greengremlin84 aqueous-08
I would suggest reading their fanfics! They're great! I just got the 2nd chap up! Please R&R! Thanx again!
-Ally-
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Time seems to fly when exciting things happen and ever since his meeting with a newfound friend, Naquila, time seemed to pass in an instant for Harry. He couldn't stop thinking about everything. He was excited yet a little nervous at the same time, but either way the time flew by.
Finally the day came where he was on his way home, or rather the place he liked to think of as home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The very night after becoming acquainted with Naquila, he had received replies to his letters from Hermione and Ron. Both were filled of wonderful news and things that had occurred over both their summers. Hermione was made a prefect and all Ron could talk about was how excited he was for quidditch to start up again. Both were eager to return to school and once again spend time as a group.
Harry read Ron's letter first and was surprised at one of the lines.
I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts. It'll be like old times again eh mate, all three of us. I've missed you and Hermione, there hasn't been much to do around the place so I can't wait for a chance to get back and see you guys.
Harry then smiled when he read the letter from Hermione. It seemed that even though Ron and Hermione fought a lot, they still cared about one another.
It's been dreadfully boring lately; I've already completed most of the extra assignments for the year and started studying for N.E.W.T.S. I need some excitement in my life again before I go crazy! I've missed you and Ron so much, so I'm definitely ready for a new year at Hogwarts.
Now as Harry walked along, what seemed, the never-ending hall of the train station to the eagerly anticipated meeting of his friends, he waved to all the familiar faces of students from school.
Finally in the midst of the rushing and pushing about of the people in the station he managed to spot a head of red hair, which meant only one thing.
"Ron!" Harry called and waved through the crowd of hurrying passengers.
"Harry! Over here!" Ron called back and tried to make his way through the many people. "Great to see you Harry! How have you been?" He asked eagerly.
Ron looked like he had grown a couple inches and his face had changed a bit, he seemed to look a bit older. He still had the same fiery red hair that Harry always remembered; it was just a bit longer.
"Great and I've got so much news to tell you." Harry replied as he shook hands with his friend.
Stepping out from behind Ron was a brown haired girl with a bright smile shining on her face. Having grown a few inches and seemingly grown in maturity, Hermione grinned up at Harry.
"Hermione, you've certainly changed." Harry said and extended his arms to give her a hug.
"Thank you, Harry." Hermione smiled as she hugged him back. "Likewise, considering you must have grown once again." Harry was now at least six inches taller than her and this made him grin.
"Yes I suppose I have. You did a little growing yourself too and you look a little different," he said acknowledging her no longer bushy, but elegantly waved hair. He even noticed the slightest touches of make up upon her face, accentuating her eyelashes and lips. "I like it." he complimented admiringly.
Hermione blushed slightly as she smiled. "Thank you. Now come on we should get our things aboard the train soon. I expect the train should be departing in ten minutes or so, always on time of course," she added.
With that all three of them took their carts and walked through the gateway to platform nine and three quarters, then began loading their belongings before taking a seat on the train.
On the train, the three of them had much to discuss and talk about, all having exciting stories of trips or events. Finally it got to Harry speaking about his eventful night in meeting a new person.
"I've been waiting a while to tell you, but I suppose now is a good time since no one's around." Harry spoke quietly.
His friends leaned in, listening intently.
"A couple nights ago I was visited by a Kirnsa girl. Her name was Naquila." he began.
"A Kirnsa? What's a Kirnsa?" Ron asked as he raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"It's a winged creature similar to a human, but differing with wings and elf like features." Hermione explained. "Go on, Harry." she urged, obviously quite interested now.
"Well, anyways, she came into my room and introduced herself. Then she told me about the prophecy I heard the night I killed Voldemort and that when he died he released a curse upon the world. She said it drains the magic out of witches and wizards. Then when all their magic is gone it kills them.
"Blimey it's the end of our world!" Ron choked out. His eyes were wide.
Hermione shifted nervously in her seat and her eyes too were wide with what she was hearing.
"It's not just witches or wizards though. Muggles can be killed from this too. We don't know how the curse would be put on someone or if it only attacks certain people. All we do know is that we have to stop it. Naquila said she'd come back when she needed my help. I might be gone a long time, she said it will be a long journey, but I have to help her." Harry explained and he could swear he almost felt Naquila's pain throbbing in his chest.
For a moment neither Ron nor Hermione spoke a word. They were deep in thought.
"I'll help you too." Hermione finally said and Harry looked up. "I'd worry too much unless I was there with you," she said firmly.
"You will?" he asked, grinning.
"Of course we will, the both of us. We're all best friends here and we have to help." Ron put in his bit. Then he punched Harry lightly on the shoulder. "No way we're letting you have all the fun." he joked. "Besides, with all the times we've been beaten, thrashed, nearly killed multiple times, this curse sounds as gentle as a…Flobberworm." He swallowed nervously after he thought over what he just said.
Harry looked at both of his friends and smiled gratefully. "I'm sure we'll need all the help we can get." he said.
After the sorting of the new first years Dumbledore gave his regular speech, welcoming all the students back to Hogwarts and wishing them all the best of luck throughout the year.
"This year is a time for celebration, a time to rejoice! As some of you already know, one of the darkest evils that has ever been part of our world has finally been removed from existence." The headmaster spoke.
There were some murmurs and questions being asked from the students to one another.
Dumbledore continued. "Yes, the Dark Lord Voldemort is finally no longer a threat to our world, so I do believe that we should celebrate and remember this year as one of the greatest of our time. Rejoice and make this year the best of all your years at Hogwarts. Do not forget that through all the obstacles that you may face," Dumbledore paused and looked over at Harry. "You will always have you friends."
Harry looked into the wise headmasters eyes, trying to figure out what he meant.
"Now let us enjoy this bountiful feast that has been prepared for us!" Dumbledore said loudly.
With a wave of his hands the grand feast appeared on the tables in front of all the students. They all applauded and cheered as they dug into the great bounty of food and drinks.
"Harry you have to tell Dumbledore what you know." Hermione said grabbing his arm and whispering loud enough so Harry could hear over the applause. "He needs to know about the curse!"
With that Harry looked over to the headmaster only to be met with eyes looking right at him. Dumbledore gave him a questioning look. He must have read the urgent look on Harry's face. He gave a small wave motion pointing to the doors of the Great Hall.
Harry got up from his seat and walked towards the doors.
Ron noticed Harry get up from the table and watched him wakl away. "Where's he going?" He asked Hermione.
"He's going to talk to Dumbledore. He has to know about the curse. Dumbledore's probably the only wizard powerful enough to protect us." Hermione explained.
"Oh, right." Ron agreed then turned back to his plate.
Ron reached across the table to help himself to some more potatoes when he noticed an odd sight at the Slytherin table. He blinked and sat up straight to get a better look. It was a strange sight. "Hermione? Is that Malfoy sitting on the end of the table?" He asked. His eyebrow raised in confusion.
Hermione turned to look at the Slytherin table and her face too changed to confusion. "Yes, that's him alright." She replied. She looked him over more carefully. His hair was very untidy and he looked like he hadn't bothered to fix his robes to sit nicely. The end of the table where Malfoy sat was empty, he was eating alone. "Why is he eating alone and does he look different to you?" Hermione asked Ron.
"He looks like a class scrub. I wonder why though, and why he isn't sitting with those two cronies Crabbe and Goyle." Ron thought aloud.
This was definitely odd. Usually Malfoy was the center of attention at the Slytherin table. He always had his two followers, Crabbe and Goyle, as well as many other Slytherins surrounding him. He sat alone barely nibbling at his food. Malfoy's expression looked to be angered yet depressed.
"Maybe his followers and fan club of Slytherin girls finally discovered that he's just a coward and a fake." Ron mumbled in a low tone. "Serves him right." With that Ron turned once again back to his plate and chatted with some other Gryffindors.
Hermione nodded in agreement, but noticed the look on Malfoy's face. He looked like he was in deep thought and not about something good.
Pansy Parkinson walked over to Malfoy and sat down. She gave him a sweet smile and stroked his arm. Hermione rolled her eyes in disgust and turned back to her table.
A couple moments later a great bang from behind her spun her around. All heads looked up from their food to gaze at the Slytherin table.
"Parkinson I am not your boyfriend so stop acting like it and keep your filthy hands off me! What ever gave you the idea I'd even like someone as disgusting as you!" Malfoy bellowed as he banged the table and stood up.
"But Draco! You…you always liked me! Didn't you? I
was told by… " Pansy whimpered, her eyes wide. Draco had grown
and even if Pansy had been standing up he would have been just a
little under a foot taller than her.
"Did I ever say I liked you?" Malfoy hissed. "I've just put up with you! I've never liked you and your filthy hands crawling over me, always following me acting like your good enough to be around me. Get your own life and get a new guy just as filthy as you are to follow around all day!" Malfoy raged and slammed the table with his fist once more before storming out.
Hermione's eyes were wide as she watched Malfoy quickly exit the Great Hall. She turned here eyes back to Ron, who shrugged at her questioning glance. He didn't understand anymore than she did.
Outside the Great Hall Harry and Dumbledore were walking towards the headmaster's office when they saw Malfoy storm by and head to the Slytherin Common room.
As soon as they had reached Dumbledores office the headmaster spoke. "Harry I can see by the look in your eyes that you have something on your mind. Do you wish to tell me?" Tilting his head to see over his glasses.
"Yes sir, it's about that night, when I killed Voldemort. You see…" Harry said quickly.
"Slow down Mr. Potter, yes I remember that night. We reached you just as you fell to the floor from exhaustion. Although I do wish I had arrived much earlier" Dumbledore spoke clearly and slowly.
"Well Sir, just before Voldemort was gone for good, I heard something and it sounded like the prophecy but somehow different." Harry explained a little more slowly.
Dumbledore's eyebrow rose with interest. "Indeed, what did it say Harry?" he asked with urgent eyes.
"It said something about a curse and a promise. That with the death of one a curse was released. Voldemort must have set the curse as a last act." Harry stopped for a moment, thinking. "It said that it was the end, but the new beginning and then again about the curse, four must combine and it said there was a promise." Harry finished, just a little out of breath.
"Four?" Dumbledore asked, his expression unreadable. "A promise?" He muttered a few more things to himself as he turned to sit behind his desk. He sat quietly for a moment. Harry tried to glimpse the headmasters face in hopes of an answer.
Dumbledore looked up. "Harry was there anymore said about this promise?" He asked looking up.
"No, sir" Harry answered. "I've been thinking about it a lot and I don't understand."
"Is there anything else you need to tell me Harry?" Dumbledore asked, his voice rose a bit.
"Sorry sir, that's all I know" Harry said in disappointed tone.
"I see." Dumbledore said. "Well Harry I must think over this, it sounds familiar to something I've either heard or read, but yes, you may join your friends again at dinner." His tone lightened and he got up from behind his desk.
"Thank you headmaster." Harry said politely as he turned to head back to the Great Hall.
Harry left the office, but decided he wasn't hungry and instead walked up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room.
The fat lady sat in her portrait snoring loudly as Harry approached. Harry cleared his throat. The fat lady didn't move a bit. "Speckled toads." Harry spoke loudly. The fat lady gave a loud snore, but wasn't disturbed.
Harry cleared his throat again and said more loudly "Speckled toads!"
The fat lady jumped slightly. "What? What? Oh, fine, don't have to be so snappy about it." She said indignantly.
Harry walked through the portrait and into his room. All his things lay on his bed and his trunk rested at the end. He didn't bother to put away his clothes. Hedwig chirped quietly from her resting place on top of her cage.
"I wasn't hungry." Harry told her, as he lay motionless on his bed.
She flew to rest on his bedpost just above his head. She cocked her head to one side and chirped again. "I'm fine, just a lot on my mind." Harry smiled at his loyal friend. He stroked her feathers lightly with a couple fingers. Then he reached for a treat and gave it to her. She hooted happily as she nibbled on it.
Harry gave a sigh and shut his eyes. He was startled by a sharp rapping noise. He looked to the door, no one entered. He looked over to the window. He walked over and opened it slowly and poked his head out. All that lay before him was the Hogwart's grounds with the dim light of the sun barely still shining on a small piece of land, darkness covered all other areas.
"Hello Harry!" Someone said cheerfully.
Harry whirled in
confusion around but only saw a blur as something flew through his
window and into his room. He turned again and smiled.
"Hello Naquila." He returned the greeting.
The Kirnsa smiled at him and was resting with her legs crossed on his bed. She was again dressed in the red and gold colours of Gryffindor, but this time she was dressed in red leggings that reached down to brown boots, a soft gold linen long sleeved shirt with a red tunic over top. The edges of the tunic were trimmed with gold. Her wavy hair was pulled completely back, with small strings lining her face.
Harry felt his heart throb in his chest. Merlin she's gorgeous. His eyes widened suddenly as he remember that she could hear his thoughts, if they were about her. He blushed slightly.
Naquila either didn't hear or chose not to react to his thought "I couldn't figure out where your room was, I must have flown around the whole school at least three times." She said as she looked around. "This is such a nice room and such wonderful colours." She was looking over all the red and gold decorative bed sheets and walls that surrounded them.
Harry grinned at this. He too loved the colours and he remembered the pride he felt when he was first sorted into Gryffindor house, then when he first put on his quidditch robes of the same colours.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked Naquila curiously.
"Well my main reason is that I found out some more about the curse and the promise." Naquila answered, walking around the room looking at some of the pictures. She got to one of the desks and looked at some pictures of Harry's friends. "Are these your friends?" She asked, gazing at the pictures of Ron and Hermione waving. There was a picture of all of them standing together and smiling. There was another of Hermione looking up from her homework smiling. Ron was in another picture with Fred and George. The twins of course making funny faces behind Ron.
Naquila giggled at that picture. "You look like you have nice friends." She said.
"Yea." Harry agreed. "We've known each other since our very first day at Hogwarts. They've always been there for me." He smiled at the pictures. "That reminds me, they've both agreed to help in ay way they can."
Naquila looked back at Harry. "Really? That's great then! One less thing for me to do."
Harry gave her a confused look.
"Oh sorry Harry, I'll have to explain first. Maybe you should sit." Naquila motioned to the bed.
Harry sat and watched Naquila as she paced for a moment. He smiled, she looked funny pacing like that, thinking hard.
"Ok I think I know where to start explaining." She said finally. "There is a way to stop the curse Harry, but I need your help and help from your friends. I think we have a way to stop this before anything awful happens, but you'll have to learn some advanced magic in a short amount of time and then we'd have to travel to Great Mountains. The way we can stop this curse is if we can control this old power. See the four founders of you school were able to harness this power together. With it they were the most powerful witches and wizards." Naquila explained. "Before they left this earth they split the power into four parts and hid each part in one of the four Great Mountains. The only way to harness this power again is to combine the four parts. That's where we'll need your friends. This power is the only way that I know of that can stop the curse. It's the most powerful magic ever created Harry." Naquila finished
"Wait, we'd have to leave Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
Naquila nodded.
Harry jumped up off the bed, his eyes wide and he looked at Naquila as if she were crazy. "Hogwarts is probably the safest place we can be! We don't know what this curse will do!"
"Harry I know, but we have to find this power. If we want to stop this then we'll have to travel, outside the safety of Hogwarts." Naquila pleaded with him to understand.
Harry thought for a moment. "If we leave, we risk being hurt by the curse, I can't let that happen to my friends." He finally said more quietly.
"It's their choice Harry. We can hope they don't want to help, but you have to realize it's their choice, their lives and if your friends are as good as you say they are, then you know as well as I do that they are going to come along no matter how much you plead with them." Naquila sat down on the bed with him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you care about your friends Harry, but remember, they also care for you." She soothed.
Harry thought for a moment and his mind wandered back to what Dumbledore had said in the Great Hall before the feast. He had said through all the obstacles you might encounter that you'll always have your friends. Naquila was right. "What about us? Will we be affected?" Harry asked turning to look into Naquila's eyes. He saw that her eyes held as much fear as his must.
"Harry I left my home too, but I know that someone has to stop this. I know we can." Naquila told him sincerely. "Now we don't know how bad this curse is, but since it's Voldemort we should expect the worst. Of course we'll take potions to protect us, but again we don't know if potions will even be any help. All I know Harry," she said using a hand to tilt his head to look at her. "Is that you'll be able to stop it. If we can, it'll be over, forever. Isn't that worth fighting for?" Naquila asked him softly.
Harry gazed into the Kirnsa's eyes. He had never known they held such bright golden flecks. Her eyes were determined, but they felt all the fear he felt. She had been through a lot over her years of growing. She knew what it was like to lose loved ones. She knew that in spite of courage, facing danger could always create fear. She knew little more than Harry did about this curse, but she was willing to risk it all to save others.
Harry sighed. "You're right. I thought it was all over though. I thought after Voldemort was gone I could be happy. I thought I'd never have to fear again." Harry said warily.
"I know Harry, but this it is, this is really it! After this, I promise you, you won't hurt anymore." She held a hand to his cheek and smiled. "I promise."
Harry could not take his gaze away from Naquila. She was so enchanting. Her eyes, her smile, her smooth skin, she was completely beautiful. He wished he could touch her softly or hold her close. Harry knew from the moment he first met her he fancied her and thought she was very pretty, but right now his stomach was turning knots inside of him. Again he felt his heart race.
Just when he thought he was going to gaze into those eyes all night, the clock tower struck the seventh hour.
Naquila looked up quickly then back to Harry. "I have to go now." She said quickly and got up off the bed. She walked over the the window and shook out her wings, then jumped outside.
Harry jumped up. "Naquila! When are we going to leave? Should I start trying to learn some advanced magic? How much time do we have?" He called out the window. He looked around; she was nowhere in sight. "When will I see you again?" he asked more quietly.
"Well you could see me right now if you wanted." Naquila answered.
Harry looked up to where the voice had come from. Naquila was flying just above his window. She flew down a bit. "I'll come back a few more times before we have to leave, but I have to sort things out back home. I would suggest trying to learn some new spells as soon as you can, talk to your headmaster about it. I'm not sure when we'll leave."
"Oh blimey, you
still have to meet Dumbledore." Harry said. "You can tell him
more than I can about all this."
"I'll talk with him in time." Naquila agreed. "But I have to get home." She turned to fly off.
"Wait." Harry said, remembering something. "You said the main reason you came was to tell me more about what's to come, but then, what's the other reason?" Harry asked.
"Well that's a little obvious." Naquila laughed, smiling brightly.
Harry just gave her a confused look.
"You think I didn't miss you?" She asked.
"Oh." Harry blushed.
"Well I really do have to go. I'll come back soon though." Naquila said cheerfully. "Good night Harry." She said and she leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
Harry's eyes opened wide and he almost jumped. He looked to where Naquila was, but when his eyes found where she had just been, there was nothing there. All he could see once again were the grounds of Hogwarts under the light of a beautiful full moon.