Part III
It has been an hour since Iris have told her best friend of Malfoy accusing of raping her and the brunette still couldn't find where Malfoy ran off to. There was only ten minutes left till the end of curfew. Malfoy could be anywhere; out patrolling corridors; outside in the school grounds. Ten was at the corridor of the entrance hall, looking around feverishly to find Malfoy when she saw someone outside by the lake. The full moon was out and reflected on the lake's surface and was glad for the light for she had found a blonde boy sitting at the edge of it.
Furious at his action earlier, Ten went outside, opening the doors with a bang and went over to Malfoy within thirty seconds. Scaring the poor Slytherin Prince, she pushed him into the lake, his startled scream scaring her, as she was too used to the silence. Moments later, Malfoy broke the surface gasping for air.
"What was that for?" he growled.
"For dishonoring your family: YOU RAPED MY BEST FRIEND!" screamed Ten, answering his question.
Malfoy swam to the edge of the lake and got out of the water, his soaked clothes heavy on him.
"For your information…"
"Save it for someone who cares," Ten interrupted. She quickly drew out her wand but something cold entered her body and every time she breathed, a cloud of breath exited her parted mouth. Her eyes widen in fear as the shadow loomed over the two teens and she turned to meet a faceless creature: the Dementors.
Thinking on her feet, Ten waved her wand and blasted at the dementor while speaking, "Expecto Patronum." A silver creature formed as a bright unicorn appeared at the end of the wand and knocked the dementor away, watching it flee before disappearing in a wisp of smoke.
Breathing hard, Ten turned to the Blonde who also had fear in his grey eyes. Ten narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"You OK?" she whispered. Malfoy could only nod vigorously. Ten sighed and spoke an incarnation softly, drying Malfoy up before grabbing a hold of one of his arms and dragging him up to the Slytherin Common Room.
-00-
Iris woke up the next morning, and took in her surroundings. She knew instantly that she was in a different room since her prize possession where not visible to her silver eyes. She looked around feverishly; panic began to rise in the pit of her stomach until her eyes set onto a lock of brown hair on the black leather couch.
The black-headed witch tiptoed to the couch; she sighed when she saw her best friend sleeping deeply. Checking the time on the sill of the fireplace, Iris thought it was appropriate to wake up Ten. She did so.
"Hey. How are you feeling now?" asked Ten, as she got herself into a sitting position.
"Better. The sleep helped," sighed Iris.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright. Mentally, I mean," Ten asked.
A nod was all she got. Not wanting to press the situation, Ten got up and headed towards the bathroom and got dressed. She exited the room to find Iris, sitting on the edge of her bed. She was wearing the usual skirt and shirt, the three top buttons undone, a tie loosely around her neck and her jumper in her arms. Contrary to her, Ten was wearing skirt, her jumper tied around her waist, shirt with only two buttons undone, her tie loosely around her neck, knotted and her hair was tied up in a ponytail.
"Lets go," chirped Ten and the two girls left Ten's room, left the Slytherin Common, left the dungeons and made their way to the Great Hall.
"Tenebrae," someone called. The two girls turned to see Professor Dumbledore walking down the grand staircase. "May I have a word?" he asked.
"Sure," she replied. Bidding Iris goodbye, Ten joined her grandfather at the stairs. They both watched Iris disappear through the large, golden, double doors before locking each other's gaze.
"Is there a problem?" asked Ten.
"Rumor has it, word from the black unicorn, that something went wrong between Miss Koltchak and Mr. Malfoy,"
At the sound of Malfoy, youthful blue orbs harden and Dumbledore had a vague idea of what happened between the two Slytherin teens.
Looking around, making sure no one was eavesdropping, Ten answered in a whisper, "Malfoy tried to rape Iris."
Dumbledore wasn't surprised at all. Nor did Ten expect him to be so.
"I see," he said, a strange glint in his eyes, Ten knew so well and her own pools widen in surprise.
"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking," she cried quietly.
"That depends on what you are thinking," her grandfather mused.
Ten gaped at her grandfather. Suddenly a commotion was heard in the Great Hall. Giving one more glance at her elder, Ten ran down the stairs and at the entrance of the Great Hall.
The teachers were all stood up from their seat; a large crowd surrounded two teens and by seeing the face of Malfoy, Ten's heart sank. Taking a deep breath, she called out, "What's going on here?"
Everyone's attention went to her and a small gateway was made through the crowd, leading to the centre. Ten made her way towards Malfoy in fast stride and her heart sank when she Iris was in the middle as well, glaring up at the Blonde Slytherin. She turned to one of the students: it was Harry and he only shrugged at her.
Ten walked slowly towards the two and stood between them, facing Iris.
"Well, well, well," Malfoy taunted. "Looks who's here. The bitch's friend,"
Iris growled and launched at him, but she blocked by Ten who stopped her. Everyone reacted. The Slytherin moved forward a bit, as did the Golden Trio, but it seems the heiress has it under control.
"Iris! Stop this!" she cried. She looked behind her, and saw Malfoy's eyes wide.
"Slytherins! Take Malfoy away from this crowd," ordered Ten. "The rest of you, go back to your meals. There's no show here."
Obeying the hard tone of the girl, the crowd gradually thinned except the Trio stood where they were. Instead they advanced towards the duo.
"Is everything OK?" asked the bushy-haired girl. Ten gave them no respond or any sign that she had heard them as she concentrated on her best friend.
"Iris?" she asked. Iris paid no attention to the heiress, as she stared angrily at Malfoy. Sighing, Ten dragged her outside to the lake and splashed some water onto Iris's face. Silver orbs blinked before turning to the owner of the pair of blue orbs.
"Ten?" she called. Ten let out a sigh of relief, unaware that the Golden Trio was watching from the entrance of the Entrance Hall.
"You scared me girl," she replied.
Iris gazed went to the green grass. Then she felt a pair of arms around her tightly and she placed her own around the girl, hugging her tight, and tears were rolling down.
"Forget about it please. It won't do you any good," Ten's voice was soft and sincere, as if guiding Iris back into the light.
"Thank you," the young witch whispered. Ten smiled pulling back enough to see Iris smiling brightly back at her.
"Now that's the Iris I know: looking bright, beautiful and smiley!" Ten grinned. Iris could only blush.
"I'm hardly near beautiful, Ten. You should know that," she whispered.
"Oh. So now we're talking about beauties? That's unexpected," Ten rolled her eyes, sarcastic dripping in her tone. Iris had to chuckle lightly.
"You wanna eat," her friend spoke quietly. Iris lifted her silver pools and nodded, but hesitated in walking back to the castle.
"I know," Ten whispered. "We'll go into the kitchen." And the two teens did so.
-00-
When the end-of-school bell rang throughout the castle, scraping noises were heard as the students got up, packed away their stuff and made their way back to their dormitories, common room or to the Great Hall.
The Golden Trio trudged out of their History Of Magic lesson and the two boys went straight to their dormitories and changed into their gold and red Quidditch robe, their brooms on their shoulder as they walked out onto the castle ground towards the pitch.
"New captain, eh?" Ron Weasley gloated. Harry could only nod, a tinkle of pink on his cheek. Just early in September, when Professor Dumbledore said his speech, he included the new Quidditch Captain. Harry was the new Gryffindor captain as well as Malfoy the same to Slytherin.
The two players reached the changing rooms where the rest of the Gryffindor team were. Colin and Dennis Creevey sat way at the front, looking energetic and excited, Merlin knows why; Ginny was sitting two rows behind them, chatting to her fellow chasers and Ron and Harry entered the field.
"OK. I wanted a quick word with you all before we actually get onto the pitch, because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program, which I think will make all the difference…"
Harry was holding up a large diagram of a Quidditch pitch, on which were drawn many lines, arrows and crosses in different colored inks. He took out his wand, tapped the board and the arrows began to wriggle over the diagram like caterpillars. Harry gave a quick talk: sharp and quick and easily understandable.
"So," Harry breathed. "Is that clear? Any questions?" there was silent and Harry sent them to the pitch. The owner of the green orbs mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. The cool evening air whipped his face. It felt wonderful to be back on the Quidditch pitch. He soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Ginny and Ron. Suddenly someone called out his name.
"Over there!" Christina pointed towards a direction. Harry followed and saw several people in green robes walking onto the pitch, broomsticks in hand.
"I don't believe it!" Harry hissed in outrage. "I booked the pitch for today! We'll see about this!"
Harry shot towards the ground, landing rather harder than he meant to in his anger, staggering slightly a he dismounted. The rest of the team followed.
"Malfoy!" Harry bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. "This is our practice time! You can clear off now!"
"Plenty of room for all of us, Scarhead," taunted Malfoy. The Slytherin all guffawed stupidly, especially Crabbe and Goyle.
"But I booked the pitch!" said Harry, positively spitting with rage. "I booked it!"
"Ah," said Malfoy, "but I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch Pitch, owing to the need to train their new Chaser."
"You've got a new Chaser?" asked Harry, distracted. "Where?"
And from behind the five large figures and a skinny figure before them came a seventh player: a girl with fair skin, brunette hair and bright blue eyes. It was Tenebrae Dumbledore.
"Hey," she greeted.
Harry could only gape. So did Ron.
"Now you know, let us practice," said Malfoy, walking passed them.
"No!" Harry screamed.
Malfoy tutted. "Haven't you heard of sharing?"
"Oh, leave them be," cried the heiress. "We've got all the other days before the match to use the pitch."
Malfoy turned to glare at the heiress. She heard a faint sound behind her and placed her broom behind her, blocking the attack a Slytherin player was about to do. In turn she glared at that player before turning back to Malfoy. Without a word, Malfoy turned back to the castle with the rest of the team behind him except the girl. Once Malfoy was out of earshot, she turned her attention back to the boy-who-lived.
"Sorry about that," she said.
"It's ok. I know how Malfoy is," spoke Harry. "Thanks."
A smile is all he got and after bidding goodbye did Harry returned back to his training.
-00-
It was very late at night. The sky was pitching black; no moon or stars can be seen; it was cold and windy with leaves rustling against the concrete ground. Soft footsteps were heard as a man of twenty made his way to the Dark Forest, across the soft green grass on the Hogwarts ground. He had his cloak around him and with every few steps he looked around him to make sure no one was watching. But he failed to notice a pair of wide blue eyes watching his every move, as he entered the Forbidden Forest.
-00-
Ten woke up from having a small dream: a memory from the past; a memory of her parents' death. It was becoming regular nowadays and not once had she told Professor Dumbledore nor her best friend. Continuing her life as she normally does, she got out of her bed and went to her bathroom en suite. She opened her cold tap and let the water ran. Cupping the clear liquid, she splashed the cool substance on her sweaty face, relief showing over her face, as her muscle relaxed. Noticing her mouth dry, Ten re-entered her bedroom and put on her jumper. Without putting on her slippers or shows, Ten straightaway exit her bedroom and out of the Slytherin common and into the corridor.
Wrapping her arms around her to keep herself warm, Te subconsciously made her way down the Grand Staircase and through a door that leads to two places: The Hufflepuff Common Room and the kitchens. Having nothing to do with Hufflepuff, she made her way to the kitchen.
After a while of walking down the corridor, a portrait of fruits appeared in front of her. Reaching up, she tickled the pear with her forefinger and it giggled, turning into a large green doorknob. Twisting the cool metal, Ten entered a large and warm kitchen. Noises were still made as half of the house-elves were washing the dishes while the other made breakfast, even if it is around two o'clock in the morning. Her favorite house-elf walked towards her.
"Mistress," it squeaked. "What can Dobby do for you?"
"Just a glass of cool water," answered Ten. Dobby disappeared in the crowd and returned with a tray of a jug of water with ice, butterbeer and some sweets, along with a glass. Expecting this, Ten poured herself a glass of water and drank it all before placing it back onto the tray and dismissing Dobby.
Feeling more wide awake, Ten exited the kitchen and took a stroll around the corridors, rethinking about her dream. She does this and managed to get away without any Prefects watching.
Suddenly a chill breeze brushed against her bare legs as she was wearing shorts and she shivered, goose bumps appearing. She turned to see the front gates opened by a crack. Curiosity being her thing, she walked up towards the door and peaked outside and gasped quietly. There, outside walking across the grass was Professor Koltchak, David. He entered the Dark Forest.
Making sure no one else was watching, the heiress closed the door behind her as she stepped outside the building and silently like a prey, she followed David into the forbidden forest, making sure he was in her field of vision.
-00-
David sighed for the umpteenth time that night, feeling someone watching him. But every time he turned back to look behind him, there was nothing but darkness, the only sounds were the creaking of the branches and the sound of his footstep. He turned back and continued to walk, unaware of a student following him at a safe distance.
He arrived at a large space what seems to be the heart of the Forest, lit only by a small fire in the middle. There was a stranger sitting on a log in front of the burning fire, waiting.
"David Koltchak. Finally," he said in a deep voice.
David didn't say anything except lowering his hood revealing his dark hair and chocolate eyes as well as his tanned face. Ten was hiding behind a large, dark oak tree, eyes hardening; a shiver running up her spine.
"What do you want with me?" David asked. The stranger could only smirk. 'She has come,' He thought. "I want you to do me a small task," he spoke.
"Such as…" David started.
"Your powers are strong. Lord Voldemort will be happy if you would join us,"
Ten's blue orbs widen. As did David's chocolate eyes.
"No!" he hissed. The stranger jumped to his feet in anger. In the process, his hood was taken off revealing a mop of golden hair and striking green eyes. It was Professor McGraw.
Ten gasped but her sound was muffled by the crackling of fire. She was glad for that.
"What?" growled McGraw.
"I know what you want," said David in defiance. "You want her. You want her for your own, sick pleasure but at the same time, you want her power."
The Blonde's lips curled into a smirk.
"I know his Lordship's downfall: Harry Potter. And since Dumbledore is the one he is afraid off, capturing his only granddaughter for his dirty work will make Professor Dumbledore vulnerable. You are sadly mistaken,"
"Enough!" shouted McGraw. "Give me the girl."
"What?"
"I said, give me the girl!"
"She's not here. Nor will I give her to you without a fight. Tenebrae Dumbledore is an Angel. Angels should be free. You won't get her. Nor would you use me or anyone else to get to her. She's one of the brightest students I ever know and she isn't some possession that should be sold."
There was silence broken by the crackling fire and then suddenly, McGraw cackled. Ten was startled; as was David; and then the cackled stopped. McGraw looked over David, a glint in his eyes.
"You love her," he suddenly said.
Blue orbs widened.
"What?" hissed Professor Koltchak.
"I said, you love her," the death repeated, a mysterious glint in his eyes.
David could do nothing but look away. Away from that glint. But the truth is the truth and he did love her. Since the day they became friends… which were about almost six years ago.
"Six years and you haven't told her" taunted McGraw. "How much longer are you going to wait? Till tomorrow? Till next week… next month… next year? When it is too late? Or haven't you noticed?" the Blonde Death Eater continued.
The last part caught the DADA professor's attention. "What do you mean 'haven't you noticed'?"
McGraw let out another cackle. "You really are slow. And here I thought your family can think on their toes." Suddenly he stopped when he felt something poked on his chest. At the insult of his family, David did think on his feet. He drew his wand and pointed at McGraw's chest. He was breathing hard and deep, the insult offending him.
"Going to kill me are you?" McGraw once again taunted him. "What will Professor Dumbledore say? What will the Minister say? But more importantly, what will Tenebrae say?" a smirk curled up his lips as David backed away. "Love," he chuckled. "Such a weakness."
And he also drew his wand and attacked the DADA professor.
"Stupefy!" he yelled.
"Expelliarmus!" cried David, managing to dodge the spell. He ran to a tree and hid behind the large oak. Bt-by-bit, he looked over the edge of the tree to find the spot empty. Curious, but cautious, he walked back into the space. Big mistake!
McGraw, who was hiding behind another tree opposite David got out of the shadows and hit him square on the chest with a Cruciatus curse. David was flown off his feet and his back made contact with the tree behind him and he began to twitch a bit before opening his chocolate brown eyes furiously, no longer under the spell.
"Ahh," smirked the death eater. "Of course. You are, after all, a DADA professor. Obviously you will be able to shake that spell off."
David got up.
"I would have killed you with the Avada Kedavra spell, but I want you to suffer." McGraw lifted his wand in the air and the clouds began to become purple, all moving towards the spot where the wand was pointing at. Purple lightning flash and a small, inaudible thunder were heard. Everyone in the castle thought it was an ordinary storm… except one.
McGraw began to cackle madly now, as he felt power growing inside of his, the dark arts doing his bidding. The tip of his wand glowed bright gold and he pointed at David, the target on his chest. David could do nothing but let his eyes widen in fear.
Ten, who had been hiding since the meeting began, got her wits together and began an action. But, she too, was thinking on her toes. There was only one thing in her mind: save David. She didn't care about the consequences as she got out of her hiding place and ran in a space between David and the attack.
"NO! TEN!" screamed David.
But it was too late. Ten stayed rooted to her spot, arms wide open, and protecting her crush and the attack from McGraw's wand was lit, heading towards her.
David only managed to get to his feet when everything happened too fast. The attack was released. Ten stayed rooted to her spot. It hit her. She flew backwards. She banged into the tree, slowly drifting into unconscious.
Green lightning was flashed and McGraw made his getaway.
"Ten!" cried David, running towards her, trees streaking down his cheek. He kneeled down beside her, trying to wake up but she didn't move. She was breathing, but she wasn't moving.
"Oh Ten," sobbed David, placing her head on his lap, hugging her tight. "I'm sorry. So sorry."
-00-
"Ten? Ten!" someone called. It was a soft voice. A soothing voice; a voice that could be trusted very easily: A voice of an angel.
A pair of blue orbs fluttered open slowly, as if each millimeter was painful to open. The owner groaned. Her vision was a blur but she could make out that someone was looking at her. Ten blinked several times and her vision became clear.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"Can't tell you that," the woman said. Ten changed her position into a sitting position, letting her back rest against a wall.
"Why does my body hurt?" she asked.
"Well do you remember anything?" the angel answered. Ten looked up at her. She has strong, sapphire eyes and her hair was a soft red.
"Erm… I was being attacked by a death eater," muttered the heiress. "Who are you?"
"Can't you remember? Don't you recognize me?" the angel chuckled. She stood up, her white, flow-y dress flying softly behind her. Her face was soft and white; her eyes bright blue, the familiar mischievous glint in them; her hair brownish-red.
Ten's own orbs widen as she took in the person in front of her. Her bottom red lip quivered.
"Mother," she whispered. The woman nodded and held out her hand.
Immediately Ten took it. The moment she got back onto her two feet, she lunged herself at the Angel, wrapping her arms around her waist, her head buries on the woman's shoulder, crying softly.
"It's really you! Oh Merlin! I missed you so much!" cried Ten.
Mrs. Dumbledore smiled and stroked her daughter's hair, soothing her. At the same time, she took her to a place in the shades of a beautiful green garden and sat down, letting her daughter rest her head on her shoulder sideways as she sat down comfortably beside her.
"How are you, my darling," spoke Mrs. Dumbledore softly.
"How can I answer that question? There are too many things happening way too fast for my liking. I'm getting spoiled by grandfather… not that I minded; I met a friend who I consider my sister…"
"Iris Koltchak," smiled the Angel.
"A new student at Hogwarts… Voldemort rising and waiting… and just now… my Russian teacher, a death eater, almost killing David."
"But you intervene. You saved him but at a price so high." The face of the angel saddened.
"What do you mean, mother," asked Tenebrae, getting onto her knees.
"You'll see," the angel shook her head. "In reality, to others, you are unconscious, yet you are here."
"Where is here?"
"The gateway… the gateway towards Heaven… or hell." She turned to her daughter. "Tenebrae, dear. It is not your time to die yet. You shouldn't even be here. You should be down there, on Earth."
"But mother!"
"No buts!" Mrs. Dumbledore interrupted. "Here me out. You have so much ability, that shouldn't be wasted. You need to discover your new powers, and train to control it to perfection.
"You can't leave your grandfather, all alone with any family. You are his last family member and you must be there until his time is up.
"You've still got a lot of learning to do dear… so much magic to learn and control. But there's one more thing that you should truly understand: Love."
"Love?" repeated Ten. "What do you mean?"
"There are several types of love: A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person…"
"As that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness," completed Ten.
"A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair…"
"The emotion of sex and romance,"
"You see you have love towards…"
"Grandfather; you and dad; Iris."
"And there's one love you need to discover… to experience."
Ten's feature's contorted into confusion.
"But mother, I thought I love…"
"David? You are sadly mistaken. You see the affection you have towards that young man, is called Crush. You think it is love, when it is not. You just like the young man, but not love. Not the emotion of romance."
Ten blushed and groaned, closing her eyes.
"Then to who do I love?" she asked.
There was a strange glint in the orbs of Mrs. Dumbledore.
"That, my dear, is what you must discover once you are back on Earth. Don't go looking for it. Love will look for you," and with that the Angel got up, bringing the heiress with her and walked out of the beautiful garden paradise. She led the young witch to a portal.
"This will lead you back to your body. When you wake up, you will feel as if you were hit by a cruciatus curse but a few days rest in the hospital wing and you will be fine."
Ten nodded. "Is there anything else that I should expect?"
"There is," nodded the woman. "But I cannot tell you." And with that, the Angel gently pushed Ten through the portal.
Ten's heart skipped several beat at the intense height and began to fall back into darkness as her soul rejoined her body in the hospital wing of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.