Disclaimer: SHArice doesn't own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: Chapter three will focus primarily on developing our couples' tribulations and developing relationships. Hopefully, this will be better than the two previous chapters. Reviews are welcome.
o o o o o o o
The Melody of the Sphere
Chapter Three: The Darkest Schism
CRASH!
Harry tried to suppress his laughter when Ron snorted and whispered, "You can see the reason her mum never named her Grace."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly you two…have a little more respect."
Ron almost fell over his chair in a fit of giggles when Hermione tried to keep her own smile down. Tonks was favoring long brown hair and green eyes today as she got up, brushed her robes free of dirt, and repaired the statue that was cracked only a few seconds ago. Tonks had proven her clumsiness numerous times during last year's summer when Harry had learned about the Order of the Phoenix. Although uncoordinated at times, Tonks was a full-fledged Auror for the Ministry.
The three of them had taken seats at the very front, determined to do well in one of their favorite classes. Tonks smiled and said, "Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. You may address me as Professor Tonks." Everyone nodded, seeming to enjoy a change in atmosphere in the room. "Are there any questions before we begin?"
Harry kept his face forward as Tonks pointed to someone in the back, "Professor, why are there seventh years in this class?"
Harry recognized the voice and knew it was Seamus. "Last year, you didn't cover much material, so Professor Dumbledore suggested an integration of sixth and seventh years for the course." Harry sighed, remembering all the reading and writing Umbridge had assigned them to do every single day.
Ron tapped him on the shoulder and had a worried look. He pointed to the right and about two rows back. Cho Chang sat there, her arms crossed over her chest and eyes boring a hole into the blackboard. She seemed determined not to acknowledge his presence.
"That's not too good is it?" Ron inquired, watching his best friend clench his fists.
"What's not?" Hermione asked, but immediately quieted when she followed Harry's gaze to Cho.
"Don't worry about her, mate," Ron whispered, "If you like, I can send a hex at her during one of our practical lessons and call it an accident."
Harry turned back around and sighed again, "Thanks, but I'd much prefer to do it myself."
"Would you two hush up?" Hermione picked up her quill.
Tonks moved to her desk and leaned against it...carefully the three noted. "Okay, today we will have a small discussion on the Dark Ages, which is remembered by both Muggles and wizards as a time of many wars. For a few House points, can anyone tell me the time span of the Dark Ages?"
Hermione's hand shot straight into the air receiving smiles from the sixth year Gryffindors and nasty scowls from the seventh year Ravenclaws. Tonks nodded and she answered, "It began with the fall of the Roman Empire in 410 A.D. and ended in 910 A.D. when Muggles established numerous monasteries where they practiced their religion."
"Fantastic answer, Miss Granger…five points to Gryffindor. Looks like Ravenclaw will have some competition in this class." Harry and Ron exchanged smiles. "Now, the Dark Ages actually ended with the conclusion of the war. It began sometime in the early ninth century and began with a Muggle emperor named Charlemagne."
"What is this war, Professor?" Neville asked suddenly.
Tonks began pacing up and down the rows. "Over a thousand years ago, there was a time when certain countries of wizards and Muggles co-existed in harmony. However, the Muggle emperor Charlemagne began a conquest of the world. He gathered millions to his cause of world domination, which included many wizard communities at the time. In a desperate attempt to preserve our world, a wizard tampered with the creation of forbidden magic. It is said he later regretted his creation of one particular curse, but was too late to achieve any sort of redemption."
"What curse did he create?" Hermione asked.
Tonks grew silent and looked first at the area where Cho sat, then locked gazes with Harry. "He was a rash young wizard who loathed Muggles and Muggle-born wizards because of their decision to side with Charlemagne. Stronger magic needed to be developed to stop the invasions of barbarians and Charlemagne's armies, so he formed one of the three Unforgivable Curses…Avada Kedavra."
Neville gasped and the whole room went silent. Harry knew the consequences of using the curse on another human being, but to create such evil was truly unforgivable. But why? Why did he do it?
"You might be asking yourselves why anyone would craft such a spell." Tonks initiated the discussion again, "According to a history passed by word of mouth, the young wizard held something dear to his heart and to protect such a treasure, he would do so by any means."
"Is it possible to conjure such magic, Professor?" Hermione asked a little softly.
"Unfortunately it is possible, but now we have better control and regulation of magic. The world of Muggles and Magic split and the separation continues to the present day. We can only hope that such hopeless acts are not pursued, especially after a few incidents regarding a recent war."
"Did history give this war a name?" Cho asked suddenly. Harry refused to turn around and let her bring him down again.
Tonks ran a hand through her momentarily brown hair and answered, "Although many people no longer speak or hear of it, history would remember it as The Darkest Schism."
Harry saw their young professor silently write their class work on the board; the scratching of quills on paper filled his ears. He wanted to listen to the sphere again. His nerves were on end. The curse that had killed his parents, Cedric, and countless others was fashioned over a thousand years ago. Who knew how many people had suffered the invention that man had concocted?
Harry glanced back at Cho. Tears were threatening to fall at any instigation. She stopped writing and looked at him. He didn't flinch nor look away as they held a brief connection. Cho blinked hard and continued writing. The tears cascaded down her porcelain face, blotching one of two names she had written on her paper – Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter. Harry returned to writing his assignment, determined to focus on it than the memory of Cedric Diggory.
Cho continued to stare at the names she had written. Without realizing it, she crossed out one and drew a shape of a heart around the other.
o o o o o o o
Potions with Snape went particularly well that morning considering Neville had ruined another cauldron when they were assigned to brew a Warming potion. Snape explained that getting sick after walking in the rain and missing his class was unacceptable before taking off ten points from Gryffindor. Harry and Ron kept their mouths shut. They didn't want to think Hermione's thorough answer in Defense was for nothing.
After class, Harry rushed up to his dormitory and pulled open his trunk. He immediately dug around for a small bundle in the bottom corner. Carefully, he removed the small object from the pouch. Harry smiled when he gazed upon the sphere's bright orange surface. He had looked at it many times; observing that it remained relatively dull bright when it wasn't playing yet its center glowed and swirled with intense energy and light when its melody rang loud in his ears. He never played it with the other around; afraid that they would say it was tampered with and should be turned in to one of the professors. But how could such a beautiful thing be dangerous? No doubt Hermione would use a rose as an analogy.
The young wizard sighed and left Gryffindor Tower. The Great Hall was a bustle of activity with students relaying tales of their first classes. He spotted the two remaining Weasley siblings talking with Hermione at the far end of their house table. Ron was stuffing his face as usual with Ginny nagging at him to slow down and use his utensils.
" 'arry…wur ye bin?" Ron asked with his mouth still chomping on an apple mixed with a sandwich of some sort.
"Almost forgot my wand for Charms," Harry fibbed. His hand sub-consciously felt around his robe's pocket for the tiny sphere. He took the empty seat next to Hermione.
"Professor Flitwick wouldn't like that at all," Hermione replied. She passed him a pastrami sandwich to Harry and a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Thanks." He put a handful of chips on his plate and tucked in.
"Oh for God's sake, Ron, at least use your napkin!" Ginny had grabbed hold of his face and was wiping it clean. Hermione shook her head as Harry smirked. Once Ginny had finished, Ron began ranting at her.
"Well, looks they'll be at it for a while," Hermione said.
"Yeah." Harry watched as the two redheads bickered at each other; both feeding off the other's seemingly endless supply of taunts and sibling rivalry. He felt the sphere in his pocket and debated on whether or not he should tell Hermione. She, aside from Ginny, was the most rational of the clique. It would lessen the load he would have to carry with the knowledge of the sphere. Hermione continued reading her Arithmancy textbook, her eyes never fluctuating as they scanned the pages at a furious pace. "Hermione?"
"Hmmm?" she responded keeping her focus primarily on the book.
Harry concentrated his mind on allowing the sphere to play. Its unforgettable melody seemed to radiate louder in the Great Hall than in his dreams. Harry allowed the music to fill his mind and soul with the ardor and passion it brought forth. He felt like the world was just about to end, but the satisfaction and love for something dear washed away any doubts he had about death. In fact, death would be his greatest release. The pain in his heart had been compressed to the point of bursting forth in a never-ending stream of tears. Harry opened his eyes and looked at Hermione. "Do you hear anything?"
"Students talking?" she replied.
She couldn't hear anything? "Besides that…"
Hermione set her book down looking highly annoyed. "No, Harry." She softened her tone after seeing his offended expression. "I'm sorry. Maybe you're hearing things?"
Harry sighed. "Maybe…" He let the melody continue until its usual sudden stop, pondering the reasons why only he could hear it. Perhaps that old hag back at the shop could tell him why, but he wasn't ready to face her again.
"Interesting lesson today, don't you think?" Ron asked rather loudly, giving his younger sister a cold glare over his shoulder. Ginny was defiantly ignoring him by chewing noisily with her mouth open. Like brother, like sister, Harry thought.
"What did you do, Hermione?" Ginny spoke up.
"Tonks had a discussion on the Dark Ages," the older girl chirped in. "We talked about a war called The Darkest Schism." She tapped her chin for a few moments and suddenly inhaled ready to speak…
"The Sorting Hat!" Ginny beat her to the answer.
"Huh?" Ron closed his mouth after catching a disgusted look from Ginny.
"Do you mean the song it sang?" Harry asked swallowing the remainder of his meal and washing it down with a single swig of his pumpkin juice.
"It did mention something about the Dark Ages and the war," Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Maybe Tonks was taking its words seriously just like it warned," Ginny proposed.
"But why would the Sorting Hat mention it all?" asked Hermione.
This time it was Harry who made the assessment. "Last year it warned against division in the school. It's probably warning us about something that happened in the past and most likely doesn't want it to happen again, which might explain why Tonks had a lesson about it."
Ron commented, "I suppose it makes sense…wouldn't want another curse like that being made."
"The hat and Tonks just want us to stick together," Hermione said, looking around at her closest friends, "because only together do wizards stand a chance against Voldemort."
Ron and Ginny no longer flinched when the Dark Lord's name was spoken aloud, so it was a little unusual to hear a gasp. Harry turned around and saw Cho Chang hovering over him.
Everyone went quiet. Their short-lived relationship that had ended on a rather unhappy note was not unheard of. Ron and Ginny raised their eyebrows and made an expression like they were whistling in disbelief. They stayed in their seats, wanting to know how the battle would wind down.
Finally Cho spoke, "May I have a word with Harry?"
Ron was ready to protest, but Ginny curtly nodded and pulled her still-flaring brother up by his ear. Ron grunted and staggered to his feet, mumbling curses under his breath.
"Of course, Cho," Hermione said warmly, keeping a warning eye on Harry who kept mouthing the word 'No.'
"See you in Charms, mate," Ron called from the doors leading to the entrance hall.
When the three had left, Harry turned to face Cho. She looked much more calm that when she had left him standing by the carriages. Then she had looked frightened and unprepared. He regretted not having tried that gel Hagrid got him. She always looked nice – it was so unfair.
"You wanted to talk?" Harry started, moving over on the bench.
Cho took up his offer and sat down. "Yes, I wanted to ask about the DA and if we'll be having anymore meetings."
Harry's eyes widened. He hadn't given another thought since the incident with Marietta, Cho's sneaky friend. He thought Dumbledore's Army had ceased to exist, but it obviously still lingered in its members' memories. "I don't know. I didn't think anyone would still want to join after last year, you know."
Cho looked disappointed. She had wanted to continue the meetings because the club helped her in Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts significantly. She wouldn't allow herself to even think about her other – more personal – reason. "Oh…okay."
The tension rose again. Harry felt very awkward trying to swallow his pumpkin juice. The crowd in the Great Hall was beginning to thin out. He just sat there like a bump on a log.
"Harry?"
His head snapped up. "Yes?"
Cho flushed a slight pink. She took a sudden interest in her hands. "About last night…in the carriage…I…uh…"
"It's okay," Harry quickly intervened. "Fresh wounds tend to heal the slowest."
She nodded and said, "Well, if you decide to continue the DA, let us know." She took her galleon out indicating the club's special way of sending memos to its members. "I've always enjoyed the – uh – company at the meetings."
"Really?" Harry asked feeling encouraged to ask who she was talking about.
"Really. Even Zachariah Smith." She smiled – the first genuine smile of the year. Harry's excited face never ceased to make anyone around him smile.
"Yeah, he is a little annoying," Harry admitted scratching his head.
Cho chuckled. "Only a little?" I was thinking extremely annoying!"
"Okay…so maybe a little is an understatement." Harry could hardly believe they were talking about something other than Cedric – and they were having a good time, too! Harry put on his lop-sided smile. The silence between them was comfortable, a hint of understanding lingering in the air.
"Looks like everyone's leaving," said Cho, "I suppose we better go, huh?" She flicked her hair behind her back and Harry noticed its light capturing gleam.
"Yeah," he answered distantly, still focused on her face. He blurted out his question with thinking, "Can I walk you to class?"
Cho almost giggled. "I don't know. Can you?"
Harry was taken aback by her response, but he got up, shouldered his bag, and held his hand out to the Ravenclaw seeker. Cho gawked at his bold gesture. She grabbed his hand and stood. He really was tall! Her gaze only met his chin! After retrieving her bag from the Ravenclaw table, the pair walked to Cho's Herbology class, content in knowing that not all hope was lost. Harry glanced down at Cho. She was probably a bigger enigma than he would ever be, but he was willing to solve their problems even if it took him a thousand years.
o o o o o o o
Harry didn't care if Professor Flitwick deducted five points from Gryffindor because he walked in late without a reason. He took his usual place in between Ron and Hermione at the back of the room and smiled. "Why so happy, Harry?" Hermione whispered.
"No reason," he replied watching Professor Flitwick write some nonsense on the board.
"Yeah right," Ron whispered back, "You look like you drunk yourself one too many butterbeers, mate. Even I can see that something's up."
"Really?" Harry asked, his smile didn't leave his face.
"Of course," Hermione said never taking her eyes off the professor's back, "Being late for class after having a talk with Cho Chang does raise suspicions."
Harry looked at her. She really did have a knack for reading his thoughts. "You sly devil!" Ron was hissing questions in his ear. He either nodded yes or shook his head no. Ron had totally abandoned his notes and was engrossed in interrogating his friend on his recent rendezvous with Cho. They were making quite a bit of noise in the back and Hermione had to kick Ron several times to get him to be quiet.
"All right, class," Flitwick said turning away from the board, "let's try the hand motions for our next spells that deal with acoustics, or sound. Conjuring music out of air can be very convenient when you need a small lift."
"Professor," Hermione asked, "what about music spheres?"
Everyone in the room began to laugh. Seamus and Lavender were clutching their sides. Harry didn't see what was so funny about asking about spheres. Once Professor Flitwick calmed everybody down, he answered, "Miss Granger, music spheres have been a thing of the past for almost half a century."
"But I've seen a store that sells a whole bunch of spheres," said Harry.
A few snickers escaped. "Well, you can still purchase them, but most have either lost their magic or are broken. Spheres are more like the memorabilia of the musicians and monarchs of imperial England."
Neither Harry nor Hermione spoke for the remainder of the class as Professor Flitwick had them practice hand motions and the incantation: "Me de capo1."
Hermione probably didn't suspect anything about his broken music sphere and Harry thanked God he didn't tell her anything. She would have reported to McGonagall right away. The witch in the shop had hundreds of spheres on her shelves. Harry hadn't taken note of it before, but her clothes were very worn and tattered, yet clean. She a dress that Harry had only seen in his history books when studying the 16th century, which was well over four hundred years ago.
Harry practiced the Concerto Charm on auto-pilot. His mind kept wandering back to his broken sphere that was still able to play its song. Harry had no doubt that his sphere was the oldest working sphere in the world. Its small size and seemingly ancient music was enough to prove its age.
Faint music could be heard and everyone stopped what they were doing. All eyes turned to Harry whose wand was producing a golden light, which swirled around the room and took the shapes of a musical bar, lines, measures, notes, and rests. A second wave of brighter light began at its beginning and as it ran through the measures, Harry's song played for all to hear. "Well done, Mr. Potter," Professor Flitwick exclaimed, "You're the first to summon music in class throughout my entire teaching profession!" Hermione was beaming and Ron leaned back in his chair, taking in the relaxing tune. It reminded Harry of Hogsmeade at sunset when the crowd wasn't in a rush. A moment of total relaxation and peace lasted for the entirety of his summoned melody.
After a few minutes Professor Flitwick told Harry the counterspell. With a jab at the air with his wand, he said, "Fine2." The music stopped and the light returned to his wand's tip.
"Very good, Harry," the short man commented. "Remember class, if you want to increase the volume say 'Crescendo' and to lower it, 'Decrescendo.'"
Hermione managed to get about half a minute worth of music. Her song reminded Harry of a lake at noon with the otters and birds carrying on their business.
At the end of class, Professor Flitwick called Harry over. Hermione waved goodbye as she practically skipped off to Arithmancy, her favorite subject. Ron waited outside in the corridors, saying he wasn't too excited about seeing Trelawny again. If she tried hard enough for the next five years, Trelawny just might predict their tardiness.
"Mr. Potter, I want you to know how very excited I am that you were able to execute today's spell so quickly," Professor Flitwick said as the last of the students left, "and so perfectly, too."
"Thank you, sir."
"Also, about those spheres we brought up earlier. Although they have ancient magic embedded in them, the spells used were performed by those who mastered the different forms and practical theories of acoustics. In other words, musical skills like dancing, writing songs, playing an instrument, or singing had to be mastered before attempting to perform an Acoustics Charm to create a sphere."
"Are you saying that I might have some musical talent, sir?"
The old professor smiled. "Perhaps."
"Why didn't you tell the rest of the class?" asked Harry.
"Not all answers are given, Mr. Potter. From your performance today, I believe there is more to you than meets the eye."
"But I've never had any affiliations with music, Professor."
Professor Flitwick rocked on his heels before replying, "Neither do I, but it is not our abilities that allow us to perform an Acoustics Charm. My appreciation for music is enough for me to at least conjure a melody from thin air. That is why almost all of my students never perform the spell properly for a while. They get so caught up in trying to make it work that they forget the magic in music itself. Were you thinking about music in any way, Mr. Potter?"
Harry bit his bottom lip. "I kept thinking about those music spheres, sir. And I remembered a certain melody I had heard earlier in the summer, which I've taken a liking to. Would that be the reason I was able to…well…you know?"
The old man nodded. "You must have been concentrating very hard on it."
"So, in order to produce an Acoustics Charm powerful enough to be stored in a music sphere…"
"One had to have mastered some sort of performing art. When they had completed their piece, they concentrated on the passion and zeal they put into it and stored in the sphere. Today, we merely need to flick our wands and produce a melody that suits our mood or one that we want to hear. Back then, people took pride in their trades and worked diligently to perfect them."
Harry's mind was buzzing with his teacher's words. His hand was in his pocket, fiddling with the sphere. Whoever had created it, must have been through a great ordeal. The music it contained always brought goose-bumps to his skin, no matter how many times he listened to it. "So you still think I have enough heart, or something, to piece together my very own song?"
"There are no absolute answers on matters of the heart. There are only feelings and the actions that we resolve to based on those feelings. You might be harboring some potential musical ability in that being of yours, Mr. Potter…and that ability, that feeling which has obviously manifested itself through the melody you brought to out attention today, is waiting for an opportunity through either your words or your voice."
o o o o o o o
"Does Flitwick want you to take advanced Charms, too," Ron joked as they headed for the Astronomy Tower.
"No. He just wanted to give me some advice on performing an Acoustics Charm." He didn't want Ron to get worried about Flitwick's sudden interest in his hidden talents.
"That was really wicked what you did today, mate." They had reached the bottom of the tower and were staring up at the wooden hatch that lead up to Trelawny's classroom.
"Yeah," Harry whispered, "…wicked."
o o o o o o o
"Cho! Earth to Cho! Come in, Cho!" Brie was snapping her fingers madly in front of her friend's stoned, yet content face. Cho had walked into History of Magic with a dreamy look plastered on her face. She had even managed to get through Herbology (not one of her best subjects) without Professor Sprout nagging at her. Cho hadn't spoken a word since coming back from lunch. Brie became a little apprehensive. Marietta had taken her place next to Cho's side the previous year, but after her rejection by almost the entire student body, Brie was nudged back into her proper place.
Brie, her nickname for Brillyich (A/N: like saying the word 'brilliant,' but with 'itch' at the end instead of 'ant.'), was an American studying abroad. Her parents were pure-blood immigrants from Russia who were very much like the Malfoy family in their beliefs of keeping magical blood within magical families. However, they were very proud of having being granted their United States citizenship and believed in serving America's Ministry of Magic instead of corrupting it. Cho also comes from a pure-blood family and the two found refuge in each other from Draco Malfoy's obsession with his war on Mudbloods.
"Cho," she hissed, lightly slapping her on the cheek.
"Hey, what was that for?" the Chinese girl exclaimed before returning to her abandoned notes.
"You were staring off into utter oblivion again." Brie had to step on Cho's foot in Herbology to get her to stop putting in an excessive amount of fertilizer.
"You could have waited another minute," Cho replied. She had been reliving her short interlude with a certain Gryffindor. Before leaving her, Harry had smiled his usual lop-sided grin, making her insides tie up in a jumble of knots. She had glanced to look at him over her shoulder. He seemed so determined to keep his gaze forward Cho smiled as she took that last fleeting glance at him. She had gone to him with the DA as an excuse hoping to apologize for leading him on the previous night, but received a most-invited conversation. Not even the thought of Harry and Hermione as a couple could bring her down. It felt great to be walking on air again.
"Hmm…who were you thinking of?" asked Brie with a giggle.
"No one special," Cho hastily answered.
"Whatever. I know when you get that look on your face, Miss Chang."
"What look?"
Brie became serious as she spoke, "You get all dazed-looking. I noticed this when you and…Cedric…were first going out."
Cho's smile immediately dropped at the mention of his name. She hadn't given him a second thought since her Defense class that morning. The young woman felt a sudden pang of guilt as she thought about her infidelity to his memory. She had gone out with two other guys since his passing a little over a year ago! Cho brought her hand up to her mouth in fear of retching out her God-damned soul.
What sort of person was she to so easily betray a man she loved? But Cho could not so easily forget about Harry. He had just as much fault in forgetting Cedric, but no, it was not fair for her to blame him for her mistake. Harry had only given her another reason to move on. Fresh wounds heal slow he had said. His words permeated her mind. There was so much healing to be administered that Cho didn't think it would be possible for her to fully recover.
The room became a blur. She thought she was crying, but her eyes didn't sting nor did she taste the usual saltiness that accompanied tears. Soon the room was falling over on its side. Her chest and side shot out in the most excruciating pain. Cho could feel her lips part in a scream and pale blotches that were faces turned to look at her. She felt a warm liquid dripping from the places where the pain had emitted and leaked out between her lips. It was the familiar bitter taste of blood. Cho could hear someone shouting her name as darkness enveloped her in its cold embrace.
At the same time in the Astronomy Tower…
o o o o o o o
Harry laid his head down on the table where he and Ron usually sat passing notes or snickering about Trelawny's millionth prediction of Harry's death. The perfume and dim lighting made his eyelids feel like heavy lead weights, which he had to fight to keep open. Harry remembered the sphere in his pocket and felt around for it. Its smooth, cool surface seemed so out of place in the Professor's heated, heavy-scented, and stuffy room. Harry heard the faint beckoning of the melody asking him to sleep. He obeyed and drifted off as Trelawny spoke of tea leaves…
o o o o o o o
Trapped. He was trapped and there was no where to run except the alley that was before him. Footsteps were getting louder with every passing second. Where was he? The village was ablaze and screams of agony could be heard shattering the night's silence. God help me. A battle was waging and Harry felt a strong sense to protect something. What was it? Soldiers were barking orders at their troops to kill all civilians. No! He wanted to do something. He had to, but what? A sudden tugging at his sleeve sent Harry's head wheeling around.
"Is it really you?" Cho stood before him dressed in one of the most beautiful gowns he had ever seen. Its white bodice and sweeping train made her so incompatible with the scene playing around them. She was scared. Her hands trembled as they felt his face, lingering over his eyes and lips. "Or is the likeness only skin-deep?"
Harry didn't know what to do. Her brown eyes were misting over and he could do nothing but stare at her questioning intimacy. "There they are!" He saw a dozen soldiers clad in armor, unsheathing swords and drawing the arrows back on their bows. Run!
Harry grabbed Cho and pulled her close to him as he raised a barrier to protect them from the deadly tips of the arrows. They rebounded against his invisible shield and dropped harmlessly to the ground. He took her hand and led them down the dark streets of the doomed village. They passed houses with fleeing families. Children were crying for their mothers, who in turn were begging their husbands not to leave to join to fight. Harry wanted to help them, but his love for the woman running beside him outweighed any heroism he could ever achieve.
She fell to the cold ground, tearing the hem of her dress. "Don't let them escape!" The soldiers were pursuing them. Harry could feel the wind rush past him as an arrow narrowly missed his head. He picked Cho up and made a dash for the nearest sanctuary – the village church.
Its stained-glass windows and high steeple were a welcoming sight for the couple. Perhaps they could hide or trick the soldiers. Harry threw the doors open and ran down the candle-lit aisle. The crucifix hung at the head of the church, over the cloth-covered altar. Harry didn't like looking at the man nailed to the cross. He felt himself go weak at the sight. No man deserved to die like that.
Cho was breathing hard, but she kept both her hands wrapped tightly around his. Harry looked down at her, straight into her pleading brown eyes. "Is it really you?" she asked again, this time taking both of his hands. He couldn't say anything. He felt so compelled to wrap her in his arms and never ever let go, but he didn't want to lose the image of her face. Harry stared at her and tried to give her a small nod, but did nothing. He was so afraid that she would no longer love him. Why? Why did he feel this way? Harry could only feel guilt and remorse well up in him as he stared longer. He didn't deserve her. He knew he had done something that couldn't be forgiven, but what? What had he done?
"Finish them!" Harry saw soldiers flooding the church, running down the center and side aisles to block off any attempts of escape. This was it. This was the end. Four archers took their place at the front of the infantry. Their bows were bigger, stronger, and capable of breaking through his spell. "Ready your bows!"
Harry looked back at Cho. A lone tear ran down her cheek. She was smiling at him, reassuring him that what waited after those arrows was a time they could spend together. No, he didn't want her to die. She had to live! He felt her hands grip tighter on his. Harry threw his arms around her, bringing her face closer so he could feel her breath mingle with his. "Aim!"
He focused every emotion he had ever felt in his life into the brown orbs that were the windows to the soul and very essence of what he loved most. He silently prayed: Give me the strength to endure the pains I have brought upon us both. Make me bear the marks that will remind me of the mistakes I have made and the life I am now not able to protect. Let her know that I will always be there with a ready sword to protect her in the next stage of our lives. Allow me to walk in the Elysian fields with her forever because… "Loose!"
A shaft embedded itself deep in his side followed by one penetrating him right below his heart. He fell over on his uninjured side, watching as arrows stuck themselves in her side and chest, blood beginning to flow from the wound. The stone floor of the church was so cold against his shivering body. Harry never felt so much pain. The arrows were nothing compared to the throbbing in his mind and heart. He had failed to protect her. Cho's tears suddenly stopped falling. Her eyes remained fixed on his, unwavering; they had begun to dull. He moved his fingers in a vain attempt to reach her. She was too far away…on another plane of existence. I love you.
Somewhere in Hogwarts castle, a promising young man and unsure young woman collapsed…
o o o o o o o
Author's Note: Was it interesting enough? I hope so.
Church History was a good resource for me when I needed information on the Dark Ages and the significant people who could be weaved into the plot. Also, the Elysian Fields that I mentioned in Harry's "prayer" refers to Greek mythology, where the souls of blessed could spend eternity. Just think of it as paradise, a sort of Garden of Eden.
Okay, so the plot is building and the mysteries surrounding the sphere, Harry's dreams, the Sorting Hat's song, and the relationship between Mister Potter and Miss Chang are going to be revealed in due time. Keep reviewing and you'll get to find out in…oh…several more chapters of cruel torture.
On a final note, thank you to all those who have helped me in editing this: Hotaru, Yashiro, Ayu, and Sakura. -
1 Me de capo in Latin, "return me to the beginning"
2 Fine (fee'-nay) in Latin, "the finish"