Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All of that is the property of JKR, and I make no money from the writing of this story.

AN: Thank the gods for borrowed electronics. I managed to sneak my brother's AC adaptor since mine stoped working. That allowed me to finish this chapter and have it ready for posting. This chapter is a bit long, and the next chapter will be a bit shorter because of that. Don't worry they will be getting longer, especially as the plot progresses. Anyway, as always please review, and happy reading.

Chapter 19

Daughter of the Ramiana

The hazy, calm repetition of passing trees, and an ever alluding horizon did nothing to calm the uneasiness that had settled into Scorpius' stomach sometime around lunch the previous day. After walking for nearly two days he wasn't even really sure they had made any head way in the kilometers that separated them from their destination. Thankfully they had both taken to keeping their thoughts to themselves, Al's ever darkening attitude was doing nothing to ease the cloud of uncertainty that was almost permanently fixed above them.

Scorpius wiped at the sweat that seemed to bore from his forehead. It was exceedingly hot for mid march, and the weight of his backpack and the black shirt he had donned were doing nothing to help ease the discomfort as he pushed forwards. He wasn't about to back out or show weakness now. If there was one thing that his parents had jointly instilled in him it was that when you set your mind to something you couldn't back out simply because it got hard. He almost smiled at the memory of his mother's determined face when she had attempted to bake his eighth birthday cake by herself just to prove that she could do it.

Coming to a stop next to another worn sign he was disappointed to see that they had only made it a little over twenty miles since the last they'd seen. Cursing lightly under his breath he ran a jerking hand through his hair. If they didn't find a faster way to travel it would take them a month before they reached Sofia. Taking a deep breath he nodded to himself before turning and setting a steady pace, not even bothering to pay Al any attention as he started to complain again. The incessant complaining was getting on his nervous more than just a little. When they had first come up with their plane it had been Al to take the reigns and come up with a battle strategy. He had been cool, collected, and logical in till they'd gone to France. From the moment he set eyes on Nim Riley, Scorpius had noticed a change in his friend. Gone was the logical straight thinking Al, now all he did was whine and day dream when not called to task. The long months in the camp had drained what was left of his patients with it. He could only hope they got to Sophia before he strangled his best friend.

They only stopped once to rest and grab a small bite to eat around midday before staring out again. The sun had dipped low on the horizon bringing with it a thankfully cool breeze, giving at least a slight respite from the head they'd suffered through the day. Intending to walk through the night, if at all possible, Scorpius came to a stop as his eyes caught a faint glow, like firelight, from a clearing in the distance.

Slowing his pace to a more cautious step he moved carefully incase there was something ahead. Moving closer to get a better look he shushed Al, glaring at the other boy to get his point across. The light grew brighter as they made their way towards it, Scorpius' eyes darting around for any movement. Ducking into the tree line while there was still a good distance separating them he kept his senses alert for any movement. Trying to keep his steps light he winced as Al stepped on several downed branches, the telltale crunch echoing through the seemingly deserted woods.

Stopping just as a thin row of trees obscured them from the large bon fire that lay beyond. Crouching low he looked at the shadowy figures that moved infront of him, their exact features too blurred for him to discern who they were. Sighing heavily he scanned the group, counting at least twenty people. "Um, Scorpius?"

Gritting his teeth he tried to stay calm. Not even turning to look at him he hissed back his own reply "Not now, Al." Brushing some of the budding foliage aside he tried to get a better look.

"Malfoy? Please?" Rolling his eyes Scorpius had opened his mouth only sightly to reply when he came face to face with a grizzly looking man armed with a knife. "Tried to tell you."

Scorpius simply glared down his nose at him as he stood and raised his hands in a defeated gesture. "Yea, thanks for that."

Flanked by an armed man on each side of them they were escorted from their hiding stop to the bon fire they had been spying on. Hitting the ground hard as they where tossed unceremoniously at the feet of their 'hosts' both sputtered and coughed. Pushing himself up Scorpius looked up at their now capture, more than a little surprised to see an ages grey haired woman in richly colored garments looking down at them with amusement in her eyes. "Perhaps, travelers, you can tell me how you came to be in my camp, and who you might be?"

Glaring at Al in a silent warning to be quiet Scorpius stood and bowed slightly. "My name is Scorpius, ma'am. I and my friend are traveling to Sophia."

She stepped forward, looking him up and down in an appraising glance. "And the star of family aged shall take the road to Belgium's maiden. Along the old road encounter he, relatives unknown from before all of we. And upon the night of broken creeds, an award is known clearly." Stopping her inspection she stopped in front of him, taking his hands in her's. "I welcome, thee, son of the mal fey, to the tribe of Avayramiana." Kissing him on both cheeks she turned him towards the collected, opening her hands in a welcoming gesture. She spoke in words that not even Rose's amulets could translate, the collected tribe cheering at her words. Turning towards him her worn face broke into a wide, warm smile. "Welcome home." Not being able to say anything he simply stared at her, a small nervous smile playing on his lips. It was going to be a very interesting night.

They were quickly pulled into a party of sorts, food and music surrounding them as one member of the tribe after another came to greet and welcome them. Many young girls where flaunted in front of them, the reason alluded Scorpius but he smiled and excepted their greetings all the same. "Why are they so interested in you?" Scorpius rolled his eyes at Al's muttered words, brushing them aside with a push to Al's shoulder.

The woman from before, a head chieftain of sorts called Petronilla, pushed her way to the front, a richly garbed girl in toe. Coming to a stop in front of them she pushed the girl forward so that she was in clear view. Scorpius was taken back slightly by just how beautiful the girl was. Her rich charcoal hair fell in smooth tendrils around her bronzed, heart shaped face, gold coins reflecting the fires light, illuminating her in a hazy ethereal glow. Her wrapped garments where silky yards of burgundy and sapphire. Her rosy lips upturned slightly in a tentative smile, her chocolate eyes glowing. It was her eyes that shook him out of his dumbfounded state, their glow no where near that which Rose's eyes had always held.

Turning his gaze towards the older woman he waited for her to speak. "This, son of the mal fey, is Darina. The gift of the Ramiana, our most precious daughter." Looking between the older woman and the girl who stood next to her he smiled nervously, not sure what to do.

Holding out his hand he tired to meet her eye. "It's nice to meet you." For her credit Darina didn't stare at him blankly. Instead she placed her hand in a like fashion, albeit several centimeters away from his own. Laughing he took her hand and shook it. Staring at their hands and then him she smiled warmly at him. Matching her smile he laughed nervously when she didn't let go. Gently pulling his hand free of her's her smiled at her again before turning his gaze to Petronilla. She looked at him quizzically, as though she didn't understand him. "Is something wrong, ma'am?"

She looked at him closely for a moment. Taking the girls hand she drew her even closer. "Darina is my granddaughter. The gift to the star." Scorpius couldn't stop his jaw from falling just slightly. This woman, a gypsy, knew about the prophecy, that he could understand, but the words she had just spoken refused to work through his brain.

Laughter bubbled up from beside him as Al found the humor in the situation that was lost on him. The two women looked at him expectantly, as though his next words would turn their worlds upside down. "Well, I'll be fucked." Scorpius couldn't even bring himself to glare at him.

tbc.

Next: Of choices made: Exactly how will Scorpius deal with what he's just been told?

AN: Don't worry, and don't be mad the next chapter, and the one after that will fix things. Because of my technical difficulties they won't be posted till after the UPS man delivers my new AC adaptor, but they will be posted before the end of the month so don't worry. Thanks, and please review, I'm begging.