Chapter 25: Prediction and Prophecies.
It was turning out to be a beautiful day at Hogwarts. The sun was shining, water dripped off the icicles that hung around the windows, and the weather was warming up. It was almost like the warming position had spilled over onto the country side. The animals on the grounds of Hogwarts were out and visible in the snow. The sky was filled with owls and the students of Hogwarts were a buzz with the excitement of the upcoming trip. Spring was coming to Hogwarts, finally winter would end.
Amelia's classes were flying by, she had just finished one of her best potions classes ever. She was incredibly proud of how it turned out and Snape had winked at her when he had seen how well she had done. When the class was empty she ran to his desk with the sheets of parchment he had assigned for extra work and placed them on his desk.
"You did very well today," he said with a smile as he took her assignment.
"It came easy today, my mind is clearer and I feel much better about everything after last night," she said with a smile and sat down at a desk in front of his.
"Is there anything else you want to talk to me about Amelia?" he asked with a concerned tone.
"I just want reassurance," she said, "all you have to do is answer yes or no and I will be happy," she smiled.
Snape laughed a little and said, "alright."
"So if we are so safe here, as everyone keeps assuring us, then Dumbledore must have known about this long ago, right?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, before your mother even began attending Hogwarts," Snape said.
"And he's then taken all possible steps to ensure that nothing can go wrong within the school?" she asked.
"Yes, its once outside of the school that things get touchy, that's why so many of us go with the students to Hogsmade," he said, "don't think I am spying on you but I don't trust the Malfoy's and I don't think you should either," he added.
"Don't worry I wont let him take me outside of the city,"Amelia smiled, "but thank you."
"Just be careful," he said again.
Amelia smiled at him, she was happy that she had found someone outside her circle of friends that could help her so much and make her feel so much better about the whole situation. It still surprised her very much that it happened to be the one teacher they all had hated in the beginning, "well," she said after a few minutes of silence, "I think that's all, thank you Professor for listening. I best be off to my next class. I will see you later in the city!" she said and waved at him as she ran out of his class room.
Snape sat for a few minutes feeling really good about himself. He was happy to know that at least one of Belinda's children didn't hate him as he thought they did. He waited another few minutes alone in his class room before he took the orb and headed off to find Dumbledore. The Phoenix statue moved quickly as he reached it and soon he was up in the headmasters office.
"Ah Snape, what a lovely day for a Hogsmade trip," Dumbledore said happily as he turned away from the window.
"Yes, it is finally getting nice outside," Snape said calmly.
"So what bring you here?" Dumbledore asked as he took his seat at his desk, "let me guess, I am very much in the mood for a good game."
"I don't think there is time for games Dumbledore," Snape said as he rolled his eyes and reached into his pocked.
"Ah Snape what do you have?" Dumbledore asked excitedly.
"I'm not sure what it is," Snape said, "it looks very much like a prophesy but there was no one around to hear it."
Dumbledore took the orb from Snape and looked it over, "where did you find it?" he asked, his light mood gone and a very serious tone taking over.
"Down in the dungeon," Snape said.
"Yes but where?" Dumbledore asked, "was there no one around at all?"
"Just Amelia Cross," Snape said.
"And you didn't take points from Gryffindor?" Dumbledore asked astonished.
"No the girl seemed very troubled by something but she had fallen asleep in the hallway when I found her," Snape answered.
Dumbledore became very silent as he looked at the orb, "I know where it must go but I don't want to take it there," he said, "you see, those children, the Cross children, are very evolved wizards. If Amelia has the power to make prophesies then she doesn't need anyone to hear it. She herself within her mind is the keeper of the secret and because she can block things so entirely it is as if she is two minds together. Dominic would be the same and he too may be able to here this," he said holding the orb in his hands, "I don't think we should talk of this to any one until we can know from Amelia what might be in it."
"But she doesn't know what it is," Snape said feeling worried, "when I tried to hand it back to her she told me it wasn't hers and that she did not know what it was or where it came from."
Dumbledore's face twisted a little in thought, "it would be best when we return from out trip this afternoon if you and Amelia come to me," he said finally, "we will decide then what is the best course of action to take before bringing this to the proper people."
"Shouldn't she come to you know, if this is so important?" Snape asked.
"Let her enjoy the freedom of the day, we need not worry her until the time comes," Dumbledore said as he looked at a clock across his office, "Ah, I have class now," he smiled happily.
"I do as well," Snape said as he stood and walked toward the door.
"Keep a close watch on her today," Dumbledore said as he parted from Snape.
The day's classes seemed to fly by for everyone and as the time to leave for Hogsmade drew nearer the common rooms became crowded with students. Amelia and Hermione chatted happily with each other as the boys paced around. Dominic has not said anything to Amelia all day but she had taken it all in stride knowing that it was just time to give him some space. Soon professor McGonagall entered to Gryffindor common room, "alright ladies and gentlemen lets be off," she said and lead the way out of the school.
The warm air of the new spring day rushed into the school as the doors were opened and the small village of Hogsmade could be seen down the road. Students from all houses and all the professors gathered together in this place. Amelia found her mother and professor Snape standing close to each other watching over a large group of Slytherins. Dominic has berried himself in another group of Gryffindors trying to avoid his sister. He stayed close to Ginny Weasley for the better part of the trip. Harry, Hermione and Ron congregated together with their friends as they always did for the Hogsmade trips.
"We should visit Fred and George's store first," Hermione said, "just to see how things are running in the new location."
"No they can wait," Ron said excitedly, "who know what's new in the Quiddich world we'll be ogling brooms first," he laughed as Harry nodded in agreement.
"Alright," Hermione laughed, "you do that and I will check up on Fred and George and see you back at here later," she said and ran off down the streets of Hogsmade.
Amelia and Draco walked through the streets of Hogsmade in the bright afternoon sun. All was going well, Amelia was laughing and happy to be hanging out with Draco. He was laid back and more comfortable in this setting. He had taken her to a few shops along the street that she had never ventured into. They had a wonderful time sampling Wizard foods and reading different books. He had even bought her some beautiful wild magical flowers that smelled like bubble gum and were just as brightly coloured. They stopped for a while in a small café and had some butter beer. The place was packed, but not with Hogwarts students. It was more of an expensive place, Amelia would have never dreamed of going into a place like this but Draco insisted, pointing out that he would be happy to put whatever they ordered oh his parents tab. Amelia enjoyed his company very much but at the back of her mind she could hear professor Snape's warning. She had seen him a few times along the streets of Hogsmade watching out for her and she and Draco happily waved to him. He didn't enter the café with them but continued down the street.
"Amelia, are you having fun?" Draco asked as he sipped his butter beer.
"Oh yes," Amelia smiled, "most of these places I have never dreamed of coming into. I mean I was raised a muggle so most of these wizard shops are all very new and different and we never had anything like this at Stary Snow, it was just to far into the wilderness that there were no villages around it."
"What was it like there?" Draco asked, "dark all the time?"
"Most of the time," Amelia smiled, "6 months out of 12 there was totally darkness and it was very cold. But it was a good learning environment it kept us focussed. What else could you do there but study you know," Amelia giggled.
"Do you like Hogwarts better?" he asked.
"Um, I don't know," Amelia said thinking hard, "there is a lot more going on at Hogwarts. Lots of thing to distract the students and I don't really like that but I am getting used to it," she smiled.
"Ah Draco there you are, I have been looking all over the city for you," A man said as he walked up to the table.
"Um, Amelia this is my father Lucius Malfoy," Draco said standing up from the table.
Amelia's heart rose into her throat. A strange, fear passed over her as she looked at this well dress wizard, all in black, with hair as white as the snow outside, "nice to meet you Mr. Malfoy," she said shyly as she reached out to shake his hand.
"Ah don't be shy my dear," he said, shaking her hand and motioning for her to sit again, "Draco told me he was bringing a beautiful young lady to Hogsmade today. I made it my duty to come and meet you, he speaks very highly of your talents."
"Oh thank you," Amelia smiled shyly.
"I do hope he has been gentlemanly to you,"Lucius smiled.
"Oh yes, very," Amelia giggled as she watched Draco turn red.
"So tell my Miss. Amelia are you a pureblood or muggle born?" Lucius asked.
"Muggle born sir," she answered and watched him look toward Draco, "my mother is a pureblood of the Bellatour family and my father was a muggle doctor," she said shyly.
"Ah a man of good standings then in the muggle community, very nice. And what does he do now that you and your mother at hogwarts?" he asked.
Amelia's eyes fell to the table.
"Her father died when she was three," Draco said taking Amelia's hand.
"Oh my dear, I do apologies. I had no idea," Lucius said very sincerely.
"Its alright," Amelia smiled trying to seem cheerful, "I hardly knew the man."
"Ah well I am sure he would have been a great influence on you had you," Lucius smiled, "had I a daughter I could only imagine the things I would like to do for her," he said with a laugh.
The conversation was light and playful with Mr. Malfoy for the rest of the afternoon. Amelia was enjoying herself, she didn't understand the negative views toward this man that she had heard from others but it still played in the back of her mind. She pushed it back for this one moment and enjoyed his company.
Snape had noticed Lucius Malfoy go into the same café as Amelia. He was unnerved to see this and waited outside just away from the door in the shadows. He knew that should Malfoy see him he would be in great danger as the young girl was now. He felt certain that there would be more death eaters around if Lucius, their head man, was. Amelia and Draco didn't emerge from the café for a long time and it had started to become dark. The time was drawing near to return to the castle.
"Amelia, its getting late," Draco finally said after another round of butter beers had arrived, "we should be heading back to the castle."
"Oh you are right Draco,"Amelia smiled as she stood up from her seat, "it was very nice meeting you Mr. Malfoy. I look forward to seeing you again," she said.
"Ah my dear let me walk you and Draco back toward the castle, it is getting dark. I would feel better knowing you are safe with an adult," Lucius smiled and held open the door for his son and Amelia.
The walked quickly toward the centre of the city, many Hogwarts students could still be seen around the street. The wind had picked up and was becoming cold again. Amelia pulled her jacket closer to her as they walked. Draco suddenly stopped by a small ally that ran into the darkness, "is something wrong?" Amelia asked him as she too stopped.
"I thought I saw something, that's all," Draco said.
Amelia turned back toward the street to head back to the castle when she felt a hand on her arm, "what's going on? Draco?" she asked as she turned to him.
"You're coming with me," he said as he began to pull her toward the ally.
"You best remain quiet, young lady," Lucius said as he too grabbed one of her arms and drew his wand, "you don't want the deaths of innocent wizards on your hand do you?"
"What's going on? Where are you taking me? Let me go!" Amelia said panic filling her voice as the grip on her arms grew tighter, "you wont get away with whatever it is your doing!" she nearly screamed as she was forced into the darkness of the ally.
Once in the darkness, Lucius grabbed the young girl, placing his gloved hand over her mouth and his wand at her chin. He pushed her down the ally way, that ended in a door. The three of them went through the door and Amelia was greeted by many, many set of eyes. All staring at her. Tears filled her eyes as she reached out in her mind she screamed as loudly as she could into the minds of the three men she trusted most, Harry, Dominic and Snape.
"Amelia?" Harry exclaimed as he spun in a circle looking all around him.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"I just heard her scream," Harry said panic filling his voice.
"I didn't hear anything," Ron said.
"Neither did I," Hermione added.
"Oh god she's in trouble!" Harry said as he pulled his wand out of his pocked and looked down another street, "we have to find her, Malfoy and the death eaters have her," he said as he and his three friends ran back into the streets of Hogsmade.
"Lia?" Dominic gasped as he heard his sisters scream of horror in his head.
"What is it Dominic?" Ginny asked as she watched him get up from the table they had been sitting at.
"I have to go now Ginny, I'm sorry. I'll see you back at the castle," Dominic said as he ran out of the show and into the streets, "where are you Lia?" he yelled into his mind.
"Help me Dominic!" Amelia's sobbing could be heard in his mind.
Amelia's scream echoed in Snape's ears. He had no idea of the power of the girls occlumency but it was evident now. He could hear her every thought as she was trapped by the hands of the Malfoy's. He ran through the streets to the ally he had known when he was young and a member of the death eater. Dominic and Harry had appeared too. Amelia screamed again and it was heard by all three of them.
"There was an ally here," Snape said in a panic tone as a wall had appeared in its place.
"What do you mean?" Dominic asked.
"The death eaters have a path here, an ally, but its gone!" Snape was looking his focus. He could see the images that the girl was projecting into his mind, "they've got her, I can see them but I can't get to them!" he said as he banged his fists on the stone wall. The sleeve of his robe rolled down to show his arm. The sick snake like tattoo was gone.
"Look," Ron said amidst the panic, "Professor, your arm!"
Snape payed little attention.
"You can't see the ally because you are not one of them anymore!" Hermione said grabbing his arm and pulling him back from the wall, "Professor Snape, calm down," she yelled, "its not going to help us find Amelia if you are in a state of panic."
"But I see her Hermione," Snape said angrily.
"So do we," Dominic yelled.
"But we're not going to save her unless we are calm and we know what we are dealing with. As long as we can see and hear her in our minds we know that she is alive and she will keep the link with all of us the whole time," Harry said, "do you want us all to get caught by them! We can't take on all the death eaters that are there," he yelled.
"And you can't do us any good anymore because you are no longer permitted in their circles. They know you are a betrayer! Your mark is gone!" Hermione yelled.
Snape realised that Harry and Hermione were right he stopped his fit and tried his hardest to concentrate on Dominic and Harry through Amelia's please for help, "we need Dumbledore," he said shaking.
"Well then lets hurry!" Dominic said and the group began to run back to Hogwarts Castle, "just stay with us Amelia!" he called out to her.
"We can hear you," Harry added.
"We'll get help," Snape forced out into the openness of his mind.
"Please hurry," Amelia called out through her panic and tears, "they are taking me away from this place. I don't know where we are going! Hurry!"