Ch.17

The Truth at Last

A/N: ahh, a nice long chapter! Enjoy.

I never knew that everything was falling through


That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue


To turn and run when

All I needed was the truth


But that's how it's got to be


It's coming down to nothing more than apathy


I'd rather run the other way than stay and see


The smoke and who's still standing when it clears

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She lived in a quaint little cottage near the edge of VIMA grounds. There were little rosebushes scattered around the front lawn, much to the delight of the tiny gnomes. When they walked up the front steps, the gnomes looked at them curiously, but made no move to stop them. Lily knocked twice on the wooden door.

The door opened a crack and a pair of dark brown eyes peered out at them.

"Who's there?" A nervous voice asked.

"Er,' James began but looked at Lily, unsure of what to say.

"Miss de Velaquez?" Lily asked the woman. "Erm, my name is Lily. Lily Evans. And this is James Potter. We're students at Hogwarts. We just need to ask you a few questions about our friend, Harmony McKinnon?"

They heard a gasp and the door slammed shut. Lily looked disappointed but there was the sound of chains clinking before the door opened again, revealing a petite girl around their age.

"Please, come in," She said, but there still was a flicker of fear in her chocolate eyes.

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"I don't see how we couldn't have gone with them," Sirius grumbled, kicking the pebbles on the ground.

"A whole crowd of people would have been suspicious, Padfoot," Remus explained warily.

"Besides, they could use some time alone," Marcie replied suggestively, a knowing smile on her face.

"They really are making progress," Madeline agreed. "I remember when she hated him."

"Rubbish," Marcie smirked. "We all know she never really hated him. It was all an act. I bet she's still nuts over Potter."

Remus frowned slightly. "That's not very nice. Prongs was devastated to learn Evans loathed him."

"Lily had a good reason," Marcie pouted. "Honestly, that bet was the lowest thing you could think of!"

"I reckon there's no chance I'll win," Sirius paused then asked hopefully. "Is there?"

Madeline smacked him on the head. "You git! How can you even continue with the bet? After all the trouble it caused?"

Sirius rubbed his head and glared at Madeline. "I swear woman, if you hit me again-" That earned him another smack.

"Xeno!" Kaleen exclaimed suddenly.

Everyone whirled around to see who she was talking to.

"Oh. Him," Sirius smirked. "That fellow's well off his rocker."

Kaleen threw Sirius a look before greeting the newcomer. He wore bright turquoise robes and carried a net-sort-of-thing in his hand. He fairly tall and bits of dead leaves sticking out of his light blonde hair.

"Xeno Lovegood," Kaleen smiled, almost flirtatiously. "What are you doing here?"

"I-er, had permission from Professor Dumbledore to come here," Xeno replied, a dazed look on his face. "I hear that Venezuela was the home of the Blithering Humdingers."

Madeline and Marcie chocked, Sirius snorted, and even Remus had to hide a smile.

Kaleen glared at them before turning her attention back to Xeno.

"That's fascinating!" She beamed up at him. "Would like me to help you look for them?"

Xeno's light grey eyes found her deep green ones in surprise. "Erm, sure that would be great," He offered a shy smile. "No one's ever expressed interest in the Blithering Humdingers before!"

Xeno walked off, chatting conversationally about the Blithering Humdingers with Kaleen hanging on to his every word.

Marcie turned to the others, a confused look on her face. "Is it me or does Kaleen seem different to you?"

Madeline blinked. "Was-was she actually flirting?"

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"Would you guys like some tea?" Claire held a tray laden with steaming cups of tea and biscuits.

"That would be great," Lily took a cup and sipped.

Claire sat down. "What do you wish to know about Harmony?"

"Everything," James replied, a solemn look in his eyes.

"All right. We were best friends," Claire began, her eyes sad. "Ava, Harmony and I. We grew up together, as our mothers were very close. We enrolled in VIMA together and remained close. But something happened during our fifth year."

Claire paused and closed her eyes, remembering.

"We were celebrating the end of our O.W.Ls and Ava wanted to have a little party in the Enchanted Woods. Students were forbidden to enter the woods without a professor but we were reckless and thought there was no danger. So we went, our arms heavy with firewhisky. And we celebrated through the night, finishing off the ten or so bottles we brought along. As moonlight streamed through the trees, we decided it was time to go. But for some weird reason, there were these huge trees that blocked our way out. And ht more we tried to get out, more and more trees appeared."

Claire shuddered.

"We were so foolish and thoughtless; we didn't even have our wands with us. And finally, Ava and I found a gap between the trees. We looked around for Harmony but she was nowhere to be found. As we panicked, we finally spotted her. Harmony was unconscious, passed out on the forest floor. It was no surprise to us, since she drank the most. But as we tried to drag her away, there were these thick vines that wrapped around her. Try as we might, we could get rid of them and soon they started to wrap themselves around us as well. Wandless and powerless, Ava and I struggled and we managed to break free. But as we looked back at Harmony, she was almost unrecognizable. The vines had wrapped themselves completely around her and were lifting her up into the roof of one of the trees. There was nothing we could do so-"

Claire broke off, tearing welling in her eyes.

"We had to leave her," She swallowed hard and took the tissue Lily offered. "We had no choice! Do you understand? We would have perished along with her!" Her voice became shrill and tears were openly falling down her face.

"I know, I know," Lily said sympathetically. "No one blames you."

Claire gave a great sob and Lily patted her on the shoulder.

James looked away, feeling uncomfortable.

"So, what happened then?" He said softly, trying to get the rest of the story.

Claire calmed down a little and sniffed.

"Well we were surprised to see Harmony the next day! She was back and looked completely unharmed. We asked her about that night but she kept saying that she remembered nothing, using her drunkness as an excuse."

"You mean, she was the same?" James asked, frowning. "Nothing changed? I mean, Merlin! She was attacked!"

"That's what we wondered," Claire replied. "But was a change in her. Ava didn't notice but I did. Harmony was colder; she wasn't as bubbly and friendly as before. And her looks…she was very pretty before but it was the warm sort of pretty. After that night, Harmony was still beautiful, but it was like a cruel beauty."

"That's what she's like now," James mused. "Padfoot kept insisting that she was hot but there was something almost, evil, about her."

"Harmony was evil." Claire said quietly, looking down.

"But she was your friend!" Lily protested.

"She's no friend of mine. The old Harmony was my friend. But this new girl….she's pure evil. I take it that you guys know what happened to Ava?"

James and Lily nodded.

"Harmony did it. Why you ask? Because of Chancer Aliquot."

"Who's-" James began but Claire cut him off.

"He was Ava's boyfriend. Harmony wanted him to be hers, so she manipulated them both until she got what she wanted. So she got Chandler, and Ava's at St. Mungo's and will probably never wake up," Claire finished bitterly.

"You'll be next," She predicted, addressing James.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh yes," Claire continued, unaware of James's confusion. "You are exactly Harmony's type. You don't have a girlfriend, do you?"

"I-, w-what-" James sputtered out, shooting a nervous look at Lily.

"No matter," Claire continued breezily. "It's all to same to Harmony. Mark my words, Danger waits."

Lily opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, the door opened.

Claire looked at the others in shock.

"Well well, what have we here?" A sugary sweet voice floated towards them.

A tall girl with long black hair and piercing blue eyes stood in the doorway.

"Harmony," Claire said coldly, narrowing her eyes.

"It's nice to see you to, Claire," Harmony smiled sweetly. "I like your…house. It's so adorable!"

"What are you doing here?" Claire said flatly. "How did you get through my protective enchantments?"

"My dear," Harmony simpered. "You may have been the top student at VIMA but I know spells you do not. Why do you have all these enchantments anyway?"

Claire just glared at her.

"Oh right," Harmony giggled. "How silly of me! After what happened with…poor…Ava. Who could blame you?"

"Ava's locked up because of you!"

"What are you talking about?" Harmony brushed her hair out of her eyes. "We all agreed it was an accident. No one's to blame."

"I swear to Merlin, if you don't get out right now-" Claire pointed her wand at her.

"My, you're not exactly in a position to make threats, are you?" Harmony's eyes flickered from her wand to Claire's angry expression. Harmony sighed loudly and took a seat. "I mean, if I were to talk to the Headmaster and tell him what really happened with Ava-. Well. Let me put it this way. I hope I can visit you in Azkaban!" Harmony laughed. Claire looked murderous.

"You wouldn't. No one would believe you," Claire stated, but she seemed unsure.

"Sweetie, who do you think the Headmaster will believe," Harmony sounded amused. "The sweet, innocent darling whose parents donated an entire wing to the school or the nobody who ran away at the scene of the crime."

Claire opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"Lucky for you, I'm not interested in corrupting your life. I'm busy…with other matters," Harmony turned to James.

"Pumpkin, why did you leave without telling me?" She put her hand over his. "You worried me.

James looked at his hand. "I-I wasn't aware that you needed to know." He stammered out, confused.

"It's alright. I forgive you," Harmony replied simply. "As long as you take me out for drinks to apologize."

"What?!" he exclaimed, withdrawing his hand.

"Great!" Harmony smiled widely. "I'll see you tonight at the Three Broomsticks. Seven o'clock. Don't be late!" She warned as she left the room.

"What just happened?" James looked around the room only to find blank faces staring back at him.

Lily looked at him, an odd expression on her face.

"I'm not going to go," James told her but she said nothing.

After a while, she replied. "We better go. The others are waiting for us."

With that, she stood up and left the room as well, turning back only to thank Claire for her hospitality.

James looked back at Claire.

"You better not be late tonight for your date with Harmony. She doesn't like to be kept waiting," She advised him, a pitying look on her face. "Good luck."

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James ruffled his hair anxiously as he looked around the room for Harmony. He wasn't even sure why he was here. His feet just automatically led him here though his brain was screaming no. he shook his head to clear his thoughts. He will have to tell Harmony to leave him alone. The door opened and James looked up and saw Harmony. He had to admit, she looked especially pretty tonight in robes of shimmering pearl and the most seductive necklace he had ever seen. The pendant was a circle with a sparkling blue stone that was spinning rather rapidly within the circle. He found his eyes following the path of the stone and was captivated. Harmony caught him looking and smiled to herself as she fingered the pendant.

"James! I'm so glad you're here," She leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek before settling in her seat.

He felt his face growing hot where she kissed him and cleared his throat. "D'you want to order?" He asked gruffly.

"I would love to!" She took a menu and swept over the selection. "I'll have a small gillywater and the toasted hazelnuts, thanks." She told the waiter as she closed the menu.

"You sir?" the waiter asked James.

"Erm," James cleared his throat again. "I'll just have a butterbeer."

'So James," Harmony smiled as the waiter went away. "Did you have fun at Venezuela?"

"It was alright."

"What about at St.Mungos?" She asked, watching his face for his expression.

"What?" James stared at her in shock.

"It's terrible what happened, isn't it?" Harmony asked carefully. "With Harold?"

"How did you know about that?" James asked, his eyes becoming pained.

"I know everything," She breathed, taking apparent pleasure in his pain. "And I want you to know that I understand. You didn't mean to hurt your brother."

"I didn't do it!" James defended himself.

"Sure, whatever. I understand," Harmony held his gaze, as her necklace whirled around furiously.

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Lily walked into the dorm only to find Alice sitting there, looking distraught.

"Alice?" Lily asked. "Where's everyone? Marcie and the others should have been back by now."

"They aren't back yet. They are trying to convince Kaleen to come back and ditch Xeno. They owled me earlier. Where have you been?" Alice asked curiously.

"By the lake, where else? What's wrong?" Lily noticed Alice's pained expression.

"It's Charity. She needs you. You better go now," Alice said softly.

"What's the matter with her?"

"She's…in …labor," Alice said as Lily's eyes grew wide. 'It's horrible really. No one else knows except for Madame Promfrey and the only reason Charity told me was to get you there."

She hadn't even finished her sentence, when Lily ran out of the room.

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"Lily…" Charity smiled weakly, her face pale.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked, concerned.

"I don't think I'm going to make it…" Her voice faltered but Charity continued. "But I need you to know one thing."

"What is it?"

"Promise me you won't get mad?"

"I promise."

"I know who the father is."

"Who?"

Charity paused. She took a deep breathe and gathered up the last ounce of strength she had.

"James," She breathed out before she slumped back on bed. Madame Promfrey rushed to her side and muttered numerous spells under her breathe while Lily stood there, frozen. And when Madame Promfrey straightened up, Lily knew what she was going to say.

"Lily dear," Madame Promfrey said softly. "I'm sorry…but she's gone."

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A/N: Ehe, sorry for the cliffy! But if you review the next chapter will come out sooner:hint hint:

Song credit:

The Fray: Over My Head (Cable Car)

XOXO

Cynthia