Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter 12

Ky's POV

It was as if I had downed a bottle of numbing tonic, the scariest thing was being conscious whilst this whole process occurred, of intentionally attempting to move my arms and legs and failing completely…I sunk lower and lower into the water, I could see streaks of scarlet as well as bubbles emit from my nose but the blackness prevailed as the light of day faded faster and faster.

Slowly it was happening…the unconsciousness…it was settling in…there was pain coming from so many areas that all I wanted to do was let my eyes close…give into sleep…my lungs burned as its reservoir of air was depleted…I let my eyes stay shut…seeing emerald eyes…

"I thought finding out about Hogwarts would be the last of the great surprises in my life… that no moment in life could ever compare to the moment I learned of magic. The moment I learned what I truly was. And then that moment was pushed easily into second place by the moment you fell into my life, then further into third when you kissed me for the first time and then forth when you told me... those words. And I just know, life with you, a future with you, one day that moment which I placed right at the top would be pushed right to the hundredth place. Because the only thing better than the moment that I learned of magic, is the moment I learned of love. And who could teach a lesson like that but a Dumbledore, Ky. I love you. I'm in love with you."

I wouldn't think further than that…if this is how it ends it would end there…the Summer didn't happen…it was stupid…so naïve…but if my heart was about to beat for the last time, let that last beat be loud and full of life and love…beautiful…so beautiful…like emerald eyes…and chocolate…and onyx…and hazel…and midnight blue…midnight blue…

My eyes fluttered open at the heat at my wrist and the next second my head throbbed as it broke the water's surface, but my eyes didn't stay open for long as it dragged close again and the air…all that air that surrounded me, never entered my lungs and I lost all control of my senses as one panic filled thought that this was really it…

My back cried in pain as I shot up, water gushing out of my mouth and air taking its place as my body shook with coughs I didn't know it had the energy to make. I felt warmth all around me and muttering in my ears as I slowly looked up…seeing the midnight blue eyes…Linus.

I opened my mouth but there was only water that came out, I tried to move my hands to hold him back but it didn't budge, he laid me back down and I could feel prickles at my back. He was telling me something, but I couldn't process his words but I wouldn't let my eyes close…not this time.

I watched as he stood, clad in jeans and a sweater…like any muggle you would find on the streets of London…but as he turned away after giving me one more look that sent a painful shiver down my spine…I knew that he was no muggle…that there was a wizard…a wizard whose eyes bled for revenge.

I could see so many red cloaks…more than they were before, I could see the bridge in the distance, burnt and broken and littered with cars that were hopefully empty, I could hear muggle helicopters fly in the distance, we seemed to be on an embankment…but most of all I could see the colour…the colour of the fight as yellow met violet and bounced off, as green eyes met blue ones, as blood matted in black hair.

I stared in horrid fascination as I saw the familiar back of Lenzo as he stood with his wand pointed, a red cloak encapsulated in a ball of water as he watched as the life left the man…I knew every feeling the man felt but unlike me the Palbei didn't have a blue eyed saviour.

I looked to him and if I had enough breath for it to catch it would have…there was the sickening sound of bones breaking as Linus' wand pointed at the Palbei, two of them practically fused together in their closeness as a long transfigured iron pole wrapped tighter and tighter around them and the air sang with their screams. He didn't look on like Len did, already onto his next victim who threw a green spell at him that he dodged easily, he flicked his wand and the woman fell to her knees, the long slash at her neck effusing so much of blood…

I heard a howl and turned to see Vez on his knees, his bloodied hands pounding into flesh, his wand lying forgotten at his side, he continued until the howling stopped…

There was no sight of Kat or Atticus, and I watched as three more Palbei fell at Len's hand whilst Linus threw a curse that flung two crashing into a large concrete wall. I heard the sound of multiple clicks that symbolised the remainder Palbei's flight and blinked until all I could see was three…three figures…no red…they were gone…

Linus and Len were at my side instantly…I tried to move but I couldn't and I wanted to thank them, I wanted to say so much but my lips couldn't move…my hands couldn't move…my eyes couldn't fight it as it slowly closed…

HARRY'S POV

I stomped up the stairs tossing an angry glance at the hooked nosed man next to me, his black cloaking billowing as he walked nonchalantly next to me, his black eyes looking straight ahead.

"I am perfectly capable of reaching Gryffindor Tower on my own." I snarled and he didn't respond, continuing up the sixth floor staircase. Of all the people to have gotten Tonk's message to fetch me from the front gate, it had to be him. It just had to. The cherry on the top of the fuck-up of the day this turned into. It was as if life decided to stick its middle finger up at me today, and it just froze in place.

Firstly, Ky doesn't show up at the train station and she isn't fashionably late and inappropriately clad like last year…she just doesn't show…period. We had no idea what to do, Hermione was in such a state that it was Ron that had to write the letter inquiring about her disappearance as my hands couldn't remain still for long enough. Hedwig returned with no response which resulted in Hermione bursting into tears and myself punching the compartment wall much too harshly. My fingers ran over the raw flesh on my left hand knuckles.

Ron and Hermione did their prefect duty whilst I tried to distract myself with Slughorn's meeting in the compartment but then Malfoy happened…

Fucking Malfoy…I touched my nose, feeling blood, even though Tonks had fixed it, the blood still remained…I wiped at it with the end of my sleeve. Tonks didn't know what happened to Ky, it was about the first thing I asked her.

I glanced at the man next to me...it took my all to ask Snape where she was...never wanting anything from him and even less so of recent considering if anyone was to blame for Sirius' death it would be him. He constantly ridiculed Sirius for being stuck in Grimmauld place and I am sure that his taunts played a factor in his…in his…

I gulped, taking in a deep breath and clearing my mind of all things Sirius, "Why did Linus and Lenzo bring Ky to Hogwarts?" She had left with Saber, thirty minutes before we did, in a separate car. That would mean that they should have been at King's Cross much before us…yet he said that she missed the train because Linus and Lenzo had brought her to Hogwarts…

He didn't answer my question and I bit my lip in agitation, scratching my chin, unsure what to do with my restless hands. If only I was allowed to go to the Welcoming Feast, then I can see her for myself and calm the fuck down.

I tossed the glare at my unwanted companion, he told me I was to go straight to the Common Room and change out of these muggle clothes, he wasn't going to allow me to achieve the attention I apparently was obviously seeking, he even went to the extent of escorting me to the Fat Lady, whose face brightened with curiosity at my state of appearance.

"There would be no use of your appearance at The Feast, considering you have completely missed dinner but I am sure your impropriety knows no bounds and you will saunter in at whatever time you please regardless of my advice." His black eyes glinted with a hatred that I returned tenfold. "If you grow some semblance of manners in the time you address the matter of your attire and remain in your common room, you will find supper inside, not that you deserve it but it appears missing a meal is akin to starvation in the laws that govern this school. Yet, I suppose it will be hoping for a miracle, you passing up the opportunity to flaunt that scar and million galleon smile at the hordes of your mindless fans, and I will no doubt find you strutting in, interrupting the Welcome Feast Formalities. Open for him."

My hand twitched at my wand but he turned with a snap of his cloak and I glared at the back of his head. I had no mind to talk to the Fat Lady who was blithering at me and I walked in as she opened at Snape's instruction. The common room was completely empty and I crossed it in a few strides, stopping as I bumped into someone…or something considering it only reached my midriff.

My glower of annoyance fell as I realised I had knocked Kinky down, straight on her back and hastened in getting her back on her feet.

"Sorry Kinky, I didn't see…Kinky…" The house elf's eyes were swollen, bloodshot and more tears raced down her cheeks as she snivelled to stop them…"Kinky…what is it."

She opened her mouth, no words emitting, just spittle and I kneeled down to her height, my heart seizing at the thought that there would be only one reason that she would be in this state. She sobbed uncontrollably, not answering my question. I pulled at the shirt in her hand and knew whose it was without having to see the familiar muggle band she loved on the front, I could recognize her scent anywhere, I stared at the face of the front man of the Beatles and my voice caught.

"Where…where is Ky Kinky?"

Her sobs shook as she looked at me, but I knew the answer, straightening and running out of the room, knowing there was only one place that Ky went to that required a change of clothes and would have Kinky in such a state…

I burst into the Hospital Wing, my lungs ravaged as I abused it on my run down here and I stopped in the middle of the room, frozen at the scene in front of me.

Len, whose white shirt was riddled with blood, the hint of a huge cut on his back shining through the shirt had his right hand around Saber's neck…Saber who was shirtless, his chest sporting countless fresh scars and a large bandage whose red smear was spreading larger and larger, looked down at Len expressionlessly, the bloodied scar across his jaw camouflaged in his reddening face, making no effort to defend himself from the attack.

I caught the shot of red in my periphery and I was suddenly aware of feet behind me, the spell made contact with Len's hand as he let go of Saber as if he was burned.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing!" Silvain followed his spell across the room and was feet away from Len, his wand flicking as he shot a blue spell which Len dodged, tossing a yellow spell at the younger boy.

"STOP! STOP! EVERYBODY OUT THIS INSTANT! OUT!" Madam Pomfrey bellowed as she burst out of her office, hands full with potions, her eyes popping in fury.

"MADAM POMFREY!" My head snapped around at the screech that was Hermione's voice as she screamed for the matron and I rushed forward as the sea of visitors parted from the bed they surrounded as Ky's whole body shook aggressively, her head tossed back as her back arched and her mouth frothed…her eyes wide and the veins throbbing red as the grey shook from left to right. The voices was silence that surrounded me as all I could see was her...so much colour…so much red…so much seeped in…

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I shrugged it off and I found two at my elbows and I didn't realise I was fighting them, whoever they were, that was trying to take me away…away from her…

I failed, my back hit the wall and all I saw was the wood of the closed hospital wing door and my breath blocked out all sound as it thundered through me.

"Calm down mate. Calm down." I pushed at him, at the red hair and went for the door again, she was…what was…she was…

My back hit the wall yet again, but this time it groaned from the force and I stopped protesting as my body welled over in shock…I stared into the familiar hateful black eyes, yet there was an added ingredient to the usual loathing…something that hinted of madness and uncertainty and…fear…

"STAY AWAY." His deep baritone voice enunciated every word which shook with emotion yet was so soft…but every eye was on us…on the unlikely action made by the usually expressionless man. "Stay away from her. Leave. Go."

Each word was forced out through gritted teeth and he let go of my shirt which he had been clutching at for the past minute and snapped around, his black cloak billowing behind him. Snape…Snape never reacted like that…he never reacted…he never…what the fuck was going on. I turned, looking at Hermione with her mouth hanging open to Ron who looked like he was toying with the idea of attacking Snape as he slithered away.

Len was pacing, muttering to himself whilst Silvain and Selina stared out the window, a few feet away. But it was Linus who had stolen my attention, his face pale and ingrained with worry, he looked like he hadn't slept in days yet there was such a level of moisture in his eyes that I suspected it wasn't due to the insomnia…he had been crying…Agnes stood beside him, her head on his chest, the tears dry on her face and I turned to Hermione.

"What happened to-"

"Mr Thornton!" Linus and Lenzo were at the door in minutes, Snape who I had thought left had re-emerged almost as if he was hanging around a nearby corner away from us all. Madam Pomfrey looked timeworn and she exited the Wing, making it clear that this conversation would take place in the passage as we were not fit to enter the Wing.

"Is she OK? Is she…her breathing? Can she-"

She held her hand up to Len's questions, "She is stable for now but we do not have enough time. She reacted to the potion I administered for the relief of pressure on her vertebral column. She has a vertebral compression injury which is usually mandatorily treated with very few side effects but it seems that the potion she consumes to prevent her vision is reacting with the asphodel in the Pressure Relief potion, hence what occurred five minutes ago. It settled on its own though as I think that the daily dose of her Vision Occlusion potion has worn off, as the potion quantity allows it to be in her system for just a day…so this means you have a choice Mr Thornton."

Linus looked as if he hadn't heard a word Madam Pomfrey said and Len stared down at the matron, an unreadable expression on his face.

"What happens if she doesn't get her second dose of Pressure Relief?" Snape's black eyes were back to its expressionless calculating orbs.

"She needs a dose of the PR every three hours for the next three days to prevent any lasting injuries to her vertebral column. She has sustained grievous injuries to her back and if you want her to walk again-"

"Then give her the PR, let her skip the Vision Occlusion for a day."

Linus shook his head at his brother, "She can't skip the Vision Occlusion, it takes just one missed day for it to go out of control, we can't have a repeat of last year-"

"Things are different, Saber is on our side this time-"

Len glared at Snape, "Saber is not on our side. Did you see what happened! He was supposed to protect her!"

"And he has!" Silvain screamed from his place at the window, "He has never left her side for the past two months! He has been by her every minute that he could!"

"Then where was he when she had fallen fifty fucking feet off a bridge! Where the-"

"This is not the time for this!" Snapped Snape, he turned to Madam Pomfrey, "Administer the Vision Occlusion potion…we'll have to think of something else for her back…"

"No." Linus shook his head, finally speaking, "No." And that was all he said, a distant look in his eye as everyone waited for him to elaborate.

"Mr Thornton…I need to give her the second dose of PR in the next five minutes…I need a decision."

"Then give her it! Ky would want the use of her legs-"

"Bane's vision has brought her nothing but pain! She cannot succumb to them again!"

"And do you think she would rather herself a cripple!" Len screeched at Snape, "I won't let that happen to her!"

"You won't, will you? But you will let her mind be open to the assault of seeing everything that is to happen! Her heart take that pain and her brain take the ravaging!" Snape screamed back at Len, his usually pale face glowing red.

"Muggles." Len and Snape stopped dead in their tracks as Agnes' voice crossed the small passage from her place at Linus' head, every eye looking at her in confusion.

"I beg your pardon, Mrs Thornton."

"We…we don't have to use the PR potion, as long as you can use the potions that re-align her spine and that works, we can relieve the pressure injury the way muggles do." Eight eyes bore into her aquamarine depths, Linus continued staring forward.

"And how do muggles-"

Madam Pomfrey cut across Snape, "Physical Therapy. I am not trained in that aspect Mrs Thornton, and neither are any Mungo's healer for that matter as it is never needed-"

"I know someone who can help. She is a physiotherapist-"

"We can't get muggles involved Mrs Thornton. Think of the statute of secrecy! Considering our World's present state, the Ministry of Magic are that much more guarded against the muggles finding out that all these events are really the fault of magic." Madam Pomfrey looked on sadly at Agnes.

The blonde shook her head, "We wouldn't be breaking the law. My friend maybe a muggle but she knows of this world, her son just recently got his Hogwarts letter."

"It sounds too convenient." Snape muttered, several shades cooler than his previous complexion. Agnes turned to Snape, her blue eyes just as cold,

"Think what you will Severus, but I am not having Ky's health neglected because you and Len are too busy having a pissing competition rather than considering her best intentions." She glanced to Linus, who still had not processed what she had said and then turned to the matron, "Administer her Vision Occlusion Potion Madam Pomfrey. Leave the pressure relief to me, I will send word to my friend immediately."

"It might be wise to use Fawkes, Agnes." Dumbledore stood, at the beginning of the passageway, his midnight blue eyes lacking its usual twinkle, his crooked nose hovered over the grim line that was his lips, I had not seen the headmaster look more depressed and I had been privy to many depressing conversation with the man. McGonagall rushed passed him, her green eyes moist as she descended on us, pushing the door that had just shut close behind Madam Pomfrey moments ago after receiving her final orders...the Feast must have just finished.

I turned around, the space of the opened door that McGonagall had just entered through my refuge, I just needed to see her...my breathing would calm when I was assured that hers had done the same. I couldn't enter though, I glanced down at the long fingered hand that spread across my chest and I followed it up to its owner...not finding the black eyes that churned with loathing, rather blue vacant ones.

"You stay away from her." Linus said; his voice weak but conviction in it never the less. My heart thumped below his fingertips and I was sure I looked as confused as I felt.

"Linus, it is unwise to allocate such blame...it is counterproductive to the-"

"DO NOT," The blue eyes glared at its twin as my throat dried up, "SPEAK OF COUNTERPRODUCTIVE! To hell with your plans! To hell with the ORDER! DO NOT STAND THERE AS IF YOU WITNESSED ONE OF YOUR OWN, MOMENTS FROM DEATHS DOOR!"His hands left my chest and he made his way over to his grandfather, "You were not there! You did not see." He shook his head, "My sister lay before me, half dead...NO! MORE SO! And it was THIS boy's fault! Protect your saviour all you want to! Guard and let him be your praise! BUT DO NOT, for a second think that I WILL LET HER KNOCK ON THAT DOOR ONCE MORE! I will do anything, and everything to prevent that...anything."

"Linus, your anger is all you allow yourself to feel, but as an adult and as my grandson I must ask you from refrain from saying such things, especially when they are words marred with poison that would so dearly hurt-"

"Are you saying Snape lied?" He growled, the black eyed man's eyes narrowed, I continued my stock still staring, too afraid to move.

Dumbledore shook his head, "No-"

"Are you saying that the attack was not an attempted kidnapping?"

"Linus-"

"Are you saying that my sister, your granddaughter, was not used as a means of getting to this boy? A means of luring him? Of baiting him?"

"Linus-"

"ANSWER THE QUESTION!"

"No." Dumbledore returned his grandsons heated glare with a look of deepest disappointment. "No, I do not think it was."

"Two Palbei, her best two, were stationed at King's Cross. Karetnikov was to retrieve Bane, transferring her to the station where her men were positioned to use her as bait to lure Potter! It is-"

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore's eyes turned frosty, he looked from Snape to Linus, but both men stared rigidly back at him. "This is not the time, and most definitely not the place to discuss such matters."

"Is...is it true?" The words stumbled upon each other as they made its way out of my mouth; I turned to Dumbledore, my mind blank...unable to process... "Was Ky attacked...because of me?"

His blue eyes bore into my own, "Harry, the reasons behind such things are marred with such subjectivity we can never truly know, and we must try our hardest not to wonder of such things. Do not seek blame for something you were no cause of. Voldemort sought Kyrianna out because he is greedy for the power she possesses-"

"Then why have the two Palbei stationed in King's Cross...why not take her straight to him?"

He shook his head, "We cannot know for sure why those Palbei were stationed as such. Severus drew the conjecture-"

"Do not placate the boy!" Snape burst, turning to me. "Ky was attacked because of your little display of affection at Diagon Alley the other day. Your protection of her did not go unnoticed and-"

"SEVERUS!"

Snape's voice grew louder over Dumbledore's, "It did not take much persuasion for Karetnikov to convince the Dark Lord to use Bane as some means to get to you. And that is what they did. That is why the Palbei were stationed so close to you and did nothing, they were waiting to use Ky to lure you away from your guardians. That is why Brockdale Bridge was attacked and so many died. THAT IS WHY BANE WAS STEPS AWAY FROM DEATH!"

"STOP! JUST STOP!" Hermione screeched, the tears flew down her face and spattered onto my shoulder, "It's not true, Harry don't listen to him. DON'T!"

"LINUS!" Agnes emerged from beyond the door, a bright smile on her face, "The convulsions have stopped, she's coming to." The passageway emptied with that statement and I felt small fingers tug at my hand and I resisted without effort.

"Harry." She pleaded, shaking her mop of brown left and right as if physically batting away Snape's words, I let my hand fall back to my side. "Harry."

I turned, each echo of my footstep the only sound I processed outwardly as inwardly only one sentence shook through my body,

"THAT IS WHY BANE WAS STEPS AWAY FROM DEATH!"

I don't know how my feet took me there, but I muttered the never changing password and entered the familiar room, it gleamed, unknowing upon first glance that it had been months since it's last use, probably Kinky's doing. I lowered myself into the scarlet armchair, letting my face fall into my hands as memories of this place flittered through my head...of table top kisses...enrapturing laughter that tinkled to every corner of this lab...her lab...only to be overshadowed by the new image to grace my mind...of froth upon pink lips...of those piercing grey eyes wide and throbbing...haunting... my body shook as the pain spilled onto my palms...it was my fault...that was...

"Potter." I heard the creak of the door and my eyes snapped up, "I have been waiting for you."

So yesterday was Ky's, and my own, birthday...reviews make good presents *hint, hint, nudge, nudge*

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it

Kalina