Disclaimer: lyrics belong to David Bowie and the characters to J.K. Rowling. The plot however is mine.


"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?"
- Albert Einstein

Lady Stardust

The three witches worked long into the night, each completely absorbed in her task.

Ginny was gazing into her quartz ball; her cards and runes lay out around her.

Hermione was steadily working through her pile of books, pausing occasionally to note down a few details here and there.

Tinker was moving between the two bringing cups of tea and books, as they were needed.

Alexandra was curled up in her chair by the fire. She appeared to be doing nothing. She was in fact arranging and watching the meeting between Harry and his parents. She sighed gently as Harry left. It always took such a lot of energy for her to perform this task.

Hermione looked up and smiled. "Successful? She asked.

Alexandra opened her eyes slowly.

"Define successful."

"Did he get what he wanted?"

"If Harry wanted reassurance then he certainly got it. Lilly is very pleased with out work and thinks we are doing a wonderful job."

Ginny threw her teacup in a fit of temper. Hermione and Alexandra went over to her.

"For all the good it is doing I might as well be reading curdled milk." Ginny snapped.

Alexandra smiled. The meetings always left her feeling completely at peace with the universe. "You are trying to hard Gin. We all are. I propose we call it a night. Ron and Draco will be wondering where you both are." Alexandra said sleepily.

"I suppose Ron will have worn a hole in the carpet by now" Hermione joked.

Tinker stood apprehensively at the door. Another side effect of Alexandra's trance was she became aware of the position of everything in the universe.

"Tinker, bring the gentlemen in." Alexandra said suddenly wide-awake.

Tinker bowed and beckoned the men to come in. two large men walked into the room. They appeared to take up all the available space. The men walked up to the fireplace and stood imposingly in front of it.

"You will let them go. Your quarrel is with me." Alexandra said firmly.

The men looked at her in unison. "Then the daughters of Hecuba may leave." They said as one and moved in unison o Ginny and Hermione could leave.

Ginny strode to the fireplace, her head held high. Hermione however hesitated.

"Go." Alexandra pressed. "It will not do for you to dwell, I must face my future" Hermione remained. "No, it is not fair…" she paled when she saw Alexandra.

"YOU DARE DISOBAY ME!" Alexandra shrieked. The men remained where they were. They looked completely unaffected. Alexandra pushed Hermione in the direction of the fireplace. "I demand that you leave Hermione."

Rain began to pelt the windows. Alexandra glared at the men.

Alexandra turned to Hermione. "Go. This will not last for long."

Hermione crossed quickly to the fireplace and muttered Harry's address.

Harry was not stupid enough to sleep with his fireplace open so the girls were deposited on his doorstep. They jumped up and in unison hammered on his door. A very sleepy Harry answered a few minutes later. Before he could say anything, the two girls had dragged him into his living room and sealed the door. Ginny quickly lit a fire and Hermione filled Harry in on the recent events.

"So who are the men?" Harry asked. Hermione paled visibly.

"They were the sentinels. Their job is to make sure that all curses are carried out in full." Ginny said calmly as she poked the fire.

"Whom do they seek vengeance for?" Hermione asked.

"It couldn't be Lee could it?" Harry asked tensely.

"No, Lee wouldn't know how to call them. They can only be called by a daughter of Hecuba, son of hector or.. Hermione faltered.

Ginny went pale. "He wouldn't, he couldn't,"

Hermione nodded slowly. "The only person with the sources to find her, to call them forth, it has to be him. It can be no one else Gin."

Draco's voice interrupted her. "It's Alexandra isn't it? She is in trouble." Draco demanded

"You know?" asked Harry surprised.

"I am the only direct living male descendent of Sirius." Draco snapped. "I know when the curse is activated. I am the vengeance seeker."

"Only sought of seeker you have been any good at." Harry said acidly.

"Boys, you will call a truce," Hermione said impatiently. "As your prime minister I insist. Alexandra needs us."

"What will these guardians do?" Harry asked Hermione, determinedly ignoring the face in the fire.

"We don't know but they are seeking vengeance for Draco. If we can get him there maybe he can stop them" Ginny answered.

"Ginevra darling, Alexandra had to see Sirius. She must now take the consequences"

Ginny raised her eyebrow. "You would permit them to kill your cousin."

"They won't kill her. They are not authorised to." Draco pointed out. "She must now take the consequences. There is nothing I can do."

"Then you must allow me to make my choice." Ginny said coolly. She straightened up and looked at Hermione. "There is only one course of action left to us."

Hermione nodded her agreement slowly.


A/N

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