Hello all, sorry for the extra delay. I was actually taken to the ER for a few days, nothing serious and I am fine now. But, it cut down on what I was supposed to get done, I am now backed up, and my proofreading takes soooo long. But that doesn't matter now, because chapter 9 is here! Hurray! It's quite long, and I hope you enjoy it! And I know I don't give chapter titles (though I think I should, it would be fun!), I did give Chapter 9 an honorary title because, I admit, I think the spacing on the events makes this chapter…
(Disclaimer: I own nothing!)...The End of Harry's Longest Day. Ever.
9
The four of them sat together in the library. Their books were spread out, but not one of them was studying. They were quiet with their thoughts, unable and unwilling to start a conversation.
Harry knew what they were thinking, and he knew they were just as confused as he was about what happened that night. But he had never loved his friends more than he did at that moment. All around them students were whispering their theories on what happened only an hour ago in the Great Hall, but he sat silent with his friends while they offered him their protection.
Ron spoke up finally, though it sounded more as if he was talking to himself than to the rest of them.
"We knew you could do Wandless stuff, Harry, but not like that. The wind, and the eyes… it was unreal," Ron said quietly.
"Thanks, Ron," Harry shot him a halfway smile.
"Who knew Emlyn could do it too," Hermione added, bewildered. They all looked up at her.
"How do you know that?" Ginny asked. Ron and Harry nodded in agreement.
"You didn't see her? I would have thought you would have noticed it at least, Harry," Hermione whispered. "She didn't even use her wand half the time, almost as if she didn't even need it."
"Oh," Ron and Harry said in unison. They were quiet for a while longer, contemplating the new information.
"So, what actually happened in that bubble thing, Harry?" Ron whispered to him.
"Er," Harry stalled. He couldn't tell them that Emlyn thought he was a failure because of the Prophecy. They didn't know about it, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to tell them yet. It was such a huge weight, but he almost felt better knowing that Emlyn knew of it too. He also wanted to tell them that there was another Prophecy that Emlyn had hinted about, but he couldn't.
"Er," he said again, "she said I was a failure because I haven't killed Voldemort even though I've faced him five times." Harry shrugged, it was the truth. Both Hermione and Ginny gasped quietly. Ron's mouth dropped open.
"She can't say that, mate! Just because You-Know-Who wants to kill you, doesn't mean that you have to kill him!" Ron said a little too loudly, and some students at the next table looked over at them.
"Well, actually-" Harry contradicted before he could think about it. Hermione's eyes widened, and Harry gulped. Thankfully, Lukas chose that moment to saunter over.
"Hey, Potter, I'm supposed to remind you about your detention tonight. Professor Morticai wants you to meet her in the DADA classroom in five minuets," he said quietly, so as not to bring over the librarian who was eyeing them annoyingly.
"Thanks," Harry nodded, "I guess I'll see you guys tonight." He grabbed his books quickly and left the library, for once thankful for his detention.
Lukas watched Harry walk out of the library and could almost feel the animosity radiating off of Ron. Weasley sure didn't like him at all, Lukas laughed to himself.
"Is that it, Brandon? Because we are trying to study here, and you're interrupting us," Ron said nastily. Hermione's mouth dropped open, Ginny snorted and collected her books to leave, and Lukas just smiled back at Ron, who was scowling openly at him.
"I'll leave as soon as I ask Hermione if she still wanted to go over Charms homework tonight," Lukas replied smoothly, turning his devastating smile on Hermione. She blushed and opened her mouth to reply when Ron cut in.
"We don't have Charms until Monday, I'm sure you don't have to go over it tonight. Anyways, we," he motioned to himself and Hermione, "are studying right now," Ron glared at him.
Lukas could barely hold back his laughter. Ron was searing with frustration and jealousy just at his mere presence around Hermione.
"I would really like to go over Charms tonight, Lukas. There are some problems I didn't understand quite right," Hermione smiled at him.
"What a lie!" Ron hissed as quietly as he could. The tight-faced librarian was moving sideways towards them, ready to pounce if their volume got too loud.
"Excuse me?" Hermione looked at Ron, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"You understand everything, Hermione! Don't pretend to be brainless just to get this bloke to study with you!" Ron grabbed her arm, but Hermione wrenched it away. She looked so pretty when she was angry, Lukas thought, grinning. Ron mistook his happiness and shot him a malevolent look, but Hermione grabbed his attention again.
"You pretend to be brainless to study with me, Ronald," Hermione looked incredulous.
"I do not! I really am that brainless!" Ron retorted, then blushed at what he said. Hermione smiled, satisfied, but Ron just looked at her with his mouth hanging open.
Lukas took the cue to jump in, and made a date with Hermione for later that night, then excused himself quickly after feeling Emlyn drawing at power which meant Harry had arrived at the Arena. Walking away, he smiled to himself, already formulating a plan.
9999
Harry arrived at the DADA classroom and was surprised when Professor Morticai told him they would be serving detention elsewhere. He started following her down the hallway, wondering where Emlyn was. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but himself, but he was excited to spend time with Emlyn alone again, even though she hated him, and they had fought bitterly just hours before.
"How are you feeling after your spectacle today?" the Professor asked.
"Better now that I'm not bleeding," Harry said lowly, a frown crossing his face.
"Even so, fighting with another student, even if provoked, is unacceptable," Morticai lectured. She was silent for a second before adding "Unless under the right conditions."
"Pardon?" Harry asked, surprised and not sure if he heard her correctly. Professor Morticai didn't answer him.
"Now, Potter, if you were paying attention in class you would remember that out of the three True Aspects, the first True Aspect is called Lifting. An Aspect Lifter can take, or 'lift,' if you will, power from his or her opponent. This is the most powerful of the three Aspects, however it has it has its drawbacks, naturally. A True Aspect Lifter cannot use the magic that he or she lifts, only distribute it." Professor Morticai was walking swiftly down the hall, and Harry was struggling to keep up.
"Distribute to what, Professor?" Harry asked almost breathlessly. They had just passed the Great Hall and were headed out towards the other end of the castle.
"Ah, that is where the other two Aspects come into play, Mr. Potter," Professor Morticai smiled up at him. "The Aspect Lifter gives the power to her partners, or the other Aspects around her. The next Aspect is Elemental. Aspect Elementals are very resourceful and battle using whatever is around them. As their name suggest, Aspect Elementals can use fire, water, earth, air, essentially any elements, to cause harm, which is why their position is usually one of attack. The real trick with Aspect Elementals is the creativity, though." Professor Morticai smiled crookedly as if she knew some great secret, and quickly turned another corner. By now, Harry realized that they were headed towards the newly restricted area of the East Wing. Harry remembered that Hermione called it the Dueling Arena and he began to wonder what he had gotten himself into. But, he was quickly snapped back to attention as the Professor continued her impromptu lesson.
"The last, and most important Aspect for you to remember right now, is the Aspect Ancient. This Aspect is greatly versed in Dark and Ancient Magic, and greatly feared for it. An Aspect Ancient uses spells, curses, and forces of the Dark nature to overcome. However, in a confrontational situation, the Aspect Ancient usually uses her powers in defense to protect herself, her Aspect Elemental, and her Aspect Lifter, who are battling with her," Professor Morticai stopped quickly in front of enormous wooden doors that reached almost to the ceiling. The doors were intricately carved, and had some axioms in an ancient language running across them. Harry assumed they led to the Dueling Arena, and quickly realized that even though the area was off limits, there wasn't much from keeping students away. Suddenly, the largest shock he had ever experienced ripped through his body, almost sending him to his knees. Power was the only way he could describe the pain he received. It shocked and energized him at the same time and made his whole body tingle with awareness. He grasped a knobby protrusion of the wooden door to keep himself erect. The power ripped through him again, and he looked up to see Professor Morticai was watching him with a calm expression.
"Are you alright, Mr. Potter?" the teacher asked, her eyebrow raised in question. Harry heard the disinterest in her voice, almost as if she was waiting for something. He took a deep breath, and the pain of the power subsided almost immediately, so he stood erect and took another deep breath to calm himself. The jolts he was feeling were obviously not affecting Professor Morticai. But, Harry knew he was not imagining it, the power was coming from somewhere, and his guess was that it was whatever was behind the doors. But, Harry still could not comprehend why he was at the off limits Dueling Arena to serve his detention, until…
"Professor, why is it so important for me to remember what an Aspect Ancient is?" Harry asked cautiously, again inhaling and consuming another considerably larger bolt of power spiraling through him. Professor Morticai smiled jovially at Harry, but he didn't feel like smiling back.
"Because, Potter," Professor Morticai said mysteriously, "you are about to face one…" and with a flick of her wand the huge door creaked open and without time for him to process the information, Professor Morticai grabbed his wand and unceremoniously shoved him into the dark arena.
The heavy door loudly creaked closed so Harry could not hear the rest of the Professor's comment.
"…for the second time tonight."
9999
After her talk with Lukas, Emlyn stayed in the dark Dueling Arena thinking about what had happened with Harry. Lukas thought she had lost control, when really she had held back. She was not sorry for what she did, Potter deserved her wrath. If not for him and his failure, her sister would not be dead. Lukas was wrong, Potter was to blame. She understood that the Death Eaters preformed the physical act of death, but Harry was behind it all.
Closing her eyes, she replayed the fight. Emlyn felt as if the clash in the Great Hall had freed her. She had set a goal to fight Harry, and she did. Even if she didn't kill him, watching him bleed was good enough. Besides, Dumbledore would never let her kill the precious savior. But more than that, Emlyn felt energized, as though she had Power running through her. She felt as if Tynan was next to her, putting the fuel under her fingers. Her eyes snapped open with a sickening discovery: she wasn't imagining the Power, it was really there.
She immediately wondered where the Power she had fueling her rage with had come from. She had quite a bit left, which means there had to be a huge amount at her disposal before. After a moment, Emlyn quickly decided it was Lukas, and it cheered her spirits that he was actually successful at Lifting and that he was behind her outburst. Damaris had made them start to learn and practice Lifting immediately after Tynan's death since they were so vulnerable. Emlyn was grateful for the chance to work hard and take her mind off her grief, even if she was absolutely terrible at Lifting.
Lukas, Emlyn and Tynan were each destined for their own Aspect, and learning another Aspect they weren't channeled for felt forced and unnatural. Damaris had told them that it would be difficult, but Emlyn was confident she would be able to do it, until she actually tried Lifting. Lukas had little more success, and frustration set in. But, Emlyn hadn't been to practice with Lukas in weeks because of their different schedules, and she wondered now if he had made progress and didn't tell her. It didn't seem like something he would keep to himself, since Lukas was extremely competitive and liked being a show-off. And after talking to him before, Lukas seemed more upset with her attack on Harry, rather than congratulatory.
Emlyn frowned, and concentrated on locating Harry. Reaching out with her Power, she felt him and Damaris approaching from her position inside the Dueling Arena. Damaris told her that Harry had practiced wandless magic by himself all of last year, and he was very good at it. Emlyn smirked when she heard that; the dinner debacle proved Harry still had a lot to learn, and hopefully she would get to teach him another lesson tonight.
She felt him stop outside the doors of the arena with Professor Morticai. The professor was probably preparing him for the thrashing he was about to receive, Emlyn thought smugly. She idly wondered what their punishment was going to be, but she had a feeling it was going to involve fighting again. Damaris probably wanted her to fight it out fairly to get the hatred out of her system, and especially where there were no prying eyes. Emlyn smiled wickedly to herself at the thought of not holding back against the infamous Potter. Tonight, she would go all out, without the threat of punishment. She waited calmly for a few moments, then her excitement got the best of her and she decided to start the match a little early. Grinning wickedly, she muttered under her breath.
"Dominatus, dominatus.
Additum ipse dominatus,
ablegato onis homoinis."
Emlyn chanted, her eyes turning from light blue to a dark enchanting blue. She smiled as she felt her curse rip through Harry just outside the door. She hoped he was on the floor, writhing in pain, and she wished she could be there to see it. But to her surprise, she felt her curse withdraw and Harry regain control.
For a moment, Emlyn thought she repeated the phrase wrong. But it was a simple Power Curse, equivalent to a shock of unwanted magic. However, to Emlyn any simple spell could transform into a dangerous damage-causing curse. The Power Curse had definite considerable injury potential. It was one of the first curses she had ever learned, and she had used many times; she didn't ever have to think about its effectiveness. So she tried it again, this time adding her own special magic to the end.
"Dominatus, dominatus.
Additum ipse dominatus,
ablegato onis homoinis.
Fieri non potest quin."
Emlyn's eyes closed as she felt the power gather through Harry, and again, it almost immediately subsided. She was sure that it was powerful, and she had felt the curse move through him. She had not made a mistake this time.
Realization dawned on her, and her stomach clenched unwillingly. There had been only one person who could absorb power like that, and the memories brought tears to her eyes and anger to her heart. Gritting her teeth, she tried to hold back, but her fury exploded.
"DOMINATUS, DOMINATUS!
ADDITUM IPSE DOMINATUS,
ABLEGATO ONIS HOMOINIS!"
Emlyn screamed through her tears. Conjuring the full extent of the Power Curse, she made sure it amassed the supreme amount magic before she released it. Her eyes were now solid black with power, and she mentally followed her curse from where it left her hands to where Harry was standing outside… where it was immediately absorbed.
Anger now ripped through her, and transferred from her mind to play along the walls and high cathedral ceiling of the arena, as she did in the bubble with Harry earlier that evening. She could feel the room begin to get cold and dark, as her Aspect Ancient reflected her mood. Emlyn wanted to destroy everything around her. Harry Potter had killed her sister, but Harry Potter was the answer, he was the replacement link in their broken puzzle, he was a Lifter. Hate coursed through her, and darkness exploded against the walls.
Which is why, when Harry was shoved through the wooden arena doors, he was greeted with one of the most terrifying scenes of his life.
9999
Harry was speechless. He backed slowly against the door, taking in his surroundings. The room was very dark; the vaulted ceiling was stories above him and black swirls of magic were tearing around the room. Sporadically, bright flashes would illuminate the huge arena, almost like a lightning storm. And during one of the flashes he caught site of his opponent.
She was standing across the dueling floor, directly opposite Harry. The dark wind was whipping through her robes, and he barely had time to make out her face before the room was plunged back into darkness.
It seemed as if his thinking abilities had ground to a halt without his wand. All of his training was with a wand, and now with only his wandless abilities to protect himself, Harry was at a complete loss at what to do. A sinking feeling in his stomach settled when he caught sight of his opponent in the flashing lightening again. Even though he didn't think he stood a chance, he might as well try, he thought. But, as soon as he reached for his wandless powers, a startling voice sounded in his head.
NO! It was an eerie voice, but Harry had the feeling he should listen.
Just use your hands… it finished, the haunting voice resonating in his head.
Confused, Harry looked down at his hands, turning them over to see if something had changed. But as soon as he focused his attention on his hands, they started to tingle like something was flowing just beneath them. Might as well try, Harry thought.
He decided to try something simple, the light spell. With his wandless magic, it would send off a projected light, like his wand, and he wondered what would happen if he tried this new tingling feeling.
"Lumos," he muttered, not expecting anything to happen. Surprisingly, an orb of whitish-blue light grew in his hand. Startled, Harry tried to shake the orb off his hand, and it dropped to the floor and shattered into little illuminated pieces that bounced across the floor then disappeared. Harry stood a moment longer, trying to contemplate what had just happened, when he felt another light shock. His attention returned to his opponent, and Harry created another light ball in his hand. Holding the orb above his head and giving it extra power, the light spread far across the floor, and Harry gasped audibly when he saw her face illuminated.
Emlyn. The wind was ripping through her honey colored hair, and her angelic face was contorted with rage. Her eyes were black, and under each hand she balanced a dark swirling orb, almost as if she were trying to contain them to their positions at her sides.
It was not a normal situation where Harry would think of beauty, but Emlyn was powerful and perfect, and he was strangely excited to challenge this bewitching magnificence.
9999
"He's lost, Dams, help him," Lukas hissed, trying to hide his panic. They were standing back in the benches surrounding the floor of the Dueling Arena, the dimness enveloping their presence, but giving them an unobstructed view. But the room was dark because Emlyn's anger; he could feel the depth, and it worried him. Harry just looked like he had no idea what to do.
"I just wanted to see…" Damaris whispered back, excitement in her voice. "He is the Chosen One."
"You of all people should know, he can't realize the Power until you help him, even if he is the Chosen One. Do it now, before Emlyn gets bored," Lukas checked once more, and Harry seemed to decide to use wandless magic. Lukas sighed.
"Alright," Damaris sighed also, seemingly coming to the same conclusion. Lukas knew she why she was excited. They suspected Harry was a Lifter, but he did it without knowing. Most likely, he was also an Ancient and Elemental, but the only way to tell was to start his training with the Aspect Teacher, Damaris.
She held the power of influence, the way to make an Aspect become aware of what they never would have noticed otherwise. She could help an ordinary wizard feel the Power, even if they would never have the capacity to handle it.
Lukas felt Damaris stir beside him, and he knew she was reaching out to Harry. Lukas held his breath; it was a big moment for all of them. His and Emlyn's future would be decided with this one test. He did not even want to think about what would happen if Harry could not accept his Aspect power. Damaris abruptly sat down on the bench behind them. It was over. Lukas sat down too, not looking at her.
"What happened?" he ventured, preparing himself for disappointment. Damaris laughed.
"Don't be so worried, Lukas, he took it and now all we have to do it watch and see what he does. With a little more help, of course," she smiled at him, her old eyes twinkling. They sat quietly and watched as Harry tentatively began to realize the Power that held him.
After a moment, Damaris spoke again, this time her voice was tinted with sadness and memories.
"He was already there," she whispered to Lukas, "Just like you three were when I first trained you." She sighed, and quickly wiped a tear from her cheek, "He was already there."
Lukas smiled sadly along with her.
9999
"Harry…" Damaris called out for them to stop an hour later. After Harry had felt the tingling, she announced her presence and since then she had been calling out directions to him the entire time. But to be honest, Harry didn't feel like anything he did was working. Emlyn's strength was amazing. She didn't relent, even for a moment, as Harry tried to defend himself against her powerful curses.
"Pull the power into you, Harry. It's… it's like breathing, " she said, using an analogy that Lukas and Emlyn recognized as the way Tynan used to describe it to them. "You pull in the energy like you are pulling in air to breathe. You can only inhale so much, so you much 'exhale' some of the power to Lukas."
"I was feeling some power there, mate. You might be getting the hang of it." Lukas felt bad for the guy. He would have been terrified to face Emlyn, knowing the hate that she held for him. Harry was tougher than he looked though, a lot tougher. It seemed like he could take anything Emlyn would throw at him.
"Alright," Damaris sighed. "Again, again. And this time, Harry, concentrate."
Harry was concentrating, but as Darkness started to spill out of Emlyn and the winds started to whip up through her hair, Harry couldn't be anything but entranced. She was so beautiful. She looked down at her hand where she held a glowing ball of magic.
As she threw the dark ball towards him, Harry knew what he had to do. He'd been doing it the entire time, but he guessed that he knew something that the others didn't. Harry could use the power he amassed for himself, which was the only reason he had lasted this long in the first place. He kept most of the power for himself, and gave some to Lukas and Emlyn. It really was like breathing, he realized. The power she gave him surged through his body, making the ends of his fingers dance with magic just waiting to be released. Harry didn't know what he was supposed to do with it though.
Lukas had immediately whispered in Damaris's ear when he felt the power. It wasn't much but it was there. Harry knew he was telling her that he had been given power.
"Enough, Emlyn. Harry, you may go. Excellent job today." She turned and walked to the benches on the opposite side of the dueling hall. Emlyn's magic evaporated into thin air as she turned from Harry without even a good bye, and followed Damaris.
Despair was welling up in her heart as she slowly walked over to the bench. She had felt Harry watching her, but could not turn to look at him.
He was the answer to their problems. He was Tynan's replacement.
And he was good.
She turned and sat on the cold stone bench, her head in her hands. She couldn't believe it. Tynan's killer was the key to their broken triangle. Without him, she and Lukas were in danger from Voldemort if he ever found out about them.
She heard Lukas climb down from the benches and walk over to her and Damaris. His long form hunched down next to her. "Emlyn, look at me."
She raised her tear filled eyes. "It can't be him, Luk"
Damaris answered. "It is, Emlyn. He is strong, too. I suspect he can use the power as well as pass it out, which will make him a stronger member of the group than even Tynan was."
Lukas and Emlyn were going to protest Damaris's observation, but it was true. Tynan couldn't use the power. Technically, if Harry could use the power that he was given, he would never get tired, and neither would they.
Damaris stood. "Till tomorrow. Don't be late."
"I've got to go too, Emlyn." She looked up at him.
"Where?"
"I'm walking back with Harry then I'm meeting Hermione for a study date in the library," He winked at her, picked up his bag and left. Emlyn sat and thought about Harry for a few minutes. Although her rage at him never wavered, she decided that she would have to make this work. But, she thought with a smirk, she wouldn't have to make it easy for him. She got up and walked back to her common room, filled with satisfaction and new ideas.
9999
Harry looked after her. She was amazing, he thought, but he just wished that she didn't hate him so much. Even more now, he wished he knew why she hated him.
"Harry." Lukas had come over and was watching him stare after Emlyn with an odd look on his face. "I'll walk back to the towers with you, let's go."
"Sure," Harry said distractedly, collecting his wand and following Lukas out of the Arena.
His mind was on Emlyn. Damaris had barely stopped Emlyn from destroying him a second time, then she had revealed that Emlyn and Lukas were both Aspects. She also told him that he had the power to become an Aspect also, but his was a much more powerful magic since he had all three tendencies within him. It was a lot to get his mind around. But, he suddenly snapped back to the present.
"You did well today," Lukas said, "I know this must be a lot to deal with."
"It's not every day…" Harry halfway laughed, Lukas joined in.
"With more practice, you'll be able to do the whole Lifting thing much easier. I've tried Lifting, but it just doesn't work with my Elemental Aspect. Maybe even Damaris will let us teach you the Ancient and Elemental stuff too, since you can probably do all three. I could show you this really cool thing I can do with water…" Lukas stopped, and glanced over at Harry.
"Nah, that would be cool," Harry said, "But I doubt Riley would want to teach me anything."
"You'd be surprised, she's just very… stubborn," Lukas said slowly.
"How long have you known Riley?" Harry asked, "You two are obviously very close."
"Very astute, Potter. We are supposed to pretend like we don't know each other, Dumbledore's orders, but Emlyn and I are siblings. Riley is her middle name, Brandon is mine."
"That I wouldn't have guessed," Harry said. "So, how come you aren't out to draw my blood too, eh?"
Lukas laughed, "Well, for one thing, you don't have to pretend to hold back all the Power you gather. Emlyn could tell you had more and were only dishing a little which always made her furious with…" he sobered, "… with our last Lifter."
"So, I'm not the first Lifter you have practiced with?" Harry asked.
"Does it seem like it?" Lukas laughed.
"I guess not," Harry almost laughed along with him, but he remembered the bruises Emlyn gave him. "So can you tell when I'm holding back Power, too?"
"Yes, only other Aspects can feel the Power shift of other Aspects. Both Emlyn and I can feel when you access or use the Power, and in time, you will be able to feel it too. It just takes a lot of practice."
"Oh," was all Harry could think to say. He felt as if the day had dragged on forever and his mind was working at a furious pace.
"Speaking of practicing, Damaris is the Aspect Teacher. She is the one who you heard in your head today. Her suggestions are what lead you to the Power,"
"Oh,"
"Anyways, you are going to have to practice with her probably every day for awhile. She wants you to start tomorrow. She will explain more then," Lukas said. They stopped at the spit between the paths to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor towers. "And Potter, it's very important that you don't say anything to anyone about this. This secret means mine and Emlyn's lives."
"Yea, sure," Harry said again, turning away. But after Lukas walked out of sight, he started back, knowing he couldn't face Ron and Hermione so soon.
9999
It was late when Harry sunk down into the chair in the Common Room. He escaped up to the bell tower ledge: his favorite place to be alone.
He sat for a long while, thinking about what he learned about his powers today, and soaking in the starry night sky and cool October breeze. He was an Aspect, but not one of the one's Professor Morticai said. He could Lift magic, but he could also use it for himself, unlike a True Aspect. He knew that Lukas, Emlyn and the Professor hadn't thought he was very strong today, even Lukas had thought he was weak.
But what did they expect when Emlyn got to slam him into the Great Hall walls for ten minuets at dinner? Harry was sure that Emlyn had just been toying with him, as she was tonight. Excitement surged through him at the fact that one day he might get to be as powerful, or even more powerful than her. He smiled to himself, already looking forward to the rematch tomorrow, if only to see her hair blow and her eyes darken again.
Harry thought about what Professor Morticai said. Lifters were primarily responsible for giving out the power collected. Were Emlyn and Lukas supposed to be his team? And what happened to their previous Lifter? How did Lukas and Emlyn find each other? Was he supposed to be in their trio? Was that what Emlyn was talking about when she told him of another Prophecy?
Suddenly grabbed with fatigue, he sighed.
His muscles felt weak and he wished Emlyn were here to give him one of those power spells. They made him feel…alive, at least more alive than he had been feeling lately. He briefly decided to try to Lift some magic, but remembered what Lukas had said about Aspects. If he Lifted power, Emlyn would feel it.
So Harry sat and let his fatigue grip him, trying to concentrate on his books.
Ron, who was back from the library, had sat back down opposite Harry and was brooding.
He muttered something that sounded like "Stupid, Lukas Brandon."
Smiling, Harry ignored him, pulled out his homework, grateful that Ron had something to distract him, so maybe he could get some of this done and they could go over Quidditch strategies later.
Moments later, Ron quickly got up and left without a word. Harry sighed with relief; maybe tonight Ron would actually tell Hermione that he loved her.
9999
Lukas looked around the library and picked a table behind some book stacks. It was private, which was good he supposed. Hermione barreled in a few seconds later looking extremely ruffled. She spotted him and tried to paste on a smile but failed. She slumped into the chair across from him.
The sadness and anger radiating from her overwhelmed him. "What's wrong, Hermione?"
"Oh, well…" She looked like she was about to tell him, then thought better of it. "Nothing, I'm fine. What would you like to work on first?" She pulled out her Charms book.
Her emotions hadn't changed, he noticed. Something was still really bothering her. "Come on, Hermione. I'm a good listener." He gave her his most charming smile.
She looked up at him, and a slow tear rolled down her face. "It's just that… well, Ron is just such a prat."
And before he knew it, Lukas found himself in the middle of the entire life story of Hermione and Ron. It was amusing at least, he thought. Hermione really liked Ron, and that prick couldn't see it at all it seemed.
"…and just now, he yelled at me because I was coming to study with you. He said I was deserting my House. It just hurts because I like him so much—" she clapped her hand over her mouth and looked up at Lukas with horror in her wide eyes.
Lukas laughed and reached over and pulled her hand from her mouth. "I won't tell anyone, Hermione. I promise. In fact, I'll do you one better."
She looked at him with curiosity. "What are you talking about?"
Lukas now had a gleam in his eyes Hermione did not like. "Come on, Hermione. You're smart. I'm going to help you get Ron."
Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. All Ron needs is a little competition."
"But I don't even know if he likes me!" Hermione looked like she was going to be sick.
"Why do you think he went crackers today when you were coming to study with me. And today, at dinner, he got all pissed because he didn't want you spending time with me. He likes you. A lot."
Hermione blushed. Lukas leaned towards her, "Here's what we are going to do…"
And that is how Ron found them in the library. Heads pressed together and Hermione giggling like she was a first year. Ron's heart squeezed painfully from where he was watching from the door of the library, and he made the decision he was going to get her back—no matter what.
A/N: So what did you think? (BTW: I dont know any Latin, and the spells here are not supposed to be Latin at all, and they dont mean anything, just fun!) I know some of you were expecting more Ginny and Draco action, and for that I am sorry. I should be able to fit stuff in better, but it didn't work out that way. However: fear not! Chapter 10 holds some very D/G happenings, among other things...
Thanks to my reviewers: mugwump84 (honest and appreciated!), intricate simplicity (you're wonderful!), Alyssa Raven (I hope you got my email:) ) and thank you to everyone who reads!
Anyways, leave me a review! I'm tired of having to give myself the congratulatory punch in the arm every time I finish a chapter. (Could that be why I went to l'hopital? lol just kidding, im a toughie!) And as always, R/R and have a happy week! -xxx