A/N: Sorry this took so laong! After i said i would be faster at updating too ... Thankyou all for being so patient, i won't keep you waiting any longer! here it is Chapter Four:
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the creator and owner of all characters and settings in her Harry Potter series. All other characters and settings mentioned in the following story are mine.
The Emerald Dawn
Chapter Four
Starting the Search
Severus Snape, Potions Master, Death-eater spy, and member of the Grey Wolf Clan paced in front of the large desk in the dimly lit room of his quarters at Hogwarts, shuffling papers in his hands irritably. The usually calm man growled in frustration and flung the documents across his desk before throwing himself into his chair. Breathing harshly he ran a pale hand over his sweating face trying to rid himself of what he was seeing – or rather, what he wasn't seeing.
He had been searching for hours and could find no record of the next of his clan. The Grey Wolf Clan had split into seven different bloodlines nearly one thousand years ago. Since then the bloodlines had split time and time again. However, the seven original bloodlines were the magically strongest and the obvious place to start his search. Nevertheless, all the information Severus had on the clan was being very unhelpful. Mostly it was historical fuddle about past deeds and marriages. Crop seasons and farm animal records. All of it was useless in finding the next generation.
Severus grimaced as he felt the mark on his forearm twinge. The Dark Lord really was happy about something. Severus stood quickly and threw open the door to the cloak closet in the corner of the room. He quickly flicked his wand at the trunk inside and levitated it out. Placing his palm over the lock he waited until it glowed blue and clicked open. He opened it to reveal an assortment of weapons and a set of carefully folded battle robes. A shirt of chain mail gleamed underneath the thick dragon hide of the robes, and the old weapons caught the firelight in their silver and polished blades. Severus ran his hand over the robes reverently. It had been twenty years since he had last worn these. He had once hoped he would never need to again.
Sighing, Severus stood and walked to his drawers pulling out armfuls of clothing and dumping them on top of the weapons and battle robes in the old trunk. There was nothing else for it. He must travel to Veridian at once and seek Raif's counsel. Raif had watched over Her tomb for two decades. He had dedicated his life to the cause. Surely he would know what was happening. Hopefully the Potter brat would be there. Then at least one of the New Generation would be accounted for. For all Snape knew, Calithia's minions were slaughtering the newest Light Bearers as he sat around waiting for a sign to light the way. Quickly Severus flicked his wand at his Potions equipment, which shrunk itself and floated into the trunk. The Potions Master turned to grab any relevant records on the Grey Wolf Clan when he saw the door to his room's standing wide open. He froze in mid turn as he felt a knifepoint dig into his back and a hand grab his shoulder.
"You should ward your room's more heavily Severus. You never know who could come walking through your door. Especially in these times old friend." The knife was removed and Severus spun around wand in hand to meet the smiling eyes of his old friend.
"Jack?" he whispered, as he looked the other man over.
The other man was shorter by a head and broader in the shoulders then Severus. Hard muscle was packed onto his body and his face was tanned and weather worn. Sandy brown hair fell to his shoulders and clear blue eyes sparkled merrily at the taller man.
"It's good to see you again Severus." He nodded with a smile of bright white teeth.
"Jack – you damnable cretin! It's been fifteen years! Where have you been? The last news I heard you told that you were busy slaying vampires in America."
Jack nodded and placed his dagger in its sheath. "The entire east coast of the States has become a battle ground for them. From New Orleans all the way to Boston. I've been working for the Roman Catholic Church, wiping out the most dangerous covens and telling the others to be good little vamps for the time being. I've taken a leave of absence to deal with all this business back in good ol' England." He watched as Severus shoved the books and diaries into the trunk and closed the lid. "You've felt it haven't you? You've felt the earth shaking? And now you're going to Raif for answers."
"You're the seer." Snapped Severus as he used a locking charm on the trunk. "You tell me."
Jack nodded. "You're right, I am a seer. And I know a lot more then you do, so keep your mouth shut if all you're going to do is snap and snarl. I came here to tell you I know where the next generation are. I knew you were having trouble locating them and the eye told me that seeing you was of the utmost importance."
Severus turned swiftly. "You know where they are?" he asked urgently. Jack nodded.
"Yeah I know where they are. Who they are . . . I'm not so sure. I travelled the spirit plane and caught hold of their auras. I also felt the Shadow Queen's. She's waking up Sev. She's becoming more attuned to her surroundings, sensing things she shouldn't have the power to. She already has an awareness of Lily's son. Even though she still slumbers, she knows that we are retrieving them. And she's pissed Sev. Really pissed."
"Are you sure you know where they are?" asked Severus as he strapped a dagger to his belt. Jack nodded.
"Positive." He tapped the side of his skull. "They're all up here in my head like little fireflies pointing me in the right direction. I just have to follow them."
Severus nodded and swung a cloak around his shoulders. "Then Raif can wait. We go now and find them, bring them to Veridian where they can safely be trained."
Jack nodded, watching as Severus shrunk his trunk and slipped it inside his cloak. "We should hurry then." He tapped his head again. "She's getting stronger."
Narcissa Malfoy stood at the windows of her bedchamber and looked out over the rolling lawns and gardens that covered the six hundred acre property that Malfoy Manor was built on. The manor was a huge opulent palace of marble and crystal. It had been built nearly five hundred years ago and thanks to magic, still held as much grace and beauty as the day the doors were first cast open for the Malfoy family.
Narcissa lived a life of beauty, money, and influence. They were the reasons she had married Lucious Malfoy seventeen years ago after all. Her family had been falling from grace ever since Regulus had been discovered as a Death-eater. A traitor Death-eater, but still considered a Death-eater. She had wanted an escape from the life she was living in her father's house. Lucious gave her that. As his wife she was once more a respected and envied member of upper class society. Though her husband supported the Dark Lord throughout the first war and now the second, Narcissa had always remained neutral. In her lifetime she had already fought one war and that was more then enough in her opinion. She refused to participate in further bloodshed. But now . . .
She shivered and pulled her gown's outer robe closer to her body. The earth was trembling. She could feel the forces of shadow and night gathering themselves. Calithia was regaining her strength; there was no doubt in her mind of that. She continued to watch the grounds of the manor she so dearly loved – the home she loved more then the husband who had provided it for her. The husband who was currently in Azkaban for treason against the Ministry of Magic. The husband who had bought her name to the mud once again after trying so hard to remove herself from the disgrace of her family. She did not try to fool herself into believing that there was any love between herself and Lucious. She was a trophy bride who provided Lucious an heir. And he was her direct route to riches, influence, and respect. Only that influence and respect were gone now. All she had left was her home, her son and her husband's money.
She should be happy. She was wealthy, healthy and had her adoring son with her. But she wasn't happy. She hadn't been happy for over a decade. Closer to two now that she thought of it. She missed nights at Veridian with the others, talking and laughing in the library. Pouring over ancient texts with Lily. Fencing with Raif and Jack. Sitting in the stables talking quietly with Kate and Petunia after a day of hard riding. Severus teaching her how to shoot a bow for the first time. Laughing with Gabrielle while playing chess on a rainy day. Helping Alice pick herbs for potions ingredients. Narcissa missed them all so much sometimes that it hurt. They were her family and she loved them all more then she had loved anyone except for her son.
She quickly wiped the stray tear from her face and turned away from the windows, walking swiftly from her chambers. Lucious' rooms were on the other side of the manor. They had not shared a bed for nearly ten years. She had taken lovers in that time, as had Lucious as well. But there were some days when she wished she had married for love. An empty bed was lonely to wake up in each morning, and there was no warmth of a lover to comfort her at night.
Narcissa glanced upwards as a pleasant chiming sounded through the manor. Someone had just apparated into the aparation point on the grounds. She frowned worriedly and grabbed a long curved sword from the suit of armour against the wall of the hall. Swiftly and silently she descended the stairs, her pale blue gown swirling out around her, as she swept downstairs into the gallery. Halfway down, the front doors crashed open and two men swathed in travelling cloaks rushed in. The shorter of the two had a sword drawn and the taller a wand. Sparing no time for them to act, Narcissa screamed a battle cry and ran at them, sword raised in attack.
The man with the sword got the weapon up just in time to block the fatal blow from the socialite. Narcissa slashed the curved blade at him again. He leapt backwards continuing to defend while she drove him closer to the wall. Snaking her blade around his, she wrenched the weapon from his grip, sending it flying across the floor. Raising the blade for the final thrust, Narcissa heard a yell.
"Mother!"
Her head jerked around in time to see her son running into the gallery wand in hand. He distracted her long enough for the taller man to cast a curse.
"Perfectuous Totallus!"
Narcissa heard the sword clatter to the ground as her arms snapped to her sides and she fell to the ground.
"Assassins!" She cried as she fought against the curse. "Run Draco! Calithia's scum! Disgusting vile creatures! Get away from me you vermin!"
"Narcissa shut up and listen!" yelled the taller man as he removed the curse and removed the hood from his head.
Narcissa sat up and stared at Severus Snape is disbelief. "I thought you were trying to kill me." She whispered wide-eyed. He scowled at her and helped pull her to her feet.
"Not today Narcissa. Do you treat every traveller who comes through your door this way?" he asked, exasperated.
She gave a small smile and embraced him. "I've missed you Sev." She whispered as she fought back tears and breathed in the scent of him.
"Hey, what about me? You can see that old bat every time you have a parent teacher interview. Me? I had to catch three portkeys just to get back to England!"
Narcissa untangled herself from Severus and looked at the smaller man. "Jack? Oh Merlin Jack!" she threw herself into his arms and clung to him for dear life. "I'm so sorry! I could have killed you! Jack . . . I can't believe you're here . . ."
Severus picked the two swords up from the floor.
"Yes, well we're not here for a social visit Cissy." Jack mumbled from under the woman's long blonde hair.
Narcissa stepped back and frowned. "Then you've felt it too? I was hoping it was all simply my imagination. I prayed I read the signs wrong somehow . . ."
Jack shook his head desolately. "You should pack your things Cissy. We've come to take you home. You and your boy. He's the next Cissy. The next of the Black Horizon."
Narcissa nodded. "I had expected as much. Feared it; but expected it. I shall have the house elves gather our possessions. My trunk is in my chambers."
"Mother, what's going on? Where are we going?" asked Draco with a stricken look.
She swept over to him and took his face in her hands looking into eyes that mirrored her own in the worry and fear that was there. "Somewhere that's safe my son. I have enemies that will find us here if we remain as we are. All will be explained in due time, but right now please obey me completely. My life and yours depend on what we do next."
"But Mother what – "
"Please Draco, this is all I ask of you. Go upstairs and tell the house elves to pack our things. Only the necessities mind. Please my son?"
Draco pursed his lips together and exhaled through his nose. "Alright Mother. But I want to know what's going on."
"And you will my son. Now go – hurry now, we must be quick." She placed a kiss on his forehead before releasing him and steering him towards the stairs. He climbed them quickly, turning around at the last step to look back at the three adults in the gallery before disappearing into the manor.
"He's strong." Jack commented staring up the stairs after him. "And he's completely loyal to you. This is good. We feared his father might have had too much influence over him."
"Of course he's strong. He is my son, I would expect nothing less of him. And Lucious has always been distant with the boy. There is little love between them."
Severus nodded and passed her the curved sword. She smiled and accepted it. "Who else has been called along with Draco?"
"Lily's son is already at Veridian. He had been dreaming of the city. We believe he arrived there within the last twenty four hours."
Narcissa raised a perfect eyebrow. "Harry Potter? That boy can't seem to catch a break can he?"
Jack shook his head with a crooked smile. "Doesn't look that way. We think Petunia may be there as well. Not completely sure of that though seeing as she swore off the magical world after the death of her sister . . ."
Narcissa nodded sadly. "Lily . . . she was the greatest of us all." she closed her eyes tightly. "I don't believe I have ever allowed myself to grieve properly for her. Not with Lucious hanging over me, enraged with the Dark Lords defeat."
"It is alright Cissy." Murmured Jack as he put an arm around her shoulders in comfort. "Now we have the chance to honour her death and the deaths of the others. We will reunite the Light Bearers and fight for our freedom once more. We will make them proud Cissy. We will show everyone that we are the greatest warriors in Europe and we will triumph over the Shadow Queen once again." He smiled. "Now come little sister. We must prepare for the war."
Harry breathed in deeply as he slowly centred himself. He could feel calm washing over his body and mind as he slowly exhaled and gently let himself relax.
" . . . listen to me Harry . . . feel your breath flow through your body right to the tip of your toes . . . hold it there . . .gently . . . slowly breathe out . . . that's it . . . imagine you are on the shore of a lake . . . it's dark, peaceful . . . feel the waves lapping at the shore . . . breathe . . . slowly Harry . . . there is calm and peace . . . "
Harry let his mind be lulled into the incredible tranquil feeling the other mans voice soothed him into. He had never felt this relaxed in his life. He breathed slowly dimly aware of his position sitting cross-legged on the floor of the library. Raif's voice softly spoke to him through the haze of comfort he had slowly built around himself. He could feel the tension dripping away from his body.
" . . .that's good Harry . . . now slowly look inside yourself . . . can you do that Harry? I want you to look into your mind now . . . slowly mind . . . stay calm . . . can you feel it yet?"
Harry let himself fall into his subconscious and the comforting darkness. Slowly he pushed back the darkness and felt the warmth and heat coming from within. He nodded slowly. "I can feel it . . ." he whispered.
"Good . . . you're doing well Harry . . . I'm going to add the spark now . . . alright . . . it will let you have direct access to your magic . . . ready . . .now."
Harry felt a fingertip touch his forehead and gasped as heat exploded behind his eyelids. His eyes snapped open and he fell backwards so he was lying on the floor, back arched and fingers clawing at the hard wooden floor. He gasped for breath. He was in agony. Fire was burning throughout his body, searing through his bones and extending into every nerve ending. His eyes rolled back into his head and he fought back against the scream that threatened to break free from his throat.
"Listen to me Harry! Don't fight this! Do not fight this Harry! You have to accept it! It's a part of you now! You must accept the pain and submit yourself to it."
Harry let out a strangled yell and closed his eyes tightly against the pain. It felt as though he was being burned alive from the inside. The pain was so intense, so all consuming it rivalled the Cruciatus. He felt hands grip his biceps and shake him hard.
"Harry! Come on! Don't fight it Harry! You will get through this I promise you, but you must let it happen! For once in your life stop fighting!"
Harry's eyes snapped open and he took a long shuddering breath and felt himself go limp. The fire waging inside his chest slowly ebbed and drew back into him. Finally Harry was left gasping and shuddering on the floor. Panting for breath he was dimly aware of pain in his hands and fingers, his aching head and a heavy weight on his stomach. He opened his eyes slowly blinking to find Raif straddling his hips and pinning his hands to the ground with his own.
He moaned and closed his eyes again. Raif carefully moved off of him and pulled him into his arms. "You did well Harry, rest for a bit now. Breathe slowly . . . that's it . . ."
Harry let himself be cradled to the older man's chest as he tried to get his body back under control. His fingers were twitching on their own accord and he was having difficulty moving his arms and legs. Sighing, he buried his face in Raif's chest and concentrated on his breathing and the older man's heartbeat. He was dimly aware of the other man holding him to his chest as he whispered words of comfort and stroked his hair.
"It's alright, you might feel a little disoriented. Don't worry, your body just has to get used to your magic . . . you're doing well . . ."
Harry whimpered as strong arms picked him up and cradled him gently. He sighed as he felt himself being laid down on a soft couch and a blanket cover him. The inner warmth ran comfortingly through his limbs, soothing any aches or pains that were left behind from the ritual.
Fingers were running soothingly through his hair and he heard a warm voice murmur something to him before he fell into the deep blackness of sleep.
Petunia watched from the doorway as the raven-haired young man slept on the couch, wrapped carefully in blankets. Her nephew had grown up much too early for many people's liking, but he still resembled a child in his sleep. She frowned as he stirred slightly, his dark sooty eyelashes fluttering against creamy skin. Dudley had been jealous of his cousin's skin all throughout their teenaged years. While Harry's had stayed smooth and unblemished, Dudley had received massive breakouts. She smiled as she thought of her son. She loved her child more then anything else in the world despite his many flaws. He was a teenager after all; he would grow out of them.
Petunia watched her sister's son and marvelled at the differences between the two boys who had grown up under the same roof. One given everything he might ever want or need for, loved unconditionally and praised for every accomplishment. The other hidden from sight, deprived of love and condemned for being something he had no control over. Petunia sighed. She had done many things she wished she could change but in the end her goal was successful. He would lead the Light Bearers to victory, Petunia was certain of it. The years had hardened him to the cruelties of the world. He would prevail and continue the family line. She was sure of it.
The Evens' were the last known family extending from the original clan but had long been a long line of Squibs and the children of Squibs. A magical child was rare in the family. Lily had been a miracle in her parents' eyes, the first in four generations. They had been so pleased when she had announced she was marrying James Potter, from the long and ancient pureblood line. The squib gene in Lily would not be passed on to children from blood as old as the Potters, surely. And they had been right. The child birthed from Lily had borne eyes the beautiful green colour of emeralds.
Petunia felt Raif's body standing next to her as she continued to watch Lily's son sleep. His hand came to rest gently on her shoulder. "He'll be fine. He is young and strong." He shook his head in wonderment. "I can't believe how strong he is. A mere child being that powerful is . . . incomprehensible. The freeing process could have killed him his magic is so strong. I should have prepared him better."
Petunia watched as the boy's chest rose and fell peacefully. "He's fine. Now he has complete access to the magic. He will be all the stronger for it. You all went through it and came out unscathed. So will he."
Raif frowned and shook his head slowly. "None of us had power like that. Not at sixteen anyway. None of us suffered pain the likes of what he just went through. He has been taught the basics in mind magic; he was using shields to try to block it out. I had to make him drop them before his power consumed him fighting against it."
"How long will he be out for?" asked Petunia still watching her nephew.
"The rest of the day perhaps. Maybe even until morning. The ritual took a lot out of him now his body has to get used to it."
Petunia nodded. "Very well. Send him to me when he awakens. I have things I must discuss with the boy." She shrugged Raif's hand away and spun on her heel. Raif watched as she walked briskly down the corridor and disappeared around a corner. He looked back at the boy sleeping soundly on the couch. Something was amiss between Petunia and her nephew, and Raif was going to find out what.
Draco Malfoy was not happy. He was cold, confused and annoyed with the three adults who were pretending he was not there. He scowled at the passing countryside and settled back into his seat in his mothers Rolls Royce. His mother had given the chauffeur the day off and instead the man Jack was driving. Narcissa and Severus were conversing in low tones in the seats across from Draco. Occasionally he caught a word or two.
" . . . she slumbers but soon awakens . . ."
" . . . only two –"
" . . . Jack knows where they are."
" – Torbix or assassins?"
" . . .we must find the others . . . Alices son for certain . . ."
" . . . only three known members . . ."
Draco often caught the two giving him glances, making him feel as though they were talking about him. He sighed. It was going to be a long day.
Suddenly Draco was thrown forward with a yell as the car braked to a halt with a giant lurch.
"Jack! What the devil are you doing!" hissed Severus exasperatedly as he picked himself up off the ground. Only Narcissa had managed to stay in her seat and she glanced around worriedly. She pressed the button to make the divider between the drivers cabin and the passengers go down. Draco rubbed his bumped elbow and pulled himself back into his seat.
Jack was sitting rigid in his seat, hands tightly clenching the steering wheel while he breathed laboriously, gasping for breath.
"Jack what's wrong?" asked Narcissa urgently. She reached through the divider to clasp his shoulder. "Jack?"
He stared slack jawed out of the windscreen for a moment before closing his mouth and swallowing hard. "Did you feel that?" he whispered, turning to face the others.
Draco frowned watching his mothers face turn from concerned, to frightened.
"It's not Her is it? Merlin Jack, tell me it's not."
Jack shook his head quickly. "Power." He whispered. "Coming from beyond the mountains."
"Veridian?" asked Severus. Jack nodded. Severus groaned. "Merlin save us, what has Potter done now?"
"Potter?" sneered Draco. "What's he got to do with anything?"
"Could you feel it?" asked Jack frantically. "You had to have felt it! It's incredible . . ."
Narcissa shook her head. "Show me." She said taking hold of Jacks hand. He met her eyes for a moment before nodding and both closed their eyes.
Narcissa gasped and her eyes flew open. She jerked her hand away and stared wide eyed at the man. "Only Lily's son could be so . . ."
Jack nodded. "I know. Raif must have completed the freeing ritual."
"Incredible . . ." breathed Narcissa. "We should keep going and find the others. Jack you said there were two more from the clans nearby?"
Jack nodded. "The Grey Wolf clan and the West Wind clan."
Draco watched with growing frustration. What was going on?
A hand clasped his arm and he looked up into his Potions Masters black onyx eyes. "All will be revealed soon Draco. Have patience."
"But – "
"Patience Draco."
Draco settled back into his seat to glare moodily out the window as the car started down the road again.
A/N: Whatcha all think? I really love hearing from you all so leave me a review and make my day!
Reviewer Responses!
Lucyfer Pheonix Malfoy: Oh I love you. I'm glad you're enjoying my story. Petunia isn't really magical but she's not really muggle either. She can't use a wand but she can assist in rituals and the like. She also has a touch of the inner eye. She is going to be a major character in TED so there will be more of Petunia coming. I haven't read your fic yet but I'll take a look at it after I finish up with this and leave a review for you!
2InsanitiesIn1: Yes Ron and Hermione will be joining Harry soon but not for a while yet. I agree completely with you, Harry needs his friends. I don't think a fic is complete without them by Harry's side. Thankyou for the review!
ERMonkey Burner of Cookies: Thankyou once more for the offer! I'm sooo sorry about how long I've taken to update. It's been weeks! Arghhhh! I'll try to get them out quicker. Promise!
Dd9736: thanks for leaving a review for me! I know what you mean … my muse goes out of control if I don't keep a hold of it. That's why my other fic TTD is in FanFic-Purgatory at the moment. Completely off track from where I wanted it to go. I'm thinking of removing it and rewriting it from the beginning. Good luck with the runaway muse!
Fighting Destiny: I like your name. Makes you sound like a ninja or sumthin. Hehe … thankyou for the review, I'd love to hear from you again!
Chaseme720: HELLO! I missed you! Action is coming up soon, promise! I'm trying to set the story up for the plot to speed up. Chapter Ten should be the point where the Light Bearers return to the wizarding world – according to my calculations anyway. Love and kisses baby xxx
Sarah R Potter: Glad you like it. I'll try to update faster! Real Life keeps getting in the way …
Thanks to everyone who took time to check out my story! Question? How is it I've got hundreds of hits on TED but not hundreds of reviews? Help me out and tell me what you think of my fic! I love getting them and they guilt me into writing more. : )
Love you all,
Jellylegs