Well, I have been looking forward to writing chapter 5 for some time now. I hope you all continue to enjoy reading it, and as always, I want to hear what you think. Thank you to those who have said such wonderful things to me thus far. And now, without further ado, here is chapter 5.
EDIT: 5-4-07 I have finally finished revising chapter 5. This one took slightly longer as there were some things I felt that needed to be added in. While it's nothing to important to the plot, there are over 1,000 words of additional material. I still plan to have all revisions finished by Saturday, and I expect to have chapter 9 up a short time after that.
Calida was curled up in her favorite chair in the library asleep. She had been up all night reading legends about the special powers that the mirror supposedly possessed. Odds were that most of them weren't true, but at least this way she would have warning if they were.
Something cold was tickling her ear; she swatted it away. There it was again. She opened her eyes and saw her brother and Hector standing beside her.
"What do you want?" she asked her brother grumpily.
"To tell you that you have company," he said, and he flopped down in a nearby chair. Hector followed suit.
"We want to know what you've been doing all week," Hector said bluntly.
"Every since the ambush on Potter no one has seen you out doing anything. All you do is sit here in the library reading. We want to know what he told you to do."
She could tell that her brother was rather annoyed at having been left out of important plans.
"I can't tell you. Either of you," she added looking at Hector, who had been about to complain. "I was told to tell no one, and both of you, I'm afraid, count as someone. I know you want to hear all about it, but I can't. Sorry. If you really want to know that badly, why don't you go and ask the Dark Lord yourself," she knew she had sounded rather cross, but they woke her up and she needed to sleep. Tomorrow her week's preparation time would be up.
"We really wanted to know incase you needed any help," Hector said.
"We know he's been upset with you, and we don't want you to get hurt doing something reckless to prove your point," Atabulus continued.
"I don't need any help. This is an easy request to fulfill. I've been in the library all week because I decided I shouldn't be careless about it. Even if it is easy, it's still important. I'll be fine. You two both need to stop being so protective of me," she said quelling them.
She was glad that her family was so fond of Hector. Her brother had always liked him, but together they were almost unbearable when it came to protecting her. They both still looked slightly unconvinced so she glared at them and stuck her tongue out. Atabulus laughed and got up, motioning for Hector to follow.
"Come on, we better leave the Dark Lord's pet alone or she'll sick a dementor on us." He and Hector both laughed and left the room.
Calida glared at their backs as they left and finally got up to follow. Her legs were stiff from they way she had been curled in the chair, so she stumbled a bit as she wandered into the dining room.
Her mother and father were already seated around the table, the silver plates gleaming in the candle light from the chandelier. She took her seat next to Hector and glared as he smirked.
Tellus slipped into the room clutching a copy of the Daily Prophet in her arms as she sat down beside her mother.
"Oh for heaven's sakes, Tellus, did you have to bring that paper to dinner with you?"
"Now Helena," her father crooned, "she's excited, and I can hardly blame her. We've all been wondering."
"Wondering what?" Calida looked up from the mince pie she was coaxing onto her fork.
Tellus handed over the paper grinning wildly. Calida knew instantly the article that had made Tellus so excited.
HOGWARTS TO REMAIN OPEN
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall announced yesterday evening that the decision has been agreed upon by the school governors. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be reopening for the following term.
"The Heads of Houses have all agreed that as long as any student wishes to learn, the doors to the school shall remain open," said a tearful Headmistress.
The term will start as usual on September 1, and students will travel on the Hogwarts Express as usual. Security measures on the school have been increased drastically since the tragic death of previous Headmaster Albus Dumbledore at the hands of a former staff member.
"The Ministry will be doing everything it can to ensure the safety of students this year," says Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour. In light of recent events several Aurors have offered to come out of retirement to aid in the care of students.
Headmistress McGonagall also informed the Prophet that she has in fact, secured an instructor for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was once again vacated at the end of last year. Former Ministry employee Cynthia Blain will be filling the post. Mrs. Blain worked as an Auror for nearly twenty years before retiring shortly after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
"I'm doing it for the students," Blain told reporters. "I've been there, I've fought the Death Eaters. These students have got to know what they're up against, and they have got to be trained to properly defend themselves."
The Headmistress has also informed reporters that Horace Slughorn, who took up the position of Potions Master last year, has agreed to stay on as the new Head of Slytherin house this year.
In addition to tighter security, McGonagall says that she will be arranging pre-set dates for parents to come and visit their children on a somewhat regular basis during the school year.
"We understand that right now everyone is concerned for the safety of their families. I won't deny that we all felt safer while Albus Dumbledore was with us, but he would want us to protect children and families alike."
Further details concerning this scheduled visits will be sent out with the usual letters. The Ministry will also be issuing leaflets to all students and their parents concerning the safety measures that will be taken in the week prior to September 1st to allow children to buy their school supplies.
Calida passed the paper back to her sister who spread it out carefully beside her plate so she could continue to stare at the picture of the castle.
"I'm glad they're keeping the school open. I wonder how many will actually go back though."
"Probably more than you think," her father said casually. "Blain was an excellent Auror, a bit less paranoid than Moody, but good nevertheless. They'll be using her presence to try to convince parents that she'll teach the kids all the self-defense they need."
"Smart of them," Calida said. "Knowing defensive magic can come in handy."
"It certainly can," her mother chimed in. "And we expect you to learn it all Tellus dear, yes I know you know some basic Dark Arts, but you need to know defense too. At your age it's best if you don't give yourself away."
"I'm glad to see Slughorn is staying, he was a good teacher last year. A bit less strict than Professor Snape, more jovial, kind of like Flitwick."
Calida snorted into her potatoes watching her brother clearly trying to imagine a cross between Flitwick and Snape. Hector was already laughing by the time Atabulus realized he was the center of attention.
"Don't worry Tellus," Hector said, dodging the fork full of potatoes Atabulus was flinging at him. "Slughorn's a good teacher, you'll like him."
"Atabulus, don't throw your food. Yes he was there in our day." Calida giggled as her mother scolded him for throwing his food. His response was to throw the fork at her.
Their mother gave an exasperated sigh as her Calida bewitched her spoon to go after her brother. Eventually Hector and her father joined in the fray and Helena led Tellus out of the dinning room, kicking and screaming at being left out.
Atabulus had just raised his wand to disarm her when she cast a stinging hex on him. He dropped his wand and Calida smirked, diving underneath Hector's Jelly-legs jinx.
All four of them jumped as the doorbell rang. Triton went to get the door, leaving the kids behind to clean up their own mess. Calida flicked her wand and vanished the food from the walls and the floor. Another flick and the silverware was all once more on the table.
"Why don't you just let one of the elves do that?" her brother asked.
"Because it only takes two seconds to do it myself. And you step on them when they're cleaning the floor."
Atabulus was about to open his mouth to argue when a woman's sobs met their ears. The three of them made their way into the living room where her father was comforting a very distraught looking Narcissa Malfoy.
"What's up, Cissa?" Atabulus asked as he conjured a glass of wine and offered it to her.
"The damn Ministry won't leave us alone. Lucius and Draco are off doing something for the Dark Lord, and the Ministry showed up to raid our house again last week. I'm afraid we won't be able to go back to it. Not until the Ministry falls at least."
Her father nodded. "Owen has been feeding the Ministry information that Atabulus and I no longer live here, and that Calida has gone off on her own. So far it's kept them away from our house, but it can't be too much longer before they stop by."
"Draco and I started staying with Clore last week, Lucius has been rather busy, but he'll be joining us soon."
"Calida?" Atabulus had suddenly glanced over at her.
A cold weight had just settled itself in her stomach. She had forgotten about the cup. If the Ministry raided the house it would surely be found. She had to move it. She didn't know where to move it to though. There was no way the Ministry could get in, but once they raided the house it would be almost impossible for Calida to get it out again.
She suddenly became aware that everyone was staring at her.
"Are you ok?" She could see her own pale face reflected in Hector's eyes.
"I'm fine, I just forgot something I need to look up before tomorrow."
She jumped up and left the living room without acknowledging the confused looks as she went.
Calida slipped into bed and drifted off into an uneasy sleep, trying desperately to think of somewhere she could hide the cup that wouldn't be as obvious, or as suspicious as her room.
Calida left the house around 9 o'clock the next morning. She was wearing robes of deep green today; she decided it would be best not to dress as a Death Eater, to avoid suspicion. It was a warm day, and clouds were drifting across the sky in a carefree way.
She was standing at the end of a small street lined with average looking houses. Walking down a street in the village called Godric's Hollow; she came to a house that was in ruins. It looked as if no one had bothered to rebuild it, almost like it stood as a memorial. There were some walls still standing, but much of the house was in a large pile. Behind the house next to a row of trees stood two white tombs, much like the one that now held the body of Albus Dumbledore. These, she knew, would bear the names of Lily and James Potter.
Calida sighed and now understood why this would be hard, even the most powerful summoning charm wouldn't be able to pull the mirror from under the rubble. It was clear this would be harder than expected, especially with all the curious neighbors now peering at her from behind their curtains.
She ignored the people now running between houses and pointing at her clothing. Turning to walk up to the house, she muttered "muggles", and stepped right over what was once the threshold to the living room. Wondering what all these muggles had thought when the house was destroyed (she tended to picture it as an explosion of green light), she pushed bricks around and looked for a glint of silver. This part of the house had already been cleaned up some, and she assumed that it must have been from the removal of the bodies.
Calida was wondering why the Dark Lord would have brought the mirror with him the night he first came here; all she came up with was that it must still lay in the room where Lily Potter was killed; the room where Harry had lived. Large amounts of rubble had been cleaned away as if someone had been looking for something, but with great care; none of the rubble was just thrown aside, it had been laid aside in stacks.
After about twenty minutes of wading through detritus, she came to what may have once been a crib. Calida could feel the remnants of magic here. She knelt by the crib, brushing off her now dust covered robes. As she laid a hand on the crib, she caught glimpses of that night; screams, laughter, and a bright flash. This had to be it then, the mirror would be close by. She pushed brick and wood aside, looking for a sparkle of silver or blue.
Some time later, Calida was starting to get desperate; worried that someone else may have beaten her to it during the last 15 almost 16 years. The whole of the room couldn't have been much bigger than where she had already searched. There was a large pile of debris right next to where she was. Calida, now frantic in her search, started throwing things aside until;
There it was; a shimmer of silver on the ground. She reached out a shaking hand and picked it up, wiping the dust off on her robes. The sapphires were all still in place, and power was still flowing though it. The glass had been cracked and chipped, but it was still one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. She twirled her wand and tapped it lightly, sending it on to her house ahead of her to prevent any further damage to it.
Calida walked into the woods; having decided that it would be safer to disapparate there than in front of the goggling neighbors. She was just about to turn and disappear when voices nearby caught her ear.
"Are you sure we should be here alone, Harry?" came a slightly hysterical girl's voice.
"Relax Hermione; I really doubt that Voldemort has Death Eaters watching this place. No one knows I was planning on coming here but you two and Ginny," said another voice, a boy's this time.
Calida slipped quietly through to the edge of the trees and saw an all too familiar trio emerging from the woods nearby. She recognized the center one at once, his untidy black hair and glasses made him unmistakable. Standing just feet from her, unsuspecting and overconfident, was Harry Potter and his two best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
"To be fair mate, they could have followed you," said the red-headed Ron. "I mean, no one knows how they knew where to find us before the wedding, they could have found out-"
"Shut up, Ron. You don't have to be here if you don't want to. I told you, this is where it all started…I need to be here." Calida was saddened by the tone of his voice.
She knew that Harry was not the only one who had lost people at the hands of the Dark Lord. And now, she was responsible for tearing families apart, for shattering lives. She watched with a slight pang of guilt as Harry reached out and touched the tombs of his parents. She gripped the tree beside her, watching as Harry knelt down on the grass, one hand still on each of the white marble tombs.
Calida bit her lip, staring uncomfortably at the scene in front of her. She would be devastated if she lost her parents, or her siblings, and yet, it was now a part of her job to rip families apart, just like the ones in front of her.
Calida started at a rustling in the trees nearby and saw a flash of flying red hair run out of the trees. It looked as though the youngest Weasley didn't want to be left behind. She had heard rumors that Ginny was Harry's girlfriend, but didn't ever care to know if they were true or not.
Silently she walked through the woods to get a better look at the group. She knew she should be leaving, but she couldn't bring herself to. She had let them slip through her fingers only a week ago. It was her fault they had got away. It was one thing to be punished by the Dark Lord in private, but what she had felt a week ago was a different story. She couldn't remember the pain from the night she had told the Dark Lord about the ring, but she wouldn't soon forget the pain that had racked her body only a week ago. It wasn't just the pain, it was the humiliation that came with everyone watching as you were punished, the fact that they all knew you had done wrong, and that you were an example of failure.
Harry finally pulled his hands back from the shining white stone and rested his head in them, shaking with silent sobs. Behind him a silent battle was going on between the siblings until Ginny broke free of her brother's grip. She walked up beside Harry and sat down, holding him close to her. Bushy-haired Hermione Granger was wringing her hands and looking around anxiously every few seconds.
Calida paid no attention as each of them tried to console Harry. Her mind was on the fact that she now had a chance to rectify her mistake. She had been given a second chance to bring Harry Potter to the Dark Lord. Scenes of her being rewarded; of the Dark Lord calling her his most faithful, flashed through her mind. She could do it, but how. The second she sent off a spell they would be alerted to her presence. She could just disappear and reappear somewhere else, but she couldn't risk that they disapparate in the split second she was gone. There had to be a way. She had to stun Harry, and get the others to either leave, or she could kill them, but they couldn't be there when she took Harry.
She watched as Harry and the others stood up and began walking towards the house. It wasn't going to be easy, she needed a clear shot at Harry, and then she would have to hope to get him away without being hit by one of the spells the others would undoubtedly fire at her.
Calida took a deep breath; Harry had just stepped out in front of the others, her shot would be clear in seconds. She was preparing to send the stunning spell at him when words caught her ear once more.
"Do you think he hid a Horcrux here, Harry," Hermione was asking. Calida froze.
"I don't know…maybe," Harry replied slowly. Ron was whining softly and was apparently horrified. Calida was wondering why he was so afraid when he said it.
"Harry, do you think those people staring at us are inferi?" Harry turned his head and looked at the neighbors peering through windows. Calida had to stifle a laugh. Inferi wouldn't let them this close without attacking if they were guarding something here, and they looked like dead and decaying corpses, not like nosey neighbors spying on the newcomers.
"No," Harry said with confidence. "Trust me Ron, if they were inferi, you would know." Calida saw him shudder as he turned back to look at the house. She didn't know when, but it was obvious that he had seen inferi before.
Harry's companions were all starting to look more nervous with every moment that passed. Calida wondered if they had sensed her presence or if she had made some noise they had heard.
"Harry, I don't think there's a Horcrux here. You said there were lots of protective spells on the locket. Wouldn't we have encountered some here by now?" Hermione had a note of urgent anxiety in her voice when she said this.
"Hermione, I know I said that I don't think there is anyone here, but would you mind not shouting about it to everyone?" Harry asked her irritably. "And, no, I don't think there is anything here," his voice was shaking like he was going to start crying again.
Calida felt another guilt pang. She knew Harry had had a hard life; that was common knowledge. In ways, she felt sorry for what all he had been through. She knew he had been the first to receive a detention from Umbridge, but that was about as far as her similar experiences with him went, as she hadn't been far behind in starting her detentions. She flashed the white scars on her hand in the sun and thought again that maybe she could manage killing Umbridge as her reward.
With that thought, she raised her wand. Harry was still standing clear of his friends.
"Stupefy," she whispered. The jet of red light shot from her wand just as Ginny Weasley stepped forward into the line of fire.
"Damn it."
Ginny's form collapsed to the ground and the three rounded to face her spot in the woods. Without hesitation each one started sending spell after spell at her.
"Protego! Protego! PROTEGO!" she shouted as she ran out of the woods. She wasn't accomplishing anything by trying to send their spells back at them. She was pleased to notice that Ron and Hermione at any rate weren't trying to do anything worse than stun her. Harry, on the other hand, was wildly screaming "Crucio!" and "Sectumsempra!" at her.
Finally, she managed to hit the other two with some basic Dark Spells. She hit Hermione with she knew would keep her unconscious for a few days at the least. It wasn't a particularly harmful one, but it had to wear off in its own time, no reviving spells or potions would work against it. Ron, however, was caught in a blast from an exploding spell she had used. It hit the ground a few feet in front of him, so he would be ok if no major bits of debris had hit him.
She cast a slightly more permanent Shield Charm as she made it almost to Ginny's lifeless form. It wouldn't last long, but it would absorb more powerful spells or more blasts from weak ones. Unfortunately, it wouldn't let her cast any spells either. Turning to face Harry, she saw the anger in his eyes.
"So," she said, "I see you have indeed taken a liking toward the Unforgivable Curses." She was still hoping to get Harry, to catch him off guard. Instead of answering he sent the Cruciatus Curse at her again; it was absorbed in the shield as it broke. Calida recast the shield and laughed.
"Protecting her, are you, Harry?" she jerked her head in Ginny's direction. Harry tensed and moved his wand to point at her chest. She giggled. "You don't need to worry about her. It's not her I want. You're the one I want, Harry, but I'm sure you already know that," she smirked.
"What did you do to them?" he pointed his other hand at Ron and Hermione, "And what did you do to Ginny?" he shouted at her.
"They will be fine, nothing that isn't easily remedied. Now, Harry I'm afraid I don't have time to play this game with you. I'll make it easy, come with me quietly, and I let all of them go." She waved her hand at his three friends.
"Like I believe that," he spat back at her. "You would never just let them go. Your kind never let anyone go. That is what you are, isn't it? You're a Death Eater sent here to kill them and take me, right?"
Calida felt anger surge through her. That wasn't true, she had let Professor Lupin go, and Draco would have let Dumbledore go. How could he say that none of them ever let anyone go? How can he be so stupid, she thought. She knew now what he thought of her and her family, her friends. He thought they were all cold heartless, soulless creatures; people with no thought or feeling. That wasn't true; she could love and care just as much as the next person. He had no idea what he was dealing with if he thought that she couldn't. She had always thought Draco exaggerated how Harry acted, but it didn't look that way now. He thought he was better than she was; that he was above her somehow.
Any doubt that had ever remained after the stories she had heard, was wiped from her mind in that instant. There was nothing special about him; it was luck that had helped him escape from the Dark Lord so many times; luck and nothing more.
Calida twitched her wand throwing the shield off of herself. "Crucio!" she watched him scream and shriek on the ground for a while before lifting the curse. He jumped back up with his wand in his hand and started throwing what must have been every curse he had ever learned at her; everything from the most basic offensive spells to the Unforgivables.
She ducked and twisted to avoid the spells and continued to try to stun Harry as she ran the last few steps to Ginny's body. If she couldn't take Harry, then the very least she could do was take this girl that meant so much to him. He would be sure to come and try to save her; the Dark Lord had proved just a year ago that Harry loved to be the hero. She could wait for him to come and try to rescue her, and then take him to the Dark Lord when he did.
Harry screamed as she reached down and tried to pull Ginny up by the arm. Red jets of light continued to issue from her wand as she ducked the spells flying at her from Harry, and she tried to get Ginny into a position that would allow her to apparate. With a sharp tug she managed to drag Ginny to her feet and wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulder. After sending one last stunner at Harry, she turned on her heel and both she and Ginny vanished.
I know I usually put in more breaks that this, but it flowed to well together. I'll get started on chapter 6 very soon. I've got lots more planned to happen in the upcoming chapters. Please let me know what you think.