Disclaimer: SHArice doesn't own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: Oh no! The sixth book will be released soon! Aah! I must hurry if I am to hold your interest for much longer. Oh, poo...I knew I should've set this story after Harry's seventh year!
o o o o o o o
The Melody of the Sphere
Chapter Twelve: Truths Unveiled
Cho looked out the window from her dormitory. The falling snow only added to the night and the feelings evoked within her. Less than a year ago she had left Harry in Madam Puddifoot's. He had been a befuddled little boy back then and she a shallow little girl. Both had been hurt by Cedric's death and she'd had no right to lash out at Harry like she had.
Everyone was finally asleep. She looked at the large clock between her and Brie's beds. It was well past two o'clock in the morning, but her red-headed friend was still missing.
Unable to sleep, Cho made her way to their House's common room. Despite the distance between her and the fireplace, the young woman could easily identify the red tresses. "There you are, Brie! I was wondering where you were." Brie was curled up in a large armchair, her face hidden in the shadows.
The Chinese girl slowed her rush to hug Brie when she heard her friend's faint, almost inaudible, sobbing. "Brie?" Cho kneeled beside Brie's motionless form and gently placed her hands on her friend's arms. "Brie, please look at me."
The red-head vigorously shook her head.
"Have you been down here long?" Cho asked.
Brie merely shrugged.
"Well, if you're not going to let me see your face, then at least talk to me."
Cho waited until she heard Brie's muffled croak. "Sure."
"Will you tell me why you haven't come to bed yet?"
"I'm mourning over the death of my heart," Brie answered sarcastically. Cho huffed. "Sorry," the red-head replied.
Cho asked very quietly and carefully, "Is it because of, uh, a certain Gryffindor…a female fifth-year to be exact?"
Brie was silent for a long moment. The only sound was their breathing, Brie's becoming more irregular with each passing second. "What a fool I am…" the red head finally said, "…to think that everything would be roses and sunshine when I told her. The wise man was right."
"Wise man? What wise man?" Cho hacked at her memory to find a source of Brie's remark.
The red-head straightened in her seat. Her face emerged from the shadows and Cho could see her eyes were red, swollen; the tracks of her tears were shining on her face. Cho stood to move aside as Brie crossed to the large fire, though not as large as the one in Gryffindor Tower. "Elvis," she answered. "Only fools rush in."
Cho was at a loss for words. If this was the way Brie coped with things, what could she do? What more could she say? Rejection by others wasn't a familiar experience for her. "They're beautiful, aren't they?" Brie stated more than asked.
"They?"
Brie motioned with her hand toward the window through which they could see the snow falling. She smiled and gazed longingly, watching the flakes gliding on the wind's whisper. "Snowflakes…," Brie said softly, "…tiny miracles in themselves. Each one different from the rest yet, somehow, just as beautiful. At one point or another, when you watch them fall, a special one will kiss your nose, almost leaving you breathless."
Her friend's words nearly rendered Cho speechless. She cautiously approached her. "Is that how you feel about her?"
Brie's face hardened at once. The Chinese girl feared her words had hurt Brie more than she thought. "I stayed out too long," Brie whispered. Her voice became more venomous with each word. "Lying out in the snow, waiting for that little miracle to kiss me…I stayed out too long. When the kiss finally came, I died." The red-head took hold of Cho's hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze, and continued to stare out at the snowfall.
o o o o o o o
"You're right. I can't find it in myself to forgive you!"
"It was expected," Draco whispered as he watched the lone candle on his bedside table wane. The grandfather clock in the dormitory struck the hour, three eerie chimes cut through night's deathly silence.
The young Malfoy pulled a polished box out from under his bed, opened the lock, and carefully unfolded the pieces of parchment. He gave a tentative smile, noticing how the ones following the first few gradually grew longer in length. They were letters, Hermione's correspondence to him over the past several months. Draco removed one from the pile and carefully placed the others inside the box.
My dear friend,
As the winter season approaches, I can't help but feel the usual magic that comes with it. Somehow, it makes being with others so much more enjoyable. Gathered around the tree and warm fire on a bright morning, waiting in annoying anticipation for Christmas morning to come, makes the time spent with friends warmer, almost like summer. It's a time when people seem a little more sensitive toward others, perhaps a little more forgiving. Of course, I wish everyone could see winter like I do. Most associate it with cold, cloudy, grey days and harsh winds that leave you numb, but doesn't that make a good bed or sofa or book seem that much more inviting?
The ball is approaching soon. Will we meet? I'd like so much to know who you are. You've become a great confidante and someone with whom I can converse with without becoming frustrated. You seem to have a most spectacular personality. The most spectacular thing that has ever happened to me was learning that I was a witch. All my life I'd felt different, not that I'm any more normal now, but in a way that made Muggle life appear small and claustrophobic. I just wanted to break free, to learn something new and exciting. Like Miranda in Shakespeare's The Tempest, I felt limited by my island's boundaries, wanting to see what other worlds…
Draco stopped. This young woman had trusted him with her feelings and he had been stupid enough to begin the whole thing as pure entertainment. It was just to see what secrets he could learn, what sort of stories had never been told. He shook his head, his disheveled hair falling into his face. "The joke was really on me."
o o o o o o o
Ginny stared into the darkness that her bed canopy had created around her. Would she always be left in the dark? The fifth-year turned for the umpteenth time that night, hoping that this time her position would remain comfortable. There were too many things happening at once – Harry and Cho, the ball, Hermione's secret admirer, Ron's absences, preparations for testing, Brie…
She closed her eyes at the thought of the older girl. Brie. Her name was so simple.
Flashback
The grounds were littered with the festive colors of autumn as trees shed their leaves. Ginny observed a group of first-year students gathering leaves into several large piles. No doubt they would throw their friends in and eagerly gather everything together again. She could still remember the few memorable autumns her family had before the twins began at Hogwarts. She, Fred, George, and Ron would hide themselves in the piles, knowing their mother would have difficulty distinguishing their bright hair from the leaves. She'd throw a fit when she found them.
The young woman smiled at the memory. "Traveling down Memory Lane, I suppose?" a voice cut into her thoughts.
Ginny didn't acknowledge her new companion as she sat beside her, knowing who it was. "My brothers and I would hide in piles of leaves from our mother. Although she looked angry, we all knew she was laughing inside."
Her companion gave a light chuckle. "Yes…I can only imagine." Another light laugh followed. "I guess it's better to imagine anger through a Howler."
The fifth-year smirked. Ron hadn't heard the end of it even when they came home for the summer. "I've been meaning to ask you – is your name really just Brie?"
Brie shook her head. "No. I hate my full name."
Ginny waited only to be met with silence. "Well, what is it? I promise I will not make fun."
The Ravenclaw cast a cautious glance. "Brillyich…Hamlisch…" She shut her eyes, hoping her embarrassment wasn't apparent with a noticeable blush. Brie looked at Ginny who was smiling. "Oh, I knew I shouldn't have said anything! Damn!" Brie grabbed fistfuls of her hair and released, disheveling it.
Ginny continued to smile at Brie's childish antics. She finally hushed her friend by running her hands through the unruly hair, gently smoothing it out. "I don't care what anyone has to say about it. Your name is brilliant."
Brie snorted. "Whatever…I still prefer just Brie. It's so much simpler and less humiliating."
At that the young Gryffindor took one of the older girl's hands in hers. "You're right. Brie is so much simpler and when spoken softly enough…" Ginny brought her lips close to her companion's ear. "...it's like a gentle whisper in the wind."
End Flashback
Ginny suppressed a groan. She didn't need anyone waking up and asking what the matter was. It was no wonder the Ravenclaw had approached her earlier that night.
Looking back on the evening, she'd had a wonderful time at the ball with the older girl. There was no pressure to impress or obligation to keep etiquette. In fact, all of her memories with Brie were filled with smiles and laughter, good-natured rivalry, the occasional serious reflection, and lots of discovery. They discovered new facets of each other and themselves when they spent time together. In turn, their friendship gave Ginny time to see the many good friends she had.
She closed her eyes, trying to stop the torrent of memories assaulting her mind. No! She was finally recovering from her first-year incident with You-Know-Who and the suspicious looks she had received from the students over the following years. She didn't want to give them another reason to shun her again. She had finally found her niche in the school. Nothing was going to disturb the quiet peace she had.
However, Brie's eccentric and magnetic persona was hard to forget. Everything about her seemed to draw you in. Everything from the way she moved to her wit to her eyes. Oh, Merlin, those eyes! They reflected the same unusual maturity like Harry's, but they were brighter and reflected a mischievous nature like the emeralds she wore at the ball. Brie's eyes were bewitching.
"Bewitched…just like me." The fifth-year opened her eyes unable to keep her friend's image from her head. "I think…I'm in love with you." Would they ever be the same again?
o o o o o o o
Harry woke to the, for once, welcoming sound of Neville's alarm clock. He stretched and smiled. In about half an hour he would be in the Great Hall sharing breakfast with Cho. The gorgeous young woman who charmed him into a prince from the toad he once was, Harry noted. Pulling his canopy back, he scanned the dormitory for Ron, but found only Neville trying to shut his alarm off.
After cleaning himself up, Harry hastily made his way to the Great Hall. He was sure anyone could see the slight skip to his step. Quickly looking over the four House tables, Harry sat down in his usual place at the Gryffindor table. Cho was probably tired from last night. He could wait a little longer. After all, he had waited years to be able to talk with her.
"Morning, Harry." He looked up to see Ron slump into a seat across from him. The red-head could only be described as haggard. His mouth was drawn into a frown, his hair in complete disarray, his skin was abnormally pale, and his shoulders were rounded downward. Not to mention that he wasn't attacking his food.
"Ron, are you all right? Don't have a hangover or something, do you?"
The boy in question shook his head. "Hanging out with the guys after a ball leaves a lasting impression." There were far more complicated issues for his absence last night.
Harry smirked oblivious to the truth behind Ron's exhaustion. "Well, I'm sure you'll feel better after eating," he replied, indicating the food that had appeared before them. "Why don't you get a few more hours of sleep?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that." They ate in silence - Harry enjoying the company of his friend once again and Ron trying to remain as calm as possible.
"This is rather nice, don't you think?" Harry commented.
"Huh? What's nice?"
"All this," Harry gestured to Ron and himself. "No plotting for another great mystery, no worrying about Malfoy foiling our fun (Ron bit his tongue), no Voldemort to put a damper on our days...just us getting through the school year."
Ron shrugged. "Well, if you count out that episode you had earlier, I guess you could say it's been all right."
Several moments of silence lapsed before Harry asked, "So, how's the dancing coming along?"
"I'm thinking of giving up on it." Ron looked up from his toast to see Harry waiting for his explanation. "Guess you could say I'm just not cut out for that kind of stuff. I've got the basics and I'm not making out to spend the rest of my life with her anyway."
"Speaking of her, who is she?"
The red-head looked away from his friend's gaze. "You'll see...when I've managed to ask her out that is." Harry seemed satisfied with his answer and continued with his breakfast. A sickening feeling was welling up in Ron. He had just lied to his best friend to cover up for a compromise between him and Malfoy. How much lower would he go?
Flashback
"You're late," Draco said as he glanced at his watch.
"It's not easy being on time after only a few hours of sleep," Ron countered. "Besides, it's only been five minutes." The red-head closed the distance between them. He was lucky not to be caught at this time in the morning. He could still see the stars twinkling in the sky.
The Slytherin noted Ron's morning grumpiness and merely crossed his arms, not understanding his complaint. It wasn't as if he had any easier time getting rest. "I've been thinking," he started, "about our agreement. It's over."
"Over? What do you mean?"
"You know enough ballroom dances to impress anyone and..." Draco paused in his answer. His realization, after spending hours contemplating and reflecting, was difficult to digest. It was far more difficult to accept than he would have imagined.
"And what?" Ron pressed.
"And I know now that I will never be a part of her life the way I want to be." Ron nodded. With their deal over, he could assume his normal routine again without the Slytherin's interference. He could return to being with his friends full time with the exception of one particular witch.
"What should I tell Hermione?"
The blonde removed the ring from his right hand. The dark, oval emerald mirrored the darkness of his House and lineage. He held it out for Ron to take and said, "Give her this. Tell her I was blackmailing you to help me and that you wanted to tell her the truth, but couldn't. Tell her I've given up."
Ron took the ring, not understanding its meaning. "What does this have to do with anything?" he asked, indicating the ring.
"It's a family heirloom. Here..." Draco replied, rolling up a piece of parchment and using the ring to keep it closed, "...this note should explain things. It's for her eyes alone."
(A/N: Remember the ring Draco wore in the third movie?)
End Flashback
The young seeker noticed Ron had stopped eating again. "Ron?"
Ron quickly stood up. "I'm all right. I'll just go up to the Tower and lie down for a while."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. No, it's fine. I know Cho will be coming down soon." Harry nodded. It was nice to know Ron wasn't becoming jealous as he had in their fourth-year because of the Triwizard Tournament. He watched as Ron hobbled out of the Great Hall and, just as the red-head said, Cho came in looking as marvelous as ever.
The Gryffindor put on a bright smile as she approached him, remembering the magic from last night and wondering if she was also thinking about it. "Good morning, Cho," he greeted her as she sat beside him.
"Have you seen Ginny?"
Ginny? Well, that was the last thing he expected to hear. "Um, I don't know. I haven't seen her since last night."
Cho's face fell. She looked up to see her green-eyed beau quirk a curious eyebrow at her reaction. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry. I know I'm raining on our parade, but it's important that I find Ginny."
"Why?" he asked, readjusting his glasses.
"Brie didn't return to the dormitories until three this morning. When I woke up to check on her, she was running a fever and saying Ginny's name. I know she wants to see her."
Harry nodded in understanding. "Hmm...do you think her being sick has something to do with last night?"
The Ravenclaw knew he meant her headache during the ball, but she hated to lie, especially now that they were finally working out their differences. "I think so," she answered. After all, her answer did hold some truth. "Will you help me find her?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
"I think it would be good to bring up some food for Brie," he said, bundling some bread and fruit in a napkin. He handed it to her. "You go take care of Brie and I'll look for Ginny. She's probably still tired from last night. I'll send Hedwig to let you know what's going on."
"You're the best," Cho said, quickly kissing him before walking off. Harry could only smile.
o o o o o o o
Hermione continued to stare at the little box in her hands. It was Crimon Re - Malfoy's Christmas gift to her. She'd forgotten to open it in her excitement to get ready for the ball. I'm afraid to open you, she thought. Everything that happened from the beginning of the school year seemed so surreal, as if the whole thing was a dream. She wished it had been dream, so she could wake up from it and just laugh. She sighed, knowing that it was real and hid the little box in her trunk. "Not yet."
"Hermione?"
The brunette turned at the sound of her name. She smiled at her friend. "Good morning, Ginny. Come...sit." She sat and patted the space beside her on her bed. The red-head timidly took the place beside the older girl. Hermione observed Ginny's uncharacteristic nervous habits - twirling her finger in her hair, biting her bottom lip, and foot tapping. "Did you want to talk about something?"
Ginny sighed. "I never could keep secrets from you."
Hermione chuckled in response. "You just make yourself easy to read sometimes."
"Do I?" the fifth-year asked. "Oh, I'm just so confused right now."
"Don't worry. You're not the only one."
"Hermione..." Ginny faced her and took hold of her shoulders. "What would you do if I told you I loved you?"
The sixth-year guessed, "Tell you I love you back?"
Ginny shook her head. She knew Hermione wasn't that stupid. "No. I mean...what if I said I was in love with you?"
Hermione reacted in a way Ginny wasn't expecting. The older girl's eyes widened. "Oh, no. Not you, too!" She immediately stood up and began pacing in front of her window, rapidly mumbling with an occasional obscenity gracing her lips every other word or two.
"Hermione..." Ginny watched as her friend continued her ranting, becoming more irritated by the second.
"Gin, I really don't need this right now, especially with all the things that happened last night. Oh, geez, this year is turning out to be one of the most frustrating, least I say interesting, years in all my magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This morning is just adding to my dilemma. Mr. Regret, that arrogant, aristocratic, lying, impossible, disgusting -- "
"Hermione!" During her ramblings, Ginny had gotten up and was now pinning the older girl to the wall. "Will you please just sit down and let me explain. I think you've gotten what I said all wrong!"
"Wrong? I thought you said..." Hermione trailed off, then suddenly smiled sheepishly. "You meant that hypothetically, didn't you?"
"Yes." Okay, she had her moments.
"I'm sorry, Gin. I've just...it's been hard for me this year." Hermione sat down on her bed before looking up at her friend. "You were saying something about being in love."
The younger girl nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah...um...last night. Oh, gods, where do I start?" Ginny paused, searching for the right words to express herself. Hermione patiently waited. "As you know, my first year brought a lot of speculation and suspicion." Hermione thought back to her second year, the year that Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort, had taken her younger friend into the Chamber of Secrets. She remembered how withdrawn and unsure Ginny had been immediately following the event.
Ginny continued, "The following years were trying. I can barely remember having pleasant dreams and Cedric Diggory's death made the Chamber that much harder to forget. Many of the students kept away from me because of my link to him. A day hardly passed without someone whispering behind their hand or making up excuses not to study with me.
Of course my family helped me, especially Ron. Being closest in age, I think, was the main factor behind his protectiveness. Overall, it was the DA that really helped. Learning ways to defend myself and having the support of other students made the memories bearable and less painful. I'm finally finding my place in Hogwarts and I don't want to lose it. I don't want to be an outsider anymore. You understand, don't you, Hermione?"
"Yes, I do." Hermione patted a space beside her and Ginny eagerly filled it. The brunette placed her arm around the red-head, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "But, Ginny, wouldn't love make these past years seem like only days? Days that are insignificant compared to all the great memories you'll make?"
The fifth-year looked at Hermione. "Not when it's the love of another girl."
o o o o o o o
"Promise me you won't tell anyone," Ginny pleaded.
"I promise," Hermione replied. They had spent the last half an hour talking about Brie. "Let's get something to eat. We can discuss this more later, all right?"
"All right." Ginny was grateful she could trust Hermione with her secret. She had responded better than Ginny could have hoped for by not interrupting or making an excuse to leave. They found the common room void except for one black-haired wizard. "Morning, Harry."
The Seeker looked up from the book he was reading and warmly greeted the younger witch. "Finally awake I see," he said, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. "Did you get much sleep?"
"Not a wink," the fifth-year replied.
Harry looked at Hermione. "And how are you?" he asked cautiously. He remembered her distressed state several hours ago.
"Good," she replied. "Just the usual Slytherin problem last night."
He didn't want to push her further and gave a weak smile. Ginny noticed this and, to break the tension, asked, "So, what're you doing up here? I don't think it's to curl up with a good book."
"Actually, I was looking for you."
"I hope you're not giving up on Cho so quickly, Harry," she jested.
Harry chuckled. "No. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Miss Weasley."
"Well, then, what is it?" Hermione asked. "We were just about to get breakfast."
"You go ahead," said Ginny. "I'm not that hungry anyway. We can talk afterward." Hermione saw the look the Ginny's eyes and nodded. She really didn't want Harry prying about her running away from him last night. "So, why were you looking for me?" the fifth-year asked after Hermione had stepped through the portrait hole.
"Cho asked where you were at breakfast," he answered.
"Why?" Ginny looked away toward the fireplace. She knew it had to do with Brie. Why else would Cho seek her out?
"It's Brie." Bingo, she thought. "She's really sick. Cho says she's been calling your name. She thinks maybe you can help."
"She's probably just having a dream. I don't think there's too much to worry about."
Harry skeptically listened to her reply. Something was off. "Last night, you practically nursed her yourself...and that was only over a headache. Besides, even if it is just a dream, it could mean a lot more. I should know."
Ginny knew it was futile to get herself out of this situation. "How are we going to get in?"
o o o o o o o
"Hello," Cho greeted the two Gryffindors when she opened the secret passage to her House.
"Hey, how is she?" Harry asked.
"Awake and eating." The Ravenclaw turned to Ginny. "She's in bed right now. I'll take you there."
"I'll wait here," Harry said when Cho stepped aside to admit Ginny. Both girls looked at him. "I don't know how friendly everyone in there will be except Luna." He watched the two disappear and began pacing the width of the corridor.
Cho led Ginny through their common room, with a few curious glances, and into the seventh-year girls' dormitory. Sure enough in a bed situated near the back of the room was Brie buttering a bread roll. "Brie," Cho called to her friend, "someone is here to see you."
Brie looked up and her eyes widened in recognition. She noticed the stiffness and quietness of her once fiery companion. The fifth-year's eyes pierced into her own, sending a nervous shiver throughout her body. How Cho managed to get Ginny to visit was beyond her. But it didn't matter as long as she got to see Ginny again. Ginny...
"I'll leave you to talk," Cho said as she left, closing the door quietly behind her. To Brie, it sounded like a cell door slamming.
o o o o o o o
"What are you going to do after you leave Hogwarts?" Harry asked Cho as they continued their stroll through the castle, their hands entwined.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps a healer...to help with the war efforts."
"Well, whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll be great."
She smiled. Since their last trip to Hogsmeade, they had become more secure of their relationship, more confident in the other. Perhaps those few words would be said soon. Perhaps it was time she initiated something for once. "Harry?"
"Yes, Cho?"
She stopped and faced him, steeling her courage. "I don't want you to be afraid for me."
"Afraid for you? Why would I -- " he started, but was cut off when she pressed a finger to his lips.
"Stop it, Harry. I know you worry about your friends, especially when...when he's brought up. I understand that our relationship may be a weakness in your battles and that us being in danger distracts you. But you must realize that we're all in danger."
Harry took her smaller hands into his. "You'd be in less danger if he didn't know about us. I don't know if I could handle watching you or any one of my friends suffer because of me."
"Do you think it would be any easier for us to see you in pain?" she countered.
Harry cast his eyes downward, running a hand through his hair. This wasn't something he wanted to discuss, especially after one of the most memorable nights in his life. Why couldn't they discuss something a little more mundane like school or quidditch. "Cho, must we talk about this now?"
She knew he was trying to get off the subject. This was the reason why she brought it up. The Ravenclaw fought her tears and took another deep breath. "Yes, we must. I speak for many of your friends when I say that you're pushing us away. Don't! You won't lose us!"
Memories suddenly flooded his mind. There was so much going on at the time. Images came unmercifully - the battle, the prophecy, the fear, the veil... "And what if I do?" he asked her, his voice growing coarse with tears. "What will I have left to live for? You can be taken from me at any given moment and I'll be powerless to stop it. I won't be able to bring you back!"
Cho embraced him and clung tighter when she felt his arms wrap around her. "That's why we'll have to make the most of our time together."
Time...a luxury many took for granted. How much more would he have? When would his fate be revealed to him? Would he be strong enough to let go, be prepared to lose something dear? "I don't have a recollection of what my parents were like when they were murdered. Sometimes not having memories makes the loss a little bit easier to deal with. If I were to lose you, Hermione, Ron, Ginny...or anyone close to me, I don't know what I'd do." Harry closed his eyes, letting the cold corridor fade away to leave them alone. "Everything is so wonderful, so wonderful that it feels like a dream sometimes. I'm afraid to wake up and realize that this war is not over yet. It's merely begun."
Cho drew away from him to look into his eyes. What had those eyes seen that would have made him so strong yet so vulnerable? "Kiss me."
Harry incredulously stared at her. "What?"
"I don't believe the words 'Kiss me' are so hard to understand." When he didn't move, Cho seized him in a passionate embrace, channeling everything she felt for him into a physical act. She felt elated when he began to respond, casting their shyness to the Four Winds. Withdrawing, the flushed young woman smiled when he followed her lips. "I love you, Harry," she whispered, tenderly kissing him again. "It's real as long as that's true."
o o o o o o o
Ginny looked Brie over. Her short red hair was more disheveled than last night, her eyes swollen from crying, their bright green hue was dull, almost lifeless. Sitting up in her bed like that, she looked like a frightened child.
"Are you...angry with me?" Brie softly asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't know whether to hate your feelings for me or your pretending to be in love with me."
"Pretending? I've done no such thing!"
Ginny straightened to her full height as her words turned cold and unmerciful. "Sick and calling my name...what sort of coward thinks up something like that! Well, brava, Brie! You've managed to fool Harry and Cho, but I can see through your damn perverted tricks!"
Hot tears cascaded down the seventh-year's face, running the tracks made hours before. "I'm not trying to fool anybody. Cho knows!"
"How do I know what happened last night is true? That it's not all one big joke to mess with my feelings?"
Brie flew the covers off her, revealing the red, white, and blue pajama pants Ginny got her for Christmas. "Do you really think I would stoop that low to hurt you?"
"Possibly! I've only known you for a few months." Ginny balled her hands into fists at her sides.
"If that's the case, what reason do I have to lie to you?"
The Gryffindor took a step back, analyzing Brie's reply. The older girl was furiously wiping her eyes, trying to regain some dignity and coherent thought. What reason did Brie have to lie to her? She had been open about herself, sharing her history, her future plans, and many insights. "I still don't believe you," Ginny said stubbornly.
Brie pinched the bridge of her nose. This was getting nowhere, especially with Ginny's defiance. "If you don't believe me, then why are you here?"
"To find out if last night was genuine."
"How many times do I have to say I meant it!" Brie screamed.
"Words, words, words! What other proof do have to show -- oh, gods, Brie!" Ginny bolted to catch the falling girl, barely managing to sustain her weight. The fifth-year grunted under the exertion to hoist Brie onto her bed. "Hey," she asked, still somewhat upset, "what was that for?"
The older girl began clutching her sides, a pain emitting all over her body. It was the same piercing pain from her headache during the ball; it had felt like her head would split open any moment. Now, it was worse. Fire...there was fire running through her. Something was lodged in her chest, her side, her heart. The pain was scorching her, consuming her limbs, choking her lungs, blocking her vision.
...the smell of blood and smoke filled her nostrils...
"Ginny..."
Ginny swept aside Brie's bangs to look into her eyes, those eyes that had bewitched her. The seventh-year began breaking into cold sweat, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "Brie! Brie, look at me!" Ginny held the older girl's head in her hands, but her green eyes weren't focusing on her.
"Where are you? Ginny, where are you? I can't see you!" Brie felt tears running down her face. Why couldn't she see? What was happening? The pain was becoming unbearable. A pressure was building in her side, just below her heart. Something was screaming to erupt from her and she could only hold her hand against it, willing it to stop. "Loose!"...the metal of an arrow point pierced through her...
"Aarrgh!"
Ginny lifted Brie's shirt to find a wound seeping blood profusely. She's bleeding! She removed her own shirt and placed it against Brie, praying to any deity to spare the Ravenclaw. "Brie, stay with me...I'm going to get help. You're going to be all right."
"Don't go...just...h-hold...me..." Brie grasped Ginny's free hand blindly and held it. Ginny threw her arms around the older girl, tears dropping to mingle with the blood on her hands and Brie's face.
"Don't you dare leave me! Don't you dare!" Her words fell on deafening ears. The fifth-year watched in horror as Brie's eyes closed and her body stilled. "BRIE!"
o o o o o o o
Draco looked around him, wondering why Dumbledore had called him to his office. He had enough to deal with. Potter was usually the one who the headmaster favored, the one who many had seen accomplish feats that the vile Malfoy couldn't. He let out a slow breath. That kind of thinking was not going to win Hermione over...if he ever, ever got the chance. Hopefully Weasley had delivered his ring to her. She would know what his gesture meant.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco immediately stood, a habit his father had instilled in him when the family elders had commented on his disrespect. "Headmaster," he flatly replied. Dumbledore was followed by Professor Snape who had an unusual look in his eyes. "Professor."
"Mr. Malfoy," the Potions teacher greeted and stepped aside to reveal --
"Father!" The young Malfoy softened his tone at the disapproving look. "Father, what are you doing here?"
"Draco," the headmaster addressed him, "your father has asked that you return home for some time to attend a...family reunion." Draco saw the uneasiness in Dumbledore's face. There was no family reunion. You needed relatives for that...and most of his were wanted criminals.
"What about my studies?"
"I've hired private tutors to make sure you learn your lessons," Lucius nonchalantly drawled. "Professor Snape has written out a curriculum that will be followed."
"How long will I be away?" Draco asked, looking to his professor for any form of support.
"Oh, Draco, you know how long these events take," his father replied. "And your absence will not reflect kindly on your mother and I."
Knowing when he was defeated, the young man lowered his head. "Of course, Father."
"Well, then," the older Malfoy chimed, "let's not waste time. Come along, Draco." Lucius motioned for his son to exit before glancing over at the two professors with his family's trademark smirk. "Thank you, gentlemen. I trust my son's belongings are on their way to the carriages?"
"Yes, Lucius," Dumbledore answered. He and Snape watched as father and son descended down the staircase.
"Headmaster, you know nothing good will come out of this," Snape commented as he kept his gaze where his student had sat.
The old wizard said nothing. Draco Malfoy had come closer to the light than he had expected, but the closer one gets to the light, the larger the shadows behind grow.
o o o o o o o
Two weeks later...
Harry wrote the last of his class notes as Tonks gave them a parting reminder on their quiz next class. It seemed with the start of the second half of the school year, the teachers were coming down even harder on the students.
In addition to studying, there was a lot going on outside of class. Hermione had thrown herself into the work, leaving very little time for anyone to get a word in to her. Ron was around more often and was holding his own without the brainy brunette. He would, as usual, spend his homework time with Harry. Ginny, however, had spent most of her time in the Hospital Wing at Brie's side. Madam Pomfrey, after a shock, had immediately placed Brie under Muggle medical practices as she had with Harry and Cho. Familiar with the equipment, Madam Pomfrey announced Brie would be released the next morning.
Slinging his bag on his shoulder, Harry turned to see Cho making her way toward him. Everyday over the last couple of weeks, she had never failed to remind him that she loved him. "Ready?" he asked, offering her his hand.
"Yep," she answered, taking his hand. Together with Ron they stepped out into the corridor.
"So, it's just going to be the usual drills today, right?" Ron questioned Harry, turning in the direction toward Gryffindor Tower.
"Yes," the seeker replied, "and please tell them Ginny and I said sorry for missing today's practice. We just want to help Brie in case she needs anything."
"All right. I'll see you at supper, then." Ron gave him a quick smile and hurried off to the Tower to, hopefully, finish some homework.
"Are you sure they'll be all right without you, Captain?" Cho playfully queried. Harry chuckled and shook his head. "You know, I really appreciate you coming with me to see Brie so much."
"You're welcome."
The young woman enjoyed their walks together whether it was outside on the grounds or through the castle after classes. She let a smile grace her features when she felt him squeeze her hand three times. I...love...you. Looking up to his face, she saw his toothless grin and light blush. Cho answered with three squeezes of her own.
o o o o o o o
Putting her sketchpad down, Brie blew her bangs out of her eyes. There were crumpled pieces of paper littering her bed. They were unsatisfactory attempts ripped unceremoniously with a grunt. She studied her latest attempt. It was a rough outline of Ginny asleep. She was sitting in a chair next to her bedsie, her hands folded on the bed in front of her with her head resting on them. Brie had done the basics, but the mouth wasn't right. She sighed. What I wouldn't give to study them up close and personal again.
There was so much she didn't understand about the pain she had endured over the past two weeks. First of all, what had triggered that event? Curiously, she was inflicted with wounds similar to Cho in practically the same manner. Perhaps someone was out to get them. It had to be more than just coincidence that they were best friends, right?
Sighing, the red-head pondered about another red-head, one who had stayed by her side almost every night and all day until classes began. Ginny. Whatever nasty words they exchanged were easily forgotten and forgiven. When she'd slip into consciousness on several occasions, she always saw the young Gryffindor - sleeping with her upper body sprawled on the bed beside her, taking her meals at the lone table in the room, doing homework, or holding her hand. Then for the last four or five days, fully conscious, Brie had spoken with her and Cho. Harry was usually there.
Flashback
"She's waking up. Harry, get Ginny!" She heard footsteps followed by the sound of a door opening and closing. "Brie?" It was Cho. "Brie, can you hear me?"
The red-head answered with a smirk. She could sense rather than see Cho's smile because of the blurred image.
"Ginny is going to be so happy to see that you're okay."
"Ginny? She visited me?" Brie asked unsure of what she saw those few times she woke up.
"Yeah," Cho answered. "Before classes started, she was here all the time. Harry and I rarely came here without seeing her." Brie felt her hope soar just a little higher, knowing that the Gryffindor had stayed by her side. Perhaps Ginny would give them a chance. "She told Harry."
"Told him what?"
"About you and what happened after the ball." Cho cleared her throat and looked at Brie's widening eyes. "He was quite shocked, but I think he understands what Ginny means to you. They had a little talk," the Chinese girl reassured.
Brie sighed with relief, deflating into the plush pillow. "Where is she?"
Cho glanced behind at the door. "I sent Harry to get her from Gryffindor Tower. We told her to take a nap before coming to see you." Brie closed her eyes.
"I know I don't say this often enough," the red-head whispered, "but I'm so glad I met you, Cho." She felt Cho grab her hand and heard the beginnings of sniffles and quiet sobs.
"Me, too, Brie," the other girl replied, trying not to choke on her tears. "Me, too."
Brie suppressed her laughter. "Sorry...I didn't mean to make you cry."
"Oh, yes, you did!" Cho huffed, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her robes. "I'll be back. I have to get some tissue."
The red-head only smiled triumphantly. It was so easy to make Cho cry. Every time Brie got her to tear up, she'd get a slap to her head. She heard the door open and close gently. Wow, that was fast. "Hey, how long have I been here? I forgot to ask."
Instead of an answer, her hand was picked up and pressed against a face. Brie could feel the wetness caused by the tears that were running down over her fingers. She smiled. "Aww, there's no reason to cry. I'm all right." She heard more sobs and felt even more tears falling. Geez, was Cho really that glad to see her awake? Brie chuckled and opened her arms, grunting against the pain in her side. She tilted her head to feel the wavy tresses - wait - wavy? The red-head pushed the body away at an arm's length and opened her eyes. "Ginny..."
Brie used her hands to feel the contours of the fifth-year's face, the lines she had memorized so long ago. Damn her sight! She brought a hand to rub at her eyes, hopefully wishing her vision would clear up. "Don't worry," Ginny said. "Madam Pomfrey said you'd have trouble seeing for a couple of days. In time, it will return."
"But I want to see you."
"You will...soon enough. For now, I'm just glad you're alive." Brie could barely contain herself when Ginny embraced her again.
They didn't talk, content in the silence that passed between them. Ginny sat on the bed beside her and rested her head against Brie's shoulder, holding the older girl's hand in her own. "Ginny?" The fifth-year turned her head to nuzzle her face in Brie's neck. She had missed the close companionship they had shared. To think she would never have experienced it again was horrifying. "About that day...when we - "
"Forget it," Ginny cut her off. "It never happened."
"Then what about us?" the seventh-year dared to venture.
She felt Ginny take a deep breath before releasing a long sigh. Brie felt Ginny gently cup her face in her hand, lifting her sightless eyes to meet her blue ones. "I do need time, Brie. I don't know how much, but I do know this," she said, reaching for her hands, "I want to try." Looking down to see their clasped hands and back up through her fiery fall of bangs, Brie nodded. "I do want to try. Just be patient with me, okay?"
End Flashback
"Okay," Brie whispered to the quiet recesses of her room. Reading her watch, she noted classes were over. Ginny, Cho, and Harry said they'd come to help her with all the stuff she'd accumulated over the last few days catching up on work.
The Ravenclaw picked up her sketchpad and pencil to continue her drawing. Would Ginny like it better if it were colored in? Watercolors? Maybe she should try an small oil on canvas or perhaps pastels. Charcoal would be interesting, but it left her hands stained for days and was particularly hard to use for details.
"Your mother neglected to tell me you were an artist," a voice rang from the doorway.
Brie looked up to see a short, round old woman closing the door behind her. "Who are you?" she asked, wishing for her wand. Too many freaky things had happend already, however, Brie sensed a warm and vaguely familiar aura around the woman.
"Who do you think I am?" the woman questioned.
Brie looked her over. Her silver hair was tied back in a neat French braid and her green eyes sparkled with an undying youth. Brie stared into those orbs. She saw love, mirth, wisdom, sadness, and loneliness. That's when she noticed the tiny music sphere on a gold chain around the woman's neck. Brie returned her gaze to those green eyes - her mother's eyes. Her eyes. Feeling the tears welling up within her, Brie felt herself trembling. Unable to say anything, the red-head exhaled sharply, letting a sob and tear escape her.
"Oh, my dear girl," the old woman cooed, opening her arms. Brie flew out of her bed and flung her arms around her grandmother. For seventeen years she'd been denied the right to hug her grandmother, to communicate to her, to hear about the things that this woman had experienced. What had her mother been thinking when she had kept her grandmother, needless to say her twin sister, secret from her? To protect her she'd said. Brie shook her head of the pain and focused on the joy she was finding in her grandmother's arms.
"Grandmother," Brie gasped. The word sounded foreign.
"Brie...my little belle."
o o o o o o o
They saw Ginny approaching from the other side of the corridor. "Hi, Ginny," Harry greeted.
"Harry. Cho. Care to join me?" she said, pushing the door open and standing aside.
"Thank you," the seventh-year replied, stepping through. Harry only winked at his younger friend.
Madam Pomfrey let them in without question. Her patient would be released the next morning, so her visitors wouldn't be a hassle. The three students greeted her a good afternoon and made their way toward a private room where Brie was staying.
o o o o o o o
"Is that what she's so afraid of?" Brie asked, disbelieving the old woman's words.
"Your mother was never fond of her lineage," June commented. "It is unfortunate your Aunt Brianna died. She loved music and everything that was tied to it."
"Mom said I was named after Aunt Brianna with a little bit of Dad's heritage thrown into the mix." Brie rolled her eyes. "I don't know if it was such a good idea. I mean, my name's so weird!"
June laughed heartily. It was so good to hear Brie's voice after seemingly countless years. "Would you like to learn?"
"Do you mean to become a spheresmith?" The old woman nodded, hoping Brie would say yes. Too much time had passed since she'd found out about her granddaughters' births. "Yes! I don't know what I'll be doing after Hogwarts. I've never been particularly good at anything except maybe Charms and most of the time Transfiguration. Will I be able to?"
"You have Calista blood running through your veins. Of course, you will be able to do it."
Brie shared a good laugh with June. This was it! She would be able to spend time with her grandmother and put her artistic skills to use. "I guess the line won't end with me after all," the red-head smiled.
At this, June's face fell a little. Not much, but enough for Brie to know that she said something that hit a nerve. "Grandmother? What's the matter? Did I say something?"
"No, my belle," she reassured her. "I just have a feeling that something is going to happen. Hopefully nothing bad will come to you, but I can feel that spirits are rising and Lady Jhalei's dying wish will be fulfilled."
"How?" Brie questioned. "I'm still alive and events surrounding the Dark Lord have been subdued."
"Just promise me you'll be careful," June requested. "I don't think I could bear to lose you, too." The red-head pulled her grandmother into her arms, reassuring her with a promise and calming words.
"Oh, you have company," Ginny's voice came from the door.
Brie looked up at the surprised faces of her three friends. She motioned for them to come inside. "It's all right. Come here. I want to introduce you." Ginny rounded the bed to Brie's other side while Harry and Cho made themselves comfortable at the table. "Grandmother," Brie pointed at Cho and Harry, "that's my good friend, Cho Chang and -- "
"Mr. Potter," the old woman cut in. "I hope those music spheres have met your needs."
Harry swallowed. "Yes, they have," he replied and looked at Brie's shocked expression. "We've met before."
"Oh, well, that saves me the trouble," she beamed. Taking Ginny's hand and smiling at the fifth-year, Brie turned to her grandmother. "Ginny, I'd like you to meet my grandmother, June Cohen. Grandmother, this is my...friend...Ginny Weasley."
June looked at the radiant smiles they gave each other and their intertwined hands. Any other person might have brushed it off as a friendly gesture, but June saw what most failed to notice - how Brie had reached out for the other girl, how Ginny was lightly stroking Brie's hand with her free one, how they smiled and stared unabashedly at each other. She had lived, not worked, in a trade that required a person to see beyond the masks and far beneath the surface to create the most precious of treasures. Those treasures could express that which cannot be expressed in words, but they still fell short of the experiences their creators wished to proclaim.
"My belle," June gently called her. Brie broke her gaze from Ginny. "All this time I believed our legacy would end in disaster, but seeing you and your friends...I never would have imagined love would end it all."
"Grandmother, what are you saying?"
"The Calista bloodline will end with you, my belle. I can only hope their legacy will not be forgotten because of an untimely accident. Perhaps it will be remembered through you..." the old witch looked at Ginny with a knowing smile, "...and Miss Weasley."
With that, the old witch stood and headed toward the door, saying her farewell to the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw couples. Brie stared the retreating figure as she contemplated her parting words. What had she meant by that? "Did anyone understand what she said?" Cho asked, looking at the blank faces of Brie and Ginny.
"I understand." The three women looked at Harry. He, in turn, cast a guilty look toward all of them. "Lady Jhalei's wish to have Belle's, her sister's final song performed by a worthy songstress and to be contained in a music sphere of her descendants creation will be completed...somehow. June knows this because it has been said that Jhalei's wish will be fulfilled at the end of her line. The line will end because two women cannot continue famliy trees the same way a man and woman can." Green met green as Harry looked at Brie. "The line will end because you are in love with Ginny."
o o o o o o o
Author's Note: Is the fog finally lifting? It is? Well, then, please be a dear and click that little button below to let me know.