Hey everyone,
I really hope that you guys enjoyed the three new stories that I decided to put up as well as the second chapter for Death And Chaos. I decided to add that one as I didn't want to use all of the chapters that are already written for the three new stories for Christmas and because we finished several other stories this year.
And what a year it has been. I started the year with 12 stories and finished 3 of them. And if all goes according to plan Son of Chaos, Jillian Forge Potter and The Moving of The Light will be finished sometime in 2019, maybe even alongside Dragons and Morals, but that is one I don't see ending anytime soon. Also, don't forget, Fate has a sequel.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Venquine1990
Chapter 47
Residents At Peace
31st of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Jessica's POV
After the glorious event was over, did we get to spent a few more minutes together before Lady Destiny took Lea back to Radiant Garden and my mother and friends back to Hogwarts. Mum made sure to take plenty of pictures with him and Lea practically took my heart with him as he sealed my lips with one last searing kiss before he was taken away.
Dinner after that happened, though I hardly noticed it and don't even remember what it was that I ate anymore. I also only vaguely heard Sora laugh and say that we should just go to bed and that watching more of the movie wasn't an option. And I fully agreed with him, but I wasn't able to say a single thing, my body working on nothing but instinct and overwhelmed with sensations.
And it was on the cloud of those sensations that I changed and went to bed, the last thing I heard being Lady Destiny's voice saying: "Starting tomorrow, my sweet, I will allow one of your friends to come here to help you look as brilliant as you want, but only if you want me to." And this notion made the grin on my face expand even more just before I fell asleep.
And just like last night, do I wake up with the exact same sensation. Peace. A sensation of peace, acceptance, love, glee, happiness, respect and hope for the future courses through me and all I can think about is the event that caused these emotions and sensations to course through me. As there is only one word to describe that event; perfection.
My dress was perfect, my looks were perfect, the changed room was perfect, the outfits given to my parents and friends were perfect, the proceedings went perfect and, of course naturally, Lea was the epitome of perfection. From his combed hair, to the look in his eyes as he kept his gaze locked with mine to the way he handled everything to how he treated me to the way that my Kitsune responded to his every move an action.
All these small, short memories course through my mind, filling me up, warming my heart, making it beat with renewed pleasurable emotions and making me sigh and moan and purr like a small lioness cub and smile as widely as possible and while I know that I actually haven't felt this good – or even happy – since the World Cup, do I not care for this fact. And amazingly enough, neither do I care for anything that might be going on outside these rooms.
For the first time since I heard about what he did to the clones, do I not care for Voldemort, the war that is on the verge of beginning, Umbridge, the Ministry and their horrible actions, the stupid feud between Umbridge and Dumbledore, the incompetence and unwillingness to act from the staff or anything else that always bothered me about the Magical World.
I know just fine that my life outside these halls is anything but fine, but this thought is squashed by the knowledge that mum, my friends and Lea are out there working to make sure my life there might just represent my life here and the fact that I have various back-up plans. And this makes me look back down at the one perfect sign that last night was more than one of the dreams I often had when envisioning what life would be like as a girl.
A promise ring. One of Lea's very one Chackrams shrunk down and with its four spikes removed, the holes where the spikes were filled up with small gems of orange color that have a small fire burning within each of them, gems that Lea took from the work station Ron was given and then got shrunk down by dad. "As long as my heart beats with love for you will these embers continue to sinder and burn within this ring. That is my promise to you, my love."
Tears yet again gather in my eyes as I remember Lea's words just after the event and just before Lady Destiny told us it was time for them to go and then I remember the other thing that happened that makes that event just one level above perfection. Mum and dad being willing to lend their rings out for us to use for the practice, even though they have only been engaged for two days now.
I had actually tried to fight the two on this, but dad had whispered: "Let me have this, sweetie." And I had realized that he had a personal reason, that he wanted to prove how much he supported our bond. And I had worked my hardest not to ruin the makeup that Alicia and Angelina worked so hard to apply as I gave the man a grateful loving hug before he walked me down the aisle.
"And now a ring of my own is on my hand." I think, moving my hand up to my face and lovingly kissing one of the orange flamed gems. And as I do, do I feel like I have one hand on Lea's cheek and am kissing him instead. Wondering if my beloved had my parents put some kind spell on the ring to, perhaps, let him know when I am thinking of him, do I think: "That is just like my Lea."
And just the fact that I can think of someone as mine not only brings back the realization that I practiced my potential wedding the other day, but also makes me remember how incredible and great it felt when I signed that contract binding my future to Lea and vice versa. But then suddenly a different thought enters my mind.
I sit up and mutter: "Lady Destiny, please bring Cho Chang here. I need to talk with her." Yet while I don't hear from the Divine being, do I see the door to my bathroom glow. My face heats up a bit, but luckily enough Cho comes in fully dressed in a blue shirt with brown skirt that actually doesn't even reach all that far down.
This reminds me of the skimpy underwear that Angelina had bought for me and while I work my hardest not to let the blush on my face get worse, is Cho reading a book while walking. Yet it seems she didn't expect the nice, flush carpet that covers the floor of my room as she looks up, her eyes widening and, to my personal sense of pride, her free hand going for her pocket.
"At ease, Cho, it's me." I calmly tell her, propped up in bed and not even caring that I am just wearing a simple sleeping shirt as I know it reaches down further than her skirt does. The girl looks at me shocked and asks: "Ha – Jessica? How –?" And I answer: "Lady Destiny is allowing me one girl a visit every morning, to help me get used to getting dressed in my new form.
Though I felt I had to pick you because – well –." The girl sighs and says: "Because we need to talk." I nod at her and the girl spots my greatest pride, at least when it comes to objects that I own; my vanity table. Her eyes widen and I say: "A present from Lady Destiny. I already told mum and he's going to make sure it'll be in my rooms, both at home and at Campbrina."
"So you're really transferring?" Cho asks and I sigh as I answer: "I'm going to be honest with you, Cho, if it weren't for Campbrina and how amazing it is, especially on the security aspect, I – I would have taken my parents and maybe some of my friends – if they'd agree – with me to where Sora grew up. And if things go south at Campbrina, that's still what I'll do, if not move in with Lea."
"You looked breathtaking, by the way. Practically every girl in Ravenclaw talked about nothing but how you looked all night last night." Cho gushes, but instantly I feel glad for the event as otherwise fear would have overtaken me and yet I can't help but ask: "How exactly are they talking about me?" And to my relief the girl answers: "Positive. The most negative you get is from girls that are jealous, either about your looks or the fact you got that hottie hooked up to you."
Yet then the girl turns annoyed herself and says: "Unfortunately, that part was overheard by some of the – lesser – guys from our House. He started on this rant about your – ahem – supposed lack of innocence, to put it lightly and he would have gone on and on and on – if not for Padma, Luna and myself drawing our wands and Professor Flitwick coming in.
That reminds me, there is a new rule in play at Hogwarts, at least until it has been decided who will and who won'tbe giving sanctuary at Campbrina. The portraits that hang in the common rooms are to leave the students be, unless they show signs of trying to rally the others against one student in particular. Then they are to report to the Head of House at once."
This rule makes me want to smile, but I'm sure it comes out more of a grimace as I think: "I wonder if McGonagall will be as willing to abide by that rule as Flitwick apparently was last night." Yet then Cho asks: "Is – Oh great Founders, is that actually a –." And I notice her looking down at where my hands are crossed over my lap. Instantly I break into the same smile I woke up with and I gush:
"It's a promise ring. Lea made it himself. He shrunk down one of his former signature Chakrams, took out the spikes that are usually at the four corners and replaced them with these gems that hold bits of flame within them, though the gems were shrunk by my parents. And whenever I touch one of the gems, it feels like I'm holding Lea, even though he's not here. It even felt like I was kissing him when I kissed it earlier."
I then look up and notice that Cho has tears in her eyes. I look at her concerned and she whispers: "It – it's just – I'm so happy for you. You – you may not know this, Jessica, but – there were a lot of kids who came to Hogwarts not wanting to meet the Boy-Who-Lived, but who wanted to see Harry Potter, the boy who helped us all be happy and safe.
But you were never any of that, well, not truly. It – it just always seemed as if there was this – this something that was weighing you down. But – but when you talk about Lea and what he did – you may not know this, Jessica, but you actually start to glow, as if your emotions become this aura that surrounds you, as if your magic wants the world to know how happy you are."
This makes me smile and then I pull a small book out of the nightstand drawer that I found there the first night I went to bed here. "This is a guide on my actual heritage. Because I am the second child of a Potter, I am a Kitsune. And I already read ahead, that's actually a stage that happens when a Kitsune is bonding with their destined mate. Here, see?" And I open up the book.
Cho comes to sit on the bed beside me and reads the chapter I opened the book on. And while she does this, do I let my mind wander. "If I had been Harry, I would have been a stumbling mess. I would have tried to impress her and do something that would make me feel like an idiot for either it being silly, random or completely generic."
And just like so many other times since my change two days ago – two days that feel like months of bliss thanks to my environment, my looks, my ability to express myself and the people I get to be with – does the smile on my face widen and does the sensation of perfection and peace flow through me yet again as I accept yet another welcome change brought on by my new gender.
Sora's POV
"Things aren't going to get any easier anytime soon, are they?" Riku asks as he and I were actually allowed to share the bed yet again by dad and yet we are both fully dressed, even while lying under the covers. I am lying on my side, my head on Riku's chest and his arm wrapped around my form. Yet while I know he means the movie, can I not stop smiling.
Yesterday was utter perfection and while I was able to be a little more coherent than my sister after it was all over, did I consider that a miracle. And while part of me felt guilty for the better part of the practice wedding, did I constantly, mentally go over the wedding and think about how I would change either this or add or detract that if it had been my wedding.
And those were thoughts I went to bed with and my dreams even went on where my mind left off, making me dream of different kinds of weddings where Riku was the groom and I actually looked as gorgeous as Jessica did the other night, wearing an actual wedding dress in some, yet wearing a regular suit or official outfit in others.
"Sora?" Riku's voice breaks me from my thoughts and I whisper: "Sorry Riku. I know you're dreading the movie, but – I just can't. I'm still gliding on clouds of bliss.""You do realize it was Jessica's practice wedding, right?" Riku jokes and I ask back: "I do. Does that make me a bad brother over the fact that I kept thinking of what I would change about if it had been my own?"
Riku gasps and I turn red, suddenly realizing that thinking these thoughts might have been a little too straightforward. "Wait, you're –?" Riku asks and I sigh, but then look at him determined and snap: "Riku, I'm a seventeen year old Veela who has been in love with his destined mate since a year before he came into his inheritance and who has been dying, dreaming and fantasizing about his future alongside his one true love. Tell me a wedding does not fit into that picture?"
Riku looks at me, his mouth agape and his eyes wide and I groan as I say: "You're impossible sometimes, you know." And I pull myself out of his grasp and angrily move over to the walk-in closet on the other side of the room. I open the doors and while I had initiality planned to try and look as good as I did in my dreams and fantasies, do I just not feel like it.
Instead I move over to the section that actually has all of my outfits, but then in my current size, from all of my journeys all racked up. And because I want to make it abundantly clear just how important Riku is to me, do I pull out the black uniform with the yellow and red belts, the outfit I wore during my second journey when I realized I was in love with him.
I pull my nightshirt off, but then realize that I'm not alone. I look at the doors and actually feel slightly pissed to see Riku standing there. "Sora –." He tries, but I glare at him and snap: "Tell me. Tell me to my face, Riku Longbottom, that you never – never once– dreamed of us getting married, of me being your partner in life. Tell me here and now that you never fantasized about that."
"Of course I can't say that. Why would you think that?""Because that's the impression you're giving me. We're meant for each other, Riku, and you've known for several days now how long I have longed for you. So why would it surprise you that I dream of our wedding day? Don't you want that too?" And Riku sighs as he says: "More than anything. I guess I'm just – more practical."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I snarl, actually pulling my nightshirt back on as I have no interest in treating him by allowing him to see me undressed and Riku sends me a guilty look as he says: "I just – I do love you, Sora, more than I can probably ever say. But – while I am happy for Jess and your parents and while I understand why they're doing all this – I don't want that.
Let me finish." He says, his arms reached out to me in a defensive way to prove that he already knows I am going to take offense to his words. And his eyes also convey this as there is a strong sense of guilt shining in his eyes, which makes me feel a little better about the tears of pain that I blink away. The lad then walks a little closer, cautiously, and continues:
"I mean I don't want it as quickly as they're going. I don't want all that they have yet. You know me, Sora. You know how easily I doubt myself, how much my past haunts me. And these movies aren't going to help me any. And that only makes me want it at an even slower pace, so I can have more time to prove myself. And I know." He says, again raising his voice.
"I know that you don't think I should have to prove myself, that you think your heritage proves how perfect we are for each other. But you don't see yourself the way I see you. And I don't mean that as if I think that earning your love is a challenge I should face and overcome or something. I mean what I said when we were together in the Dark Meridan, at the end of our second journey.
Those feelings still linger within me, Sora, and I still need to overcome them. And yes, the fact that we are meant for each other does help, but –." Yet by now I have calmed down and so this time I am the one stopping him, even though he was the one doing that twice with me so far when he raised his voice. I cover the distance between us and wrap my arms around his neck as I say:
"But you're the biggest, overthinking, self-doubting idiot I could ever want for a mate. You really are my Riku. And that's all that you should want to be." The silver-haired lad smiles at me, love and gratitude shining in his eyes as he says: "I guess that is my challenge then.""And I'll happily help you along the way." I whisper before sealing his lips, keeping him from talking any further.
Yet Riku proves that he still wants to continue our little play as he pulls away and mutters: "I do so hate seeing you mope like that." To which I smirk back and use my finger to tap at his nose as I say: "What can I say? You bring out either the best or the worst in me.""Another challenge? I accept." Riku grins and his next kiss is quite passionate, his arm wrapped around my lower back.
Sirius' POV
I'm the only one in the Special room, which once more has a dining table in the center, and yet I don't care. I don't care, because Lady Destiny provided me with a single picture that shows both my kids. It shows Sora and Riku together in Sora's walk-in-closet, locked at the hip and at the lip. It shows Jessica sitting up in bed with a Ravenclaw girl reading a book beside her.
And while this would have worried me, was there a small bit of text at the bottom, identifying the girl as Cho Chang, who I know was Harry's crush before Harry became Jessica. There is also a small note on the table before me, also written by Lady Destiny, telling me that Jessica will now, if she so desires, be allowed a female friend every morning to help her change.
Because of all this, do I not feel concerned or worried, neither over the fact that there is some new girl in Jessica's room or the fact that it's nearing ten thirty and that I am still the only one down. Though what also helps is the little aid that was left for me to find by Lady Destiny and that I now have standing on a stand on the table in front of me.
Our two-way mirror, the one I used to have and use whenever James and I were in different detentions or if it was summer and I was with Walburga and James home with the Potters is standing in front of me and James is shown on the reflection, smiling as I give him a short but sweet summary about dinner the other night and specifically about Jessica and how she behaved after they left.
"It's everything I ever wanted, James. Ever since you told me you were pregnant of Sora, this is almost everything I ever dreamed of. This is what being a father should feel like. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know that feeling worried, concerned, scared, horrified and all that for the stuff your kids get in is also part of the package, but –." And James lovingly says:
"But you've been doing that for the better part of the last decade and a half. I get it, love, I really do. Just leave the worrying to me for now and take care of them, okay? And let me take care of stuff here." This does worry me and I ask: "What happened on your end? Did the whole revealing go okay?" James grimaces and says: "It went – actually better than expected."
Instantly I inch forward, concerned for my mate and he says: "We expected them to lash out, they vocally did, but no more. We expected them to try and throw a pity party to explain why they had a right to lash out, they didn't do that, thankfully. We gave them an ultimatum on the sanctuary and most of them were quite accepting of that. And the ones that weren't were smart enough to keep their ungrateful, selfish traps shut, though that might have been peer pressure."
Yet while I may not have been around James for over 14 years, do I easily recognize a trait from before we were separated and so I sternly ask: "What happened?" Hating the fact that we are apart as else I might have been able to use my role as a Dominant Veela mate to get the truth out of him. Yet this luckily doesn't seem to be necessary. James sighs and says:
"Don't tell Jessica about this, at least not yet. Let her enjoy that blissful state. Tell her when she gets out of it." I nod and he says: "Umbridge tried to use a Cruciatus on Angelina. Tried being the word that I must emphasize on here." This confuses me enough I don't jump up and James says: "Alex, one of my coworkers, stopped the spell. Yes, Sirius, the spell can be stopped.
However, heh, there is more bad news. News I just heard as I got back from a meeting with Albus only minutes before you called me. I hate to say this, bloody hell do I hate it with a passion, but – Umbridge isn't being arrested." This does make me jump up and James snaps: "Calm down!" And I just know he's using our bond as I actually feel my emotions doing so.
I glare at him, hating how he still has this ability after all these years, but not feeling the full extend of my emotions at the same time. "I already scolded Albus for this and told him exactly what it'll do in the long run. Trust me, the minute that this news breaks out, both sides are going to lose. Both Albus and Fudge just utterly and truly shot themselves in the foot."
"She is being punished, right?" I growl and James nods as he says: "Albus agreed with Fudge that, if Umbridge finds herself with an empty classroom, she's to retreat to her office or rooms and stay there. Yeah, the Mother is here and she's going to make sure that all Umbridge will find, for the rest of the year, is exactly that, empty classrooms."
This calms me down and I feel relieved, smiling at my mate as he says: "If Fudge isn't willing to give his secretary the same punishment everyone else deserves for casting an Unforgivable and Albus is too cowardice to even so much as put his own staff under house-arrest, we of Campbrina will happily do it for them and let the students know we're doing it for their sake, not those two morons."
"How quickly do you think Hogwarts will empty out?" I ask and James laughs as he says: "Molly is with Minerva right this instant alongside Arthur, Amelia, Angelina's mother, Alicia's father, Katie's magical guardian and several other parents and guardians, all of whom the kids are either friends with Angelina or close with our little girl." This makes me laugh and then Lily's face appears on the side of the mirror frame and she says:
"I did a small bit of Arithmancy and Ancient Rune predicting and my conclusion – Gryffindor will be empty by Valentine's Day, Easter at the latest, though I personally think that will be the point in time in which Voldemort will get his little wish. You know, have Hogwarts be a Slytherin House only school." I shake my head at this and think:
"They're on opposite sides of the war against him, but their actions are giving him everything he wants." And while this makes me turn to the two and say: "If he shows up –." Does Lily say: "If we even get so much as a hint of his presence approaching, Sirius, we will vanish." Helping me calm down the last of my nerves and making me smile as I suddenly hear them; footsteps.
That was a morning.
And personally, I think it's a nice way to end the year. It's a bit of an in-between, it doesn't "officially" start a new day, but it does wrap up the events of the day previous. And NO, Cho will not be coming down alongside Jessica, she'll have left after helping Jess get dressed. And seeing that Cho knows how to look good, expect another stunning outfit next month.
Well, now you know what I meant with Umbridge not leaving Hogwarts yet. And honestly, can you REALLY tell me you didn't see this coming? That this WASN'T something you could see Fudge try and do? And remember, I do portray Albus as this cautious kind of leader who prefers to sit back and let the others make the first move and plan around that.
Also, this is yet another chapter that was almost left completely unchanged. At most I added a few small bits to Jess' bit, but nothing more. I also added a small bit to Sora's bit, which is a reference to KH III, but otherwise, this chapter – and probably the next one too – remain unchanged. I can't help it, these last few just feel fine as they are.
Sorry not sorry,
Venquine1990
