Chapter Twenty

The Hospital Wing was empty except for Sirius and the still unconscious Anton, it was just past eight am a few days later and Sirius was still trying to process what he had discovered.

Anton's hand twitched slightly and Sirius leaned in

'Anton are you awake?'

Anton groaned and lifting his hand sleepily he rubbed at his still closed eyes

'What happened?' he asked his voice tired.

'We were hoping you could help us with that,' Sirius admitted 'but I think Dumbledore would be better equipped with information.'

'Did I dream it?' Anton said panic coming onto his face as his eyes opened 'please tell me I dreamt the bit with Ofelia.'

'No.' Sirius said simply 'you are my Godson from the future who lived through all of his friends and family dying.'

'When you put it like that.' Anton replied exhaustion clouding any dread he was feeling.

Sirius swallowed hard 'you didn't tell me.'

'I couldn't.'

'So,' Sirius exhaled loudly 'I died.'

'Yeh,' Anton whispered shivering slightly 'I didn't realise just how much you meant to me until I lost you.'

'I don't intend to die this time.' Sirius said seriously.

'That's true,' Anton agreed 'Harry needs you.'

'Doesn't that mean you need me too?' Sirius said watching Anton closely.

'I gave up being Harry a long time ago.' Anton replied wincing his eyes against the early morning light that was filtering through the window closest.

Noticing this Sirius flicked his wand and closed the shutters.

'How long have I been in here?' Anton said pulling himself back into reality and away from tempting sleep.

'Well it was the early hours of the morning when you were found, or rather stopped,' Sirius informed him slouching back in his chair and propping his feet on the end of Anton's bed.

'the Head and I went into your mind on Thursday, we got out really late that evening and you slept the whole weekend, and it's now Monday morning.'

'You are kidding me,' Anton said flatly before breaking out into a coughing fit and sucking cold air in through his cold lungs.

'Nope, and Dumbledore said he'd be coming in before breakfast' Sirius continued 'to see if you were awake.'

'And he knows everything as well?' Anton asked expecting the worse.

'Yes,' Sirius said 'but we are both forbidden from speaking about it to anyone else.'

Anton pulled himself up slightly on the pillows 'the rules of time travel' he muttered jadedly.

The door swung open and Dumbledore swept in with Pyra scurrying at his side, when she saw Anton she raced across the floor and leaped onto the bed next to him.

'What happened?' Anton asked immediately.

'We could ask you the same thing,' Dumbledore replied 'but I think it would be more constructive if we started at the beginning.'

'It was obvious we were losing.' Anton started his voice scratchy and fatigued 'there must have been around three percent of the total light wizards at the start of the main fighting were left, you know what happened with Ofelia, she betrayed us.'

'I can't believe Hermione would do that.' Sirius whispered.

'Hermione didn't.' Anton said sharply 'Ofelia may have once been Hermione but now they are nothing like each other, everyone has the capability to be evil and an equal capacity to be good, no matter what Ofelia does or doesn't do, it is not a reflection on Hermione.'

'You don't have any resentment towards Miss Granger?' Dumbledore asked with slight disbelief.

'She's not Ofelia.' Anton replied 'Hermione was as close to a sister as Ron, or should I say Rhoan was as a brother. But forgetting all that misery, how exactly did I end up in the Hospital Wing?'

Dumbledore and Sirius both accepting Anton didn't want to dwell on his past and was looking to change the subject. Dumbledore conjured an armchair next to the bed and sitting in it he crossed his legs and arched his fingers.

'What was the last thing you remember before it happened?'

Anton thought hard 'I was distracted about something, but I couldn't work out what it was.'

'Distracted how?' Sirius asked.

'I had trouble concentrating or staying focused,' Anton admitted 'it's been getting worse this past month although I didn't think anything of it.'

'I did ask you to go and see Madam Pomfrey last week,' Dumbledore said grimly 'this may have been avoided if you had just gone.'

Anton winced at the dressing down but resumed what he was saying 'I went to sleep and the next thing I knew I was walking across a field with a weird voice talking to me, it went freezing cold all of a sudden, then I think I lost consciousness, and after that I was locked in a cage in my own mind with that bitch, if you'll excuse my language.'

'When it all went cold you were outside in the middle of a storm less than a metre away from the Lake.' Sirius replied.

'What!' Anton exclaimed pushing himself up on his elbows ignoring how stiff and aching his body was 'how! And why was Ofelia in my mind?'

'We believe,' Dumbledore said thoughtfully 'that Ofelia has been penetrating through your shields when you've been sleeping, when she was fully through she took you outside in the hopes that you would die.'

'But I didn't.' Anton said confused.

'No, Severus and I had just finished a meeting when your salamander arrived in quite a panic.' Dumbledore answered 'when we found you outside, Ofelia had erected a shield that stood up to regular conventional magic and forced me to use a spell that could have quite easily killed you, however it succeeded in effectively stopping you'

'She trapped me in my own mind.' Anton said with bitterness 'it felt like I was in there for ages'

He looked at Dumbledore in worry 'is this going to happen again?'

'There are steps that need to be taken.' Dumbledore said his face grave 'we cannot take the risk that anything like this ever happens again.'

'What kind of steps?'

'While you've been unconscious we have been adding to the wards to the school and headquarters to prevent outside Legilimency,' Dumbledore updated him 'but I think you should work hard on improving your Occlumecy shields, there is also something else that I need to tell you.'

'It gets worse?' Anton said discontentedly.

'While you have been unconscious Severus and I have been examining your shields and we've found that Ofelia created a kind of doorway into your mind through your shields by slowly burrowing through them, we got rid of the entryway but there should be checks every so often to make sure she hasn't found a way back through.'

'As if it couldn't get any better,' Anton muttered 'so when can I get out of here and back to the real world?'

'It's less than half a month to the Christmas holidays,' Sirius told him swinging his legs off the bed.

'As you have just very nearly died,' Dumbledore said standing up from his chair 'you're on sick leave until the Christmas holidays, we'll continue with this conversation later on.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

'Silence!' Dumbledore commanded to the crowded breakfast hall 'I have some news on Professor Lukyen's condition.'

Silence fell instantly and a lot of the pupils and students looked at the head with worried interest.

'I'm very pleased to tell you that Professor Lukyen has woken up.' relieved looks featured on many faces (Draco looked unimpressed) 'Madam Pomfrey has informed me that the prognosis is good, Defence lessons will be hopefully resuming after the Christmas holidays if Professor Lukyen is feeling up to it.'

The Weasley twins whooped loudly and high-fived each other and Hermione, Ron and Harry shared thankful looks and many teachers reflected their expression.

'Now I wish you all a pleasant day.' Dumbledore finished his eyes twinkling.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The Hospital Wing was insufferable for Anton, he hadn't enjoyed it when he'd been a teen and he certainly hadn't learnt to stand it now. He was also extremely cold and he kept shivering unable to warm himself, Pyra helped him by curling up next to him, her heat heating him slightly. Madam Pomfrey had been less than happy with the state of his health, after berating him needlessly over his low immune system she informed him he would be continuing with the potions until she was happy with him, she also insisted he would come at least once a month to have his health checked.

Anton also spent a lot of that Monday wondering what Ofelia's punishment might have been, Fate certainly hadn't given any clues.

The door to the Hospital Wing opened and Sirius wandered in.

'How are you feeling?' he asked cheerfully ignoring Anton's less than happy face as he stayed scrunched up in the bed that was heaped with blankets.

'Oh fantastic,' Anton replied his voice croaky 'if I felt any better I'd be back in St Mungo's.'

'That good huh,' Sirius said dropping into the chair next to Anton's bed, he looked at Anton carefully for a few minutes before saying 'I thought you couldn't change the past, no matter how much an individual want to.'

'You're not usually allowed,' Anton agreed 'it's all to do with messing up the timeline and changing certain events that should definitely happen, but if there's nothing but evil in the future what have Fate or I got to risk.'

'I can't believe we lose.' Sirius said glumly.

'There is no way in hell we are loosing this time.' Anton said abruptly 'I haven't lived through the end of humanity once to watch it happen all over again.'

Sirius nodded his head in understanding 'I also wanted to tell you that your room at my house is always there, and I want you to come back for Christmas, most of the Order's going to be there anyway.'

'I'd like that,' Anton smiled 'though you should probably know that the next time Arthur Weasley is on guard duty he's going to get attacked by a snake.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--==-

Madam Pomfrey allowed Anton to leave the Hospital Wing on Thursday of that week, Anton's low immune system meant that he was at serious risk of catching a cold that could easily critically weaken him, the nurse had wanted to keep him in until the end of the term however Anton's constant moaning and complaining meant she released him early.

Dumbledore had subsequently forbidden him from seeking out any Horcruxes until he had the nurse's full assurances that he was well enough. Anton had then been taken off participating in any missions and banned from going outside or into a place with a temperature less than 26 degrees. To add insult to injury his own body seemed to be conspiring against him as it shivered in anything less than boiling heat, and had led to Anton permanently heating it from underneath his skin which drew on a lot of his magic for such a menial task.

Anton exited the Hospital Wing during second period, there were no students or teachers around so Anton made his way quickly to his quarters.

A fire was burning in the hearth heating the room and Anton had a sneaking suspicion that warmth spells had been cast in his lodgings.

Snow was falling outside of his window and a pile of marking was heaped on top of his desk, Anton yawned and tiredly slumped onto his settee. Pyra jumped up next to him and curled up sleepily. Pulling a pillow under his head Anton closed his eyes and let his mind drift.

-=-=-=-=-==-=-=

The next thing Anton was aware of a house-elf appeared next to him nervously.

'Sir?' it said timidly 'Professor Dumbledore requests your presence at dinner, he is very insistent that you attend.'

Anton lifted his head from the cushion and stared at the elf in disbelief, he felt like crap, he was weak, shaky and he had flu like symptoms.

'Are you kidding me?' he asked scowling

'Professor Dumbledore thought you would say that.' the elf replied its voice quiet 'but the Head is most firm on you being there. He also told me to tell you that if you didn't go to dinner Madam Pomfrey would be up here to see you.'

This if nothing else got Anton moving, he gently nudged Pyra off of him and rose unsteadily to his feet.

'When's dinner?'

'Half an hour,' the elf replied 'I'll leave you now.'

The elf vanished from in front of Anton and he stumbled from his living room into his bathroom, he stayed in the shower for two minutes before stumbling to his bedroom. He looked thinner and more drawn out with pale skin and tired eyes, sighing he pulled a thick black robe with red lining from his cupboard and dropped it over his head. Yanking his black boots he walked from his room and tied his hair back.

In his living room he managed to find some pepper-up potion under the mess on his desk, he drank it quickly savouring the surge of energy.

-=-=-=-=-=-=

Anton walked slowly to the Great Hall, it was still about five minutes before students would begin to make their way towards dinner.

Quite a few of the teachers were already seated at the table and they smiled warmly at Anton as he made his way to the table and more than a few looked relieved to see him if not worried at how he looked.

Anton slumped into his seat and fixed the potion already in front of him with a glare, crossing his arms he shivered slightly.

'It's good to see you up Anton.' Professor McGonagall said sincerely and others nodded their agreement.

'I'd rather be in bed,' Anton replied morosely 'but the Head was adamant that I should come here this evening'

'You should drink that while it's warm.' Snape's voice cut in gesturing to the potion 'especially now I'm forced to continue making it, you do realise that I had to convert some of the ingredients as it had originally contained Root of Nightindrade. Which of course you had to be allergic to.'

'How thoughtless of me not to be allergic to something different,' Anton smirked 'I'll remember that in future when it comes time to choose my allergies.'

Snape was unable to answer as the doors burst open and students streamed in loudly, when they spotted Anton, who was hunkered down as far as possible in his seat murmurings and whispers filled the air. It reminded Anton strongly of when he had been a victim to unwanted fame and made him appreciate his anonymity all the more.

Dumbledore swept up to the table dressed in deep azure robes, when he saw Anton he smiled and walked over to him.

'Anton how nice to see you up and about, I'm so glad you could join us.' he said with earnestness.

'Headmaster was it really necessary for me to come here this evening?' Anton asked unenthusiastically.

'Anton you've spent most of the last week sleeping or lying in bed,' Dumbledore said quietly enough for only Anton to hear 'you are better coming here for half an hour than going to sleep again plus Madam Pomfrey told me to tell you to come down an eat.'

Anton nodded his head in understanding though he didn't feel any happier about the situation.

Food was served and Pyra gleefully chewed a raw piece of red meat underneath Anton's chair, he on the other hand picked dispassionately at his food while other members of staff tucked cheerfully into their own meals.

When the food was eventually finished some considerable time later, Dumbledore rose to his feet, an action which invoked instant silence.

'I think everyone will agree when we wish a warm welcome back to Professor Lukyen, and I'm sure we'll all continue with hoping he has a speedy recovery.'

Applause filled the hall and Anton offered a weak smile even though his heart wasn't really in it, he was to busy thinking about the Horcrux that was hidden in the school, he needed to get to the Room of Requirement but he also needed his strength to be stronger if he hoped to destroy it. Sighing in resignation Anton absentmindedly twiddled with a knife that was in front of him, it was only the scraping of benches that made him realise everyone was leaving.

Anton stood up with the other teachers and left the hall with Pyra running closely behind him.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ofelia was hunched on the ground, it was cold and it was dark. She didn't mind the cold or the darkness but it was the quietness that unnerved her. She was trapped somewhere in her mind and her Legilimecy skills were not working, she couldn't move and she couldn't think clearly.

Fate watched her. Fate was the only light in the darkness, she shone with power. Her face was blank and her features were calm.

Ofelia weakly looked at her and Fate stared back.

'I had enough right as anyone to tell the truth,' she gasped furiously.

'There were rules.' Fate replied steadily 'there were not many, but there were a few, and you broke those rules. Silly little human.'

'I was so CLOSE!' Ofelia screamed in outrage 'and you stopped me!'

'Yet that punishment will not suffice for the crimes committed, you will be punished, you spoke the truth to two others and risked everything we have worked for. This is unacceptable.'

'Messed up your master plan did I?' Ofelia snapped 'well listen to this, light has ruled this world for far too long its time for the darkness to have its turn.'

'We are willing to let both sides have a chance for winning,' Fate conceded 'however you broke the rules, and by doing this you risked your chance of winning. Good. Evil. It's all the same, we have watched the battles repeat again and again, the only difference being the players.'

'If we are so insignificant then why do you care what I do?'

'We are as old as time, and as wise. It is our duty to care, it is our responsibility to ensure that world issues run smoothly, you jeopardized our duty.'

'So what punishment are you inflicting on me?' Ofelia asked bitterly 'are you sending me back to the future?'

'There would be no point in that course of action,' Fate answered 'Your punishment is undecided of yet, we will wait until we see the perfect opportunity and then, and only then will we inform you of our decision.'

'So I'm going to be left in the dark?' Ofelia asked anger gushing through her.

'Figuratively or literally?' Fate said tilting her head to one side slightly.

'Both!'

'Figuratively yes,' Fate replied evenly 'literally, no. it would suit us no purpose to keep you here.'

'How long have I been here?' Ofelia said guardedly.

'A concept of accurate time is something we are good at understanding even if we don't apply the method.' Fate pondered.

'So how long have I been here?' Ofelia asked again.

'Long enough.' Fate answered.

She vanished into the darkness letting it swallow her up.

'Be warned,' her voice came floating back to Ofelia 'One transgression can be pardoned. Two will not be tolerated.'