~Harriet Azalea Potter~
As she followed the peculiar duo, she had some time to think. At first she'd thought she may have a rival for his affections in Luna, but she soon realised that their relationship was of an entirely different nature. And with the unsubtle way Luna continued to tease her, she was fairly sure that the waif-like blonde approved of her. They definitely shared a moment over family that was lost to them. She honestly didn't know what was worse, never really knowing the person who loved you most or losing them after spending years in their comforting presence.
It wasn't a competition anyways and they could sympathise with each other. It was a bit hard to get a read on her but she thought the girl liked her. Except for her teasing nature, she didn't seem to have a malevolent bone in her body. Her demeanour redefined the word 'strange' for Harriet but it wasn't a bad feeling at all to spend time with her.
She truly hoped they'd strike up a strong friendship. Luna definitely seemed exorbitantly excited after she explained that one can be friends and family at the same time. She immediately turned to Winston, who seemed a bit confused at the verbal lashing he got. At least she thought it was a verbal lashing from the body language and the fierce expression on her face since she understood maybe 20% of the presumable insults from her.
She didn't know if she really wanted to learn what a Diving Nutboggle was but even Winston looked a bit indignant after hearing that one. 'You didn't just call me that, did you?' He asked her silently with a disquieting smile on his face. Luna gulped then, wide-eyed, and tried to backpaddle but she was soon chased out of the Great Hall by teethed pillows of all things. Her giggling clued her in that the entire thing was more along the lines of having a bit of fun in the morning and with how down her mood was the past week, she could certainly get behind that.
After they finished eating, Winston absentmindedly swished his hand past his mouth and she felt that tingling sensation again, cluing her in that he used wandless magic to clean his teeth. He noticed her curious stare and offered her the same treatment. Since she was curious if it felt any different than the original charm, she agreed.
He flicked his hand in her direction and suddenly, she felt his magic wash into her mouth. And it had a taste. That was a startling revelation, especially since she couldn't really categorise the taste other than that it was the best thing she ever had in her mouth. When she realised that she not only moaned but had licked her lips quite suggestively as she chased the last flecks of his magic, she blushed.
She was glad that there wasn't anyone else in the room but did count it as a win when she noticed the barest hint of red on his own cheeks. When they left the great hall, she followed after him since he beckoned her to do so. A few steps into the corridor, she was startled by Luna, who appeared out of nowhere and skipped to her side.
"You wanna show her the RoR?"
She had asked Winston and he nodded, still deeply in thought. Luna recognised the fact and rolled her eyes. She then stage whispered to her.
"Oh, puh. He's no fun when he is like that. But you can always expect great results when he is in thinker mode. He combs through the entirety of his knowledge to achieve them. I'm guessing he is trying to help you remove yourself from the tournament?"
She asked and Harriet nodded. It was what he told her and she believed him. They fell quiet then, except for the strange but comforting tunes Luna hummed while skipping along. She liked the sensation and subconsciously searched her vicinity, which Luna noticed before her. It seemed to bring her joy and she expressed it by enthusiastically stealing her hand and refusing to give it back.
That pulled an amused side eye from Winston before he went back into his head. It was strange watching him like this since whenever she saw him in public, he was polite and sociable. She forced herself to ignore the butterflies in her stomach when she realised that he was in such a state for her. It had to mean something, right?
She shook her head and paid a bit more attention to not trip Luna by accident. Both of them were strange. But she realised that it didn't turn her away from them. Instead she felt attracted to this trait. Like a moth to the flame, as people said.
'I don't even know her for a day and she already feels closer to me than most of my dorm-mates. I'm a naturally distrustful individual. I know this. The trait has definitely increased in intensity over the years with the Dursleys and it spiked once again with Hermione's betrayal. And yet, there is just something about this girl that makes it impossible for me to even contemplate the possibility of her betraying anyone she's genuinely close to.'
She didn't know where that feeling came from, but it kinda felt like an instinct. And she trusted her instinct over everything. It hadn't led her wrong yet, after all.
She Absentmindedly nodded to herself. If it was just those two, she would risk trusting them. Strangely, it didn't feel like a risk at all. Just as she came to that conclusion, they stopped their walk in front of a portrait. Some strange fellow seemed to try teaching some mountain trolls ballet. She had seen stranger things in these halls but this depiction definitely landed a top ten spot.
"What exactly are we doing here?"
She asked Luna, who was trying to give the teacher hints as to how to motivate the trolls to perform their part. And it was working, which elevated the thing into the top 5 of weird shit. She turned her attention away from the now strangely harmonic ballet performance. Trolls were creatures who definitely had no right to be this graceful. Watching them had an almost hypnotic effect.
"Since I don't exactly know which room Winston wants today, we'll have to wait until he decides."
As always, she explained in a way that caused more questions to arise than she answered. It was a talent. Fumbledore had that one too but he wasn't nearly as adorable as Luna, so she was less inclined to let him get away with it. The peculiar girl surprised her with a glare.
"You just thought something exceedingly rude, but followed it up with a compliment, didn't you?"
'Luna's intuition is scary.' She thought as she tried for a smile. She was sure the it came out a bit sheepish which probably didn't help her case but it seemed to appease the ethereal girl since she turned up her nose in a perfect imitation of an entitled little brat if it wasn't for the slightly twitching lips.
"See that it doesn't happen again."
She nodded mutely, amused at the situation. Suddenly, Winston started pacing in front of the portray. After his third round, a door appeared in the middle of the wall. It was nondescript to the point that it was suspicious. If Luna's grin was an indicator, that was what they'd been waiting for.
Winston, now seemingly completely with them, smiled a rather handsome smile that made his eyes shine in excitement. Slowly and with an appropriate amount of showmanship, he opened the door as he introduced a wonder of Hogwarts to her.
"Lavish your eyes on one of the most momentous pieces of advanced magic ever created. A collaborative work of Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor, both of which called it their Magnum Opus in their respective journals. The one. The only. Room of Requirement!"
By the time he finished the introduction, the door was completely opened and from the small glimpse she could perceive, it seemed to be a library. When she actually entered, she recognised that she was wrong. It wasn't just a library, though a part of it seemed to be. It was so much more than that. There was a Duelling Strip, a small arena filled with strange humanoid things that could be likened to crash test dummies, weapon racks, all of which held several melee and ranged weapons that had no place in modern wizardry, and some contraptions she had no idea how to even describe.
The room itself was beautiful with what seemed to be faerie lights floating around for illumination. Some of them followed ones gaze, which caused the illusion that the entire room was immerged in gentle rays of light. The walls were panelled with dark wood she couldn't identify. The panels had depictions of battles fought centuries or even a millennium ago. Those were offset by scenes of what seemed to be intellectual disputes. Both were carved into the panels with either beautiful craftsmanship or meticulous wandwork. She lacked the expertise to determine which one it was.
The library looked especially cozy with three cushioned armchairs standing around a small table. All of that was arranged in front of a magical chimney where a smokeless fire was merrily crackling away. While that corner only seemed to inhabit the smallest corner of the room, she had the distinct sensation of beholding a giant reservoir of wisdom. She once heard a german word that suddenly came to her mind when she saw this arrangement. Schmökerecke. That word described an exceedingly comfortable oasis for reading. Either in solitude or in silent togetherness.
While she wasn't as addicted to knowledge as Hermione, she instantly fell on love with that corner. She ignored the pang of loss she felt at the thought of her former best friend and confidante. She knew that they'd probably rekindle a friendship later on but it would never be the same again. She wouldn't ever be able to bring herself to trust her in the same ways as before.
Forcefully pulling her thoughts away from depressing topics, lest she'd be on the business end of Luna's wand again, she turned to the two of them. She noticed Luna 'discretely' putting her wand behind her ear again with an innocent smile. Rolling her eyes, she still couldn't suppress the fond smile that held a tinge of helplessness.
"Thank you for trusting me with this little corner of heaven."
She gave them her best smile and tried to channel the gratitude she felt for this gesture into it. Judging by the fact that they both looked a bit shell-shocked, she probably succeeded at least a bit.
Luna caught herself quicker. She ran up to her, grabbed her hands and pulled them up between them with a brilliant smile on her face.
"I've decided. From now on, it's our job to get you to smile at least once every single day for the rest of our life."
She behaved as if that ridiculous statement was the most normal thing on the world and ignored her protests. Her smile gained an impish quality just then. She had seen that expression several times already and every single time, there was at least some teasing involved. She was quickly growing wary of that particular trait of hers.
"If they are all this breathtakingly gorgeous, you might ruin our dear Winnie for all other women though. So you'll have to take responsibility."
'Winnie?!' She thought incredulously and thus was completely unprepared for Luna's innocent eyes and her angelic smile.
"You will take responsibility, right?"
Pressed for an answer, she gave the one her instincts were screaming at her.
"Uhm... Yes?"
And suddenly the moment was over. She had no idea what just happened but she thought. 'Note to myself, Luna can be scary.' Only to panic slightly. 'Wait, what exactly did I agree to?!'
Her thoughts were interrupted by Winston clearing his throat. He gave Luna a look, accompanied by a long suffering sigh that she answered maturely by showing him her tongue. That wasn't enough for her, so she did what only few could do. She touched her nose with the tip of her tongue, only to quickly retract it and smirking smugly at him.
"Sometimes I wonder just how this much child fits into such a petite body. But let's be honest, it would be utterly boring if you suddenly decided to grow up. But I need to explain the the room to her, so is it possible for you to refrain from being a menace for, I don't know, two minutes or so?"
She pouted but then relented.
"Fine... I'll go play with the Horfplumps. They are more fun than you."
He looked at her disbelievingly.
"They are sessile and don't react to outside stimuli except for radiation in dangerous dosages."
Luna turned and sniffed imperiously and answered with a slight smile in her voice.
"As I said, more fun."
Before she skipped away. The entire interaction was just so ridiculous. She didn't even notice the first disbelieving giggle slip past her lips before she sank into an all-consuming laughing fit. When she finally wrestled back control over herself, she was sitting in one of the armchairs with Winston seated across of her.
He had his arms crossed but his eyes were kind and understanding. 'The more he looks at me like that, the more I want to fall into his arms again.' She mused and shyly smiled at him, feeling lighter than she did in years. She could guess that they tuned up their interactions a bit for her and she was grateful for the lengths they went through to make her feel welcome.
"So..."
He started eloquently before clearing his throat and starting anew. She found the way he behaved with her adorable. This time he closed his eyes for a moment before starting and she sat up straight in reaction to those piercing eyes he set upon her. It was that very same intense focus she found so attractive in him.
"There are some things you'll need to know about this room. The one you see right now is but one pre-saved setting it can take. If your need is intense enough while accessing it, it will create a new instance for you. You need a Potions Lab? It will provide, complete with a stationary cauldron, spell circles for magical infusions and all kinds of tools that you will need during prep time and the brewing process. The only limit is that it can not provide ingredients that weren't put in stasis and stored within the room by another user. It can not create food either and you can't take the tools, or anything it created really, out of the room."
She nodded in understanding. She knew about Gamp's Laws of Transfiguration, having come across them in a research project. Not being able to take out things the room conjured made sense too. He continued, now with a light smile that failed to hide the passion he held for the object of his explanation. She could understand it. This room was marvelous.
"It can't create food. But it has a direct connection to the Hogwarts House-elves and through that channel, they'll send any food you order from the room."
"So this room has a connection to the Hogwarts Ward Heart Stone..."
She mumbled more to herself than Winston. A Ward Heart Stone was the centerpoint of large Warding Schemes, since they usually needed more than one anchor. Those multiple ward stones were then bound into the Heart Stone.
There were some true virtuosos out there who managed to increase the effectiveness of wards by changing the sequence, positions and even the depth of singular Ward Stones before they integrated them into the Scheme. It was a fascinating topic to read about. He nodded approvingly, obviously having heard her comment, which caused her face to flush lightly. It was nice to be acknowledged by him. Something else made her curious, though.
"How do those Faerie Lights work? It's clear that they are intent based, but they seem to be way more intuitive than those rigid warding schemes and enchantments I've seen."
He looked confused for a moment until it cleared up and he explained with a fond smile in Luna's direction. When she followed his gaze, she saw her dutifully cleaning the shells of strange creatures that looked crustacean in nature except for their single eyes on long stalks protruding from the middle of their shells. Those few that had their eye opened showed startlingly human-looking orbs with eyelashes and everything. They were unnerving, especially since they didn't move at all. She was also certain they weren't present before.
"Horfplumps. Named by an ancestor of Luna of course. They are nearly extinct since they only actively move once every 15 years or when hit by lethal levels of radiation. At least it would be lethal for mundane folks. Magicals could survive but they'd have to deal with pretty severe consequences. Luna found them in a spot that would soon be repurposed by the government of Peru and we moved them to safety."
She didn't even know such things existed. While she hadn't known Luna personally before this day, she had heard whispers of a strange but intelligent girl who liked to invent imaginary creatures. It seemed they weren't as imaginary as the sheep believed them to be. He continued and she sensed that he wanted her to understand something.
"As for the lights? Those aren't Faerie Lights. They are living and sometimes breathing Fairies. Mostly elemental ones, though some higher Fae races have a few representatives here too. Nearly all of them are talented in spacial magic, it's somewhat of a trait of the collective Fae race. This means they escape their habitats pretty often, they are free spirited like that. Most commonly, they do it when one of us is around but they are extremely shy. You being here should have kept most of them away to be honest. But they are also excellent judges of character, obviously."
He stated with a slightly teasing smile. To avoid a renewed blush, she concentrated on the hints he was giving her. On what he wanted to tell her. What he wanted her to realise.
"Is this a shelter? For endangered magical species?"
This time, his smile was nearly blinding and his pride for this project was clear as day.
"Lady Hogwarts provides shelter to those in need. This room is the paramount example for that fact. There are over 20 different Habitats permanently active, fueled by the Leylines under the castle. All we did was giving those in need a chance to communicate with the Castle. You see, Hogwarts is alive. Not quite in the same way as you and I, but she is. And she carries the intent of the founders with utmost sincerity up to this day. We offer those in danger of being erased from this world asylum in Hogwarts' name."
He stretched his arms as if to take in all that surrounded them. And for a short moment, she could feel something brush against her, making her gasp in wonder. It wasn't a physical sensation. It was deeper than that, as if something had touched her soul. The sensation was alien but not unpleasant.
His gaze held a measure of curiosity before he smiled again. He was doing that an awful lot today. All around, he seemed to be far more relaxed in this room than she had ever seen him. Outside, he always looked a bit severe even when laughing and his tone as well as his gestures were tightly controlled. There was always a slight tension around his shoulders and he never truly let go of that control. It wasn't something obvious, but when she inwardly compared his behaviour here and outside, She noticed. There was a distinctive contrast and she was honoured that he showed this side of him to her.
"You felt her touch, didn't you? That means you are more in tune with your magic than most. To be conscious of her caress shows that you know your magic well."
Again, he praised her. And again, she felt pride flush through her. She wanted to dislike the fact that someone else had such an influence on her but she couldn't. Not really. She trusted Hermione. Completely. She was the first person to hold her trust to this extend. And she proved to not be worth it.
This made her wish for complete independence, only to realise that she just wasn't built for it. After tasting what it was like to have a friend, a confidante, it was hard, if not impossible, to go back to the isolated existence she lead before. The isolation was getting to her more than it ever did prior to finding friends. She had tasted the forbidden fruit and couldn't go back.
It felt like weakness and she despised it. But with support, she suddenly felt strong. A week of weakness, erased by a hand reached out in friendship. By a promise and deeds to follow it up. Her world regained it's colours and the burden she carried suddenly seemed less. Because she knew that there was someone who would share it out of their own volition. And she couldn't dislike that sensation.
"She can't talk in the usual sense."
He continued, ignorant of her thoughts.
"Her mode of communication is more intuitive than that. She transmits sensations and sometimes emotions. It is a bit challenging to interpret her wishes sometimes but we do our best and she's happy with that. I think."
Of course they regularly communicated with a sentient castle. Who didn't? Her internalised sarcasm caused her lips to quirk just slightly. He returned the gesture and she felt he must have guessed the reason for her mirth.
"Now, while I'm always happy to show off our pride and joy to trusted companions, we came here for a reason."
She felt his magic reach out. Not to her, but in a direction she couldn't follow. It was a sensation she wasn't used to but ever since their meeting the previous day, she was more aware of the magic surrounding her. At first it was a bit disorienting but by now, it felt as if magic was embracing her at all times and she enjoyed that feeling quite a bit. Especially when it was his magic.
"Is there any house-elf in attendance who would wholeheartedly and with utmost loyalty serve Harriet Azalea Potter?"
She just wanted to protest when she heard a loud crack and quick steps as well as hurried breathing.
"Dobby is willing! Dobby will serve! Dobby will do his utmost bestest to do so, sir!"
She blinked when she saw an put of breath house-elf. And it was the only one she knew personally.
"Dobby? What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to be a free elf?"
She asked him. Because that was the impression she got. Once she took a closer look, he seemed a bit thinner and less energetic. Winston noticed his state to and seriously addressed him.
"Dobby, was it? You refused to bond with anyone? Not even with the Castle? You do know that you'll waste away like this, right? Without a bond, you'll have a year or two at most if you are frugal with your consumption."
'What?... Did I, Did I sign his death warrant when I freed him?' Her mind was in disarray. So much so that she nearly missed his answer.
"Dobby cans stretch it to three years. Dobby was hoping to somehow prove his worth to the greatest Azalea Potter. Once Dobby proved his worth he woulds be asking for a bond. Dobby be working in Hoggywarts until a chance arrives."
She didn't know what to think about that. She always sympathised with those fellows since she knew what it was like to be worked to the bone without reprieve. She wanted to help them avoid the fate of being worked to death and by doing so, she condemned one of them to death.
Winston sighed and waved the little fellow over. Dobby looked at her in question and she nodded encouragingly. She didn't know what he wanted to do but she trusted him. That was enough for Dobby, apparently, since he hesitantly came closer.
Winston gently pressed his hand on top of his head and Dobby gasped. A visible Aura of magic appeared around them as Winston let go of his control. At least that was what it looked like in the first moment but the tightly controlled stream spoke another language entirely.
'I want to do something like this too...' She decided. From what Moony told her, she had plenty of power. Otherwise, even if she entirely understood all the underlying principles, she wouldn't have been able to cast a corporal Patronus. What she lacked was control over it, it seemed. Roughly a minute later, the Aura receded and Dobby looked far healthier. His slightly hunched figure stood entirely upright and the grey pallor tone of his skin was replaced by a healthy light brown.
His eyes were slightly sunken in and lightless before. Now he had regained the bulging and lively sheen she had seen from him after she freed him, though there was a disturbing quality of something close to worship within them. It was amusing though, since it wasn't directed at her but Winston this time.
"This much should last you a decade or more. More than enough time to potentially find a good master. Now that you aren't desperate, your decision has more weight. If you still want to bond with Harriet Azalea Potter, plead your case."
He looked at her with a bit of amusement when those worshipful eyes turned to her.
"As expected of Harriet Azalea Potter, the greatest witch of all timses. Even her friends be great and powerful and nice!"
She smiled helplessly. How could she deny him when she learned what it meant for them to be free? Her eyes widened when he threw himself to the ground to plead for her to take him in. She quickly dashed out of her chair, stopping him from finishing the act.
"Dobby."
She started sternly.
"I do not enjoy my friends grovelling in front of me. If you have something to ask of me, do it with a straight back and eye-contact. Let me show you the respect I think you deserve."
Her hands were on his shoulders and he was looking downwards. She was startled when she felt him shiver slightly and even more so by the pittering sound of tears hitting the ground.
"A friend?..."
He breathed reverently, his voice thick with emotion. His back straightened and his gaze bore into her eyes even as they shimmered with tears yet to fall.
"Harriet Azalea Potter would call Dobby a friend?"
He sounded as if he had a hard time grasping the meaning of this statement. She wondered what was going through his head, but she ignored the curiosity and returned his wondering look with a soft one of her own.
"While your methods were a bit extreme, you did try to safe my life while under deathly peril yourself. If you do not deserve being called a friend, I don't know who would. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise."
He took a shuddering breath, visibly steadying himself as the simple truth sank in. The luster in his eyes didn't solely stem from the tears anymore. They were glowing slightly and even though she didn't know what that meant, it did kind of fit him. When he finally asked her what he wanted to the entire time, he did so with determination she hadn't seen from him yet.
"Then... Would Friend Azalea Potter consider taking Dobby as her house-elf? Us elves be needing a bond to replenish our magics. But... That do not be the reason Dobby wants to serve."
His confidence rose as he spoke. Gone was the timid pitiable creature that tugged on her heartstrings. Well, not entirely, but his demeanour well and truly shifted and she was a bit proud that she had a guiding hand in that transformation.
"Dobby be wanting to serve because Harriet Azalea Potter be the most kindest, most consideratest, and most greatest person Dobby be knowing."
She saw Winston cringe from the corner of her eyes, presumably because Dobby's grammar took an impressive nosedive. She smothered the glimmer of amusement because this was a serious matter. Taking another sentient and sapient being into one's 'employ' should never be decided light-heartedly.
"If I take you into my service, it won't be as a slave. I refuse to treat you like that. You will be a friend. Someone I will rely on not because you are duty-bound to me, but because there exists mutual trust. You will be a treasured member of my family and nothing you say could move me from that standpoint."
Once again he seemed awestruck. His mouth was slightly agape and his eyes shined as if he'd soon shed another fresh batch of tears. He controlled himself however.
"It do be the highest honour for any house-elf to be called part of the family. Dobby do not believe to be worthy of it yet."
She wanted interrupt him but the fierce determination on his face stopped her.
"Dobby be proving himself worthy. Dobby be accepting those conditions."
He waited expectantly and Harriet was stumped. She didn't know what to do now and looked to Winston for help. He had an indulgent smile on his lips as he had his chin propped up on his fist. She pouted at him and it was surprisingly effective. Sighing to himself, he rose and told her to stand besides him.
"Let me guide you in magic."
It sounded like a statement but he was clearly asking for permission. What he would show her probably wasn't entirely legal so he gave her an out without implicating anyone. He didn't press her to do it and she pondered for a moment before agreeing with a minuscule nod.
He smiled softly, causing butterflies to invade her stomach, and took her hand gently, leading her to a shelf filled with books about rituals of old.
"Ironically, binding a house-elf to oneself is done by performing a small ritual, even though ritualistic magic is outlawed by the ministry."
The smile he showed her was mocking and she understood why. The ministry tended to outlaw things they didn't understand or that wasn't entirely under their control. Except for those cases, where enough Purebloods found it to be profitable to keep the practice legal. He continued more seriously.
"The usual ritual is one of binding a slave to one's master. This is not the one we will be using. Instead, we will bind him to you in a Symbiotic Pact. It's an old rite that was used by the Fae Folk. It's powerful and intent-based as well as very flexible but it never works as a detriment to either of those bound. There might even be some unexpected benefits. The only questionable thing is that the pact is permanent."
He pulled out a book on Fae Rites and their influence on those not of the Folk. The noise of bottomless excitement that was drawn from Dobby when he heard that information was absolutely adorable in a slightly disturbing way. He looked as if he wanted to beg her to go through with it but didn't dare to do so. He was truly precious. It helped her determination to see this through.
"Let's do it then."
The suppressed sound of jubilation drew a smile from her. After around half an hour, she had internalised the chant and the faeries were helpful enough to provide an impromptu Fairy Ring. Luna, who joined in the middle of the preparations, was a major help with memorising the predominantly gaelic chant and Dobby was vibrating from excitement the entire time.
With all the preparations made, it was time to perform an illegal ritual and use it to bind a symbiotic species to her life and magic. She blinked at the thought. That sounded nearly as crazy as her usual escapades. But this time, she had a choice and that made all the difference.
"Remember, the bond's strength will be dependent on how much each of you is truly willing to give. Magic will judge your intent and adjust the bond accordingly."
Winston reminded them again. She understood why he repeated the warning multiple times. Rituals always had the potential to react in unexpected ways. Minutes later, she was sitting in the Fairy Ring, clad in a white, magic-neutral dress and without any magically reactive accessories. This included her wand, which was safely tucked behind Luna's left ear. Her own mirrored hers on the other side.
To start the ritual, Dobby and her had to synchronise their chanting and to finish it, they had to flawlessly repeat the entire chant seven times, no matter what happened. He easily matched her speed, surprisingly not botching any grammar at all. The first three times were easily finished and attracted a fair few fairies who danced around the ring as if they were performing an especially lively theatre performance. With the fourth round, however, a pressure started to build behind her forehead.
She thought nothing of it but the pain grew and the fairies dance seemed to increase in speed with frantic energy. It felt as if something was fighting in her head and she felt a malevolent touch on her magic that she instinctively rejected, causing the pain to intensify.
The fifth chant was starting to wear her down, but suddenly, three strangely regal figures appeared in glittering lights. They took key positions around the Ring and started their own chant in a to her unknown language. It sounded ancient and powerful. Their appearance gave her a second wind as the malevolent force seemed to shrink back when they appeared and the fifth and sixth chant were soon finished without a hitch.
The seventh was harder than all the others before. The pain was bad enough to cause severe problems with her concentration and the malevolent influence tried to wrestle her for control of her magic. She fought back fiercely while never interrupting the chant. They only stayed in rhythm because Dobby was absolutely brilliant in matching hers.
'As much as he wants to take. Though it would be nice if he used proper grammar.' She offered up a free amount of her magic towards Dobby and added an after-thought to end the ritual and hopefully the pain. She trusted the little house elf to take only what he would need. At this point she was barely coherent and even though the ritual should have ended, the regal fairies were still chanting aggressively.
When the pain intensified once more, she nearly failed in suppressing the sob that wanted to rip itself from her throat. Only the second presence that suddenly appeared besides her helped her to keep fighting back. 'I can't handle this...' she thought before familiar magic poured into her after she instinctively granted access. 'Winston...' she thought as her consciousness was suddenly pulled along. For the first time, she could see what she was fighting.
It was a grotesque abomination that probably was human once. The glowing red eyes, noseless, cold visage matched well with the cruel grin and the haunting laughter that followed. There was only darkness in their vicinity and it did nothing to alleviate the terror she was experiencing in that moment. Because she knew that laughter. She heard that voice every time she had a nightmare along her mother's who was begging him to spare her daughter.
"Voldemort..."
She whispered, nearly overwhelmed by dread. Why was he here? Was he in her mind?
"You dare to utter my name? Even my followers only reverently called me their Dark Lord. Let me show you what happens to the brave, the foolish, the weak!"
Dark tendrils shot into her direction faster than she could have reacted as he smiled in sadistic glee. She wasn't alone however. A golden glow illuminated the surroundings and repelled the darkness. Winston materialised besides her and smiled reassuringly before turning to the monster in front of them.
"You have no power here, Tom."
So he knew who Voldemort really was. It didn't really surprise her. Finding out shouldn't have been too hard. While the abomination continued to badger the shield in front of them furiously in response to his earlier words, Winston turned to her.
"This is your soul, Harriet. He has no right to it. Your mother sacrificed her life to protect you from the darkness he wields. Your father fought bitterly to offer her the time needed to set up the Dark Tosser's defeat. Show them that it wasn't in vain! Prove to them and yourself that you are stronger than a mere fragment of a megalomaniac!"
A surge of courage went through her at his words. He was right. How dare this shadow of a dark lord piss on their sacrifice! She looked at the malicious ghost of the past, the person who robbed her of her loving parents. Who singlehandedly made her childhood a never-ending nightmare. And suddenly, she knew what she had to do.
Grabbing Winston's hand to draw strength from, she was glad that the manifestation of her soul apparently lacked the ability to blush. She ignored his somewhat surprised gaze and turned her attention onwards. There it was. The formidable heat from the night she ended Quirrelmort. The protection her mother left for her.
She didn't use it. It was a finite resource and one of the last things her mother left with her. Like hell was she going to sacrifice their bittersweet connection to that bastard. Instead, she carefully guided her magic through it, allowing the sacrificial magic to influence it.
Her 'eyes' opened and she saw both, Winston's and her hand glowing. It seemed she accidentally pulled a bit of him along. He nodded encouragingly and she smiled confidently. This was her soul. Her Magic. Parasites were not welcome here. She let go of her control and let the magic spread out. At first, Tom was ecstatic and tried again to wrestle for control. He yelped and flinched backwards when the tendrils he tried to bind it with burned to nothing in seconds.
His expression grew frantic when her Magic started to reach for him. His desperate back paddling would have been hilarious if he didn't use her soul to do it. With an effort of will and a light pull on Winston's reserves, she flooded everything with Magic. The shadow that was Voldemort screamed in fury and terror as flecks of golden light invaded him.
Soon he was ripped apart savagely under her vengeful eyes. After a careful sweep to make sure nothing of him was left, she turned to the rather silent Winston and found him with closed eyes, furrowed brows and pale face. Before she could worry, his eyes opened and he gifted her a strained smile.
"Let's end your first lesson in Soul Magic for today, alright?"
She nodded mutely and they rapidly zoomed backwards, snapping back to their respective bodies. 'What the fuck just happened... Can't I have a normal week for once?' She thought as she opened her eyes only to glance into worried orbs too big to belong to a human.
"Mistress Azalea is awake! Dobby thought he was responsible for Great Mistress' state but it turned out it was the nasty fairies!"
He glared at the three figures who had appeared in the middle of the ritual but she was too tired to answer. Her hand was grabbed gently and she looked over to see Winston watch over her with a gentle smile.
"Don't worry for now. We'll talk when you wake. Just let go for now."
And she did just that, thinking that surrendering to sleep while being held by Winston was definitely something she wanted to repeat.