I really should start doing that stupid report for my Business class…or better yet, attempting to get over that Mastery for Grammar and Lang….
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It was another year at Hogwarts. Amber and her dog's deaths had been only a year and a half year ago now, yet everyone still remembered, and still felt guilty every time they thought about their treatment of the girl. They had taken Dumbledore's words to heart, and no one entering or leaving their life, even if they only stayed for a moment, was judged instantly. They didn't want to make another mistake like that again.
Harry and Sirius were happy living together like they should've from the beginning. Sirius even taught Harry to become an animagus and together, they kept Remus, who lived with them as well, company on full moons. At Hogwarts, the two Marauders joint taught Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Remus was joined by the animal versions of Harry's friends.
They always kept Amber and Stardancer in mind, knowing full well that this wouldn't have been possible without their help. Harry would still have been with the Dursleys, Sirius still on the run, or back in Azkaban. Remus would still be alone full moon nights.
Voldemort had gotten worse over the course of the one and half year since Amber's death, and it showed. Nobody sitting in Hogwarts had not lost a family member. Several additions had to be made to the staff, the original teachers having fought and died in battle. Whose side they had died on was irrelevant. In retrospect, most were glad the girl had sacrificed herself for Sirius. At least she had died innocent, in one way or another.
Now at the start of Harry's 7th year, things were still running. There were less first years then average, because parents were fearful of sending their children to school. Not that Hogwarts wasn't protected, it was quite so, but because they feared for their own lives, and wished to spend as much time as possible with their children.
Muggleborns were noticeably missing, killed by Death Eaters before even getting the chance, killed before they had the chance to "contaminate the blood". It was sad, how prejudiced the purebloods were. And how ironic that the leader of their little movement was half-muggle himself.
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It wasn't long, even though it may have seemed like it to a few, before everyone was sorted and the feast was started. Those who had thought the sorting long instantly dug in like a dying man, much to the amusement and/or disgust of their friends.
Then everything stopped. The Great Hall doors had been thrown open, much like Harry's 4th year with fake Mad-eye Moody, and everyone stopped to turn to the cause behind this, many with wands out. They may not judge on sight anymore, but it WAS war, and was better safe then sorry.
It was a girl. More appropriately, it was a young woman, older then her years, yet no older then Harry and his year. She stood tall in the doorway, armed to the teeth and what everyone recognized as muggle weaponry. A spear was in one hand, point out and pointed forwards, towards the enemy. The other hand held a muggle rifle, and its aim was the exact same, if off to the other side.
Appearance wise, she had strawberry blonde hair and her sea-green eyes were tinted golden amber. Her hair was cropped short, in classic military style, and she was wearing the stereotypical army outfit, the camouflage standing out starkly to the sea of black robes before her. Underneath, the school caught faint glances of what they recognized as battle robes.
Next to her stood a dog. A very dangerous dog, too. A mixed breed of unidentifiable heritage, it stood tense and ready, much like its mistress, golden eyes glowing with a dangerous gleam that promised pain and death to all who messed with it. Its teeth were bared, sharp pointy fangs glinting in the candlelight, looking for the entire world like a werewolf, but with an oddly colored coat.
Both girl and dog seemed to match in body type. Lean, they showed muscle power beyond what anyone would willing believe. The school had no doubt that even looks were belying her true strength. At first glance, the dog showed everything, but it, too, gave off the air that its looks were only just the tip of its own power.
A glance at the military uniform on the girl, and even the collar on the dog, showed that they were heavily decorated. The girl had several stripes on her sleeve, and even the dog had a couple. While not knowing the rank obviously meant by the stripes, muggleborns and muggle-raised half and pure bloods recognized the ranking stripes. That the DOG had rank stripes must've meant that it had done something very special; to gain what is a human thing.
"Who are you? Where do you hail?" demanded Sirius coldly. But Harry, who'd been studying the girl intently, beat her to an answer.
"Amber! Amber of Slytherin?" he exclaimed in shock and disbelief. How was that possible, when she went through the veil…?
Eyes widened and jaws dropped as slowly but surely the upper years and teachers recognized the girl and her dog, both thought dead. Their wands lowered, and several people fell to the floor as they attempted to sit down and missed their chairs.
Amber herself softened her features, now that she was no longer under threat of direct fire, and her spear and gun went to neutral, the gun back in its holster, the spear standing proudly by Amber's side. She gave a discreet signal to the dog and Stardancer, too, relaxed ever so slightly.
"Mr. Potter, how nice of you to recognize me. However, I'm no longer just Amber of Slytherin. Mind my ranks now, Potter." The girl replied, confirming her identity to the school.
"But how…? You went through the veil, I SAW you go through. You're supposed to be dead!" exclaimed Sirius.
"You know nothing of the inner workings of that veil, do you? You only assume that people who go through that veil die. I was sent to the past, but I did not die. Stardancer, of course, followed."
"Past? How far back in the past? And how did you get here if you were in the past?" asked Remus.
"Quite a ways back. I've been to Hell and back and it hasn't been pretty. I'm here because I'm here to help with the war. It's the only explanation as to why I'm here. I've figured out that I'm being shot through time to change history, or help it become such, via involvement in wars both major and unknown."
"War? You've seen war?" asked Ron, dreading the answer. If Amber had seen war, then what would it have done to Amber? He never had much interaction with the girl before she had "died", but she seemed sweet and innocent enough to like. Only his blind prejudice to Slytherin kept him from making what he figured would've been a very good friend.
"War? No. Wars? Yes, definitely. From Troy to Rome to even both World Wars. Vietnam, Korea, and several uprisings never made in history books because they're all in third-world countries and didn't involve the UK in any way, shape or form."
"You fought in both WWI AND WWII!" shrieked Hermione.
"And even the US civil war, Revolutionary war—on the colonies' side—and the French Revolution. I even fought several battles that mixed magic and muggle. I've seen the real Atlantis and the real Camelot. I even saw Hogwarts when she was first built, because the founders had no choice but to include the muggles after a point, due to Slytherin's pure-blood mania."
Everyone's jaws dropped at that and their eyes threatened to pop out of their heads. Several people, both teacher and student, fainted.
"You saw the founders?" breathed Ginny in awe.
"Yup. And Harry, I hate to tell you this, but Voldemort lies. Well, half-lies anyway."
"How do you figure?" asked Harry.
"Voldemort is not truly descended from Salazar Slytherin. Not technically, anyway. He's actually from a bastard line starting with Salazar's eldest son, the true evil Slytherin. Salazar himself believed just as the other 3 did, that muggleborns deserved fair chances too. Muggleborns causing destructions, like what Voldemort's doing, however, may be purged. But, you'll notice that Salazar Slytherin believed in purging only due to deeds, not blood."
The entire Slytherin table looked gobsmacked. Many looked like they were trying to hold to the beliefs pounded into their heads since childhood, but were losing horribly in light of this revelation. Amber knew that what she had said, while the truth, had worked like she had wanted it to. Many there were no longer future Death Eaters and Dumbledore had several spies for him now, although he didn't know it yet.
Deciding to bring things back on track a little, Dumbledore asked, "What ranks do the stripes represent, ma'am?" He gave a salute to the girl, who returned it in all seriousness, with true military fashion.
"There are many there, fit through magic, and they all mean essentially the same thing, if only for different armies through time." Amber pointed to one. "This means I am Field Marshal in the army, the highest rank." Another strip. "This is my Marshal of the Royal Air Force strip, and this one", another strip underneath, "is my Admiral of the Fleet strip. Both are, again, the highest rank one can earn, although they are mainly reserved for wartime."
More gawking. The highest ranks in all 3 military branches! That was insane! And in all sorts of militaries, from England to the US to China! Even ancient Rome!
"W-W-What about Stardancer?" Professor McGonagall managed to stutter.
"They are all the same again, and for all 3 branches. The Army's Brigadier, the Air Force's Air Commodore, and the Navel's commodore. That's the highest rankings they could get for Star, given that she's a dog. We're also both Commandants of the Coast Guard, the highest you can go in that branch."
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As Amber talked about her ranking in the various militaries, neither she, nor anyone else, was aware of her name being magically recorded on a card in front of a glowing prophecy orb. Not her birth name, but her school name. Amber of Slytherin.
Alarms rang throughout the whole of the Department of Mysteries, and everywhere unspeakables ran around in an attempt to discover the problem. When they finally had, they stood, unable to believe it. A couple of them were new to the force and young as well. They had been 6th and 7th years when Sirius Black had been saved. They recognized the name. Amber of Slytherin was a missed comrade, despite that fact that they had spent the girl's entire school career hating her. Others, only slightly older, also recognized the name, and had heard of her death via the paper.
Exchanging glances, the unspeakables came to a silent decision. Dumbledore had to know, and he had to know now.
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Moody wasn't often a visitor to Hogwarts. Therefore, when he showed up in the Headmaster's office where Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Harry, his friends, Snape and McGonagall had adjourned to talk to Amber and get her fascinating stories, they all immediately became alert. Even Amber and Stardancer, who nearly attacked Moody when he burst through the fire place.
"Alastor? What ever is the matter?" asked Dumbledore.
"Something's going on in the Hall of Prophecies Albus. Amber of Slytherin has her name on a prophecy orb and it wasn't there to start with. A few of the unspeakables recognized the name because they had been in school with Amber at some point and decided you needed to know."
Dumbledore and Amber exchanged glances and both stood, as did Stardancer.
"Very well, lead the way. Everyone else, we shall complete this at another time, so you're dismissed and have a pleasant evening." Said Dumbledore as he followed Moody towards the floo, Amber and her dog at his heels.
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The odd little quartet made it to the Department of Mysteries in record time, and headed straight to the Hall. Several of the unspeakables were there, and they all dropped their mouths when they recognized Amber. It took a minute till they were able to lead Dumbledore and Amber and Stardancer to the orb.
"If you would do the honors, please, Field Marshal Amber?" asked Dumbledore. Amber took the little glass orb and cradled it gently to her chest.
"Thank you gentleman. Now of you'll excuse us, I shall take this back to the privacy of my office." said Dumbledore politely before sweeping out of the Ministry, Amber and Stardancer--Amber still cradling the orb like a child--once more at his heels.
"They aren't going to break it are they?" asked one unspeakable. "That's our only record!"
"No it's not! Look!" said his comrade in shock. Before their eyes, a new orb with the prophecy in it appeared on the shelf where Amber had removed her orb. What was going on?
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The orb had made the trip safely, especially given that, to ensure said safety, Dumbledore had allowed Stardancer to travel with him so Amber could concentrate on the orb. With Amber's orders to go with the headmaster and not attack him, Stardancer was a very calm traveling companion.
No one was in the office when they got back, which is just how the duo wanted it. To farther ensure privacy, Dumbledore invited the girl and dog into his private quarters, away from any nosy paintings. Once in there and with several privacy spells and wards thrown up, Dumbledore gave a nod, and Amber broke the glass orb.
False serpent, beware
For your time is coming to a close.
A prophecy was made
And your equal chosen
Your second rise begun
Your misdeeds started.
But do not think this is your war
For it never was.
Your equal will not battle alone
For he shall befriend the Child of Battle
And once done your time is limited.
The Child believes in innocents
And innocent till proven guilty
And does not react well to murders such as yours.
Child of Storm, peace be with you
For the Child of Battle is coming
And with you repentant of your sins
She will help you take down the False Serpent.
A better friend you will not find
She has known suffering far more then even you.
The Final Showdown between you and the serpent
Will be her Last Battle.
With canid help on many sides
And muggle technology at her disposal,
The serpent will underestimate and parish.
And may you, Child of Storm, and the Child of Battle
Finally find your peace
And may it be well earned.
Amber's eyes were wide. Even Stardancer seemed to understand, and looked just as shocked.
"My final battle?" she squeaked. "I can finally have the peace I've so yearned for after all this time?"
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There. Another 7 pages, AND another author's note at the end of the chapter.
Dr. Gregory House: No one reviewed. If no one reviewed, then why are you writing this?
Me: Everyone, meet the cast of House, M.D.
House: You didn't answer the question.
Me: I'm writing because I want to.
Dumbledore: Isn't that a rather long prophecy?
Me: Not really. I've seen ones that takes up most, if not all, of one chapter.
Dr. Chase: Aren't you being a little unrealistic? I mean, the HIGHEST honor in the military, in several militaries? And even getting the DOG a high honor?
Stardancer/growls/
Chase/jumps and backs away/ Right then, my bad.
Me: Now this is 8 pages long. So if we could wrap this up before it becomes 9 pages long…?
Dr. Cameron: Review please! It'll make Amber here happy, and Ginny and several others very pleased.
Moody: Of course it will! More reviews the wacko gets, the better chance we have of escaping while she's distracted…
Ginny: My thoughts exactly.
Me: Well, unfortunately for you, I'm a werewolf and perfectly capable of something you like to call… /screams/ CONSTANT VIGILENCE!
Various casts/jumps. Several shrieks/yowls/yelps of surprise/
Me/snickers and smirks/ Please review? I promise I won't bite. In fact I'll be too busy having fun with these guys….
Werewolf of Suburbia