Chapter 14: Truth Sayers and Death Walkers

Harry reached for Blaise's hand without thinking. The moment his skin touched skin and pain flared up his arm he realized what he had done. His eyes widened in fear and pain. He tried to pull his hand away, but it was too late. Blaise already had a firm grip and was pulling him to his feet.

The pain was intense; it felt as though someone had cut off his hand with a dull rusty blade. The hot rush of pain crept up his arm and across his chest, his stomach rolled and his eyes began to water at the pain. And he was falling. No, that wasn't right, his body wasn't falling it was his mind. He could feel his mind tumbling into Blaise's, being consumed by Blaise's memories, Blaise's emotions, and Blaise's thoughts. They rushed through Harry's mind like raging white-water rapids, beating against his skull. It felt like someone had taken a 2x4 to his head; on second thought, make that his entire body.

Images flashed through his mind in a chaotic whirl, nauseating in its speed and confusion. Images of Blaise's life, of a young Nisha laughing and smiling, two unsmiling adults who could only be Blaise's parents, a little Millicent swiping a book at him, an older Nisha unsmiling and colder, an nine year old Draco throwing a pillow at him, Nisha again only this time she was bleeding and unmoving. Every scene had thoughts and emotions attached to them.

Harry's breathing became ragged as he tried to block out the physical pain as well as the mental. With a pain filled whimper he yanked his hand free and stumbled back against the greenhouse wall cracking the back of his head on the glass.

"Harry?" questioned Blaise as he reached for the trembling boy.

"No!" Harry cried raising his arms as if to ward off a blow. "Please, please don't touch me," he whimpered. He shrank back as far as he could and slid down the glass wall; with his body trembling he curled into himself and waited for the pain to pass. And prayed that it would be soon or that he'd pass out from the pain, which ever one came first.

Blaise looked down at Harry's huddled form with a worried frown. He knew that curled up position. He had seen Nisha like that more times then he cared to remember and he had seen Draco like that once. It was a position used by someone who was use to physical pain, someone abused on a daily bases. And Blaise hadn't missed the scar that ran down Harry's left wrist when Harry had raised his arms and the sleeves of his robe had fallen down. The long scar had stood out in stark relief against Harry's tan flesh. Something had happened to the Golden Boy, something big.

"Harry?" called Blaise kneeling in front of Harry. Wide green eyes rose to meet troubled cobalt blue, and Blaise realized that Draco was right; Harry's eyes gave away every emotion. There was a vast amount of pain and fear and a great deal of sadness in those green eyes. And there was also a wealth of knowledge in those innocent eyes. Blaise wondered at the contradiction, how could those eyes know so much and still be so innocent?

Harry licked his dry lips and spoke in a strained whisper, "Nisha died, didn't she?"

Blaise blinked, startled by the question. "I beg your pardon?"

"She died once in your arms when you were about nine. That's why you're so protective of her."

"How do you know that?" Blaise whispered. No one knew that, but Nisha and him and one other. Not even Draco or Millicent knew about that. He thought of them as his family and yet, he had never told them. Neither had Nisha.

Harry sighed and ran a trembling hand through his hair, disheveling it even more. "What class do you have next?"

"History of Magic," answered Blaise.

"Me too. Do you mind skipping it?"

"No."

"Then come on. I know a place where we can talk," Harry said climbing shakily to his feet. He stood there for a moment making sure his legs would support him when a sudden thought hit him. "Where's Amethyst?"

"Your cat?" Blaise asked. "You brought your cat to class?"

Harry shrugged. "She wanted to come," he answered. "Amethyst! Come on silly kitty we're leaving!" he called. He began looking for the tiny black cat, searching all through the greenhouse. Blaise shook his head, but helped search for the missing Amethyst.

They found her fifteen minutes later sound asleep on a branch of a Rowan tree nestled amongst the fragrant white flowers and red berries. Harry gave a soft laugh and reach up to pull the sleeping kitty off the tree branch. Amethyst awoke and gave a soft hiss of annoyance until she realized the one holding her was her favorite human. Then she purred and nuzzled against him offering him comfort and support. Harry sighed as he felt relief rush through his body and held the kitten closer. "You smell like the tree's flowers, little kitten," Harry murmured to the violet eyed cat.

Blaise frowned at Harry. Then he looked at the white barked tree with its emerald green leaves that were the same color as Harry's eyes and tiny clusters of red berries. Flowers? What was Harry talking about the tree had no flowers?

"Come on," Harry said walking out of the greenhouse.


Hermione sighed. She hadn't been able to concentrate in Arthimancy class and it was all Blaise's fault. She had spent the whole hour and thirty minutes thinking about their little run in. When she wasn't remembering their encounter she was observing Malfoy, looking for some kind of sign. What kind of sign, she didn't know. Just something to point out that there was a heart beating beneath that cold cruel exterior. Some kind of sign to indicate that Harry wasn't completely crazy for having feelings for the blonde Slytherin.

Now, she sat in History of Magic waiting for Harry. The Gryffindors shared the class with the Slytherins. All the sixth years from both houses were there. So, the class consisted of about twenty-six students making it one of the smallest classes. She continued her survey of the room. Malfoy was sitting on the left side of the room next to a window. Millicent sat behind him reading a book. Pansy had tried to sit next to Malfoy but one cold hard glare and she ended up sitting next to Millicent. Crabbe and Goyle sat behind the two girls, although some could argue that Pansy wasn't a girl.

Lavender and Parvati were huddled close together, probably gossiping about Harry. Those two had nothing better to do. Seamus, Neville and Dean were discussing Quidditch, big surprise there. There were others but Hermione just gazed over them. There were three empty seats, two of them she knew who they belonged to. The one next to Malfoy was reserved for Blaise and the one next to her was for Harry. But that left one unaccounted for. She looked around the room again, filing away who was there. Then it hit her, Ron. The last empty chair was for Ron. Her lips twitched, Madam Pomfrey must have had trouble removing the feathers.

She sighed again and looked towards the classroom door. Harry should have been there already. She knew he had Herbology but it shouldn't have taken him this long to get to the class. She noticed that Malfoy kept looking at the door too. He must be looking for Zabini, she thought. Then she frowned. Maybe she couldn't see the glow that Malfoy supposedly had, but there was something different about the blonde Slytherin that she could see, he was quieter; more subdued, almost haunted looking. But it was his eyes that gave her pause. They were pure mercury; even the black pupil had a silvery tinge to it. Human eyes didn't look like that. In fact, she didn't know of any eyes that did. A shiver ghosted down her spine and she shuddered to shake off the feeling.

Professor Binns entered the room and began class, jarring Hermione from her unnerving thoughts. She blinked at the ghost and gave a small frown. Neither Harry nor Blaise had shown up during her observation of Malfoy. The class went on in its usual boring manner but both Blaise and Harry remained missing. During the whole class three students spent their time looking at the classroom door waiting for the arrival of their friends. Needless to say, no one got much out of that class.


Harry sat down under a willow by the lake, cradling Amethyst to his chest. For a brief moment he realized that it was the same tree that was in his dream. But the thought drifted off as Blaise sat down next to him. The two sat in silence for a while, the only sound was the soft purring of Amethyst, the gentle lapping of lake water against the shore and the rustling of leaves.

"How did you know that?" Blaise asked, breaking the silence.

Harry took a deep calming breath and began to talk. "You must promise not to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Not even Draco or Millicent or even Nisha. Promise?"

"You would trust the word of a Slytherin?" Blaise asked looking at the green-eyed boy.

"Yes," Harry said simply.

Blaise snorted and shook his head. "And how do you know that I'm not going to promise and then run off and tell the first person I see?"

"Because I know you," Harry whispered. "And I trust you."

Blaise raked a hand through his long hair and growled. "You don't know me, Potter. Just because I don't start fights with you and we can have a civilized conversation doesn't mean you know me."

Harry smiled. "I know. And that's not why I know you or why I trust you. Now, are you going to promise or not?"

With a shrug and a sigh, Blaise gave in. "I promise not to tell a soul what you are about to tell me."

Nodding Harry began his tale. "I turned sixteen this summer and I came into a gift. I'm a Truth Sayer. As you probably know there hasn't been a Truth Sayer in over a thousand years. They were hunted because of their ability and thought to have been wiped out. In the beginning it was thought that they could only tell if a person was lying or not, that was how they got their name of Truth Sayers, because they spoke the truth about a person. Then it was found out that the more powerful Truth Sayers could do so much more than tell the truth. They could enter a person's mind and find out everything about that person, their whole life, every thought, every emotion, and every memory. That's why Truth Sayers were hunted, because of that ability. they were feared, by both muggles and wizards alike, and because of that irrational fear of the unknown they were hunted and destroyed. The ones that survived and the ones that were born after hide their abilities, so that the Truth Sayers gift was believed to be erased."

Harry gave a twisted smile. "Just my rotten luck that I happen to be one of the powerful ones. You see, when our skin touched I fell into your mind and relived your entire life from the moment you took your first breath to when our hands touched. I relived everything in a matter of seconds."

"So, you know everything about me?" Blaise asked.

Harry sighed and shook his head. "In theory, yes. But it doesn't work like that for me. The images and the thoughts and the emotions all happen so fast that I can only catch a few of them. Maybe in time I'll be able to understand fully, but for now it's just a jumbled up puzzle."

"You were in pain," Blaise said.

Harry nodded. "Yes. There is always pain when my skin touches skin. Even a brief brush is painful. I don't know why there's pain, it's just part of the Truth Sayers ability."

"Maybe it's nature's way of controlling you. To keep you from abusing the gift and using to do evil," Blaise guessed.

"Probably," Harry murmured with a shrug. "Are you going to tell me about Nisha?"

"I should probably start with some history. As you know, a wizard gets a boost in power when they turn sixteen, or around that age. Some wizards get their power sooner while others get it later. The wizards who have special talents also receive them at that time. Now, what you probably don't know is that the wizard's own magic seals away the gift at birth, so it isn't until that power raises and breaks the seal that the wizard regains their gift. Now, there are a few whose magic doesn't seal away their inner ability so they are born with it. This is a very rare event. Usually the wizards who are born with their gift don't make it. That's because their bodies can't handle the vast amount of magic that's flooding through them."

"And that's why the ability is sealed away. It's a defense mechanism," Harry said catching where Blaise was going with his explanation.

"Exactly, the ability is sealed away until the body matures and can handle the increase in magic," Blaise sighed. "Nisha was one of the rare few that were born with their gifts. At the beginning no one knew. Her gift wasn't obvious and like yours, it was thought to no longer exist. Nisha is a Death Walker."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"It's the ability to separate the soul from the physical body and walk among the dead. Although a Death Walker is neither alive nor dead, but somehow in between. This ability allows them to communicate with the dead, spirits who haven't moved on to the afterlife yet or become the corporal ghost that we can see, like the Bloody Baron or Nearly Headless Nick. This ability is also dangerous; so many things could go wrong. If the body is destroyed while the soul is not with in it, then the soul will slowly die or be stuck between the living and the dead. Also, if the soul doesn't return to the body in a certain amount of time, the body will die and the soul will become lost."

"But, why wouldn't a soul want to return to its body?" Harry asked.

"I asked Nisha that once. She told me that being free from the physical body was a feeling that couldn't be described. She said that it was a high like no other, that there was no pain, no sense of self, nothing but this intoxicating high."

"That's why she needs you to hold her body, so you can call her back," Harry said with sudden insight.

Blaise nodded. "Do you want to know why Death Walkers were hunted?" he asked. He didn't wait for an answer before starting. "They were hunted because when a Death Walker's soul leaves its body, they leave it open, an empty vessel just waiting for a spirit to possess it. That's why they were hunted, because the wizards feared that an evil soul that hadn't moved on to the afterlife or somehow lingered in this world would find away to enter it. And like all Death Walkers, Nisha was hunted."

"But I thought you said no one knew what she was."

"In the beginning no one did know. Nisha was a quiet child and my parents began to think that there was something wrong with her, so they watched her closely. You see, Death Walkers can see and talk to the dead, even when they're not walking among them. Nisha helped souls accept death and move on. So at the beginning my parents simply thought Nisha was talking to imaginary friends, then they simply thought that she was insane. When Nisha was seven they finally put two and two together and realized that she was a Death Walker. They turned her in. Our own parents and they called the Ministry on her. The Ministry sent Aurors to seize her. A seven year old child and they sent Aurors. When they showed up..." Blaise voice wavered and he stopped talking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Harry realized that Blaise must be reliving the memory. He could feel Blaise's sadness and the brief flare of anger at what his parents had done. "You don't have to continue, if you don't want to," he said to Blaise.

"No, it's alright. It's just that I've never told anyone, Draco doesn't even know. Anyway, when they showed up Nisha and I were in the solarium. It was supposed to be peaceful, they were simply supposed to grab her and leave. But, something went wrong. Death Eaters showed up and the next I knew there were spells flying and glass shattering. The solarium was filled with screams and blood. I grabbed Nisha and pulled her from the solarium. Or at least I tried to, we didn't make it. Nisha was hit by a spell, something like the diffindo spell. Everything stopped when she fell. The Death Eaters disapparated one by one, their plan having failed. And the Aurors tried to offer comfort, telling me that it was better this way, that her kind wasn't meant to live. I screamed at them to leave and they left me there in the solarium holding Nisha. I held her blood covered body and screamed for her to come back that she couldn't leave me. And the next thing I knew she was gasping for breath and crying in my arms."

"Later I found out that in order for a Death Walker to be able to separate their souls from their bodies they have to experience death. They have to have first hand knowledge of what the soul feels like leaving the body in order to do it. That was the only reason Nisha survived because she had never separated her soul from her body. If she had done it before, then she would have died that day. Our parents died in the attack, the Death Eaters had killed them before trying to nab Nisha. The Ministry left me alone, because they thought Nisha was dead."

Harry frowned. "Wait, doesn't the Ministry monitor underage magic? Wouldn't they know that she was still alive?"

"Yes, but as a Death Walker, Nisha is neither alive nor dead; her magic doesn't register the same way," Blaise answered. "Besides myself, there are only two people, including you, that know the truth about Nisha."

"Who's the other? I know it's not Draco since you never told him."

"Oh, Draco and Millicent both know what Nisha is, she told them herself. But the only other one who knows exactly what happened that day is Severus."

"Snape!" Harry gasped.

Blaise chuckled softly at Harry's horrified look. "He's our guardian."

"Professor Snape is your Godfather?!"

"No," laughed Blaise. "After the death of our parents we had no other living relatives so the Ministry assigned me a guardian."

"And they picked Snape!? Gods, the Ministry is more fucked up then I imagined," Harry exclaimed.

"Actually," Blaise laughed, "It made sense for them to pick Severus. He was a long time friend of the family. The only reason he wasn't named our godfather was because he was already Draco's." Blaise shrugged. "Anyway, when Severus showed up I didn't even bother trying to hide Nisha. I was eight and I desperately needed someone to take control. And in the end it worked out. Severus never told anyone and he even made it possible for Nisha to come to Hogwarts."

"But still, you have to live with Snape."

"It isn't that bad, better than my parents. And we don't live with him anymore. Since I turned sixteen he figured that we were old enough to live by ourselves. Also, we have plenty of house elves at the manor in case anything happens and he is only a fireplace away. Personally, I think he just wanted us out of his hair for the summer months, since he has to put up with us and a thousand other children during the entire school year."

Harry shook his head. "But it's Snape. Now don't get me wrong, Snape does seem a little more likable this year, a little more human, but that man is still truly frightening."

"You're scared of Severus?" Blaise asked looking at Harry in surprise.

"I'd rather have tea and crumpets with Voldemort than have a one on one chat with Snape," Harry said dryly.

Blaise started laughing. "Damn, you would make a helluva good Slytherin."

"What! And have that man as my Head of House, I think not."

"Well look at it from this perspective, pretty much all Slytherins had horrible childhoods and we're all extraordinary actors. You would fit right in. After all, I never would have guessed that you were frightened of Snape, hate and despise the man; yes, fear him; no."

Harry glared at the grinning Slytherin. Then a truly wicked grin crossed Harry's face. "So, you have a thing for 'Mione."

Blaise's grin fell and his mouth hung open in shock. "You know? Oh, of course you know, you were in my head," he muttered smacking himself on the forehead.

"Yes, and needless to say, it's a little disturbing," replied Harry.

"Disturbing how?"

"Think about it, Zabini. I was in your head; I relived your life through your eyes. I experienced what you thought and felt."

"Oh sweet Mother of Merlin," Blaise muttered.

"Yup, it's quite unsettling to have sexual thoughts and feelings about someone I think of as my little sister."

"Are you going to kick my ass now?" Blaise asked.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I would so kick someone's ass if they thought and felt the things I did about Hermione at that particular moment in time, about my little sister."

Harry grinned. "No, I'm not going to kick your ass. On one condition," he said.

Blaise cocked an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"If you don't try something," answered Harry.

"Don't you mean if I try something?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I meant what I said. Now, don't get me wrong, if you're thinking about using her or you hurt her in any way shape or form, I will literally rip you to pieces. But if your intentions are noble as I think they are, then it would be a shame not to at least try to get her."

"You...you wouldn't be upset that she was with a Slytherin?"

"Personally, I think you would be good for her. I've gotten her to loosen up over the years, but she's still way too serious. She needs to live a little, have someone ruffle her feathers every now and then. And from what I saw, you did that pretty well." Harry stood up cradling Amethyst. "If you decide to pursue her, then you have my consent. But think carefully before you do, because I meant what I said, if you hurt her you won't live long enough to realize your mistake." With that Harry walked back towards the castle. It was around lunch time and he promise Remus they'd have lunch together.

Blaise watched him go with surprised blue eyes. Draco was right about that wall that came down over Potter's eyes and hid his emotions. But those cold eyes weren't just reserved for Weasel; they appeared when Harry or someone close to him was threatened. Who would have thought that the Golden Boy could have such cold eyes?

Blaise looked out over the lake and thought about everything he had heard and what he was going to do now.


Harry walked up the stairs towards Remus' private rooms. He made it half way up the stairs when he heard someone calling his name. Turning around he spotted Hermione rushing towards him.

"Where have you been?" she all but yelled at him once she reached him. And damn was it a good impression of Mrs. Weasley.

"Long story, I'll tell you and Remus during lunch," answered Harry as he began moving up the stairs again. Hermione sighed and followed.

The two entered Remus' rooms at the werewolf's call to enter. They sat down on the love-seat and waited for the wolf. They didn't have to wait long. Remus entered the sitting room and sat in the chair that he had the night before. A house elf appeared and set a tray piled with food on to the coffee table and then popped out. The three made their plates in silence and it wasn't until everyone relaxed back into their seats that the conversation started.

"Tell me about this guardian, Harry," Remus said.

Harry shrugged. "Not much to tell. I know that it was her that saved me but I have never seen her. I have no clue what she looks like, I only know the sound of her voice," he answered and gave a soft laugh. "I know what you're thinking, that this guardian can't be trusted. Someone who doesn't even show herself must have something to hide. But I do trust her. Everything inside of me tells me that she is the one person I can trust whole heartedly."

"Are you sure Harry?" Remus asked.

Harry nodded. "Yes. My instincts are saying to trust her and they've never lead me wrong."

"Alright, we'll trust your instincts in this. Now tell me about...Sirius."

And so Harry told them everything the guardian had told him regarding Sirius. He even told them what the guardian had said about Night Creatures and showed Remus the tiny Amethyst. Harry thought that the tiny kitten would freak, since technically Remus was part of the dog family being a werewolf and all. But the kitten actually took to Remus and spent the rest of the meal in the wolf's lap purring like a buzz saw.

"Where were you during History of Magic?" Hermione asked as she set her empty plate on the coffee table.

Harry sighed and racked a hand through his short hair. "Zabini knows what I am."

"What?!" both Hermione and Remus shouted at the same time.

Harry winced at the volume. "It was my fault, I wasn't thinking."

"What happened, Harry?" Hermione asked in a softer tone.

"I fell asleep in Herbology and Blaise woke me up when class ended. He offered his hand to help me up and I grabbed it without thinking. I saw things that I shouldn't have and I wanted to know about them. So, we made a deal. I told him what I was and he told me what I saw. He promised not to tell anyone."

"And you trust his word?" Remus asked.

"As crazy as it sounds, yes," answered Harry.

"Do I even want to ask why?" Hermione questioned.

Harry gave a soft laugh. "I was in his mind 'Mione, I know him as well as he knows himself."

Hermione shook her head and shrugged. "Okay, Harry. I'll trust you. You always did have a knack for just knowing things." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "I have to get to Herbology. Thanks for lunch Remus, Harry don't be late for your next class you already missed one today." With that she left the room.

"I should be going too Remus, I have a free period and I want to talk to Shadow," Harry said standing up too. Amethyst hissed quietly when Harry reached for her. "Okay, you want to stay with Moony. Well that's fine if he doesn't mind. But when he has a class to teach you head back to the room. Okay?" Amethyst purred her agreement and nuzzled against Harry's hand. She nipped delicately at Harry's fingers to show her affection and Harry smiled shaking his head and mumbling 'silly kitty' under his breath.

Harry left the room and went looking for Shadow.


Draco sighed as Professor Sprout began to lecture. He looked around the greenhouse; it was mostly filled with Hufflepuffs, only he and Granger were from another house. Not finding anything interesting he closed his eyes and concentrated on Harry. He had found out that morning that he had a bond to Harry. It must have been a result of giving everything but his soul to Harry, although there was no actual proof that was the reason why. But whatever the reason or how it had happened he could now connect with Harry. Draco knew what Harry was doing and where he was just by thinking about him. It was a strange experience. When he had first connected to Harry it had been in the Great Hall, it was like being in two places at once, like being right next to Harry but not. He still saw everything through his eyes but he also saw from Harry's so that the images overlapped. That's why he closed his eyes, he found out that then only what Harry saw appeared and there were no distorted images.

After he had found this out, he had begun practicing off and on all day. Perfecting the skill until it took hardly any thought at all to connect with Harry. And this is what he did now. He closed his eyes and connected with Harry. He felt the slight shifting sensation that told him he was within Harry. He could still feel his own body and hear everything that was going on around him, but he could also hear and see what Harry was doing. He was like a quiet unnoticeable shadow watching everything that Harry did.

Draco's eyes snapped open and a growl rose in his throat. He stood up grabbing his bag and left the greenhouse in a flurry of black robes and blonde hair.

Hermione along with the rest of the class watched the retreating blonde in shock. Professor Sprout huffed and subtracted twenty points from Slytherin and began her lecture again for the remaining ten minutes of the class. But Hermione was the only one close enough to see the Slytherin's eyes. His eyes had been solid silver; there had been no pupil at all. Hermione shivered slightly. There was something off about Malfoy. It had started with the glow Harry had seen. And now Draco's eyes. It was like Malfoy wasn't human. Not completely at least.

Hermione shivered again and rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if to ward off a chill. She would never admit it but something about Malfoy unnerved her. Every time she was close to Malfoy and Harry wasn't around she got this unnatural fear. It was a fear that she couldn't name or even place, just that she felt like Malfoy could steal her soul, like he could destroy her completely. But when Harry was there the fear never surfaced. It was almost like Harry calmed Malfoy, kept the inhuman beast inside Malfoy under lock and key.

Hermione's mind whirled with thoughts and theories. Her eyes widened and a hand flew to her mouth as things clicked into place. She would have to do some research, but if she was right all hell was about to break loose.


Harry found Shadow sitting on a rock by the lake. She was wrapped up in her cloak despite the warmth of the late summer sun. He sat down on the rock next to hers and waited for her to acknowledge his presence. Time ticked by slowly, but Harry sat patiently without a word of complaint. Finally after twenty minutes Shadow opened her eyes and turned to him.

"You have more patience than I expected from one so young," she stated softly.

"Sorry to have disturbed you. I know I asked to talk to you before class, but I had a free period and thought to ask you now if you weren't busy. You're a hard person to track down."

"But of course. You should never make things easy for people, it makes them lazy," she said with a soft smile. "Now, what is it you wish to ask me?"

"Well, actually it's more of a worry than a question," Harry replied looking down at his hands.

"Come on," Shadow said hopping gracefully from the rock. "Walking helps."

So, the two began to walk away from the lake, with Harry leading them to the Quidditch pitch. The playing field was Harry's sanctuary; it was where he felt the most free. It was easier to think and talk about things there. Once they entered the pitch, Harry sighed.

"You're worried about your Truth Sayer ability," Shadow stated.

Harry blinked at her. "How did you..."

She smiled kindly at him. "Your aura, it tells all you know."

"Everything?" Harry squeaked nervously.

Shadow shook her head. "No, I couldn't tell you what your favorite food is or color or other such nonsense. But I could tell you about your personality, the reason this field calms you, what makes you agitated and if you are in love or not."

"My aura tells you all that?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Now, about your Truth Sayer problem, I know that you can't touch people without pain and the martial arts part of the class will be a dilemma. But I will not kick you out of the class because of it. This gift is beyond your control. Things have a way of working out and we'll find a way around this. For now, you won't have to worry about it. We actually won't be starting the martial arts for at least a week and a half. I have to get the lot of you in shape first."

Harry nodded. "Okay. I do have another question though. What does an aura look like?"

"Why do you ask?"

Harry sighed and racked his hand through his hair in frustration. "It's just that...someone I know was glowing today. He never glowed before. And...I don't know."

"Describe it to me," commanded Shadow softly.

"The glow was blue and gray swirled together but not mixing. And it looked like it was coming from deep within him," Harry said placing a hand over his heart as if to signify that that was where the glow was coming from. "The glow shimmered and pulsated like...like a heartbeat."

Shadow gave a thoughtful frown. "That's not an aura. Auras aren't like that, there's no inner glow or pulsating. Auras waver and drift off a person, like wispy fog or smoke."

"Then, what did I see?" Harry asked.

"You said the light beat like a heartbeat?"

"Yes."

Shadow stood up, "I need to look something up and I believe you have a class to get to," she said walking towards the school. Her black hood hid the worry that spread across her elfish face. Her ever shifting eyes turning dark purple and stayed that color. It was happening too quickly. It shouldn't be starting yet. It wasn't supposed to happen for another month, not until the end of October. Too quickly, everything was happening too quickly. She had to slow the process down before it was too late.

Harry watched Shadow hurry into the school. She was worried, he could feel it although she hid the feeling well. Something about the glow had distressed her. But why? What was it that was so upsetting? He hadn't felt anything wrong when he had seen it. And if there was something about the glow that was wrong then didn't that mean that Draco was in danger, since the glow was his?

With a frown Harry started for the school. He rounded the locker rooms and bumped into a furious blonde. He grabbed on to the Slytherin's robes to keep from falling and found himself gazing up at smoky gray eyes.

Draco felt the collision and the firm press of a smaller leaner body against his. Calm settled over him the instant that slim body touched his, and then the smell of earth and rain surrounded him, calming him further. As the rage and jealousy died he found himself looking down into the wide green eyes that belonged to the Keeper of his Heart.

"Sor...sorry about that, Draco," Harry murmured. He felt a blush creep across his cheeks as he realized how close they were standing. They were pressed firmly together from chest to thighs. Their robes and chest brushed together with every breath they took. And being so close to Draco Harry could smell the scent of sandalwood and the slightest hint of vanilla. He slowly let go of Draco's robes and moved back away from him, although everything inside of Harry told him to move closer to Draco not away from him. But Harry ignored it and then wished he hadn't when he felt slightly uncomfortable at no longer being in contact with the blonde.

"Well, we should head for class. Don't want to be late, or 'Mione will have my head," Harry said to fill in the silence.

Draco looked down at Harry and nodded. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from reaching for Harry. It took all his self control not to pull Harry into his arms and devour those full red lips. To feel that lean Seeker's body pressed against his and that intoxicating scent surrounding him. To hear that purring voice sigh his name. Draco clenched his jaw and tried to banish the thoughts, at least until Harry was out of reaching distance.

The two walked towards the school, both of them lost in their own thoughts. One almost on cloud nine and the other troubled.

Lil' Sphinx: Hey, everyone. I would have uploaded this earlier and would have been longer, but I'm tired. I have today and tomorrow off, so maybe I'll get more written then, after I take a nap. I didn't get to where I wanted to be in this chapter, but oh well, I'll get there next chapter.

Dark Illusionist - Sorry. The bet was suppose to show up in this chapter, but it didn't. A lot of things didn't show up in this chapter. So I'm going to make the next one, extra long to make up for it.

Syvixxe- I'm trying to get Harry and Draco together as fast as possible, but I really don't want to rush it. At the very least, they will become friends soon. That should appease everyone.

Mari- Your welcome. I love getting ideas and I'm always open to new ones. Other fanfics...Harry Potter and Gaining Momentum is really good and long, but I can't remember who it's by and I'm too lazy to go and look. Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic by Wihstrum is good. I can go on for a while, but I'll stop there.

Tatshuhiko-shido - Yes, Remus and Sirius will be a couple, whenever I bring Sirius back.

Valchan- You will find out more about the guardian and Draco. And another M.A. class was supposed to be in this chapter, but I didn't get there. Next chapter, it'll be the first thing.

Kingess- Yeah, I have a plot, that I have no clue where I'm going with it. Go me! Yes, I've already answered that Harry and Draco will be able to touch, but it's not because of the guardian, it does have a little to do with Draco's whole I give my soul thing. But only slightly. The twins are going to actually make an appearance. And thanks for the idea of what M.A. could stand for. I was stuck on the A.

Jin- Glad you like Shadow, someone actually doesn't. And thanks for agreeing not to rush Harry and Draco. I don't think they should be rush, but even I'm getting a little antsy.

Autumn Sun- Bill and Charlie, I didn't think about putting them in the story.

Shortstuff- Yes is all I'm going to say on who is buying the artwork, because it was suppose to be in this chapter, but I didn't get there. Hermione and Blaise are going to have inside help to get them together. Yes, Shadow is not completely human. Dreams; it wasn't Draco that sent the dream. Everyone who thought that, you're wrong. Hahaha. Angel was right about Harry not being able to touch without pain, but there's a loophole. Yes, Draco has special powers. In fact all of them; Harry, Nisha, Blaise, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna all have special gifts. Everyone already knows Harry's and Nisha's, but I haven't decided what the others will have, yet.

Tora88- Yes, Snape and Shadow will be a couple. Because personally I think Snape desperately needs to get laid. That's probably why he's so angry all the time, all that pent up frustration.

Musicgirl141- Can two Truth Sayers touch? Yes, if they're at the same power level they cancel each other out. But that has nothing to do with anything, because neither Draco nor the guardian are Truth Sayers. Or anyone else for that matter. It's just Harry. The other letter was suppose to be in this chapter, but it obviously didn't get in. So, next chapter. Oh and thanks again for pointing out the mistakes, I'll correct them later.

Uten- The description of the tattoo will show out during the next M.A. class. So soon. Another for Nisha and Ginny.

Ash Knight- Any prank ideas that you have would be wonderful. I have a few more ideas, but they're not really pranks.

Lilysunshine- Happy? Extra lines.

JesLyMak- 1st thanks, 2nd glad you like my characters, 3rd yes heart wrenching that's what I was going for, 4th Another for Ginny and Nisha, and yes Neville will be with Luna, a strange couple that one, 5th Amethyst and Volucris? You do realize that one is a cat and one dragon, right? But I guess they would have interesting babies.

Okay, I've had quite a few people tell me that Nisha and Ginny would be a cute couple, so as long as no one is completely against it, they will be a couple. Everyone can thank Mari for this.