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.

Cucciolo- puppy in Italian

A/N: Thank you so much to Mr Charlie for his French expertise which I needed in this chapter. The terms Garou and Lamiae are all thanks to him!

Also congrats to Carlabellaxox on the upcoming nuptials : )

Chapter 24

I watched as my dark strands were set alight, the flame dancing vigorously across my face, the air feeding it as it consumed the poster faster, the sounds of chattering students across the lake a distant noise to the cackle of the fire.

"-Linus Thornton!"

I barely processed Mi's excited voice as she screamed out the announcement, not even the girlish shrieks that followed managed to distract me as I jumped over the table and my feet didn't touch the soft grass as I was enveloped in strong arms that had me whipping around in a circle, long dark locks merged with dark auburn strands has every cell in my body sang with the return of my boys.

The auburn hair was instantaneously exchanged for dark brown strands, but I could care less as his warmth enveloped me. I heard an amiable chuckle resound in my ear as he slowly set me back down on my feet.

Hazel eyes that sparkled a forest green observed me, his usually toothy grin hindered physically by a scabby cut lip that did nothing to detract his happiness. His face was dark, even for his natural tan complexion and he sported an army hair cut.

"It's my pleasure Hermione."

Mi shook Linus' hand, thanking him emphatically for his generous donation, his midnight blue eyes twinkled down at her as he sported a tired smile to match the dark bags that encased his eyes, his hair was longer than I had ever seen it, usually trimmed to perfection, it now sat in a dark disarray atop his head, in that transition look between unkempt and homeless.

Len flung the considerably smaller, burning sheet of parchment and I smiled as it floated down into the Black Lake, a lazy pink tentacle snatching it from the water's surface.

"That was a weak shot. I could have gotten it further, even with this bum arm."

I rolled my eyes at Linus' voice as Len dropped to the grass next to us, a smirk on his face, "And who is responsible for you at least having that bum arm. I do recall that if I hadn't interfered when I did, that Garou would have sliced the whole thing off."

"Yeah, and who was it that allowed him the opportunity by bringing a sword to a wand fight!"

Len laughed at Linus' words and I couldn't help smiling at their banter, yes they were bruised…tired and unkempt, but they were here…here in Hogwarts, with me. I leaned my head on Len's shoulder and he tossed a hand around me, how long has it been since it was just us three?

"You're just jealous that I got my hands on the sword first. Took it right out of a hand of a Lamiae-"

"And the Garou took it right out of your hand and nearly take my arm of with it."

Len shrugged and my head jostled slightly, "For the last time, I told you to duck! You never heed my instructions-"

Before Linus retorted in what I knew too well to spark an argument that could only be resolved by an arm wrestling match, I cut in, "Whose Garou? And Lamiae?"

Linus sat up, he had been lying flat on his back, soaking up the sun with his eyes closed but his blue orbs now stared at me in contemplation, he glanced at Len and I did so too, Len shrugged again in an indecisive way.

I wrenched my head away from his shoulder; anger shooting within me instantly! I was so annoyed at people not answering my questions, at my family not answering my questions! When did Sev become the most open member in my family! I was about to rise to my feet when Len pulled me back to the ground.

"Down cucciolo, no need to raise those hackles. It's not who, but what."

"Huh?" I responded, calmed by my confusion.

Linus sighed and shook his head, "It's not who are Garou and Lamiae, it's what are Garou and Lamiae."

I leaned back into Len in anticipation as Linus roved over the grounds with his sapphires, but nobody was paying us any attention, too distracted by the wizard made beach at the other end of the Lake.

Once Linus handed Mi over his cheque, the boys and I took a walk over to the furthest part of the lake embankment , Lady Kensington's book hanging at the tips of Li's fingers as I explained why Hogwarts was having it's very first Beach Day.

I think if we hadn't been so happy and content to just be together, Len might have set the grass on fire with his anger upon hearing about the Poster, but Linus, ever the voice of reason, decided we rather use our energy to cremate the fraudulent parchment.

"Well?" I leaned forward in anticipation, my eyelids were stretched to the fullest and I was leaning forward, my palms clamped on the soft grass and I stared at Linus, forgetting to suppress my keenness.

Linus stopped his perusal and burst out in laughter. My eyed widened if it were even possible, and I looked at Len in confusion but the other was laughing just as much. I frowned slightly…why were they laughing at me!

Linus' laughter dulled and I glowered at him and he just smiled back, his blue eyes twinkling just like Nonno's, "Sorry Ky." He chuckled, leaning back on his elbows, "I guess the constant fighting must be having an effect on your brothers."

"Still don't understand what's so funny?" I snapped.

He took in a deep breath, "Nothing, nothing at all. I guess…I missed you." He pinched my left cheek and I couldn't help dropping my scowl at that, "I miss coming home from a long day at the office and opening the front door and finding you standing there, like some puppy wagging its tail, wanting to know how my day was."

"And if we had any chocolate." Len mumbled as he leaned his head on my own, "And Max would walk out of the kitchen, that slightly glazed look in her eye." I laughed, if there was one woman who deserved a medal, it would have to be my nanny Max, I kind of felt guilty at all the stunts I pulled on her. "We honestly didn't pay that woman enough."

Linus shook his head, a sad smile on his face, leaning back down on the grass, letting his eyes close. I think he was tired, I wonder when the last time he got any rest was.

"Garou and Lamiae are Palbei." He spoke, his eyes still closed and my ears pricked up, all reminiscing thoughts wiped out by his words, my breath bated, as I awaited more information. "Garou are the Palbei that have more lycan attributes whereas Lamiae have more vampiric attributes."

"How do you know the difference?" He frowned at my question, and I elaborated, "I mean I know what the differences would be." Vez mentioned it once, "These Garou, they still turn during the full moon? And the Lamiae are still sensitive to sunlight, right? But how do you know which are which, by sight?"

"Well Lamiae never fight in the daylight," Len stated, "And they don't use magic. They can't."

I turned to face him, "Can't? I thought Palbei are a fusion of vampire, werewolf, wizard and house elf? How come Lamiae can't use magic?"

"Because they were originally Vampires, and vampires don't wield wands now do they?" Linus muttered.

I frowned, "But Palbei-"

"Perfect Palbei have ability of all four." Len added, "And there's only one of them now aren't they?" he muttered darkly. My frown deepened, Mi had told me what had happened between Len and Vez but I was too scared if I changed the topic I would lose the chance to find out more about what they were up to, I think the carefree atmosphere was doing a great job at loosening their tongues.

"If Lamiae don't have wands, how do they fight?"

"They're not a perfect fusion. Lamiae are predominantly vampires, with slight wolf characteristics, heightened strength, accelerated healing, but the elf qualities are completed imbibed in them, allowing them apparition and small levels of magic, nothing offensive, mere hover charms and such. And the most prominent is loyalty of course. They fight with swords…stronger and more ancient than even goblin made ones…from an era that only vampires can remember." Linus spoke to the sky.

"I don't understand, if they have no wands-"

"Wands are not everything. What they lack in magic ability they make up in speed and sturdiness, its hard killing a vampire, Lamiae are like vampires on steroids."

"So are they tougher than Garou?"

"You can't compare them." Len added, "Garou may still live with the hindrance of turning every full moon, but remember, they're not like Lupin, they're animal instincts without the full moon is heightened, their fast, strong, and have the steel-like skin of a vampire."

"And they can wield magic." I added.

"Not all of them."

"But werewolves can use magic." I stated and Linus opened his eyes,

"Not all werewolves are wizards, now are they?"

I frowned, "She's turning muggles into Palbei? "

"No." Linus sat up, "She's turning muggles into werewolves, and those werewolves into Palbei."

I shook my head, "How is she doing this? Where is she getting the resources? What about the Lamiae, is she making them vampires somehow? Or are they already Vampires? Why would vampires want to join her side, or is she making them do it against their will. What about the were-"

I stopped as Linus laughed, holding a hand up to stop me. "Ever the curious little cat, aren't you?"

I grimaced, Linus knew I hated cats, with the exception of Crookshanks and I even doubted if he was a normal cat, and my dislike for the creatures grew when a particular bitchy Kat tried killing me on more than one occasion.

"Maybe we should start at the beginning. What do you know of Karetnikov." Len asked, his hazel eyes dark as the sunlight dimmed as the day died down.

"She's a Palbei, courtesy of her own father, the Dark Lord Séraphin. She and Vez were the only two Palbei he made, but she wasn't perfect like Vez, she still ages and uses magic to sustain her youth. When Séraphin died, Vez's loyalties were transferred to her, following the blood line, and for a long time he worked for her as she sought to carry out her father's mission, to create the perfect race."

Len nodded, "Right on all parts, except one…Séraphin's mission wasn't to create the perfect race. Well initially it wasn't."

I frowned and he continued, "Séraphin did what he did for his daughter."

"He used her as a lab experiment." I hated the bitch, but I couldn't deny that was sickening.

Linus nodded, "I suppose that's one way to look at it." He sighed, "Another way is that he was just a father, who was trying to heal his ailing daughter."

"Ailing?"

"Karetnikov was born a squib." Len stated, "Considered to be the most unnatural and embarrassing of all things to be born into a wizard family. And to be born to the Hand of the Regalien's family no less…he had to fix it. He had a mad idea…to make her a witch…"

"That's not possible." I gasped, you can't make someone a witch, or wizard, you either have magic, or you don't. That's why I was surprised that she was using muggles, Vez said she didn't before. She always worked with wizards, adding the characteristics to the other magical creatures to form the Palbei, hence the vampires don't wield wands…

"She wields magic, doesn't she? He was successful, but at the same time I think his success lay in the hands of the fact that she had magical blood to begin with, using dark magic he turned a squib into a witch. Turned that witch into a werewolf and then came the thought I suppose, of the perfect race. You understand why it's important to know these things?"

I nodded at Linus, "Know your enemy."

He returned my nod, looking at me with sad eyes, "Yes, we need to know what line of thought Karetnikov is following so we can anticipate her next move and prevent it. History helps us with that…we know she is trying to finish her father's work, and any good researcher would tell you the best place to start was with positive results. So what would her father's positive result be?"

"Vez." I mumbled… He was the only one Séraphin perfected, he had the strength and agility of the werewolf without the cumbersome need to change during the full moon, immortality of a vampire without the hindrance of succumbing to daylight, he had the magic of a wizard and…well unfortunately the unwavering loyalty of a House Elf.

"The Perfect Palbei." Len muttered, "The only one that survived the decimation that befell the other test subjects." I closed my eyes painfully at that, the other test subjects were just new born babies. My eyes flew open again in shock…No…

"She's doing it again…she's experimenting on…on infants?"

"Not doing Ky, done it." Linus stood, walking to the edge of the lake, his back to us, "Done it more than once…there's some kids…they've been under the study for ten or so years…just last year, right here in England she…she rejected the hypothesis…she destroyed all evidence it even existed…ten years old…"

I looked down in my lap…she murdered children…images of a crying boy in the back seat of a car came into my mind, flames surrounding him, only thing there was no wrenching of the car door open by a blonde hero…no more screams…just flames and endless silence. I felt Len's hand on my shoulder and I cleared my throat, I had to show them that I could handle the truth, I had to stop imagining what they told, me just observe it clinically…like data…just names and places…they didn't have ages…they didn't have faces…families…

"Is that what you are doing? Preventing her…from destroying all evidence?" I'd like to think they managed to save some of them…

Len let out a shallow breath behind me and Linus continued staring at the setting sun, his shoulders considerably lower than it should be, "We were too late…much too late on finding out about her plans. Sylvestre had informed us where all her training grounds were, that's where she kept all the children that survived the transmutation, where she trained them until they were old enough for the magic to kick in. Remember, it took twenty years with Sylvestre, twenty years Voldemort would never afford her and I suppose when she realised that she had been found out…it would be much too hard relocating hundreds of children…especially when under our eyes…there was nothing…nothing and nobody when we got there…"

"Maybe she did manage to relocate them…" I muttered hopefully, but even my soft voice knew it was naïve.

His long auburn strands rustled has his head moved left and right in the negative and I was scared, much too scared to inquire how they were so sure of that. Len pulled me to his side and I wasn't sure whether it was done to comfort me or himself.

The silence that we dissolved in was broken by Linus clearing his throat, he turned, walking back to his previous seat and dropping down, "Anyway, she's using vampires and werewolves now. It wasn't that hard to convince many to volunteer for her cause."

"Why would they voluntarily give their free will away?"

Len scoffed, "I highly doubt she lets them know that Palbei are part House Elf. With the vampires I suppose she reels them in with promises of magic, they've always envied our ability to wield a wand, even with their immortality they never had an even playing field, the Ministry hasn't been doing a lot to help the matter, most of the Covens stay faraway from our kind in remote areas but it's not by choice. Being much more distinctive than werewolves, they're that much more ostracized, and the Ministry has been at loggerheads with them for centuries. They keep breaking the Statute of Secrecy, their blood thirst makes them a liability when they hunt, why do you think they are muggles that even believe of their existence? They're messy feeders who don't clean up after themselves…they probably joined Kat through political reasons."

"Much the same with the wolves," Linus added, "our kind does not treat them well and Kat is one of them, so it can't have been that hard to convince them. Also there is the prospect of immortality…"

"What happens when they find out that Kat can't give them those things she promised?"

Linus laughed darkly, "By then she's got them under her command. She has all intention of giving them immortality and magic, it's just that the ritual or whatever she does to transmutate them doesn't work the way she intends, and she's left with Lamiae that can only apparate and perform basic home making charms and Garou who maybe sturdier than normal werewolves, but are nowhere near immortal."

I thought over his statement, so the Red Cloaks on Brockdale bridge were Garou, it was daytime. They were all probably wizard werewolves, I wonder what she had the muggle werewolves do? They weren't immortal like a vampire, they didn't have magic like a wizard, all they were were stronger than average wolves? I bet it wasn't as hard to get her hands on muggles, they didn't have to comply like wizard werewolves and vampires do… muggles, werewolves and vampires… her pool of resources were getting larger and larger.

"How many are they?" I asked, batting away my distracting thoughts.

"Too many." Len sighed, "Every time we get rid of ten another twenty pop up. We made a bit of progress in Siberia yesterday though," Len laughed, "I got rid of eight Garou and seven Lamiae."

Linus rolled his eyes, "They were newborns, they didn't even undergo any training, and we weren't there to fight them! We were there to collect intel but of course your brother has no self control."

"Hey, when someone lunges at me with a sword, you don't expect me to turn and walk away!"

Linus raised his brows, "You threw the first spell! He didn't even see you yet but you just barged in, wands blazing! We could have found out how she goes about making them, we finally infiltrated her breeding grounds! It only took us two months."

Len grumbled to his feet, unfazed by Linus' words, he pecked me on the head, "I'm going to say Hi to Tonks, I'm on duty with her tonight, even her sombre persona is a better change to this one's constant moaning."

I laughed as he turned and walked away towards the Forest, Linus looked at his retreating figure in exasperation, "What is up with Tonks? She's…not like her usual self…is she?"

His look of exasperation fell quickly and he donned a contemplative look, the grounds was slowly getting darker, the sun fighting time and hovering over us for as long as it could, the sounds from across the lake was quieter than before and I had my arms wrapped around myself, the cold British night was setting in.

"I guess…she's a bit tired, that's all. It's a hard time being an Auror." He was being evasive, his answer was honest but I could tell he knew more about the situation. "How's your back doing?"

I allowed him the change of subject, "It's OK, troubled me a bit yesterday but I think I was swimming too fast, Mary did say it was good therapy but now I think she meant just the front crawl…I might have indulged in the back stroke a little bit too soon."

He scowled at me, "Well considering you injured your spine that might have been a bit obvious." He shook his head, the scowl disappearing easily, "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you well." He got to his feet and pulled me up with him, "Don't ever do that to me again."

"I don't plan on it." I flung my arm around his waist and huddled against him, defending myself against the cold, we walked silently towards the other side of the lake, the faceless beings increasing in definition as we got closer. Dean and Seamus were being dragged out of the lake by a chastising Mi, their long dark wigs soaking wet and their bikini tops clinging flat against their chests, seems it was time to close up the pool.

"Have you spoken to Nonno?" I murmured lazily, I could hear his heart beating at my ear, singing me a lullaby.

"No, he has his hands quite full presently. Last I saw him was in Romania, a month back…and we didn't get to speak…" He didn't elaborate, I think we were much too close to prying eyes and prickly ears but I could draw a good conclusion of what that meant. Nonno must have assisted them in a situation that was dire enough to actually pull his attention away from whatever it was that had him away from the Castle for such a time. I held Linus closer, careful at not touching his injured arm.

"Hermione!" Linus called out for her, about ten girls turned around with varying degrees of shock and envy on their faces, we were near the stalls again, which were being dismantled and Mi turned away from the other prefects who were clearing out the students from the lake. Her stern expression fell as she got closer to us, a quizzical glint in her eye at being called out.

The glint fell as her eyes grew large in shock as she stared at the large tomb that Linus held out for her, he chuckled, "Take it."

She did so slowly, looking up at him in awe, "Are you sure? It's a first edition! Lady Kensington-"

"was an amazing woman, I know, only fitting I give it to another amazing woman, right Ky?"

I smiled as she blushed, "I couldn't agree more."

"Harry." The smile fell of my face in shock, why in Godric's name was he calling Harry? What was he going to give him?

Harry turned away from Ron who was talking to Juliette and a few other Ravenclaw girls, I watched one with long chestnut hair look disgruntled as Harry turned away from the conversation they were having near the front steps. His emerald eyes widened when he saw who had called out to him and he looked hesitant…

I rolled my eyes, he was being so ridiculous, sure we broke up but what did he think Linus was going to do. It then hit me that Linus and Len had not brought Harry up in conversation, they surely would have if they thought we were still dating…but they didn't because they must have found out that we broke up then…did Nessie fill Linus in on why we had broken up though…oh shit…oh crap…I was suddenly grateful and ashamed at the fact that Linus' good arm was injured.

"Linus."

Harry nodded, he seemed unfazed, but I saw the way his Adams apple had bobbed up and down as he gulped, he was just as scared as I was. I smiled, good, maybe Linus should clobber him. Teach him a lesson…I sighed, I didn't really mean that. After accepting that I was ready to give Harry another chance, if he was willing to make a concerted effort in building up our relationship again, if he could give me some answers and judging from our previous conversation he wasn't opposed to that…I mean, it was a tough Summer for him, and I wasn't there, both of which was neither our faults…everybody makes mistakes right? And I mean, the fact that I was not even jealous that he was chatting it up with those Claw girls must mean that I've already started trusting him again, right?

Even as I sat all the way across the lake, I saw his head turn every now and again to look at me just as I was looking at him… he obviously cared about me…judging by the acts that followed the infamous Poster event on Wednesday…he more than just cared for me…I could feel it…

My hold on Linus got tighter, nobody was punching Harry, I smiled at him and I could see his resolution getting stronger.

"About what happened at the start of school, about what I said," Linus' voice was very uncharacteristic, it was awkward…why was he awkward, wait…what happened at the start of school? "What I said, I didn't mean it. I was angry, I had no right to act that way. I apologise for both my and Len's behaviour."

Harry's emerald eyes flickered to my own, yet it didn't hold the confusion that mine did, he obviously knew what Linus was talking about but he also knew that I didn't know. "Don't mention it…everybody was edgy, I didn't think anything of it."

I could tell he was lying and I extricated my arms from Linus, I glanced at Mi and she looked wary…but not confused, I watched her sigh in relief at Harry's words, what was going on?

"What are you talking about? What happened?"

Linus frowned down at me in confusion but Harry cut into whatever he was about to say, "Hey, errr, how's Lupin? Do you think-"

Just then all our eyes snapped to the glowing object at our side…the silver smoke like dragon's head parted and Len's voice emitted, "Coconut."

And with that one word, Linus' face began to pale and the dragon disappeared, "I have to go."

"Wait, I thought-"

"Sorry Ky." He kissed me on the cheek, "Be good and stay safe Ok?"

Before I could even answer he was off, sprinting towards the gates…

"I hope everything is OK." Mi muttered as I watched him run off.

I suddenly felt warmth around me and a familiar scent and looked down at the grey hoodie which got snugger as someone zipped it up, I watched as the familiar fingers pulled on the silver zip, stopping at my midriff, I was kind of disappointed he didn't go any further.

"I'm sure everything is fine." Harry consoled me, his green eyes bore into my grey ones and suddenly the grounds fell silent. How could I not give this another chance…my skin prickled and my heart raced…his fingers never left the zip and I didn't want them too…I didn't want to be angry…I didn't want to be bitter…I didn't want this pain…I didn't want any of it…I just wanted everything to go back to how it was…I wanted him…

I stepped closer, his hand the only thing separating us, this wasn't time for thoughts…I didn't have to think about what I wanted, I knew what I wanted. Just as he did, I could see him get closer and the balls of my feet left the ground as my toes took me higher to my desired destination.

"Haarrry!"

I fell backwards, easily unsettled has I wasn't properly rooted on the ground but Mi held me steadily before I could hit the floor, I looked to whatever it was that pushed Harry, and inadvertently unsettled me and I saw the long strands of ginger, Ginny smiled at me apologetically, scooping the volleyball from the floor.

"Sorry Ky." I didn't respond, Harry hadn't fallen when Ginny collided with him but he stared at her in accusation.

"Ginny, you guys should really be wrapping up your game."

Ginny rolled her brown eyes at Mi, "Yes, yes, just one more serve, OK?"

Mi nodded as Ginny turned to walk away, Harry grumbled and I felt his annoyance, talk about a mood kill.

"Oh wait I forgot!" Ginny pivoted, taking the few steps towards us, an uncharacteristic jaunty tinkle in her voice, my thoughts stopped there as I watched her hop up and plant a kiss on Harry's cheek…life itself slowed down to prolong this moment, her long strands fluttering as she jumped up, her lips planted on his left cheek…her right hand lightly holding his right cheek, her brown eyes hidden by her long lashes… "I'll see you in a bit, Handsome."

My heart unfroze long enough to push some blood to my brain, and my brain kick-started just in time for me to look away, my eyes clapping on Angelique and Luna, the two chattering as they helped dismantle their respective stalls, not a sound they made processed.

That's about it that my brain could do though, it couldn't close my gaping mouth or moisten my now dry throat as it prickled, it couldn't help me save face, or even feign nonchalance. It did however turn me around and walk back to the Castle, the image of pink lips on fair skin inscribed in my mind with the echoes of 'I'll see you in a bit, Handsome' playing on repeat… haunting me as the sun finally set and the grounds was thrown into darkness…never a more fitting atmosphere has there been for my feelings…

A/N: Keep Calm…there will be a Harry's POV chapter next! You will see what exactly is going in our Golden Boy's head.

PLEASE REVIEW : )

Kalina