THE BOOK OF KAENS (the story after the Potter epic)

This is my first fan fic..and probably the only one. It is a story that takes place about 50 years after Harry Potter defeats Lord Voldemort. Many things are kept the same and things such as Hogsmeade or Hogwarts are completely J.K Rowling's and her ideas.

This time, instead of Harry saving the world again, it is the granddaughter of Ginny Weasley who is the heroine, and the rise of a new evil, thanks to Draco Malfoy.

here are the first two chapters

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Chapter 1 - Unexpected Death

The house was unusually quiet as Keira Wilstone opened the front door of her grandmother’s home. It was her home too for the past fifteen years of her life. Everyday, after school, Keira always heard sounds coming from the kitchen; pots banging, water running, the sizzling of tonight’s dinner, or the opening of the oven door which always promised a tasty treat after dinner. But today, Keira heard none of those sounds as she made her way into the large, brightly lit, yellow kitchen. It seemed larger without her grandmother bustling around in it. Dropping her keys on the yellow-tiled counter and her school bag on the floor, Keira looked around the kitchen as if hoping for a soothing sound of cupboards opening or a clatter of dishes to unexpectedly occur. After staring at each object in the kitchen and hearing nothing, Keira climbed on a stool and put her head down on the counter, defeated and exhausted.

Keira’s only living relative that she knew of was grandma Ginny. Keira’s parents died under mysterious circumstances and grandma Ginny always chose to never elaborate. Grandma Ginny was the most loving person Keira ever knew and now, she was stripped of all the people who loved her. Keira was at history class when the principal came in and requested Keira to follow her. It was in the principal’s office where Keira found out her grandmother had a car crash. Police officers, however, did not see the body in the car and suspected murder. They were currently looking in the woods of Central Park for the body.

“I am so very sorry Miss Wilstone and I am always here if you need anything,” said Principal Moore. “Unfortunately your presence is required at the police station. Do go now, your teachers will be notified of your absence.” And with that, Keira was shooed out of school and she numbly walked to the police station.

What was grandma doing driving out on the road? They both knew it was unsafe since grandma’s eyesight was failing. Grandma had even promised to not go driving anymore. Keira could not think of anything so important that would cause grandma to risk driving a car.

Keira’s mind drifted back to the police station. Detectives were asking questions about her grandmother, about her grandmother’s health and possible enemies. Keira answered the questions as best as she could, never thinking for once that her grandmother might be dead.

She waited at the precinct for four more hours before hearing about any breakthroughs in the case. A police officer had come up to the detective who had questioned her and Keira distinctly heard the words “missing”, “dead”, and “no body”. Unconciously, she fell from her chair, having fainted.

And now, an hour later, she was home, dropped off by a police officer. Except home wasn’t quite home anymore. Grandma Ginny was gone and nothing was the same. The police officers seemed pretty definite about grandma Ginny’s condition, and Keira was not too keen on accepting it. But the silence in the house had a mind crushing blow on her and she could not deny anymore grandma Ginny’s absence. Once again, Keira was all alone.


Chapter 2 - The Book of Kaens


It was a bright and early Saturday morning. Keira slowly got out of bed, a bit confused. She sat at the edge of her bed, rethinking what had happened the night before. She had fallen asleep on the kitchen counter and when she finally woke up from there, she had gotten red pattern marks of the tiles on her cheek and it was dark outside. She slowly pulled herself to bed. Then, Keira suddenly remembered about her grandmother. Her grandmother was...d - no, she could not bring herself to say the word or even think it. Her grandmother was not dead, just going away for a while.

The phone rang and Keira jumped. At the second ring she picked it up.

“Hello?” said Keira.

“Hello, is this Miss Keira Wilstone?” said the voice at the other end of the line.

“Yes, who is this?”

“I am John Connelly. I am from the funeral office. I was only wondering whether you’d like to come down and have a look at some memorial tombstones we have on sale for those who cannot find their loved ones’ bodies.” John Connelly said all this very quickly and without a hint of sorrow nor happiness in his voice.

Keira’s mouth went dry. A funeral house was asking her to buy a tombstone - this was all to mind blowing. “Um, may I get back to you on this?”

“Sure, sure,” John Connelly said. “Our number is 212 - 546 - 2387. Please feel free -”

But Keira already hung up. She didn’t even bother to write down the number. She had no plans of calling the number.

Slowly, in a daze, Keira got up from her bed and walked out of her room. She had no idea where to go, but her feet brought her to her grandmother’s room. Keira opened the door and smelled the minty perfume her grandmother always wore. Holding back tears, she slowly entered the room, afraid to mess anything up in the room in hopes of preserving it. Her grandmother was a very neat person, and all her perfume bottles and bits of makeup supplies were lined up neatly on the drawers full of clothes. There was a small skinny closet in one corner of the room, always locked. Keira was always told to stay away from the closet. The blanket was spread neatly on top of the bed, and Keira’s favorite stuffed animal was perched between the two pillows. Keira climbed on the bed and began to cry.

It was late afternoon when Keira woke up again. She looked around from her lying position on the bed and realized she had a full view of the closet. Blinking her eyes, she noticed that the closet door was... open. A silver, old-fashioned key with bits of cloth sticking out of its sides was in the lock. Slowly, Keira got up and crept towards the closet. She had no idea what was in it, and her grandmother’s warnings of staying away from it instilled some fear in her. Tentatively, she reached out and touched the key. What she thought were pieces of cloth were actually...wings! The fluttered and the key rattled inside the lock. Keira jumped back. What was this key doing in her grandmother’s room?

She decided to try the knob; it looked harmless and less likely to rattle. Keira opened the closet door and was immediately greeted with the smell of mothballs. A robe was hanging on a hook and there was a broom behind it. There was a box on the shelf of the closet and Keira stood on tiptoes to take it down. It was a dusty wooden box, with carvings of what looked like fairies and elves along the sides. On top, the cover had an intricately carved word on the box:

Weasley

Keira recognized that name. It was her grandmother’s maiden name, though she never used it anymore and never talked about it. Keira had come across it when they received a letter addressed to a ‘Ms. Ginny Weasley’ and Keira had asked why the letter addressed to her grandmother with the wrong last name. Her grandmother had explained tersely that it was her maiden name and told Keira that no one knew her under that name so it was better not to mention it at all.

Sitting on the bed, Keira blew out all the dust on the cover and slowly opened the box. Inside, there were 11 locks of hair, all tied with a string. Six of the locks all were similar, red and curly. One was brown and frizzy, two were black and straight, one was brown and straight, and another was black and curly. Keira recognized the black and curly lock of hair to be hers. The brown and straight locks of hair were similar to her mother’s hair, and Keira assumed that one of the black and straight locks of hair belonged to her father, or maybe both. Keira lifted all the pieces of hair out of the box and she saw what seemed to be an old black book. It fitted snugly in the box and Keira slowly took it out. It seemed ancient, the black leather covering faded, and there was a stain on the front that Keira thought was blood. But the stain had dried and seemed to blend in with the book’s cover so Keira tried not to think too much about it. There was no title and so she opened the book. The pages were brittle pieces of parchment. There was a dark red ribbon to act as a bookmark. Keira turned to the first page, and the writings were all in a strange language Keira did not understand nor could pronounce. Keira skimmed through the dirty book and everything was written in the same language. She could not pronounce nor read whatever the book contained, so she shut the book and stuffed it back in the closet. Taking the key off the lock, she threw it in one of her grandmother’s drawers and stormed out of the room.


What was that book all about? Why was it so...dirty and bloody? Why had her grandmother kept this away from her? It made it look as if her grandmother was a witch.

“Grandma is not a witch!” Keira said fiercely to herself. She flipped on the television and stared stubbornly at it.

Grandma Ginny was not a witch.

next chapter....oh and i don't know how to get it but some feedback would be nice

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Chapter 3 - Hogsmeade, London, Earth

It was a week later. Keira had gone back to school, and she deflected questions about her grandmother’s disappearance. Everyone avoided her, afraid that she might cry, which she had been doing ceaselessly for days. No one talked to her or tried to comfort her, she had no friends anyway, except the principal. This annoyed Keira greatly but there was nothing she could do. Almost every day for a week the principal called her to the office and she would always ask how Keira was doing. Keira always replied sullenly with a “Fine” or an “Okay”. At first, Keira was grateful but by the third day, Keira was getting annoyed and tired of it.

After one particularly exhausting day (her history teacher had given her a test on the American Revolution and it was nastily long, and her math teacher had given a pop quiz with only one question: it was either a hundred or a zero. Her English teacher had also given back tests and Keira did not do well with it.)

Well at least no one would be too upset, since no one would see it, Keira thought as she took out the keys to the house. Keira still lived at her grandmother’s home. It would take some time for the papers to be all set up for her to go live in a foster home. As soon as this thought entered her head, Keira’s stomach did a back flip. Before she could open the door, Keira was down on the doorstep crying. She was mad at herself for insulting her grandmother’s memory, and it was painful to even think about her grandmother. Keira took a deep breath and, her hand shaking, she opened the door. She slammed it closed and dropped her bag right at the entrance. She ran taking two steps at a time up the stairs to her bedroom and slammed it shut. She jumped on her bed and buried her face in her pillows, trying to stop the tears.

All of a sudden, she heard a door slam. Keira lifted her head. Another door closed, but it was more muffled. Keira now jumped off the bed. She was sure the sound was coming from her grandmother’s room.

Keira cautiously opened the door and peeked through the crack. There was no sign of anyone. She tiptoed across the hall and slowly opened the door. Peeking thorugh the crack, there was no one in the room. But the door of the closet in her grandmother’s room was opening and closing softly. Keira froze in her tracks. She thought she had locked it. Just to make sure, she ran to the drawer where she hid the flying key and it was still there, struggling in the folds of her grandmother’s nightgowns. Keira walked slowly to the closet. When the door was closing, Keira yanked it open. There was no one there and the contents of the closet were not disturbed. But the wooden box was halfway off the shelf. Keira calmed herself; the box did not have a life of its own and was not trying to escape. It was possible that she had hastily stuffed the box in the closet. But, she was able to close the closet properly so the box had to be placed inside properly...

Keira stood on tiptoes and lifted the box off the shelf. It was left the same way as she had. She lifted the lid and found the book in the same condition as before. Keira, this time for a reason she could not explain, felt drawn to the book and brought it down to the den to investigate the pages further. She sat down on the couch and turned the pages. They were still written in gibberish she did not understand, though this time Keira had this half hope that the words were now in English.

Keira slowly turned each page and skimmed each page. Time was passing quickly, and soon the grandfather clock was ringing the ten o’clock hour. Keira’s eyes were getting blurry from exhaustion, and she was only halfway through with the book. She blinked the tiredness out of her eyes and looked down at the page she was at. She stared at the drawing of a particularly graphic drawing of a werewolf and soon her eyes were getting hazy again. She blinked and the werewolf moved. Keira blinked her eyes again and the werewolf was back in its original position.

I must be really tired, thought Keira. I’ll just finish this page and then go to sleep.

Keira looked down on the page once again and studied the writing. She thought she was getting a gist of the alphabet and felt she could understand what it said, though she truly had no clue and couldn’t translate it very well. Her eyes went blurry again and she saw the letters move and rearrange themselves. Keira felt too tired to blink again and she saw three words translate into English words, or at least, the words now used alphabetic letters. Keira saw the words: Hogsmeade, London, Earth. Keira felt a little jump in her stomach. She blinked and the words were gone, but she remembered the words. One was Hogsmeade, and Keira had a feeling it was a place but she had no idea where Hogsmeade was. The second was London, and Keira knew where that was. The third was Earth and Keira was led to believe that the three words she saw was an address.

Keira rushed to the bookcase in the den and she pulled out the atlas. In the index, she searched for “Hogsmeade” but she couldn’t find it anywhere. She shut the book and sat down on the floor thinking. Well, London was on Earth, so if the three words followed the pattern of an address, then Hogsmeade was probably in London. Was it a district? Was it a street? Was it a secret alleyway? Did it even exist?

Keira gave a big yawn and she shut the book. Tiredly, she climbed the stairs to her room and fell exhausted on her bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.


Deet! Deet! Deet! The alarm rang off and Keira drowsily slammed her hand on the alarm clock, hoping to at least hit one of the right buttons. The alarm shut off. Keira looked at her watch and it was a Saturday. Keira was about to fall asleep when the phone rang and woke her from her drowsiness. She picked up the phone.

“Hello?” yawned Keira.

“Miss Wilstone? This is Sharon Horn, from social services. Are you awake?” asked Sharon Horn.

“Um yeah. What’s up?” said Keira, stretching her back.

“Well I have good news for you!” said Sharon Horn excitedly. And without waiting for Keira’s response, she continued. “We’ve found a family for you!”

Keira’s heart and stomach dropped like stone to the floor. A family?!

“They’re the Williamsons. They’re a nice couple, and they’re willing to take you in. They have an older son and he’s already left home, and the Williamsons don’t mind taking in another orphan who’s old enough too.”

Orphan!? Williamsons?!

“So! They’re coming over this afternoon to pick you up. I suggest you start packing now!” Sharon Horn said happily.

“Um, yeah,” mumbled Keira. “Uh, thanks.” Keira hung up the phone and sat on her bed, stunned. After it hit her that the Wilsons, or whoever they were, were coming over this afternoon, Keira jumped off the bed and she rushed to get down her small luggage in her closet. She dragged it to the middle of her room and she opened her drawers, stuffing all her clothes messily in her luggage. She did not have a lot and she hardly filled half of the luggage. Keira entered her grandmother’s room and picked up her stuffed animal from her grandmother’s bed. She saw the closet and she hesitated. Should she take her grandmother’s belongings? She was never going to see her grandmother again and she wouldn’t see this home anymore either. Keira walked determinedly to the drawers, took out the key, opened the closet, took out the robe, the box, and the broom, and she put everything but the broom in her luggage. She gazed at her luggage for a few seconds and then started running downstairs to the den. The book! She found it on the floor, closed and harmless. She picked it up and stuffed it in her luggage. She also lifted her mattress and found a small tin can. It had a small stash of money that Keira saved over the years: allowances, small pay from her odd jobs, and some money she got as gifts from her grandmother. Keira opened the can and took out the crumpled bills and loose change. She counted the bills and the change; she had nearly a thousand dollars, $980.54 to be exact. Keira stuffed all the money back in her case and put it all in her luggage.

She locked the luggage and walked to the kitchen, calm. She had packed everything she needed and there was time for a small lunch. Keira concocted her own dish and just as she finished eating and put the dishes away, the doorbell rang. Wiping her wet hands on her shirt, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

Sharon Horn’s bright smiling face greeted Keira, and behind her were the Williamsons.

Chapter 4 - Flight


“Well I’m not sure if you’d like your room. Ben’s room is now your room and well, we just couldn’t get around to fixing it! I do hope you like blue...” Mrs. Williamson opened the door on the second floor. A small blue room with a twin bed on one side of the wall and a decent desk facing the window was opened to Keira. Keira had a sharp intake of breath as she gazed the room.

“Yes, thank you. Blue is my favorite color...”


“Dinner! Keira! Dinner!” Mr. Williamson’s croaky voice rang throughout the house. Keira had just finished unpacking. She put all her clothes on one shelf of the closet (that was all the space she needed) and she left her grandmother’s belongings in the luggage and hid the luggage under her bed. The broom went in the closet. The Williamsons at first wondered why she needed to bring the broom, but Keira explained that the broom was a family heirloom and their confusion was disquieted.

Keira rushed down the stairs. Lunch seemed so long ago. The Williamsons had come to pick her up and she only had time to get her luggage, give her key to Sharon Horn, and climbed in the car with the Williamsons. They lived in Queens and it took sometime to get there from Brooklyn. They reached a quaint little brick home with a small fence around what could not pass off as a yard. Mrs. Williamson had shown Keira the house and then the room, and Keira immediately began to unpack.

The Williamsons were a nice couple, and Keira could see herself liking them. They acted more like godparents than parents, distant but warm nevertheless. The smell of pork chops wafted into the living room as Keira crossed it and entered the kitchen. Mr. Williamson, who wanted to be called Bob, was sitting at his seat pouring orange juice in every cup.

“You like orange juice? I just sort of guessed,” said Bob, smiling at her. Keira nodded and looked over to Mrs. Williamson, who preferred to be called Rose. She was taking the pork chop out of the oven and bringing it to the table.

“Dinner is served!” sang Rose and she sat down between Keira and Bob. “Now let us say grace before we eat,” and she held out her hands to both Keira and Bob.

Five minutes later, Keira was shoveling down food down her mouth. She had never tasted such good food in a long time. Her grandmother was a great cook and Keira never knew how her grandmother did it. But after her grandmother....well, Keira just didn’t have many chances to eat good food in the past couple of weeks.

“Keira, please do slow down. I do feel like I’m going to choke for you soon!” said Bob with laughter in his voice.

“Oh no, I’m fine, thanks,” Keira said between mouthfuls. She cleaned her plate in ten minutes and was finishing her orange juice when Rose suggested, “Would you like some homemade ice cream?”

“Oh yes please! What flavor is it?” Keira said happily.

“Strawberry dear. Do you like strawberry?” Rose said, scooping out large spoonfuls of ice cream in a bowl.

“Love ‘em,” Keira said, smacking her lips as Rose placed the bowl in front of her. Bob laughed cheerfully and continued slicing the pork chop.

Keira was just about to take a bite when she heard a muffled but distinct banging sound. She looked up at the ceiling and stared. Another bang resonated through the ceiling. This time Bob and Rose looked up too. A third bang was heard.

“Keira dear, did you put your things properly on the bed? They may have fallen off...” Rose suggested. Keira flushed; it was her fault that the noises were being heard, they were coming from her room. Excusing herself she went upstairs and went to investigate the noise.

She grabbed the luggage from under her bed and she flung it open. The book rattled and then was still. Keira opened her mouth in fright. The book was magical! It was making all the banging noises on its own!

Keira grabbed the book by its ends and flung it on the floor. It was still. Keira quickly opened the book, flipping through the pages searching for any signs of mice or hordes of ants that could have made the book move. There was nothing. Keira sighed, relieved. At least there were no pests in the book, but now she had to figure out what was up with the strange behavior of the book. She rifled through the pages once again, searching for another clue, but the book remained in the same stubborn language and refused to translate. Keira closed the book and shoved it in her closet this time, and she went back downstairs to finish her ice cream.


A week went by, and Keira found herself at ease with her new “parents”. They weren’t strict, but they weren’t giving her complete freedom either. Keira adjusted quickly, which was a bit of a burden on her guilty conscience. But she figured that grandma would have wanted her to adjust anyways. The only problem was, Keira could not get the book out of her mind.

One night at dinner, Keira put down her fork and announced, “I think I may have to leave for London.”

Bob and Rose had astounded expressions on their faces. “B-but why?” sputtered Rose.

“I think that is where I can find my first clue about my grandmother’s past,” Keira said firmly.

Bob and Rose looked at each other in disbelief and then back at Keira, with their expressions stating Why?

“My grandmother had a closet where she stored her - er - personal things, and there’s this book that told - no - I mean, said about a place in London,” Keira said. She didn’t want to talk about Hogsmeade; something in her mind told her she shouldn’t mention it.

“Well, um, how are you going to get there Ki?” Bob said slowly. He had taken into habit of calling her Ki.

“I have money of my own, so don’t worry about me. And I’ll contact you when I get there. I just think it would be very good for me if I went to London, it could clear up a great deal of questions that I have right now,” said Keira.

“You mean, leave right now? In the middle of the school year?” Rose said uncertainly.

“Yes, the sooner the better,” said Keira.

Bob cleared his throat, glanced at his wife, and quickly went back to eating his dinner. It was clear that Rose was going to make the decision.

“Oh, well, I suppose so. I do think it would be good for you; you have been looking quite...peaky the past few days,” Rose said affectionately.

“Great! I’m going to purchase my tickets right now and I’m going to pack,” Keira said, getting up.

“What? Now?!” Rose exclaimed.

“Yes, now. The sooner the better I said,” said Keira, firmly.

Keira put her plate on the sink and she ran up to her room, where she went online, purchased her tickets, and began to pack. She only took her backpack this time, taking only some spare clothing, her toothbrush and toothpaste, her money, her grandmother’s robe, and the book. She printed out her ticket and rushed down the stairs.

“My flight leaves in three hours. I have to go now. Oh don’t worry about it Bob, I can take the train,” added Keira as Bob got up to offer to drive her. Bob sat down, openmouthed, and closed and opened it repeatedly. Only Rose seemed perfectly aware of what was happening, and she hugged Keira and said farewell. And Keira ran off to the subway station to head for the airport.



Nearly six hours later after boarding the plane, the pilot announced, “Welcome to Heathrow Airport, in London, UK. I hope you will enjoy your stay here and had a good flight. When the light turns off you may unbuckle your seatbelt. Have a good day.”

Keira woke up and stretched. There was a pink glow in the sky as she looked out the window. The plane smoothly landed on the strip and wheeled its way to the gate. Keira looked around her; she was finally in London.

sorry about the wait..if anyone is actually reading this...i work, so i have no time...here's a long chapter though for those who DO read this...

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Chapter 5 - Arrival of the Descendant

Keira took a step out of the doors of Heathrow Airport and took in a deep breath. She felt a change in the air and knew she was breathing in London air. She hailed down a taxi and directed the driver to the center of London.
The taxi dropped her off in front of a record store. Keira paid her fare and the taxi sped off. Adjusting her backpack, Keira stared at the record store and the book shop next door. Keira turned and took a 360 degree view from where she was standing. Keira had no idea where she was going to go, and she had to start some place. Keira turned back to the book shop and considered going in to ask where Hogsmeade was when all of a sudden a pub Keira was sure was not there a second before, suddenly appeared. Keira looked at the sign: Leaky Cauldron. Cauldron, very witchy, and Keira entered the grubby pub.
The patrons all turned to stare at her. They were all wearing different styles of the robe that her grandmother had. Some had tall hats and all were drinking from large tankards. The barman peered over the counter.
“Can I help you?” the barman said.
“Er, yeah,” Keira said. “I was wondering if you could tell me where Hogsmeade is.”
The people in the pub took a deep breath almost at the same time. They started muttereing among themselves. Keira could hear snatches of the conversation: “Isn’t she a Muggle?” “I bet Dedalus Diggle tricked this poor girl.” “Who is she?” “She looks familiar...”
“And who are you?” asked the barman almost accusingly. The pub fell into silence.
“I’m, uh, Keira Wilstone,” said Keira.
“And who are you looking for?” asked the barman.
“Actually, I don’t know,” Keira admitted. “It’s just that I found this - this book and it belonged to my grandmother and in this book it said Hogsmeade, London. And well, I thought I could find Hogsmeade and find out what is going on there,” said Keira quietly.
“Well girly, Hogsmeade is officially the most desolate place on earth, you don’t want to go there,” warned the barman. “And who’s your grandmother?”
“Uh,” Keira said uncertainly. Should she trust them? She took a leap of faith, “Ginny Weasley -”
Keira stopped there. There was a sharp intake of breath from everyone and all of a sudden chairs scraped against the floor and everyone was rushing to her.
“Are you fine dear? How’d you get here?”
“How’s your grandmum?”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you!”
“I knew your grandmother! Great woman she was...”
Everyone seemed to know her at once and warmed up towards her. “Wait! Wait! You all know my grandmother?” Keira asked over their chatttering. Everyone nodded eagerly.
“She’s a hero, didn’t you know that?” said an old woman with gray frizzy hair and a kind face.
“N-no,” Keira said.
“Ah, pure legend. We wondered where she had gone after she...well...” the barman trailed off.
“Well, she’s...gone...” Keira whispered. She felt all pairs of eyes rivet towards her.
“You mean, she’s...dead?” said the barman feebly. Keira didn’t trust herself to speak so she nodded.
“Good Merlin’s beard!” cried the barman.
“You’re grandmother’s the stuff of legend,” the old lady said kindly. “Ah! She must go to Hogwarts now! She must meet the headmaster!”
“What’s Hogwarts? Who’s the headmaster? Wait, I need to get to Hogsmeade!” cried out Keira.
“Yes, yes, I’ll bring you there. Come with me!” motioned the old lady. She dragged Keira to the exit and the pub disappeared behind them.
“Come! Come! We’ll go to King’s Cross Station! Come!” said the old lady impatiently. The old lady walked extremely quickly for someone who looked as frail as she did. The old lady dragged her all the way to King’s Cross Station, and instead of buying a ticket, she went straight for the platforms. When they reached Platforms 9 and 10, the old lady stopped.
“Now my dear, all you have to do is walk right between that wall there,” the old lady said.
“What? Are you crazy?” said Keira. “That’s solid brick right there!”
“Just go! Go! Go!” the old lady said. Keira didn’t move so the old lady pushed her to the wall. The wall was fast approaching Keira’s face and she squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating impact, but it never came. When she opened her eyes, she was on another platform and there was a shiny red train. There were some people with briefcases and hats wearing robes too boarding the train. The old lady appeared right beside Keira.
“Get on the train. Then find a carriage to take you to Hogwarts. When you get there, request to see the Headmaster immediately. Oh and dear, don’t use your last name ‘Wilstone’. No one will know who you are,” said the old lady. Then she was gone.
Keira turned uncertainly to the train. Here goes nothing, thought Keira, and she went to board the train.

Keira found a compartment all for herself and settled in. She put away her bag and settled down to nap. She had hardly napped for two seconds when suddenly there was a knock at the door. A tall, muscular but not heavily built, slim man was at the door. He seemed to be several years older than her and had astonishingly blue eyes and dark hair. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt - normal clothing compared to the others who wore robes.
“Can I share the compartment with you?” he asked. “Everywhere else is full.”
“Uh,” stammered Keira. “sure...” She moved her bag and he sat down across from her. They sat in silence for several minutes.
“First time on Hogwarts Express?” he asked pleasantly.
“Oh so this is what you call the train? Uh, yeah, first time,” said Keira. She eyed him warily.
“I’m Matthew,” said the man, holding out his hand.
“Hi, nice to meet you.” Keira shook his hand. “I’m Keira.”
“Ah,” Matthew said, and he fell silent. They sat in silence for some time as the countryside whizzed by. They didn’t talk to each other until after the trolley lady passed by.
“So what are you doing here on the Hogwarts Express?” asked Matthew.
“Oh um, I have business at...Hogwarts? I have to meet the Headmaster...?” said Keira, showing her obvious bewilderment.
“Oh!” exclaimed Matthew. “Hogwarts is a school for witches and wizards. The Headmaster is Harry Potter. Pure living legend...” said Matthew, his eyes glazing as if imagining the life and times of Harry Potter.
“Oh,” said Keira thoughtfully. She was suddenly bursting full of questions. “Wait, so I’m surrounded by witches and wizards?”
Matthew nodded.
“So you’re a wizard too?”
Matthew nodded.
“But...am I a witch too?”
Matthew nodded. “Most probably, since you were able to find this world.”
“My grandmother, they said she was a legend too. Do you know why?”
“Who are ‘they’?” asked Matthew.
“These people at the bar, at-at Leaky Cauldron or something like that,” said Keira.
“Who’s your grandmother?”
“Ginny Weasley-Wilstone,” said Keira promptly.
“Oh my Lord, she is a legend! A living legend I might add!” exclaimed Matthew.
“She...she passed away several weeks ago,” said Keira quietly.
“Oh.” A stricken look came across Matthew’s face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. But she was a great person you know. Didn’t you know?”
“No, I don’t know anything,” Keira said earnestly. “Could you tell me?”
“Well, legend has it that this dark lord, Lord Macafoy, came into power and was waging a war against Harry Potter, who was a hero in the second war. In the second war, Harry Potter defeated the great dark Lord Voldemort. Now, supposedly, Lord Macafoy has a personal vendetta against Harry Potter, and well, Ginny Weasley - your grandmother - helped bring the downfall of Lord Macafoy,” Matthew explained.
There was a stunned silence for a minute
“Wow,” breathed Keira.
“Yeah.”
“How’d my grandmother do it?”
“She stole a book from Lord Macafoy. Apparently, he is powerless without the book because it gives him greater powers than we ever knew. She stole it, he went down, and now there’s peace. But he’s probably still out there, biding his time. He may be powerless, but he is certainly not dead, though many prefer to think he’s long gone.”
Keira stared at him for a moment and then began to rummage in her bag. She took out the now tattered book.
“Is it this one?” Keira held it up for him to see.
Matthew stared at it in shock. “How’d you get it?”
“My grandmother hid it, and I found it. But it’s written in a weird language, do you think you can tell me what it says?” Keira handed the book to Matthew. He gently took it out of her hands.
“This was a legend. I never really believed it,” breathed Matthew. He opened the book. “Oh my God, can you read this?”
“No, that’s the problem. I need someone to translate it,” Keira said. “Can you?” She added in desperation.
“No, this is a lost language, I think. No one can read it. Only very few people can read it. One of them is Harry Potter, the Headmaster. No wonder the people in the bar recommended that you go to him.” Matthew turned each page carefully, as if afraid that the page mught break in his hands.
“But I never told them about the book...” Keira said thoughtfully.
“Well, you’re also related to Ginny Weasley so maybe that’s why the told you to go see the Headmaster,” Matthew said, shrugging his shoulders.
They sat in silence for the rest of the trip. After leafing through half of the book, Matthew returned the book to Keira and she put it away. They stared out at the unchanging scenery when suddenly, a voice magnified out of nowhere announced, “Hogsmeade Station, five minutes away.”
Keira gathered her things and put on a jacket. She sat, ready for the train to stop, and soon, it stopped in front of a bleak station. There were hardly any lamplights and a stooped old man waving the train to slow down. Keira tried to look past the small station, but it had grown dark and she could only see dark outlines of short buildings. She got off the train, Matthew right behind her. Keira looked around her in the station, wondering where she should go.
“Need help finding your way?” Matthew said with a smile.
“Heh, yeah, that would be great,” Keira said with relief. At least she’d be traveling with some company. He gently took her arm and guided her to the horseless carriages. Keira got in the carriage and looked out the window to see who would be dragging the carriage. When Matthew shut the door, the carriage lurched forward suddenly. Keira gripped the door.
“What’s driving this thing?” Keira asked, her face pale.
“Threstals,” Matthew said simply.
“What are those?”
“They’re invisible creatures that are only visible once one has witnessed a death,” Matthew explained. He was calm, so Keira assumed that there was nothing to worry about. She looked out the window to catch a glimpse of Hogsmeade. Everything was dark, and the stores all looked as if they were all closed. There was a crack of thunder and rain began to pour. Keira ducked back into the carriage to avoid getting wet. The carriage continued to lurch in the mud and then came to an abrupt stop.
“We’re here,” Matthew announced. He opened the carriage door and helped Keira step off. As soon as Matthew shut the door, the carriage lurched again and disappeared in the rain. Keira continued to stare at the horseless carriage and Matthew had to gently drag her up the stairs. They stood in front of the large doors. “Welcome to Hogwarts,” Matthew muttered under his breath. He took a deep breath and put his hand up to knock on the door. Before his fist came down on the door, the doors opened.
A tall, serious looking woman with frizzy brown hair tied messily up in a bun and wearing an ancient emerald cloak stood before them behind the doors.
“We’ve been waiting for you Keira Weasley,” the woman said, and she beckoned the two of them to follow her into the formidable entrance hall of Hogwarts.

here's a well deserved long chapter 6:
*******
Chapter 6 - Headmaster Harry Potter

Matthew followed the woman, but Keira was apprehensive. First of all, why did the woman call her Keira Weasley? Her name was Keira Wilstone, not Weasley. This woman acted as if she knew a lot about Keira, and Keira was unsure if she should trust the lady. But Matthew seemed to trust her, and he followed her. Keira took a deep breath and entered the hall, escaping the pouring rain. She jogged to catch up and they followed the woman up several floors to a statue of a lion on its hind legs.
“Courage,” the woman said in a clear voice. The statue turned and revealed a set of steps. The woman, Matthew, and Keira stepped on the first step and the stairway began to turn and go up at the same time. Keira stared at awe of this contraption, and stepped off when they were level with the second floor. The woman walked even faster towards doors of mahogany oak and with a wave of her hand, the doors opened. A man who looked in his fifties or early sixties, about the same age as the woman, with straight black hair with hints of gray that were all messed up and did not look as if they could be tamed. He peered through his glasses and slowly stood up. His eyes were a startling bright green.
“Headmaster, Keira Weasley and -” The woman peered at Matthew. “And her companion.”
“Thank you Professor Granger,” the headmaster said. Professor Granger turned around and swiftly closed the doors.
“Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Weasley,” the headmaster said quietly.
“My name is not Keira Weasley,” Keira corrected. “I’m Keira Wilstone.” The headmaster looked at her for a while and then said in the same quiet voice, “Young man, please wait outside of the office. Actually, preferably, please do sit at the bench outside. I do think Miss Keira will be here for a while.” Matthew looked surprised, but he complied. He left the office. The headmaster stared at the door for several minutes, and his eyes were glazed as if he was looking past the door. Then, nodding as if satisfied, he offered the chair to Keira and sat down behind his desk. Keira took this time to stare around at the office. It was richly decorated, and there were portraits of many old witches and wizards. There was a portrait that hung prominently behind the headmaster’s chair. Keira squinted; it said ‘Albus Dumbledore’ at the bottom of the painting. Keira was sure the man in the portrait winked at her. She turned to look at all the portraits and let out a tiny gasp; all of the portraits were moving. She took her eyes away and stared at the trinkets on the headmaster’s desk; gold ones, silver ones, bronze ones all littered his desk, some looking like cylinders, some were orbs, and some were just cubes. Finally, Keira looked up at the headmaster. He was watching her intently.
“Um,” Keira started nervously. “I think I shouldn’t be here.”
“Why is that?” the headmaster asked immediately.
“Well, you see, I have this book that belonged to my grandmother.” Keira reached into her bag and pulled out the book. She took a sideways glance at the headmaster and she was sure he had started at the sight of the book. She calmly put it on his desk.
“It told me that I should be going to Hogsmeade, and I figure that it’s not that far away. I don’t know what this book is and I can’t translate it, but I found it in my grandmother’s closet. Can you translate it?”
The headmaster looked at the book and then at her, gravely. He sat, thinking for a moment, and then spoke: “Do you have any other questions for me? I think you would like some things explained before I go and translate that book for you.”
“Oh so you can translate this book!” Keira said excitedly.
“Yes, I can, but your questions?” the headmaster said. Keira stared at him, and then she began to think hard. She wasn’t going to get anything from this guy unless she asked a question.
“Who are you?” Keira blurted out. The headmaster smiled.
“My name is Harry James Potter, or simply, Professor Potter,” the headmaster said.
“And the tall lady that brought us in?”
“Professor Hermione Granger. Technically, she’s...well, never mind. She would prefer I not call her by that name so why mention it?”
“And why does everyone know my grandmother? Why did Professor Granger call me Keira Weasley? My name is Keira Wilstone.” This was a pressing question for Keira. Matthew did explain her grandmother’s fame, but she still could not take it in. She needed another person to explain it to her.
“I believe the young sir outside already explained it to you your grandmother’s fame,” Professor Potter said quietly. Keira jumped. How did he know what she was thinking? Could he read her thoughts?
“Miss Weasley, I can read your thoughts, if you’d like to put it that way. I am highly skilled in Legilimency, so, therefore, I can probe into your mind and find out what I need to know. As to why I call you Miss Weasley, why everyone calls you that, is because that is your true name. Wilstone is merely a coverup. Well, not quite - your grandfather was a Wilstone, but he wasn’t as great a wizard than your grandmother, and everyone would prefer to know you were descended from the Great Ginny Weasley rather than an ordinary wizard,” Professor Potter said.
“So my parents were a witch and wizard?” Keira prodded further.
“Yes, and I knew them quite well. Your mother was a Muggle, and your father a pure-blood. Your father was a noble man.” Professor Potter’s voice died for a moment.
“What’s a Muggle?” Keira asked, confused.
“A non - magic person,” Professor Potter said as promptly.
“Am I a magic person?” Keira asked, curious at what he would say. Professor Potter chuckled very softly.
“You mean a witch?” Keira nodded. “Yes, you are a half-blood witch.”
“So I can do magic?”
“Not without a wand and proper training,” Professor Potter said. “That is what this school is for, to learn how to do magic. Unfortunately, it is smaller than it used to be.” Keira looked around her once more, now with more respect and awe. It was a majestic school then.
“So, this book,” Keira said, returning back to earth. “You can translate it? Can you tell me about it?”
Professor Potter sighed. “It is about time I guess. That book, it is called the Book of Kaens. It belonged to the evil wizard Lord Macafoy, who is currently in hiding, no doubt rebuilding his forces. It was first composed by the great Dark Lord Voldemort, and thankfully he was defeated -”
“By you right?” Keira cut in, suddenly remembering what Matthew had told her on the train.
“Yes by me. His followers were one by one killed, very few have died from old age - all are gone. But he had an - apprentice you could say. This apprentice was known as Lord Macafoy and he rose, with all of his Death Bringers, and they struck terror once again onto the wizarding world. He has a personal hatred for me, and I don’t blame him. Sadly, I was hoping I would not have to go through what I went through when I was 17 once again in my life. He attacked us, my forces and I attacked back. By now, you were born, and your grandmother was with me, fighting with me. She is a dear friend of mine.” At this, Professor Potter sighed and wiped his glasses on his robes.
“As we fought,” Professor Potter continued. “Your grandmother risked her life to go to Lord Macafoy’s secret lair and steal this book, the Book of Kaens. Lord Voldemort had written all of his evil doings and spells in that book, and when Lord Macafoy acquired it, he was able to learn magic more advanced into the dark arts than anyone had ever seen for nearly fifty years. Without this book, when your grandmother stole it, Lord Macafoy’s powers drained. His powers were bound to that book, and without it, he was nearly powerless. So he and his Death Bringers retreated, and for nearly 16 years, he has been laying low. There are rumored stirrings, but no one knows for sure.” Keira stared at Professor Potter. So much information about the book was revealed to her, and she knew what her grandmother’s doings were now. She knew who her grandmother was now.
“I can read that book, if you will permit me. And I will keep that book, for if you have it, you may be in great danger,” Professor Potter said.
Suddenly, as if lightning had hit her head, Keira had a realization. “No,” Keira said shakily. She looked into Professor Potter’s eyes. “How do I know you’re not one of Lord Macafoy’s? You could have switched sides for all I know!” she said fiercely. She didn’t know why, but she felt she couldn’t trust Professor Potter, despite his kindness to her. “No,” Keira continued. “You can translate for me, but I do not want to leave it with you. I’m going home, with this book. No matter what you say.”
Professor Potter gave her a hard look, but gave in. “You may leave with the book, but I shall impart some knowledge upon you and translate the book for you. Please, do come and rest upstairs. I believe Professor Granger has prepared a room for you and your friend. By the way, who is your friend?”
“Oh, uh, thank you sir. And my friend’s name is Matthew, I don’t know his last name. We met on the train,” Keira said. Professor Potter only uttered an “Ah,” and then opened the door for her. Professor Granger was standing with Matthew, and they both were led to their rooms.

It was a bright morning, and the sun shined directly into Keira’s room, waking her up. Keira quickly dressed and went down the tower. The halls were quiet, but as she passed by classrooms, she could hear the murmur of the teachers teaching classes. Keira quickly rushed down the hall, but then realized she had no idea where she was going. She tried to retrace her steps back to Professor Potter’s office when she bumped into none other than Professor Potter himself.
“Lost?” he asked kindly. Keira smiled and nodded. He held his hand out to show her the way.
“Let me give you a brief tour first, and then we can get you some breakfast. You must be starving.” He walked briskly, and Keira jogged to keep up with him.
Professor Potter pointed to his left. “Charms classroom, taught by Professor Weasley. They’re twins, and excellent charms-men. They truly know their stuff.”
“Weasley?” Keira asked, surprised. “Are they related to my grandmother?”
Professor Potter’s green eyes had a flash of panic in them, and then the headmaster quickly said, “Weasley is a common name in the wizarding world.” Keira nodded and accepted it. They walked further down.
“Transfiguration classroom, taught by Professor Granger. And out in the greenhouses are the Herbology classes, taught by Professor Longbottom. And I myself am the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, quite obviously. We have lost our astronomy, divination, potions, and several other subjects’ teachers. And now, we shall go for lunch, it is too late for breakfast.”
They headed for the great hall, where students were quickly filling up the seats. As the headmaster walked by with Keira behind him, students started to turn their heads to look at them. Keira felt her face flush, but the headmaster did not seem to notice, so she followed his example. She followed him all the way up to the stage and sat between Professor Potter and Professor Weasley. Professor Weasley looked at Keira oddly, but he stopped watching her when he glanced at Professor Potter’s warning face. The students were all chattering and eating noisily, and for the first time, Keira noticed that her plate was full of food. She began stuffing herself immediately. She had never tasted such good food in her life.
Keira was reaching for her second helping of roasted chicken when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned around, and saw that it was Matthew.
“Matthew! Hey!” Keira cried with a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
“Hey, how are you doing?” Matthew whispered. He really should have yelled; the noise in the hall was nearly deafening.
“Fine, did you eat yet?” Keira asked.
“Yeah. Hey, I’ll catch up with you later ok? Professor Granger promised me that I could watch her class this afternoon! Catch you later?” Keira nodded, and Matthew left her side.
“Keira, I believe I must take you to my office now,” Professor Potter said in a low voice in her ear. He stood up and Keira had no choice but to follow. She looked back at her plate of food; the food was gone.
“Keira, I will translate the book for you now, but I want to warn you of something first,” Professor Potter said once they reached the privacy of his office. “I will let you embark on your journey, if you will listen to me. There is a great danger out there. Lord Macafoy is not as weak now as anyone would like to think. I already have notified my friends in the Ministry of Magic, our government form in the magical world. I want to empower you with knowledge and a magical item, which I promise will be of great use to you.” Professor Potter turned around and looked up and down the rows of shelves in his office. He took out a brown package and handed it to Keira.
“Open it,” he said as he presented it to her. It was clumsily wrapped and Keira ripped off the brown paper. It was a mirror.
“It is a two-way mirror,” Professor Potter explained. “If you say my name clearly, the mirror will instantly connect you to me, and we can communicate to each other without risk of others knowing what we are up to. I have the other mirror, and you can notify me of your advancement on your journey, or to notify me of your danger. But do not use this in front of anyone, I repeat, anyone. Not even your friend Matthew. It is important to keep this secret. Do not use it often either, for people will be bound to find out what you are up to soon enough. Now, as for the book.” Professor Potter took out his wand and said, “Accio Book of Kaens!”
Soon, the book came flying through the office door and into Professor Potter’s hands. Keira stared in amazement. Professor Potter flipped open the book and began to speak, although he wasn’t saying anything legible but was hissing instead. He was hissing quite rapidly, as if reading the book. He kept flipping through the pages quicker than ever before. Soon, he was at the middle of the book, and there, Professor Potter stopped reading. A troubled look came over him and he seemed to be thinking hard, as if processing the information.
“What are you saying Professor?” Keira asked as soon as he stopped.
“I am speaking in the tongue of the snakes. It is the only way to read this book. Lord Macafoy, I do pity him, he had to learn how to read it the hard way. Well, do you wish to know the contents of the book?” Professor Potter said lightly. However, his eyes did not share the light emotion his voice implied.
“Yes of course!” Keira said eagerly.
“Well then, it says:
TO ONE DOES THE POWER OF THE LORD BELONG TO
TO THE OTHER, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LORD WILL BE FELT
A POWERFUL ALLY WILL RELIVE
A POWERFUL FORCE WILL FALL
THE DECISION MADE BY ONE SHALL AFFECT
THE FUTURE OF US ALL”
Keira stared at Professor Potter. She did not understand what he had said at all.
“There were also other things,” Professor Potter said. “It says, the wary traveler should go by way of Hogsmeade on the way to the final destination. In Hogsmeade, there are many clues, many guides - though some may be false - that help the person to get to the final destination. Unfortunately, you are that wary traveler.”
“What?” burst Keira. “How can that be?”
“It also says,” Professor Potter said calmly. “That whoever shall open this book and is not the dark lord shall be the one who destroys the dark lord. The book is binded with many magical curses, and unfortunately, you stumbled upon the largest. You see, only a person unwilling to be a savior will be the one who destroys the dark lord. Your grandmother was an unwilling savior, and she brought his downfall, but not his utter destruction. I believe there was a small part of her that wanted the ruination of the dark lord. But, she also did not open the book. You were unwilling and you opened the book, making you qualified for the job.”
“But I’m not qualified!” Keira cried out. “I don’t know magic!”
“You don’t have me on your side for nothing you know,” Professor Potter said somewhat coldly.
“But! That’s a stupid curse!” Keira was trying to find a reason to not be the one who would be burdened to destroy a powerful man.
“It is, but it is the curse, whether we like it or not. You are the descendant of Ginny Weasley, a great witch, so you must have some abilities of your own, whether you know about it or not. Would you like me to continue reading and translating?” Professor Potter asked. Keira nodded weakly.
“Ok then,” Professor Potter said. He opened the book and continued hissing. His eyebrows flew up in surprise as he read, but he recovered and said, “Keira, the best thing to do right now is to just go to Hogsmeade. Your future awaits you, and the best thing to do, is to just trust me. Listen to what I am telling you. I want you to take the mirror, take the book, and go to Hogsmeade. That is the only advice I can give you right now. Go!” Professor Potter threw the book at her and pushed Keira out the door. He slammed the door behind her and Keira was left at the corridor on her own. She rushed to her room and stuffed her book in her bag. Why was the headmaster forcing her to leave? On her own? No, she decided. She was going to tell Matthew what she was going to do and see if he would go with her. But should she trust the headmaster? He had said to trust him, but should she listen or just go home? She even forgot to contact Bob and Rose, but it was too late now. What was her future? Destroy the dark lord? Why?
Keira felt very unwilling at the moment, but why was she here in London anyway? To find out about her grandmother’s past, she answered. So, if trusting the headmaster was part of her quest to find out her grandmother’s past, then she would go to Hogsmeade. But she had a new purpose too. It was just whether she wanted to take control of the reins on that problem.

“You called for me Harry?” Professor Granger entered the headmaster’s office.
“Yes Hermione,” Professor Potter said wearily. “I need you to follow Keira, and possibly her friend who I believe is going to go with her. A cat would be nice, and I need you to notify of anything, in case Keira is hiding anything. Fred can cover for you.”
Professor Granger nodded and she left the room swiftly.

okay...chapter 7
*****

Chapter 7 - An Accidental Meeting

Keira shifted the bag over her shoulder and trudged down the stairs. Entering the Great Hall, she saw some students milling about, some doing their homework, some playing chess (except the pieces moved), and some were just chattering. Keira walked up to a student who looked about her age. As she approached them, she could hear snippets of their conversation.
“And so, I told him ‘why don’t you go to the headmaster?’, and he said ‘no way!’”
“No way!”
“Yes! He’s hungry for blood - you know vampires - so I told him just go to the headmaster.”
“Yeah! He needs blood, and I’m sure the headmaster has blood-flavored lollipops.”
“That’s exactly what I told him!”
“Oh my God! You are so smart Kathy!”
This was all said in under thirty seconds.
“Excuse me, do you know where I can find Professor Granger’s class?” Keira asked the girl who was Kathy. The girl only stared, with a confused and affronted look on her face.
“She’s down the hall, turn left, and then turn right,” the girl directed.
“Thanks.” Keira rushed out of the Great Hall and prayed that Matthew was still in the class. Keira turned left, and then turned right almost immediately. She came face to face with dark oak doors and knocked. No one answered. Keira opened the door as quietly as possible and peeked in. There was no one in the classroom. Keira sighed. She now didn’t know where Matthew was. A movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she swung the door open even further. Matthew was inspecting a globe on the teacher’s desk.
“Matthew!” Keira whispered urgently. Her voice echoed throughout the vast room. Matthew turned around, and a smile broke out on his face.
“Hey!” he greeted. “Professor Granger had to go somewhere so she dismissed the class. She let me hang around for a bit.”
“Matthew,” Keira said seriously. “I have to go to Hogsmeade. The headmaster told me to go, and I think I can find something out about my grandmother there. Could you come with me?”
“Did the headmaster translate the book for you?” Matthew asked, lowering his voice.
“Yeah, and he told me something about the dark lord, and his defeat, and whatever. But I’m not interested in that,” Keira said, half - lying. She was in fact very interested, but she did not want to think about her task of destroying the dark lord. “I think my grandmother’s past can be connected to Hogsmeade, and I need you to come with me. I don’t want to go alone.” As for the grandmother topic, Keira was lying. She knew enough about her grandmother that would last for a lifetime.
Matthew’s face had a look of surprise when she mentioned the dark lord, but he regained his seriousness and agreed to go with Keira. He left Keira at the entrance of the school and rushed to his room to gather his things. He was not gone for five minutes when they were ready to leave for Hogsmeade. Keira felt for the mirror in her bag as Matthew checked if the coast was clear outside. She felt it and was reassured, and the both of them set off for Hogsmeade.

“How far is it?” Keira asked, as soon as they passed by a small wooden cottage near the edge of the forest. Matthew had told her that they were passing the Forbidden Forest, and by the sound of it, Keira felt a shiver up her spine and knew she was never going to enter it.
“It’s a little ways out of the Hogwarts grounds, and we’ll be there soon,” Matthew said. He walked even faster, and Keira jogged to keep up. She looked back at the large castle and turned to Matthew.
“Did you go to Hogwarts for school?” Keira asked.
“Yes,” he said shortly.
“And what do you do after school?”
“You can choose from many different jobs,” Matthew said. “I...I don’t really have a job yet. I’m just exploring the different places in the magical world. I recently visited Belleville in France. It’s near Beauxbatons.”
“What’s Bow-batoe?” Keira mispronounced. Matthew laughed at her accent.
“It’s another wizarding school, but in France. No one knows it’s exact whereabouts, but people have a pretty good idea once they reach Belleville.” They continued to travel in silence.
After a half-hour’s walk, they reached the outskirts of the school grounds, and they saw the fork on the road that had signs leading to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, where they were coming from. They turned onto the road to Hogsmeade.
“I heard someone say that Hogsmeade was desolate,” Keira said, as though trying to make conversation, but her voice shook a little and showed her fear.
“Yeah it is,” Matthew answered. “After the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort, nothing was the same. Yeah, businesses boomed and everyone enjoyed their lives, but it wasn’t enough for Hogsmeade. Especially Hogsmeade.” Matthew’s voice died off.
“Why?” Keira asked curiously.
Matthew gave a sigh. “It was here where there was a large massacre of people who fought against the Death Eaters, followers of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Many died bravely, some were noble lives. For example, the headmaster before Professor Potter was Professor Dumbledore. He was killed at that spot, and it required five Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort to do the deed.” Matthew pointed to the entrance of a wooden store that looked half-burnt. The sign said ‘Honeydukes’. “Rumor has it that Dumbledore uttered, ‘At least I die into the hands of the store I love.’ And then he died. People are afraid of the spirits lingering around here.” He paused, noticing Keira’s shock.
“So, that painting of him in the headmaster’s office. That’s a magic painting? He doesn’t live in it?” Keira said in wonder.
“Pretty much, in his case. His soul was preserved and by magic, it was entered into his portrait. I believe he is one of the few whose life was preserved like that in a painting,” Matthew said thoughtfully. They walked on, passing another wooden store that had a hanging sign dangling on one chain. It said ‘The Three Broomsticks’ in faded gold lettering. Matthew pointed to the bar. “That was where my uncle Dolan was killed. He fought bravely, and he was the only uncle I ever knew of,” Matthew said quietly.
“I’m so sorry,” Keira said just as quietly. They walked in silence, passing by an owl post office and a small shop that was called ‘Zonko’s’ when they finally seemed to reach the outskirts of the town. Keira looked back, and realized she had not seen anything remotely significant that could distinguish itself into a clue. There were only run-down buildings in the deserted town with nothing in the stores or buildings. Keira looked ahead. Matthew was standing by a fence and staring out into the distance. Keira followed his eyesight and saw a shack that looked as though it was about to fall. It was built unstably.
“What’s that?” Keira asked, hearing her voice in a whisper when there really was no need to.
“That’s the Shrieking Shack. It is the most haunted house in the world, though I don’t believe one bit of it,” Matthew said. “Want to see it?”
Keira looked at the house uncertainly. What if it collapsed as soon as they opened the door? But could it hold a clue about her grandmother? That was still a possiblity. “Sure, I guess,” Keira said, shrugging her shoulders. Matthew jumped the fence and then held out his hand to help Keira get over, but Keira didn’t take his hand. With great agility, she hopped over the fence. Matthew looked at her with eyebrows raised. “Gymnastics,” Keira said simply. Matthew nodded. He led the way to the Shrieking Shack, where there was no distinct path. The Shrieking Shack seemed to be situated on a hill; well, for Keira she thought it was since she felt herself steadily going upward.
They climbed over the last boulder and Matthew stood at the door as Keira caught up with him. “I haven’t been here for ten years,” Matthew murmured, and he opened the door gingerly. The door creaked as it swung open. It was dusty and looked half-demolished. The stairs were lopsided, with some of the steps missing. There was no banister, and the boards on the floor creaked with every step they took. It was dark, and the door provided the only source of light. “Come on,” Matthew guided. “Let’s try upstairs.”
They carefully climbed the stairs, jumping over a step or sometimes three. The second floor was just as dusty and there were only two rooms.
“Which would you like to go in first?” Matthew asked.
“Let’s try this one,” and Keira pushed against the door nearest the stairs. The door groaned and creaked as it opened. It was dark inside.
“Heh, could do a flashlight right now eh?” Keira said.
“Let’s improvise,” Matthew replied. He took out his wand and muttered something. Light came out of the tip of his wand. Keira’s mouth fell.
“How on earth did you do that!?” Keira asked.
“Magic,” Matthew said. He grinned at her disappointed face for such an inadequate answer.
They advanced into the room. Keira nearly knocked into a nightstand if Matthew had not turned his light towards her just in time. There wasn’t much in the room, just a nightstand, a closet, and a bed.
“Reckon I check the closet?” Keira said.
“Why not. Might as well,” Matthew said, shrugging his shoulders. Keira slowly advanced on the closet. Her hands gripped the cold brass doorknob. With a deep breath, she turned the knob and yanked it open. There was a whoosh of cold, stale air, and Keira peered inside. Matthew shined the light over her head. There was one box, a wooden one with fairies and elves carved on the sides. It was identical to the box that belonged to her grandmother! Keira grabbed at it and hastily opened the box. There was only one thing inside it when Matthew shined the light into the box: there was a lock of hair tied with a ribbon. Keira dropped the box as she took it out. It clunked loudly on the floor. Keira’s jaw dropped at the sight of the lock of hair. It was red and gray colored, and curly. The ends were not frizzy and bent yet; the lock of hair seemed freshly cut.
“This lock of hair seems new,” Matthew muttered, voicing her thoughts.
“I know this lock of hair,” Keira managed to say. “I used to play with it when I was younger.” She continued to stare at the lock of hair.
“And?” Matthew said anxiously. “Whose is it?”
“It belonged to my grandmother.”

“No way. No - way. It cannot be,” Keira kept muttering as they walked briskly back to town.
“What cannot be?” Matthew asked, breathless. Now he was the one jogging after her.
“My grandmother. Her lock of hair. That has got to be old. It was placed there long ago. But that proves that my grandmother was here long ago. I don’t know when, but she was here,” Keira said firmly.
“But didn’t you see how soft it felt?” Matthew countered. “And the ends! They were all straight. Usually, old locks of hair are more brittle. Well, at least they don’t look as nice and neat as the one we saw of your grandmother’s. And it had gray hair. I doubt your grandmother had gray hair long ago, fifty years ago, if she was ever here for the massacre.”
“But it can’t be a recent cut!” Keira cried out. “How can it be? My grandmother is dead!” With that, she sat on the ground and sobbed. Matthew came over and sat next to her.
“I know, but the facts don’t check out,” Matthew said quietly.
“What facts? There are no facts! The only fact is is that the lock is my grandmother’s! And that my grandmother was here, but nothing else! Nothing supports your stupid theory,” Keira said scathingly. Matthew looked at her sympathetically as she buried her face in her hands. He put his hand on her back to calm her down, but as soon as he did, Keira jerked away from his touch and she ran back to town.
Keira ran blindly. Questions, thoughts, theories, all were burning in her head, and none of them made sense. What was her grandmother’s lock of hair doing here? Was it the clue she needed? But what clue was that? That her grandmother was present at the massacre?
Keira was not looking at where she was going when she hit something hard. She felt a piece of clothing brush against her face and looked up. She had bumped into a tall, gangly looking man with violently bright red hair. He looked down on her in astonishment.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Keira muttered in embarrassment.
“Who are you?” thundered a man who appeared beside the man Keira had bumped into.
“I’m..uh...Keira,” she said nervously.
“And how dare you offend the Minister of Magic! You dare bump into him! And then you dare stand in his presence! You should -”
“Enough, Creevey,” the Minister’s voice cut in. “Go along young girl, and watch your way.” The Minister turned around, beckoned the man Creevey to follow him, and with a swish of a cloak he was gone. Keira stared at where they last stood. Matthew came rushing up to her, panting.
“What happened to you? Are you okay? Look I’m sorry for what I did but - what are you staring at?” Matthew had just noticed that Keira was not listening to a single word he was saying to her but was staring at a spot on the road.
“N-nothing,” Keira stuttered. “It’s ok,” she said as she turned to Matthew. “I’m sorry too for shrugging you off. Look, let’s forget it for now. All I have now is a lock of hair and a prophecy from the book. And I have no idea where to go now,” Keira stated.
“A prophecy?” Matthew asked, puzzled.
“Yeah. It said that I would bring down the dark lord, I’m assuming Macafoy. I am the unwilling hero supposedly. And all I have to lead me to fight the dark lord is my grandmother’s lock of hair,” Keira said exasperatedly.
A stricken look came over Matthew’s face. “You’re going to fight the dark lord!?”
“Well I don’t know if anyone said about fight,” Keira said quickly, but she realized it was about time she told Matthew. Besides, the headmaster didn’t tell her that she couldn’t tell him. “But according to the book, whoever opens the book and is the unwilling person will be the hero. I guess that’s me. Do you want to help me?” Keira said hopefully.
“Uh-I-uh-I-eh,” Matthew sputtered. “I guess. I’ll help. You can’t take him on your own!” Suddenly, they heard heavy footsteps.
“Hey you two! Stay where you are!” Two heavy set men in dark blue cloaks and wearing hats that looked like a police officer’s.
“What the hell,” Keira muttered.
“What did you do?” Matthew said frantically.
“I don’t know! I just bumped into the Minister of Magic before you came!” Keira cried out.
“Oh God run!” Matthew yelled. He grabbed Keira’s hand and dragged her away from the police officers. “That’s one of the rules passed by the previous Minister. You cannot in any way hurt the Minister, physically, or mentally, intentionally or unintentionally,” Matthew explained between gasps. They ran faster than ever when they heard the footsteps pounding after them. “We have to hide! They can apparate anywhere!”
“What!” Keira shrieked. “I broke a law? And what is apparate?” but Matthew did not answer her. He dragged her into a wooded area and they crouched behind some foliage. The two authorites looked around, and their eyes missed over Keira and Matthew’s heads. “Where’d they go? Creevey’s gonna be mad.” The authorites looked, gave up, and trudged back to town.
When the coast was clear, Matthew reclined on a tree. “It was a rule made by the last Minister, Cornelius Fudge. There were some assassination attempts on him, and for his safety he issued this law so that no one would get near him or have a chance to hurt him at very close quarters. And apparating is to appear wherever the witch or wizard wants to be at in an instant.” Keira gave a tiny “Oh” and she sat back on another tree. Now they were running from the law, and with nowhere to go.


“Harry!” The Minister barged into the headmaster’s office. Professor Potter looked up and a smile broke out across his grave face.
“How are you doing Ron?” Professor Potter greeted.
“I’m doing good,” Minister Ron Weasley replied, seating himself on a chair across from Professor Potter. He magicked himself a cup of tea. “I got your early owl. What’s the urgency? Is my wife alright?”
“She’s fine,” Professor Potter reassured him. “I sent her on a mission to watch over our chosen one.”
“What?” Ron choked on his tea.
“Yes,” Professor Potter sighed heavily. “Ginny’s granddaughter is here.”
Ron jumped. “Ginny has a granddaughter?”
“Yes,” Professor Potter answered. “You remember her husband, Will Wilstone. He was put under a sever cruciatus curse, just like McGonagall. After Ginny’s deed, she fled to New York with her husband. Her son and wife were killed by Death Bringers, and the granddaughter, Keira, was the only surviving relative. Death Bringers didn’t know she existed I guess.”
“Ginny has a granddaughter?” Ron was obviously still awestruck and could not believe such a notion. “Wait a minute, Keira?” Ron said, slightly confused. “That name is familiar. Wait a minute! I bumped into her! Or, at least she bumped into me. Creevey went a bit overboard, sending authorities after her. I didn’t know she was Ginny’s! Ginny’s granddaughter!”
Professor Potter rolled his eyes. The Minister was the same as ever. “Yes, well she came here to find out about her grandmother. And,” Professor Potter here now drew a big breath. “She has opened the Book of Kaens.”
Ron Weasley fell off his seat.

Chapter 8 - The Order of the Phoenix Again

“You’re joking!” Ron said as he got back on his seat.
“I’m not,” Potter said flatly. “I hoped that Keira had not opened the book before we met, but she did. She was able to read Hogsmeade in the book and -”
“Wait how was she able to read it? Is she a Parseltongue?” Ron broke in.
“No, I don’t believe so. I went through her memories and I believe it is because she was about to fall asleep and her eyes glazed over and saw the words,” Potter said thoughtfully.
“So if you’re half-asleep then you can read it?” Ron could not believe the incredulilty.
“It seems so, but I think there is more to it,” Potter paused. “Anyway, Hermione’s gone after her and I have to notify your brothers and Longbottom. And that reminds me...” Potter went to the fire place, where there was already a burning fire. He took some dust from a flower pot and threw it in the fire. “Number Twelve Girmmauld Place!” Potter yelled and stuck his head in the fire. He had inherited Grimmauld Place from his godfather, Sirius Black. Grimmauld place came into view, and he saw two old stooped figures sitting and bickering.
“Remus, Severus,” Potter said softly. The two old men jumped and turned around.
“Ah! Harry,” Lupin said in a raspy voice. He looked about the same, except he was now more frail and shorter. Snape was still tall and imposing, but his black greasy hair was now gray and greasy.
“And it’s ‘Professor Snape’ to you Potter,” Snape said spitefully.
“Sorry. I have news of great importance,” Potter said quickly.
“Even more important than Severus’ shortage of potion supplies,” Lupin said drily.
“Hey! I need those supplies! Or else you won’t have Wolfsbane potion for this month!” Snape defended himself.
“Listen you two!” Potter insisted. “Ginny’s granddaughter is here right now.” Lupin and Snape’s reactions were reminiscent of Ron’s. Lupin fell off his chair and Snape, who was drinking deeply from his goblet, spat at what Potter suspected was butterbeer.
“Ginny has a granddaughter?” Lupin and Snape said simultaneously.
“Yes,” Potter said, irritated. “And she has opened the Book of Kaens. Hermione’s gone after her, and Ron’s with me right now.” Potter spoke quickly to prevent any interruption.
“I am going to have a meeting with Fred, George, and Neville after dinner. Ron’s going to go and notify our members in the Ministry. Remus, I need you to go find Luna. She may be an Unspeakable, but I need you to get as much information as you can from her. Ron will have to issue an authroization for her. Send an owl to Hagrid and Grawp, they have to prepare the second front. Severus, (“Professor Snape,” muttered Snape.) I need you to send for Dobby, tell him to prepare our forces on that side. I will notify you once again when Fred, George, and Neville are on their way there.” Potter removed his head from the fire and turned to Ron. Ron was in deep thought.
“Ron, I need you to go back to the Ministry,” Potter instructed. “Give authorization to Luna Lovegood to speak and reveal whatever information needed to help us in the fight. Also, notify Shacklebolt, Tonks, everyone. Tell them to head for Grimmauld Place immediately. No, better yet, tell Tonks to head for the Forbidden Forest and wait for them. It will be best if Creevey does not know. He is a bit zealous and overexcited, so I don’t think that would be too good in the long run. Get to Grimmauld Place as soon as possible. I’ll meet you there.”
Ron’s jaw was slack. “So, we’re reestablishing the order...”
“Yes,” Potter replied softly. “We are. Because of Keira, Lord Macafoy may just come back to power. We have to help her. Now go!”
Ron turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he turned back to Potter.
“Harry, if Keira is Ginny’s granddaughter, I’m her great - uncle right?” Ron said weakly.
“Yes,” Potter affirmed. “But she does not know that. Understood? Ginny kept Keira a secret for a reason, and I don’t think Keira knows about you, Fred, or George. So don’t say anything.” Ron nodded and left the office. Potter turned to Fawkes, a phoenix he inherited from Dumbledore. Fawkes was sitting on his perch, listening intently.
“Fawkes,” Potter whispered. Fawkes turned to face him. “Go to Fred, George, and Neville. Now!” With a flash, Fawkes was gone. Potter sat back in his chair. The order was once again, for the fourth time, established.
“Well, school will end early this year,” Potter muttered to himself.


“So you’re plan is to go through the Forbidden Forest?” Keira squeaked.
“Yes,” Matthew said exasperatedly for the umpteenth time. “If you have to defeat the dark lord, you have to go to the dark lord.”
“And you know where you’re going?” Keira said in a high pitched voice.
“No,” Matthew admitted. “But there are rumors that Lord Macafoy is in Scotland. Besides, we may find another clue!”
“In this forest!?” Keira cried. “Yeah, sure we are!” she added sarcastically.
They walked on into the darkness, not noticing the orange tabby cat that followed behind them. The cat gave a small purr and disappeared into the darkness with them.

Chapter 9 - The Second Passage

Matthew and Keira walked deeper into the woods in silence. Usually, Keira had to keep up with Matthew, whose long legs helped him walk further, faster. Keira was getting impatient with the distance.
“Where the hell are we?” Keira asked.
“The Forbidden Forest!” Impatience was creeping into his voice. “We’re in the middle of it, or hopefully...”
“We’re lost aren’t we?” Keira accused him.
“Well how should I know!” Matthew yelled. “You don’t even know where to go!”
“But I haven’t been guiding people in wrong directions for the past two hours!” Keira yelled back.
“What! For all we know, we could be going in the right direction!”
“Oh shut up!” Keira yelled. “Just because you’ve lived in the magical world all your life does not mean you have a good sense of direction and know where the hell you’re going!”
Matthew opened his mouth to retort, but he never got to.
“Lost m’dears?”
Matthew and Keira turned, and there was a slouched old lady with crazy frizzy hair, large glasses, and a beak nose. She smiled at the two of them, and was holding a basket full of herbs.
“Who are you?” Matthew said, directing some anger at her in his voice.
“Oh, just a little old lady who lives here,” the old woman said dismissively.
“But I thought the Forbidden Forest was uninhabited,” Matthew said, confused.
“By creatures or by people?” the old woman asked pleasantly.
“I - uh, people,” Matthew muttered.
“Oh! Well I must be the only one then!” she said kindly. “Now you two seem lost!”
“Well as a matter of fact, we are,” Keira cut in before Matthew could say anything. “We’re trying to find our way to Scotland, but we don’t know which direction to take.”
“Ah! And may I ask why you are going to Scotland?” the old woman asked in the same kind voice.
Keira and Matthew looked at each other. They weren’t sure if they should trust this stranger. But Keira had no time to analyze a person’s intent or motives or trustworthiness.
“I have this book,” Keira said. She gave Matthew a look, which stopped his protests and took the book out and handed it to the woman. The old woman put down her basket and took the book, inspecting it reverently.
“I don’t know how to read it,” Keira explained. “But Professor Potter told me I could find out more about my grandmother if I went to Hogsmeade. And I don’t know where to go, so I was hoping this book could help me. Can you read this book?” Keira looked hopeful.
The old woman leafed through the pages. She turned to the middle of the book and scanned the pages. “Well now, it says here that to find the dark lord, you must not set foot in the Forbidden Forest. It is asking for unneeded trouble.” The old woman stared intently at the page.
“You can read it!” Keira said, delighted. She turned to Matthew and her face turned hard. “See? We didn’t have to go to the Forbidden Forest at all!” She punched him in the chest. Matthew had no emotion on his face.
“Well, now. I don’t know how your grandmother has anything to do with the dark lord and finding him,” the old woman said doubtfully. “But have I helped you?”
“Um, well,” Keira hesitated. “I hope I’m not asking too much, but could you tell us where we should go? I mean, if we shouldn’t be at the Forbidden Forest, where should we be?”
“Oh! Well, now, let’s read somewhere shall we?” The old woman smiled. She scanned the book.
“Hmm, interesting, very interesting,” the old woman muttered.
“What’s so interesting?” Keira asked, curious.
“Well, have you been to Hogsmeade? That is what the book says.”
“Yes, yes. We’ve been there,” Matthew said impatiently. Keira could tell he was anxious to find out what was in the book.
“And have you been to the Shrieking Shack?” the woman asked, still reading.
“Yes!” Keira said. “And I got a lock of my grandmother’s hair from there. I found it there.” Keira took out the lock of hair and showed it to the old woman.
“Hmmmm,” the old woman said with raised eyebrows. She went on reading. “Well I think you’re supposed to find more than that in the shack!”
“We are?” Keira asked, shocked.
“Yes, yes!” the old woman said. Keira and Matthew looked at each other.
“We should get going then,” Keira told the old lady. They waved their goodbyes.
“No! Wait!” the old lady cried out. “It’s much too late! It’s dark out there and you will lose your way. Come, come with me. Stay with me for the night and you can go early in the morning. Yes? Good, my home is not far.” She dragged the two of them by the arms, picked up the basket, and led them a little ways off the beaten path. They walked for a couple of minutes in this fashion and then, in a small clearing, Keira spotted a very small cottage. It was quaint and simply functional for a place to stay, nothing more. The old lady opened the door and let them in. Keira gasped.
The interior was not the same as the exterior. It looked bigger inside and the walls and floors were of wood. The living room was spacious and looked as if it took up the whole cottage. But there were three rooms, one was probably a bathroom. There was a large kitchen off to the side, and a fireplace was between the kitchen and the living room. It looked like a country home or a ranch.
“Now now,” the old lady said, hanging up her shawl on one of the pegs behind the door. “Sit down and I’ll make some tea. And then I’ll make some dinner. If you two are not too tired, I’ll tell you what is in that passage. Oh! And if you don’t mind, I only have one extra room, and you two will have to share it. It’s a bit small, but you two can fit.”
“Oh, no thanks,” Matthew said quickly. “I can sleep on the couch.”
“Nonsense.” The old lady waved away his protests. “You are my guests and I don’t treat my guests like that.”
She fixed up some tea with her wand and made sure they had at least two cups each. With another wave of her wand, she had knives chopping up some vegetables, a spoon stirring the soup, and the frying pan cooking some bacon. In less than five minutes, dinner was ready, and the food smelled delicious. The old lady made sure they had three helpings each and hardly ate herself. Keira was finally having, since the past several days, a relaxing time.
After Matthew had finished his last bite of his fourth helping and drunk deeply from his goblet of butterbeer, Keira spoke. “You said you’d tell me about the passage from the book. What was it?” A startled look came upon the old woman’s face, but it was gone in an instant. She waved her hand.
“It is not much, simply more detail about Hogsmeade. You are not to stray far actually. The book has magic of its own. It answers to the hiss of the snake, of it’s true owner. Therefore, the closer you are to the dark lord, the more he can sense it, and trouble will befall upon us all if he gets his hands on that book. No one should know that you have this book. Don’t worry, you can trust me,” the old lady added, seeing Keira and Matthew’s worried faces. “I am on Professor Potter’s side. Supported him always, ever since he was born.” The old lady’s eyes glazed for a moment and she had a smile on her face, as if remembering a happy memory.
“However, the book says that the place to find is Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade is a hallowed site, and there, hardly any evil can touch you. Yet, there are more secrets in Hogsmeade than you may know. More than that lock of hair that you found. In fact, a greater one. Young girl, I suggest you and this man watch where you go, for with this book, evil is right behind your shadow, and I would not wander around the Forbidden Forest and head to Scotland if I were you. Go back to Hogwarts, that is the best I can say.” There was a silence at the table.
“But Professor Potter told me to head for Hogsmeade,” Keira said, breaking the silence.
“Well then, don’t stray far from Hogsmeade,” the old lady said. “Now! It’s time for bed! A good rest is needed, for I believe you will have quite a journey tomorrow.” The old lady flicked her wand and the dishes flew to the sink. A sponge and a water spout began cleaning the dirty dishes. She beckoned Matthew and Keira to follow her, and she led them through a tiny hallway. Taking out a keychain (Keira noticed there were many keys, all different sizes, and more than was needed for this home), the old lady began scanning the keys. She tried a large silver one but it didn’t work; a tiny gold key didn’t fit either. After several more tries, the key that opened the door leading to their room was a bronze medium-sized one. The room was small, with only a bed, a wooden table, and a wicker chair.
“Now you two!” The old woman said cheerfully. “I think the bed is big enough for you two to share! I’ll bring in extra sheets and blankets just in case.” She closed the door and Keira and Matthew surveyed the room.
“I’ll take the bed,” claimed Keira.
“I’ll take the floor,” Matthew said at the same time.
Keira tossed her bag on the wicker chair and Matthew laid his stuff on top of the table. The old lady came back, with extra sheets and with a wink, she closed the door. Matthew took out a toothbrush.
“Mind if I got to the bathroom first?” he asked. Keira shook her head and fell on the bed. As Matthew closed the door, Keira started thinking about what the old woman said. There was more in Hogsmeade. But where? The stores were plainly deserted. Hardly a thing left that could be of any substantial use. But there was the Shrieking Shack. And the second room on the second floor. They never looked in there. They just went into one room and left. Maybe another clue was there. What could it be? Keira thought of all the possibilities: the whereabouts of her grandmother, the hiding place of Lord Macafoy, a secret room where a secret society met, a roomful of snakes... Each idea was becoming more and more absurd than the last, but Matthew’s return stopped her from thinking anymore. She went to the bathroom, showered, changed and then tiptoed back into the room. The old lady was snoring, and Matthew had used the blankets to make a bed on the floor. She climbed to the bed, and after wishing each other goodnight, she fell almost immediately to a deep sleep.


Bright sunlight on her face woke Keira up the next day. She blinked her eyes and slowly sat up, realizing that there was a window in the room and the curtains were drawn back. She looked over the edge of the bed; Matthew was gone. Just as she looked up, she saw Matthew come in the room. He was awake, dressed, and munching on a piece of toast. He was also holding a plate of buttered toast.
“Breakfast,” he said brightly, pushing the plate under her face. She blinked owlishly at him for a few seconds and looked at the plate.
“What t-ti-time is it?” Keira asked, giving a huge yawn.
“Nearly ten,” Matthew said. “Slept well?”
“Yeah,” Keira said, and she stretched her arms.
“Lucky you. Back’s been sore,” Matthew muttered. He gulped down the last piece of toast. “Come on, get ready. Eat breakfast. The old lady’s gone out to pick up some more plants, says the dewy morning makes fresh vegetation, or something weird like that. Anyways, she said when we were ready, we could leave.” Matthew put the plate on the table and he left the room to leave Keira in privacy. She slowly got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and change. There were three pieces of toast, but Keira only had the appetite for one. She took out a tissue from her bag and wrapped the remaining two. She could be hungry later on. Keira left the room and found Matthew reading a newspaper called the Daily Prophet.
Matthew saw her and he put down the newspaper. “Ready? Let’s head out!” They grabbed their bags and left the home. Keira cast one last look at the house and then followed Matthew. He was going in the direction they were heading yesterday.
“Wait a minute!” Keira said, waking up and realizing where they were heading. “Hogsmeade’s the other way! Where are you going?”
“Not Hogsmeade!” Matthew said firmly.
“What?!” Keira cried out. She stopped walking. Matthew turned around and looked at her.
“That old woman’s a fake Ki,” Matthew said. Keira felt her heart skip a beat when she heard him call her the nickname Bob gave her. “She’s telling us to go back to Hogsmeade, when there’s nothing there! She obviously wants to keep us there! She probably works for the dark lord and is currently telling him where we are or are going to be!”
“But,” Keira whispered. “What if she’s telling the truth? We didn’t check the second room on the second floor of the Shrieking Shack. What if there is something there?”
“But what?” Matthew begged. “What could be in that God-forsaken dilapidated house!?”
“Who knows?” Keira retorted shrilly. “That’s why we should go back!”
“But how can that woman know so much!?” Matthew shot back. “The last I heard, only Professor Potter, only him, is able to read that book. Ok, and Lord Macafoy too, but that woman shouldn’t know how to read that book! And there she goes! Translating the book! Or she could be lying to us and feeding us the wrong information!” Matthew lowered his voice to a vicious whisper. “If there is anyone else who can read this book, it would only be dark wizards or witches. The only person who can read this book and is on the good side is Professor Potter!”
Keira was silent. This explanation was possible. The woman was positively eager for them to head back to Hogsmeade and have them remain there. She wouldn’t let them go further to Scotland. And Matthew was right before - to defeat the dark lord, they had to go to the dark lord. They couldn’t just be sitting ducks.
“Fine,” Keira sighed. Lead the way, the wrong direction to Scotland probably, but lead the way, she thought.

The orange tabby cat sauntered its way to the old woman’s hut. The old woman was sitting on a rock near the front door, shelling peas. The cat settled itself next to the woman.
“Knew you’d be here sooner or later,” the old lady commented. She gave a sideways glance and a prim looking woman with brown frizzy hair was sitting on the grass next to her.
“Yes, well, nice memory you got there, remembering what Harry told you so many years before. Oh, and nice disguise you got there. You nearly fooled me into thinking you were Trelawney,” added Professor Granger. She gave a glance at the old woman, but the old woman wasn’t there anymore. She was replaced with a young looking slim woman, not older than thirty, with straight dark purple hair, a long face and pointed chin, and startlingly blue eyes. This young woman was still shelling peas.
“You haven’t aged a bit Hermione,” the now-young woman commented.
“And you haven’t allowed yourself to age either Tonks,” Professor Granger said.
“Ah, special little advantage we Metamorphmagi have over you people,” Tonks said sagely.
“So, where are they off too?” Professor Granger asked, changing the subject.
“Scotland probably,” Tonks said nonchalantly. “That boy, Matthew I think his name is, he doesn’t trust me. And Keira, she’s more of a follower, so I think they’ll head for Scotland. It’s expected. They’re young and foolish, and they’re headstrong. They’re heading for Scotland probably. I kinda wonder how Keira’s gonna accomplish the task,” Tonks added thoughtfully.
“She’ll be able to do it,” Professor Granger said firmly.
“Does she know?” Tonks asked, suddenly serious and curious.
“No,” Professor Granger said in the same firm voice. She didn’t elaborate.
“Well now, all I have to say is, I hope they won’t notice a bright bright orange tabby following them in the dark black forest,” Tonks said cheerfully.
The cat hissed.

P.S. sorry again for the wait on chapter 9, specially for you "abuelita"

ok, just to let you know in case for clarification: Keira is 15 going on 16, Matthew is 19. The story takes place in April. ok...

and some feedback would be nice!! i'd like to know what you'd like to see in my story, improvements, changes, etc...anything! (it's at the flourish and botts book club already, called "Feedback for 'Book of Kaens'") thanks

ok, chapter 10...

*******

Chapter 10 - Tactics, Strategies, and Delays

“Wait a minute, I have to rest a bit!” Keira sat down on a nearby rock and panted. Matthew turned, seeing that Keira was not following him. He walked back and put down his bag. He too was breathing deeply, though he was trying to pace his breathing so as to not show his exhaustion. Keira had her head down and she moved her bag across her lap. She noticed a bulge in her bag and stared at it. It took several seconds for her to realize that it was the mirror Professor Potter had given her. She needed to use it. Matthew seemed to be lost, but he wouldn’t admit it to her. With every tired step, Keira kept thinking that she was right: they should have gone to Hogsmeade. She wanted to tell the professor where they were and where they should go. But the professor had told her that she could not use the mirror in front of anyone, even Matthew. Keira was thinking of an excuse for privacy when Matthew tapped her knee. She looked at him.
“I have to go for a bit of privacy Ki,” Matthew said in a low voice. Keira winced slightly at the nickname but he didn’t notice. He dropped his voice even lower, even though there was no one around. “If you know what I mean.” Matthew got up and went off the path and deeper into the woods. Keira watched his retreating back and when he was completely gone from her sight, she fumbled with opening her bag. She took out the mirror.
“Professor Potter!” she whispered. The mirror misted and fogged. Keira worried whether it would work or not, but soon, the face of Professor Potter came into full view. Behind the professor was fog.
“Keira!” Professor Potter said to her in surprise. “I wasn’t sure if you’d use this mirror!” A sudden thought seemed to strike him. “Where’s your friend?!”
“He’s out taking a leak,” Keira reassured him. “Anyway Professor, I just wanted you to know where we were. Matthew told me that we should head for Scotland and get to the dark lord that way. He said we shouldn’t go back to Hogsmeade, since there was nothing there.”
Potter frowned with each word she said. Keira gritted her teeth, preparing for an admonition. But Potter simply said, “Well Keira, I’m glad you told me where you were. I would advise you strongly to go back to Hogsmeade, but judging from your surroundings, you seem to be too far from Hogsmeade for you to go back.”
“You can see my background!” Keira said in surprise. “I can only see fog behind you!”
“I can conceal what I want to conceal,” Potter said simply. “Listen to me, I want you to take your time in going to Scotland. I don’t want you to rush to Scotland yet. It’s not time for it. Keira, I’m asking you to delay. Don’t worry about the Forbidden Forest. No creature will hurt you there.” Potter disappeared from the mirror.
As if the creatures in the Forbidden Forest were my priorities right now, Keira thought sarcastically. No, she was more worried about Potter’s warning of not rushing into Scotland. Was there a greater evil than they could ever imagine?
She hastily put the mirror back, and had only zipped up her bag when Matthew came walking back.
“Ready?” he asked brightly as he picked up his bag.
“Ready,” Keira answered, giving him a fake smile.


Potter watched as the members of the Order filed into the cavernous meeting room. Snape and Lupin had cleaned the place up well, and there were enough seats for everyone. He went through a list in his mind. Sent the students home on the earliest Hogwarts Express. Check. Hagrid and Grawp’s letter of guarantee of second front answered. Check. Supplies for Snape’s potion lab. Oops.
Lupin and Snape sat at opposite sides of the long table that was assembled in the middle of the kitchen, at either sides of Harry Potter, who sat at the middle. Tonks came in next, then Shacklebolt (now stooping and graying), Ron (still as nervous as ever), Luna Lovegood (still dreamy and faraway as ever), Fred and George (sitting side by side, tempting each other with Ton-Tongue Toffees and Shut-Up Gummies), and Neville (now calmer and serious). Cornelius Fudge came in last, limping and leaning heavily on a wooden cane. He sat down at the opposite end of the table from Potter.
“Welcome,” Potter greeted his guests. “The Order has officially come to order, once again.” He let the last two words hang in the air. Everyone looked around nervously.
“Anyone supposed to be here and isn’t?” Potter inquired first.
“Oh, Moody,” Tonks contributed cheerfully. “He’s out cold in Mungo’s. By the way, how’s Minerva?”
“Same state, I’m afraid,” Potter said gravely. “However the nurses say that she knows if people are visting her; they say it’s a sign the Cruciatus Curse is wearing away. I just think they’re desperate to give us good news.
“Anyway, the purpose of this meeting tonight is to discuss the situation at hand. For those who don’t know, I shall update you very quickly. Ginny Weasley is believed to be dead. She has a granddaughter - Keira Weasley. She stumbled upon the Book of Kaens, and was able to decipher Hogsmeade in all that strange language. She came here, and I translated it for her. She’s on her way to Scotland, with a companion named Matthew, to find the dark lord herself.” He stopped there. For those who hadn’t heard the story, they were shocked. Fred and George stopped teasing each other, subdued that their niece was out there, in danger, without help.
“Oh, and she wouldn’t take my advice on going to Hogsmeade rather than going to Scotland,” Tonks added. “Or, at least, the boy didn’t believe me, and she followed him.”
“Our goal is to prevent Lord Macafoy from ever getting that book,” Potter continued. “With every minute, she is getting closer to him. However, I hope they are not going as fast as I think they would be. I recently communicated with Keira, and I instructed her in moving slow and delaying the arrival at Scotland as much as possible. Whether she is following my directions I cannot tell.” Potter’s face fell as he said this. A gloom settled on the table.
Snape cleared his throat. “So what is the plan?”
“Hermione’s following them, (Ron squirmed when Harry said this) and Tonks told them to head back to Hosgmeade. Our original plan was to isolate them and keep them away from Lord Macafoy or near his lands. If any of the Death Bringers found out that they were nearby with the book, it would be a swift death.” All the Weasleys jumped at Potter’s words. Lupin sighed heavily.
“It’s war, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is Remus,” Potter said gravely.
“Original positions?”
“No!” Potter said sharply. “Definitely not. Macafoy would be expecting that, and we cannot let him know of our suspicious activities. That would only lead them to figure out that Keira has the book and is on her way. She might as well be giving it to them!” Potter began to pace, and all eyes followed his every movement. “No, we have to lie low. Hopefully, they have not reached Scotland, and when I last talked to Keira, she was only a day away. If they get captured by the Death Bringers, then we move in.” Potter slammed his fist on the table. “Here’s the plan...”
For a full hour, they discussed tactics, positions, and assignment of tasks. It was tedious, but they had smoothed out every possible kink that could come their way. They were prepared.
But none noticed a shadow behind the curtains of where Sirius Black’s mother’s portrait once hung. The portrait was long gone now, but the curtain remained, covering the large gaping hole that was the result of ten people’s grunting and heaving the portrait off of it’s spot on the wall. The mother wailed of course, but they had put a Deafening Charm on their earmuffs, so they did not hear a thing. The shadow slipped away just as the door to the meeting room opened.
Potter led the crowd out of the room and they gathered in the hall. “By the way, the headquarters has been changed. You all have that gold coin? Right.” Potter took out his gold coin and tapped his wand on it. Everyone had also taken out their coin and a warm, yellow - orange glow emanated from the coin. “Got it?” Potter asked, and everyone nodded.
“Thank goodness for Hermione and her Protean Charm,” Neville muttered. He slipped the coin back in his pocket.
“Good,” Potter said. “Meeting is dismissed. Oh and Severus, I need to get the order from you on your potions. Remus, could you stay behind too?” Everyone else put on their coats and picked up their hats, which they left on a large coat rack that was near the door.
Suddenly, the doorbell of Grimmauld Place rang. Everyone looked at the door, frozen with fear. Three loud knocks came through and still, nobody moved. Who could possibly be at the door?
The door slammed open and Luna Lovegood gave a half-hearted cry. It was dark outside, and everyone squinted through the darkness of the hall and the outside to see who it was.
“I’m back!” Moody cried in a gruff voice. “Now what did I miss?”


“Matthew, I don’t think we should walk so fast,” Keira said, uncertainty creeping into her voice. She was at least ten paces behind him. Matthew stopped and looked at her.
“And why not?” Matthew asked, puzzled.
“Well, we’re almost there right?” Keira asked instead. Matthew nodded. “So I think we should take our time. I mean, what’s the rush? We’re nearly there already...” Keira trailed off, afraid of what Matthew might say. He stared at her and then walked to where she was standing.
“Alright then.” He looked up at the sky and put down his bag. “You know, if you were just tired and wanted to sleep you could have just told me instead of making excuses,” he said quietly. He was looking down, searching in his bag so Keira gave an unspoken sigh of relief.
“Er, right, yeah, ok,” Keira said. She put her bag down too and began looking for a place to lie down. The ground off the path was firmer and had more leaves so Keira piled more leaves under a tree and situated her bag where her head would lay. Matthew did the same thing beside her. He took out a large candy bar. “Hungry?” Matthew offered.
“Sure.” Keira broke off a piece and they munched on the chocolate and almonds in the candy.
The cat was on the other side of the road, hiding behind a very slim tree. It wasn’t good enough to cover her. She saw a thicker, larger tree in front of her, and making sure Matthew and Keira weren’t looking, dashed to hide behind the other tree.
“What was that?” Matthew said, alert. He thought he saw a bright flash of orange out of the corner of his eye.
“What was what?” Keira was looking at him strangely.
“You didn’t see that orange blur over ther?” he asked. Keira shook her head slowly, her bewilderment showing through even more clearly on her face. “Ok, nevermind,” Matthew muttered. He threw the candy wrapper to the road and laid down to sleep.”
“You just littered you know,” Keira noted severely.
“And so?” Matthew said, raising his eyebrows in a who-cares manner.
“So pick it up!” Keira reprimanded.
“Who really cares Ki?”
“I do! Now pick it up!”
Matthew groaned and he got up and picked the wrapper up. He stuffed it in one of the pockets on the bag. “Happy now?” he muttered somewhat sullenly.
“Yes,” Keira said stiffly. She laid back and tried to get to a comfortable position. She was almost asleep when Matthew spoke, and by then she couldn’t see him in the darkness.
“You know this is the Forbidden Forest right?” he said.
“Yeah,” Keira said slowly.
“So who’s gonna come here and notice a piece of trash?”
“But it’s still a forest!”
“It’s a Forbidden forest.”
“Yeah! So littering should be forbidden!”
Matthew raised his eyebrows. “What a stupid remark.”
“No, it’s a smart one,” Keira countered. “Good night,” she said with finality and she turned to face in the direction she hoped was not facing Matthew and went to sleep.
Matthew looked at Keira’s back and shook his head slightly. With a big yawn, he fell asleep too.
The cat was watching them in the distance. She was relieved Matthew had not made a big issue about his seeing her. As she looked for a comfortable spot to rest behind the tree but still having the two of them in her sight, she too was missing her husband greatly. She turned in her spot to make it comfortable and laid her head to rest.


Miles away, the plan Potter had concoted was being put into effect. Though Tonks, Shacklebolt, Fudge, Ron, and Luna had gone back to the Ministry, Moody did not. He was sent to France, to enlist help from Madame Maxime and more people to join. As Moody walked through Belleville, he kept repeating Harry’s words in his mind: This war is the biggest we have ever faced. Macafoy’s troops are ready for us, and so will we for them. Moody strolled through the throngs of people and finally made his way up to Beauxbatons.

Lupin was reading from a large, grimy book. Snape was stirring in his large cauldron. He shivered. Snape had not been down in his dungeons for a long time, and coming back was hauntingly comforting. Harry had said that he hoped they would find their original classrooms, offices, and rooms comfortable.
“Ok, add the boomslang skin now,” Lupin directed. “Wait, did you stir counterclockwise ten times?”
“Yes,” Snape said irritably. “Just because I’m old does not mean I cannot make potions.”
“Just checking,” Lupin said, grinning. “Ok, add the boomslang skin and then stir clockwise ten times. After that, add finely chopped vampire skin. Twist a strand of dragon’s hair and unicorn’s hair together and then drop it in after the vampire skin.” Lupin paused and watched Snape add the ingredients. As he was stirring, Snape said in a quiet voice, “Do you think Potter’s plan will work?”
“I have faith in Harry,” Lupin said simply. “Now add the skin.”

two chapters! 11 and 12 - but they're short :blush:

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Chapter 11 - The Lair of the Snake
“It is here sire.”
Crabbe moved from the door and entered the luxurious room. Persian carpets were placed under beautifully polished wooden tables and chairs. The floor was of deep brown oak wood and the windows were floor-to-ceiling, allowing in the only source of light. Most were covered by heavy maroon drapes, but two were left to let the moon light shine through. A large elaborate fireplace was in the middle of the room and a burning fire was crackling. A large Victorian chair was placed right in the middle of another carpet and it directly faced the fireplace.
“You’ve found it?” A slightly excited deep voice came from the chair.
“Yes sire. We have located it. Our spy has reported that it is heading in our direction.”
“Excellent,” the voice hissed. “Let me know when the book is within our borders.” The chair swiveled around. A tall, pale, platinum blond man was sitting in the chair. No sign of his old age showed through. “Once it is within my reach, nothing can stop me again!”
A chilling cold laugh filled the room and Crabbe bowed his way out.

Crabbe left the room and was greeted by Millicent Bulstrode.
“Do we have the information ready Millie?” Crabbe asked without looking at her. She walked beside him.
“Yes, it’s confirmed,” Millicent affirmed.
“Good. The last thing we need is false information again.” Crabbe rubbed his wrist and Millicent noticed his small gesture. Crabbe always rubbed his wrist now ever since several years ago, when they had received false information about the book’s whereabouts. Crabbe, who had given the information to his lord, was punished for this. Lord Macafoy had cut off his fingers one at a time and then he severed Crabbe’s whole hand. Crabbe had never experienced such painful torture. His stump was now healed, but Crabbe didn’t want his other hand to be cut off either. How would he eat his favorite foods if it was cut off?
I hope we can triumph this time, Crabbe thought to himself.


Chapter 12 - Discovery

Morning rose and when Keira woke up, there was a small fire of twigs burning. Matthew was slowly feeding it twigs.
“Morning,” Matthew said without looking up. He was concentrating on the fire. Keira rubbed her eyes as her stomach growled loudly. She searched her bag, hoping for food, and found the two pieces of toast that she had not eaten. She unwrapped it and put each one on a twig from Matthew’s pile. She put them over the fire.
“Excellent,” Matthew murmured. When the toast seemed ready to burn, Keira took back the twigs and handed one to Matthew. Matthew, who was starving too, bit into it too quickly.
“Ow! My tongue’s burning!” Matthew yelped. He started panting like a dog and waving his hand in front of it to cool it down. Keira was calmly sitting, blowing at her piece of toast expertly.
“Dummy,” Keira commented calmly. “It just came out of the fire, so you don’t bite into it so quickly.” She blew at her toast a little bit more and then bit into it. It did not burn her tongue.
Matthew watched her and then blew at his toast. After a couple of minutes of blowing (just to make sure), Matthew bit into his piece of toast. It was cool. Keira finished hers and then stood up and checked her bag for her belongings. Matthew finished quickly too and got up. He picked up his bag and dumped some dirt on the fire. It was extinguished. “Ready?” Matthew asked.
“Yeah sure,” Keira responded and looked up straight in front of her. She saw an orange tabby cat near the tree across from them. The cat was staring right back at her, unblinking. Keira reached her hand out and searched for Matthew’s arm. She found it and tugged his sleeve.
“What?” Matthew asked, looking at her. Keira didn’t respond, but continued to stare at the cat. Matthew followed her line of vision and saw the cat. He started after it but Keira’s hand held him back. Matthew looked back at her and she looked at him. After a beat she let her hand go and he started after the cat.
“Shoo!” Matthew said, waving his hand to shoo the cat away. The cat didn’t move. Matthew kept yelling “Shoo!” but it had no effect.
Keira decided to act up. “Go!” Keira cried out. The cat darted into the darkness. “What was that cat doing here?” Keira asked Matthew, puzzled. She looked at him for his response, but his expression was more confused than hers.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Y-you,” Matthew stammered. “You can speak Parseltongue!?”
“What?” Keira asked, really confused.
“You hissed!” Matthew cried out.
“No I didn’t,” Keira said briskly. “Are you deaf? I said ‘go’.”
“No, that’s not what I heard,” Matthew insisted. “I heard you hissing. No one hisses that way unless they’re Parseltongue. How come you didn’t tell me you were Parseltongue? And I thought Parseltongues only spoke in the presence of a snake! There was no snake around!”
“Whoa, chill,” Keira said calmly and slowly. “What are you talking about?”
Matthew took a deep breath. Calm down, think, Matthew thought. “Parseltongues are those who can speak snake language. You know that don’t you? Professor Potter speaks it,” Matthew paused. Keira faintly nodded. “Well, Parseltongues are characterized by a certain hiss, a hiss that you just made. And, they usually understand snakes and speak it in the presence of snakes. Why you spoke Parseltongue without the presence of snakes is interesting. You understand all snakes and other Parseltongues.” Keira nodded again.
“Right, ok,” she said. “Let’s go. I don’t think I’m going to entertain your fanciful ideas.” She started walking on the path.
“I’m not having fanciful ideas!” Matthew yelled, chasing after her.
“Whatever,” Keira muttered.
“I’m not!” Matthew insisted.
“Whatever.”
They continued to fight in this manner, neither realizing that Keira’s bag was moving. Keira did not feel the Book of Kaens open, turn to a page where there was a large picture of a snake, and the text slowly transformed into English.

hi! chapter 13, pretty long and i hope a bit exciting for you all. please do write some feedback!

feedback link: http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=29022&highlight=book+of+kaens

by the way, and i'm really sorry for the belated thanks, but thanks a lot to freschmer, bobtduck90, and all those who have sent me owls for feedback!!!

ok, chapter 13...

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Chapter 13 - The Spy and the Target

Keira and Matthew continued to walk towards what hoped to be the end of the forest. They weren't exactly on speaking terms after their little spat before. Keira still didn't know what a Parseltongue did or was, and she did not care for it at all. However, Matthew was eyeing her warily from behind.

It was then that Keira began to notice the change in scenery. There were less trees and more light. The path was slowly becoming more visible and slightly more smooth.

"Matthew! I think we're nearly out of the forest!" Keira cried out excitedly.

"I told you this was the right direction," Matthew said somewhat bitterly. He still felt nervous around her.

"So." Keira cleared her throat. "We're..uh...nearing Scotland huh?"

"If we get out of this forest, we should be in Scotland," Matthew said in the same bitter tone. Keira eyed him and thought it was odd that Matthew was being a bit mean to her, and she had no idea why. But Keira shrugged it off. Matthew's attitude towards her was not important. What was important was Lord Macafoy and finding him.

The trees cleared out and a smooth road laid before them. Keira took a large, exaggerated step. "We've pased the border!" she cried happily. She jumped around and spun around in happiness. The Forbidden Forest was beginning to irk her.

"Stop being so conspicuous!" Matthew scolded in a very low voice.

"Why?" Keira stopped. "Why? Do you think Lord Macafoy would see me?"

"Just stop drawing attention to yourself ok?" Matthew said. He caught up with Keira.

"Fine," Keira said. She looked around at the scene before them. Ahead were rocky hills that led to the mountains beyond. To the left was a rolling meadow that also eventually reached the mountains. Keira had a sudden urge to just roll in the grass for fun. To the left were some rocky caves that were close to the mountains; a small wooded area led to the caves.

"Hmph," Keira muttered. "Where could he be?" She added sarcastically, facing the caves.

"Ki," Matthew said somewhat tiredly. "Shut up ok? We're in Scotland now. Do you have any idea what this means?" Keira's silence allowed him to go on. "The dark lord is here! He could be anywhere of course, but he's here! And we're in his territory. It's best we tread carefully. We have no idea who are his spies and where he could be. So just shut up and stop joking around!"

"How true."

Matthew spun around and Keira stared over Matthew's shoulder. She could only see a glimpse of a tall hooded figure before Matthew pushed her in the other direction to get her to run. Keira turned and was ready to run, but was faced by another hooded figure. Keira and Matthew looked a full 360 degrees around them; they were completely surrounded by tall hooded figures who wore black cloaks, black robes, and a white mask that covered half of their face and had snakelike slits for the eyes. Now, for the very first time, Keira was scared. It wasn't that nervous kind of scared or that being-scared-of-the-dark kind of scared. No. This was the deepest, truest kind of fear. The kind of fear when one can see their life flash before them, and they know they are going to die, just don't know how. The kind of fear where one could easily faint from. The kind of fear that caused Keira to buckle to her knees and wish to beg for her life. But she only buckled her knees and fell on the floor.

The hooded figure who first spoke chuckled. It sent shivers down Matthew's spine. "What a weakling," he said in a raspy voice, observing Keira. He pointed his wand on her. "Get up," he ordered. Keira felt excruciating pain. Thoughts were swimming around her head. Get up! No! Don't listen! Get up now! No! Don't get up!

Keira let out a strangled cry. "No!" she moaned. Matthew saw the hooded figures all stiffen. The one who had brandished his wand out seemed calm. In fact, he was again chuckling. "Tie 'em up." And then he walked away. Matthew didn't have time to take out his own wand when he heard cries of "Petrificus Totalus" coming from all the hooded figures. He stiffened and fell, seeing that Keira had unfolded from her kneeling position and was no ramrod straight on her back. He saw ropes shooting out of the wands above him and felt them tie around his ankles and midsection. Then he felt himself being lifted into the air. Matthew knew he couldn't move and couldn't struggle, but he heard muffled moans from Keira and knew she was trying to get free. As Matthew looked straight above him and the last thing he saw was a large hand swinging over him before blackness overcame him.



Keira woke up sore to a small, dingy cell. There was no source of light except from the crack underneath and above the door. Keira pushed herself up with her arms despite the soreness in her muscles and felt dirt under her. She tried to get up but her knees were too weak to support her. She crawled, feeling her way around the cell. It was a quick trip. She found that she was lying against the wall opposite the door and it was only two steps before she hit the next wall, and another three before she hit the wall with the door. She tried to think. What had happened to her? There was excruciating pain and the want to get up but also the resisting of the order. And then, she had blacked out somehow. Keira tried to think further back into her memories. She had been kidnapped! And it had to be Lord Macafoy and his cohorts! It had to be! Her thoughts led to Professor Potter and his possible disappointment in her. Then the thoughts led to the book. The book! She frantically felt around for her bag but couldn't find it. Her bag and the book was gone! The cohorts probably took it from her. Matthew! Where had he gone? The cell was too small to hold the both of them together. He was probably in another cell. Oh God. Keira prayed that he wasn't being tortured. She curled up and hugged her knees, rocking back and forth in anxiety and in fear. Suddenly, a flap on the door Keira had not noticed was there was pushed back and Keira saw a white bowl pushed roughly into her cell. Keira stared at it in shock for a couple of seconds. Then she grabbed for it. It was a bowl of soup! Dinner! Or maybe lunch. She grabbed at it hungrily and drank it. It was disgusting! The soup was slimy and had tiny chewy balls that Keira had no idea what it was. It was also crystal clear and had no taste. The soup was like water, but it wasn't. Keira drank the odd tasting soup nevertheless and pushed the bowl back through the flap. Then, Keira sank into a stupor and could not remember a thing.


It was evening when Keira awoke again. Or was it morning? Keira couldn't tell what time of day it was. She lifted her wrist and felt for the button that would make her watch glow in the dark, but her watch wasn't there. Not only did they take her belongings but they took her watch too!

"Stupid thieves," Keira muttered. She massaged her wrist. What was going on? Why wasn't she able to see the light of day? What was happening? Was she dead? Is this what being dead felt like? Keira pinched herself hard. No, she wasn't dead or dreaming for that matter. Shouldn't have Lord Macafoy killed her already? It would have made sense if he did. What was really going on?

As if someone had heard her thoughts and decided to obey them, the cell door opened. Keira was blinded momentarily by the soft orange glow of candles. A dark hooded figure who was big and muscular covered most of the doorway however. Keira looked up at the figure.

"Get up," the figure's male voice said. Keira scrambled to get up. She didn't want to go through that excruciating pain again. "Follow me." The hooded figure walked away.

Keira jogged after the figure, who seemed to be gliding on thin air. She was able to finally take a glimpse of how she looked. Her clothes were dirty and a bit torn, and Keira saw that her arms and hands were grimy. Keira felt her hair; it was all messed up and in a huge tangle. But she had no time to fix it. She ran after the figure. He was paying her no mind. Keira sucked in her fear and plucked up her courage to ask, "Where are we going?"

The figure did not stop to answer her question but moved even faster. Keira was slightly out of breath and starving. They wound around corridors before finally reaching large oak doors with blood red curtains drawn back. It gave the door a theatrical feel. The figure stopped. "To see the dark lord," the figure said before the doors opened before Keira.

sooooo sorry i stopped in the middle of chapter 13 - yes, in the middle of it, i know i have the habit of one post per chapter...here's the rest of it:

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continued

Matthew paced back and forth and buried his head in his hands. Where was Keira? Was she okay? He had been unfrozen as soon as they reached the castle but Keira was out cold. He only saw her pass by and round the bend to a corridor before he was pushed away in the opposite direction. He prayed that no harm came upon her. It hurt him every morning, every night, thinking that she would be in some danger. When he heard her cries of torture, he tried to block the sound of her screams of pain from his mind. He tried to think happy memories, but his childhood did not have many. He rocked back and forth, balling his fists, doing everything he could to block out her screams. Tears spilled unexpectedly from his eyes just thinking about how the Death Bringers were torturing her. He felt...he felt...

The doors opened before him. Matthew tightened his fists and stared ahead. But he looked down almost immediately. He was ashamed. He was ashamed that he had led Keira to Scotland and unexpectedly right to the lair of the lord. Maybe they should have gone to Hogsmeade. But he was stupid then. There's nothing that could be done now to change the past...


Keira saw the same blood red color on a carpet that rolled directly to a small step, and then a large velvet, richly ornate chair that had it's back facing the door. The walls were of stone, and looked too big to fit in a cave. The blood red drapes intertwined with black ones and were hung all over the room from the ceilings. Keira felt like she was meeting royalty. Royalty who were related to snakes, Keira thought.

The figure pushed her inside and then disappeared. The doors nearly grazed the back of her head as they automatically closed. Keira looked around and saw that there were figures standing at the perimeter of the whole room. There must have been at least hundreds of figures. They all wore black robes, black cloaks, and that frightening white masks. Keira was vaguely reminded of the Phantom of the Opera. She wondered if every person's face under the mask was disfigured if she ripped them off...

Two figures flanked either side of the chair, or the throne, which was a more suitable name. They differed from everyone else in their dress on one thing: they had a purple sash that cinched their robe at the waist; everyone else had a black sash. One on the right of the throne seemed to be staring right at her and Keira felt a flutter in her stomach. The one on the left seemed to have less confidence and was looking away from her at the floor.

"Keira Weasley." The voice came from the throne. Keira stiffened as the throne seemed to swivel on its own. Keira stifled her gasp when she saw who sat at the throne. She was face to face with the demon, the feared lord of the magical world, the person whom with every passing day Keira felt had plagued her grandmother for the rest of her life. The person Keira wanted to blame for her grandmother's death but saw no logical reason why. Magic is never quite logical, Keira thought to herself.

Keira was face to face with Lord Macafoy.

Lord Macafoy was a pale, thin man who could have been well over six feet. He wore a black robe like everyone else but nothing else. His platinum blond hair blended in with his abnormally white skin and it gave off an alien-like look to him. Keira could not see a wrinkle on his face and for a second wondered about Botox. No way, Keira thought. Stupid girl, he's a wizard. A dark wizard! He probably put himself under a spell or drank some potion.

"Keira Weasley," he repeated. His voice echoed throughout the room. "So, you've finally arrived. Come closer." He curled his finger.

Keira didn't want to come closer. She was scared stiff as it was. But she had no choice - she was moving against her well, her feet skidding against the carpet. She stopped short several feet from the step.

"Wh-what do you want?" Keira sputtered.

"Oh," Lord Macafoy said lightly and almost conversationally. "I do believe you've told me all I need to know."

"I haven't said anything to you. What, you mean you can read my mind?" Keira added fearfully.

Macafoy laughed. His shrilly voice pierced the air. "Read minds? Me? No, no. I wish I was that great...no, I have other means of extracting information."

"Well," Keira stuttered. "I think you're bluffing!"

Macafoy arched an eyebrow. "Me? Bluffing? My my, you truly have been a bit out of the wizarding loop for quite a while. Tell me, how old are you?"

"What do you care?" Keira spat out more bravely than she felt.

"I care very much. Your age?" Macafoy asked. He was deadly serious, and Keira could tell she couldn't keep up with this stand off for long; Macafoy's eyes were slitting and were resembling a snake's.

"15," Keira mumbled resignedly.

"Ah!" Macafoy uttered. "So you've been hiding for 15 years hm? And you've done very well. None of my people could find you!" He gazed piercingly at all of his subjects in his court.

"I wasn't hiding," Keira said scathingly.

"Oh?" Macafoy feigned surprise.

"I haven't a freakin idea what in the world you're talking about!" Keira said shrilly.

"Now now," Macafoy said condescendingly. "There's no need to shout. So, you don't know anything now hm?"

"What are you talking about? I know things!" Keira challenged.

"Like what?"

"Like...like," Keira searched her mind. "Like you want that book! That book that was my grandmother's! So you can come back to power, because you're weak without it! That my grandmother defeated you by stealing the book! If you ask me, I think you're not a great and oh-so powerful wizard you think you are or people think you are. I think the greatest is my grandmother, because you have not shown a single freakin skill that would prove otherwise!" There was a dead silence in the room after Keira's outburst. Macafoy's face was stone. His eyes slitted even narrower. He took out his wand and pointed it at her.

"You...know...nothing!" he roared. There was a flash of green light and Keira was hit with excruciating pain. She found herself gasping for breaths, kneeling on the carpet. She slowly looked up at the dark lord. His wand was gone and he was glaring at her. She saw his piercing, icy blue eyes. "Get up," he said very quietly. Keira stumbled with pain as she tried to push herself up. She staggered on her feet and stared directly in Macafoy's eyes. She was not going to let him think she was weak.

"Why don't you tell me about...your parents," Macafoy said with a hiss. Keira glared at him. How dare he mock her!

"My parents," Keira fumbled. "I barely knew them. They're...they're dead."

"And do you know why?" Macafoy prodded further, an devilish looking grin forming on his face.

"No," Keira said uncertainly. What did Macafoy know?

"Of course not. Well, allow me to enlighten you. Bulstrode. Crabbe." Two figures from the left wall stepped forward and approached the throne. They were both quite wide, but the man named Crabbe had more defined muscles. He looked like he was one of her captors. The other was just...large. Macafoy waved his hand in introduction. "Keira, meet Millicent Bulstrode and Crabbe. They - are your parents' murderers." Bulstrode and Crabbe gave Keira a mocking little bow. Keira gasped and took a step back. No, it couldn't be.

"No, no," Keira whispered.

"What can't be Keira?" Macafoy said amusedly. "What's wrong? Didn't you know that your parents were murdered? Murdered by the Death Bringers? I'm sure your grandmother told you that!"

"No, it can't be!" Keira cried softly.

"And what else can't be?" Macafoy's voice was rising. "That you were led here accidentally? No! That you are the chosen one? Of course not! That you will defeat me? NEVER!" Macafoy's eyes were dilating. "You can never beat me." Macafoy's voice was softer now. "I know how to destroy you, just like your parents. But why should I? I need you right now to do a little something for me. And after that, I shall give you a little reward, which I'm sure you will truly enjoy." Macafoy's eyes glittered. He snapped his fingers and the figure to Macafoy's left turned around and procured the book. The book, Keira's grandmother's book, the book that was stolen from her. The figure brought it to Keira and placed it on her hands. Keira stared at it.

"Read it," Macafoy ordered. Keira looked up, slightly puzzled.

"I thought you could read it," she said.

"No!" He spat vehemently. "I cannot! Now read it!"

But Keira didn't open the book. "So how did you know how to use the spells from this book?"

Macafoy was reddening, but it disappeared. A look of smugness seemed to come over him. "Hmm, the great old Harry Potter did not tell you?"

"No," Keira said confused. "Well, yes. He said you had to learn it the hard way on how to speak Parseltongue."

Macafoy's unexpected laughter filled the room once again. "So it has worked!" he said triumphantly. "I was a bit worried." Keira shot him a confused look and Macafoy settled down. "Harry Potter, the great Harry Potter had no idea what happened to him!

"It was years ago, when I first rose the ranks and became a great dark wizard. I inherited the Great Dark Lord's book, the Book of Kaens. I could not read it, I was not Parseltongue. But I knew who could read Parseltongue. Of course, he would never help someone like me, but I forced him. Quite against his will, but he did it anyway. I couldn't believe it. I was brilliant!"

"No," Keira whispered. "Ar-are you saying...Professor Potter?"

"Yes," Macafoy said evenly. "I am speaking of Professor Potter. He's a professor now is he? I took him against his will, forced him under the most severe Imperious curses - it took several of us to put him under our mercy - and had him read every single page to us. It was translated, noted, and I used that. After I got the complete translation, a simple Memory Charm put Potter back in order."

"You - you - he - Professor Potter helped you?!" Keira said incredulously and weakly at same time. She wanted to drop the book but didn't.

"You could say that, much against his will," Macafoy said, smiling at the memory. He stared into Keira's eyes. "And now it's your turn."

"I'm never going to help you! I can't read this!" Keira cried out.

"Oh, but you have! Didn't you know? You were translating certain parts of the book that Potter never did yesterday."

"What?!" Keira said, shocked.

"Oh yes," Macafoy said serenely. He was truly enjoying the lack of knowledge Keira had about everything. "You were under Veritaserum."

"What the hell is that?"

"Truth potion. You were induced under the truth potion, I asked you if you could read the book, you said yes, and I told you to read it. Simple as that." Macafoy shrugged.

Keira made unintelligible sounds as she tried to register what was going on. She read the book?! But she couldn't!

"Open the book," Macafoy said, as if reading her thoughts. Keira looked down at the book and slowly opened the book.

hehe...end of chapter 13!

***********

continued

Keira slowly opened the thick cover of the book. She was afraid of what she would find in the book. Her hands were shaking as she flipped to the first page of text. A gasp escaped her lips. The words were all in English! She could read it! But...but...she couldn't read it before! What happened?

Keira stared up at Lord Macafoy. His piercing gaze forced her to look down at the text once more. She flipped several pages further: the words were in English. The whole book had translated into English.

"Read it. I know you can," Macafoy ordered.

"N-no." Keira shuddered. "It can't be. I can't read this! I couldn't!"

"It's translated in your eyes. You can read it. Now read it!" Macafoy's voice was laced with anger.

"No," Keira said, shaking with every defiant word. "I thought you said I translated this for you already. You have no need for me."

Macafoy looked at her imperiously. "Yes, you did translate this for me yesterday. However, I already knew all the information you gave me. There is one passage however that you didn't read. You were resisting the effects of Veritaserum so we had to stop. Potter didn't translate it. He read the first line, but we did not think it was necessary." Macafoy's lips curled into a rueful smile. "Unfortunately, that passage was the clue to our defeat...and to yours." Keira's ragged breathing was the only sound heard in the large room. "Now read it," Macafoy ordered, gesturing to the book. "I have been to kind. Read it; my patience is waning."

Keira closed her eyes. This cannot be happening, Keira thought. "Go to the page with the large basilisk." Macafoy's voice cut into her thoughts. Keira looked down and let her hand hover on the page. Should she turn to the page? Maybe to another and just lie to Macafoy. No, he was watching. She lowered her hand to turn the page but paused.

"What's a basilisk?" she asked.

Macafoy chuckled. "You have no idea what a basilisk is? My, you have truly been out of the loop here. A snake. Now hurry up!" Keira's hand was poised in position to turn the page when suddenly, the pages began to turn on their own. Keira removed her hand in shock and the pages stopped turning. It was not at the page yet, but Keira was shocked. What had just happened?! She reluctantly placed her hand over the page again and the pages flipped through very quickly. She did not see this, but Macafoy's eyebrows had raised very high into his forehead. She removed her hand and the pages stopped at the basilisk drawing. The text was on the left. Keira looked at Macafoy uncertainly and cleared her throat.

But Keira did not start reading the passage out loud. Her eyes were darting back and forth across the page very quickly. Macafoy began tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne. "We're waiting!" Macafoy added impatiently.

"Uh...eh..." Keira uttered. "Um, let me summarize this. Uh...um...it...uh...says that uh...you will be defeated. The cause of your first defeat will be the cause of your second and final. You only had one chance to destroy your enemy and if you...uh...don't...then uh you'll never be able to win." Keira held her breath.

"And who is this enemy of mine?" Macafoy asked slowly.

"Uh...uh...it doesn't say," Keira said lamely. Macafoy's eyebrows knitted together. He was thinking hard.

"Fine," he snapped. "Take her away. Oh no, wait. I promised her a surprise. A reward for her work. Matthew! Come out here!"

Keira's heart pounded wildly. Matthew!? He was ok! Right? Where was he. She spun around at the entrance to the room behind her. They weren't opening. Maybe they were just getting him! She'd see Matthew soon!

A chuckle echoed behind her. "Wrong way you're facing girl." Keira turned around. The man who stood at the left of the throne had stepped forward. No, it can't be!

Macafoy got up from his chair and stood next to the man. He put his arm around the man and ripped off the mask.

"Meet Matthew Dolan Michaels. Death Bringer."

er....cuz i have nothing better to do:

**************
Chapter 14 - The War Begins

Neville Longbottom raced through the school hallways. His wizard hat was slipping off his head and grabbed at it and jammed it in place, keeping his hand on it. His boots echoed in the empty hallways. He rounded a corner and lifted his robes to alleviate his running. He was panting now and red blotches were appearing on his cheeks. He finally found the lion.

"C-cou-courage," Neville panted out. The passageway opened up for him and Neville raced into Harry's office.

"Harry! Harry!" Neville gasped out. Harry looked up alarmed from the maps he was observing.

"She-she's...she's..." Neville couldn't get the words out. Harry understood immediately. He tapped at the map.

"I know," Harry said simply.

"Maurader's Map?" Neville asked. Harry nodded. "Where?"

"Scotland of course," Harry answered with a heavy sigh. He took out the gold coin in his pocket and tapped on it. Immediately, Neville felt his burning in his pocket. He took it out in habit and looked at it. The serial numbers of the gold coin had transformed into the word: Hogwarts. Neville pocketed the coin.

"How soon?" Neville asked anxiously.

"Give them ten minutes," Harry replied. He sat down and invited Neville to do the same. Neville sank into the puffy velvet seat across from Harry's desk. He took deep breaths. Then, the office door banged open. Fred and George Weasley were at the doorway, with Fred's hand outstretched pushing the door back and George right behind him.

"Where is she?" Fred asked quickly. Harry inclined his head and invited them to sit. George fidgeted in his seat but Harry wouldn't say a word. Five minutes later, Fudge and Ron arrived, with Tonks and Shacklebolt right behind them. Lovegood entered with a knowing half-smile on her face two minutes after. Snape was helping Lupin walk into the office, each holding a cane. They took a seat at the bench that Harry conjured for them.

"Where's Moody?" Harry asked. Snape supplied the answer.

"He's still at Beauxbatons."

"Not anymore!" Moody banged the door open and entered with his arms raised, triumphant. "Budge over," he said quietly to Lupin and took a seat at the bench. Right behind him entered the large Madame Maxine. She did not change much, except that she had whiter hair, from when Harry last saw her.

"I'm heeeeere!" Madame Maxine said in a sing song voice, though it wasn't that pleasant to hear since her voice was raspy and booming.

Harry winced. "Good, we're all here. Update. Keira's been captured and-" Harry stopped there. There was a large intake of breath from everyone in the room. The loudest gasp came from none other than Ron. "And," Harry continued. "We don't know what she has told Macafoy yet. The map shows her as in his castle, and it is Unplottable."

"Wait, I thought the map only showed Hogwarts grounds," Lupin interrupted.

Harry gave him a grin. "You have truly been out of touch. Fred and George here updated it for me years ago." Fred and George gave Lupin a little wink and wave.

"She disappeared two days ago. Neville, here, happened to find out. By the way Neville, how did you find out?" Everyone turned their heads to Neville and his cheeks burned.

"Well, I was...I was in the Owlery when an owl came in. It was a note from Lord Macafoy..." Everyone stood up straighter and was tense. Neville stuffed his hand into his robe pocket and fidgeted nervously as he took a crumpled piece of paper. Harry held out a hand and Neville placed the note in his hand. Harry opened the note as calmly as he could.

"It has begun Potter," Harry read. "Are you ready?" He put the note down. He stared at it as everyone stared at him. He grabbed the note again from his desk, crumpled it up, and viciously threw it in the fire.

"There's no time to dally anymore," Harry said evenly. "It's time. Our forces must head out. Ron, I need you to make an announcement. Warn everyone. Tell every family to be vigilant. Luna, I need you to prepare the weapon in the Department of Mysteries. Madame Maxine, I need you to head up your allies in France and tell them to come to England as soon as possible. Leave half your forces at Normandy in case we need to fall unto Plan B." Harry shuddered at the very thought. He took a deep breath and continued with the war plan. "Lupin, Snape, I hope the potion is ready?" Snape and Lupin nodded in affirmation. "Good, I need you to bring it here and set it up. We're going to have to send you to the hut Tonks conjured in the Forbidden Forest. The closer you are, the more effective. Moody, I need you to go find Hagrid and Grawp. Tell them that they must begin to surround and close off any exit points possible from Scotland. Shacklebolt, I need you to go find the centaur, Firenze. He will still help us. The rest of the centaurs may not, but I hope Firenze's work has not been in vain. Neville, go to the kitchens. I think Dobby is still there. Tell him that by order of Professor Potter, all the house-elves are to leave the Hogwarts premises and establish themselves in these following homes -" Harry handed Neville a long list of names, names of families who were not tainted by the evil of Macafoy and fully supported Harry. "Tell them they are to remain in those houses until ordered to return, and while they are there, they are to keep watch over any children in the households. The children are to remain in hiding, and allow the house-elves to use magic while we are at that. Fred and George, the both of you go with Neville. To every house he goes, you will call the wizards of age in those houses to war. We need all the help we can get." Harry sighed, exhausted from planning. Everyone watched him silently. "It has begun," he added quietly. With a wave of his hand, the doors of his office opened. Everyone filed out without a word, until only Ron remained in the office. Harry looked up tiredly. They stared in each other's eyes.

"Hermione will not fail," Ron said quietly. Harry took a shaky breath and nodded. Ron left the office.


THE DARK LORD HAS RETURNED
A statement was made by the Minister of Magic, Ron Weasley. "The war we feared for fifteen years, that war has begun. The chain has been set in motion and the only thing we can do about it right now is to stay vigilant. It has been advised by Professor Potter, headmaster of Hogwarts, that all of - age wizards come answer the call to war. Families will be provided for. This war is not like any other. Lord Macafoy has come back to power, and this time, he is not unarmed." The Minister's statement has shocked many, and some skeptics believe he takes too much advice from Professor Potter. However -


Harry threw the newspaper on his desk. It was late evening, and the Daily Prophet had run a special edition of the newspaper. A picture of Ron giving his speech was replaying itself over and over on the front page. Harry rubbed his forehead. The war was happening sooner than he wished. A splitting headache was coming from his forehead. Harry rubbed the familiar spot of where his scar used to be. It was tingling. What was going on with that?

He got up from his desk and left his office. He walked briskly out of the school and onto the grounds. As he walked, he began to remember of the first war he encountered. It started with the war in the Ministry of Magic and Sirius' death. Sirius... If only he was still alive. He would have gone into war with guns ablazing, no hesitation. He would have whisked Keira right out of Macafoy's hands. He...

Harry shook his head. He couldn't think about Sirius right now. It was too risky. He would lose his track of concentration, and that could be fatal for the whole order. He checked his watch. The whole order was going to regroup at the pond in...three minutes. From there, they were going to head to the Forbidden Forest. The checkpoint would be at Tonks' cabin, and then, they would all Apparate to Scotland. Two minutes...Harry took a deep breath. He hoped their plan for war would work, and most of it relied on Snape and Lupin.

thanks to Kola Pup for feedback :clap:

I'll be done with this series in several chapters... :upset: so I hope you've enjoyed the run...

**********
Chapter 15 - The Truth


Keira was back in her small dark cell, except now it seemed darker than ever. She didn't remember much after Lord Macafoy had unmasked...oh God, she couldn't think. How could it be?? Was it true? Was...Matthew a Death Bringer? If he was, it'd explain a lot of things. Maybe that's why he befriended her in the first place. But she thought he was a nice guy! He was a wizard, and he knew she didn't know anything about the wizarding world! He was protective of her! But that's probably because he wanted her in good condition so she could report to his boss. Ugh. She thought she could trust him, but apparently, she couldn't! How could she be so naive?

Stop blaming yourself! You didn't know!

Exactly, she didn't know. How could she have not known? He was so eager for her to get away from Hogsmeade that it was suspicious! Even Professor Potter told her to be wary! And that lady in the woods! Maybe that lady in the woods was telling the truth, that the truth lay in Hogsmeade. Was it possible that if she went to Hogsmeade that maybe Michael's true identity would be revealed? And if so, how? Magic? Impossible! And he fed her stories about his uncle being killed by Death Bringers...puh-lease! Keira was angry at herself for believing the perfect stranger, but she was hurt too. How could he betray her like that?

Keira did not remember much. All she remembered was...the unmasking...a cold laugh...darkness...then complete darkness as she was locked into her cell once more. Keira felt the darkness tighten around her in the cell. How could she be so deceived? Speaking of deceit, Keira felt surprised that she could so easily deceive Macafoy with the book's translation. The book did not say that Ginny Weasley would defeat Lord Macafoy the second and final time - how could that be possible? Ginny Weasley was dead! But Keira was surprised that she could easily fib about the passage. And Lord Macafoy bought it! But what Keira read was more disturbing. What did it mean when the book said "from the blood of the one who caused thy first downfall; of the line of Eve will she appear; she will hear her call; and it is she whom you must fear"?

A rustle of metal keys woke Keira from her thoughts. Keira tensed. She heard a key inserted in the lock. The bolt slid to the side. Keira's breathing became ragged as the door creaked and groaned and was pulled open. Keira blinked, her eyes unused to the light from the candles outside. As her eyes refocused, she saw a blurry image of a Death Bringer.

"Stand up, you have a visitor," the Death Bringer said in monotone.

Keira stood up, shaking. Her eyes were now used to the glare from the candles and she saw the Death Bringer move away. Another Death Bringer came into the room.

"No! Please, no! No more," Keira moaned. She was shaking in terror. This Death Bringer was probably going to finish her off. Lord Macafoy had no more need for her. The door was shut behind her. Keira found herself staring into the dark hood of the Death Bringer's cloak. Apparently, this Death Bringer was not wearing his white mask today.

Keira moved back, but she hit the wall almost right away. She had no where to run from this man. "Please, leave me alone! Please don't hurt me!" Keira pleaded.

"I won't hurt you Ki." The man put down his hood. It was Matthew.

Keira screamed in fury. She pushed him away. "Get away from me you - you -"

Matthew stood firm against her beatings. She was pushing and hitting at him, but he too had no where to go. Keira was starting to cry and he grabbed her wrists and twisted them outward. Keira screamed in pain.

"Good, keep screaming," Matthew said. "That way the rest of them will think I'm torturing you." Keira shot him a look of pure vehemence and stopped screaming. He twisted her arms further and then spun her around and twisted her arms into a more uncomfortable position behind her. She moaned in pain.

"What do you want?" Keira asked, after several collected breaths.

"I don't want anything from you," Matthew said calmly. "I just want to explain."

"You have nothing to explain!" Keira spat. Matthew tightened his grip and she winced.

"Don't yell, don't scream, don't talk loud. Just listen," Matthew instructed. "Then maybe I'll let you go." Keira gave him no answer.

"Yes, I am a Death Bringer, and yes, I work for Lord Macafoy right now. Yes, I was the spy and yes, I led you to his lair on purpose. But that was all I had to do, but I found out more about you than I had to. I found out that you didn't know you were supposed to defeat the Dark Lord. I found out that you were just an innocent girl trying to find out about your grandmother, whom I'm sorry about, but we don't know where she is. I found out that you weren't meant to be the one to destroy the Dark Lord."

"What?!" Keira said viciously. She tried to turn her head and see the expression on his face, to see if he was serious, but she couldn't move a lot without hurting her arms. Matthew seemed to have realized this and let go. A wave of relief washed over Keira. She shook off the soreness in her arms and turned around to face Matthew.

"I found out yesterday, when you were under Veritaserum. You read the book, and what you translated did not go along with what that old woman told you in the hut and what Professor Potter told you," Matthew said slowly. He prayed she wouldn't get into a fit and he would have to restrain her once more.

"What..on..earth..are..you..talking about?" Keira said in low, even tones that seemed to foretell an eruption any minute. The calm before the storm, Matthew thought.

"What you translated had nothing to do with Hogsmeade. It was only spells, potions, tricks, information about enemies especially Harry Potter, and the ultimate defeat. There was nothing about the Shrieking Shack or Hogsmeade." Matthew grabbed Keira by the shoulders. There was barely a centimeter of space between the tips of their noses. Matthew had to make sure Keira was paying attention to him. "You've been lied to Ki," Matthw said in a whisper. "There's nothing that can help you in Hogsmeade. If you had gone...something could have happened to you."

"What," Keira said sarcastically. "Something worse than the situation I'm in now?" Her voice was rising. "Why should I believe a word you said? You're a traitor, and you stayed and accepted Professor Potter's hospitality!"

"But I didn't hurt him! I never touched a hair on his head!" Matthew fired back.

"Which thankfully you didn't! What, saving him for your lord huh? You can't tell me I've been lied to and expect me to believe the person who lied to me in the first place!" There was tension in the air between them as Keira glared accusingly at Matthew.

"I was not the only person who lied to you Keira," Matthew said quietly after a minute's silence. "Professor Potter did too. You shouldn't put all of your trust in him."

"Ha! I have no idea who to believe in right now!" Keira said shrilly. Matthew slapped her.

"Stop talking so loud!" Matthew hissed. Keira was numbed with shock. No one had ever hit her before on the face like that. No one. "I know you lied when Lord Macafoy asked you to translate that paragraph. What did it really say?"

"Why should I tell you?" Keira spat out in a low voice. The cheek where Matthew had slapped her was red. "You're just going to run off to Lord Macafoy and tell him."

Matthew gave a short, harsh laugh. "Aha! So you did lie to the dark lord about the passage! Besides, I'm not completely loyal to him as you may think I am."

"Oh yeah? Somehow I doubt that."

"Yeah." Matthew's expression hardened. "My parents were Death Bringers. They killed my uncle in Hogsmeade years ago, during that massacre. My uncle was on the side of Potter by the way. My parents zapped him with the killing curse at the same time. Raised me under the influence of Macafoy, but I learned of my uncle's death. Named after him actually, "Dolan". Now, though forced to be under his submission, I'm not completely loyal to him."

The news shocked Keira, but she wasn't going to back down just because of his sob story. "Please, don't tell me," Keira said in a mocking voice. "You're a double agent. Working for the baddies while really working for the good guys. God, you don't have to make this into another 'Alias' show ok?"

"What?" Matthew said, truly bewildered. His confusion dawned upon Keira that wizards probably never watched TV or knew the show 'Alias'.

"Never mind," Keira said, reddening.

"So do you believe me now? I'm not going to tell Macafoy. I have no intention to." Matthew stated.

Keira snorted. "Just because you told me that story of yours does not mean I had a change of heart. It doesn't mean that I'm just going to tell you what that passage truly said. Just leave me alone!" Matthew stared at Keira, who had resolutely turned away from him, thinking about what he could do to make her tell him. He could think of a number of ways, most of them violent. But he had no proof of his secrecy, which was exactly what Keira needed. So he left. He unlatched the bolt and pushed the door open. He locked the door, locking Keira inside with her secret about the passage.


Keira was shaken. Matthew had just confronted her with a possibility: that Professor Potter was lying to her. If he was, then who could she trust? She had no one then! No Hogsmeade in the book? Well, it was possible since the book was a dark arts book, but you never know. She huddled into a corner of her cell and cried. Oh Grandma! Where are you when I need you the most?



Matthew had never known what it felt like to stand in front of Lord Macafoy, being interrogated. He had always been on the side of the interrogators, but never on the other side. Well, now he knew, now he understood why some wizards who had been brought in shook with fear. Matthew didn't shake, but he felt jittery.

"Matthew! Welcome!" Macafoy said in a false warm greeting. "What have you for me?"

"Nothing sir," Matthew said in a clear voice. "She summarized it exactly as she told you. She knows nothing more."

"What method of interrogation did you use?" Macafoy seemed to have a sick fascination with interrogation techniques.

"Physical abuse, an occasional slap or threatening to break limbs." Matthew shrugged. "Muggles can't handle much."

"But she's not just a Muggle," Macafoy countered. "She's a Mudblood."

"She's not a Mudblood!" Matthew found himself saying. "She's a half-blood!"

"Same thing," Macafoy said, a sly smile curling his lips. Matthew tried to control the flushing that crept up his face. Macafoy could use the outburst against him. "You revealed nothing?" he assumed.

"No," Matthew said flatly. "Nothing about us or me or anything she could use against me sir. I forced her to talk, but she knew nothing sir. Now, if I may speak frankly, I don't think there is more you could ask from me." Macafoy raised his eyebrows at Matthew's statement, which was a bit out of line. Macafoy nodded loftily, and Matthew left the hall.

If Keira could see me now, Matthew thought. Maybe she could trust me more.

Chapter 16 - Time


"It is time."

The Order had convened in front of Tonks' hut in the Forbidden Forest. Snape and Lupin were inside, making their potions. The order had their wands ready; they looked like a small ragtag army that could easily be defeated, but the fire in every single one of their eyes burned a rage and determination to kill hundreds. The Weasleys stood together, small in number but they had a determination to fight for their loved ones and for Keira. The Aurors, Shacklebolt, Tonks, and Moody stood together to the right. Cornelius Fudge stood alone in the middle of the group. Madame Maxine and Hagrid stood at the back, towering over everyone else. Neville was standing nervously with Luna Lovegood in the middle of everyone, and everyone was facing Harry Potter, the leader. Grawp was not in attendance, handling the giants in the north, and Madame Maxine's liaisons were in France and some were on their way to Hogsmeade, where they would stay.

Behind the order was a large crowd of men in robes, all varying in ages. They had the same look of determination, but there was fear written all over their faces.

"Fifteen men stay here, guard the hut," Potter instructed in a clear voice. "No one comes in, no one leaves. Two people watch over Snape and Lupin in the hut, make sure nothing fishy happens. Everyone else, follow your commander. Weasleys, you take seventy men, Tonks and Shacklebolt, fifty, Fudge, Neville, Luna take the rest. At the signal, Weasley forces apparate ten miles west from the castle and cover yourself. Tonks and Shacklebolt, your forces will apparate twenty miles away from here, you should still be in the forest. You will be waiting for Snape and Lupin. Neville, your forces will apparate ten miles east from the castle. Ready? One, two, three!" Potter raised his wand high up in the air and red sparks shot up. At that moment, a large group of 200+ wizards disappeared in the forest.



Keira woke up, startled by the sound of scraping near the floor. Keira scrambled to her knees and rushed to the flap at the bottom of the door. She was hoping for some food, she was starving! But if it was soup again Keira was never going to touch it.

The flap never opened. Instead, Keira saw a package blocking the little bit of light that peeked through the crack at the bottom of the door. Somebody was trying to push it through, but it was too fat to fit through. She watched as the person keept pushing it through. Keira reached out to pull the package through when the package was taken out. Keira gave a silent cry of frustration. The person who was giving her something probably got caught! She leaned back when she saw the package, minus it's thick wrapping, slide under the door. Keira grabbed at it eagerly and turned it over. She saw her own reflection. It was just a mirror! She threw it down next to her. What was she going to do with a mirror? She closed her eyes. She was stuck in the hell - hole, literally, and no one was out there to help her. Keira looked at the mirror, and recognized the etchings on the back of the mirror. The design was unsettlingly familiar. She turned to the glass and stared.

"Professor Potter," Keira whispered, half-hoping the mirror was what she thought it was. The mirror misted and Keira could barely contain her joy. No one appeared at the other side of the mirror, but she heard a voice.

"Keira! Where are you!" It was Professor Potter.

"Professor!" Keira said, speaking quickly and in a low voice. "I'm trapped! Lord Macafoy has me as a prisoner. He won't let me out and he forced me to translate the book for him. I don't know how I was able to translate the book, but Matthew said I was Parseltongue, and I don't know why I couldn't read it before, and Matthew's a Death Bringer! Please! You've got to help me! I don't -"

Potter cut in. "We're on our way Keira. Don't worry and don't do anything else to bring more attention to yourself. Now what did you tell Macafoy?"

"I don't know!" Keira said desperately. "I was under a Veri-something, and I translated the whole book except a paragraph. He forced me to translate that paragraph and I lied to him. I don't think he knows. Why can I read the book all of a sudden? Why couldn't I read it before?"

"Because you didn't know you could read it," Potter said simply. "Look, we're on our way so..." Potter's voice disappeared and Keira could see her reflection once again.

"Professor!" Keira cried into the mirror. "Professor!" But no one answered her cry. Keira sat back against the wall. At least someone was coming to help her now.

There was a knock in the door, and Keira jumped. She tensed every muscle in her body. The bolts slid open and the door opened. It was Matthew.

"Now do you trust me?"

chapter 16..continued :eyebrows:

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continued

Keira raced after Matthew. The extra large cape that Matthew gave her was too big for her. Matthew kept looking left and right, making sure the coast was clear as they ran down the vast hallways of the castle.

"Wait!" Keira panted. "Wait! I need you to explain something to me!" She stopped to take a breath. Matthew stopped running several feet away from her and turned back.

"Keira!" he whispered urgently. He grabbed her arm and dragged her to a large column that could hide the both of them. "You've got to be careful!"

"Why are you helping me?" Keira asked the question that had been bugging her ever since Matthew threw the cloak at her and helped her sneak out of her cell.

"Because I don't think you should be here," Matthew said hesitantly. Keira searched his eyes.

"Liar! You just want to know what the passage says!"

"Well," Matthew brought down his hood. "I...well, yeah. That too. But I think the passage could free you! That's why I'm helping you. If the passage does not relate to you at all, maybe you can just go free. I'm just speeding up the process."

"You're sick," Keira said, disgusted. "I don't need your help! And I certainly won't tell you what the passage says!" She wrenched her arm free from his grasp and turned.

"Keira wait!" Matthew grabbed her once again. "You can't go out there! Look, I'm trying to help you escape! And you can go to your Professor and you can plead to him to come and destroy the dark lord ok? Just don't go back! If you do, you might get caught and I will be blamed. I could get killed!"

"You selfish jerk!" Keira said scathingly. "Everything's about you! You get the passage. You will be blamed. You will get killed. Geez! I think I'd rather risk my chances on getting caught. At the moment, I don't give a hoot what happens to you! I don't care if Macafoy thinks you set me free and catches you. And - yfmmehmmehs"

Matthew put his hand over Keira's mouth. She struggled in surprise. He dragged her out to the open and looked around. There were Death Bringers coming down the hallway at the left. Keira turned and gasped in surprised. She struggled to get free but Matthew was too strong. The Death Bringers caught up to them.

"You have the prisoner," one of them said in surprise.

"Yes, I was passing by and caught her," Matthew said with indifference. Keira stopped struggling and twisted her head. She glared at Matthew but he didn't look at her. "It appears she knocked out a Death Bringer and stole his robe," he continued.

"She didn't knock out a Death Bringer. No one can. But we found the closet opened and noticed a robe missing," another Death Bringer said.

"Bring the prisoner back to her cell," the first speaker said. He turned around. Matthew whipped out his wand.

"Stupefy!" Matthew roared. The first speaker fell. The three other Death Bringers whipped out their wands. Matthew pushed Keira aside to the windows. "Stupefy! Stupefy! Keira! Run!"

Keira was terrified. Bands of red light kept going back and forth. Matthew dodged the beams aimed at him and kept dueling. Another Death Bringer fell. Matthew ran behind the Death Bringer before he fell to the floor and picked him up, using him as a shield. Another order to run from Matthew and Keira scrambled to her feet. She ran behind a Death Bringer and sprinted to the end of the hallway. She heard a Death Bringer yell and footsteps behind her.

"Avada Kedavra!" Keira froze. The sound of the spell was so threatening and so frightening she couldn't move. She turned around. The Death Bringer chasing after her stopped in his tracks, his wand outstretched, his lips forming the words of the spell. And then he fell down and didn't move. Keira had a clear view of Matthew dueling the last Death Bringer. Screams of "Crucio!" and "Impedimenta!" and an occasional "Stupefy!" echoed the hallways. Finally, a cry of "Avada Kedavra!" and Keira saw a cloaked man fall. She screamed. She looked at the standing Death Bringer; it was Matthew. He stood over the fallen Death Bringers. Two were stirring but they didn't get up yet. Matthew locked eyes with Keira. Keira turned around and ran.

chapter 17! yay! well...for me! I'm almost done! :p

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Chapter 17 - Capture, Torture, Escape


Keira was running blind. She turned down corridors, alternately switching between taking the left or the right. She had no idea how to get out of the castle. Just run, she thought. Oh! If only Matthew was here...No! Don't think of him! That traiter! That liar! Just run!

She was panting and her legs were starting to sting from pain, but Keira continued to run. She was not going to stop and let anyone catch up to her. She was not going to let anyone catch her and stuff her in that closet of a cell again. Keira sprinted down a long corridor but stopped almost immediately. She was in a circular room. A shaft of light allowed the sunlight to shine through and she looked around her. There were corridors of darkness at every possible angle. Which one to take?! Keira spun around in her place, looking for a sign, a clue, that could lead her through the right tunnel. She turned to the tunnel to her right.

EXIT

Keira raised her eyebrows in shock. She didn't think the sign could be so blatant. Well, it said 'exit', so might as well exit the building through there. She raced down the tunnel. The sunlight from the middle of the room disappeared and Keira was running in total darkness. Keira slowed down and began to grope her way through the tunnel. She felt the slimy walls. "Ugh!" Keira cried, staring at her hands. She couldn't see them. Keira gingerly put her hands back on the walls. She guided herself with help of the walls that she touched with only her fingertips. She walked as quickly as possible, hearing the squelching of her shoes in the possibly muddy ground. Keira squinted. She thought she saw a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. Was it a light? Keira couldn't tell. She continued to walk, her pace now quickening to a near run. She outstretched her free hand and waved it around to warn of any obstacles. Keira's right foot hit a rock and she tripped.

"Ow!" she said as she fell almost on her face. Her hands blocked her fall. She felt the floor, it was defintely muddy and dirty. She thought she felt something slimy move across her hand.

"Eek!" she screamed and she quickly got up. She brushed herself off, but found herself brushing off clumps of mud. She brushed them away in annoyance and reached out for the wall again. Several steps later and her outstretched hand touched a door. Keira was excited. The door! The exit! She felt around for the knob and pulled. The door moved only a centimeter, but Keira stopped. She swore she heard gurgling behind the door. Keira leaned against the door and listened. The gurgling...it was moving...it was water! Keira stepped back. Water...what was it doing at the exit? A moat! The exit led her to the moat! Keira turned around. She could turn back and look for another way out. But if she did, she would have wasted a lot of time and the Death Bringers could be after her already. She couldn't take that chance. She was so close to freedom! Just gallons and gallons of water was blocking the way! Keira took a deep breath. She'd take the chances. Keira turned to the door and groped for the knob. Keira grabbed it with both her hands and pulled. The door didn't budge. Keira gritted her teeth and dug her heels into the dirt. She pulled again. "Arhhh...ohll...oh more!....ahh!" Keira cried out. The door began to pull open and Keira saw a crack, an opening. Water sprayed through and Keira released the knob. She took a couple of steps back. The door was groaning against the pressure of the water. Water was seeping through the cracks of the door.

Suddenly the door blew open. Keira covered her head with her arms and turned away as the water hit her full blast. Keira was covered with murky water and she found herself floating upwards. Keira began kicking towards the door and the opening. Her cheeks were fat with the only air she was able to retain. Bubbles blocked her vision and Keira was once again moving blindly. She swam as fast as she could, her arms waving, paddling her through the water and waving the bubbles away. Keira swam under the roof of the door and out to the moat. Keira could feel the warmth of the sunshine overhead. She swam farther out. Keira looked around her. It seemed like a regular moat: seaweed growing...rocks...a sandy bottom...dirty water...a mermaid. A mermaid! Keira looked over her shoulder in alarm. Yes, it was a mermaid, or more accurately, a merman. Keira kicked even harder and began to swim upward. Something heavy grabbed at her ankle and she felt herself being dragged downwards. Keira kicked in alarm and released too much air. She was panicking. The merman kept a firm grip on her ankle, his disgusting green face leering at her. He swam upwards until they were face to face. Keira tried to kick at him but his tail kept swishing out of the way. He grabbed her throat with his scaly hands and looked straight in her eyes. Keira stared back at his black eyes and grabbed at his scaly hands, which were more like fins, and tried to pry them off her throat. She closed her eyes and stopped struggling, releasing all the air she had stored up.

The merman did not release his grip on her throat. He gave her a little shake; Keira was limp. He let go of her throat and swam away, continuing with his watch over the moat. Keira slowly sank to the bottom of the moat.

feedback would be appreciated...should i kill Keira off??? teehee...just kidding! chapter 17...

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continued


Matthew struggled against the grip of his fellow Death Bringers. One of them squeezed hard on his shoulder and he winced in pain. The hands threatened to dislocate his shoulder. Another Death Bringer had his wand tip pointed at his chin. Matthew was thrown through the doors and into the great hall. He fell, kneeling down. His wrists were tied behind his back and his robe was tattered and bloody. He had been beaten up with repeated spells of torture. Two Death Bringers picked him up from behind with his robe and dragged him to the feet of where Macafoy sat on his throne. The Death Bringers standing around the room moved in, surrounding him as if tightening the noose around his neck.

Matthew gasped. He blinked but could only see his blood as it ran down his face from the side of his head. His right eye hurt like hell; under the Imperius curse, he was forced to inflict harm upon himself. Yeah, the Death Bringers had a riot with that.

Matthew could feel Macafoy's cold eyes staring down at him. He dared to look straight into Macafoy's eyes.

"Why?" Macafoy's eerily calm voice filled the room.

Matthew shook his head. It's all about me huh? Matthew thought. Me, trying to save myself...right...if only she could see me now. I'm being punished for her sake. I'm taking the beating. For her, all for her. And she thinks I'm trying to save myself? She probably thinks that's what happening right now, that I'm being awarded with a medal. How ironic. Matthew began to chuckle.

Macafoy raised his eyebrows, affronted. "You dare laugh at this time?" he asked. He turned red in anger when Matthew kept laughing. "You just helped a prisoner escape! What is this? Do you think you can help an enemy and expect to get away with it?! What is your problem? SPEAK!"

Matthew stopped laughing. He stared evenly at Macafoy, a silly grin pasted on his face. Macafoy looked enraged. It was a really funny sight to Matthew, Macafoy turning bright red with his platinum blond hair pasted on his face. He looked like a pig in a wig. ( ;) )

Macafoy took deep breaths. He closed his eyes, wishing this nightmare would end, but opened it to find Matthew still giving him that silly grin. He waved his hand and Matthew's head was tossed to the side.

Matthew closed his eyes, wincing against the pain that stung on his cheek. He felt as if he had been slapped, with ten times the force of a regular hand slap. He looked back at Macafoy, the smile gone from his face, tears in his eyes. He blinked those away.

"Now speak."

"No."

Macafoy's reaction was something Matthew did not expect. In a flash, Macafoy had swooped down to where Matthew was kneeling and grabbed his face with his hand. His nails dug into Matthew's skin.

"Now you tell me where she's gone or else it's the end of you," Macafoy said in a deathly whisper, his spit flying. "I want to know what your involvement in her escape is. I want to know what she's told you. I want to know what that passage says! I want to know whether you are truly loyal to me or not. I want to know what lies you have fed me you idiot!" Macafoy released his grip and took out his wand. He pointed it squarely between Matthew's eyes. "Now speak."

"That's easy," Matthew said quietly. "I'm not loyal to you."

Macafoy slapped Matthew remotely again and took out his wand. But then, he rethinked his actions and put it away. "Take him away. And why not, put him in the cell where we last held the prisoner." The Death Bringers dragged Matthew more roughly than before. He fell, unbalanced, and the Death Bringers kicked at his abdomen to get him to stand up.

Keira, you better be safe. You better be on your way to Potter. You better know what the hell you're doing.



Keira floated to the top of the moat, which was sinking slowly as the water escaped through the door she had opened. She turned, face up and began treading water, coughing up water. She quickly swam to land and grabbed the weeds and plants that grew on the shore. She pulled herself up and collapsed, coughing and spitting out the water she accidentally swallowed while playing dead. The merman's grip was so strong and Keira could not fight it anymore. She touched her sore neck gingerly. There was a droplet of blood on her finger. She crawled further inland and turned around. The moat was slowly sinking, and she saw a shadow underwater. It was the merman!

Keira scrambled away from the merman. He had risen halfway above water and this time, he had a trident. He raised it menacingly. Keira got up and began running as fast as she could.

Whish!

Keira looked to her left; the trident had landed just centimeters from where she was just seconds ago. She kept running until she felt she was far enough. Turning, she saw that the merman was gone. Keira collapsed to her knees, catching her breath. She cluthed her chest and felt her shirt; it was all torn and wet. Her hair covered her face, matted down with the water. Keira pushed it all back and she ripped off a shred of her shirt; it was torn already, it didn't make a difference that she tore up more of it. She pulled her hair back into a pony tail and used the shred as a ribbon. She got up slowly and began to jog, half-limping. She had to find Professor Potter all on her own.



A Death Bringer ran into the great hall. Macafoy was pacing in front of his throne. Everyone else had gone. Macafoy looked up as the Death Bringer made his noisy entrance.

"Sir," the Death Bringer reported. He fidgeted with his cloak sleeves. "We have a problem."

thanks to linzee4life for posting a feedback!! :tu:

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chapter 18 - Wizard or Muggle?


"Sir?" the Death Bringer prodded. He was in an empty chamber and his voice chilllingly echoed the room. Macafoy was sittinjg silently on his throne.

"Sir? The chambers are flooding."

"So vanquish it."

"Um sir? I hate to be a bringer of bad news but the water was charmed to be unvanquishable. So that the moat would not be easily -"

"I know what the spell is for!" roared Macafoy. "Close off all - "

Screams began echoing down the corridors leading to the chamber. There were the whispers of the spells moving against the flooding waters, only to be reflected back to the death bringer and crashes of bodies falling. Macafoy's attention riveted to the doors where Death Bringers began to run in. A trickle of water followed them in.

"Colloportus! Colloportus! Colloportus!" Macafoy's wand brought to close three doors. More Death Bringers ran in, panicking. The more calm ones simply apparated into the chamber. Macafoy noticed the ones who were running were women, one of them was his girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson.

"SHUT UP! Colloportus!" Macafoy yelled over the cries. The doors sealed the water out of the chamber. The Death Bringers huddled together in the chamber in front of Macafoy. Some were drenched and were casting drying spells on themselves.

"Plan B," Macafoy said, and he and hundreds of other Death Bringers disapparated. The doors were opened and the waters flooded the hub of the castle.



Potter's forces awaited silently in their place. A scout was sent to search the area and he was not back yet. The men were huddled around fires they had conjured. The forest was particularly damp where they were staying.

"Professor, what do we exactly plan to do?" a wizard asked, shivering as he entered Potter's tent.

"Douglas, to tell you the truth, I am not quite sure." Douglas looked let - down and he headed back to where his friends were sitting. Shouts directed Potter's attention to the north, where the scout was heading. Potter rushed out of his tent and looked to find where all the chaos was going on. There was a large group crowding around a person. Potter rushed over and pushed his way through. It was his messenger, Shetland. He was frozen, he was dead. But he was tightly gripping a letter. Potter knelt beside Shetland and closed Shetland's eyes and tugged at the letter. The letter nearly ripped as Potter tugged it free. He quickly opened it up and scanned it. He dropped the letter. "Get me the Weasleys, now!" Potter ordered. Two wizards scurried off. He whirled back to his tent. Douglas picked up the wrinkled letter.

"Tick...tick...Boom, Potter."

sooooo sorry about the wait..haven't posted for a while...well, continuance of chapter 18 - may be short because I kinda lost track on the story...will be up to speed soon hopefully.

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continued

Keira was hungry, thirsty, and tired. But she was used to it by now. She trudged in the darker areas near a wooded area. The hills were fun to walk over, except the going up part. She continually scanned the area for a stream or a place she could rest inconspicuously.

A movement behind the trees caught her eye. She stared suspiciously at the tree and waited, quietly, patiently. There was a shadow again, this time several trees further along. Keira jogged as quietly as possible to the trees. The shadow was now moving faster. Keira tried to run as fast as she could, but then, there was a loud CRACK and the shadow was gone. Disappointment shadowed Keira's face and she leaned against a tree, tired and gasping for breath. Her knees buckled, and she finally succumbed to weakness...

"Is that her?"

"Ssh! You'll wake her up!"

"Is she feeling better?"

"She's healing, I hope. My Healing skills are not too good."

"Is there a Healer in this camp or what!?"

"Look! Her eyes are fluttering! She's waking up!"

Keira opened her eyes slowly. She blinked. A sea of red surrounded her. Her eyes rolled around her surroundings, finally settling on a familiar face.

"Keira, sleep now, you need your rest," Professor Potter said. Keira felt a small tap on her eyes and she immediately fell asleep.

continued
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Macafoy paced between two tall trees. His face was paler than usual. His followers, the Death Bringers, stood nervously before him, all in subdued silence. A Muggle named Keira had just ruined their fortress and escaped. She was probably at Potter's camp by now. Which meant Potter was nearby. Macafoy had found a scout sent by Potter, a weak wizard named Shetland. He had given the scout a note to give to Potter, and had him followed by one of his Death Bringers. Once in range of Potter's camp, Shetland was killed, and hopefully, Potter would now see the note...


Potter raced down the field. The Weasleys had Apparated as soon as they were summoned, but Potter couldn't report to them of his findings. Keira had arrived just as suddenly and the Weasleys were taken at the helplessness of their niece. They were now staying in the tent with their niece.

tick...tick...Boom...


What could that mean? And coming from Macafoy, it was never good. But Potter had an instinct to run to the hut where Lupin and Snape were. Potter always followed his instincts. If only he could get there faster...

Potter rolled his eyes at his one stupidity and inefficiency. He stopped running and disapparated.

CRACK!


Lupin and Snape jumped. Snape was just about to add a sliver of oomslang skin and Lupin was stirring clockwise when Potter appeared in front of their cauldron. Lupin stopped stirring and stared.

"Keep stirring or you'll ruin the potion!" Snape hissed. Lupin scrambled to recover his mistake and Snape calmly added the skin.

"Don't move," Potter said quietly.

Lupin started. "Why not?"

"I think you're sitting on a bomb."

last continuation - i swear!

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continued

"You're kidding right?"

Lupin's ashen face matched his gray hair. Snape kept his position, frozen, but his dark eyes darting back and forth.

"I got a note from Macafoy," Potter said heavily. "He's planted a bomb."

"What?" Snape said, surprised. "What is he, a Muggle? If he wants to kill us, he can do it the old fashioned way - with the curse!"

"How did he find us?" Lupin whispered.

"I don't know, but stay where you are," Potter directed. He swiveled around and whipped out his wand. "Accio bomb," Potter whispered. Something rattled behind him. He turned around and put his wand away. Potter circled the cauldron and looked at the fireplace. It was full of soot and charcoal. Potter bent down slowly. "Aahh, my back," he muttered. He sifted through the remains of a fire. And there it was. The bomb. Though it didn't look like a bomb. Instead, it resembled an old black tea kettle. It just had red digits on the side.

"Found it," Potter said, groaning as he got up.

"Good, now dispose it," Snape said, turning back to the cauldron.

The red digits on the kettle blinked. 59...58...57...

"Right," Potter said.



"Do yeh think they've found it sir?" a Death Bringer asked as he nervously approached Macafoy. Macafoy stopped pacing.

"If they've found it, there would be a bloody explosion! Do you hear a bloody explosion? No! So they did not find the bloody kettle!" Macafoy's face was red with rage. The Death Bringer gave a small whimper and backed down. Macafoy resumed his pacing.

"How did you know where to put it sir? If you knew where to put it, then you would know where they are. Then we can march right in to their camp!" a smart alecky Death Bringer piped up.

"SHUT UP!" Macafoy roared. "If I knew where they were, do you think I would be wasting our time here? I cast a spell on the bloody thing. Don't know where it went..."

"You could have sent one of us to follow it," the smart aleck said, unfazed.

A look of sheer realization dawned on his face, followed by a dark look. "SHUT UUUUPPPPP!!!"

A distinct but distant noise of a bomb explosion erupted.

hey look! I'm on chapter 19!

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Chapter 19 - Where There's a Bomb, There's Trouble


"An explosion sir!" All cloaked heads faced west and Macafoy stared into the distance.

"Sir." Macafoy turned around. It was Crabbe. "Sir, we have our hostages."

"Excellent," Macafoy hissed. He raised his voice and faced his followers. "Now, let's go at three. One...two...three!"

Hundreds of Death Bringers disappeared that instant in the forest.


Bryan McAdams was chasing his dog, who was chasing after a stick Bryan had just thrown. Bryan lived near the edge of a forest, and the forest was his favorite hunting ground for small game. When he heard a roar of a voice, he though it couldn't be true. There were people in the forest? The forest was usually abandoned. He grabbed his dog by the collar and crept by a nearby bush. He watched as hundreds of dark clothed people stood before a pale thin man. He watched as he saw them disappear with a blink of an eye.

Legend had it that wizards and witches were not entirely gone from his side of the country. Legend had it they still existed...that there was a mystical castle somewhere. Of course, Bryan never saw it, but you couldn't help wondering...

Bryan turned around to head home, tugging at his whimpering dog. Could it be? Was it true?

"MOM!!!!!!!"




"Potter, what the hell were you thinking!?" A red-faced Lupin was stirring at the cauldron furiously, giving Potter dark glares.

"Now now Remus," Snape said, his lips curling into a tight smile. "Calm yourself down or the potion will never work. You know Potter. His ideas are usually quite radical. This one shouldn't surprise you."

"All I did was transport the bomb magically elsewhere," a soot-faced Potter said. "Apparently, it took longer than expected and more power than I was willing to give."

"Haven't you exposed our location!" Lupin hissed.

"No. I sent it 30 miles east of where our camps are. Macafoy and his troops are being misdirected, which will give us more time to finish the potion and to plan our strategies further." Potter tapped his wand on his chin and his face was cleared up. "Now I must get going you two." And Potter Disapparated from the hut.



Potter returned to his camp tent and sat down on a chair he conjured. He was tired. He wasn't too young anymore. At the thought, he chuckled to himself. But his private moment was interrupted when a wizard came bursting in.

"Professor? We have a problem," the breathless wizard reported.

"Why, what is it?" Potter stood up from his chair.

"We've lost contact with Professor Granger."

soooo sorry i haven't updated in a while, i'm sure many of you lost interest already! hehe...well, i might as well finish the story then right?

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Chapter 20 - Battle of the Truth

Bryan McAdams chased down the field with his dog running behind him. He burst through the back kitchen door, where his mom, Abigail McAdams, stood by the sink, rinsing some vegetables for that night's dinner.

"Mom! Mom!" Bryan panted as he doubled over to catch his breath. His dog was barking excitedly.

Abigail McAdams turned with a crease of worry on her forehead. "What is it? And why must you tread dirt all over the kitchen floor? Did you know how long it took for me to clean all that? Bryan, what is all this -"

"Mom!" Bryan put his hands up to stop her scoldings. "I think there are wizards in the forest."

Abigail's face tightened for a minute. "Bryan," she said in a low voice. "Don't tell lies. I always taught you to never tell lies!"

"I'm not lying mom!" Bryan cried out. "I saw them! Hundreds of them! In a big group, gathered together. They all disappeared in a flash!"

"It must have been your imagination," Abigail said dismissively, returning to her cooking.

"But mom! I swear! Wizards!" Bryan yelled. AT that moment, Bryan's father entered the kitchen.

"What's all this racket? Why am I hearing wizards?" Mr. McAdams asked. He was a tall man, and took up a large space in the kitchen.

"Dad! Wizards are in the forest! They exist! Barty and I saw them!" Bryan said in his frantic voice.

"Wizards? Are you sure son?" Mr. McAdams said questioningly.

"I'm sure dad! I'm positive!"

Mr. McAdams hitched up his pants. "I'm gonna get my rifle."

"Oh Victor, you can't be serious!" Abigail said.

"Abby," Mr. McAdams said in a serious voice. "I never joke about wizards."



Professor Potter jumped out of his chair. "When was the last time we had contact with her?"

"Just a few minutes ago sir," the wizard replied. "We think she may have been compromised."

Potter thought fast. What could possibly happen? An orange tabby in the middle of a dark forest...

"Send a message to all the troops. We're going to the location, 30 miles east of where this camp is. We're going in."

thanks to those who put feedback! and thanks for your criticism...appreciated...

continued from Chapter 20 - Veritas (where it all comes out)
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Mr. McAdams checked his rifle's barrel; it was full. He cocked his gun and headed out the door, with Bryan at his heels.

"Wait!" Abby chased after her husband as he neared the door. "What if Bryan is lying?"

"Mom!" Bryan shouted desperately. "I'm not lying! I'm serious!"

"I'm going by myself Abby," Mr. McAdams said quietly. "If Bryan is lying, I'll make sure he gets punished well. If he's not...well then..."

The end of the sentence hung in the air. They all knew what would happen if there were actually wizards in the area. It was a legend that all villagers stuck to. Years ago, a skirmish had occured in the very same woods involving the older villagers and the wizards. The villagers had mistakenly stumbled upon the wizards concocting a potion. The wizards disappeared, but not for long. Being a vile bunch, they arrived in the middle of the night and began to play tricks on the houses of the very villagers who discovered them. By morning, the tricks were played out and the hunt began for the wizards. The two opponents faced off in the woods and the villagers returned to their families, stunned and disoriented. They couldn't remember a single fact about their old life, much to the despair of their family members. Each family in the town vowed vengeance for "ruining their simple lives". Now, if what Bryan said was true, then the revenge would be taken, for each elder in the village, including Mr. McAdams, had a father or uncle who could not remember who their own wife was.


Throughout the still forest, much activity was going on. As Lord Macafoy's troops headed 30 miles east of where Potter's camp was, Neville's troops were heading west, along with Tonks and Shacklebolt's troops, and the Weasleys led their troops east. Everyone was going to convene at the very spot where a bomb had exploded just minutes ago.


"Sir?" a Death Bringer said, approaching Lord Macafoy after they landed at the site. They were hiding in the brush, most using the Disillusionment Charm. Two eyes floating in the green bush full of small budding flowers turned to face the Death Bringer. "The hostages, they're struggling."

"So control them," growled Macafoy.

"Well, I thought we could put them out as bait..." the Death Bringer's voice died off.

Macafoy was silent for a moment. "Use her."



With a loud bang, Potter's troops landed within five miles of the site. Potter put up a signal to be quiet and they were still for five minutes. No movement was heard and they all began to advance as quickly and quietly as possible. Keira lagged behind, supported between her two uncles as Ron and Harry led the troops. Keira had never felt so exhausted yet so rested in her life. She wanted to walk, but instead was being held up by a stretcher conjured by her uncles, who were supporting it with their wands.

"Hey, so which one of you is Fred?" Keira asked conversationally.

"Oh, that'd be me," said the one on the right.

"No! It's me! You're George!" insisted the uncle on her left.

"No, me!"

"No! Me!"

"Wait, wait," Keira said, putting her hands up to stop the silly fighting. "Forget it, I'll find out on my own." They continued to travel in silence. Despite the cute bickering, the twins' faces were grim. They knew what might happen, and they weren't too happy about it. The two of them were afraid of getting too close to their own niece, fearing that if they did, it would be harder to tear themselves away from her.

Suddenly, the troops stopped. The twins craned their necks to see what was going on and floated themselves to the front, with Keira in between them. They stood behind Ron and Harry, who had frozen in their tracks.

In the middle of a clearing, amidst the fragments of a bomb, was a straggled, tired - looking orange tabby cat.

"Hermione," Ron whispered faintly.

this will be the last continuation for chapter 20 - i swear!

continuation of chapter 20:
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"Ah, so it seems."

A rustle of leaves in the bushes near them caused Harry and Ron to turn around abruptly. Lord Macafoy appeared in the clearing, followed by two Death Bringers flanking him on either side.

"You!" Ron said viciously. He started after Lord Macafoy but Harry gently pushed him back. "How dare you! Leave her alone! She's worth nothing to you!"

"Worth nothing to me?" Macafoy said, eyes twinkling. "Are you pulling my leg here Weasel? She was spying on me, after my prisoners, and you think she is worth nothing to me? Who's side do you think I think she is on?"

"Let her go Draco," Harry said quietly.

Macafoy turned his eyes at Harry, who saw a flicker of surprise on his face. "No one has called me that in a long time Potter,' Macafoy said quietly. "There is a reason why I wish to not be known as that name ANYMORE!" His last word thundered throughout the forest and hung in the tense air between them.

Harry was the first to look away, and he watched as Hermione slowly transformed herself back to human form. He heard Keira gasp behind him and for the fist time realized that this was the first time she ever saw a Transfiguration.

Hermione looked tired and older than ever. She was tightly bound with rope that seemed to sparkle at every angle. Her mouth was gagged with the same rope and she tried to wriggle free out of it. Harry dared not approach her, for the rope was cursed with the Avada Kedavra, though it was on "hold". If anyone touched her or released her using any wand but Macafoy's, she would die. Inwardly, he wondered how Macafoy had done such magic, and was tempted to say something to further aggravate Macafoy, but he thought better of it. Instead, Harry watched helplessly as Macafoy glided to Hermione's side.

"Ah, winning is a wonderful thing, isn't it Potter?" Macafoy whispered, though his voice was heard everywhere. "You should know. How did it feel to defeat the Dark Lord? Do you remember anything that happened after that battle?"

Keira sucked in her breath. Macafoy was teasing Potter, to take the bait, to make Potter go crazy with what was about to be said. She wondered how Potter would take it.

"I refuse to answer you Macafoy," Harry said evenly. "It is none of your business to know. What do you want, I don't want to have to wage full on war if it can be prevented."

"Ah!' Macafoy cried out with mild surprise. "This is not the Potter I remember from my youth! Nooo. That Potter was a fiery young man, ready to fight whenever possible, ready to try and attack the Dark Lord's Death Eaters, never stopping or caring if he got in trouble or not. Now this? What has happened? What change has come over you? Age?"

"Just free Hermione!" Ron burst out angrily. His face was turning bright red.

Macafoy sneered. "No. Not until Potter hears the truth."

"What truth?" Fred Weasley asked mildly. Keira jumped. She didn't realize the twins were next to her.

"I'm glad you asked," Macafoy said. "But first, let me play all my cards." He turned his head slightly towards one of his Death Bringers, who Disapparated and Apparated within seconds. But this time, he was back with a prisoner, one who was hooded at the head. Keira stared at the worn and now lanky body of the prisoner. She could tell he was tall, despite the fact that he was kneeling on the ground, seemingly in pain. It looked familiar...

Macafoy took out his wand. He made the cloth covering the prisoner's face disappear and transported him next to where Hermione stood. Keira gasped at the recognition of who it was, though his once handsome face was now scraggly and worn.

"Potter, meet your nephew."

thanks for the feedback! and so soon! ok ok..to satisfy kola pup's nerves here...here's the next chapter...

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Chapter 21 - Revelations

Bryan McAdams, his father, Mr. Peabody, Mr. Knowsly, and Mr. Arguth crept through the foliage of the forest. They were looking for wizards. Their only weapons were scythes, a rifle, and pitchforks, since they did not know what to expect.

Voices attracted their attention to the right of them. They moved slowly, not wishing to disturb anyone or surprise people, if it happened to not be wizards. Mr. McAdams, the undeclared leader of the group, shushed them and peeked over the bushes. A tall, pale looking man in black robes was approaching the clearing, facing another older man with glasses and a similar dark robe. Another middle-aged man with fiery red hair red in the face. Mr. McAdams craned his neck slightly further. The pale man had moved; McAdams could see a woman of nearly fifty tied up in ropes and looking very tired. Then, a figure moved near McAdams; he had not noticed that there were two other men standing in front of him very near where he was crouching. McAdams ducked as one of the figures disappeared and reappeared. When McAdams looked up again, he saw that the figure was dragging something heavy. McAdams pushed back a bit more leaves and gasped.

"Get back to town," McAdams whispered urgently to his son. "Tell all men that we have a hostage situation in the forest. I think we have terrorists in the woods. They have two captives. We need all the authorities and men we can get to save them. Hurry!"

Bryan McAdams gave one frightened look at the bushes, covering the scene, and fled out of the woods.

"What will we do Mickey?" Mr. Arguth said gruffly.

"We wait," McAdams said, with more courage than he felt. "We wait. I don't think we can take on these men."



Keira's mouth was gaping. Harry's eyes were pounding with blood. It couldn't be. There was no possible way...The young man that kneeled before them all was starved and beaten, yet he was not unrecognizable. Hermione's face had a look of great pity for they young man, while the Weasleys stood in confusion. Macafoy noticed Keira's reaction and smiled triumphantly. This was it...

"Matthew?" Keira said weakly.

Macafoy could not contain it any longer. "Haha! Yes my dear, Matthew. Tell me, how could you escape me and leave your dear poor boy behind?"

"This...is...it can't be..."Harry stammered.

"What?" Macafoy prodded further. "What, he can't be your nephew? Well, actually, based on family geneology, he is the son of your cousin, now you could call that a nephew, or would you like to make that a second cousin? No, now that's wrong...hm, I do get confused with Muggle terms, since that is how you prefer to speak..."

"SHUT UP!" Ron roared. Macafoy smiled pleasantly.

"Dudley never had a child...never married..." Harry breathed out as he stared at Matthew's worn body.

"No. But have you forgotten your father's side?" Macafoy said maliciously. "You know, your father wasn't the only child...but of course, you should have known that right? I mean, it's your family history."

Harry's eyes moved to stare at Macafoy's. Harry's anger was rising to a point where if he was much younger, he wouldn't have been able to control it. He had to keep his anger in check.

Macafoy sneered. It was beautiful to have an advantage that an opponent would easily lose out to. It was brilliant. Sometimes, hostages or the Muggle method did work miracles.

"Well, it seems as if you don't know," Macafoy continued. "You see, years after your father was born, your grandpa Potty and grandma Potty gave birth to a daughter - a Melissa Potter. Well, now, she got mixed up in the - well let's just say, the wrong crowd. Melissa Potter marries William Michaels and they have Angus and Dolan Michaels." Macafoy paused and stared dreamily into space as if in a reverie that could not be broken. "Angus Michaels," he repeated. "One of the Dark Lord's glorified Death Eaters. Well known for his Avada Kedavra charms which he experimented continually....on cats."

Ron bristled. "You sicko..."he muttered under his breath.

"Angus Michaels marries a fellow Death Bringer - Joan Ferret. They have..." Macafoy gestured to Matthew. "One of the finest and youngest Death Bringers we ever had. Matthew Michaels. Oh shall I add Potter in there somewhere?"

Now it was Harry's turn to bristle. "You have hurt one of your own, intentionally I believe to bait me," Harry said as calmly as he could. "What do you want - the book?"

"Ah, if only it could be as simple as that," Macafoy answered. "You see, I don't just want the book. I want more than that. I want you to suffer and feel like an idiot, the way I felt all these years. i want you to feel helpless. I want you to feel pain, excruciating pain. Above all, I want you, Potter, to lose this war."

Fred and George Weasley's eyes narrowed. Ron looked worriedly at Harry. Harry however was unaffected. Keira was surprised he showed so much strength at a time like this, but she was worried about Matthew. What did they do to him? He was barely moving, and you only knew he was alive because of his deep heavy breaths.

"I'm afraid that is impossible." Harry said quietly.

Keira thought she saw Macafoy's eyes flicker in fear, but it was gone as quickly as she saw it.

"What do you mean impossible?" Macafoy hissed. "What can go wrong in my perfect plan?"

"See, Draco, (Macafoy winced) your weakness was making plans. They were never perfect. They aren't perfect now either, though I have much to lose." Harry turned around and raised his wand. A Death Bringer moved forward with his wand hand raised but Ron whipped out his and directed it at the moving Death Bringer.

"Don't think about it," Ron threatened. The Death Bringer backed off a couple of steps. Msut be Goyle in that cloak, Ron thought. Always was the scaredy-cat.

Harry's wand emitted one red flare. It disappeared in the sky for a moment and then there was a loud burst of sound, as if something heavy had dropped onto a drum and the sound was magnified ten times. Keira turned around. She saw Snape's greasy graying hair bobbing across the army. So it was Snape that Harry had sent for, big deal. She turned around and watched Matthew. He raised his head and looked back at her; he had a black eye and gashes on his forehead. His lips were purpling; he had a sad look on his face.

Keira heard Harry say, "Please, Ginny, explain." Ginny?! Could it be?!

"I'm afraid it is impossible for you to get the book back at all."

Keira, wide-eyed turned around. A plump short woman of about fifty and with graying hair...the soft belly poking out of her body...the same perfume of peppermint...

"Grandma?!"

thanks to linzee4life...for the feedback...dang! i never realized that feedback came back so fast!

*****************
Chapter 22 - Ginny vs. Draco vs. Keira

Ginny Weasley turned her head to look at her granddaughter, Keira. A soft smile broke on her face.

"Keira dear," Ginny said kindly, reaching out to Keira's head. She pulled Keira's head down towards her and whispered in her ear. "You're an idiot! I've worked hard to delay this coming! Why didn't you go to Hogsmeade like you were told to - I would have helped you to get out of here. Do you know-"

Harry gently pulled Ginny from Keira and Ginny turned her attention to Macafoy. Keira looked surprised and looked up to all the Weasleys; their faces bore no surprise. But Macafoy's pale face turned pink.

"You!" he said viciously.

"Yes, me," Ginny said bravely. "And I believe you have missed a little something in the book."

"What?" Macafoy spat.

"That the book is ruined. It won't return to you - not in it's original state," Ginny said. "There has been a missing piece in all of this, in the whole book, despite translations."

"What!" Macafoy roared. "You mean Keira and Potter were useless?"

"Wait a minute!" Harry cried out. "What do you mean I was useless? How was I ever of use to you in the first place!?"

"You translated for me, after you defeated the DArk Lord," Macafoy said grimly. "I captured you and put you under veritaserum and memory charms to translate the book to me. And now I have yet failed! Despite all the painstaking lengths I went to get the book translated from cover to cover!"

"Yes!" Ginny fired back as Harry stepped back from shock. Harry couldn't believe it. He was used, used by the enemy. He helped the enemy. He didn't hear Ginny as she spoke of a charm that prevented the book from ever being opened by Macafoy ever again, a charm that Harry had put, a curse that cursed the bloodline of Ginny Weasley ever since she took the book. That was why Macafoy killed Keira's parents. The women of Ginny's bloodline were cursed, except for Keira's mother, who was not of the same blood as Ginny. But Keira was. She was in danger...of being the savior.

Keira heard not a word. She was busy watching Matthew, whose face turned into surprise as Ginny described the curse, the last passage that Keira knew. The last passage that Keira did not understand.

"Noo!" Macafoy's moan rang out throughout the clearing. Harry looked up; Keira turned her glazed eyes onto him; McAdams peeked over the bushes and saw the pale man bending backwards in anguish, crying out.

Macafoy was annoyed, irritable, and angry. His plan was falling apart. "NOW!" he yelled. Whipping out his hand he began to direct spells at Harry.

Harry sidestepped and the curse hit another wizard. That wizard fell back; he was dead. The fighting began. Everywhere, wizards part of the Order were taking out their wands and stunning rushing Death Bringers and shooting out death curses while the Death Bringers shielded themselves and fired back unforgivable curses. Harry had retreated to the back line, keeping his view directed at Macafoy, who had run off the clearing and run to the back of his forces. Ron had rushed to Hermione's side and dragged her out of the clearing. The shimmers on her rope were fading and it seemed as if Hermione was absorbing all of the shimmers.

Hermione gasped and choked for air.

"No! Oh my God! Hermione! No! I'm sorry!" Ron cried out.

"No- Ron - no!" Hermione choked out. She kept gasping for air as the shimmers slowly entered her body. All Ron could do was watch as Hermione slowly died in his arms.

Harry chased after Macafoy, weaving in and out of his men. Several times he nearly got hit himself but he would duck just in time. Fred and George had abandoned their wands and were busy punching a particularly large Death Bringer to pulp. Ginny Weasley had begun battling with Millicent Bulstrode and Crabbe simultaneously. Keira ran to Matthew, who was caught in the middle of the warfare of sparks.

"Matthew!" Keira said as she knelt by him. She untied the tight ropes that bound his wrists.

"Keira," Matthew croaked. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never believed that you would be the one."

"The one? What are you talking about? Come on, let's go," Keira said, she pulled him to his feet and threw the rope aside. Then putting his arm around her shoulders, she lifted him up and helped him walk off to the side, away from the attacks.

"There," Keira said, setting him back against a tree. "Now, stay here ok? I'm gonna go now and help others." She stood up and turned around, but Matthew grabbed her wrist. She slowly turned back.

Matthew's eyes were closed and he looked exhausted, but his grip on her wrist was strong. "Wait, why are you helping me?"

"The same reason why you helped me," Keira said softly. "I believe in you." She turned back to the battlefield.

"Wait!" Keira turned around. Matthew was struggling to stand up. She rushed to help him but he stopped her. He handed her his wand.

"Do your magic," Matthew said.

"I don't know any," Keira said, confused. Matthew pulled her close and whispered in her ear. Keira's eyes grew wide and she nodded. She turned nervously back to the battlefield.

At the edge of the clearing, she turned back to Matthew. He nodded in encouragement. Keira took a deep breath and cried out the spell she learned from Matthew to the first Death Bringer she saw.

"Avada Kedavra!" A flash of red sparks flew out of the tip of her wand and hit the Death Bringer squarely in the back. The Death Bringer fell dead.

Keira couldn't move at the shock of what she had done, but she had no time to process it. No sooner had she killed the Death Bringer did another turn and go after her. She shot another Avada Kedavra spell at the Death Bringer, but missed.

At that same time, Hermione gasped for her last breath...

At that same time, the Death Bringer shot an Avada Kedavra spell at an unmovable Keira, aimed at her heart...

continuation of chapter 22......i don't think i can say anything sufficient.....

Happy One-Day-After Halloween!!!!!!! gorge on candy!!!!!

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Chapter 22 continuation


Matthew could not watch. He heard Keira's piercing scream in the air as he held back tears. No, it was too unbearable to watch...

"Noooo!" Matthew moaned, slumping against the tree.



Harry chased after Macafoy. He was disapparating and apparating all over the place, looking for Malfoy. Malfoy was slick, but not slick enough.

Harry heard a whisper of a wind and ducked; a stunning spell just went over his head and disappeared through the leaves.

"Crucio!" Harry yelled, pointing his wand over his shoulder. No sound of pain. Harry turned around and scanned the area. Malfoy was gone, he could feel it. Harry disapparated once again.

Malfoy was, actually, hiding in the brush. When he saw that Harry had disapparated, he slowly snuck out of his hiding place and took off his invisibility cloak.

"Ah, there you are."

Malfoy jumped and turned around. He held out his wand and pointed it wildly.

"Right here Draco."

Malfoy turned around and shot a stunning spell near a tree. The spell went off to the distance.

"Over here."

"Where!?" Malfoy shouted wildly. He began to cast stunning spells everywhere.

"Right here," the voice whispered. Malfoy shuddered. Harry was near him, he could feel it. But he felt no more as the Imperious curse shot through his body.

Pain...excruciating pain... That was all Malfoy could feel.

Remove the curse from Hermione... Harry's voice ordered from the depths of Malfoy's mind.

"No, no, nooo," Malfoy moaned. He tried to stand and building up his mental block.

"You're weak, Malfoy," the voice taunted.

"No I'm not!" Malfoy cried.

"You always were weak. Now let Hermione go!"

"No!"

"Now! Let her GO!"

A spell cast out of Malfoy's wand. It traveled into the distance, in the direction of the clearing, the battle area.

Harry removed the Imperious curse from Malfoy.

"And now, it is time to fight."

"And this time Potter," Malfoy spat bitterly. "I will win."




Miles away from this confrontation, Hermione gasped for her last breath, but it turned out to be her first fresh one. Hermione sat up, coughing.

"Hermione!" Ron said in surprise. The color returned to her cheeks. She continued to cough as Ron casted the ropes away.

"Harry...cough*...he got....cough*...got Malfoy...cough*!" Hermione coughed out.

"Oh Hermione!" Ron said with tears of joy. He embraced her tightly and they cried, afraid that they were so close at losing each other for eternity.



Matthew opened his eyes. He didn't hear a thud or a fall to the ground. He looked up. Was it possible? No, the spell was aimed at Keira. It could not have missed. Did she move? Was he the one dead? No, he could still move. He looked up at where Keira was.

"No...Oh my God..." Matthew breathed out.

The spell had hit Keira, there was no doubt of that. The spot where she had been hit was marked by a large gash on her heart, with red ooze coming out that looked similar to blood, but it shimmered. Keira was staring into the distance, her eyes glazed. Matthew tried to follow her gaze and saw her grandmother watching back, using a shield spell to block most curses. The grandmother broke her gaze, but Keira stared unblinkingly back.

Suddenly, Keira moved. She seemed to get taller....no, she was floating in the air. Matthew watched as she went higher and higher,with no branch or leaf impeding her ascension. Suddenly, Keira burst into flames.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Matthew yelled out. He began to claw after her, but it was impossible to reach her. "No! No! No! Keira!"

He felt strong arms encircle him and hold him down. Matthew was now frozen. He cried and cried, calling out to Keira.

"Be quiet boy," It was Ginny. "Be quiet. There is nothing we can do. That is Keira's destiny."

"No!" Matthew cried. "She shouldn't have to die!"

"She's not dying Matthew. She's saving us. She is the curse."

i think i should explain the curse eh? hehe

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Chapter 23 - The Curse


"Wh...what...what do you mean curse?" Matthew squeaked out. He tried to not look at Keira, who was now burning a bright, vibrant orange that could not escape the corner of his eye.

Ginny stared into Matthew's eyes. She saw something in him she had not seen in a long time. She grabbed his shoulders. "Boy, listen to me, let...go."

"Wha - what?" Matthew said in a high voice, confused at what Keira's grandmother was saying. "Let go what?"

"Let go boy, or you'll keep her tied down. Let her go and save us all." Ginny gave Keira's form one last look and turned back to the battleground.

"Wait!" Matthew shouted after Ginny. "You mean, you're just going to let her die?"

Ginny stopped in her tracks. She took a deep breath. This boy deserved to know something at the very least. He did have it in him.

"Yes," Ginny said, her voice resigned.

"But why?" Matthew gasped out. "How could you? She went through hell trying to find you, to know more about why you just disappeared. And you're going to just let her die?"

"She wasn't supposed to die!" Ginny shouted. She faced Matthew, her eyes shining. "She wasn't supposed to find that book! If she did the curse would take place! I was hoping to prolong it until Draco died, but no! She came along and found that book. She wasn't supposed to! She brought this death upon herself!" Ginny was screaming herself hoarse.

Matthew stared at the old, tired, deeply saddened woman. "Did you put that curse on the book?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Ginny said, equally quiet. "I put it there."

"Why?"

"It had to be done."

"No it didn't! You could have put the curse on someone else. What was the point of the curse?" Matthew cried out, attacking Ginny's feeble reason.

"The curse," Ginny said slowly. "The curse is not a curse. It is a curse onto the person it is bestowed upon. However, it will save the rest of us. It will destroy the book, therefore destroying Malfoy. To destroy Malfoy would require a human sacrifice. It would have been me, and that would have been the curse of Malfoy's taking it's effect. I diverted that curse, upon my bloodline. But I did not think that anyone would be affected from it. That's why I moved, moved to New York."

"Why didn't you just die?" Matthew said, shaking. "Why didn't you just sacrifice yourself?"

"Would you have died for such a cause?!" Ginny yelled in defense.

"Yes! If I knew it'd defeat Macafoy!"

"Yet you work for that pig!"

"I didn't know better then! But I do now!"

"Well I had everything to lose! I didn't want to lose my family! I lost too many of them in the war already!" Ginny was now turning red. "I didn't want to lose my future. And I most certainly didn't want to lose Harry!"

Matthew raised his eyebrows in shock. "What does Harry have to do with this?"

"Because I loved him!" Ginny cried. "Because I thought we could have something! Because I didn't want to lose him in the fight! I stole this book for him! I did this for him! Who knew I was going to marry a dumb old wizard instead? If I had known, I would have killed myself for the cause right then and there!"

Matthew stared at Ginny in shock. He could not understand what reason could be so powerful as to undermine the reason of defeating Macafoy. He could not understand....

"I know you may think I am an awful person, and my actions are questionable," Ginny said, breathing hard, the redness slowly fading from her cheeks. "But you do understand why I did this. Because you have it in you too. Keira has it in her too. But she will be given up. It was her destiny since the moment she found the book. It is her destiny, to die for us."

"No, it is not," Matthew said, gritting his teeth as he helped himself stand up.


At that moment, a bright white light emitted from the center of the flame that was once Keira.

hehehehehe! i'm so giddy! i'm on my second page of the website! whoopee!...... :huh: ok...nevermind....i must sound nuts here, ok, back to the story....

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Chapter 24 - Meanwhile...Defeat


Bryan McAdams had rallied all of the male villagers. Shouting at the top of his lungs of wizards had certainly attracted attention, and the sight of him alone without his father dragging him off on his ear proved to be very convincing for many.

The villagers, armed with weapons and the good wishes and luck from their wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, marched into the forest, with Bryan in the lead.


Meanwhile in the forest, Bryan's father sat impatiently, but with his head covered. He had crouched low along with the others, behind the bushes. They could hear strange words cried and shouted, and the faint sounds of light shooting out of sticks and being directed at people.

Peabody, Knowsly, Arguth, and McAdams huddled together. They were scared out of their wits. A spark of a spell swooshed through the bushes that hid them and hit Peabody. Suddenly Peabody's coat was on fire.

"Aahhh!!!" Peabody cried, jumping up from their hiding place. "Help! Help! I'm burning! Help!"

The others stared in absolute shock. Peabody hopped around and turned around, in full view of the battle before him. All wizards had stopped fighting and were staring at him. Peabody ignored their stares; he continued to hop around.

Lupin watched the poor Muggle suffer from the fire spell. Lupin ended the man's misery; "Watreautrius," Lupin muttered. The fire was extinguished.

The nearest Death Bringer took a threatening step towards Peabody. Arguth, Knowsly, and McAdams slowly stood up with their weapons raised.

"We-we're not afraid of you," McAdams said as bravely as possible. He pointed his rifle at the Death Bringer. He had a dreadful feeling that the Death Bringer was smiling at his rifle.

Arguth tugged the back of McAdams' shirt. "I think we should go," Arguth whispered nervously.

"No way, Arguth," McAdams said stubbornly. "This is our forest, and we'll protect it."

The Death Bringer laughed. "Your forest?" He raised his wand arm and said "Incarcerous". Ropes came out and tied the four men together. The Muggles struggled against the ropes but could not move. The Death Bringer laughed sinisterly.

"Ah, I agree very much. Victory is always nice."

The wizards turned around at the voice. The Death Bringers bowed, one by one. Harry's allies twitched nervously. It was Macafoy. And he had Harry Potter hanging limp, tightly bound, and floating in the air, unconscious.


Snape nodded to Lupin, behind all the other wizard-soldiers. They were well hidden from view. Snape and Lupin turned their backs and faced the cauldron they had dragged along with them.

Lupin opened a book and began to read the spell as Snape added the lacewings and salamander skins.

"TO ONE DOES THE POWER OF THE LORD BELONG TO
TO THE OTHER, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LORD WILL BE FELT
A POWERFUL ALLY WILL RELIVE...."



At that moment, at the beginning of the spell, at the shock of Harry's limp form, at the surprise that Hermione was well, at the discovery of four Muggles hiding out...Keira became one bright light that overshadowed the forest.


Bryan McAdams froze, along with the other men, at the edge of the forest as a bright light took over the forest.


"What's happening to Keira?" Matthew muttered to himself. He shielded his eyes and watched Keira, as her stiff form slowly descended back down to earth. Her entire form was pale, almost crystallike. Her hair had frozen in place, waving wildly about her; the blood from her heart had frozen, unmovable and shimmering. Her feet slowly landed on the soft earth. Matthew ran towards her.


"We have to hurry with the spell, keep concentrating, we mustn't lose Keira," Snape muttered, to a now sweating Remus Lupin.

Chapter 25 - Where There's a Will, There's a Way


The wizarding world was split. Death Bringers stared at Macafoy's vicotry grin, amazed that the great Harry Potter had been defeated. Phoenix members were staring at Keira, wondering what had just happened.

Macafoy could not suppress a victorious sinister laugh. "You weak Mudblood-lovers! What are you going to do now? Now that your leader is dead!"

"He's not dead!" Hermione cried out. She struggled to sit up and Ron supported her. "He's not dead!"

"Oh my dear," Macafoy mocked sympathy. "I think he is well incapacitated to not function at all."

"You think just because you have our leader we will stop fighting. Not for the cause of good! Never will we give up!" Ron's ears were turning bright red.

"Oh? And what, the wizards will rally behind their feeble Minister?" Macafoy jeered. "I'm actually surprised Weasel, that someone as stupid as you became minister."

Ron started to get up and had cocked his fists, but Hermione gently placed her hand on his arm. He placated.

"Ha," Macafoy sneered. "Controlled by a woman. I never let women control me." Pansy Parkinson sidled up next to her man. Hermione noticed she had gotten rounder and it was visible under the heavy cloak.

"I don't think you've truly killed Harry Potter," Fred Weasley muttered, his eyes distant.

"What was that?" Macafoy asked, bemused.

"I don't think you've truly killed me."

Macafoy's expression was priceless. His face went through a series of changes. From mild surprise, to realization, to shock, and to fear. He turned around. Sure enough, Harry was there, standing and not tied down by ropes.

"H-how...what...how -" sputtered Macafoy. His eyes were surely deceiving him.

"Magic, you idiot," Harry said mildly, though his eyes had fire in them. "You were always an idiot."

oh and btw, i know i put down that Ginny loved Harry, but just for my opinion's sake, in the real series, i don't think Harry and Ginny should be put together...ok, that's just my 2cents.....

continued from chapter 25


***************

"Imperio!" Harry yelled, directing his curse at Macafoy. At that same instant, Macafoy conjured a shield and deflected the curse while ten Death Bringers fired a stunning spell at Harry all at once. Harry deftly deflected the spells with a wave of his hand and the spells were sent back to its original shooter. Ten Death Bringers fell on the ground in shock.

"Harry!" Ginny yelled. Harry looked up and saw Ginny pointing to the edge of the clearing. Matthew had caught a limp but frozen Keira. Oh no, thought Harry. It has begun... Harry looked to the distance hurriedly; sure enough, Lupin and Snape were working furiously on the spell.

Macafoy directed a jinx at Harry and Harry deflected it. They began to shoot more deadly spells one after another, though none seemed ready to shoot the death curse yet. Harry began to enchant the trees and had them shield Matthew and Keira from the warfare. He had a flash of memory: Dumbledore had done the same for him many years ago, an act that saved his life that night at the Ministry...


Matthew fell to his knees under the heavy weight of Keira. Her eyes were frozen open, her expression that same shock as when she first experienced her first curse. Matthew remembered being surprised that she could do such harm on her first try. It had taken him months and months of hard work to finally kill the experimental rat instead of temporarily paralyzing it.

Tears spilled over his face. He touched Keira's hand; it was cold. The blood shimmered and he touched it; it was warm. Matthew was surprised. The blood seemed to have crystallize, but it was warm as if it had continued to flow...


Ron struggled to help Hermione stand up. Hermione fumbled for her wand.

"Are you sure you want to fight now?" Rona asked, concerned.

"More so than ever," Hermione said, gritting her teeth. "I'd like to sock a punch into Malfoy's squashed face today." She pushed back the sleeves of her robe and suddenly deflected a spell spinning towards Ron's back. Ron jumped.

"Ah, see?" Hermione said satisfactorily. "Hadn't lost my touch at all." And she marched off, shooting spells rght and left of her and she began dueling with a Death Bringer.

Ron had to grin. Hermione was as spunky as ever, and that's what he loved about her. He picked up his wand just as a spell hit him in the head. Ron fell, knocked out...


Harry could not see any of his side's casualties or victories. He was busy dueling with Macafoy, who was putting up a great fight indeed.

"I can't believe you improved without your book for years," Harry said conversationally as he shot another spell at Malfoy.

"Yes, well I keep practice," Malfoy said with a malicious grin.

"Oh yeah?" Harry deflected a particularly strong curse. "How?"

"I have...people to help me flex my abilities everyday," Malfoy said. He began to attack Harry's mind. He knew Harry's guard would fall every time mention of a human life lost came up.

However, Harry was precisely expecting that attack. He blocked his mind. "Legilimens!" Harry cried. The spell shocked Malfoy and sent him spinning back a couple of steps. Harry took these precious seconds to probe Malfoy's mind. Visions of Malfoy's parents dying came up...bullying a villager to death...Hermione hitting him in the hallways in their third year...watchng Hermione as she did her potions when they were still in school...Hermione strolling on the school grounds, older, wiser...Hermione teaching her first Transfiguration class...Hermione's wedding to Ron....

Harry stopped. There were so many memories of Hermione in him. Malfoy wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth. He saw Harry's surprised expression. "Enjoyed your little show now eh?" he said.

Harry blinked and looked at Malfoy. Thousands of questions ran through his head, though none were appropriate. He tried to stun Malfoy, but Malfoy waved it away.

They continued to attack each other. "Why do you have so many memories of Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Same as you do," Malfoy said evasively. He directed a particularly strong disarming spell.

"But she's my best friend," Harry said, struggling to defend himself. "I am always with her, that would explain my memories."

"Ah, but she's your weakness too isn't she?" Malfoy spat out.

"How could you say that?" For once, Harry conjured a large shield and stopped fighting. Malfoy however, did not.

"You were lovesick for her weren't you?" Malfoy jeered. "Too bad the Weasel beat you to it. You probably thought the Weasel can't beat the Potty.'

"Stop teasing as if we were ten!" Harry shouted. "Grow up!" He directed a spell at Malfoy and caused Malfoy to stumble back into a tree.

"Yes well, I knew she was the one person who would cause you to come out again and fight. If poor little Hermione was hurt, brave Gryffindor Harry would come to the rescue. That's why I followed her. I followed her all the time," Malfoy said quietly. He began to build up his mental block. He knew that Harry might just attack his mind and find out more than he had too. And that would be bad.

"You couldn't have," Harry whispered.

"Oh yeah? Why's that?"

"You followed her to the school grounds, the very school grounds I cast a spell on to prevent you from coming in."

"You've never heard of the Polyjuice Potion, have you?"

Chapter 26 - Deception

"What on earth are you talking about?" Harry's face paled; he now resembled Malfoy in face color. He stopped fighting and temporarily lost his mind guard. Malfoy attacked.

"Polyjuice potion Harry," Malfoy said as Harry shot back in pain from the attack. He stopped and watched Harry get up. "Don't tell me that you don't know what I'm talking about. I know. I knew that it wasn't Crabbe and Goyle asking me again if I was the heir of Slytherin around Christmas time in our second year. You and your little friends used the potion to see if I would admit the inheritance. Well well now, it seems I have done the same thing, with a worse vengeance."

"What do you mean worse vengeance?"

"I mean," Malfoy said meaningfully. "That I was married to your friend."

"What!?" Harry cried out.

"Ever remember Wil Wilstone?" Malfoy asked, twirling his wand like a baton.

Harry stared at Malfoy shrewedly. Then it hit him. His heart fell like stone to his feet. "No....no...." Harry muttered in realization.

"Yes," Malfoy grinned. "Remember that mission you sent Wilstone on?"

Harry remembered perfectly. It was after Keira's father had been born. Harry had asked Wil to go to England and do a reconnaissance mission. It was suspected that Macafoy was moving around in the north of the isle, possibly Scotland. If he was, he would be too close to the Hogwarts grounds. Harry had already charmed the school ground boundaries from preventing anyone looking like Malfoy from entering the grounds. The charm was not fooled by any potion or spell, including the Polyjuice Potion. He remembered that he had sent Wil off and two weeks later, Wil sent an owl saying that he could not get back to the school in time. His son was ill, and he had to return home immediately. Harry remembered thinking it was queer that Wil would suddenly care so much about his family. He had always put the Order first before anything. But Harry had brushed the suspicion away. After all, Wil was a new father, and he probably felt excited for the first time about his family. Harry let it go, and asked for a report, face-to-face. Wil had requested that they meet at the Hogsmeade station. When Harry saw him, he noticed that Wil was jittery, but Wil had claimed nerves and anxiety. The report was good: Malfoy was not up in Scotland, but it was possible that he would be there in a few days. Harry left Wil, and that was the last he heard from him.

"You do realize that Wil was an incompetent old fool," Malfoy said, breaking Harry's train of thought.

"He wasn't," Harry said defensively. "He was in love with the Order."

"Just as you were in love with his wife," broke in Malfoy.

"No I wasn't!" Harry cried. "I never felt anything more than friendship for Ginny! She was like my sister!"

"Ha, ok, whatever," Malfoy rolled his eyes childishly. "I went back to New York, posing as Ginny's husband. For twenty long years i had to play as a Muggle. I had to do menial jobs. I had to reduce myself to a MudBlood!" Malfoy seemed most angry at that idea. "I could not use my wand at all! Ginny had prevented me, for the "sake of our child". I almost couldn't finish the job. But then I found out about her curse, and the bloodline, so I had Keira's parents killed."

sorry i left my story in such a weird state...i'm going to post up the last paragraph and add some more from there...

continued from ch. 26


"Ha, ok, whatever," Malfoy rolled his eyes childishly. "I went back to New York, posing as Ginny's husband. For twenty long years i had to play as a Muggle. I had to do menial jobs. I had to reduce myself to a MudBlood!" Malfoy seemed most angry at that idea. "I could not use my wand at all! Ginny had prevented me, for the "sake of our child". I almost couldn't finish the job. But then I found out about her curse, and the bloodline, so I had Keira's parents killed."

Harry could not believe his ears. He was shocked at all this information - this truth - thrown at him in one day. First, he had betrayed his own side by unwittingly helping the enemy (Malfoy of all people!), Keira had suddenly been in the fight and attacked, thus sacrificing herself for them, and now Malfoy was saying that he had been Wil Wilstone for twenty years! He built up his mental defense and listened carefully at Malfoy's next words:

"Little did I know that they weren't the Ones. I thought the job would be done and over with,' Malfoy paused. "You're wondering how I knew about the curse, aren't you?"

Harry didn't say anything.

"It's one of the advantages of being the husband of a good witch," Malfoy said smugly. "I'm amazed she couldn't tell the difference between her real husband and me. I must have been a great actor! I never realized that it was Keira who would be the One. In the end, only she could have been it."

"You were an idiot," Harry repeated quietly. Malfoy's burning eyes pierced through his mind and Harry winced. He defended his mind by attacking Malfoy's legs. Malfoy fell. Harry kicked him down and stepped on his wand hand. Harry grabbed Malfoy's wand and pointed both up Malfoy's chin.

"It only takes me one second to say the curse Draco,' Harry hissed. "One second..."

Malfoy laughed sinisterly. "What do you want me to do? There's nothing I can do now."

"You...can...die."

In the dense forest, a bright flash appeared and it disappeared as suddenly as it came up.



Far from this scene, Lupin and Snape were finishing the potion.

"...AND SO THIS SHALL BE
THAT SHE SET FREE
ALL, AND BE FREE OF THY CURSE..."

Snape did one last stir of the the potion and then conjured a flask. He filled the flask halfway and disapparated. Lupin sighed. It was done, it was finished. He conjured up another flask and this time filled the whole flask. With a whip of his wand, the cauldron and supplies were gone. He disapparated.

ok ok, to satisfy Makaylah...teehee

**********
Chapter 27 - Shall We Win?


Snape apparated within feet of Matthew. Matthew gave no indication that he knew someone else was there. Snape watched as Matthew cradled Keira in his arms, sobbing, and touching at Keira's crystallized blood. Snape performed legilimency; his mind was weak enough to break through.

And then, Snape saw it. He saw it in Matthew, just as Ginny saw it. The boy had love in him. Love, something that seemed so inconceivable in such a boy raised as a Death Bringer. Love, for a girl he had shared several weeks worth of adventure with. Love, and care, something that Snape had never had the chance to truly develop.

Snape cleared his throat. Matthew did not respond. He stopped sobbing and slowly turned around. Snape bent his head down to show some humility.

"Move," Snape said quietly, but effectively.

"Who are you?" Matthew asked suspiciously.

"Severus Snape."

"Who's side?" Matthew reached for his wand.

"Keira's."

Matthew looked mournfully at Keira. He sighed in resignation and gently laid her down on the ground from his lap. Snape moved briskly, and that was when Matthew first noticed the flask Snape held.

"Wh-what's that?" Matthew asked concerned and in a shrilly voice, pointing at the flask.

"A potion," Snape said efficiently. He gently popped open the cork of the flask. The potion hissed. Snape took out his wand and tapped gently at Keira's crystallized blood. "Shattreusio," Snape muttered. The film of crystal over the blood shattered. Matthew could hear the tinkle it made as it cracked. The blood flowed. Snape quickly caught it and it trickled down the flask. The potion changed it's color into a murky black and then blood red. Snape corked the flask and conjured a clean piece of cloth. He made it super-absorbant and he pressed it over Keira's now bleeding heart. The cloth soaked up the blood but the stain never appeared. He pressed it hard against the heart.

"Come here," Snape ordered. Matthew rushed to his side. "Press hard on this wound to sop up the blood."

"Can't you just heal it?" Matthew asked.

"I'm not a healer, and this magic is more advanced. No spell can simply cure this. It requires a stronger spell to help Keira right now." Snape stood up and Matthew pressed his palm against Keira's wound. "You know it's actually critical to our victory that Keira's wound was over her heart," Snape observed.

"Why?"

"Because it means that she has love, and that it is love that will defeat Macafoy. Keira has love in her heart. She's in love."

Snape disapparated.

Chapter 27 continued:

************

Lupin apparated within yards of Ron. He saw Ron unconcious on the floor. Lupin flew to his side and scanned for Hermione. She was still fighting and had not noticed that Ron had fallen. Good, Lupin thought. At least she won't throw a fit and make herself vulnerable.

Lupin gently set the flask down and put an Unbreakable charm on it. He tapped at Ron's head to wake him up. Ron didn't. Lupin put his head against Ron's chest. This Muggle way should work, Lupin thought worriedly. There was a faint beat, but there was a beat. Lupin stood up and conjured a small tent and cot. He put Ron on the cot and put a charm around the tent; now it would be unaffected by any curse or spell. Lupin scanned the area for more of the wounded and lifted each into the small tent, conjuring cots as he found them. Then he picked up the flask and went to finish the task...



Not far away, Matthew sat silently, hugging his knees, watching Keira. She didn't wake, he didn't expect her to. But what this Snape person had said had resonated in him...could it be? Could it be that she was in love? And with who?


Snape apparated once again, this time where Harry was. Harry was standing over Malfoy's limp and deathly pale body.

"Harry," Snape said in a deathly voice. "You didn't...did you?"

Harry turned in surprise. He wasn't used to Snape saying his first name. Snape's eyes narrowed, staring at Malfoy.

"You do realize, you fool, that we needed Malfoy alive to save Keira," Snape continued in that same voice. "It is only then that we can destroy him without sacrificing an innocent."

Harry chuckled very softly. "Before you assume I am a fool, wake Malfoy up."

Snape gave Harry a calculating look. "Enervate," Snape muttered. Malfoy stirred, but very slowly. "Potter," Snape said exasperatedly. "What did you do?"

"What?" Harry said innocently. "It was just a stunning spell." Snape gave him a look that said 'don't-play-with-me-right-now'. "And a couple of jinxes here and there..." Harry added. "And maybe a really strong disarming spell?"

Malfoy blinked slowly. He stared at Harry, but didn't seem to recognize him.

"Open your mouth," Snape ordered as he knelt beside Malfoy.

"Who-who are you?" Malfoy asked, puzzled.

Snape didn't answer. He grabbed Malfoy's jaw and forced it open. Malfoy sputtered as Snape forced the liquid mixed with Keira's blood down Malfoy's throat. Just at that moment, Lupin apparated. He saw what Snape was doing and shooed Harry away. He opened his flask and made a circle around Snape and Malfoy with the liquid.

"Accio Book of Kaens," Lupin cried.

The book whipped out of Goyle's robe and flew to the deep forest. Goyle grabbed clumsily at it but then dismissed it with a wave. Malfoy probably summoned it, Goyle reasoned.

"How could you just summon the book? Didn't Malfoy put a curse on it?" Harry questioned.

"No," Lupin said simply. "I saw who was holding it. It was the idiot Goyle. Goyle doesn't do much so it's ok." The book flew into Lupin's hands. Lupin handed the book to Harry.

"It's your turn."

Snape stepped away from the circle. He and Lupin stood behind Harry, who then opened the book. Malfoy was still groggy.

"Wha?" Malfoy grumbled.

Harry turned the page until he found the page he was looking for. He began to read in Parseltongue.

Malfoy stared at Harry. Then, it registered in his mind. They were going to kill him! They were reading that passage in the book! The passage that showed his defeat! He had marked that page with a rose petal, the rose petal Pansy had given him. If a rose petal fell, then...this would be the end...

A pink, shriveled petal drifted slowly to the ground...

"Nooo!!" Malfoy screamed. Harry looked up from reading, but his lips continued to hiss out that curse. Malfoy listened and recognized each hiss. He had heard it so many times from Harry's lips when Harry translated it...

A beam of light shot through Malfoy's torso. Malfoy screamed in pain, in agony. I can't believe this is it, Malfoy thought. This can't be the end! Not after all that I have done! No! Stop the pain! Stop it! No! Please! Don't kill me! No! I can't leave like this! I have failed! I can't fail! I can't fail the Dark Lord - he trusted me! No! Please! This can't be it!!

And Malfoy felt no more pain.



Keira blinked and the crystal film on her eyes cracked.

the end is near!!!! aren't you all excited??? :elaugh:

Chapter 29 - The Finale


Matthew looked up. It was that unmistakable crack, the crack of the crystal that broke under Snape's spell. Matthew crawled over to where Keira lay. The crystal kept breaking, but not breaking off of her. Keira's eyes were blinking and staring right at him, but she did not seem to recognize him. Matthew watched the crack's progression down her body....


A dome of light had appeared from where Macafoy once lay. All wizards and witches turned to stare at the dome, which disappeared as quickly as it had come. Suddenly, the Death Bringers cried in pain. Their hands were smoking.

Harry, Lupin, and Snape apparated in time to witness the scene. Hermione and Fred rushed to Harry.

"What's happening?" asked Fred.

Harry watched the scene before them. "Macafoy must have put some spell over the Death Bringers. A dark curse more like it. If Macafoy dies, their hands will start to smoke. Then they will all smoke up."

"And disappear?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Yes," Harry said thoughtfully. "Disappear."

A piercing scream, unmistakably female, came from behind them and interrupted their thoughts.

"Keira," Harry muttered. They raced to the edge of the clearing and found Keira there, back in her normal self, her clothes torn by the sharp shards of the crystals, her once flawless skin scarped and cut. She was kneeling over a convlusive Matthew. He was smoking up, faster than any of the other Death Bringers.

"Snape, get me the best Healing potion and stopper death you have," Harry directed. "Lupin, get Keira to the tent, I don't want her to witness this."

Keira looked up at Harry when she heard her name. Harry looked away; there was great pain in her eyes and tears spilled over from her eyes. Lupin gently went to Keira's side and lifted her up. Keira looked down at Matthew and began to scream.

"No! Wait! I want to stay! I want to help! No!" Keira's screams were futile. Lupin dragged her away to the tent. Hermione followed them, deciding that she would rather console Keira rather than watch the painful process of stopping death in its tracks and the regrowth of everything lost, such as skin or bones, even organs and brains. But Hermione got sidetracked almost right away. At the corner of the tent, in the last bed of the row, lay a man with fiery red hair.

"Ron!" Hermione cried and she rushed to his side. Ron's eyes slowly opened. Hermione was fussing over him and he laid a gentle hand on hers. Hermione stopped.

"I'm fine," Ron croaked. Hermione couldn't help but cry. She smoothed his hair and gave him a loving kiss. "I'm fine," Ron repeated. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

"Keira," Lupin said, struggling against a squirming Keira. "I'm sorry but, Silencio!" Keira's opened her mouth, but no sound came out. A look of complete shock overcame her. Lupin took advantage of this moment to get her to lie down and drink a healing potion. Ginny Weasley entered the tent at that moment.

"Grandma!" Keira tried to say, though no sound came out. Ginny strolled to Keira's side. She smoothed Keira's wavy black hair.

"They're gone sweety," Ginny said, giving her granddaughter a rare smile. "You've done it."

"Done what?" Keira mouthed.

"You destroyed the evil. You helped bring the end to Macafoy, and to his followers." Keira started to jump up but Ginny stopped her. "Don't worry, Matthew is still fighting for his life. Professor Potter and Professor Snape are doing everything they can to help him right now. Professor Lupin here will make sure you drink every drop of that potion so you can get better."

Lupin gave Keira the rest of the goblet of potion and Keira forced it down. It was bitter tasting, like a mix of lemons and sour milk. Then Lupin handed her another goblet. "This is the sleeping potion," he said. "So you will be knocked out as you heal." Keira warily took the goblet and drank it down. This was easier than the healing potion. "I mixed it with butterbeer," Lupin added proudly. "It makes it easier to drink."

Sleep overcame Keira like a lightning bolt.


Yards away, Matthew was frozen in time. Snape had managed to pour enough of stopper death in Matthew and Mathew's slowly deteriorating body had frozen in mid-convulsion. Snape measured a flask of healing potion and poured it into Matthew's mouth. Matthew's body began to relax and his skin began to regrow. Snape conjured a gurney and placed Matthew on it as Matthew's bones regrew. Then Snape sent the gurney off to the tent.

Harry and Snape walked out of the forest together.

"Well, that's done," Harry said, clapping his hands of the dust.

"You sound like it was a chore," Snape said in a bored voice.

"Well, isn't it?" They shared a rare smile.

Harry looked around them. The Death Bringers were all gone, and the wizards straggled to the tent. Lupin and Ginny were busy directing them to the tents and giving them potions. Some were already conjuring butterbeers and celebrating round a bonfire. Harry looked up at the sky; he had forgotten it was night.

"What do we do with them?" Snape asked, looking past Harry.

"With who?" Harry turned. Four Muggles were tied together, eyes full of fear at what they had witnessed, mouths gagged and wrists bound.

"A little Obliviate will do," Harry said lightly, and they both cast memory charms on the poor Muggles.

i don't know if you thought that last post was my last chapter - it's not really...i had more to write...

thanks to all who have read my story and thanks for feedback....


********

EPILOGUE


Bryan McAdams sat huddled near the edge of the forest, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth facing the forest. The other men of the village paced nervously, but never straying more than a couple of feet away from him. They were were just about to enter the forest when the witnessed the great white light and were too afraid to find out what was going on. Bryan was fearful that his father might be gone, but no one was ready to give up hope.

Suddenly, there was a rustle of bushes and heavy footsteps. The villagers all jumped. They raised their weapons and Bryan inched behind the other men. Then...Mr. McAdams, Peabody, Arguth, and Knowsly emerged from the forest. They were pale and visibly shaken, with a glazed look over their eyes. There was dried blood on their wepaons and clothes. The villagers stared. Then, they erupted in joy.

"You've defeated them!"

"You've saved our forest!"

"And it was only the four of them!"

"You have rid of the terrorists!"

"You saved the hostages!"

"And it was only the four of them!"

The villagers surrounded the four men. Bryan ran and hugged his father tightly. The villagers were slapping the backs of the four men and eagerly congratulating them.

The only problem was the four men did not know why there were being congratulated or cheered for.

None of them remembered a single thing they saw. They didn't remember calling for a hostage situation with terrorists. They didn't remember any spell cast by any person known as a wizard. They didn't remember being tied up and in the midst of spell crossfires.

But they did enjoy the glory, and they went along for the ride.



Keira sat at Matthew's bedside. His breathing was frail but steady. Keira had just awoken and immediately saw Matthew not too far. Lupin did not try to stop her as he distributed potions. Those that healed quickly disapparated immediately to their homes. Others had to stay at least a night. Matthew, probably more.

Ginny approached Keira softly and gently put a hand on her shoulder. Keira jumped and turned around.

"You care for him don't you?" Ginny whispered.

Keira lifted her knees to the chair and hugged it with her arms, burying her chin in it. "Yes," she mumbled.

"Do you...love him?"

"He's my friend," Keira said quickly. "He stuck with me throughout the journey. He...saved my life."

Ginny smiled, but Keira did not see her. She left Keira alone to help others, but Keira never escaped her sight.


************************************************** ***

Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts, and prepared for a new school year. He sat back, thinking about how this second defeat of evil resulted in. The magical world had entered a new era of peace. And, not only did the Weasley's rediscover their families, but so did he. He found that he did have a relative, and it was someone who could help him. Matthew was not useless. In fact, he came bounding after him after he had fully healed.

"Professor! Professor!"

Harry was in mid-disapparation when Matthew ran after him.

"Professor!" Matthew cried. "Wait!" Harry turned around and studied him somewhat coldly. "Professor, I just want to thank you for saving my life."

"I didn't do it, It was mostly Professor Snape's work."

"Yes I thanked him too. But you, I owe you an apology. I was a spy, I led Keira to danger, and I put her and you and all the other wizards in danger. And I'm truly sorry for that. Truly. You didn't have to save my life. I know it was your decision, Professor Snape said so. So thank you." Matthew fidgeted nervously.

Potter could not help but smile. "Your welcome," Potter said very softly. "After all, you're family."

Matthew brightened. "Professor, do you think I can work for you? Can I stay with you? I have no family left. I could be useful at Hogwarts. I can teach!"

Potter raised his eyebrows. "What can you teach?"


Though Matthew had not responded immediately, Potter took him under his wing and now, here they are...


However, Keira was still absorbing the surprise of having seen her whole family, her real family. She was even happy that Hermione was her aunt and they had an immediate connection. Keira was happy, but she had the feeling that her grandmother was going to bring her back to New York. New York wasn't bad, but she had grown attached to the quaint wizarding life, and she wanted to stay.

Ginny herself wasn't eager to leave. She saw it on Keira's face and she felt it in her heart. Keira knew so much already, and she was a quick learner. She seemed to have that inner sense of the wizarding world and understand magic better than anyone else could.

It was only a week later, while they shared a private room at Hogwarts one morning that Ginny made her decision.

"Keira?" Ginny asked as Keira started to get up and stretch. Ginny was already sitting on an armchair off to the side.

"MMM?" Keira yawned.

"What do you think of this place? Of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts?"

Keira eyed her grandmother. "Well," she said carefully. "I like it. It's really cool."

"What about New York? Is New York better?"

"I don't know," Keira shrugged. "I guess I miss New York."

Ginny smiled inwardly and studied her granddaugther shrewdly. "Ok then," Ginny said decidedly. "We'll move back to New York." Keira gaped as her grandmother stood up. "Well, now, I'm gonna go to Professor Potter and sort out a Portkey with him."

Keira jumped out of bed. "Wait! Grandma wait!" Ginny turned around. "Are you saying that if I preferred here, we'd stay here?"

"Well, I don't know," Ginny said coyly. "What about home?"

"What home?"

"What about your friends Keira?"

"I can make new ones. Besides, they were all fakes anyways."

"What about school?"

"Here!" Keira said brightly.

"What about Matthew?"

Keira fell silent. Ginny watched her granddaughter's face go through a series of changes. The brightness melted away, and it was replaced with shock and calm nervousness.

Ginny exaggerated her sigh. "Well, ok," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "If you insist, we'll stay."

Keira's squeal was deafening. She hugged her grandmother tightly. "Oh my God Grandma! Thank you! Thank you!" She rushed to the bathroom and not a minute later was dressed. She zoomed out the door and ran to find anyone she could find in the deserted hallways of the school. She was running blindly in glee. She was staying! In Hogwarts! In London! With her grandmother! With Matthew.

She was so happy she didn't even see the person walkign down the hallways. She bumped into the person hard.

"Sorry!" she said hurriedly.

"Wait! Keira!" Keira turned swiftly. It was Matthew!

"Matthew! You're totally ok!"

"Keira!" Matthew laughed. Keira never realized how much nicer Matthew looked when he smiled. "What's the hurry?"

"I'm staying!"

"What?" Matthew looked almsot flabbergasted.

"I'm staying! Here in Hogwarts! Hogsmeade! Whichever! I'm staying!"

"I thought you were leaving for New York."

"Nope! I'm staying!" Keira jumped up and hugged Matthew around the neck. He caught her in time and swung her around.

Keira never felt happier. This will be the best summer ever!


She had no idea how great it'd be.



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THE END

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