Part Six: Changing Tides

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

The girl never wept. She sat by the lake, looking into the waters. Giving into the waters. The waters sang to her. She wanted to drown. She heard him coming. She blamed him. How could he have let this happen? The girl winced as he knelt next to her and touched her shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"You knew. You always knew. How could you? You promised!" The girl turned away from him and pulled her cloak around her tightly. The boy sighed. He was torn up inside, she could tell from that sigh.

"I love you." The boy said, stepping out on the proverbial limb. She had known, secretly. It was a threat as much as an endearment. She glared at the waters, mentally cursing him. Thinking of the ways that she would curse him.

"That love is gone." She said flatly. "Only ice remains."

Elliana sat at the table, doing homework. She was used to having Brooke at the house on Fridays, but Brooke was away in Belgium. Elliana sat alone, eating her sandwich and writing a Potions essay. The doorbell rang and Elliana sighed. Probably the postman, asking questions again.

"Kaden?" Elliana asked in disbelief as she opened the door. Kaden handed her roses and stepped into the house. Elliana couldn't figure him out. Kaden smiled slightly and shrugged.

"An apology."

"But Slytherins don't give flowers." Elliana said, shutting the door behind him and following him into the hall. He stopped and turned around, blue eyes twinkling.

"Well, I thought the hex was out of the question considering I'm the offender." Elliana laughed softly and walked into the kitchen to put the roses in water. Kristin was at the shop, as she often was during the day. It had been hardest for Kristin, Elliana reflected.

"Kaden, you were under stress." Elliana called.

"I was undressed? What?" Kaden asked, peeking into the kitchen.

"Under stress."

"Easily confused."

"You didn't know what you were doing."

"I'm dyslexic."

"I understand completely."

"I get confused."

"But to have said that-"

"I say things I don't mean." Elliana put the roses down and walked over to him, slipping her hand in his. Kaden laughed and followed her out of the kitchen. He had never been to the house before.

"The grand tour." Elliana said, fifteen minutes later. They stood back in the living room and Elliana looked at him with amusement. "Is that it? To say you're sorry?"

"I can't very well do it on the train, can I?" Kaden asked. Elliana shrugged. Kaden had graduated last year, and would not be coming back to the school for any good reason. Elliana recalled that the last bit of the year was a blur. After Conner's death, she had been numb. The trip to Lucius' lair had been a disaster- Elliana had ended up cursing Lucius, therefore receiving the Cruciatus Curse herself. When she had come to, Kaden had called her stupid for crossing Lucius Malfoy in the first place.

Elliana hadn't talked to him since then. It had been lonely, but she had her grief to comfort her. Lately, she had been having dreams of someone else having a very similar experience. It seemed that in the dreams the blame had been wrongfully passed. Elliana wondered if the charm was wearing off. Maybe it just guarded against nightmares. For Elliana, this was also true. Lucius had not killed Conner Darley. Elliana wasn't on any life quest to find the killer, but she was waiting for the person to try again. She'd be ready this time. She'd be ready.

"Elliana, don't think about it."

"I'm not."

"You are. I can tell." Kaden spun her into a hug and kissed her hair. She sighed and smiled, pushing the thoughts of revenge to the back of her mind. It was summer, Elliana thought, and she needed to relax. "So, Miss Stormborne, where are we going for dinner tonight?"

"My dining room. Kristin's cooking." Elliana pulled out of the hug and put her sandwich plate in the sink. She put her books away and wiped off the table. "She'll be happy to have you if you want to stay." Elliana pushed open the door to the dining room and made sure the table was fairly clean. It was- freshly polished by the house elf.

"Meeting the parental units? Do I want to do this?" Kaden asked from the doorway. Elliana looked up and nodded. "Fine, I can stay. I don't have to be back at work until Sunday anyway."

"You work in Bulgaria, right?" Elliana asked, trying to remember from the plans he had told her about before Conner's death.

"Yes. Putting up wards and renewing them and such." Kaden helped her lift two candlesticks down from the shelf. Elliana put them on the table and went to get candles. Two floated in the room just as she opened the door.

"You are such a show-off." Elliana said, taking the candles and putting them in the holders. Kaden smirked and twirled his wand. "Mr.-I-Have-A-License."

"I worked hard for my magic." Kaden said, feigning offense.

"I'm so very sure."

"Things that tend to get stolen- paintings, artifacts. Things like that. I work in museums mostly." Kaden answered, having finished with the pizza that Kristin made. Elliana cleared the table while Kaden talked to Kristin and her husband. Kristin seemed impressed, thus far.

"Is it enough for a living, boy?"

"Never you mind his tone, Kaden. What he means is are you well-off?" Kristin asked sweetly, and Elliana knew that this would open a line of questions to see if Kaden was worth "approving." Kristin seemed convinced that Kaden was perfect for Elliana. Elliana made sure to busy herself in the kitchen.

"Yes, madam. I'm very lucky to have this job- it pays better than most. Also, I'm looking to purchase a home in Bulgaria. I have a flat currently, and I don't think it's very suitable to raise a family in. And of course, I eventually hope to have a family." Kaden smiled as Kristin looked pleased- he had said the right thing.

"But Bulgaria's such a cold place." Kristin said, a new worry passing over her.

"Only in the highest mountains. My father has a home there, and he brags about the joys of life there constantly." Kristin nodded, sipping her tea.

"So, Kaden, what exactly is going on between you and Elliana?" Kristin's husband asked bluntly. Kaden laughed softly and smiled at the man. Of course, there was always a protective father.

"Sir, with all due respect, you'd have to ask her."

"Don't you know, boy?"

"Yes, sir, but as she is your-"

"Kaden, just answer his question." Elliana said from the doorway. Kaden jumped, startled, and Kristin's husband seemed surprised as well. Elliana smirked. Kaden ran his fingers through his hair and looked thoroughly embarrassed. Soon enough, he collected himself.

"We've been dating for a while, sir. Since last summer." Kaden watched as Kristin's husband shifted uncomfortably. He had obviously expected something much worse- like finding out that they had eloped during the day. They hadn't eloped, and they wouldn't have told if they had.

"They never seemed to care before tonight." Elliana sighed. Kaden nodding, shrugging. They sat on the porch swing in Elliana's backyard. It was warm for nighttime, but there was a cool breeze. Unfortunately, it wasn't Hogwarts. Elliana wanted to go to Hogwarts again very badly.

"They're trying to look out for you." Kaden answered, slowly rubbing his sickle flat. It seemed to be his goal- to have a sickle with no markings. It wasn't really working, but whenever he held it up for her inspection, she'd pretend she saw a difference.

"They're being nosy."

"What would you have said?" Kaden asked teasingly. Elliana looked at him for a moment and then thought about the question. She had been glad she hadn't been asked at dinner. Now that she was being asked, she was equally embarrassed.

"I don't know. I guess we've been dating. Mostly for prestige, I thought." Elliana picked at a hole in her jeans. It seemed to get bigger every time she bent her knee. Kaden laughed softly.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"And what next?"

"What?"

"Progression. What next?" Kaden smirked as Elliana pondered the answer. "I'm just kidding, Elliana. Don't plan it. Just let Time have its fun." Elliana nodded, watching a firefly pass by. She had always let Time have its fun, as Kaden said. Time changed things on a whim. Where as Fate was fickle and ornery, Time was a jokester. Time made love crumble and people's hair grow gray. Time enjoyed seeing people suffer. In Elliana's life, Time was biding. But, Time had no meaning.

"Kaden, we always spoke of Fate. You said that it was your Fate and mine to end up with power. In dreams, I see myself coming to your father in his house with a message. I see us together with a-" Elliana stopped at the look of confusion on Kaden's face.

"You dream, still?"

"Sometimes."

"I see."

"What does it mean?"

"It depends on where it leads."

"Where will it lead?"

"I don't know." Kaden said, sighing. "I don't know. Time is a fiend."

Elliana sat in the library, staring at the fireplace. She was concentrating on bringing a vision on, and she had read that it helped to focus on something. Elliana had never tried this before. She had always had great pain from visions. Maybe it would ease the pain if the vision was caused by one's self.

A book dropping on the table snapped her out of her focus. Elliana looked up and blinked. Kaden was standing in front of her. She stood up and gave him a quizzical look. Kaden smiled good-naturedly and kissed her cheek.

"Kaden, what on earth?"

"Am I doing here? Visiting you. I heard there's a party tonight." Kaden spun her around in a motion that emphasized dance. She laughed softly and curtsied.

"I'm not going."

"Which is precisely why I'm here. You have to go- you're Head Girl." Kaden pointed to her badge. She frowned and shook her head. Elliana had no reason to go to the party. It was the last Saturday before Christmas, and it was a traditional celebration that was to start this year- tonight.

"I don't have to go." Elliana said stubbornly. "I will not go. Too many people."

"And you hate people."

"Yes."

"But you're going to go because I'm here, right?" Kaden smirked, hopping up on the table and sitting contently. Elliana shrugged. Her long, black curls fell out of a loose braid and made her look very worn-out.

"Are you going to make me?"

"Yes."

Instead of dressing up, Elliana opted to wear muggle jeans and a sweater. She left her hair in its frazzled braid and walked down the steps to the Common Room. A crowd had gathered around Kaden, wanting to know all about his life since he had left Hogwarts. Kaden smiled for the girls and shook hands with the guys. It was then, as she leaned against the wall and looked on, that Elliana realized how Kaden could control people. He was handsome, yes, but he also had a charisma that most lacked. He knew exactly what to do in every social situation.

"Elliana!" Kaden called, spotting her. Elliana felt strangely outcast as all of the eyes turned to her. She doubted if all but a handful of these people even knew her first name, let alone called her by it. Elliana could hear the whispers as Kaden walked over to her.

"Baggert's going with her?"

"She looks like she just fell out of bed."

"He's so sweet- why's he going with her?"

"It's a bet. It has to be a bet."

Elliana rolled her eyes as the people followed Kaden. They still buzzed with questions. She slipped her hand into his and tried not to glare at the other Slytherins. Kaden seemed to take the attention well, though, and gently told them that he was leaving for the party.

"Elliana!" Elliana turned around as she heard her name for a second time. Brooke ran towards her and smiled. "I thought I'd missed you. I wanted to walk down with you-" Brooke's eyes fell on Kaden. "But if you're busy I can walk with Alison or whatever. I thought you weren't going anyway. Something about wanting to study or hating people or hating people that studied- no, that wasn't it. Gosh, Elliana, you really do confuse me." Brooke smiled and shrugged, walking alongside Elliana out of the Common Room.

"Chocolate frogs?"

"Ice Mice. And twenty-six." Brooke answered. "I think I'm building up a tolerance to them. I don't get brain freeze nearly as much as I used to. Of course, I have to eat more than a dozen before it goes away. Elliana, do you think my hair looks like cheese? A Hufflepuff told me that the other day. I laughed and told her that I didn't even have yellow hair and she shrugged. My hair does not look like cheese."

"No, you have beautiful hair, Brooke." Elliana reassured her.

"Thanks. Not to dampen the mood or anything, but do you remember that Wynton Ashwinder guy? You know, he graduated last year. The really cute one that followed you around forever before you cursed his girlfriend or something. You know?" Brooke nudged Elliana.

"I know, Brooke."

"He got arrested!" Brooke spouted.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"How?" Kaden asked. Brooke looked at him oddly for a moment and continued talking. Brooke had that knack- not being bothered by people running into her train of thought.

"He was working for the Ministry of Magic and was caught passing information to Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy's been accused of working for Voldemort and it's a huge mess. Anyway, Ashwinder's in Azkaban now." Brooke's expression changed as they neared the Great Hall. The six and seventh years filed through the doors. Elliana glanced at Kaden to see how he'd take this news. Elliana never went to Lucius without Kaden. She said very little to the wizard, and Kaden usually did most of the arranging. Kaden would know if this was a valuable loss. His eyes said nothing.

Kaden led her to a table in the corner and Brooke got the message not to follow. She bounced over to some Ravenclaws and started talking about the latest Quidditch game. Elliana sat next to Kaden and looked at him seriously.

"Elliana, the Ministry is catching onto the patterns. This makes the Dark Lord angry. Things are going to start happening. And fast." Kaden said gravely, his blue eyes looking fearful.

"What can we do about it?" Elliana asked. They were only two people. They could not calm the wrath of Voldemort, and they wouldn't dare turn people in. Elliana knew no way to help.

"We're not going to do anything about it. Elliana, the fight hasn't reached Bulgaria yet. It won't reach it for several years, if we're lucky. Move there with me. You can be safe." Kaden took her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"That's running. We can't run."

"We can. Malfoy would know that we don't want to be caught- the Ministry there isn't aware of the activities to the level that our Ministry is. You can continue to do whatever work Malfoy gives you, and I can continue to put up the wards in the museums. My father lives there, and we can be safe." Elliana thought of what moving from her home would mean. Conner Darley was already dead. She'd have to leave Brooke and Kristin, and many others. She might not come back for many years. She might not ever come back.

"I have to finish school."

"So finish school." Kaden said.

"I have a life here."

"You can have a life there." Kaden sighed and looked around. "Just think about it, please. I don't want you sent to Azkaban. Let's enjoy the party. Do you want to dance?" Elliana nodded and stood up. They walked to the dance floor and began to dance, and Elliana pushed the idea of moving to the back of her mind. She couldn't think about it now. She loved her life here. Kaden was asking her to do something unthinkable. Voldemort was going to reign, and soon. Soon. It was only a matter of time. And Time was laughing.

The girl knelt under a willow, seeming to fight with herself. Her long, black hair shimmered in the autumn light. The hair was the burden, it seemed. So much hair, locking in the despair of absence. The girl pulled an obsidian dagger out of its sheath and held it up in the air. The blade caught the light, and for a moment the girl thought about plunging it deep inside her heart.

The blade came down quickly, slicing off the hair. The strands of polished ebony fell to the ground over a concrete slab. The wind rose up and blew the hair away like feathers in the breeze. The stone was clear once again.

The Greatest Gift

Ignus Oriens

Elliana sat on the train, sighing as the castle faded in the distance. She knew that she should be happy- she was going home for Christmas. But it was different this time. Kristin wanted her home so that she wasn't in danger. What Kristin didn't realize was that Elliana had had two of the Unforgivable Curses put on her. What Kristin didn't realize was that Elliana was assisting the Dark Lord by way of Lucius Malfoy. What Kristin didn't realize was that Elliana had seen murders in her dreams and in her reality. It was all crossed into a definite destination: Elliana Stormborne was not the helpless little girl that Conner Darley had adopted.

Elliana stared out the window, pulling the vision of the purple-eyed girl back. Elliana had worked on this ability day and night for the last week- through classes, at dinner, before bed. And finally, the vision was coming. Only glimpses, though. Elliana couldn't see the detail. It was mostly fuzzy.

A girl with short, pixie-styled hair was crying on the steps. She seemed forlorn, and this was a new thing for her. She was the type to be happy. Not sad. A silver-haired boy sat next to her, eager to comfort her and eager to fill her with lies. The girl seemed to take them. The girl seemed to act on them. The girl…

Elliana sighed. She could not get more than glimpses. It angered her, but she didn't give up. Never did she give up. She could tell these visions were from the future. There was something different about them. She wanted visions from the past. Elliana wanted visions that pertained to her.

The woman in the bed looked sickly, as if she had had all of the energy drained from her. The room took a yellow tint to it- the curtains were drawn, the furniture was dusty. The woman rolled over and clutched her stomach. Another woman entered the room. She knelt by the bed and handed the sick woman a small orb.

"For the spell." The woman said to the sick one.

"Thank you." The sick one rasped, pulling her strength together and sitting up. She had been pretty once. Her now-tired auburn hair was tied back with a ribbon and her face was sallow. The kneeling woman helped her sit up fully and handed her a wand. The sick woman held the orb in her right hand and took the wand in her left.

"Maternus Amorus, Nunc et Semper." The sick woman said the words calmly, drawing all of her love into the spell. The orb glowed blue and then extinguished. The sick woman coughed and collapsed on the pillows. She needed rest. The days ahead would be long, and they would be her last.

Elliana opened her eyes and gasped. That had been her! The kneeling one. She knew the eyes. But who was the other woman? Why was she sick? It wasn't Brooke…Brooke didn't have auburn hair. It was someone else. Someone Elliana didn't know. She lurched forward as the train stopped- she must have been out for a long time. Elliana gathered her things and got off the train as quickly as possible. People let her through, recognizing her as the Head Girl.

Kristin was waiting outside of the station. Elliana saw her and waved, playing the part of a happy young girl again. She put her trunk in the car and held her breath on the ride home. She didn't want to think about things…She had wanted a vision, and she had gotten it. Elliana knew the house- it was the same as the house where the purple-eyed girl had found the letters. It was the home of a Baggert. But which one? Was Elliana to be responsible for someone's illness? She bit her lip and wanted very badly to speak to Kaden.

Elliana was mortified. Kristin and her husband were embarrassing her highly, and Elliana wanted to hide somewhere. Kaden had been invited to eat dinner with them on Christmas Eve, and had accepted. This annoyed Elliana- she knew that humiliation was to ensue. But she also wanted to talk to him about Bulgaria.

"Have you had many girlfriends, boy? I know how boys your age are." Kristin's husband inquired. Elliana took the opportunity to clear the table, listening from the kitchen. She and Kaden hadn't really talked about his past girlfriends. It didn't really matter.

"No, sir. Only a few." Kaden answered, smiling reassuringly.

"Why? Is there something wrong with you? Do you bathe?" Kristin asked.

"Of course I bathe, madam." Kaden answered politely.

"If you get her pregnant, you have to marry her." Elliana dropped a plate at this ultimatum and she could here Kristin coming through the kitchen doors. Elliana picked up the pieces quickly, and Kristin laughed softly.

"Can you get him to stop?" Elliana asked in a whisper. Kristin shrugged and helped her get the last shards of the plate. Kristin patted Elliana on the back.

"He's just being a father. My father put him through much worse- background checks and such. I'm sure Kaden knows he doesn't mean half of what he's threatened." Kristin smiled.

"Threatened?" Elliana asked.

"Oh yeah, just a few minor hexes."

"Oh my gosh…" Elliana said. She put her face in her hands and sighed. Kaden walked through the kitchen doors at that moment and joined her at the sink. He began to wash the dishes (by hand, surprisingly) and Elliana dried reluctantly. Kristin smiled to herself and left the room to scold her husband.

"I can't believe you even come over for dinner anymore. He's so obnoxious." Elliana said, putting the plates away. Kaden laughed and scrubbed at a particularly annoying bit of carrot in the salad bowl.

"It amuses me."

"You're weird."

"Even if the whole interrogation is cliché, the way he says things is funny to me. Don't you find it funny?" Kaden smirked as the dishtowel smacked him in the face. Elliana glared. "I find it funny."

"I'll go." Elliana said after they finished washing the dishes. Kaden looked up at her and nodded slowly. She sighed and walked over to the window. It was snowing outside. "Bad things are going to happen. You're going to need my help."

"Bad things? You're help? And I thought I was the cocky one." Kaden laughed and stood behind her at the window. "You sound like the people in Muggle comic books."

"Don't make fun of me, I'm serious." Elliana said, betraying herself with a small smile. Kaden put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around, kissing her nose.

"I have to make fun of you. It's my job."

"Really?"

"No. See, there's the mockery again."

"Kaden, do you want your Christmas present?" Elliana asked as they walked to the living room. Kaden shrugged and shook his head.

"It isn't Christmas."

"Fine." Elliana said, sitting on the couch. The fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, and the room felt warmer than the Common Room ever had. "What are we going to do?"

"Roast marshmallows?"

"That's so lame." Elliana said as he sat down. She could tell he was completely serious though, and that made her laugh. "What is it with boys and fluffy things?"

"Fine, no marshmallows. It's almost Christmas. We should do something cheerful." Kaden laughed as a nauseated expression crossed over Elliana's face.

"What would you have us do? Go caroling? Sledding?" Elliana rolled her eyes and pulled a blanket off the back of the couch. She spread it over herself and tucked it under her chin. Kaden looked disheartened when she didn't offer to share, and Elliana smirked.

"You're so cruel."

"I learn from the best."

"I resent that."

"Kaden, I'm on the edge of boredom." Elliana sighed. She flicked at a tassel on the blanket. The hat of the embroidered snowman.

"I'm terribly sorry. I think you should share your blanket." Kaden tugged at the tassel and grinned. Elliana shook her head.

"That'd be too storybook."

"What?"

"You know, curled together in front of the fire on Christmas Eve. It's cliché and overdone, you know?" Elliana saw the glint of laughter in Kaden's eyes. He did know. And now came the teasing…

"You read too much." Kaden put on a high voice. "'Honestly, that's so storybook.' I suppose we can't live happily ever after for fear of making people vomit." Kaden smirked and pried the blanket from her fingers. Elliana rolled her eyes and was very generous in giving him an inch of the blanket. "So kind."

"Kaden, what are we going to do in Bulgaria? It seems so far away from everything." Elliana tucked her feet under the blanket and looked up at him. She wanted him to say something either cynical or reassuring. She didn't suppose anything else would do. Elliana wanted to be treated as most Slytherins treated her or treated as he treated her. This was not the time for him to be indecisive or yielding of power.

"We're going to live."

"An invisibility cloak?" Kaden asked in disbelief. Elliana nodded as a smile spread over his face. "Where on earth did you get this?" Kaden let the silvery-blue material run through his hands. It was a fine thing, the invisibility cloak. They were awfully rare as well.

"Brooke had it made."

"Brooke?"

"She caught a Demiguise last summer. Seems to think it's her Calling or some such thing. The Demiguise was enough for two cloaks- she kept the first and gave the other to me." Elliana smiled as Kaden put the cloak on, disappearing. In a moment he was back. He swooped down and kissed her on the cheek.

"My turn." He pulled a bag from his cloak and handed it to her. Elliana took it and peeked inside, almost dying. It was chocolate! Not only was it chocolate, but it was Honeydukes' chocolate. Elliana considered fainting right then.

"You are an angel." Elliana handed him a chocolate and ate one herself. Kaden put the chocolate in his mouth and smirked.

"There's more."

"Oh!" Elliana looked further in the bag and found a small envelope. She pulled it out and opened it. Inside were tickets, and for a moment Elliana thought they were tickets to another ballet. But, they were theatre tickets to see a live show in London on New Year's Eve. "Oh, this is so exciting." Elliana said, reading the tickets. It was a show at a real wizarding theatre! Elliana had heard those shows always had the best scenery and effects. She smiled at Kaden, who had his hands shoved in his pockets and was looking at her with a thoughtful expression. "Kaden, what is it?"

"You just look so storybook."

The lights were bright. That was the main difference between the London theatre and the Hogsmeade theatre. London seemed alive with excitement, and the boulevards were crowded with enthusiastic patrons. Young couples were everywhere, and little children played tag in between the crowds. There were beggars on every corner, but that didn't mar the liveliness. Elliana was swept away.

The first sign that the theatre was near was the music- dancers and musicians performed outside the theatre for the waiting crowd. Neon lights named the show- this was the Muggle side. If the Muggle theatre was this spectacular, Elliana couldn't begin to imagine what the wizarding side would be like. Kaden led her down an alley alongside the theatre and through a wall- much like the King's Cross platform. Elliana stepped out into an even more vivacious atmosphere. Fireworks went off unexpectedly every few minutes, and young wizards and witches rode toy brooms through the throng.

"And there." Kaden announced, turning her around. In front of her was the front of the wizarding theatre- The Spell. Little fairy lights moved around in letters announcing the play. Elliana watched with amusement.

The Wronski Feint- Kent Burgmen, Rosella Marc, and Theodore James. Elliana watched as the fairies changed into various advertisements. She turned to Kaden and smirked.

"Please don't tell me you've brought me to a play about Quidditch." She said, crossing her arms. Kaden shrugged and smiled. She'd have to wait and see. Elliana pursed her lips to contain her eagerness and followed Kaden as he handed a witch their tickets. Elliana stepped inside as the warmth of the theatre flooded her. On the walls of the lobby she could see dozens of posters sporting famous actors and actresses on the stage. Even some Muggle greats had a place here- Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, and Dustin Hoffman. It was an odd assortment of people waving at her as she passed- or, in the case of the Muggles, staring at her intently.

The play, as it turned out, was nothing about Quidditch. Rather, the metaphorical side of the term "Wronski Feint" was used. A woman pretended to be in love with a man solely for the purpose of 'getting his galleons,' as the play called it. The woman took all of his money and then fled to China. The man was furious, and tracked her down. When she wouldn't give him back his money, he kept her prisoner until she would disclose where the money was hidden.

When the man was called back to England for a meeting, he left her in the care of his slave. The woman then pretended once again to fall in love. She convinced the slave to let her out at night, when no one else would see. One night, she escaped and left China. No one ever found the money.

"Wow." Elliana said when the curtain closed. The play had not been anything like she'd expected. Yes, the scenery was fantastic. The tower was most certainly a real tower, and everything was very real. There was no illusion on the wizarding stage. Kaden nodded and motioned for her to join the standing ovation. She did happily, and was annoyed when it was time to leave. The flood of people carried her out of the auditorium and into the lobby, where it slowly dispersed. The lights of London called to her, and the music of the dancers outside enchanted her.

The window would not close. Over the holidays, the latch on Elliana's bedroom window had broken. She had come back to Hogwarts to find her dorm almost freezing. Her dorm mates were not pleased. Brooke cast a Warming Spell on the room that seemed to do the trick. After a few days of waking up shivering at night, Elliana's roommates seemed happy enough.

March came with a flood of homework and duties. The seventh years were studying constantly for their N.E.W.T.s, and the information was constantly being drilled into them. Elliana found it hard to keep up sometimes, but she managed. Brooke helped her through Herbology and Alison helped her through Astronomy. Other than that, the subjects came easily to her. The workload was impossible, but the subjects were easily understood.

Elliana had set aside her homework for a night for something equally important- being Head Girl. She called a meeting with the Prefects and watched as the Head Boy, David Bly, stood up to start the meeting. The Prefects stopped talking, and all eyes turned toward him.

"As you all know, Graduation is fast approaching." There was a general buzz of excitement. "And, it's time for us to plan the party." Another buzz. "All Prefects have the option to plan the party, and we will also take suggestions from the school. Agreed?" A cheer, even from those not in seventh year. "What we have done in years past is rented out the Three Broomsticks. However, with the light of recent events," David spoke slowly, and all present caught his meeting. "We do not have that option. We are to stay on school grounds."

"How about the Quidditch pitch?" Someone in the back hollered. Natalie, who was another Slytherin Prefect, glared at the suggestion. Elliana shook her head, but wrote down the idea anyway.

"We'd ruin the grass." Natalie said indignantly.

"It's a game on broomsticks- you don't use the grass!" A Ravenclaw retorted. Elliana nodded as David held up his hand for silence.

"These are our options as of now: The Quidditch pitch, the Great Hall, the lake, or the fields by the greenhouses." As he waved his wand, the ideas appeared on the chalkboard behind him. Elliana wrote them down on her notes as well.

"Let's vote." She said to David. He nodded and began calling off the choices. One by one, the Prefects raised their hands. The finally tally was tied between the Quidditch pitch and the lake. The choices would be taken to the seventh years. Elliana dreaded the results. Neither of the choices could promote happiness from everyone, but more importantly- she didn't like either of them.

The seventh years were bouncing with excitement as Dumbledore got up in front of the Hall to speak. All of the tables had been pushed aside and chairs had been set up for the graduates and their parents behind them. Dumbledore stood at the podium and smiled happily. Elliana sat on the stage, along with David, Professor McGonagall, and the Minister of Magic.

"Seventh years, welcome. You have all come a very long way to reach the seats you sit in now. You have faced hardships, challenges, and N.E.W.T.s." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as a chuckle swept over the crowd. "It's been a long journey, but you've got a longer one ahead of you. There are things you've never dreamed of awaiting you in the world outside these walls. Never give up faith, even when the chips are down. Hope springs eternal, and eventually the flowers will come." Dumbledore nodded his head to acknowledge the applause and David stepped up to give his speech as Head Boy.

David's speech took on a different tone than Dumbledore's had. David spoke of memories and success, and never once mentioned anything about facing challenges. He was idealistic, Elliana knew. David spoke as if their lives were already full of happiness, joy, and wealth. David spoke as though they had survived the 'world' for twenty years already. There was clapping anyway.

Next, it was Elliana's turn. She watched as Brooke walked up to the stage. Brooke had always been the better speaker, and people could relate to Brooke. Elliana had handed her speech over to Brooke, and Brooke seemed thoroughly excited by the whole situation.

"Hello, everyone." Brooke began, smiling. "I'm here today for the same reason you are- to celebrate my years at Hogwarts. You can get all teary-eyed later, but tonight is for celebration of all that you've accomplished. Just remember seven years ago, walking through the platform at King's Cross. You were nervous because you were going into a new world. Now, you've adapted to the world. You've learned what teachers you don't make excuses for, what pranks you can get away with, and what places in Hogsmeade sell Bertie Botts the cheapest." The class laughed. "This place is getting boring. It's time for something new. You need to learn every nook and cranny of a new place now. You need to have a blast in a new world. Sure, you may be nervous. But as soon as that castle floats into sight, you'll be on your way. Once you get there, don't look back. But before you step onto the train, kiss your parents goodbye. Remember your years at Hogwarts." Brooke received a standing ovation for her speech. Elliana smiled broadly and joined the clapping. Dumbledore stood as Professor McGonagall joined him. He began to read the names.

"That was amazing!" Elliana told Brooke as they walked out to the lake. Elliana was none too happy about the final decision, but she promised herself she'd have a good time anyway. Brooke was still beaming from her speech and blushed.

"Thank you so much for letting me do that. It was so much fun. I was so scared I was going to say something wrong or insult the Gryffindors or something." Brooke smiled once more at Elliana before several more people came to congratulate her. Elliana watched her friend float into the crowd and found herself a place to sit. She sipped her punch quietly and silently reflected on the moment she had learned she was a witch.

"We can't have you living on the streets." Conner said on one rainy morning. "I mean, it isn't safe for- what are you, ten?- a young girl such as yourself. You can live with my daughter. She's always wanted a daughter, but she and her husband haven't had much luck with that sort of thing. She'll be glad to take you in and you can have a proper home with a mother and a father- and oh dear, you have blue hair, my dear." Conner stopped and peered closely at Elliana's hair, which had caught a glint of fluorescent light when she had moved.

"Anyway," Conner said, shaking his head. "You can start at Hogwarts in the spring. You are a witch, of course."

"Why are you doing this?" Elliana asked suddenly, sitting up. Conner jumped. He put a hand over his heart as though settling it from a startle. "And what do you mean about me being a witch?"

Elliana stood up and walked to get some food from the snack table. She saw Kaden coming down the hill, even though he wasn't supposed to be at the seventh year party. She had to weave around a kissing couple by the edge of the lake and got dangerously close to the water. Just then, a boy lunged to catch a practice Quaffle and knocked into Elliana, sending her into the frigid water.

Plunging into a deeper section of the lake- rather deceiving from the edge- Elliana saw her life flash before her eyes. She felt as though a lightning bolt had struck and removed her from the world. Everything was so silent, but an overwhelming panic buzzed in her head. Elliana hit the bottom and tried to kick herself back up. Unfortunately, she had never learned to swim. Elliana heard the voices singing to her, louder and more vibrant than ever before. Elliana, child of the sea. Come to us, come to us.

A hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up, up. Towards life itself. Pulling her back to her reality. She left the dreamland of the water and sucked life into her lungs. She felt herself land on the grass on her back, and slowly the world came once again into focus. The boy who had pushed her was shaking violently, and Kaden knelt beside her.

"Shh…" He coaxed as she began to speak. "You're safe." Elliana wasn't aware that her tears had come. Now that she was out of the water, a reality hit her. She could have drowned. She could have died. Her life could have been over in a single instant. Kaden helped her to her feet and walked her out of the crowd and up to the castle. He took a left down the corridor and guided her to the Hospital Wing.

"Oh dear!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed upon seeing Elliana. Elliana barely heard her, however. She felt a Drying Charm being performed, but the blurred vision from underwater was seeping into her mind. She was in a daze. Elliana was sleeping by the time Madam Pomfrey sent Kaden away.

"Let me in!" Elliana awoke to voices shouting. She sat up to see Kaden pushing past Madam Pomfrey. Kaden walked to the bed and looked down at her. Elliana tried to smile convincingly her thoughts that she was better, but Kaden didn't buy it. He seemed intent on making sure that the nurse had done everything properly.

"Mr. Baggert, you should leave. She needs her rest." The nurse protested.

"You didn't give her any Draught."

"She fell in the lake."

"She was in the lake for five minutes. She has every right to be dead!" Kaden growled. The nurse scuttled away and Elliana looked out the window. From the color of the sky, it was very early in the morning. Maybe two or three.

"Kaden?" Elliana coughed. "Was I really in the lake for five minutes?"

"Yes." Kaden said blatantly. He looked concerned. Elliana felt fragile, and knew that he was worried about her mental health. He knew that she was afraid of water. Elliana smiled for his sake, even though she felt more afraid than ever. "Elliana, how did you live? I was so worried, but Dumbledore wouldn't let me go in after you. He didn't do anything. He just stood there.

"No one came in after me? I don't know how I got back up, then." Elliana put her hand to her chin thoughtfully. "You risked chivalry on my part?" She laughed softly and took his hand. He smiled slightly, seeming comforted enough.

"Not chivalry. Chivalry is for Gryffindors. We call it 'valor' in Slytherin." Kaden chuckled. "It puzzles me how you survived underwater for five minutes, but I'm extremely glad for whatever it was. I'm awfully sorry you missed the party. It wasn't much fun, but you should have been completely dry and enjoying yourself." Elliana nodded sadly, but shrugged it off. A silence passed between them, and Elliana's mind drifted again. She thought about just how lucky she was. She wondered, though, who had pulled her out of the water. Elliana had been saved twice in her life by a miracle. Twice saved by a miracle, and twice faced with death.

The summer passed with a buzz of energy. Elliana and Kaden went to Bulgaria to find a home, but for the time-being they lived in a flat. Elliana spent all summer trying to find a job, and Kaden continued his work with the wards. He often Flooed back to England when Lucius Malfoy needed work done. However, the end of summer walked quietly into fall without much ado.

Fall brought money to Kaden- a raise. Elliana also found a job with a theatre. She danced for money, for the first time in her life. For the first time, her dancing mattered. But, Elliana was happy. On Halloween, Kaden Flooed home to spend the weekend with Elliana. She greeted him at the door and he looked exhausted. He showered while she cooked spaghetti.

"It smells good." Kaden said, startling Elliana. She smiled and threw a towel at him. He walked over and stood behind her, peeking into the pot. He smelled like roses, and Elliana had to laugh.

"You used my shampoo."

"What, doesn't the flower smell suit me?"

"Not really."

Kaden harrumphed and sat on a stool at the counter while she finished cooking. He picked up the Daily Prophet and started reading with amusement. Something about someone getting splinched while Apparating.

"Elliana, when are we getting married?" Elliana dropped her spoon, splattering sauce everywhere. She looked up at him with confusion. That had not been expected. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. "We are getting married, right?" Kaden asked as if she should have known the answer all along.

"Married?"

"Yes, married. You look shocked. Would you rather have the storybook proposal?" Kaden smirked, and Elliana laughed softly. She bit her lip.

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

"I've been asking you forever."

"Aren't you supposed to get on one knee or something?" Elliana asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow in amusement. She hadn't known he had been asking her forever. She couldn't even recall that he had asked her once. Kaden laughed. He folded up the newspaper and walked around the counter to her.

"So you would prefer the storybook proposal?" Kaden asked, chuckling.

"Try it and I'll see." Elliana smiled as he pulled her away from the kitchen and into the living room. He sat her down on the couch and got down on one knee. Elliana found this very entertaining.

"Miss Elliana Stormborne, you are the stars in my sky. You are the waves in my ocean. You make every day worth living…How am I doing so far?" Kaden asked, snapping out of his poetry gaze and becoming light-hearted once again.

"I'm all teary-eyed." Elliana laughed. She didn't want to ruin whatever moment Kaden was trying to create, so she folded her hands in her lap. Her hair fell in her face, but she smiled anyway and motioned for him to continue. Elliana thought that, quite possibly, this would be the best night of her entire life.

"You're just looking for flattery." Kaden pushed a strand of hair out of his eyes and continued. "Elliana, from the night I saw you dancing, I knew that you were the most beautiful person I'd ever meet. I could see your soul in that dance, and I liked your soul." Kaden grinned. "At the risk of sounding completely corny, I can't imagine life without you." Elliana smiled. Kaden pulled out a box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a gold band with sapphires all along the ring. The sapphires met at a diamond. Elliana took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger.

"I can imagine life without you, Kaden Baggert, but I think it'd be very dull."

The kiss that follows such a beautiful scene was interrupted by the fluttering of wings through the window. The rain had started and spilled in the window as the bird flew in. Kaden looked up first to see the black owl. Elliana held her breath, expecting bad news immediately. A history with these owls promoted such feelings. Kaden tore the parchment opened and his eyes widened. The letter was penned in emerald ink, and Elliana had seen the hand before. The letter was from Lucius Malfoy.

Lord Voldemort was dead.