TWO MORE CHAPTERS TO GO! -dun dun dun- TWO MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!
-looks around-
"Time already for another update, eh?" –looks at the date and then clock-
TWO MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!
"All right! All right! I heard that, I'll step on it!"
Hello, my dear readers! That was my brain telling me that I still have to write two more chapters. Still, as I'm feeling much better, (thanks! Finally the head-cold is gone). -phew-
Coming back to story, it has turned out to be 33 Chaptered fic. The last climaxing chapter has grown out of proportions, so needed to be made into two proper chapters. Which means: now the fic would be updated every second day. On 12th Jul— if everything goes right—the last chapter would be posted.
An Epilogue would remain, which I'll post either in a week's time (after 12th July) or after the HBP frenzy, that is sometime between 20 – 25th July.
So keep on checking every other day for fresh chapters.
On to the dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Draco's Wife Lover and Heather, ardent readers of this fic. Thank you, girls! Enjoy your own chapter. (Thank you Alaska:D)
As usual BIG SHOUT OUT to the new readers: WELCOME to the story! :)
And a special mention should be made of Moon of Amethyst, who guessed the stranger talking to Harry as Caradoc. Of course, he's come to Caeli, as he promised Dumbledore. A box full of virtual chocolate-chip cookies for you, m'dear.
And also, Omair, who is the official muse of these last chapters. I've used him as a soundboard and almost gnawed his ears off by discussing the twists and turns of the story. So, Ernie Mon, ab jaag bhi jao, kab take sote rahoge? :P
Point to be noted about the plot:
Ginny's Role: In the whole fic, the POV shifted only thrice to Ginny,
- When Harry lost conscience when was wrongfully fed the Flammalio Potion.- When a comparison was made between them in having fitful sleep, and strange dreams.- When Harry fell from his Firebolt in the semi-final Quidditch match against Ravenclaw.The POVs merely lasted for a few paragraphs. A whole chapter containing her didn't come until just now. That is, from Chapter 28 till 29. From 30th Caradoc will join them as well, and the POV will again shift to Hogwarts in chapter 32. So, just trust my judgement on this, if I wanted to write a fic about Ginny, I would have called it 'Ginny Weasley and the Shadows of the Watchgate' as Diesel- Power pointed out. It's titled 'Harry Potter and the Shadows of the Watchgate' for a reason.
And the thing is, if I tell you what's going to happen, the surprise element will be ruined. I know the POV has shifted to Harry and Ginny, but it's going to change as the things progress to a finale in Chapter 32, which is not so far away.
HBP elements in this fic: I'm lucky and unlucky, both. Lucky, because I'm writing this fic's end when I have a lot of HBP information. Unlukcy, in the sense that I'm on a deadline and I'm freaking out to finish this fic(!)
Still, as Heather noted, I've added a lot of HBP elements in this fic. The flame charm engulfing Harry and Dumbledore, Caradoc's description as the HBP, the old boat, the basin with green flames, the bonding of wizards (Caradoc and Harry in chapter 31). I'm simply playing with ideas here, giving my own meaning to the things that I see coming in HBP.
Time Difference between worlds: This might seem a bit complicated to you, but it's not so. There is a huge time difference between worlds. In this fic's case, I've made Caeli speed up, while earth's slow down. That is, a week in Caeli might mean few hours in Hogwarts. More of this you'll find out in the coming chapters.
Dumbledore and Ursula—Not comparable: Dumbledore is the greatest Socerer of this century. Ursula Weasley, however, was before his time, and after the time of Hogwarts' founders. I've made her plausible with so much power, with Sirius's comment in OoTP, "If ever a family was a bunch of blood traitors it's the Weasleys." They have mixed blood but still are one of the oldest Pureblood families—makes you think, doesn't it? And don't forget the fact that Dumbledore knew about other worlds, just not Caeli, but he had been preparing Caradoc for something unforeseen as this—a proof of his intelligence and power.
I will be discussing more such points later on. But, let's leave that for the next chapter.
Many thanks to: gdugrey, thephantom114, Green Eyes, Draco's Wife Lover, Mahjabeen, Diesel-Power, Huggin's Legacy, MoA, yorkvillebird, Faceless One, MissyMay, Silver Phoenix Fire, Macy, applesollie and Staci for dropping by! You all are my motivators! -hugs-
And to the answers:
Elle's Bells, Merci, m'dear! Here's more for you.
Green eyes, You deserved a dedication. –smiles- and you'll soon find out what's happening at the other end. Just wait another chapter. But, I can bet you'll be much interested in what's going to come next, though. Still, no worries, just another two days the next update would be here. And yeah, that 'pansies' line's one of my favorites too, along with, "Cute and cuddly, boys. Cute and Cuddly!" Didn't you just loved the Penguins:D
Mahjabeen, Hehehee. What can I do? I just can't resist these cliffhangers, and they always happen at the time I'm ending a chapter. :D I'm feeling much better now, thanks for all the wishes and being a regular reviewer! Take care.
thephantom114, Well, I got a lot of help from other writers in fandom, and then again, I do write professionally for dailies, so that helped too. I've decided that I WILL write the Epilogue, but I'm not sure when I'll be posting it. But, I'll keep you posted, by the last chapter, which is not that far. -sigh- Thanks for the wishes. Enjoy another chapter!
MoA, YEY for finishing the fic before HBP, of course! It's hanging over my head as a double-edged sword. Woo! –looks at the sword and gulps- And you're right about Caradoc, and he'll be helping this pair into doing what they were meant to do. Enjoy the chapters!
Heather, Ah! From where should I begin? It seems that I write for reviews like this. Someone, who would see what lengths I go to, to make things canon and background research that I put in. Thanks for noticing all this; I'm much humbled by your elaborate review. I hope, you keep on enjoying this fic. Take care!
gdugrey, To tell you the truth, this chapter was "huh what!" exactly. But, all the questions are answered in the current chapter, so you don't have to worry, what's actually going down. Thanks for the wishes, and here's another update for you!
Draco's Wife Lover, -grins- I've been known as the Cliffhanger Queen, so sorry about that. Still, I'm compensating with speedy updates, so in only two days' wait you'll know more! About the rates of the updates, actually, I'm one of those writers who likes everything organized. When I started this fic, I really didn't know where I wanted it to end, except that it would be an year-six fic. After 10 chapters though, I had to sit and outline what I really wanted to do with this, and so the whole plot came to me. Of course, the clues that JKR provided in her interviews and site helped loads. Right now, I've written till Chapter 31, while I know exactly what's going to come in Chapter 32 and 33. Thanks for the compliments. Enjoy the story!
Diesel-Power, Actually, I liked the way you proved your point in your review, which made my lazy butt to get off the pedestal and do some explaining. ;) As explained above, the POV will be changing soon, however, there's a unique war at hand and so the unique way it should be dealt. Harry's there for a reason, and the prophecy is as important as ever.
Huggin's Legacy, -LOL- Darn, yes. Still, another speedy update, and even if it ends in a cliffie, you'll get to the next chapter in two days time. So, just wait a little for more fun. Enjoy the update:)
Yorkvillebird, Do you know when I don't get this message, I get worried that where you have gone to? -smiles- Thanks for liking it, and here's more!
Faceless One, Thanks, matey.(Ar!)Here's another update for you, and I hope you keep on enjoying the fic!
Missy May, I'm glad that you approve. :) Happy readers mean, happy writer! Here's another speedy one for you! Take care!
Silver Phoenix Fire, Actually, it was not Corner but Voldemort inducing Corner to do all this. I'll be explaining more in the last chapter. You're right about Caradoc! About what made them sleep, Caradoc will explain it to you in this chapter. Thanks for liking the twists and turn, I've worked quite hard on them. Here's another update for you!
Macy, HEY girl,I actually missed your outrageous reviews. Good to see you back and still enjoying the fic, along with darning me to heck! -LOL- Enjoy!
applesollie, I'm glad that you are liking my style. :D Hope, you like the rest of the fic.
Staci, Muchos Gracias! Staci dear. I actually whooped with joy finding you here. You know, I started posting this fic at DM and HPN first and it has been an experience from then to now. I'm sooo happy to see you find this again. And you're still enjoying the fic! What more a writer could wish for? Thanks for dropping by! (And also for swinging by at Intervallum).
Without further ado, let me present to you 30th Chapter:
Chapter 30 – Umbra Fanum
(Translation: The Shadow Temple)
A strange looking old man was staring right at Harry. He was wearing wire-rimmed spectacles, through which a pair of bright yellowish eyes peered at him. He had a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp towards him.
"Who are you?" Harry pointed his wand at the stranger, taking in his blue-tinged skin.
"Sorry, I couldn't introduce myself sooner, Harry. I'm Caradoc Dearborn."
A flicker of recognition passed through Harry's mind, as he tried to remember where he had heard the name before. "Do I know you?"
"I don't think so… Would it be sufficient if I say, Dumbledore sent his regards?"
"You've to do better than that." Harry's wand-hand didn't even flinch.
Ginny stirred with the sound of their voices, and finally woke up issuing a moan, and then a surprised gasp.
"It's all right, Ginny," Harry comforted her—still pointing his wand at Caradoc—as she took deep breathes and looked wildly around herself. It was then he observed the new auburn streaks that highlighted her hair.
"You both have changed," Caradoc pronounced ominously.
"What d'you mean?" Harry gazed at Caradoc, perplexed. Without waiting for an answer, he crouched down beside the lake, and looked at his reflection.
Harry gasped, noticing the grassy-green streak in his own black hair, which stood out creepily on his head. His skin looked paler; hair, wilder still—as though it was possible to be more so. Two pointed ears poked out of his unruly mane. He wriggled them, touched them to making sure that they were his. They felt his but their shape had gone through quite a change in his short sleep.
"What's happening to,"—He looked at Ginny, noticing her pointed ears as well, along the identical pale skin—"us?"
"If you don't watch out, you can forget your past and become a Caelian being."
"Can't you speak in English?" Ginny spat irately. She seemed to regain herself, as she, too, pointed her wand at Caradoc. "I didn't catch your name."
The Drifter in turn, seemed highly amused by all this. "I'm Caradoc Dearborn, Ginny. I'm here to… well, help you two along."
Looking at their arrested expressions, he continued, "Your great-great-grandmother had a sense of humor, I suppose. She fashioned this world so securely, that even if some being was successful in entering it, by the time he, or she, actually knew what they were supposed to do to acquire the Vita Scroll, they forget their past life, and why they had come to Caeli. You see, the more you eat and drink of Caeli, the more it grows on you."
Getting no response out of them, he went on, "Don't tell me, you two had pointed ears from birth? Haven't any of you done something that you'd rather forget? Or got embarrassed after you did it?"
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, both red in the face.
"Er… No—"
"Nothing, really—"
Both started at the same time but paused as they remembered their last night.
Ginny's eyes dilated. "I drank the water like an animal!"
"I did the same, and—" Harry stifled the rest of the words; he was sure that confessing what he wanted to do with Ginny was totally inappropriate.
"How d'you know all this?" Harry looked at Caradoc with suspicion. "Has Dumbledore actually sent you, or you're one of Voldemort's minions?"
"How can we possibly trust you?" Ginny piped in.
"Because I am the one who sent you two here in the first place... And I'd die before submitting to Voldemort," he spat vehemently.
"It was you!" Harry's eyes popped. "How could you Poly-Juice into the young Sirius?"
"I'm a Shapeshifter, Harry, I didn't Poly-Juice." Caradoc took a deep breath and began his tale, the same one he had reported in Dumbledore's office—only with one exception; he didn't mention anything about the Ulterian Mages' prediction about the heir of scroll, and how the heir was deemed to die in a strange battle. He did the talking as quickly as he could, as the time was running out of their hands.
In the course of Caradoc's account, Harry and Ginny paced about while listening closely. Their clothes were finally dry, and if they were hungry again, they curbed their want with resolve and took in the troves of information that Caradoc heaped on them.
Just as he finished, Harry added with an amused expression, "I remember now. You're that bright-eyed boy I saw in Sirius's memory…"
"Yes, I was in the same year as your parents and godfather. I look older than my years because of time spent in Taita."
Harry and Ginny were doing their own share of deep thinking.
"That's why your skin's all funny?" Ginny asked.
"No. This is all Livor's doing. I'm not allowed here, as I'm neither the heir nor a Scroll Bearer. But, being a Drifter allows me to enter Caeli."
"D'you know what we ought to do?" Ginny asked gullibly.
"Almost. The Mages of Taita had been very generous when they taught me their magic. They also imparted me with a lot of knowledge. I'm here, because I was supposed to be here."
"Was there a prophecy?" Harry asked, curiously; his mind working on the possibility of another cryptic prophecy regarding his fate.
"No." Caradoc looked at him strangely. "You can call it a premonition given by the Mages of Ulterius."
"Right… So, Voldemort has the other two scrolls… And he can still use them? How?"
"That's what I'm going to teach you. It's not that difficult, really."
"Do you know anything about some spells not working here?" Ginny asked quizzically.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Conjuring spells wouldn't work because the main principles of this world are not like earth's; there's no center of gravity here. Ursula imitated the main principles of earth here—not the real thing, though. Except conjuring, every other spell will work. Just don't expect water to come shooting from your wands."
"There goes my Shield Charm," Harry said forlornly. As if noticing for the first time, he looked at the blue fire, roaring beneath the tree. "Then how did you—?"
"Livor, right?" Ginny answered for Caradoc.
"Precisely!" Caradoc beamed at her.
"That means I can still use my Bat Boogey. Yes!" Ginny grinned.
"That would be interesting to watch." Harry smiled at her. As an afterthought he added, "I can bet Ron and Hermione would give anything to be here."
"They'll take out that frustration on each other." Ginny shook her head sadly. She knew for a fact what that always led to: their rowing for the umpteenth time.
"We must prepare," Caradoc interrupted, looking at the sky which was darkening again. "Time's slipping by, and we can't afford to lose it."
The other two followed his gaze and groaned.
"Oh no!" Ginny moaned, while Harry made a face.
"Another day wasted!" Harry kicked at the ground.
"Not a waste. We still have time. Not much, but we'll manage. You're at your initial stages of transformation, and if you don't eat much of here, Caeli wouldn't grow on you."
Only the mention of eating made Harry's stomach growl. "How can we survive without food?" His stomach gave a horrible turn.
"If you pace yourselves right, and only drink water; transformation would be minimal." Caradoc plucked three large leaves, and passed them two, while with the third one he drank some water off the lake.
"This transformation is not permanent, is it?" Ginny asked nervously.
"No. As soon as you'll leave Caeli, you'll turn back to your real-self; however you can't backtrack in time. You'd be older than before. As you're spending only a month here however, you'd only be a month older in your own time.
"We need to act fast. I know Voldemort's lurking about somewhere." He stared at them grimly. "Face it; he has the other two scrolls. Without him, the fusion wouldn't be possible."
"You don't mean…?" Ginny's heart thumped in her chest. She still had nightmares about Tom Riddle.
"Ultimately, to get the scroll, you would've to duel Voldemort. To possess the Vita Scroll you have to overpower Voldemort, keeping in mind that he can do vice versa. Of course, I'll be helping along as well.
"On the upside we're on the better side because Voldemort can't bring his Death Eaters here. They'll die if they try to enter."—Harry remembered the painful shrieks of a Death Eater, who got sucked into the portal in the Platform Nine and Three-Quarters—"It would be him and the forces of the scroll. So, if I see correctly, we have a good chance in winning this battle. We just need to act fast enough." The urgency in his voice rubbed them too.
"Is there anything that you're not telling us?" Ginny asked shrewdly.
A strange expression came over Caradoc. "Truthfully speaking, no one really knows what's in the future. Even prophecies go astray with time. I'm only guided by the Ulterian Mages' prediction. Nothing more."
"What forces are you talking about?" Harry asked.
"I'm told that the temple possesses all the forces that Ursula gathered in her life. Some of them were not only used to guard the four disseminated scrolls but for guarding the temple as well. You can deem it the heart of Ursula's powers."
"Let's get on it then," Harry said with resolve. "I don't want to sprout a tail by lazing around here."
"That's the spirit," Caradoc nodded at him. "For the best and fastest transport, Ventosus Scroll would help." He signaled Harry to take it out. "Trust me; I'm not going to run for it."
"Should I take out the other one as well?" Ginny asked.
"Of course, practicing is what you two have to do."
They both nodded and took out the scrolls.
Caradoc took the Ventosus Scroll first and opened it, while the other two peered at it by standing on either side of him. There were strange letterings inside it. Caradoc took out his wand—which seemed to be made out of liquid metal that shifted continuously, giving it an ever-shining, molten look—and pointed it at the scroll. A soft blue light came out of it, showering the scroll. Some letters became prominent, while Caradoc's eyes roved around them. Then he repeated the same procedure with Aqua Scroll.
Harry noticed that the letterings were of the same ancient language.
"Well then." Caradoc folded the scrolls, and rolled the sleeves of his shirt up. "Ginny, grab the Aqua Scroll—no, you don't need to open it—close your eyes and feel its power. Just concentrate your mind so that you could only feel the scroll in your hand…"
Ginny followed his directions, closed his eyes and stood rigid near the lake.
"I feel a vibration…" Ginny muttered.
"Yes! The scroll is analyzing you, and I'm guessing that it recognizes Ursula's blood in you?"
Harry's mouth sagged as the scroll glowed in Ginny's hand. Ginny didn't make another sound, as her feet slowly left the ground. An unseen light flapped her skirt about, while her hair waved dreamily around her face covering the pointed ears. She floated just a foot above the ground, as a yellowish glow surrounded her body, trapping her in its halo.
After a while, slowly as before, her feet touched the ground. She opened her eyes, and without speaking to them, she turned towards the lake. Still grasping the scroll in one hand, she directed the other one at the lake. A wave as tall as Ginny came towards her. She flexed her fingers at it and the wave stopped—suspended above the lake in an arc. Ginny reached at it with her free hand, and the wave fell to the surface in a splash, splattering them all.
"Excellent!" Caradoc's eyes were shining with pride.
Ginny flushed looking at Harry's expression.
Harry blinked uncertainly, and stepped forward, as Caradoc looked at him.
"Ready?" Caradoc asked.
"Yeah…"
Harry did as Caradoc had instructed. He grasped the scroll gently and shut his mind to everything else, centering on the scroll. It wasn't too difficult for him, because of his Occlumency practices. As Harry concentrated hard, the words that had shimmered on the scroll seemed to brighten in his mind. A cold sensation spread throughout, as he felt small tendrils of energy pass through the scroll to every part of his body. He felt his every nerve on alert, a lightness spread from limb to limb as every hair on his body stood on alert as if a wave of electricity was passing through them. In his mind, he saw a whirlwind surrounding him, judging him, scrutinizing him.
Harry didn't know how long it lasted but another sensation started in his free, right hand. It was as if pulses of energy were gathering in there. Harry opened his eyes to see the upturned faces of Caradoc and Ginny. He was still floating on air—
"Sitting on air's, more like it," Caradoc grinned at him.
"You know Legilimency as well?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore's been kind," Caradoc answered.
Harry waved his hand, so that the wind around him ceased to support him, and came to the ground. A new feeling of freedom coursed through his body as he felt the air all around him—touching his cheeks, touching his hand, flapping the corner of his shirt that was sticking out of his belt—he felt the Air on his fingertips.
"Now then," Caradoc said, all business-like. "Let's head for the Temple."
"You know where it is?" Harry asked, unbelievingly.
"Yes. It's beyond that mountain." Caradoc indicated towards the towering central mountain.
"We thought so, too," Ginny said, looking at it ominously.
"Harry, you're in best position to transport us there," Caradoc suggested.
"Right." Harry nodded, and concentrated his mind to make all of them lift off from the ground. In an instant, the three of them were floating on air.
Ginny was staring at the ground. "It's like I'm flying on a cloud. Better than broomstick any day!"
Harry grinned at her, while thinking about his Firebolt… Hogwarts… His friends… It was strange, but he felt a certain detachment from the world he had come from. He didn't know it was Caeli's influence or his own doing. Still a part of him ached, remembering the numerous turrets of Hogwarts and school-life. Ron and Hermione… I hope I return soon...
"Brace yourselves," Harry warned, as they reached the mountain's base. He propelled them all towards the arched sky.
With the first rays of violet they landed softly on the mountain top, which was irregular and slanted.
Harry and Ginny stared, transfixed, at the scene beyond the mountain.
A vast land was spread below them, and it looked so picturesque that it gave Harry the impression of facing a highly stylized oil painting. It was decorated with lengthy grass, glowing orange trees and flowerbeds—which were scattered all over the place. In between this strange splendor was an edifice, which looked like a dream castle. It was wholly made up of pearly marble, rectangular in structure with two towers that rose on either side of a central dome made up of glass. Only one entrance was visible, which sent butterflies flying in Harry's stomach.
He had seen that entrance, just once before. He had also visited this land with his parents…. He looked at the sky to make sure.
And there it was; the same violet sky with an acute difference: an orange halo, which was the remnant of the broken sun of this world.
"That's Umbra Fanum; Ursula's Shadow Temple," Caradoc supplied, looking at the temple.
"I've seen this before," Harry croaked, looking at the gleaming magnanimous gate that stretched to the two floors of the temple.
Ginny looked at him strangely. "Me too…" Looking at their quizzical expressions, she continued, "Harry, the day you described what you saw in your vision—the one with your parents—I knew the description was familiar… I've been seeing this temple and this stretch of land, since I could remember—on and off, throughout my childhood—I thought this was a dream place… not real… This year however, along with this imagery, I've been seeing dark things…" Ginny shuddered. "Shadows of dark, terrifying creatures… So many of them…"
"Did you see, from where?" Caradoc asked. "That is, where they exactly are?"
"No… only the impression that they were locked somewhere… Not imprisoned, but sheltered…. I know it doesn't make any sense." Ginny shook her head low.
"Let's go and see what it's really about. I've waited too many years for this." There was sadness, yet a determination in Caradoc's voice.
Harry summoned the wind around them again, and they descended from the mountain in breakneck speed. In a minute they were gliding above the knee-length grass. And with a final thud they reached the entrance of the Shadow Temple.
"It's huge…" Harry squinted above at the dome that reflected the daylight about. The orange halo in the sky brightened the temple so much that it seemed to glow, giving off soft light.
As they approached the gate, under the shadow of the arches flanking the entrance, Harry's stomach twisted into a knot. It was the same gate, which had beasts and creatures of different make and sizes on it; each decorated with ancient scriptures. When Harry's eyes rested on the giant snake, baring its fanged mouth, his scar gave a horrible throb. He closed his eyes and tried to feel where Voldemort was, but couldn't.
Ginny on the other hand, seemed to have forgotten where she was. Except for the gate in front of her, everything else mellowed out. She seemed to be floating in the unknown whispers of her dreams.
As if in a trance, she extended her hand; reaching out inch by inch, fingertips journeying across the landscape of the ancient door, touching knot and holes as deep as crates, following wandering warps on its cold surface. The whispering grew to a pitch that she cringed away from the sound. She had her eyes clamped shut—her sweeping hands continued discovering every now and then a new shape, a new form—when she heard a distinct whisper, faint but still audible. The words seemed to grow as a rushing wind deafened her ears. Her drifting hands became stationary, and she bowed her head that her chin touched her collarbones.
It seemed as though thousand voices were chanting together, calling to her attention. Many voices mingled together to form unintelligible words.
I don't understand any of you! Ginny thought, creasing her brows in frustration.
With the building whispers and chants, an unearthly voice, which seemed to be the mingled voices of thousand creatures, murmured in her ear:
"Everything's predetermined;
We watch and we wait...
The vision shall be fulfilled,
Unless the debt be repaid."
With that, the gigantic door slid open with a loud creak. The whispering stopped, so did the whooshing wind. Ginny noted that only the right halve, which she had been leaning on, had opened.
With opening of the gate, flame torches blazed to life, showing them a bright entrance room—the same room Harry had seen his parents in his vision.
"Did you hear that?" Ginny was panting, as though she had run a marathon race, while she looked searchingly at Harry and Caradoc.
Both of them shook their heads. So, Ginny repeated what she had heard.
"Everything's predetermined;
We watch and we wait...
The vision shall be fulfilled,
Unless the debt be repaid."
Harry took in all the details, while Caradoc scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"What kind of debt? Is it Ursula's debt? Debt of what?" Too many questions were queuing inside Harry's mind for his own dismay.
Ginny shrugged her shoulders bewildered as they entered the room.
"The Watchgate must have recognized Ginny as the heir. That's why we couldn't hear it. Maybe its imparting to you, what's to come?" Caradoc suggested.
"I don't see anything except for the shadowy shapes that had haunted my dreams for some time…" Ginny pressed her temples for some concentration.
"What's a Watchgate though? Does this have anything to do with, 'We watch and we wait'?" Harry asked sharply.
"See for yourself, Harry. This gate is full of creatures. I reckon these are the forces that the Elder told me about." Caradoc looked at Ginny. "Did you see these creatures in your dreams, Ginny?"
Along with Harry, Ginny muttered "Yeah…" as they both went closer to examine the Watchgate.
Harry, like his mother, traced the different shapes of creatures that glimmered on the door—seeming to dance with the flickering light of the torches. He clearly recognized two Dragons, a Unicorn, an unusually large Clawed Fish, a Chimaera, a Manticore… His fingers stopped just before reaching the giant snake with its fanged mouth bared; its eyes mockingly gleaming with the flames.
Ginny however was staring fixatedly at the gate halve, which was still closed. "They are staring right at us!" Her voice was high-pitched.
"Who are, Ginny?" Caradoc followed her gaze, only to find the cold stone-creatures of the gate, staring unblinkingly back.
"I don't like this bunch. They are sniggering, their pointed teeth showing!"
Harry tried to fathom what she was talking about, only to see the same old gate, unchanged, unmoving.
"Let's get a move on," Harry nudged Ginny away from the gate. He, himself, was feeling a lot of nerves. Something about this temple rubbed him wrongly and he didn't understand what it was. He was feeling uneasy by the second.
Just as Ginny passed the first torch-flame, the marble beneath her lighted. "What—"
The corridor that seemed to lead to the central dome, blazed with unseen light that the walls themselves glowed; it was as though each marble block had florescence inside them.
"This didn't happen when my parents came." Harry could easily remember that his parents had followed a dark tunnel to the entrance hall.
"James and Lily were only the bearers of a scroll. Perhaps this is the welcome gesture for the heir?"
"Looks like it." Harry ambled on, looking sideways.
Ginny grabbed his hand, as she looked back the last time. "I don't have a good feeling about this, Harry," she whispered to him.
"Me neither, but we've got to do this…" Harry faltered, as he looked at the doorway that seemed to lead to an expansive hall. Harry could easily make out a single light source in the hall, coming off a similar basin that he had seen on the suspended island. The light in this case however was magnificent white.
Just as they entered the chamber of the temple, Harry's scar exploded with such pain that he keeled over the floor. Through the haze of searing pain, he made out a shape that was standing just beside the central basin. Harry knew who it was before he even spoke.
"Ah… I've been expecting you," a cold voice brandished, with an essence of a lashing whip.
Climax will begin in the next chapter, named: Shadows of the Watchgate.
