Hello! This is Minkx. This is chapter 7; it's longer than our usual chapters. I hope everyone likes it – that is, I hope everyone leaves reviews! Do you remember Krynne Malfoy from Chapter 3? Well, here she is again, along with Andrea, Marcus, Lorelei, and Wabi.
Response to past reviews from Ch. 5 and 6:
MalevolentSprite: Thanks for the compliment about Chapter 5's ominous ending. Wambleeska is a Lakota Indian, by the way. And we do have something in mind for Wabi. Credit goes to Night for writing Chap 5!
Anditrix: I'm glad you liked Chapter 5. I hope you continue reading our fanfic.
Willhomer: The chapter's here!
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series belongs solely to J. K. Rowling. Night, Mare, and I do not own any part of it, except for the original characters and plotline that we created.
Chapter 7
"Oh, come on, Andrea. You're too serious! The little first year could've just gotten a splinter and some blood on the broomstick. You don't actually believe the horror stories we tell the little first years, do you?" asked Marcus in a friendly manner, to Andrea's great annoyance.
"I'm just being rational," snapped Andrea. She carefully picked up Marcus's hand off her head and dropped it. She began again in a calm, decisive voice, "I'm telling you for the umpteenth time, this - " she waved her hand expansively at the disarray of scattered wood and splinters, " - was not an accident." Marcus's eyes flashed, then darkened. "I'll tell you who's not being rational. You!" Marcus's face lightened up and he extended his arm out to Andrea, "Let's just go back to our dorms. I was wrong to suggest – "
Suddenly, Wabi's voice cut through their conversation. Wabi had been lying down on the blood-stained grass, lethargically rolling over the wood splinter in his hand, but upon sensing something unusual, Wabi scrambled to his feet with a look of pure panic. Looking away, Wabi murmured, "Hanhon, Hanhon! Cuwitku Yee Naaldlooshii. Yutokeca Icitokeca wicasa. Iyokisice! Nagi kahlele. We gahe nagi. Cuwitku Yee Naaldlooshii…"
Andrea and Marcus, who had been immersed entirely in their argument over the cause of the broomstick incident, now stared at Wabi in confusion. Wabi's clouded eyes gazed around, and when they passed over Andrea and Marcus, they produced no recognition. Marcus's eyebrows rose in puzzled amusement, and Andrea shuddered, but they were both drawn to the scene before them. It was as if Wabi could peel through the ordinary layer of the mundane world, and even see beyond the world of magic. Wabi was entranced in a dreamworld of his own creation.
Then Wabi blinked. He paused, shook his dark black hair, then blinked twice more. Although he was still shaking, Wabi seemed to have returned from whatever dreamworld he'd been visiting. Immediately, he walked into the deep shadows behind the Quidditch bleachers. "Hau," said Wabi to the tall blonde-haired girl, his eyes uncomfortably averted. "Hello," Krynne replied, stepping out of the darkness and squinting at the noon light.
Andrea glanced at the new blonde-haired girl with surprise, then excited recognition. Andrea started walking towards the bleachers, and she looked back and motioned for Marcus to come too. Marcus's eyes brightened, and he strode purposefully past Andrea into the shadows, where he pushed Wabi aside. He reached out for the blonde girl's arm in a handshake. "Hi, I'm Marcus. And you are Krynne Malfoy… only the greatest Gryffindor spell caster this century! It's an honor to meet you," said Marcus, still vigorously shaking Krynne's hand. Krynne looked taken aback and at a loss for words for a few seconds. She looked to where Wabi had been standing but he had slunk away. Then she smiled nervously. "Yes… nice to meet you."
With an easygoing smile on his face as always, Marcus continued, "I've been wondering, what's a Malfoy doing in Gryffindor?" Marcus's eyes glinted with mischief. "You're always hiding in the shadows. It seems to me that Malfoys belong in Slytherin, after all." Watching from afar, Andrea saw Krynne Malfoy tense up and gaze impassively at Marcus. He smiled smugly back. Andrea recognized that grin. Marcus must have said something stupid again. He must have discovered a well-guarded secret.
Andrea hurried over to the bleachers where Krynne was ignoring Marcus. She turned around when Wabi lightly touched her shoulder. He gave Andrea a slight smile, then stared gravely with intense pools of brown eyes. "Kiya, you must be careful of the girl. Are wondering what Lakota words I said before? The girl is Cuwitku Yee Naaldlooshii, a Daughter of the Skinwalkers... The skin-changer, she is Iyokisice… She is sad, confused in her nagi. In her soul. I must go now, Kiya." Wabi looked sympathetically at Krynne, then walked back into the school. Andrea looked back at Wabi. "Wait, how do you know that?" When she received no answer, she shrugged and continued walking, but made a mental note to come back to this conversation.
Up close, Krynne's face was a marble mask devoid of emotion, despite Marcus's crude remarks. But Krynne's piercing dark brown eyes betrayed her furor. Andrea could see the star spell caster's resemblance to her namesake, Malfoy. Andrea hurriedly covered up for Marcus, "Hi, I'm Andrea. Don't mind my friend; he's just – "
Krynne interrupted Andrea in a soft, wry, somewhat sarcastic voice, "Rationally speaking, that was definitely not an accident." Andrea was confused; she had no idea what Krynne was talking about. Then she realized the mockery in Krynne's voice and felt herself flare up in anger. How dare Krynne make fun of her? How did Krynne even know what she said in her conversation with Marcus? Then Andrea looked towards Krynne's line of vision, at the spot where the first year Gryffindor had fallen. Her cognitive senses kicked in, and she understood the meaning of Krynne's words. She remembered trying to convince Marcus that something was up with the first year's broomstick accident. Krynne must have heard their conversation. Maybe she wanted to help. But she sighed inwardly at Krynne's cryptic way of speaking. "I mean, I've been watching you guys for a long time," Krynne said helpfully. Andrea nodded knowingly; she had figured that out already. In the background, Marcus smiled and whispered, "Stalker." Andrea glanced at him harshly, sthen looked back at Krynne. "Can you tell us about the first year who fell off his broomstick? You're in Gryffindor with him, after all." Krynne smiled and said, "I can do better than that. Come, I'll take you to Matthew, our Seeker."
Krynne strode quickly back inside the school. Turning around slightly while walking, she said nervously, "At the Infirmary – after I show you the first year who fell off his broomstick – I have to warn you about the prophec…" Soon Krynne was nowhere in sight, but Andrea and Marcus found the Infirmary themselves. While Marcus tried to twist the locked doorknob, Andrea found herself pondering upon Krynne's yet-again-cryptic words. "Oh, this is great. Alohamora. Alohamora! The lock on the door is enchanted. I should've known that only Veela Vera has the enchanted keys. I bet Krynne knew that and chickened out," whined Marcus.
"Shh," a person murmured behind the group. Andrea and Marcus abruptly turned around. It was Luna Lovegood's granddaughter, the dreamy-eyed girl who had given them the crystal balls on the train to Hogwarts. Andrea was in the same house(Ravenclaw) as the 4th year, but she always seemed to forget the girl's name. "I'm Lorelei Lovegood," the Seer proclaimed clearly, as if answering to Andrea's thoughts. Lorelei whispered secretively, "I'm waiting for Krynne. My friend should be coming soon." Marcus groaned."Well, join the crowd," he said. But he looked up in surprise when he heard footsteps in the nearby corridor. Was Lorelei right?
Marcus never found out, because then Nurse Vera appeared in front of the group. Smiling, Lorelei asked dreamily, "Are you here to help us unlock the Infirmary door?" Nurse Vera frowned when she saw Lorelei. "Somevun informed me ov visitors for the Seeker boy…" Wordlessly, she unlocked the infirmary door and led them through the empty hospital beds to the one that held Matthew. Upon seeing Matthew, Andrea rushed forward and started questioning the hurt Seeker. Marcus walked lazily to the Seeker's bed, and by the time he was at the bed, it appeared as if the Seeker was in too bad a shape to speak. Marcus eyed the boy derisively and asked Andrea and Lorelei, "Well, did Seeker boy speak?" Andrea shook her head. "Not much," she said, "I've only confirmed some rumors about the Broomstick Incident. Matthew said that the broomstick fell of its own accord; 'lost its magic,' he said."
"Well, he's a lost cause," Marcus stated. He looked up from the misshapen boy when Andrea nudged him. Andrea and Marcus moved to a corner of the room to talk, while Lorelei stayed near the bed with Nurse Vera. Andrea said impatiently, "Something spooky happened earlier this morning. About the same time that Matthew's broom 'lost its magic,' Professor Binns disappeared. I saw his ghost outline fading away before my own eyes. Wabi said Binns wasn't in Wanagiyata, Spiritland, yet so I think he's still here. But do you remember what the prophecy said? It – "
"The time will come when magic will fade from the world," chanted Lorelei from the other side of the room, her sharp grey-blue eyes focused on a far-away image.
Marcus tuned out Andrea's words and stared at Veela Vera, who steadfastly ignored him. Veela Vera was as captivating as ever, but there was something off about her, Marcus noted. "You're looking at her," intoned Lorelei. For the first time, Marcus appeared to be in deep consternation. He hadn't even heard Lorelei. Marcus finally seemed to resurface from his thoughts, a familiar wayward smile back on his lips. Getting up, he asked Andrea, "Did you figure out what Wasabi-boy said out in the Quidditch field?" Andrea replied automatically, "Wabi said Krynne was a Daughter of the Skinwalkers. She's a skin-changer, whatever that means…" – At the other side of the room, Nurse Vera tensed up and an impassive, marble-like look entered her face. – "Are you even listening to me?" cried Andrea in exasperation.
"Yes, yes," Marcus replied distractedly, "Old Binns is gone, the boy's broom fell, which all leads to a conspiracy theory that magic is leaving the world. Blah blah blah. I don't believe the prophecy. Magic is as strong as ever. And I have proof too" – he looked around triumphantly – "Veela Vera has a powerful enchantment on her that made her open the Infirmary door for us! There's no way she'd do it otherwise. She hates my guts," Marcus said, shrugging. The young half-veela opened her mouth to say something, but then she stopped and looked disdainfully at Marcus, deciding that he was not worth the wrath of her anger. Her shining silver hair shadowed her eyes as she maneuvered her way around hospital beds and stalked towards the hospital exit. Marcus chased after the half-veela, protesting, "Wait! I know who put this enchantment on you! It was Krynne, right? Ooh, she's in deep shit now, trying to control Hogwarts staff…" Nurse Vera walked faster, but Marcus chased faster still. "But wait! I can take the enchantment off you! What was that Muggle fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty?" Marcus finally caught up to Nurse Vera. In one swift motion, he half-bent one knee and bowed his head. Taking the half-veela's hand and brushing it at his lips, he whispered theatrically, "My lady." He got up and stared into Veela Vera's brown eyes. Marcus inwardly thought, That's weird, Veela Vera's eyes should be blue.
The moment passed. Lorelei Lovegood's outstretched arm pushed Marcus aside. Her normally dreamy face assumed a wise yet amused expression as she stood in front of the furious silver-haired nurse. Marcus blushed bright red and sputtered, "What was that for? I was just about to kiss Veela Vera!" Marcus paused, realizing his own buffoonery, then flushed a deeper scarlet.
Lorelei responded calmly, "This isn't Nurse Vera. It's Krynne."
Krynne ended the stunned silence with a suppressed shriek. She fumed, "How dare you, Lorelei! How dare you tell anyone my secret?" She looked away, blinking away tears, "I trusted you…" Lorelei sang gaily, "You'll thank me later!" The Seer left the infirmary and was seen murmuring to a glass marble. Lorelei looked backed at Krynne with a mixture of compassion and understanding, and a bit of mild confusion. Then she was gone.
An awkward silence held the room. Andrea had walked closer towards the hospital exit where Krynne and Marcus were, and the three formed an uncomfortable triangle. Marcus spoke first, "So… you're half-veela, Krynne?" Krynne replied in monotone, "No. I'm not Nurse Vera and I never will be." Krynne looked dully at the ceiling, and she appeared utterly defeated and weak, entirely different from whom she was rumored to be. "I only disguised myself as Nurse Vera in order to get the enchanted keys to the Infirmary. It was the only way to meet Matthew and confirm that his broomstick lost its magic."
Marcus said deliberately, "So you're definitely not Veela Vera. Well then, I'm sorry for almost kissing you." His face was a combination of a nauseated expression and his ever-teasing eyes. Krynne rolled her eyes and blushed, muttering, "No, I was just annoyed." Marcus paused and looked at Andrea. His gaze faltered when he saw Andrea look away. She was probably angry at his rash actions, as usual. He smiled at Andrea's stubborn, keen, but ever-conscientious personality. Marcus continued, "Look, I only wanted to prove to that magic is still present – that it's not leaking away or whatever. I thought Veela Vera was under a spell like the princess's enchantment in Sleeping Beauty, and a kiss would wake her up. Okay, okay… maybe it wasn't the brightest idea to kiss Veela Vera, even if it was actually only you," Krynne rolled her eyes. Her face turned aside, Krynne was the only one aware of her burning cheeks. Maybe Krynne was still upset about him saying she was in deep shit…, Marcus mused in his head. He started to say something else, but was stopped by Andrea's hand.
"Oh, Marcus, just be quiet for moment," Andrea snapped, "I'm thinking." She twirled her hair nervously, her mind racing and piecing together bits of evidence.
"So," she spoke slowly, "You must be a Metamorphmagus."
Krynne flinched at the word 'Metamorphmagus,' as if snapping out of a reverie and hearing it said aloud for the first time. She gave a terrible, sad smile and repeated, "Yes, I must be a Metamorphmagus." She shook her head sardonically, "Would you believe me if I told you I hate being –" She paused, then shook her head slightly. She stepped out into the hallway, and Andrea and Marcus followed suit. The Infirmary door slammed shut behind them.
"You mustn't tell anyone that I'm a Metamorphmagus," Krynne hissed, looking around in the hallway, then turning back to face Marcus and Andrea. Desperation tinged her voice, but far more demanding was the ferocity and determination blazing in the depths of Krynne's dark eyes. She looked sharply at Marcus and Andrea, who each blanched in turn.
She continued, "No one in the Ministry of Magic knows." Krynne shrugged and smiled wryly. "And why would they? The Malfoys never did have any Metamorphmagi lineage." Krynne paused, remembering her mother, who was indeed a Metamorphmagus. Marcus and Andrea saw tears spring to Krynne's eyes, although they knew not why. Krynne blinked, then said, "No one in Hogwarts knows, with the exception of Lorelei - she and her stupid prophecies…" Krynne shook her head, but it was obvious from her smile that she was great friends with Lorelei. Then Krynne reassumed her rueful demeanor and said, "Now you two know. And probably that Lakota Indian from before, too. "
Marcus interrupted, "His name's Wasabi-boy." He burst out laughing at his joke. Andrea rolled her eyes nudged Marcus's shoulder, although she was secretly relieved that some of the tension. She saw that Krynne was suppressing a smile, too. Andrea insisted, "That was Wambleeska, but he says to call him Wabi. Come to think of it, he probably did know you were a Metamorphmagus; he called you a - a 'Skinchanger.' I don't know how he knew, though." Her face assumed a puzzled, thoughtful expression, but then it returned to its previous alertness.
"So you see, everything will go horribly wrong if the Ministry of Magic or Hogwarts finds out my secret. I can't explain, but please trust me and promise never to breathe a word of my Metamorphmagi abilities."
Meanwhile, Lorelei hurriedly walked down the hallway, half-dragging Wabi along with her. Lorelei was a true Seer, but the Sight came and went. Earlier in the Infirmary, Lorelei had had the sudden urge to reveal Krynne's secret to Andrea and Marcus. It was an omen – of what, she didn't know. But she quickly found Wabi in the library, and walked as fast as she could back to the Infirmary, hoping Krynne and the others hadn't gone far. Lorelei did make a few stops, though, to do some very important communing with her marble and other precious objects she had found carelessly cast on the ground.
Wabi lagged behind Lorelei, trying to keep up with her unusually fast pace. He had been pondering on why he was being brought to the infirmary, and had decided on only one reason. "Cate sice, Lorelei, I don't mean to interrupt your divining. But we're going to – to Krynne, right? The skinchanger… But why?"
Lorelei nodded briefly, smiling slightly. "I don't really understand why. I'm just following an omen…" Wabi gave an imperceptible nod that conveyed his complete understanding. "I feel the same way about communing with the Spiritworld…" His voice trailed off as the two swung around the corner where Krynne, Andrea, and Marcus were. Lorelei and Wabi stood apart from the group, unnoticed.
Krynne had just finished saying, "So you see, everything will go horribly wrong if the Ministry of Magic or Hogwarts finds out my secret. I can't explain, but please trust me and promise never to breathe a word of my Metamorphmagi abilities."
Something surged inside Andrea, bringing forth the words of an invocation deep within the recesses of her mind. Andrea felt compelled to pronounce, "I promise – no – I swear by the spirit of camaraderie now wrought between us," she said the next part smiling, "never to breathe a word about Krynne Malfoy's Metamorphmagi abilities."
Lorelei grabbed Andrea's hands and joined into the chant, to the surprise of Wabi. Even more surprised were Krynne and Andrea, who had not noticed the new presences. As if in a daze, Wabi reached out to Andrea's extended hand. Marcus gave a lazy smile and repeated the chant, holding Wabi's hand as well, but muttering 'Wasabi-boy' under his breath. Even Krynne found herself repeating the invocation, although she felt extremely silly chanting about herself.
They repeated after Andrea, "I swear by the spirit of camaraderie now wrought among us." Perhaps it came from within the group's circle, or maybe from a source beyond, but an intense white flash of light enveloped the group of acquaintances. Somehow, they didn't notice the searing light around themselves. Everyone in the group did notice, however, that the incantation was bigger than any mere secret.
Dazed they looked at each other in turn, wondering what happened, and the significance of it. Marcus spoke first, "Um, what just happened, Andrea? That was a pretty cool incantation, but I think it'd seem better if I knew what the words meant…"
Andrea rolled her eyes. But she was focused on a strange forgotten memory in her head, of a strange bright light that disappeared in an instant. Somehow, it reminded her of a different world. She shook her head, then refocused on her surroundings, the now-shadowy hallway –
"It means we're friends," said Krynne, smiling.
What'd you think? Do you have any questions about our characters or story so far? If you have any comments and questions, leave them in a review.
~Minkx