Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Hey!

I know it's been a long time. Here is a piece written in a spur of inspiration. I hope you enjoy it.

Best,

Sw

Gravel & Violet Waves

The brute force with which I had apparated made me crash in the graveled patch, a foot to my left and lush grass would've softened my landing. Under the pure moonlight, I saw my hands little pebbles embedded into the tender flesh. An unbidden smile appeared on my face. Finally something was as it should be, from the burning scrapes on my hands; blood drew the truth for the world to see. I had killed my best friend. A second came and went, so did minutes and hours; hours upon which I laid my head gently upon the protruding edges of the graveled path. I trembled and sobbed. I had miscalculated something, perhaps the runes which were supposed to keep him safe. No, that wasn't it, I underestimated my friend. I forgot he was a hero at heart. I never counted on him to act as he always had, with courage and selflessness. I judged and erred. He had paid the price for my unbelief. I was the one who had changed, not him. All I knew was worthless, by losing hope and trust in my friend I had failed.

I was exhausted. Stillness reigned in the night. The warm inviting lights from a house told a tale of peace, and comfort. From where I sat I could see a light coming off a TV. Life carried on as I remained unmoving. Did no one care that Harry was gone? From the house closest to me a little girl peeked outside her window. She was all long sleeves, tousled hair and what appeared to be the pink ears of a plush rabbit keeping her company. She saw me see her and rushed behind the curtains. I had come here because of that little girl, because every muggle here needed someone like Harry to stop the monster I had allowed to live all those years ago. Innocence and goodness still dwelt in the world, inside the hearts of little girls and boys, somewhere between the long hours at the office and the lunch break kindness sneaked a peek into the world. I had seen this countless times, sometimes in the form of a simple smile. I had something to do.

I tried to stand but my legs wouldn't hold my weight. After a couple of attempts my legs managed to hold me protesting with shaking motions at every step. I must carry out the plan, there was no turning back. There never would be, there never had been. I had just been to blind by love to see it. I dragged my unwilling body along the well lit street. Every house had its own garden, every garden had a fence. I walked to the end of the block and found the place from which I would make my attack. It was a quaint little place, a home to some family. I entered using my magic. I was like a bugler, sneaking into people's homes. Must good sometimes act in the cover of night? A whole family slept, with nothing to protect them against the evils of the night but their prayers and perhaps a gun in a hidden place. Not for the first time I wondered how humans both magical and none magical had survived in the times where the night involved the threats of claws and fangs. I put them into a magic induced sleep and hid them in the attic. If things worked out, they'd survive this unharmed, if not, then there would be nothing I could do for them.

I took a shower with water so hot my skin turned a disapproving red, pulling the embedded rocks from under my skin. As the blood ran down the drain I felt a stillness flow into my heart. Harry at last rested, perhaps at this moment he was laughing with Ron or kissing Ginny, perhaps one day I'd be able to join them on the last adventure of the Golden Trio. Not today, I thought putting a hand over my growing belly, and not in many days to come. I still had much to do and too little time to get it done.

My roaring stomach reminded me that the baby needed food. All of these emotions couldn't be good for him. The sun was beginning to rise. When I had planned all of this I thought that by this point I would be nervous or that perhaps the rational side of me would be calculating and planning for any occurrence. But oddly enough I found myself completely detached from it all. A single thing was clear to me, not one of the Death Eaters would leave this place intact.

As the first rays of dawn broke through and dark trails of velvety smoke became visible, my body tensed like a cat ready to pounce. They were coming. I had a couple of minutes before chaos descended on this common muggle suburb and I would make the most of them. With a steady hand I got the dragon tear from its pouch, with calculated care I set it upon the tip of my wand. I smirked, it seemed fitting that the tear was red, it was meant for a day such as this.

Things slowed down, and I saw everything unfurl with perfect clarity. The passage of time was marked by the constant beat of my heart. I patiently waited till they were all on the streets. Their dark cloaks contrasted with the cemented sidewalks. It was as if Death herself had decided to bring all of her minions together for one small party before the world went up in flames. Too bad for the werewolves and Death Eaters that Death decided they were no longer worth her time. The moment the dragon's tear had fallen into my possession their end had been foretold. Just a little bit more, the pressure upon my wand made my hand go numb. To ease it up a little, I extended my fingers in a repetitive motion beckoning the future to arrive. As soon as the last Death Eater appeared I cast a spell, my hand firmly grasped my wand, and a single spell was all it took. A violet light left my wand and rushed to meet them all. The majestic sun was shrouded by waves of purple fire. It appeared to float unperturbed by the happenings on this small world.

When the spell impacted on the first Death Eater, a pain so intense it was almost pleasurable burnt my insides. I lost my grasp on my wand, and screamed. This was the price I was to pay. My thoughts, became a single repetitive thought I'm burning, I need water. I could feel the depraved heat tearing at my veins, devouring my very essence.

Long after the agony stopped, I laid twitching on the rooftop. My body was a mess of quivering flesh. I parted my mouth, just barely and took small, short breaths.

Then I heard his rich voice.

"By now I should be used to your foolishness, but this once you've made things so easy for me." He chided.

Surprised by his presence I took a whole mouthful of air, only to regret it a second later. A moan escaped my lips.

"Now, now, you've done enough damage for one day," he taunted.

I could feel the smile in his voice. That alone petrified me. Had everything been for naught? Had I erred in my casting of the spell? It really didn't matter. If I had failed, so be it. There were always other ways, I would find them.

His shadow entered my line of vision, followed by the hem if his black robes. I felt his long fingers on my shoulders. A rush of adrenaline flooded my system; fearfully I looked into his eyes.

Contrary to the sadistic glee I expected to see in his face at having found me in such a state, a smile I had seen but a couple of times, decades before, lighted his face. I closed my eyes. I had seen kindness in his gaze, and if there was any innocence left in him, it shone through when he smiled. The worst part was that I could still see it.

With a flick of his wand I felt refreshed, the throbbing heat along my body extinguished in an instant. He crouched next to me, his form magnificent. He made to lift me up, every movement tender and careful, as if I were made of glass and would break at the slightest movement. His robes felt like angel's wings. I had to get out of here, I tried to apparate. Not a wisp of magic stirred within me. I looked deep and found that the spell had destroyed all of my magic, now only my baby's magic remained. I would not dare to take magic from my child; the consequences of interfering with a baby's magic were catastrophic. The man who held me was living proof of that.

He whispered in my ear, "sleep, you need it love, and so does that tiny wizard inside you."

I felt my lids drop as if following his command.

I woke and he stood casting an ominous shadow in the pristine floor. I rose slowly and went to stand next to him by the immense window. Outside a beautiful rose garden sat, innocent buds next to voluptuous young flowers, each a crown of perfection, each too extravagant to be without magic.

I sighed.

"Let me guess, this is one of those fabled…what was it called? Something like Flos Clausuram, something to keep me locked to this place. Seriously, as you must know my magic is gone, so I see no point in going to all the trouble of building one of those."

A smirk drew itself on his perfect lips.

"Only you would figure it out so fast, you might be right, if I hadn't made some modifications to this breed of roses. After all my knowledge of Herbology far surpasses that of that foolish Italian witch. This is my gift for you; this is a memento to your late friend."

I made a strangled noise, took long controlled breaths and felt my cheeks grow wet.

I never thought he would do such a thing. Every single rose in the garden represented a person who thought of Harry, there were so many flowers. People in the Wizarding world still had hope. Even though his death must be a known fact, people still remembered the Boy Who Lived.

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, Tom."

His eyes opened wide, his head shifted a little to the side, an inquisitive note written on his features.

"Anything for you, my love," he whispered, a devious smile lighting his face. "Besides who cares if they still remember him, the World is mine. I guess I can allow myself to be magnanimous to the defeated foe."

Then I knew, that just as always, he had something planned. Kindness from him always came at a price.

"Come, I have much to show you," he said extending his hand in an inviting gesture.

I hesitantly took his hand, for not once had I trusted him without being repaid with foul play at some point, but given that my magic was gone, my wits must now suffice. Besides challenging him, in my precarious position was neither in my, nor my baby's best interest.