until the train leaves?" Meg asked.
We all looked up at the clock.
"About ten minutes, a little less," Sarah replied.
"Will you guys be coming to Hogwarts?" I asked.
Harry nodded, "Yes, soon, probably. Dumbledore wants to talk to us about something."
"Okay. Promise you'll come see me while you're there?" I asked.
Harry shrugged, "If I can."
The whistle started blowing, and Meg and I shouted out goodbyes and closed the windows.
"Third year," I whispered, "We're almost halfway done."
"Sort of strange, isn't it?" Meg asked.
I nodded, "Strange, yeah."
Throughout the day we met up with some people we were friendly with, including Avery, Jewel, and Lucy. Lucy even sat with us for a while. Avery, however, was still slightly mad at Meg. She'd given up her plea to the Govenors about having Meg removed since they'd denied it so many times.
"Read about you two in the paper. Seems you two can still never keep to yourselves," she said.
"Wish we could," I replied, sweetly, sarcastically.
Avery shot me a look, and, along with her friends, stalked out, much to my enjoyment. The rest of the ride was mostly cheerful.
When we got to Hogsmeade, which both Meg and I were finally to visit (with proper chaperoning, of course), we climbed into one of the carriages with Avery, Jewel, and Lucy. While waiting to get in, I got a good look at the thestrals, as Harry told me they were called.
"Those things are creepy," I hissed to Meg as we sat down.
Before Meg could say anything, Avery spoke up.
"What's creepy, Erika? Your face?" Avery asked, grinning at her own joke.
I faked a laugh, "No. The horses pulling the carriages."
Oops. I realized too late I probably shouldn't have said anything. Avery and Lucy started. Jewel look down.
"The horses? Erika, now I REALLY believe you're crazy. Nothing pulls the carriages. It's magic, stupid," Avery said, "Nothing else."
"You're just saying that because you can't see them," I said.
Avery nodded, "Yeah, me and everyone else in this world."
"I can see them," Meg whispered.
"Oh, yeah, and your vote counts for what? Nothing. You're just as crazy as she is!" Avery exclaimed.
"I can see them," Jewel said, still looking down.
Everyone turned to look at her, but she looked right at Meg and I.
"I saw my grandpa die last summer," she explained.
Before anyone could say anything else the carriage stopped. Avery jumped out and waited for us.
"See?" she said, pointing at the thestral, "Nothing."
"It's invisible," I snapped.
Avery laughed, "Invisible? Oh, Erika, just give it up!"
She stalked off. Jewel and Lucy shrugged before following her. Meg and I walked just a little behind them.
The Great Hall was decorated in the normal start-of-the-year garb. Meg and I took our normal seats and waited. Avery was basking in her thought "victory". We watched as the first years came in.
"They're so small," I whispered.
Meg nodded.
"No 'sisters' or 'brothers' this year, Megan?" Avery asked.
Meg shook her head, "I'm afraid not. They're all too tightly wrapped around Voldemort's finger."
Avery glared at the name, and then said, "What a shame. No more spies. Now all we have to do is get rid of you."
Before anyone could start another fight (which could have very well been me, as I was getting REALLY mad), the Sorting started.
"Just ignore her," I whispered to Meg while the hat sang, "You're not a spy. Everyone knows that. She just won't admit it."
Meg was silent for a minute, then whispered, "Tomorrow, during break, will you come with me to Adrienne's grave?"
"Sure," I whispered.
Adrienne had been buried on the grounds, near the Forbidden Forrest.
"Are you sure?" Meg asked.
I nodded, and turned my attention to the Sorting.
The next morning, our schedules were passed out during breakfast. That day Meg and I had Transfiguration, Charms, Divination, and double Potions. A promising day. Not.
I was looking forward to Divination, because of what Harry had told me. I wasn't looking forward to it in the sense that I thought I'd like it, but in the sense that I wanted to see if what Harry said was true for myself.
We found the classroom easy enough (we had been to it before, when Meg had to talk to Professor Trelawney). Meg and I took a table with Lucy (who was also taking the class), and waited.
Professor Trelawney hadn't changed since I'd last seen her. She still looked creepy.
"I heard this class is a joke," Lucy whispered.
I laughed, "Harry told me that she 'greets' all her new classes by predicting someone's death. She predicting Harry's when he was here. And he's still alive... at least he was last time I checked."
"Who do you think is going to die this year?" Meg asked, smiling.
"One of you two, obviously," Lucy said.
Professor Trelawney began class with a, "Welcome to the one class where books will not help you and here, alone, you will learn to discover what fate has in store for you."
Silence.
"Few of you will find this class useful. They have The Inner Eye," she continued.
Lucy, Meg, and I exchanged looks. Meg had The Inner Eye, I knew. Lucy rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
"I am Professor Trelawney," she said, "Few of you know me, though I know you all."
That made quite a few people raise their eyebrows.
She looked over the class, and her eyes focused in on a Slytherin sitting in the back of the room. Professor Trelawney shook her head.
"You, boy, beware the hooded one. They will lead you to treachery," she called out.
Everyone turned to look at the boy, who sank back in his seat.
"And you," Professor Trelawney continued, focusing on a small Ravenclaw girl who shrank back under her gaze, "Do not worry so much over the things that cloud your mind. Things you do not expect are waiting behind the clouds. And they are not good."
The girl let out a little yelp.
Professor Trelawney continued to gaze around the room. Occasionally her eyes would settle on someone else, who would immediately go pale. But she didn't say anything.
That is, until her gaze settled on our table, more specifically on Meg and I.
"Erika Potter and Megan Riddle," she whispered, "I have been watching you in my orb. Grave danger awaits you both. Beware all that might lead you to danger."
"Oh, well, that's just about everything," I hissed.
Lucy grinned and tried to hold back her laughs. It resulted in a rather snorty chuckle. Professor Trelawney turned her eyes to Lucy. Needless to say, her laughter died immediately under her stare. But Professor Trelawney said nothing to her.
"We will begin with the reading of tea leaves, and progress onto palmistry. Later in the year, following the holidays, we will begin with fire omens, and will eventually progress to crystal balls," Professor Trelawney told us.
No one said a word. She turned to Lucy.
"Would you please fetch me the large silver teapot?" she asked.
Lucy nodded, and stood up. When she was about halfway to the shelf where the teapot said, Professor Trelawney suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, yes," she began.
Lucy stopped, and turned around. But Professor Trelawney was looking at a Hufflepuff at the front table.
"Do write home immediately," she said.
The Hufflepuff nodded, looking very frightened.
Professor Trelawney swung around, and focused her attention on Meg.
"And you, Miss Riddle, do mind your words. They may lead you to ends similar to those you distrusted," she said.
Meg turned pale. Professor Trelawney turned to see where Lucy was. Meg turned to look at me.
"Adrienne," she whispered, "She's talking about Adrienne."
"She doesn't know what she's talking about," I whispered.
But Meg only nodded.
"Meg, you at least should know better," I said.
"Erika, I can't See everything. And if I do See something, I can't always piece things together," Meg pointed out.
I grinned, "But how could you miss something like your own death?"
We read tea leaves for the rest of the class. Meg, Lucy, and I made sure to speak in whispers, and Lucy and I had a great time trying to read our tea leaves. They looked like mush to me.
During break, Meg and I walked down the grounds to the spot near the Forbidden Forrest where Adrienne had been buried. We were mostly silent as we approached the gravestone. I sat on a tree trunk while Meg sat next to the gravestone.
"Do you think Professor Trelawney was right, about me meeting the same end as Adrienne?" Meg asked.
I shook my head, "You heard what Harry said. It's her way of greeting people by telling them they're going to die."
Meg was silent, looking at the gravestone.
"She was my sister," Meg whispered, "And I rejected her. She just wanted to be free, like me, and I didn't trust her. I wish I hadn't. I wish I had listened to Dumbledore and everyone. I wish... I wish we could've been like you and Harry."
I shrugged, "You can't take it back, Meg. Adrienne knew why you treated her the way you did, and she accepted it. She knew that we had to watch out for ourselves. But she was always nice to us, Meg, which meant she didn't care how we treated her. She still thought of you as her sister."
"Some sister," Meg whispered, "I treated her as bad as Ruth treats me."
"No you didn't," I protested, "You could never treat anyone like Ruth treats you. That takes real evil and hatred. You don't hate anyone like Ruth does. And you aren't evil. You couldn't even come close to Ruth."
Meg stared at the grave, "I Saw her death, you know. I didn't know what it meant. She was screaming for us to run when I Saw her. I couldn't piece together her death. Maybe... if I could've... I could've stopped her from dying."
"Meg, you yourself said that what you See is going to happen no matter what. Maybe it's better Adrienne didn't know. Would you be able to get through the days knowing you were going to die soon? No, Adrienne was happier not knowing. So maybe that's why you can't understand everything. Because somethings aren't meant to be understood," I said.
Meg replied, "There was something else to that vision. Adrienne's voice changed to someone else's, someone I know, but I can't recognize."
"You'll figure it out someday, Meg, if you're meant to," I said.
"So you believe in fate and destiny and all that?" Meg asked as she stood up, wiping the leaves from her robes.
I shrugged, "Sometimes, yeah. But sometimes I don't like to believe I'm not in charge of what happens to me. I don't know what I believe yet."
"Erika. Erika. Erika, wake up."
I opened my eyes to see Lucy standing over me. I blinked, and then yawned.
"What?" I asked.
Lucy glanced over her shoulder, than hissed, "Somethings wrong with Meg. She's making weird noises and we can't wake her up. She's stiff as a board."
I sat up and looked over at Meg's bed. Avery and Jewel were standing across the room, staring. Someone had opened Meg's curtains. I got out of bed and went over to Meg's bed. I immediately reckognized Meg's look.
"It's okay," I whispered, "She'll be fine."
"How do you know? She sure doesn't sound like she'll be fine," Lucy said.
I shrugged, "Just trust me. She'll be around in a minute or so."
Sure enough, three minutes later Meg's eyes snapped open. She was gasping for breath.
"I need to see Dumbledore," she said.
I nodded, "Okay. Meg, it's the middle of the night. He might be asleep."
"I need to see Dumbledore," Meg repeated, then added, "It is VERY urgent."
"Okay. Come on, I'll walk you there," I said.
Meg pushed the blankets away, and stood up. But her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground.
"I'm going to get Madam Pomfrey," Lucy said, and rushed out of the room.
"Are you okay?" I asked, kneeling beside Meg.
She nodded, "Yeah. It just left me a little weak is all. It sometimes does that. Erika, I need to talk to Dumbledore."
"Lucy went to get Madam Pomfrey. When she gets here we'll have her get Dumbledore. If we go out into the hallways Filch'll catch us in a second. He caught some first year yesterday, and he got two detentions. Filch won't listen, no matter how much you tell him you have to see Dumbledore," I pointed out.
Meg nodded, "Okay, but I can't wait long. Morning might be too late."
"Good thing it's only one in the morning," I whispered, looking at the clock in our room.
Madam Pomfrey arrived, and immediately brought Meg to Dumbledore.
The next day Meg wasn't in class. During break I went to the library to see if I could find anything that could help me understand the side-effects of Meg's visions.
"Hey, Erika."
I turned to see Lucas Clearwater (cousin to Percy Weasley's fiancée, Penelope). He was in my year, in Gryffindor.
"Oh, hi, Lucas," I said, and turned back to the books.
"I read about you in the newspaper over the summer," he said.
I grinned, "Didn't everyone?"
Lucas shrugged, "Just about, I'd think. So, is any of it actually true? We're you and Megan almost killed?"
"That part's true. Most of it, at least. Other parts aren't so true," I replied.
"So you guys did almost die?" Lucas asked.
I shrugged, "I've almost died quite a few times, Lucas. It sort of blurs the whole expirience. Mind you, it's still quite frightening."
I found a book that looked promising, and pulled it off the shelf.
"What, do you find near-death expriences fun?" Lucas asked.
"No," I answered, "But I have enough good humor to realize that I'd be awful depressed if I didn't find some sort of bright side."
"And what was the bright side to the last near-death expirience?" Lucas asked.
I grinned, "Can't tell you."
"Why not?" Lucas asked, following me out to the tables.
"It's a secret," I replied.
Lucas laughed, "Erika Potter has secrets? Really? I thought the Daily Prophet had all the dirt on you."
"They only think they do. Really, they haven't even touched the surface," I said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to Meg."
Lucas followed me.
"Where was she today, anyway?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Another secret?" he asked.
"Nope," I replied, "I just don't know. But I have a good idea. So, if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to go find her and bring her her notes from this morning."
I left Lucas in the hallway, grinning.
Author's Note- That's the end of Chapter 30 (is it really 30? Shiesh!). Thanks to all who reviewed. You guys (and girls) are awesome. Sorry this chapter took so long. I've been very busy. But I just found quite a bit more time, so hopefully the chaps will come sooner. I apologize for my grammatic and spelling errors, and I am bereft (isn't that a cool word) of a betareader. So, that's all. READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any additional comments can be given to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the great and wonderful Harry Potter People, of whom I am not a member.
Erika – The Legacy of Lily and James
The morning of my return to Hogwarts was hectic, starting at 8:12 am, when I woke up.
Mrs. J, Sarah, and Becky came over for breakfast. I wasn't much ompany, running around looking for various things. First it was my Charms book, then my Potions homework, my broom, and, finally...
"Harry! Where's my wand?" I demanded, walkinginto the living room.
Everyone looked up from the breakfast table.
"Is it in your room?" Harry asked.
I shook my head, "I looked."
"Try the hall stand," Ron suggested.
I shrugged, and ran into the hall. The little stand was covered with various pieces of opened and unopened mail, plus some keys, a hat, and a paper hot dog carrier they give you when you buy a hot dog at the park.
I dug through it and found my wand buried under the mail from two days ago.
"Found it!" I called.
"Told you!" Ron replied.
I walked back into the living room, annoyed.
"Bugger off, you," I grummbled.
"Do you have all your homework? Charms? Transfiguration? Potions? History of Magic?" Sarah asked.
I nodded.
"Broom?" Harry asked.
"Yep."
"Books?" Sarah asked.
"Yes."
"Are you forgetting anything?" Ron asked.
I shook my head, "I don't think so."
"Good," Harry said, "We should leave in a half an hour. The Johnsons are going to come, too. Becky wants to see the platform."
"Okay," I agreed, and went into my room where I closed my trunk and dragged it into the living room.
A half hour later our little group took the Underground to King's Cross, which was filled with people, as usual. We led Mrs. J and Becky to the platform, and showed them how to get on.
"I wonder if Meg and Anya are here yet," I said, "Meg likes to get here early, but Anya doesn't much like to get up in the morning."
Harry nodded, "They're here. Anya's over there."
Anya was standing next to the train, talking to Meg through one of the train windows.
"I'll be right there," I called, dragging my trunk onto the train.
It took me a minute to find Meg's compartment. She was leaning out of the window, talking to Anya. I pulled myself up to the other side of the window.
"Made it," I announced.
"How long until the train leaves?" Meg asked.
We all looked up at the clock.
"About ten minutes, a little less," Sarah replied.
"Will you guys be coming to Hogwarts?" I asked.
Harry nodded, "Yes, soon, probably. Dumbledore wants to talk to us about something."
"Okay. Promise you'll come see me while you're there?" I asked.
Harry shrugged, "If I can."
The whistle started blowing, and Meg and I shouted out goodbyes and closed the windows.
"Third year," I whispered, "We're almost halfway done."
"Sort of strange, isn't it?" Meg asked.
I nodded, "Strange, yeah."
Throughout the day we met up with some people we were friendly with, including Avery, Jewel, and Lucy. Lucy even sat with us for a while. Avery, however, was still slightly mad at Meg. She'd given up her plea to the Govenors about having Meg removed since they'd denied it so many times.
"Read about you two in the paper. Seems you two can still never keep to yourselves," she said.
"Wish we could," I replied, sweetly, sarcastically.
Avery shot me a look, and, along with her friends, stalked out, much to my enjoyment. The rest of the ride was mostly cheerful.
When we got to Hogsmeade, which both Meg and I were finally to visit (with proper chaperoning, of course), we climbed into one of the carriages with Avery, Jewel, and Lucy. While waiting to get in, I got a good look at the thestrals, as Harry told me they were called.
"Those things are creepy," I hissed to Meg as we sat down.
Before Meg could say anything, Avery spoke up.
"What's creepy, Erika? Your face?" Avery asked, grinning at her own joke.
I faked a laugh, "No. The horses pulling the carriages."
Oops. I realized too late I probably shouldn't have said anything. Avery and Lucy started. Jewel look down.
"The horses? Erika, now I REALLY believe you're crazy. Nothing pulls the carriages. It's magic, stupid," Avery said, "Nothing else."
"You're just saying that because you can't see them," I said.
Avery nodded, "Yeah, me and everyone else in this world."
"I can see them," Meg whispered.
"Oh, yeah, and your vote counts for what? Nothing. You're just as crazy as she is!" Avery exclaimed.
"I can see them," Jewel said, still looking down.
Everyone turned to look at her, but she looked right at Meg and I.
"I saw my grandpa die last summer," she explained.
Before anyone could say anything else the carriage stopped. Avery jumped out and waited for us.
"See?" she said, pointing at the thestral, "Nothing."
"It's invisible," I snapped.
Avery laughed, "Invisible? Oh, Erika, just give it up!"
She stalked off. Jewel and Lucy shrugged before following her. Meg and I walked just a little behind them.
The Great Hall was decorated in the normal start-of-the-year garb. Meg and I took our normal seats and waited. Avery was basking in her thought "victory". We watched as the first years came in.
"They're so small," I whispered.
Meg nodded.
"No 'sisters' or 'brothers' this year, Megan?" Avery asked.
Meg shook her head, "I'm afraid not. They're all too tightly wrapped around Voldemort's finger."
Avery glared at the name, and then said, "What a shame. No more spies. Now all we have to do is get rid of you."
Before anyone could start another fight (which could have very well been me, as I was getting REALLY mad), the Sorting started.
"Just ignore her," I whispered to Meg while the hat sang, "You're not a spy. Everyone knows that. She just won't admit it."
Meg was silent for a minute, then whispered, "Tomorrow, during break, will you come with me to Adrienne's grave?"
"Sure," I whispered.
Adrienne had been buried on the grounds, near the Forbidden Forrest.
"Are you sure?" Meg asked.
I nodded, and turned my attention to the Sorting.
The next morning, our schedules were passed out during breakfast. That day Meg and I had Transfiguration, Charms, Divination, and double Potions. A promising day. Not.
I was looking forward to Divination, because of what Harry had told me. I wasn't looking forward to it in the sense that I thought I'd like it, but in the sense that I wanted to see if what Harry said was true for myself.
We found the classroom easy enough (we had been to it before, when Meg had to talk to Professor Trelawney). Meg and I took a table with Lucy (who was also taking the class), and waited.
Professor Trelawney hadn't changed since I'd last seen her. She still looked creepy.
"I heard this class is a joke," Lucy whispered.
I laughed, "Harry told me that she 'greets' all her new classes by predicting someone's death. She predicting Harry's when he was here. And he's still alive... at least he was last time I checked."
"Who do you think is going to die this year?" Meg asked, smiling.
"One of you two, obviously," Lucy said.
Professor Trelawney began class with a, "Welcome to the one class where books will not help you and here, alone, you will learn to discover what fate has in store for you."
Silence.
"Few of you will find this class useful. They have The Inner Eye," she continued.
Lucy, Meg, and I exchanged looks. Meg had The Inner Eye, I knew. Lucy rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
"I am Professor Trelawney," she said, "Few of you know me, though I know you all."
That made quite a few people raise their eyebrows.
She looked over the class, and her eyes focused in on a Slytherin sitting in the back of the room. Professor Trelawney shook her head.
"You, boy, beware the hooded one. They will lead you to treachery," she called out.
Everyone turned to look at the boy, who sank back in his seat.
"And you," Professor Trelawney continued, focusing on a small Ravenclaw girl who shrank back under her gaze, "Do not worry so much over the things that cloud your mind. Things you do not expect are waiting behind the clouds. And they are not good."
The girl let out a little yelp.
Professor Trelawney continued to gaze around the room. Occasionally her eyes would settle on someone else, who would immediately go pale. But she didn't say anything.
That is, until her gaze settled on our table, more specifically on Meg and I.
"Erika Potter and Megan Riddle," she whispered, "I have been watching you in my orb. Grave danger awaits you both. Beware all that might lead you to danger."
"Oh, well, that's just about everything," I hissed.
Lucy grinned and tried to hold back her laughs. It resulted in a rather snorty chuckle. Professor Trelawney turned her eyes to Lucy. Needless to say, her laughter died immediately under her stare. But Professor Trelawney said nothing to her.
"We will begin with the reading of tea leaves, and progress onto palmistry. Later in the year, following the holidays, we will begin with fire omens, and will eventually progress to crystal balls," Professor Trelawney told us.
No one said a word. She turned to Lucy.
"Would you please fetch me the large silver teapot?" she asked.
Lucy nodded, and stood up. When she was about halfway to the shelf where the teapot said, Professor Trelawney suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, yes," she began.
Lucy stopped, and turned around. But Professor Trelawney was looking at a Hufflepuff at the front table.
"Do write home immediately," she said.
The Hufflepuff nodded, looking very frightened.
Professor Trelawney swung around, and focused her attention on Meg.
"And you, Miss Riddle, do mind your words. They may lead you to ends similar to those you distrusted," she said.
Meg turned pale. Professor Trelawney turned to see where Lucy was. Meg turned to look at me.
"Adrienne," she whispered, "She's talking about Adrienne."
"She doesn't know what she's talking about," I whispered.
But Meg only nodded.
"Meg, you at least should know better," I said.
"Erika, I can't See everything. And if I do See something, I can't always piece things together," Meg pointed out.
I grinned, "But how could you miss something like your own death?"
We read tea leaves for the rest of the class. Meg, Lucy, and I made sure to speak in whispers, and Lucy and I had a great time trying to read our tea leaves. They looked like mush to me.
During break, Meg and I walked down the grounds to the spot near the Forbidden Forrest where Adrienne had been buried. We were mostly silent as we approached the gravestone. I sat on a tree trunk while Meg sat next to the gravestone.
"Do you think Professor Trelawney was right, about me meeting the same end as Adrienne?" Meg asked.
I shook my head, "You heard what Harry said. It's her way of greeting people by telling them they're going to die."
Meg was silent, looking at the gravestone.
"She was my sister," Meg whispered, "And I rejected her. She just wanted to be free, like me, and I didn't trust her. I wish I hadn't. I wish I had listened to Dumbledore and everyone. I wish... I wish we could've been like you and Harry."
I shrugged, "You can't take it back, Meg. Adrienne knew why you treated her the way you did, and she accepted it. She knew that we had to watch out for ourselves. But she was always nice to us, Meg, which meant she didn't care how we treated her. She still thought of you as her sister."
"Some sister," Meg whispered, "I treated her as bad as Ruth treats me."
"No you didn't," I protested, "You could never treat anyone like Ruth treats you. That takes real evil and hatred. You don't hate anyone like Ruth does. And you aren't evil. You couldn't even come close to Ruth."
Meg stared at the grave, "I Saw her death, you know. I didn't know what it meant. She was screaming for us to run when I Saw her. I couldn't piece together her death. Maybe... if I could've... I could've stopped her from dying."
"Meg, you yourself said that what you See is going to happen no matter what. Maybe it's better Adrienne didn't know. Would you be able to get through the days knowing you were going to die soon? No, Adrienne was happier not knowing. So maybe that's why you can't understand everything. Because somethings aren't meant to be understood," I said.
Meg replied, "There was something else to that vision. Adrienne's voice changed to someone else's, someone I know, but I can't recognize."
"You'll figure it out someday, Meg, if you're meant to," I said.
"So you believe in fate and destiny and all that?" Meg asked as she stood up, wiping the leaves from her robes.
I shrugged, "Sometimes, yeah. But sometimes I don't like to believe I'm not in charge of what happens to me. I don't know what I believe yet."
"Erika. Erika. Erika, wake up."
I opened my eyes to see Lucy standing over me. I blinked, and then yawned.
"What?" I asked.
Lucy glanced over her shoulder, than hissed, "Somethings wrong with Meg. She's making weird noises and we can't wake her up. She's stiff as a board."
I sat up and looked over at Meg's bed. Avery and Jewel were standing across the room, staring. Someone had opened Meg's curtains. I got out of bed and went over to Meg's bed. I immediately reckognized Meg's look.
"It's okay," I whispered, "She'll be fine."
"How do you know? She sure doesn't sound like she'll be fine," Lucy said.
I shrugged, "Just trust me. She'll be around in a minute or so."
Sure enough, three minutes later Meg's eyes snapped open. She was gasping for breath.
"I need to see Dumbledore," she said.
I nodded, "Okay. Meg, it's the middle of the night. He might be asleep."
"I need to see Dumbledore," Meg repeated, then added, "It is VERY urgent."
"Okay. Come on, I'll walk you there," I said.
Meg pushed the blankets away, and stood up. But her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground.
"I'm going to get Madam Pomfrey," Lucy said, and rushed out of the room.
"Are you okay?" I asked, kneeling beside Meg.
She nodded, "Yeah. It just left me a little weak is all. It sometimes does that. Erika, I need to talk to Dumbledore."
"Lucy went to get Madam Pomfrey. When she gets here we'll have her get Dumbledore. If we go out into the hallways Filch'll catch us in a second. He caught some first year yesterday, and he got two detentions. Filch won't listen, no matter how much you tell him you have to see Dumbledore," I pointed out.
Meg nodded, "Okay, but I can't wait long. Morning might be too late."
"Good thing it's only one in the morning," I whispered, looking at the clock in our room.
Madam Pomfrey arrived, and immediately brought Meg to Dumbledore.
The next day Meg wasn't in class. During break I went to the library to see if I could find anything that could help me understand the side-effects of Meg's visions.
"Hey, Erika."
I turned to see Lucas Clearwater (cousin to Percy Weasley's fiancée, Penelope). He was in my year, in Gryffindor.
"Oh, hi, Lucas," I said, and turned back to the books.
"I read about you in the newspaper over the summer," he said.
I grinned, "Didn't everyone?"
Lucas shrugged, "Just about, I'd think. So, is any of it actually true? We're you and Megan almost killed?"
"That part's true. Most of it, at least. Other parts aren't so true," I replied.
"So you guys did almost die?" Lucas asked.
I shrugged, "I've almost died quite a few times, Lucas. It sort of blurs the whole expirience. Mind you, it's still quite frightening."
I found a book that looked promising, and pulled it off the shelf.
"What, do you find near-death expriences fun?" Lucas asked.
"No," I answered, "But I have enough good humor to realize that I'd be awful depressed if I didn't find some sort of bright side."
"And what was the bright side to the last near-death expirience?" Lucas asked.
I grinned, "Can't tell you."
"Why not?" Lucas asked, following me out to the tables.
"It's a secret," I replied.
Lucas laughed, "Erika Potter has secrets? Really? I thought the Daily Prophet had all the dirt on you."
"They only think they do. Really, they haven't even touched the surface," I said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to Meg."
Lucas followed me.
"Where was she today, anyway?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Another secret?" he asked.
"Nope," I replied, "I just don't know. But I have a good idea. So, if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to go find her and bring her her notes from this morning."
I left Lucas in the hallway, grinning.
Author's Note- That's the end of Chapter 30 (is it really 30? Shiesh!). Thanks to all who reviewed. You guys (and girls) are awesome. Sorry this chapter took so long. I've been very busy. But I just found quite a bit more time, so hopefully the chaps will come sooner. I apologize for my grammatic and spelling errors, and I am bereft (isn't that a cool word) of a betareader. So, that's all. READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any additional comments can be given to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com