Chapter 29

Somber Arrivals

Kyle stood on the platform with Rath, Draco and Max sat on a bench behind them. Lucius was to meet them in a few minutes. Rath was rocking back and forth on his feet. Max was staring off into space and Draco was staring at his feet. The train that took the students home for the holidays had just left. Kyle turned to see Harry and Hermione making their way back toward the castle. Rath was staring at them. Kyle heard a clanking noise. He turned to see a black carriage making its way toward the platform. Out the corner of his eyes he saw Max stand and Draco slowly slide off the bench. Rath walked over and stood next to Draco. Kyle watched as he leaned over and whispered something to Draco. Draco smiled and nodded his head. They all waited as the carriage door opened and Lucius stepped out. He then held his hand out toward the carriage opening. They all silently watched as a hand reached out, grasped his, and Isabel stepped out. She was dressed as she was the day they took her. Her hair was brushed, she seemed clean; the only thing missing was the makeup she always wore. She looked up and looked at each one of their faces as though she was waiting for reactions. When she got to Kyle's, he smiled. She ran to him. He met her half way and scooped her up into a tight hug.

"I missed you." He told her.

"I did too, I want you to listen; we don't have time. When you meet HIM be arrogant, you don't want to be there and you are bored." She whispered directly into his ear.

"Him?" He whispered back.

"The dark lord, Lucius plans to introduce you to him."

"Oh."

"I'll tell you more later tonight in your dreams."

"Okay, Is?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you." He felt her body tense, when he opened his eyes he saw Lucius waiting impatiently.

"I love you too." She replied in normal volume. He saw the slight spark in Lucius' eyes. He pulled away and kissed her.

Draco watched the scene and then brushed past his father toward the carriage. He secured his luggage and climbed in. The sooner they got out of there the sooner they could get the vacation over with.

Rath watched the pair and smiled. He glanced over at Lucius who seemed bored by the whole display.

"So how are Lonnie and Nick? They burn down the house yet?"

Lucius ignored the comment. "So I understand you will not be joining us."

"Nope, apparently there are more beds available in Hogwarts."

"You will suffer for this disloyalty."

"I'm not loyal to anyone, I go where there's a warm bed, descent food, and something in it for me."

"And what has the great fool promised you?"

"Well for starters, a place away from you and tutoring?"

"Education?"

"Apparently reading is a popular hobby. Oh, you did know that Lonnie can't read, didn't you?"

He saw Kyle and Isabel pull away out of the corner of his eye.

"Ready?" Lucius asked.

"Max," Kyle spoke.

Max handed Kyle his suitcase. As their hands grew close sparks appeared around Kyle's arm; Max let go quickly.

Lucius couldn't wait to get to his mansion. He watched as the sparks appeared. Then there was an odd animalistic yelp. He watched with knitted brows as the fur scarf around Kyle's neck suddenly jumped onto his head turning into a hat. Isabel giggled. "Oh, Kyle, he's adorable."

"Yeah, he must have felt that."

"We really have to get going." Lucius interrupted.

Kyle kissed Isabel again and then headed toward Lucius' carriage. Lucius glanced back and forth between the three before turning and following Kyle.

Max led Isabel and Max back to their carriage. Isabel kept glancing behind her at Lucius' departing carriage. "May all gods and divine beings with them." Isabel whispered. Rath held the door open for a moment before stepping in and sitting. Max sat across from him and had Isabel sit next to him. Max closed the door and the carriage started toward the castle. About five minutes into the ride a shuffling noise started, before Snape suddenly appeared next to Rath.

"Rath, give this back to Mr. Potter next time you see him." Snape spoke as he handed him a silver maroon cape.

"Were you there the whole time?" Isabel asked.

"Do you really think the headmaster would leave you alone?"

Isabel paused before jumping into Snape's arms hugging him tightly. Max was silent as he turned to see Rath glancing out the window. They both could hear Isabel's sobs, but remained silent letting Snape comfort her.

Snape helped Isabel out of the carriage and into the school, once inside Rath left them. Isabel glanced at max and smiled sadly, "Professor, can I talk to you somewhere privately?"

Snape nodded his head, "of course."

Max turned and left to find Liz, leaving them alone.

Snape put an arm around Isabel's shoulders and led her to his chambers.

Rath waited outside the library. After five minutes Harry and Hermione arrived each carrying a stack of books. Rath took Hermione's books and followed her to an empty table.

She smiled at him for a second while Harry wasn't watching. "Harry, those have to be returned." Harry groaned as he again lifted the books and carried them to the librarian's desk. "Help me find a book?" She asked Rath. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the stacks in the back. Once they were far enough back, she pushed him into a shelf and began kissing him. Rath tried to smile, but ended up laughing into her mouth.

She pulled away. "What?"

"Nothing, I just forgot what it was like to have teenage hormones."

"Just kiss me," she said ignoring the comment.

He shrugged his shoulders and did.

"Hermione?" Harry called out.

Hermione pulled away as Rath grabbed a random book and handed it to Hermione. "Is this it?" He asked loud enough for Harry to hear.

Hermione didn't even glance at the book. "Oh, yes, thanks." Harry glanced back and forth between the two before turning and leaving the stacks.

"So," Isabel spoke as she sat at a small table before a roaring fire in Snape's private chambers. "I-I just…"

He cut her off as he handed her a cup of tea. "You don't have to explain, I know why you wanted to see me rather than run to your brother or girlfriends."

"You do?" She glanced up at him, then back at her cup. "Well, of course you do, you were his spy you would know, do you know?"

"I know you took a life, whether it was intentional or not you did it." He watched as she took a sip. "You are confused, frightened and high from the power." She gasped as she looked up at him. He continued without a pause. "My first kill was a young wizard, sure he was young, but he was smart. Voldermort had me use a potion that would transfer his intelligence into me. His intelligence was what made him unique; it made him who he was. After it was all transferred to me, he was empty, so it was relatively easy kill." He caught Isabel's entranced eyes. "But I still carry the guilt for killing him 'til this day, he haunts me in my dreams."

"But Kavar he was evil, he wanted to kill us." Isabel whispered.

"But how do you feel, about killing him?"

"Scared."

"And?" He pressed.

"Powerful, unstoppable," she whispered.

"If your brother knew this, then how would you feel?"

"Shame," she replied.

"That's how you know it was wrong."

"So what do I do now?"

"It won't be easy."

"No, it never is."

"Meditation usually helps, I can help keep you grounded, and there are also magically ways."

"I'm willing to try anything." She said placing her cup on the table.

Snape waved his wand and the table disappeared, the chairs transformed into pillows even as they sitting on them. "Willing to start now?"

"Sure," Isabel replied.

"Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Listen to my voice and I'll guide you."

"Deep breath."

"Ava, calm down it won't be that bad." Charley smiled as he hugged her.

"Says you, you have no parents to meet, no expectations, and no worries."

"No, I don't, but mom will love you."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Ava reached down grabbed the handles of her two bags and stepped toward the fireplace. Charley handed her the floo powder.

"Oh, no, you first!"

"Nope, you lost the coin toss remember."

"Dragon butt," she retorted as she threw the powder down and yelled the address.

Ava didn't mind the feeling for flooing, it was a lot better than the after effects of mind-warping. The green fire died down and Ava stepped out of the fireplace. She instantly loved the quant little room she found herself in. She heard the thundering of feet above. To her right a boy entered the room from the stairs. She smiled, "hi."

He glanced at her, "you're Charley's girlfriend?"

"Yup, I'm Ava."

He looked at her hair with wonder. "Ron," he mumbled and then yelled, "mum, she's here!"

Behind her Ava felt Charley arrive. "Hey, Ron."

Ron simply glared at Charley, he was about to open his mouth when Mrs. Weasley rushed in. She hugged Charley and then stepped back.

"Well, Charley, where are your manners."

Ava smiled and playfully slapped Charley's arm.

"Mum, this is Ava."

Mrs. Weasley wasted no time and hugged Ava. She pulled away and smiled broadly. "Welcome, Ava."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"None of that, mum, you're going to call me mum."

Ava couldn't stop a tear from rolling down her cheek. "Mum." Charley hugged her tighter and kissed her head.

"What's wrong, hun?"

"Mum, Ava's an orphan."

Mrs. Weasley hugged the girl again, this time when she pulled away there was another redhead staring up at Ava.

"I'm Ginny," the girl spoke as she handed Ava a cup of tea.

"Ava."

Ginny smiled, "sit, before Fred and George discover you're here."

Ava sat on the sofa with Ginny sliding up next to her. Charley decided to leave the women alone and find the rest of the family.

"So, Ava, Charley tells us you are from the states?"

"You mean my New York accent didn't give me away?"

Ginny giggled, "we've never been to the states, what's it like?"

"Not as fun as Europe, I don't think there are any dragons in the US."

"So you like living with Charley on the reserve?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I love it, everyday is an adventure, except yesterday."

"What happened yesterday?" Ginny pressed.

"Deatheaters tried to attack one of the dragons. She was a mother, so she fought back, but it was still very scary."

No one spoke for a moment. Suddenly there was a large bang and the house shook, followed by an angry scream.

"Don't worry, that's just Fred and George." Ginny spoke.

"Fred, George, down stairs now!" They heard Charley yell.

"But…"

"You heard your brother," Mrs. Weasley yelled.

More trampling of feet was heard before the twins and Charley appeared.

Ava's eyes widened, "you're identical."

"Sure, honey, I told you I had twin brothers," Charley told her.

"Twins, yes, completely identical, no," Ava replied glaring at him.

Ginny giggled, which soon turned to complete laughter as Ron walked in covered in a purplish slime.

"Mum, can I go back to Hogwarts now?" Ron asked, glaring at his brothers as they snickered.

"No, Ginny, help your brother clean up. Fred, George, dishes tonight no magic."

The twins groaned. "Charley will be sleeping in room, Ava, you will stay with Ginny."

"But mum!" They both whined.

"Don't, Charley will be in charge, so we'll all get sleep this Christmas."

The front door opened and a very tired Mr. Weasley entered.

"Hey, dad," Charley called out, "I want you to meet someone."

Ava stood.

"This is Ava."

Ava shook Mr. Weasley's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Mr. Weasley smiled, "a pleasure to finally meet Charley's girl, he's told us a lot about you."

She smiled.

"So it's true you are an American?"

"Yup, from New York City," she sat back down as he took a seat across from her, and Mrs. Weasley slipped out to finish dinner.

"So how did you manage to find Dumbledore?"

"It was actually an accident; I never knew I was a wizard. I had just arrived in London."