I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. So, I am mixing both movie and book but I'm mainly following the movie. Though I will try to make a good blend between the two. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! Side note, I think Neville's eyes are goldish. I can't fully remember. Also can't find where it says his eye color specifically. If you know what it is based off book, just let me know. I'd appreciate it. Or I'll stick with golden hazel, so it'll be a mix between the movie and books. Another serious thank you to everyone who reviewed and favorited. It means a lot. I really appreciate them. Also, it warms my heart to know that you're having as much fun as me. Also, thank you all for the well wishes. You all already known I'll be tweaking the chapter as I reread it over and over again. It's like the moment I think all spelling and grammar errors are gone, five more pop up. Lastly, yes, I'm trying a new way to break up the scenes. If you like it let me know. I might go without the hashtags because some people told me when they're having it read out loud, that repeats for obnoxiously long. I finally did something about it. Sorry it took so long. If it's any better, let me know. I tried to put it in the middle of the screen, but apparently that's not allowed. Thank you. Enjoy.
Chapter 10: I Wanna Watch the World Burn. (Part 1)
Riddle sat in his memory growing more and more impatient. How long had he been talking to the girl? Yet, he was still unable to even start draining her life.
It was as if he couldn't tie to her.
'Because she is filthy and below me' he eased himself. 'She is unworthy' he went on. "But she has a purpose" was said out loud.
He watched boredly as the memories played out before him. Albus was asking air if it knew anything about the chamber of secrets. Though Tom wasn't standing there, he spoke as if he was.
Riddle was the only one able to break his cycle. He was the only memory with a mind of his own.
He was the only conscious being here.
It was driving him crazy! It was as if his deepest fears had come true. He was dead stuck in his own purgatory. Just a step away from Hell. His mind spinning and spinning with no outlet every day. Then again, he didn't know how many days passed. How old would he be now? Did the world know of him?
'Obviously' he remembered what the little half-blood had written. "Lord Voldemort was known" he smirked.
Then another thought hit him. 'Harry Potter, the boy who defeated Voldemort. The Boy Who Lived' he remembered Kritanta speaking of the boy.
"As if he's some celebrity" he sneered jumping up from his lavash position on a blush chair in front of the Slytherin common room's fireplace.
Though he often found himself here staring into the fire, he felt no warmth.
"How though" he raged on. "How could I be defeated by a mere child!" The handsome youth stood and began pacing the floor. The world void of color. Though, in many ways that was simply how Riddle had always seen things.
"I am the most powerful wizard in all of Britain. In the world!" he shouted at nothing.
Of course, Tom Marvolo Riddle was ignoring the fact that at this time he was nothing more than a memory.
A soul split in half and left behind should he fail.
And he had obviously failed.
Suddenly, the book on the table shot open.
The girl was writing him! The chit that was meant to be his vessel finally came back.
Tom quickly ran back and all but slid on his knees as he eagerly awaited the message. Each message was meant to drain just a little more of the writer's life and gift it to Tom.
'I will rise again' he thought with unbridled excitement.
'Hello Tommy' came the flowing cursive.
If Riddle had been as observant as he claimed, then he would have picked up on the different writing styles that one girl seemed to possess.
'Have you missed me? I've missed you. It's been awfully busy here lately' the girl babbled on.
Still, all of this was essential to tying their souls together.
'Let her brattle' Riddle consoled himself. 'This is the last year of the little mudblood's life'.
'It's been so lonely. I wish you were here' was written.
'I wish I was with you too' Riddle wrote back. 'But the only thing I'm able to do is…' he trailed off.
'What Tommy?' came the infuriating nickname. 'Do you know a way we could actually meet!?' the excitement was practically oozing off the page. Riddle's eyes went up in their sockets for a moment as the strong feeling rushed through him.
It energized him.
With a shaky breath, he opened his eyes. Those dark, charming orbs briefly took on a red hue.
"Who would have thought that it would be a mudblood to raise Lord Voldemort once more" he thought with no small amount of ironic humor.
'I would do anything to meet my only friend' came the childish wish.
Tom grinned. It wasn't pleasant. It was predatorial.
'We can't meet, per say' he lied. 'At least not until I'm stronger' he offered. 'But I can show you'.
He wanted her to ask about the basilisk. He needed to possess her and open the chamber.
'The purification shall begin' he thought with sick glee.
'Show me what?' Kritanta questioned unsurely. Tom smiled, that was the curiosity he needed.
Now, he hit her with the hook. 'The truth' he wrote before using his energy to suck the girl into his diary.
Into his world.
He got in position. He knew once she was here, given his energy level, he'd end up acting out the memory he placed into the book. That was fine. Once he stole some of her life then he could twist and manipulate all he'd like.
He could show himself to her then. He could be her friend.
However, Tom found he was having a bit of trouble pulling the girl in. It was as if she was resisting in a way.
Suddenly, the pull was thrown back at him along with a young girl.
Tom only got a glimpse of her before forced into his spot. 'Big green soulful eyes. Soon to be empty and drained of life'.
Once in his position, Tom began to play out a scene he had orchestrated long ago.
####SCENE BREAK####
"She'll be alright" Ron put in confidence. "Right?" some nerves seeped through as he looked around the group for reassurance.
Harry patted his shoulder with a half-smile. "Course she will Ron. Can you imagine Vivian letting anyone push her over?" was posed. Ron smiled nodding his head. He knew his wife. She was a crazy little pixie storm when she wanted to be.
"Vivian would rip him a new one" Neville said knowingly as he briefly looked up from a herbology book.
Harry went to distract Ron by letting his snitch buzz around them only to be caught again.
Luna and Hermione were also reading, though Hermione had stopped at Ron's next question.
"Why couldn't I go again" Ron questioned.
He just didn't like his wife out of his sight. He was low key terrified that something would happen to her. She had already been through enough. He just wanted to protect the person he loved more than life itself.
"Honestly Ronald" Hermione good-naturedly rolled her eyes. "Riddle was expecting a girl. Remember" she pointed out.
"Well" Luna looked down at her semi flat chest. "Riddle's at least right about that" she smiled back up at them.
That made Harry snort before looking innocent at his wife's quick look.
"Yeah" Ron bit his thumbnail.
It said a lot that that was his only available retort.
Sky blue eyes were once more glued to the dark, worn-out diary.
"How about this" Harry went to cheer up his best mate. Ron shot him a curious, but brief look. "Once Vivian's back, we'll snag the diadem and destroy it. Perhaps we'll even go down to the chamber" he promised. "We can take control of the basilisk then".
Ron began nodding as a lop smile settled over his expression.
"Sirius said he'd write today about what was going on with the goblins" Hermione informed them. She remembered her pleasant meeting. It was a good thing that King Rashnok and their advisor Warwick were men of their word.
The hunt for Griphook was on. And very public.
Hermione would be surprised if Griphook was able to get anything around the magical world. Goblins took such a crime very seriously.
With this being out, no city or continent was safe for Griphook now.
He'd be lucky if he could get a loaf of bread!
If the goblins took too long in sniffing the traitor out, then Hermione would go herself.
'No one hurts my family and gets away with it' she thought calming herself with her copy of Hogwarts; A History.
And the knowledge that the traitorous little shit would be dead and rotting soon enough. That calmed her drastically.
"Not to mention Remus wrote that Amelia contacted him and Rectus again" Neville added with some amusement over Sirius' aliases. It did give him pause of the magical world.
'So easily do they just accept what they see. Hardly ever skimming the surface' he turned a page.
"Could Neville and I get the diadem Harry" Luna asked in that bell like voice. "I wanted to check for doxy and augurey eggs" she explained with powder blue eyes trained on different cracks in the Room of Requirement's walls.
She knew Ron and the others would simply stay in this section while she'd open another.
It had taken some time, but the group had learned of the room's ability to produce multiple rooms at once. They had almost kicked themselves when learning that.
And their annoyance wasn't just over opportunities lost.
It was also because the room was built on desire. So, they should have known desiring a different room when one was already in use was a definite possibility.
Luna had found it quite funny.
"Of course" Harry easily agreed once more catching the snitch. The room listened to his want and soon a chess board was there.
Ron nodded his thanks at the distraction.
Neville had already been up and ready the moment Luna said his name.
There was no way he was passing up an opportunity to spend time with her. Not in a million years.
'This is my chance maybe' he thought as he happily followed her out of the room.
The look she sent back on him had a suspicious mischevious glint to it.
It was quiet for a while. Despite their diversions, green, blue, and brown eyes were constantly shot at the black book.
They couldn't say how long Vivian would be in there. Harry thought his travel into the diary had been fairly short. However, due to the magic in place, time was a hard thing to properly gage.
When Harry's eyes drifted to the black diary for the hundredth time, another thing caught his attention.
"Uh, I think Vivian is either really pissed or having too good of a time" he caught the other two's attention.
"Why do you say that" Hermione asked as Ron's eyes zeroed in on the diary. His brows went to his ginger hairline.
"Because the pages are smoking" Ron pointed out matter-of-factly.
Harry, of course, was his usual snarky, sassy self. "Well, that's not something you see every day".
####SCENE BREAK####
Vivian was having a great time. There were people she couldn't believe around, and everything was in black and white. Well, sort of black and white. It was almost like an old photo that was just slightly off colored.
She wasn't sure why the colors were so dulled and out of tune.
It was a memory, not a television program.
But she figured that probably reflected how Tom Riddle viewed the rest of the world. Bland and boring compared to the greatness he thought shined out of him. 'Out of his arse' she mentally scoffed looking around while following Riddle down the stairs.
'Is that McGonagall' she caught a glance at a very pretty, but familiarly stern looking girl. She turned the corner before Vivian could be sure.
Trying to hide her boredom, the pretty twelve-year-old followed the admittedly attractive Riddle.
'Fool' she thought looking at the taller figure. 'Don't you know that looks can get your further? If people love you first. If they trust how you look, then you can do anything. Even if they fear you, they could still fall for you. Even before they feel the might of your power. Looks mean everything' she thought.
Riddle looked up at a slightly younger Dumbledore.
"Professor" Riddle asked with hesitance.
Albus was directing the wizards with the stretcher holding Myrtle's body.
Vivian thought that was sad.
What was worse was she knew the memory she was in was powered by that poor girl's death. She wasn't paying too much attention to what was being said as she knew the truth. Harry had filled her in on what Riddle tried to tell him.
Green eyes took in how Albus seemed suspicious of the overly innocent and worried Riddle. The evil youth then led Vivian towards a different room.
The room where Harry said Riddle framed Hagrid. Hagrid, though much of his face was in shadow, was very young. Not to mention shorter than she imagined.
'Bastard' she thought glaring at the back of the Riddle's head. If there was one person who didn't deserve such a thing, it was Hagrid. He was so genuinely sweet and good. The biggest heart to match the rest of him.
He was also so easily led. In a way, he was childlike. So trusting, so innocent.
When everyone said Sirius was a murderer, he believed. When Harry said Sirius was innocent, he believed.
'He needs someone with his best interests to help him down the right path' she thought of the loveable half giant. He had been so kind to Vivian, not changing when he learned of her sickness after Snape outed her. He still treated her like a regular, real person.
'Even if he wasn't a half giant, Hagrid would still be just as pure of heart'.
"He wouldn't!" Hagrid promised.
"I'll have to tell the headmaster Hagrid" Riddle doomed him. "You'll be expelled".
When he hung his head in shame and sorrow, Vivian felt a stab to the heart.
Hagrid's defeated heartbroken expression was too much for Vivian.
Anger, pure unadulterated rage fueled her. Her rage was palpable.
Then it was visual.
The chest near her caught on fire.
It was instantaneous and big.
What caught Vivian's attention was Riddle's reaction. It didn't surprise her when Hagrid didn't react. He was just a sad memory stuck in a loop. All of which was none of his doing.
Riddle, however, jumped at the sudden act of combustion as if it startled him to the point of skipping back a few steps. Vivian raised a sculpted dark brow at that.
'Is he conscious right now?' she wondered as the fire spread.
"Aquamenti" Riddle shot the water out. It took a moment to douse the impressive fire, but eventually he gained control.
He turned back and looked at who he believed was Kritanta.
"Tommy?" she asked playing the fool.
"Kritanta" he covered his shock. A charming, shy grin overtook his expression. He looked up as if afraid. "Oh no" he looked back at her worriedly.
With that, Vivian was pushed back out of the book.
Vivian gasped as once more she was in the ROR. The chair she had shot back into rocked before Ron steadied her. As usual, her husband began mother-henning his wife to make sure she was ok.
"So?" was all Harry asked.
"What a dick" was the reply earning a relieved laugh from Ron.
Harry was laughing so hard that Hermione had to stop him from falling onto the ground.
"Eloquently put, as always" Hermione huffed at an obviously pleased with herself Vivian.
####SCENE BREAK####
Luna and Neville were finding all kinds of weird objects in another level of the Room of Requirement.
The room of lost and hidden things.
It was more packed than either remembered.
There were definitely some suspicious eggs, but Neville didn't think it was anything Luna had been looking for. Though her eyes lit up with glee none the less.
Neville concentrated on letting his magic roll off like a calming, yet suffocating wave.
He was trying to come across strong yet conflicting magical signatures.
Neville ran into a curious few. Yet, there was a specific pulse he was looking for. A pulse he recognized. Neville walked around, eyeing the vanishing cabinet that Luna was happily looking over.
Amongst a bunch of out of place mannequins laid a head shaped hat holder.
On top was a very lovely diadem.
"Found you" Neville quietly stated, an easy half grin was on his face. Suddenly Luna was by his side with a dragon skinned handkerchief in hand. "Thanks Love" he said unthinkingly.
Luna's eyes snapped to the side of his face, but Neville was too busy concentrating to notice.
A small almost hesitant smile touched her lips. That soon eased into much easier grin as the endearment settled within her. "Make sure not to touch it" she reminded placing a hand on his upper back. "I'd hate to think what this crown could do" she sighed. "Such a waste of a beautiful piece of knowledge" she voiced her disappointment.
Now it was Neville's turn to look at her. However, he was much more obvious as he stared at the tiny blonde with jaw dropped. "Yeah, beautiful" was all he was able to get out.
Luna's smile grew a little until she pointed out "Neville" she said.
"Yes" he asked full attention on her.
"You're about to drop the diadem" she pointed out.
Neville's balance gave way. Now he was playing hot potato trying to catch the horcrux without letting it touch his skin.
He jumped around a bit before tripping over his own feet. As he landed, Luna went to pull out her wand to capture the tiara.
Neville beat her to it when the diadem landed perfectly in his now steadied, covered hands. He looked up sheepishly.
"I caught it" he mumbled.
Luna couldn't help the adorable giggle that left her as she smiled kindly down at Neville.
Soon enough, the two were soon laughing together.
####SCENE BREAK####
Sirius was pacing.
Remus was watching Sirius pace.
That had kept the two preoccupied for a half hour. "Pads" Remus sighed, "Why don't you sit down?" he suggested yet again.
"How can I sit down" Sirius almost exclaimed. "Do you know who we're meeting?" he asked as his pacing picked up pace.
"I was there when it was decided" Remus teasingly reminded.
Sirius' stride didn't break. "I mean, why did we agree to meet her here" the nerve wrecked man continued.
"Would you have preferred Potter Manor?" Remus asked idly flipping through his book.
Sirius spun around with such a dramatic gasp that Remus had to wonder at his impressive lung capacity. "Of course not" Sirius countered. "No one is going near the Manor" he put in as if that was up for debate.
Remus finally put the book down and took a long sip of tea.
Sirius looked at him expectedly.
"That's why the Dursleys' house was the perfect place. They'll see just how harmless you are around muggles. Even the worst kind of muggles" Remus teased. "Unless you were hoping for your mother's house" he asked brows raised.
"You're an arse" was Sirius' childish retort.
Remus only tipped the teacup towards his best mate.
Before either could comment, a knock on the door caught their attention. The room's atmosphere turned drastically chill as the occupants felt their actual emotions threaten to overcome them.
They were scared.
An undisguised Sirius would be meeting Amelia Bones and two aurors. Remus was acting on his behalf to make sure the questioning didn't run into dangerous territory.
The nerves were so high as the usually fun-loving men felt the chill of uncertainty inside of them.
It was so cold Sirius was afraid Amelia had brought dementors. What if this was a set up to have him receive the dementors kiss?
In fact, Sirius realized that he was terrified.
Remus sent him a supportive look and went to greet the newcomers. Greet, and cast an unnoticeable spell that disabled any portkeys or the like. It wouldn't do for this to turn into an ambush.
Then he'd have to pull a Harry and break Sirius out of the Azkaban. 'Best to avoid that all together' the tall man thought.
Opening the door, he sent a subdued smile to the three he saw. Though, the last visitor made him do a double take.
And it wasn't just because of her pink hair.
Remus had seen a good few many of beautiful people.
However, there was something else about the young woman with the short pink hair. Those bright eyes held a mischievous spark. Remus cleared his throat hoping that the young woman had not seen him staring.
"Madam Bones" he greeted. He then greeted a man he already knew, "Kingsley" he greeted Shacklebolt.
The kind, strong African man nodded to him. Silent power shined behind those dark eyes. "Remus" his deep voice timbered.
"Mr. Lupin" Amelia began. She cut right to the case, "We are ready to interview Lord Black. As requested, we have kept this to myself and my best aurors" she explained. "Moody is at my office now making sure no one tampers with anything" she explained.
"Harry was right?" Remus referred to his nephew's suggestion of someone getting in and either planting listening charms or worse in her office.
"It would appear so" was all she said.
"Then I hope you won't mind if I preform a sweep" Remus asked with polite professionalism.
The pink haired auror looked stumped. "You think someone had a chance to tag us?" she asked looking at him. At the reddening of his cheeks, she couldn't help but smile sassily.
"One can never be too careful" Remus responded.
It was really an excuse to add on his own charms.
Once done, he waved them inside. "By the way" Amelia did the introductions. "This is Auror Nymphadora-" she was cut off by a panicked voice.
"Just Tonks" Tonks all but yelled before blushing. Her hair took on a redder hue. She was a metamorphmagus. She smiled up at Remus, standing reasonably close.
"Your Ted and Andromeda's girl" Remus realized. "And Sirius' cousin" he went to lead them to the front room when Tonks spoke, keeping stride with him.
"Yes, though I'm not a girl" she winked.
Remus paused and couldn't help but scan her body for a moment. Then he shrugged, 'Still bloody fit' he couldn't help but think. It didn't really matter what was in her pants. Remus had never limited himself in appreciating beauty. Even if he kept a distance from everyone.
At his expression, she realized her flirting hadn't hit the mark. "I mean, I'm a woman" she rushed to add. "I mean I can be a man, but usually I'm a woman" she kept babbling trying to explain. Before she got too tongue tied, her feet tripped her up. Literally.
Tonks tripped over an unnoticeable bump in the rug. This sent her flying.
However, she didn't land on the floor in an unceremonious heap. Instead, someone wrapped a strong arm around her, breaking the fall.
Tonks looked up wide eyed.
Remus had saved her.
"Are you alright?" he asked though it took her a moment to answer.
Now, Tonks had thought the man who answered the door was beyond cute. The whole shy bookish swat persona he gave off really appealed to her, adding to his good looks. However, now she was up close and personal as he held her in his strong arms. Those green eyes drew her now bright brown ones in.
'He's not just cute' she realized, 'He's bloody gorgeous'. "Cor" she accidentally said out loud.
"Uh Tonks, was it?" Remus asked and her long lashes fluttered. Remus set her up right, ignoring how nice it was to have her in his arms. Remus shook his head, a bit surprised. He had long ago written off relationships.
They were just too dangerous, too heartbreaking for someone like him.
'Vivian's happy' came the unwanted thought. 'Vivian and Ron are young. She's found someone her own age who loves her despite her being-'. He stopped himself. This kind of thinking would only hurt him, he was sure.
There was a giggle, not a laugh, but an almost childish giggle and he turned seeing Sirius having caught everything. He was giggling to himself like a child.
Remus shot him a look as Tonks' face took on color. Full magenta. Remus looked at her surprised but didn't say anything.
"I'm-" she went to say with Remus ending up speaking with her.
"A Metamorphmagus" they finished together.
Tonks smiled as Remus looked down shyly.
"It's a family trait" Sirius brought all of the attention to him. "Why don't we proceed" he asked as Amelia and Kingsley walked to him. "Tell Andy I send my love" Sirius winked at Tonks.
Remus shot him another flat look and led Tonks as they joined the others.
"Now for the fun part" Sirius tried to joke, but the damage of Azkaban shown in his eyes. It was clear for all to see and saddened the law enforcement present.
If it was true and Sirius was innocent… Well, that meant it was partially their fault that that haunted look overshadowed the obvious good in those silver eyes.
####SCENE BREAK####
"You set him on fire" Hermione kept repeating.
"No" Vivian sighed. "I set a chest on fire. He put the fire out" she waved off. "It was a little thing anyway".
Harry was laughing his ass off, so Hermione found no help there. Ron smiled at his wife with extreme pride.
"How did you set the fire? You were in a memory" Hermione tried to work it out. Then another thought hit her. "Wait, he was conscious and put the fire out?"
"Yes" Vivian dragged the word out. "That's what I've been trying to tell you. It was like he was living out the memory just as Harry described. Then, all of a sudden, he was alive" she waved her hands.
"Alive" Ron looked between her and Hermione. "Like the same kind of conscious as when he writes to us?" he pointed out.
Finally, having caught his breath, Harry spoke up. "I supposed that makes sense" he commented. "When he writes us, he understands that time passes. When he was out of the diary, he seemed conscious. That wasn't just a memory. He's his own soul piece" he worked out.
Hermione's eyes widened as Ron and Vivian shared a look.
"Does that mean he could talk to Vivian if she asked to see him again?" Ron was worried. "Or try to hurt her" he revealed the cause for his concern.
Vivian took his hand, holding it between hers warming him up.
"I can take him" she tried to ease. She knew Ron was silently growing frustrated with their bodies. They had to wake up very earlier and stay up very late in order to train their bodies and cores. It was a long process, but all of them knew it would be worth it.
Ron wasn't known for patience though. She smiled, getting him to relax just a little.
While they could do things beyond some wizard's wildest dreams, in the back of their heads they knew they weren't at their full power yet.
That worried him. What if something happened and one of them got hurt? What if one of the people they came back to save got hurt? Or worse.
War had left scars on all of them. Ron included.
"If anything, I'll set him on fire" she teased getting a small chuckle in reward.
Harry waited before speaking. "I think he could speak to her. For the rest, I don't know" he admitted. "I think it all depends on his power level. How much he thinks he's drained of us" he offered.
"He hasn't drained anything though" Ron pointed out. "We decided he wasn't going to drain anyone. It was too risky" he reminded.
"Too bad" Hermione put in. "I think Lestrange would have loved a diary" she joked. Ron shoved her shoulder as Vivian snorted. Harry shook his head.
Knowing Bellatrix, she would have let the young Dark Lord drain her. She was that loyal. And obsessed.
"Once Dumbledore is called in to be party to Sirius' public apology, then we'll go downstairs. That way we can figure out if we're gaining a new pet" Harry told them. "And then we can get rid of this Riddle for good" he told them.
"Though perhaps Vivian should go in again" Hermione suggested. "We could possibly obtain information we didn't have last time" she explained her thinking. "At least get some real insight into his way of thinking".
Ron pointed out the problem, "But he won't have knowledge of anything past his time".
"No, but something in his past might help us with dispelling curses around the last horcruxs" Hermione countered.
"I don't fancy being hit with the same curses Albus was" Vivian agreed. "Even if we just blow it all away" she knew what her husband was thinking. "I'd still like to have some idea. That way we don't accidentally trip anything or worse. That way even when we use force to all but demolish the site, we won't get possible backlash".
"Or hurt any unknown innocents" Hermione added.
"If you're alright with it, then I don't see the harm in seeing him again" Harry shrugged. "Then, we'll destroy it" he decided.
"Write about me" Ron suddenly said.
"What?" Vivian asked confused.
"I want to test a theory" he told her. "Write about me. Tell him that I'm a pureblood bullying you and that I almost found out your secret" he explained. "Then, I want to see if he thinks he's controlling you enough to make you bring the diary to me" he told her.
"You think he'd prefer killing off a pureblood?" Hermione asked.
"He tried to with Ginny" was all Ron answered.
"I'll write about you and ask if he knows what the monster was. I'll say you mentioned it" Vivian said. "That should give him enough wiggle room to try using allure".
"Then we'll see if there's any other hidden rooms or objects that we might have missed last time" Harry told them. "Things that could be used to further our work".
"I wish we could go today" Hermione hated being denied answers.
Ron shook his head, leaning back slightly. "We need to make sure Dumbledore is out of the castle. You've seen how he's been looking at Harry" he gestured. "Any day now and he'll be calling him up for one of his 'you can tell me anything' chats" he swore.
"With him distracted, we can move about with less eyes on us" Vivian agreed. "It's already risky using as many powers as we have".
"Luna will have to distract Snape with Neville" Hermione knew.
"Soon" Harry promised Hermione. "Anyway, we have another date outside of the castle for tonight" he reminded.
"You know" Hermione huffed, "These Death Eaters are really getting in the way of my reading time. I still have schoolwork to boot!".
The others chuckled. "Apologies. Next time we'll try to kill them quickly so you can get back to your books Mione" Harry made them laugh.
####SCENE BREAK####
Severus Snape felt like he was losing his mind.
Everywhere he turned, there was the Lovegood chit! It didn't matter where he went or what time it was. Luna Lovegood was but a few paces away from him.
It was driving Severus mad!
Any time he looked at her, glared and sneered, that damn knowing smile reappeared. No matter what he threatened, she just smiled. To make it worse, where she was, he often found Longbottom not far behind.
Now the Longbottom brat wasn't even reacting to Severus' anger. At least, not in the way Severus expected.
'I've cracked. These dunderheads have cracked me' he thought. That was the only explanation he could fathom.
Why else would he be seeing the spacy first year everywhere? Severus had even thought of owling her father, but then he remembered the man from school.
'Probably where she gets all these barmy ideas from' he thought annoyed.
He was taking stock of his potions' cupboard. Albus had requested him, but Severus was putting that off for a little.
Severus was sure that the old man wanted to talk about Potter. Not something Severus counted as one of his favorite subjects.
Albus was sure something was happening with Potter. 'Isn't there always' had been Severus' tired response. Severus was sure any day he'd be sent out to do some spy work surrounding the last Potter.
"Bloody hell" Severus grumbled. He had lost count.
"154" a tinkering voice spoke up from behind him. He jumped almost dropping the jar of squid tentacles.
He spun around seeing Lovegood behind him leaning against the doorway.
That same spacy look in her big, bright eyes.
'How the hell did I not hear her' the master spy internally sputtered.
"Lovegood, what are you doing" he demanded standing his full intimidating height.
Luna only sent him an easy smile. "Watching you" came the answer.
Severus found himself taking a half step back. It wasn't because he was afraid. 'Of course, I'm not afraid of a child' he told himself. It was just that something about her tone hit him in a very wrong manner. Something about this girl was proving past annoying. Instead, she was almost eerie.
"Watching me" he repeated slowly. "And pray tell Lovegood" Severus looked deep into that powder blue gaze. "Why are you watching me" he poised.
Luna smiled widely. "That's a secret. For now" she tilted her head.
Severus narrowed his eyes. In the next instant, he attempted to enter Luna's mind. Big mistake. Severus reared back as the mother of all headaches filled him. It was so bad that Severus suddenly found his knees crashing painfully onto the cold stone floor. His spindly hands flew up towards his face as a steady stream of blood rushed out of the left nostril of his large, hooked nose.
"What's the matter professor?" Luna asked. The words were innocent enough, but the tone was wrong.
It was darker.
However, he couldn't look up in hopes of getting a glimpse of her expression. His eyes were squeezed shut in pain.
"Oh" Luna sighed as if disappointed. "I see you've chosen the difficult road" her voice floated away as she walked out.
"Good" was the last thing he heard before passing out from the sheer intensity in his head.
Luna smiled, skipping away from the now hidden professor. She closed the door so he wouldn't be disturbed. As she went to make her way back towards Neville and the others for lunch, something ended up tripping Luna.
More accurately, someone ended up tripping Luna.
There were childish giggles as a group of Ravenclaw girls ran off towards the Great Hall.
Luna slowly rose as she watched their retreating backs. A smile no longer rested on her face. A dark, malicious shadow fell over Luna's usually serine expression.
It was such a drastic change that when one of the girls, Marietta Edgecombe, looked back with a smirk, it tripped her up. In fact, Luna's look surprised her so much that the pretty older Ravenclaw tripped over her own feet sending her against two of her friends.
Those two then fell taking the last member of their little group with them.
The four landed in a painful heap.
Later, Cho Chang would tell them it was simply karma for playing such a foul trick on the poor little first year.
Luna's eyes cut towards the sprawled-out girls before making her way towards the others. Her expression was once more dazed, as if seeing something that others couldn't, and happy.
'With all the snorkacks that need to be caught and trained' Luna playfully thought. 'It'll be a miracle if I can get any other work done. Not to mention school'.
"Everything alright?" Neville asked pouring her pumpkin juice as she sat.
Luna shot another look to the girls who were finally righting themselves. "Perfect" she smiled back at him.
The others shot looks at the girls too. Neville and Vivian's lasted just a beat longer than the others. He glared as Vivian shot a none-too friendly smile at the Claws.
"So, what are we doing tonight" Hermione asked Harry conversationally. She almost groaned when he simply winked.
"I picked tonight's activity" Vivian revealed. She was especially excited over this mission. She had talked it out with Harry, and he had agreed. To everything. "Remus and Rectus will be going too, depending on how the meeting with Bones goes" she added.
Harry looked up from his pot pie. "I hope that's going well" he thought out loud.
Before he could go on, two figures appeared on either side of Ron.
"Oi, Ronniekins" Fred joked, "What's this we hear about late night activities" he and George wiggled their brows.
"They grow up so fast. Don't they Freddy" George asked wiping an invisible tear away from his cheek.
"Now he's off cavorting with young beautiful girls" Fred nodded.
"It better just be one girl" Vivian spoke up making Neville snort in amusement.
The twins held their hands up in surrender.
"When you two are done getting my girlfriend mad at me" Ron looked between his two older brothers. "Is there something you wanted" he grumbled good naturedly.
The twins shared a look before plastering on adorable clueless expressions. "Can't we spend time with our itty-bitty baby brother" they asked in unison.
"Oh great" Ron looked at his large lunch in disappointment. "They poisoned the beef and mash" he gave a woeful sigh.
Vivian caught sight of something and laughed. "Well, it looks like Ginny is at least happy she's getting a break" she giggled.
The pretty little red head did seem pleased with herself as she talked to a few other first years.
She was so animated and carefree. A far cry from her original first year. Ron, Harry, and Hermione tried to shake off the thought.
"We are a delight" George defended him and his twin.
"I think you mean delinquents" Hermione corrected smartly.
The twins feigned wounds to the heart.
"Granger" George began. "Simply because you're obviously doing your utmost to not fall in love with my roughish good lucks and charm, doesn't mean you have to hurt me so" he dramatically wailed.
Hermione sent him a sarcastic look. "Oh of course" she nodded, "But alas, it's the lack of brains that keeps me at a distance" she joked back.
"Hey" Fred perked up greatly. "That means I still have a chance" he cheered making George push him.
Lee laughed from his spot two people over. It didn't go missed how he was hiding something in the sleeve of his robe. "Says you Freddy" Lee spoke up. "I think she might be going for someone with brains and beauty" he pretended to preen.
As the rest of the table laughed, Harry worked through is humor. "Sorry mates" he shrugged with a half smirk. "But I've already got brains and beauty and I'm not about to let the cutest swot I know get away" he told them with a 'sorry' expression.
Hermione beamed, hugging her now equally beaming boyfriend as their friends laughed.
Fred and George shook their heads. Lee shrugged, "Another life maybe" he joked.
The twins stood with noses in the air they moved over to Vivian on either side. They sat with arms around her shoulders. "Yes" she drew the word out with false innocence.
"Well, we will simply have to console our lovely selves with the breathtaking Miss Vivian" they spoke in unison once more.
"No" was all Ron calmly said as he looked across the table at his laughing wife. Lee seemed to especially get a big kick out of that. Probably because of Ron, their usual guinea pig, was so serious on the matter.
"Ron, we promise not to steal your ickle girlfriend" Fred swore as the two crossed their hearts.
"Unfortunately" George had to tell him sorrowfully. "We cannot promise she won't fall in love with us" he turned to Vivian as Fred nodded sagely. "It's only natural, but it just can't be".
"We must let you down gently now. It just wouldn't work out" Fred took up. "We're too much for any woman".
Vivian finally got her breath back after losing it laughing. "I don't think Ron was worried for me" she easily told them. "I think it was your wellbeing he had in mind" she teased. At the twins and Lee's curious looks, she pretended to jerk forward with a playful bite at first Fred then George.
The boys jumped back before bursting into their own fit of laughter.
"I'd say you broke them" Ron scooped himself more Shepard's pie. "But they've always been a few potions short of a cauldron" he smiled.
The twins sent him playfully flat looks before another noise gained their attention. "Well, well" Lee gestured to the source.
Ginny had also found Ron's comment funny and ended up laughing so hard, her elbow went into the butter dish. Then again, that could have also happened because she was too busy staring at Harry instead of looking where every dish was.
"Some things never change" Luna told the group with a pleasant smile.
Neville nodded handing Ginny a napkin. "I'm just glad it wasn't the jam" he pointed to the pink gooey mess of deliciousness.
The others had to agree. Ginny only had a chance to groan as she suddenly found herself surrounded by Fred, George and Lee. Ginny prayed they only wanted to show her a trick, not pull one on her.
####SCENE BREAK####
Sirius couldn't believe it!
He was cleared. "We need to keep this quiet until we can arrange a meeting with the press and a few council members" Amelia explained. "If not, then Fudge will demand that the kiss on sight order remain" she told them. "As Remus pointed out, if this injustice is to be rectified then we need to make sure that Fudge is the last to know".
Of course, Amelia knew she was talking about her boss. However, once Sirius' innocence was proven along with the memory the men's pensieve showed, all formal stiffness was gone.
Now Madam Bones was once more just Amelia. Friend to the two kind men. Kingsley easily settled into the more relaxed environment while Tonks was continuously caught staring at a blushing Remus.
"Right" Sirius sighed. "At least someone knows I'm not a homicidal maniac" Sirius tried to joke.
"Not yet at least" Remus said with ease. Tonks chuckled before catching herself from tripping on her way to the couch.
None of the aurors knew just how untrue that statement was now. 'Well, at least not a maniac. Only a tad homicidal' Sirius mentally swiped the thought away.
"How long do you think that will take" Remus asked as golem Petunia poured everyone tea before shooting disdainful looks as she scurried back to the kitchen.
"Hopefully not long" Amelia murmured. She was analyzing the woman's expression. 'And to think the Potter boy has grown up with such distain'.
Seeing her look, Sirius spoke. "The muggles are a lot more accommodating since we've told them about taking Harry".
"You think they'd be sad to see their nephew go" a confused Tonks commented.
"No" everyone saw the dark look shining through Sirius' expression. "They don't deserve him". Remus put a hand on Sirius' shoulder and addressed the others.
"As you can see, we care greatly for our nephew. We were devastated when learning about his whereabouts. Lily had expressed that if anything were to happen to her and James, then Harry was under no terms allowed to be left alone with these people".
"We didn't want him" Petunia replied hotly. She got Sirius' glare and ran upstairs.
Amelia and her aurors shook their heads. They could just feel the malice rolling off the woman. They each couldn't help but wonder about the Boy Who Lived and how growing up in such an environment must have affected him.
Sirius and Remus shared a look. Only they knew just how bad the people really were. 'Just be pleased you didn't have the misfortune of meeting the real lot' Remus thought tampering down his less than friendly feelings.
Sirius wasn't doing much better. His hands squeezed the seat's arms tightly as he attempted to keep his face friendly and nonthreatening.
It was an effort that tested both Knights greatly.
"We will have to have a public trial. That way everyone can see the case laid open" Kingsley suggested.
"I'm fine with that" Sirius told them eagerly.
"However" Remus, the voice of reason, broke in. "Would we be able to bring a representative. I'd hate for Fudge or…someone to try to use Sirius' escape against him".
"You think they'd try to charge him for escaping?" Tonks asked feeling sick.
"Yes" Amelia answered for him.
"There's also more" Remus spoke. He was thinking of loopholes that Dumbledore may try to use in order to manipulate the law. He knew the headmaster would do anything to keep Harry separated. It was all part of his greater good plan after all.
Remus didn't believe Albus to be evil. 'But he sure has buggered all of us' he couldn't help but think bitterly. 'He's great for advice. Shit at planning' he almost scoffed.
Amelia gestured for Remus to go ahead.
Sirius wondered if he should go nab some biscuits. He had a feeling they'd all be there a while.
####SCENE BREAK####
'It's odd' Harry found as he walked around before dinner. He and the others were going to eat in the Hall. They needed to be seen before their nighttime adventure.
Harry doubted anyone would make the connection with the planned attack and him. Still, it was better to air on the safe side. Hermione was right, Harry knew. Ever sense his little emotional episode, he was afraid that something would go wrong.
'What if we forget something?' he found himself worrying. 'Or…someone worse comes along. Worse than Voldemort' he played with a snitch to stop his fidgeting hands. With his emotions and conscious warring between his adults and child selves, Harry found his insomnia returning with a vengeance.
'At least I won't be the only one awake tonight' he thought idly. 'We just have to be smart. Don't get cocky' he kept repeating as he made it to the Hall.
He couldn't help but smile when he caught sight of his friends.
They could be mistaken for normal children in that instant.
'As normal as we could ever be' he told himself.
Hermione was holding a book; more care went into that rather than the food on her plate. She was trying not to laugh at something Ron was saying. Her soft brown eyes hit a string in Harry's chest. Harry didn't understand how he got so lucky.
As far as he was concerned, he was with the most beautiful girl in school. He knew his sisters were close seconds, but no one could top Hermione. Not for Harry.
That amused shake of her head brought attention to those heavy locks before her pronounced front teeth made a home on her bottom lip.
Ron was doing some sort of act with two carrots under his nose. Blue eyes bright with humor and happiness.
Freckles seemed to dance on his face as he made those surrounding him laugh.
The one laughing the loudest was Vivian.
As her wide eyes crinkled due to the largeness of her smile, one could see the beginnings of the breathtaking woman she would turn into. Those striking jade green eyes were totally fixated on Ron. Nothing but pure love and devotion shined back as she took in the red headed boy.
Cheeks were red with how much she was laughing. Ron smiled back and swiped some fingers through her short blunt cut dark waves. Harry smiled seeing both of them blushing now as his best mate placed a hand on Vivian's overly pale hand.
Despite the slight sharpness of her canines, no one seemed too concerned over the slightly different teeth.
Harry had to chuckle. 'They probably think it's a family trait' he thought back to all the different physical and magical traits he had learned several magical families shared. No matter what he saw or how old he became, Harry was still certain of one thing.
Magical folks were weird.
His eyes went to Neville, and he almost did a double take. Neville and Luna were smiling shyly at one another before looking away.
Neville's still baby rounded, and sun kissed cheeks dusted pink as he laughed with the others. His real attention was on the small blonde by his side.
Neville's own dirty blonde bangs wisped in front of his almost golden hazel eyes. Luna's eyes burned brightly. As the blue of her Ravenclaw badge reflected off her own orbs, those eyes looked like the most enchanting, shined moonstones.
Light and holding secrets and knowledge of more planes than anyone else could even fathom.
Putting light golden locks behind her radish earring ordained ears, Luna shot Neville another delicate and secretive grin.
Neville's shy lopsided smile was the returned gesture.
Luna's cheeks didn't pinken, but then again, Luna didn't react to too many things like others. 'Probably why she had the easiest time when we formed the Knights' Harry pondered.
"Harry" Hermione beamed up, revealing the spot saved between her and Ron.
"Heya mate" Ron greeted.
"Hey Harry" Vivian smiled at him.
"Harry" Neville grinned with a quiet greeting.
"Did flungles keep you so long?" Luna asked with innocent curiosity.
"No, not this time" was Harry simple response.
"Hmm" Luna sighed in disappointment. "Well, be sure to tell me if they do" she asked. Harry crossed his heart making her relax.
As the group joked and talked, each had their own issues on their mind. Some good, some bad.
In the back of their minds, the group knew that before the sun could rise bringing tomorrow, a lot of people would be getting a taste of the future.
A world long gone, yet still a very possible future. A world that created the Death Knights.
Not wanting to dampen their mood, the group focused on dinner and each other's company. Their mission could wait another couple of hours. Right now, they simply enjoyed.
Without knowing it, the group shared a collected thought. They couldn't help but be thankful they had one another.
A/N: What do you guys think? Have a lot of things planned for the next chapters. Going more into past pains, revealing secrets, and more! Hope you liked it. Ask, suggest, or review if you'd like. Until next time; have a great day and stay safe.