xxTorn Rose of Ages Pastxx
vv Chapter Four: New Age of Complications vv
(Li)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I do own the OCs, such as Tornaroes and Jumblejones.
Summary: -AU- In a distant age where the Soulless rule and those who practise the Light and protect the Hogwarts House Heirs are hunted like Muggle animals, one House protector is sent to the past to save the life of a long-dead Ravenclaw Heiress... Tora talked to her future-friend, Remus Lupin, and they'll continue their conversation later...
August 15, 1996, Great Hall -- 9:03 AM
Tornaroes stood, staring, from the Great Hall's large double doors. She hadn't eaten with anyone, only going to the kitchen for unneccisary food and something to drink when she felt like it. Now, after getting much too much sleep early this morning, she'd decided to see what the other residents of Hogwarts did for breakfast.
Dumbledore sat at the head of a small table in the middle of the echoy room, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall to his right and a tired looking Professor Remus Lupin to his left. Severus Snape turned in his seat as she entered, glaring at the door. Madam Pomfrey had already eaten, as well as most other teachers.
Hagrid sat across from Snape and next to Lupin, paying close attention to a small boxed egg in his lap. The chair he sat on didn't seem to want to hold all his height and weight as it sagged in protest, but it really had no choise. The big man smiled at Tora as she entered, taking a seat across from Dumbledore. She had gone into the Forbidden Forest many a time; with the Gamekeeper's permission, of course.
"Good morning, Headmaster, fellow Professors." The youth smiled at the seated adults, reaching for the sasuage plate next to Hagrid's gaint elbow. The 'fellow professors' just stared openly.
"Good morning to you as well, Miss Tornaroes. I asume you had a pleasant sleep," Dumbledore asked the youth, eyes twinkling. Tora just laughed politely.
"That I did, milord. That I did."
Scooping an omliete onto her plate from the dish that had just appeared before her stretching hand, the girl made polite conversation with the half gaint next to her, ignoring the prying eyes completely. Dumbledore's deep blue eyes continued to twinkle, something Tora would have scowled at the future him for in annoyence.
'How do his eyes do that?' said future Protector had once asked herself. 'Do his eyes have magicly-glued sparkles that reflect light when he orders them to?' She had yet to come up with a logical --beleivable-- answer.
Lupin was quite confused. The Headmaster had not informed him of this teen's visit. Could she be the new Defense Professor? Quite impossible; she was much to young. Though there was the matter of her calming the beast inside him with a single touch.
While lost deeply in thought, the werewolf had all but stared holes in the girl's skull as the glaring Potion's Master seated across from him was desperately trying to do. McGonagall over looked the girl for the moment, now chatting with Dumbledore on the Gryffindore common room's decorating for the new term.
"Pass the hashbrowns, would you please?" she directed to Snape, uncertain of his name. His future duplicate was dead long before she'd joined the Phoenix Defenders; the fool Voldemort himself had killed the poor man after a great deal of Muggle torture, gaining nothing from the so-called double spy. He was seen as a hero, and even the demon halfling Tora had to admit, was quite brave.
The Slytherin Head of House grudgily passed the dish to Tora, tempted to dump it's contents on the girl for her slight insolence. He declined the impulse, however, after the girl's amber eyed flashed as if she could read his thoughts. His mental barriers were in place, though, and it would be quite impossible for someone so young could do so.
"Thank you, Professor...?" she trailed off, the last questioning.
"Severus Snape; Mater of Potions and Head of Slytherin House," supplied Dumbledore, breaking his small talk with the Transfigeration Professor.
Tora smiled and nodded to the sneering man, genuanly glad to meet the not-so-future hero. "Pleasure to meet you, Master Snape. Tornaroes Valorence, at your servace." She would have bowed, still smiling charmingly, if the table wasn't in the way.
"Yes, a pleasure I am sure." The man's face remained impassive as the youth gave a final nodded and proceeded to dump a small amount of hashbrowns, set the plate down, and summoned plastic bottle of something thick and red as blood with the wave of her hand.
Two mouths gaped open, two stared in shock, and Dumbledore just continued to twinkle those blue eyes of his. (Getting quite old, isn't it?) She had just done Wandless Magic at an age most would still be in school learning to control their store, wand included. Who was she, really?
"Ah, is something wrong?" asked the youth, faking nervousness. Turning the now-opened bottled upside-down, she proceeded to squeeze the bright red cream-like substance onto half of her food, partially eaten omlette included. "Is it the Ketchup? I can hardly eat this food without Heinz, you know. Quite addictive stuff, I might add."
Tora winked at the still staring Professors --former and current-- before taking a bite of the red-covered egg, closing her eyes and almost purring in delite. Seeing the wide eyes of her fellow breakfast mates, she purposefully mistook their unbelieving nature as confusion.
"I enjoy my food, yes. Would anyone care to try some Ketchup?" She offered the plastic bottle, arm stretched out, but was declined by automatic --but polite-- head nodded 'no's.
"Right, then. All the more for me." She took another bite, this time skipping the puring before diving in.
Lupin was the first Professor to find his voice. "Where did you get the... Ketchup?" He wasn't quite sure what it was, though his inhansed senses told him it reeked of tomatos.
Tora blinked, not sure who to answer. Deciding to be truthful, "I had it shrunk, of course. Are you sure you wouldn't like to try some, Master Lupin? It dulls the pang of the sasuage's overspiceyness. The house elves add a lot of seasonings, don't they?"
Dumbledore smiled, wiping his mouth --and beard-- with his lap napkin. "Quite right, Miss Tornaroes." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a familiar tin. His tablemates mentally groaned. "Lemon Drop, dear?"
"You must have quite a lot of these, Lord Albus. How do your teeth survive?"
"Derotting charms, of course," stated the Headmaster without any hint of an embarassed blush. Tora nodded, expression thoughtful.
"Useful, they are, when one eats many sweets."
The professors stared. The clock rang 9:40.
"Odd..." murmured Dumbledore too low for anyone but maybe Tora to hear.
"Hmmm?"
Tora glanced up, and upon seeing the time, sighed. "I am sorry to leave so soon, fellow facilty, but I had the Castle Clock set for my leaving time. If anyone might need me, just ask one of the wandering cupid-like angels to direct you." Blank stares. "They are in the paintings, of course.
"Now, if you would please excuse me..." Tora rose, her plate disappearing as she did so.
"Of course, Miss Tornaroes." Dumbledore smiled as Tora turned and bowed low before walking briskly out of the Great Hall.
The Headmaster turned to the confused Hogwarts staff and guest, before smiling a knowning grin (including the twinkle), "And that, my friends, is Tornaroes Valorence, our new resident enigma."
One Professor didn't join in the laughter to Dumbledore's joke. One Potion's Masterwas determined to drag the youth's mysteries to light; for both his masters, one willingly to and the other long ago forced.
Snape sneered. He'd always enjoyed a challenge.
August 17, 1996, Tora's Room --2:01 PM
It was a nice, calm day. Within the confindes of her spacious couters, one Tornaroes paced the stone floor without cease, aura a faint ugly greenish yellow. Clawednails dug into the tender flesh of the webs between fingers as the pacing youth clapst hands together tightly, an old habit picked up from someone she hardly remembered long ago.
Those stupid, stupid books! Reminding her of the charges she missed so much!
They could be dead, without your care. How could you leave them so suddenly? Without someone to warn them, to care for them? A sustitute for you?
Influenced thoughts ran through her rambling mind. She couldn't change anything; going back to that time was all but impossible. She needed to forcuss on the imeadiate problem.
Knowing how your wards are.
Yes-- no! Bad mind voice!
But the thought just wouldn't leave her clouded mind. She needed to know her foster family's condition, and there was only one way quick enough without her natural powers.
She swept from the room in a Slytherin-dramatic way, leaving the window open, a cold wind flipping the pages of Ginsei and it's Uses: A Medical Guide. Unknown to her, glowing green eyes cold as limestone followed her every move, the figure they belonged to curious to it's prey's actions.
Her fellow demon would soon find out. All in good time, that is.
Headmaster's Office -- 2:27 PM
Entering the Headmaster's office from a secret side passage she doubted Dumbledore even knew about, Tora smiled to herself as she found the room empty of all but Fawks. Said phoenix flew to her raised arm, cawing in delight and blinking charmingly. The youthful figure just chuckled to herself, petting her long time friend on the head as he wished.
'How is your master, young one?' the demon asked in Ancient Mystic, something beyond human (save some with Early Age blood) could not hope to comprehend. It was body language, muted speak, and most of all mental telepathy. It was something born into someone: few had leanrned, and even few had lived to speak with any.
'Worried, My Lady. I assume it was you whom distracted Master's mind?' Fawks asked, calling the girl her least-high tittle.
Tora snorted. 'You know not to call me that, Fawks. If I am a Lady, then you shall be an Emperor.'
The phoenix laughed, huffing slightly. Yes, in his native land he would have been the Leader of his family, but that was long ago. 'What are you here for, Mistress?' It was quite curious, to have someone in his Master's room without premission.
'Just to speak with the Fonder's old rag-thing, Fawks. And if you would please not tell your master I was here?' Tora almost begged.
'You have my promise, elder one.' A phoenix's promise could never be broken; she needn't have worried.
"Thanks, then," she whispered aloud, knowing the fire bird could understand her. Fawks snorted, not the least bit amused, and took off from her arm to his proper perch by his Master's desk. Sighing to herself, hiding a knowing smile, the youth eye-searched for what she'd come for.
The Sorting Hat sat where it always had: on a dusty shelf full of old Founders things long used in her future.
Smiling in triumph, Tora grabbed the Hat as if it was something delicate and lay it gently on her head, obscuring her one-eyed vision.
'Well, if it isn't the girl who almost choked me. Hello, then.' The Hat wasn't bitter; only wanting a little sympathy.
Tora sighed, mumbling an apology. "You can see my memories, can't you, Tathar? So you know I had no choise."
The Hat was serious in a moment. 'Ah, the young Weasly looking for you, yes. And the ones wanting you to come to this current time. Tell me, why do the Voices of Others speak to you?'
"You should know, stupid rag," muttered Tornaroes. "You see it, don't you? Or is the passage blocked."
A moment of silence, then, 'I have never seen an Unplacable mind like yours, Tora. Your mind has twists and turns, hidden memories not right for me to see. One like myself cannot natigate an Immortal's mind to it's fullest, as you well know.'
Tora nodded, the Hat slidding down over her eyes even more. "I do. Now, if you would please tell me how my charges are..."
'Timo and Sarias, you mean? Quite easy...' The faint sound of humming birds drinking, their wings pausing not a second. 'Ah, yes. They are fine, happy and healthy. I am not able to tell you the future, though you wish to know. Be glad your charges still exist.'
"I shall keep that in mind. Thank you well, Tathar." Places the Hat in its rightful place, Tora left the way she'd come.
Dumbledore entered the office a moment later, and finding nothing out of order, opened his secret Lemon Drop stash much to the protest's of former Headmaster Black's portrait. He would do almost anything for the sweets, including putting up with the rath of an inamiate object.
Ah, the pleasures of being a coniving old fool with the luck to be thought brilliant but senial. He could get away with almost anything!
Fawks stared nervously at his master as the aged man began chuckling to himself. He was certain Albus wasn't just thought a little loony, but quite was. Atleast the man wasn't dancing around in barely any clothing as Master Godric had done once upon a time. The thought wasn't very reassuring; it was only a matter of time. Sighing to himself, the phoenix slept.
August 20, 1996, Headmaster's Office --10:23 AM
"Is there something you needed me for, Lord Albus?" asked a slightly annoyed Tora, who had been reading with an open widow when summoned by the house elf Finsy.
"Yes, my dear. What are we to do with you while you stay within Hogwarts?" a calm headmaster asked, sitting behind his huge desk. The aged man stared at Tora's standing form, concerned for what he would tell the students about this strange girl he deduced much older than himself.
The youth turned toward the Mugwump, eyes mischeivious. "Exchage student? Living transparent being?" He could see through her body for a moment, which made him wonder upon the extent of her amazing powers. "An Order memeber? The truth?"
Dumbledore startled at the mention of his secret organization, then forced his tense body to relax. She was close to his future self and those of his current Inner Circle; of course she knew something anyone he trusted enough was informed of.
Tora just smiled, reading his mind not for the first time. "Yes, I know of your dear Order of the Phoenix. What did you think the same Phoenix Defence is? A new program?" The Headmaster nodded reluctantly, leaving the youth to continue. "No, it's an extended Order, revised to fit over seven million willing pertisipents."
Albus stared and the girl just laughed.
"Seven million, yes, but only two -- at most -- are Protectors of the military rank. The others have desk jobs, or are the remaining wizarding families of Europe." Upon the man's confused expression, she explained, "The Muggles have fled underground, protected by wards and all number of Magical Creatures, including Elves."
Dumbledore nodded, unwilling to show his current surprise to the girl. Elves and Magical Creatures willingly helping to protect humans? A little farfetched, even for his own twisted logic.
"Anyway, have you desided on something as of yet?"
Dumbledore would have grinned sadisticly, which scared most off, if doing so wouldn't contridict his grandfatherly image. "Yes, yes, my dear." Tora waited as the younger (yes, younger) waited for the suppsense to build. "You shall be a student!"
Tornaroes stared. And blinked. And tried to hold in her laughter.
"A student? Really, Lord Albus, I think that a bit farfetched. I'm much too old to be a transfer, even, since the laws state only younger than fifteen years."
Dumbledore eye-twinkled again, and Tora had to squash the urge to twitch and glare. That was fastly becoming annoying. "You shall be a first year, then."
He raised his wand to the startled girl's face, casting a human Transfigeration spell. She was younger --twelve at the seeming more-- with bright blue eyes the former color of her now redish yellow hair. Her clothes, of course, were standard wizarding uniform, though her eye patch was still covering her unusable one. All together, she was seething.
"And my House?" she asked through gridded teeth. Wait a moment...
Dumbledore smiled. "Hufflepuff, of course." The badage appeared on her robes with a wave of his wand.
That was the last straw for Tora; her aura flared an angry red. Wild demon magic surrounded her form, breaking his spell's purpose easily, as she glared murderously at the startled man. He'd seen fury before, of course, but never something of this magnitude.
Something began to sing in the background, and Dumbldore realized it was his bond-phoenix, Fawoks. The song was unusual; he'd only ever heard the firebird singing in sorrow for it's Master's passing or joy for a new one. What could this possibly mean?
The music seemed to have it's desired effects: Tora's aura calmed, and she seemed only overwelmbingly tired. Glancing at the phoenix from the corner of her now-golden right eye, the youth smiled wryly. "Have me there, Fawoks."
Dumbledore stared questionly at the slumped-shouldered figure before him. Somehow his bond-partner could comunicate with the demon girl, something the aged man had never even heard of.
Sighing, Tora sensed something coming. It wanted... she didn't know what... but it was familair, and just... there! Then it was gone.
Slightly confused the girl --as if possessed by another force-- appealed to Dumbledore, "I can be an assistant and substatute teacher."
Surprised, the Headmaster thought it over. Not a bad idea.. Only one problem: "Do you have the training?"
Still not herself, Tora replied with a humorless smile, "Quite, Headmaster. More than enough, I am sure."
Dumbledore smiled, shaking the youth'soffered hand to settle the deal. "Welcome, then, Tornaroes, to the Hogwarts facilty. Your room in the teacher's courters should be ready by tomarrow."
"My name is Tornaroes Valorence, Lord Albus, and you needn't bother with another room. The one I am currently stationed in is just fine. Good day to you, then," Tora stated, smiling, before bowing and stalking toward the doors and down the spiral starecase.
The watching green eyes -- cold as limestone-- glisened.
August 28, 1996 Kitchens -- 7:44 PM
Tora sat in the kitchens, sipping tea with Remus Lupin, the man she'd kept cornering until he'd agreed to talk with her. After that insident, Lupin and Valorence chatted now and then,becoming if not not friends than well informed aquintences.
At the moment, Remus was discussing the uses of Bogart hunting to overcome one's fear -- "With someone with you, of course." -- while Tora listened intently, currecting him every now and then with information few humans had discovered yet. The house elves were scurrying around them, cooking a lunch/feast for the whole next day (it annoyed most to no end with no students to enjoy their wonderful cooking).
Dobby was trying to get his girlfriend away from the alcohal, after saying "hello" to Tora, who usually came to the Kitchens to eat anyways. They became good friends early on, with the house elf asking few questions about her past and the halfling happy to see another person from her future thought long dead (from protecting an injured Harry Potter from a Death Eater's Killing Curse), though she had never met Dobby personally before.
"Now, say if someone was irrationally scared of spiders--" Lupin's lastest topic was cut short as his listener clutched her head.
Pain Tora knew all too well pounded the Immortal's skull, the Voices long silent fighting the force along with her. It was the presence from Dumbledore's office, wanting to take control of her vocal cords yet again. She wouldn't allow it this time, though.
Next thing Tornaroes knew, house elves surrounded her fallen form, muttering amongst themselves as a concerned, pale werewolf knelt beside her, asking what was wrong. "Just a flux..." she muttered, ignoring his confused looks as the Hogwart's Kitchen staff backed slowly away.
"A flux in what?" The question was ignored.
"Finsy?" Tora asked tiredly. The Head Elf suddenly appeared by her elbow, much to Lupin's surprise.
"Yes, Mistress? What can Finsy to for your, ma'am?" asked the enthusiastic house elf.
"Tell Lord Albus... that I'll be gone until the feast... Don't hold up if I'm not there at it's start..." murmured the youth, coughing slightly.
"Finsy will tell Master sir for you, mistress ma'am." With a bow, she disappeared. Tora just nodded.
"Dobby... Keep my room fresh for me will you?" she asked her new friend, smiling tiredly.
"Dobby will do as ma'am person asks, Dobby will! And a good job too!" yelled the free house elf, a sock falling from it's place atop his head
"Thank you Dobby." Tora smiled, then shifted, loosening Lupin's hold purposefully.
"What--?" Before Remus could tighten his grip, she was gone, though his werewolf eyes could pick up the slight shift in the air as she bolted at an inhuman running speed. "What is she...?" He didn't think anyone would answer.
An old house elf stayed behind as the others went back to their tasks, is brown and bumpy skin wrinkled beyond beleif. He stared up at the former Professor, brown eyes near-blind with old age. It was almost his time to go, it seemed. "Someone here for reasons beyond us," the old one answered mysticly, wringing trembling hands. "To take others pain is apparent; but is alone, this time, if Fate seems fit to see to that. Others will try, and try as they might, to help her. Be'wareShadowy Darkness, master sir; and not just the apparent kind."
Lupin blinked, glanced around, then turned back to where the house elf had once been. There was only an empty space, leaving the Moony in confusion.
Tora, on the other hand, was nearby, at the edge of the kitchens. As she stumbled out the door, she remembered something important.
In four days the new year would begin; new and old students alike would enter Hogwart's Great Hall. Tornaroes, the Protector from the Future, would see her two Past charges -- one Heir to be lost, the other to fight the Evil by his friends' sides, watching them get killed and imprisoned one by one -- if this past turned into her future. The one she could save would come: the one the Voice kept chanting to protect.
Tora prayed to all the Gods willing to grant her need for patientce, and the will to protect from afar.
A/N: I may put some past-slash more-than-hints in here. Vote 'yes' or 'no' and I will change or continue my plans, if you please.
Li