Disclaimer: Can't you guess by now? The only thing I own is the plot. Even the characters I've added own themselves. Ha! Life is so unfair sometimes.
Chapter 4: Introductions and Getting Cozy
Jazz didn't stop her jaw from dropping, nor did she pull it back into place with a clink of her teeth. "What? H-how? I don't – I don't understand," She stumbled over words, blind to everything but Dumbledore, who seemed to be averting his eyes away from the silver fire accumulating in Jazz's.
"How…why…was anyone planning on telling me this before? Or is it because Voldemort came back?" Jazz felt Professor McGonagall recoil, as if Jazz were a leper and Harry's eyes swung toward her again, probably shocked that she had said the Dark Lord's name.
"Ms. Granger, please understand. Your mother wanted you to be protected, until you were ready to know the truth." Dumbledore eyed Jazz calmly, though his voice was not firm, it was more as if he was being hurt by the tone in Jazz's voice.
"So where is she? Why did she drop me off at some woman's home when I was born?" Jazz was growing angry, and it was evident when a glass vase shattered into pieces, throwing glass at every portrait and book around.
"Your mother and father, I am sorry to say, were murdered, years ago when you were only 4 years of age." Jazz felt a stab in her heart, as if someone sent a dagger into it. Tears, apparently not having had enough of a good time humiliating her in front of one of the cutest boys in the universe and her friends, stung her eyes before she could stop them, but none came. She sat there, staring blankly at Dumbledore as he went on.
"David was my grand-nephew, and when he married Ana Marie, he made me his secret keeper, and his children's Godfather. Juliet, you sister, was in her third year when the attack occurred." Dumbledore pause again, trying to help Jazz understand. "When they were killed, I was sick, on the verge of death, and had no way of taking care of you while here. Jacqueline was just subsiding the death of her daughter, young Ava, who would be 3 years younger than you had she not died from birth. She was distressed, and was searching for another child to have, with her boyfriend, William."
"Will wasn't Mom's boyfriend," Jazz exclaimed, slamming her hand into her mouth as soon as she'd finished. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - "
"It's all right." Dumbledore cleared his throat, and the plate of food zoomed across the desk to Harry, waiting for him to take a sandwich. "I took you, while I still had some power, to America, where Jacqueline lived. You were suffering from tormenting flashbacks that the healers here said would subside in a few years' time. Jacqueline was more than thrilled to meet you, and at the time, you just wanted a member of your family. Did she look familiar to you?"
Jazz concentrated hard on her adoptive mother's face, and sighed when realization dawned on her. "She was my aunt. I remember when Mum and Dad took Jules and I to the States for the summer, because she was celebrating her birthday." Jazz's face scrunched up as she went farther back into her memory, searching for something she couldn't quite recognize.
"Was – what was her name? Juliet? – Was she killed, too?" Jazz was shocked that she could ask such a question without feeling anything. Dumbledore finally raised his twinkling sapphire eyes to meet Jazz's and shook his head. "She's alive? Where is she?"
"We do not know. When we heard the commotion, we ran to your mother and father's aid and to come and take you away from it if they had been killed. As we arrived we found your parents, and you in a corner, rocking backwards and forwards, crying your blessed heart out. We searched everywhere on the train that day for Juliet, but we never found her. We suspected that she was taken by Voldemort and was raised to like the Dark Arts, but I never saw her again." Jazz saw as Dumbledore's sapphires produced tears that slid down his gaunt face and disappeared into his long white beard. Before Jazz could say anything, however, Dumbledore put on a solemn expression and continued as if he were not interrupted.
"Now, I have brought Harry here today because he will assist you in your mission."
"I'm sorry, sir?" Harry asked suddenly, frightening Jazz and throwing off her concentration. She swore in her mind and Dumbledore gave her a slightly sour look. Jazz's squeezed her eyes, begging that Dumbledore hadn't heard that. Dumbledore repeated that Harry would help Jazz on her mission.
"And," Jazz's voice faltered slightly as she spoke, "What exactly is this mission?"
"Glad you asked," Dumbledore said, a smile once again setting on his aged face. "You and Harry are both valuable to the Light. Voldemort knows that the Oracle was born sixteen years ago; I believe that's why he attacked your mother. She and your sister and you were the only 3 Oracles in Britain at the time, and now you are only known left.
"He'd tried persuading your mother, but of course she married my grand-nephew, and he would never leave the Light, likewise with her, so Voldemort decided he would go after you and Juliet. Juliet had no clue what he was, so that makes our theory even more possible.
"Now,"
"STOP STARING AT ME, YOU PUDGY OLD BRUTES!" The outburst came as more of a shock to Jazz than it did to anyone else in the room. She didn't expect it to be out loud. She glared at the paintings as they all retreated with a dignified sniff of their nose.
Dumbledore gave Jazz a reproaching look before going on as if she hadn't said anything. "Your mission, is to take on Occlumency (A/N: spelling?), so you may block any dreams Voldemort might send in his wake. Also, I will teach you how to become animagi and metamorphamagi (A/N: Spelling?) so that you may change your appearance for your safety.
"Harry will be taking it with you. Also, I have announced you both Head Boy and Girl of Hogwarts, so you may have the privileges you will need. Certain prefects will cover your jobs until next term, when you will take them over again. You and Harry are now on the same boat, Ms. Granger. You both are in mortal danger of Voldemort. It is vital that you help each other and trust one another, otherwise our actions will be in vain."
Jazz felt a hand appear on her shoulder and she slipped out of its grasp before it could have a good hold. Before Dumbledore could finish the sentence he had started, Jazz jumped from her seat and without a word from anyone in the room, retreated down the stairway and out from the behind the gargoyle toward Gryffindor tower on the seventh floor.
As Jazz swept past portraits she heard footsteps growing closer, slapping the marble floor, but she didn't slow down; she sped up her pace, in a rush to avoid who ever it was. Jazz was finally caught up with, and was surprised to see Harry at her side, walking at the exact same pace, feet in step with hers. "You're fast, I'll give you that. You sure do have a knack for wanting to run, don't you?" Harry asked, calmly, breathing not at all upset by the fact that he was practically running with Jazz.
"And you sure do have a knack for being nosy, don't you?" She retorted rudely, her chestnut mane flying in the wind behind her. Her silver eyes still stung with tears and fire-y anger. Jazz stopped and stood still, trying to catch up with her anger. Harry silently drew up from behind her and planted his feet so that he was right in front of her.
"You know, there isn't any reason for you to be rude," He said in a quiet hurt voice. "I'm only trying to help." His emerald green pools had shadows of tired and wariness etched beneath them, making Harry seem older than he really was.
Jazz, still angry, let out an annoyed sigh. 'It isn't fair that you're so cute.' She flipped a stray short strand of her hair out of her silver eyes' way and growled, "Sorry, but I don't need your help. Occlumency is a very hard thing to learn as it is and you there will only slow me down." 'Especially since I seem to turn into an idiot whenever I'm around you,' Jazz thought.
"Well, fine. But where are you going? As Head Girl and Boy, we're given our own rooms away from the towers." Harry made a sort of sigh that would make any other girl go weak, but it only made Jazz more annoyed. Harry then pointed down the corridor to two professors, one too big to be normal and that Jazz recognized easily and the other not so much. Hagrid, twice the size as any one she'd ever met, with his bush of black hair and beetle like eyes, waved vigorously to Harry and Jazz, then, noticing how close they were, winked a couple of times at Harry, making both of them blush.
Jazz now gave a defeated sigh, let her body slump, and dropped the rudeness in her voice. "Alright, fine. I give. I forfeit. Lead the way to the Head dormitories, Oh Great One." Jazz smiled as sweetly as possible, realizing they were both blushing furiously, turning as many as twelve shades of scarlet.
Harry gazed into Jazz's eyes once again, and she finally decided she could take it no longer. "Why do you do that? That staring thing?"
"Oh, I didn't know I did 'that staring thing.' I'm sorry." Harry broke the connection of their eyes and began walking briskly toward Hagrid and the unknown professor. Jazz called after him, having to run to keep up with him. As they grew closer, Harry was calling to Hagrid. "Hello Hagrid."
"Hi ya, Harry. Hello, Jazz. Just bin talkin' with Professor Burns. Professor Burns, this is Harry Potter and Jazz Granger. You two; meet Professor Daphne Burns. She'll be yer new Defense teacher." Hagrid glowed at the young woman, who looked to be about 9 years older than them. Her wavy long tresses of cinnamon hair were in perfect harmony, and seemed to match the tan skin and chocolate eyes without a flaw. She was about the same height as Jazz, maybe a slight bit taller, and looked to be the same weight as well.
Something familiar twinkled in the woman's eyes as she gave a slight curtsy and bow of the head and said in almost the exact same voice, (a tad deeper) as Jazz's, "Hello, students. Looking forward to a new year?"
Harry nodded stupidly, as all boys would if they met a young professor like her. Jazz spoke respectively. "I can't wait. There's loads I've been waiting on learning that I'm finally allowed to. We are going to be getting hands-on experience, right?" Jazz was gazing hopefully into her new professor's eyes when it hit her: 'I'll be busy with other things. Like Quidditch and learning Occlumency. Damn.'
"Well, best be off. Gotta show 'em their rooms before they decide to sleep out here on tha floor. G'night, Professor." Hagrid said in a rushed but proud voice, as if it was an honor to walk Jazz and Harry to their Head dormitories.
Professor Burns smiled pleasantly and waved them away, saying, "Yes, yes, go on. Don't let me hold you up. And Hagrid, do call me Daphne. I feel so old when an adult addresses me in that manner. Good night, you two."
Harry and Jazz nodded goodnight and followed Hagrid, chatting uncomfortably, while Daphne watched in great interest. 'So,' she thought calculatingly, 'they didn't tell me the Oracle was so…pretty. And it's such a shame that dear old Harry Potter is what he is, he seems to be perfectly handsome. Oh well, a job is a job, and I will get mine done if it kills them.' Laughing at herself, Daphne turned on her high-heeled feet and clinked her way out of the hall and into a room. A room that, a few moments later, two students didn't even notice when they past by because it simply wasn't there.
Jazz's jaw dropped for the third time, but this time, it was in awe. Awe of how much the house elves and Dumbledore had outdone themselves, making her room perfect. "Oh…my…God…ITS GORGEOUS!" The walls were beige white and purple draperies hung around her four-poster, which was covered in Gryffindor sheets of red and gold. She explored the bathroom as well to find a bath that could stretch as far as she wanted and a shower that could find the perfect temperature for the rest of her life at Hogwarts. At the entrance of the room was a fireplace and a red couch with four of the biggest bookcases Jazz had ever seen surrounding it. 'Professor, you out-did yourself.'
"It's nice, I'dn't it? Charmed the room to change to fit your mood me-self." Hagrid swelled again with pride, sticking his chest outward once again.
"Thanks a lot Hagrid. I really appreciate it! Harry, can I see your room?" Jazz addressed Harry, who, caught going through her bookcase, looked up in fear. "Please?" Jazz added.
Harry blushed slightly and shrugged. "Sure. C'mon let's go." Hagrid led them two doors away and opened it to Jazz's eyes to find the mother load of Quidditch memorabilia. Even posters of every team were hung around Harry's walls, along with old school photos of his parents and friends. Jazz surveyed the room with envy, but covered it when she said smugly, "Its cool, but not quite as much as mine." She turned around to look at Harry and found him leanly sexily against the portrait's entrance frames, with his arms crossed right over his chest. Hagrid mumbled something about needing to feed Fang, his too large to be normal dog, and left with a nod of good-bye to both of them.
Jazz felt uncomfortable standing in Harry's room without someone else with them, but at the same time, she felt as if she could trust Harry no matter what. She walked over to his padded bed and made a plopping noise as she sat down. "Well, you like quidditch?" For the second time, Jazz heard that infectious laugh of Harry's, and began to laugh too. It was amazing that their voices sounded like they were in tune with one another. Jazz and Harry stopped at the same time, smiling.
"You could say that." Harry walked over to a chair that was a few feet away from his bed, turned it round, and sank into it, facing Jazz with a smile still plastered on his handsome but gaunt face. "What about you? Are you any good at it?"
"I'm okay. At least, okay enough to be a chaser on the house team," Jazz answered with a shrug. Harry's emerald eyes glowed with respect and opened widely. He congratulated her and Jazz blushed for what seemed like the fiftieth time that day. "Its not a big deal. When we moved here – and by here, I mean Britain - Mom bought this huge piece of land right outside of London – that's where I went to school before Hogwarts – that's completely Muggle free. Oh it's awesome. It's so nice there. You can play Quidditch all you want without any checking to see if a car is coming." Jazz paused a second, deciding to open a bit up. "When I ride my broom, its as if I can leave all my problems behind, and …and just be me, you know? Its as if nothing really exists except me and my broom. You think I'm mad, don't you?" Jazz concluded with a laugh, as Harry watched her intently, listening with all his heart.
Harry laughed as well and answered, "No. I feel the same way when I'm up there on my Firebolt. It's amazing. But you're really lucky you can go and practice. I live in Surrey during the summer, with my aunt and uncle and cousin."
"Oh yeah," Jazz interrupted. "Sorry, but aren't they like, some of the biggest Muggles in the world?" Harry nodded vigorously, which only made Jazz crack up more. "Wow, that must suck."
"It does," Harry agreed. He brushed his mop of long black hair out of his eyes, and yawned. They stayed up for about two hours more, talking to one another, sharing secrets about their lives, until Harry gave one of his biggest yawns yet saying, "It's late."
"Oh! I'm sorry! I'll go away and let you catch some sleep. I'll bet you need it." Jazz felt stupid for not realizing the time. She jumped up from his bed and rushed toward the portrait, almost opening it when Harry called her. "What's up?" she asked turning round to face him.
"Firebolt is my password if you ever need to talk, okay?" Harry gave a comforting smile, and Jazz felt like she was a best friend with him.
"Thanks. I'll remember both. Well," she was uncomfortable again, and fiddled with her hair saying, "G'night."
"You too," and with that, Jazz exited the portrait hole, leaving Harry to wonder about her. 'She has so much that will get in the way if she lets it. She can't let her emotions get in the way, not now, not ever.' Harry opened his trunk and removed his much-needed items first, placing them where he thought was best. He remembered how her silver gleaming eyes seeped into his, prying his thoughts open. How her laugh fit his perfectly, and even how she had sat with Harry, treating him as a normal person, not as 'The-Boy-Who-Lived.'
Harry chuckled as he climbed into bed, still thinking of Jazz. 'Her life is almost as traumatic as mine. Probably more, because its just now beginning to reveal its significance.' Harry blew out the candle on his bedside and removed his glasses, falling into a deep slumber that would be ruined by screams and bodies piling and flashes of blinding light. Seeing Jazz's dream, Harry knew his work was cut out for him, and threw her dream out, concentrating on his new powers.
In another room, Jazz sighed while thinking, 'Thank you, Harry,' before drifting off to a sweet slumber closed off to horrid nightmares, even though they both knew that the horrid nightmares were not even beginning.
OK! There you go. Hope that keeps your bellies full until next time! Sorry if it isn't as good as before…I would like to mention that I wrote and finished this at 11:16 PM (Central Time) on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, so it might not make very much sense! Oh well: REVIEW, REVIEW: REVIEW! Please?
Sylverwings
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