Bad Love Keeperoliver Chapter 11

The day that Sirius and Marie were brought back together was also the day that a situation took place in a small town south of Hogwarts in a abandoned, or what was suppose to be an abandoned Manor.

There were thirteen people sitting around a table going over some papers that were being passed around. Smiles were breaking out among the group as they read the papers.

Lord Voldemort was passing on the plans he made for taking over the Ministry of Magic. He had over 100 people answering him either by bribe, blackmail or his own men. The Ministry was already in a sorry state. The mess that was made when Fudge was in office was beginning to get cleaned up when an attack on the next in line for the post of minister, Amelia Bones, almost got her killed. If not for Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moony she would have died at the hands of the Death Eaters. As it was, she was hurt very bad and would take time for her to heal her wounds. This created an opening that needed to be filled. The next in line after Amelia was Rufus Scrimgeour. He was a strict yet fair wizard, and he adhered to the rules. He was no nonsense type of a person that got the job done by any means possible, short of breaking the law. He used people to his advantage and played this advantage to its full potential. It became his task to get the Ministry back in shape before Voldemort got his hands on it. Unfortunately, by the time he took over, there were already many of Voldemorts men on the payroll. His cause was lost before he even took over the job. It was only a matter of time before the Ministry fell into the hands of the Dark Lord.

All of this was in the papers passing around the room. The names of the witches and wizards in place was a part of the paper work. The first name on the list was Delores Umbridge. She joined Voldemort after the embarrassment she encountered last year. Because of this, a good man lost his job. She cared for Cornelius Fudge, and because of that brat Potter and his interference with Ministry business, Fudge lost his position. It was her that made the plans for getting rid of the next in line for the post. Once again her plans were spoiled by interference.

Voldemort and his inner circle were finishing the plans for the take over, when Bellatrix LeStrange saw movement out side the window. She jumped from her chair and went to the window to see what it was. A dense fog obscured the vision enough so that all they could see were shadows. There were five of them flying through the fog. It was thought that they were all on brooms, but they moved too fast and too precise for brooms. But no one could fly without brooms. What they were seeing had to be because of the fog.

Voldemort sent Rudolphus to get five of his men to go to the roof and challenge the five flyers. They were all at the windows when Rudolphus came back. Five minutes later, they saw saw something fall from the roof. Then something else fell from the roof. The fog would not allow any of them to see what the things were, but they were too small for bodies. Then a much bigger item fell, much closer to the window. It was the body of Smythe minus his head and an arm. Then in the other window, the body of Anderson fell from the roof. Who ever it was they were facing, was doing its damage to the Death Eaters.

Soon, Johnson and Reade also fell to the ground below. The one remaining member of the group that went to the roof was Morton. No more bodied fell.

Voldemort and the inner circle made their way to the roof to congratulate Morton, but found no one there. However the amount of blood they found would have made a lesser person sick. It was splattered all over the place. The group searched the roof, but Morton was not found. Then there came a screech from over head and they all looked up to see a body falling to the roof. It was Morton and what had been done to him was worse than anything they had ever done to their own victims. The number of rips, tears and cuts on his body were too many to count. Loss of blood must have been the cause of death, but not before he suffered much pain.

"Who would dare attack the home of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord? We shall make them pay for this travesty, who ever it was." Bella screamed.

Voldemort looked to his second in command and calmly asked, "And where do you suggest we look Bellatrix? It was no ordinary wizard that attacked us. They used the fog like a cloak to hide their moves. How did they get passed our defenses without being detected? Why were they not affected by the spells thrown at them by our men? These questions and more need to be answered before we start a retaliation."

"How do we find the answers to them if we don't know where to start? Who is strong enough to accomplish these things you brought up?"

Voldemort tapped his chin in thought. "There you have your start Bellatrix. Find out who is strong enough to attack us in our own territory. The Order? The Ministry? The British Government? Who indeed."

Bella bowed to Voldemort, "I shall look into it right away Sire." She backed out of the room, then turned and made her way out of the Manor. She was determined to find out who it was that attacked and where they were so that she could report back to the Dark Lord with the information.

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Professor Snape gave permission to the remaining students to visit Hogsmeade for last minute shopping and to have a good time. He had managed to keep out the Death Eaters from teaching. Voldemort thought they would be a help to him, but Severus reminded him that though they would be of help, they could also be a handicap if the professors and the students rejected their presence. His position was not as strong as it appeared. Minerva and Filius were powerful and would not take kindly to the presence of known Death Eaters. For now, Severus must take on the role without back up.

Marie was told of the visit to Hogsmeade, and asked Sirius if they could go as well, to which he complied. The students split up into two groups. Harry, Luna, Daphne, Astoria and Ron were in pone group, while Hermione, Ginny, Draco, Blaise and Roger were in the second group. This was to give their mate a chance to buy their gifts without the other knowing what it was. They all gathered in Madam Rosemerta's for a drink together before separating for their shopping.

The day had started out clear, but for some reason, a thick fog began rolling in soon after they got to the village. Harry and Ron decided to look outside as the fog was a strange sight forming so late in the day.

They remained outside because Harry didn't feel right about the whole thing. He felt it could be a tactic used to hide an attack. His reasoning could not have been sounder. Though it could not be seen, there were cries coming from the end of the village. Harry and Ron ran to the sound to see if they could help. By the time they got there, there were already five people dead,mutilated beyond recognition.

Ron went to the five people lying there but did not recognize any of them. An older couple, a young wizard, a middle aged witch and wizard. Luckily there were no children involved. Ron spun around when he heard a screech come from up above them. He saw Harry level his wand at a point in the fog. There he saw movement within the mist and a dark figure moving about. He leveled his wand as well and joined Harry by his side. "Did you get a good look at it Harry?"

"No Ron, just shadows. And they move real fast. You probably won't believe me, but I don't think they are on brooms."

"But that can't be Harry. How do they get around?"

"Like I said, you probably won't believe me. I think they have wings."

"WINGS? What kind of a creature has wings?"

From behind them came an answer, "I believe I know what they are. Harry please protect the others while I see what I can do."

"Are you sure Luna? What ever they are, they are dangerous. They have already killed five. RON LOOK OUT!" Harry fired at one of the advancing creatures and sent it flying back to a second creature. The first one hit the second one that had claws sticking straight out from the end of it's feet. The first one became impaled on the second ones claws and died. The second screeched real loud as if in agony, followed by three more screeches from the other creatures. Then in the fog appeared three additional figures. One was a very old witch and the other two were feline figures that walked on two legs.

Harry watched as Luna stepped forward and approached the three figures standing in the fog. Harry pulled his cloak and told the others to turn their backs on Luna and to not turn back on her until she said it was OK.

Luna's eyes glowed a bright red and her hair started to swirl around her head. Harry heard her saying something but could not understand what it was she said. It was in a language he never heard before.

Her answer came from one of the flying creatures. Harry dared to turn his head and see that Luna had a wild look about her. He could see her hair start to get thick and take shape. Then Harry had to turn back around as Hermione, Ginny and the others joined them. He had to get them to turn around as well, and cover them with his cloak as well. He promised to explain later, but for right now they all had to keep quiet and to not turn around, no matter what they heard.

Luna's hair remained thick, but did not finish changing yet. It was not far from it's final form though. She looked at the three figures still on the ground. "What is it you want? Why did you kill these people without warning?"

The old witch looked at her with a bit of contempt, "Who are you to question me? I owe no one any answers, but especially not a child."

"I assure you Madam, this child could kill you with a single glance. I do not wish to do this, but if necessary, I will."

"Do you know what these creatures are? If you did, you would not be so confident."

"On the contrary Madam. I know exactly what they are, and they will die the same as you, and they know it. I have already told them who I am. You see Madam, Harpies worked with my ancestors in the past, as did the Banshee. They also know that I share the power of my ancestors and that it will kill them if I so wish it. Now please, why are you here?"

The old witch paused before answering. She saw the looks on the faces of the Banshees, and felt the air move from the wings of the Harpies as they landed as well. They wore the same look as the Banshees. It was the look of respect they had for this witch before them. "My name is Esmeralda and I am the protector of these creatures. In the past they were hunted and killed by others such as yourself. They claimed it was to protect their children and themselves from the so called 'Vile Beasts'. What you see here is the last of their kind, and they want nothing more than to avenge the deaths of their friends and families. I Trained them to attack under the cover of the fog I create. Yours is the second attack we made. The first was a success, and this one would have been if not for your friend and you. Now, could you tell me why my family fears you?"

"They do not fear me Esmeralda. They know me as one of their own. You see, I am from the bloodline of Medusa. If you know the story, then you know what that means. The ancient gods did not like the fact that there were humans more beautiful then them. Of course the fact that they announced this to the world did not set favorably with the gods, and thus changed them, creating what you see here now. Banshees from Ireland and Harpies and Medusa from Greece. I know all to well of the hatred put on us from witches and wizards and the slaughter they committed. I do not condone what they did, but in order to put a stop to it, I had to change and become one of them. If you would let me, I could do the same for your family."

"They don't want to change. They are fine just the way they are."

"Have you asked them? Don't you think they can decide on their own?"

"They are my family. Don't you think I know my own family and the way they think and feel? They want to pay back the ones who have taken so much from them. For longer than I can remember it has been the six of us. I was but a child when they took me to raise as their own. On their island were scrolls from the gods that I used to learn and get stronger. It took longer than I wished to get to this point, and now it is our time to pay back what was taken from us."

"The magics took nothing from you. Your family took from you."

"My family took nothing from me. They saved me from a drunk and a feeble woman who could not take care of themselves, let alone a child. I was half starved when they saved me. I paid them back by teaching them from the scrolls. Now you wish to take away what has taken all my life to create."

"You're wrong. I don't wish to take anything away from you. You may join us if you wish. All I want to do is to give them a chance to live a life free from being feared by all who see them."

Esmeralda drew her family to her and asked them what their choice was. All but one chose to stay with her. Celia, one of the Harpies wished to stay with Luna, to learn how to be human. In order for this to happen, Esmeralda could never attack humans again with her family. If they did, then Medusa would have to destroy them, and she would make good her threat. Celia was allowed to return to their island to gather her belongings, and Luna would accompany her to bring her back.

When she told Harry about this, he was against her going alone. He wanted to go with her, but she refused anyone from accompanying her, even Blaise. This upset him so bad that he acted like a child throwing a temper tantrum. He stomped his feet and was shouting out his complaint. Luna had to calm him with a kiss. It took another to get him to where he wasn't a problem. I third one was for her, as the first two were for him.

Harry had sent a patronus to the castle to contact Alastor to let him know what was going on. While he did that, Hermione asked some questions to Esmeralda, and found out that it was Tom she had attacked because of the power generated by the magic in the Manor. She wanted to attack Diagon Alley or the Ministry, but the numbers were too great against her and her family. During the attack, she hd tortured one of the wizards into telling her where there was another place where she could attack and kill wizards and witches. Before he died, Morton told her of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. When she was told that Hogwarts was a school filled with children, she went with Hogsmeade. She did not want to kill children. After seeing these same children kill one of her own, and set at bay her others, she was probably glad she did. It had been over ten thousand years since a Harpie died.

Celia was ready to fly back to her island, when Luna grabbed her hand, and they disappeared from sight. Esmeralda became angry at this, not knowing what happened. When Harry explained to her it was a mode of travel, and that they were already on the island, she cackled like a mother hen. She then went to her family, and they began their long journey home.

When the aparation was done, Celia almost panicked when she saw they were home. "How did you know where we lived?"

"I have always known, but never wished to see where it all began. It is a past I never wished to visit until now. I did not know that there were any of you left. Now please get what you need and gather it up, while I do a little exploring if you don't mind?" Luna wished to see these scrolls that Esmeralda spoke of. Her feelings led her to a cave where she found them stacked on a rack. She looked through them and was about to quit when she found one that interested her. It told her of a well of healing, who's water would cure any illness or injury. The well was here on the island, but it was a most difficult journey, filled with danger.

When she met up with Celia, she asked about the well. Celia told her it was not far, yet it would take a full cycle of a day to get there. She told Luna of the perils they would encounter if she wished to visit the well. Luna thought it was worth the risk, and so they began the search.

Their first problem was a split in the road. One was the way to the well, and the other was a way to death. The trouble was that they changed constantly, but never when a trip was begun. Luna had to use her special sight to find the true path to the well. Her sense told her to go left, so she followed it. She saw the other way held a valley that when you entered it, it would close up on you and there you would die a slow death as your flesh was eaten by the inhabitants. None of these she ever saw before.

The next challenge was from a troll who guarded a bridge that they needed to pass. Celia was forbidden to fight this troll by Esmeralda. It was a guardian of the gods. Luna could not use her Medusa form for the same reason. Instead, she used logic on the troll which was useless. She had to try and trick the troll into letting them pass.

"Well Celia, it looks like the guardian is just too smart for us. We will just have to find another way around this bridge."

"HA! There is only one other way across this divide, and my brother guards it." the troll proudly told them.

"I knew that, but I know that he is not as smart as you. I will trick our way past him. You are a very good guardian my friend. May you live long and find a mate, if you ever get a chance to. I imagine being a guardian for this bridge doesn't leave you much time to romance. Fare well friend."

Luna had just taken one step when the troll called her back. "How did you know that I didn't have a mate? It has been a long time since I even saw a female troll. My body aches in longing to be with a female."

"I knew this to be true, and I feel sorry for you. Well, we have to be off to get to your brother so we can trick him into letting us pass."

"WAIT! I will tell you how to trick him, if you will help me. It is quite simple, and I will only take 30 minutes of your time if you help me."

"Perhaps, but what do you want us to do to earn this trust?"

"You must guard this bridge with your life if need be. To leave it unguarded would mean your death."

"If we do this, how will we be certain that you will return?"

The troll thought on this one. What the witch said made sense. He knew he would be back, because if he was found of duty, he would be slain. But how could he prove to her he would be back. He could say anything and she could take it as a lie. Then it hit him. He went to his pack on the side of the bridge and pulled out a horn. He handed it to Luna. "If I am not back in the time I said, blow this horn, and it will bring others here to you. If they find me off guard, they will kill me. It is the only way I know that will prove my words."

"Very well, and to prove we can be trusted, you do not have to tell us the secret, until you return."

The troll took off for a place he knew he would find a female, and not be found by other trolls on guard.

Luna turned to Celia, "Do you know where the well is Celia?"

"Yes Snake Hair, I do."

"Do you also know what is left to face?"

"Yes, but it will not be a problem for me."

Luna too a stone and turned it into a bottle with a stopper on it and gave it to Celia. "Would you fill this with water from the well for me? It may mean a lot to someone I know."

"Of course Snake Hair. I will be just ten minutes." But before she took off, Luna stopped her.

"Celia, I know this may seem silly, but do you think you could call me Luna. I call you by your name, and think it only fair you call me by mine."

"Of course Sna... Luna. It will be as you ask. Now I must go and finish this before Tree Trunk returns." and Celia was gone.

It took a little longer than Celia thought, but she got back minutes before Tree Trunk returned all cheery and full of life. "Thank you my friend. I am now ready to go another 100 years before I feel the need again."

"You are welcome Tree Trunk. Now, about that secret?"

Tree Trunk let out a large Laugh that shook his belly, "I lied, there is no other bridge to cross. This is the only one, and I cannot allow you to pass. Now begone before I have to hurt you. I don't want to do this as you did help me."

"But we did what you asked of us. Why can't we pass?"

"Because the gods forbid it. If I were to let you pass, they would strike me down, as they do you. I am sorry, but I want to live another 100 years so that I may have another evening like this one. I am sure another fool will try to get pass me, and I will trick him or her, like I did you."

Luna dropped her head in defeat, "You did trick us real good Tree Trunk. You are a very clever troll. The gods must be very proud of you."

"You take defeat very well young one. I hope you find what you are looking for somewhere else. Good journey."

When Luna and Celia got back to the hut, they sat and waited for the return of Esmeralda. It wasn't until the next morning when they finally got there. Celia made her goodbyes to her sisters and cousins, and to her guardian, Esmeralda. There were no tears, and the goodbyes were cordial but not heart felt except by Esmeralda. She lost two children that day. Four was all she had left to care for, and she would see that nothing would come to them. She somehow knew she saw the last of Celia. She would learn to love the life that laid before her.

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Luna and Celia returned to Hogwarts, and you would think they had been gone a year instead of just overnight. Luna received hugs from everyone, and kisses from Harry, Draco, Ron and Neville. Then Blaise stepped in and gave her the kiss she really was looking forward to. He raised her off her feet and twirled her around while kissing her.

Celia saw this and it caught her by surprise. Never had she seen emotion or caring like that which was on display before her. She had never seen kissing before, and wondered what the meaning of it was. When she saw Luna and Blaise's tongue disappear in each others mouth, she thought they were feeding. But when they parted, and their tongue's were still intact, she shook her head in confusion. "Your habits are very strange to me Luna. I thought you were feeding when your tongue entered your mate's mouth. I thought he was trying to kill you when he picked you up and spun you around like he was going to throw you. Do you try to hurt each other during your mating ritual?"

Everyone present broke out into a fit of laughter at this. It got worse when Luna tried to explain what they were doing. The look on Celia's face was one they would never forget. It was a mixture of gagging, choking and vomiting. Though they could not understand what Luna and Celia said, a picture paints a thousand words.

The following days were difficult for Celia, as she learned that everything she was taught was not all true. After many talks with Luna, she learned that there were evil witches and wizards in the world, but that they were far outnumbered by the good ones, such as these she was now living with. Luna taught her hand signals that helped her to communicate when Luna was not around to translate. It wasn't much, but it did help her to understand these people much better.

Luna did not tell anyone of the water she had Celia get from the well, and Celia didn't think anything of it. She planned on making it a present for her friends this Christmas. Luna had to prepare Celia for the event to come. She tried to explain the meaning of holiday and what it meant to everyone. It was easier than Luna expected as Celia felt that there was only one god left, and that he was all powerful. She also felt that he tried to stay out of the problems of the people and to remain neutral. He had created his people as both good and evil so that there would always be something to strive for. So that nothing would remain the same. People needed to move forward, and if there was no adversity, people would become complacent and stagnant. There would be no improvement. People would have nothing to live for.

This is what happened to her and her family. Esmeralda had been a good friend to her family, and taught them everything she knew, plus what she could of the scrolls. It was the scrolls knowledge that gave them a chance to live and possibly survive in their attempt at revenge for what the magics had done to her people. The problem was that while they remained at this same level of knowledge, the world around them was evolving and becoming stronger. If not for the knowledge the scrolls gave them, they would not have been able to accomplish what they had completed. Her loss at the hands of Harry showed her that all though they were strong, it was not enough. The death of her sister Constance was harsh, but was a testimonial to what they thought, was not truly how it was. They thought all magic was evil, and needed to be destroyed. Luna taught them that as in all things, there was good magic as well as evil.

All of this brought them to Christmas day. Celia began her day by joining the others as they sat for breakfast, and Luna told her of what was being said around the table. What everyone wished they received for their best Christmas ever. Then she sat as the group gathered around the tree and sang the songs of hope, joy, sacrifice, peace and tranquility. Celia had always loved music, and this music was the most beautiful she ever heard. She wished she could join in with their singing, but knew that what she would contribute would only take away from what they played. Then came time for the sharing of the gifts.

Celia watched as the gifts were handed out. and was surprised once again when she also received gifts. She had always thought that in order to get something, one had to give something. That was not the case here. She had received clothing as her gifts, and she did not think she would be able to wear any of them because of her wings. Then Luna came forward and handed both her and Remus a gift.

"Please open these together and when you do, Share them together as well. If they work like I think they will, you will both be pleasantly surprised. Now open your gifts please."

They both unwrapped their gifts and found small vials filled with a colorless liquid. Remus and Celia both pulled the stoppers from their vials, and Remus reached across and tapped his to hers while saying, "Cheers!". A moment later, they were both passed out and Luna had to keep the others from going to them. She did not know what to expect from the effects of the water. Then from each of them a second form began to exit their bodies and lie next to the ones they shared. In Celia's case, she lost all her feathers, her beak, her talons, her wings and her dignity. She was completely naked. Beside her was a large bird. For Remus, there was a large wolf. When they all began to stir into consciousness, both the bird and wolf went to their mates and began to share in a fond reunion. The large bird that shared Celia's body was a large eagle, and the wolf that shared with Remus was a large gray wolf.

When Remus explained that the wolf at his side was the wolf he became, he would no longer have to share the form. He was free of the curse that had plagued him most of his life. It was what he had wished for as a present, and now it had come true. Tonks and him shared the moment together as the others watched. Celia and Luna were sitting there as well, having a conversation that those sitting around them fully understood. Celia was talking in a language that was strange to her, yet well.

Thus came the end of the holiday that they all would remember for the rest of their lives.

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A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my friend who is also a FriendofMolly. I hope you liked it Di. As always, Ollie the Keeper.