A/N: Hello, I'm back. I'm sorry I'm updating late again, but I spent the whole day at SJC's so, yeah. I hope you like this. I made this chappy long, so enjoy.
krillball6- I'm happy to know that you are enjoying yourselves. And thank you for your dedication.
batbones: The plan was actually totally opposite. I'd say more, but that would ruin it. Also, I want to see you TRY to hurt me.
ErikandChristine- Sorry you don't like the Herm./Harry match. I prefer it to Herm./Ron one. NEwayz, this is not going to be the most prominent thing as far as affairs go. They will be mostly in the background and they'll be mentioned rarely. I just need them there for the complications and plot line that's going to happen after Christmas.
Now, hope all of you enjoy. Warning, I ask you to remember some of the details mentioned in this chappy. They'll be important in the end. Now, don't forget to review. I'm not sure if I can have Ch. 21: Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, by tomorrow. SJC already edited the 1st part, but I still have to write the second part. NEwayz, don't forget to review.
It was the end of the second week in November. The second Quidditch match of the year was to be held that Saturday. It was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"You've got to be kidding me!" exclaimed Jacqueline as she sat down next to Ron at breakfast on a Thursday morning. "I am not getting up that early."
Harry smirked at her. "Well then, would like me to ask Roger to fill in for you for the game?"
Jacqueline scowled, "No, and who's Roger?"
"Third year."
"Well I have to agree with her mate," said Ron, "Five o'clock for practice is kind of early."
"That was the only opening. Slytherin has the rest booked," said Harry grimly.
In the past two weeks, our quartet made up with each other, much to the pleasure of all the Gryffindors. The accident that occurred at the masquerade was not talked about, but it remained in the back of everyone's minds.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Ron, noticing Hermione's face ashen white.
"There has been a sight of a Death Eater grouping and a glimpse of Voldemort."
The whole table went silent as they have heard what she said. Ron grabbed the daily prophet out of her hands and read the article titled: Voldemort in an Abandoned Village in Madrid.
"Madrid, that's not too far from here," said Jacqueline quietly, falling into the same mood everyone was in.
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The news of the morning was not forgotten by lunch and the meal was eaten in silence. The only table that seemed to be unaffected by the news were the Slytherins. After lunch, the seventh years went to DADA.
"Your homework please," said Professor Skarelli and a bunch of parchments flew onto his desk. "Now in the past month, we've covered two of the Unforgivables. We've got only one left."
Silence in the whole room rang out as everyone knew what was coming.
"Avada Kedavra," said Skarelli.
A shudder rang out in the room.
"I have been informed that in your fourth year, Professor Moody performed this curse in front of you. A most cruel thing to do. No, Ms. Granger, I'm not going do that again," he said looking at the terrified face on Hermione. "This is the most wicked form of killing in all history. Unlike what some think, the Avada Kedavra does not kill quickly, even though that's what it seems like. When cast, the victim is forced into unconsciousness. But in that unconsciousness, they pass onto the next world. The world of the living dead. When they appear to be dead, the person is in fact suffering pain that is to be said to be ten times worse than the Crucio."
Jacqueline's hands began to shake and a small tear ran down her cheek.
"Are you alright, Ms. Mireille?" asked Skarelli.
She looked up at him and nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Only two among us have survived the Avada Kedavra, but only one is known of the two. We all know the story of Harry Potter, but not many know the story of Ms. Riddle."
The trio blankly stared at the Professor. Hermione then dared herself to raise her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Granger."
"You said Ms. Riddle. Does she have any relation to Tom Riddle?"
Professor Skarelli stared at her and then smiled. "Yes, Ms. Granger, Mademoiselle Riddle is in fact a relation of the great sorcerer. But, that is a story not in relation with our own. Mr. Malfoy, question?"
Everyone looked at the Slytherin who never raised his hand in class. All were ready for a smart remark.
"How do you know about all of this? I mean about the effects of the curse?"
Everyone exchanged glances as Draco said something decent in public.
Skarelli chuckled, "Anyone have any ideas? Ms. Mireille?"
"Wizards have discovered a certain tool that can connect us with the world of the dead.
Miroir des Morts or the Mirror of the Dead is what they call it. From there, we can connect with the people from the past and clarify certain questions," said Jacqueline in a small voice.
"Good, ten points for Gryffindor. We have come up with a problem though. When we try to talk to the wizards that pass on, they do not want to talk back to us about certain things. Only few share their stories with us; feeling that the world should know."
"Just out of curiosity professor," said Harry, "Is Ms. Riddle one of the few that shared her story?"
"Oh, heavens no. Ms. Riddle is alive and well. It's her parents that are the ones that blessed us with the details of their death. No more questions about the Riddles Mr. Potter. Talk to me after class if you must. Now, everyone turn to page 239."
The rest of the double class period was spent in silence. Harry wasn't eager to read as the book said,
Only one is believed to have survived the curse, but in fact there are two; one being Harry J. Potter and the other Amaryllis J. Riddle.
Then it went into a small description of the night Harry's parents were killed. Harry skipped that and then went to the description of the Riddles.
Amaryllis Riddle was the daughter of Jacqueline L. de Barnowi and Travis M. Riddle. Jacqueline was originally from France and met Travis while visiting Versailles. A year later, Amaryllis was born on August 1, 1989.
Harry looked at the date to find that this Amaryllis was born on the very next day after him.
When Amaryllis was turning three, her parents were killed by Lord Voldemort. Wizards are still trying to figure how that could have been, for he was believed to have been gone. Drained of all of his power at the time he tried to kill Harry Potter. After the death of Jacqueline and Travis, Voldemort tried to kill Amaryllis, but the spell just absorbed through her skin.
Harry was about to read on when he heard the Professor say, "Yes, Ms. Mireille?"
"May I please be excused," said Jacqueline.
Skarelli looked her over and then gave his consent. When Jacqui was at the back of the room she burst out crying as she rushed out of the room. Draco stood up and followed her. Our trio wanted to follow, but the Professor said, "You three, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Granger sit. I didn't give you permission to leave."
The three sat down angrily mumbling something about Malfoy not asking either.
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Jacqueline was sitting outside the classroom, a few steps down by the stained glass window crying. Draco came up from behind her and then knelt in front of her. He pulled her hands away from her face and kissed them. Jacqueline looked up at him and her crying subsided. Draco let her hands go and gently brushed away her tears with his thumbs. But that didn't help as Jacqui burst again and began to mumble.
"Parents … Voldemort… cursed for ever."
And it went on like that. Different words in a jumble together. Draco took her into his arms and tried to calm her. Eventually she cooled.
"When I was reading about Amaryllis, it immediately reminded me of myself and my parents. I witnessed their deaths out of the shadows. Same curse, Avada Kedavra."
"Don't think of that now," whispered Draco pressing her harder against him.
Jacqueline tried to block the memory of her parents' deaths and she succeeded. She tried pulling away from the hug, but found that Draco's grip was too strong on hers. Couldn't he feel her trying to move away?
Why am I even complaining?
She lifted her head off of his shoulder. Her side-vision told her that Draco was deep in thought. Her hand began to draw circles on his shoulder and she enjoyed watching the muscles move. She sighed within herself.
XXXXXX
Draco couldn't take it any longer: he had to know.
"What are you doing he asked?" and pulled slightly away so that he could see her.
Jacqueline tried to hide the smile that was coming onto her face. She then said softly, "Just thinking."
"About what?" smirked Draco, "You thinking is never good."
"Well…"
I'm good at thinking on my feet, why am I having problems with this? 'I was thinking of you.' Yeah, that'll sound brilliant.
"What if we, don't return to class and take the rest of the day off?"
Draco looked at her with muse, "I know that's not what you were thinking of." He then pushed her down onto the window sill and sat down next to her. Jacqueline then did something she hadn't done in a long time. She let out a soft giggle. Draco stared at her.
"Did you do what I think you just did?"
Jacqueline tried to collect herself, but couldn't. She said sharply, but with a smile, "Draco Malfoy, what in the world do you mean?"
Draco laughed softly; maybe even softer than Jacqui's giggle. A tear of happiness rolled down Jacqueline's cheek.
"What are we crying about now?" Draco asked softly.
Jacqueline mustered up all of her courage and kissed his cheek. Draco's mind staggered for a moment.
"Thank you," said Jacqueline as she stood up.
"For what?" and he stood up with her, trying to figure out what he had done.
Jacqui stopped descending the stairs, looked at him, and said, "For giving me hope that there can still be happiness in the world; being the light of tomorrow."
Draco looked at her, perplexed by her words. He didn't say anything back. At the end of the staircase he asked, "You gonna be ok?"
She nodded and the two went in different directions.