At the front door of the school Ginny was still out of it. The new professor was talking to Firenze while Ginny was still in his arms.
"Hello Firenze, it's been long- too long." said the professor.
The centaur replied. "Yes, it hasbeen too long."
"What are you doing here? Your people have long been the guardians of the Forest. You should be in there, Firenze- King of Centaurs."
"I have long since been replaced Kiliani. You know that. By Bane and Ronan. Kiliani- Swords-Woman of the Forest of Fate."
"Come now Firenze-King of Centaurs. The child is delicate still- her training is yet to start. Luckily for us, only the Watcher noticed something was wrong. He will unite with her soon- perhaps sooner than we think. It is good they are in the same classes. The fact he is older will protect Ginevra. She is Princess of Hogwarts. You surely have heard the music as easily as I have Firenze- King of Centaurs. Now we will bring her to Pomfrey. This is important Firenze- King of Centaurs. No one can know."
After that the two Professors walked to the hospital wing. Upon arriving, they saw that it was relatively empty, maybe one or two students that had been sick before the feast. Kiliani knew that none of them had been there at the dinner- their magical signatures had been absent at the time of the meal.
Firenze placed Ginny on one of the beds, and turned to Kiliani. "I must go now Kiliani- Swords-Woman of the Forest of Fate. You watch over her, and I will find the Watcher. He will be frightened and perhaps a bit angry. Fate has been toying with him. Now his powers will be developing. If not shown the light, he will turn, bringing the others with him."
With that the King of Centaurs turned and left the room leaving the elf with the child who would someday defeat the dark lord, and return balance to the world. Awkwardly the woman sat down beside the bed, and stroked the girl's hair. Of course, the she-elf had never done anything like that before- elves, especially those in the fighting forces, and the chroniclers were supposed to suppress emotion lest it get to him.
So for the entire time that the new professor waited for the healer she preformed this odd movement, still lost in thought. This was the girl she came to protect. This one human, so frail, so weak, was what she swore she would die for. This was the one that was slowly opening up her heart. Making her dessert what she had been taught for centuries. She had to make sure this one little girl would win- or it could mean destruction of all the light.
Meanwhile, not far from the hospital wing the watcher- a boy named Aubrey Dreliken slowly stalked the hallways. He was moving slowly, but with the determination that seemed to slice the shadows he was hiding it. It would not do to be caught by the caretaker- especially not now. Now it wouldn't do. He had to get to the Princess- she would keep them safe. She had to, because the castle had her. And the castle was omnipotent.
And as the Watcher slipped through the shadows to the hospital wing, the King of Centaurs walked towards him. The Watcher would complete the power. That was what the Watcher was to do. Its what the stars were saying. All summer, and the year before.
It was in said thoughts that the two almost bumped into each other.
"You should watch where you are going master Watcher. Or else you will get hurt. No one would want that."
"My apologies Firenze- King of Centaurs." 'Blast' thought Aubrey, 'where did that come from? Those compulsions better not be coming back. They are enough to get one killed even on the best of days.'
"No need for such formalities young Watcher. Call me Firenze. But there is a matter of dire importance that must be solved. There is someone in the Hospital Wing. And you know whom I'm talking about. It's all written in the stars. And this time it's going to be right."
"Alright master Firenze. I will dispense with the formalities, but you must call me Aubrey. I just came into the role of Watcher recently."
"Yes Aubrey, I can see we will get along. But now you must follow me to the hospital wing."
And the two- Watcher and King of Centaurs traveled towards the hospital wing. When they got there, there were two people beside a bed. And there was one in the bed- one with brilliant red hair.
The two sitting beside the bed stood up. Her elf-like frame gave the older one away immediately. But the second was harder to diagnose. This one had dark hair, and perched on her head were a pair of cat ears. She stepped forward rather quickly.
"Aubr- Master watcher. King of Centaurs, I am here to do your bidding. I am the Companion."
"Braeleigh- what are you doing here?"
"I was told that I was being transferred at the end of last year, and when you disappeared this summer I decided to come to England. Of course, I stayed in York with some relatives. But that is unimportant to my tale. I just got here today, and I came here straight away. I had to see the Princess. You, like these other two must have heard the music. The song that controls our every day life is stronger around this girl. Surely you must know she is fragile."
The new professor cut in. "Which is why we all must stick by her at all costs. I was just thinking the same when you came in here."
Aubrey seemed upset. "But what does it all mean? I'm the Watcher, she's the Companion, and you two serve the bloody Forest of Fate! Who cares? I never asked for this, so why does fate put this on me. The Potter boy would have served fate better!"
"You Master Watcher," Began the teacher, "should know not to wish fate on other people. Maybe this fate would have served the Potter boy better. But this now belongs to Ginevra, and withGinevra this will stay. Now I suggest you go with the Companion. Calm down, or you'll just end up hurting everything in the long run."
Following that speech the professor forced upon the young male the two sixteen year-olds left the wing.
"Have you been sorted yet Braeleigh?" asked the dark haired teen.
"Not yet, like I said I came straight away to the Hospital Wing, some things are more important- like staying alive. I know you're angry, and I feel that you are scared." Seeing the young man beside her start to protest she continued. "Don't argue with me Aubrey Dreliken. I can feel your aura."
"Be that as it may, I don't see how it fits into our conversation."
"You would, if you had just listened. I know you're angry, and I know you're scared. But you have to stay strong. The Princess' and the very fate of the light depend on you. Use your fear for good- or she'll turn with you."
And luck, being against them (as always) their conversation was interrupted- this time by the headmaster. "Hello Mr. Dreliken, Braeleigh. Could you tell me if the Kiirar and Firenze are still in the hospital wing?"
"Yes headmaster." Chorused the youths at the same time.
"It is how I had hoped. Now, Braeleigh, I need you to go find Professor McGonagall, she is looking for you. It is time for your sorting. And as for you Mr. Dreliken, I need you to come to the hospital wing. You'll have to watch over the Princess. She cannot be alone."
So the two youths went their separate ways. And as it generally is when following the rules of etiquette in the magical world- Aubrey walked a few steps behind the Headmaster. And the walk to the Hospital Wing was one of silence.
Aubrey was dismissed almost immediately to sit by the bed while the headmaster and the Kiirar and the headmaster had a secret discussion. Halfway through that discussion the princess woke up. As she had been out of it for a while she was confused.
"Where am I?" she asked at a whisper.
"You're in the hospital wing. It will make sense in due time, all in due time. Now go back to sleep. It will make sense in the morning."
"What time is it?"
"Its nighttime, I'm not sure how late. You've been out for a while. Now come on, go back to sleep. You need it."
His Princess- as he had come to think of her- fell back asleep. And because of the fact that she did fall asleep Aubrey didn't notice that the Headmaster and the Kiirar left the hospital wing, deep in discussion. Nor did he notice the Centaur gallop across the lawn towards the gate, deeply lostinsome task the headmaster had assigned.
"There is a matter at hand Kiliani. Darker times are fast approaching. You cannot even trust the dead to stay on your side. When Severus' corpse floated over I felt dark magic, but only for a moment, the next it was gone. Like it had never existed. I am afraid that Voldemort has sent a spell to the castle. He is a powerful being, there is not much that he can't do."
"Can I see the body Albus? I could probably tell whether there are any remnants of dark magic remaining on the corpse."
"Of course Kiliani." With that the headmaster recited a spell, and the two were transported to an empty corridor. "Now where is that blasted stone? Alas, there it is. Now, we are about to enter a room, where it is almost lost knowledge how to find it. Here the body of Severus lies, and unless someone in his family will claim it, which I doubt, he will be buried here."
"Where is the body headmaster? If there were dark spells on it, I will have to check it immediately."
"Of course, it is in the preparation cell, just down the way. Now, it is regrettable, but I have to excuse myself. There is a matter of utmost importance I need to take care of. I trust you can find your way back?"
"Of course Headmaster, there are always many tasks involved when running a school. I will submit a report to your office in the morning. Take care Albus, you mustn't work yourself too hard."
"Good evening Kiliani."
And with that done the headmaster recited the same spell he had used earlier, and was in his office. Dizzily he walked into his bedchamber and collapsed on the bed.
Albus Dumbledore- the White Bumblebee knew at whom the spell had been directed.
Hello.
This is one of my longest chapters, so I hope you enjoyed it. I would like to thank my reviewers, I hope you allkeep on reading.
And with that I move onto another note. I would like to dedicate this chapter to Markie and Kostya for helping me with the chapter.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time.
Ta.
-Eireann
