Author's Note: So, the story is coming along well. Here is chapter 26. Read, review, & enjoy!
Jason had spent most of the day wandering the grounds. Being back in Dragonfire brought back many memories. Some good, some bad. Jason walked into the stables and saw several students feeding and cleaning the dragons. In the back of the stables, Jason could see a young man.
"Gotta be a first-year," Jason thought.
The young man seemed to be having trouble. Jason strolled past the other students to this first-year. "Having some trouble?" Jason asked.
"This dumb dragon won't eat," the first-year said.
Jason turned his head to see Avalanche curled up, his snout turned away from a pile of meat. "First of all, don't get upset," he said, "Dragons are sensitive to other creatures and if you're agitated, he will be, too."
"But why won't he eat?" the young man asked.
"Avalanche is fickle," Jason said, "He longs for companionship, but under his terms. Try this."
Jason ripped a hunk of meat off the pile as Avalanche eyed him curiosly. Jason aimed his wand at the meat, and whispered, "Inflamarae," setting off a small flame from the tip which cooked the meat.
"Have a bite," Jason said, handing the cooked meat to the young man.
The young man took the meat and started chewing on it when suddenly, Avalanche turned his head and began nibbling on the rest of the meat.
"See?" Jason asked, "If you eat, Avalanche will eat, too. He'll come around, just give him time."
"Thanks," the young man said.
"You're welcome," Jason replied as he pat Avalanche on the snout before turning and walking away.
"Hey, how did you know to do that?" the young man asked.
"My brother," Jason replied as he left the stables.
Jason walked out onto the open grounds towards the memorial cemetery. He passed the gravesites from those who had given their lives last year when the Death Eaters occupied the school. He stopped at a lone headstone, separate from the others. Jason knealt down in front of the grave.
"Hey, Bobby," Jason said, "Didn't think you'd see me out here again."
Jason could already feel the tears starting to form, but fought them back. "It took me a long time," he continued, "But I came back. And I'm going home, too, to grandma and grandpa. I've lived with so much anger in my heart, Bobby. I think it's finally time to let the anger go, little brother."
Jason sat in silence for a moment, forcing back tears. "Well, I can't stay out here all day," he said as he stood up, "It was good to see you again, Bobby. Tell mom and dad I said…hi." Jason turned and walked back to the school.
Hermione was wandering the halls, admiring the décor when she felt herself drawn to a large oak door. She pushed against it and walked into a room lined with artifacts. The magnificence of the room overwhelmed her. Hermione walked through the room, still drawn by some unseen force. She walked to the end of the room and cast her eyes on a rusted helmet inside a glass case.
"Is this what drew me in here?" Hermione thought to herself.
"I see you found the Artifacts Room," a voice called out.
Hermione spun around to see Marius Moody standing in the doorway. He walked inside, making a beeline for Hermione.
"What is this place?" Hermione asked.
"It's where we keep the different artifacts that we acquire, be it from the department of archaeology or donations from private entities," Moody answered.
"What's this one?" Hermione asked, pointing to the rusted helmet, "Where did this come from?"
"It washed up on the shore not too far from here," Moody replied, "About oh, maybe, seventeen years ago."
"Has anybody been able to identify it?" Hermione asked.
"Many have tried," Moody replied, "But nobody can pinpoint its origin."
Hermione turned back to the helmet, a feeling of familiarity overtaking her. She reached out and pressed a hand against the glass box encasing the helmet.
"Miss Granger," Moody began, "I don't think I have to inform you that these objects are kept out of student's hands for a reason."
"There's something about this helmet," Hermione replied, "I need to take the case off."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," Moody said, "Rules are rules."
"Professor Moody, I need you to make an exception this time," Hermione said, "I have a strong feeling about this helmet."
Marius exhaled and withdrew his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa," he said, lifting the glass box from its resting place and exposing the helmet.
Hermione reached for the helmet, taking it into her hands. Both her and Moody were stunned when the rust and grime on the helmet began to dissolve, revealing shining metal and jewels underneath. In mere moments, the decrepit and rusty helmet was gone. In its place was a magnificent shining helmet. It looked as if it had just been forged. Hermione ran her finger across the textured ridges of the helmet's décor until finally resting of a familiar symbol. A figure eight.
"I don't believe this," Hermione said, "It's…it's…"
"The Helm of the Seven Seas," Moody said, "I've heard of this only in legends. And here it was all these years, staring us in the face, and we never knew."
"Do you know what this means?" Hermione asked, prompting a cocked eyebrow from Marius, "It means we're one step closer to collecting all the pieces of the Infinity Pendant."
"I'll take this to Abernathy," Marius said, "You find Jason." Both he and Hermione turned and exited the room.
Across campus, Jason had just walked into an auditorium to see Paul Heitman plugging in his keyboard. Next to him was Thomas Daijogo tuning his bass guitar. Behind them was Louie Marcial setting up his drum set. Jason smirked and walked into the room, making his way to the stage.
"Don't tell me you're still using this beat up equipment," Jason said, catching their attention.
"You're back!" Thomas exclaimed.
"Only for a moment," Jason said.
Paul, Thomas, and Louie each jumped off the stage and embraced Jason. "So, how you guys been getting along without me?" Jason asked.
"They've been just fine," a voice called out behind them.
Jason turned around to see Kyle McCoy walking towards them. The hair on the back of Jason's head bristled. He and Kyle never saw eye-to-eye. In fact, they hated each other.
"Don't tell me they downgraded from me to you," Jason said.
"Make your jokes, Saint," Kyle said, "But I'm not the one who abandoned them."
"I had my reasons for staying in England," Jason replied.
"Yeah, whatever," Kyle said, "In the meantime, they needed a singer and guitarist. So, I stepped up." It was then that they all noticed students filing in, prompting a grin on Kyle's face.
"Speaking of which," Kyle said, "We're about to play a concert just before dinner. Why don't you pull up a chair and see how a band is supposed to sound?"
Jason turned and sat down in a nearby chair as the other students took seats for lunch as well as to enjoy the concert. The band hopped onstage and took their place at their instruments.
"Good afternoon," Kyle said, "I'm Kyle McCoy. Them behind me, that's Firestorm. Enjoy."
Kyle turned to Thomas, Paul, and Louie, mumbled something, then started strumming out notes on his guitar. They weren't great notes, but Louie, Paul, and Thomas made up for it. Kyle then leaned into the mic and began to sing.
I find myself in question again
And I doubt this love you've given to me
I hope you understand when I say
I need this time to myself
Jason watched as the students looked on in displeasure at what they were hearing. It was clear that they didn't enjoy this "concert."
You speak your mind to me again
You force your words so deep within
You try to tell me how to live
But it's my life
Before Kyle could sing any further, a wave of boos overcame him, stopping his singing and causing the others to stop as well.
"You suck!" one student shouted.
"Get off the stage!" another cried out.
Jason had heard enough. He stood up and hopped onto the stage. "Give me the guitar, Kyle" he said.
"No way," Kyle said, "Give me one good reason."
"I can give you several," Jason replied, motioning to the booing student body, "Face it, McCoy, you're a terrible singer and a sub-par guitar player. Now give me the guitar so we can finish this performance with some dignity."
Kyle, red in the face, flung the guitar at Jason and stormed off stage. Jason turned to the still-booing crowd. "Okay, folks," he began, "If you'll quiet down, I'm gonna start this off right."
The students started quieting, still throwing out random negative comments. "I'm Jason Saint," Jason shouted out, "This is Paul Heitman, that's Louie Marcial, that's Thomas Daijogo, and we are Firestorm! Louie, give me a beat!"
Louie twirled his sticks and began drumming out a beat. Thomas and Jason followed with notes from their guitars as Paul kept in synch with his keyboard. Jason leaned into the mic and sang out
I've been stealing time where I can get it from
I've been losing grip on what I used to hold
If I could get another chance I'd put it in a ziplock bag
And keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Tell me
When I start to blow it
Would you show me
What I need to do
Before you hate me
I could never live with that so
Tell me
Before you're better off without me
Before you're better off without me
Hermione was rushing through the halls when she heard music, she entered the auditorium to see Jason on stage, singing and smiling. She liked it when he smiled, especially since he hadn't done it much since they'd left for this journey. She leaned against the wall and listened to him sing.
I've been watching you sleeping with a troubled look
I'm sure your bad dreams are probably all about me
And better off without me
If I could get another chance I'd put it in a ziplock bag
And keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Tell me
When I start to blow it
Would you show me
What I need to do
Before you hate me
I could never live with that so
Tell me
Before you're better off without me
Before you're better off without me
Hermione watched him sing with a troubled look. She had a feeling he was singing about her. Or him. Or both of them.
And I've been losing grip on what I used to hold
I dont want you to be better off without me
If I could get another chance I'd put it in a ziplock bag
And keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Keep it in my pocket
Tell me
When I start to blow it
Would you show me
Tell me
What I need to do
Before you hate me
Tell me
'Cause I could never live with that so
Tell me
Before you're better off without me
Jason finished the song to an uproar of applause. "Thank you," he said, "It's been awhile since I been onstage with these guys. I'm feeling good, I'd like to do another one for you, how about it?"
The crowd of students resonated their approval. Jason turned to his bandmates, who nodded as he whispered to them. Jason spun around to the face the crowd as began crunching out notes on his guitar, followed by the rest. Hermione took a seat and watched Jason perform. Jason pulled the mic closed to him and softly sang.
In this hole
That is me
The dead are rolling over
In this hole
Thickening
Dirt shoveled over shoulders
I feel it in me
So overwhelmed
Oh, this pressured center rising
My life overturned
Unfair the despair
All these scars keep ripping open
Peel me from the skin
Tear me from the rind
Does it make you happy now?
Tear me from the bone
Tear me from myself
Are you feeling happy now?
Hermione watched Jason play. He looked much like he did on stage in London. He looked savage. Somewhere deep inside her, a spark of desire reignited.
In this hole
That is me
A life that's growing feeble
In this hole
So limiting
The sun has set; all darkens
Buried underneath
Hands slip off the wheel
Internal path-way to contention
Peel me from the skin
Tear me from the rind
Does it make you happy now?
Tear me from the bone
Tear me from myself
Are you feeling happy now?
Are you HAPPY?
Hermione stared at him longingly as he played angrily when suddenly, she noticed something that troubled her. There was a small trickle of blood coming from his mouth. He gritted his teeth to show that they'd turned into fangs.
Are you HAPPY?
"He must have cut his tongue on them," Hermione thought, "Oh Merlin, that must mean…"
Are you feeling happy?
Hermione strained her vision to find that Jason's eyes had turned pitch black. "It's back," Hermione thought in terror.
In this hole
That is me
Left with a heart exhausted
What's my release?
What sets me free?
Do you pull me up just to push me down again?
Peel me from the skin
Tear me from the rind
Does it make you happy now?
Tear me from the bone
Tear me from myself
Are you feeling happy?
Peel me from the skin
Peel me from the skin
Tear me from the rind
Does it make you happy now?
Tear me from the bone
Tear me from the bone
Tear me from myself
Are you feeling happy?
Does it make you happy?
Are you feeling happy?
Are you fucking happy?
Now that I'm lost left with nothing
Does it make you happy?
Are you feeling happy?
Are you fucking happy?
Now that I'm lost left with nothing
The crowd once more resonated with applause. Jason soaked it in, remembering what it was like to be on stage. Suddenly, he noticed Hermione in the back, looking somewhat terrified. That's when he tasted the blood. He checked his tongue when he felt the sharp points of the fangs. Panicked, Jason quickly unstrapped the guitar and left the stage. Out in the hall, Jason gripped the sides of his head in dizzied agony.
"Control yourself, Jason," he grunted.
After what seemed like ages, the dizziness stopped. Jason checked his teeth and was relieved that they'd returned to normal. Moments later, Hermione rushed into the hallway to check on him.
"Tell me you haven't changed," Hermione said, taking Jason's head in her hands only to stare into his steel blue eyes.
"I'm fine," Jason replied, "For now."
"Come with me," Hermione said, "We found something amazing."
Hermione grabbed Jason's hand and led him to Abernathy's office. Inside, Jason let his eyes rest of the Helm Of the Seven Seas.
"Is that what I think it is?" Jason asked.
"The Helm Of The Seven Seas," Hermione replied, "The undiscovered piece of the Pendant."
"Incredible," Jason said looking over the helmet, "So, how do we get the pendant fragment from it?"
"We're not sure yet," Marius said.
"Jason," Abernathy began, "The discovery of this helm has helped me to understand that this war with Voldemort is closer to our shores than I wanted to believe. I have made the decision to sign your Hogwarts Accord and send with you a dozen of our best. You may hand-select them when you leave for England."
"Thank you for your support," Jason said, shaking hands with Abernathy, "Tonight, I'm gonna get some rest. In the morning I'm going to Savannah. I'll return here to select the students before I leave for Hogwarts."
"Very well," Abernathy said, "In that case, good night."
Jason nodded and left the room, followed by Hermione. They made their way to the South Wing Head's room, where Jason made a beeline for the bed and passed out. Hermione climbed into bed next to him and held onto him. She didn't know what was waiting for him in Savannah, but she'd help him face it.
A/N: So that's chapter 26. The songs were, in order, "My Life" by Twelve Stones, "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit, and "Happy" by Mudvayne. I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can.