Chapter Three:

Harry made a small sound on the back of his throat, and Akira's face zoomed directly to the spot where he was hiding. Harry broke into sweat. He was sure he had ducked before she could have seen him, but still… When nothing happened, Harry tentatively looked up. Akira was looking at something on the far side of the room, her face a mask of concentration. He got a good look at her eyes. It's like… it's like dead people's eyes! He thought with alarm. Those eyes… they're dead! Blank… lifeless…

Then suddenly, a great whirring sound came from where she was looking, a dim silvery light lighting up the room. Harry's head whipped, looking intensely at the direction where it had come from. There, right before his very eyes, something circular was spinning ever much faster. It started as a very small circular thing, whirring bigger and bigger until it was big enough for a man to step through. Harry held his breath. Like… a – a gateway? He thought vaguely.

Akira reclined back, gazing intently at something on the other side of whatever it was she was looking at. Then suddenly, her wand was in her hand and she hissed something, and blue-black lightning whisked from her wand into the gateway. A second later, a ball of silvery substance balanced on her palm, and that she threw to the gateway. A second later, the room was once again clouded in darkness. Harry felt numb. Akira was reclining lazily against a table, sweat glistening on her forehead. As if just realizing that she was sweating, she wiped them angrily on her sleeve, then grimaced.

"You shouldn't let emotions touch you so easily, so-called Daughter of the Night." Snape said tightly as he entered the room.

Akira's eyes flashed, then once again they became the dead eyes, boring into Snape. He looked at her speculatively. Harry's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. What is she? What is Snape doing here? What is she doing here? what IS going on?

"You know as well as I that emotions are very, very dangerous." Snape continued, and Harry was snapped back into reality.

"I know. Just give me a little more time. Suppressing emotions seems harder than I thought." Akira droned tonelessly.

"That's enough for now. You better get some rest. You still have a long way to go." said Snape. He went out.

Akira just stood there, a finger to her lips in deep thought. Harry waited, his legs cramping. He was sure he'd be discovered if he so much as moved an inch. Then Akira visibly collected herself, walking slowly out the room. But before she was out, she turned her head. And made eye contact with Harry. Shocked, Harry felt immobile to move anything. He just stared at her staring at him. Then, after what seemed like endless hours, Akira gave a small smile and went out.

Harry shook himself. He breathed slowly. After a while, he went back to the Gryffindor Tower, and snuggled himself among the sheets of his bed. Ron was still snoring as the first ray of light crept lazily across Hogwarts. After a few minutes contemplating what had happened, Harry felt the fingers of sleep brush against his eyes.

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows as the sound of a door creaking open awoke her. She muttered angrily under her breath and opened one eye. Black hair swayed as Akira majestically swept by her, sitting down on her bed besides Hermione's. She turned her head discreetly, and observed Akira as she sighed. Akira looked directly at Hermione, squinting in the dark. Hermione kept looking at her. She knew Akira couldn't see her eyes. On the other bed, Akira was still quietly studying what she thought was Hermione's sleeping form. Her eyes traveled from Hermione's lush hair to her slender legs that had tangled its selves on her blanket, resting for a while on her toes. For some reason, Akira smiled. Dark lines traced her eyes as Akira sighed once more, heavily this time. After a while, she plopped down to bed. Hermione wasn't sure when the other fell asleep, for even waiting until she fell asleep herself, Akira was still as quiet as the dead.

Lightning illuminated Hermione's face as she looked into the dark gray sky. Thunder pealed every other second, and the wind blew Hermione's shift wildly across her legs, her hair billowing behind her. She stood on the top of a hill, over-looking a valley that was filled with dead bodies that sprawled on every inch of the ground. The Valley of the Dead… She thought. Overhead ravens were shouting with glee as they descended one corpse after another, pecking flesh and gouging out eyes that stared unseeingly on that battleground.

"Horrible, isn't it." A voice said behind her.

Without turning her head, Hermione nodded silently. She felt as if she was in a trance, her body feeling as if it were floating in the sky.

"Look's like the end of the world, doesn't it. This will happen though, exactly as we see it. Unless something will dramatically change it, this is our future."

Again Hermione nodded. It really looked as if it were the end of the world. Wizards and witches dressed in dark robes were piled unto each other as were the wizards and witches dressed in bright colors, as many men as there were women. There were even children. There looked to be thousands of bodies, hundreds of thousands. Maybe even millions… Hermione shuddered.

"I see this all the time." The voice continued, this time the voice tight with suppressed emotion.

Hermione tilted her head. On the far side of the valley, a huge wall of fire was blazing, the land there scorched black, stumps and still intact black trees wailing in despair, those that had black branches seemingly reaching out hands to the sky, as if begging for something. The sky there was red. As Hermione squinted, over there the corpses had decayed to the level of skeletons, which were hanging or nailed upside-down on crosses. As time passed on and Hermione stood there staring, she felt as if she were being gently sucked into the unknown. Slowly, she lifted one leg after another, ever so slowly down the hill, towards the valley of death. After what seemed like the fifth step, the same voice called out behind her.

"Stop!" It said urgently. Then more loudly, "Stop!"

Hermione kept going on, ignoring the voice that rose with each call. She felt… compelled… to go on. Something was calling her, and she knew she didn't have enough power to resist. Then something was bounding behind her, and a second later a hand was holding her arm in a vice-like grip. Hermione still faced the valley, straining her ears. Hermione looked down on her palm, staring at the half-moon shaped cuts as blood slowly trickled out. She had clenched her fists tightly, her own nails digging into her skin.

"Stop it, Hermione… Fight it…" The voice now pleaded.

Hermione held herself stiffly, listening to the wind eagerly. Then she slumped suddenly, leaning all of her weight on the person behind her. Tears filled her eyes as she cried wretchedly.The person behind her supported her completely, both arms around Hermione as she sobbed with all her might against the person's chest, her arms painfully gripping the person. Slowly, she disengaged herself and looked into the person's face. And stared into Akira's black eyes, eyes that were filled with grief. A small voice in the back of Hermione's head wondered briefly why she wasn't surprised at the other girl's presence at all. Then Akira nodded to something behind Hermione. Hermione turned, and followed Akira's gaze. There, on the top of a small rise, was a body huddled against a boulder. It was all alone, away from the rest of the corpses. Hermione strained her eyes and she saw dark brown hair that was messy, a lightning shaped scar on the forehead, then startlingly green eyes that stared unseeingly right through her. She opened her mouth to scream as blackness enveloped her.

Hermione bolted upright, sheets tangling against her. Her breaths came in rugged gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She raised a sweat-drenched hand towards her eyes, looking at the half-moon cuts that were still raw and red. Her head whipped to the bed next to hers, where Akira was sitting quietly, staring at her.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked gently. Hermione opened her mouth several times before she was able to make a sound without choking.

"It's you!" She gasped. "Ever since you came here, weird stuff has been happening! What are you doing to me?" As the words left her mouth, she knew none of it was real. Akira seemed to have read her mind, and gave a small smile.

"No. You know the truth, Hermione." Akira said quietly.

She stared at Hermione for a while, until Hermione got so disconcerted that she snapped a few choice words to her. Akira only stared more intently.

"Let me show you something." Akira said slowly. Hermione looked at her, scowling. But Hermione had always been a curious girl. She couldn't have let this pass for the world, though she tried to deny that at first.

"Go ahead." She said after a few minutes of staring into Akira's black eyes.

Akira glanced at their fellow gryffindors, all of whom were already stirring in their beds. A few had sat up in bed, stretching this way and that. Katie Bell wriggled in her bed, arms outstretched and toes curling, her blanket half on the floor. Akira smiled. She turned to Hermione.

"How about later, after dinner? Harry needs to see it too. I don't know about Ron, though." She said slowly.

"You're not who you seem to be, are you?" Hermione asked. Akira just shook her head. Then, abruptly, she turned to snuggle in her own covers, wriggling until she found a comfortable position. She closed her eyes and started to fall asleep immediately. Hermione followed her, and soon, she was gently snoring.

When she awoke, it was already nine in the morning. Akira had already gone, and Hermione was the only one left in the room, except for a chubby girl that was still snoring loudly on the other side of the room. Hermione wrinkled her nose. She couldn't wait to be Head Girl, what everybody was telling her she'd be when they were in the right year. She idly wondered who'd be the Head Boy. Throwing back the covers, she prepared for the morning, thankful that it was a weekend. She found the Common Room to be full of people, where Harry and Ron were waiting for her patiently. Akira wasn't there.

"Where is she?" She asked without thinking.

Ron shot her a puzzled look, though Harry understood who she meant by "her".

"I don't know. I haven't seen her all morning." He said, and then proceeded to tell them everything that happened to him down in the dungeons, about Akira's strange magic and Snape.

"Really? She works for you-know-who then!" Ron exclaimed.

"No." Harry immediately said, Hermione right behind him. Ron puffed his chest indignantly, then, to Harry and Hermione's surprise, nodded silently. Hermione wondered whether she would tell them about her dream, then decided against them. She would tell Harry later, without Ron.

"Let's just act as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and see where that will get us." Hermione said, and Harry agreed. Ron, though, looked doubtful. Then he too agreed.

"Harry, the Quidditch meeting's in thirty minutes. The tryouts too." Ron reminded him. Harry gave a start.

"Let's grab breakfast then." He said. Ginny came bounding through the Fat Lady, gesturing for Hermione to join her. Hermione waved to Harry and Ron, then went to join the pale, flaming redhead girl. Harry and Ron started after them, to the Great Hall. After breakfast, they were about to go when Harry stopped short.

"Didn't Akira say she'll come with us?" He turned to Ron, who had obviously forgotten.

Just then Akira came walking briskly toward them.

"I thought you guys had forgotten all about me." She smiled at them. For some reason, Harry smiled back, his heart in it, though he had told himself hours before to be wary around her. Ron, however, frowned. Harry nudged him from under his robes, and Ron grunted.

"Yeah. Come on, then. Angelina raves madly if anyone gets late." Ron said, then he too grinned. Akira's face was filled too much with open excitement and anticipation that they both found it hard not to be easy around her. During the walk to the Quidditch field, Akira was chatting animatedly with them about Quidditch that both Harry and Ron found it hard not to really like the raven-haired girl.

"Right on time." Angelina breathed down at them as they arrived.

"You are joining the tryouts?" She asked Akira. Akira nodded politely to her. Angelina opened her mouth then decided against it.

"Okay, tryouts are starting in five minutes. Team members change to your uniforms. Open spots are for two beaters, and one chaser." She announced to the small throng that had gathered outside her office.

"Good luck. I hope you get the spot." Harry smiled at her before turning to follow Ron, who was already shuffling away. Akira suddenly turned to Harry.

"I want to be a beater!" She suddenly grinned broadly.

"What?" Harry was taken aback, sure he had heard wrong. Then Akira repeated herself.

"Well… most beaters are guys… but why not?" He grinned, refusing to mention that all the beaters he knew were guys. He wasn't about to burst her bubble. If she wants to be a beater, then why not? He grinned at her before disappearing behind the door to their locker, what Akira hoped she someday will be able to enter. Akira settled back comfortably against the grass as she looked at hopeful player after player competing for Angelina's approval. When it was her turn, Angelina calling her name, she walked confidently toward her.

"What position are you vying for?" Angelina asked briskly.

"Beater." Akira replied confidently, unable to hide the glint of anticipation from her eyes.

"Beater?" Angelina asked again tentatively. When Akira repeated herself, Angelina grinned broadly.

"Now, that's the spirit! Just do good in there!" She said heartily.

Akira gripped her broom tightly, and Angelina hooted softly as she noticed the brand. It was a 'Black Plague', a broom that was by far more expensive and faster than the Firebolt by a large margin. It wasn't manufactured anymore; there were only three of them in the entire world. And they can't be bought just like that. You had to earn them first before you were deemed to buy them. Angelina knew this, because she had come across it in one of the library books. The Black Plague was too fast, that players had died trying to control it. Of course, they can always go slow, but the temptation to shoot like lightning was far too great. They had flown to the broom's limit. And died, crashing down to the ground because they can't handle such speed, or simply because it wasn't humanly possible to. Angelina was tempted to stop Akira, but then she decided against it. She wanted to see her performance. Angelina flew higher and higher, keeping an eye on the other girl as she swiftly flew following the flying bludgers. A few other players, some contestants, were also eyeing the girl. The Beaters would have to hit one of their teammates, for practice. Seamus, who was trying for Chaser, was passing by Akira, the Quaffle in his innocent hands, when, to Angelina's surprise, Akira moved with such speed. Akira whipped the bludger so fast that Seamus never saw it. All Angelina saw was a brown blur that zoomed towards Seamus, then he fell, clutching his chest, where Akira had aimed. Luckily, Seamus managed to hang to his broomstick. As the Quidditch players started toward him, Akira was already there, helping him climb back to his broom. When Angelina arrived, Akira was already giving Seamus what seemed like chocolate.

"Sorry about that, really. I didn't mean to hit so hard…" Akira looked at Seamus with such a sorry look that Seamus, still clutching his chest and breathing raggedly, forgot all about the pain and stared into her face.

"Uhm… that special chocolate will help." Akira said, disconcerted. Then she flew away, reminding everyone that they still had to finish with the tryouts. Angelina there and there decided that Akira was a keeper.

"That was amazing flying!" Ron said to Akira as they were walking back.

"Yeah. You must've been something back in your school." Harry said. Akira just smiled.

"You played Seeker back there, right? I'd sure hate to see who'd catch the Snitch first, if you and Harry both played Seekers for opposing teams." Ron continued, and Harry had to agree with him. Harry had watched her flying, and he couldn't deny the small voice creeping in the back of his head, saying, "She's better than you, just look at her fly!"

Without doubt, Akira had gotten the position, though Angelina had wanted her to try for Chaser position, to see what would happen. Akira had declined, saying her heart was happy being a Beater. Angelina had sullenly agreed.

They rounded a corner as Hermione came hurrying toward them. She nodded to Akira, her eyes traveling from the girl's shiny black hair to the end of her robes. Then, oddly, Hermione blushed. The hallway was empty.

"Oh God! That feels sooo good!" Somebody whimpered as they rounded a corner.

Hermione felt her jaw drop as she saw Lavender and Parvati in a lip-lock, Lavender's arms around Parvati as the latter crushed her against the wall. They were too busy to notice anything else. Akira grinned suddenly, a wide grin that brightened her whole face, making Hermione think that she was by far the prettiest girl she's ever seen. Harry stood still, blinking at the couple. Ron opened his mouth and Hermione's hand shot out to clamp them tightly.

"Let's get out of here!" She mouthed to them.

Ron briskly turned his back, though Akira and Harry seemed a little hesitant to do so. As they went round the other corner, Hermione couldn't resist shooting one last look. Lavender's leg was hiked up to Parvati's hips, exposing creamy white skin. Parvati's hand was feeling around on her chest, both of them groaning. Hermione's steps quickened and soon they were clear of the woods. Beside her, Akira's was softly chuckling, while Harry seemed amused. Ron simply looked confused.

"Did – did you guys see that?" He said disbelievingly. Harry looked sympathetically to Ron while Akira just snorted.

Hermione felt her face heating up. Who would have thought? She turned as she heard footsteps rapidly approaching them. Cho Chang's face came into view as she rounded the corner with her friend, both their faces flushed.

"Well! You don't see that everyday!" Cho said a little breathlessly, eyes sparkling. She stiffened slightly at the sight of Harry, and for a confused moment, Hermione felt a stab of jealousy. Of who, she didn't know.

"Hi Akira." Cho said to the other Asian girl.

Akira nodded in return, still smiling broadly.

"Who really would have thought? Those two girls? I thought they liked guys!" Harry said suddenly, drawing Cho's eyes to him.

"Must be bisexual, then." Akira said, eyeing Cho and Harry, quickly understanding the tension that had engulfed them earlier. Then her eyes found Hermione, something the latter found very disconcerting. It was as if Akira was reading her mind, by her discomfort. Cho's friend tugged at her sleeve.

"So. I'll be off, then." Cho slowly said, looking at her friend in surprise, as if she had forgotten the girl's presence. The friend started to move away before Cho could introduce her, and together, they turned around the corner.

There was an uncomfortable silence as the four of them stood. Ron looked clearly like he was thinking about Lavender and Parvati.

"It may be better not to mention anything to them." Hermione said. Then louder again as it seemed that Ron didn't hear. Catching her eye, he nodded silently.

End of Chapter