Hello! Sorry for being absent. Exams are coming around and I've been focused on school. To answer a few questions, yes, flashbacks will be shown and I will try to elaborate on the Witch/Familiar thing as much as possible. But no matter! I now present to you, the next chapter in our epic tale! Enjoy!
The last part of their summer passed without incident. With the exception of an uneventful trip to Diagon Alley to get school supplies, they rarely left the house. The day before they would leave for Hogwarts found Harry exploring the family library. Rose had become quieter, and frankly, he was worried about her. As he browsed the old Bones family books for a clue to Rose's attitude, he saw one book that perked his interest. He pulled it off the shelf and placed it in a nearby table. Harry sat down and brushed off the dust so he could see the title. 'Familiar Arts: The Bond,' by Frank Bones. Harry opened it and began to read.
Claiming familiars has long been part of the Witching World, but few know how the bond truly works. When a witch claims a familiar, they will first begin stripping the familiar's mental defences. If done gently and lovingly, this will be enjoyable for both parties. If the familiar is unwilling however, they will undergo extreme mental pain as their defences are ripped away. Once this process is done, the souls of both parties will merge as their souls swirl around each other. Although rare, sometimes a second witch will attempt to claim an already claimed familiar. In this case, the souls of both witches will clash for dominance. If neither party is able to win, their souls will both merge with the soul of the familiar and both bond with him.
"Harry! Dinner!" A voice called. Harry stood and stretched. The thought of being claimed against his will scared him, and he hoped his sister would keep him safe.
The next day, Madame Bones took the children to the platform and stood in front of them. "Now, I better not hear anything about you all getting in trouble. And do try and avoid trouble this year." Her eyes lingered on Susan, who gave a sheepish grin. "Now give me a hug and then go and get a good compartment. Merlin knows you won't want to share with that Parkinson girl." Each of them gave Madame Bones a hug before they dashed off to find a good compartment. They weaved through the crowded train and eventually found an empty one in their third compartment. They shuffled in and sat down, closing the door after them.
Susan grinned and leaned forward in her seat. "So I was listening to auntie talk to a collegue last night and you woulnd't believe what I heard." The other three leaned forward also, their curiosity evident. Susan paused to build suspense before she next spoke. "Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwitch Cup this year!" Hannah gave a squeel of excitement while Rose and Harry just looked confused. Susan noticed their expressions and explained. "Basically, Hogwarts and two other schools get together and compete in a series of three events. Each school picks a witch to represent them as their champion." Rose groaned. "Morgana! 10 gallons say I get picked against my will." The other three snickered.
The train ride passed peacefully until they heard their door pulled open. "Well if it isn't the Badger muddies. I hope you havent' shamed the wizarding world too much." Rose glanced up at the door and glared at the newcomers. Pansy Parkinson stood in the center while to large brutish boys, Crabbe and Goyle, stood on either side. "Shove off Parkinson. The big girls are trying to speak." Pansy narrowed her eyes at the Potter girl. "Feel smug all you want, but one day, your brother will bond to me whether he wants too or not." She turned her eyes on Harry, who quickly turned into a mouse and crawled onto Rose's lap. Rose picked up her brother and held him protectivly. "You're not getting anything. Now how about you leave and see if you can find a cure for that pug face of yours?" Pansy stepped out of the compartment. "Watch your back this year Potters, one day I won't ask nicely and I'll just take what I want." She turned and strode away, her two trollish guards following her.
Harry jumped back on his seat next to Rose and changed to human form. "She scares me." Harry shuddered. "I don't wanna be a trophy mate." Rose giggled softly and pecked him on the cheek. "Don't worry Harry. I won't let any witch hurt you." Harry blushed softly and smiled, glad Rose and him were begining to grow close again. While Hannah brushed this off as simply the twins being protective of each other, Susan sensed more to it. She narrowed her eyes and watched the two Potters interact. Was it just her, or did they act less like siblings and more like a couple? Part of her wanted to support her friends and be loyal no matter what but her aunt had always spoken badly of incest and how wrong it was. Susan didn't want to choose between her friends and her morals.
The rest of the train ride passed without incident. They made their way up to the castle and into the great hall, sitting at the edge of the Hufflepuff table. They listened to Headmistress Mcgonagall announce the Triwitch Cup. While Harry tried to pay attention, he found his thoughts drifting back to his time in the Chamber of Secrets in his second year.
Harry gasped as Lady Voldemort, otherwise known as Tom Riddle, fired two yellow beams of light past him. He whirled around, just in time to see Daphne and Tracey get struck and fall to the ground. Harry kneeled down and checked their necks to make sure they were still alive. Riddle let out a musical laugh. "My my, you Hufflepuffs are quite caring aren't you? Don't worry, little badger, they are just asleep." Harry finished checking the pulses and stood and turned to Riddle. "I won't let you attack any more muggleborns or blood traitors. It's over." Riddle laughed again. "Aren't you brave?" She stepped forward and traced a hand along his chest, her dark eyes briefly oggling Harry's body. "I've been longing for a brave young man..." Harry shivered at the sultry tone. He focused his willpower and stepped away from the beautiful dark haired girl, ignoring the blood rushing south.
Riddle smirked and shook her head. "Now now, Harry, first you accuse me of muggleborn hunting and now you resist my advances? I'm hurt." She stepped forward again towards the retreating Harry. "My goal isn't to cleanse the school of muggleborns anymore. For several months, my focus has been on the children-who-lived. Harry's eyes widened. "M-me?" Riddle nodded. "You. And sister of course. Can't forget about her. You wouldn't believe my suprise when I heard from poor poor Ginny that the great Lady Voldemort had been defeated by children! How my followers had scattered and betrayed me! I was outraged. So, I asked myself, how do I prove to the world that I, the great Lady Voldemort, is the unquestionable strongest. Then my answer came to me. Kill Rose and bond to you. You two are both undoubtably powerful, what better than to kill a potential threat and claim a powerful familar all at the same time? Perfect. So what do you say, Harry Potter. Will you join me at the top of the world and serve the beautiful future queen of Britain? Or will you go join Lady Death? The choice is yours." Harry growled and shook his head. "Never! I won't let you hurt Rose!" A strange feeling was coming over him. An almost primal instinct to fight to protect Rose, his Rose. Riddle frowned and stepped back. "Very well. If you wish to die, so be it." She hisses something in parsletongue and from out of the Slytherin Statue's mouth came a basilisk.
Harry and Rose made their way out of the hall, Harry felt someone walk past him, subtly slipping a note into his pocket. He looked up in time to see Daphne walking down towards the dungeons as if nothing had happened. She looked back and gave him a teasing smirk before contiuing on. Harry chuckled softly and continued to his dorm so he could read it. Good or bad, this year was promising to be interesting.
And done! I hope you enjoyed guys. Please leave me a review. I love hearing back from you guys. Until next time!