AN/- hey guys long time no see-but now you see =p.. anyways enjoy and review =)
Chapter 62
Harry and Ron sat at the table together trying to catch up on last minute submissions before term ended in more than a week. Ron suddenly stopped biting ferociously into the chicken as Lavender frowned at him looking at a seventh year. Ron drank a goblet full of water before turning to Harry who was playing with his food. Ron closed his eyes—he couldn't see his best friend moping around like mourning myrtle anymore—he had advised Harry countless times to talk to Audrey but Harry just didn't seem to see reason.
"Harry—look it's Katie," he said softly as Harry raised his head bored and looked confused.
"Katie—Katie Bell," said Ron looking at the woman in question as Harry turned his head and looked at Katie Bell. He gulped and got up; he shut the prince's potions book as his eyes lingered for on the top of the page for another second, Sectum Sempra, for enemies.
"Katie—hey Katie wait up!" he said as Katie turned around to look at him.
"Hey, how—how are you doing?" he asked as Katie gave him a small smile.
"Look Harry, I know you're going to ask—but I really don't remember who cursed me—all I remember is going into the toilets—is all I can—," began Katie as she stopped mid sentence—her eyes rested on one blonde boy in question, Harry turned around and Malfoy look like he had just seen a ghost—all the blood in his face was drained as he looked here and there and then made his way out of the hall, shoving people left and right in the corridors to get away as Potter made a breakneck to follow him.
Audrey had been one of those who Draco had pushed, he walked like he was going to be prosecuted, loosening his tie, wiping his face with his clammy hands and then she saw Harry on his tail like fire. She was worried—worried that Harry would do something reckless—he did seem extremely angry—and impatient—his wand was clutched in his hand—this was never a good sign, so she decided to follow them—but when she turned the corner that they had into the deserted corridor on the fifth floor that no one visited after the chamber of secrets was opened—she had lost them—where could they have gone?
It took Audrey a lot of peeking and looking around to search for them but when that annoying ghost from the girls lavatories came whining out about some deadly duel, Audrey dashed into the toilets—they were absolutely in shambles—the pipes were broken and were blasting water skywards while the stalls had huge holes in the partitions and then there was Draco hiding behind a stall as Harry jumped on him in surprise—the boy jerked his eye towards Harry as Harry lifted his hand to finish him off with his final spell. Audrey did not know whether it was instinct—whether she didn't want Draco to get hurt or Harry to be guilty for doing a spell he didn't want to—or just fall in trouble for a spell he was going to attempt that could damage another's life—but Audrey jumped in front of Draco just in time covering him—taking the spell that Harry had read only a few moments ago.
There was nothing for second but the next fraction it was as if invisible swords had risen from thin air and began to hack at her body—there was blood everywhere as both the young men backed away as blood was squirted everywhere. Audrey fell to the ground writhing in pain for a few minutes as the spell continued.
"Stop it—you idiot—finish the spell!" snarled Draco as Harry didn't know how he muttered 'finite', the two boys breathed deeply, both were as white as sheets. Harry looked closely at Audrey—her eyes were shut—he remembered that night they had come from the graveyard—when he thought she had died. He crawled towards her—tears slipping through his eyes. He had noticed a searing pain go through his entire body—it was painful—he sidelined it to be guilt—he had never in his wildest dreams seen a spell like that—it was dark magic—and he had used it—on a person he claimed to love so deeply.
"The blood is not stopping—why is the blood not stopping?" asked Draco tears falling through his eyes, as they noticed their white shirts had already gone red with the blood that had mixed with the flooded bathroom.
"I don't know!" said Harry, tears falling because of the pain, because he had hurt her.
"You should know!" snarled Draco as he pulled Harry by the scuff.
"You should fucking know!" he snarled as Harry cried harder and so did Draco, while Mourning Mrytle was heard shouting murder—murder—murder outside the bathroom as several people gathered but no one dared to walk in, well all except one man—and when he did, his eyes went wide, his throat dry and his knees weak—he just hoped—he wasn't too late as he scooped up his daughter and carried her to the hospital wing as fast as he could—Harry and Draco on his tail—and for the first time—two students were seen walking the pace professor Snape did.
However fast they walked it seemed like eternity, only when Snape placed Audrey on the bed did they feel like they were going somewhere.
"What happened?" asked madam Pomfrey she closed the curtains around Severus and her—the boys were told to wait outside.
Severus studied her wounds the best he could without crying—he was aware what spell had caused these cuts—why she was still losing so much blood.
"I don't understand—it's some sort of custom made curse—so dark," said Poppy looking helplessly at Severus who seemed to have pulled out his wand and was muttering the counter curse under his breath with such profound determination that made Poppy smile a little.
"I'll leave you to it then," she said patting his shoulder as she glared at the boys who were still there with their blood soaked shirts and tear stained faces.
At least fifteen minutes had passed since they had arrived at the hospital wing as they paced near the bed. When Snape opened the curtains, the boys looked at him expectantly.
"She'll be fine," he said bluntly as they breathed a sigh relief and then Draco pulled Harry by the collar.
"What did you do to her Potter—I swear if anything happens to her—I'll—" began Draco earnestly.
"You'll what—give her to Voldemort?" snarled Harry as Draco looked at Harry horrified.
"That will be enough the both of you—I'll require that you serve detention with Mr. Filch the entire week, now Malfoy—I want a word with Potter alone," said Snape as Malfoy threw them a look and shot a final worried glance at Audrey who seemed to be unconscious but alive—only when he was satisfied did he leave.
"Sir—"
"I trusted you with her Potter—this is how you repay my trust"
"You don't understand"
"I understand clearly Potter—you tried to kill her—is this how much you love her?"
"No I—I read this spell somewhere—I didn't know what it did—I—I—she jumped in between me and Malfoy," he said shaking his head.
"I don't give a shit Potter—you have no business doing these spells in the first fucking place!" snarled Snape as Harry gulped.
"Dad?" Audrey asked opening her eyes slowly as Severus dashed to Audrey's side. Harry stood on the other apprehensively—wondering if she even wanted to see her attacker. She turned her head to look at him—and then she smiled—in some sort of relief.
"Harry—you're alright," she said smiling at him—as Harry nodded vigorously as more tears slipped through his eyes.
"Thank merlin—I thought I were going to die," she said closing her eyes—this left Harry boggled—so what if she died—why would that hurt him?—it didn't make sense—did she mean emotionally—did she know?
"That doesn't make any sense?" he said softly as she opened her eyes to look at him.
"I had a nasty fall huh?" she said laughing as Harry nodded smiling and then shook his head.
"I'm sorry Audrey—I'm sorry about everything—about everything—Audrey—I—I—I just—want you to be alright again," he said biting his tongue—no—he couldn't do it—not now—not with Snape glaring daggers at him and not with him just almost having killed her.
"I'm fine—are you fine?" she asked as he nodded frowning.
"Good—cause you should tell dad—he'll fix you up too,"
"Yea right," scoffed Snape.
"Be nice pappa," she said looking sternly at him as he sighed.
"Just get some sleep," he said to her as he got up kissed her forehead and then turned to Harry.
"Come on Potter—get to class," said Severus as he marched Harry out of the hospital wing—but as soon as Snape went his way Harry made sure he went back to the hospital wing and sat himself down in the empty chair next to Audrey who had dozed off with the sleeping draught the nurse had just given her.
It was freezing inside the running train as the heating wasn't working as well as it should have—or maybe it was just too cold.
"The unbreakable vow? Are you sure?" asked Ron disbelievingly—Harry had just told him everything he had heard that night—they were sitting alone in one of the compartment while Hermione and Audrey were in another somewhere on the train—all heading to the burrow.
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Well, it's just that you can't break an unbreakable vow" said Ron still unbelievingly.
"Yea—I worked that much out myself" said Harry raising his eyebrows.
"But I don't understand," said Ron shaking his head as a figure appeared at the door.
Lavender blew profusely onto the door window and made it foggy—then she used her fingers to draw a heart and scribbled something inside it, "R+L" and then she drew several things around it—some sort of excuse for an arrow and a halo.
"I'll miss you," she mouthed as all through her little creative session Harry's mouth was open slightly, he was as awkward as he had ever been—while Ron just looked like he was giving her false hope.
Lavender then tried to open the door to the compartment as Harry found the folding arm of his seat very interesting.
"I'll miss you too," lied Ron as Lavender blinked several times and then went away giggling.
"Merlin—all she wants to do is snog me—I think my lips are chapped!" said Ron pushing himself out of his seat and towards Harry with a pout.
"Ok—I'll take your word for it!" he said pushing Ron away.
A few minutes later two girls were seen near the compartment window as Audrey dragged Hermione forward—but when they reached the door and saw Lavender's handy work Hermione stormed away as Audrey looked at the two boys in the compartment—Harry seemed to have a longing look on his face, even Ron smiled out but his heart dropped when Hermione stormed away and so Harry decided to change the topic.
"So—what happens if you break the unbreakable vow?" asked Harry as Ron looked at him seriously.
"You—you die," replied Ron gulping as Harry did not say anything after that.
"Don't tell Audrey any of this," said Harry as Ron nodded sombrely.
Once they were out on King's cross, Harry helped Audrey take out her trunk seeing that one of her arms was still in the sling.
"So where's Hermione?" he asked her as Ron went over to greet his parents and Tonks who had come to receive them.
"She got so mad seeing that heart thing that—well—she said she was going home," said Audrey looking over her shoulder—Hermione had already been met by her parents.
"She wrote them a letter on the train," said Audrey as Featherless came out of nowhere and sat on her head nestling himself there like it was warm.
"I hate him," she groaned as Harry picked him out slowly and placed him in the cage with Hedwig, she did not like it but she could live with it for a few more moments.
It seemed as if Mrs. Weasley had outdone herself this time—the burrow looked like a Christmas paradise—there were decorations everywhere—although there wasn't any snow outside—it was still freezing—and it did hail on and off so it was alright—Audrey was sharing her room with Ginny as Ginny was telling her about how she had caught Dean cheating on her with Padma—Audrey sympathised with her as Ginny said that she felt like giving up with boys, but Audrey tried to explain that there would be someone she knew who was sensitive, well mannered and good natured, Ginny burst out laughing saying that the only boy she knew who was the three was Neville—Ginny said she did not think of Neville that way—although Audrey doubted that strongly.
Audrey did not know where they stood exactly—her and Harry—he had apologized—but that didn't mean they were back to being a couple or whatever—so she decided that they would be friends—maybe the whole dating thing had been a mistake. Neither of them pushed the topic so it was never discussed.
On Christmas night most of the order who were free visited the burrow—Rachel, Remus and Tonks along with Sirius and Sinistra had come down. Mrs. Weasley's dinner had been brilliant as always and as tradition would have it—everyone got a jumper and a box of chocolate fudge. Most of the children were in the living room eating treats while Mr. And Mrs. Weasley danced to the song on the wireless.
Harry had just finished his eggnog and walked to the kitchen to place his mug in the sink, but when he found Audrey's mother talking to Remus, he hid behind the door listening.
"This is very important," said Rachel rubbing her hands anxiously as Remus nodded his head folding his hands across his chest, he seemed to be wearing one of Mrs. Weasley's jumpers as well.
"You know how my father assigned Audrey to keep an eye on Malfoy?" she asked him, he nodded.
"Well—she discovered something," said Rachel sighing.
"What—what is it?" Remus asked quickly.
"Well—she—Remus—you must promise me that—you must be with her—all through next year—I don't want her to be alone—she'll need you Remus," said Rachel her voice shaking.
"What—but where are you going Rachel?" asked Remus immediately worried.
"Nowhere—I am not going anywhere," she said smiling shaking her head.
"You're not telling me something Rachel—what is it?" he asked stepping forward with a frown.
"Audrey's his defender," she said swallowing as Remus felt weak. Rachel covered her mouth and let the tears slip freely.
"I don't understand?" he said sitting down in the vacant seat next to hers.
"The ceremony that was performed that night when Voldemort returned not only needed Harry's blood—but also Audrey's—therefore when the blood was mixed together—it did not just resurrect Voldemort but also formed some sort of connection between their streams. It is old magic—dark—unbreakable—some sort of bond—that they call defenders—seeing the boy is what is the main ingredient—she is some sort of side dish—you know—he needs to finish them both off—to—"
"Remus—you must promise me—promise me—you'll there for her—if—if—I cannot!" he said begging him as Remus nodded.
"I promise—Rachel—I promise," he said as she hugged him tightly.
Harry gulped—so Audrey had to die too—so that was what she meant when she asked him if he was hurt when she was in the hospital wing—she was worried that if she was hurt maybe it hurt him too—so that was what the pain had been—it wasn't guilt. Harry breathed deeply and sighed. So she knew—she knew that there was a strong possibility of her dying if he did—if he died—if Voldemort killed him. It had taken a few months after the prophecy for Harry to realised that his encounter with death was inevitable—but now that he thought about Audrey—she'd die if he did—all because—for nothing—for nothing—and he was surprised—she hadn't told anyone about it—no one—she was taking it better than he had—she was handling it calmly—as if knowing death was inevitable—although there was still hope—Harry gulped—he just wanted there to be some way out of it, but for now—he had to go tell her—tell her just how much he loved her—just how much he needed her close to him—to ravish her presence once more. He had to talk to her first—about everything—about why she never mentioned anything about Malfoy—why she kept mum about all of this—it made him angry—but he was going to be calm—to be calm and ask her—to ask her about all of this.
Harry found Audrey reading in Ginny's room as Featherless Henry who was sitting on the top of her knees hooted indignantly when he knocked on the open doorway. Audrey raised her head to look at the knocker while the owl flew off to sit on the study table.
"May I come in?" he asked her courteously.
"Of course," she replied shutting the book her father gave her as a present and flicked her wand so that the book was deposited into her open trunk that shut with a soft thud as she commanded it. Harry walked into the room and closed the door behind him—they needed privacy.
"We need to talk," he said standing at the edge of the bed as she looked at him blankly.
"About what—," she was ignoring the matter—He knew what she was ignoring—but that wasn't what he had come to talk about.
"May I sit down?" he asked calmly as she frowned—since when did he ask for permission.
"Sure," she said keeping her own head on.
"Why?" he began as she bit her cheek.
"Why what?" she asked shrugging.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth about Malfoy?" asked Harry sitting down on the bed slowly.
"What are you talking about?—you know everything already," she said shaking her head.
"Yes—I know everything already—I heard your mum telling Remus about it—so why didn't you tell me that Dumbledore asked you to do it?" asked Harry a little angry—why hadn't she come clean?—if she had mentioned what Dumbledore had asked of her—he would have understood—they would have still been together—as a couple—together—like they were supposed to be.
"He asked me not to tell anybody," she said simply as Harry glared at the design on the blanket near her feet.
"Not even your boyfriend," he demanded softly.
"Merlin, Harry—What did you want me to do—go against him—do you think I wanted to do it—anyway—you thought that I was shagging him behind your back!" she snarled as Harry looked at her.
"Well—what was I supposed to think Audrey—you disappearing with some guy every two days isn't exactly very discreet," he snapped back.
"It wasn't meant to be discreet—if it was discreet Draco would never believe that I was trying to help him—but not every guy I speak to means I want to get into his pants," she snapped.
"He doesn't need your help—he's to deliver you to Voldemort—that is what a real friend Malfoy is—he's using you Audrey—just like your using him for information—he's setting a trap—a trap for you to fall into his trusting arms so that he can deliver you to Voldemort—the snake he is-!" snarled Harry getting up and pacing the room.
"What are you talking about?" she asked him.
"You're not the only one whose trying to get Draco onto the good side—he's trying to make you believe that—he's devious Audrey—he likes being what he is—he thinks by winning you over—he can deliver you to Voldemort—that's his plan—that's his mission!" snapped Harry hurried as his breathing became faster. Audrey gaped at him—how did he know all this?
"That night, when you're father dragged Malfoy out of the party—he offered him help—he said something about an unbreakable vow and Malfoy's protection—that was when Malfoy revealed these things to him," said Harry sitting back down next to her.
"Vow? What vow?" she asked urgently.
"Snape's taken the unbreakable vow about something—with someone," said Harry shrugging.
"So you're saying Malfoy's mission is to get me to Voldemort?" asked Audrey confused as Harry shook his head.
"What does Voldemort want with me?" she asked shaking her head.
"He wants to finish off everything that binds me Audrey—you understand don't you," he said looking straight at her as closed her eyes and looked away—Merlin—he knew—he knew about her being his—
"I can't believe you haven't told anybody about it," he said scooting closer to her.
"I—I—what's the use," she cried softly as he pulled her into his arms.
"I'm scared," she said clothing tightly onto his grey t-shirt.
"Me too," he replied kissing the top of her head.
"But—I promise—we'll get through it—together," he said looking down at her as she nodded hugging him tighter—kissing him properly—after so many months.
AN/- Leave a reviews gentle men and kind ladies